Mike Pence, the American Vice-President, has taken a significant amount of criticism over his comments on adhering to the ‘Billy Graham’ rule. In essence, his commitment was, as far as possible, not to be in a private meeting space alone with a woman other than his wife. Clearly in our equality obsessed world, such a … More Holiness
So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Joshua 14v16 There is a lovely conversation between the two faithful spies, Joshua and Caleb, recorded some 45 years after their expedition to spy out the land, under Moses. Caleb, as a … More Mountain boots or carpet slippers?
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11v25 (NLT) Summer is a season for harvest. In Hereford, I loved to see the fruit grow around the cider and perry county. Some time ago, at a men’s outreach event, we visited Weston’s Cider Mill and watched a seemingly endless supply … More Refresh
This morning I opened the latest prayer letter from a Counties evangelist (www.countiesuk.org) and was struck by the photo and comment that she included… I recently walked past this sign and God reminded me of the urgency of the Gospel. Many souls are lost and drifting out to sea with no one occupied in watching, … More What is ‘The Gospel?’
Ever feel like you can’t get any lower? Things can’t possibly get worse – can they? And then they do. Life is like that sometimes. And sometimes (sometimes), it really is not your fault. You search your heart and wrack your brains… “was it something I said?” In all honesty, you can’t find a single … More Mature in the Manure
The V.E. Day celebrations are just another reminder of the past, and all the while the generations which lived through these conflicts are slowly but surely leaving us. The peace which came was won at great cost. The threats to that peace, often real, sometimes imagined, often force friends and allies to take entrenched and … More Reconciliation
This year, perhaps more than ever before, we have been conscious of your love and prayers. There have been so many encouragements along the way, and yet, we have also been more aware of the battle. How we continue to need a renewed and deeper sense of the nearness of our God. I’m reminded of … More Mid-Life, middle-aged mediocrity
To my surprise, she immediately retorted “I’ve been praying all week, and God hasn’t answered my prayers!” … More Are you ok?
In Varanasi, the armpit of India, we stayed in a hotel that was in complete contrast to the city. Peaceful, welcoming and comfortable. It was a welcome oasis in the demonic mayhem of the city. “Thanks,” we said to Solomon, who had booked it for us. “What will the hotel in Agra be like?” we … More Fawlty Towers
The scene, a village, 20kms from Varanasi. The car, having just disconnected itself from the back end of a bus outside the train station, dropped us off on the dirt track. A small welcoming party was waiting for us, and we wended our way to the centre of the picturesque village. Our team decided that, … More The Pied Piper of Varanasi
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