When it's hard to forgive

When we do wrong to others - it hurts - them and us. When others do wrong to us - it hurts. And the more it hurts, the harder it is to forgive. Some people steer clear of the Bible because it makes them feel guilty. The problem there is that they are keeping away from the solution to that guilt. You would rather your doctor told you the truth if something was wrong - then he can get on and prescribe the cure!

For the rest of this article go to our insights page

Alton Towers is to close its new roller-coaster 'Thirteen' on Friday August 13th after research suggested people will not want to take the risk on the ride.

What is at the heart of superstition? Is it just a collection of harmless foibles or is there something more? Click here to read some thoughts on this subject from one of our readers.

Do you have anything you want to say on this important subject? We would love to hear from you so please contact us via the contact page.

Chronic Fatigue

Have you ever driven with the handbrake on? Not a good idea! Imagine a car with the brakes on tightly, being driven for miles, the engine revving harder and harder because you really have to get there! Eventually something has to give. Perhaps the bump in the road, or pulling up at the junction proves to be the final straw and the car, not surprisingly, collapses in a heap!

For people who suffer with ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it can feel as if something has suddenly come upon you. Out of the blue comes intense tiredness and even depression. What is going on? Where did it come from? Is there hope or do I have to accept that this is now a way of life?

I have written an article on the subject. Click here to read it. If you want printed copies, write to me via the contact page and we will be pleased to send you some for a small charge.

Newsletter

At the beginning of each month we send out a newsletter providing information on interesting articles, upcoming events and news. If you would like to automatically receive this please sign in with your email address below and we will do the rest.

Worth a visit

I have a good friend who is putting his own website together - it is worth a visit:

It is called: waybetterway

If you want to hear talks from previous weeks click the image above. You will also find notes for some of the talks.

What did Jesus say about the soul?

We are starting to post material on a variety of topics that I have taught on over the years. The first series that is going up is, 'What did Jesus say about...? I wonder how Biblical our understanding of 'the soul' is - or how much it has been shaped by cultural considerations. Read the material and let me know what you think!

Sorry, I couldn't provide a picture of the soul so you will just have to click here!

Insights into church

What is church really meant to be about? Is it some kind of performance, something to be observed? Is it about being religious and going through certain rituals? Is it where you expect to be bored off your head? Or can it be a place where something really meaningful happens?

In our first talk in the series we looked at why Jesus called the disciples together. We went to the heart of church - being together! In this week's talk we discovered how Jesus took a man who hardly knew himself and turned him into a solid character who could care for the weak as well as the strong. Click here to go to the Recent Talks page.

And note: there are two excellent comments after our first talk that are well worth reading. They show there is a place for each of us - whatever age, whatever position in life, whether single or married - and that is what church is about! Click this link to go straight to them.

Andrew and James

What do we know about these two men? Not very much! But what we do know gives us real insight into the importance of being ourselves rather than trying to be someone else. Interestingly, within the group of Jesus' disciples there are several relatives. God loves to work in families. Are you feeling isolated within your family as a Christian? You will find encouragement in this week's talk. Watch this space for the audio file to be posted.

   When all else fails.....

Is it right to smack your child? What do you do when you meet with a stubborn refusal to respond to a simple request? Placate - argue - bribe - avoid? Is there a place for corporeal punishment? This is one of the issues we will consider this Wednesday in our final session in this series of our 'Bringing Up Children' course.

Do you have a view - or a question on the subject? Send it in via the contact page.

Apologies to those who looked for notes from the course session this week. We postponed it for a number of practical reasons and will be holding it this coming Wednesday.

What about Depression?

  Is it something we just have to put up with? What is the root cause? Is there any hope? Click the question mark to find out.

New Reflections

We have travelled a lot this summer and Merle shares some insights gained on those travels. The latest reflection has just been posted and is titled - Not Quite Right and Struggling.

Where have all the men gone?

Someone said to me recently, 'If you want a job done, it will be a woman who gets it organised - they seem more enthusiastic'. Of course there will be many exceptions to that but, all too often, it is true. A reader has sent in her thoughts on the subject so click the link to read them.

Why are so many men immature?

Do you think that is a fair question? On our old site it was far and away the most searched for subject - and I doubt it was the men doing the googling! We have a page for men - under 'Relationships' and we have asked that question - and started to answer it. We have set up a blog on that page so you can add your comments or ask any questions. Click the picture to read the article:

Connect with our facebook community. Click the link above and click the 'like' button on our facebook page.

The tragedy of Impatience

God sometimes really seems to take his time! If it was down to us we would speed things up! But maybe he has his reasons. Click the link below to read John's latest post on the subject. You can add your comments.

If you need help in posting your comments on John's blog or in opening and viewing pdf files, click the link below: