Last Sunday of Advent

Readings Psalms 80:1-8, (and 18-end) OT Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16 NT Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-end I didn't have the opportunity to visit a liturgical church this week (and indeed have not been able to for a long time, and who knows what the new year will bring? It does not seem to be a …

Third Sunday of Advent

Psalm: 146:4-10 or Canticle: Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) OT Reading: Isaiah 36:1-10 NT Reading: James 5:7-10 Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 Last Sunday was the third Sunday in Advent, and is known as 'Gaudete Sunday', that is Rejoicing Sunday. The readings all refer to the coming of the Lord, and the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven - …

Romans 5:1-5

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, …

First Sunday of Advent

Psalms: Psalm 122 OT: Isaiah 2:1-5 Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44 Epistles: Romans 13:11-14 The Psalm for today was 122, "I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord." I was unable to go to church this Sunday because, in addition to my own health issues, I am now …

Christ the King

The festival of 'Christ the King' was last week, the last Sunday of the liturgical year so, like Simchat Torah, the church year ends on a joyous note, looking forward to a time when the Kingdom will be fully realised, where there will finally be peace and justice, "And God shall wipe away all tears …

Choices, Changes

Over the last few years, I have moved from a Paleo type of diet to Vegan and back again several times. This blog had 'From Paleo to Vegan in one easy midlife crisis' as its subtitle at one stage. The truth is, though, that it hasn't been 'one easy midlife crisis' at all of course, …

First Sunday of Lent

I am running a week behind now, as life has got in the way. Around a couple of weeks of a roller-coaster of looking after a very poorly, elderly dog, we had to have him put down last night. So right now I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed with grief . The next couple …

Luke 8: Waiting on the Lord

These are my notes from Sunday's sermon at the Pentecostal church. It might be a little disjointed because it is just notes, it's not meant to be a polished article. I hope it's of benefit to somebody. This was actually an awesome, honest sermon - the Christian life is hard. We pray & things seem …

Matthew 28:19, 20 – The Great Commission

I'm sorry to have not managed to post this before now, this was from last Sunday's sermon at the Pentecostal church. The beginning of the service was taken up by testimonies, one in particular which was very inspiring, about listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. From my point of view as a skeptical …

Practical Theology

I was thinking about my post on Isaiah 2 and the topic of sanctification. In fact, I couldn't get it out of my head. I do really enjoy studying the Bible, theology, and doctrine. I was raised on it really as my dad trained to be a pastor. He never actually practised though and stopped …