When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused and […]
Read More Genesis: 48: However He Chooses To BlessNo this is not about how to rile an old rock group. It occurs to me time and again that accepting the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the priority of His Kingdom does not fit well with any prevailing way of living. Even in settled Christian communities there’s somewhat of a tendency to adopt a […]
Read More Upsetting the Status QuoJoseph said to the people, “Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food […]
Read More Genesis: 47 – Looking To The Provider“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:3-4) […]
Read More Genesis: 46 – It Will Be AlrightAnd now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God […]
Read More Genesis: 45 – All In The PlanI mean it. It was an accident I didn’t mean it. Two phrases that you may be somewhat familiar with. The second one is an interesting one. I deliver Health and Safety training which brings us across this word and a definition for it goes along the lines that an accident is an unplanned and […]
Read More IntentionalityNow then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father. (Genesis 44:33-34) It’s […]
Read More Genesis: 44 – Judah’s JourneySome things change. Some things stay the same. I have been full of ideas since I can remember. Not many have come off, but that hasn’t deterred me from getting more and more ideas. As I get older I am aware that it’s good to establish things that will last. It’s good to start ideas […]
Read More Pastoral Care Beyond Church WallsThe book of Genesis highlights a number of godly attributes in the lives of its key characters. Joseph shows like his father and his great grandfather before him that all good things come to those who wait. When he recognised his brothers previously, they had come asking for supplies. Their posture recognised the authority of […]
Read More Genesis: 43 – All Good Things …We can get hung up on the wrong things, get distracted and completely miss the point. Maybe the way we converse is not always respectful. Some of the things that are said are done with an aggressive and pained spirit that often seeks to be vindicated more than it seeks solutions. Some of the things […]
Read More Maybe It’s Not The Right Vehicle
Life With CD 