Many times in the gospels we see Jesus’ disciples struggling to keep up or getting things the wrong way round. This might be somewhat encouraging for anyone trying to follow Jesus today – a welcomed reminder that following Jesus isn’t always as easy as you might think. In Jesus we meet a new kind of person, someoneRead more
Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all (Emily Dickinson) Whenever I preside over a funeral or memorial, joining with and serving people in grief, there’s often talk about the last experience shared with the loved one being mourned. WeRead more
The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27.1) At about age five I saw a film that shook me to my core. Harry and the Hendersons was a story about a familyRead more
Every year the long awaited Christmas season arrives and, try as I might to let it linger, it does seem to dissipate rather quickly leaving something of a dull ache behind. Perhaps this feeling is telling of how we approach Christmas in the first place, as it can so often end up buried in hurryRead more
“And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make longRead more
It’s a little over a month until Christmas. With each passing day we become increasingly aware of all that’s about to hit us. Papers are due, work parties pile up, school play rehearsals loom. Then there’s all the gifting, cooking and family gatherings to consider as we get closer to the big day. Some of this isRead more
“Well, time passed slowly. Rudolf existed as best he could…during all that time, a strange and wonderful thing happened: Rudolf was growing up….And pretty soon he knew where he had to go: home.” -Rudolf, The Red-Nosed Reindeer New Breath. A couple of years ago I visited a friend who lives in Hawaii. He offered meRead more
“Come in and know me better, man!” -The Ghost of Christmas Present, A Christmas Carol King who? A friend of mine got married last year. Part gift and part excuse for a father-son trip, his dad took him on an excursion many people only dream of. A month or so before the wedding they hoppedRead more
Hobo: “What exactly is…is your persuasion on the Big Man, since you brought him up?” The Boy: “Well, I… I want to believe… but…” Hobo: “But you don’t want to be bamboozled. You don’t want to be led down the primrose path! You don’t want to be conned or duped. Have the wool pulled overRead more
“He’s only a kid, Harry. We can take him.” -Marv, Home Alone Bad wedding presents. Friends of mine got married about ten years ago. Amidst the many gifts they received were a couple of less desirable acquisitions. Not everyone uses the registry. If you’ve ever gotten married you can probably relate. My favourite present wasRead more