Have you struggled with comfort eating during lockdown? I know from personal experience that although it can make me feel better in the moment, later it generally leaves me feeling worse. It causes discomfort and bloating in the short term, as well as guilt and regret! And if we persist, the pounds will start piling …
Ehud is described in most Bible translations as simply being left handed (Judges 3:15). However, scholars suggest that the original Hebrew phrase used literally means “shut up in his right hand“. Evidently his right hand was damaged in some way that made him unable to use it properly. Unfortunately it is likely that, in his …
The book of Judges in the Bible makes for a very engaging read. I still clearly remember the first time I ever read about Gideon. I was on the London Underground, jaw wide open and could barely contain my excitement as the story unfolded and Gideon’s army got smaller and smaller. The Judges were leaders in …
Of the 11 brothers of Joseph, it was Judah who came up with the wicked plan to sell him as a slave to passing traders and make a profit (Genesis 37:26-27). It was Judah who denied his daughter-in-law her right to marry his son, leaving her a childless, bereft widow (Genesis 38:11) It was Judah …
Recently the BBC published an article on the special relationship between cycling and suffering. The writer interviewed various professional cyclists who described their battle in coping with the pain that high intensity exertion brings about. Perhaps unsurprisingly, most said that the majority of the battle takes place in the mind. Alex Hansen holds the record …
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul said, “whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Most people would probably look at this list and agree these are …
Thoughts run through our head from morning to night, and then fill our head with dreams when we sleep. Probably, the one thing we all do most, apart from breathing, is thinking. But to quote Thomas Traherne, a 17th century poet, “as nothing is more easy to think, so nothing is more difficult than to think well.” Recently, I’ve considered …
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4). Once fully trained, a well looked after ox may serve a farmer for 8-10 years, puling heavy loads for up to 5 hours a day. They can significantly increase the amount of crops a farmer is able to produce (compared with if he was just working with his own …
Apparently the biggest difference between an amateur cook and a professional is seasoning. Professional cooks season with just the right amount, at different times throughout the cooking process depending on what is being prepared. For example, when preparing your roast dinner, you might rub salt into your meat before putting it in the oven. However, …
Most women are aware that having children will place certain limitations on them – at least for a period. Some of them are obvious: sleep, going out, career progression. Others can take us by surprise. One such limitation I had not anticipated was the impact on church life. Simply sitting through the entirety of a …