New Book – Facing Cancer with Faith
Cancer has been a big thing in my life for more than six years. It put me in hospital for nearly two months at the beginning of 2010, and has reared its ugly head again twice since then. Each occasion has involved a roller coaster ride of emotion whilst going through the painfully slow process…
Do Not Worry
This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. In the ‘Cancer and Me’ chapter I posted back in August 2015 (No 37), I finished by referring to the anxiety that was afflicting me at the time. I took the decision to defer publication of this follow-on…
The Cross – The Shocking Symbol of Christianity
First published 24 April 2015 The cross is the primary symbol of all branches of the Christian church throughout the last 2,000 years. It is referenced throughout the world in many different ways. Some Christians wear it as a badge to quietly let people know their affiliation. Some Christians make the gesture of the cross…
I’ve Had Cancer and I Am Not Angry With God
First published 15 April 2015 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. When I first heard about Stephen Fry’s now infamous outburst against God in a recent interview on Irish TV, I admit that I dismissed it as the ranting of a celebrity amateur atheist.…
Spending Too Much at Christmas – What I Said to My Kids
First published 21 December 2014 This is what I wrote on the private blog I have for my kids last year… There are a couple of things I worry about at Christmas if I’m honest. One is that as a family we’ll lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas – which is that Jesus…
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…
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…
Faith for Diagnosis and Cure
First published 31 August 2012 This post is now incorporated with 22 other similar ‘reflections’ in my book, Facing Cancer with Faith. Very recently the doctors diagnosed that the non-Hodgkins lymphoma, from which I have been free for two years, has returned. As at this point I have some mild symptoms, but nothing that yet…
Loving By Talking About Sin (Whose Rules Rule 11)
First published 19 March 2012 Last time I was trying, poorly in my own judgment, to contrast the outcomes of non-religious morality (selfishness and oppression) with Christian morality (love, charity and care for everyone not matter how sinful). I really wanted to show that for a Christian to say that something is wrong, even while…