Progressive, affirming, questing in Warrnambool, Victoria
We often assume God works only through good things, but here we see God working through bad. Remember, Joseph’s brothers nearly killed him, then they sent him into slavery and exile. Yet when they meet up again years later, Joseph attributes even their destructive choices to God’s design. Where have you seen ‘God in the compost’, redeeming the rubbish of life? Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 10: Redeeming the rubbish”
Right now, life feels overwhelming. It’s easy to forget we’re only partway through a story, and that we do not know what the ending will be. Today’s reading ends on a cliffhanger. You are invited to wonder not only what happens next, but where hope might lie: then translate these wonderings into your own life. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 9: The middle of a story”
Jacob doesn’t have to wrestle. He could stay with his women and children and servants: there is safety in numbers. He could sedate himself with wine or the web or some ancient Palestinian Prozac, and allow his encounter with the stranger to remain a blur. He could yield to the stranger at the beginning, crying ‘I give up! Leave me!’ But he doesn’t. He allows himself to be alone, vulnerable, wide awake in the dead of night. The stranger comes. Jacob wrestles; he grasps; he is wounded: and he is blessed. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 8: Jacob wrestles”
A couple of weeks ago, we looked at sibling rivalry through the story of brothers, Jacob and Esau; here, Laban’s decision and Jacob’s passion trigger an intense rivalry between sisters and, for all we know, handmaids. (You can read about the rivalry in the next chapter of Genesis.) This is a real rollercoaster of a story, in which men’s actions have devastating effects on four silent women. I wonder how these women experienced the events of this story. For example, what if Leah longed for Jacob? Could she and Rachel have negotiated the switch with their father? And where do you see God’s action in these lives? (For a reflection on this, click here.) Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 7: Sisters, wives, handmaids”
In this story, Jacob responds to God’s free gift with fear and awe, worship, and a concrete gift: the tithe. The tithe is ten percent of one’s income, and it is how congregations have traditionally funded their pastors, church buildings, and mission. Of course, being Jacob his gift is conditional (if God does this, then I’ll do that); it is a marked contrast to God’s unconditional generosity. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 6: Jacob’s dream and God’s generosity”
In this story, Jacob persuades Esau to swap his birthright for a meal: a birthright Jacob has already been promised as a free gift from God. Later, also over a meal, he tricks Isaac into giving him the blessing meant for Esau (27.25). In many cultures, contracts made over meals are legally binding and cannot be broken. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 5: Sibling rivalry”
In many societies, marriage between cousins is preferred. Here, Abraham’s faithful servant meets Rebekah, the daughter of Isaac’s cousin, Bethuel, and arranges for her to marry Isaac. Like several other stories in Scripture, much of the action takes place at a village well. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 4: A bride for Isaac”
One of the things I loved about our physical service was the opportunity to sit on the floor and wonder about the Bible together. I’d tell the story, and wonder aloud, and gradually people of all ages would chip in. And together we’d ponder grace and forgiveness and what loving our enemies really means; we’d wonder about similar stories and, perhaps, how they’re turned upside down by this one; we’d recall times in our own lives when the story had become real; we’d wonder if God was calling us to anything now. Continue reading “Cartalk : Tabletalk : Faithtalk at home”
Jesus tells his disciples to go on the road to announce the nearness of heaven’s culture and bring healing. They are to travel emtpy handed, carrying nothing but his authority and relying on the hospitality of strangers for food, clothing and shelter. The following words are the culmination of these instructions. We often assume this passage is about offering hospitality to others: but read carefully and in context, we see it’s as much about receiving as giving. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 3: Cup of Water”
Genesis is a story not just of individuals, but of nations. Abraham and Sarah are the ancestors of Israel; Abraham and Hagar, of the nation now recognised as Islam. Other stories in Genesis relate how Moabites, Amalekites and all the rest came into being … and how they are all related! This is a more challenging cartalk / tabletalk, suitable perhaps for older children and teenagers. Continue reading “Cartalk / Tabletalk 2: Birthing nations”
Sanctuary 