Category Archives: Uncategorized

Meeting up with teacher friends on Tuesday reminded me of our friend Phil’s school assembly story about penguins… As I recall, it was a long and convoluted story, that Phil swears was true, that ends with Antarctic scientists in a helicopter surrounded by penguins. The penguins watch as the helicopter takes off… the helicopter getsContinue reading “Penguins, Sparrow-Hawks and Woodpeckers.”

Yesterday I struggled to get the satnav operational on my phone. I know for most folk that’s no big deal, but for me it wasn’t that straightforward. Eventually successful, I used it to find Kevin’s house in the middle of rural Suffolk. I first met Kevin when I started teaching in Saxmundham thirty-two years ago…Continue reading “Satnav, Schools and Good Teachers.”

Yesterday we visited Kew Gardens, London, exploring 300 acres of parks, gardens and greenhouses. Three encounters: We were surprised to a pair of parakeets in the trees. As the day went on we realised that in the gardens there are many parakeets. Because we aren’t used to seeing parakeets, we were aware of their constantContinue reading “Parakeets, Squirrels and Foxes”

In yesterday in church minister-Lou encouraged us, ‘Quit carrying a wallet-sized picture of God, when the universe cannot contain him.’ God’s picture in my wallet? As the picture of my wife or children – the reminder of a loved one? I think of myself as a ‘card-carrying Christian’ – my driving licence and bus passContinue reading “How Big Is My God?”

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!What more can He say than to you He hath said—To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;I’llContinue reading “How Firm A Foundation”

Reading Psalm 82 started me musing on, ‘Attack is the best form of defence’: I was amused and mildly irritated by the apparent Americanisation of the phrase… for example – ‘the best defense is a good offense.’ Not only is the (correct!) English spelling of ‘defence’ changed but ‘attack’ is abandoned for the more American-favouredContinue reading “Attack is the Best Form of Defence”

On Sunday we considered Acts 6. The church distributed food to the widows and needy. There’s a complaint: traditional Hebraic Jews are getting more than Jews who embraced a broader Greek culture. Jesus had always included prostitutes, tax collectors and social rejects. Here the Jesus Community was to include – as equals – folks withContinue reading “Acts, Jamie, Inclusion and Messiness.”

Last night saw the final televised debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, before next Thursday’s general election. Questions from the audience led to angry, combative, passionate exchanges on taxes, migration, the betting scandal, Brexit… The best question came from a Robert Blackstock: ‘Are you two really the best we have got to beContinue reading “Are You Really The Best?”

Yesterday evening there was the football. England played their third match of the Euros. England started the tournament as favourites. Football fans know the skilled players, their successes last season. There were high hopes. We watched the game play out – a boring performance with little excitement and no goals. It’s a team that barelyContinue reading “Lessons in Disappointment”

…Reading Psalm 69 this morning: 1 Save me, O God,    for the waters have come up to my neck.2 I sink in the miry depths,    where there is no foothold.I have come into the deep waters;    the floods engulf me.3 I am worn out calling for help;    my throat is parched.My eyes fail,    looking for my God… …Reflecting on recent conversations… gents who areContinue reading “Miry Depths, Deep Waters and Other Metaphors”