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…

Acts 11:26 points out that it was in the ancient city of Syrian Antioch that believers were first called ‘Christians’. Scholars say that this was most likely meant as an insult; a nickname used to mock those who trusted in Jesus Christ. But the label has stuck and is still used today. Unfortunately, the term…

This week’s reading from Acts 9 contains what is probably the greatest conversion story of all time. Saul of Tarsus (later known as the Apostle Paul) was once a fierce opponent of Christianity and persecutor of the church. He had many believers imprisoned, and gave approval for the killing of others. Yet after he had…

This week’s reading from Acts 8 reminds us that God is always at work, preparing His people to proclaim the gospel and preparing hearts to receive it. The Holy Spirit directed the evangelist Philip to go to a lonely desert road – not exactly an obvious choice of location for street preaching or a gospel…