In it for the long haul? June 10, 2017 Just back from an unexpected house visit at the end of a 3rd hot sunny day in Nantes (I can sense you feel my pain!). We were just finishing our evening meal with
Mercies in Mission June 10, 2017 This is just a brief 'diary entry' after day 2 of my current pastoral visit to two missionary families in Nantes, West France. After waking up late and bleary-eyed on Friday
Boasting Bad - James 4.13-17 May 27, 2017 **Missing A Trick? ** In my lifetime I have definitely noticed a difference in the way Christians talk. I was shocked as a late teenager to hear Christian friends rubbing their hands with hollow
Christ's Help for Sabbath-Keeping May 13, 2017 I'm getting geared up to preach on Genesis 2.1-3 tomorrow morning, so I thought I would share with you a few thoughts on how Christ helps us keep the Sabbath.
Strangers in Saunas - Update 2 May 08, 2017 Just back from my Monday lunchtime swim at the gym - thought it might be good to pass on some more information. Up to 60 lengths today - please don't get
The Gospel According to David April 30, 2017 I've just finished preaching on Psalm 19.12. I was attempting to preach the text taking careful note of context. Having now descended the pulpit my thoughts crystallised as I drove
Christ's Love For God's Folk April 21, 2017 Don't you just love church? Aren't Christian brothers and sisters the most delightful, excellent folk? It is hard to describe the joy harmonious fellowship with godly people brings! Those
Hezekiah My Hero April 08, 2017 I've just finished reading through 1 & 2 Kings, in Hebrew, last Friday. For the sins of King Manasseh, the nation of Judah was finally thrust out into the judgment of
Strangers in Saunas - Update March 29, 2017 For those who of you who are wondering how things are going in my local health club in Belfast, or praying for the 'strangers in saunas' with whom I was conversing,
A Minister of Mercy March 25, 2017 An Offer Too Good To Refuse What a wonderful surprise! That's was my reaction to the very kind and generous offer made by one of the older members of my congregation.
The Beauty of Botany March 11, 2017 Photo by Devin Kleu [https://unsplash.com/@dkleu?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit] / Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=ghost&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=
Strangers in Saunas March 01, 2017 After the swimming pool today, where I swam 30 lengths freestyle, I spent twenty minutes in the Sauna. It happened to be full of aged 50+ years men who were pontificating loudly and
More on Our Maker February 25, 2017 Surprises Galore! This week was full of surprises, as I continued my exploration and exposition of Genesis chapter one. These are kind of things we might expect as we teach more on our
The Antidote To Evolution February 11, 2017 Over recent weeks I've been preaching, for the second time, through the opening verses of the Book of Genesis. Last Lord's Day I delivered my first sermon on the
Humbling Hezekiahs January 28, 2017 What minister is entirely free from the vestiges of self? Is it not the very best, most effective, most productive pastors who are most frequently assaulted by temptations to pride? Is it not
Presbyterian Partiality? January 14, 2017 I'm hoping to preach on the sin of partiality tomorrow evening from James 2.1-7. In preparing, yesterday morning, I was really surprised to discover that one of the chief reasons
Fair-Weather Friends And Family December 31, 2016 "'Tis the season to be jolly!" "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" That's what most will have said over the recent festive
The Dodecahedron of Deception November 26, 2016 In about 12 hours times I'll be back in the pulpit! Tomorrow, God willing, I'll preach two Lord's Day sermons, to the hearers in the congregation over
The Worth of the Weak November 12, 2016 Almost ready for some shut-eye, after a week of preparation.... So before I close the laptop, turn out the lamp & hit the pillow, just a few brief thoughts on why God has
Refreshment on Revival October 22, 2016 At last..... almost a month without proper internet access & the stress of moving to a new house. Which reminds me of a few thoughts I had some time ago on Revival from
Prey to Being Positive? September 24, 2016 As I round off my preparation for three sermons this Lord’s Day, I’ve been forced to think again of the ‘dangers of being positive’ or ‘criticism for being negative’. If I’
Happily Ever After August 27, 2016 Most of us have grown up with a strong affection for books that finish well and fairytales that conclude with ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ Whether it’s ‘Beauty and Beast’ or
Ten Truths For Thomas July 30, 2016 I've just about finished writing an article on 'Preparing to Preach Isaiah', and having deposited 4k of weariness onto the treadmill, I'm in a position to type
The Beauty and Glory of the Father “Beautiful Beyond Description” June 17, 2016 I’m just back from a Jonathan Edwards conference in Durham. The last talk was superb and I thought I would share its outline with you [plus a few random thoughts of my
Do you really preach sin properly? May 27, 2016 Recently I've been meditating on the books of Romans and Isaiah and, thinking about the importance of preaching sin properly, I have drawn up a list of points to help me