Preparing for marriage is a potentially stressful time! So much to think about – date, location, dress, suits, flowers, service order, seating plans, reception venue, food, music and so much more. But, of course, I’ve got that wrong – that’s just preparing for a wedding! That’s just a single day. But being prepared for Marriage […]
Watch the drift
For one youth event in Bath, we took the 11-14 group down to the Bath Boathouse to hire out punts. Needless to say, lots of the young people got very wet, and there was a lot of laughter. But there is one thing I remember well. You’ll probably be aware that you have to be […]
Moving on boldly
These verses are so relevant to our times. “Moses said to the LORD, ‘Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, LORD, are with these people and that […]
Living the Vision
Love When Paul, who loved and was praising God for the Philippian Christians, was praying with thanksgiving for those believers he said this: “This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” (Phil 1:9). In salvation believers are brought into a new intimate loving relationship with […]
Use your gifts
Me? Gifted? We’re a long way from Christmas (only 116 days to go!). But, do you know what you want for Christmas? It’s not the most important question in the world, but if you don’t know what you want then the gifts you’ll get may join the others you’ve never used in the back of […]
Co-mission
Co-mission[ing] As we enter into September for some of our Church family it will be the start of University life or working life. I still remember the four times when Ann or I made that trip to a new University to see one of our children into their University accommodation and start their Degree studies. […]
Reaching a Rational World
Introduction We live in a world which is still hugely influenced by ‘rationalism’. Rationalism can be defined as a system of thought or philosophy that “regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge” (Encyclopedia Britannica). Often this is manifest in the elevation of science or a similar system of induction or proof as […]
God’s people for God’s Kingdom
It’s getting to ‘crunch time’ in many sports. It’s just that time of year. In football or rugby it’s coming to the end of the season and clubs are fighting for cups or league titles, or to not get relegated. In Motorsport the new season is just getting underway, but early season performance lays the […]
Do you recall?
I wonder what verses you have learnt off by heart? Its a dying discipline for many, but it’s a great thing to do (see Ps 119:11, for example!). One of the first verses I learnt because I decided to (rather than as a requirement for getting a prize at Sunday School!) was Eph 2:8-9. I […]
Good News of Great Joy
When the angel spoke to the Shepherds at the first Christmas, the glory of the Lord shone and the Shepherds heard this: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” When we’ve heard or seen something often enough, we tend to lose the wonder and awe of it. Recently […]
Remembrance Day Service
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Headline_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] Sunday November 10th, 10:30am You are invited to join us at our Remembrance Service for all the family – everyone welcome [siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Headline_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget] On the 101st Anniversary of the Armistice ending World War 1, come to join us as we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and give thanks to […]
“Consecrate yourselves”
Recently on a Sunday morning I was talking about the ‘Life of Faith’ of Abel, and I started with a [true] story of a Pastor in the US gambling town of Reno. He was asked in a conference ‘What has being a Pastor in Reno to do with gambling?’. His reply was shocking and unexpected […]
Looking back, Looking Forward
It’s summer! The sun is shining, the days are warm, and we even had amazing weather at our Church Picnic too! For some schools the holidays are just days away, for students they have already begun, and for some pupils there are only three weeks left until the long summer holidays. This is a time […]
Where are you going?
Summer is coming! Have you planned your holiday yet? Are you already dreaming of sunny beaches and lazy days? I guess most of us who are able will plan the usual beach holiday, or maybe something slightly more adventurous. But, have you ever thought about using your holiday to do something more? And what if […]
Summer People
The sun is here (well, as much as we get in the UK)! People you’ve not seen all winter are coming out from ‘hibernation’ in front of TVs, log fires and blankets. Fair-weather runners and cyclists have returned to the streets. And people are dining ‘al fresco’ in gardens and on streets all around the […]
Being Witnesses
God uses individuals A couple of Sundays back we looked again at what it means to be a Witness for Jesus. Of course we know that Jesus says “You will be my witnesses“ (Acts 1:9). The interesting thing is that there is no exclusion or exception clause in that. The reality, as I mentioned that […]
Which way now?
Members Meetings should be about more than reports and voting. They should be a place where we celebrate together God’s goodness to us as we look back, where we look forward as the leaders share where God is directing us to take the church, and above all where we pray for God’s powerful work in […]