Category Archives: Uncategorized

Last night we watched ‘Kipps – the new Half a Sixpence musical’. Based on the H.G. Wells novel, it’s a classic rags-to-riches story about class differences… Arthur Kipps, a poor orphan, is raised by his aged aunt and uncle. He leaves them, and his childhood sweetheart, Ann, to become a draper’s assistant… Arthur unexpectedly inheritsContinue reading “The Right Choice”

Yesterday… Three ‘I just don’t know’ moments when I resorted to my phone… …Stephen was explaining… Many years ago, as an apprentice, he learnt the term of abuse ‘monkey-hanger’… ‘You know the story?’ he said. I didn’t. My phone did: During the Napoleonic Wars a French ship was wrecked off Hartlepool. The only survivor wasContinue reading “I Just Don’t Know”

In 1966 my brother Chris went to Bible college in Birmingham, studying the Bible, theology and church history, preparing him for a life of Christian service in France. In 2008, when I retired from teaching, I went to Bible college in London… Throughout my life, friends and family members have attended Bible College, receiving trainingContinue reading “Seminary”

Today, June 11th, is St Barnabas’ Day Encouragement: The early followers of Jesus included Joseph. They nicknamed him ‘Son of Encouragement’  or ‘Barnabas’. A friend’s employer is constantly discouraging her – ‘Work harder… work differently… get it right.’ In the current political climate everyone’s looking for someone to blame – conservatives, immigrants, ‘liberal-lefties’… In churchesContinue reading “St Barnabas”

Our friend Jill sometimes says, ‘It’s a bit tricky’, referring to family challenges, health problems, relational difficulties, tight time schedules… I identify with Jill’s words; life is often a bit tricky. Each Sunday evening Rachel and I ‘do diaries’. In Rachel’s ‘Family Organiser’ all family events are written. My 49p diary records what I rememberContinue reading “It’s A Bit Tricky…”

The eightieth anniversary of the D-day landings this week reminded us of those who gave their lives for our freedom, those who survived with permanent scars… I remembered this Graham Kendrick song, often called ‘Battle Hymn’. There’s a sound on the wind like a victory song,Listen now, let it rest on your soul.It’s a songContinue reading “There’s a Sound on the Wind”

Joseph Conrad Wikipedia states: Joseph Conrad… was a Polish-British novelist and story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language… Wetherspoons named their Lowestoft pub ‘Joseph Conrad’, saying: ‘The Station Square pub is named after Polish mariner and writer Joseph Conrad, who disembarked in Lowestoft in 1878 and signedContinue reading “Joseph Conrad”

This morning’s headlines included: ‘Zelensky and D-Day veteran call each other ‘hero’’; ‘ Police escort D-Day veteran, 104, to memorial’; ‘Guard of honour for D-Day veteran, 100…’ Yesterday, as we remembered the Normandy D-day landings, the emphasis was on the surviving veterans and their stories. The youngest I saw was 96 – just 16 whenContinue reading “Veterans”

Resolving Disagreements… The Beatles sung ‘We Can Work It Out’ about two people who had fallen out: Try to see it my wayDo I have to keep on talking ’til I can’t go on?While you see it your wayRun the risk of knowing that our love may soon be goneWe can work it out… DailyContinue reading “We Can Work It Out”

The Expert… …Last night Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer had their first TV election debate that was described and analysed by political experts. …Tomorrow is the anniversary of the D-day landings; we’re reminded of the events of eighty years ago by historical experts. …Sporting experts talk about the French Open tennis, the European football championshipsContinue reading “The Expert, the Dilemma and the Solution”