Category Archives: Uncategorized
Never the Twain Shall Meet
Don’t mix religion and politics. Don’t talk politics or religion at the dinner table. It will only cause a row. A little while back, MPs from the governing party objected to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s stance on the Rwanda Bill. … Continue reading
Enlightenment
To begin, a very Zen story: “Give me the best flower that you have,” said the man to the florist. “Every flower here is the best,” replied the florist. At these words, the man became enlightened. It’s a delight and … Continue reading
Trust and Betrayal
“Your Amazon Prime subscription needs renewing,” said the automated telephone message. We don’t have Amazon Prime and never have. “This is the fraud department at your bank. Two payments have been made from your account…” Which bank is that? Someone … Continue reading
Appearance and Reality
The holy season of Ramadan has just begun for followers of Islam. For Christians the season of Lent is nearing its end as we build up to Holy Week. Both Ramadan and Lent are best known as seasons of denial, … Continue reading
Offering Service
“How did we do?”, the survey asks. Well, he came to the door, handed me the parcel, took a photo. I said, “thank you”. He smiled and hurried off down the path to deliver the rest of his 132 parcels. … Continue reading
Judging from Appearances
After the war, during the 1950s and 1960s the UK needed workers to rebuild Britain. Irish workers came. But, as Paul McNamee, editor of the Big Issue writes, “there was antipathy because they were the outsider, the other, easily cliched … Continue reading
It’s A Process
Last Sunday we sang Cwm Rhondda. That great Welsh hymn tune. One often sung with great gusto by male voice choirs. But it’s the first two lines of the words that struck me this time: “Guide me, O thou great … Continue reading
Keeping Lent
Yes Lent is a time of repentance, a time when we acknowledge our sinfulness and ask forgiveness for our sins. It’s also traditionally a time when we “give up” something. When we deny ourselves a pleasure – and take it … Continue reading
Reacting and Responding
It’s hard to know how I would respond if a member of my family were murdered. I say “respond” because I’m sure that my initial “reaction” would be one of shock and disbelief that this had happened, followed by grief … Continue reading
Being Committed
“I have a lot of commitments this week”, is a phrase we use when we are facing a busy week. It says, “I am really busy, so I have little time for anything else. My time is taken up with … Continue reading
