Author: sean

I have been mulling over some words of the Apostle Paul recently.  He said; Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5 vs. 18) I really struggle with this because, not every circumstance is one that I am thankful for.  I am not thankful when There are some days when I feel that the world […]

If Only… “If only I had made a different decision.” “If only I had prayed more.” “If only I had listened sooner.” Few phrases carry as much regret as “if only.”  Those two small words can open the door to guilt, shame, disappointment, and endless replaying of the past. They keep us staring backward while […]

I am a bit of a Dickens fan.  I love the story of “A Christmas Carol” and forget how many times I have read and re-read the story.  However, my favourite Dickens novel is “Great Expectations.”  The story of Philip Pirrip (Pip) and his rise from rags to riches. I was thinking about Great Expectations […]

The scene is one we have all watched before in any film set in Roman times. Crucifixion. People hanging on crosses.  The main character of the film, Brian, is being crucified.  The character known as Mr Cheeky speaks words of comfort to Brian “Cheer up Brian, you know what they say?” and then comes the […]

I caught myself doing it again yesterday.  There is even a name for it now; doomscrolling. The TV was on in the background and I was “catching up” with social media posts.  One negative comment, and I found myself scrolling through finding more upon more negativity, anger, resentment and frustration.  If, as Victor Lindlahr suggests, […]

I have been thinking, recently, about what has been labelled “The Stages of Grief.”  In brief, these are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  They are a natural response to any form of loss be it bereavement, failure of our hopes and dreams or even a loss of independence.  These stages of grief are not […]

Image by Manuela Hartmann from Pixabay Those of you who know me well, just did a double take at the title Gardening advice from me is….interesting… Okay, cards on the table!  I don’t have green fingers and, to be honest, I only do gardening because I have to.  I would never list it as a […]

When the cheering stopped There was a time when the streets were loud with praise. On Palm Sunday, the crowd gathered, waving branches, laying down cloaks, shouting for Jesus Christ as He entered the city. It was celebration. It was recognition. It was hope bursting into the open. For a moment, everything felt right. But […]

Psalm 23 is one that has been floating around in my mind of late. To be honest, I didn’t even need to look it up in my Bible. The words are ones that I know off by heart. In my working life, I have conducted more funerals than you can imagine (unless, dear reader, you […]

Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay I am not sure who said “Sin is a teacher.”  But, I found myself reflecting on this phrase as I took some time with my Bible this morning. The passage was the story of a woman caught in adultery (John 8 vs. 1 – 11).  She is dragged naked […]