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…

During a recent holiday, my wife and I were able to do something we haven’t had much chance to do since becoming parents – go on a date! We all need pampering from time to time. With our daughter being looked after by grandparents, Rachel and I went out for lunch at a very nice…

The American singer Frank Sinatra is known for popularising the song “My Way”. His iconic voice combined with the grand instrumentation made it one of his most popular numbers, his signature song. But Sinatra himself is said to have ended up loathing “My Way” because it glorifies self-centredness. The song basically argues that it doesn’t…

Edwin Hatch (1835-1889) is known for the simple but moving hymn ‘Breathe on me, breath of God’. This is a prayer that God’s Spirit would shape the hearts of His people. The opening verse is as follows: “Breathe on me, breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost…

The late Queen Elizabeth II was a highly respected leader, known for her graciousness, integrity and her dedication to her people. She also had a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Australian author and broadcaster Sheridan Voysey reflected on this following the Queen’s death, saying that “she looked up to another Crown, bent her knee to…

Christian kids’ entertainer Colin Buchanan inscribed this phrase on a storybook he signed for our daughter, Phoebe. It’s the title of one of his classic songs, which reminds children to remember that the Lord is always in control. The closing lines from the refrain: “He’s watching His children, He cares oh-oh! Remember the Lord, oh-oh,…

This week’s reading from Jonah 1 tells us about one of the most unlikely candidates for a job. God told a man called Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh, a city that was characterised by unrepentant sin and evil. Such a mission seemed doomed to failure. And even if there were…

Many people are familiar with church committee/council meetings that go around in circles, where too much time is spent on trivial details. The British TV show The Vicar of Dibley, although a caricature, is sadly true to life (especially in some smaller churches)! It’s frustrating when we devote a disproportionate amount of time to matters…