A Plea For Concerted Prayer Against Political Correctness July 22, 2017 Yesterday in the UK a story hit the headlines - a leading high street pharmaceutical company, Boots, became the center of a political storm and a media feeding frenzy. In brief the story
What Matters Most - Seeking God's Glory July 22, 2017 Over the last week or two, I've been taking some time out to study John's Gospel in more depth. My particular concern and focus has been to get a
Some Encouragments To Frequent Prayer July 18, 2017 Out walking our beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog this evening on a lovely summer's evening. Here are some thoughts from a conversation that I had with my wife, on the stroll, as
Comfort for Cross-Bearing. Calvin on the Intercession of the Spirit - A Few Notes On Romans 8.26-27 July 10, 2017 1. Activity - the Spirit Himself does not actually intercede for us: this rather is Paul’s way of expressing that God, by His Spirit, moves us to prayer. 2. Reason - this
A Call To Closeness July 08, 2017 O Soul Are You Weary And Troubled Perhaps like me, at this time in the year, you're getting rather jaded. Rest and relaxation is usually 'what the doctor ordered'
Holy Hatred of Sin June 25, 2017 I've been reflecting a little recently on a question that is generated by Q.87 in the Westminster Shorter Catechism on 'Repentance unto life': what is it that produces
Prayer that Cheers June 24, 2017 Introduction Do you feel down in the dumps? Do you struggle with yourself? Does life ever overwhelm you? Has your faith become a drudgery? Are the storms of life upsetting? Is your service
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