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Keith and Kristen Getty wrote this song, describing it as a ‘children’s hymn’. It’s sung by their four daughters. It may be for children, but it’s certainly not childish. The Jesus, the man with power over wind and waves, calming the storm, is for us all. When my heart is filled with fearLike a stormyContinue reading “Jesus Calms the Storm”

As a young boy I enjoyed going to a friend or family member and saying, ‘You must say, ‘Just like me’, after everything I say.’ I’d then tell a little story… ‘I walked down the road.’ ‘Just like me.’ I went round the corner.’ ‘Just like me.’ I hopped on one leg.’ ‘Just like me.’Continue reading “Just Like Me”

In 1967 the Beatles sung ‘When I’m 64’ about people who were very old. My 64th birthday was ten years ago, so I guess I’ve learnt something about oldness. Yesterday taught me: …Watching Sunday’s edition of ‘The Piano’… Host Claudia Winkleman and judges Mika and Lang Lang took their piano to Manchester Piccadilly station. TheContinue reading “Lessons From Being Old”

In their famous sketch, Ronny Barker, the customer, asks for ‘four candles’. Ronny Corbett, the shopkeeper, takes out four candles. Barker repeats his request. Corbett’s confused. Barker rephrases his request… He wants ‘fork ‘andles’ – ‘(h)andles for forks” (garden forks)! Here’s my four candles: And it seems to me you lived your lifeLike a candleContinue reading “Four Candles”

In 2008 I retired from teaching. The French ‘tirer’ means ‘to pull or draw’; to re-tire is to pull back or withdraw. Sixteenth century armies retreated, retired. Nearly sixteen years ago I withdrew from the front line of teaching… Yesterday I practiced withdrawing – retirement. Not much happened. I sat at home, reflected, wrote, read,Continue reading “May Day in Retirement”

Burt Bacharach wrote many songs with Hal David. He says that he’s most proud of this one: What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? Sunday’s TV programme… Daniel started campaigning for a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) when he was 12-years-old. Daniel’s profoundly deaf. He couldn’t understand whyContinue reading “What’s It All About?”

Remembering… At school ‘Oily’ Wakefield taught us chemistry, introducing us to Bunsen burners, test tubes and practical experiments. He taught us the chemical symbols for the elements – ‘H’ for hydrogen, ‘O’ for oxygen… Pb for lead. ‘The Latin for lead is ‘plumbum’’, he explained – hence ‘pb’. He made some joke about ‘plump bum’…Continue reading “Plumbline Certainty”

We sung this hymn in church last Sunday. I’ve been reflecting on it all week: Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,Breathe new life into my willing soul.Bring the presence of the risen LordTo renew my heart and make me whole.Cause Your Word to come alive in me;Give me faith for what I cannot see;Give meContinue reading “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”

I’ve been reading about King Hezekiah this morning… The Jewish nation was divided. Hoshea was king of Israel, Hezekiah was king of Judah. Hezekiah was seen as a good king, who instigated civil and religious reforms. The Jews were sandwiched between the superpowers of Egypt and Assyria. Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, is attacking Hezekiah. HisContinue reading “Hezekiah, Paul McCartney, and the Interrupting Cow”

On the car radio this morning I heard the old Stevie Wonder song: For once in my life, I have someone who needs meSomeone I’ve needed so longFor once, unafraid, I can go where life leads meSomehow I know I’ll be strong… My ‘just once in my life’ experiences include: starting school as a five-year-old,Continue reading “For Once In My Life”