bible – Joshua's Tree Rooted

Joseph and Immanuel

This post is another one of my sermons – this one preached just before Christmas at our church. It’s based on Matthew 1:18-25, the story of Joseph’s reaction to Mary’s pregnancy and the angelic visitor. There is lots that could be said, both about Joseph, and about the names the baby will have, but hereContinue reading “Joseph and Immanuel”

Living under the Blessing

It’s a while since we’ve blogged, but I (Mark) wanted to start again – and so I thought I’d put up my sermon on Genesis 26 from July. It’s a slightly odd passage – which is reflected in my introduction. So it may be worth just looking up the passage alongside reading this post. ThisContinue reading “Living under the Blessing”

Jesus: when we don’t get it

In our home group church we ending up looking at John 11 last week. This is the story of Lazarus’ death, and Jesus raising him from the dead. It is a story though, that doesn’t go quite as we might expect, and certainly not as his disciples expect. Here are the first verses of theContinue reading “Jesus: when we don’t get it”

The Vineyard

It is so easy to gloss over the gospels, thinking we know the big picture; Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection with a sprinkling of parables and teachings. Yet I am struck time and again as I am journeying through the gospel of Matthew how rich it is and how much there is to take andContinue reading “The Vineyard”

The Fig Tree

Leadership, mercy and Good Friday I am steadily working my way through the Matthew’s Gospel and Holy Week is just not long enough to soak in all that happens in that week and all that Jesus shows us and teaches us. I hadn’t started a reading plan that would neatly bring me to Palm SundayContinue reading “The Fig Tree”

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”