Alison Talks Faith

Every place a God-story

God-stories are anchored to place. So what are our God-stories and how can they charge the landscape? 

Matthew | Blessed discipleship

What if the Beatitudes describe the school of discipleship? A back-to-school reflection

Matthew | Like a scandal

God calls Joseph to wake up. God demands that he open his eyes to a deeper reality, where love takes priority over obedience to God’s law, and scandal forms the womb of grace.

Matthew | Like, are you serious?

Christ’s incarnation is often underwhelming. It is up to us to look at the evidence, and decide if it’s the real deal.

Matthew | Like an arsonist

Jesus is coming to burn away the rubbish: because he loves you, he’s coming for the harvest, and there’s a sweet kernel in you that he seeks. John the Baptizer has strong words for religious leaders; but for everyone else, he urges a turning to God because the kingdom of heaven is near, and for the vulnerable it's very good news.

Matthew | Like a thief

Jesus may come looking poor, scruffy, untrustworthy, and vaguely threatening - and he'll take something precious away.

Luke | Paradise, parties, and the vastness of God’s love

Two criminals, and the scandal of grace.

Isaiah | The city of joy

Good health, good work, and good relationships come together to form a city of joy, and a people of delight.

Luke | Seven brothers, a hapless widow, a falling satellite - and what it means to truly live

No need to wait! Resurrection life begins in the here and now.

Luke | Who’s more faithful? There’s no comparison!

Literally. Competitive righteousness has no place in God's kingdom.