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It’s Tuesday the first of December 2020 and welcome to the start of my Advent Bible Calendar. You can of course read it here or you might like to listen to me reading it? If so, it’s just a click away on YouTube: I hope that you will find at least a little moment inContinue reading “Just an Advent Moment …”

After a period of hibernation, my blog is back with a bang with a blog a day through Advent – I hope you’ll find it helpful as I reflect on the meaning of the season. Here goes – with a general introduction … When does Christmas start? If you take most shops as your guide,Continue reading “Christmas isn’t cancelled and neither is Advent”

This morning I was reminded of my first ever sermon as my daily readings highlighted the text from which I preached, Galatians 2:20. I was seventeen and beginning to sense the call of God on my life. I can’t remember the date, but I do remember that it was a Thursday evening which was whenContinue reading “Jesus loves me, this I know …”

Helen has spoken in last few days with two Consultants on her team, and a nurse at Cherrybrook (RD&E). Putting it all together the news is reassuring. The scan didn’t show up anything on the lungs, so the chemo is working. She has had an infection which had caused a rash and broken blisters onContinue reading “Latest news …”

‘The Year of the Introvert’ – this description of 2020 caught my eye (in an article in my i paper yesterday). Surely there are many other more important things that 2020 will be remembered for? I’m referring, of course, to the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s staggering and ongoing disruptions to every area of our lives.Continue reading “‘The Year of the Introvert’”

Yesterday was our 41st wedding anniversary and we were looking forward to going to Minehead where our grandchildren were on holiday with their parents and other grandparents. The weather was looking good for a nice day on the beach. Parking was free in the car park next to West Somerset’s Steam Railway’s station (although, sadly,Continue reading “How to have a memorable wedding anniversary … in one easy lesson!”

Yesterday was the first in a series of sermons looking at how the apostle Paul was shaped. No, nothing to do with BMI or anything like that – SHAPE is an acronym for Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experience. But before kicking off with Paul’s Spiritual Gifts, I thought it would be good toContinue reading “Lockdown’s Silver Lining?”

My thoughts this morning turned to Habakkuk (I’ve no idea why), the bewildered prophet who was contemporary with Jeremiah. I feel I know him well because way back in 1980 when I was a first year student at Spurgeon’s College (a Baptist ministerial training college) Habakkuk was the book I chose to preach from forContinue reading “Remembering Habakkuk …”

If not, here’s how you can qualify. Read on … Some years ago an envelope addressed to the C.E.O. of Pinhoe Road Baptist Church was posted through the church letter box. I wondered if that might be for me – after all I was the Senior Minister and I was amused to think of myselfContinue reading “Do you have letters after your name?”

Growing up in a Baptist Chapel in the valleys of South Wales, there were parts of the Christian calendar that passed me by. I knew Advent came before Christmas, but I had no real idea of what it was about (and the Advent hymn we did sing ‘On Jordan’s banks the Baptist’s cry’ confused meContinue reading “Happy Ascension Day!”