Coach House Talks and Beacons

Before electricity was lighting the streets, the nights were dark . If you were brave enough to venture out after dark, you needed a beacon- a lamp to light your way to ensure you didn’t end up in a ditch.

When you’re working your back off, the last thing you want to hear is ‘you’re not doing enough’ or, for that matter, anything that diminishes the quantity and quality of work you think you’ve been doing.

It was easy to defend this structure at first, with tiny waves lapping at the edges of our defences. However, it was soon a case of shoring up the multiple breaks

I’d never forget you—never. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands

We live in a world where most people are lost. They don’t know where they’re going or what they are doing.

So now we have the unusual picture of people training by worked up a sweat in the gym whilst having no clothes on, because the original translation would be to ‘exercise naked’!

I once set off on a journey to sunny Scarborough. I rather presumed that if I followed the signs that I would arrive there without too much of a problem. However, this did not take into account the two small children who caused some distraction at key moments:

Here it was that possibly, Pilate, for the first time in his life, came face to face with Truth. According to history, and I don’t have the citations to hand

What is your favourite colour? Or maybe, what is your favourite dish ? I’m sure that, like most of us, you have a favourite place to go on holiday. Perhaps under the current circumstances your favourite place might be somewhere in your house?

What do you pursue? Are you the kind of person who develops long term goals and plans? Personally, my plans change with the seasons and I find it pretty hard to commit to just one goal or another

Sadly in today's hedonistic and self centred culture the true meaning of holidays has been lost. We see holidays as one of our rights, enshrined in law

Did you know that sin could hold you captive? when sin holds you captive it is like that cold, dark freezer without air, but when you are set free, you get to experience the wonderfulness of the fresh air of God

In life, it can sometimes feel like some people have an unfair advantage. Maybe they’re born prettier or cleverer or funnier. Maybe you feel like the only one that doesn’t have some sort of special gift or party trick. Maybe you always feel like an outsider

Tick tock…. tick tock…. tick tock……. Have you ever noticed the ticking of a clock (or even your watch) when there is a period of silence? Tick tock…. tick tock…. The seconds counting away time, almost reminding us in the stillness that time marches on?

I would like to do something a bit different in today’s Beacon and look at how God used the famous scientist, Albert Einstein, in helping to establish the modern state of Israel.

It’s the start of a new school year- although a little strange this year. Most Septembers throughout my life have had September as a new beginning-whether it was when I was a student or for the last 30 or so years as a teacher.

I don’t know about you but for me September is a time for a new start . As I start back at work - yes, you guessed, I work in a school - I set myself new targets when it comes to diet and exercise. I plan to be good,

A lot of us have a vested interest in our own opinions, and it’s only human. We all do it. Superficially, it can make us feel important. It can make us feel like we’re better than others, and depending upon our abilities,

As we walked down the coastal path we passed a marina and outside alongside the path they had placed a large number of anchors. Each one had a brief description, when it was made, where it was made, and what it was used for.

This truth is so important that it is also taught in many place in the bible including the Old Testament in Proverbs 10:12 (NLT) "Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offences..”

One of the most challenging, and arguably one of the most famous instructions that Jesus gave can be found in Matthew 5. It says “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’

The book of Romans in chapter 12 tells us to ‘be honest in the evaluation of ourselves, measuring ourselves by the faith God has given us

I watched a family walking down the beach. The adults were walking quickly as they could see a dark cloud looming and moving swiftly towards them. However, they couldn’t just dash back towards shelter as they had a young child with them.

I remember standing, one evening back in the 1970s, talking to my youth leader in the church building that had become my spiritual home after my coming to Christ not so long before. And I said to him, “I am for Jesus”. This incident has always stayed in my mind because I sincerely meant it

There are no better words than those of the bible. When we are in need, be that a little need or great need, the answers will only ever be found in scripture. Let’s read from the book of Isaiah, chapter 61. As I read, listen carefully for the words that apply to you and let them speak to you in a way that no other words can.