Bible
Putting ‘care’ back into ‘healthcare’ after COVID-19 – a reflection
En français September has begun and, with it, the fall. Sitting here in Staten Island, I am thinking of the seasons that have ended. I am able to ‘see’ the spring and summer seasons better than I could in the chaos of the recent past. The reason is a long-needed week away at a Christian…
Read MoreWe are in a Peniel moment with God to be broken and made vulnerable
En français, español, русский, português The life of Jacob speaks much into our lives in this season. The part of his story that is particularly relevant to our days is the encounter at Peniel. A man who always wants to be in control of his life – scheming, planning and strategising to be upwardly mobile…
Read MoreFive calls and a promise for uncertain times
На русском, español, français, português ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”’ (Jeremiah 29:11-12) A verse…
Read MoreLeading self and others in an ongoing season of crisis and uncertainty
En español, português, français Three to four months ago, we thought the challenge and crisis we are facing would soon end. ‘This too will pass’, was the advice many of us had to give to others and even remind ourselves. Even during fear and internal challenges, we looked forward to a near future, when things…
Read MoreA psalm in the epidemic – trust triumphs over fear
На Pусском, Español, Português He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV) Psalm 91, also called the ‘Triumphal Hymn of Trust’, is a gem. It has breathed…
Read MoreTrusting God through difficulties – five keys to resilience and perseverance
En Français, Pусский, Português We all face difficulties in life. What is unique about the coronavirus pandemic is that we are all facing the same difficulty at the same time – although its effect on each one of us is different. But each family has its own story of illness – mental and physical, chronic…
Read MoreDon’t be afraid
En Français, Português ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.’ John 14:1 We are going through times when fear has invaded everyone, including some Christians. The fear generated by COVID-19 is another virus that is even more contagious and more virulent than COVID-19 itself. The psychosis it…
Read MoreCelebrating Easter with your family
En Français, Português ‘Give the whole community of Israel the following instructions: on the tenth day of this month, let every house or family get a lamb. If there are too few people in a house to eat a lamb, let us associate with the nearest neighbouring family, taking into account the number of people;…
Read MoreLocked down by COVID-19? Spend time with your family
En Français, Pусский, Português ‘So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he…
Read MoreThe Christian servant – caring with self-sacrificial love
En Français, Português John 13:1-20 Jesus is approaching the climax of his life. All his acts of service were about to be culminated and summated in his willing sacrifice on the cross. And it is all motivated by agape love – the love that gives. ‘Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to…
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