“If God doesn’t show up, we’re stuffed!” This declaration by Mancunian Andy Hawthorne has to be the best definition of Christian ministry, what it means to serve in the name of Jesus. However strong our commitment or excellent our skills, what counts when it counts is God’s faithfulness to his people. Especially in tough times. And we are living in tough times. I’ve just come back from five days of New Wine United at the East of England showground in Peterborough, the first

“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself.” Then the apostle Paul adds: “You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.”(Galatians 6:1) Over the years I have seen Christians fall, some very far. The big question is: “How are we as their fellow Christians to respond?” If we show acceptance, are we condoning their actions? If we keep our distance, are we being judgemental? If we simply b

“Talk about the big Poppy takeover” commented the daughter who was initially responsible. Alongside our house there is a 30m flower border, one third of which has been totally overwhelmed with poppies, long pricklyhead poppies to be precise: a riot of red. This has not happened by accident but a direct result of skilled and sustained weeding. By me, the head gardener. This week friends took us to the new RHS gardens at Bridgewater in Salford. Impressive but what impressed me

What would you consider to be “the most momentous technical advance in history?” Quite a question! Vaclav Smil, a Canadian academic and polymath, is a leading scientific commentator with no less than 36 books to his credit. More to the point, Bill Gates has read every single one of them and on Bill’s recommendation I am currently reading Smil’s latest offering, “How the world really works: a scientist’s guide to our past, present and future.” Smil has the ability to stand b