"Shepherds Delight" - shared hope for something better

One of the many phrases I heard growing up was…

Red sky at night, shepherds delight

Red sky in morning, shepherds warning*

It always meant to me that based on when the sky was red, that it gave an indication of what could be coming next related to the weather.

Apparently this last winter was the wettest on record where we live in 46 years. It had noticeably negatively affected the my feelings about life along with many others in the city we live.

Recently walking towards our local park I noticed the sky changing colour. The hue grew more and more red as I approached a well none landmark and I was reminded of those famous words above.

My hope for you and me navigating whatever long, cold, maybe damp season that we have faced, that it is now finally turning into something new.

May the red sky give you hope.

May it remind you that while some seasons may feel far too long, that they can not last forever.

Hang onto to hope my friend.

Something to think about…

*Matthew 16:2-3

Why Intellectual Assent could be hurting the Church

I remember the sight of people entering the building when I first went along to Church again.

They had a look.

Especially the guys.

Picture if you can a clean shaved guy, wearing a floral or highly patterned shirt, complete with a large Bible under their arm.

We are aren't just talking a pocket version or something subtle.

Back in those days it was as large as you could get, generally with a faux leather zip cover thingy that held not only the Bible, but church notices, notes and other assorted things.

Fast forward a decade or more and we seem to have shifted to something more sophisticated.

Most of us dressed down while "tech-ing" up. 

Those under the arm masses of church materials replaced with a phone using a Bible app.

When we lead our Church we added physical message notes to our Sundays.

A5 pieces of paper were given out as you arrived which included all the Bible verse that the message would cover, along with fill-in-the-gap sections to help you take notes.

We actively encouraged thinking, taking your own notes, asking God what He might be saying in the middle of what was being said from the front.

What is my point with this long winded intro?

One of my current concerns is that we may have in general lurched towards a more intellectual assent model. I'll explain what that term means in a moment...

I don't see people carrying Bibles as much.

I don't see people looking at the Bible apps as much.

And I definitely do not see people taking notes during the sermon as much.

Why?

Maybe a few reasons:

1. When we embraced the above model of teaching, people called it "life application".

It was based on the simple idea that what we taught one day should be able to be applied to any day.

There were many who didn't like this style of teaching and who would tell me "expository teaching" was the only valid way to teach the Bible (the systematic verse by verse style of teaching).

Here is my problem with the argument. 

If it is bad teaching, neither teaching style works.

And if people can't relate to what is taught, you can't apply it to your life. Your faith expression, how your live each day "out there" (world) doesn't ever seem to correlate with what happens "in there" (Church).

Knowledge is seen as king.

My problem with this is that you teach, but without power. 

1 Corinthians 2:4 states: "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power," NIV

I see today many craving wise words, clever presentation, engaging presentation and avoidance of the "proof" of the word via demonstration.

Paul even goes on to explain in Chapter 8 that knowledge can puff us up. 

This isn't a good thing. 

It speaks of pride and of missing the point of learning all together.

2. We have what I call age-up push-back.

This is the challenge many Christians have. 

Where as you apparently mature in the faith, you actually very easily begin to push back against teaching that challenges you. You feel above what the "newby's" are learning because "you have heard it all before". You desire encouragement without conviction, more information over more faith in action.

When you add "it is all about me" attitudes prevalent in modern church, where the preferences of the long term believer are demanded, the teaching style gets push back, gets dumbed down, removes all challenge or faith expectation.

So what is intellectual assent?

It relates to the mind, deep thinking, and the use of reason rather than emotions - Merriam Webster

In Church, it relates to learning and adding to knowledge, thinking that the more we learn and the more knowledge we gain that will equal growth.

This is why it is so dangerous!

It potentially destroys your faith, it destroys even the childlike faith we have been encouraged to have.

It takes the supernatural and replaces it with logic arguments and what is consider culturally natural.

So here is my encouragement today for you and me.

Study yes. But also look to apply more. 

Try more. Step out in faith more.

I don't believe you age out of faith

Avoid stupid church arguments and embrace faith based action.

Keep a gentle heart and avoid comfort only based communities.

Be part of the action instead of watching from the sideline.

Something to think about...

Happy 21st Birthday to this Blog

 

Handy advice when you read the Bible

My very short thought was created by someone else, but wanted to share anyway.

As Christians we are encouraged to read the Bible.

I concur. It is great advice.

But my thought today relates to understanding what could be the best way to approach it when you do?

In my current Bible Reading Plan each day normally starts with the same encouragement, which I want to pass on you today:

Do you notice a promise to trust, a truth to embrace, a warning to heed, 

or an encouragement to rest in?

What do you learn about God, about yourself, or about the world?

Is there one verse or thought that stands out to you today?

Talk to God about it...

I honestly this is such a great approach, kind of like a filter to help you process and apply what you read.

Something to think about...

*Courtesy Life.Church Whole Bible in Under 2 Years Plan

Does expressing love need to be perfect?

Maybe you have been in love like me?

I am pretty sure you have and can relate.

You want to say something loving, romantic to someone, and without rehearsal or too much forethought at all, you say something from the heart.

It is genuine.

It is expressing your true feelings.

But does it need to be perfect, shakespearean, even 100% theologically correct?

Over the years I have said plenty of things to my wife which are:

Genuine.

My true feelings.

Not perfect.

But I believe she knew what I meant, and that was the point.

When we see talk about worship lately in the online space, there are some pretty passionate critiques related to this topic!

But I am just going to put this out there. I am growing a little weary of the “Christian” online media world where the narratives are based on critiquing worship. 

Hunting for fault. 

Where a particular channel has the sole focus on criticism.

For the record, I am 100% for doing all we can to make sure our lyrics are theologically correct. Doing the best we can in this matter, because worship song lyrics tend to influence theology for the people singing these particular songs.

It is just that I have an internal niggle about popular social media posts where their main brand and message is all why this Church or this worship leader is wrong, and why they should be avoided at all costs.

Yes we are to make judgements about important matters like these, but also have an awareness that we will be judged accordingly.

Scripture talks about “with the measure you use”. That is sobering to me and I think it should be to all involved in “heresy hunting ministries” as well as general life.

I also have noticed that many have a bias they seem blissfully willing to ignore for the sake of their argument.

The crowd who believe that the Holy Spirit finished his work and after the Apostle Paul’s time, hate songs mentioning the Holy Spirit, songs asking for His help or desire for connection, ministry or more.

Some come for a declared denominational stream which makes some critique look very one sided, and tainted by position and personal preference.

It does seem to me that the “worship wars” from the past decade have never stopped, just maybe just that we changed or expanded the battle lines.

As I have thought about this over the last few months, something keeps coming back to my thoughts.

What is God looking for?

Here is are my simple thoughts around this today…

It is about Spirit and Truth

Jesus words one day resonate quite strongly for me:

“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.

Let me be clear, context matters I think here.

This came from a discussion He was having about worship with someone who was focusing on location and tradition. Jesus never says they don’t matter and points to something better, something that God wants to see going forward.

My belief is that Spirit here relates to the Holy Spirit, worship that is influenced and directed by the Holy Spirit in some way. Maybe via a prompting or creativity or a task or a response. 

It doesn’t mean it is not true worship if we aren’t mentioning the Spirit, but that it is Spirit influenced.

The second part is always important.

It must be true!

True in the sense it is coming from your own personal conviction, that it is best from your heart, what you believe, from your genuine motivation to express worship, beyond religious convention and expectation. And that God’s truth is reflected in the expression.

It is about the Heart

The first point I think leads nicely to the second.

God clearly states in his Word that he looks at the heart over the appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7

Yes this scriptural statement relates to David, but again relates to worship, as David is said to have been a worshipper with many songs written and skill on instruments. His obvious skill is mentioned many times and also his anointing for worship (reflect on his ministry to Saul).

But God says “heart” trumps it all!

I believe God wants to see and hear your heart in worship.

I wonder if He looks at our heart over looking our clumsy theology many times?

Again I am not saying to ignore theology.

Just that our hearts and mouths in a moment, may not work perfectly in sync.

Theology shifts and pivots can happen over a lifetime, but your heart is a true reflection of you and God in any moment.

It can be Messy

David wrote many many Psalms. 

Were they all what we call these days “worship bangers”? 

Should all of Davids heartfelt musings in the Pslams be considered perfect for personal and corporate worship today? Of course not.

They reflected heart in that moment. Many times reflecting the pain of David’s heart, the brokenness, the longing, full of raw heartfelt emotion.

And God includes them in His Word. 

That says a lot I think!

It is beyond the Music and the “Churchy” Moment

Worship is not restricted to Sunday or a Meeting or another corporate Church moment.

Worship in the New Testament is how we live all of life. 

Our relationship privately with God. 

How we treat others. 

What we do to serve the Kingdom and what we do navigating the challenges of life.

To wrap this up, I am not trying to make a case of turning our brains off and having a Pentecostal stupor event, blinbdly thinking that is always correct.

I am not arguing for theology to be ignored.

I am genuinely wondering where the balance is, the right place to sit in this argument and journey. 

And ultimately us all discovering what is worship that God likes looks like.

I wonder what you think?

Relationship Experts, especially in the Church…

Something I have noticed or maybe I have just become more aware of, is just how many feel they are relationship experts.

We sit at a distance unaware of the circumstances and nuances of someone’s else relationships and potential challenges around them. And even though we can’t see everything, we still feel comfortable many times to passionately say what we think about a relationship. 

Declaring what they are doing right or wrong. 

Analysing with so little data that I now think it is laughable and sad.

The most classic and common in our culture now is to analyse those relationships of leaders or the famous. Think Hollywood and Royalty.

I am so tired of hearing about the relationship of Harry & Megan!

Here is my theory I am thinking through these days…

I wonder if we have become self proclaimed experts of relationships because we study them. And when I say study, that is even a loaded term, subject to different levels of what many consider valid study.

I see this in general in the Church world as well.

Study is encouraged (something I am not against at all) with the hope that it will create, improve, mature and other outcomes in our relationships.

We study how to relate to others.

We study how marriage could work better.

We study how to raise our kids.

And we study hoping it will help us get to know God.

But here is the kicker.

Study can build knowledge.

But it doesn’t always translate into relational growth.

Have you ever wondered like me why some people can study a relationship style endlessly and yet still fail at it?

Have you ever seen someone who is on the outside be an expert on something like marriage and yet fail many times in their own marriages. And yes I specifically noted plural.

For my Christian friends I fully endorse and encourage study.

I am not arguing against it at all. 

We are encouraged strongly to study God’s Word.

Many like to cite a group of people called the Bereans because they famously studied things and sought to grow their understanding on purpose. Acts 17:11

Here is are a few questions for you…

If the goal is relationship, what is the best strategy to achieve this goal?

Can you build relationship through study?

I think relationship is built from study but also and more importantly proximity, time, conversation, journeying with that person.

Reflecting on some comments that Jesus made I get some different perspective...

Jesus was once at the home of sisters Mary & Martha. 

The story goes that Martha got upset because Mary was spending more time with Jesus than her, while she was busy with serving the needs of those around them.

Jesus famously says “You [Martha] are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10 :38-42

Jesus appears to be saying that service is good, but that relationship is better.

Then another time Jesus seems to take this all up a notch in intensity.

As part of his teaching one day it tells people “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven…Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.’ " Matthew 7:21-23

These people in Jesus example were doing kingdom things, they were busy, they would have looked like great Christians to those around them, but they didn’t have the one thing that means the most to Jesus - relationship.

Thinking on this I hope it causes you the same reflective triggers as they have for me lately. Where I ponder how I should develop relationships with others and God.

Study yes. But we can’t stop there.

Study alone can make us appear intelligent but it also has the ability to puff us up. 1 Corinthians 8:1

Scripture tells us to love one another, forgive one another. It is about relational doing / action over relational expertise through mere study. 

Lived out.

Real.

Sometimes raw.

Always relevant.

Jesus doesn’t offer to save you for knowledges sake…

It was for relationship!

Something to think about…

Foot in Mouth vs Mouth and Heart

Have you heard the phrase "foot in mouth"?

Maybe just the mention of it triggers you to remember how you have done just that?

The phrase "put your foot in your mouth" means to say something by accident that embarrasses, upsets, or offends someone else" - Cambridge Dictionary 

It has apparently morphed into the phrase "putting your foot in it", meaning essentially the same thing.

The upshot is that it is probably not good.

Sometimes we say things that hurt and are probably a bit dumb.

And I am just as guilty of it as anyone I know...

Another phrase that sounds similar maybe, but has a completely different meaning and outcome, is found at both ends of your Bible.

Moses in Deuteronomy 31 talked about the use of Mouth and Heart.

Then Paul teaches in Romans 10 about Mouth and Heart, seemingly referring back to what Moses taught, and then adding some powerful next steps.

It makes sense to me that if it appears so much in scripture and via two of arguably pretty influential leaders, then maybe I should take special note of it?

The idea they are trying to convey. The application it could bring for my life right now?

I honesty think that is not enough to know something when it comes to faith.

A whole new level opens up when we believe it in our hearts and talk about it openly.

Faith that apparently that God seems to take notice of is more aligned with belief, speech and action than just merely knowing about it.

I know making statements about faith lately makes some nervous.

I agree with you, but it shouldn't stop you from saying what you believe in your heart to God and to others (appropriately).

What you believe in your heart is probably the most true thing that you believe.

Therefore something you should pay attention to. 

And especially since what comes out of us scripture tells, comes from the heart.

So let's avoid Foot in Mouth as best we can.

And let's maybe embrace Mouth and Heart a bit more...

Something to think about...

Extremes aren't helping us much

The last 6 years have truly been for me somewhat eye opening along with being challenging.

Being out of full time ministry and leading a church was not my plan, but it presented maybe a God ordained window to experience and to learn more widely?

One greater than I could have ever planned.

And to be honest one I wouldn't have planned for myself...

Ever since I began to follow Jesus in 1991 I have been fully engaged of what many would consider a pentecostal or charismatic form of faith expression.
Before that I was actually brought up in a very conservative farming community Presbyterian church.

And for the past six years I have been involved in ministry outside the church, attended a large variety of styles and theological bents and been again involved more recently in a Church under a more conservative stream.

Something I have seen if I can generalise a little for moment, is that people seem to many times love to find a position on stylised faith, theological position, self considered “this is the best model” mindset and camp there. 

Not satisfied with that, many then try and go to the perceived extreme of that position and belief structure.

This extreme pendulum swing creates I believe a dynamic that doesn't help the Church in general, where we then promote our position as best or preferable. We can become potentially blind to other options and even blind to what God might be wanting to do with others, and maybe even us.

Here are some recent examples I have seen:

(Note - not everyone I have seen for the sake of this blog size)

Holy Spirit was Then vs Holy Spirit is for Now

There have become ever more pendulum extremes of belief on the Holy Spirt.

Some believe the Holy Spirit is active now in our time and something we should embrace to truly be the Church, to truly understand what it is like to follow Christ. That without this key attribute of faith you will lack power, special gifting and even the ability to continue in faith.

Another group states clearly that the Holy Spirit has been part of the historical narrative and isn't important for today. That the Holy Spirit helped establish the Church and helped us get the Bible. That anyone seeking to explore this aspect of faith is a 'weirdo' and probably just looking for an emotional experience - one the other end of the pendulum considers fake or even demonic.

Apostles are Historic vs Apostles operate Today

I have some sympathy for the debate and confusion around the concept of Apostles. 

I have to admit that I have been bemused and disturbed by the seemingly liberal use of the term. Where all around the world people are declaring themselves to be an Apostle.

Here are the two extremes of the pendulum:

Apostles only existed nearly 2000 years ago to establish the Church and that the role of Apostle ended with the book of Acts and the writings of the New Testament in general.

The other extreme is that Apostles could and should exist today and anyone can be an Apostle. 

My personal opinion is that both extremes are problematic and purposefully ignore what the Apostles even taught about being Apostles. #ironic.

And I add to my thinking that my reading of the early Apostles is that it was not something to attain for but was a recognition of an office.

Bible Stories are Historic and Allegoric in Nature vs Bible Stories being Examples for Now and even Life Giving

One camp loves the extreme of reflecting on the stories and the accounts in scripture and then creating narratives based on what they personally would like them to mean. Sometimes going to great lengths to try and prove they are wrong, that God's character and motivation is evil and they have discovered some hidden truth.

The other camp firmly believes in the Bible so much that everything including what to eat, what to wear, who to talk to, where to live is intrinsically linked to scripture and must not be questioned or deviated from.

Declarations of Faith are Wrong vs Declarations of Faith are Best Practice

Here we have the idea of making passionate verbal statements either in private to God or in a larger group setting related to something of faith. Hence why they are called declarations.

One group thinks this is potentially demonic and to be avoided as abhorrent behaviour.

Another group thinks that they have the potential to change everything we don't like, and without using them we won't see God do something.

For me the extremes are both problematic.

One ignores the many times Scripture records people of faith making declarations.

The other thinks they can get God to do anything they want, like they are in charge of the Kingdom.

I could go on and on with examples...

I am also disturbed by the extremes of the 'name it and claim it' hyper faith movement as much as the claims that the Holy Spirit, the gifts and everything related to them, finished thousands of years ago.

I am disturbed by endless arguments over who is right and who has the best model of Church.
I am disturbed that many ministries are based on critique and not on Christian discipleship.
I am disturbed that the Pharisee mentality has never really left Church history.

I am disturbed by passion at which others look to destroy brothers and sisters of faith.

For me, I am determined today not to tell you who is right, or even what to think.
What I am determined to do I believe is to encourage you to look at faith and its practice in your life more deeply. 

To avoid taking and holding an extreme position as you continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling - wrestling with God and what it means for you to follow Him right now with all your heart mind and soul.

Something to think about...

Watch Out

As someone passionate about faith, understanding it, living it, and where I can, defending it, the reporting of what is happening around faith today has my full attention.

And I want to suggest it should have your attention as well.

Jesus said these powerful and I think important words that I want to share today:

"Watch out that no one deceives you" 

Matthew 24:3 NIV

He goes on to say after this all important and attention grabbing phrase the different ways this could happen to you and me.

I am reminded that there is first of all potential to be deceived along with deception being around.

I am reminded that I need to take responsibility for my faith, what has been entrusted to me freely, and guard what God has deposited in my life.

I am reminded that what I believe matters for eternity. What I study. What I watch. What I look at. And also what I propagate into the world.

Other Bible verses encourage things like:

Study to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15

Be ready to give a reason for the hope you have. 1 Peter 3:15

Make the most of today. Ephesians 5:15-16

Invest wisely with what God has given me. Matthew 25

My big takeaway is that I need to wrestle with my faith and protect it.

To watch out that I am not deceived. Because deception could be around any corner if I am not purposeful to avoid it, to have mastery over it.

Can I encourage you to do the same?

Watch what you watch.

Analysis carefully what is presented as fact.

Measure the so called truth out there against God's truth.

Something to think about...

View Numbers Update | August 2026

I find it amazing, humbling and honouring to see how far and wide this blog actually goes...

Thank you to you amazing people for checking it out!

And as always I hope in some way it helps you navigate your life and faith.

Last 30 Days as of 1st August 2026

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595

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10th    Pakistan

421

Growing Faith vs Tested Faith

...you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:3 NIV

I was thinking about the challenges we have faced in the last few years and this verse came to mind.

I think maybe I have focused more of doing things in faith, having more faith, more than the concept of God allowing my faith to be tested. 

Growing in faith is challenging and creates an adventure in faith, testing on the other hand feels a whole lot different.

James goes on to explain why this happens.

To produce other key attributes in my life, to get to the "not lacking anything part", the testing part, the uncomfortable seems to be a necessary step.

But it is not easy and is many times hard to reconcile,

For example the more I have considered myself to be living in, operating in faith, I wonder if God has allowed it to tested as much? Not something I can quantify, it is more of a feeling.

My hearts prayer today...

"God please use this time to grow me into who you need now and in the future. " 

"Help me to handle this season better."

"I can't want for what comes next after this work you are doing."

Maybe you can relate or this helps in some way?

Something to think about...

Maybe the Opposite Should Be True?

When I look at the New Testament teachings about how to best do this "christian living" thing, what the apostles wrote and what of course what Jesus said, I have always found that their statements countered the culture of the world we live somehow.

The concepts of turn the other check, when someone ask something to give them more, to forgive your enemies. It is an endless list of contradictions to the way the world recommends and acts. Even I would say counter many times to our nature and intuition.

It is for me what helps set apart Jesus teaching from all other religious leaders.

He never seemed to just teach what was expected or was already accepted, it was supposed to be better!

Then something like what I saw in the last week happens.

And something inside me says, "hey this can't be right???"

I will link the video I saw below, but in case the link doesn't work, let me paint the picture for you.

It shows two men riding in a horse drawn carriage into a lavish venue arrangement. 

People dressed as angels wave their fake wings.

Both men are dressed in finery with one wearing what appears to be a crown and robe like he is a king.

And then the "icing" on this whole visual cake is there is announcer who proclaims and I quote, "A man of God makes a glorious entrance. The man of God of the universe!"

I have a strong reaction to this video.

It strikes me as being something that is completely opposite of how Jesus taught us and especially leaders should act. In my opinion this is dangerous and wrong!

It takes respect into what many could construe as idol worship.

Scripture clearly teaches concepts and patterns for removed from what is shown here.

He must increase and I must decrease. John 3:30

Humble yourself so that he can lift you up. 1 Peter 5:6

God responding to a contrite heart. Psalm 51:17

God opposing the proud! 1 Peter 5:5

Leaders should serve. Matthew 23:11-12

Can I encourage you to not be tricked to live as the world lives and how these so called leaders operate? Let the challenge of Jesus teaching, what the apostles and early church taught, challenge your being and give you a better way to live for Him.

Something to think about...