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You might been raised on the blockYou mighta wandered here from farBut no matter where you come fromNo matter who you are …Well, you know you’re always welcomeIn my Father’s house Our church  has been redecorated and refurbished. ‘Welcome Home’ is painted on the wall, facing you as you enter… Welcome is about the wayContinue reading “In My Father’s House”

Musing further on musician, priest, radio/TV personality, and writer Richard Coles. I’ve just read ‘The Madness of Grief’, his ‘memoir of love and loss’, following the death of his life partner David, shortly before Christmas 2019. Musing on 3 extracts… Following David’s death there was much hateful, homophobic communication – particularly from Christians: ‘…I opened…Continue reading “The Madness of Grief”

Richard Coles achieved fame with The Communards in the 1980s. After experiencing sex, drugs and rock-and-roll he became committed to God and his Christian faith. He found his spiritual home in the High Anglican Church. In the past I would have been quick to explain why I’m not Anglo-Catholic (and by implication why Richard isContinue reading “The Odd and Damaged”

Christian friends sometimes say, ‘Malcolm you really ought to read…’ They quote a book or author that’s helped or encouraged them. That’s good. When I retired 13 years ago I’d ‘been a Christian’ all of my adult life. I was secure and confident in what I believed – I’d preached and taught it. But IContinue reading “Fathomless Riches”

Mum encouraged us to have a ‘healthy appetite’. We had three meals each day. We were expected to come hungry, thank the Good Lord for our meal, eat all that we were given, and leave nothing on our plates. This was a healthy appetite. Visitors were often judged by whether they had a healthy appetite….Continue reading “A Healthy Appetite”

I’m reading ‘Proverbs’ in my Bible. Wise King Solomon gives fatherly advice to young people: ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.’ My many years spent teaching in schools recognises this pattern: the old teach the young. However 3 teenagers have taught me… British tennis player 18-year-oldContinue reading “Learning from the Young”

I watched the Euro final last night… taking the lead with the early goal, the excellent first half; the tough second half and the Italian equaliser; exciting extra time where it could have gone either way; defeat in the penalty shoot-out… Musing… similarities between the Euros and our experience of Covid… Unity: Both brought theContinue reading “Football… Covid… Unity, Expertise, Values”

I want Jesus to walk with me,I want Jesus to walk with me.All along my pilgrim journey,I want Jesus to walk with me There is something simple and uncomplicated about these old Afro-American spirituals. Life is complicated for many of us – health, families, disappointments… For those of us with faith there are complications withContinue reading “I Want Jesus To Walk With Me”

Yesterday’s local paper reported the death of Jan Dickinson. I knew and worked with Jan, the Head Teacher at a local school. Her tribute included: ‘Jan pursued a career in education because she ‘loved to see children learn… She built, curated and led one of the finest schools in Suffolk… Jan will be remembered asContinue reading “Tributes…Worrier to Warrior”

I walked along the sea front this morning. Very ordinary and normal. Some folk were walking their dogs, some cycling to work. There were early morning joggers, one or two were swimming in the sea. ‘Morning,’ I said to many I passed. I got the usual variety of responses – the total silence, the indecipherableContinue reading “Good Morning To You”