Just over a week ago, we were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It’s a special time, associated with church services, family gatherings and Easter eggs. But, to the early disciples, it was completely different. It was a time of intense emotions; gruesome, bewildering and incredulous. Then, as the ordeal of the arrest of Jesus and […]
Happy Christmas to all our Readers. Peter leads this week’s Nightcap and asks the question, “What child is this?” In searching for an answer, he explores the story of the life of Jesus from its extraordinary conception to its ultimate death on a Roman cross outside the walls of the Judean town of Jerusalem. “What […]
Christmas is a time of festivity, joy and giving. As we approach this season of friends and family, we also remember why Christmas has become so precious. Over the next six weeks, our Nightcap online presents the various heroes and heroines who contributed towards the Christmas tale. Of course, the story begins with Mary, who […]
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible and is split into 22 sections which are named according to the Hebrew Alphabet. Although it is a long psalm, its theme is consistent throughout. The psalmist praises God’s laws and precepts and pours out his desire to learn and obey what God has commanded. The […]
When times are stressful, we all like to retreat to our favourite haven of rest. For some, like Helen who comments on the link below, it’s a holiday home in the south of France, for others it’s a trip to the countryside and for others it’s relaxing after work in the favourite room of your […]
Before David became King and united the Israelites under a common head, he went through some very fearful and dangerous situations. These can all be found in the Bible, in the book of I Samuel. Consequently, David gathered a band of outlaws around him and was always on the move. Some of the places he […]
We’re all familiar with this well known psalm. We probably learned it at school and heard it read at funeral services. It’s an all round favourite because it speaks of the love, provision and protection of God in the most dire circumstances. Unfortunately, something so well known is often over looked – that is until […]
During this time, when Covid-19 appears to dictate how we live our lives, we often feel deserted, vulnerable and isolated, especially when we’re in lock-down and live alone. However, we are not alone when we share a common enemy. As human beings, we have the capacity to look above and beyond to the factors which […]
Continuing with our thoughts on the psalms, Helen brings our attention to Psalm 132. In it, David pours out his desire to build a home for his God, the Temple in Jerusalem. Although he never saw the completion of the Temple – it was his son, Solomon, who commanded it to be built, his heart […]
Have you ever wondered why certain psalms are called “Psalms of Ascent”? The hi-light of a Jew’s life was when he or she went up to Jerusalem for a festival and to offer sacrifices. Sometimes the journey was long, taking many days. It all depended on where in Israel they lived. So, as the pilgrims […]