Reference text: Ezra 6:7-20 One way to gain marks for questions in a Maths exams is to show the method that led to the answer, a concept known simply as "show working". Sometimes, it takes seeing how a process unfolds to actually appreciate it's meaning and today, the verse which came to mind after reading... Continue Reading →
THE ALABASTER JAR OF OIL
Reference text: Luke 7:36-50 Do a bit of visualization with me today as you read along. As best as you can, picture the scene in this story: Jesus is startled while he sits at table. What is that? Or rather, who is that? He looks down to see a trembling woman. One who had crept... Continue Reading →
WORDS COMMUNICATED THROUGH SOUND
Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, I was quite intrigued by why scripture provides the level of detail it does, including "Jesus opening his mouth and teaching his audience". But then it clicked 'there is a place for everything under the sun'. There is a place for silence, a place... Continue Reading →
BEYOND WORDS
Luke 1:29-30 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. Mary's response to the words of the Angel Gabriel catch our attention. Following the introductory salutation, her... Continue Reading →
A THREE-LAYERED FILTER
From Mass today, this was the lesson "You have to bear responsibility for every word you say". Therefore, we ought to employ a three layered filter to guard what we say and what is spoken to us.A quote from Socrates was highlighted: " if what you want to say is not true, not good, nor... Continue Reading →
INSPIRE FAITH, NOT FEAR
Isaiah 7:2 The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm. Fear is 'sense-dependent' because it rides on the waves of stimuli reinterpreted by an individuals mind to create... Continue Reading →
MORE THAN WORDS
Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Of note, prayer is often carried on the plate of words because praise, thanks giving, petition and worship are all rendered through words. So what happens when... Continue Reading →
HEAVY WEIGHTS
DAY 58/366 Jeremiah 18:18 They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.” The people in... Continue Reading →
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO YOURSELF?
DAY 11/366 We read an interesting account in scripture today which can be summarised this way: "Israel and the Phillistines were at war and in the first round of battle, Israel were defeated, losing 4000 men. They figured the absence of the ark of covenant was the contributing factor to their defeat hence, they sent... Continue Reading →