“And you probably know someone,” writes Pete Greig, “who makes you fall in love with Jesus all over again.” I’m currently reading his excellent book, How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People, about our need to develop the ability to hear God speaking to us, “one of the most astounding yet confusing things you will ever learn to do.” However, I stopped short on reading this particular sentence. Do I want to fall in love with Jesus? Or is the reality that I am too em

“A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon,” observed Napoleon Bonaparte. He could have added: “And a Parkrunner will run long and hard for a coloured T-shirt.” Yes, if all goes to plan (and how often it doesn’t) tomorrow will see me finishing my 250th ParkRun and so qualify for the prestigious green T-shirt. I can’t wait. For those of you unfamiliar with the ParkRun movement, now in its 19th year, it is a weekly timed 5k run (or walk) held each Saturd

Invincibilized, not a word I am familiar with. However, whatever it is, it is worth having - according to midwestern pastor, Dane Ortlund. I have just finished his book “Gentle and Lowly” which comes with the subtitle “The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers” (He Uses The Higher Case A Lot). It’s taken me about three months – which is strange because I could easily have read the 212 pages in one go, helped by short chapters. I took my time because his teaching took so

You may be following the SNP leadership contest north of the border following the abrupt resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister. Forbes, the current Cabinet Secretary for Finance, came out of maternity leave to offer herself as a candidate. On being asked her views on gay marriage she was honest and upfront in explaining that had she been a member of the Scottish parliament in 2014 she would have voted against same-sex marriage. She spoke as a Christian, as a membe