Today is Holy Saturday. Traditionally, a day of stillness and silence between the devastation of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter Day. It’s interesting to wonder how the disciples would have felt. The whole world has changed, and yet life continues. Would they have been thinking back over the last few days, wondering whatContinue reading “Lent 2025: Through the lens of Grace”
Tag Archives: grace
Lent 2025: Spy Wednesday
Continuing my discovery of the additional themes of Holy Week, today is known, in some traditions, as Spy Wednesday – the day we remember Judas Iscariot making the choice to betray Jesus. A far cry from the glory of James Bond or Jason Bourne, here the term spy means to ambush or snare. It’s anContinue reading “Lent 2025: Spy Wednesday”
Lent 2025: A Mixed Bag and a Merciful God
Phew! I’ve arrived at Friday evening.Do you ever have weeks that feel too full, like you’re not quite sure how you managed to fit everything in? That’s been my experience this week. A week that’s been rich and busy, a mixture of beautiful and overwhelming moments. And now I’ve reached the end feeling tired, butContinue reading “Lent 2025: A Mixed Bag and a Merciful God”
Lent 2025: Be more donkey
Late-night thoughts after a church meeting… We spent the evening doing lots of detailed work, planning for the future—which has left my brain slightly spinning. But at the very start, my church leader shared a short reflection on the passage he’s speaking on this Sunday: Luke 19:28–40. It’s the story of Jesus riding into JerusalemContinue reading “Lent 2025: Be more donkey”
Lent 2025: Daring to Believe
Another shorter post at the end of a weekend taking it easy. Because I spent so much time on the Crucifixion passage from Luke’s gospel this weekend, I wanted to share a second post. Yesterday, I shared an observation about the women. Today, I want to look at what we can learn from another figure.Continue reading “Lent 2025: Daring to Believe”
Lent 2025: Remaining Present
A shorter post today. I have been writing a sermon for tomorrow based on Luke’s account of the Crucifixion. I was struck by the women who watched and waited, powerless but present. There are moments when we don’t have the words, the strength, or the certainty. Moments when all we can do is stay. StayContinue reading “Lent 2025: Remaining Present”
Lent 2025: Pressing on – leaving the past behind
The mind is an interesting thing. When I woke up this morning, I was reminded of something that happened when I was a child. There was no obvious trigger, the event itself wasn’t particularly momentous, but still my brain decided to replay it for me. If it had been a happy memory, that would haveContinue reading “Lent 2025: Pressing on – leaving the past behind”
Lent 2025: A God’s Eye View
Have you ever looked back at your journey and marveled at how far you’ve come? Recently, I found myself reflecting on past versions of me – the me who didn’t value myself very highly, who could be grumpy and defensive, and who wasn’t always the easiest person to be around. And yet, that was theContinue reading “Lent 2025: A God’s Eye View”
Lent 2025: Honest as the Night Sky
Lent 2025 starts today, and with it a period of reflection. This year I’m trying something new: combining scripture and the outdoors for some reflective, prayerful walks. My plan is to do at least two a week. Today I started with Psalm 51. If you aren’t familiar with this one, it’s a psalm of repentance.Continue reading “Lent 2025: Honest as the Night Sky”
The gift of choice
It’s Easter Saturday. A day of stillness, and the beginning of the celebrations that Jesus is not dead. It is a time of joy. If you choose to believe… Reflecting back on the Easter story, it strikes me how much choice plays a part. I don’t mean Jesus’ choice to endure the cross in orderContinue reading “The gift of choice”
The Reason for my Hope Blog 