Posts by Judith Steward

Remarkable forgiveness

In a previous “thought” I shared with you two of the stories Nigerian Christian women wrote down for us in the World Day of Prayer service.  They shared information about their lives, and how their faith has helped them to overcome challenges. Today I am covering another story from a woman who lives in the…

Early in the morning

Are you a lark or an owl when it comes to times of rising and going to bed – or somewhere in between the two? I’ve never been a lover of early mornings. I was fortunate that, when I was working, my job did not require early mornings, just a 9am office start.  I was…

Meet together

I can now greet you from the other side of Easter, hoping you have experienced something of the joy of that day from attending a service, reading something in a book or online, or listening to a Radio or TV programme in the last few days. I have continued to think about Jesus’ disciples and…

Let down

As I am writing this thought for Holy Week, I am continuing to think about the way Jesus was let down by his disciples in his most testing and agonising last hours before his crucifixion.  Following Judas’ exit from the Last Supper meal Jesus sings a hymn with his disciples and they go to the…

Would I?

I am writing this thought knowing that it will come out as we prepare to go into Holy Week.  Some of you will already have planned to attend reflective services, where we aim to travel in remembrance with Jesus through this difficult and hugely testing period in his earthly life and others will be doing…

I will give you rest

On March 7th I went to a World Day of Prayer service at a small chapel near to my home village. Once called the Women’s World Day of Prayer, the name has now been changed and it was good to see 5 or 6 men there, enjoying the privilege of sharing in this service which…

Chosen to lead

The artist Rembrandt painted a beautiful picture called “The Return of tbe Prodigal”, probably one of his last works, completed in the last 2 years before his death in 1669. In the picture the prodigal son kneels before his father receiving his blessing and forgiveness after his time of rebellion and absence. The picture portrays…

The Motherhood of God

In 1997 I was privileged to travel to Israel with my late husband and 3 grown up children, the last holiday we took together as a family of 5. It proved to be a very special time and many memories live on.  On our second day in Jerusalem, we started off from the top of…

Our Father 5

I have mentioned before that this series of thoughts on “God the Father” was inspired by a series of 3 sermons I heard on the subject while visiting my daughter’s church.  During the second sermon the preacher used the story of the Prodigal Son to bring home the nature of God’s forgiving, constant love for…

Our Father – 4

Today I want to introduce you to 2 fathers who each reflected in their lives some aspects of their Heavenly Father’s character.  Ron had a wife and 3 children and he was active in his church. Sadly Ron’ s wife left the family to start a new life elsewhere, leaving Ron to juggle the demands…