The Most Realistic Movie Ever Made
First published 1 April 2014 I found out the other day that an old colleague of mine had died suddenly of a heart attack. She was my age, and had two children the same age as my younger ones. That reminded me that another colleague from the same place died in her twenties a few…
Weighing Up Hardships
First published 13 August 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” So said the apostle Paul in Romans 8:18. Paul, who…
A Lesson From King Asa’s Bad Feet
First published 15 May 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I was struck recently by a verse I read in my daily Bible reading. It challenged me personally, but struck me as pertinent to any believer who suffers illness, and, since we all…
What Keeps Me Going?
First published 18 February 2013 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. I went for some tests – an endoscopy in fact – in hospital the other day. As the nurse was doing the booking in form with me, she was remarking that everything was…
Is Christian Faith a Placebo? (Derren Brown’s Trick Too Far)
First published 1 January 2013 Celebrity psychologist Derren Brown is an extremely clever man. Having watched a few of his TV shows, I have to admit to being as amazed as anyone else at the things he manages to do. He uses hypnotism, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and psychology to perform some marvelous magic and spectacular…
How I Came to Faith
First published 6 December 2012 I thought this time I might share with you the story of how I came to faith in Jesus. It’s a bit self indulgent, but then again that’s what this blog is all about – my reflections on experiences and stuff! And anyway, I do sometimes get asked. I don’t…
Am I a Bigot?
First published 18 November 2012 It wasn’t until the day the 2012 US Presidential Election results were announced that I finally took a little bit of interest in it. I don’t normally have much time for news, from the newspapers or from the radio or TV. I have become somewhat cynical about media reporting, not…
Jimmy Saville, Lance Armstrong – Not a Time For Faith in Human Nature
First published 26 October 2012 I remember Sir Jimmy Saville on TV as I was growing up. Jim’ll Fix It was a show that I tuned into every Saturday evening, eager to see what wonders he was going to work for lucky children. He seemed kind, jolly, genuinely happy to be making kids smile. And…
Hardships to Make You Holy
First published 8 October 2012 I have taken recently to reading books by Christians past and present, who suffer and suffered in some way. I guess it’s because I consider myself to be suffering with my illness and the constant battle to stay employed. I know I’m not suffering to the same degree as the…
God is the Way He is
First published 7 September 2012 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. If we are created by God – and not the other way around – why do we feel like we can challenge, and take exception to, aspects of His character and His work?…