A question to answer Let me put a question to you before we go any further – what do you consider to be the foundational doctrine of Christian faith?  I mean something that is fundamental to everything we believe.  This isn’t meant as a test, but something I want to encourage you to consider.  Please have a think about this … Read More

Aspirations A young man recently mentioned a particular thing that he said was on his bucket list – an item that he wanted to possess at some point.  I have never thought of myself as having such a list, any more than I had a career plan when starting out on the life of work.  However, there is something that … Read More

Differences I have become ever more conscious, as the years have passed, that we aren’t all the same.  This may seem an obvious thing to note, but an important one because it means that we can’t expect others to be the same as us.  The more aware we are of this, the better.  That doesn’t mean that we should not … Read More

Tenacity The book of Job isn’t everyone’s first choice for reading in the Old Testament, as it is mainly made up of a protracted discourse that is not particularly helpful.  That said, Job also gives up some real gems.  Around the middle of the book, we come across the words that the composer, Handel, incorporated into his magnificent oratorio, ‘Messiah’: … Read More

Being intentional Having recently begun writing the Asked Questions BLOG, I have also looked to extend my online network of ‘friends’.  I deliberately choose to invite contact from those whom I anticipate might find my writing helpful in one way or another.  This involves being selective, researching profiles for clues as to where folk stand biblically.  You may feel that … Read More

The story Do you know where in the Bible we find the words: “…. for such a time as this”?  That was a question asked at our small group meeting recently, a phrase that summarises the whole of the book of Esther.  Here we read of the story of a young woman, a Jewish girl who, along with her much … Read More

Seasons Over the past couple of weeks, I have been rejoicing in the autumn beauty that is displayed in the trees and bushes in our surrounding area.  I rather like this time of year when the foliage almost takes on a floral form, but on a much grander scale.  This autumn seems to have been especially beautiful, and the weather … Read More

Lamentations How do you feel about change?  You might respond by asking what form of this is being referred to – there are obviously many dimensions of change that we encounter in life, both personally, within ourselves, and externally.  Maybe you have heard older members of your family bemoaning things that are different to how they used to be, or … Read More

Heresy? In posing such a question, you may wonder if I have strayed into heresy – I can assure you that this isn’t the case!  I am not asking the question theologically.  Evangelical Christians recognise and assent to the statements of the various creeds, some even reciting them as part of a religious litany at Sunday services.  No, what I … Read More

Outworking Over breakfast this morning, Jean and I found ourselves discussing spiritual motivation and ministry.  God works through us both in very different ways, but this isn’t unusual, as we are all unique human beings.  We are called to conform in the area of character, but not personality, and certainly not in terms of the outworking of our spiritual motivation.  … Read More