This week at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy begins with a subject guaranteed to get everyone excited—taxes! But what starts as a light-hearted look at one of life's great certainties soon becomes a fascinating reflection on the power of words and how the language we use shapes the way we see the world.

From climbing the career ladder to describing time as something we spend or waste, Tommy explores how everyday expressions influence our attitudes, relationships and understanding of others. Even the way we describe something as a burden rather than a blessing can completely change how we approach it.

Drawing on Jesus' famous teaching about giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God, we discover how Jesus cuts through clever arguments and carefully chosen words to reveal a much deeper truth: everything we have ultimately belongs to God.

Through the readings, we are also reminded of the extraordinary intimacy of God's love. He knows each of us by name, sees us as individuals and calls us into a relationship that goes beyond anything words alone can express.

But this week's message isn't simply about choosing our words more carefully. It's about recognising the responsibility that comes with them. How we describe ourselves, our neighbours and even God can influence how others see them—and how we see ourselves.

Tommy leaves us with a simple challenge: Take something you would normally describe negatively and, just for one week, try speaking about it positively. What happens when a burden becomes an opportunity, a chore becomes a gift, or a stranger becomes a brother or sister?

Ultimately, our faith should move beyond words altogether, allowing God's love to shine through our actions, attitudes and the way we live.

Because sometimes changing the way we speak can begin to change the way we see—and the way we live.

This week, as we celebrate Harvest Festival at Christ Church Sowerby Bridge, Revd. Tommy challenges us to think beyond simply giving thanks for what we have and consider a much bigger question: What are we doing with all that God has given us?

Beginning with a humorous story about the seemingly endless choices available when ordering a meal, Tommy reflects on how many of us live in a world of abundance, where our biggest concern is often not whether we will eat, but what we will choose to eat. Yet while some have more than they need, others continue to struggle with hunger, poverty and loneliness.

Drawing on the teachings of Jesus, Paul's reminder that those who sow generously will also reap generously, and the Old Testament's call to remember times of need, we are challenged to recognise that everything we have ultimately comes from God.

Through Jesus' words about the ravens and the lilies, Tommy reminds us that we are part of God's creation, not its Creator. We are all dependent upon His love and grace, and every person is equally precious in His sight.

But Harvest is about more than gratitude. It's about generosity, compassion and recognising the needs of those around us. Whether someone lacks food, friendship, love or support, we are called to see them as our brothers and sisters in Christ and respond with kindness.

And while we may not always get it right, God's grace offers us the opportunity to begin again, growing in generosity and sharing His blessings with others.

Because the true measure of Harvest isn't simply how much we have received, but how willing we are to share it.

This week, Revd. Tommy reflects on power, humility and what it really means to depend upon Christ.

Beginning with a wonderfully honest story from his ordination—complete with a troublesome deacon’s stole, some emergency stitching and the fear of a wardrobe malfunction—Tommy remembers a question later put to him by his bishop: “By whose power do you think you do this?” The answer was simple: by the power of Christ.

Drawing on Jesus’ Parable of the Tenants, Paul’s desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the commandments that “give light to the eyes”, we are challenged to consider how we use the power and responsibility entrusted to us.

The vineyard does not belong to the tenants, and neither are our gifts, ministries or achievements ours to possess and control. Everything ultimately comes from God. Our calling is not to prove that we are good enough, but to place what we have into Christ’s hands.

Tommy also challenges us to look less at whether the world is “Christian enough” and instead ask a much more searching question: How good are Christians at being Christian? Do our words and actions demonstrate Christ’s love, humility and respect for the equal value of every person?

Giving our power to Christ doesn't mean believing we have nothing to offer. It means allowing Christ to take our gifts, abilities and lives and use them to their fullest.

The challenge this week: remain humble, use power with love, and remember whose power it really is.

This week, Revd. Tommy explores the difference between simply remembering what God has done and truly learning who God is.

Beginning with an admission that his own memory isn't always the best, Tommy reflects on the Israelites who complain about having no water shortly after receiving manna from heaven. They may have witnessed God's extraordinary works, but had those experiences really changed their understanding of Him?

Through the Psalms, the teachings of Jesus and Paul's call to humility, we discover that faith is about far more than remembering Bible stories, names and facts. God's Word is intended to become written on our hearts—shaping our instincts, our actions and the way we treat others.

The Pharisees knew the Scriptures, yet Jesus repeatedly challenged them because knowing the words wasn't necessarily the same as living their meaning. Their certainty could prevent them from recognising something new that God was doing.

This week's message challenges us to remain humble enough to keep learning and asks an important question: What does the way we live teach other people about the God we believe in?

We are called to move from remembering, to learning, to knowing, to living—until God's love, forgiveness, faithfulness and grace become not simply things we can recite, but part of who we are.

Is it fair that someone who works for just one hour receives the same reward as someone who has worked all day? This week, Revd. Tommy explores Jesus' challenging Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard and asks us to reconsider what fairness, generosity and God's grace really mean.

We often crave simplicity and certainty, wanting life to follow clear rules where effort always determines reward. Yet Jesus challenges us to look beyond our own expectations and recognise a God whose love and generosity cannot be measured by human standards.

Drawing on the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness, God's provision of manna and Paul's reflections on faith, Tommy explores how God remains alongside us even when we complain, doubt or struggle to understand His ways.

This week's sermon reminds us that faith isn't always about finding easy answers. Sometimes it means learning to live with uncertainty, wrestling with difficult questions and trusting that God continues to guide and teach us.

Above all, we are challenged to remember why we follow Christ. It isn't about earning more than others or comparing our faithfulness with theirs. It's about growing closer to God and helping others discover His love, regardless of when they begin their journey.

Because in God's Kingdom, grace isn't something we earn by the hour—it's a gift generously offered to all.

This week, as we mark Education Sunday, Revd. Tommy reflects on how learning can open doors to possibilities we may never have imagined—and how the same is true of our journey of faith.

Through some entertaining examples of his own plans going unexpectedly wrong, Tommy explores how our greatest lessons are often learned not when everything works perfectly, but when we're forced to adapt, be creative and keep going. Education isn't simply about gaining knowledge; it's about having the confidence to put what we've learned into practice.

Drawing on the Israelites crossing the sea, we're reminded that new challenges can sometimes feel as daunting as walking through an ocean. Yet when we trust God, take that first step and remain open to learning, new paths can appear before us.

Faith requires both boldness and humility: boldness to try something new, make mistakes and discover what God might make possible; and humility to recognise that we don't have all the answers and can learn from the experiences of others.

This Education Sunday, the challenge is simple: What possibilities might open up if we truly trusted God, trusted what He has taught us—and had the courage to step forward?

Revd. Tommy is back from his holiday, and this week he reflects on what it means to see not simply creation, but Christ in creation—Christ our Saviour and Redeemer at work within the world of which we are all a part.

Through some very personal moments from his time away—the sadness of saying goodbye to his beloved dog Paris and the joy of meeting and holding his new nephew Joshua—Tommy explores those moments when love simply overwhelms us. Whether through family, companionship, a beautiful sunset, a wonderful meal or time spent in nature, creation continually offers glimpses of the extraordinary love of its Creator.

But creation is also about change, growth and renewal. Reflecting on sin as an absence of love, we consider how God calls us to prune away what prevents new life from flourishing, accept His forgiveness and allow ourselves to be made new.

At the heart of it all is Christ. God loved His creation so deeply that He entered it, walked among us and gave Himself for us.

This week's message reminds us that love fulfils the law. We are called to love God, care for His creation, love one another and come together as the Church—trusting Jesus' promise that where two or three gather in His name, He is there among them.

With Revd. Tommy still enjoying his holiday, this week we welcomed Revd. Lesley Ennis, who led our worship and gave the sermon.

Why does a good and loving God allow suffering? It is one of the biggest and most difficult questions of faith, and one for which there are no simple answers.

Drawing on the struggles of Jeremiah, the words of St Paul and Jesus' own journey to the cross, Lesley explores what it means to trust God when life doesn't go as we hoped. Jeremiah isn't afraid to tell God exactly how he feels, yet amid his pain and frustration he discovers that God has never abandoned him.

We are reminded that Christian faith doesn't mean pretending everything is fine. Instead, we can bring our fears, doubts, anger and questions honestly before God, trusting in His strength when our own has run out.

From Paul's call to “overcome evil with good” to Christ's promise that those who lose their life for His sake will find it, this week's message encourages us to keep turning towards God—even when we cannot see the whole picture.

When we cannot carry ourselves, we can trust in the God who promises to carry us.