Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at God

It’s that time of year when the shops are full of pumpkins and youngsters are knocking on our doors to ‘trick or treat’. How should Christians respond to Halloween? Is it simply a fun festival for the children or does it have a dark side that we should avoid? Firstly, Christians should not respond to...

Jesus taught a great deal about money and its dangers.  Most of His parables concerned money in one form or another.  He used the word ‘Mammon’ to describe a false financial god, saying “You can’t serve God and Mammon.” So, a right attitude to money is essential for Christians.  Until we are released from the...

This October I will be speaking at the 83rd anniversary of the Methodist Chapel where I grew up. It is a privilege and an honour to return to the place where I came to know Christ some 50 years ago, and to encourage the folks who have served faithfully in this little mining village over...

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ (Matthew 5:9). H.G. Wells wrote of Mr Polly, ‘he was not so much a human being as a civil war.’ A lack of peace in our lives reflects the lack of peace in our families, community and nation. In this beatitude, Jesus calls...

Sarah brought her beautiful dog Bobby to a Quiet Morning at church.  He was very well behaved and loved all the attention he received.  As we began our time together Sarah gave him a bone to chew on, and he settled down contentedly, enjoying his own experience of ‘heaven’! The expression came into my mind,...

There are up to 10,000 different kinds of birds in the world, and with about 530 different kinds in Israel alone, no wonder birds get a frequent mention in the Bible. Noah released a dove from the ark to look for dry ground.  A stork, an ostrich and an eagle are mentioned in Job.  Quails...

Making the most of your time From the Vicar Bringing in the sheaves? All things come from you, and of your own do we … not give back much! The Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart’ The story behind the hymn:  How Great Thou Art That’s impossible! ** Editor:  The Rev Paul Hardingham considers...

September is the time of year when we get back to normal routine after the summer break. It’s an opportunity to ask how God wants us to make the most of the time He gives us. Although we can’t always choose how we use our time, we can control our attitude towards it. How can...

September is the time of year when we get back to normal routine after the summer break. It’s an opportunity to ask how God wants us to make the most of the time He gives us. Although we can’t always choose how we use our time, we can control our attitude towards it. How can...

At this time of year, unless you live in an extremely urban environment, you will see the signs of Harvest. Huge combine harvesters are at work in the fields, reaping the golden wheat and barley, baling the straw and gathering the grain. For farmers it is the high point of their year, and a moment...

Soup of the Day, £4.95; roast rump of lamb with vegetables £15.50. Let’s forgo pudding, but add a glass of wine, say £5.  Plus tip = Total £28. That’s from the menu on the George & Dragon website.  I hear it serves good pub grub.  My imaginary meal was £28 for one, £56 for two. Come...

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ (Matthew 5:8). Simon Stylites was a Christian, living in Syria around 400 AD, who wanted to be totally pure in his devotion to God. In order to avoid distractions, he lived in the desert on top of a pillar for 37 years. Now is...