Uncategorized – Joshua's Tree Rooted

Generous Creator

I (Mark) have been trying to write something for a while now. This is evidenced by a lot of half started blog posts. But I also needed to write a sermon for last Sunday where I preached at a friends church. This was the first sermon in a series on stewardship – and I wasContinue reading “Generous Creator”

2024: Resolving Grace

I want to write more in 2024. This post was sparked by our morning family bible reading this week. We read these words in Exodus 36: 8 All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into themContinue reading “2024: Resolving Grace”

The Dangerous Invitation

At bedtime a few years ago I was reading the Chronicles of Narnia to the boys. I love these books and I love that they love them too. We’ve reached the Last Battle chapter 1, and I was struck by this exchange: “All the same, Shift,” said Puzzle, “even if the skin only belonged toContinue reading “The Dangerous Invitation”

The Great Tales

I wrote this post around 10 years ago originally, after my own reading of part of Lord of the Rings. I’m now on the fourth time reading it aloud to a child and tonight we reached my favourite part. I think I love it more each time I read it, and it catches me everyContinue reading “The Great Tales”

Psalm 4: Security – and Sleep

The next Psalm is also a psalm of David, and this time centres around the idea of security. Psalms 4 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. 1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!You have given me relief when I was in distress.Be gracious to me and hearContinue reading “Psalm 4: Security – and Sleep”

Psalm 1: Rooted

I want in this series to read the Psalms one by one, hopefully one each week, slowly, with attention to the words, and I hope that as I do that they will be a guide to a rooted and real spirituality. The Psalms have a lot to say to us – both to teach usContinue reading “Psalm 1: Rooted”

Joshua’s Tree has a home

It has been over twenty years since I first had the vision for Joshua’s Tree and we have sought to make it work wherever we have been living but we always knew we wanted a permanent home. I had always envisioned that Joshua’s Tree would be some rambling place out of the way in theContinue reading “Joshua’s Tree has a home”

Shalom

Today Roz and I watched a thanksgiving service for the life of a friend. I only knew John for a few years, and was only in the same place and church for just over a year. But he was a wonderful man of seemingly unfailing cheerfulness, enthusiasm and genuine concern for the well being ofContinue reading “Shalom”

Wednesday of Holy Week

Not sure how we are this far into the year already. Writing for me fell by the wayside as other parts of life needed more time and I wrestled with the story God is working out in our lives and reaching very near the end of my resources to put one foot in front ofContinue reading “Wednesday of Holy Week”

A Lenten Afternoon with Tamar

Tamar, the 8th woman I have sat with this Lent. Her story as with the other women is not easy to hear. Abuse in so many forms and ways. Men who are supposed to be God’s people. Being on God’s side doesn’t seem to make a difference sadly to the way they act toward others.Continue reading “A Lenten Afternoon with Tamar”