Some stuff worth reading...
I know the connections are not straight, but this article raises some helpful questions as we consider our Parish Councils, and the way we recruit people for ministry roles and oversight...
Would Jesus Overturn Your Board Table?
www.christianitytoday.com
I served on the RZIM board. Christians in many leadership roles can learn from my failures.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Esther 3-5
As Esther prepares to meet the king, please take notice of the brilliance of God's word in its narrative - it builds, it creates, it sets tension and expectation, and it creates comparisons and links.
Each time Esther meets Xerxes, you expect here to speak for her people - but the tension builds, over hospitality. And it is very hard to share a meal with your enemy!
Each time Haman speaks, we see the drive of his impulse, and the similarity with Xerxes: both men snap at a simple refusal, both men delight in advice that panders to their desires.
And we finish this section with a 75 foot gallows, and a people in danger, a meal to come, two explosive and indulgent men, and a queen knowing that God's salvation is certain.
Prayer:
Father, thank you that your certain salvation is the context for me to understand who I am, where I am, and what I should do. Amen.
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Some stuff worth reading...
I think this might be worth a look...
Delight to Memorise and Memorise for Delight - The Gospel Coalition | Australia
au.thegospelcoalition.org
Delight in God’s word is the motivation, method and fruit of memorising Scripture.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Esther 3-5
The famous interaction between Mordecai and Esther (4:10-17) has always been understood as the moment when we see the heart of this book. I think God explicitly enters the narrative in 3:1... and here we see God on the pedestal as the hero.
Notice, first, that Mordecai reassures Esther that she will not escape the 'holocaust' (vs.13). Notice, second, that Mordecai is certain that God will deliver his people, regardless of Esther - here is the connection to 3:1... and the foundation for the essence of this book. And then, notice, thirdly, we get to the famous words about Esther's position and time.
But, the heart is the certainty of God's salvation which, then, gives Esther the ability to think rightly about her place in all this. The hero is God!
Prayer:
Father, thank you that you are the hero. Amen.
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Some stuff worth reading...
Not necessarily persuaded by the way in which this argument/review is tethered to God's word, but the whole thrust of the book reviewed is one I reckon is a corker: we need to read good literature! www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/tending-heart-virtue/
A good read which pushes us to think biblically and carefully in the words we use in evangelism... www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/unbeliever-jesus-died/
Can I Tell an Unbeliever ‘Jesus Died for You’?
www.thegospelcoalition.org
Since we can't know who is and isn't among the elect, is it appropriate in evangelism to tell others that Christ died for them?0 CommentsComment on Facebook