Author: raymond

“Glad tidings of Great Joy”, the angel said. So, how does that work? Does it come because of the food, festivities, families, and fun? Does it come as we realise the darkening of the winter nights has turned back? Or

On the A44 between Rhayader and Kington, there is a signpost for Llandegley Airport. But if you follow the directions you won’t find the airport because it doesn’t’ exist – it never has. The owner of the sign says it’s

In the 2012 Olympic 100m final, Usain Bolt lined up in lane 7. “On your marks”, “Set”, the gun went off and 9.64 seconds later the race was won. Years of physical and mental training justified in just 10 seconds.

I was talking to a small child last week – I was leaving and he was asking why I had to go. So I explained in my best talking-to-a-3-year-old voice why I was leaving, and he simply repeated the question

Sometimes we think of ‘the saints’ as the list of people the (Roman Catholic) church has canonised as Saints – Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and an increasing number of others. But I think we all recognise that these ‘official’ Saints

Some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples before he ascended into heaven were that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations. (Lk24:47) But what is special about preaching repentance as opposed to proclaiming it

God is what? How could we fill in the blank? In a way, the answer depends on what question we’re trying to answer, so we might use one of those ‘big’ words about God: Almighty, Creator, Holy; or we might

I knew someone at school who considered himself to be a Christian because he was born in Britain – it was about where he was born. We are Church of England, and some believe living in England (or being English)

Let’s sing a hymn. But which one? A modern song, or a traditional hymn; with the organ, a guitar, unaccompanied? And what about drums? The music is too loud, too quiet, too fast, too slow, a song we sing too

Jesus told the familiar story of two builders – one building on sand, the other on rock. One had an easy time, the other had to work hard; but only one had a building fit for purpose. It’s a parable