For perhaps the first four months of his return to Jerusalem, rather than hang in the city, Ezra visits all of the neighbouring towns, issuing the king's decree. So it's not until he returns to Jerusalem that he discovers that there are some serious problems that are compromising … [Read more...] about Ezra #9 – Trouble in Covenant City
Guilt
Shame
Shame is man's ability to feel and express his humiliation for guilt. As a general rule, where there is no guilt, there is no shame. However, it is also possible to be so debased, so far gone, that you no longer feel your shame. Shame, where it exists, is powerful and … [Read more...] about Shame
The Liberty of a Clean Conscience
Some things never change. Take the conscience. The problem of a dirty conscience is as old as Adam and Eve. As soon as they sinned, their conscience was defiled and their sense of guilt was ruinous. It ruined their relationship with God, their relation to each other and it ruined … [Read more...] about The Liberty of a Clean Conscience
The Politics of Envy
In the world that God made, each man is judged and rewarded for his own actions (Romans 2:6). It's this justice that gives rise to our desperate need and God's gracious provision of mercy. The world, liking neither God's justice nor His mercy, has sought to establish its own … [Read more...] about The Politics of Envy
What to do with Your Junk
Another year over and most of us are talking about the year ahead. But what about the year behind? What about the last 10, 20 or 30 years behind? What's hiding back there? Imagine for a moment that the sum total of your life's experiences are down there in the shed labelled … [Read more...] about What to do with Your Junk