Homiléō

Explaining the Books

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:43:00 +0000

I've had a few people mention how they haven't read my books due to reviews that they are horror and bloodthirsty. I can address that rumour as being true. But...

Voracious is indeed horror, bloody and pretty horrible.

Includes: Horror, Cannibalism and witches 18+

Traitorous is historical fantasy based on Cromwell's brutal and bloody campaign in Ireland. Nothing I imagine could match the atrocities commited then. However , I've tried my best to carry the horrific age into the tale.

Includes: Demons, Leprechaun, warfare and explicit violence 18+

Rapacious is based on the kidnapping of people from the English and Welsh coastline by pirates.

Includes: Slavery, Death and some light violence. 15+

Rebellious is inspired by the history of the Second French Fronde (Rebellion).

Includes: Warfare, some explicit violence, demons, witchcraft and torture. 18+

Petrous is a fun adventure in Jerusalem. Inspired by various events.

Includes: Golems and some light violence. 16+

Fallacious is coming soon. Inspired by Charles II time fleeing through Britain.

Includes: Some violence. 15+

Thirza- A SHORT Story is set in the same world as Ussher's agents. It is inspired by the Parable of the prodigal son.

Includes: Graphic violence, warfare, espionage and depravities. 18+

The Pumpkin Prince is a stand alone short story that poses the question, 'What If Cinderella didn't leave the ball before midnight?' it is toilet humour satire in the vein of Blackadder.

Just Write It - Thoughts on Self Publishing & KDP Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:27:00 +0000

For 10 years I had scribbled and typed, working at a story yet never quite getting anywhere. Then I read a blog post by Steven A. McKay and found the guts to actually write with an intent to publish.

It took, perhaps, another two years before I finally finished my first novel and set about publishing with Amazon's KDP program.

I'll get to KDP in another part, but for now I'd encourage anyone with an idea or inspiration for a book to open their laptop and start typing.

It Needs Written

Perhaps it's a story, burning in your imagination. Perhaps it's a collection of your parent's poetry or thoughts. Perhaps it's something you've studied and spent years accumulating knowledge about, that you'd like to pass. There is of course no guarantee of success, but it is 100% guaranteed that if you don't write it, no one will ever read it.

The Cost of Self Publishing

KDP is free for the author, so there's no need for financial risks at this point. The only risk is time, effort and pride. It does take time and effort to author a book, yet for me the greatest risk is a wound to my ego.

I've always had a fear of putting myself out there only to find I'm 'one of 'THOSE' Xfactor singers'. You know who I mean.

I'm lucky enough that so far, the biggest and constant criticism of my books is that they are too bloody and violent. I agree with that critical assumption, though I actually see it as a compliment. However I know that the longer my books remain on the world wide web, the closer I get to receiving negative reviews. I see it with well established authors and it is something I quake in my boots about, though I know I'll just have to take it on the chin.

Be You

You and I may not be in the same league as Bernard Cornwell, Stephen King or Brandon Sanderson, yet we have unique perspectives and ideas. When I started writing I wanted to write in the same style I tell my children 'made-up' stories at night. In other words, I want it to be in my style.

Novels & Novelettes

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 09:30:00 +0000

Two main novels and two novelettes now bear my name with another novelette coming near the end of October and a third novel in the writing.

Traitorous: A Gripping Historical thriller Fantasy Novel of Cromwell's 17th century invasion of Ireland (Ussher's Agents Book 1) https://amzn.eu/d/cUuQ5Z8

Rebellious : A Gripping Historical thriller Fantasy Novel of rebellion, Musketeers and Duels in 17th century France (Ussher's Agents Book 2) https://amzn.eu/d/6tyrEn7

Rapacious : A Gripping historical thriller Fantasy short story of Pirates and rescue during 17th century (Ussher's Agents) https://amzn.eu/d/1I4GMr4

Voracious: A Gripping historical thriller short story of 17th century cannibals and witches during the English civil war (Ussher's Agents) https://amzn.eu/d/2DUS75K

Petrous: COMING SOON

Thoughts from Asia Pacific CEF Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:34:00 +0000

Thoughts and Challenges from the CEF Asia Pacific National Directors Conference

In 2022 Child Evangelism Fellowship shared the gospel worldwide, with 20,000,000 children!

This is an amazing figure that we should praise God for. Twenty million boys and girls had the opportunity to hear the word of God.

At the beginning of the CEF Asia Pacific conference, Jeremiah Cho (CEF president) gave the above figure, however, pointed out that there are over 2 billion children in the world. This means that this 20 million equates to just 1%. Only 1%

In Matthew 18:14 Jesus says;

"So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

With this call, CEF Asia Pacific, along with CEF world-wide, have committed to increasing their efforts. Many shared at the conference how they have doubled the number of good news clubs, five day clubs, school ministries etc.

For many years the work I'm involved with has partnered with CEF to equip their workers with materials to reach children with the message of salvation. As they double their efforts the need for more literature is apparent.

Many Asia Pacific countries are closed to the Gospel and these workers face imprisonment and loss, should they be discovered. Yet they work courageously to spread the news of salvation.

For others, their countries and islands are open, with fields white for the harvest. Yet the same old problem persists; labourers are few.

Whether a country is closed or open, problems hinder little children in coming to Jesus, but we have a responsibility to press forward. Whether we, as the global church, choose to go or stay, the weight of the great commission falls upon our shoulders.

So what can we do?

The most important way we can support missions is through prayer. Pray for organisations and individuals who are working around the world to share the Word of Christ. Pray for labourers to enter the field and for God's hand to be upon them. Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict those who hear and read the gospel, leading to repentance and faith in Jesus. And pray that His name would be glorified to the ends of the earth.

I am uncomfortable saying it, however, as the CEF national directors each shared their needs, it is apparent that financial support cannot be overlooked. For missionaries and organisations there are ever increasing costs and without the support of God's people it would be almost impossible to continue.

Another way to support mission organisations, may be to volunteer. If you have time, there is no doubt a place for you to help and many organisations would welcome your service as unto the Lord. Voluntary service can be an invaluable asset to missions.

Thank You Lord

"What shall we render to the Lord for all his benefits to us? We will lift the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord." (Psalm 116:12&13)

Thank you Lord for your provision and blessing. However the need is great and so we ask that you refill the cup of salvation with more grace and mercy.

Because of Golgotha

Gary Boal

Traitorous

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 19:46:00 +0000

After 2 years of writing, proofing and editing 'Traitorous' is finally available on Kindle and paperback. (If you've kindle unlimited it's free)

You can find it here

So what's it about? Here's the blurb:

Ireland:1649 Oliver Cromwell is marching a bloody trail across Ireland. Meanwhile Jacob, a protestant agent in service to Bishop Ussher, arrives to retrieve a manuscript, investigate an ancient druid's altar and find the girl who keeps appearing in his visions.

Faced with the aftermath of Drogheda he is determined to confront his one time friend and prevent Cromwell from further atrocities.

A fantasy tale woven from history, myths and legends. Heroes are far from perfect as they battle demonic forces and mythical creatures while learning that everyone around them may be traitorous.

Thought About Self Publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:00:00 +0000

I recently self published a novelette through Amazon's KDP. I've been writing a longer novel for a while but took a break to write Voracious and experiment to see how easy it was to publish both kindle and paperback versions.

What did I learn?

Check, Check, Check and Check again. I had people who are much better at English than me, check it over. I took advice and learned a lot about grammar and writing. But after the book being available on Kindle for a week I received the paperback proofs and guess what? THERE WERE GLARING MISTAKES.

Now in regards to kindle a simple update does the job. And as long as people who've bought it have automatic updates on in their kindle settings the book will update.

But if they've read it this is too late.

I have wanted to write a story for years and much of that will culminate in the novel I am working on. A major aspect that held me back was that I pretty much failed GCSE English and I know exactly where my failings land.

This brings its own concerns about putting it out there, knowing. Just knowing you will face criticism.

But the criticism hasn't come in that regards, it's from people asking why I'm doing it. "What are you writing books for?"

I am a reader. And for the past few years I've read atleast a book a week. These are usually novels, but also include biography and theology.

I read Conn Iggulden a few years ago when he said he writes because he is first of all a reader and from that moment I've been working on the novel that will be called "Traitorous."

But the real answer as to why I'm writing lies in the same question about why we do anything. Why play a sport? Why watch a movie? Why go travelling or exploring? Why do I like go Paddleboarding?

Because we want to.

I am under no illusions as to my skills as an author. I am no Bernard Cornwell or Stephen King. But I am Gary Boal and I write at Gary Boal's level with his imagination and background.

What else have I learned?

The KDP system is great for self publishing.

You receive more royalties from the kindle version than paperback. And to be honest the paperback really isn't worth it financially. But there are a huge number of people who only read from physical books so if you don't, you miss a huge chunk of potential readers.

It's fun! Holding an actual paperback version of your own book is pretty exciting.

I wish I'd checked it a little more before publishing I know that it is unfortunately part of a learning process.

All in all I am proud of the story. And having published Voracious I am excited to get Traitorous finished.

I am thankful for those voices of encouragement and those who read, edited and taught me through the process. Your patience, correction and wisdom are always welcome.

Parable of the Wicked Judge

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 15:41:00 +0000

In Luke 18 we read the following parable:

"2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?""

The judge doesn't ask the lady to come and ask him. Our God tells us to always pray. When he said "call upon me in the day of your tribulations" he commands it in the same way he commands us "do not steal" or "do not commit adultary."

The judge did not promise the widow any help. God promises us help. "whatsoever you ask in my name, you shall have it."

The judge was cruel. God is merciful.

The judge eventually answered because he was pestered. God answers because He loves us.

Jeremiah 26:13

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:36:00 +0000

"Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you."

Jeremiah 26:13

Repent

God's message has not changed one bit. It is a message of repentance. A call to turn away from sin and to God.

God's judgement, His righteous, holy wrath hangs over each one of us. We will stand before Him to be judged according to our deeds. Every one of us have sinned and therefore every one of us deserve to be separated from Him and punished.

How do we escape?

We turn from our deeds and obey the voice of God.

But what is the voice of God?

The Bible is the Word of God to you and to me. It is in it where we can find God's message. It is in it by which we learn of Jesus who left heaven, lived a holy life and died on our behalf, taking God's wrath over our sins upon himself, and who rose again, from the dead having conquered satan, sin and death for us.

The Bible is clear in its message that salvation, pardon from God's wrath is only through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His propitiation is the means by which God accepts us as children. By which our sins are forgiven and we may escape the coming disaster.

The Boy In The Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 14:46:00 +0000

The following is a short extract of a first draft event in the book I am writing called 'Ussher's Agents: God's Assassin.

This is based on a real even in 1649 when a foraging party from Cromwell's New Model Army arrived at Our Lady's Island in Wexford. A boy ran into the lake holding a crucifix from the church. He was shot by the soldiers and the crucifix was lost until 1887 when another kid found it. The relic can be viewed today in the local parish.

- - - - -

The Boy In The Lake

By Gary Boal

Horsemen used ropes to pull the roof from the church. Some had already begun to relieve their bladders over the church, in acts of desecration, as though the murder of its priests had not been desecration enough. The Dragoons cheered as wooden beams crashed to the ground and further jeered as one of them began ripping a Bible apart, its pages of Latin being thrown to the wind. A young boy, who Stafford estimated to be about thirteen, burst from the side door of the church holding a golden crucifix. Stafford watched as the boy ran through the Dragoons, bounding over the grass and running straight towards the lake. He tripped, feet tangled by the long grass at the water’s edge, pushing himself up he grabbed the crucifix, once more clutching it to his chest before he leapt into the lake where he waded forward hoping to escape the murderous soldiers.

Stafford was close enough to hear the child’s cries of panic and see tears rolling down his face and Stafford couldn’t help but feel for the child. He prayed to Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children asking that he would watch over the boy. Then he turned to raise his pistol and took aim at a dragoon charging towards him. He had loaded the powder and ball while watching the child flee the church and now the flint sent a spark into the pan of black powder. His hand jerked back as smoke blocked his view of the dragoon’s whole body being snatched back as the bullet hit his throat.

The chanting man stopped his strange noises and snatched a musket from the ground, unlike Stafford’s expensive flintlock this weapon had a smouldering wick which would light the deadly powder beneath. Turning he barely took aim before pulling the trigger.

Stafford winced, expecting a flood of pain but realizing he had not been injured he turned to see the boy in the lake stumble. The projectile had entered his back and burst out of his chest, missing his heart but a wound that Stafford new would be fatal in a few moments.

A wail came from the boy’s mouth as he continued to cling to the crucifix, legs barely holding him as the draining blood sapped his energy. His head stooped as he determinedly forced his legs to hold him upright.

This morning had started so well, his mum had made him warm oats and goat’s milk for breakfast before sending him on his way with a kiss to his reading lessons from Father Simon. The other kids often made fun of him for not having a dad and he had heard rumours from some of the townsfolk suggesting that Father Simon was his dad, but his mum denied that. She loved her son and had wanted a good life for him, that’s why he was learning to read, so that he could make something of himself, a better life than the fishermen that lived around the lake. He hoped that someday he could travel to a city and become a secretary, that’s what Father Simon called it. You would keep records for important men and be paid for your reading and writing. Maybe someday he could afford to make a better life for his mum. He’d been busy, quill in hand, enjoying himself as he wrote some verses from Bel and the Dragon when he heard shots outside. He new of the protestants who were invading Ireland to destroy the Roman faith, the thought that they might have come here brought fear to his heart. He knew they would be here to steal and looking up his eyes had rested upon the most precious relic held within the church.

But now he barely had the strength to stand and so he wept, not just because of the pain in his chest, but because he knew he would never see his mother again and would never make her proud. He would never live that better life! Where was God, he considered, surely the Saints would heal him for his bravery. Surely the cross should have protected him!

Stafford had begun moving towards the water in desperation to help the child. He steered his horse carefully over to the boy calling out that he would help and not hurt. The boy turned to him, despair-filled eyes staring up to meet him. One hand reached out to accept help as the other still held the golden relic which was now crimson with the child’s blood. Then the resounding crack of another shot rang out across the lake as the child’s expression changed to confusion. He choked up blood, never taking his eyes from Stafford’s before falling lifelessly, his body disappeared as he carried the relic below the surface of the murky water.

The ensuing, bloodied ripples were the final marks of yet another young child snatched from the world. Red ripples that Stafford later considered, should cry like the blood of Abel, calling to the almighty for justice.

Stafford returned to the shore and drew his sword. Jacob was already fighting a few of the Dragoons, bodies on the ground a testament of the man’s deadly skill. Grief overwhelmed Stafford and as he slid from his horse, rather than charge to Jacob’s aid he fell to his knees and wept.

My Top 10 Reads of 2020 So Far : Fiction

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sat, 17 Oct 2020 13:03:00 +0000

We've all had a bit of extra time this year and reading has been one of the top aids in getting through quarantine. So I figured that I'd sift through the books I've read so far this year and give you a top ten list.

Please note: The following links are affiliate links to amazon. While you don't pay more, if you click the link and purchase anything I receive a small amount from amazon.

10. The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie
What can I say, Abercrombie has created a masterpiece of a world in this series of novels. Political, violent and treacherous in nature it's hard to know which of the flawed characters to root for. But it's brilliant.

9. Templar Blood by K.M. Ashman
Another brilliant story from Ashman, this series of books following events in Jerusalem and the warfare there is both bloody and brilliant.

8. Blood's Campaign by Angus Donald
It's the Battle of the Boyne at its finest telling in this historical fiction. I loved it, and it was great to hit upon such a momentous event in Irish history.

7. Wolf of Wessex by Matthew Harffy
This was the first book I read from Matthew Harffy. That I have since read every other book he has written should be recommendation enough!

6. A Minute To Midnight by David Baldacci
This is the ongoing saga of FBI Agent Atlee Pine as she takes a break in order to find her sister's killer. It's as thrilling as Baldacci gets and you will not be disappointed.

5. Over The Wall by Steven A. McKay
31 pages long this is a short offering by McKay, but if you are familiar with his work you will know it's a treat. Don't let its shortness put you off, after reading you will without a doubt grab the other books in the series.

4. The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden
It's Conn Iggulden, need I say more. Historical fiction at its absolute finest.

3. Cross of Fire by David Gilman
This series is phenomenal. Seriously; if you have not read Gilman start the Master of War series as it is one of the best.

2. The Northern Throne by Steven A. McKay
Again with McKay! This time a full sized novel in the series following the legendary warrior-druid Bellicus.

1. The Black Song by Anthony Ryan
If you like fantasy, swords, magic and violence this will be right up your street. It is the final in the series (I'm sad about that) but is as fantastically brilliant as all Ryan's books.

Except Wolf of Wessex the books are all parts of a series, however it is easy to navigate Amazon to find the 1st book in each series. With a few more books to come in the closing months of 2020 I will do another list at the end of the year. Enjoy your reads.

A Thought on Jeremiah 20:9

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:05:00 +0000

"If i say, "i will not mention Him, or speak any more in His name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and i am weary holding it in, and i cannot."

There might be times when we dont want to speak up in the name of the Lord for various reasons and in numerous circumstances, and I think Jeremiah shows us its ok to feel that way.

But as children of God we have been given a new heart of flesh that loves the law of God. And who also have the very Spirit of God living in us.

Plus the fact that the one who spoke the universe into being has verbally commissioned us to go and make disciples, means that ultimately we cannot hold back from confessing Jesus Christ as LORD to those around us.

Dont Die the Death of a Fool

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 11:07:00 +0000

A friend shared a really good example of why it is foolish to not take precautions against dangers.

2 Samuel 3 sees Joab call Abner to the "midst of the gates" of Hebron and kill him.

Abner had killed Joab's brother Asahel back in 2 Samuel 2, which is an interesting story in itself. So there was obvious motive and justification for his act of vengeance.

However

Hebron was a city of refuge in which Abner would have been safe, remember he was standing between the gates; a few mere feet further and he would not have had the death of a fool as King David calls it (vs 33).

I believe God is sovereign and Abner would have been killed, but he died as a fool dies because he did not avail himself of the safety of Hebron, a city of refuge.

If we dont take precautions from danger (Abner knew Joab wanted to kill him) and we die its the death of a fool.

This doesnt mean we avoid danger like a coward not trusting God, just that we take precautions and tread wisely.

It's why we wear helmets on our bikes, seatbelts in our cars and life jackets on a boat. It's why we use ropes for climbing and have smoke alarms fitted to our house, and it's why we step 2 meters away from each other and wash our hands regularly.

Let's not have our death put down as the death of a fool...

Though our Sin calls for our punishment God Acts to Save

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:20:00 +0000

“Though our iniquities testify against us,

act, O LORD, for your name's sake;

for our backslidings are many;

we have sinned against you.

O you hope of Israel,

its savior in time of trouble..."

Every day each of us sin against Almighty God.
We sin by omission (when we don't even realize it) and as acts of commission (when we willingly rebel against Him). All these condemn us and call out for our punishment in accordance with the law.

Thankfully God has acted on our behalf and we read in Colossians 2:13b -14 that God has made us:

"alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross."

The good news is that while my sin, while your sin would condemn us to hell, Jesus paid the court sentence of our death so that we may live with Him.
Let's continue our war against sin all the while rejoicing in Christ's victory

A Few Thoughts Regarding Racism

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 15:29:00 +0000

Protests against racism are currently dominating the western world. It it right and good to protest such a vile and satanic belief that would destroy humanity and separate us from one another in prejudice over colour, beliefs, etc

Malachi 2:10 declares

"Have we not one Father?

Has not one God created us?"

Genesis 1:27 tells us

"So God created man in His own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them."

We have One Creator: God

We have One common ancestral parent: Adam & Eve.

It would be easy to argue that there is no such thing as races; that we are one race. But for the sake of semantics lets move on.

For the Christian there is even less grounds to hold the hell created view of racist prejudice against others.
I would direct you to Ephesians 2:11-22 (This post would become really long if I typed it here so go look it up). Christ died to make us ONE.

To the western christian who is racist against others I would remind you that you are a Gentile. While we don't read in the Old or New Testaments much about racism over colour, we can see prejudice between Jew and Gentile.

Since "salvation is of the Jews" it is good for us Gentiles that God broke down that racial divide and makes us all children through faith. In Christ there is "neither Jew nor Gentile..."

We Children of God should be careful to treat our neighbours the way Jesus taught us in Luke 10:25-37. That is to love our neighbour. To love regardless of colour, tribe, religion or any other satanic construct of division.

Jeremiah 9:24

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:48:00 +0000

"But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that i am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things i delight, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 6:16

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:46:00 +0000

Few Thoughts this morning on Isaiah 6:16

Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.

Stand by the roads: Stop where we are. Stop the way we are living

Look and ask : enquire and ask, seek and search; learn.

Ancient paths : the path to God from ancient Moses to now. It's an old message.

Good way : the narrow way, Jesus (who is the way), the gospel

Walk : begin to move our lives in Faith grounded obedience.

Rest for our souls : Peace with God.

The message may be ancient but it is unchanged. It is the only means by which we may live lives of obedience and peace with God. We ought to stop everything and search for it, asking those who know and learning from them what this good news is. Then our lives should be lived in light of the gospel by Faith.

Anger in the Life of a Christian . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:54:00 +0000

"Jesus was angry when men sold animals in the temple, I'm just angry that . . ."

You often hear christian people use this as a reason for their anger. So let's look at how we should respond when we are angry.

(Regardless of whether or not our anger is justified our response should be one which kneels under the authority of Scripture).

Do not sin

Psalm 4:4 says "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your hearts on your beds, and be silent."

Speak in Grace

Colossians 4:6 says "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Speak in Love

Ephesians 4:15 "Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."

Slander vs Kindness

Ephesians 4:31&32 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you".

To summarise it is a mark of your (and my) immaturity when we respond in anger and/or with words of slander and malice; when we hit out against the person with hurtful words. Rather we should take at least a night to calm down. And then with words of kindness and tenderness, with attitudes and mannerisms that show our maturity in Christ; speak truth.

So what about Christ in the temple?

Well if you read the Gospels you will find Jesus is very harsh to a particular group of people. Not just on the occasions when He put them out of the temple. The religious people of the day are who Jesus was angry with in the gospels. These guys should know better - as you and I should know better. These were religious guys who spoke truth, but with no love. They spoke truth, but that truth did not penetrate their hearts, rather it was used as a club or as a podium for their pride.

Jesus has no time for the religious person calling them white washed tombs.

Grace for Sinners

But he did have time and tender truth for sinners. Like the woman caught in adultery or the woman at the well who's adulterous and promiscuous life was shunned by society. Religious people of the day had no time or grace for such sinners, indeed they once asked why Jesus was spending time with sinners.

Rebukes Anger in Apostle

On another occasion when James and John wanted to call down fire (Luke 9:51-55) because a village wouldn't receive Christ. People receiving Christ is something we should feel deeply over, but we should not respond the way these guys did. Jesus "rebuked them".

Call to Repent

In all occasions dealing with people Jesus called for repentance. Time and again we read how he tells people to go and not to sin any more. Yet we see tenderness in His heart and in His words towards sinners.

On the other hand we see time and again of how he calls religious people to repent of their hard-hearted, judgemental, self-righteous and angry attacks on others. Of their abuse of Scripture and position.

Who's the religious person in any argument?

So when we use the example of Jesus cleansing the temple as an excuse for unloving words, we should also ask who, on this side of the argument is the religious person. Is it me? If so Jesus would probably rebuke us and have words of tenderness for the other party.

Thoughts on Jeremiah 2:27-32

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 14:52:00 +0000

When we live lives that forsake God how can we expect deliverance?

"But in the time of their trouble they say, 'Arise and save us!'
But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble..."

"Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:28-29

In essence God here says where has your hope been these past years?
Now they need deliverance and time has got tough many question where God is and even call for His help. Yet he says to Israel to look at the things they've forsaken Him for and had their hope in.
Can they not save us?

We too can be like that. Seeking or questioning God only when times are tough and we long for deliverance. Our lives are generally spent chasing and living for other things like finances, sex, jobs, sport, family, etc.

How then can we expect to contend with God? We have heard His word (2:31) yet refused Him to chase other things. Can we possibly expect Him to listen to us and to deliver us. How can we question His love when we have spent our lives running away from Him.

Moral and Religious observance is rubbish. Christ is everything

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 12:58:00 +0000

I've been stuck in Phil 3 over the past few days. What a passage.

Paul tells of his religious observance and morals.

He was a Hebrew of Hebrews.

He ticked more religious boxes than anyone else.

He observed all the traditions and yet says it was all a pile of 'rubbish'.

It's not about our morality or our Christian observances or traditional check boxes that count for anything. We need to dung those out.

It is about knowing Christ who is resurrected and seated at the right hand of the father in all power and authority.

Knowing Him in a personal relationship, suffering with Him and having His righteousness not our own.

Christ is everything and we are absolutely nothing.

Perhaps you or I can say we are Christian of Christians.

We read from the right translation, wear the right clothes, we may speak with the right phrases or even in tongues or give prophetic words. We may teach sunday school or even speak at the front of church. We may be in Christian work and give our tithes and time. We may observe more christian traditions and religious observances than anyone we know. And it is all a steaming pile of dung (Phil 3:8).

I was tempted to finish that last paragraph with "... if we do not know Christ". But that's not how Paul says it. Religion, morality, religious righteousness, church traditions and all our 'christianity' needs thrown in the rubbish heap because it doesn't matter one bit.

We, you and I, need to be found in Christ. It is His righteousness imputed to us by faith by which we may live in a personal relationship with Him. It is His righteousness alone by which we gain Christ. Christ the One who, though He was equal with God did not count it a thing to be grasped, and rather than staying on His throne in comfort and authority and all power, became a human. And even when He wanted to avoid the cup of the wrath of God still prayed "neverthless not my will but yours". It is His righteousness that by faith means we may know the one who God has highly exalted and given a name above every name. At the name of Jesus every tongue shall bow and every knee confess that Jesus is Lord.

It is not my name or your name. It is Jesus.

We are dust, He is living God.

St Thomas Mount

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:28:00 +0000

St Thomas Mount

According to tradition Thomas the Apostle travelled to India and brought the Gospel there. He is considered the patron Saint of India.
While in India I had the opportunity to visit both the mount where it is said he had a spear thrust through him on 3rd July 72 A.D. as well as visiting the church where his body is said to be buried.

View from St Thomas Mount

I love history so I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these (No pictures were allowed in St Thomas Basilica). The amateur historian in me was thrilled beyond belief to see such historic sights, but the reformed, Bible guy part of me had a huge sorrow over how far removed these sites are form the gospel Thomas preached.

Here there were places of penance where you could crawl in hot sand absolving sins committed after baptism. I took my shoes off to enter the chapel there and felt like my feet were melting to the ground, and that was only for a couple of steps into the church; the sand was hotter to touch.

The Gospels teach good news that it is Jesus in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14) and that if we confess our sins He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I have read through my Bible (various translations) and never seen a command by the Apostles to commit acts of penance.

So things like this saddened me, and I felt much the same as I had my visits to Rome, where the history took my breath away and the religion saddened my soul.

Baptismal Font

Penitence Crawl

Who was Thomas?

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was also named as Didymus in John 11:16; 20:24 both names mean 'Twin'. In Matt, Mark & Luke he is only mentioned in the listings of the disciples but John mentions him on a couple of occasions.

In John 11 when the Lord decided to return to Judea (where the Pharisees had recently tried to stone Jesus), Thomas declares "Let us also go, that we may die with him." We see here a man who, though wanting to avoid danger, was determined to follow Jesus anywhere, even at the risk of his life.

In John 14 Christ talks about going to prepare a place for them (speaking of his work at the cross preparing our place in heaven) and Thomas asks (vs5) "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus response here is an amazing claim; "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Again we see a man who is concerned with being with Jesus. And Jesus gives Thomas a summation of the Gospel - Jesus is the only way to heaven.

John 20 gives us the Thomas most of us remember and probably scorn. The doubter. He had been absent when the resurrected Jesus had appeared in the upper room and so Thomas says that "unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later Jesus offered him to put his hands in the marks and Thomas declared a wonderful statement about who Jesus is; "My Lord and My God."

It is traditionally said Thomas arrived in India in 52 A.D. and in accordance with Apostolic custom ordained teachers and elders among the church before his martyrdom in 72 A.D.

Malachi ~ Given what's going on does God really love us?

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 16:16:00 +0000

In my devotions recently I'm looking at Malachi. He begins in vs2 "I have loved you" says the Lord. But you say "How have you loved us?"

Israel was in economic ruin. And had been for some time. 80 years before Haggai asked 2:19 "is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the oliveb ree have yielded nothing..."

So At the declaration of divine love we can understand Judah asking "seriously? How on earth have you loved us?"

They'd been captive for years while Edom (Esau's descendants) had been left intact; and So to them it seemed God favoured Esau not Jacob. To which God promises that as a nation edom would be destroyed. Israel were in dead orthodoxy and God in Malachi calls them not from idolatry but from dead acts of worship.

We could be asking in our age does God really love us? What about coronavirus or finances (esp the knock on affect we will face after corona).

In Malachi 3:16 We read: "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed His name. "They shall be mine says the Lord of hosts in the day when I make up my treasured possession...""

May we be Christians who speak to each other about the Lord and help keep fear of Him more prominent than earthly circumstances, such as Corvid-19.

May we be so faithful he once again opens that book of remembrance and writes each of our names down.

It is not God's love for us that needs questioned.
It is our love for God. Are we a people of mere dead orthodox? Or do we live in love with Christ?

I know I need to fall on my knees.
Will you join me?

India

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 11:11:00 +0000

I'm currently in India visiting with partners of RMA. Fell free to follow some pics on my instagram

@g_boal_fonography

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9d6Zw7HmJk/?igshid=1re349l5uihtx

The Gutenberg press

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 08:55:00 +0000

A friend pointed me to this documentary by stephen Fry on the timeline of the Gutenberg press.
It's fascinating

https://youtu.be/uQ88yC35NjI

Cross Of Fire by David Gilman

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:12:00 +0000

The Master of War series by David Gilman has become my favourite series of books. Each book is anticipated and pre ordered well in advance. If you haven't read any I definitely recommend them.

https://amzn.to/2SBWXzv (affiliate link)

Thomas Blackstone has came a long way from the archer in the first book and is now the king's master of war. Still feeling the grief of his dead wife and daughter, and safeguarding his son Henry. We find a hero that is human and flawed, yet brutal in his duty to his King, and the Prince who's life his has so entangled with.

Defiant and dutiful Thomas is an engaging character and I'm already looking forward to next year's instalment (I have to start reading these books slower).

An added bonus is always a historical note. I live these and find they drive me to Google to find out more about the history the books are woven into.

Is The KJV the most accurate translation?

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 00:03:00 +0000

I still maintain that the best Bible is the one open in front of you. But for many th KJV/AV is considered the only true English version.Here's a great video discussing this from the Southern seminary