At some point, every child has to learn how to ask for things appropriately. We teach them to be polite and respectful in their requests. We’ve all heard someone ask their child “What’s the magic word?” (Answer: “PLEEEEEEEEASE!”) or tell
Let us pray
Have you ever watched a child playing in the room where their parent is sitting? Maybe you remember doing so, but perhaps it was so natural and ordinary that you don’t remember. And as children grow up, they want to
Happy New Year
But what do we mean when we say ‘Happy New Year? Is it a command (I order you to be happy this year), a general non-specific expression of hope (that the new year will be kind to you), a prophecy
The clue is in the name
What is important about Christmas? We make it a time for family and festivities, reminding ourselves of what is important in life. We make it a time for good will, and we support initiatives and charities working with people who
Are you ready?
Are you ready for Christmas? When I ask that, do you immediately think of presents (which you need to buy), cards (which you need to send), relatives (that you need to invite or plan to visit), decorations (which need to
Peace on earth – but how?
The vision of world peace in Isaiah 2:1-5 is so iconic that there is a statue of a man beating a sword into a ploughshare at the UN headquarters. It was donated by, of all countries, the USSR. It’s an image
Test
I gave someone a test this week. I wasn’t trying to trip them up or catch them out – I genuinely wanted to know if they could do something, and if they could how they did it. We sometimes shy
Faith for Life
When John the Baptist told the people of his day that they weren’t living right and needed to behave differently, some of them protested ‘We have Abraham as our Father’ (Lk3:8) – as if that was enough. It’s a kind
Remembrance Sunday
At this time of remembrance, we honour the memory of those who have suffered in times of war, both soldiers and civilians, and give thanks for those who have served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is
What shall I say?
In Ecclesiastes we are exhorted “Do not be quick with your mouth … to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Eccles 5:2). If I think of God