20 Mar 22: Precis – Why we need to understand John’s gospel as one of the two eyewitness accounts and what it might mean for us. When I spoke at Epiphany I said during the talk that I was waiting for a chance to come and talk to you about Read more…
9 Jan 2022: Précis – a talk on standing up for values that matter; and how, when we come to the end of time and stand before the pearly gates, it will be the little acts of loving kindness to a stranger and standing up for our values that are Read more…
12 Dec 2021: Précis – a talk on the two themes coming down through Christian belief and how/why it is ‘love’ that comes from Jesus and not ‘sin’. At the gardening group session immediately after my last talk I carried out the threat of testing people on what they could Read more…
11 Jul 2021: Précis – a talk on what the Greek words translated inaccurately into Latin and then English as ‘faith’ and ‘belief’ actually meant and how it means that follow Jesus of Nazareth is a ‘doing’ activity rather than a ‘thinking’ activity. The last time I gave a talk Read more…
Christmas 2018: Précis – a thought on the true importance of Christmas. I’m going to start by being a killjoy so children might want to cover theirs ears – but no I’m not going to mention Santa :). One common theme I’ve heard from pulpits over the years is how Read more…
31 May 2015 Trinity Sunday: Précis – a talk putting the Trinity into a historical context and explaining what is important about it and what is not. Readings for the day: Isaiah 6: 1-8 Romans 8: 12-17 John 3: 1-17 Over the years I’ve heard of clergy mentioning the idea Read more…
15 Feb 2015: Précis – a talk on the importance of doubt and questioning the detail of what we read. When Jonathan and I discussed me preaching for this service, on what may be my last opportunity for a few months – before I go out to Mumbai (though that’s Read more…
14 Dec 2014: Précis – a talk on what is actually important about the Christmas story. This first thing to say is that we’re not actually sure how much of what we know as the nativity story actually happened like that. Mark & John, weren’t interested in Jesus’ early life Read more…
5 Oct 2014: Précis – a sermon about repenting by trying to bring about the Kingdom of God based on Matthew 21: 23-end Philipians 3: 4b-14 I want to pick up on two things this morning: first the phrase ‘Kingdom of God’ we heard in the gospel today – and Read more…
12 Aug 2014: Précis – Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven and not about sin. When I argued on 29 May that the Kingdom of God/Heaven was the centre piece of Jesus’ message NOT ‘sin’ it was the culmination of a period of frustration growing over the last few Read more…
Do you believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God? Do you believe in the Trinity? Do you have a personal relationship with God? All these questions have been set up to distinguish between the ‘sheep and the goats’ throughout Christian history. What however everyone misses when choosing Read more…
3 Jun 2014: Précis – Jesus is the Word of God NOT the Bible. I often hear the description of the bible as the divinely inspired word of God; but it cannot be that if you think about it. It puts you in dangerous territory and here’s why. We Christians Read more…
3 June 2014: Précis – a thought questioning the oft quoted line of orthodox Christian thought. Why do we insist on claiming the God is working your purpose out thro the church? All the evidence is to the contrary. The history of the Christian church from the point it became Read more…
29 May 2014: Précis – a sermon probing at God’s dream for creation – based on Matthew 13: 31-32, 44-52 – The Kingdom of Heaven. If we look closely at the four gospels as stand alone narratives – and by that I mean NOT being read in the light of Read more…
2 March 2014: Précis – a sermon on thinking of God and his/her/its creation in a modern setting – based on the readings for 2 Feb 14 and 2 Mar 14 Malachi 3: 1-5 Hebrews 2:14-end Luke 2: 22-40 Matthew 17: 1-9 When I first looked at the first three Read more…
29 May 14: I’m starting this blog at the suggestion of a wise lady who happens to be my parish priest as an outlet for thoughts that have been 30 years in gestation and that currently have no formal outlet. Some of the posts will have been delivered as talks/sermons; Read more…