In my recent Christmas reflections and reading, I came across the tradition of making Christmas pudding. Every year, just before Advent, people stir the pudding and then store it to mature for the next Christmas. This was new to me, because I am still learning English culture and life here. That simple tradition taught me…
Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Sue Dare www.ellel.uk “I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Wonderful are Your works,And my soul knows it very well.” Matthew 14:29-30 A few years ago, I had a revelation that resulted in a major shift in my…
Next Monday (19th January) will allegedly be the most depressing day of the year: Blue Monday. Developed by Cardiff psychologist Cliff Arnail in 2005, it’s a psychosocial framework to identify and explain a confluence of factors contributing to low mood and psychological distress typically observed in mid to late January. It even has its own formula:…
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‘Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam, O praise him’ (William Draper based on words of St Francis of Assisi) A clear and cold afternoon makes for a great walk and a chance to hear and see the sounds and sights that are hidden on cloudy, damp days. I set…
I started this series on public transport by talking about my experiences of my local bus service and moved on to various types of trains. It’s now time to write about plane travel, which is the most difficult for a variety of reasons. In recent years many Christians have become very concerned about the way…
This week, we reflect on John 8:31-32.
This phrase is taken from Isaiah 6 verse 8, and each time I hear it read, I am reminded of an occasion when I attended a missionary conference at the Methodist Central Hall in London. The large room was filled to capacity, and for me, one of the highlights was to watch and hear the…
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 18th January 2026 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 49 v1-7; Psalm 40 v1-11; 1 Corinthians 1 v1-9; John 1 v29-42. Partners with Jesus. God spoke to the people of Israel during their time in exile, through his prophet Isaiah. The Lord said to me; “Israel, you are my servant…
Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Vivienne Hill www.ellel.uk You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in…