Did you know that the Christian festival of Pentecost is on the Biblical festival of Shavuot, otherwise known as the Festival of Weeks? This Biblical festival comes from the Old Testament, where God’s people were told: “‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the … Read more
Psalm 136 starts with this familiar phrase: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.His love endures forever.” Maybe it’s familiar because it occurs in lots of places in the Bible, including 1 Chronicles 16, Psalm 33, Psalm 106 and is repeated every other verse all the way through the 26 verses of Psalm … Read more
This year all three of the Autumn feasts in the Bible, known in Judaism as the High Holidays: Feast 1: Rosh Hashana Feast 2: Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement Feast 3: Sukkot- The Feast of Shelters Each of these festivals can be found in the Old Testament, and it’s very likely that Jesus … Read more
Outside our back door is a table and chairs where I’m aiming to eat as many meals as possible this summer. Next to the table is a big pot with salad leaves in it. I’ve found that, while my children in general avoid green food (except peas and olives!), they are much more interested in … Read more
Over twenty years ago I spent nine months working in an orphanage in Mozambique. While I was there, I became aware of suffering and injustice I had never dreamed could exist, including the personal hardship of many beautiful people I met. I found it very hard to hold on to my faith in a loving … Read more
A little story from when my children were a bit younger “What’s pancake day all about?” I ask my 7 and 8 year olds over breakfast. “Pancakes!” my 7 year old replies gleefully. O-Oh. I have work to do here! “What else?” I ask. No response. “It begins with L and rhymes with Bent.”“Lent!” *phew! … Read more