Kingsman: The Secret Service – is a rip-roaring enjoyable spy spoof lightly touching on some tangible everyday challenges – climate change, bullying, coming of age, redemption. The genre, of course, draws on unflinching, totally dedicated, sacrificial service, epitomised by agents given to Her Majesty’s Service (or His Majesty, when the Kingsman private spy agency was born).Continue reading “Lenten Voices: On Her Majesty’s Service….”
Tag Archives: Lent
Lenten Voices: Psalm 51
The first day of the Lenten journey involves some healthy introspection. Psalm 51 (50 in some translations) is a penitent prayer that is bold in its confidence and trust in the One petitioned. The Orthodox tradition through the centuries has been a thorough exemplar of this combination of strong trust and humility. Listen and prayContinue reading “Lenten Voices: Psalm 51”
From the Ashes
Ash Wednesday is not really part of my church’s tradition. Dark and sombre with an emphasis on the dreariness of death, it does not sit comfortably with a movement whose focus is on new creation borne on the vitality and inspiration of resurrection life. Yet we will observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the seasonContinue reading “From the Ashes”
The Giants Are in Town – a Transfiguration Reflection
(Today’s pep talk for Transfiguration Sunday) The Giants are in Perth. Thousands have gone to meet them. The Little Girl and the Diver have attracted crowds the size of which are often not seen in the CBD. Enthralled, they have watched the Giants sleep, wake up, shower, blink, walk, widdle and read. Not only haveContinue reading “The Giants Are in Town – a Transfiguration Reflection”
Zesty Zeke…
When the molasses are thick, what keeps some folk swimming while others succumb? Ezekiel seems quite upbeat in the midst of most depressing circumstances. He is a welcome guide as we tread the heavy Lenten journey to Jerusalem and the cross. Todays text, Ezekiel 37:24-28, holds out to exiled Israel a beatific vision of aContinue reading “Zesty Zeke…”
The next blockbuster?
Now that Noah has wowed the big screen, will Ezekiel be far behind? Ezekiel was a multi-media entrepreneur. As our current Lenten guide, he uses the stuff Hollywood loves to use to relieve the burden of getting his message across – the triumph of God’s love expressed through people so oriented in a desolate andContinue reading “The next blockbuster?”
What dry bones hide…
As our Lenten journey draws closer to climax, we find the path winding through Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones. We don’t have to look far around us to see our own dry bones… empty promises, bored transactions, indifferent encounters, and defeated dreams. We are called to Ezekiel’s vision that ”even these dry bones can live”.Continue reading “What dry bones hide…”
Shining light into dark places
Government leaders need to be careful of hubris when talking about requiring the community to shine light into dark places. They might find someone has already claimed that function. On a well-noted occasion, it resulted in clear sight and clarity of mind for someone unintended by those who believed themselves in charge. Those ruling held anContinue reading “Shining light into dark places”
Mutual Submission
Ephesians 5:21-32 is one of the most manipulated texts for those misguided enough to champion male domination in marriage. Many camels swallowed here while straining at gnats. The kernel of Paul’s argument is mutual submission to one another out of respect for the Way of Christ. No room for misogyny and domestic oneupmanship here. TheContinue reading “Mutual Submission”
Light’s offspring
The national discourse does not currently inspire much hope. Hope is to be found in the values espoused by such passages as Ephesians 5:1-14, today’s Lenten text. If one is patient enough to sift the ancient language and thought forms, one discovers some evocative phrases. For example, the exhortations to live as “a fragrant offering”Continue reading “Light’s offspring”
Wondering Pilgrim 