One of the great dimensions of following Christ is that it has calls us both to personal and corporate transformation. We lead new lives, not just as individuals but within communities – especially communities of believers. In this marvellous chapter of Colossians, St Paul moves seamlessly from one to the other. Towards the end of … Read more
Who’s the smartest person you know? I suspect there’d be a range of answers to that question – you might have a particularly brainy friend or family member. Some of you will naturally think of famous big brains, like Albert Einstein or Alan Turing. I bet not many of us said ‘Jesus’. It’s funny isn’t … Read more
I wonder what you like to pray for? If any of us took a good look at the content of our prayers, we would likely find that most of us – me included – focus a lot on practical requests. And that’s fine: Jesus encourages us to ask God for what we need today (our … Read more
We’re blessed to be able to worship in a beautiful, inspiring building. Despite being made with wooden scaffolds, rudimentary tools and makeshift mortar, it has stood for hundreds of years, and is likely to for hundreds more. Most of us sucked in our breath and felt a sense of thrill when we first stepped inside … Read more
‘Red and green should never be seen with nothing in-between.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever received that fashion advice – I don’t set much store by it myself, as my weekly emails attest: the more red and green, the better! It comes from the idea that a strong contrast is off-putting: we like things … Read more
In sports journalism nowadays the word GOAT has become one of the most likely you’ll see, especially online. Which might seem odd to you if you’re not a sports fan: what do goats have to do with professional sport? The clue is in the capitals: GOAT is an acronym, which stands for Greatest Of All … Read more
It may surprise you to know, but even as late as Jesus’ lifetime the Jewish people were divided as to whether there was eternal life after death. The early books of the Old Testament say little about it, and even some of our most cherished texts are ambiguous: the last verse of Psalm 23 actually … Read more
I didn’t plan it like this, but it’s somehow fitting that we are looking at today’s passage on the first day of the new tax year – and indeed on a day when a particular high profile tax rise in our country comes into effect. It is, perhaps, cold comfort to know that controversy over … Read more
Deafness is a condition which runs in my family. I am very thankful that thus far it has missed my generation: but I know firsthand how isolating it can be. I do remember my nan, though, often giving my grandad a gentle telling off when he had ignored something his wife had clearly told him … Read more
Questions, questions…. Some of you will know that before I was a vicar I worked for 12 years as a market researcher. Many might consider that a good way to describe my old job would be as a ‘professional nuisance’! However, if I was asked to describe my work, I would often answer that I … Read more