Chalmers' Blog

Saturday Snippets (July 5)

As well as reading a lot of books, I also read a ton of articles every week. Here are some of the articles that I’ve read recently and have found interesting, helpful, challenging and encouraging. I hope that they will be the same for you, my dear readers…

Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrims

Hebrews is a great book of the Bible. I spent some time preaching on it last year as part of a slightly thematic sermon series and would love to return to it and preach through the book exegetically (which is my normal style). There is so much in Hebrews, so it is no wonder that it has become a favourite book of the Bible for many Christians.

So, when I was given the opportunity to review this book ‘Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrims: A Theology of Hebrews‘ by Dennis E. Johnson, I jumped at it! Johnson is a seasoned pastor and scholar who in this book brings together great exegesis, theological depth and pastoral insights that are great tools to help the reader unpack Hebrews.

Saturday Snippets (June 28)

Saturday Snippets (June 21)

Saturday Snippets (June 14)

The Grace of Friendship: Why It Matters More Than Ever

In a world that’s more connected than ever, it’s surprising how many people feel disconnected. You might have hundreds of followers, a phone full of contacts, and still wonder: Do I really have any true friends?

The stats back it up. Millions of adults in the UK say they often feel lonely. One in eight people say they have no close friends. That’s not just a modern inconvenience—it’s a spiritual crisis. And it’s one that the church can speak into with real hope, because friendship isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a gift of grace from God.

Let’s not underestimate friendship. It’s not just for kids on the playground or sitcom characters in Central Perk. Friendship is one of the ways God shapes us, encourages us, and points us back to Himself. It’s part of how we grow in godliness—and it’s a reflection of His own heart.

Saturday Snippets (June 7)

Understanding the Power of Christian Fasting

Let’s be honest: fasting sounds kind of… strange to many of us today.

Sure, we’ve heard of intermittent fasting—it’s all the rage in the health and fitness world. People skip meals for physical benefits like better focus, weight loss, or metabolic health. But fasting as a spiritual practice? That often feels like a relic of another era.

For many Christians, fasting can seem suspicious or overly “religious.” Maybe it brings to mind images of Catholic Lent traditions, or giving up chocolate in the weeks leading up to Easter. And in many evangelical circles, fasting isn’t exactly a hot topic—it rarely shows up in sermons, Bible studies, or church programs.

But here’s the thing: Jesus expected His followers to fast.

He didn’t say if you fast—He said when. That should grab our attention.