A blog to inspire, especially if you think nothing is happening and your labour apparently in vain. As author Jon Bloom observes “Christians are slow-grown, and fruit-bearing typically comes after an arduous time of maturation.” He’s right. This needs to be said as we live in an age of short-termism, in a society which expects instant results. This is in part a result of urbanisation as we have become detached from the rhythms of the agricultural year. You can’t hurry the h

MORE GLEE, VICAR? My heart goes out to Rev Dr Matt Davis, the new vicar just over the moss at St Luke’s Formby. Those of you who have already read this morning’s Sun will know what I am talking about. The sub-headline says everything you need to know: Church appoints handsome new vicar sparking delight among locals who compare him to hot priest in Fleabag. It seems that a photo of this prospective incumbent in a community Facebook group drew hundreds of compliments and m

You will regret it. I learnt that lesson the hard way yesterday when drawing cash at a Santander cash point. As I peered into the screen in bright sunshine I realised that the instructions – don’t ask me why – were in Welsh. To make it worse, I couldn’t work out which was the “change language” button. The problem was there was a queue, and I felt under pressure. For me there is nothing more irritating than standing behind a little old lady (i.e. someone of my age group

“Gross injustice demonstrates a basic premise: in our world: something is terribly wrong and cries out to be put right.” I’ve pulled this quote from Fleming Rutledge’s excellent book, The Crucifixion. And as it happens it powerfully intersects with another book I am currently reading (in the evenings), Richard Bessel’s Germany 1945. Both document the terrible dominion over human nature wrought by the power of evil – and our urgent need for rescue. To quote the 1662 Book