The valley of Elah – Finding courage for the battle
In the valley of Elah David fights the giant Goliath. Its a story of courage as we see how David’s relationship with God empowers and inspires him to triumph against all the odds.
Reflecting on James (5 years on)
Five years ago was a day that changed many lives. Jesus called home a young man with huge potential. Yet the impact of his life lives on in the lives that he touched and continues to touch. We praise God for James!
Lambing Time: The Sheep and their Shepherd
We can have confidence in a God who knows us and treasures each one of us, knowing our individual personalities, gifts, strengths and weaknesses, and being able to tell us apart from everything else He has created.
The Besor Valley: Rest for the weary
As I reflect back upon this past year (2015), I would have to say that it has not been an easy year for me or for my family. There have of course been high points such as the fantastic times we had as a family in the Lake District (2 weeks at Easter) and Norway (4 weeks at summer). Its also been a year in which I have spent much time with my children and its been such fun in…
Life of Peter: Hope when we mess up
The life of Peter is an inspiring story of how God uses us despite our failures. Peter, so adamant that he would not betray Jesus ends up doing exactly that. Yet unlike Judas his failure is subsequently turned on its head as hope wins through. Jesus restores him, commissions him and then we read in first Peter how he had experienced this living hope. I have always really appreciated the life of Peter. Perhaps that is because I can identify with his…
Life of Jeremiah – Dealing with disappointment
I’ve been reading through Jeremiah and Lamentations over the past couple of months. Its been a fascinating and very challenging read. It has however made me very grateful that God did not ask me to be an Old Testament prophet! Parallel to my reading in Jeremiah has been another challenging period for our family. Below I detail three recent disappointments and some of the questions they raise before turning to some reflections from the life of Jeremiah… Firstly last week was quite difficult as a nasty sickness/stomach…
Life of David – God’s choice
David was a a man after God’s own heart: Saul was removed for David to come into position… God is looking for men and women whom He can trust with the outworking of His purposes and the Bible is a record of God working in and through the lives of individuals so He can use them in the way He wants to. David’s life shouts this message. When the people of God demanded a King ‘like the other nations’ (1 Samuel…
Life of Job: Hope, suffering and mystery
Earlier this year I was reading and reflecting on the story of Job in the mornings and I remember being quite surprised at how applicable it was to our situation. We have been through some tough times and the two year anniversary of James’ death at the weekend served as a timely reminder of the pressures and challenges we have been through. In the life of Job there is no indication that God ever explained to Job the reasons behind his…
Life of Daniel – Walking with Jesus ‘through the fire’…
At the end of my post The Potter’s right to transform the clay you may remember that I refereed to Isaiah 43:2 (written many years ago to God’s people Israel) to encourage us that even in the difficult situations, pressures and challenges that we face day by day we can be sure that God is with us in them. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When…