Posts

Be Salty, submit to the authorities, love your neighbour

For my birthday this year, Boris Johnson has changed the law and imposed a new restriction to do with Coronavirus. From today, it will be a legal requirement for people to wear face-masks in shops. Now, whilst some people have been wearing face-masks already and want to know why it hasn’t  been made law sooner,… Continue reading Be Salty, submit to the authorities, love your neighbour

It was the Russians

Finally we have had the report about Russian interference in elections. If I understand things right, there’s some evidence of attempted interference in some campaigns and none or little for others. However where there is no evidence of interference that proved that there must have been interference and the government have intentionally looked the other… Continue reading It was the Russians

What if the vaccine never comes?

There have been encouraging signs over the past few weeks. We are hearing reports that trials with vaccines are having some successes. Meanwhile, we appear to be over the peak here in the UK and cases of COVID-19 have continued to decline even as society has started to open up again. However we continue to… Continue reading What if the vaccine never comes?

Being Salty – Taste and See

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?”[1] “Taste and see that the Lord is good;”[2] Salt has a number of qualities, with regards to food, it acts as a preservative, but it also acts to enhance flavour.  I think it is helpful to think of… Continue reading Being Salty – Taste and See

A need that has not gone away during lockdown

One of my concerns is that we have short attention spans. We hop from topic to topic. Last year we were talking about Brexit, then thete were the climate extinction rallies. For Christisns they were eclipsed by some serious spiritual abuse cases hit the headlines. COVID-19 hit the headlines and suddenly all the things we… Continue reading A need that has not gone away during lockdown

Being Salty – We hide our light when …

“Witness … and where necessary use words.” It was one of the most over used, cliched and patently false little sayings doing the rounds when I was at uni.  I think people also tried, without factual evidence to attribute it to St Francis of Assisi. The point is that you always, always need to use… Continue reading Being Salty – We hide our light when …

Being Salty – a light that cannot be hidden

During the Second World War, every effort was made to protect  London and major cities from the Luftwaffe bombers. So, street-lights were switched off and black-out curtains fitted.  However, it is very hard to hide a city, especially an ancient city set proudly on a mountain top. In fact ancient warfare did not really require… Continue reading Being Salty – a light that cannot be hidden

Being Salty You can be distinctive by speaking up when it is unpopular

Yesterday, we saw that Jesus’ command to be salt and light is not primarily about social justice but rather about sharing the Gospel.  Today, I wanted to pick up further on  little side point, which is that if we want to be distinctive in what we speak up about, then we need to be ready… Continue reading Being Salty You can be distinctive by speaking up when it is unpopular

Happy People – The persecuted

Our final beatitude talks about those who are persecuted. Paul tells us that:  12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived[1] Now remember two things here. First, that the blessing is for those who are persecuted for… Continue reading Happy People – The persecuted