Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? Part 3: We turn to God because we feel there is “something more”. Let us turn to the core dimension of religious experience, often expressed in symbols. Two people view a stunning sunset. One says, “What a wonderful sunset! It fills me with awe andContinue reading “Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? (Part 3)”
Author Archives: denisvernon24
Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? (Part 2)
Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? Part 2: Life without God can be wonderful; does God add anything? Life is – or can be – wonderful. We are glad to be alive. If our life is in any way sustainable, then there will be many good aspects to it. We willContinue reading “Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? (Part 2)”
Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? (Part 1)
(A theological reflection in 7 (rather long!) parts. This article is very much about my experience, so the word “I” appears rather a lot. There is a huge range of experience amongst Christians, so many people will see things quite differently, but I am hopeful that my experience is sufficiently understood to strike chords withContinue reading “Why do I believe I am surrounded by God’s grace? (Part 1)”
Washed up on the shores of heaven. (Part 2)
Washed up on the shores of heaven Part 2: The grace of God will bring us home I hope you can see that I am a fan of grace! So, what about this particular image? I think the meaning is that, even if we should somehow – spiritually speaking – suffer ship-wreck, whereby the wholeContinue reading “Washed up on the shores of heaven. (Part 2)”
Washed up on the shores of heaven. (Part 1)
(A theological reflection in 2 parts) Washed up on the shores of heaven Part 1: We live and move and breathe within the grace of God In a recent sermon, I made this comment: “Somewhere at the centre of our souls – something that we cannot see, but that God can, is a drop ofContinue reading “Washed up on the shores of heaven. (Part 1)”
Easter sermon 2025 : Christianity is the most realistic and transformative faith we could possibly have.
(I am taking the liberty of posting my Easter sermon, and all in one go. The bible reading to go with it is John. 20. 1-18, which is the story of Mary Magdalene meeting the risen Christ after having gone early to attend to Jesus’ body for proper burial) Christianity is the most realistic andContinue reading “Easter sermon 2025 : Christianity is the most realistic and transformative faith we could possibly have.”
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 5)
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! Part 5: The mystery of God’s peace I believe that God has a way of putting everything right. However, I no longer see this as something that is done in heaven – and we will have to wait till then. I believe that the fulfilmentContinue reading “The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 5)”
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 4)
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! Part 4: We already have what we long for My answer to this, is (even if my hope of heaven is false) that the purpose of being a Christian is to enter into fullness of life now, in our current mortal life. The gifts receivedContinue reading “The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 4)”
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 3)
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! Part 3: Can we manage without heaven? Once we have an inkling of grace, we, though still very weak in the weakness of our human nature, have at least some resources to cope with injustice and to forgive others. Living on planet reality, we haveContinue reading “The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! (Part 3)”
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life!(Part 2)
The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life! Part 2: The assurance of God’s love enables us to accept the truth The religious attitude is completely different. Life is understood as a journey with God as our companion. For Christians, this is understood in threefold form. The love of the Father over-shadows andContinue reading “The strange distortions of secular ideology: My best possible life!(Part 2)”
Spiritual Devotion 