Triquetra (symbol of the Trinity) in pastel colours against a dark background. Text: Three haikus on the Trinity. Faith in Grey Places

Three haikus on the Trinity (a poem)

It’s said that it’s hard to pack anything of substance into such a short poetry form. (Haikus are a Japanese type of poem with three lines. The first has five syllables, the second seven, and the third five.) To be sure, it’s not easy, but it can be done. 

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Abstract water image with browns and oranges streaming downwards a little like the surface of Jupiter. Text: The fire of day 50 (a poem for Pentecost) Faith in Grey Places (16x9)

The fire of day 50: a poem for Pentecost (with pictures)

It’s been a few weeks since Pentecost, but I felt this site needs some more poems about the Holy Spirit. One a year is not enough. Having now learned a little Ancient Greek, I took inspiration from some observations I had while reading Acts 2:1–4.

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Image of two copper pennies (British). Title: The Silent Finance Awards. Text: Matthew on money: Jesus teaches on almsgiving. A comedy. Matthew 6:1–4. Faith in Grey Places.

On giving to the poor: ‘The Silent Finance Awards’ (a comedy based on Matthew 6:1–4)

Today’s sketch is based on Jesus’ teachings about giving in Matthew 6:1–4. There are many kinds of financial giving, but according to the NET, the kind referred to in this passage is ‘alms’, referring ‘primarily to the giving of money or food for the relief of the poor.’ 

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Picture of neon lit up in the dark saying saying "THIS IS THE SIGN YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR". Text on the left: Matthew on Money: Jesus sends out the twelve: "The Miracle Method". A satire | Matthew 10:5–15. Faith in Grey Places.

Jesus sends out the twelve: ‘The Miracle Method’ (a satire based on Matthew 5:5–15)

Happy new year!

This week, I have another short sketch, based on Matthew 10:5–15 when Jesus sends out the twelve. I imagine a conversation between Peter and Andrew and their host as the two apostles visit a town. 

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Picture of a caravan of camels silhouetted against a desert sky. Title text: The Three Wise Wives. Other text: Matthew on money: the visit of the magi; a short drama, Matthew 2

The Three Wise Wives (a short drama based on Matthew 2)

Happy First Sunday of Advent! 

Over the last few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed writing short sketches about money, but I wasn’t sure about writing scathing satires during the festive season.

We’ll see what inspires me next week, but today, I’ve explored the story of the visit of the magi. There’s actually a lot that can be said about money from this chapter of Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 2). 

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Picture from above of medical equipment used by people with type 1 diabetes. Title text: "Offering and greed: the apocalypse of price gouging". Side text: Matthew on money: The cleansing of the temple. A satire. Matthew 21:12-13. Faith in Grey Places.

Offering and Greed: The Apocalypse of Price Gouging (a satire based on Matthew 21:12–13)

Today, I wanted to write about price gouging – a practice of exploitation through unnecessarily high prices. I noticed some similarities between the story of insulin (how it was discovered and how it is now priced in the US) and the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. 

The sketch is 1,000 words long, but it’s also light-hearted for a satire and has a refreshing declaration of Jesus’s ministry. 

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Picture of pots of seeds sprouting with text on the left: "Wealth managers outraged by 'deceitful' slur". Matthew on money: the parable of the sower. A satire based on Matthew 13:1–23. Faith in Grey Places

Wealth managers outraged by “deceitful” slur (a satire based on the parable of the sower)

As I was finishing the last series for Faith in Grey Places, I began to think the next one would look at Matthew’s gospel in some way. Then as the news-feed scrolled on I thought maybe this was a time to write about money. 

According to The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey, money is the fourth most-frequently preached on topic of Jesus’ teaching [p148-151]. The top three being the kingdom of God, the Father, and faith. 

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Small ceramic goblet filled with wine on a wooden platform. Text over the top: The God who saves (a poem). Faith in Grey Places

The God who saves (a poem)

Partly inspired by my Hebrew studies, I’m writing 12 poems inspired by 12 Hebrew verbs.

The verb ישׁע / yasha is indirectly familiar to many Christians because it’s the root of names like Joshua and Jesus, both of which mean ‘the LORD saves.’ (Hence Gabriel’s instruction to Joseph: “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV)

There are some interesting things I learned here. 

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Heavenly picture of the bright morning sun over the sea with pale blue skies and wispy white clouds, and birds flying overhead. Text over the top: The God who sits (a poem). Faith in Grey Places

The God who sits (a poem)

Partly inspired by my Hebrew studies, I’m writing 12 poems inspired by 12 Hebrew verbs.

A few weeks ago, I sat down to map out which Hebrew verbs I would write poems on for the remaining weeks of this 12-part series. They had to be words I’d learned over the last year and, obviously, not the same as the verbs I’d already covered. So far, we’ve had poems on stand, provide, shine, build, give voice, create, cease [rest] and form; the remaining weeks were to be: sit, dwell, appoint, reign. 

There was, however, a slight flaw in this plan. 

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