The Message from Hermese

Do you know where love comes from? Do you know the source of the love that we have to offer to God, to ourselves, and to others? This love is poured into the hearts of mothers and from that they pour into us. To the mothers among you, 'Happy Mothers' Day'. To those who've enjoyed the love of a mother - biological or adopted - let us celebrate the mothers in our lives. Let us celebr...

Confidence - the power to be who we are called to be in Christ. Confidence to proclaim the mighty works of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. Confidence because we have a Gospel to proclaim. 

Vocation - a call, a voice, a passion, a burning within. With the many distractions around us, it's no wonder we struggle to find our vocation. It turns out that the Good Shepherd calls. If we listen carefully, we will find our vocation. Believe it, or not!

In the face of seeming defeat, it's easy to lose hope. In face of God's seeming silence, it's easy for us to question our mission. Dear ones, I say, you can't leave now. You can't abandon hope. Return, return to purpose. Return for your story of completion awaits you.

This week has shown us that faith propels us in our Christian duty of evangelisation and in the ministry of reconciliation – bringing us back into agreement with God. It begins a little shaky, but, by the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit, it grows into more than we could ever dream of or imagine. We have only to examine the transformation in Peter who, in the wee hours of Good Friday, denied th...

By the power of God's love, your week can offer you just that outcome you've been praying for. Trust in God's love.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) I believe this for you; I believe it for me. Let us continue in that love.

Mortal, can these dry bones live? I challenge you: prophesy! Say to those dead areas in your life: 'Thus says the Lord God: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.'  Respond in obedience with faith and you will see the power of the resurrection in your life. 

The catechism of the Anglican Church teaches that grace is God's favour towards us, unearned and undeserved. By God's grace, our sins are forgiven, our minds are enlightened, our hearts are stirred, and our wills are strengthened. Are we open to receiving God's amazing grace? Friends, do not allow God's grace to be offered in vain: open yourselves to the light and receive the amazi...

Oh love that will not let me go | I rest my weary soul in thee | I give thee back the life I owe | That in thine ocean depths its flow | May richer, fuller be Oh light that followest all my way | I yield my flickering torch to thee | My heart restores its borrowed ray | That in thy sunshine's blaze its day | May brighter, fairer be (Verses from the hymn, 'Oh Love that Wilt Not Let me Go' by George...

God answers prayers, this we know. If we tell ourselves otherwise might it be because we approach God with the answer already in mind so that we are blinded to God's response to our prayers? In this week's piece, I examine the difference between Abram (father of our faith) and Nicodemus, who approached the light but left in greater darkness. Which one are you?

The Lenten journey is one that beckons us towards obedience. In our separation from the things of the world, we are drawn closer to God, a closeness that exists only if we are obedient. This week's art:  Piece: A Choice Artist: Lauren Wright Pittman

We are called to be lights in a dark world. Let your light shine: retreat to receive the revelation of God's word; retreat and allow God's Word to transfigure you.

God is willing to answer your prayers. Are you willing to do what God requires for your prayers to be answered? Maybe, the only thing preventing your prayers from being answered is yourself...

God calls us into a pure relationship with him. This can't happen, though, if the curtain of the temple has not yet been torn in two from top to bottom. But didn't this happen at the crucifixion? Well, that was one curtain. There is, however, another curtain that must be torn. 

This week's piece discusses what it means to be blessed. Are you among the 'blessed and highly favoured'? 

You see, my friends, answering the call (just as Jesus answered the call to become incarnate and dwell among us), requires something more, something else, something more than ‘Yes’. Answering the call, my friends, requires a transition. Answering the call, requires movement, it requires going somewhere that places us in contact with others with whom we will work. Answering the call is not only abo...

I reflect upon these three examples of men who did not conceal who they were in the Lord, these men who accepted their God-given identity and responsibility and I wonder, ‘If they weren’t afraid, why have I been?’

That plan for salvation includes an approval, just as the Father declared His approval of the Son at the Son’s baptism. The plan for salvation includes an inspection that leads to an approval. Over the past few years since I’ve been sharing these messages with you, I have come to realise that HEWing – the process of increasing our Human Effectiveness at Work – has been that process of inspection f...

Friends, looked at this way, the Priestly Benediction is an offering of Jesus Christ to us all. And, if Christ is given to us, then, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the promise of the Father. This blessing is perfect (of course, this good thing did came from God), but it is perfect because it is a reflection of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6) 

An invitation, an instruction, an appeal, a request – come. These four letters leave us wondering what’s on the other side of them. As an invitation, it beckons us to experience something with another. As an instruction, it is to do something. As an appeal, it communicates urgency. As a request, it tunes us into something else. Come.

I rejoice notwithstanding the misfortunes of the world. I rejoice, not because of what I see or because I am disconnected from the suffering of the world, but I rejoice because of the hope that God continues to give me to persevere through my trials. I rejoice because God continues to feed me with good things (physical and spiritual). I rejoice because God is faithful and just.

WARNING! Something heavy is going down. Watch out! A change is gonna come. Something’s gonna upset the apple cart. Those who’ve been ignoring the call to turn around, those who’ve ignored the yellow, amber and even the red alerts are going to face the fire. Those who thought the time to account for their sinful ways would never come must now suffer the consequences of their hardness of heart.

In sync with the message of Advent, this week’s readings are urging us to get ready. That process involves a change of attire: we don the armour of light, and in so doing, we ready ourselves for battle. Effectively, we are receiving a rallying cry. Armour is about protection; armour is also about battle. But why are we protecting ourselves?