Christian Life
Hollywood Strikes Again
Hollywood Strikes Again In his 1977 Oscar-winning movie Annie Hall, Woody Allen’s character quipped, “I’m a bigot, but it’s okay, because I’m a bigot for the left.” This classic one-liner reminds us of the adage that many a true word is spoken in jest, and some 48 years later, as we look at this year’s nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, it’s abundantly clear that Allen’s wisecrack still reflects the views of the movers and shakers in Hollywood. Year after…
Destroying God’s Gift
Destroying God’s Gift According to God’s inspired spokesman, “children are a heritage (gift NASB NET) from the Lord,” His “reward” or favour to those who enjoy the blessing of parenthood (Psa 127:3). But throughout history, when the light of His word has been extinguished or dimmed, innocent, vulnerable infants have suffered terribly at the hands of those who should have cherished them. For example, according to Plutarch, under Spartan law, weak and deformed children were put to death (Life of…
A City With Walls
A City with Walls Cain should have responded with remorse and repentance when God rejected his sacrifice, but instead, he became angry and sulked (Gen 4:3-5). His reaction was foolish, and the Lord replied with this warning: “…if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen 4:7b). The bad news is that Cain has a deadly enemy—sin, an ever-present predator that desires to dominate him.…
Waiting on God
Waiting on God Like many good men before him and after him, the 7th-century prophet Habakkuk was taught in a very dramatic way that God’s thoughts are not man’s thoughts and that His ways are not man’s ways (Isa 55:8). A prophet in Judah on the eve of the Babylonian captivity, this sensitive man opens his oracle with a complaint to God that the violence, iniquity, and lawlessness of his own people have seemingly gone unnoticed by the Lord (1:1-4).…
Endurance – Part 2
Endurance (Part 2)
Endurance – Part 1
Endurance (Part 1) Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant, such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body…The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell. This creates a material called nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, which encases the irritant and protects the mollusc from it. Natural History Museum. (n.d.). How do oysters make pearls? from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-questions/how-do-oysters-make-pearls.html…
Sure, and Steadfast Hope
Sure and Steadfast Hope The doctor left his little dog in the hall and entered the bedroom of his terminally ill friend. All he could do now was to offer some comfort to the gaunt figure whom he loved as a brother in Christ. As the men spoke quietly to each other, they became aware of sounds from outside the room, and they realised that the doctor’s faithful four-legged friend was scratching at the door, trying to join his master.…
On Keeping Accounts
On Keeping Accounts One of the few jokes that I can readily call to mind is about the elephant who, seemingly without provocation, kicked a defenseless turtle. When the indignant little reptile complained to his assailant, the elephant responded, “Turtle, you’ve obviously forgotten the fact that you insulted me 10 years ago, but I haven’t forgotten because I have turtle recall.” I’m not sure about turtle recall, but if like me you struggle to remember scriptural verses and anniversary dates, total…
Anxious Youth
Anxious Youth Most of the climate change protesters were about the same age as my grandchildren, so it was painful to see the anxiety in their eyes and hear the distress in their voices as they spoke despairingly about the future. One young woman carried a sign saying, “You’ll die of old age, we will die of climate change.” Another placard warned “There is no planet B.” Tearful teenagers declared their resolve to remain childless rather than bring children into what they…
Defeating Satan
Defeating Satan Throughout the book of Revelation we read of overcoming, and in 12:11 we learn three things about those whom Satan simply could not defeat: First of all, these overcomers dealt to Satan “because of the blood of the Lamb.” Here is our greatest need, forgiveness. When the paralytic was brought to Jesus the Lord’s first words were: “My son your sins are forgiven” (Mk 2:9). Yes, of course the paralytic wanted to walk again and of course the…
How Do You Hear?
How Do You Hear? She said, “I need custard for the trifle.” Hubby said, “yes dear,” and brought home a tin of mustard. Not quite what she had in mind for the trifle, but “yes dears” mean very little when hubby has his head buried in a book or his eyes glued to a computer screen. Such domestic confusion provides the stand-up comic with good material, but in some cases, the failure to listen carefully can truly blight our lives. That’s…
Land of Confusion
Land of Confusion Throughout the Genesis account of creation, the language is calm, measured and majestic. In sharp contrast with the gods of Egypt and Mesopotamia who emerged from some kind of primaeval slime, the God of Moses is eternal, non-contingent and all-powerful. Unlike the imaginary gods, He has no rivals, no consorts and no human-like frailties. With a series of commands, He calls into existence an orderly universe, perfectly suited to His plan. Among other things, order involves recognising…