In the third chapter of the book that bears his name, Jonah, having learned his lesson about running from God, is recommissioned and returns to Nineveh to preach. The simplicity of the message is stark: ‘forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown’. Nineveh was a great city. There is some uncertainty about the dating…

We have two very, very, large, beautiful oak trees the other side of our fence. The leaves are now forming; we will have acorns and plenty of autumn leaves later in the year. The problems are the acorns drop on our side path, which makes it dangerous to walk down and the leaves drop all…

We are all under pressure at times – deadlines to meet, demands made by others, time pressure, financial pressure, losing car keys, health scares. Pressure comes in many forms, and like London buses pressures often come one after another. We might cry out “what else can happen!?” David was a man who knew pressure. He…

Bible reading: Numbers 11:1Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp Two boys were eating some grapes. One of them remarked, “Aren’t they sweet!” “I guess so,” the other replied, “But they’re…

My mum wrote in her diary on Monday 15th March 1976 “Derek passed his driving test today” the words are underlined and even a whole forty five years later, I remember that day well.  I put my success down to the fact that  I had been warned by some of the lads at work to…

Have you ever reached the conclusion that you have just made a huge mistake? Most of us, at some time, will have had one of those experiences where we realise we have just made the wrong decision and the consequences will be tough; they may be with us for some time. World news is full…

Having a positive body image – Jesus took his body back into heaven. Acts 1:9 “…. he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men…

Friends and family will be able to hug next week (with the use of common sense) as the UK eases Lock down restrictions. The return of hugs will be a moment of joy as hugging has a range of benefits on our physical and mental well-being. Sometimes, the best things in life really are free.…

Bible reading: Mark 1:17“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” I must admit that I have never fished, and I don’t think that I would enjoy it. When I go walking on the prom there are often people fishing. Sometimes there’s a family but at other times there is…

Are you looking forward to gathering together to worship in church? It is not just about being able to sing hymns again, and it’s not just about meeting up again. For me it’s also about resetting my spiritual compass and acknowledging my spiritual roots. This psalm is written at a time when David has defeated…