Blog

Here you will find a weekly “Thought For The Week” and other articles that we invite you to read and pray that they will enable you to find real help and encouragement in God’s Word and especially in his Son,
Jesus Christ.

A mother’s love

  • Thought for the week

Many people around the world have celebrated Mother’s Day. Children and families took time to remember their mother…

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Giving thanks for the men and women of the RNLI

  • Thought for the week

This month the Royal National Life Institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary. Over the history of the RNLI…

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God is miraculously sustaining them

  • Thought for the week

On 24 February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. It was a massive escalation of a war that began in…

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Remembering Alexei Navalny

  • Thought for the week

The tragic death of Alexei Navalny gives a chilling insight into life in Russia today. Alexei was a…

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The courage of Grace Darling

  • Thought for the week

Grace Darling was born in November 1815. Within a few weeks she was taken to live on Brownsman…

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When the Prince of Glory died

  • Thought for the week

The death of Jesus Christ on a Roman cross was both a tragedy and a triumph. It was…

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The secret of happiness

  • Thought for the week

Va’aiga Tuigamala, known as “Inga”, has died at the age of 52. He was an outstanding rugby player,…

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The courage of Henriette Hanotte

  • Thought for the week

In the dark days of war heroes and heroines often emerge who demonstrate outstanding courage. Recently Henriette Hanotte…

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Light shines in the darkness

  • Thought for the week

The war on the people of Ukraine is appalling. The relentless bombing of cities and smaller communities wreaks…

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Christian faith in Ukraine

  • Thought for the week

The invasion of Ukraine has started as the Russian army obeys the command of President Putin. The response…

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The Forgiveness Project

  • Thought for the week

On the morning of 14 December 2012, a young man shot his mother and then walked into Sandy…

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Loving our children and grandchildren

  • Thought for the week

We are all conscious of the seriousness of climate change. What we are doing now will have serious…

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The Servant Queen

  • Thought for the week

On 6 February 2022 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 70 years since she acceded to the throne on the…

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The Plight of Afghan People

  • Thought for the week

Afghanistan is no longer in the headlines, but the plight of the Afghan people is desperate. NATO forces,…

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The story of Lisala Folau

  • Thought for the week

Early in the morning on 15 January a volcano near Tonga erupted produced a colossal explosion that triggered…

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The James Webb Space Telescope

  • Thought for the week

On Christmas Eve the James Webb Space Telescope was launched by an Ariane rocket from the Kourou spaceport…

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God’s promises

  • Thought for the week

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Around 5 billion copies have been purchased, five times…

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Precious in God’s sight

  • Thought for the week

In the summer of 2019 a young family set out from their home country of El Salvador to…

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Good news of great joy

  • Thought for the week

The birth of Jesus was announced to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.…

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Mary was a remarkable young woman

  • Thought for the week

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a remarkable young woman. She grew up in the family home in…

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Joseph was a good man

  • Thought for the week

Christmas will be more normal this year with some carol services and school nativity plays being held. One…

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Abraham’s Table

  • Thought for the week

  In June 2020, 13-year-old Adeola “Abraham” Olagbegi, who lives in Jackson, Mississippi, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia,…

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Time to change

  • Thought for the week

  Is it possible for people to change? How do we cope with things we’ve done in the…

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Can You Make it a Lord’s Supper Moment?

  • Blog

  Life can be very hard. We have bad days when nothing seems to go right. People say…

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A Great Rescue

  • Thought for the week

  Early on Saturday afternoon Matt, a good friend of mine, who is a member of his local…

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Hope for a Failure: Esther

  • Real lives at CCD

  Taken at face-value, I think my childhood was rather idyllic. My family lived on a moderately large…

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Spiritual Exercise

  • Blog

  Our children are involved in different sports. Each of them comes with their own disciplines: things that…

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God had a plan

  • Thought for the week

  Charlie Duke is a former NASA astronaut. In 1972 as Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16, he…

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Give us this day our daily bread

  • Thought for the week

The fine weather in September helped farmers to clear the fields of the final crops and finish harvest.…

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Jesus Bridges the Gulf: Jane

  • Real lives at CCD

“It was there, but I didn’t know what it was all about,” Jane said as she reminisced about…

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Sara’s Story

  • Thought for the week

Sara grew up in a loving home and enjoyed a very happy childhood in a small rural village…

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How are my ratings?

  • Matt's Musings

On 1st October, Fifa 22 will be released. If you don’t know what it is, it’s a football…

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Who is my neighbour?

  • Thought for the week

Recently I was driving on a fast dual carriageway when I saw a man in the central reservation…

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Trees and Life After Death

  • Blog

“Each time you read a book, a tree smiles knowing that there’s life after death.” (Unknown) Because I…

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I believe in God

  • Thought for the week

Many people in Western Europe today have embraced secular humanism. They have rejected religion and believe in the…

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Perfect love drives out fear

  • Thought for the week

The desperate and tragic scenes at the Hamad Karzai International Airport in Kabul have vividly portrayed what terrorism…

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Jesus Did Pointless Stuff

  • Blog

A lot of our lives are made up of doing little, insignificant actions. Often, we do them on…

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The secret of all true success

  • Thought for the week

William Hartley was born in 1846 in Colne, Lancashire. His father, John, was a tinsmith and his mother,…

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I am safe, I am loved

  • Thought for the week

On 18 March 2018 Kenyatta Barron made a desperate emergency call begging for her life and the life…

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Just Say Yes: Matthew

  • Real lives at CCD

Matthew was a boy who had a problem with lying, but his biggest problem was learning to trust…

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Remembering Andrew Devine

  • Thought for the week

Andrew Devine has died, aged 55, the 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster at the FA Cup semi-final…

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When we fail

  • Thought for the week

The XXXII Olympic Games are being held in Tokyo after a one-year delay. Many Japanese people are unhappy…

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Jesus is With Her: Sarah

  • Real lives at CCD

When her dad called her and her sister down to the lounge one day, she thought they were…

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I shall behold his face

  • Thought for the week

I shall behold his face On 11 July Richard Branson travelled as a passenger on Virgin Galactic SS…

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Redshirts

  • Blog

Being a 'redshirt' is something of a joke and a massive occupational hazard, specifically in science fiction. Redshirts…

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No VAR!

  • Matt's Musings

What do you think of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR)? A team and their fans can celebrate scoring…

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Remarkable People

  • Thought for the week

Dan Walker is a well-known BBC presenter who has presented Football Focus and Match of the Day and…

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Saul and Us

  • Blog

It's amazing how relevant the Bible still is today. I have just been reading about King Saul, who…

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God hears our prayers

  • Thought for the week

There was a sense of deep shock for the players and everyone in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen,…

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We will remember them

  • Thought for the week

On 6 June 2021, the 77th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings, the new Normandy Memorial was opened…

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Fortieth Anniversary: Geoff

  • Real lives at CCD

Having grown up in church and having now been a church officer for over 35 years, Geoff is…

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Hope is coming

  • Thought for the week

Louise Blyth met her husband, George, in 2006. They fell in love and were married in 2011. Their…

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a tragic killing

  • Blog

It was very sad to read the tragic news of the young man, Dean being killed in Connah’s…

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We’re the same as everyone else

  • Thought for the week

We’re the same as everyone else In a recent interview with Irish radio host Brendan O’Connor, who has…

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The Door

  • Blog

A few days ago, we went to visit grandparents for the first time in a long time. The…

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Love your enemies

  • Thought for the week

Sadly, there are many examples of hatred in our world today. Hatred between peoples leads to conflict, such…

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From Pitch to Pulpit

  • Thought for the week

Gavin Peacock has just published his autobiography, “A Greater Glory: from Pitch to Pulpit.” Gavin’s father, Keith, played…

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Integrity

  • Matt's Musings

Tomorrow is election day for 48 million people in the UK, so it prompted me to think about…

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Justice delayed is justice denied

  • Thought for the week

The Court of Appeal has cleared 39 former sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses in what is the most widespread, known,…

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Being given time to change

  • Thought for the week

The murder of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, by police during an arrest in Minneapolis has appalled…

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God’s Health and Safety

  • Blog

One side-effect of living in a pandemic is heightened awareness of germs. For some, that increased awareness causes…

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Hope in the face of death

  • Thought for the week

More than 3 million people from more than 200 countries have died from Covid-19. These people come from…

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Remembering Prince Philip

  • Thought for the week

We are remembering Prince Philip who lived a very long and active life. His early years were difficult…

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A Covid Story: Rod

  • Real lives at CCD

This month’s “Real Lives” is a little different, with a reflection on one person’s lockdown. Rod has been…

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Resurrection joy

  • Thought for the week

Easter is a time of great joy. The resurrection of Jesus lifted his first disciples from a spirit…

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Amazing love

  • Thought for the week

More than 2000 years ago a young man died on a Roman cross outside the city of Jerusalem.…

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#notquiteallmen!

  • Matt's Musings

Earlier this month, a 33 year old lady called Sarah Everard never arrived home from leaving her friend’s…

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King of kings

  • Thought for the week

At the beginning of the last week of his life Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem. Great crowds…

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Lockdown’s Warning

  • Blog

In some of the oldest pages of Scripture, we see the account of the Ten Plagues in Egypt.…

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They are mothers just like us

  • Thought for the week

We live in a world of seemingly irreconcilable divisions and conflicts that take lives and spoil lives. So,…

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It’s not good to be alone

  • Thought for the week

Personal relationships are very important. On a morning walk I saw young children going back to school. They…

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It’s Life Changing: Matt

  • Real lives at CCD

Matt was taken to church from babyhood and remained in that church until he was an adult, but…

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Loved with everlasting love

  • Thought for the week

The bright sunny days and glorious blue skies have lifted our spirits. People are out walking, jogging and…

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I want to know what love is!

  • Matt's Musings

“I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is…

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When sorrows like sea billows roll

  • Thought for the week

Many people find great help and comfort in the words of well-known hymns. They express the experience of…

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Gone Before

  • Blog

Looking up into the oak tree that my children climb reminds me of the huge maple that my…

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If anyone is without sin

  • Thought for the week

Personal attacks on individuals through social media have become a common feature of modern life. People who express…

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Tomorrow will be a good day

  • Thought for the week

Captain Sir Tom Moore has been a bright shining light in dark times. He captured the hearts of…

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Can’t Be Earned: Edyta

  • Real lives at CCD

Edyta is a small-town girl from northern Poland. She grew up in a nominal Roman Catholic family, as…

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The boy in the striped pyjamas

  • Thought for the week

My wife and I recently watched the holocaust film “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.” The film portrays…

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Listen to the birds!

  • Matt's Musings

I have noticed more bird song over the last week or so as I walk through Wepre Park…

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As white as snow

  • Thought for the week

We have had the first snowfalls of winter. There is a stillness as the dark days are illuminated…

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The Last Bedtime

  • Blog

One of my children is particularly prone to worry at bedtime. We tuck her up, pray with her,…

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When I am afraid

  • Thought for the week

Fear is a common human emotion. The coronavirus pandemic has created sustained fear in the hearts of many…

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Be saved not just safe

  • Matt's Musings

The government’s number one priority is to stop people dying of COVID. As a local church in Deeside,…

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A father to the fatherless

  • Thought for the week

The Bible teaches us that God is deeply concerned for vulnerable people, and especially widows and orphans. In…

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It isn’t Proud to Believe: Margaret

  • Real lives at CCD

Margaret lived in Ghana with her large family until she was twelve years old. Although her family went…

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I know who holds the future

  • Thought for the week

It is good to be beginning a new year after what has been a very different and difficult…

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The Virgin Mary

  • Blog

The Virgin Mary is the Lord’s highly favoured one (Luke 1:28), is kindly regarded by Him, and each…

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The God who gives hope

  • Thought for the week

As we enter a new year one of our great needs is to find hope. The problems of…

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Were the wise men really wise?

  • Matt's Musings

You know the story – wise men (often referred to as three kings because of the three different…

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The Greatest Gift

  • Thought for the week

The last days leading up to Christmas are normally very busy. A few cards to write and post…

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Names of Jesus

  • Blog

In the Bible, names have particular importance. Jesus was given an ordinary name for the time and place…

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The light shines in darkness

  • Thought for the week

Are you one of those people who really looks forward to Christmas? It’s a special time as the…

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Rocking around the Connah’s Quay Christmas tree!

  • Matt's Musings

For a few years it was vandalised, then it was replaced by a metal one. There was a…

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Because he lives

  • Thought for the week

This year we’ve lived in a very different world from the one we have known in the past…

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Not Behind Bars: David

  • Real lives at CCD

“I was in prison today,” is something David often says. We chuckle when he does because it sounds…

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Now thank we all our God

  • Thought for the week

Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran minister in Eilenburg, Saxony, at the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, which…

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A tough assignment!

  • Matt's Musings

Around 750BC there lived a man called Hosea. What a job he was given to do! God sent…

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Aslan is 70!

  • Thought for the week

Aslan is 70! C. S. Lewis’ popular children’s story “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was published…

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Thankfulness

  • Blog

Autumn always seems like a good time to reflect on the year and ‘count my blessings’. The year…

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Bobby Ball’s Story

  • Thought for the week

The comedian Bobby Ball died recently from Covid-19 complications. He and his partner Tommy Cannon hosted the very…

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Remembrance Day

  • Matt's Musings

One verse of the poem, “For The Fallen” by Robert Laurence Binyon reads They shall grow not old,…

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The Grave of the Unknown Warrior

  • Thought for the week

The Grave of the Unknown Warrior Services and acts of Remembrance have been severely restricted this year, but…

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Remember, remember!

  • Matt's Musings

It has been very sad to read of terrorist attacks in France and Austria in recent days. Terrorist…

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Through my own fault

  • Thought for the week

Frank Bough, who died recently, was described by his colleagues as a “consummate broadcaster”. For many years he…

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An Election Can’t Save Us

  • Blog

It's that time again: the US presidential election is populating the media even over here. With the recent…

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Great is your faithfulness

  • Thought for the week

The last autumn leaves will soon have fallen. Once again, we have witnessed the spectacular autumn colours –…

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A world leader who doesn’t disappoint!

  • Matt's Musings

Imagine a prime minister or president who always made wise decisions, was a delight to serve, led the…

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When life changes

  • Thought for the week

I have a friend who has experienced a number of life-changing events. Kristian grew up in Barry in…

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Looking for perfection in the wrong place!

  • Matt's Musings

Sometimes I wonder if we are expecting too much from our politicians. It seems that they need to…

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What can we be certain about?

  • Matt's Musings

Last week, in a press conference, one of the Welsh government ministers was asked why they could not…

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God is merciful

  • Thought for the week

The case of Omar Farouq, a 13-year-old boy, in northern Kano state in Nigeria has attracted international attention.…

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Speaking the truth in love

  • Matt's Musings

Last week, I saw a tweet from a Welsh newspaper that stated, “Second coronavirus waves expected to peak…

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Remembering the Penlee Lifeboat Crew

  • Thought for the week

Lifeboats are a familiar sight when we are on holiday in Britain. In 2019 lifeboats were launched 8941…

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Lessons in a field

  • Matt's Musings

I have walked through the same field nearly every day for the last 6 months. As a family…

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When you pray, I will listen

  • Thought for the week

Yesterday morning my wife and I attended the first service in our local church building since 15 March.…

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The end of the world?

  • Matt's Musings

Wales Online recently reported a big increase in the number of people streaming apocalyptic and disaster films. The…

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Remembering the Pilgrim Fathers

  • Thought for the week

On 6 September 1620 the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth to America, the New World, carrying 102 passengers and…

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Wonderful body language

  • Matt's Musings

25 years ago, reading people’s body language was a big thing. Some of it was over the top.…

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Hope in a world of injustice

  • Thought for the week

Many people in the world today are experiencing injustice. In Hong Kong tens of thousands protested against the…

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True sanity?

  • Matt's Musings

Imagine one of our proud world leaders disappearing from office for a number of years. You see pictures…

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Baby Asher

  • Thought for the week

The birth of a first child is an occasion for great joy. In June Pete and Grace, who…

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Come like a child

  • Blog

My fourth child makes me marvel. Before he learned to baby babble, he hardly made a noise. He…

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The next life is better than this life

  • Thought for the week

A good friend of mine has just died from cancer. A few weeks ago, he saw his consultant…

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Thoughts During Grief: Will Jesus Patch the World?

  • Blog

Recently my mum passed away. In the week before she died, I was reading the Bible about Jesus’…

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Finding contentment

  • Thought for the week

The lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has led many people to reassess their situations. The length of…

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What are you singing to yourself?

  • Matt's Musings

I read the tragic story of the inquest into a man’s death in South Wales, who jumped from…

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The world’s most astonished atheist

  • Thought for the week

Memorial events have been held in Hiroshima to mark the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the world’s…

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The things that matter to everyone

  • Matt's Musings

In May, we waited eagerly to hear Mark Drakeford’s first announcement about easing lockdown measures in Wales. We…

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Holidays and holy days

  • Thought for the week

The holiday season this year is different. For some months many people have not been going to their…

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From ballroom to bingo to bible!

  • News

Built around 1911, Vaughan Hall (its original name) stands on Victoria Road. It was built as the Picture…

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World peace?

  • Matt's Musings

I recently read a story about a 15 year old Californian man called Jeff Henigson who wanted world…

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The faith of Napoleon Bonaparte

  • Thought for the week

Napoleon Bonaparte was a great French military general and statesman. He played a key role in the French…

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The Hope Mars probe

  • Thought for the week

This week the Arab world’s first mission to Mars was launched. An H-2A rocket carrying the unmanned Al-Amal,…

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Remembering the Battle of Britain

  • Thought for the week

This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain which began on 10 July 1940…

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A precious gift from God

  • Thought for the week

We have had an addition to our family. Our youngest daughter gave birth three weeks ago to her…

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The life and faith of Fanny Crosby

  • Thought for the week

Fanny Crosby was a prolific hymn writer who wrote more than 9000 hymns. Remarkably, she did this despite…

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The story of Ricky Valance

  • Thought for the week

Ricky Valance has died at the age of 84. In 1960, he had one big hit, the song…

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Finding forgiveness

  • Thought for the week

The lives of some well-known people are coming under critical scrutiny. In the past statues have been erected…

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Are you or someone you love in isolation?

  • News

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Precious in the sight of God

  • Thought for the week

By Peter Milsom, June 8, 2020 Every individual life matters. No-one is unimportant. The “Black Lives Matter” protests…

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When I consider your heavens

  • Thought for the week

By Peter Milsom, June 1, 2020 The SpaceX rocket, Endeavour, has taken two NASA astronauts, Doug Hurley and…

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John Wesley’s Story

By Peter Milsom, May 25, 2020 The 24th May 1738 was a very significant day in the life…

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Give us this day our daily bread

By Peter Milsom, May 18, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic is having a massive financial impact on the world.…

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Light in the darkness

By Peter Milsom, May 11, 2020 The VE Celebrations last weekend were very moving. Seeing thousands of young…

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Remembering VE Day

Remembering VE Day By Peter Milsom, May 4, 2020 This weekend there will be an international celebration of…

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Overcoming fear

By Peter Milsom, April 28, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has created widespread fear. The daily UK government briefing…

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Finding peace and hope

By Peter Milson, April 20, 2020 Plagues and epidemics have ravaged human beings throughout history. Between 1347 and…

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The Lord is risen!

By Peter Milsom, April 13, 2020 The glorious message of Easter is “The Lord is risen!’ In the…

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The day Jesus died

By Peter Milsom, April 6, 2020 This Friday is Good Friday when Christians remember the day on which…

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The selfless example of Dr Adil El Tayar

By Peter Milsom, March 30, 2020 We are deeply grateful for the doctors and nurses who are working…

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Don’t be afraid, just trust me

By Peter Milsom, March 23, 2020 In 1992 I was invited to speak at a conference in Zambia.…

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Resting in the shadow of the Almighty

By Peter Milsom March 16, 2020 Our world is in crisis. Political leaders are struggling to contain the…

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Remembering Dr Li Wenliang

By Peter Milsom, March 9, 2020 The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is in the news as more and more…

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Remembering God

By Peter Milsom, March 2, 2020 Spring is coming. It’s a lovely time of the year. The dark…

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When tragedy strikes

By Peter Milsom, February 24, 2020 After school on 13 January the school minibus dropped 7-year-old Samuel Barker…

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Facing fear and vulnerability

By Peter Milsom February 17, 2020 Michael Johnson, the retired American sprinter, had an outstanding athletics’ career. He…

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Rays of sunshine that penetrate the darkness

By Peter Milsom, February 10, 2020 At the end of January more than 200 survivors gathered at the…

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God’s laws are good

By Peter Milsom, February 3, 2020 In the UK and the Western world, we are experiencing a moral…

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Remember your Creator

By Peter Milsom, January 26, 2020 People are living longer. The Queen now sends more 100th birthday cards…

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Our lives have meaning

By Peter Milsom, January 20, 2020 A global survey conducted by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development…

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Blessed are the merciful

By Peter Milsom, January 13, 2020 There are strange contradictions in our contemporary society. On the one hand,…

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The God of hope

By Peter Milsom, January 6, 2020 As a new year and a new decade begin our world is…

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Murder on Christmas Eve

Posted by Peter Milsom on December 30, 2019 Late on Christmas Eve 2012 Alan Greaves kissed his wife,…

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Good news of great joy

Posted by Peter Milsom on December 23, 2019 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His parents, Mary and Joseph,…

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Light and life to all he brings

By Peter Milsom, December 16, 2019 More than 2 billion Christians around the world will soon celebrate the…

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He came down to earth from heaven

By Peter Milsom, December 9, 2019 The birth of Jesus was both ordinary and extraordinary. His mother, Mary,…

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The love that transforms

By Peter Milsom, December 2, 2019 Last week a man suddenly threatened to blow up the Fishmongers’ Hall,…

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God cares about you

Mental health is in the news. More people in Britain than ever before are experiencing depression and anxiety.…

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The uncertainties of riches

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, has just become the richest person in the world again with a…

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We will remember them

In 1919 King George V inaugurated Remembrance Day when Commonwealth member states remember those of their armed forces…

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Siya Kolisi’s Story

On Saturday 2 November Siya Kolisi raised the Webb Ellis Cup high after the South African team won…

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All things bright and beautiful

Amidst the many dark and wet days, we have also enjoyed some beautiful autumn days. The beauty of…

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The promise of the rainbow

In Britain the autumn has been very wet. Most days there has been some rain and often it…

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I want the best for you

On 26 September 2018 Amber Guyger, a Dallas policewoman, returned to her apartment building after a 14-hour shift.…

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Always giving thanks

Being thankful is a great blessing. At this time of year many churches hold Harvest Thanksgiving services. We…

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My talent is a gift from him

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 100 metres gold medal at the 2019 World Athletic Championships in Doha. Her…

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The story of Tani Adewumi

Tani Adewumi was born in Nigeria. His parents are Christians and were aware of the rise of Boko…

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Facing death

Every day we hear news of people who have died. The present death toll from the hurricane that…

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The “lullaby mothers” of the DR Congo

The outbreak of Ebola in the DR Congo is very serious. Over the past year more than 2,000…

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Wes Hall – Pace like Fire

The England cricket team has a new fast bowler. Jofra Archer stands in a line of formidable fast…

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The face of God

Facial recognition is in the news. This new technology can uniquely identify a person by analysing patterns based…

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The peace that passes all understanding

On a recent Songs of Praise programme Simon Thomas spoke about the way in which God has given…

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The Good Samaritan

A recent international study based in Lancaster University found that in nine-out-of-ten public fights bystanders intervened to help…

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The first moon landing

On 20 July 1969 the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin…

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My son belongs to Jesus forever

The news media agenda moves on rapidly. Significant events are reported and then quickly forgotten as the next…

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True happiness

All people long to find true and lasting happiness. The American Declaration of Independence says all people have…

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The call for justice

The recent demonstrations in Hong Kong have brought back memories of the Tiananmen Square protests in May 1989.…

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We went there to save lives

The recent historical drama television series “Chernobyl” tells the story of the nuclear plant disaster which happened on…

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When God graciously intervened

The ceremonies marking the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy landings were very significant occasions. It was…

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Remembering D-Day

The Normandy Landings began on 6 June 1944, known as D-Day. They were the largest seaborne invasion in…

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I lift up my eyes to the mountains

The photographs of long queues of climbers waiting to reach the summit of Mount Everest have been seen…

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Forgive us our debts

Student debt is a massive problem. Young people who go to university or college in Britain are given…

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Being rich toward God

The Sunday Times Rich List 2019 has been published which identifies the 1000 richest people in Britain. The…

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The Crown of Life

The widespread persecution of Christians has recently been highlighted in a report commissioned by Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign…

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Stop doubting and believe

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith and to the message Christians proclaim to the…

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Love and life in Jesus

On Easter Sunday terror came to Sri Lanka. Coordinated bomb attacks on churches in the capital Colombo, and…

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The day Jesus died

This week Christians will remember the death and resurrection of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. On Good…

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No change my heart shall fear

We live in a world of change. In the sphere of technology once state-of the art gadgets are…

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Living even though we are dying

Some friends of mine have been diagnosed with cancer. It’s a serious diagnosis that takes time to come…

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Remembering the Great Escape

Last weekend a service of remembrance was held in Poland to mark the 75th anniversary of The Great…

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Finding faith and hope

In 2018 President Xi of China was reappointed with no time limit. His new personal power and the…

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Heurelho Gomes – a changed man

Personal integrity is a precious thing in any sphere of life and especially in the pressurized world of…

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When I am afraid

Britain is due to leave the European Union on 29 March. It will be a time of great…

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Light and life

The recent Spring-like weather has been a real blessing to us all. The warm sunny days have lifted…

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The love of money

There is an epidemic of child gambling. The Gambling Commission says that 450,000 children aged 11-16 bet regularly…

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A special place in heaven

Recently the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, told journalists there was “a special place in hell”…

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Being loved and accepted

A Cardiff University study has revealed an increase in the number of children and young people who are…

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The power of forgiveness

We have just celebrated Holocaust Memorial Day. The Holocaust was one of the most evil events in human…

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The Lord watches over you

Last week the Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a serious traffic accident. The Duke pulled out of…

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All the lonely people

Many people are lonely, especially in the developed world. People are living longer than ever before and see…

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A New Beginning

A New Year is beginning. Starting something new gives us an opportunity to do better. Some people make…

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They followed the star

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the east came to visit him. They probably came…

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A time for giving and receiving

The days leading up to Christmas are very busy. There are cards to write and send and presents…

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To us a Son is given

Christmas is a special time as people around the world remember the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth…

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Mary’s Son

Preparations for Christmas are well under way. It’s a very expensive time. Last month an estimated £7billion was…

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My grace is sufficient for you

When my father was in hospital waiting for an operation to remove his bladder he was, understandably, anxious.…

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Change is possible

We live in a violent world. Terrorists use bombs and vehicles to kill and injure innocent people. Drug…

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I am with you always

The Remembrance Services this year have been deeply moving as we have remembered the millions of people who…

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We will remember them

At 11am on 11 November 1918 -“the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”- a…

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Being inspired by the Invictus Games

The fourth Invictus Games has just been held in Sydney, Australia. The Games is an international event created…

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The beauty of autumn

The recent sunny days have shown the autumn colours in all their beauty. The summer has past, and…

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Words matter

Words matter. At the marriage of Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie last week their deep love for each…

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Unbroken – the story of Louis Zamperini

The story of the remarkable life of Louis Zamperini has been told in the film “Unbroken” which came…

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The burden of debt

Debt is a growing problem for many families in Britain. In 2017 the average annual overspend for families…

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O thank the Lord for all his love

We have passed the autumn equinox as the sun has crossed the equator. Traditionally, the full Harvest Moon…

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Help, I need somebody!

In 1965 John Lennon wrote the song “Help!” It went to number one in the charts in both…

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When enemies become friends

Captain Bill Smyly, who died recently at the age of 95, was one of the last veterans of…

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Saving lives in Yemen

For more than 3 years Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been devastated by a…

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To whom shall we go?

The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland has revealed the depth of disillusionment many Catholic people in the…

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The challenge of digital dependency

For the first time in many years sales of dumb phones have increased. Dumb phones only enable people…

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Let the children come to me

Hospitals in Britain are treating almost twice as many girls for self-harm as they did 20 years ago.…

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Saved to serve

The obituaries that are printed in national newspapers provide a brief summary of a person’s life. How did…

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Holidays are important

The summer holiday season is in full swing. The number of people in Britain taking holidays is increasing.…

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Choose a good reputation

Cliff Richard has won his case against the BBC for seriously infringing his right to privacy. When the…

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Remembering Christabel Pankhurst

This year we are celebrating the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 2018 which, for the…

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Love and sacrifice

The plight of the 12 boys from a Thai football team and their coach trapped in a cave…

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Giving thanks for the NHS

On 5 July 1948 the National Health Service in Britain was launched by Aneurin Bevan, the then minister…

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The God of new beginnings

Alice Marie Johnson was enjoying a full and happy life. She was married to her childhood sweetheart and…

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Call on me in the day of trouble

When Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) erupted on Sunday 3 June it shot a plume of…

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The peace of God

A few years ago we were given a red mug with the words “Keep Calm and Carry On”…

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My friend David

David was born nearly 60 years ago. Soon after his birth his mother and father were told that…

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Sacrificial love in DR Congo

Last week the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola. Two cases have…

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Miracle on the River Kwai

Captain Ernest Gordon came from Scotland and served with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in World…

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Finding God when we fail

In 2011 the Coalition Government in Britain defined what they saw as fundamental British values. Schools are now…

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Heaven is real

The recent warm, sunny days have lifted our spirits after the cold days of early Spring. The cloudless…

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Remembering Stephen Lawrence

Stephen Lawrence was murdered as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April 1993.…

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Martin Luther King’s Dream

On 4 April 1968 Dr Martin Luther King Junior was assassinated. He was just 39 years old. He…

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The Lord is risen!

Easter is a joyful time for Christians around the world. On Easter Day they greet one another with…

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A costly sacrifice and a living hope

The courage and self-sacrifice of the French gendarme Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame was remarkable. When an armed man…

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The Prince of Peace

We live in a world of conflict. Every day we see vivid pictures of violent conflicts in Syria,…

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The Joy of Spring

When does Spring begin? The Met Office regards 1 March as the first day of Spring but the…

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Remembering Billy Graham

The evangelist Billy Graham died at his home in North Carolina on 21 February at the age of…

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Spiritual heart surgery

Recent major news stories have all been about really bad things that are happening in our world today.…

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The water of life

Cape Town, a beautiful coastal city, is running out of water. The second largest city in South Africa,…

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Crushing guilt and true forgiveness

The appalling case of Larry Nassar revealed how he used his position as the USA Gymnastics national team…

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Treasure on earth or treasure in heaven?

As many of the world’s wealthiest people gathered at Davos recently for the World Economic Forum, Oxfam International…

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Teach us to pray

Tearfund, a major Christian relief and development charity, recently commissioned a survey on prayer. Over 2000 adults took…

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Remembering Cyrille Regis

Cyrille Regis, who has died at the age of 59, was a great footballer. Those who knew him…

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Give us today our daily bread

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught his disciples important principles about daily living. He was preparing…

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When we are in debt

Christmas has passed, the decorations have been taken down and life is returning to normal. Yet for many…

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New beginnings

A new year has begun and offers the possibility of a new beginning. Looking back on life we…

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I was a stranger and you took me in

The birth of Jesus brought great joy to Mary and Joseph, but it also involved significant trauma. The…

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The greatest story ever told

The story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told. Joseph and Mary were a young couple living…

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O little town of Bethlehem

Some of the best-known hymns are Christmas carols. Familiar words express the wonder of the birth of Jesus…

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Immanuel – God with us

The birth of Jesus Christ really is a cause for great celebration! His coming into the world has…

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Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah

This month rugby fans around Britain have gathered for the Autumn International matches. One of the features of…

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Who is my neighbour?

Through the news media and internet we receive amazing insights into events around the world. On-the-spot reports and…

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Blessed are the peacemakers

Last weekend was the 30th anniversary of the Enniskillen bomb. At 10.43am on 8 November 1987, as people…

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The power of forgiveness

When the Allied forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese in 1942, Tony Lucas, who died recently, was one…

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“I was born again”

Patience Bradley, a former Vogue model, has written a memoir telling the story of her life. She first…

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Remembering Martin Luther

On 31 October 1517 Martin Luther, until then a little-known monk, nailed a copy of his 95 Theses…

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All good gifts around us

Farmers have safely gathered in the harvest for another year. The early season was very dry and during…

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Asking the big questions

In December 2015, Major Tim Peake became the first British European Space Agency astronaut to visit the International…

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When we lose everything

What do you do when you lose everything? Pictures of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma on islands…

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A love that changes us

When you read the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus you are struck by the number of…

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Love lifted me

It is interesting to read the obituaries of people who have recently died. Many, who are not well-known,…

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The Lord God omnipotent reigns!

Following their latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, there is growing concern around the world about North…

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God is wonderfully kind

Last week the BBC reluctantly revealed the salaries received by its presenters, actors, pundits and contributors who earn…

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I am with you always

Many people in the UK today live on their own. In 2016, there were 7.7 million one person…

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A mother’s love

Little Charlie Gard is unaware of the international media attention surrounding him and his parents. Connie and Chris…

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The Lord omnipotent is King!

There is a power vacuum in Britain today because the general election gave no political party an overall…

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The secret of being content

We are living in unsettled times. Reports in the media portray a spirit of unease and unhappiness in…

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O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

The terrible fire at Grenfell Tower has traumatised a nation. The vivid pictures of the inferno that quickly…

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Light shines in the darkness

The terrorist attack on London Bridge on Saturday 3 June came without warning and many innocent people were…

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Pray for those in authority

This week the people of Britain will elect a new government. They will face some very big challenges,…

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When tragedy strikes

The Manchester bombing atrocity has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Thousands attended the…

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Bear Gryll’s Greatest Adventure

Bear Grylls is well-known as a man who embodies the spirit of adventure and outdoor survival. His love…

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I can’t thank them enough, they are all heroes

One Sunday morning Matthew Bryce set out for a morning’s surfing off the Argyll coast of Scotland. When…

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He has made everything beautiful in its time

The Spring and early summer is a beautiful time as nature comes alive. This year I have been…

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She has saved me

Sergeant Alexander Blackman has been released from prison and has been reunited with his wife, Claire, who tirelessly…

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Because I live, you also will live

A poll carried out on Palm Sunday revealed that 23% of people in the UK who regard themselves…

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Christ is risen!

The days leading up to Easter this year have seen tragic and horrific events around the world. Terrorist…

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The power of reconciliation

We live in a world in which retaliation and retribution are normal. If someone injures us, or damages…

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A unique King

On Palm Sunday Christians remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, just 5 days before he was…

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Everybody’s got a past

The Internet has changed our lives both positively and negatively. One negative factor is the ease with which…

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The ministry of angels

Last summer Stephen Parker and his two sons, 17-year-old Mason and 8-year-old J.T., were working on a Toyota…

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The best news ever!

Like many people around the world I like to follow the news. Every morning I listen to the…

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When bad things happen

What do we do when bad things happen? A dear friend of ours recently had surgery for cancer.…

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God is Light

The days are getting longer. It’s good to go to work and school in the light and to…

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Remembering Joost van der Westhuizen

Last week Joost van der Westhuizen died at the age of 45. Joost played scrum half for South…

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Adriaan Vlok is a changed man

On Friday 2 February 1990 President F.W. de Klerk announced the end of apartheid, that for 41 years…

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The King of kings and Lord of lords

We are living in a time of change and political leaders are in the news. In the USA,…

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The greatest ever rescue

Last Wednesday afternoon a huge avalanche hit Hotel Rigopiano, in central Italy, at an estimated speed of 60mph.…

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Remembering Jill Saward

Jill Saward’s funeral takes place this week at Lichfield Cathedral. Her ashes will be taken to Nefyn in…

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Our God is the end of the journey

Last Saturday I stood at the graveside of a good friend I had known for more than 45…

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I know who holds the future

Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve clocks in countries using Greenwich Mean Time were adjusted as one…

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Let’s go to Bethlehem

Christmas is a special time of the year. The preparations begin weeks before. There is a long list…

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The Greatest Story ever told

The story of Jesus has been called “The Greatest Story ever told.” It is more than a story…

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A love that forgives and forgets

Last week someone broke into a small valley church in Abersychan in South Wales. They stole £60 in…

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Special births

Alfie, Connor and Dylan Bateman, who are just 2 years old, are in the Guinness Book of Records.…

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The God of second chances

In our world today the price of failure is high. A political leader whose party loses an election…

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Thoughts on being a parent

On a recent visit to Vietnam the Duke of Cambridge was interviewed on a popular English-language talk show.…

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Put your trust in God.

One hundred years ago this week the Battle of the Somme ended. The Battle started on 1 July…

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Look at the Birds

The nights are dark and we have had the first frosts of winter. We may envy the birds…

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The transient beauty of autumn

This year the autumn colours are especially glorious and have lasted longer than usual. In the autumn sun,…

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The God who is there

The hard crash-landing of the Europe Space Agency’s experimental Mars probe, Schiaparelli, was a deep disappointment for the…

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Remembering Aberfan

On 21 October 1966 I was at work in Cardiff when we heard there had been a disaster…

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The testimony of J B Holmes

J B Holmes was a member of the winning USA Team in the recent Ryder Cup, but 5…

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