Pastor's Thought

Sports and sporting achievements is amongst the most important shared entertainments around the world. The physical and mental ability, skill and tenacity to conquer various sports often leaves many in awe and wonder; and for some onlookers, the winner is often referred to as their ‘hero’. Recently, Usain Bolt attended the release of his movie, I am Bolt, where he …

Cuba’s former president Fidel Castro, one of the world’s longest-serving and most iconic leaders, has died aged 90. The news was announced on state television by the former presidents brother Raul Castro. In 1959, Fidel Castro led a coup, toppling the then government and introduced a Communist revolution. His critics viewed him as a dictator and America’s worst nightmare. His …

This week saw an historic legal battle wherein a 14-year-old girl, who is terminally ill with cancer, won her case in the High Court to have her body cryogenically frozen at the point of death in the hope that one day she will be brought back to life. Cryogenics is a medical method of preserving the body of the deceased …

This week has been one of the most extraordinary weeks on the political front for some time. What started as the easiest of wins for American Politician Secretary of State Senator Hillary Clinton, Americans were shocked to learn that American entrepreneur and billionaire Donald Trump was to become President elect and the first President to never have held a political …

Jazz crooner and populist vocalist Michael Bublé, who has touched the hearts of so many fans and admirers around the world, was informed that his three year old son has been diagnosed with cancer. Like any parent, this was extremely devastating news, to feel utterly helpless in the face of your loved one being unwell and their wellbeing being subject …

This week saw thousands of migrants in Calais forced from the squalor of leaking, cold and grossly uncomfortable tents they called home for many months, after French authorities began the process of clearing the squalid camp that was commonly referred to as the ‘jungle’. The area had been ‘home’ to thousands of men, women and even children and babies. This …

This week we saw the jailing of Mazher Mahmood, otherwise known as the Fake Sheik; or as The King of the Sting’. The “undercover supremo” who has been responsible for the jailing of more 230 ‘alleged villians’ has now himself been convicted of criminal activities and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment; half of which he’ll spend behind bars. Having …

One of the most audacious robberies of a socialite took place this week; Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint early Monday at her luxury apartment in Paris. This was complicated by not only the crime but as the media reported there was the issue of the missing bodyguard, the weirdly calm concierge followed by the hurried journey home after being …

At the triathlon world series in Mexico, a crowd witnessed a unique incident, when several hundred yards before the finish line, the leading runner began to waver and faint during the hot weather as he Jonny Brownlee struggled to finish the race. Seeing his predicament his older brother Alistair raced up behind him and propped him up, for the final …

In our final trilogy, we recount that Jesus asked for the public opinion of Himself, which was then followed by the personal and finally, the answer. Peter hit the nail on the head and saw in Jesus what the wider public failed to see or perceive. When the public saw a Prophet or a Good man Peter saw beyond the …

In the follow-on from last week’s thought ‘Who do Men say that I am? Jesus, having established the general idea as to what the public at large thought of Him or assumed His status, now made the question personal. Jesus moved from the public persona to the private persona. In the public, the views and ideas, perceptions and understanding of …

Opinions often shape our thinking and we react many a times to people’s opinions. The Government have opinion polls as to what people are thinking about in society and we ourselves have opinions relating to things and people. Jesus during his ministry was aware that people had different opinions as to who he was. Nonetheless, he did not shy away …