Rod Marshall

I came back from church on Sunday and passed by a parade of shops. My eye was caught by the flicker of a flame rising up the height of a second floor window. I stopped, called the fire brigade, and … Read more

A friend of mine was preaching recently, and his text was on John the Baptist. He made the connection between the words in Luke 1:17, "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children", and today's verse in Malachi. I … Read more

Before Christmas, as I practiced with the band for the coming service, my guitar-strap broke and, unsupported, it fell to the concrete floor with a bang. I was rather upset, and, since then, my beloved twelve-string has sat there in … Read more

I believe that a chainsaw can be useful in the right hands. The other day I was up in a tree at my parents' house cutting down a branch with my dad's chainsaw. It was a bit scary because I … Read more

In light of recent events, I have wanted to think about where I am before God, and what He expects of me. So I went down the imaginary stairs of my consciousness, to the inner store-cupboard of my being. I … Read more

My wife, Caroline, gets a magazine every month, one of those that are about a quarter of an inch thick. Usually, I get no further than glancing at the front cover, or the occasional glimpse when it is left open … Read more

I had a fire drill the other day, so I looked at the torch that we have for evening use. I checked the battery by placing my tongue across the terminals to see if it would give me the expected … Read more

Accompanied by my mid-morning cup of tea, I started to eat my lunch early. As I opened up my chocolate mousse, brown, homogeneous, indifferent, and resolute in its container, it seemed to look back, unimpressed at me. Many years ago, … Read more

I have always been careful to be honest with my eldest daughter and she respects this bond of trust we have, even when the answers are not what she may desire. Lately, she is growing in leaps and bounds, even … Read more

It was my auntie's cremation the other day. My auntie was a special person; she was a golden fist in a velvet glove. Right up to her entry into hospital, she was helping my cousin's family in practical ways — … Read more