Posts

In the Darkest Hour (1 Peter 3:8-22)

“In the darkest hour, when I cannot breatheFear is on my chest, the weight of the world on meEverything is crashing down, everything I had knownWhen I wonder if I’m all alone” These are the opening lines of Lauren Daigle’s song “Remember.”  What do we do when we face “the darkest hours” of our lives?… Continue reading In the Darkest Hour (1 Peter 3:8-22)

If marriage is a public matter then so too is adultery

Yesterday I wrote about the breaking news concerning the then Health Secretary, Matt Hancock and an alleged affair.  Hancock has now resigned from the government but as I wrote in the article, the focus was primarily no breach of COVID rules. People have tried to play down the moral side of things by insisting that… Continue reading If marriage is a public matter then so too is adultery

Adultery is not just about having a messy personal life

Newspapers broke a rumour on Friday that the Health Secretary Matt Hancock was having an affair with his aide.  One journalist has attempted to play this down with the headline “So Matt Hancock has a messy personal life: who doesn’t?” The headline is part of a narrative that we should not be obsessing about politician’s… Continue reading Adultery is not just about having a messy personal life

Our responsibility when there are accusations of abuse and bullying

Today I’m attending an online conference organised by Church As Refuge.  The organisers want to encourage pastors and church leaders to think about how we make churches safe and welcoming refuges for victims of abuse. However, the context is also that sadly we have seen too many cases of abuse within the church. We’ve seen… Continue reading Our responsibility when there are accusations of abuse and bullying

Blessing from nowhere

I was talking with my friend Dan James about sermon he was preparing for his church on Haggai 2 the other day and was struck by something fascinating. Have a look at Haggai 2:10-19.  What stood out to me was verse 19: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree,… Continue reading Blessing from nowhere

Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

Near where we live is a restaurant. Whilst we’ve been living here, it has changed names a number of times.  There’s a reason for that. The original restaurant had a bad name for poor quality food and dodgy hygiene. However, I think that on a few occasions, the name change was merely cosmetic.  If you… Continue reading Under new management (Romans 7:1-6)

Are we on track for the 19th July reopening?

Church leaders are following carefully what is happening regarding the delayed Stage 4 of COVID re-opening in England (Scotland and Wales come under different measures but there tends to be a high level of convergence between the countries). So, how are things looking? Will we be good to go on the 19th July or might… Continue reading Are we on track for the 19th July reopening?