The Long and Winding Road

Musing on pilgrimage I remembered the old Beatles song: The long and winding road that leads to your doorWill never disappearI’ve seen that road before it always leads me hereLeads me to your door. Yesterday we heard that Alicia was in hospital with an undiagnosed illness. Clive is home from hospital but unwell. Janet, NevilleContinue reading “The Long and Winding Road”

Pilgrimage – Direction and Determination

As a child I learnt John Bunyan’s words: ‘There’s no discouragement                                                                                       Shall make him once relent                                                                                      His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim‘ Direction: Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ tells of Christian’s journey to the Celestial City. He knows he must leave the City of Destruction: ‘…Whither must I fly? ThenContinue reading “Pilgrimage – Direction and Determination”

Weeping… but Hope

‘By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.There on the poplars we hung our harps,for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?’ Israelites, forciblyContinue reading “Weeping… but Hope”

Invictus… but weeping

Out of the night that covers meBlack as the pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul… William had tuberculosis. He had already had his left leg amputated when he was 16. He had surgery to save his right leg and wrote this poem ‘Invictus’ – ‘unconquered’. By self-discipline andContinue reading “Invictus… but weeping”

God – for, with, in Coronavirus

Coronavirus – where is God? For… Marina works as a healthcare assistant in the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital, treating those with coronavirus. She had bought a car from a dealer. Many things were wrong with it, but the dealer was closed because of lockdown. Darren, from ‘The Little Car Clinic’ stepped in and fixedContinue reading “God – for, with, in Coronavirus”

I Believe The Bigger Picture (4)

I believe, for every drop of rain that falls, A flower grows… I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, A candle glows… I believe for everyone who goes astray, Someone will come, to show the way, Did God make, send or allow coronavirus? Why? Where is he? Sarah asks where God is in herContinue reading “I Believe The Bigger Picture (4)”

Blessings The Bigger Picture (3)

The ‘UK Blessing’: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you Make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’ Yesterday Boris Johnson wrote a personal letter to Tim Hughes: ‘At a time when our churches are closed, I am filled with admirationContinue reading “Blessings The Bigger Picture (3)”

Straws, Spine and Sight The Bigger Picture (2)

Yesterday: I read of the meaningless of life: Achievements – wealth, possessions, honour Age – Living a long life Appetites – doing and having whatever you want Kim talked about friends in the ‘anorexic community’. Their obsession with their weight prevents them from seeing or thinking of anything outside themselves. She talked about another friend’sContinue reading “Straws, Spine and Sight The Bigger Picture (2)”