The football World Cup 2022 commences today in Qatar amidst considerable controversy – and searing heat! Football is often described as ‘the beautiful game’, a term particularly linked with, but perhaps not originating from, the Brazilian footballer Pele. Whilst I occasionally enjoy, but more frequently endure, being a supporter (armchair) of Crystal Palace FC, I hesitate to ascribe ‘the beautiful game’ to…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4) Growing up I didn’t care much for tests, exams, essay writing or any form of academic achievement. Whilst others…

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 125:2) We have a lot of pillows in our house. I’m not entirely sure how they arrived or where they came from but we have accumulated at least 16 pillows of different sizes and colours in our living room alone. I’m not entirely sure…

I hope you’ve remembered to put your clocks back one hour – or have enjoyed the additional time preparing / meditating / praying before this morning’s service begins! In 2 Kings 20 God ‘turns the clock back’ for King Hezekiah. The King had become ill and was at the point of death. He prayed in great distress to the Lord, but unlike…

You may have heard the story of a captain of a very large battleship being advised that there was something ahead, in its path. He gave the command to order the obstructing vessel to move over and was furious when a message returned instructing him to change direction. He immediately relayed back: “I’m the captain of a very large battleship – move…

I think it was Thursday morning that I woke up very relieved to realise that what I’d been dreaming about bore no resemblance to reality – although I immediately couldn’t, and still can’t, remember any of my dream details! The apostle Paul, quoting from Isaiah, wrote in 1 Corinthians 2v9: “as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,…

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown — Proverbs 11:11 Sometimes it is difficult to believe that our lives matter and that we really can make a difference. As our community becomes increasingly fractured and the population continues to grow it can be tempting to think of our lives…

When I was in my late teens I experienced something that would change my life. I was walking home one night and was attacked and stabbed by a group of young men. My life was turned upside down and so was my understanding of myself. I was an atheist at the time and the attack pressed into me the reality of my…

“Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of His life … He was maligned and rejected by many, though he Had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow His teaching and find in Him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them … “ – Queen Elizabeth II I’m writing this on the morning after the death…

I recently saw the above question painted on a road bridge just outside the Hartland Village development. It surely expresses the longing of so many – when will things return to normal, when will the war in Ukraine / the cost of living crisis / the covid pandemic etc etc be over? Some, of course, have sought to supply a date in…