Isaiah 40:1-11 • Promise of restoration After so many years of suffering the brutality of exile, the people of Israel are confronted with the prospect of restoration and a message of comfort from the Prophet. What a message of “Peace” for our second Sunday of Advent! Not such an easy
Continue reading2 Kings 22:1–10; 23:1–3 • Finding the book of the law The beginning of Advent is a time for repentance, longing, and new hope — the renewal of hope. The story in Kings of Josiah’s reform was just such a time — the rediscovery of the true foundation of the
Continue readingIsaiah 5:1-7; 11: 1-5 Israel as a vineyard. The scriptures remind us that when trying to grow something there is no guarantee that it will be fruitful. Finding the right seeds, and ensuring that the soil is enriched and prepared, and that the seeds receive the right sunlight and water
Continue readingHosea 11:1–9 Yahweh’s love for Israel Imagine a God who knows that Love is more powerful than even his fury, even destruction. We sometimes think that compassion is only in the New Testament, but that is wrong. The Old Testament prophets were the ones who discerned the intentions of Yahweh.
Continue reading1 Kings 18:20–39 • Prophets of Baal defeated on Mt Carmel Elijah was the Father of all Prophecy. The life and power of this ancient prophet continued to inspire throughout the generations. The dramatic success of that mountain-top experience drove Elijah to the depths of his soul—a wilderness from which
Continue reading1 Corinthians 16:13–24 • Stand firm in the faith Paul enjoins his followers to “be strong.” The Jedi knights in Star Wars are trained in using the strength of “the force.” Finding and cultivating our strength or our power is a central motif to many primary stories and also to
Continue readingPsalm 150 Praise the Lord2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5 David Anointed King Called to lead in spite of weaknesses In these scriptures David becomes King over all Israel. David also brings the Ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. David worships God with joy and reckless abandon. What qualities are important to
Continue readingDeuteronomy 5: 1-21; 6:4-9 . 10 Commandments As faithful followers we have been given a set of commandments (rules or guidelines) to live by. We are in a covenant relationship with God which requires us to interrupt our daily routines to remember God’s promises, to practice what God commands of
Continue reading