Malcolm Cox

For a third and final time we ask.... "Is there a message in the mayhem?" - Newsletter 14 June 2020; Episode 50

It's been a bumper week of inspiring news and challenging news. Like most weeks. In the last few days my mother has been in hospital. She came out and my father-in-law went in. Not the same hospital.  The anguish of their hospitalisation without the ability to receive us as visitors has been tempered by the joy of their release from hospital.

Conversations in our fellowships around the black lives matter issue have created healing, understanding and hurt. The meaningfulness of such deep and rich conversations has been tempered by seeing the sadness and pain in both those who speak and those who listen.

Truly we are learning how to mourn with those who mourn and to rejoice with those who rejoice.

I recommend reading this article by my friend Obi Abuchi - "We can all be dangerously tribal"

Another helpful post comes from my buddy, Douglas Jacoby - "Reflections on Race"

What can one say, except God hates it when human beings visit injustice on other human beings. His hope is for healing. His hope is for his kingdom will to be done here on earth. My duty and all of ours is to do our part in living kingdom values in such a way as to disrupt and dismantle the values of this world.

In contrast with the agony of injustice, our third session of, "Is there a message in the mayhem?" took place this past Saturday. It was an unalloyed joy!  About 120 people gathered online for talks by Dr Andy Boakye and myself.

The full session can be found here. And the pdf is here.

What is next? We're sending out a survey in the next day or two seeking feedback. If you have any suggestions for future events including suggested topics and frequency, I'd love to hear from you.

God bless, Malcolm

"How to have a healthy ambition", Psalm 127

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 215, Psalm 132v8

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

“Arise, O Lord” was the phrase uttered when the ark set out in the time of Moses, Num 10:35.  It had led the people in the wilderness, finding them resting places (Num 10:33) on their pilgimage to the promised land, now it was coming home to the end of its pilgimage, and this inspired the present pilgrim on their way up to Jerusalem. They were retracing the steps of the ark.  We are doing likewise.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 214, Psalm 132v7

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

"First of all, it must be recognized that the ark of the covenant was considered the footstool of God’s invisible throne (see comment on Ex 25:10–22). 

Second, the footstool must be understood to be an integral part of the throne, representing the closest accessibility to the king. 

Third, the imagery of the footstool has significance because it is used to express the king’s subordination of his foes (see comment on Ps 110:1). 

Finally, worshiping at the footstool is another way of expressing the reverence that is shown by prostrating oneself at the feet of God or king. On the black stela of Shalmaneser III the Israelite king Jehu is portrayed kissing the ground before the Assyrian king. In Enuma Elish the tribunal of gods kisses the feet of Marduk after he has put down the rebellion and established himself as head of the pantheon. This was the common act of submission offered to kings and gods. Taking hold of the feet was a gesture of self-abasement and entreaty. This gesture occurs in a wide range of Akkadian literature as fugitives or supplicants take hold of the king’s feet to demonstrate their submission or surrender and make their petitions." Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000. 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 214, Psalm 132v7

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

"First of all, it must be recognized that the ark of the covenant was considered the footstool of God’s invisible throne (see comment on Ex 25:10–22). 

Second, the footstool must be understood to be an integral part of the throne, representing the closest accessibility to the king. 

Third, the imagery of the footstool has significance because it is used to express the king’s subordination of his foes (see comment on Ps 110:1). 

Finally, worshiping at the footstool is another way of expressing the reverence that is shown by prostrating oneself at the feet of God or king. On the black stela of Shalmaneser III the Israelite king Jehu is portrayed kissing the ground before the Assyrian king. In Enuma Elish the tribunal of gods kisses the feet of Marduk after he has put down the rebellion and established himself as head of the pantheon. This was the common act of submission offered to kings and gods. Taking hold of the feet was a gesture of self-abasement and entreaty. This gesture occurs in a wide range of Akkadian literature as fugitives or supplicants take hold of the king’s feet to demonstrate their submission or surrender and make their petitions." Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.1. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000. 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 213, Psalm 132v6 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Ephrathah is associated with Bethlehem, Gn. 35:16; Ru. 4:11; & identified in several passages as the home territory of David. It is also connected with the promise of a Messiah (Mi. 5:2, Matt 2:3-7). 

Jaar is an abbreviation for Kiriath-Jearim, 1 Sam 7:1-2, where the ark was housed while ‘lost’.  Jaar means ‘wood’ or ‘thicket’ which draws attention to the incongruity of the ark being ‘lost’ there. Like lost in a wood.  “Where is the ark?”, “It’s somewhere in the woods.”  Even there it had an impact, as Samuel led the people in repentance that resulted in the Philistines being defeated, 1 Sam 7:3-14.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 213, Psalm 132v6 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Ephrathah is associated with Bethlehem, Gn. 35:16; Ru. 4:11; & identified in several passages as the home territory of David. It is also connected with the promise of a Messiah (Mi. 5:2, Matt 2:3-7). 

Jaar is an abbreviation for Kiriath-Jearim, 1 Sam 7:1-2, where the ark was housed while ‘lost’.  Jaar means ‘wood’ or ‘thicket’ which draws attention to the incongruity of the ark being ‘lost’ there. Like lost in a wood.  “Where is the ark?”, “It’s somewhere in the woods.”  Even there it had an impact, as Samuel led the people in repentance that resulted in the Philistines being defeated, 1 Sam 7:3-14.  

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 212, Psalm 132v3-5

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

A place of permanent presence.

But inadequate, 1 King 8:27-30

It is about God’s presence - something we need too, Jn 14:23.   

Do we always value his presence?  Guilty hearts?  1 John 3:16-20.

Jesus is in the presence of God, Heb 9:24-28.

Now we can enter God’s presence with confidence, Heb 4:16.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 212, Psalm 132v3-5

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

A place of permanent presence.

But inadequate, 1 King 8:27-30

It is about God’s presence - something we need too, Jn 14:23.   

Do we always value his presence?  Guilty hearts?  1 John 3:16-20.

Jesus is in the presence of God, Heb 9:24-28.

Now we can enter God’s presence with confidence, Heb 4:16.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 211, Psalm 132v2 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

"Heb: ‘avir’ = Mighty, the mighty One of. This word occurs only in poetical passages. The first is Jacob’s blessing on his son Joseph (Gen 49:24). The third stich of that verse, which contains this word, has the expression “the hands of the Mighty One,” which is paralleled in the preceding line by the expression “hands were made strong.” The following stich has “the stone of Israel” to parallel “the Mighty One of Jacob.” The word “stone” is ןֶבֶא which sounds something like ריִבָא “Mighty One” and emphasizes his strength further.

The two appearances of the word ריִבָא in Ps 132 (vv. 2, 5) are paralleled by the divine name YHWH. The same is true of its three appearances in Isaiah (Isa 1:24; Is 49:26; Is 60:16). Notice the distribution of the term throughout this book, often trisected by critics.

The name ריִבָא used as a substitute for deity may be compared with דַחַּפ the “Fear” of Isaac (q.v., Gen 31:42, Gen 31:53). This word “Fear” is also taken by some as a surrogate for deity used especially in patriarchal times. It is possible to be translated “Kinsman.” (Albright, FSAC, p. 248; Dahood, in AB, Psalms, I, p. 81.) Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.6. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980.

Lk 1:48-49, Mary’s prayer.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,