Author: Alex

Social distancing seems to be a new phrase that’s entered our vocabulary since the onset of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. We’re told to keep 2 metres between ourselves and anyone outside our households where possible. As I write this in early July, people in the UK are finally able to visit friends at home, but we’re still urged to keep our distance.
Continue reading “Socially Distant, But Closer Than Ever”

I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy this final post in a 3-part series about self-control written by my dear friend Sarah Tummey.

We’re thinking about a quote from Trina Bresser Matous: That self-control includes control emotionally, physically and in one’s thoughts. We’ve looked at our thoughts and emotions, so what does it mean to have self-control physically? As far as I can see, she’s talking about our physical bodies and how we use them. Paul talked about this too, when in Romans 6:13 he urged us to offer the parts of our body to God as instruments of righteousness (to be used for doing good). That reminds me of my favourite Casting Crowns song. “Slow Fade” came out of a Sunday-school song from fifty years ago, to the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know It”. Casting Crowns kept the concept of the song, but changed the lyrics and melody to make it more adult. It’s all about the effect your actions have on those around you. We can offer our eyes to God by turning away from something unwholesome, rather than give it a second look. We can offer our lips to God because if we make promises we can’t keep, hurting people could be further disillusioned.
Continue reading “Self-Controlled Actions, By Sarah Tummey”

I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy this second post in a 3-part series about self-control written by my dear friend Sarah Tummey.

Last week, we considered Trina Bresser Matous’ statement that self-control includes control emotionally, physically and in one’s thoughts. If I’m really honest, self-controlled emotions have been a struggle for me. Nowadays on social media, you see quotes such as: “We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond”. This was never taught or shown to me growing up. It’s only as an adult that I’m hearing people say it, and not just Christians either. I could understand a Christian saying: “In my own strength I’d fail at this, but the Holy Spirit’s changing my outlook and helping me to be different”. The fruit of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As Christians, we want that fruit of God’s Spirit to grow in us because we want to please Him, but how do you choose to respond well without that motivation? I suppose any stressful situations can increase blood pressure and heart rate, so the calmer you can be, the better.
Continue reading “Self-Controlled Emotions, By Sarah Tummey”

Continue reading “Self-Controlled Thoughts, By Sarah Tummey”

I wish to thank the writer of this devotional for sharing their heart so honestly.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 8
Continue reading “Forgive, And Shatter The Snowball, By An Anonymous Contributer.”

I love to laugh. Just writing those words reminds me of a scene from one of my favourite childhood films – Mary Poppins, where Mary, Bert and the children end up having a tea-party on the ceiling with Uncle Albert, as he sings: “I love to laugh, loud and long and clear!” Every time they start laughing, they levitate. The hidden message is that laughter can lighten your mood and cause you to feel like you’re floating above your circumstances. I have definitely experienced the feeling of relief when I’ve shared light-hearted moments of hilarity with close friends even during the worst seasons of my life, literally feeling myself unwind, like a tightly coiled spring.
Continue reading “I Love To Laugh”

This morning, my Bible studies led me to Deuteronomy chapter 11, where Moses is teaching the children of Israel about the land in which they are going to dwell. He is also reminding them of the importance of God’s law, and why they need to honour and adhere to it. I was particularly struck by the words of verses 22-23. “If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him and to hold fast to him— then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you.”
Continue reading “Love, Obey, And Hold Tight.”

Ines wrote this beautiful poem during the CaronaVirus lockdown here in the UK. It really touched my heart, and she kindly agreed to let me share it with you all. If you’d like to hear more from Ines, you can subscribe to her podcast, “Intentional Purposeful Living With Ines”, or:

Click here
Continue reading “Still, by Ines Higgins.”

In 1Samuel chapter 30, we read about David having a very bad day. Perhaps that’s an understatement, since his wives and children, and the families of all his men, have been kidnapped by a band of Amalekite raiders who destroyed their camp by burning it to the ground. David was supposed to be helping the Philistines, under whose protection he’s now living, in battle against his own people of Israel, but he’s been sent home with a flea in his ear. Although the Philistine king wanted David’s help, his people weren’t so sure. Would he really remain faithful to them in a battle against his own kinsmen, or would he turn tail and betray them? Was he a double agent, or a spy in their midst? After all, he was once a faithful officer of the Israelite king Saul. He was famous for killing Goliath, one of their own Philistine champions. He was the subject of a well-known Israelite song about how Saul had killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. (1Samuel 29 5.) So although the king had enlisted David’s help and considers him to be loyal, he’s forced to ask him to leave the battle, much to David’s chagrin.
Continue reading “Seeking God’s Way In Times Of Stress.”

While attending church during my childhood, I began hearing about the Holy spirit and what he did. Since my home church generally taught from the King James Bible, I first knew him as the Holy Ghost, and I thought that sounded a little creepy. Ghosts reminded me of Halloween, something I was never allowed, or even desired, to celebrate. I remember asking my mother about this spooky-sounding holy being, and she told me he was like my conscience – prodding me inwardly when I did or thought something wrong. I figured that was a good thing and didn’t find him quite so scary after that.
Continue reading “My Ongoing Journey With The Holy Spirit.”