Archives for October 2019

In 1727 an ailing King George I introduced an Act of Parliament to allow German born composer, George Frederick Handel, to become a naturalised British citizen. Handel's first commission was to write the music for the coronation of George's son, who later that year was crowned King George II. Handel's four coronation anthems have been used in British coronations ever sinc...

Right in the middle of Paul's oft quoted exhortation to 'Rejoice in the Lord always', and 'Be not anxious about anything' but rather pray with thanksgiving so that 'the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus', is a frequently overlooked phrase. Right in the middle of this wonderful passage Paul says, 'Let your gentleness be evident to all' (Phil 4:5...

I found an anecdote about a visit Abraham Lincoln once made to a slave auction. I doubt it's true, but it makes for a good story. Lincoln's heart was drawn to a young woman on the block. She looked with hatred and contempt on everyone around her. She had been used and abused all her life, and this time was but one more cruel humiliation. The bidding began, and Lincoln off...

One thing I've had the pleasure of observing over recent years is many of our young couples becoming parents for the first time. Their lives are transformed, literally, overnight. This transformation seems especially powerful for the new mums. Young women who previously seemed so distracted - busy with career, social life, coping with their husband, church ministries, o...

Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth", has always been my favorite verse. But just over a week ago, when I was taken to a private room by an ICU doctor who asked "have you had an end of life conversation with your dad as he may not make it out of the hospital due to his current condition" sudde...