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I don't know about you but when I am most aware of God's presence it is usually when I am being good, kind and loving or when things are going well. It is when I am in a worship service with my brothers and sisters in Christ and our praise is filling the room. I think of times when I am obeying Him, doing good to others and thinking positive things about others. It is easy at times like that to imagine God being by my side.  It is easy to recall the words of Jesus at the end of Matthew's Gospel.  "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 I expect most people of faith can recall moments like that. Things are going well and we feel the closeness of Jesus.  But what about the times when life is not going well? What about the times when life is hard, and when I am letting Jesus down? If you are anything like me during those times it is really hard to remember that God is with you.  For me it is hardest ...

      Veronica Zundel was reminding us recently of the importance of taking good physical care of ourselves. ( Put your back into it? ) But what about our spiritual selves? Many churches and Christian organisations seem to exist in a maelstrom of activity. There’s a real risk of equating busyness with maturity, as if we can earn extra divine brownie points by signing up for 76 different rotas.          On a personal level, I find the concept of stopping to recharge my spiritual batteries a constant challenge. I blame my dad, whose idea of a relaxing holiday was to climb 17 mountains before breakfast. (Okay, I’m exaggerating…but only a little.) I’m inclined to be a Martha rather than a Mary. My mind flits, moth-like, from one tantalising thought to another.       Over the last four years I’ve been involved in helping to run a series of quiet days at a retreat centre on the outskirts of Wh...