Shows
Patriarch The PodcastCoping with Change with Colin Piper & John ProckterToday, Colin and John are talking about coping with change. What we hope you'll find interesting about this episode is that Colin works on the world stage, whereas John works in and with local communities. In this episode John and Colin discuss what we're struggling with, the guilt we often feel and how we can find peace in the difficulty.
2022-05-2934 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 9Well this is it! The end of the story. Thank you so much to all of you who've journeyed with me, for your encouragement and insight. Do continue to feed back- I love it! And via www.biblenovels.com and the Biblenovels Facebook group, I'll keep you up to speed with what's coming next. I'm working on another Biblical character, but this time one you've probably not heard of or at least registered, which is crazy given how like Wally he just seems to keep popping up. But for now, it's time to say Goodbye to an old wonderful f...
2021-06-0123 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 9Well this is it! The end of the story. Thank you so much to all of you who've journeyed with me, for your encouragement and insight. Do continue to feed back- I love it! And via www.biblenovels.com and the Biblenovels Facebook group, I'll keep you up to speed with what's coming next. I'm working on another Biblical character, but this time one you've probably not heard of or at least registered, which is crazy given how like Wally he just seems to keep popping up. But for now, it's time to say Goodbye to an old wonderful f...
2021-06-0123 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 6Surely the most romantic episode in the whole story: as Isaac meets Rebekah for the first time, "she became his wife and he loved her". As we approach the last couple of episodes, I can think of no better ending! We've waded through some pretty tough stuff on the journey, so let's indulge in a glorious human tale, as old as time itself: love at first sight! www.biblenovels.com
2021-04-2722 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 6Surely the most romantic episode in the whole story: as Isaac meets Rebekah for the first time, "she became his wife and he loved her". As we approach the last couple of episodes, I can think of no better ending! We've waded through some pretty tough stuff on the journey, so let's indulge in a glorious human tale, as old as time itself: love at first sight! www.biblenovels.com
2021-04-2722 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 5When I first wrote this episode I had moment of self doubt and wondered if I had been a bit over indulgent. Was I making more of Rebekah as a confident self assured young woman than the text allowed? But then when I returned to the Biblical account, I realised afresh the space given to the story and the chapter that emerges through it justified my reflection that here is a woman who respected culture and traction and yet still had a voice. Listen, read and see what I mean!
2021-03-2224 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 5When I first wrote this episode I had moment of self doubt and wondered if I had been a bit over indulgent. Was I making more of Rebekah as a confident self assured young woman than the text allowed? But then when I returned to the Biblical account, I realised afresh the space given to the story and the chapter that emerges through it justified my reflection that here is a woman who respected culture and traction and yet still had a voice. Listen, read and see what I mean!
2021-03-2224 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 4We're approaching the end of the story but we still have time to introduce a remarkable young woman: Rebecca. Her servant heart, her sense of adventure. Her voice mattered, and that says a lot about her and what she had to say. Listen in and you'll see what I mean. There is something about Rebecca. www.biblenovels.com
2021-03-1519 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 4We're approaching the end of the story but we still have time to introduce a remarkable young woman: Rebecca. Her servant heart, her sense of adventure. Her voice mattered, and that says a lot about her and what she had to say. Listen in and you'll see what I mean. There is something about Rebecca. www.biblenovels.com
2021-03-1519 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 3If you still think Biblical characters are intimidating, though hopefully by now you can see their humanity a little more clearly, imagine what it was like to be one of their kids. We pick up the story of Isaac, and the issues of single parenting that the newly widowed Abraham has to grapple with. Do leave your reflections on the bible novels facebook group, and visit www.biblenovels.com Thanks for joining me on this journey!
2021-03-0521 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 3If you still think Biblical characters are intimidating, though hopefully by now you can see their humanity a little more clearly, imagine what it was like to be one of their kids. We pick up the story of Isaac, and the issues of single parenting that the newly widowed Abraham has to grapple with. Do leave your reflections on the bible novels facebook group, and visit www.biblenovels.com Thanks for joining me on this journey!
2021-03-0521 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch The Story Behind The Story Part 2Colin answers more questions about why God chose to speak to and use Abraham and how he imagines Abraham responded to what God was saying. For more of the backstory behind Patriarch, some Bible reading notes and other extras visit www.biblenovels.com and tell us what you think on the Biblenovels facebook group.
2021-03-0220 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch The Story Behind The Story Part 2Colin answers more questions about why God chose to speak to and use Abraham and how he imagines Abraham responded to what God was saying. For more of the backstory behind Patriarch, some Bible reading notes and other extras visit www.biblenovels.com and tell us what you think on the Biblenovels facebook group.
2021-03-0220 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 2We continue to walk with Abraham through his bereavement and grief, and in the midst of it, remarkably, we find hope and fulfilment of the purposes and plans of God. Such are the eternal purposes of God, that they can redeem even the most wretched loss! If you need a window of hope right now, this might be it. www.biblenovels.com
2021-02-2219 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 2We continue to walk with Abraham through his bereavement and grief, and in the midst of it, remarkably, we find hope and fulfilment of the purposes and plans of God. Such are the eternal purposes of God, that they can redeem even the most wretched loss! If you need a window of hope right now, this might be it. www.biblenovels.com
2021-02-2219 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch: The story behind the story Part 1Colin takes a break from recording Patriarch for a conversation with Simon Tuck and give us insights into why and how he wrote the book, what are his favourite bits and how they've shaped him. If you're enjoying Patriarch, you'll love this. If you haven't got into it yet, give this a quick listen and you just might!!!! www.biblenovels.com
2021-01-2521 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch: The story behind the story Part 1Colin takes a break from recording Patriarch for a conversation with Simon Tuck and give us insights into why and how he wrote the book, what are his favourite bits and how they've shaped him. If you're enjoying Patriarch, you'll love this. If you haven't got into it yet, give this a quick listen and you just might!!!! www.biblenovels.com
2021-01-2521 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 1There is one terrifying human experience we all share: bereavement. And whenever that pain is fuelled by regret, it can become, humanly speaking, unbearable. I spent some time reflecting upon a relatively short passage in the Genesis account, because these experiences are timeless and transcend culture. Faith in God doesn’t take away the pain. Often it accentuates it because of the depth of relationships and an openness to feel, which accompany a faith filled life. But faith does bring hope and comfort in loss and any regret. The reality of Abraham’s grief is evident, but the experiences of in...
2021-01-1818 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 8 Part 1There is one terrifying human experience we all share: bereavement. And whenever that pain is fuelled by regret, it can become, humanly speaking, unbearable. I spent some time reflecting upon a relatively short passage in the Genesis account, because these experiences are timeless and transcend culture. Faith in God doesn’t take away the pain. Often it accentuates it because of the depth of relationships and an openness to feel, which accompany a faith filled life. But faith does bring hope and comfort in loss and any regret. The reality of Abraham’s grief is evident, but the experiences of in...
2021-01-1818 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 4There are passages of the Bible which come alive and speak to all the senses. This is one such! Perhaps it is the renaissance art I’ve admired over the years or perhaps its the heart cry of one very flawed father to the perfect Father. But when I read of the sacrifice of Isaac, I see the dagger Abraham holds over his son and the glint of the sun as it catches the blade and travels 2000 years through time to bring light upon the darkness when a spear was thrust in the side of another Son on this spot. It...
2021-01-1216 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 4There are passages of the Bible which come alive and speak to all the senses. This is one such! Perhaps it is the renaissance art I’ve admired over the years or perhaps its the heart cry of one very flawed father to the perfect Father. But when I read of the sacrifice of Isaac, I see the dagger Abraham holds over his son and the glint of the sun as it catches the blade and travels 2000 years through time to bring light upon the darkness when a spear was thrust in the side of another Son on this spot. It...
2021-01-1216 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 3It was worth the wait. It’s taken 30+ podcasts to reach this point but yes, it was worth it. This podcast tells of a father who is prepared to sacrifice his son on a hill overlooking a city we’ll come to know as Jerusalem, and of a son who entrusts his life to his father. And it all took place a thousand years before Christ went to the cross on this very spot. If it was a Hollywood script it would be written off as corny. And yet it is history. His story: As the Father gives us a gl...
2021-01-0424 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 3It was worth the wait. It’s taken 30+ podcasts to reach this point but yes, it was worth it. This podcast tells of a father who is prepared to sacrifice his son on a hill overlooking a city we’ll come to know as Jerusalem, and of a son who entrusts his life to his father. And it all took place a thousand years before Christ went to the cross on this very spot. If it was a Hollywood script it would be written off as corny. And yet it is history. His story: As the Father gives us a gl...
2021-01-0424 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 2It’s worth saying at the outset of this podcast, that I did my research and consulted some Biblical experts, before daring even to intimate that Abraham and Sarah were in any way estranged. But it seems that for a season at least that possibly was the case. Later the fact Abraham wasn’t present when Sarah died and had to travel some distance to attend to her funeral suggests this estrangement could even have been permanent. It shouldn’t surprise us given these are very human characters and the pressures they were under were so immense. But all the sa...
2020-12-1723 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 2It’s worth saying at the outset of this podcast, that I did my research and consulted some Biblical experts, before daring even to intimate that Abraham and Sarah were in any way estranged. But it seems that for a season at least that possibly was the case. Later the fact Abraham wasn’t present when Sarah died and had to travel some distance to attend to her funeral suggests this estrangement could even have been permanent. It shouldn’t surprise us given these are very human characters and the pressures they were under were so immense. But all the sa...
2020-12-1723 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 1Anyone who has had a family celebration go bad, will relate to this podcast. What should have been a celebration turned into a nightmare. In fact it was so bad, we’re still talking about it, 4000 years later! Now that’s what I call a bad party! Family dysfunction does that. Unless dealt with, it lies dormant beneath the surface ready to erupt without a moment’s notice. Class, culture, and sadly often even faith doesn’t mitigate the pain and damage done; though of course in the case of faith it could and it should. It’s worth reflecting...
2020-12-1423 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 7 Part 1Anyone who has had a family celebration go bad, will relate to this podcast. What should have been a celebration turned into a nightmare. In fact it was so bad, we’re still talking about it, 4000 years later! Now that’s what I call a bad party! Family dysfunction does that. Unless dealt with, it lies dormant beneath the surface ready to erupt without a moment’s notice. Class, culture, and sadly often even faith doesn’t mitigate the pain and damage done; though of course in the case of faith it could and it should. It’s worth reflecting...
2020-12-1423 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 4One story, three players. It is fascinating to reflect upon what was going through the minds of each, as the scene unfolds in this part of the story. We’re all on journey of faith. All of us, from the apparently secular or pagan, to the evidently Godly. It is true we can remain unmoved by God by what we experience in life, and sadly often do. Worse still it is possible to regress, and slip and slide backwards. But then even the greatest challenges can provoke, inspire and move us, regardless of who we are and where we’re at...
2020-12-0722 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 4One story, three players. It is fascinating to reflect upon what was going through the minds of each, as the scene unfolds in this part of the story. We’re all on journey of faith. All of us, from the apparently secular or pagan, to the evidently Godly. It is true we can remain unmoved by God by what we experience in life, and sadly often do. Worse still it is possible to regress, and slip and slide backwards. But then even the greatest challenges can provoke, inspire and move us, regardless of who we are and where we’re at...
2020-12-0722 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 3Well done for sticking with this story! it doesn’t make easy listening! But then we don’t live in the small small world of Disney. We live in a hugely complex world in which we need to make decisions with significant consequences not only for ourselves but those we love. And to make matters worse we only get one shot at life. Blow this one and there is no rewind button. What we do have though is a Father in heaven to whom we can turn for guidance through those decisions and help to navigate the messes when we g...
2020-11-2324 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 3Well done for sticking with this story! it doesn’t make easy listening! But then we don’t live in the small small world of Disney. We live in a hugely complex world in which we need to make decisions with significant consequences not only for ourselves but those we love. And to make matters worse we only get one shot at life. Blow this one and there is no rewind button. What we do have though is a Father in heaven to whom we can turn for guidance through those decisions and help to navigate the messes when we g...
2020-11-2324 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 2On the face of it this isn’t the most uplifting of episodes. Desperation and doubt, failure and fear: all lead to a series of poor and at times quite hideous decisions. We’ve just seen how absolute God’s judgment is. And yet here, as everyone tries to get on with life in the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see how low life can get without Him. Ordinarily both God’s presence and His absence is a fearful thing, albeit for very different reasons. But in Christ, we can know Him in all holiness and beau...
2020-11-1722 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 2On the face of it this isn’t the most uplifting of episodes. Desperation and doubt, failure and fear: all lead to a series of poor and at times quite hideous decisions. We’ve just seen how absolute God’s judgment is. And yet here, as everyone tries to get on with life in the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see how low life can get without Him. Ordinarily both God’s presence and His absence is a fearful thing, albeit for very different reasons. But in Christ, we can know Him in all holiness and beau...
2020-11-1722 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 1The aftermath of God’s judgment on Sodom was desperate. Lot was broken by it. And Abraham sets out on the road again, with more tragic consequences. Was he running away? Well you couldn’t blame him. All he could see was what lay in front of him and it was awful. I’m reminded once more, as so often with Abraham’s story, of the cross of Christ. How terrible was the darkness the morning after Christ’s crucifixion. Again the scene of God’s judgment, this time focused on His Son. The horror, confusion, and utter abject loss. Never was a...
2020-11-0923 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 6 Part 1The aftermath of God’s judgment on Sodom was desperate. Lot was broken by it. And Abraham sets out on the road again, with more tragic consequences. Was he running away? Well you couldn’t blame him. All he could see was what lay in front of him and it was awful. I’m reminded once more, as so often with Abraham’s story, of the cross of Christ. How terrible was the darkness the morning after Christ’s crucifixion. Again the scene of God’s judgment, this time focused on His Son. The horror, confusion, and utter abject loss. Never was a...
2020-11-0923 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 6If you’re listening from a western context at least, you’re likely to find this podcast pretty counter-cultural. It deals with God’s judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and we’re simply not used to judgment these days. To judge is to imply you and your opinions are superior to others and you have the right to impose them upon others. This we see as arrogant and presumptuous. We judge those who judge severely! And yet, the Christian gospel is one of judgment. It tells of a holy God who demands perfection. Our failure to live up to ex...
2020-11-0218 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 6If you’re listening from a western context at least, you’re likely to find this podcast pretty counter-cultural. It deals with God’s judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and we’re simply not used to judgment these days. To judge is to imply you and your opinions are superior to others and you have the right to impose them upon others. This we see as arrogant and presumptuous. We judge those who judge severely! And yet, the Christian gospel is one of judgment. It tells of a holy God who demands perfection. Our failure to live up to ex...
2020-11-0218 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 5This is one of a handful of really tough episodes in the story of Abraham and his family. I simply can't empathise with a man who offers his daughters up to be gang raped. And yet the story is here in the Bible, and that I suppose is one of the reasons I love scripture. It is real. It doesn’t read like a fairy tale. Awful things happen and it doesn’t always turn out well. The Bible often leaves us with more questions than answers, and as frustrating as that sometimes is, it reminds me this isn’t a book...
2020-10-1924 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 5This is one of a handful of really tough episodes in the story of Abraham and his family. I simply can't empathise with a man who offers his daughters up to be gang raped. And yet the story is here in the Bible, and that I suppose is one of the reasons I love scripture. It is real. It doesn’t read like a fairy tale. Awful things happen and it doesn’t always turn out well. The Bible often leaves us with more questions than answers, and as frustrating as that sometimes is, it reminds me this isn’t a book...
2020-10-1924 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 4It’s time to catch up with how Lot is doing. And sadly it’s not well. I find Lot’s story probably the saddest of them all. Of course I don’t know if I’m being fair to him by casting him as a somewhat superficial man of the moment. Although his choice of Sodom as a home would suggest this was the case. But his story lurches from one crisis to another, be that capture by a foreign king, attack by threatening neighbours, flight from the city and loss of his wife, or fear finally forcing him to live al...
2020-10-1424 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 4It’s time to catch up with how Lot is doing. And sadly it’s not well. I find Lot’s story probably the saddest of them all. Of course I don’t know if I’m being fair to him by casting him as a somewhat superficial man of the moment. Although his choice of Sodom as a home would suggest this was the case. But his story lurches from one crisis to another, be that capture by a foreign king, attack by threatening neighbours, flight from the city and loss of his wife, or fear finally forcing him to live al...
2020-10-1424 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 3This is a glorious episode in the story of Abraham. It explores the mystery of prayer, reveals the red hot passion, wrath and mercy of God’s nature, and then suggests the unthinkable. I loved reflecting upon it, writing it and recording it. It filled me with a sense of awe for God, and energy for life. I pray it does the same for you. Do check out biblenovels.com or the Facebook group: Biblenovels.
2020-09-3030 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 3This is a glorious episode in the story of Abraham. It explores the mystery of prayer, reveals the red hot passion, wrath and mercy of God’s nature, and then suggests the unthinkable. I loved reflecting upon it, writing it and recording it. It filled me with a sense of awe for God, and energy for life. I pray it does the same for you. Do check out biblenovels.com or the Facebook group: Biblenovels.
2020-09-3030 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 2Although called Patriarch, this is as much Sarah’s story as Abraham’s. And in this short episode we meet a woman battered by life, it’s expectations and apparently broken promises. A woman whose laugh is no longer carefree but cynical, who hides away in tents, awkward in social engagement and lost in faith. But a woman who the Lord knows, seeks out and believes in. A woman who was beginning a new journey of hope and fulfilled dreams. It may be a short podcast but it’s not a bad one!!
2020-09-2111 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 2Although called Patriarch, this is as much Sarah’s story as Abraham’s. And in this short episode we meet a woman battered by life, it’s expectations and apparently broken promises. A woman whose laugh is no longer carefree but cynical, who hides away in tents, awkward in social engagement and lost in faith. But a woman who the Lord knows, seeks out and believes in. A woman who was beginning a new journey of hope and fulfilled dreams. It may be a short podcast but it’s not a bad one!!
2020-09-2111 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 1What’s it like to encounter God! Sometimes the Biblical accounts don’t help because they tell the whole story. Sure, they tell of the encounter themselves but we have to work out the state of mind of the people involved in the lead up and the context in which the supernatural invaded the natural. I’m not sure renaissance art helps either, beautiful though it is. My hunch is when Abraham met with the three supernatural visitors, it was just another hot lazy early afternoon. I guess by this time too, Sarah at least had grown tired and probab...
2020-09-1425 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 5 Part 1What’s it like to encounter God! Sometimes the Biblical accounts don’t help because they tell the whole story. Sure, they tell of the encounter themselves but we have to work out the state of mind of the people involved in the lead up and the context in which the supernatural invaded the natural. I’m not sure renaissance art helps either, beautiful though it is. My hunch is when Abraham met with the three supernatural visitors, it was just another hot lazy early afternoon. I guess by this time too, Sarah at least had grown tired and probab...
2020-09-1425 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 7Here’s the dream. What if our identity can be shaped by an intimate encounter with the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and our destiny be worked out in response to His call and direction. That is life in all its fulness. This episode of the story of Abraham tells how a life can be shaped and empowered by such an encounter. It isn’t in the Bible to tease us. The writer to the Hebrews when retelling the story of Abraham wraps up by saying: "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us woul...
2020-09-0424 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 7Here’s the dream. What if our identity can be shaped by an intimate encounter with the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and our destiny be worked out in response to His call and direction. That is life in all its fulness. This episode of the story of Abraham tells how a life can be shaped and empowered by such an encounter. It isn’t in the Bible to tease us. The writer to the Hebrews when retelling the story of Abraham wraps up by saying: "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us woul...
2020-09-0424 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 6Another reality check: teenagers! The harsh reality is they expose our every weakness as a parent. There can be no respite. And often they come into our lives at a time when we’re already dealing with too much other stuff. Doubts, disappointments and questions are beginning to take root as we hit middle age. Perhaps past certainties of faith have become blurred. We have little time or inclination for God, probably just when we need Him most. The good news is as we see in this podcast, however far we drift from God, is never too far. He wa...
2020-09-0119 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 6Another reality check: teenagers! The harsh reality is they expose our every weakness as a parent. There can be no respite. And often they come into our lives at a time when we’re already dealing with too much other stuff. Doubts, disappointments and questions are beginning to take root as we hit middle age. Perhaps past certainties of faith have become blurred. We have little time or inclination for God, probably just when we need Him most. The good news is as we see in this podcast, however far we drift from God, is never too far. He wa...
2020-09-0119 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 5It’s hard for us to accept that characters like Abraham and Sarah were as human as you and me! Stress tested their marriage, and their faith would have had its ups and downs too. The Bible allows us to see the flaws of a David, Peter or James and John’s mum come to that! And it does so, because otherwise we tend to think we’re beyond hope; somehow not made of the material God used in the Biblical stained-glass window saints! The Prince of Lies would love us to give up on anything holy, like marriage or fai...
2020-08-2018 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 5It’s hard for us to accept that characters like Abraham and Sarah were as human as you and me! Stress tested their marriage, and their faith would have had its ups and downs too. The Bible allows us to see the flaws of a David, Peter or James and John’s mum come to that! And it does so, because otherwise we tend to think we’re beyond hope; somehow not made of the material God used in the Biblical stained-glass window saints! The Prince of Lies would love us to give up on anything holy, like marriage or fai...
2020-08-2018 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 4The story of God meeting a pregnant runaway slave dying in the desert and speaking faith, hope and love into her life is more remarkable than we can ever truly comprehend. As I narrate my meagre attempts to describe it, I’m reminded again just how inadequate my words are. We so take the incarnation of God in Christ for granted, that His love and grace have lost their mystery and wonder. Stories like God meeting Hagar at Beer Lahai Roi help re-affirm the glorious truth that God knows and loves us just as we are, and wants to sa...
2020-08-1421 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 4The story of God meeting a pregnant runaway slave dying in the desert and speaking faith, hope and love into her life is more remarkable than we can ever truly comprehend. As I narrate my meagre attempts to describe it, I’m reminded again just how inadequate my words are. We so take the incarnation of God in Christ for granted, that His love and grace have lost their mystery and wonder. Stories like God meeting Hagar at Beer Lahai Roi help re-affirm the glorious truth that God knows and loves us just as we are, and wants to sa...
2020-08-1421 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part3This is the story of how sex and power can destroy relationships, how failure, hurt and humiliation ferment guilt, bitterness and pride, and of the brokenness and chaos that results. Desire once unleashed is hard to tame, weakness once exposed is hard to cover up, power once discovered is hard to control. Humanity may have advanced in so many ways, and modern culture may have increased expectations and aspirations; but when we put our heads on our pillows at the end of the day, the thoughts that race through our minds are probably not so very different from those...
2020-08-1017 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part3This is the story of how sex and power can destroy relationships, how failure, hurt and humiliation ferment guilt, bitterness and pride, and of the brokenness and chaos that results. Desire once unleashed is hard to tame, weakness once exposed is hard to cover up, power once discovered is hard to control. Humanity may have advanced in so many ways, and modern culture may have increased expectations and aspirations; but when we put our heads on our pillows at the end of the day, the thoughts that race through our minds are probably not so very different from those...
2020-08-1017 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 2Paul Anka’s song "My Way" is perhaps the saddest song ever written: Regrets, I've had a few, But then again, too few to mention, I did what I had to do, And saw it through without exemption, I planned each chartered course, Each careful step along the byway, But more, much more than this, I did it my way. What makes this song particularly tragic is that it is such a popular choice for funerals. My biggest regrets, and I have many, are my choices, particularly when I did things my way, and not God’s. And as Sarah was to find...
2020-08-0621 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 2Paul Anka’s song "My Way" is perhaps the saddest song ever written: Regrets, I've had a few, But then again, too few to mention, I did what I had to do, And saw it through without exemption, I planned each chartered course, Each careful step along the byway, But more, much more than this, I did it my way. What makes this song particularly tragic is that it is such a popular choice for funerals. My biggest regrets, and I have many, are my choices, particularly when I did things my way, and not God’s. And as Sarah was to find...
2020-08-0621 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 1Our poor decisions tend not to just happen. Even the spur of the moment ones often have their origins in mindsets and habits of behavior formed over a lengthy period. Sarai and Abram's decision, (and yes both must take ownership, because Abram really can't say: The woman made me do it!) was probably formulated over time, justification fermenting the brew until it was ready. The impact on the three principle players must have been marked. However we may seek to explain things, we tend to know when we're making a poor decision. It is just we make another poor...
2020-07-2123 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 4 Part 1Our poor decisions tend not to just happen. Even the spur of the moment ones often have their origins in mindsets and habits of behavior formed over a lengthy period. Sarai and Abram's decision, (and yes both must take ownership, because Abram really can't say: The woman made me do it!) was probably formulated over time, justification fermenting the brew until it was ready. The impact on the three principle players must have been marked. However we may seek to explain things, we tend to know when we're making a poor decision. It is just we make another poor...
2020-07-2123 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 6“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” As much as we may crave to experience God, I doubt any of us have the slightest idea what we’re asking for. The holiness and love of God are intrinsically linked so coming into His presence is both glorious and fearful. This is certainly Abraham’s experienc...
2020-07-1331 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 6“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” As much as we may crave to experience God, I doubt any of us have the slightest idea what we’re asking for. The holiness and love of God are intrinsically linked so coming into His presence is both glorious and fearful. This is certainly Abraham’s experienc...
2020-07-1331 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 5The story of Abraham is a thumbing good read, on pretty much any level. But the more you reflect upon it, the richer it becomes. And nowhere is this more so than when Abraham met Melchizedek. This mysterious man came from nowhere, interacts briefly and disappears again. But the rest of scripture from the Psalms to the Gospels to the letter to the Hebrews acknowledges something profound happened in those few moments. Talk about making an impact! For Abraham, I think there was just relief to find someone who understood his journey. For the rest of humanity, including you...
2020-07-0620 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 5The story of Abraham is a thumbing good read, on pretty much any level. But the more you reflect upon it, the richer it becomes. And nowhere is this more so than when Abraham met Melchizedek. This mysterious man came from nowhere, interacts briefly and disappears again. But the rest of scripture from the Psalms to the Gospels to the letter to the Hebrews acknowledges something profound happened in those few moments. Talk about making an impact! For Abraham, I think there was just relief to find someone who understood his journey. For the rest of humanity, including you...
2020-07-0620 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 4It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. It’s even more amazing what you can do when you put God’s mind to it. I’m glad I became a Christian when young. I’ve had a lifetime to discover what it means to have Christ in me, the hope of glory. I look back humbled, thankful and in awe at what God has done in and through a very flawed human being. it’s all too easy to lose the magnitude of a few verses of scripture like this little episode. Abram, a shepherd...
2020-06-3024 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 4It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. It’s even more amazing what you can do when you put God’s mind to it. I’m glad I became a Christian when young. I’ve had a lifetime to discover what it means to have Christ in me, the hope of glory. I look back humbled, thankful and in awe at what God has done in and through a very flawed human being. it’s all too easy to lose the magnitude of a few verses of scripture like this little episode. Abram, a shepherd...
2020-06-3024 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 3Honestly, I had meant to cut this episode from the revision of Patriarch. But then as i came to it, I realised again that it is intrinsic and vital to the understanding of the story. And isn’t that the deal about life! We get bored with the mundane. We don’t see the point. Yet it is in the mundane that foundations are laid, and imperceptibly attitudes forged, passions lost, and directions set. When Abram and Lot separated they set out on paths which took them to very different places not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. The B...
2020-06-2621 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 3Honestly, I had meant to cut this episode from the revision of Patriarch. But then as i came to it, I realised again that it is intrinsic and vital to the understanding of the story. And isn’t that the deal about life! We get bored with the mundane. We don’t see the point. Yet it is in the mundane that foundations are laid, and imperceptibly attitudes forged, passions lost, and directions set. When Abram and Lot separated they set out on paths which took them to very different places not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. The B...
2020-06-2621 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 2I’ve heard first hand of people’s experience of hearing or even seeing God in miraculous ways. Refugees who’ve had visions of Jesus, and just this morning at a celebration of a young girl’s life, a father telling how Jesus had appeared to his terminally ill daughter. There seems to be a rule that you know it’s really Him because the revelation is life changing!
Abraham’s life seemed to be one revelation after another, although of course they were actually spread out over a lifetime. Each equipped him for what was about to come, and left him riche...
2020-06-2217 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 2I’ve heard first hand of people’s experience of hearing or even seeing God in miraculous ways. Refugees who’ve had visions of Jesus, and just this morning at a celebration of a young girl’s life, a father telling how Jesus had appeared to his terminally ill daughter. There seems to be a rule that you know it’s really Him because the revelation is life changing!
Abraham’s life seemed to be one revelation after another, although of course they were actually spread out over a lifetime. Each equipped him for what was about to come, and left him riche...
2020-06-2217 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 1Splits happen and are normally very painful. Most of us carry the scars of broken families, friendships and churches. Some of them we caused, whilst in others we might justifiably claim to have been the innocent victim. Mostly though it is rather more complicated than that. I’m beginning to sound like a broken down record but just because Abraham lived 4000 years ago doesn’t make his split from Lot any less painful or problematic. What I love from this part of the story is how Abraham handles the conflict and split so openhandedly. We’re now truly beginning to see...
2020-06-1928 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 3 Part 1Splits happen and are normally very painful. Most of us carry the scars of broken families, friendships and churches. Some of them we caused, whilst in others we might justifiably claim to have been the innocent victim. Mostly though it is rather more complicated than that. I’m beginning to sound like a broken down record but just because Abraham lived 4000 years ago doesn’t make his split from Lot any less painful or problematic. What I love from this part of the story is how Abraham handles the conflict and split so openhandedly. We’re now truly beginning to see...
2020-06-1928 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 4I’m of an age where I’m beginning to look back as much as I look forward, and I’m surprised just how much I enjoy these reflections. Of course there are the regrets, mainly caused by my stupidity. But even here, I see God's grace and redemptive work, which humbles me and fills me with awe, wonder and praise. He truly is the God of History. He knows all things and works all things for the good, even my mistakes, failings, downright sin. He never gives up on us.
We don’t really know why Abraham ended up in Egypt...
2020-06-1524 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 4I’m of an age where I’m beginning to look back as much as I look forward, and I’m surprised just how much I enjoy these reflections. Of course there are the regrets, mainly caused by my stupidity. But even here, I see God's grace and redemptive work, which humbles me and fills me with awe, wonder and praise. He truly is the God of History. He knows all things and works all things for the good, even my mistakes, failings, downright sin. He never gives up on us.
We don’t really know why Abraham ended up in Egypt...
2020-06-1524 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 3The reason I wrote Patriarch was because it is a story of God revealing Himself to ordinary people just like you and me. It is hard sometimes to appreciate Abraham and Sarah were ordinary, frail, fickle human beings. We read Hebrews 11 and can’t imagine the writers of the Bible talking about us in these terms. We look at the stained glass windows or Biblical art, and don’t see anyone at all resembling us pictured there. And yet they really were human, with all our fears, insecurities and selfishness. It seems almost sacrilegious to suggest as much. But actually, to su...
2020-06-1121 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 3The reason I wrote Patriarch was because it is a story of God revealing Himself to ordinary people just like you and me. It is hard sometimes to appreciate Abraham and Sarah were ordinary, frail, fickle human beings. We read Hebrews 11 and can’t imagine the writers of the Bible talking about us in these terms. We look at the stained glass windows or Biblical art, and don’t see anyone at all resembling us pictured there. And yet they really were human, with all our fears, insecurities and selfishness. It seems almost sacrilegious to suggest as much. But actually, to su...
2020-06-1121 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 2I love nature. Always have. As a kid I had an aviary and bred canaries. These days I live in my Father’s aviary. The Scottish croft from where I record Patriarch is set up as a nature reserve and is so full of crazy creatures, that at times I feel as though I’m in a muppet movie! So imagining Abraham climbing over the hills to look down upon the Nile hinterland was one of my most fun times writing Patriarch. I drew on my privileged experiences across the globe, (including watching Bee-eaters on the Nile), to describe the exot...
2020-06-0525 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 2I love nature. Always have. As a kid I had an aviary and bred canaries. These days I live in my Father’s aviary. The Scottish croft from where I record Patriarch is set up as a nature reserve and is so full of crazy creatures, that at times I feel as though I’m in a muppet movie! So imagining Abraham climbing over the hills to look down upon the Nile hinterland was one of my most fun times writing Patriarch. I drew on my privileged experiences across the globe, (including watching Bee-eaters on the Nile), to describe the exot...
2020-06-0525 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 1My personal pilgrimage story is that I so often seem to have to go round and round in circles until finally I’m ready for what God has for me. It’s so frustrating but always necessary. Abraham had made it to the land where he would ultimately settle but that time was not yet! We don’t know why Abraham headed off to the Negev and from there to Egypt where he faced huge personal challenges. It was probably a whole mix of things, including fear and uncertainty, as well as the need to deepen his walk with the God he...
2020-06-0220 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 2 Part 1My personal pilgrimage story is that I so often seem to have to go round and round in circles until finally I’m ready for what God has for me. It’s so frustrating but always necessary. Abraham had made it to the land where he would ultimately settle but that time was not yet! We don’t know why Abraham headed off to the Negev and from there to Egypt where he faced huge personal challenges. It was probably a whole mix of things, including fear and uncertainty, as well as the need to deepen his walk with the God he...
2020-06-0220 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 7Abraham had made it to the land where he would ultimately settle but that time was not yet! My personal pilgrimage story is that I so often seem to have to go round and round in circles until finally I’m ready for what God has for me. It’s so frustrating but always necessary. We don’t know just why Abraham headed off to the Negev and from there to Egypt to face huge personal challenges. It was probably a whole mix of things, including fear and uncertainty, as well as the need to deepen his walk with the God he...
2020-05-2220 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 7Abraham had made it to the land where he would ultimately settle but that time was not yet! My personal pilgrimage story is that I so often seem to have to go round and round in circles until finally I’m ready for what God has for me. It’s so frustrating but always necessary. We don’t know just why Abraham headed off to the Negev and from there to Egypt to face huge personal challenges. It was probably a whole mix of things, including fear and uncertainty, as well as the need to deepen his walk with the God he...
2020-05-2220 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 6I wanted to rewrite this episode for the second edition. I don’t like it! But at the end of the day, I couldn’t, because bluntly it is intrinsic to the rest of the story. It begins so wonderfully on the shores of Galilee. I often sit on our shoreline wondering about the Celtic missionaries who sailed past our croft those centuries ago. The stones are the same stones they would have scrambled up: true rocks of ages! Did Jesus reflect upon Abraham’s journey through his backyard in the same way? I imagine so. He was, after all, to ful...
2020-05-2017 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 6I wanted to rewrite this episode for the second edition. I don’t like it! But at the end of the day, I couldn’t, because bluntly it is intrinsic to the rest of the story. It begins so wonderfully on the shores of Galilee. I often sit on our shoreline wondering about the Celtic missionaries who sailed past our croft those centuries ago. The stones are the same stones they would have scrambled up: true rocks of ages! Did Jesus reflect upon Abraham’s journey through his backyard in the same way? I imagine so. He was, after all, to ful...
2020-05-2017 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 5Revelation from God is pretty amazing, even when it is less dramatic than Abram’s! The only problem comes when you need to explain what God has revealed to those around you. It’s a recurring theme through scripture. When you get to heaven ask Mary! For Abram it was doubly difficult because his beloved Sarai not only hadn’t personally experienced the revelation but struggled to believe the message. It just rudely and crudely exposed her life- longfailing. It was a cruel joke that all God promised Abram would be dependent upon her delivering what everyone knew she was in...
2020-05-0720 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 5Revelation from God is pretty amazing, even when it is less dramatic than Abram’s! The only problem comes when you need to explain what God has revealed to those around you. It’s a recurring theme through scripture. When you get to heaven ask Mary! For Abram it was doubly difficult because his beloved Sarai not only hadn’t personally experienced the revelation but struggled to believe the message. It just rudely and crudely exposed her life- longfailing. It was a cruel joke that all God promised Abram would be dependent upon her delivering what everyone knew she was in...
2020-05-0720 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 4But for me the really interesting journey is the spiritual one. The one upon which Abram was embarked. The complexity of selling up, moving on and settling down is a mere backdrop to something far more profound- one man’s quest for God, and God’s revelation of Himself to that man. Remember Abram had few signposts on his journey. It really was into the unknown. Paul in Romans tells how mankind is without excuse because God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen (that’s a fun concept!) in creation, and our consciences deep within tell of His nature. Christ i...
2020-05-0519 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 4But for me the really interesting journey is the spiritual one. The one upon which Abram was embarked. The complexity of selling up, moving on and settling down is a mere backdrop to something far more profound- one man’s quest for God, and God’s revelation of Himself to that man. Remember Abram had few signposts on his journey. It really was into the unknown. Paul in Romans tells how mankind is without excuse because God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen (that’s a fun concept!) in creation, and our consciences deep within tell of His nature. Christ i...
2020-05-0519 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 3And now it’s the turn of the women to enter the story, most significantly Sarai.
I love the characters of Genesis and particularly the women. Despite the cultural context into which they were born, they were obviously strong personalities. My personal favourite is Rebecca, but Sarai is right up there too. Rarely are the women overwhelmed by their partners, but rather they complement and often seem to complete the men in their lives, as well as being very able to stand on their own two feet, when they needed to. Their relationships are complicated but true love...
2020-05-0520 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 3And now it’s the turn of the women to enter the story, most significantly Sarai.
I love the characters of Genesis and particularly the women. Despite the cultural context into which they were born, they were obviously strong personalities. My personal favourite is Rebecca, but Sarai is right up there too. Rarely are the women overwhelmed by their partners, but rather they complement and often seem to complete the men in their lives, as well as being very able to stand on their own two feet, when they needed to. Their relationships are complicated but true love...
2020-05-0520 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 2Having set the scene, it’s now time to introduce the other main male characters, and what fascinating lead players they are.
Terah and Abram we've met. Nahor is Abram’s older brother, and like Abram, he’s seeking to come to terms with being childless in a culture where identity and legacy are intrinsically linked. He’s just going about it in a very different way to Abram. Nahor does pop up from time to time in Genesis and comes across as cautious and predictable- a safe pair of hands. Perhaps because he’s trying to compensate fo...
2020-05-0517 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 2Having set the scene, it’s now time to introduce the other main male characters, and what fascinating lead players they are.
Terah and Abram we've met. Nahor is Abram’s older brother, and like Abram, he’s seeking to come to terms with being childless in a culture where identity and legacy are intrinsically linked. He’s just going about it in a very different way to Abram. Nahor does pop up from time to time in Genesis and comes across as cautious and predictable- a safe pair of hands. Perhaps because he’s trying to compensate fo...
2020-05-0517 minPatriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 1Patriarch is a novel retelling the remarkable story of Abraham. For five years I lived and breathed his journey. Come and walk his road of faith with me.
It’s been fun revisiting Patriarch after a fourteen year break, in order to re-record the new audio version. It’s good to be back.
For those five years I wrestled with questions like: who initiated the initial journey to Haran- Abram, his father Terah, or maybe both- albeit for very different reasons. I spent months trying to get beneath the skin of the two patriarchs, aided by re...
2020-05-0519 min
Patriarch The PodcastPatriarch Chapter 1 Part 1Patriarch is a novel retelling the remarkable story of Abraham. For five years I lived and breathed his journey. Come and walk his road of faith with me.
It’s been fun revisiting Patriarch after a fourteen year break, in order to re-record the new audio version. It’s good to be back.
For those five years I wrestled with questions like: who initiated the initial journey to Haran- Abram, his father Terah, or maybe both- albeit for very different reasons. I spent months trying to get beneath the skin of the two patriarchs, aided by re...
2020-05-0519 min