Louise Harris

A few days ago, on my commute to Wakefield., I was groaning as I set off in the dark, moaning to my Heavenly Father (again) along the lines of: “I'm too old for all of this!” However, as I turned on to the M1, there was the most beautiful sunrise right in front of me.

Elaine Utting

Around this time each year our local store stocks early daffodils. They were on display last week for the first time in 2025. The season is changing, and the daffodils give us a promise that winter is coming to an end, and spring is not far away..

David Francis

Last year I was “shaken but not stirred!” because central to the Christmas story is that God is with us! My shaking occurred during a recent conversation with some Christians friends, as my biblical world view was suddenly thrown into sharp contrast with theirs.

Michael Munson

What are you waiting for in your life? What freedom have you been hoping for; what oppression are you experiencing? Do you find yourself having a hard time holding on to the promises of God? Wondering where hope comes from if there is true joy to be had.

Lucy Holt

In our family we have a number of advent traditions. We get out the same decorations, toys and books we have had since the children were tiny. Some traditions Alex and I bring from our own childhoods.

Helen Francis

I don't know if you've heard the beautiful song ‘Mary did you know’? It's often played at this time of year and is one of my favourites, not just because the melody is so haunting, but because I find the words of the song thought-provoking. How much did Mary know?

Joy Revie

Ian and I have lived in Boroughbridge for 25 years. We love its rural feel and being close to the river Ure. We often follow the river up into Wensleydale, so much in fact, that we decided to try and find the source of the Ure. Finally, in October we did!

Louise Harris

This week I have been in the position of being stuck in slow-moving or even stationary traffic on my way to the office due to road works or accidents. I am sure you know the frustration when there is very little you can do to get there more quickly.

Elaine Utting

Over the years, when facing a scary problem, maybe conflicts with family or at work, or health issues, I would remember some encouraging words from the Bible or a worship song and, while the difficulty was playing out, I’d repeat them to myself in my head.

David Francis

Some might say I have enthusiasm for a few pet subjects! We like what we like, and it is hard to hide it! In Greek the word for enthusiasm is ‘Entheos’ and means ‘God within’. Jesus said He would make his dwelling in us, by the Holy Spirit.

Ian Revie

One of the things leaders know is that, while many people will never step up to be the leader, there are plenty of people willing to criticise any steps towards leadership you might take and tell the whole world how they know better and why you did it wrong!

Lucy Holt

I’ve really enjoyed re-reading Philippians recently. I first remember studying it as a teenager, in a completely different season of my life. Paul’s words were relevant then to a teenager in the mid-90s, and are still challenging to me now as an adult and parent.

Helen Francis

A couple of Sundays ago ,we sang a song with the line: "in my Father's house, there's a place for me." I love the reassurance it brings but, for a long time & for reasons I'm not even too sure of, I wasn't as sure of this truth as I should be.

Joy Revie

I love this time of year when the vibrant colours of autumn take our breath away - nature's final glorious display before shutting down for the winter! It got me thinking about, not just seasons in nature, but also the seasons we experience in our own walk of faith.

Louise Harris

Much to the incredulousness of friends and family, I have taken up wild swimming this year. Peacefully swimming along in nature, my mind empties of its worries, hope is renewed and I begin to let go of the things that don’t really matter.

Elaine Utting

It can be hard, when you are living through serious difficulties, to face the world with a smile. But apparently the physical act of smiling, even if it’s deliberate rather than spontaneous, helps you feel happier & healthier. And it’s amazing - God made us that way.

David Francis

Some years ago, I had an amazing revelation when attempting to make my own yeast to raise my bread. I took equal quantities of wheat, flour and water, mixed them together & left it covered in a dark cupboard. Incredibly, after 3 days and 3 nights, it had risen!

Ian Revie

We were on holiday on the west coast of Ireland - bleak, barren and beautiful land and sea-scapes all at the same time. Our youngest daughter wanted to hike in the Blue Stack mountains, so we found a 'moderate' 5 mile hike around two hills & a river.

Lucy Holt

In the summer, in an art gallery, I saw a kintsugi vase. It's a way of repairing very precious ceramic. Rather than throwing away the beautiful but broken object, it is repaired using gold as a glue to hold the pieces together. It is more beautiful than the original.

Helen Francis

Music & singing has always been a love of mine and I've recently been revisiting songs & hymns that have been meaningful to me throughout my Christian journey. I began to consider more deeply why these hymns had stayed with me for over fifty decades.