Often I mistake the Bible as boring or run-of-the-mill and forget the blockbuster nature of the stories in there. As we follow the beginning of Saul’s (later called St Paul) great adventure with Jesus, what are the hallmarks of his movie-like training montage and where might they be in our lives?

St Paul’s conversion story is very dramatic and it is tempting to think that it a story to wonder at and marvel at. But actually in that story are the clues to how were too can live a life like his. We may not be able to have his conversions tory but we can live his converted life.

How deep has the gospel gone in your life? How you and I respond to the stuff of life, our actions, attitudes, and words, reveal how deeply grace and the gospel have got a hold of us, which points us once again to our need for Jesus.

Throughout the Bible it is possible to see God’s plan running through it, but along with God’s plan come God’s people, the ones involved in the plan. It’s not always easy to stick to the plan God has, and in the book of Acts we see just how hard it was for the early church.

Are you with the Magi or Herod? You may think the answer’s obvious; you may even be offended by the question. The Magi journeyed to worship Jesus, Herod wanted to find him for other reasons. What about you?

Have you ever been surprised by an invitation to an event? Or maybe you haven’t been invited when you think you should have been. The strangest combination of people were invited to Jesus’ birth and today, this Christmas, everyone’s invited (and that includes you)!