Alison and the whale

‘Since you’re the son of God,’ says the devilish examiner in Matthew’s story, ‘turn these stones to bread.’ Use your power for your own ends. Whip up a miracle, and feed yourself ...
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Jesus sets out a path of nonviolent resistance to state sanctioned domination and abuse.

Jesus' new community calls for self-awareness, self-regulation and love.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Two criminals, and the scandal of grace.