Category Archives: Prayer and Devotion

Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy Part 4 Father, I am afraid. Afraid that I am too weak to overcome my weaknesses. That my good intentions will always end in failure. That in the end I will always be dragged down by my sins and my failures. I know that thisContinue reading “Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy. Part 4”

Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy Part 3 Father, I am afraid. Afraid that justice will not be done. That the truth will be ignored. That selfish, stupid people will hold power and abuse me, even though I am in the right and they are in the wrong. Do not beContinue reading “Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy. Part 3”

Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy Part 2 Father, I am afraid. Afraid that the systems I depend on will break down. That chaos will engulf us. That even if I hold my nerve, and do the right thing, that others will not. Do not be afraid. You are explaining toContinue reading “Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy. Part 2”

Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy An exploration of, and reflection on, fear. The title is drawn from the message of the angel to the shepherds in the Nativity story. It’s long – in 7 parts! I reckon I must have a lot of fear to consider. Each part begins withContinue reading “Fear not for I bring you tidings of great joy. Part 1”

I must not just complain; I must seek help My sorrow overflows from deep wells of regret until I find my rest in you, but I will never take a complaint onto my lips for my mouth is full of joy. Though my sins are ever before me, my eyes are fixed on you. AsContinue reading “I must not just complain; I must seek help”

Yes, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Some say God is an illusion, a fantasy that tricks us into believing in heaven and surrendering our one chance of life. But I say that God is the vision that transforms life. Even if this life is allContinue reading “Yes, we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

I am not just wallowing on the ground; I want to get up Sometimes, it can take years to wake up. Then one day, you open your eyes and you can see. With dazzling clarity, you are face to face with the truth that has eluded you for so long. As though your mind isContinue reading “I am not just wallowing on the ground; I want to get up”

We have fallen further than we think Some people complain that religious people are obsessed with sin: it’s all so negative and dreary, but I say that our concern with sin is the most hopeful, dynamically beneficial thing we can do. As I recognise the gap between where I am and where I could be,Continue reading “We have fallen further than we think”

Genesis is still true When I say, “I believe Genesis is true” people scoff because they think I must mean the creation story in chapters 1 and 2, but it is chapter 3 where the axe still falls and cuts us to the quick. I stand in Adam’s shoes – and so do you, unlessContinue reading “Genesis is still true”

The Path Philosophical reflections following a lovely September walk along the Hogsmill river Why is it so enticing? To see the path stretching out ahead of you? The freedom is wonderful – especially when it’s a path you’ve never trodden before. What will be around the next corner? The wonder is much enhanced when theContinue reading “The Path”