Juliana Dinnall

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour. (Judges 6v12 NKJV)

In scripture there are several instances in which men are referred to as mighty men of valour.  For example, the army of men defending Jericho (Joshua 6v2), Naaman the commander of the Syrian army (2Kings 5v1) or David’s army (1 Chronicles 12v8). Most people however are familiar with the story of Gideon when he is referred to as a man of valour.

The statement “mighty man of valour reflects the qualities of strength, courage, and bravery. These qualities are closely intertwined with the core characteristics of leadership, wisdom, and integrity. If we think about these attributes we can see that they are synonymous with the role that fathers are entrusted to undertake.

Fatherhood is not an easy role, it comes with the responsibility of men, nurturing, guiding, and providing for their child(ren). And for the Christian father it comes also with the profound responsibility of him leading and teaching his children in the things of God according to the Christian faith. “Train up a child in the way it should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22v6).

In the sphere of our homes, families, communities there are many men who take their role of fatherhood very seriously. These remarkable men are striving to be good fathers to their children and children entrusted into their care. Often they are undertaking the role in silence daily going about tasks and activities that will ensure that their children are loved, cared for and protected.

This Father’s Day we acknowledge and celebrate all the fathers who are striving to be good fathers. To the fathers who may not be biological fathers, but you have taken on the fatherhood role in the lives of children whether, stepdad, uncle, older brother, mentor this includes you.

As the declaration “mighty man of valour” has been declared and used to describe men in Scripture may these words resonate with every father reading this “you are a mighty man of valour”. With God’s help you are strong, you are brave, you are courageous, you can be the father God has called you to be. 

You may not feel that you have these attributes or are up for the role of fatherhood but take note of Gideon, when the Angel of The Lord spoke to him, he was cowering away living in fear of the Midianites and as some men do, Gideon struggled with fear and uncertainty. Despite this Gideon is referred to as being brave and courageous. As Gideon’s story develops we see how with God’s help Gideon became what was declared over him. He became brave and courageous going on to defeat the Midianites with a small army of men. Gideon’s story can be found in the book of Judges chapters 6-8

Fathers when feeling unsure be encouraged and lean into your heavenly father knowing that he loves you “The Lord your God is in your midst. The Mighty One will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quite you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3v17).

As you lean into God know that God is with you, and He will instruct you on how best to raise your children. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you this is the way walk in it whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30v21)

Dear fathers as you walk in your calling of fatherhood do so with God’s wisdom, strength and in the power of HIS might. Keep going!

Happy Father’s Day.

 (Nb Scripture references are taken from the new king James translation)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30 (The MSG)

For many people life is busy, busy with family life, busy with work, busy with ministry, busy dealing with the pressures of an illness, the loss of a loved one or the cost-of-living. The list could be endless. “Life is lifing” is a phrase that seems to be becoming more and more popular. It is a colloquial phrase that means life is happening, often with overwhelming challenges that are at times unpredictable and beyond one’s control. This is why the verses of Matthew 11:28-30 are very apt. The verses are a beautiful and wonderful invitation to us from Jesus, the Messiah, Son of the Living God. 

Jesus asks the question, as translated in the Message bible, are you tired? worn out, burned out on religion? This is then followed by the simple yet profound statement “Come to me – Get away with me and you’ll recover your life”.

The statement is a call to action, it is the action of giving our life to Jesus, it is the action of giving our cares and worries to Him. It is the action of finding spiritual and mental rest in Jesus and as we do these things our life will be “recovered”. Isn’t that awesome! Have you ever been unwell and started to get better? or have you been in financial hardship and provision has been made and you have started to make a financial recovery. Isn’t it a great feeling? Imagine how great the feeling would be if we whole heartedly come to Jesus and have all areas of our life recovered by Him.

The word recovered carries the meaning of restoration, renewal, and healing. When we actively come to Jesus restoration, renewal and healing can come. Think about Psalm 23:1-3 (AMP) says.

“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

By coming to Jesus, with our daily worries we can find stillness, peace, and joy.

Currently, in many countries around the world, people are observing the season of remembering and reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a meaningful time to pause, be still, and reflect on the work of the cross and the invitation Jesus extends to us.

As bible believing Christians we recognise that Jesus was the Passover lamb for humanity. Through His sacrificial death on the cross Jesus took on the sins of mankind. Jesus took on the weight of our wrongdoing, so that we could be forgiven of our sins and have a pathway back to GOD. By repenting of our sins and asking for forgiveness through Jesus Christ individual restoration and reconciliation to GOD happens.

Significantly and amazingly the work of the cross does not end with Jesus’s death it continues pivotally with Jesus’s resurrection and ascension to heaven. Hallelujah, Jesus is Alive in heaven (Mark 16:19, Hebrews 10:12, Acts 7:55).

The work of the cross gives us (humanity) the opportunity to access eternal life. The work of the cross brings redemption, freedom, and liberty. Ultimately the work of the cross gives us LIFE.

So dear reader with this in mind, during this Passover season here is something to think about. Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, whether in the grips of the busyness of life or weighed down by the cares and burdens of life, whether you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour or are yet to make that decision, Jesus is inviting you to come to Him. Jesus wants to show you how to have real rest in Him, Jesus wants all your worries and cares. Jesus wants to walk with you, Jesus wants to work with you, Jesus wants you to be free. The question is will you accept?

(The biblical accounts of Jesus’s death and resurrection can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.)

In England Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday 15^th March 2026. It will be a day when many people will set aside time to celebrate mothers and motherhood.

Simply put, the Cambridge dictionary defines motherhood as “the state or time of being a mother” Encapsulated in the idea of motherhood is a woman taking on a loving, nurturing, supportive and caring role for a child. For many women the love they give to children is sacrificial.  This can look like staying up with a sick child all night or skipping a meal so the child can eat, or personal ambition is halted to care for a child. And it is well known that for many mothers caring, continues beyond the child becoming an adult.

There are many women who embody motherhood as they care for children, whether they are their own biological children, children within their extended families, or children in their communities. These women are known by titles such as aunt, sister, foster mum, step mum, adoptive mum, grandma or simply put mum.

Two remarkable women in the bible who demonstrate motherhood are Jochebed, a Hebrew woman, and Pharaoh’s daughter, an Egyptian woman. Both women were mothers to Moses. Jochebed was his biological (birth) mother and Pharaoh’s daughter was his adoptive mother.

Their story is found in the opening chapters of the book of Exodus and takes place amidst the backdrop of death, fear and anguish following the decree from Pharaoh to kill every Hebrew boy that was born. Can you imagine the heartbreak of the Hebrew people as their sons were taken and unceremoniously killed? This was the period into which Moses was born.

Following Moses birth, Jochebed demonstrated the nurturing and protective qualities of a mother as she set about hiding Moses to protect him from Pharaoh’s soldiers. After three months when she could no longer safely protect Moses Jochebed put her trust in the GOD of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac and made the difficult decision not to have Moses in her care. Her motherly instinct was to keep Moses alive and safe no matter what the cost was to her.

The decision made, the narrative in Exodus chapter 2 tells us that Jochebed securely put Moses in a basket and placed him in the river Nile.  From this action we can see that Jochebed was a woman who was truly trusting GOD. Through divine providence, as the basket made its way down the river, it was seen amongst the reeds by Pharaoh’s daughter. Thankfully she was curious enough to get hold of the basket and open it. The narrative tells us that, on seeing Moses she had compassion for him, recognising that he must be one of the Hebrew children.

We learn from the account that Moses was returned by Pharaoh’s daughter to the care of his birth mother, with an agreement that she would nurse and wean him. How incredible—GOD had a plan. GOD’s plan further unfolds as it was agreed that once the weaning period was over, Moses would be placed in the care of Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as her son. Imagine an Egyptian woman adopting a Hebrew boy and raising him as her own. Think about it: Pharaoh’s daughter would have had to be a very brave woman and have unconditional love for Moses. She defied her father and brought a Hebrew child into the royal household.

Ultimately Moses escaped death through both women demonstrating the positive qualities of motherhood. Moses was safely cared for by his birth mother and his adoptive mother in an extraordinary and remarkable way. As Moses’s life unfolds, in the book of Exodus, we see that Moses is the one GOD chose to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. Both Jochebed and Pharaoh’s daughter were instrumental in fulling GOD’s ordained plan. This is wonderful to know.

So, as England celebrates Mother’s Day and motherhood a heartfelt thank you to all the women who are caring for and nurturing children, find encouragement knowing that children are a gift from the Lord. GOD has a purpose and plan for each of their lives and your input into their lives is invaluable. 

Happy Mother’s Day

By God’s grace and mercy, Christmas 2025 is upon us and is being marked by many people across the world.

The opening sentence of Charles Dicken’s classic novel, a Tale of Two Cities reads “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times……..” The statement summarises two very different experiences being lived by people in two different cities. In one city things are very good for the people while in the other city things are not so good. The Christmas season is like this for many people, for some it is great time as they connect with family and friends while for others, for a range of reasons, Christmas can be a lonely and sad time even when surrounded by others.

Christmas can also be a season when one can easily be swept into the world’s version of Christmas – consumerism, overindulgence, and the pressure for perfection.

This Christmas amid how you are feeling about the season, amid the busyness and distractions it is important to take time to pause and reflect on God’s precious gift to us– Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

Shortly after his birth as was the custom Jesus was presented by his parents to the Lord in the temple. On seeing and holding Jesus the godly man Simeon praised God and proclaimed “I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2: 31-32 NLT)

Simeon recognised the awesome significance of God’s sovereign plan of salvation that would be fulfilled through the birth of Jesus. We know from the New Testament narrative that Jesus grew up, became a man, and demonstrated to the world that he was indeed the light of the world, Jesus revealed God to the nations, through how he lived on earth, His death on the cross, and His resurrection.

While on earth Jesus clearly declared his purpose for us (the world) “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy I came that they may have life and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10, Amplified)    

The most wonderful and gracious aspect of Christmas is to remember that Jesus is God’s gift to us. For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world, He even gave His One and only begotten Son so that whoever believes and trusts in Him as Saviour shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16, Amplified)

Jesus is alive and wants to have an ongoing personal relationship with us. He wants to give us abundant life, comfort, joy, stability, peace, whatever the situation or circumstance that we may find ourselves in.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NKJ).

This Christmas season let us dine with Jesus so that He can minister to us and through us. And, as we reflect, ponder, and dine with Jesus individually let us also share the gift of Jesus with others as we meet and spend time with family, friends, and people we may not know so well. Let’s talk about Jesus and his faithfulness throughout 2025 let’s rejoice that Jesus is our Christmas gift remembering Jesus is the reason for the season.

What better way to share Jesus with people. than over a simple bite to eat. Here’s some inspiration.

Cranberry and Pistachio dip

Ingredients

• I small tub of soft cream cheese.
• 1⁄4 cup of cranberries (cut in half or quarters)
• 2tbsp of pistachio nuts (finely chopped)
• A handful of chopped parsley
• 1⁄2 a sprig of spring onion
• 1tbsp runny honey (you can add more according to your liking)

Method

Mix all the ingredients together and place in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers.

Pomegranate and Brie on Crackers

 Ingredients

• x1 small round size brie cheese
• 1⁄4 approx. 50 grams of pomegranate 
• Optional handful of chopped walnuts 
• Crackers as many as you wish.
• Honey to drizzle over cheese

Method

• Slice the brie into small triangles or squares if that’s your preference.
• Place one slice of your cheese on top of your cracker.
• Drizzle a small amount of honey on the cheese.
• Top the cheese with several pomegranate arils.
• Sprinkle walnut’s if using.

Cranberry and Orange Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 250grams)
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1tsp vanilla essence
• 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (approx.200grams
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¾ cup orange juice
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg

Method

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.

Stir in cranberries and orange zest.

Place sugar, butter, and egg together in another large bowl. Mix until smooth.

Stir in orange juice.

Take the flour mixture and add it to the sugar and butter mixture. Mix until mixture is smooth. Place in a baking tin

Cook in at 175c for approx. an hour. Once cooked allow the cake to cool for approx. 15mintues. After this time, the cake should be ready to be eaten. It tastes grate with a cup of tea.

We are currently in the season of Passover 2025 and for many people this is a time of, reflecting, pondering, and celebrating what God has done. Specifically for followers of Jesus Christ (Christians) the Passover season is a time for celebrating the work of the cross and Jesus as the Passover lamb.

The narrative of the first Passover is told in the book of Exodus chapter 12. The chapter outlines what took place the night before the Israelites were set free from slavery in Egypt. On that night God instructed the Israelites to choose a lamb without spot or blemish for a sacrifice. God gave specific instructions on how the lamb was to be killed, cooked, and eaten. Most importantly God instructed that the blood from the lamb was to be used to mark the doorposts of the homes of the Israelites.  The blood was a sign for God to “passover”. God declared in Exodus12 v13.…….”and when I see the blood, I will pass over you”.…… The lambs blood protected those in the house from the final plague that God decreed over Egypt, the death of the first born.  As New Testament believers, we believe that the original Passover was a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the work of the cross.

Throughout scripture we see Jesus being referred to as the Lamb of God with one of the most well-known references found in John 1:29. As John the Baptist saw Jesus walking towards him, he Boldy proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” With this announcement the purpose of Jesus coming into the world was declared.

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the powerful story is told of how Jesus was crucified on the cross, His blood shed to take away our sins so we could be reconciled to back to God. We read how He died, but on the third day He rose again, defeating death and the grave once and for all. Hallelujah!

Notably the timing of when Jesus was crucified is significant as He was crucified during the time of Passover.  

In writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul refers to Jesus as “our Passover lamb’ (1 Corinthians 5:7) As Christians, we understand that just as the original Passover lamb was sacrificed with its blood used as a sign to save the Israelites from death so too the blood of Jesus was shed to save us from sin, death, and eternal separation from God. Through His death on the cross, Jesus was the sacrificial lamb. Because of Jesus, we have hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life with him. Hallelujah! this is the greatest act of love the world has ever known and it gives us every reason to rejoice and celebrate.

To celebrate means to recognise a significant occasion by doing something meaningful to mark it. Often celebrating involves several people coming together and participating in an activity. Across many cultures, one of the most common ways to celebrate is through people coming together and sharing a meal.

During this Passover season let us take the opportunity to gather and have fellowship with others through corporate worship services. Invite others and to partake in a meal with you and together celebrate Jesus and the finished work of the cross. Need some recipe inspiration for a meal to celebrate? Here are a few meal ideas. Inspired by food produce from the Holy Land.

Blessings in Christ.

If you wish to explore further the meaning of Jesus being our Passover Lamb a detailed exploration  can be found by clicking on this link WWMF Roundtable Bible Study #9 Here you will find the Round Table discussion on the book of Exodus chapter 12 led by Pastor Dennis Greenidge and Pastor Rosemary Taylor.

Oven Roasted Tilapia Fish garnished with olives.

Ingredients

I medium sized tilapia fish

2 tlbs of fish seasoning or a seasoning of your own choice. E.g all-purpose seasoning.

1 tlbs of olive oil

½ of a lemon

Olives and tomatoes and to garnish

Method

• Pre heat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius.
• Wash and pat dry the fish.
• Mix the seasoning, olive oil and juice from the lemon.
• Rub the mixture of the fish.
• Place the fish in an oven proof dish.  
• Place in the oven for approx. 20minues. Tips from cooks says that the Tilipa is cooked when the flakes easily on the fork.
• Garnish with olives and tomatoes

The fish can be served with boiled or roasted potatoes or a simple side salad. Enjoy.

Pomegranate Salad

Ingredients

1 x packet pre prepared Italian mixed salad leaves.

Pomegranate seeds from one pomegranate fruit

100g of Feta cheese or according to your taste

1tlbs of Olive oil

1tlbs Balsamic vinegar

Method

Dressing

• Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl / cup. More oil or balsamic vinegar can be added according to your taste.

Salad

• Wash and pat dry your salad leaves.
• Layer the salad leaves on a large plate or serving platter.
• Layer the Pomegranate seeds over the salad leaves
• Crumble feta cheese over the salad and pomegranate .
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and voilà it’s ready to serve.

Fig Salad

Ingredients

1 x packet spinach leaves

100g of Feta cheese

1tlbs of Olive oil

1/2 a red onion

1tlbs balsamic vinegar

Method

Salad

• Wash and pat dry your Spinach leaves.
• Layer the spinach leaves on a large plate or serving platter.
• Cut Figs in quarters and place on top of the salad leaves.
• Crumble feta cheese over the salad (if you wish you can cube the feta).

Dressing

• Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl / cup. More oil or balsamic vinegar can be added according to your taste.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad and voilà it’s ready to serve.

Oven Roasted Leg of Lamb

Ingredients

1 leg of lamb (size will depend on how many people you will serving) the lamb in the picture is 2kg

I or 2 tlbs of lamb seasoning

2tlbs of olive oil

2 small bunches of rosemary

4 to 5 gloves of garlic

Method

• Pre heat your oven according to the cooking instructions on the packaging.
• Wash your lamb and pat dry. 
• Make 4 to 5 small incisions. Place 1 garlic glove in each incision.
• Mix olive oil and lamb seasoning together and rub all over the meat.
• Place the sprigs of rosemary on top of the meat.
• Place in an oven proof dish.
• Cook the meat according to packet instructions.

The lamb can be served with potatoes, vegetables and gravy or traditional Caribbean Rice and Peas or West African Jollof Rice.

As alternative lamb cutlets can be used. Enjoy.