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Musing on: ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining to what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:13-14) Choice: ‘Forgetting what is behind…’  Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday. We choose to remember. Our past, our memories, shape us, making usContinue reading “Choice, Challenge, Chance, Change”

Jesus was a man who kept the company of menTill he got betrayed by one of themAnd surely that must have been the biggest sinBut in his final hour, he even forgave himAnd what he asked you then, well I now ask you too“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” I learnt this Ralph McTell (Streets of London…) song 50 yearsContinue reading “Father Forgive Them”

I’m still smiling this morning…seeing the sunrise over the sea …enjoying the blueness of the sky, the greenness of the grass, the reds, yellows, oranges and browns of autumn leaves. People smiled and said, ‘Hello’… appreciating chance meetings with family and friends… good people facing difficult times with strength, courage and a smile. I readContinue reading “Still Smiling”

Doomy-gloomy-covid… divisive-angry-presidential-election… Three little things that made me smile yesterday: The poster above: friends who make ‘unplanned purchases’ need an excuse. Kieran White and Tilly Christmas got married; they united their surnames to become Mr and Mrs White-Christmas. A picture of children taking part in the world puddle jumping championships. A local primary school reported:Continue reading “It Made Me Smile…”

Musing… today, November 5th… politics and religion… Guy Fawkes: It’s the anniversary of Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. As Catholics they felt it was their duty to assassinate the Protestant King James. By 1605 politics was already mixed up with Catholic and Anglican religion; in theContinue reading “Politics and Religion”

Funerals: In recent days we have learnt of the deaths of sports presenter Frank Bough, comedian Bobby Ball, footballer Nobby Stiles, actor Sean Connery, comedian John Sessions…. Yesterday I attended a funeral, the wife of a friend. She was only 61. A sad occasion. Fear: Fear seems to be everywhere. Fear of Covid, fear ofContinue reading “From Funerals to Forgiveness”

I’m re-reading David Watson’s ‘Fear No Evil’ David Watson an Anglican clergyman, was famous for his ministry at St Michael-le-Belfry in York in the 1970s, where the congregation grew to many hundreds in only a few years. Subsequently he was involved in missionary enterprises throughout the world. In 1983 Watson was diagnosed with terminal cancer.Continue reading “Fear No Evil”

Church people do say some funny things: jargon, clichés, words said with a straight face that are thought to be deep and meaningful – that nobody understands. One such is ‘Open the Eyes of my Heart’- often said with serious emotion. So what the heck does it mean? My childish, but not too helpful, thoughtsContinue reading “Open the Eyes of my Heart”

I’ve returned to another Graham Kendrick song: Lord you’ve been good to meAll my life, all my lifeYour loving kindness never failsI will rememberAll you have doneBring from my heartThanksgiving songs Despite the bad news I will choose to be grateful – my life has been good. Today, November 1st, is ‘All Saints Day’. IContinue reading “Lord You’ve Been Good To Me”