Posts by David Stone

Challenge

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…

Disappointed

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…

Obedience

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…

Hymnology is not theology

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…

The love of

A recent Bible reading from 1 Kings 10 and part of chapter 11 speaks of the amazing effect the God-given wisdom given to Solomon had on the queen of Sheba. Sadly, within a few verses, we read of his spiritual downfall so that chapter 11 verse 9 records, “The Lord was very angry with Solomon”. …

ANCIENT & MODERN

It was a pleasure to hear a hymn sung on the radio recently, that sadly I have not heard sung in a church for many years. I share the verses with you today and trust as you read them and meditate upon the words, that it will bring an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The wording…

CREATION

Mark 8 verse 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” I was on my way to a Sunday evening service in West Suffolk and as I drove along, with very little traffic, I glanced over to my right and saw a line of trees against the edge of…

Who then can be saved?

 In my recent, daily, Bible readings the writer of the notes has drawn on events recorded in the book of Jonah. Two comments attracted my attention and I share them for your consideration. “The Assyrians were evil and violent and that was their way of life. As a conquering empire, they had a reputation for…

Change and decay in all around I see

This brief extract from the well-known hymn, “Abide with me”, came to mind following a short news item recently and made me reflect on a comment heard at a Bible conference, “We all want progress but we do not like change”, Something in the news comment made me reflect on the changes, especially for those…

CONSIDERATION

While many churches are blessed with talented musicians, there are a lot of smaller churches where a sole musician “does his or her best” especially when trying to cope with a vast array of modern hymns and songs. By contrast, our family was on holiday and visited a church for the Sunday morning service. As…