The previous blog I took a look at Mary. Now the spotlight moves to Joseph, as depicted in Matthew 1:18-25, which is another gloriously understated passage, isn't it? Once again someone is given the most extraordinary news - "Joseph, I'm pregnant;...

As we approach Christmas, I thought I'd share a few thoughts about the major characters we hear so much about .... A few questions about Mary - how did Mary know that her mysterious visitor was an angel - was it white, with wings and a halo? Why w...

This is the text of a sermon I preached on Phillippians 2:1-3 a couple of weeks ago. It remains the most challenging (to me) sermon I've felt called to preach, which is why I'm sharing it here. I was preaching to myself as much as anyone else. Wha...

In Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Helm’s Deep is under attack from an army numbering thousands fighting for the evil Saruman. It has only one aim: the complete annihilation of its enemy, including women and children. It seems very likely that ...

Dear Lord, Firstly, I just want to say thank you so much for the wonderful gift of Isabelle. She's beautiful - yet another example of your amazing creative abilities - and I feel honoured to be able to be her dad. She helps me to believe the truth...

Originally appeared as Yoursfaithfully column in Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent local newspaper) on 23 March 2011 War and civil unrest. Airstrikes. Earthquake and Tsunami. Nuclear threat. Recession. Record unemployment. The news headlines make depressin...

Gypsies really are the last and the least here in Romania. At the bottom of the pile when it comes to hygiene, housing, healthcare, education, employment - everything. Doctors need to take a bribe before they will consider giving anaesthetic to a ...

Sometimes following Jesus is a struggle. The Bible, prayer, and church all can feel a drag. It feels like you’re wading through treacle. If you’re feeling like this now, then I may have some encouragement for all of us. This morning I was reading ...

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This took place before Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from th...

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the l...