faithrootsdw

Strength made perfect in weakness

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about an incredible vision he has had (although he talks in the third person, it is generally agreed that he is referring to himself), where he is caught up into heaven. However, alongside the vision he is given a crippling “thorn in his side.” Just as people have speculated… Continue reading Strength made perfect in weakness

Wrestling with my thoughts -Book Review

Sharon was a high flying, top grade medical student when things began to unravel as she headed towards her final exams. An eagle-eyed, loving aunt first spots the signs that things are not right when Sharon visits her in Los Angeles. What initially looks like a dose of depression to be brushed off spirals into… Continue reading Wrestling with my thoughts -Book Review

Searching Out: Establishing Points of Contact

At this stage we have a generalised understanding of the types of people we are likely to encounter in Urban Britain today. However, searching out requires us to drill down a further level. One of our aims is to establish points of contact with people. This is where we being to talk more about hopes… Continue reading Searching Out: Establishing Points of Contact

The happy person (Psalm 1)

I have been spending a lot of time in the Psalm’s recently. A few days back I wrote up a short meditation on Psalm 1. Here is a longer sermon I preached this morning. How do you stay happy throughout relentless suffering ? I’m writing this as we come to the end of a year… Continue reading The happy person (Psalm 1)

Unlearning being a pastor

Okay, I admit it. I find home groups hard work. As a pastor, it was always that sense of being on duty, of being responsible for what happened. Your mind was constantly alert, even when not leading the group. Was everyone engaged, did anyone seem uncomfortable, was anyone acting in an inappropriate way to make… Continue reading Unlearning being a pastor

Fruit from the harvest … fruit for the harvest

The other day, I sat and read one of those “history of our church” books that local churches produce to celebrate centenaries and 150th anniversaries. There was a beautiful little story in it. The church were looking to do a bit of building work and began to raise the funds. A large legacy of £58k… Continue reading Fruit from the harvest … fruit for the harvest

Zoom or in person? – another faulty question

In a recent article I got us to think a bit more about communion and suggested that the question of “open v closed” communion was the wrong one. Another question that has come to the forefront during COVID is about what it means to gather as a church. This is of course related to the… Continue reading Zoom or in person? – another faulty question

Family or politics?

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) I’ve been called a few names in the past year. I’ve bene told that… Continue reading Family or politics?

Searching Out: Identity

In this chapter we will start to focus on the people who live in Urban Britain and on their cultures and communities. We will be thinking about what it mean to live in the city. We will start by picking up on general experience of urban life and then will focus on particular aspects of… Continue reading Searching Out: Identity

Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)

I’ve mentioned when talking about my experience of depression that whilst not everyone experiences suicidal thoughts, the same type of feeling can be experienced either as a desire to hit the self-destruct button or to run away and hide. That desire to flee can come of a sense of being overwhelmed, anxious and not knowing… Continue reading Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)