Do you have paintings on the walls of your home?  For many years, we didn’t, mainly because we lacked the spare money to afford such things.  But, more recently, we have been able to acquire quite a few from house clearance auctions.  I am particular about where to display these, such that after last redecorating our dining room, the walls … Read More

I wonder what comes to mind by way of an answer to this question.  Maybe your first thought is to try to figure out where I am coming from in posing it, or perhaps you have a sense of purpose such that you are very conscious of a particular target that you are aiming for now – an aspiration or … Read More

The original Greek word for the gospel is represented in English as ‘evangel’, from which are derived the familiar terms evangelist, for a preacher of the gospel, and evangelical, as theology that is centred upon the need to receive personal salvation.  The word gospel is generally understood to mean ‘good news’; we refer to the good news of the gospel.  … Read More

I appreciate that ‘under orders’ is a military term, with which those who are civilians might not readily identify.  But then, we find that military analogies are not uncommon within scripture – see 2 Timothy 2:3,4.  If we are committed to Jesus’ lordship in our lives, then we most certainly should count ourselves as being under his orders.   Authority This … Read More

Resting on the windowsill in my study is a picture frame with five windows of varying shapes and sizes.  This is old and a little tacky, and I would happily have disposed of it long ago, but for the fact that it is populated with photographs of our daughter and son when they were very young, and these evoke memories … Read More

When out for my early morning walk today, I came across something that delighted my heart.  The day started rather cool, but bright.  Despite the low temperature, there were some white daffodils in bloom beside the path.  I love flowering bulbs, not because they provide the first signs of new life after the drabness of winter, but because of their … Read More

Our eight-year-old granddaughter came into my study the other day and, after considering a painting that hangs here, asked what it was about.  We acquired this particular picture as part of an auction lot some time ago; it isn’t one that Jean or I like.  You might wonder then why we have given it house room.  The quality of the … Read More

It is my long-established habit to read my Bible and talk with God at the start of each day.  Whilst always beneficial, this can be more rewarding on some days than others.  Today was one of those times when I felt especially close to him.  Before turning to prayer, I was thinking about a particular phobia that I have had … Read More

One time during my career as an IT Project Manager, my employer identified a training need for those whose role entailed delivering presentations.  Two external instructors were contracted to run residential courses designed to help us with public speaking and the communication of information.  Having trained at Bible College and being a regular preacher at that time, I didn’t feel … Read More

Let’s start by expanding this question beyond a brief headline: What is the mark of authenticity for a local expression of the church?  There are several things that we might think of as important.  We could suggest that denominational allegiance marks authenticity; some will consider that the major traditions have greater authenticity than more modern expressions of church, while many … Read More