Finding The Time To Do Things

This post is all about changing your mindset from "not having enough time" to a point when you are able to get things done, managing those pressing priorities, and still maintaining your energy and boundaries. I regularly encounter people who state they simply don't have the time to do something. 

My favourite saying on this topic is "there are a thousand reasons to do something, and also a thousand reasons not to." This of course centres the whole thing on personal choice. Do you want to do it, or don't you? Many will come up with a whole string of excuses because they can't (or won't) say yes or no.

"Let your yes be yes and your no be no" is a famous teaching from Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5:37) and repeated by James in his letter (James 5:12). If you say you will do something, do it. If you mean no, say no. You do not need fancy vows or promises to prove your intentions. As Nike would say, "Just do it". 

"Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality." - Abraham Lincoln 

Another great quote about this is "If you want to get something done, give it to a busy man." He'll find time to do it when so many won't. The sentiment was first published in a report delivered in 1856 by Reverend W. J. Kennedy who was the Inspector of Schools for Lancashire and the Isle of Man in Britain. This is frequently misattributed to Lucille Ball and even Benjamin Franklin.

I know that there are so many who can't do so many things for medical reasons, or lack of empowerment. However, don't simply use a lack of time as an excuse to say no. If you want to do something, do it.

You have the same 24 hours in a day as anyone else on the planet.

Integrity

One of the key values in my own church is Integrity.  The Salvation Army website states that we will be honest and transparent in all our dealings with each other and those we serve, being open about our motives and agendas.

The word integrity comes from the Latin adjective integer, meaning whole, complete or undivided, thus, we should be living the same way in private as we do in public.

Jesus is the ultimate model of absolute integrity, acting in total obedience and humble service to the Father. Jesus came to offer salvation to everyone, the 'whosoever'.

Whoever means anyone, any person regardless of race, background, nationality, status, or past mistakes. There are no entry tests, no applications, no fees required to receive the grace of God - only a response of the heart.

Romans 10: 11-13, The Message
Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”

Prayer and St Teresa

I was quite taken by the story of St Teresa of Ávila when it came up in my daily readings the other day. She was a Carmelite nun and prominent Spanish mystic from the 16th Century. The one thing that leapt out at me was the sheer honesty in the following statement:

“I was more occupied in wishing my hour of prayer were over, and in listening whenever the clock struck, than in thinking of things that were good,” she confessed. “Whenever I entered the oratory [the prayer room] I used to feel so depressed that I had to summon up all my courage to make myself pray at all.”

In her early years as a nun, she would sometimes even shake her hourglass in an effort to make her hour of prayer go faster!

She persevered, and managed to get past this barrier to her prayer life, and has since become in inspiration to those who want to learn to pray with depth and passion. 

Here's another quote from her:

“The important thing in prayer is not to think much, but to love much.”

Shaking the Dust - Walking Away

The instruction from Jesus to “shake the dust off your feet” appears four times in the New Testament. For example, in Mark 6:11 Jesus says, 

“And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (NIV translation)

In the Message translation, we read:

"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."

It's an indication that you've done all that can be done in a situation - and you have no further responsibility for it. You are free to walk away with a clear conscience, knowing that you have done all you could.

The 'shaking the dust' portion of that phrase is meant to be a warning. This was in effect saying that those who rejected God’s truth would not be allowed to stop the progress of the gospel. In an act of symbolism, you remove even the dust of those cities from your sandals and move onto somewhere new.  

I get it. There are times when God calls us to stand firm, to work hard and do the best you can. We are eager to see good results of our labours. And yet, there are times in our lives when it's clearly time to move on. This is when we realise that 'enough is enough'.  Times when God gives us the freedom to move on. It's somebody else's time to shine in this place. It's our time to emotionally let go, to move to somewhere else or to something else. 

Shalom

Let's look a little closer at the word Shalom.

This is a Hebrew word that translates literally to peace, however the word describes so much more than that. Far more than just the absence of conflict, it means complete wholeness, harmony, health, and a restored state of well-being.

It describes a state where everything is put right; any emptiness is made full; where anything missing is restored or replaced.  It's a place of safety where everything is in its proper place and nothing is broken or lacking. it's also used as:

• A Greeting and A Farewell: It is widely used in modern and traditional Hebrew as both a hello and a goodbye.
• A Blessing: When people say shalom to one another, they are offering a wish for health, security, and divine blessing in all aspects of life.

Explaining the Gospel

Following on from the previous blog entry:

‘How do you teach the Bible to those who can barely read?’

This is something that the early-day Salvationists would have encountered frequently, unfortunately we in the 21st Century are complacent, expecting the level of literacy to be much higher now then it was in the 19th Century. Understandable, as that's what I learned at school. It didn't take me long to find out that functional illiteracy is still a great problem in the UK!

Traditional evangelism often relies on printed tracts, reading specific Bible verses, or handing out New Testaments. I remember sitting in a teaching session from Spring Harvest a couple of decades ago about conveying Gospel truth to a society from a non-book culture. They told us that you won't welcome some people into your church if you hand them a hymn book and a bible as soon as they walk through the door; so many at that time only had access to one book; the Argos catalogue! Nowadays, they may not even have that ...

In unpacking this topic, I've pulled together a few ideas from the early day Salvationists, from the Spring Harvest teaching and from an online article from Ian Williamson (Ragged School of Theology) to build my blog entry today. 

Firstly, you need to engage with people with more that just the written word. Some people will only learn through hearing the message orally; some will respond only to effective visuals. These people may not relate to traditional Bible studies or formal church meetings.

This is why early day Salvationists took their message directly to street corners, marketplaces, and outside pubs. This is why they used Brass Bands and Singing Groups to attract a crowd: Lively music and simple choruses allowed individuals to engage with spiritual themes without needing a hymn book or Bible.

Ian Williamson makes a very good point -  when somebody is struggling to comprehend, hearing different translations read out loud will cause confusion. This is different from my preferred method of study as I find multiple translations helpful to understanding what the Gospel writers are getting at. However, I get it. Both Ian and I prefer the NIV translation over the others. It flows really well and reads the same as we speak.

We need to remember that the Bible is only understood when the Holy Spirit opens our mutual eyes to God’s Word (1 Corinthians 2:14). Thus, a meeting should be preceded and followed by prayer. 

Finally, we need to be prepared for questions afterwards, as the true message of the Gospel sinks in and needs to be reinforced in community.  We need to explain, illustrate and apply the Word of God exegetically so that people understand what God is saying and how they need to respond.

A thought about adult literacy rates

According to the National Literacy Trust, 18% of adults in England aged 16 to 65, or 6.6 million people, can be described as having 'very poor literacy skills'. This means they can understand short straightforward texts on familiar topics, however reading information from unfamiliar sources or on unfamiliar topics could cause them problems. Percentages vary across the other UK countries, however broadly you can see a similar trend with many millions unable to fully comprehend some words on signage, the printed page or computer pages. 

To clarify: The UK's basic literacy rate is apparently 99% (reference: World Literacy Foundation). But that figure only measures the most basic ability to read and write. Functional literacy proficiency in this country has declined, and that 18% figure that I mentioned above means that nearly one in five of us have trouble in reading legal contracts or disclaimers, deciphering bus or train timetables, understanding medicine labels, and so on. This explains an unwillingness by many to read anything more complex than a small paragraph. Too long, didn't read. 

This statistic has come as quite a shock to me. And a bit of a challenge... how can we convey the good news of the Gospel to people who will struggle with some of the deeper theological concepts?

More later as I unpack this further ...

Serenity - more, please!

Serenity (noun): the quality or state of being calm, peaceful, and free from anxiety, stress, or agitation.

I keep coming back to dwell on this word in this blog. I wonder why... it's much more than the science fiction reference. It's a real longing for a lasting, inner peace in my life.

What I'm looking for is more that just earthly peace. Serenity is a deep feeling of calm even in the face of adversity. It's when you can still see the problems around you, however you are no longer suffering under the weight they once carried. I believe it's only available through our relationship with God. 

I'm reliably informed that pursuing serenity involves shifting your daily habits and perspective to calm your mind and reduce stress in your life. Removing the pressures of working life has gone a long way to improving my perspective. My mind is so now quieter since I retired and this has helped me to slow down and build in some regular quiet time to be with God. 

i am spending a good deal of my time reducing distractions; reducing the clutter in some areas of my house (why do I need to keep those work reference books now?) and making a positive choice to live a simpler life. 

I can feel a real sense of peace on some days. More, please!

Life is precious

Christians have a firm belief that human life is a sacred gift created and cherished by God. Are you in agreement with that?

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realise it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfil it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.
Mother Teresa

The most precious things in life are not those you get for money.
Albert Einstein

Because we are mortal, our time on Earth is precious. Every second is a flash of light in the cosmic dark.
Carl Sagan

Some Scripture verses to consider:

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

Coffee, anyone?

Whilst you relax over your latte this morning, why not give a prayer of thanks to the Lord for his creation - today (1st October) is International Coffee Day. However you prefer your coffee, spare a thought for this incredible product. 

Wild coffee plants were first discovered in 9th century Ethiopia, as a goat herder called Kaldi noticed that some red berries were having an unusual effect on his goats.  The coffee beverage itself hails from Yemen, where it was harvested, roasted and brewed; Sufi Muslims in the 15th century used it to aid concentration during night prayers.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, coffee spread from the Islamic world to Christian regions, through the interactions between Muslim and Christian traders. It was in the monasteries of Europe that coffee found a special place. Monks and priests adopted coffee as a tool to aid in their spiritual practices, as coffee helped them stay awake during long prayer vigils and night-time services.

By the 17th century, coffee was the popular drink for intellectuals as they met in coffee houses to drink, listen and debate. They became hangouts for the likes of diarist Samuel Pepys, architect Christopher Wren, and the French philosopher Voltaire. The Lloyd's Coffee House in central London was the birthplace of the global insurance market.

Finally, the cappuccino owes its name to the Capuchin friars, an order of Catholic monks from Venice, who were known for their brown and white robes. 

Lovingkindness

Chesed is a Hebrew word that means 'kindness or love between people'. It is frequently used in Psalms to describe the love or mercy of God towards humanity. Some English translations use the word lovingkindness (sometimes hyphenated, sometimes written as one word). I'd never before explored this term, so I thought I'd give this some study today. 

The translation of lovingkindness used in the King James Version is derived from the Coverdale Bible. This version was compiled by Myles Coverdale and based on the earlier translation by William Tyndale. The King James Version and later writers then compounded it into a single or hyphenated word. Although some feel that this word is now considered archaic, it is still part of the traditional rendition of Psalms in some English Bible translations and there are even modern worship songs still using the term. 

Here's a selection of translations of the first few words of Psalm 51 across the centuries:

ἐλέησόν με ὁ θεός κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου (Greek)

Miserere mei, Deus, secundum misericordiam tuam (Vulgate)

God, haue thou merci on me; bi thi greet merci. (Wycliffe, 1388)

Haue mercy vpon me (o God) after thy goodnes (Coverdale Bible, 1535)

Haue mercie vpon mee, O God, according to thy louing kindnesse (KJV, 1611)

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness (KJV, 1769)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love (RSV, 1952)

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love (Good News, 1976)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love (NRSV, 1989)

Generous in love—God, give grace!  Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record (The Message, 1993)

And here's the New International Version translation, which I use most of all:

Psalm 51:1

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

I find it's always useful to see the same verse in different translations. 

Open Our Eyes

On Sunday 27th September 2026, The Salvation Army will unite around the world for the International Day of Prayer for Victims of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

This year’s theme is 'Open Our Eyes', which is inspired by Proverbs 31:8 NLT:

'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.'

Modern slavery is when someone loses their freedom and is controlled and exploited by another person or people for personal or commercial gain. It is an umbrella term for many forms of slavery including but not exclusive to human trafficking.

At The Salvation Army, we believe that everyone should be able to live in peace without being exploited and we open our hearts and minds and ask the Lord to hear our prayers to protect the vulnerable throughout communities across the world.

Many Salvationists around the world (there are over a million of us) will be praying for those trapped in this way. We stand with the survivors and we advocate for an end to exploitation. Please join us in prayer. #OpenOurEyes

Rejoice in the Lord always ...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

This verse was written by the Apostle Paul in what can be described as 'less than ideal conditions'. 

At the time, Paul was a prisoner in Rome. He had been shipwrecked on the way there (Acts 27), was subsequently bitten by a snake (Acts 28), and on reaching Rome he ended up under house arrest for two years awaiting trial. This meant he would have chained to a soldier at all times. Despite this, Paul still had to pay for his own rent, food, and clothing, relying on gifts and support from friends and fellow believers. He was threatened with execution, so his future was bleak.

Paul had every reason to complain, and yet he focused on rejoicing. 

We are encouraged to seek to rejoice in the Lord despite the most difficult of situations, just as Paul did. He emphasises that such an attitude should be constant, not temporary. Believers find their joy and hope in God. Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) and is important for every believer.

International Day of Sign Languages

Each year on 23rd September, people celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages, to recognise the importance of sign languages around the world.

One important thing to understand is their is no universal sign language. There are over 300 different sign languages world-wide. Over 70,000 deaf people in the UK have British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language. BSL uses a two-handed alphabet so most letters require both hands to form the letters.  

In addition, you may have encountered Makaton, which is a supplementary communication system which uses signs (hand gestures) and symbols (images) alongside speech and written words to support communication. Despite its use of signs, Makaton is not a sign language. It is widely used by children and adults who have learning disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or limited speech.

Makaton and BSL play vital but distinct roles in promoting communication for their respective communities.

We need to make sure we are inclusive and are valuing people of all types. The Gospel message is for all!

Apple of your eye

My daily reading yesterday included the following verse from the Psalms. 

Keep me as the apple of your eye, 

    hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 17:8 (NIVUK)

I've blogged before about the imagery of the apple, as this has come up in my readings over the years. The words leapt off the page at me - it still means something.

The reference to the apple of the eye refers to the pupil at its centre. The Hebrew phrase i'son bat ā'yin literally means "the blackness of the eye." This is the most closely protected part of the body. I've always linked this with a target motif, as if I'm associating it with the legend of William Tell in my mind. 

The following phrase has David using the imagery of God's care to a mother bird protecting her young. Chicks find shelter and safety under their mother's wings from sun, rain, or the eyes of predators. 

Plenty to unpack here over the next few days. 

Are naps good for our health?

Having an afternoon nap is a daily ritual for many. The Spanish usually enjoy a siesta and Japanese workers indulge in a lunchtime sleep, known as hirune, or "afternoon nap". Some office workers recommend a power nap to quickly boost alertness. Us Brits tend to favour an hour or so napping in the comfy chair after Sunday lunch or the big Christmas family meal. We tend to catch forty winks or indulge in a catnap.

Since retiring, so many have asked me whether I'm having a regular lie-in in the morning. No, not really - however I'm rediscovering the health benefits of napping during the day. 

A study by researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of the Republic in Uruguay in 2023 analysed data from 35,000 people, aged 40 to 69, who had taken part in a study by UK Biobank, a biomedical database ad research resource. The brains of people who napped several times a week were more than 15 cubic cm (0.9 cubic inches) larger than the brains of people who never had a daytime nap.

This equates to delaying ageing of the brain by between three to six years, says lead author Victoria Garfield, a senior research fellow at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL. "The big finding was that daytime napping is, quite robustly, causally linked to having a larger brain volume," says Garfield. 

"Anything you can do to preserve your brain size for as long as possible is a good thing," says Garfield. "It's a really positive message that having a nap could help the brain."

God still has work for me to do

It's now been three months since I retired from full-time employment. Three whole months. And the world has, remarkably, kept on spinning.

Yes, I am still enjoying my retirement. No, I'm not having a lay-in every morning. In fact, I'm still getting up at the same time - that's the natural time for me to wake up. I do now have time for a midday nap from time to time...

No, I don't miss the work, or the commuting, or the politics that always makes work life so *interesting*. No, I'm not spending every other moment at the Army hall. Yes, I have enough money to live on - I'm not rich by any extent, however I have enough to get by.  Yes, I am rediscovering hobbies from the past and finally getting to read all those books from the large wobbly pile in my study!

And, yes, I am still excited for the future. Because God has so much for me still to do. He still has a purpose for my life, and God is still not finished shaping me or using me. 

Philippians 1: 3-6 (NIV)
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Wedding Clothes?

The meeting at the Hall last Sunday was based on The Parable of the Wedding Feast, found in Matthew 22:1-14 - here's the NIV version:

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

4 ‘Then he sent some more servants and said, “Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”

5 ‘But they paid no attention and went off – one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, ill-treated them and killed them. 7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

8 ‘Then he said to his servants, “The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.” 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, “How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?” The man was speechless.

13 ‘Then the king told the attendants, “Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

14 ‘For many are invited, but few are chosen.’

 

One detail from the account is that the king notices a man not wearing wedding clothes. When the man cannot give an excuse for the fact he is incorrectly dressed, the king has him tied up and thrown into the outer darkness. 

It's the reference to wearing the proper clothing which has stayed with me this week. Modern day weddings would have guests supplying their own clothing (or hiring their clothes from Moss Bros - other retailers are available), so are we missing some detail which needs further explanation?

The Wedding Feast was one of the most joyous occasions in Jewish life and the event could last for up to a week. Thus, it was traditional for the king or lord to provide clean wedding garments for all of his guests. 

The only modern equivalent to this tradition relates to the bridesmaids' dresses, which are usually paid for by the wedding organiser. The only other adornment provided would be a corsage or a buttonhole for the other guests. Everyone else who need to source their own fancy clothing ...

To clarify, hosts at weddings in biblical times provided guests with a full change of clothes. These garments weren’t about fashion. They symbolised honour, purity, and belonging. This also ensured that everyone, regardless of their background, had the proper clothing for the occasion.

The question is raised in verse 11 because the wedding guest in question isn't wearing the wedding clothing.  He is inappropriately dressed ... and it's pretty obvious. Did the servants failed to screen the wedding guests carefully, or did the man sneak into the back of the hall in some way? It is queried and clarified that the man was on the guest list, however he has deliberately refused to wear what was given to him. It’s about someone who rejected the host's provision and tried to enter on his own terms. 

You might feel that the subsequent eviction from the Wedding Feast is not particularly nice - particularly after the earlier passage of inviting the whosoever to the feast! However, remember God is good.

This is because the parable confirms the wearing of wedding clothing is symbolic of being covered by the righteousness of Jesus (see Romans 3:21–31). Participation in the feast requires accepting God's provision rather than relying on one's own goodness.

Cleansing of the Temple

The famous incident of Jesus cleansing the temple is actually recorded in all four Gospels: 

• Matthew 21:12–13
• Mark 11:15–18
• Luke 19:45–48
• John 2:13–17

I will leave you to review each of these passages.

John's inclusion of the making a whip out of cords means Jesus' actions were deliberate, leaving us with no mistake about his intent. This wasn't a spur of the moment incident.

Given that such an act in a temple could be seen as a capital offence by the Romans, Ben Witherington III says that "It is very unlikely that the early church, while involved in evangelism and seeking acceptance at all levels of society, would make up a tradition about Jesus performing some sort of violent action in the temple."

Again, the question remains: was Jesus 'nice'?

More on the topic of 'niceness'

Just following on from yesterday's blog entry. If we are to be like Jesus, remember he calls us to be good, however that doesn't mean we should be nice. 

A few weeks ago the Sunday meeting was on the topic of Lazarus, and on Jesus' response to hearing that his friend had recently fallen ill. I've blogged on this before, however never from this particular angle. Just listen to this:

John 11: 1-7 (NIV)
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

Now, it seems to me that Jesus didn't do the thing that any nice person would have done. He did not drop everything to rush back to his friends to see if he could help. When he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed exactly where he was for two more days. The nice thing to do would be to come back to support the sisters. He didn't. Not straight away. 

Why? Exactly the same question that the sisters asked Jesus when they eventually saw him. This is the part which challenges me at the moment; why did Jesus act in this way? What is this detail teaching me?

To break this down further, the message from Martha and Mary was coming from Bethany, some two miles from Jerusalem. Jesus was in Bethabara, just across the Jordan River, about 20 to 25 miles (32 to 40 kms) away.  This was approximately two days away by foot; involving a steep descent and climb across desert terrain and the Jordan Valley. It also wasn't safe to travel by night. So the message probably took a full two days to reach Jesus. 

Jesus then waited a further two days; then he started to travel back. From the moment that the sisters called for Jesus a likely period of six days had elapsed before Jesus returns to Bethany, by which time it would be too late. This intentional delay meant Lazarus was already dead by the time Jesus arrived - which, with hindsight, we now know set the stage for a greater miracle.

Jesus was not uncaring -  he showed his feelings by crying with the grieving family, giving us the famous short verse "Jesus wept" before he raised Lazarus from the tomb. However, he acted with deliberate purpose to stay away - a decision that confuses his friends. 

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, there was absolutely no doubt that Lazarus was dead. In fact, scripture records that he arrives four days after Lazarus was buried and in his tomb. Even if he had left immediately that he had got the news, it would still be after Lazarus died. 

Remember - Jesus wasn’t denying Mary and Martha when he waited those two additional days. He had a different agenda. Jesus was preparing them for something far better than they could have ever imagined. 

Is Jesus 'Nice'?

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." 

"Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"...

"Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

So, if we are to be like Jesus, we are to be good. However, does that mean we need to be nice?

So, purely from the biblical records that we have, was Jesus nice? 

The word nice is not to be found in the Bible. While both nice and good are positive words, nice focuses on being outwardly (and superficially) pleasant and polite, whereas good runs much deeper, pointing to moral character, real care for people, and inner integrity. 

We know from scripture that Jesus was loving, compassionate, and kind. However, modern definitions of niceness - avoiding conflict, being inoffensive, having a polite demeanour - do not fit with what we know of Jesus. 

Not sure? Why not re-read the Gospel accounts of Jesus with this in mind?

Rest In Peace, Dolly

Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 after a phenomenal life. In addition to her prolific career in country music singing and songwriting, there have been memorable appearances as an actor and her incredible life filled with philanthropy and advocacy. 

I can't share any of her music here, however here are a few of her quotes which will give you an idea of her character:

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

"You have to work at being happy. Some people work at being miserable. If I wake up in the morning and don’t feel great or things are not great, I try to think about what I can do to make things work better, rather than just falling into that deep hole, because then you just go deeper and deeper."

"I always love working with children. I never had children of my own. God has his purposes. God didn’t let me have children so everybody’s children could be mine. That’s kind of how I’m looking at it."

"Storms make trees take deeper roots."

"Love is something sent from heaven above to worry the hell out of you."

"I think everyone should be with who they love. I don’t want to be controversial or stir up a bunch of trouble, but people are going to love who they are going to love. I think gay couples should be allowed to marry. They should suffer just like us heterosexuals."

"I just depend on a lot of prayer and meditation. I believe that without God I am nobody, but that with God, I can do anything."

"When I'm done, I can rest in peace knowing I've done my best. I hope that when my time comes, I'll leave something behind that others can use to lift themselves up."

Z is for Zenith

zenith, noun

1. : the point of the sky that is directly above the observer
2. : the highest point reached in the sky by a heavenly body
3. : the best or most successful point or time.

The word developed from an Arabic phrase meaning "the way over one's head".  During the 1300s, English speakers used the term to describe the highest point in the celestial heavens, directly overhead. By the 1600s, zenith was being used for other high points as well. 

Y is for Yogurt

yogurt (noun):  a slightly sour foodstuff made from fermented milk, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes with sugar or fruit added. Alternatively spelt yoghurt in some countries. 

Yogurt is mentioned several times in Scriptures, translated as curds in older translations. In ancient Middle Eastern traditions, milk was cultured and fermented to preserve it, yielding a yogurt-like food. Some modern English translations use the word yogurt to make the culinary imagery clearer for modern readers.

Finally, Yogurt is one of the major characters in Mel Brooks' SF comedy film Spaceballs, being a parody of Yoda from Star Wars. He is played by Brooks himself.

X is for Xanthicus

My favourite letter of the Alphabet - or rather, the one that gives me the most challenge! 😀

Xanthicus (noun): the name of the sixth month of the Macedonian calendar of the Seleucid Syrians. It corresponds with Nisan in the Jewish calendar or April in the Gregorian calendar.

Of course. At least I didn't pick xenophobia again ...

W is for Witness

witness (noun):

1. a person who sees an event first-hand or provides evidence
2. someone who has personal knowledge of something
3. someone who is asked to be present at a particular event and sign their name in order to prove that things have been done correctly

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

V is for Vindication

vindication (noun): the fact of proving that what someone said or did was right or true, after other people thought it was wrong.

The earliest known use of this English word was from the Middle Ages (1150—1500).

Psalm 17:2 (NIV)

Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

U is for Unobtainium

Unobtainium (noun):  a fictional material which would be ideal for a particular application however it is impossible to obtain. To clarify, it describes "a material that would be perfect for our purposes, if we could get it, but we can't".

First coined in the 1950s, aerospace engineers used the term when referring to unusual or costly materials, or when theoretically considering a material perfect for their needs in all respects, except that it does not exist. It often pops up in science fiction as a MacGuffin. 

(n.b., a MacGuffin is a plot device in fiction—an object, person, or secret—that motivates the characters and drives the narrative).

T is for Theology

theology (noun): the study of religious faith, practice, and experience, especially focusing on God and of God's relationship to the world.

The term originates from the Greek words theos (meaning God) and logos (meaning word, reason, or study). Therefore, it is the human effort to understand and articulate the meaning of faith, spirituality, and existence.

Even if you don't possess a faith, it's only by trying to studying the effects of the Christian faith on human history, ethics and culture that you will start to understand our contemporary world.

S is for Serenity

serenity (noun) : a state of peacefulness and calm; tranquillity; unruffled repose or quiet.

In a biblical context, this refers to a profound inner peace and tranquillity rooted in faith, surrender, and trust in God's sovereignty. It indicates a calmness of spirit that transcends human understanding, even in the midst of life's challenges.

In a science fiction context, it's the name of the spacecraft that appears in Joss Whedon's Firefly TV series and related works.

If you want an interesting discussion, ask me which one of these three I most need in my life.

R is for Robot

robot (noun) : a programmable machine designed to automatically carry out complex tasks. Such a machine is controlled by a computer. Robotic characters have become a staple of science fiction, however robots are now increasingly part of our modern lives.

The word was coined by Czech writer Karel Čapek—and suggested by his brother Josef Čapek—in the 1920 science-fiction play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). It derives from the Czech word robota, which translates to "forced labour" or "drudgery".

Calling someone by this name implies they act like a robot; that they are someone who does things in a very effective way but never shows their emotions. 

Q is for Quatermass

The Quatermass Experiment was a British science fiction serial written by Nigel Kneale and broadcast by the BBC during the summer of 1953. It told the story of the first crewed flight into space, supervised by Professor Bernard Quatermass of the British Experimental Rocket Group (played by Reginald Tate)

It was the first science fiction production to be written especially for a British adult television audience, and  was transmitted live from BBC's studios at Alexandra Palace.  Only two episodes survive in the archives, the other four were not recorded during their live broadcast.

P is for Poppycock

poppycock (noun):  nonsense, foolish talk.

A lovely word, with a whole string of lovely synonyms:  hogwash, bunk, balderdash, malarkey, and codswallop.

The term actually originated from America in the mid-19th century and was derived from the Dutch word poppekak, which means “doll’s excrement”. 

It is also the name of a premium brand of gourmet candied popcorn sold in North America (often featuring almonds and pecans). 

O is for Omnipresent

omnipresent (adjective): present in all places at all times.

The prefix omni means “all”.

God the Father is usually associated with omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, so this can be paraphrased by saying that God is “all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present.” 

• An omnipresent god has the ability to be everywhere all at once. See Psalm 139:7 - Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
• An omniscient god knows everything. Such a god would have the power to know the future, the present, and the past. See 1 John 3:19-20 - This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
• An omnipotent god has unlimited power. God created the universe and there is nothing that he cannot do. See Matthew 19:26 - Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

All scripture quotes from the NIV translation. 

N is for Nylon

nylon (noun) : an artificial substance used especially to make clothes, ropes, and brushes. 

The product was trademarked by the chemical company DuPont in 1938. They went through an extensive process to generate names for its new product.

A persistent urban legend exists that the name is derived from an amalgamation of the cities of "New York" and "London"; however, that's simply isn't true. No organisation in London was ever involved in the research and production of nylon.

M is for Moniker

moniker (noun,slang): a name or nickname

I love this particular word. Being a slang term, it has had so many spellings that it’s kind of difficult to keep track.  in 1851, the word was included in Henry Mayhew’s book London Labour and the London Poor as monekeer. It was recorded in the Sydney Slang Dictionary in Australia in 1881 as monniker, and there is strong evidence of its use in the States not long after. 

The implication is that it was a London term, which spread around the globe as people migrated. One proposal as to its evolution is that the word started out as the Middle English word ekename (an ancient term which later evolved into the word nickname) and that was converted into moniker by backslang. 

L is for Leviathan

leviathan (noun):

1. : (as Leviathan) a powerful sea creature mentioned in the Old Testament; a fearsome sea monster or serpent that breathes fire. Thus, by description, possibly a dragon.
2. : any large sea creature.
3. : something very large or powerful of its kind, and difficult to control.

Old Testament references to a huge sea monster called Leviathan are thought to have been inspired by ancient myth. Leviathan appears in the Book of Isaiah and Book of Psalms as a sea serpent that is killed by God and then given as food to creatures in the wilderness, and it is also mentioned in the Book of Job.

Since the 1300s, the word began to be used (both capitalised and capitalised) for enormous sea creatures both imagined and real—and it was used as a synonym for the whale countless times in Herman Melville’s classic Moby-Dick, as in “ere the Pequod’s weedy hull rolls side by side with the barnacled hulls of the leviathan.” 

Today, the word can be used for anything large and powerful, from ships to corporations.

K is for Kindness

kindness (noun):  the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality:

Kindness in a Christian context is not just a feeling but is a way of living. It is closely related to the virtue of compassion. 

• The Hebrew word for kindness, hesed, is often translated in the Bible as “love and kindness” or “mercy,” emphasising affection and caring. 
• The Greek word for kindness in the New Testament is chrestotes, which includes the qualities of goodness, gentleness and helpfulness.

J is for Juggernaut

Juggernaut (noun): a literal or metaphorical force or object regarded as unstoppable, merciless, and destructive, and often, by implication, out of control.

The word comes from an early translation in English of the name Jagannath. During the mid-19th century, some European travellers were observing the Hindu festival of Ratha Yatra in Puri, India. During this a  procession of massive wooden chariots (called temple cars) carrying a statue of the deity were pulled through the streets. These chariots were incredibly heavy and nearly impossible to steer or stop quickly once in motion, Reports emerged that people deliberately allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the vehicle's wheels as a sacrifice. It's now thought these reports were an exaggeration or misinterpretation of actual events, but the false reports spread throughout Europe and America.

In the latter half of the 20th Century the term juggernaut was frequently used in the United Kingdom to describe any large heavy truck or articulated lorry (thought to be just as unstoppable)

The term is more commonly used nowadays for any form of powerful force or movement, thought by many to be unstoppable.

Finally, Marvel Comics fans will remember the Juggernaut (Cain Marko), a character created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby to fight the X-Men. He possessed superhuman strength and durability, and was virtually immune to most physical attacks; his helmet also protected him from mental attacks.

I is for Intangible

intangible (adjective): something that exists but that cannot be touched, exactly described, or given an exact value. 

This may mean:

• something that is unable to be physically touched: (immaterial, incorporeal, impalpable, insubstantial, ethereal, ghostly)
• something that is difficult to perceive or grasp: (elusive, impalpable, imperceptible, vague.)
• something that is abstract or theoretical: (hypothetical)

H is for Hyperspace

Hyperspace (noun): a theoretical concept used in science fiction. It generally refers to a space with more than the three traditional spatial dimensions (length, width, and height)

It's a concept used in science fiction that enables faster-than-light (FTL) interstellar travel. Ships by-pass the speed of light (a universal constant) by travelling through an alternate, higher dimension where the distances are vastly shorter. 

In Star Trek they use a different method of FTL travel. Starships form a subspace bubble that envelops the vessel, distorting the local spacetime continuum and moving the ship through their own warp bubble

Yeah, both methods are convenient plot devices used in science fiction. Otherwise, most stories would involve years spent travelling between star systems. :)

G is for Growlery

growlery (noun): a place of refuge or retreat when one is out of sorts or in ill-humour.

Charles Dickens referred to such a location in 'Bleak House' (1853). In the novel, his character John Jarndyce famously retires to his "growlery" whenever he is in a bad mood or needs to escape the chaos of the household. I think we've all been there ...

It's quite an old term, as we tend to refer to such a room as a den, a shed or perhaps even the home office—a small, personal sanctuary reserved strictly for a bit of peace and quiet.

F is for Fourth Dimension

fourth dimension, noun

1. : a dimension in addition to length, breadth, and depth
2. : something outside the range of ordinary experience

A little bit of physics, now! It is generally accepted (backed up by Einstein's relativity theory) that the fourth dimension is time. Thus, in order to confirm an exact point, you need 3 coordinates for where (length, width, depth) and 1 coordinate for when (time).

The idea of making time the fourth dimension began with Jean le Rond d'Alembert's Dimensions, published in 1754 in the Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. Yes, I had to look that one up. :)

E is for Exegesis

Exegesis (noun);  a critical explanation or interpretation of a text. The term is traditionally applied to the interpretation of Biblical works. 

Simply put, exegesis is not about discovering what we think a scripture text means (or what we may want it to mean) but what the biblical author actually meant. It’s all about intentionality.

This will mean you need to dig into the historical context, the original language, and the author's intent in order to let the text speak for itself.

D is for Doctrine

Doctrine (noun): a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the essence of teachings in a given branch of knowledge or in a belief system. 

The word comes from the Latin word doctrina, which simply means "teaching." It can be seen as a framework for understanding particular beliefs.

In The Salvation Army (my church), there is a Handbook of Doctrine which can be downloaded and studied. The Handbook details the 11 Articles of Faith which since 1878 have been the basis of The Salvation Army’s witness to the Christian gospel. Such a document equips anyone to distinguish between truth and incorrect teachings.

There's nothing worse that following something blindly. Always question, always struggle to understand, always seek to apply this to your own life. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

C is for Cosmic

cosmic (adjective): 

1. relating to the universe and the natural processes that happen in it.
2. (informal) vast, very great
3. (spirituality) relating to the concept that everything in existence is interconnected as one vast, unified whole.

Finally, Marvel Comics fans will of course know that cosmic radiation (the leftover energy from the Big Bang) was responsible for the creation of the Fantastic Four. 

B is for Brotherhood

Brotherhood (noun)

1. : the quality or state of being brothers
2. : a fellowship or alliance
3. : an association (such as a labour union or monastic society) for a particular purpose
4. : the whole body of persons engaged in a business or profession

Christian brotherhood refers to the idea of fellowship and community, particularly within the family of God. It's a concept that goes beyond earthly family ties, a bond that confirms all men and women are part of a larger family as we are all God's children. Why not Google the word Koinonia for further study?

Hebrews 2:11-12 (NIV)

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;

in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

A is for Anti-stalking

Anti-stalking (verb) : the process of learning a person's routine in order to avoid them.

It's a relatively modern term, dating back to the 1990's. It essentially describes taking steps to counteract someone's efforts to always be in the same place as you (i.e., to stop them from stalking you!)

It's important to respect people's need for privacy.

A-Z: Some more of my favourite words

Time for one of my favourite regular features for my blog. The August A to Z challenge!

Perhaps now that I have retired, I'll be able to find a few minutes to complete this challenge for 2026. Didn't quite get this done last year (sorry!). There's a few examples of previous years to be found in my blog history if you feel so inclined to check it out. 

The challenge to myself is to blog every day for 26 straight days in August on one particular topic - one for each letter of the alphabet. To make it easy for myself I'm going back to safe territory by coming up a list of terrific words, all of which tells you a little something about me. Remember, it pays to increase your word power!

Enjoy!

What kind of Christian ... ?

 

Cartoon: Copyright Private Eye. No infringement intended.