Blog
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Devotional of the week: Philippians 2:2
Like Minded “…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2 “What do you have in mind?” one friend asks the others as they decide where to go out to eat. A trivial example, admittedly, but when friends reach a common…
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A writer’s psalm
The Lord is my publisher, I lack nothing. He makes me lie in cozy studies, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of rejection, I will fear no evil, for you are…
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Review of two unmissable novels by Lisa Samson
True confessions. I didn’t always like Christian fiction. But several years ago I agreed to write a feature article for the then UK-Christian-trade-publishing magazine, and found my prejudices were proven wrong. Mostly. When I wasn’t looking, Christian fiction grew up. Gone (again, mostly) were the formulaic last-minute conversions and marriages. Instead I found strong characters…
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Devotional of the week: Philippians 2:1
Clothed in Christ “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…” Philippians 2:1 (NIV) Union with Christ – an unattainable mystery or a life-changing reality? The apostle Paul would argue for the latter;…
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Devotional of the week: Hebrews 12:1–3 (8 in series)
Our Crown Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1–3) By…
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Devotional of the week: Hebrews 11:32–40 (7 in series)
Delayed gratification These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32–40) The writer to the Hebrews wraps up his discussion of the heroes of faith in…
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Am I Beautiful?
We met in the ladies’ loo, an unplanned meeting that seemed appropriate, given the evening’s agenda. Author and editor stood under the harsh fluorescent lights, applying makeup and (in my case) moaning about having a bad-hair day. All the while appreciating the irony that we were worrying about our appearances while celebrating the launch of…
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Soaring on the wings of the wind
The irony isn’t lost on me, that to retreat next week I’m cramming as much as I can into this week. All the while wondering if I’ll get it all done, and if I do, whether I’ll be so washed out come Monday that I’ll not be good for anything. The venue is the amazing…
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Devotional of the week: Hebrews 11:20-31 (6 in series)
Invisible One By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. (Hebrews 11:20-31) A couple of years ago I…
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Stuff, stuff, and more stuff
“How much stuff does a person need?” The question keeps rolling through my mind, a massaged version of the title of Leo Tolstoy’s short story, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” (in which the zinger at the end is, only six by six, for a casket). I’ve been pondering this question as I reenter…
