Contemplation

It is noticeable that much of Jesus’ teaching was gleaned from, or based on, his environment. He spoke of shepherds and builders; vines and bread; fishing, and farmers. Did these ideas just pop into his head at an opportune moment, or had they grown over time, out of his own observations? Perhaps these images had […]

May we be willing to be unsettled          Even as we are safely held.May we have the courage to look in the places we have hidden          Even as you cradle the darkness.May the challenge of reality beckon          Because we know you walk with us.

Have you ever thought that? Perhaps for you, it’s the present tense. Where is God, now? We are encouraged to believe that God is always present and yet there are times when he seems to be utterly absent; and so often our perception is that we are alone when we need help the most. This

As with many of the exercises I offer, this one uses a well known Psalm to help us focus on our relationship with God. It was written by a shepherd who lived outside for much of his life, this affects the imagery that he uses and his awareness of his heritage is also revealed in

What do we think when we hear the word favour? Do we think of somone doing us a favour? A wedding favour? Or maybe a person of favourable disposition? Perhaps somewhere at the back of our minds we link it with favouritism. The Biblical use and meaning of favour often meant gaining approval, acceptance, special

Immanuel Every year we are encouraged not to forget the real meaning of Christmas. We recall again the story of the baby, the angels, the shepherd and kings, and words like incarnation, salvation and saviour come to mind. Perhaps we watch as our fellow pilgrims strain to find new ways to present the old and

Luke 1 v 26 – 38 An Angel appears to Mary Not an everyday occurrence for a young girl going about her daily business. Quite a shock in fact. But her response to the visit and announcement of an angel probes my reactions to circumstances I may not be expecting. Mary begins her response to