Monthly Archives: July 2021

‘The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.’ – Proverbs 17.27 From Sam Lomas: It seems logical to assume that the more knowledge you gain and the smarter you become, the more you would have to say and so the more you would speak.  But based on ProverbsContinue reading “Restrained Words”

“Some of the wise shall fall, so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed, until the time of the end, for there is still an interval until the time appointed.” – Daniel 11 v35 From Toni Clark: Do you ever wonder if you are getting it right as a Christian? Always thinking you’re notContinue reading “Refining Grace”

While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. – 2 Cor 5;2 (CEV) From Martin Hayward: I enjoy watching re-runs of the TV architecture series, “Grand Designs”. Each programme starts with a family talking to the presenter, Kevin McCloud, about their dream house. Often this willContinue reading “God’s Grand Design”

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” Philippians 1.21 From David King On Sunday, I preached the third of our series of sermons on “Life lessons from COVID” (Here’s a link to the series: https://sermons.stpats.org.uk/series/2021-07-04-1030/). As we looked at “The courageous life”, I suggested that a good practice would beContinue reading “The Courageous Life”

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ – Mark 10.47 From David King In recent years, there is a moment during Christianity Explored in which I nearly always feel like crying. It’s the story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10. I’m notContinue reading “The man who makes me want to cry”

‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’ – Psalm 8:4 From James Griffin: Le Tour de France – what an event – I absolutely love it! Three weeks of tactics, teamwork, and heroic individual efforts. There are fast sprint stages, agonising mountain stages and spectacular crashes.Continue reading “Mindful of me?”

‘For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.’ – 2 Timothy 4v3 From Hannah Black: Do you ever have itching ears?  I’m not talking literallyContinue reading “Itching ears”

‘But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly’ – Hebrews 12.22 From Sam Lomas: Can I encourage you to read Hebrews 12.18-24 before going any further.  The author of Hebrews sets out an amazing contrast between the oldContinue reading “The Mountain Of Joy”

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” – Matthew 18; 21,22 From Martin Hayward: I suspect that most people in the street would say that although forgiveness can be a two-way transaction,Continue reading “What’s worse than murder?”