[Journey with Jesus - Day 14] When Jesus saw the crowds, // his heart broke // he felt sorry // was moved with compassion and pity for them // had compassion on them, because they were confused / harassed / bewildered / and helpless / aimless // dispirited and distressed // distressed and dejected, like … Continue reading The Call to Compassion
Category: reflection
The Power of Faith
[Journey with Jesus - Day 13] 18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.20 Just then a … Continue reading The Power of Faith
The Wine Server at Cana
[Journey with Jesus - Day 4] So, I am the one who messed it up. I was the one who calculated how much wine we would need for the wedding. I’m normally good at that sort of thing - it is my job, after all. We asked how many guests were expected for the feasting … Continue reading The Wine Server at Cana
“In my Father’s house”
[Journey with Jesus - Day 3] Imagining what it must have been like for Jesus to grow up with the realisation of who he was, and the significance for him of being in the temple in Jerusalem, aged 12. It was the same routine. Every year we would go up to Jerusalem with our family … Continue reading “In my Father’s house”
Zechariah’s Story – The God of the impossible.
Journey with Jesus - Day 1 I’d long since given up hope for children. When we became betrothed and talked in earnest about our life together, Elizabeth and I just assumed children would be part of it - I mean, we both came from large families; our siblings themselves had children - why wouldn’t we? … Continue reading Zechariah’s Story – The God of the impossible.
I will sing of the goodness of God – reflecting on 10 years
Today’s a big deal for me. It’s the tenth anniversary of the start of my ministry as vicar of St Christopher’s Church, Allesley Park and Whoberley in Coventry.When I’d got the role people often said, “Been sent to Coventry, have you?” It was a joke relating to the civil war. I had to Google it … Continue reading I will sing of the goodness of God – reflecting on 10 years
Breakfast at the beach (Peter’s Story) – inspired by John 21:1-14
153 There are some numbers that stick in your head. My wife wishes there were other numbers that would do that for me - like birthdays; anniversary, that sort of thing, but they don’t seem to. I could never retain that sort of information but with him it was different. I could remember all the … Continue reading Breakfast at the beach (Peter’s Story) – inspired by John 21:1-14
A painful privilege
Last week, I led the thanksgiving service for a lovely young woman who died of cancer. She was a friend who’d asked me to take her funeral. I hoped I’d never have to, that God would heal and bring deliverance. He has, of course, in his own way, for she knew she was going home. … Continue reading A painful privilege
Joseph of Arimathea – Stepping out of the shadows
I’ll never forget the first time I saw Jesus. I was walking past as he was teaching in the temple courts and I stopped in my tracks and joined the fringes of the crowd to listen. There was something compelling about the way he spoke, telling his hearers about the Kingdom of God. I long to see … Continue reading Joseph of Arimathea – Stepping out of the shadows
Emmaus: The Road to Hope (based on Luke 24)
I’d not slept a wink for two nights, not since our hopes were ripped to shreds by the Temple authorities and the Roman killing machine. I was still in shock in all honesty – all had happened so quickly. Could it be less than a week since Jesus had come in triumph to Jerusalem, acclaimed as … Continue reading Emmaus: The Road to Hope (based on Luke 24)