iChaplain

Most of us do not wake up expecting miracles. We do not expect seas to part or storms to fall silent at a word. For many of us, life feels ordinary, steady, sometimes heavy, often routine. So when we read about “signs and wonders” in the Bible, they can feel far away, almost like they belong to a different world. And yet, quietly, many of us still find ourselves asking: “God, are you still at work like that today.” There is a story often told about John Wimber, the founder of the Vineyard movement. He had been encouraging people to pray for healing, to step out and simply do what we see Jesus doing. At one gathering, someone came forward for prayer. Wimber prayed. And nothing seemed to happen. Afterwards, someone asked him, “Why.” He did not try to explain it or tidy it up. He simply acknowledged, with honesty and humility, that he did not know, and that God did. And then he carried on and prayed for the next person. That, in many ways, captures something important. We are called to pr...

Who Is the Holy Spirit? (Not What) We are more shaped by culture than we realise, especially when it comes to how we think about the spiritual. From “May the force be with you” to Ghostbusters with its famous line, “Who you gonna call,” the world around us has given us a whole vocabulary for “spirit.” Some of it is light hearted, some of it imaginative, and some of it just plain confusing. In films and media, spirit is often reduced to one of two things: either an impersonal force you can tap into, or something strange and paranormal, like a problem to be managed, avoided, or joked about. Even the everyday language we use, “good vibes,” “positive energy,” “free spirit,” quietly reinforces the same idea: that “spirit” is vague, distant, or abstract. Culture has a powerful way of shaping how we think about spiritual realities without us even noticing. And here is the challenge. If that is the framework we carry, it shapes how we understand the Holy Spirit, often without us realising it....

A Calling Bigger Than Themselves So picture the moment more carefully. They have just heard his final words, a calling to go, to witness, to carry something far bigger than themselves, to change the world. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) But not on their own. Not in their own strength. He had already told them that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit. A Moment That Stops Them Still And then, as they watch, he is taken from them. Lifted, quietly, into heaven. A cloud takes him from their sight. And they stand there looking up. Not out of confusion alone, but out of wonder. Out of awe. Out of the weight of what they have just seen. And then the reminder comes: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky. This same Jesus will come back in the same way.” (Acts 1:11) In other words: This is not the end. It is the beginning. The Only Thing They Could Do So what do they do....

  Introduction Prayer means different things to different people. For some, it feels familiar and well worn. For others, it feels new, uncertain, or even a little uncomfortable. You may be beginning to pray for the first time, returning after a long break, or wondering if you are really “doing it right.” Wherever you find yourself, you are welcome here. For many of us, prayer is something we fully intend to return to but keep putting off. Like a path left untrodden, the longer it goes unused, the harder it can feel to step back onto it. What once felt natural can begin to feel awkward, and we tell ourselves we will start again when life feels quieter or we feel more ready. This plan is written for those moments, for anyone wanting to reconnect with prayer or to give it a go for the very first time. This five day plan is not about learning the right words. It is about discovering prayer as a simple, honest relationship with God. Working gently, one day at a time, it offers space to ...

A Heart That Acquires, An Ear That Seeks (Proverbs 18:15) The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 presents learning as an intentional pursuit. The discerning heart does not wait passively; it acquires knowledge. The wise do not assume they already know enough; they seek and listen. Learning, then, is not merely an activity of the mind, but a posture of humility, openness, and readiness to be shaped. Learning as Worship: Loving God With the Mind In Christ, learning becomes an expression of worship. To love God with our minds is not limited to formal academic study or careful thinking, though these have their place. It also includes mentoring, lived experience, practice, reflection, and shared life together. Learning, in this sense, is open to everyone and not restricted by age, background, or perceived ability, nor confined to a single season of life. My own relationship with learning has grown over time. Firstly as a stu...

The Challenge of Contributing I did not expect a post about contributing time, energy, or money to need this many rewrites, but here we are. Contributing is complicated, personal, and often more emotive than we realise. This reflection is offered thoughtfully, knowing this is a subject many of us feel more than we explain. It can be difficult, no matter the context. To give is to offer something of ourselves, and very often that is something we hold dear. When we are invited to give, it can touch sensitive and vulnerable places within us. The more precious what we hold feels, the more challenging it can be to release it. This may involve our time, finances, or even a gift or strength we rely on to cope with the demands of life. The Feelings That Sit Beneath Giving Such moments can stir a range of emotions. Feelings of guilt, reluctance, weariness, or even quiet dread may surface. For some, the natural desire to give generously is held in tension with a deep instinct to protect what the...

Revelation 3:20 (NIV) Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. The Quiet Art of Drifting I do not know about you, but I can be impressively good at losing contact with people. Not through arguments or falling out, but through missed messages, half‑typed replies, and the dangerous promise of “I will get back to them later.” Life gets busy, calendars fill up, new priorities appear, and suddenly it has been six months and it feels awkward to message now, so you do not. Often there is no clear ending, just a slow, unintentional drifting apart. When Closeness Fades For many people, faith can feel much the same. What once felt close and alive now feels distant or quiet. Revelation 3 speaks directly into that space. Jesus addresses people who once knew him, people who were familiar with faith, but whose relationship had grown lukewarm. Not hostile. Not rejecting. Just disengaged. Comfor...