Do you struggle to understand the creation story? If so, perhaps you might like to consider a symbolic viewpoint, which is really quite simple. No years, no science - just applying the message in a practical way that everyone can understand.
Read moreJoy in Trials
As lockdown continues to ease for many, was reflect on what a trial this has - and continues to be - for some. The apostle James, in his letter, speaks of trial and testing. We stagger at his words in James ch 1:2 where he says, “my brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials – knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”.
Read moreThe Gospel Online
Looking for some good news in the midst of the coronavirus crisis? Well, the gospel means good news, and there’s an excellent new set of resources called The Gospel Online to help explore the good news about Jesus Chris and the Kingdom of God.
Read moreOur prayer theme for this month: Kindness
As the ongoing pandemic keeps a huge proportion of the world’s population under lockdown, concerns have been raised in many quarters about the impact of these measures on mental wellbeing.
Each year during May the Mental Health Foundation promotes Mental Health Awareness Week. Their intention was to focus on the theme of sleep this year, but in light of the coronavirus outbreak, they have made the decision to change the theme to kindness. Many of us are blessed to have received kindness from others, on countless occasions and in countless ways, and we would all acknowledge the benefits it brings. During the last few weeks much media attention has been given to the outpouring of benevolence prompted by the crisis, from the simple weekly clap for carers, to the astonishing fundraising achievement of Captain Tom Moore. Many commentators have mused whether we will participate in and enjoy a kinder society as we come out the other side of this collective experience.
What do God’s people look like?
God is a loving God, who wants all of his creation to worship him. However, throughout the ages, there have been those who choose to glorify God, and those who choose to go their own way. What are the hallmarks of those who choose to glorify God? They have faith (like Abel), spiritual vision (like Abram), trust in God (like Abraham and Isaac), and take a conscious stand against sin (like Noah and Moses).
Read moreNew life through baptism
As spring springs upon us, it’s a good time of year to reflect on the new life that we have as followers of Jesus. I was privileged to witness the baptism of a friend recently, and it reminded me of the wonderful new life that baptism brings.
Read moreListen for the heartbeat
At the heart of the Christmas story is a mother and her child. So simple, but on reflection full of meaning.
Read moreNewbury Fellowship Day – Building the Body
Our annual Fellowship Day was a focused around a series of presentations from Emma and Tim Palmer on the theme of ‘Building the Body’. Spiritual lessons around ‘the body’ are common. It’s a well-known and oft-used theme from the New Testament, with plenty of verses exhorting greater unity and appreciation of all the parts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12). This study, however, took a different approach.
Read moreIn everything give thanks
We celebrated harvest festival on Sunday, remembering God’s amazing creation, and together giving thanks for everything: the harvest, our food, shelter, family, friends, salvation, and more!
Read more…as we forgive those who sin against us
The words in the Lord’s Prayer about forgiveness are far-reaching: ‘…and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.’ (Luke 11:4, NET version).
Do we? How far are we willing to go in forgiving others when we are wronged? Whilst God’s forgiveness is freely given, it isn’t entirely unconditional: we need to believe in him and try to forgive those who have wronged us (even if we don’t succeed!).
Read moreA letter to the church of the living dead
Hey! John! Write a letter for Me? To that lot in Sardis. Tell them I’ve been keeping an eye on them, I know what they’re up to. It’s all show. They look just like a bunch of committed and enthusiastic Christians but they’re actually nothing of the sort. Dead. Nearly all of them. Just a few who are really Mine. Tell them to repent and turn to Me before I come back unexpectedly and blot them out of the book of life.
Read moreMetamorphosis – see beyond the spots
You think I’m going to talk about butterflies, don’t you? Not this time. It’s time to bring to light one of the lesser-known, but just as amazing, examples of this biological phenomenon. It’s one I’ve only recently become aware of thanks to a child in my son’s pre-school bringing me a black and orange creature resembling a tiny alligator. He told me it would turn into a ladybird and, I have to say, I was sceptical. I wasn’t familiar with the creature he showed me and I’d never heard of ladybirds coming out of cocoons. But I investigated and it turns out…he was right!
Read more“Doctor, Doctor I feel like a pair of curtains!”
“Doctor, Doctor I feel like a pair of curtains!”*
But enough silly jokes, I want to talk about dolphins in the Bible. You know, the ones in Exodus 26.
In my youth we were taught lots of Bible detail about the Tabernacle, but I never really bought into all those curtains and coverings and sockets to fasten them together. Nowadays I take more notice of “all scripture is given us for instruction.” (2Tim:3.16). And the great big cover over the whole Tabernacle is made of leather. Dolphin skins. Or porpoises. Or badger skins. Or manatee (a type of extinct sea cow).
Read moreThree days that changed the world
As we come towards the end of Easter Sunday, it’s a good time to reflect on the three days that changed the world. This blog discusses three things that were changed by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection: our relationship with God, our relationship with one another, and…nothing at all!
Read moreWhy go to church?
We had a talk last Sunday giving us some good reasons to go to church: to encourage one another, to grow both individually and collectively, to worship, and to spread the good news.
Read moreWhen does your advent calendar end?
Our Christmas carol service this year had an advent calendar theme, with a different song, reading, or other element of the service hidden under each window. The children had great fun opening the windows by remote control!
Read moreThe Lesson of Lot’s Wife
We were reminded during a recent service about a rather enigmatic verse in Luke’s Gospel: “Remember Lot’s wife.” The lesson behind this verse goes right back to Genesis, when Lot, his wife, and their family were running away from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as they were being destroyed. Lot’s wife looks back and is caught up in the destruction. But the real lesson of Lot’s wife is not where she set her eyes, but where she set her heart.
Read moreFaith in a digital world
Well, since you are reading this blog, you have embraced (to a degree at least) the digital world in which we live! The digital world presents both opportunities and threats to Christians. In my view, the opportunity to reach new audiences, enhance ‘in-reach’ within churches and church communities, access information to help us understand God’s word, educate our children more effectively, and make the most of global connectivity far outweighs the threats.
Read moreHarvest festival
It’s that time of year to celebrate the harvest. A good harvest is vital, even for those of us who no longer live in farming communities. The Israelites were told to celebrate the harvest, to share it with those less fortunate than themselves, and to give a portion back to God. We can learn lessons from these instructions, because we are planted by God to be fruitful Christians, to celebrate the growth that we see in ourselves and others, to share our literal and spiritual harvest, and to give ourselves to God.
Read moreMicrobiology and the Bible
Microbiology is a remarkable science: a whole microcosm of activity that is fundamental to life on our planet. But it is also a new science, only having been established for a couple of hundred years. So, any information on microbes in the Bible is by inference only. This post covers a few areas where microbes feature loud and clear: in the origin of disease, in the plagues on Egypt, and in understanding the public health value of the Law of Moses.
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