Pentecost 20- The Invitation That Requires Our Response- Matthew 22:1-14
God's grace welcomes us as we are, but it also calls us to change.
The Word Around The Bush Archives
Pentecost 19- What Ae We Doing with God's Vineyard?- Matthew 21:33-46
God has entrusted this vineyard for a moment in time, so may we tend to it faithfully, share it generously and produce good fruit.
Pentecost 18 - The Parable of the Two - Matthew 21: 23-32
A father has two sons..... who couldn't be more different in their responses. Yes, it's a story ages old, but also a story about the ways, the paths, the choices of responding. The parable begins with these words.... "What do you think"? So what DO you think? Join us as we explore life and faith together.
Pentecost 17- God Chooses Grace - Matthew 20:1-16
God chooses to show grace to all people. Are we open to receive it?
Pentecost 16 - Forgiveness: A Sacred Gift - Matthew 18:21-35
As we receive God's mercy and forgiveness, how do we show mercy and forgiveness to others?
Pentecost 15 - Binding Up Letting Loose - Matthew 18: 15-20
In ways this passage is about addressing the difficult issues of conflict and relational breakdown within the church. In other ways this passage is an invitation into the loosing, liberating, life giving ways of Christ. This may be a difficult passage to understand, but certainly it is a difficult passage to embrace as part of the Christian life.
Pentecost 14 - Our True Selves - Matthew 16: 21-28
Finding our true selves in Christ. Tim is joined by a rooster as we explore what it means to deny 'ourselves' and take up our crosses.
Pentecost 13 Who do YOU say I am? Matthew 16:13-20
Over two thousand years ago, near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks Simon Peter 'who do you say that I am?". Today we are asked the same question, 'who do YOU say Jesus is?'
Pentecost 12 - The Canaanite Woman - Matthew 15: 21-28
We come to the remarkable reading of the Canaanite woman who lunges into the life of Jesus, amongst the crowd and the disciples, and pulls him from the inconvenient interruption, back into the reality of the Christ and the way of God. A remarkable reading for us at this time also, as our minds, hopefully, are turned towards the middle east. Join us as we explore life and faith together.
Pentecost 11 - Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid - Matt 14:22-33
Peter's rescue reminds us that our hope rests in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
Pentecost 10 - Feeding a Multitude - Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus' compassion reaches out to a multitude of people, they are healed and fed. The compassion of God, revealed in the person of Jesus. He invites us to be expression of God's love, hospitality and compassion.
Pentecost 9 - The trouble with understanding - Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
A few little parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. "Why do you always speak in parables" the disciples ask! So let's wrestle with parables and the trouble with understanding.
Pentecost 8- Living Faithfully in a Mixed Field- Matt 13:36-43
The promise of this parable is that God sees the whole field. God knows what belongs to the kingdom, and God will bring all things to their rightful end. Until then, we are invited to live faithfully.
Pentecost 7 - The Extravagant Sower - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The seeds of the Extravagant Sower falls everywhere, no matter the terrain.
Pentecost 6 - Invited to Play - Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
The little parable from Matthew's Gospel of the children playing in the marketplace is an invitation into the game... and equally for us. As we continue in this season of Pentecost join us as we explore life and faith together.
Pentecost 5- Welcoming Christ Through Small Acts- Matt 10: 40-42
Sometimes the most powerful expressions of faith are not found in grand gestures but in small acts of love and compassion that reflect the heart of God.
Pentecost 4 - The Cost of Discipleship - Matthew 10:24-39
Sharing the compassion, love and peace of God can upset those who want to maintain power and influence. It is all part of the cost of discipleship, of carrying your cross while you live out the love of God in and through Christ.
Pentecost 3 - Mission of the Twelve - Matthew 9: 35 - 10: 15
Following on from Matthew's list of the twelve disciples we come to a passage mostly titled, The Mission of the Twelve. But what is mission? We use the word "mission" in the church to describe anything we do and even bakeries and banks have mission statements. So let us ponder together this passage and how the mission of the twelve might helps us understand mission as we explore life and faith together.
Pentecost 2- Matthew 9:18-26- Interruptions that are Life Giving
Sometimes the interruptions we resist become the very places where God's love is revealed.
Trinity A Matthew 28:16-20
The Trinity: The union of the three persons in the Godhead. These three persons are distinct yet co-equal and consubstantial, sharing one divine essence. Whew... a complex explanation. Maybe 'the one God, expressing God's eternal love, being available to all people and all creation.'
Pentecost - Psalm 104: 34-34 & John 7: 37-39
Pentecost is not simply an event, it is the eternal blowing of the presence of the Spirit; timeless and one with God. Welcome to Saltbush, Word Around the Bush as we draw ourself into, and open ourselves unto, the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Easter 7- John 17:1-11- Jesus Still Prays for His People
On the eve of the cross, Jesus lifts His eyes to Heaven, not in fear but with love for His disciples, for His people.
Easter 6- The Spirit Abiding in Us- John 14:15-21
In the Gospel of John, the Holy Spirit is named as the Paraclete, the Greek translation is the 'one who is alongside you'. Jesus deepens this relationship as the one who is in you.
Easter 5 - Believe... in me. - John 14: 1-14
"Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me"! Challenging words from the Gospel of John and good for pondering both troubled hearts and belief. Welcome to Word Around the Bush as we explore faith and life together.
Easter 4- The Good Shepherd and The Gate- John 10:1-10
Jesus, The Good Shepherd, leads us and welcomes us in. In Him, we are known, protected and invited into abundant life.
Easter 3 - A Resurrection People - Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
We live in a post-resurrection age, we are invited to be a resurrection people. In this Word Around the Bush we explore Acts 2 where Peter addresses the crowd. For a clear and really helpful exploration of the Gospel reading of Luke 24, go back to Easter Sunday and Rev. Natasha He's message.
Easter 2 - Doubt and Belief Entwined - John 20: 19-31
In this season of life we think about the way doubt and faith are entwined together and demonstrated in the life of Thomas, disciple and follower of Christ. Welcome to Saltbush and Word Around the Bush.
Easter Sunday
Hope on the Road: Recognizing the Risen Christ!
Palm Sunday - Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a proclamation of the Reign of God. A reign of love, mercy, forgiveness, freedom and reconciliation against oppressive corrupted powers that seek to silence all protest.
Lent 5 - Unbind him and let him go - John 11: 1-45
As we continue in Lent, we comes to John's masterful story of the raising of Lazarus. What a journey this passage takes us on, which holds within it all the reality of human suffering and death and leads us on, towards Jesus' own death on the cross. If we look beyond the obvious, this passage also challenges us in the ways we bind up, rather than liberate for life in its fullness.
Lent 4- From Blindness to Sight: The Shepherd who leads us through the dark- John 9:1-41 & Psalm 23
Blindness is these passages is not only about eyes, but about the heart. Sight is not just vision but trust. Christ, our Good Shepherd, leads us through the valleys of confusion, suffering and doubt.
Lent 3 Transformational Conversations
The woman at well encountered Jesus. They had a rich and transformational conversation. Her life would never be the same. How are the conversations you have with God or about God going?
Lent 2 - Conversations of Life - John 3: 1-17
As we continue in this season of Lent, we come to the remarkable conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. This conversation and its words through the Gospel writer John, is deep and challenging (of course)! It's easy to hear and think simplistic answers when we ask "what does Jesus mean when he talks of "being born from above"". So let us hear the Word and ponder this conversation for our own faith and lives.
Lent 1: Into the Wilderness Matt 4: 1-11
The wilderness is where illusions fall away and where the truth, about God and ourselves, is laid bare. Lent calls us forward in hope.
The Transfiguration of Jesus Matthew 17:1- 9
The transfiguration of Jesus was an overwhelming experience for Peter and the disciples. So much so that Peter tried to control the moment by suggesting building booths. How often do we try and control the sacred with our own agenda, especially when we are meant to only listen.
Epiphany 5 – The Salt of the Earth – Matthew 5: 13-20
Let us read this passage, “you are the salt of the earth”, not as individuals, but to reflect on these words of Jesus being for the church; the Christian community. Welcome to Saltbush, Uniting the Scattered Community as we explore life and faith together.
Epiphany 4 Matthew 5: 1-12 Blessed Are the Unimpressive
The Unimpressive- capturing the essence of those who may be overlooked or underestimated by worldly standards. The Beatitudes elevate these individuals, showing that true Blessedness comes not from external achievements or social status, but from inner qualities and a heart aligned with God.
We invite you to explore the Season of Epiphany
No Word Around the Bush for January BUT we invite you to explore the Season of Epiphany Word Around the Bush will have a break in January BUT we invite you to explore what the epiphany of Christ means to you.
Christmas 1 Massacre of the Innocents Matthew 2:13-23
The Christmas story (without the sentimentality) speaks into our human condition. Our frustrations, fear, joy and anxieties. Sadly it also speaks into the remorseless violence that we have witnessed over thousands of years and continues today. Into our human frailty God breaks-in, as God is being God, the One who brings love, peace, joy and hope in the form of a baby.
Christmas Day – Luke 2: 1-20
Welcome to the account from the Gospel of Luke of the birth of Jesus. Luke invites us into this story, that like the shepherds, we might be amazed at this “thing that has taken place.” And, to be amazed, is to be transformed. Welcome to Word Around the Bush on this Christmas Day with Saltbush, Uniting the Scattered Community.
Advent 4- Matthew 1:18-25- The Gift of Emmanuel: Embracing the Mystery of Christmas
The Gift of Emmanuel is more than a historical event; it is a call to embrace the mystery, find hope in the darkness and live a life transformed by the love of God.
Advent 3 Is Jesus the One Matthew 11:2-11
John’s questioning whether Jesus is the one or should he wait for another, reflects the raw honesty of the Gospels. It allows us the freedom to question, explore and discover who this Jesus is in our own lives and the life of the Christian community. As Jesus answers John, he also answers us, ‘see and hear for yourselves’.
Advent 2 – A Voice Crying Out – Matthew 3: 1-12
We continue in Advent as we begin to hear the voice crying out in the wilderness - John the Baptist. In our Word Around the Bush we think about our expectations and hopes alongside times of uncertainty and searching. In our liturgy for this week, we also use John's cry as our cry in prayer for others and the world.
Advent 1: Be Vigilant! Matt 24: 36-44
As we enter into the season of Advent, we wait not passively but actively. We are called to be vigilant!
Christ the King Sunday (Pentecost 24) An Unexpected King Luke 23:33-34
Christ the King Sunday is difficult to perceive but only if we compare Christ to the rulers of our day. Christ turns everything on its head by being the kind of King whose power is grounded in love, mercy, compassion and grace. Christ the King is an expression of the reign of God in our lives. (The reading is from Luke, not John as is shown on Word Around the Bush title. My apologies for any confusion.)
Pentecost 23 – Stones Like These – Luke 21: 5-19
Set in the Temple, surrounded by the beautiful enormity of the stones and building, Jesus reflects upon what is to come, the world we live in and the things we cling to. Can we hear what Jesus is saying here beyond the stones of the passage? Join us as we explore Luke 21 and the images of the destruction of the temple.
Pentecost 22 – Anchored in Grace- 2 Thessalonian 2:13-17
The Apostle Paul reminds us of our deep connection to God who gives us hope and encouragement. to be anchored in Grace and string in Faith.
Pentecost 21 Salvation for All Luke 19:1-10
The story of Zachaeus is very familiar to us all. Sometimes, however, we find a shift in the translation, for Zachaeus is not the only one to have received salvation from Jesus.
Pentecost 20 – Righteous Unrighteous – Luke 18: 9-14
The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is wonderful in it’s challenge as much today as ever. This parable is not simply a comment on righteousness, which always comes as part of self righteousness, but this parable is an image of embrace and inclusion as the Way of Christ and the longing of God. Welcome to Word Around the Bush with Saltbush as we explore life and faith together.