suffering – Peaceable Treasures

01/03/2026

An Abrahamic sacrifice: obedience against inclination, the true test of character

It’s difficult to imagine anyone wanting more than Abraham to not offer his son as a sacrifice. Such a thing not only goes against every normal parent’s strongest instinct and deepest wishes, but seems to turn back on Abraham his earlier suffering at the hands of his father, and cancel the promises God had made to him about posterity and legacy. The only reason he or Isaac could go through with this command is obedience. Continue reading An Abrahamic sacrifice: obedience against inclination, the true test of character

30/01/202511/03/2025

The paradox of hard things

Our Saviour endured and overcame His hardest thing, and through it, gained the power to help us overcome our hardest things. We, too, must go through our own Gethsemane experiences, and with the power that Christ gained from His Gethsemane, ours, too, will become our beautiful triumph and not our shame. Continue reading The paradox of hard things

24/03/202427/09/2024

The ‘problem of evil’

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does anyone have to die? Why is there evil in the world? These questions are continually asked, by people who already believe in God, and by those who don’t, as reason for not believing. It’s called ‘the problem of evil’. And yet, these questions are perfectly … Continue reading The ‘problem of evil’

14/05/202316/07/2023

Gleanings, Summer-Autumn 2023

The Saviour’s Yoke, Waiting & Promises, and How Zion is Built The Saviour’s yoke Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am gentle and humble in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. … Continue reading Gleanings, Summer-Autumn 2023

03/12/202214/03/2023

What are we here for?

I recently watched an excellent Chinese TV fantasy drama called Love Between Fairy and Devil, or Cang Lan Jue (‘Separation of Cang and Orchid’). If you haven’t heard of it – it’s hugely popular in China and very popular overseas, airing back in August – it’s a truly beautiful, wonderfully-produced show with a great story, … Continue reading What are we here for?