Author Archives: vincentsmithauthor

There’s nothing there!

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The problem of sudden success was highlighted a few years ago in a New York Times report on the aftermath of the Boston Red Sox having finally won The World Series Baseball after eighty six years of trying. It said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Achievement, Ambition, Futility, Meaning in life, Meaninglessness, Success | Tagged | Leave a comment

Victoria’s not-so-secret

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Queen Victoria once held a reception in honour of an African chieftain. He’d never seen a finger bowl before and when was set before him he picked it up and drank its contents. The cream of British society sat aghast … Continue reading →

Posted in Generous spirit, Greatness, humility | Tagged | Leave a comment

The future doesn’t belong to the conquerors

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A French schoolmaster once wrote a report on of one of his students that said :‘He is the smallest, the meekest, the most unpromising boy in my class.’ Half a century later, that same boy, now a man was voted … Continue reading →

Posted in Greatness, Selflessness, Servant leadership, Service | Leave a comment

Afflictions v Affections

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Malcolm Muggeridge, just before his death, said: ‘Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I … Continue reading →

Posted in Strength, Tested, Trials and testings, Tried, Troubles | Leave a comment

What are we ashamed of?

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

As a teenager, Origen, who was later to become one of the great leaders and theologians of the early church, was determined to follow his father’s example and die as a martyr for his faith. His mother pleaded with him … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Ridicule, Shame, Witness | Leave a comment

Glorious bodies

Posted on November 11, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A little girl, sitting on her grandfather’s lap as he read her a story, from time to time would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek then stroke her own. Finally she said: … Continue reading →

Posted in Body, God, Heaven, Hope of Glory, Salvation, Transformation | Leave a comment

Transferring rights and privileges

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Robert Louis Stevenson once gave a rather odd gift to a friend’s daughter, Annie, who had the misfortune to have been born on Christmas, and every Christmas complained that she never got to have her own birthday party. So Robert … Continue reading →

Posted in Incarnation, Jesus, New Life, Privilege | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Intrusions of Peace

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A regular feature in many church services is what is called ‘the passing of the peace’ when people are invited to turn to others and say: ‘Peace be with you.’ Friends leave their pews to greet one another and newcomers … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Passing the Peace, Peace, Privacy, Worship | Tagged | Leave a comment

Unhappier, despite being richer

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

In his book, ‘Britain on the Couch: Why we are unhappier Compared with Nineteen Fifty, Despite Being Richer,’ psychologist Oliver James points out that considerably more people today suffer from depression than fifty years ago and that depression is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Happiness, Unhappiness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t people say grace in this place?

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Celeste Sibley got an insight into the effect of childlike faith when she took her children to a diner for breakfast. It was crowded and her eight-year-old daughter Mary had to sit alone at the far end of the counter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childlike faith, children, Example, Grace, Prayer | Leave a comment