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1 and 2 Samuel for Everyone - Absalom's Coup
1 and 2 Samuel for Everyone - Absalom's Coup
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Absalom’s Coup 2 Samuel 14: 25- 16: 23 When I was an assistant pastor, a leading political figure in the Church of England came to speak at a conference at our church, and talked about policies for which he was working in the Church of England. It was clear that the man was a ski…
Isaiah for Everyone - On Dresses, Shawls, and Purses
Isaiah for Everyone - On Dresses, Shawls, and Purses
by SPCK - John Goldingay
On Dresses, Shawls, and Purses Isaiah 3: 1-4: 6 When we are going out for the evening, and if the time of year requires it, I will put a sweater on top of whatever I have been wearing all day. It’s a delight to me when, in contrast, my wife disappears into the closet and reappear…
LWPT Meditations - First Sunday of Advent - Year C
LWPT Meditations - First Sunday of Advent - Year C
by Susan Thorne
Meditation – First Sunday of Advent Year C Jeremiah 33: 14-16 Psalm 25: 1-10 1st Thessalonians 3: 9-13 Luke 21: 25-36 When I saw a man with a sandwich board bearing the words, “the end of the world is nigh”, I guessed he was going to a fancy dress party ... until I saw him …
Once a prophet pictured Israel
Once a prophet pictured Israel
by Andrew Pratt
Once a prophet pictured Israel Once a prophet pictured Israel, like a vineyard, overgrown, no more fruitful, judged and broken, left to ruin, overthrown. In the tone hear disappointment in the prophet’s call and cry, seeing bloodshed wound his nation, justice now a living lie. Ve…
Look around: so many places
Look around: so many places
by Andrew Pratt
Look around: so many places Look around: so many places, ravaged, ruined or destroyed. Ruthless people leaving carnage by the methods they deployed. In destruction prophets picture God in judgment showing strength. These are signs to bring the people to the Godhead's side at leng…
Now is the time to reassess
Now is the time to reassess
by Andrew Pratt
Now is the time to reassess our place within God's grace, a time for calm, reflective prayer, to meet God face to face. Now is the time for honesty for God is by our side; each action seen and understood, no way that we can hide. Verses 3-4 follow Metre: CM Tune: FINGAL Andrew …
One after another we wait on the warnings
One after another we wait on the warnings
by Andrew Pratt
One after another we wait on the warnings One after another we wait on the warnings, one after another the prophets cry out; our ears are unhearing we go on regardless ignoring the pleadings while feigning our doubt. The story is old as the faith that we follow, through each gene…
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A
Twelve Months of Sundays Year A - Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year A Acts 7.55–60 1 Peter 2.2–10 John 14.1–14 I’m never quite sure what Jesus meant when he said ‘you will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father’. But I’m quite sure he did not mean ‘you will do lesser works than these’. An o…
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - The Day of the Lord
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - The Day of the Lord
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3.1-10 The late Bishop Stephen Neill spent some time, early in his life, as a missionary teacher in India. Once he suspected that the class he was teaching had been cheating. The boys who were not so good at the subject had been copying from the work o…
Revelation for Everyone - The Plagues Begin
Revelation for Everyone - The Plagues Begin
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Plagues Begin Revelation 8.6-13 ‘Many people want to serve God,’ said the sign outside the church, ‘but only in an advisory capacity.’ And this is one of the moments in Revelation when some at least would give rather firm advice to the one who sits on the throne: ‘Don’t do it…
Joshua, Judges and Ruth for Everyone - Why Were They So Stupid?
Joshua, Judges and Ruth for Everyone - Why Were They So Stupid?
by SPCK - John Goldingay
Why Were They So Stupid? JOSHUA 11:16- 12:24 The night before last I ate dinner early, drank a glass or two of wine, didn’t eat dessert, and then had a cup of coffee later. This pattern works if I want to sleep well, so I try to stick to it. Last night I ate late, and the server …
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Christ the King Year A
Gazing on the Gospels Year A - Christ the King Year A
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Christ the King - Year A First Sunday before Advent Meditation on Matthew 25: 31-46 Gaze on all these people gathering before the Son of Man on the day of judgement, all the characters we’ve met over the year. There are kings from the east and an innkeeper; there’s Mary, mother …
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - Proper 21 Year C
Gazing on the Gospels Year C - Proper 21 Year C
by SPCK - Judith Dimond
Proper 21 Luke 16: 19-31 Gaze on an icy landscape. The glacier is solid, twenty, forty, sixty feet (six, twelve or eighteen metres) deep, and so white it is somehow blue. But a chasm has opened up, wider than a person’s leap. Look down into the freezing darkness. Gaze on a gorge …
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Contend for the Faith
Early Christian Letters for Everyone - Contend for the Faith
by SPCK - N T Wright
Contend for the Faith Judah 1-4 In my teens and my early twenties, one of my passions was rock-climbing. I wouldn’t say I was an utterly fearless climber; I had a proper respect for danger, and didn’t try to do things which were too far outside my competence. But I relished the c…
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - The Third Sunday in Lent Year C
Twelve Months of Sunday year c - The Third Sunday in Lent Year C
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Third Sunday of Lent Isaiah 55.1–9 1 Corinthians 10.1–13 Luke 13.1–9 Just in case anyone thought the Old Testament was all gloomy and the New cheerful, here are two passages of dire warning from the New Testament preceded by a warm, redeeming invitation from the Old. Underlyi…
Lectionary Reflection Year C - The First Sunday of Advent Year C