Junk or Design?
I’ve just spent the last few days clearing stuff at my father’s house. He was a man who collected stuff, kept things, endless things. For him, everything had a purpose. He was gifted with his hands and blessed with an inventive mind. The house and yard were bunged because he saw genuine purpose even in…
Do you need rest?
“I’m shattered!” It’s one of the most common phrases we hear. At this time of year, many people enjoy a well earned break. Perhaps you’ve had a break or you’re looking forward to one, or maybe you just wish you could have one. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. Between work,…
Standing on your own two feet?
Many of us carry worries every day. We wonder how we’ll pay the bills, whether our children will be okay, what the doctor might say, or what tomorrow might bring. Anxiety has become one of the defining struggles of our generation. Into our anxious world, Jesus speaks some wonderfully comforting words in Matthew 6. If…
When God Judges Ministers
In the news recently a Church of England minister was found guilty of indecent assault. In Ireland, we know the cost of clerical abuse of power all too well. We could add to the list the prosperity ‘preachers’ who fleece the vulnerable with their mega-ministries on TV. There’s a passage in Malachi (chapter 2) addressed…
Final Account
I came across an interview with Leonard Cohen recently. It was towards the end of his life, and he spoke about preparing for death—and it was strangely pragmatic for such an enigmatic poet! I was struck by a couple of things he said: “I am a tidy kind of guy. I like to tie up…
A Fox, a Bin… and the Leader We Need
During the recent UK by-election for Makerfield, Andy Burnham found himself competing with candidates dressed as a fox and even a bin. It’s thought he may become the new labour leader and Prime Minister. It does make you wonder how someone dressed up as a fox or a bin can seriously aspire to lead. Yet…
Shelter in the Storm
As I sit down to write this column, news is coming in of tragedy in the Donegal International Rally. It’s utterly heart-breaking—a sunny summer’s day of laughter and excitement closes wrapped in the dark clouds of numbness and grief. Storms come uninvited and unexpected into our lives—three Sundays ago, as I came out of church,…
What makes a life valuable?
As I held my young son in my arms the consultant from a London hospital told me that they recommend abortion for his condition. Was the consultant really saying that my son’s life was not worth living? How do we determine the value of someone’s life? The Ridgeway family sent shockwaves around the world as…
“Little Liars?” (guest post from our placement student Gareth)
“Did you take that toy from your brother?”… “No” “Do you have a dirty nappy?”… “No” As a parent of four young children, I have quickly discovered that children don’t need to be taught how to lie. Apparently, deception begins even before they learn to talk! According to a study by researchers at the University…
Making Friends on the Water
“People should make friends on the water,” said my 12 year old son during last week’s heatwave. I asked him why and he said “because no one can see your disability on the water and they treat you as they would treat you normally.” Wow! What perception. My son suffers with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which…
How Little we Know (guest post from Gareth Orr)
It’s that time of year again. The leaves have returned to the trees, the flowers are blooming, the grass is growing (albeit slowly). All this can only mean one thing. Exam season is upon us once again! Even if you are not currently revising for exams yourself, no doubt you know someone who is. Across…
Can anything good come out of Down?
Can anything good come out of Down?! That’s what we might be wondering after they knocked Donegal out of the championship. But there was good news from another recent sporting event as Aaron Beggs from Bangor sacrificed a personal best to help a fellow runner in the Boston Marathon. Ajay Haridasse was less than 200m…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Milford RPC 