Wigan Pier Revisited James 2.1-9 (NRSV) My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Friday 21st August

The Pencil Maker Romans 5.1-5 and 8.28 (New International Version) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Thursday 20th August

In Christ alone Romans 3.21-26 (English Standard Version) But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. for there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Wednesday 19th August

Friendship, false and true Ecclesiasticus 6.5-17 Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies. Let those who are friendly with you be many, but let your advisers be one in a thousand. When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not trust them hastily. For there are friends who are such … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Tuesday 18th August

Waiting? Give it all to God! Reflection This photo sits on a wall in my study and is one I took on a visit to Mont St Michel back in 2011, just after being priested and my elder daughter’s wedding. I love taking photos, but this is probably the one I am most pleased with, … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Monday 17th August

Going solo Isaiah 49.15-16 (New Revised Standard Version) ‘Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me’ Reflection I suppose there are … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Sunday 16th August

Going solo Reflection “How do folks!” My name is James Taylor and I’m the Curate in the Central Hub of Church Wigan. It’s a pleasure to be able to reflect with you today as part of the Seeing Deeper …Looking Beyond series. Today we’ll be exploring what it means to be trained to do a … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Saturday 15th August

Kingdom Come Romans 8.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Luke 11.2 Jesus said to them,  “When you pray, say:  Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…” Reflection I was born and grew up in Nigeria, and I only … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Friday 14th August

Help me, God! I’ve got an earworm! Reflection You may remember I let slip in my reflection during the series on Psalms that I am not a lover of things cultural and so, when I read the remit for this series of reflections – ‘choose something cultural/artistic (in the broadest sense) that has meaning for … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Thursday 13th August

Let’s put the kettle on I thought I’d reflect today on the gospel reading from Morning Prayer in Matthew 18.15-20. This passage teaches us about being reconciled to each other, about how, as Jesus-followers, we’re supposed to deal with the conflict and the sin that divides us. Matt 18.15-20 – Reproving Another Who Sins (NRSV) … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Wednesday 12th August