I was reading an Ann Cleeves’ murder mystery last night entitled ‘The Darkest Evening’. I learnt that the title is taken from a Robert Frost poem ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’. In spiritual terms, the times that we…
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4). More than a decade…
“And again he said, To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:20-21). I spoke yesterday on Luke…
My last three posts have had a ‘Sorrow’ theme: ‘Sorrow, and then the two from Anne Frank’. I did not plan it that way…just the way it went. This one closes the mini-series. Over many years, I have taught children…
“As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs” (Psalm 84:6). (Baca is similar to the word for ‘weeping’.) Last post I quoted from Anne Frank. I love how passionate Anne Frank is about…
This evening I read Psalm 84 as part of a prayer for a brother who was experiencing great discouragement. My friend’s experience has been constant over many years. “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are…
“For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18). I was given this note by a parishioner, Ann Dawson (now gone to glory), some years ago. It is entitled: ‘Sorrow comes to Every…
Last Sunday (19 Feb 2023) I began my sermon with reference to an ABC news report about the absence of Southerly Busters coming to Sydney over the past 14 months. I used this as an illustration to introduce Jesus words…
Catherwood quotes an Australian leader’s response to hearing Lloyd-Jones: “In an extraordinary way, the presence of God was in that church. I personally felt as if a hand were pushing me through the pew. At the end of the sermon…
Here’s a short segment from the ‘short biography‘ by Christopher Catherwood of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones. (It’s not strictly a biography – the subtitle runs: ‘His Life and Relevance for the 21st Century’.) “My relationship to the Doctor (as his eldest…
