What happens when a popular and influential leader loses his/her way? The MSM (MainStream Media) and alternative sources are forever keen to assist our views – either manipulatively or informatively! Powerbrokers know when to make their move, no less the prophet/king-maker Samuel. King Saul was on the nose, and secret arrangements for his succession became necessary. ItContinue reading “Seeing differently…”
Tag Archives: Lent
Well, well, well…
The nameless woman at Jacob’s Well is our Lenten guide today. Read her story at John 4:5-30 One spectrum of Christian tradition dwells on the early part of the conversation – Jesus offering “living water” to one parched by errant ways. Another spectrum of the tradition celebrates the outcome – this woman becomes the firstContinue reading “Well, well, well…”
Lent partners International Happiness Day???
Having dipped my lid to International Happiness Day and listened to the top ten pop “happy”songs, I now turn my attention to the phase of the Lenten journey that draws alongside. Today’s sacred text is Romans 5:6-11 – often interpreted as the necessity of the sacrifice of Jesus as appeasement to an angry god toContinue reading “Lent partners International Happiness Day???”
What’s the use of suffering?
An old criticism of the Christian way is a perceived emphasis on suffering. Gaunt pictures of self-flagellating, hair-shirted, monks and nuns in cold, dank cells lend credence to the view that the Christian faith appeals to the masochistic spirit that seeks ecstasy in pain and self-degradation. While anyone can employ a religious motif to theirContinue reading “What’s the use of suffering?”
March in March & Moses
While we are travelling with Moses it would be interesting to draw some comparisons between this two-man (himself and Aaron) movement and the March in March of the last weekend that saw thousands of the disaffected gather nationwide in protest against Government policies that have been swift and draconian in their implementation. Both were bidsContinue reading “March in March & Moses”
A strange parley
The conversation between an ageing shepherd and the voice of the Holy One manifested in a burning yet unconsumed bush in the desert is not what one might expect. Moses emerges as our next Lenten guide… and he does not hang back when called to account by the same urge that pulled his ancestor AbrahamContinue reading “A strange parley”
Missing woman unwittingly joins search party looking for herself
Sometimes newsfeed headlines grab your attention. This one just did. Apparently a tourist left her group to change clothes while in the midst of a stop. She was deemed missing and joined the search looking for herself, quite unaware she was the subject, even after hearing the description of herself. No-one from her party recognisedContinue reading “Missing woman unwittingly joins search party looking for herself”
Psychology of Forgiveness: Psalm 32
“We don’t do Lent it’s not in our tradition!” “Why dwell on what is negative in your life – better to shrug off the shadows and enjoy!” The humanitarian sciences have over time produced, for discussion and peer review, the psychological benefits of the hitherto sacred realm of penitence, forgiveness and absolution. One only hasContinue reading “Psychology of Forgiveness: Psalm 32”
When the easiest way isn’t always the best way…
It’s easier to give a hungry man a fish than to teach him to fish. It’s far simpler to superficially impress someone than to engage them by putting in some time and the hard yards. Politically, the quick fix is more successful for one’s grasp of power than the blood, sweat and tears of inspiringContinue reading “When the easiest way isn’t always the best way…”
Lent: Wrestling with the notion of Original Sin
Here is the golden text on which the doctrine of original sin is based. Romans 5:12-19 Paul argues that as sin came into the world through Adam, tainting us all, so this tragic state of affairs is reversed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (the second Adam). This is the result of allContinue reading “Lent: Wrestling with the notion of Original Sin”
Wondering Pilgrim 