Perhaps one of the most moving accounts in the Gospels is the story of the woman who had suffered for many years with an illness that caused frequent discharge of blood. It’s wrapped around by the healing of Jairus’ daughter. This helps us to see a few things. First, we see Jesus’ willingness to be… Continue reading If I can just get close enough (Mark 5:21-43)
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Hello Great Barr
Last week, we said goodbye to Bearwood and Smethwick and moved a short distance to the north of Birmingham. Today, I thought I’d share some photos from our new area. I’ve three reasons for this. I’d love to encourage you to pray for us as we seek to encourage and enable church planting into the… Continue reading Hello Great Barr
Are mission statements helpful?
I’ve seen a little bit of discussion about vision/mission and value statements recently. Generally speaking, most of the commentary has been negative. I get that, like my friend Steve Kneale, I don’t like to see the church dragged into a corporate/business culture. I’m also aware of two things. First, that so often, it seems that… Continue reading Are mission statements helpful?
Demons and Pigs (Mark 5:1-20)
Why does Jesus permit a legion of demons to leave a human being and possess pigs? Jesus and the disciples have crossed Galilee and on the other side, they find a man who is possessed by many demons so that he’s been given the nickname Legion. The demons bring with them superhuman strength so that… Continue reading Demons and Pigs (Mark 5:1-20)
Counting the Costa
A little while back Costa decided to change their soya milk brand. That shouldn’t be a big deal should it? Milk is milk, soya milk is soya milk. Except that when you start using milk replacement brands, they have to use a mix of ingredients to get the replacement right. Unfortunately, there were two problems… Continue reading Counting the Costa
Peace in the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
There’s a great storm raging, the waves are battering against the boat and it is being tossed about like a toy by the wind. The sailors are struggling against the storm. Several of them are seasoned sailors who know these waters well but there’s something different about this storm that fills them with dread. Meanwhile… Continue reading Peace in the storm (Mark 4:35-41)
It’s okay to go off-piste when preaching … providing you signpost it clearly
There’s been a few occasions when I’ve been preaching where something has struck me and I’ve felt it particularly relevant and helpful but it hasn’t been something that the passage specifically addresses. Rather, it’s been a question arising perhaps out of something the passage leaves unaddressed. There have been other occasions where I’ve drawn an… Continue reading It’s okay to go off-piste when preaching … providing you signpost it clearly
Defeated enemies (Mark 4:35-5:43)
We now encounter a series of incredible miracles and signs which demonstrate Jesus’ power over the forces of evil and death. First, we see Jesus as Lord over his creation. Jesus travels across Galilee with his disciples. He is asleep in the boat as a storm brews. There are echoes of Jonah’s flight to Tarshish… Continue reading Defeated enemies (Mark 4:35-5:43)
You are always saying no to something
I remember someone giving me a bit of advice once to the effect that for every request you say yes to, you should say no to an equivalent request. It’s good advice but I would push it further. The reality that that every time you say yes to something or someone, you are at the… Continue reading You are always saying no to something
Please keep praying for Bearwood and Smethwick
Whilst we are moving on and excited about what God has in store with us next, there has been some sadness as we’ve said goodbye to our home and community in Smethwick. We spend 12 years here and grew to love the area. Bearwood and Smethwick will also have a significant place in our hearts.… Continue reading Please keep praying for Bearwood and Smethwick
