Johnnie's blog

It is early 2020.  We have missed the A&E target for 4 years.  A&E waits make headlines, and some predict being charged massively overpriced sums for drugs as Trump claims rights to the NHS as the price of a trade deal.  And privatisation is apparently the secret agenda anyway.  But what are the facts, the…

There has been a Johnnies blog silence for a number of weeks. It was partly that I was sorting out the ‘Johnnies Blog’ domain, and partly that with the election, I did not want to post anything that could be construed as political. Especially as I had been researching the last few decades of medical…

This is a strange topic for a blog, I hear you say. But I am so aware that many people automatically think chlorine washed chicken must be bad. After all, Donald Trump wants it, so it has to be. But as a medic I want to speak to fact, and challenge views. And, at the…

Humans apparently have several basic needs. Food, security, shelter and warmth feature among them. The Bible tells us that peace is one of them also. The Aaronic blessing (Num 6:24-26) promises peace, (The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn…

When we say we want to follow Christ, make Him Lord and experience all He has for us, we have one very real test of our devotion. Money. Jesus never seemed to be satisfied with a slice of the pie of our obedience. He did not rejoice in the tithe or a big offering as…

There is a lot of evidence that we form our judgements emotionally. And then our moral reasoning simply serves as a rationalisation of already formed prejudices. That’s quite an observation. But is it true? Are we really essentially emotional beings who seek to justify our emotionally reactive positions? And might this explain why so few…

Belief inthe Bible is good, but incomplete.  Satanbelieves the Bible!  We are constantlyurged in scripture to come under its authority (Josh 1:8, II Tim 3:16).  This is simply measured by the degree towhich we apply it to our lives.  As an example, a doctor could not claim to begood if, having learned masses of medical…

The life and conduct of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17 teaches us much about mature thinking and behaviour. He removed the ungodly influences in the land. His behaviour resulted in him being respected. He taught others, and showed that influencing others is a true mark of leadership. He provided for peoples’ needs. In our…

Friends are very sustaining. In fact it is possible to feel lonely in the midst of a busy life without one or two real friends. A real friend loves you no matter what (Prov 17:17). A real friend accepts you and will not show a critical spirit towards you. We all need to handle these…

Satan only has a few plots against believers.  I imagine that he has them on well-worn clipboards. One is doubt.  Others are disunity, suspicion and grumbling.  Then there is greed and lust.  But a big one is failure, discouragement and a sense of worthlessness.  Somehow he manages to take a fact (we fail) which God…