The leader at a recent Sunday morning service included, in the opening prayer, thanks for some of the many blessings we enjoy. Some items included a warm bed in which to sleep, a warm home and food and clothing. Possibly, some of us in the congregation were grateful that the prayer continued with consideration of…

 A cartoon from three years ago reappeared recently with two characters in a brief conversation. The first asked, “What exactly is a New Year’s Resolution?” and the response, “It’s a To-Do List for the first week of January!” So, if you made any resolutions have they already expired?  It is claimed that one of the…

My mobile phone dictionary has several definitions for the word, “resolution” but the most relevant is “the act of determining”. Around this time of the year, it was not unusual for someone to ask, “Have you made any New Year resolutions?” and some would list a few and others just one. For many years, mine…

Some churches do not sing the last verse of O come all ye faithful, before Christmas Day, because it states, “Yea Lord we greet this, born this happy morning”. Several days ago I heard the complete hymn sung but the final verse used the words, “Yea Lord we greet this, born that happy morning”. A…

Returning home early from work, I visited the Granny Annexe to ask the occupant if she would like a cup of tea. Receiving a positive response I returned to spend some time with her and realised she was watching a Christmas service from Cambridge. This was not the usual “Nine Lessons and Carols” but equally…

A recent daily Bible reading was from Colossians chapter 3, including verse 22. 2Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” The phrase “when their eye is on you” took…

In the TFTD on 27 November 2024, one question asked was, “Which verses in scripture do you find mind-blowing?” I found that to be a very interesting challenge. The first phrase to come to mind was from Genesis chapter 1 verse 16: “He also made the stars.” During the Great Storm of 1987, we were…

I had an unpleasant surprise recently. In a conversation with a “long-time” Christian friend, I recounted how I had dealt with a caller at my home, notwithstanding the special notice on the door next to the front door bell. As I concluded my story, she said, “That was not very Christian!” I apparently showed my…

As someone who has read through the Bible a few times, I am still surprised when my daily Bible reading is based on a passage I assumed I knew. Recently, the readings focused on the life of Elisha including 2 Kings chapter 10.  God had decreed that the wicked family of King Ahab should be…

I don’t remember when I first heard that quote but I recall a young Bible student frequently using it especially as we sang Christmas carols.  I am sure that many parents would have appreciated, albeit temporarily, a baby of whom it was said, “No crying He makes!” Some years ago, when I was facing a…