Author: nickjones2011
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“We are all a mess at some level.”
Those disarmingly honest words came from the mouth of the clinical psychologist Dr Tony Bates in conversation with Tommy Tiernan. Bates, founder of Jigsaw, has spent years working with young people facing mental health challenges. His comment might sound stark at first—but I found it refreshingly real. I wonder how you reacted to it. Did…
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No shame (2 Sam 18-20; Psalm 34; Romans 2)
Given what we are seeing in Romans, Psalm 34 makes an incredible promise: Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (v5) In Romans we are seeing that there is no one righteous, whether religious or irreligious, all fail to keep God’s Word. But here in Psalm 34 is a wonderful…
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From despair to hope
“I was like a stone lying deep in the mud.” (Patrick’s Confession, para 12) Perhaps you know a little bit of what Patrick was talking about? Do you ever feel trapped, stuck, like there’s no escape, maybe your stomach in knots. I felt a bit like that for about 8 years after my mum lost…
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Are you nervous?
I had my first general anaesthetic recently. I didn’t really know what to expect. I wasn’t looking forward to it. It’s a strange experience as you voluntarily walk in TED socks, something like a shower cap and surgical robe to lie down on a table under bright lights! All so that you can be put to sleep…
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A Valentines like no other
“While the world celebrated love, I was trapped, terrified, and losing my baby at the hands of someone I thought I could trust” What devastating words to read. What an awful thing for anyone to face. We are rightly horrified at the Epstein files, but this hits even closer to home. The Letterkenny Circuit Court…
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The glorious gospel (2 Sam 15-17; Psalms 3, 63; Romans 1)
Our world lacks hope. The book of Romans is full of wonderful hope. It is the book that God used to bring Martin Luther out of terrible fear to glorious freedom. Luther had been trapped in works-based religion. He was tormented by his past and the fact that he was not good enough for God.…
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The leader we long for
Local author and former election candidate Gerry McKeever’s new book “saving democracy” strikes a chord with what many are feeling, not just nationally but also internationally. Bad government lasts too long, and good government does not last long enough. In today’s world we are increasingly affected by the decisions of other countries. We are still…
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She is not an object (2 Samuel 13-14; Acts 28)
A moment’s gratification produces a lifetime of misery and pain. That is the tragic result of David’s adultery. In the following chapters in 2 Samuel we see the mess he caused. Like his father, Amnon allows his lust to control his heart. He sees a beautiful woman and he wants her. Our world may describe…
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The awful consequences of adultery (2 Sam 11-12; 1 Chr 20; Ps 51, 32; Acts 27)
All sin is grievous for it is against a loving and holy God, but there is something so devastating about adultery for it brings so much hurt and pain. God created marriage to be a picture of His intimate, faithful covenant love to His people. I’m sure we’ve all seen the awful hurt caused by…
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A royal welcome to the disabled (2 Sam 9-10; 1 Chr 18-19; Ps 89; Acts 26)
Can you imagine a church refusing to allow someone to join in Sunday school because they were autistic? Or a church where some were reluctant to move a pew to make space for a wheelchair? It’s hard to believe, but sadly those with extra needs sometimes find they have to fight to make places more…
Milford RPC 