Faith. Politics. Tech. Sailing.
by Simon
The perfect marriage I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD. Hosea 2:19-20 In the three years or so after I left university, it seemed that every weekend in the summer months …
by Simon
I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want! For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 Lots of families these days have video cameras to record important family moments and key events, especially in the lives of children. My family was no …
Continue reading “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want!”
by Simon
A case of the dreaded lurgi “You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean.” Leviticus 10:10 When I was very little and still at primary school, we had a bizarre tradition. If someone should develop a cough, or sneeze, or have some kind of skin blemish, we would …
by Simon
The Crowds Continue to Gather Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. Mark 2:13 I love Coldplay. I think their X&Y album is a masterpiece. As I’m always saying to my friends, I think that this album works together as a coherent …
by Simon
Arriving in style “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language …
by Simon
Is this blasphemy? Say to the Israelites: ‘If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death. Leviticus 24:15-16 If, …
by Simon
So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Mark 2:2 I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Michael Jackson died recently. He had been a pop icon for many years, and was renowned around the world for his skill as a songwriter …
by Simon
Loving the Unloved A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Mark 1:40-41 I saw District 9 at the cinema earlier this …
by Simon
The reason for the rule “The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp. Leviticus 13:45-46 …
by Simon
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 Sometimes life can get stressful and hectic. I know that only too well; we were a member of staff down in my department last year, and we …
