Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at God

Several years ago, a notice appeared on the vestry noticeboard of a church in Hampshire, after a Holy Week performance of Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’. The choirmaster wrote “The Crucifixion – well done, everyone!’ Later that day, someone had added, ‘The Resurrection – well done, God!’

‘One Year On’ From the Vicar ‘Zoomed Out?’ Finding God in Each Moment of the Day Jesus and His mother When your prayer is not answered Reflected Faith:  with all your soul, strength and mind Stay trimmed and balanced How to gain contentment ** Editor:  The Revd Canon Paul Hardingham looks back on the year...

It was just over a year ago that the WHO discussed the coronavirus that was starting to spread around the world. None of us could have foreseen the devastating effect on our world, with over 80 million people infected and nearly two million deaths. How has the pandemic challenged our faith, as we look back...

It was just over a year ago that the WHO discussed the coronavirus that was starting to spread around the world. None of us could have foreseen the devastating effect on our world, with over 80 million people infected and nearly 2 million deaths. How has the pandemic challenged our faith over the last year?...

‘You’re still on mute!’ If you’ve used Zoom over the past year, you’ll be familiar with this cry! After a day on Zoom, the last thing we often want to do is using it for a chat with friends or a church service on Sunday! Now this reveals a wider problem that we face. We...

Do you know the popular series of books entitled Where’s Wally? These books are filled with very detailed cartoon drawings in each of which is hidden Wally. He is dressed in a red and white striped ski cap and glasses and the challenge is to find Wally. You have to search for some time to...

When Jesus was at a Galilean wedding (John 2:1-11), He was there with His disciples and Mary, His mum. During the celebrations, unknown to the groom, the wine ran out. Mary was quick to spot the problem. She knew this could be an embarrassing moment for the groom if people couldn’t have a drink, and...

2 Cor. 12:8; ‘Three times I asked the Lord about this …BUT…’  Paul is talking about one of the most mysterious and one of the most baffling aspects of prayer – when God does not say yes. On the face of it, Paul’s prayer was very modest.  For some time he had been troubled by...

I believe there were two key elements to gathered worship. The first is that there should be a welcome for everyone. The second I’d like to propose is that gathered worship is absolutely concentrated on enabling and allowing our hearts and souls to be closer to the God whom we are worshipping. In other words, whatever takes places,...

‘Do not let this Book …depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night … be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be … successful.’ (Joshua 1.8) Any flying instructor will tell you that aeroplanes need to be ‘trimmed’ or ‘balanced in flight’ on a regular basis.  After flying through...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:4,6-7) I’ve been thinking a lot about contentment...

How to Handle Temptation From the Vicar Love Is… Describe what love is Do your days rush by at a hectic pace? It is not enough to love – you need to be loved It’s all in the spelling… Have you done something which haunts you? ** Editor:  Canon Paul Hardingham considers the temptations of...