Firstly I need to say, it is NOT my job to say who is a Christian and who isn't. Thank God! It is God who judges not me. But the Bible does give us some a rounded view of what markers should identify a Christian - someone living in the light of God's love -... Continue Reading →
A Loved Child of my Father
Over the last few weeks I've taken to wearing a piece of jewellery given to me by my father when I was around 9 years old. This solid pewter pendant has lain in the bottom of my jewellery box as a mostly overlooked momento of childhood. As you can see: it's a smiley face. Why... Continue Reading →
A journey through my past
On Maundy Thursday every Anglican priest has the opportunity to renew the vows they made at their ordination. This takes place in your Cathedral and is part of a service called the Chrism Eucharist. Last week I made a special effort to go along. But due to a major road closure I decided I didn't... Continue Reading →
Why Prayer Works and Doesn’t Work
People often ask me 'how does prayer work' or 'why doesn't it work?' by which they mostly mean 'why didn't God stop the bad thing happening?' I don't have much of an answer but for what it's worth: prayer 'works' because it is the thread that connects us to God and God is the one... Continue Reading →
Breathing with the Forest – thoughts about loss and the passage of time and the presence of God
'Breathing with Trees' is the title of an art installation you can see at Compton Verney (but only if you are quick, it closes on April 6th 2025). I love it and it spoke to me deeply. Described as a 'open eyed meditation' you sit in a darkened room and synchronise your breathing with the... Continue Reading →
Two big truths
There are two big truths in the world. Okay, maybe there may be many more things that are true: the size of a snowflake, the weight of a planet, the temperature at the bottom of the ocean but on a day by basis these two are the biggies. Between them they describe the whole of... Continue Reading →
Lydia by Paula Gooder. Book Review
This is a beautiful interpretation and imaginative recreating of the story of Lydia and the church in Philippi and the impact of the letter to the Philippians written by Paul. Excellently written and backed up by outstanding theological scholarship, I not only enjoyed it but I also learnt a lot. It made me think hard... Continue Reading →
A Beautiful Noise by Sam Collins. Book review.
As far as I can tell this is a debut novel. It starts as if it is going to be a farce along the lines of Faulty Towers madness meets delightful 'Dibley-esque' nonsense. A very British blend of humour and themes-the aristocracy versus the village, locking horns over a noise abatement issue: an open-air concert.... Continue Reading →
You have two ‘super powers’
Superheroes have secret super powers. Human beings, all human beings, have two. But most of us only use one - and our other super power (which ever it is) puzzles us. You have the power of knowledge and you have the power of love. Which one do you spend the most time exercising? If you... Continue Reading →
What’s wrong with the world?
Take 3 pieces of paper, three circles of diminishing size. One paper fastener and one pencil. Follow the instructions in the slides. Contemplate your response. whatswrongwiththeworld the graces pictureDownload
Live Life Loved 