11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ( Philippians 4: 11-13) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can … Read more

There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) A few months ago, I was having a conversation with a young person who was part of a sports team at school.  This young person described a team mate who struggled with anxiety and depression and the team mate’s parent had confronted the whole team on some of their language and inclusion, saying that the team was ‘bullying’ this team mate.  The young person I was talking to … Read more

26Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— 29for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the … Read more

Deep calls to deep     in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers     have swept over me.    By day the Lord directs his love,     at night his song is with me—     a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42: 7,8)   Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1Peter 3: 3-4) … Read more

“In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street…About a quarter before nine, while [the preacher] was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.  I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.’ (John Wesley) This past week, May 24, besides being Queen Victoria’s birthday, it is also ‘Aldersgate Day’.  It’s a pretty obscure church history reference … Read more

As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked … Read more