The Lion's World - Conclusion
The Lion's World - Conclusion
by SPCK - Rowan Williams
Conclusion Narnia brings into clear focus a wide variety of central Christian themes; but out of this variety there are at least three that seem to emerge particularly strongly from the discussion in these pages. If, as I suggested at the beginning, Lewis’s aim is to help us sens…
Reflection: Special Occasion
Reflection: Special Occasion
by Marjorie Dobson
Reflection: Special occasion We were visiting Edinburgh and couldn’t understand why one particular street was so crowded with people. Everyone seemed to be moving towards the pavement edge where they were kept back by barriers and all were excited. We had no wish to get caught in…
Prayer: Thank you, loving God
Prayer: Thank you, loving God
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: Thank you, loving God Thank you, loving God, for all those who have walked with us on the way of faith and who have encouraged and strengthened us in the work we do together. Some of those people have made a real and lasting impact on our lives. Others have only been with…
Poem: Promises, promises, promises!
Poem: Promises, promises, promises!
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Promises, promises, promises! Promises, promises, promises! The world is littered with them. Promises from politicians, blandly spoken, without knowledge of the problems involved in fulfilling them. Promises from retailers, with assurances that the order is being dealt with…
Advent I
Advent I
by Michael Docker
Poem- Advent I This first advent candle will shine here in hope - In the moment of lighting we hold out our dreams. Some have come thankful, others are fearful, All are encouraged – the happy, the tearful - By the candlelight shining in hope, To watch in the light for the lightin…
Monologue: Hannah reflects
Monologue: Hannah reflects
by Marjorie Dobson
Monologue: Hannah reflects When all you long for is a child of your own, then you see them everywhere. Other women seem to have no problem conceiving and bringing a child into the world. All around are families – some happy, some argumentative, some with no control at all – but f…
Hannah’s prayer – an alternative
Hannah’s prayer – an alternative
by Marjorie Dobson
Hannah’s prayer – an alternative How wonderful it is when God answers prayer with, ‘Yes!’ What joy and happiness it brings and it is understandable that we feel like singing. It is good to celebrate. But we must always remember those prayers that never seem to be answered, or whe…
Poem: Stone Circle
Poem: Stone Circle
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem: Stone Circle Ancient stones circle a hilltop, their origins for ever mysterious, their purpose undefined. An aura, not evident to all, drifts in the clear air creating its own history and energizing traces of the builders who laboured long to place these slabs of rock into …
Poem/Reflection: Community of faith
Poem/Reflection: Community of faith
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/ Reflection: Community of faith Silent contemplation, solitary reflection, praising God in isolation; all these have their places in our lifelong experience of faith. They are life-saving when there is no alternative and helpful when the need to escape from the troubles of l…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Reconciliation and Prayer in the Community
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - Reconciliation and Prayer in the Community
by SPCK - N T Wright
Reconciliation and Prayer in the Community Matthew 18.15-20 Soap operas are a signpost of modern culture. They divide us into two types: some love them, others hate them. Many are addicted to them, know the characters inside out, read magazines about them, write them letters (eve…
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Challenge of Forgiveness
Matthew for Everyone Part 2 - The Challenge of Forgiveness
by SPCK - N T Wright
The Challenge of Forgiveness Matthew 18.21-35 Many years ago I was working in a student community. I sometimes assisted in leading worship or preaching for one particular group of students. They were theological students, training for ministry, but shared their accommodation with…
Chosen by Christ
Chosen by Christ
by Julie M Fairweather
Chosen by Christ When You said that I didn’t choose You that it was You who chose me I knew it was true. For only You could have led me here met me here - in this place. This place where You look on me and You see me as I truly am - warts and all. Yet still You write my name in…
Waiting for God
Waiting for God
by Julie M Fairweather
These days we are often so busy that, when we do find time to talk to God, as soon as we say ‘Amen’ we rush off to the next thing and don’t give God the chance to respond. Yet, in the smallest pauses, God is waiting. He longs for us to hear His voice in that space. At the e…
Prayer: In a world where wealth and power
Prayer: In a world where wealth and power
by Marjorie Dobson
Prayer: In a world where wealth and power In a world where wealth and power seem to be all-important and those who cannot achieve those objectives are ignored: God, forgive us for our selfishness. In a world where two minutes of fame are never enough and the urge to be noticed me…
Poem/meditation: Offering sacrifice
Poem/meditation: Offering sacrifice
by Marjorie Dobson
Poem/meditation: Offering sacrifice We do not offer sacrificial animals on a stone altar. We look on such things as being primitive and of historical interest only. We do not spill blood in order to appease our God, even though blood was spilt for our sakes as the cross of Jesus …
Hebrews for Everyone - Introduction
Hebrews for Everyone - Introduction
by SPCK - N T Wright
INTRODUCTION That is as true today as it was then. Of course, it matters that some people give time and care to the historical evidence, the meaning of the original words (the early Christians wrote in Greek), and the exact and particular force of what different writers were sayi…
Festivals Together - The heart of everything
Festivals Together - The heart of everything
by SPCK - Sandra Millar
The heart of everything Patronal/dedication festival or special event During the course of a year there may be other opportunities for a festival celebration. It may link in with a community tradition such as a feast day or the arrival of the travelling fair, or it may be that th…
The Lord and His Prayer - Our Father in Heaven