There’s No Knowing

The first time he’s mentioned, we’re not given much detail. Joseph…a Levite, a native of Cyprus,…” (Acts 4:36, ESV) Luke also gives us his nickname, and helpfully tells us what it means too. …Barnabas. (which means son of encouragement), …” What follows is precious insight into the character of a man who, whilst only mentioned […]

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Isaac’s Apple

Have you ever come across this puzzle? It’s known as Isaac’s Apple. The aim is to break the apple into all its pieces and reassemble again. The final piece is the central ‘core’. Once it’s inserted into the middle, it locks all the other pieces into position; completing the apple. If you like puzzles, this […]

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The Resurrection Changes Things

It was a beautiful English late summer’s afternoon. Dappled sunlight gently warmed the skin. A delicate breeze made the nearby leaves sway. Birds twittered their song. The smell of the freshly mown grass lingered. And a group of people gathered. We gathered to bury a baby. Four weeks old. The parents shared memories of her […]

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Pondering

One part of the Christmas story has recently come to speak to me – and it’s not even central to the story! It could almost be considered as an aside comment from Luke. You will find it in Luke 2:19, where he writes, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her […]

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Words

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” Every child knows that’s not true. And as we get older, the more we realise just how untrue it is. James got it spot on in chapter 3:1-12, when he described how an object as small as our tongue has such enormous […]

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The Father’s Presence

My office sits at the end of my garden. Often, when my children get home from school, that is where I will be. Working on a sermon, or perhaps doing some planning of some sort or another…my head in several books. As they enter the house, their Mum reminds them to not disturb me. “Daddy’s […]

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Finishing the Race

Ask me what my favourite Olympic memory is, and I could tell you in an instant…the men’s 400 metres semi-final in Barcelona, 1992. British athlete, Derek Redmond, was in good form, had posted the quickest time in all the heats, and was one of the favourites for a medal. He left the blocks well, but […]

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Never Underestimate a Mother’s Love

There’s a story at the beginning of the book of Exodus that speaks powerfully of a mother’s love… Moses was born into a time when the evil Pharoah had declared that every baby boy must be murdered. Imagine the angst and heartfelt turmoil that his mother, Jochebed, went through. What was she to do? Against […]

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Tell Me a Story Daddy

“Tell me a story Dad!” “In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.” So begins Eric Carle’s children’s story The Very Hungry Caterpillar… I love story-time with my three girls: curling up together to read a favourite book before bedtime; watching little fingers turn pages, and sharing with them in […]

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Easter is Over…Now What?

A tick. What does it mean? It’s a symbol of approval indicating a bold, clear, definitive ‘Yes.’ ‘Spot on!’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘That’s good.’ It carries the authority of the one doing the ticking. They have declared that something is right or complete. Have you ever thought of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as God’s tick? […]

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