Permit me to ride a hobby horse of mine for a few minutes! I want to issue a plea for an exegetically informed gifted illustrator to produce illustrations for a really excellent children’s Bible story book. I wonder how many children grow up with completely wrong ideas about Scripture simply because of a misleading picture in a story book. I’m not questioning the motives of the illustrators—no doubt they want to produce pictures that are simple and appealing; but how often do they end up distorting what the text actually says?

Happy (belated) St Patrick’s Day! Here in Galway in the Republic of Ireland we celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a huge parade. In Dublin, the capital of Ireland, some half a million turned out for their parade. But no matter where you live in the world, you probably heard something about St Patrick’s Day because it is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival! In fact this year, for the first time in history, it was celebrated on Antarctica! The Irish among that small community of 135 scientists organised a parade that totalled eight floats. One St Patrick’s Day celebration was literally out of this world, when in 2011 two Irish-American astronauts performed a song by The Chieftains on the International Space Station!

Every Sunday is Resurrection Day, yet even familiar truths grow dull if we stop dwelling on them. Paul’s little reminder to Timothy—“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead”—is the tonic our forgetful hearts still need. 1 Corinthians 15 helps us refresh that memory and trace some mighty implications.

Life in the wilderness can feel hopelessly dry—just ask the Israelites in Exodus 17. They’ve been following God’s command, only to arrive at a desert campsite with no water. Thirst escalates to anger, and soon they’re ready to stone Moses. Their demand, “Is the Lord among us or not?” rings with unsettling arrogance, given everything God has already done: plagues in Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, daily manna from heaven. Yet they dare to question God’s goodness and presence.

Life in the wilderness for ancient Israel was never meant to be a casual stroll toward the Promised Land. In Exodus 17:1–7, the people find themselves camped at Rephidim, a place with no water—despite the fact that they are following God’s explicit commands and visible guidance. This puzzling moment highlights a vital lesson: obedience to the Lord does not guarantee a trial-free life.

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, the Apostle Paul shares a deeply personal account of his spiritual experiences and his ongoing struggle with a "thorn in the flesh." While the exact nature of this affliction remains a mystery—subject to centuries of scholarly debate—the focus of the passage is not on pinpointing its cause, but on understanding the profound truth contained in verse 9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This article explores the key themes of Paul's message, the source and sufficiency of divine grace, and how this truth applies to our own lives.

As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another, it's natural to reflect on our past and contemplate the future. Amidst the excitement and anxiety that a new year brings, the Bible offers profound comfort and assurance through its timeless truths. Today, we turn our attention to the Old Testament, specifically to the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29, verses 1 to 14, with a special focus on verse 11.

As we approach the joyous celebration of Christmas, it is fitting to revisit the narrative of the Magi in Matthew Chapter 2. This passage, found on page 966 in the Church Bible, offers profound insights into the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, and the unwavering faith of those who seek the Messiah. By examining verses 1 to 12, we can uncover the deeper meanings behind this well-known story and apply its lessons to our lives today.