Another stunning guest post, from Lizzie, who is training to be a curate. Thank you, my friend. “How many kids do you have?” Until recently, I’d have thought this was a pretty easy question. Mr 7 and Little Miss 1 have, after all, spent the day bouncing around like lunatics – you’d almost think it was nearly time for the 7 year old to go back to school – very much here, very much present. The truth is, for …Read More
1. He’s the God He always said He was. 2. He’s the Saviour we always hoped He’d be. 3. He’s the Lord that the enemy always feared would triumph. 4. Death is dead. More than dead – it is defeated, humiliated, laid bare. 5. Jesus took our sins to the grave and left them there. 6. Jesus stepped out of the tomb into new life, and that new life is ours. 7. Our old lives are like the grave clothes left …Read More
Forget January 1st. For the Christian, every day, every moment is a brand new start. It’s a new start that’s the opposite of all the others. Not, ‘I must change if I want to be loved’. Turn it around. ‘I am already loved. The new is now.’ It’s not that you don’t feel scared. Or sad. Or angry or lonely or anxious. You can still feel these things and more; but God in you is greater. And here’s something wonderful: …Read More
When God made you, He knew exactly what He was doing. You’re here because the Lord wants you here. You have a purpose and you matter. You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone else because He has marked out your path, and it is full of meaning. You’re going through hard times because you follow a crucified Lord. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It doesn’t mean He’s forgotten you. Your name is written on the palm of …Read More
The challenges I face are too much. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9 I’m too scared. “I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7. I’m rubbish. I’m done. I’m far too ashamed. “So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 I’ve got no-where to turn. ‘”I myself will tend my …Read More
I’m tired of cynicism. Propping up the bar, all dark and self-conscious. You’re cool mate, but you’re miserable too. Standing back and passing judgement. Stamping on Shrugging at other people’s parades. Sneering, ‘it’ll never work. The world’s not like that.” Refusing to ever see the good. Well, forget it. It’s been fun…well – interesting, while it lasted. But I’ve met someone new. Someone you know. Hope. Yeah, her. The one we used to laugh at. “Unfashionable and embarrassing,” we said. …Read More
Hope. Whatever you’re facing; (and even if you’re refusing to face it). Not a wishy-washy sense that everything will be okay. Not a feeling or a temperament. Not a stake in something that can be torn away. Hope. Not something you work up by yourself. Not dependent on those around you. Not about your house or your health or your happiness. Hope. Not for other people. Not for when you’ve earned it and ticked off your list. Not for when the holiday …Read More
One of our friends works in a spinal injuries unit. She was talking about the challenges of caring for those who’ve experienced such trauma: and said something very striking. Out of all of those on the ward, she said, it’s often the patients with the worst injuries who are most joyful and most hopeful. Shocked, we asked why and she said: ‘it’s obvious, really. They’ve come closest to death: and they’re just grateful to be alive.’ Each person has a different story and a different response to …Read More
There are days when it feels like you’re a hoover: sucking things out, when others put back. You take up too much space, where others are welcome. Your work has no purpose; or the absence of a job title makes you less than everyone else. There are days when it feels like everything you say marks you out. You speak when you should be silent. You have scars where others are smooth. You tremble at the things others take for granted. There are days …Read More
1. Jesus is in the business of resurrection. So whatever it is that feels dead: your dreams, your marriage, your self-worth, your hope – He can work life where there is none. He can bring something from what is not. 2. The best is yet to come. You are not past your prime, nor doomed to spend life looking backwards and mired in regret. Jesus is coming back and He will make all things new: you won’t recognise yourself in …Read More
