with theRev Kevin Logan, Vicar of Christ Church, Accrington. . .

"I DON'T believe in the after life," quipped Woody Allen, "although I am bringing a change of underwear."

A Doubting Thomas lives in each of us. Even Jesus hesitated on the eve of Calvary.

The Charlie Browns of this world know somebody's out there but doubt that he/she/it likes them.

Some of us decide to fashion the somebody-out-there in our own image to suit our needs.

"When I was a kid," explains Emo Philips, "I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. "Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way, so I stole one instead and then asked Him to forgive me."

Life's depressives suspect that the somebody-out-there doesn't stand a chance with us in here.

And God said: "Let there be light" and there was light, but the electricity board had said that He would have to wait until Thursday to be connected! (Spike Milligan).

"The secret of a good sermon," puffed George Burns through a cloud of cigar smoke, "Is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then have the two as close together as possible."

But here's the best ending. Somebody-out-there knows we have it tough in here. So, he wrote the truth in flesh and blood - Jesus.

The real Doubting Thomas took one look and fell on his knees in worship.

He also supplied the truth in ink - the Bible. Mark's Gospel is a real doubt shifter.