Take My Sabbath School…
“Take My Life and Let It Be,” the opening line of the traditional hymn of consecration composed by Frances Ridley Havergal. Each verse invites the singer to – commit all his/her possessions and being – to the Lord for His purposes. ‘First Things 1st’, continues to consider the meaning and spirit of these challenging lines…
Read MoreTake My World …
It was a warm June evening, in the delightful surroundings of the Beskydy retreat centre in the Czech Republic. There in front of me was an, “In the rustling grass I hear him pass”1 moment, caught on camera. It caused me to wonder about the “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” story; the little bears’ porridge…
Read MoreTake My Plastic… (2)
“Why the Devil Takes Visa” – a great title for a sermon I preached a long time ago, yet I was the one who needed to hear it most. It’s a reality that families of pastors, are no less immune to the financial pressures all families face. We had a new mortgage, payments on a…
Read MoreTake My Plastic… (1)
Without a care in the world, there I was on the living room carpet planning for a better and brighter future. Life was good, I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. With my mind full of hope, the shapes, and colours of the Lego bricks in front of me…
Read MoreTake my Health…
Take My Health… Adventists make a great deal about health, and rightly so. Growing in Christ is a whole-life matter. I don’t know who said it first, but one of my favourite definitions of Stewardship is, “Everything we think, say and do after we say, ‘I believe’.” Our position on health is with good reason,…
Read MoreTake My Faith… (2)
“Sorry, I cannot accept your Tithes and Offerings today.” It’s worship hour, the tithes and offerings are collected as is custom. With the gentle melody of the organ playing, our reflective thoughts are steered toward heaven. We are waiting to hear a Word from the Lord. Soon, the collection is complete, and the offerings are…
Read MoreTake My Bible (part 2)
(April 2017) One Sabbath Jim was particularly looking forward to attending church. The previous few days had been difficult in the workplace. The boss was on his case. The company was in trouble and he wondered if he would still have a job by the end of the month. Serious matters for Jim and his…
Read MoreTake My Bible
(March 2017) I felt a tap on my shoulder, “Excuse me sir – no pictures, please put your camera away, this is worship time.” Embarrassed, I apologised and quickly put my iPhone away. I was visiting All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, to experience a Sunday evening service, with the resident orchestra leading the praise…
Read More“Take My Time…” (part 2)
I am lying in the dentist’s chair having root canal treatment. The invasion of a lethal weapon into my mouth, even when frozen up, is an unwelcome guest. Regardless of the drill’s activity, its high-pitched piercing noise causes enough distress. As the drill hits a nerve the anaesthetic missed I flinch with pain. I wonder…
Read MoreTake My Time… part 1
We sing, ‘Nations are angry – by this we do know: Jesus is coming again! It seems we are not the only ones singing from that hymn sheet: “It’s a time of severe geopolitical turbulence,” (Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer). “The World at the start of 2017 feels very different, and much more perilous than it…
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