We all make mistakes in our lives, and there are things in our past that we often regret. Sometimes, it's about something that we've neglected to do or say, and other times, it could be something that we've said or done. For me, it was my … Read more

I'm currently reading a series of biographical books: Great Generals. I've finished two books on General Patton and General Grant and am now reading a book about General Eisenhower. All three of them were called on to make major … Read more

Climate change is one of the biggest issues that we're facing today. Whether we believe that human activity has caused it or not, there seems to be something going on with regard to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and more storms … Read more

The mindfulness of God is something that I have really grown to appreciate over the years. His constant presence has helped me on many occasions to overcome times of adversity, distress, and tragedy that I thought I would never be able to … Read more

I've been thinking and reading a lot about forgiveness recently. I guess the older that we get, the more that we realize how many mistakes that we've committed, foolish choices that we've made, and careless words that we've said, and end … Read more

This coming Saturday, the world will be focused on the coronation of King Charles III. Television cameras from all over the world will broadcast this unique event live, and no doubt, many people will be amazed to see the coronation … Read more

We live in anxious times, and I suspect that many of us, including me, are just glad to get through each day. There's so much uncertainty in the world, and it's affecting each one of us. We don't know what lies ahead, and after three … Read more

There's something heavy that has been weighing on my heart for several years. It sometimes causes me to wake up in the middle of the night and sadly reflect on how some people that I dearly love are being misled by what is untrue, unjust, … Read more

When I was a teenager and had strayed away from God, I found it very difficult to go back to church. I felt as though I had let God down, and the church members I once knew had become strangers to me. It was far easier to ignore God, as … Read more

A couple of times this week, I've had friends confess to me how unworthy they feel to be loved by God. It bothers them greatly and hinders them from coming back to church. They genuinely feel that because COVID has isolated them from … Read more

I love the genial attitude of Paul when he is being interrogated by the local Roman rulers in today's passage. He knows that his life is on the line, but instead of remaining fearfully silent or pleading for forgiveness, he shares his … Read more

My wife Evelyn and I have just returned from a beautiful trip to Greece. We explored many places, climbed thousands of ancient steps, and visited some of the most amazing Greek and Roman ruins in the world. We had planned this holiday for … Read more

I don't know anyone right now who isn't worried about the future because of the war in Ukraine. We're all hoping and praying that it doesn't escalate because it's the nearest we've been to a nuclear conflict since the 1960s. The threat of … Read more

One of the greatest burdens in ministry, as well as in other counselling or caring professions, is the amount of indifference that we come across from folks we attempt to help or try to support. I can remember in Scotland spending many … Read more

As part of the history class that I took in high school, I had to study the origins of World War II. Our class spent several weeks focusing on the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and how he motivated the American people to deal … Read more

One of the great sadnesses that I have noticed about this prolonged pandemic has been the constant lack of love when people argue about their personal choices. It's far easier to berate and ridicule our opponents, rather than to have a … Read more

When I was in high school, I used to enjoy long-distance running. Going around the track twenty times or more gave me moments of solitude and clarity that enabled me to find solutions to some of the problems and issues that I faced as a … Read more

I've made many mistakes through the years, both foolish and sinful, so I often look to Jesus not just to accept and forgive me, but also to fully understand my failures and to redirect me onto the path that He hopes that I will follow. … Read more

I wonder, if we knew where Jesus was going to be one day, somewhere in our community, would we leave everything we were doing and run ahead to that place to greet Him? Would we look forward to seeing Him in person to listen to His … Read more

We live in scary times because of all the uncertainty that we're experiencing. We try to live our lives as normally as we can, but currently, there seem to be so many setbacks that none of us can find a "normal" routine. As creatures of … Read more

Throughout my many years in ministry, I've recognized that the invisibility of God is a problem for some people. Because He cannot be seen in person, they refuse to accept His existence. They think that if He were to turn up one day and … Read more

When I celebrate communion at the church, one of the main areas on which I focus comes when the celebrant says: "O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us." It is one of the most meaningful points in the … Read more

My wife Evelyn and I recently went to see Raiders of the Lost Ark at the Tennessee Theater here in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. I had forgotten what a wonderful film it is. To watch it once again on a big screen was very enjoyable and a … Read more

This prolonged pandemic has impacted all of us spiritually. In our imposed isolation, some folks have developed a sense of religious independence and now don't see the need of being part of a congregation or denomination anymore. We've … Read more

Do you ever lie awake at night, unable to sleep because you're thinking about all of the foolish mistakes that you've made? Do you ever relive those stupid moments in your mind and regret the things that you've said or done? Do you wish … Read more

Especially when I'm travelling to a distant or new place, I love using my GPS (Satnav in the UK). It takes the worry out of reaching my destination and has made driving so much easier. I trust the satellite system to be accurate, and it … Read more

I don't know about you, but this last year has been the longest that I've ever lived through. I've used up most of my energy trying to figure out ways to keep our church folks connected and to provide help wherever it's needed. This time … Read more

Like many of my pastor peers, for the past year, I've been leading online services and preaching each week from my office desk. This pandemic has changed everything about church, and I now wonder: when all of this is over, what will the … Read more

Some days, I feel so imperfect, inefficient, and inadequate that I question whether or not God will both accept and forgive me. I've made many mistakes throughout my life, and sometimes, I shudder when I think about the scrapes that I got … Read more

We all get distressed at times. We fall out with someone at home, and we ache emotionally for the rest of the week. Something that we've planned goes awry, and we get stressed trying to fix it. A conflict arises at work, which depletes … Read more

For many months, I have been strongly advocating the wearing of masks in public places in order to diminish the impact of the present pandemic. By wearing a mask, I am, like millions of others, trying to keep the number of contagions down … Read more

Honestly, I couldn't get through the day without God's gracious forgiveness. I am a sinful person who makes mistakes and bad choices, as well as neglecting to be or to do good. I am far from perfect, so I need God's holy perfection to … Read more

Throughout this pandemic, I have been collecting British stamps. I am doing this for two reasons: firstly, I'm gathering them in several albums to give to my grandson in years to come. I hope that he appreciates the stamps as something … Read more