Simon Benham’s Blog
Hello, and thanks for making it to my blog. My name is Simon and I am the Senior Pastor here at Kerith Community Church.
This blog is a place for me to share thoughts on pretty much anything which takes my interest. This will often be related to things happening in our church community or life lessons I am in the process of learning. It could also be reflections on current world events, reviews of books I am reading or commentary on how well Newcastle United are doing in the league! You just never know what you're going to get...
I hope you find this blog interesting and insightful. If you have any ideas on topics you'd like me to write about, then please email me and I’ll see what I can do. Also, if you’d like to get these blogs sent straight to your email inbox, you can subscribe using the button below.
Happy reading,
Simon
Advent Daily Devotional - Day 8
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10). These familiar words echo through countless nativity plays, but they carry a message far deeper than a simple birth announcement. God's promise is fulfilled in an unexpected way—a Savior, not as a mighty king but as a baby in humble surroundings. Just as the angel shared this joyous news with shepherds, ordinary people like us are invited to trust God's surprising plans.
Advent Daily Devotional - Day 4
As Mary greets Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy, affirming God’s promises to both women. Through their friendship, God provides encouragement and confirmation of His miraculous plans.
Advent Daily Devotional - Day 3
Mary’s response to the angel’s extraordinary message is inspiring: ‘I am the Lord’s servant...may your word to me be fulfilled.’ Her faith shows us that trusting God isn’t about having every detail in place but about saying, ‘Here I am, Lord. Lead me.
Advent Daily Devotional - Day 2
Every great story has a moment that changes everything—an ‘inciting incident.’ Gabriel’s visit to Mary isn’t just the start of the Christmas narrative: it’s the moment that shifts human history. What’s remarkable is that Mary’s favour isn’t tied to her accomplishments. God’s love for her, and for us, is unconditional and freely given. This Advent, may we rest in the truth that we are deeply loved and already highly favoured by God.
Tent pegs and riots
Last Sunday, I spoke on the story of Deborah, which can be found in Judges 4 or in Judges 5, where the same story is told again but in song. But for now, I’m going to focus on the end of Deborah’s story, when a lady called Jael kills a man called Sisera – the commander of the enemy army – by hammering a tent peg through his head.