I only looked once, but had to think twice. The advertising sign for a roadside motel announced in big bold letters: “Free BBQ”. I was keen to pull over and book in for the night, and dreamed of the big breakfast, instead of that one of the continental kind. But the reverie lasted only a moment. The motel only meant that its bbq unit could be used for free.

It pays to think twice. In the Book there is that wonderful promise: “If you ask anything in my name,” said Jesus, “I will do it”. At first pass, it seems that what is on offer is an open cheque-book, for the word ‘anything’ is not just broad, but stretches beyond the horizon. But then with a moment’s reflection, the sentence reads: ‘anything in my name’, which means anything that agrees with what Jesus would wish for us to have.

Golden Harleys are neither a sin to own nor to ride, but are probably not in the list of things embedded in Jesus’ promise. So too with marrying a supermodel and becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. But things like loving people sincerely would fit right in. And things like growing in sensitivity to the poor, and having a forgiving spirit. And things like possessing an increase in gentleness and a pure heart. And surely if such things like these are asked for, then the end of the promise needs only to be read once. “I will do it”.