Author Archives: Dean Atkins

‘As for me, give me courage. Put persuasive words into my mouth when I face the lion.’ (see Esther 4:17) Fighting injustice and speaking out can lead us to a precarious place.  Many individuals throughout history and in our time have faced danger and even death for standing up and standing out.  The likes ofContinue reading “Just Lent | March 2”

‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign’ (see Luke 11:29-32) We can sometimes look back on previous generations with a certain sense of alarm and smugness, blessed with hindsight, and think of ourselves as far more civilised and enlightened than they were!  Similarly, we even look at the cultures and practicesContinue reading “Just Lent | March 1”

‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who are against us.’ (see Matthew 6:7-15) The prayer we know as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and learned by heart as a child, forms part of the staple diet of prayer for all Christians.  It is prayed at times of joy and sadness, celebration and misery, and providesContinue reading “Just Lent | February 28”

‘When did we see you hungry and feed you?’ (see Matthew 25:31-46) We spend much time and money on the worship of the Church, and maintaining the building and preparing the liturgical space because we want to offer our best to God, and to discover his presence in the beauty of worship.  However, we knowContinue reading “Just Lent | February 27”

‘‘If you do away with the clenched fist, the wicked word, if you give your bread to the hungry, relief to the oppressed, your light will rise in the darkness.’ (see Isaiah 58:9-14) There is a growing number of Foodbanks in the UK.  We hear so much about those who struggle with food poverty orContinue reading “Just Lent | February 25”

‘They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near’ (see Isaiah 58:1-9) Laws are, of course, important for the safety and security of all and enable citizens to live responsibly.  There are, though, still some rather outdated and maybe outlandish laws in the UK.  For example, under an 1839Continue reading “Just Lent | February 24”

‘I set before you, life and prosperity, death and disaster.’ (see Deuteronomy 30:15-20) Decisions, decisions!  We make them every day.  In fact, research suggests we make 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day.  And, of course, as our level of responsibility increases, so does the myriad of choices we have to make. We may not thinkContinue reading “Just Lent | February 23”

Welcome to the first of our daily reflections for Lent, focussing on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed, and for which he died and rose again. More resources are available at http://www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent Ash Wednesday ‘Now, now—it is the Lord who speaks—come back toContinue reading “Just Lent | February 22”