Several years ago, I found myself in the middle of a battle that I didn’t ask for and certainly didn’t want. Without going into all the details, I found myself face-to-face with a ‘mud-slinger’ – the kind of person who (when they feel threatened) throws every accusation they can think of, in order to deflect …
Author Archives: Paula Cummings
Why are you standing there?
Picture the scene: A group of friends had just been through the worst few months of their lives. They were tired, ragged, worn down, exhausted and yet also in complete shock and jubilation. Their best friend (who also just happened to be the Messiah) had been horrifically murdered by the State, had then miraculously and …
Don’t be duped…
In the late 1990s, I was living in the US and will never forget one sunny Sunday afternoon, chatting to a lovely pastor, who was full of grace and Godly wisdom. He also happened to be building a bunker in his backyard and was gradually transferring his life savings into gold coins, so that he …
When you have an identity crisis.
Last night, as news about the tragic death of another celebrity filtered in, I read the headlines with shock and sadness. Within hours, online, many were asking, ‘how could this have happened?’ ‘Who was to blame?’ Was it social media? The Press? The courts? Everyone was asking if this could have been prevented? I know …
When you’re stuck in a rut…
Over the last couple of days, I’ve been thinking about the faithfulness of God. It sounds like a heavy thing to be mulling over, but it all started at the beginning of the week when I received a notification on Facebook, suggesting I look back at my ‘Facebook memories’. As I curiously flicked back 8, …
Trusting God with the little things…
I’m not quite sure how I missed it, but recently it dawned on me that since living in my new home, I’d never actually received a water bill. I was sure I’d registered the house at the beginning, but nothing had ever come through. Initially I didn’t think much of it, but I took a …
Are you a cheapskate Christian?
Are you a cheapskate Christian? Bit of a strange question, eh? But let me explain. Recently, I’ve been reading through Genesis and Exodus and seeing just how overwhelmingly gracious God is with us. Time and time again, I am reading about his loving kindness, his patience, his mercy, his forgiveness. Even in the New Testament, …
Are you a narcissist?
Years ago, I remember being in a meeting and we were waiting for another colleague to arrive. My (then) boss quipped, ‘he planned to be here on time, but unfortunately, he got waylaid by a full length mirror’. We all laughed, because well, it was funny, but also, I wonder if any of us thought …
Don’t wait ‘till it’s too late…
Many years ago, I knew a really annoying kid. Ok, strike that, at the time, I thought he was annoying. There’s a difference, I remember though, that he didn’t have many friends. I think he once tried to be my friend, but I wasn’t interested. I didn’t want to be ‘contaminated’ among my peers, by …
Not everyone will like you (but that’s ok…)
I hate to break it to you, but not everyone will like you. I know, shocking, right? For some, this will be terrifying news, for others, the sad truth may have already (slowly) dawned. Whether we like it or not, whatever the future holds for us as we run, walk, (limp?) toward our calling or …
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