When I lived in Brunei we celebrated Christmas, end of Ramadan (Eid) and Chinese New Year as well as the Queen’s Birthday and the Sultan’s Birthday – a nice lot of holidays. The Chinese New Year’s Day is actually longer than a day, and this year it is 12-14th February.  Each year is called a…

As some of you will know I like a variety of teas and, usually drink it black so I can taste the tea.  I have green tea with lemon for breakfast, Lady Grey for lunch and green tea in the afternoon.  Perhaps you are thinking “Ugh” or what has that got to do with a…

I thought with all the news around us now you all might like a bit of a smile and, although you have probably read this before, it still brings a smile to my face.  I don’t know where it originated from, but it has done the rounds in many a Church magazine and beyond. “Everything…

1 Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version Whilst looking through my file of Christmas items I came across this which I thought I would share with you all. “If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another…

When I couldn’t sleep the other night, my mind was going into overdrive!  I ended up thinking about a Thought for the Day.  I came up with the word “Presentation”.  I suppose at the back of my mind was “have I got all the presents” and Neil’s request for some more items.  But it went…

I was sent the following thoughts by a minister friend to make me smile – and it certainly did.  I hope it brings a smile to your face as well. When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my garden. My children see…

Ephesians chapter 6, verses 11ff, describes the Christian as a soldier resisting the power of evil and remaining faithful in his discipleship. In thinking about this my mind went back to when I lived in Brunei and worked as PA to the Commander of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment.  Brunei is a very hot and…

I usually associate Spike Milligan with the Goon Show which readers of a certain age will probably remember!  However, he did have a very serious side. When Ray and I went to Kiln Farm Nurseries near us for some plants and coffee and cake there was the following poem put up near the entrance which…

From a Poem by Thomas Moors When we visited family in Southern Ireland a few years ago, we visited thevillage of Avoca which is where Ballykissangel was filmed. You can still see thepub, church and many other places which were in the television programmeand, in fact, it is now a tourist attraction. Just outside the…

Thought for the day – Wednesday 5th August 2020 There was an article in the Daily Telegraph about a month ago about balancing each day.  It said that there was almost nothing more calming than creating a balance when you plan your daily activities.  Life will then seem more purposeful and organised.  Balance is created…