When God turns obstacles into opportunities (Ezra 6:1-12)
Ezra 6:1-12 We left the story of the exiles and their temple building at a tense point, when they re-started the project under the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2) but were challenged by the Persian officials about authorisation…
The path no one knew was there (Psalm 77)
Ps 77:1-20 As we set out in the New Year and reflect on 2021, Covid is still with us and just when we began to think that life will be getting back to some normalcy, the Omicron variant arrived raising…
Announcement – taking a break
I am taking a break for a week and will be back with the usual Monday and Thursday posts from 3 Jan. May you know God’s strength and comfort whatever the circumstances in your neck of the woods. Thank you…
The most needful thing in life (John 1:14-18)
John 1:14-18; Exod 33:15-23; 34:1-9 One of the hardest things of the Covid pandemic has been the social isolation we felt or may be feeling even now. When we face a crisis, are anxious, wrestle with tough questions, we want…
The possibility of powerful change (Ezra 5)
Ezra 5:1-17 After the commissioning service in my first job teaching Old Testament, someone approached me with the message, which he felt was from God. It was, ‘You in yourself are enough’. For a rookie lecturer those were powerful words…
Haggai introduction – the key to a fulfilling life
I generally introduce a book first but given we have already had the background in the Book of Ezra, I decided to leave the overview until the end as a kind of summary to the book. Haggai’s prophecies in the…
The hope that gives perspective on the present (Hag 2:20-23)
Hag 2:20-23 In my twenties, I was a volunteer for a year with a Christian mission for international students in the UK and had the hope of this ministry leading on to a long-term role. However, the door promisingly open…
The attitude that affects everything (Hag 2:10-19)
Hag 2:10-19 Some years ago, a local government leader in New Zealand had an extramarital affair for two years. Some called for his resignation, but many pleaded for his private life to be left alone. A century ago, such a…
How God responds when we feel overwhelmed (Hag 2:1-9)
Hag 2:1-9 When my husband and I moved to New Zealand, I had a hard time adjusting to life here. I reminisced about the years we had in the UK, the beautiful historic buildings we could visit, how close everything…
How change happens and the difference God makes (Hag 1:12-15)
Hag 1:12-15 There are times when we look at our difficulties and feel they are much too great to deal with. The obstacles seem insurmountable, and we wonder if we will ever be able to overcome them. If the situation…