The Season of Creation:
Leaving the revised common lectionary aside during September, we turn
to an alternate set of readings focussing on God in creation. Date
posted 3rd September 2010
Faithful living, responsible voting: How does faithfully following Jesus inform your voting in the coming Federal election? Date posted 18th July 2010
Facing the future with hope and joy:
Life can change suddenly and without warning. Can we be
optimistic about the future without our rose coloured glasses?
Date posted 2nd July 2010
Trinity and Pastoral Care: What
is the connection between this often considered obscure Christian
doctrine of God and pastoral care? Read on to find my
thoughts on this. Date posted 6th June 2010
The Day of Pentecost:
This is the fiftieth and last day of the season of Easter. What
can we learn and apply in our daily lives from Luke's strange story of
sounds and visions and a gift of speaking foreign languages? See
Luke chapter 2. Date posted 1st May 2010.
The Season of Easter: Easter is more than a day, more than a long weekend of hot cross buns and easter eggs. Date posted 7th April 2010.
The Season of Lent:
This has been a time during which Christians practise self-denial as a
way of preparing to hear the stories of Christ's suffering and death.
Now it has another aspect with a positive outcome. Date
posted 23rd January 2010.
Christmas is coming:
The season of Advent can easily be lost among the scurrying and
rushing between parties and shopping and cooking and cleaning.
Date posted 5th December 2009
Tourists and Pilgrims: What changes a tourist into a pilgrim? Why does it matter? Date posted 21st August 2009
Going beyond our depth:
The Christ beckons us to go beyond, to dig deeper, to become more
deeply connected. Sunday 5th September 2010. Based on Luke 5:1-11
Intergenerational Conflict: Very common today, but not so common in Jesus' time. Sunday 15th August 2010. Based on Luke 12:49-56
Who is the master: you or your possessions?
How well does the discipleship community resist the pressures of a
consumerist society. Sunday 8th August 2010. Based on Luke
12:32-40
How fast is your pace of living?
In the lectionary story for today, disciples are encouraged
to take time out to connect. Sunday 18th July 2010. Based
on Luke 10:38-42
Prejudice and Stereotypes: Fear
of those who are different to us can lead to stereotyping and
prejudice. Sunday 11th July 2010. Based on Luke 10:25-37
Welcoming the stranger:
In the ancient Middle East hospitality was offered to strangers and
steadfast love was offered to friends and family. Sunday 4th July
2010. Based on Luke 10:1-20
What's in a name? Names can carry power for either good or evil. Sunday 20th June 2010. Based on Luke 8:26-39
Is hospitality the heart of God?
What are the connections between forgiveness, reconciliation,
hospitality and grace? Sunday 13th June 2010. Based on Luke 7:36-50
Is compassion the heart of God? Where does compassion sit in your theological understanding? Sunday 6th June 2010. Based on Luke 7:11-24
Wisdom and 'being wise': What is the connection and what's love got to do with it? Trinity Sunday 30th May 2010. Based on Proverbs 8.
Unity and the Holy Spirit: Some thinking on the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. Pentecost Sunday 23rd May 2010. Based on John 14: 8-27
Unity in the Church: Is this some kind of joke? Sunday 16th May 2010. Based on John 17:20-26
Becoming known as Christ's disciples: What's love got to do with it? And what is a disciple anyway?. Sunday 2nd May 2010. Based on John 13:31-35
Experiencing Resurrection: You are invited to ponder a resurrection story. Easter Sunday 4th April 2010. Based on Luke 24:1-12
Political Demonstrations:
You are invited to reflect on your experience of a political
demonstration. Sunday 28th March 2010. Based on Luke 19:28-40
Extravagant generosity in the face of poverty: When does love over-ride common sense in our giving and receiving? Sunday 21st March 2010.
Based on John 12:1-8
On being lost and found:
Jesus opens another perspective on salvation: moving from being lost to
being found. Sunday 14th March 2010. Based on Luke 15:11-32
God's patience and grace: Learn to be patient with ourselves and with others, because God is patient with us. Sunday 7th March 2010. Based on Luke 13:1-9
Testing: Facing temptation can be a time when our faith is tested. Sunday 21st February 2010. Based on Luke 4:1-13
Wisdom: Who is she and how is she found?
Wisdom is just one voice in the market place. How do we know
which is the voice of Wisdom. Sunday 14th February 2010. Based
on Proverbs 1:20-33
Who would be a prophet?:
Prophets have a hard time speaking the truth, on behalf of God, to folk
who are happy living in a fools' paradise. Sunday 31st January 2010.
Based on Luke 4:14-30
The mission of the church:
As a community of christened ones, that is anointed ones, do we
have the same mission as Jesus? How do we act that out in 21st
century global village? Sunday 24th January 2010. Based on Luke 4:14-21
Water and wine and signs: Reading a story asking for its meaning can be
more helpful than asking how did it happen or did it really happen. Sunday 17th January 2010. Based on John 2:1-21
On being lost but knowing where you are:
Ever been told that someone thought you were lost when you knew exactly
where you were? Sunday 27th December 2009. Based on Luke 2:41-52
Destiny and consequences: Ever felt compelled to do something new or different? Sunday 20th December 2009. Based on Luke 1:39-55
A request to step outside our comfort zone:
Some times we asked to do something that seems risky or strange.
How do we respond and why? Sunday 6th December 2009. Based on
Luke 1:26-38
Announcing an impending pregnancy or two:
There are many things that we long for and so few that we receive.
What is important for you or for your community that you wait for
with hope? Sunday 29th November 2009. Based on Luke 1:5-25
How is Christ a 'King'?:
How helpful is it to think of Christ as a 'king' when so many rulers
have been self-serving tyrants? Sunday 22nd November 2009. Based
on John 18:33-38
Rev Colin Bradford