On Thursday the Government announced that the current lockdown provisions would continue for at least another 3 weeks.  I trust and pray that everyone is ‘coping’ with the lockdown – do keep calling each other – and you can always call me. How significant that following Jesus’ death and resurrection the disciples were ‘in lockdown’.  We read in John 20 that on…

At the daily briefings, Government ministers and the scientific advisers are continually being asked when the current ‘lockdown’ may end.  Perhaps you’re desperate to return to ‘normality’ – to be free to get out! This morning we celebrate the greatest end of the worst ever ‘lockdown’.  Christ is risen – He is risen indeed!  The tomb is empty – He gloriously and…

In one of our Lenten readings last Thursday Chris Wright made what I now realise is an obvious point, but I’d never really thought about before ( – probably you all have, so please allow me to catch up!).  He wrote “There’s only one reason a murdered man would come back to life – for vengeance on his killers”. We rejoice with…

I was glancing through Timothy Keller’s book on Prayer, which Gill is currently reading, and was struck by an illustration he drew from one of the seventeenth-century Puritans, Thomas Goodwin.  One day Goodwin saw a father and son walking along the street.  Suddenly the father swept the son up into his arms and hugged and kissed him and told the boy he…

What dramatic and extreme days we are living in!  Just 7 days ago Gill, David and I were enjoying a meal in a Winchester restaurant and, of course, last Sunday morning we were all able to meet together to worship God.  Now things are totally different and we may be wondering “what next?”  However, whilst we may be self-isolating and / or…

When our oldest son, Noah, was a toddler I remember taking him swimming for the very first time.  As all good toddlers do upon entering the water he flailed around helplessly until he finally relaxed into the knowledge that I was holding him tight and had no intention of letting him drown.  What’s interesting is that the trust he placed in me…

Recently I came across some fascinating statistics about Mount Everest.  I’ve always admired mountain climbers, the preparation, discipline and training required, and the incredible vision for an adventure they all seem to have.  However, once I saw the statistics I found greater respect for them.  Whilst at Everest’s base camp, for instance, climbers can already begin to show signs of altitude sickness.…

We were studying the 10 Commandments at this past week’s Tuesday Fellowship and noted: they followed the Lord’s deliverance (salvation) of Israel from slavery in Egypt.  Israel’s obedience to God’s laws was intended to flow from and be their response to His gracious, sovereign rescue.  The clear principle throughout the Bible is that our works in no way earn our salvation but…

The original Jurassic Park film (1993) is a cinematic triumph.  Even today the CGI (computer-generated imagery) looks amazing, and the Tyrannosaurus looks as terrifying as ever.  Unfortunately, in the 27 years and four films that have since followed, the plot hasn’t evolved one bit.  The narrative of each film is very simple; humans attempt to harness the power of creation, and each…

I was particularly struck last week by these words from Psalm 32v10 – “the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.”  Spurgeon comments: “Observe, my soul, what a bodyguard you have!  Before and behind, and on all sides, ride these mounted guards of grace.  We dwell in the centre of the system of mercy, for we dwell in Christ…