Judgement is easy. Mercy is a nightmare. Hating those who offend us comes naturally, but acquitting the guilty feels like torture. The reason for this is that mercy always comes at the cost of the one granting it. Forgiving those who are guilty of offending you, while … [Read more...] about The High Cost of Mercy
Cuppa Tea, Anyone?
In his book, The Plague of Plagues, written in 1669, Ralph Venning wrote this paragraph about sin. In general, sin is the worst of evils, the evil of evil and indeed the only evil. Nothing is so evil as sin, nothing is evil but sin. As the sufferings of this present time are not … [Read more...] about Cuppa Tea, Anyone?
Humble, Yet Hardy
John the Baptist came preaching repentance and baptising those who knew they needed to get right with God. He was unflinching, unbending and unyielding to the expectations of the Scribes and Pharisees. He would rather live in a dungeon than mince around the Palace wearing a … [Read more...] about Humble, Yet Hardy
Bearing with One Another
If there's one thing that fruitful Christian mothers do really well, it's to bear with others. To forebear the burdens, sufferings and disruptions of those around them. Especially the members of their own household. Speaking of fruit, Paul writes, But the fruit of the Spirit … [Read more...] about Bearing with One Another
How Not to Talk to an Angel
Motherhood is only ever praised in scripture. Being childless is only ever a source of grief. The declaration, "I'm so glad I don't have kids", is so antithetical to the Gospel, and faith, it beggars belief. The reason it beggars belief is that childbirth is tied to this worlds' … [Read more...] about How Not to Talk to an Angel