Archive for the “Bible Reflection” category
Bear The Yoke
by i.burgess on November 29, 2011
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. I’ve been reading a commentary by Robin Parry on Lamentations. It’s in a fairly new series called ‘Two Horizons’ which offers both a commentary on the text, [...]
He gave the impossible
by i.burgess on November 23, 2011
They need not go away; you give them something to eat. Two weeks ago I posted a short reflection on Matthew 14, where Jesus feeds the five thousand. At that time I was most struck by the huge demand Jesus placed on his disciples, rowing across lakes and ministering to the sick and giving out [...]
He asked the impossible
by i.burgess on November 9, 2011
“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” So says Jesus to his followers. They went to him after a busy day preaching and ministering in a remote place. There was no food there for the people who came, and so the disciples thought it was time to end the day so [...]
Friendly like a knife
by i.burgess on November 8, 2011
An hour and a half. He yelled at me for an hour and a half. And hung his head in disappointment. And sighed the long breath of a heavy heart. And he loved me with all of his soul. This evening a dear friend took the time to call me out on some things. Lots [...]
Not Forever
by i.burgess on June 24, 2011
Yesterday I wrote a lengthy piece about experiencing the harsh hand of the Lord. I drew from the language of the Exiles to show how terrible, hurting experiences are not void of God’s presence and there is no sin in admitting that these things are held in his hand. I tried to follow the Mourner’s [...]
I call this to mind
by i.burgess on June 23, 2011
A couple of days ago I posted an introduction to Lamentations and explored some of the ways Israel’s covenant resulted in their exile. As I see it, God was so concerned for his own glory being enjoyed by the nations and his people that he did not tolerate his people’s rejection. In exile he shows [...]
He brought me into darkness
by i.burgess on June 21, 2011
An Introduction to Lamentations I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light; surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long. (Lamentations 3:1-3) Lamentations, or ‘The Lamentations of Jeremiah’ in some Bibles, are [...]
After The Beginning #1
by i.burgess on June 13, 2011
Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost, when the Church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit on those who know Jesus, making them into one body and one people for the glory of God (Acts 1:1-13) This week I want to spend some time thinking through these things. For now, enjoy this collect from the [...]
The Work of Joy
by i.burgess on June 3, 2011
If God grants his Holy Spirit freely by grace through faith, such that anyone who believes in Jesus and is therefore made pure by his sacrifice can be filled with his presence, why do Christians not continually feel the secure joy of that presence? To put it another way, why does it appear that a Christian must [...]
The end of the matter
by i.burgess on June 1, 2011
Yesterday I tried to draw out some of the harsh realities of our existence, namely that only this present moment exists. Therefore, any memory of happiness or hope for joy is imaginary, a shadow even. I noticed how we fail to fulfil our innate desire for joy because we believe we have either already been as happy [...]
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