We often think of ‘The Wise Man built his house upon the rock’ as a children’s song, with the subtle implication that the story of wise and foolish builders is also for children. But why would that be? The child-builders
Insulted by the truth?
Froward and unable worm? Three-inch fool? As thick as Tewkesbury mustard? Shakespeare was a genius insults that amuse those listening – and also make us think again before we really understand them. But could an insult also be a gift
Easter Eyewitnesses
Luke’s preface tells us that he has interviewed the eyewitnesses and written his Gospel so that its first reader, a man called Theophilus, can be certain that what he has been taught is true. But one odd feature of the
A Donkey
Have you ever wondered about the donkeys in the Bible? Donkeys carry burdens, and so they do for Abraham, for the sons of Jacob, for Moses, and a number of others. Donkeys are ordinary, useful, domestic animals; but not significant.
How good is good enough?
One thing you might have been wondering when we started going through the ten commandments is ‘How good is good enough?’. As we go down the list, is it ok if I score 6/10 or do I really need 8/10
Listen to your mother
What’s the most valuable thing you learnt from your Mum? Many of us pick up indispensable life skills thanks to the patient teaching of our mothers. The list is endless: what day to day objects are called, how to brush
Seven Days
As the earth spins, we have evening and morning, and we count a day; The phases of the moon count off the months. And the cycle of seasons count the years. But there is no natural phenomenon to account for
What’s in a Name?
Are you a Capulet or a Montague? Or don’t you care? Does it really matter what a Rose is called? But is a name really just a label? Would a valentine’s day be quite the same if lovers gave a
Simon Doesn’t Say
What do you think of rules? If you’re playing a game, the rules allow everyone to play the same game, unless you have some (usually small) person who invents new rules to make sure ‘I win’. If you’re around something
What makes a happy ending?
If you think of any happy story, there will be something that causes everything to turn out well in the end. Perhaps it’s a bit of good luck, or a moment of supreme courage, or the persistence of one of