Tag: spirituality

Good news of great joy – for whom? A Christmas reflection

LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this short reflection during a carol service at Wesley Church Centre in Chester: ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’ Hello, my name’s Kieran and I’m a minister in …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/12/24/good-news-of-great-joy-for-whom-a-christmas-reflection/

Hush the noise – and hear these angels sing!

CHRISTMAS is loud, isn’t it? So much expectation. So many voices. Telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy.
Instead, the Methodist Church in Britain invites us to ‘Hush The Noise’ and listen to THREE new Christmas singles!

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/12/17/hush-the-noise-and-hear-these-angels-sing/

On the road again – My surprising journey continues

TODAY I said farewell to the church which has supported me for much of the last three years. Now that I have started training to be a Methodist presbyter [from the Greek word πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros) which means ‘elder’, from the same root as the word ‘priest’ used in other Christian traditions] I will shortly be …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/09/29/on-the-road-again-my-surprising-journey-continues/

Where is God when it all goes wrong? – A Bible Month reflection on Joseph’s story from the book of Genesis

This is a question that Joseph, hero of our faith, might have asked himself. Joseph, a son of Jacob, the last of Israel’s ancient patriarchs, is at the centre of a 4,000-year-old family drama. It’s a story of favouritism, jealousy, hatred, temptation, suffering and reconciliation.
Perhaps this is a situation with which you can identify! But the Joseph story is bigger than that.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/06/30/where-is-god-when-it-all-goes-wrong-josephs-story-from-genesis/

Unique meaning in life – Listening for God’s call

‘Here I am, for you called me’.
– 1 Samuel 3
THESE are the words of the child Samuel, apprentice to the priest Eli at the temple of God.
I wonder:
– how could these words speak to each of us today?
– what does it mean for us to be open to God, whatever our age, status, or circumstances?
– how does God speak with us now?

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/06/09/unique-meaning-in-life-listening-for-gods-call/

Glimpsing God’s Spirit – A Pentecost reflection

What wonders might give us glimpses of God’s Spirit today?
In what ways can you and I be signs of God’s comfort and support to those in distress?
What role might we have in offering meaning?
What space is there in your life and mine for signs of wonder?
How is the Spirit moving in your life and mine today?
A reflection on Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church, and Wesley Day, the brthday of the Methodist Church.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/05/19/glimpsing-gods-spirit-a-pentecost-reflection/

‘Doubting’ Thomas is so much more – A more generous response to the infamous apostle

The story of Thomas the apostle is an invitation and challenge to us to be generous in listening to questions and scepticism. How do we cope with challenges to faith – our own and other people’s?

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/04/07/doubting-thomas-is-so-much-more-a-more-generous-response-to-the-infamous-apostle/

The work of Christmas begins – An Epiphany reflection

A REFLECTION on the story of the magi travelling to find Jesus in Bethlehem [Matthew 2:1-12] and the poem The Work Of Christmas by Howard Thurman.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/01/07/the-work-of-christmas-begins-an-epiphany-reflection/

John the Baptist: Opening an Advent window on the bigger picture of the Christmas story

THE CHRISTMAS STORY is a jigsaw, which we have pieced together from the four gospels. The pieces include: a star, a manger, shepherds, and wise people from the east. But the story of a man in the desert baptizing people doesn’t seem to fit the puzzle. Does it even belong in our picture of Christmas?

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2023/12/14/john-the-baptist-opening-an-advent-window-on-the-bigger-picture-of-the-christmas-story/

My Christian journey – A testimonal for ministry training

IN MAY 2023 I began the process of applying to begin training as a Methodist minister in 2024. This is the testimonial I wrote for a portfolio as part of my application.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2023/11/24/my-christian-journey-a-testimonal-for-ministry-training/

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