Colossians is a great book of the Bible because it absolutely centred on Jesus. It is a letter to the church in the Ancient city of Colossea. They’d heard the gospel from someone who lived in their city. Paul writes to them to make sure the gospel is absolutely clear in their heads & hearts. He want them to know Jesus and serve him.
Ruins of the ancient city of Colossae. Photo by A.Savin, Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossae
Mark’s Gospel is the action packed gospel. This guide will help you read Mark’s Gospel and see Jesus in all his power, love and authority.
Storm on the Sea of Galilee By Rembrandt - www.gardnermuseum.org :
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6812612
What is the unforgivable sin and the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit? The stakes are high for this seems to contradict the offer of forgiveness in other parts of Scripture. And, it seems there is a sin that crosses a line that can never be uncrossed. Does this unravel Jesus' work on the cross?
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It is sad to have to write these lines. But if a megachurch pastor Quiboloy from the Phillipines goes to prison that punishment is not enough.
Pope Francis is coming to the tiny new nation of Timor-Leste. His visit couldn't be more different to Jesus' first coming. What does the difference show us?
Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash
Dear Marty, all those issues that you raised that make you disbelieve and that no one talks about, the Bible talks about them. A lot! I’m so sorry. Your church should have been talking about them because the Bible talks about them.
A friend sent me a meme on Leviticus 19:19. The meme was confrontational and deliberately offensive. Since Christians wear polyester and cotton socks which are a blend of two materials – they break Leviticus 19:19. ‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.’ So, how can Christians say anything about sexual ethics or anything else that might spring from Leviticus as a standard since they break the rules themselves?
The Bible can seem overwhelming but once you know the key theme that gives a framework for the Bible things really start to change. And once you start to understand the timeline (chronology) even more things fall into place. Download these two PDF files to help you read the whole Bible and understand it.
With thanks to Aaron Burden Unsplash.com for the original image. This is an edited picture.
A review of three Children’s Bibles that will help kids understand God’s great love for them in Jesus.
You stand there marvelling. It is everything you heard it would be, but more. The form and the function are perfect. But then, you notice a presence in the room. You turn around and there HE is. The legendary Steve Jobs.
Photo by Unsplash.com with thanks to Lorenzo Rui
Most of us fear the future. We fear the unknown. The future is an undiscovered country and no one has been there.
And this fear of the unknown future has caused untold misery in the world. Nationally and internationally as tribes, nations, rulers, companies and individuals have all jockeyed for positions of power and security.
But we don’t need to fear the future.
Original Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash.com. Edited.
This is a reading guide for Luke’s gospel. Its goal is to help you get the most gold as you read Luke. Luke is a beautiful piece of writing. It reveals Jesus as the suffering servant king who comes to fulfill God’s promises. We, humanity, are revealed to be lost and far from God, oppressed by spiritual forces of evil and captive to our own sinfulness. Jesus comes to free us - to bring forgiveness. It’s great news worth reading for yourself.
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A dear friend wrote an email to me saying they are not sure if they can believe in God. Here is how I responded: you can’t trust someone if you don’t know them.
What will you do? A young man, bulky with muscle, skin blackened with Nazi tattoos, full of rage and spitting hatred is bent over and brutally beating a young woman. His hands are red with her blood. She is screaming for help. No one is coming. The man stands up to start kicking her with his boots. What will you do? Will you act to end evil?
Original photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash. Edited
There is a lot of gold on the internet. And there is a lot of dross! Slowly but surely I’ve kept a list of some of the gold. As they say - just click on the links.
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The Gospel Story Bible is an awesome children’s Bible. Many children’s Bibles miss the point and end up turning the great message of salvation in Jesus into moral rules. But not this Bible!
A friend invited me to watch Ricky Gervais’ Religion vs Atheism Youtube video. I enjoyed it. Ricky is a brilliant communicator. And then I wrote a response. Each heading below aims to capture the heart of his idea and then I aim to show you why it shouldn’t persuade you.
Two types of masculinity – toxic and Jesus – are on display in the Bible. Toxic masculinity is everywhere. Cain smashes the life from his brother Abel with a rock, Lamech celebrates his violence, Abraham risks his wife because of cowardice and so on. The list goes devastingly on and on. Even the great heroes of the faith show soul shuddering weakness. But there is also Jesus. And he reveals another masculinity.
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‘This is Water’ by David Foster Wallace is one of the most read speeches on the internet of all time. And it is deep. But he fails to understand that we are shaped and driven by love rather than thinking. Love is the solution.
With thanks to Jong Marshes from unsplash.com
Looking for a church? What is the teaching like - is it junk food or real food?
Photo by Peter Wendt Unsplash.com.
Letting your yes be yes.
This small act of clarity and love in our communication, and the courage to live it out, could be the small but powerful cornerstone that makes you think about your life, what matters to you, why it matters and what you spend your time on.
Thank you to Jon Tyson for the photo on Unsplash.com
Everything has changed… That’s a big claim. It’s the kind of claim that gets you into trouble because it so big. As they say in sales, ‘under promise and over deliver’. This claim seems to make the opposite mistake. It seems to over promise and have no hope of delivery. Until you consider the resurrection of Jesus.
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Our self-existence is in relationship with others. Or to put it another way, it is paradoxically with others that an individual exists. Where there is no shared life a single human life disintegrates from the inside out.
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Notice the method below. It is very simple. Love God ourselves. Love his word. And, always share God’s commands and what he has done. Always.
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It was a Buddha’s head that started the thought. The head was in Bunnings ready to receive your newly purchased soil and spring bulbs. Jesus was thoroughly domesticated.
Photo by William Hook Unsplash
