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Posts from February 2012
Consider the birds…
By Peter Lavrijsen
29th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
(I have the privilege of being able to choose my own verse because of the leap year!!)
I always love, when doing a bit of digging in the garden, when a Robin comes and sits next to me, looking for insects to gobble up which I have disturbed…
Don’t major on the minors!
By Raymond Thompson
28th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Missing the point
I am reminded today that it is important not to miss the point, to avoid majoring on the minors.
In this passage in Mark 9 Jesus took the disciples and slipped away from the crowds with the intention of having a specific…
A rude awakening
By Marty Thom
27th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Mirror, mirror on the wall...
Technically I was not asleep, having managed to get out of bed and into the bath room; it was the dreaded early morning look in the mirror.
There for the first time I saw my dad’s face looking back at…
Simply because He is Lord
By Alistair Baird
26th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
You be Holy
These verses highlight the reason we do what we do. God is the perfect example and so if He is holy (which He is) then we too should be holy.
God didn’t say, “Because I am holy you should sort of try…
Hope for the hapless follower
By Sam Dawson
25th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Confused?
I have spent the last six months studying for an anaesthetic exam. One of the most frustrating things about studying was getting the same questions wrong again and again, despite having learnt the right answers. When the vapour pressures of enflurane and isoflurane are 23.3…
Real religion
By Joy Stacey
24th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Relationship was always the way...
As Christians, we are called to have a relationship with God that is deep and fulfilling and a life that is changed by our Christianity.
In Mark, the Pharisees and teachers of the law also have a life that is changed by…
Work in progress…
By Mark Smith
23rd February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
What’s mildew got to do with it?
I think most people shudder a little when they reach Leviticus with its rules and regulations that God commanded the Israelites to perform - sin offerings and atoning sacrifices of bulls and lambs. So congratulations for making it to Chapter 14.
…Unclean! Unclean!
By Ashleigh Dawson
22nd February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Washed recently?
In the times of Moses, if you got sick you were considered ‘unclean’ and hence possibly sinful...
Essentially in those days, skin disease = ‘heart disease’ and thus ‘sin’. What was happening on the outside was a reflection of an 'unclean inside'.
I'm not…
Take time to be holy
By Ben Searle
21st February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
You are what you eat
The passage today focused on clean and unclean foods. It forms part of a set of instructions designed by God for the Hebrews which together formed a guidebook. If the Hebrews obediently followed the guidebook they were helped to live holy…
Hope
By Pete and Jenny Roberts
20th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central Truth: God is faithful
We all find it hard to hope in God at times, particularly when we are in the middle of the storms of this life. The disciples must have felt like we do when they were in the boat with Jesus and the storm…
Your purification…it’s a messy business
By Phil Robinson
19th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
The sacrifices that the Israelites made to God are not often the subject of life changing sermons.
Don’t give God a blemished lamb...He will be offended
However they provide a wonderful insight into the meticulous preparation and strict regulations that the priests worked through. They…
Remember your ‘fellowship offering’ today
By Alison Robinson
18th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: Our fellowship offering is still important today.
So many sacrifices...
If you have looked at Leviticus, have you ever wondered: What was the purpose of so many sacrifices? Has this any relevance to me today? After all,…
It’s all covered
By Frank Galbraith
17th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
God's grace
It is often said that ignorance is no excuse and that is certainly true in the Kingdom of God. God’s provision for dealing with our sins is so great that it not only takes care of the sins that we are aware of but…
Its Barbecue time!
By David Pinkerton
16th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
BBQ v grilling?
Its February in Northern Ireland and what am I thinking about?
Barbecues… Obviously!!
I like projects and my next one is to build a barbecue from an old tank I have. When we think of BBQ here we think of armadillo sausages: crunchy…
You are known by God
By Nicky Barton
15th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
It’s the day after Valentine’s Day.
I’m sure those who received Valentine Cards or went out for a lovely meal yesterday are feeling all “loved up”. I never could understand why the cards had to be anonymous. When I fancied a girl, I wanted to make…
God in a ‘box’
By Robert Poole
14th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: You carry the Lord’s presence today in an incredible place...your heart!
A box of delights
Despite being Valentine’s Day, I guess none of you got your chocolates in a box like this! (Assuming you got some chocolates today??)
Bezalel and his colleague Oholiab were…
Our sacrifice to God – a matter of heart and will
By Darrin Paul
13th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: Bring your best to God, for He has given His best for you.
In the passage we read how the people of Israel responded to God’s call to build the Tabernacle and to give their offerings and gifts as a sacrifice. Unlike the creation of the…
Rest
By Michael Patterson
12th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: You need a Sabbath.
The Hebrew word for Sabbath is "shabbat" and is usually translated as to ‘cease’ or ‘rest’.
But to cease and rest is an extremely hard challenge in today’s 24-7 society where they may be perceived to be…
On being dumb
By Keith Patrick
11th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central theme: God’s love is incredibly enduring
How dumb were the Israelites?
They have witnessed the Egyptians suffer plagues of blood in the Nile, frogs, gnats, flies, dead livestock, boils, hailstones and locusts. They have witnessed Egypt loose every firstborn son and animal. Their captors have given…
How do you smell today?
By Tim Robinson
10th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central Truth: When we spend time in God’s presence we will carry the fragrance of God with us – it will be evident to those around us.
Smells of home
Among my many fond memories is one of cycling up our lane from the school bus with…
Aaron and Sons – passing it on
By Ruth Morrison
9th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: All we do today is not just for today, but for the generation to come.
You need a strong stomach to read this passage from Exodus: slaughtering a bull, cutting out the fat on the inner parts, burning offal and smearing lobes and toes. And what…
Nothing is too small.
By Mandi Macdonald
7th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central Truth – God is interested in the details.
When I’m cooking I use measurements like ‘some’ and ‘a bit’, rather than grams or ounces. Even more frustrating for those around me is my ‘there, or there about’ approach to time keeping. I like to dream…
A sanctuary and a dream
By Robert McKee
6th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: God has a place of safety and re-creation for us...use it well.
What does your sanctuary for God look like? Is it a place where you can kick back and connect with God every day or is your sanctuary looking a little rough around the edges?
…The beauty of generous giving
By Susi McIlveen
5th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: All that we have is a gift from God. It is expedient that we dedicate to him all that is rightfully his!
My Father in law was a missionary in Nigeria. When the family returned to Belfast they had very little and my father in law…
It really is all about God
By Colin McFrederick
4th February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: Put God first in everything – it is the best way to live.
In Exodus 19 God gives Moses the 10 Commandments which have stood the test of time from generation to generation up to present day.
Exodus 20 v 2 and 3 “I am…
You weren’t designed to do it alone
By Judith Hollies
3rd February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central Truth: God’s Way - There is no ‘I’ in team!
I’ll do it my way thanks
If any of you parents have been on the sharp end of the battle of wills with an independent 2 year old child, you’ll be familiar with phrases such as…
Complaints welcome
By Fred Macdonald
2nd February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: You can tell what is on your heart...and continue to trust Him
The Israelites don’t appear in the best light here.
God has just delivered them from the plagues he visited on the Egyptians, He has led them out of slavery in Egypt with a…
Where are you situated right now?
By Kathryn Purcell
1st February 2012 | Category: Join the Journey 2012
Central truth: God won’t always take you the most direct route to where he wants you to be...
The Message version of the above verse is even more emphatic, it states: “If the people encounter war, they’ll change their minds and go back to Egypt”. This got me…
