Category Archives: Uncategorized

I’m reading Deuteronomy. As Moses tells Israel’s national history he frequently repeats that their God rescued them from Egypt ‘with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm’. It’s a phrase that other Old Testament writers use – particularly the prophet Jeremiah… The mighty hand is strong, powerful, has the potential to achieve; the outstretched armContinue reading “With a Mighty Hand and an Outstretched Arm”

Last night a group of us discussed Jesus’ challenging words: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…’ On a different occasion Jesus answered the question, ‘Who is my neighbour?’; I don’t recall him ever answering, ‘Who is my enemy?’. We talked about war – Gaza, Ukraine, World Wars; we talked about politicalContinue reading “Love Your Enemy”

In school I frequently led a daily school assembly that usually involved a story… Through one term I asked for random objects to be brought. Staff and pupils presented me with… a cabbage, fire extinguisher, favourite cuddly toy, javelin, tin of beans… that I had to include in that day’s story. My blog presents aContinue reading “Making Sense of the Random”

At church yesterday Lou was talking about St Paul’s words to followers of Jesus… their work should be whole-hearted… We watched the World Indoor Athletics Championships from Glasgow over the weekend. We particularly enjoyed the two British gold medals – Josh Kerr in the 3,000m and Molly Caudery in the pole vault. New Zealander GeordieContinue reading “Whole-hearted”

My Christian heritage says that ‘Forever and ever, Amen’ is about God’s kingdom, power and glory; Randy Travis in this song says it’s about love… You may think that I’m talkin’ foolishYou’ve heard that I’m wild and I’m freeYou may wonder how I can promise you nowThis love that I feel for you always willContinue reading “Forever and Ever, Amen”

The Israelites have been in the desert for thirty-eight years. Moses is addressing the nation before they enter their long awaited ‘Promised Land’. He talks about the Anakites – local people who are bigger and stronger than they are. He reminds them of a local saying: ‘Who can stand against the Anakites?’ (Deuteronomy 9:2) EarlierContinue reading “Standing Against The Anakites.”

Last night we saw The Wizard of Oz in Norwich. I’ve seen the old film many times; I’d not seen the stage show. The setting was modern, there were new songs, but the story’s the same –Dorothy leaves Kansas, arrives in Oz, follows the yellow brick road, meets Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, andContinue reading “Already Home”

There’s a path close to the edge of a cliff. What’s required? A fence at the top to prevent people from falling, or an ambulance at the bottom to treat those who fall? Joseph Malins’ poem ‘A Fence or an Ambulance’ starts:  ‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,though to walk near its crestContinue reading “A Fence or An Ambulance”

I was brought up with Bible stories that have an unexpected ending … Noah, Joshua, David… Zacchaeus, May Magdalene, Jesus… Potentially unhappy endings become happy endings. The selfish, reckless ‘Prodigal Son’ takes the money, leaves home, has a great time; his money and popularity end. He’s broke and broken; potentially it’s a bad ending. HeContinue reading “Changing The Ending”

It’s the old joke… ‘On the one hand I’ve broken my finger; on the other hand, I’m fine.’ Former NFL player and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who worked on the space shuttle Atlantis, says: ‘On the one hand we possessed the technical savvy to create vehicles and satellites capable of reaching distant regions of theContinue reading “…On The Other Hand”