You may be familiar with the film and book of this name, written by Rhonda Byrne. It promotes the pseudoscientific and spiritual teaching known as the ‘law of attraction’, which claims that mere thoughts can influence our circumstances. If you think positively, you will bring into existence the circumstances and success you desire. While no…
“You might have a happy family, nice house, fine car, you might be successful in real estate. You could even be a football star. You might have a prime-time TV show seen in every home and bar, but you can’t take it with you.” These are lines from the Paul Kelly song “You can’t take…
Before the widespread use of electricity, performers on stage in the 19th century were illuminated by ‘limelight’ (a flame fed by oxygen and hydrogen directed at calcium oxide, or ‘quicklime’). While this method has of course been superseded by electric lighting, the phrase ‘in the limelight’ is still used to refer to someone who is…
It’s amazing how many problems in our lives and relationships are caused by pride. For example, sometimes we undertake tasks we are not qualified for or no longer able to do, because we are too proud to accept the truth. Or in our relationships with others, we may not be willing to admit when we…
Another Fathers’ Day has come around. I have very fond memories of my late father and miss his presence on earth. For almost five years now, I have also had the immense joy and privilege of being a father myself. But it is a big responsibility, and can be challenging at times. Raising children is…
This week’s reading bears witness to this truth. John 6:1-15 tells us about the greatest catering feat of all time: Jesus’ feeding of thousands of people with just five loaves and two fish. We see here the love, compassion and generosity of Christ, who wanted to care and provide for people’s physical needs. We also…
You may have heard the expression “an honest man’s word is as good as his bond”. This phrase comes from Spanish writer Miguel de Cervante’s famous novel Don Quixote. When a person is of good character, you can trust their verbal promises to be just as reliable as a written, signed, legal contract. I know…
This phrase from John 2:5 is part of the account of Jesus turning water into wine. Mary told servants at a wedding to listen to the Lord. Implicit in this instruction is a belief that whatever Jesus said would be the right thing to do. And Mary was proven right – a wedding that had…
The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell once said, “It is evident as a matter of logic that, since [the world religions] disagree, not more than one of them can be true.” He is absolutely right. The different religions and spiritual teachings in our world differ so dramatically on some of the most basic issues that they…
John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known sentence in Scripture (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”). In this digital age, John 3:16 is the most ‘Googled’ Bible verse. It gives a clear summary of the best…