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In 1873 Thomas Edison approached the British government – then the most powerful government in the world – asking for investment in his new invention, the lightbulb.  The Committee which assessed it turned him down, saying this new-fangled idea was ‘okay for our transatlantic friends…but unworthy of the attention of practical or scientific men.’  The … Read more

This passage is not a defence of slavery.  It’s worth stating that at the start; as we saw yesterday, Paul is acutely conscious of the perceived danger of Christ to the social order – putting the church itself at risk (more widespread persecution is beginning, indeed may have already begun, by this time).  It’s also … Read more

One of the thorny questions that the church has always faced – and individual Christians, as part of the church community – is how followers of Jesus relate to the social order around them.  Where do they conform and where do they stick out?  Or, to put it another way, what do they challenge? It … Read more

Colossians 3:12-17 is one of the most treasured portions of all scripture.  It just seems to encapsulate perfectly what a loving, healthy lifestyle should look like – even to those who may not consider themselves to be followers of Christ.   For example, this is the second most popular passage chosen by couples marrying in church … Read more

Most of us like some new threads from time to time – or in my case, new to me!  I’ve always enjoyed a hunt round the clothes rails of charity shops.  I have a weakness for good quality shirts, but can never justify the price of them new – so I look for pre-loved versions … Read more

For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, our best friends bought me John Mark Comer’s new book.  Comer is one of the most celebrated of the new Christian writers, and his latest book is called ‘Live no lies’.  It’s a modern exploration of how to deal with the ‘the world, the flesh and the … Read more

The following reflection was written by James Bryan Smith – before we move on to the next part of Colossians, his insight has something wonderful for us today… There is one phrase in the Apostles Creed that, for a long time, I never understood: ‘[Christ] is seated at the right hand of the Father Almighty…’  … Read more

Often the most powerfully subversive things are those which look very similar to what they are challenging.  I am a great lover of Renaissance art (I studied it many years ago) and Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic ‘Last Supper’ is a great example of this.  All the traditional features are there: the long table, the twelve … Read more

It’s been a big week!  Colossians chapter 2 is one of the densest but also richest in the whole of Scripture.  This weekend, take a few moments to re-read the chapter in one go.  Pick out key words that inspire you, or a phrase that you hadn’t understood before but now brings you life, and … Read more