It’s January; the month of resolutions and regimes. The month of trying harder. Do everything differently. Begin again. There are times when we need to make big changes. For example, a habit that’s become an addiction; or a pressing health concern that won’t be ignored. But, in the main, I’m in favour of little changes. Over time, a tiny tip on the rudder, completely alters your course. don’t put on a brave front: talk to trusted friends and family. If …Read More
We’re on holiday this week, so here’s one from the archives… One of the hardest things about doubt is admitting it’s there. Like inviting a flood; if I don’t believe this, then what about this and this and this? Does God hear my prayers? Does He care? Is He even there? It’s all well and good if you’re a self-proclaimed atheist. In this situation, the only way is up. But what if you’re the leader of a home group? …Read More
How do you feel when times are tough? Like a tiny cork, bobbing on the waves? Alone and overwhelmed? Outnumbered and defeated? Don’t judge by what you see. In 2 Kings 6, the people of God seem to be outflanked and outnumbered by their enemies. Elisha’s servant runs in terror to his master and says, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answers, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Notice what …Read More
My daughter has just started nursery. For a three year-old this is a very big deal, so we talked beforehand about what she could expect. A new place and new people. New things to learn; new toys and routines. ‘Mummy and daddy won’t be there’ we said, ‘but you can take Derek.’ Derek is Ruby’s dinosaur; and where she goes, he follows. The park and the toilet and the beach and the bus. She told Derek ‘I love you,’ long …Read More
My default setting is ‘fear,’ not ‘faith.’ How’s my friend’s baby doing? Will she recover; and what can I do? Why did God let this happen? Will I be able to meet up with Y; and if so, what will I say? Why is the car making that noise? Is that a dodgy mole on my leg? What will happen to my family if I get sick? On and on it goes; and the list gets longer the more I …Read More
I’m nervous. There’s a big event approaching and I don’t feel up to it. I’ve prepped and I’ve packed. But as the minutes tick down, I pull out the big guns. A slash of lipstick. A mask of foundation. Concealer to hide my weakness. A cloak of expensive perfume. Painted talons and whitened fangs. Warpaint. And Now I’m ready. What’s your armour? What helps you, when you know you’re not enough? Perhaps it’s food. A wall between you and your …Read More
I don’t know what the future holds. Sometimes I think of what might happen and I panic. How will I cope? Who will care for those I love? But my heart steadies as I remember these words: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 If I can only get through this. If I just take charge of this. If I can change this. If I get this. On and …Read More
Satan whispers, “Don’t worry about that sin, that pattern, that temptation. It’s no big deal.’ Then when you fall for it, he shouts, “You’ve blown it! What a wretch you are! God won’t want to hear from you now, not for another fortnight at least. Not till you’ve made it all better.” But you can’t make it better. And the whispers start again. … ‘Stuck eh? Well what do you expect? Sin is in your genes – unavoidable, no matter how …Read More
Today, on Halloween, we celebrate “things that go bump in the night.” If you’re like me, though, every day is a battle with fears. I’ve been anxious since I can remember. As a child, I thought it was how everyone felt. I thought that everyone lay awake at night, gripped with a sick cold fear, tugging at the corners. A whisper that got louder as the lights got dimmer, “There’s a bad thing about to happen and it’s going to get you …Read More
Dear God It’s the start of a new week. And I don’t know how to do it. I feel scattered; pushed and pulled in many different directions. I take my eyes off you and suddenly, I’m stuck. I’m frightened by the decisions that need to be made; and ones that are out of my hands. by the things I can’t see. And the demands I can’t meet. I’m overwhelmed By lists and by longings. By pain and by pride. It’s dark in here. I build walls to keep myself …Read More
