Old Testament Reading Isaiah 56; v 1-8 The focus of this reading is keeping the Sabbath. A truly counter-cultural marker of being God’s Chosen People. During the pandemic, how have we been challenged to keep the Sabbath in different ways? What have you found helpful? How much of the responsibility for keeping the Sabbath lies…
You can’t fail to have noticed the words ‘normal’ and ‘normality’. They are to be heard and read everywhere. For the Christian disciple, ‘normal’ and ‘normality’ both have a meaning far beyond their current usage. Years ago, I heard a lecture by an American theologian and philosopher, Dr Francis Schaeffer, who, in the course of the lecture,…
Watch the wonderful video full of Good News stories
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A 16th August 2020 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 56 v1, 6-8. All nations will be part of God’s people. Romans 11 v1-2a, 29-32. God has not rejected his people. Matthew 15 v21-28. A woman’s faith. The ‘bigger picture’ requires a ‘bigger heart’. In the gospel reading, the focus is on…
A few years ago, a 42-foot sailboat got caught in stormy seas off the east coast of the United States. Waves rose higher and higher until a giant wave flipped the boat upside down. The heavy keel righted the craft, but damage was significant. A Coast Guard cutter quickly responded to the sailboat’s SOS. But…
I received a message on Facebook on Saturday from a total stranger. The lady had taken the photograph on the right and asked if the book was mine. As you can see it was a Sunday School prize presented to me in 1964, I would have been five, almost six when this book first came…
This week I was delighted to see Leanne (not the Vendors real name) back , selling the “Big Issue” in Felixstowe. She and many others in similar situations have had a very tough time during lockdown. Not all “Big Issue” vendors have been able to return to work at once. Health issues mean some are…
Thought for the Day – Friday 7th August 2020 The airline had mangled Debbie’s luggage. Then her purse disappeared. Instead of entering the airport through an enclosed corridor she stumbled off the plane in pouring rain. She was drenched, far from home with no money, no identification and no dry clothes. Under normal circumstances…
Sadly – due to the Cortonavirus restrictions, the annual holiday club could not take place this year.
Thought of the day – Thursday 6th August 2020 I’m not sure where you’re finding hope, optimism and positivity in the current crisis, but sometimes it can be found in the most unlikely places. In the book of Joshua in the Bible, there’s a story about a man called Achan. In his story, there’s a…