This week the media has been wall-to-wall with coverage of the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.  Perhaps you remember watching it on TV.  But this week in history also saw the start of Amazon and the launch of the SS Great Britain (the 1st steel-hulled ocean going ship), the 1st successful test of the atomic bomb and the fire which destroyed…

Like many of you I have enjoyed watching the action from Wimbledon over the last 2 weeks. One of the most gripping matches was between Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrios- the grand steely-eyed master against the bad boy of tennis.  It was a feisty affair, full of great shots and bad tempers.  The press conferences afterwards were no less riveting, Nadal keeping…

During my spotty teenage years, I was a great fan of a Christian singer called Steve Taylor.  In one of his songs, Hero, he lamented the failings and scandals that plague all those we idolise, from whatever walk of life.  And sadly, as I mentioned last week, we can be let down and hurt by Christian leaders we trust and admire. So…

On some unknown date in the latter half of 1823, during a game of football at Rugby School, William Webb Ellis, did something that no one had done before. He picked up the ball and ran with it. Now, even those of you who don’t like football, know that you can’t do that.  It’s against the rules.  Goalkeepers can touch the ball…

In last week’s column I commented on the frailties of secular leaders and encouraged us not to look to anyone but Jesus for real and lasting salvation.  But church leaders are also, sadly, often just as weak and frail, as shown by the stories of heresy and ‘spiritual abuse’ that have hit the headlines this week.  The latter story hit Judy and…