Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,but whoever hates correction is stupid.Proverbs 12:1I wasn’t disciplined much as a kid. It was the 80’s. Which came after the 60’s & 70’s (profound hey). But what that meant was my parents brought a hippy flavour into their parenting. The kid will find his own way. Well, I nearly didn’t.Because I suffered/suffer from a dangerous flaw. I thought I knew it al...  Read More

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.1 Peter 2:11My family loves to watch The Block. I think we like the creativity and renovation, hopefully we aren’t watching for the drama. But often as we watch I need to warn the kids (and myself), be careful of your heart.It’s a show that wages war on my soul. You see these lux...  Read More

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.Ephesians 5:15-16To be a wise Christian is to see the reality of the time we live in. That is, the days are short. Death could come at any moment for the people around us. Jesus could return this year. So let’s make the most of every opportunity to engage others with the m...  Read More

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.Romans 12:6-8One of the mind-bog...  Read More

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.1 Peter 2:10I like to tell people I’m Italian. I’m half Italian. But like many people, I love to trade on the culture. Italian food, Italian history and so on. We all want a people to belong to.Peter reminds us that if you are a Christian, you have a people to belong t...  Read More

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.Daniel 6:10A bit of context. Darius, King of the Medes & Persians has just issued a decree stating that ‘that anyone who prays to any god or human being du...  Read More

Q. 12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. Westminster Shorter CatechismWhat are the conditions necessary for life to thrive and exist on ea...  Read More

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Proverbs 12:18I just finished reading a long article about ‘cancel culture’. Did the proverbs writer foresee twitter, facebook or reddit when he prophetically spoke these words? No. But, he didn’t need to. Sin has always found words a particularly effective way of causing pain. Social media has just exponential...  Read More

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.1 Peter 1:18-19There are some things in life that just feel empty. Like mowing the lawn. I hate it. Because I can almost feel the grass growing back. Peter s...  Read More

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.1 Peter 3:15Why should we talk to people about Jesus? Peter reminds us, even as our faith is internal, our faith is not practised in isolation or privately. To revere Christ as Lord is to be prepared to give a...  Read More

As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens anotherProverbs 27:17Well, here’s a Proverb we can all get behind right. Sounds good. I wonder though, if this is one of those Proverbs that we love in principle but hate in practice.A few things about iron sharpening iron. It can be loud. Uncomfortable. Sparks can fly. The reality of conflict has led to many just avoiding it. Either because they don’t ...  Read More

2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.1 Peter 2:2-3One of the realities of Church life is that you are around babies alot. And it’s wonderful. But I know from my own that when babies are hungry, they let you know about it. Hopefully you haven’t experienced that on an international flight o...  Read More