Wearing a Cross or Crucifix?

October 12, 2026

When I became a Christian back in 1989 I bought myself a cross to wear around my neck. I wanted to show others I was now a person of faith.

The cross I bought was a gold cross with Jesus on it. It was a crucifix. Before long friends at church started saying, “Why are you wearing a cross with Jesus on it? He is not on there any more.”

I thought that is true, He is risen, so I went and bought myself the same cross without Jesus on it. Over time I realised I liked my original crucifix more, so I went back to that one.

I found that some people like the empty cross as it emphasises the Resurrection more. Others prefer the crucifix style as it reminds them that Jesus died on the cross for their sin.

Just like some people have a favourite Bible verse or Bible book or Bible translation, we might have a different style of cross or crucifix we wear.

In the above photo you can see I have three crosses I wear.

  • The left one is a wooden one I wear around the house or garden when I am working. It reminds me of the humble service that Monks do.
  • The middle might be for when I go out. It is stainless steal and I like that you can see Jesus’ face and the crown of thorns. I think about His sacrifice for me.
  • The last one is called a Millennial cross. It shows the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It reminds me that Father sent the Son, Jesus died for me, and the Holy Spirit drew me to Jesus for my salvation.

You might have noticed that two of the crosses have knots in the rope. When I am doing things I often stop to pray. On the first knot I pray the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), and on the seven smaller ones I pray the Jesus prayer – Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

To me the cross you wear is about your personal preference. It is not about Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox, just wear the one that speaks to you the most. And feel free to chop and change like I do.

Just before I end this post, I had another thought. People tend to ask me more about my faith when I am wearing the Crucifix or the Millennial cross. It seems to stand out more than an empty cross and draws them in to a conversation about faith and life.

The Trinity explained

October 10, 2026

I really like this explanation of the Trinity. It explains what it is and why it is such an important belief for true Christians. It also explains some of the ongoing heresies about the Trinity. All in five minutes!

Forwards and backwards

October 10, 2026

In life we get to choose how we live. We can live the world’s way, or the Kingdom way. Have a go at reading this as it is, then read it backwards.

Sin killed Jesus

Lust kills love

Fear kills faith

Anger kills gratitude

Laziness kills purpose

Distraction kills focus

God does give us more than we can bear

October 6, 2026

In times of stress or sadness I have heard people say, “God does not give us more than we can bear”. While this is well meaning, I am not sure if it is true.

At times people have quoted to me a paraphrse of 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT. It says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Notice the context, it is talking about temptation to sin, not suffering. He is saying when tempted, He will provide a way for us not to sin.

I know in my own life I have experienced many times of pain, suffering, depression, anxiety, stress, family illness or death of a loved one, that I thought were way too much for me to bear.

In these times I had to look to God and pray, “Lord help me”. I cried out with all of my heart and asked Him to ease the pain of the situation. Sometimes He did…and sometimes He helped me to get through.

The reality of this life is that suffering is a part of life. And God allows pain and suffering to grow us in our faith and trust in Him. I know my relationship with Him would not be the same if I did not go through what I have been through.

James 1:2-4 NLT Tells us plainly when it says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

For our faith to grow and for us to come to maturity, we need some sort of testing to stretch us and allow growth to take place. As hard as this is, it might include pain, suffering, depression, anxiety, or some other struggle.

So, does God give us more than we can bear? Yes He does at times. But it is for our growth and to bring us closer to Him. The key is to run towards God in hard times, not away from Him. He will give us more than we can bear alone, but never more than we can bear with Him.