Author Archives: denisvernon24

Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm Part 3: Changed forever That look of love, if you caught it, if you chose to pass through rather than turn aside, and if you paused to look as you passed through, rather than simply rushing into freedom regardless of the cost paid for your freedom – though perhaps anyoneContinue reading “Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm. (Part 3)”

Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm Part 2: Born again Jesus said we must be born again, and no-one is quite sure what that means, certainly not me. But perhaps it means this action. That, as once we entered the world through such a confined channel, to the pain and joy of our mothers, so now,Continue reading “Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm. (Part 2)”

(A devotional reflection in 5 parts, taking up a thought from “Jesus holds open a door”) Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm Part 1: A look of love Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm, a drop of his blood falls into our souls and this, to us, is pure grace. The life of Christ, in agony, dripsContinue reading “Passing beneath Christ’s outstretched arm. (Part 1)”

Trembling on the brink   :    A devotion for Easter                     (This Easter devotion is being published all in one go. Happy Easter!) Trembling on the brink of life and death, the last breath ebbs away, a sigh of loss so heavy it cracks the earth, and darkness slams shut on all who were looking in loveContinue reading “Trembling on the brink : A devotion for Easter  “

Jesus holds open the door Part 8: Do not be afraid; this cannot be taken from us. That is Jesus, but what about us? Yes, Jesus has played his part, but we acknowledged that we are too weak to take advantage of it. The door may be open, but we will not go through it.Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 8)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 7: There is an answer to evil that cannot be extinguished How then, is the door open, and how can we enter? The door is open because Jesus – whoever he was, and is – is a universal person, because he represents the human condition of us all. FromContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 7)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 6: We declare: “Grace and truth have come into the world. There is a redeemer”. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it”. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. And we have seen his glory – look past the word; we haveContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 6)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 5: If we truly look, it is horrific; evil is set to win; yet still there is hope A person on life’s journey confronts reality. “Fear consumes me. Horror overwhelms me. Hatred has swallowed me – and hatred for those who harm me is harnessed with the self-hatred IContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 5)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 4: See and hold everything together. The dynamic changelessness of God. We must stay clear-sighted and hold our capacity for both good and evil clearly in mind at all times. Somehow, we have to rejoice at the wonder of life, even while we weep at the suffering of others.Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 4)”

Jesus holds open the door Part 3: The human condition is crushing, but it’s in our nature So, Christ holds open his arm in love, but what is he doing? He is holding open a door. How are we, we members of humankind, to cope with the anguish of being human? How do we bearContinue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 3)”