Viewing all items in Resource Category: Looking at God

This is the time of year for many churches to hold their Harvest Festival services. No doubt, there will be displays of food, some grown in local gardens. While gardeners have pleasure growing fruit and vegetables, it can be hard work tending to them. Jesus knew about the care given to vines. In John 15:1-8...

The story is told of a man in charge of building a great church, who was pestered by an apprentice who wanted to design the glass for one of the windows. Finally, he agreed that the apprentice should be given one very small window. BUT – the apprentice would have to provide all the materials...

A survey was conducted among people who lived to be more than 100 years old. What had kept them going so long? You’d have thought that they would recite their health diets, their miracle drugs, or their devotion to strenuous exercise. Instead, the one thing all these centenarians had in common was a purpose in...

‘…those who chase fantasies have no sense.’  Proverbs 12.11 Have you ever been attracted to computer gaming? For many people, it has become addictive; and they spend so much time in their fantasy world that their own avatar and those of their fellow players have come to seem more real to them than their own...

Have you ever wondered how you can be certain about who and what God really is?  One Christian put it this way: “I’m reminded of the story of the little boy who was out flying a kite. The wind was brisk and large billowing clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and...

This autumn, do you feel overwhelmed with all the things that you need to get done? Then think of your life as an hourglass. There are thousands of grains of sand in the top of the hourglass; and they all pass slowly and evenly through the narrow neck in the middle. We are like that...

The Transfiguration From the Vicar Spiritual Disciplines: Rest Reflecting faith – the Pulpit pt. 2 Be still and know… A.S.A.P. Do you need a new painkiller?< What’s your next step? ** Editor:  Canon Paul Hardingham considers a dramatic story from the gospels. The Transfiguration This month we celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration, when Jesus took Peter, John...

This month we celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration, when Jesus took Peter, John and James with Him up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus was transfigured alongside Moses and Elijah: ‘As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.’ (29). Jesus’ Transfiguration: Watch! The...

This month we celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration, when Jesus took Peter, John and James with Him up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus was transfigured alongside Moses and Elijah: ‘As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.’ (29). Jesus’ Transfiguration: Watch! The...

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28). Today, the spiritual discipline of rest is a challenging one. We are pressured to cram more and more activities into fewer hours. This has been described as ‘hurry sickness’ and is an enemy of our spiritual life....

When you last heard a sermon given from a pulpit, what was your reaction?  Whilst pulpits can of themselves be beautiful and stately, intricately carved and decorated, they can also be places of separateness. Rather than ending up helping the congregation to hear and see the preacher better, they can sometimes become a block to...

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 Have you ever thought of taking some time out of daily life, to simply ‘be still’ with God? To hear His voice, enjoy His presence, and perhaps receive His direction for your future?  When one lady was told that her friend was “taking some time...