I wonder if you have ever visited a set of ruins? Perhaps a Castle, an ancient Abbey, or former stately home. Through neglect, disuse and historical acts of vandalism, in Great Britain, we are left with these remnants of once magnificent structures. We can only use our imaginations to picture what was once a thriving […]
At least….
At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil,yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. (Job 14 vs. 7 – 9 NIV) I felt […]
Listen to the trees!
One of the highlights of my recent holiday was a walk I took in Sherwood Forest. I was a very small child the last time I went. I can remember being taken to see the Major Oak and hearing the stories of Robin Hood! I was troubled by no outlaws on my perambulation through the […]
It’s Easy To Lose Heart
It’s easy to lose heart. I imagine that is what happened to Peter, that night on the lake. In the midst of the storm, as Jesus approached the battered boat he told his disciples to “take heart”. Peter felt bold, courageous and he took Jesus at his word. Peter was the one who had the […]
Hitting Pause
As the so called “freedom day” moves nearer, I am becoming increasingly nervous. My nervousness is not just because of the increasing cases of COVID 19, although it cannot be ignored. Nor is my nervousness because I do not think this “freedom” will not quite be what people are hoping. The reality is, COVID is […]
Life without all the answers
How do you choose the books you read? Perhaps you go by author, you have been challenged by or appreciated previous writings. Maybe a friend or colleague has recommended a particular writer. Maybe it is the theme of the book. The writer is addressing a subject that you are interested in, or want to learn […]
Where are you?
There has been a single verse of scripture floating around in my mind for a few days now. It comes from a story in the book of Genesis. Adam and Eve have disobeyed God and, in their shame, they decide that if they hide they might just get away with it! The verse that follows […]
Infectious?
In January, I had an experience which recently came back to haunt me. As a fresh lockdown had begun, I had spent a week working from home. I had not left our house for any purpose for the whole of the week. I had not been to the shops, to the office or anywhere. ‘Twas […]
Hungry and thirsty?
I was reflecting on one of Jesus statements in my quiet time today; Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6 vs. 35) Jesus original hearers would have known what is truly like to struggle for food and water. […]
Stepping off a ladder
Have you ever had one of those moments when, suddenly, you see things more clearly than you used to? It seems to be happening to me rather a lot at the moment. Let me explain to you how, this is happening. I have been reading a book called The Art of Pastoring – Ministry without […]