Q.3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of manWestminster Shorter CatechismAcross the centuries people have turned to the Bible for a variety of reasons. Still today - the likes of Jordan Peterson engage with the Scriptures as an interesting sociological and psychological document. Snippets ...  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

6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:“By the decree of the king and his nobles:Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. L...  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 respect1 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

7 “When my life was ebbing away,    I remembered you, Lord,and my prayer rose to you,    to your holy temple.8 “Those who cling to worthless idols    turn away from God’s love for them.9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,    will sacrifice to you.What I have vowed I will make good.    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”Jonah 2:7-9One of the hallmarks of previous generations was a dee...  Read More

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.2 Timothy 2:1-2I’ve been reading a book on the 14th century - when the bubonic plague decimated the populations of Europe (up to 50%!).It made me very thankful for our government. Aft...  Read More

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.Westminster Shorter CatechismI don’t know about you - but I’m not great at being told how to do something. Give me a task - no worries. Let me figure it out. In my own way....  Read More

Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5-6One of the greatest lies that our culture ever told was that a godly existence = condemned to a boring vanilla life. To think that you might only ever have sex with one person or no person. Or that you wouldn’t enjoy the pleasures of drug exp...  Read More

17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.Jonah 1:17It was only 2021 when a scuba diving lobster fisherman in Cape Cod (USA) was accidentally sucked into the mouth of a humpback whale. For 30-40 seconds. He went to hospital with significant tissue damage but no broken bones.Why only 30-40 seconds? Well, humpback whales...  Read More

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving...  Read More

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 15:5-6From before we even planted Village Church, Romans 15:5-6 has been my prayer. One of my experiences of Church has been division. No, not at Village (so far). But bef...  Read More