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…

I don’t know if readers have ever experienced putting something in a saucepan to cook, and then forgetting about it. We were recently watching a TV programme when we became aware of an unfamiliar smell, and it was a little while before we realised that some beetroot was cooking. Not only had the heat been…

I was fortunate to be able to visit a second exhibition whilst we were at Tate Britain. Lee Miller was a successful American model in the 1920s, used to being in front of the camera. However, in later years she took up photography herself and became known for her surrealistic images. During WW2 she was…

As a community of faith united in Jesus Christ, we are called to practice love, grace, and understanding. The story of Gura, our devoted bus driver in my home area, reminds me of the human tendency to remember mistakes over sacrifices. For a decade, Gura safely guided us on our journeys without error. Yet, when a…

When I was young we had several very happy holidays in the North East.  We stayed with some friends of my parents in Felling near Gateshead and ventured around the beautiful Durham and Northumberland countryside. I can remember seeing Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance as we travelled along the coast road, all I could see…

If you are following the Methodist Lent liturgy or even the lectionary readings for this Sunday, John 4 – the woman at the well – will be a prominent part of your worship. This story is amazing – that Jesus, a Jewish male rabbi should even speak to this outcasted woman went against every cultural…

The second of the temptations Jesus faced (Matthew 4:5–7) was the challenge to throw himself off a high building and trust God to keep him safe. The taunt, ‘if you are the Son of God’, underpins the Devil’s goading. Every time I read these verses, I have a couple of thoughts. First, years ago I…

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…

In one Bible, this chapter is headed “Faith in Action”, while others may refer to it as “Heroes of Faith.” What encourages me about so many of those listed is the absence of any mention of their failings. Readers familiar with the Old Testament records may be aware of the “shortcomings” of those listed. I…

My husband and I recently travelled to London to visit the Tate gallery. We particularly wanted to see the “Turner and Constable” exhibition, celebrating the 250th year of their birth. Both men had artistic rivalry, often known as “fire and water”. Turner’s style was seen as using more poetic, dreamy, and abstract light, whereas Constable’s…