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I’m reading the autobiography of the singer Johnny Cash. His mother always referred to his voice as ‘the gift’: ‘…I think she did it on purpose, to remind me that the music in me was something special given by God. My job was to care for it and use it well; I was its bearer,Continue reading “Gifts – Johnny, Eric, Ernie & Francis”

Numbers 13,14… The Israelites left Egypt to go to their Promised Land. 12 spies go to investigate. They’re gone for 40 days. Most of the spies say that entering the Promised Land is impossible. The people grumble and complain. God says they will wander in the desert for 40 years, one for each day spying.Continue reading “Forty Days of Lent”

Today’s Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day… Musing on ancient customs and religious roots… Penitence It’s a day of penitence and confession in preparation for the start of Lent tomorrow. Over 1000 years ago a monk wrote in the Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical Institutes: ‘In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessorContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday”

Yesterday was grandson Zak’s birthday. There were presents, cakes, balloons, a special meal and tuneless singing of ‘Happy Birthday’. It was his 18th: he’s now officially ‘a man’. … Musing on what that might mean: Legally he can do things he couldn’t do before – he can have tattoos or body piercings, get married withoutContinue reading “Becoming a Man”

Valentine’s Day is part of our culture. Rachel and I have remembered it every year for over 50 years… I say remembered because celebration would be a bit strong… I’ve spoken to several men… Some say what they will do, some what they won’t do; some see it as a joy, some a duty; someContinue reading “Valentine’s Day”

Yesterday I continued to help removing our church organ. Where it once was there’s now a gap… Organ Debate I’ve been part of our Lowestoft church family for 35 years; ‘the organ’ has been a constant source of debate and disagreement. Typically there are 4 points of view, each expressed with passion: Pro-organ: speaking ofContinue reading “Organ Lessons”

Yesterday we had our covid vaccinations. Earlier in the week we received the phone call inviting us to attend; all was done efficiently and effectively. We were two of the 450,810 vaccinated in the UK yesterday – 2 of about 13.5 million overall. For us yesterday was the day. I then went round to church.Continue reading “Now’s the Time”

She dropped the phone and burst into tearsThe doctor just confirmed her fearsHer husband held it in and held her tight.Cancer don’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38With three kids who need you in their lives.He said, ‘I know that you’re afraid and I am, tooBut you’ll never be alone, I promise you.’ IContinue reading “I’m gonna love you through it.”

Yesterday I enjoyed my daily walk. Pavements and paths were a mixture of ice and snow. Greetings and brief conversations were also a mixture – of cheerful enjoyment and resigned acceptance of freezing inconvenience. I passed McDonalds. It started to snow. It must have been a McFlurry. I passed the caravan park on Pakefield Cliffs.Continue reading “Walking in the Snow”

Our garden has been white for two days; the forecasters say snow will continue. Musing on snow…. Experts… A week ago the forecasters predicted it. I was cynical; they were right. In these days of pandemic we’ve needed to trust the medical experts. At one time we trusted and respected experts and leaders – vicars,Continue reading “Snow”