Have you, perhaps, tried to compare our current circumstances with the re-emergence of Noah and his family from the ark following the Flood?  When they first entered the ark we read the very significant words: “Then the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7v16) – they were locked in, or locked down, by the Lord – and, in truth, were shut in with…

As part of Wednesday’s Prayer ‘Gathering’ we meditated on Psalm 13 – we noted that David asks God four times “How long?” in the opening 2 verses.  I also read this morning the very first words of Habakkuk in his prophecy: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen?” (1v2). We thought on Wednesday that David…

Have you ever wondered why God’s plans sometimes feel a bit stupid?  This is a strong statement to make, and please note that I’m not making it now, because to do so would be disrespectful and foolish beyond measure.  And yet I find myself occasionally wondering why God acts the way He does.  Perhaps you do the same?  I think to myself…

In Psalm 121:1-2, the Psalmist writes: I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The Psalmist is describing the encounter he had with God as he looked up towards the mountains.  It is likely, however, that this is no ordinary mountain range – its…

You will be aware that ‘places of worship’ are now allowed to open for private individual prayer.  The elders and deacons have discussed this proposal and have agreed that it is neither necessary nor practical at this time for CCBC.  Luke is planning to draft a full explanation, but in essence we all have the amazing privilege of being able to speak…

The appalling death of George Floyd in the USA has highlighted the horrific nature and potential of racism which can sadly lurk in each of our hearts whenever we ‘look down’ on anyone who is ‘different from us’.  However, rather than endorsing the ‘Black lives matter’ slogan, I prefer to uphold the truth that ‘Every life matters’.  Indeed I have been particularly…

The nature and characteristics of ‘the new normal’ are on everyone’s minds as we long for an end to the current Coronavirus crisis.  One feature that is likely to remain for some considerable time is social distancing – keeping 2 metres apart from everyone other than your own household. Today is Pentecost Sunday when we remember and celebrate the gift of the…

I am writing these words on Ascension Day, when we remember the Lord Jesus Christ being “taken up into heaven” (Luke 24v51).  Sadly, it is very easy to minimise, or even miss, this day – yet for the Lord it was an occasion of great joy and triumph, as He returned ‘home’, the conqueror of sin and death and the devil. In…

This week I put my phone into the washing machine.  Normally I’m very careful with my phone but I’m on a bit of a roll with phone destruction as of late.  Over the past year I have had one phone’s battery fail on me, another phone pass away due to an ill-fated drop, and one more succumb to age as time finally…

Perhaps you are one of the 9.6 million new subscribers to Netflix this year, or maybe you have been enjoying the video streaming service for years.  Maybe you have never heard of Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney+, but still enjoy television through traditional channel surfing.  However you consume your content, consuming it we are, and in record numbers!  In normal circumstances, we…