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”
Tag Archives: grace
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 danger of shame – lent 2023
I watched a film today called Luther. It’s a fairly new one based off of a TV show of the same name about a detective. Without giving away the plot, the film has a lot to do with shame. Finding things that people would rather keep hidden, the antagonist is able to blackmail good peopleContinue reading “The danger of shame – lent 2023”
He cares about the ‘why’ – lent 2023
Have you ever done something ‘unforgiveable’? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you didn’t deserve forgiveness? Have you acted in a way you’re not proud of? I was talking with a friend recently who was explaining a situation and said they felt they didn’t deserve forgiveness but was sure they wouldContinue reading “He cares about the ‘why’ – lent 2023”
Guilt is a wasted emotion – lent 2023
We started this lent talking about introspection. Looking inward with an honest lense, acknowledging the good and the bad. One of the ‘bad’ emotions we can sometimes try to bury or ignore is guilt. Maybe you don’t ignore it but live with it hanging over you. A mistake made once upon a time that dictatesContinue reading “Guilt is a wasted emotion – lent 2023”
The Reason for my Hope Blog 