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…
More infoGiving 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…
More infoGod 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…
More infoRemembering Alexei Navalny
- Thought for the week
The tragic death of Alexei Navalny gives a chilling insight into life in Russia today. Alexei was a…
More infoThe 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…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoThe 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,…
More infoThe 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…
More infoLight 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…
More infoChristian 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…
More infoThe Forgiveness Project
- Thought for the week
On the morning of 14 December 2012, a young man shot his mother and then walked into Sandy…
More infoLoving 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…
More infoThe Servant Queen
- Thought for the week
On 6 February 2022 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 70 years since she acceded to the throne on the…
More infoThe 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,…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoGod’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…
More infoPrecious 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…
More infoGood 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.…
More infoMary 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…
More infoJoseph 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…
More infoAbraham’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,…
More infoTime to change
- Thought for the week
Is it possible for people to change? How do we cope with things we’ve done in the…
More infoCan 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…
More infoA Great Rescue
- Thought for the week
Early on Saturday afternoon Matt, a good friend of mine, who is a member of his local…
More infoHope 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…
More infoSpiritual Exercise
- Blog
Our children are involved in different sports. Each of them comes with their own disciplines: things that…
More infoGod had a plan
- Thought for the week
Charlie Duke is a former NASA astronaut. In 1972 as Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16, he…
More infoGive 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.…
More infoJesus 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…
More infoSara’s Story
- Thought for the week
Sara grew up in a loving home and enjoyed a very happy childhood in a small rural village…
More infoHow 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…
More infoWho 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…
More infoTrees and Life After Death
- Blog
“Each time you read a book, a tree smiles knowing that there’s life after death.” (Unknown) Because I…
More infoI 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…
More infoPerfect 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…
More infoJesus Did Pointless Stuff
- Blog
A lot of our lives are made up of doing little, insignificant actions. Often, we do them on…
More infoThe 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,…
More infoI 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…
More infoJust 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…
More infoRemembering 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…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoJesus 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…
More infoI 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…
More infoRedshirts
- Blog
Being a 'redshirt' is something of a joke and a massive occupational hazard, specifically in science fiction. Redshirts…
More infoNo VAR!
- Matt's Musings
What do you think of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR)? A team and their fans can celebrate scoring…
More infoRemarkable People
- Thought for the week
Dan Walker is a well-known BBC presenter who has presented Football Focus and Match of the Day and…
More infoSaul and Us
- Blog
It's amazing how relevant the Bible still is today. I have just been reading about King Saul, who…
More infoGod 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,…
More infoWe 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…
More infoFortieth Anniversary: Geoff
- Real lives at CCD
Having grown up in church and having now been a church officer for over 35 years, Geoff is…
More infoHope is coming
- Thought for the week
Louise Blyth met her husband, George, in 2006. They fell in love and were married in 2011. Their…
More infoa tragic killing
- Blog
It was very sad to read the tragic news of the young man, Dean being killed in Connah’s…
More infoWe’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…
More infoThe Door
- Blog
A few days ago, we went to visit grandparents for the first time in a long time. The…
More infoLove your enemies
- Thought for the week
Sadly, there are many examples of hatred in our world today. Hatred between peoples leads to conflict, such…
More infoFrom 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…
More infoIntegrity
- Matt's Musings
Tomorrow is election day for 48 million people in the UK, so it prompted me to think about…
More infoJustice 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,…
More infoBeing 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…
More infoGod’s Health and Safety
- Blog
One side-effect of living in a pandemic is heightened awareness of germs. For some, that increased awareness causes…
More infoHope 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…
More infoRemembering Prince Philip
- Thought for the week
We are remembering Prince Philip who lived a very long and active life. His early years were difficult…
More infoA 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…
More infoResurrection joy
- Thought for the week
Easter is a time of great joy. The resurrection of Jesus lifted his first disciples from a spirit…
More infoAmazing love
- Thought for the week
More than 2000 years ago a young man died on a Roman cross outside the city of Jerusalem.…
More info#notquiteallmen!
- Matt's Musings
Earlier this month, a 33 year old lady called Sarah Everard never arrived home from leaving her friend’s…
More infoKing of kings
- Thought for the week
At the beginning of the last week of his life Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem. Great crowds…
More infoLockdown’s Warning
- Blog
In some of the oldest pages of Scripture, we see the account of the Ten Plagues in Egypt.…
More infoThey 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,…
More infoIt’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…
More infoIt’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…
More infoLoved 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…
More infoI 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…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoGone Before
- Blog
Looking up into the oak tree that my children climb reminds me of the huge maple that my…
More infoIf 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…
More infoTomorrow 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…
More infoCan’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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoListen to the birds!
- Matt's Musings
I have noticed more bird song over the last week or so as I walk through Wepre Park…
More infoAs 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…
More infoThe Last Bedtime
- Blog
One of my children is particularly prone to worry at bedtime. We tuck her up, pray with her,…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoBe 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,…
More infoA 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…
More infoIt 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…
More infoI 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…
More infoThe Virgin Mary
- Blog
The Virgin Mary is the Lord’s highly favoured one (Luke 1:28), is kindly regarded by Him, and each…
More infoThe 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…
More infoWere 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…
More infoThe Greatest Gift
- Thought for the week
The last days leading up to Christmas are normally very busy. A few cards to write and post…
More infoNames of Jesus
- Blog
In the Bible, names have particular importance. Jesus was given an ordinary name for the time and place…
More infoThe 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…
More infoRocking 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…
More infoBecause 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…
More infoNot 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…
More infoNow 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…
More infoA tough assignment!
- Matt's Musings
Around 750BC there lived a man called Hosea. What a job he was given to do! God sent…
More infoAslan 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…
More infoThankfulness
- Blog
Autumn always seems like a good time to reflect on the year and ‘count my blessings’. The year…
More infoBobby 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…
More infoRemembrance Day
- Matt's Musings
One verse of the poem, “For The Fallen” by Robert Laurence Binyon reads They shall grow not old,…
More infoThe 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…
More infoRemember, remember!
- Matt's Musings
It has been very sad to read of terrorist attacks in France and Austria in recent days. Terrorist…
More infoThrough 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…
More infoAn 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…
More infoGreat is your faithfulness
- Thought for the week
The last autumn leaves will soon have fallen. Once again, we have witnessed the spectacular autumn colours –…
More infoA 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…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoLooking 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…
More infoWhat 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…
More infoGod 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.…
More infoSpeaking 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…
More infoRemembering 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…
More infoLessons in a field
- Matt's Musings
I have walked through the same field nearly every day for the last 6 months. As a family…
More infoWhen 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.…
More infoThe 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…
More infoRemembering 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…
More infoWonderful body language
- Matt's Musings
25 years ago, reading people’s body language was a big thing. Some of it was over the top.…
More infoHope 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…
More infoTrue sanity?
- Matt's Musings
Imagine one of our proud world leaders disappearing from office for a number of years. You see pictures…
More infoBaby Asher
- Thought for the week
The birth of a first child is an occasion for great joy. In June Pete and Grace, who…
More infoCome like a child
- Blog
My fourth child makes me marvel. Before he learned to baby babble, he hardly made a noise. He…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThoughts 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’…
More infoFinding contentment
- Thought for the week
The lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has led many people to reassess their situations. The length of…
More infoWhat 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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoHolidays 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…
More infoFrom ballroom to bingo to bible!
- News
Built around 1911, Vaughan Hall (its original name) stands on Victoria Road. It was built as the Picture…
More infoWorld peace?
- Matt's Musings
I recently read a story about a 15 year old Californian man called Jeff Henigson who wanted world…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThe 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,…
More infoRemembering 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…
More infoA 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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThe 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…
More infoFinding forgiveness
- Thought for the week
The lives of some well-known people are coming under critical scrutiny. In the past statues have been erected…
More infoPrecious 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…
More infoWhen 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…
More infoJohn Wesley’s Story
By Peter Milsom, May 25, 2020 The 24th May 1738 was a very significant day in the life…
More infoGive us this day our daily bread
By Peter Milsom, May 18, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic is having a massive financial impact on the world.…
More infoLight in the darkness
By Peter Milsom, May 11, 2020 The VE Celebrations last weekend were very moving. Seeing thousands of young…
More infoRemembering VE Day
Remembering VE Day By Peter Milsom, May 4, 2020 This weekend there will be an international celebration of…
More infoOvercoming fear
By Peter Milsom, April 28, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has created widespread fear. The daily UK government briefing…
More infoFinding peace and hope
By Peter Milson, April 20, 2020 Plagues and epidemics have ravaged human beings throughout history. Between 1347 and…
More infoThe Lord is risen!
By Peter Milsom, April 13, 2020 The glorious message of Easter is “The Lord is risen!’ In the…
More infoThe day Jesus died
By Peter Milsom, April 6, 2020 This Friday is Good Friday when Christians remember the day on which…
More infoThe 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…
More infoDon’t be afraid, just trust me
By Peter Milsom, March 23, 2020 In 1992 I was invited to speak at a conference in Zambia.…
More infoResting in the shadow of the Almighty
By Peter Milsom March 16, 2020 Our world is in crisis. Political leaders are struggling to contain the…
More infoRemembering Dr Li Wenliang
By Peter Milsom, March 9, 2020 The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is in the news as more and more…
More infoRemembering God
By Peter Milsom, March 2, 2020 Spring is coming. It’s a lovely time of the year. The dark…
More infoWhen tragedy strikes
By Peter Milsom, February 24, 2020 After school on 13 January the school minibus dropped 7-year-old Samuel Barker…
More infoFacing fear and vulnerability
By Peter Milsom February 17, 2020 Michael Johnson, the retired American sprinter, had an outstanding athletics’ career. He…
More infoRays of sunshine that penetrate the darkness
By Peter Milsom, February 10, 2020 At the end of January more than 200 survivors gathered at the…
More infoGod’s laws are good
By Peter Milsom, February 3, 2020 In the UK and the Western world, we are experiencing a moral…
More infoRemember your Creator
By Peter Milsom, January 26, 2020 People are living longer. The Queen now sends more 100th birthday cards…
More infoOur lives have meaning
By Peter Milsom, January 20, 2020 A global survey conducted by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development…
More infoBlessed are the merciful
By Peter Milsom, January 13, 2020 There are strange contradictions in our contemporary society. On the one hand,…
More infoThe God of hope
By Peter Milsom, January 6, 2020 As a new year and a new decade begin our world is…
More infoMurder on Christmas Eve
Posted by Peter Milsom on December 30, 2019 Late on Christmas Eve 2012 Alan Greaves kissed his wife,…
More infoGood news of great joy
Posted by Peter Milsom on December 23, 2019 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His parents, Mary and Joseph,…
More infoLight and life to all he brings
By Peter Milsom, December 16, 2019 More than 2 billion Christians around the world will soon celebrate the…
More infoHe came down to earth from heaven
By Peter Milsom, December 9, 2019 The birth of Jesus was both ordinary and extraordinary. His mother, Mary,…
More infoThe love that transforms
By Peter Milsom, December 2, 2019 Last week a man suddenly threatened to blow up the Fishmongers’ Hall,…
More infoGod cares about you
Mental health is in the news. More people in Britain than ever before are experiencing depression and anxiety.…
More infoThe uncertainties of riches
Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, has just become the richest person in the world again with a…
More infoWe will remember them
In 1919 King George V inaugurated Remembrance Day when Commonwealth member states remember those of their armed forces…
More infoSiya Kolisi’s Story
On Saturday 2 November Siya Kolisi raised the Webb Ellis Cup high after the South African team won…
More infoAll things bright and beautiful
Amidst the many dark and wet days, we have also enjoyed some beautiful autumn days. The beauty of…
More infoThe promise of the rainbow
In Britain the autumn has been very wet. Most days there has been some rain and often it…
More infoI want the best for you
On 26 September 2018 Amber Guyger, a Dallas policewoman, returned to her apartment building after a 14-hour shift.…
More infoAlways giving thanks
Being thankful is a great blessing. At this time of year many churches hold Harvest Thanksgiving services. We…
More infoMy 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…
More infoThe story of Tani Adewumi
Tani Adewumi was born in Nigeria. His parents are Christians and were aware of the rise of Boko…
More infoFacing death
Every day we hear news of people who have died. The present death toll from the hurricane that…
More infoThe “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…
More infoWes Hall – Pace like Fire
The England cricket team has a new fast bowler. Jofra Archer stands in a line of formidable fast…
More infoThe face of God
Facial recognition is in the news. This new technology can uniquely identify a person by analysing patterns based…
More infoThe peace that passes all understanding
On a recent Songs of Praise programme Simon Thomas spoke about the way in which God has given…
More infoThe Good Samaritan
A recent international study based in Lancaster University found that in nine-out-of-ten public fights bystanders intervened to help…
More infoThe first moon landing
On 20 July 1969 the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin…
More infoMy son belongs to Jesus forever
The news media agenda moves on rapidly. Significant events are reported and then quickly forgotten as the next…
More infoTrue happiness
All people long to find true and lasting happiness. The American Declaration of Independence says all people have…
More infoThe call for justice
The recent demonstrations in Hong Kong have brought back memories of the Tiananmen Square protests in May 1989.…
More infoWe went there to save lives
The recent historical drama television series “Chernobyl” tells the story of the nuclear plant disaster which happened on…
More infoWhen God graciously intervened
The ceremonies marking the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy landings were very significant occasions. It was…
More infoRemembering D-Day
The Normandy Landings began on 6 June 1944, known as D-Day. They were the largest seaborne invasion in…
More infoI 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…
More infoForgive us our debts
Student debt is a massive problem. Young people who go to university or college in Britain are given…
More infoBeing rich toward God
The Sunday Times Rich List 2019 has been published which identifies the 1000 richest people in Britain. The…
More infoThe Crown of Life
The widespread persecution of Christians has recently been highlighted in a report commissioned by Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign…
More infoStop doubting and believe
The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith and to the message Christians proclaim to the…
More infoLove and life in Jesus
On Easter Sunday terror came to Sri Lanka. Coordinated bomb attacks on churches in the capital Colombo, and…
More infoThe day Jesus died
This week Christians will remember the death and resurrection of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. On Good…
More infoNo change my heart shall fear
We live in a world of change. In the sphere of technology once state-of the art gadgets are…
More infoLiving even though we are dying
Some friends of mine have been diagnosed with cancer. It’s a serious diagnosis that takes time to come…
More infoRemembering the Great Escape
Last weekend a service of remembrance was held in Poland to mark the 75th anniversary of The Great…
More infoFinding faith and hope
In 2018 President Xi of China was reappointed with no time limit. His new personal power and the…
More infoHeurelho Gomes – a changed man
Personal integrity is a precious thing in any sphere of life and especially in the pressurized world of…
More infoWhen I am afraid
Britain is due to leave the European Union on 29 March. It will be a time of great…
More infoLight and life
The recent Spring-like weather has been a real blessing to us all. The warm sunny days have lifted…
More infoThe love of money
There is an epidemic of child gambling. The Gambling Commission says that 450,000 children aged 11-16 bet regularly…
More infoA special place in heaven
Recently the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, told journalists there was “a special place in hell”…
More infoBeing loved and accepted
A Cardiff University study has revealed an increase in the number of children and young people who are…
More infoThe power of forgiveness
We have just celebrated Holocaust Memorial Day. The Holocaust was one of the most evil events in human…
More infoThe Lord watches over you
Last week the Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a serious traffic accident. The Duke pulled out of…
More infoAll the lonely people
Many people are lonely, especially in the developed world. People are living longer than ever before and see…
More infoA New Beginning
A New Year is beginning. Starting something new gives us an opportunity to do better. Some people make…
More infoThey followed the star
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the east came to visit him. They probably came…
More infoA time for giving and receiving
The days leading up to Christmas are very busy. There are cards to write and send and presents…
More infoTo us a Son is given
Christmas is a special time as people around the world remember the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth…
More infoMary’s Son
Preparations for Christmas are well under way. It’s a very expensive time. Last month an estimated £7billion was…
More infoMy grace is sufficient for you
When my father was in hospital waiting for an operation to remove his bladder he was, understandably, anxious.…
More infoChange is possible
We live in a violent world. Terrorists use bombs and vehicles to kill and injure innocent people. Drug…
More infoI am with you always
The Remembrance Services this year have been deeply moving as we have remembered the millions of people who…
More infoWe will remember them
At 11am on 11 November 1918 -“the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”- a…
More infoBeing inspired by the Invictus Games
The fourth Invictus Games has just been held in Sydney, Australia. The Games is an international event created…
More infoThe beauty of autumn
The recent sunny days have shown the autumn colours in all their beauty. The summer has past, and…
More infoWords matter
Words matter. At the marriage of Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie last week their deep love for each…
More infoUnbroken – the story of Louis Zamperini
The story of the remarkable life of Louis Zamperini has been told in the film “Unbroken” which came…
More infoThe burden of debt
Debt is a growing problem for many families in Britain. In 2017 the average annual overspend for families…
More infoO 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…
More infoHelp, I need somebody!
In 1965 John Lennon wrote the song “Help!” It went to number one in the charts in both…
More infoWhen enemies become friends
Captain Bill Smyly, who died recently at the age of 95, was one of the last veterans of…
More infoSaving lives in Yemen
For more than 3 years Yemen, one of the Arab world’s poorest countries, has been devastated by a…
More infoTo whom shall we go?
The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland has revealed the depth of disillusionment many Catholic people in the…
More infoThe challenge of digital dependency
For the first time in many years sales of dumb phones have increased. Dumb phones only enable people…
More infoLet the children come to me
Hospitals in Britain are treating almost twice as many girls for self-harm as they did 20 years ago.…
More infoSaved to serve
The obituaries that are printed in national newspapers provide a brief summary of a person’s life. How did…
More infoHolidays are important
The summer holiday season is in full swing. The number of people in Britain taking holidays is increasing.…
More infoChoose a good reputation
Cliff Richard has won his case against the BBC for seriously infringing his right to privacy. When the…
More infoRemembering Christabel Pankhurst
This year we are celebrating the centenary of the Representation of the People Act 2018 which, for the…
More infoLove and sacrifice
The plight of the 12 boys from a Thai football team and their coach trapped in a cave…
More infoGiving thanks for the NHS
On 5 July 1948 the National Health Service in Britain was launched by Aneurin Bevan, the then minister…
More infoThe God of new beginnings
Alice Marie Johnson was enjoying a full and happy life. She was married to her childhood sweetheart and…
More infoCall 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…
More infoThe peace of God
A few years ago we were given a red mug with the words “Keep Calm and Carry On”…
More infoMy friend David
David was born nearly 60 years ago. Soon after his birth his mother and father were told that…
More infoSacrificial love in DR Congo
Last week the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak of Ebola. Two cases have…
More infoMiracle on the River Kwai
Captain Ernest Gordon came from Scotland and served with the 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in World…
More infoFinding God when we fail
In 2011 the Coalition Government in Britain defined what they saw as fundamental British values. Schools are now…
More infoHeaven is real
The recent warm, sunny days have lifted our spirits after the cold days of early Spring. The cloudless…
More infoRemembering Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence was murdered as he waited for a bus in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April 1993.…
More infoMartin Luther King’s Dream
On 4 April 1968 Dr Martin Luther King Junior was assassinated. He was just 39 years old. He…
More infoThe Lord is risen!
Easter is a joyful time for Christians around the world. On Easter Day they greet one another with…
More infoA 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…
More infoThe Prince of Peace
We live in a world of conflict. Every day we see vivid pictures of violent conflicts in Syria,…
More infoThe Joy of Spring
When does Spring begin? The Met Office regards 1 March as the first day of Spring but the…
More infoRemembering Billy Graham
The evangelist Billy Graham died at his home in North Carolina on 21 February at the age of…
More infoSpiritual heart surgery
Recent major news stories have all been about really bad things that are happening in our world today.…
More infoThe water of life
Cape Town, a beautiful coastal city, is running out of water. The second largest city in South Africa,…
More infoCrushing guilt and true forgiveness
The appalling case of Larry Nassar revealed how he used his position as the USA Gymnastics national team…
More infoTreasure 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…
More infoTeach us to pray
Tearfund, a major Christian relief and development charity, recently commissioned a survey on prayer. Over 2000 adults took…
More infoRemembering Cyrille Regis
Cyrille Regis, who has died at the age of 59, was a great footballer. Those who knew him…
More infoGive us today our daily bread
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught his disciples important principles about daily living. He was preparing…
More infoWhen we are in debt
Christmas has passed, the decorations have been taken down and life is returning to normal. Yet for many…
More infoNew beginnings
A new year has begun and offers the possibility of a new beginning. Looking back on life we…
More infoI 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…
More infoThe greatest story ever told
The story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told. Joseph and Mary were a young couple living…
More infoO little town of Bethlehem
Some of the best-known hymns are Christmas carols. Familiar words express the wonder of the birth of Jesus…
More infoImmanuel – God with us
The birth of Jesus Christ really is a cause for great celebration! His coming into the world has…
More infoGuide me, O Thou great Jehovah
This month rugby fans around Britain have gathered for the Autumn International matches. One of the features of…
More infoWho is my neighbour?
Through the news media and internet we receive amazing insights into events around the world. On-the-spot reports and…
More infoBlessed are the peacemakers
Last weekend was the 30th anniversary of the Enniskillen bomb. At 10.43am on 8 November 1987, as people…
More infoThe power of forgiveness
When the Allied forces surrendered Singapore to the Japanese in 1942, Tony Lucas, who died recently, was one…
More info“I was born again”
Patience Bradley, a former Vogue model, has written a memoir telling the story of her life. She first…
More infoRemembering Martin Luther
On 31 October 1517 Martin Luther, until then a little-known monk, nailed a copy of his 95 Theses…
More infoAll good gifts around us
Farmers have safely gathered in the harvest for another year. The early season was very dry and during…
More infoAsking the big questions
In December 2015, Major Tim Peake became the first British European Space Agency astronaut to visit the International…
More infoWhen we lose everything
What do you do when you lose everything? Pictures of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma on islands…
More infoA love that changes us
When you read the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus you are struck by the number of…
More infoLove lifted me
It is interesting to read the obituaries of people who have recently died. Many, who are not well-known,…
More infoThe Lord God omnipotent reigns!
Following their latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, there is growing concern around the world about North…
More infoGod is wonderfully kind
Last week the BBC reluctantly revealed the salaries received by its presenters, actors, pundits and contributors who earn…
More infoI am with you always
Many people in the UK today live on their own. In 2016, there were 7.7 million one person…
More infoA mother’s love
Little Charlie Gard is unaware of the international media attention surrounding him and his parents. Connie and Chris…
More infoThe Lord omnipotent is King!
There is a power vacuum in Britain today because the general election gave no political party an overall…
More infoThe secret of being content
We are living in unsettled times. Reports in the media portray a spirit of unease and unhappiness in…
More infoO 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…
More infoLight shines in the darkness
The terrorist attack on London Bridge on Saturday 3 June came without warning and many innocent people were…
More infoPray for those in authority
This week the people of Britain will elect a new government. They will face some very big challenges,…
More infoWhen tragedy strikes
The Manchester bombing atrocity has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Thousands attended the…
More infoBear Gryll’s Greatest Adventure
Bear Grylls is well-known as a man who embodies the spirit of adventure and outdoor survival. His love…
More infoI 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…
More infoHe 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…
More infoShe has saved me
Sergeant Alexander Blackman has been released from prison and has been reunited with his wife, Claire, who tirelessly…
More infoBecause I live, you also will live
A poll carried out on Palm Sunday revealed that 23% of people in the UK who regard themselves…
More infoChrist is risen!
The days leading up to Easter this year have seen tragic and horrific events around the world. Terrorist…
More infoThe power of reconciliation
We live in a world in which retaliation and retribution are normal. If someone injures us, or damages…
More infoA unique King
On Palm Sunday Christians remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, just 5 days before he was…
More infoEverybody’s got a past
The Internet has changed our lives both positively and negatively. One negative factor is the ease with which…
More infoThe 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…
More infoThe best news ever!
Like many people around the world I like to follow the news. Every morning I listen to the…
More infoWhen bad things happen
What do we do when bad things happen? A dear friend of ours recently had surgery for cancer.…
More infoGod is Light
The days are getting longer. It’s good to go to work and school in the light and to…
More infoRemembering Joost van der Westhuizen
Last week Joost van der Westhuizen died at the age of 45. Joost played scrum half for South…
More infoAdriaan Vlok is a changed man
On Friday 2 February 1990 President F.W. de Klerk announced the end of apartheid, that for 41 years…
More infoThe 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,…
More infoThe greatest ever rescue
Last Wednesday afternoon a huge avalanche hit Hotel Rigopiano, in central Italy, at an estimated speed of 60mph.…
More infoRemembering Jill Saward
Jill Saward’s funeral takes place this week at Lichfield Cathedral. Her ashes will be taken to Nefyn in…
More infoOur 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…
More infoI know who holds the future
Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve clocks in countries using Greenwich Mean Time were adjusted as one…
More infoLet’s go to Bethlehem
Christmas is a special time of the year. The preparations begin weeks before. There is a long list…
More infoThe Greatest Story ever told
The story of Jesus has been called “The Greatest Story ever told.” It is more than a story…
More infoA love that forgives and forgets
Last week someone broke into a small valley church in Abersychan in South Wales. They stole £60 in…
More infoSpecial births
Alfie, Connor and Dylan Bateman, who are just 2 years old, are in the Guinness Book of Records.…
More infoThe God of second chances
In our world today the price of failure is high. A political leader whose party loses an election…
More infoThoughts on being a parent
On a recent visit to Vietnam the Duke of Cambridge was interviewed on a popular English-language talk show.…
More infoPut your trust in God.
One hundred years ago this week the Battle of the Somme ended. The Battle started on 1 July…
More infoLook at the Birds
The nights are dark and we have had the first frosts of winter. We may envy the birds…
More infoThe transient beauty of autumn
This year the autumn colours are especially glorious and have lasted longer than usual. In the autumn sun,…
More infoThe God who is there
The hard crash-landing of the Europe Space Agency’s experimental Mars probe, Schiaparelli, was a deep disappointment for the…
More infoRemembering Aberfan
On 21 October 1966 I was at work in Cardiff when we heard there had been a disaster…
More infoThe 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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