Category Archives: Uncategorized

Richard Rohr writes: ‘When I established the Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico in 1987, well-meaning folks asked if I had not put the words in the wrong order. Shouldn’t ‘contemplation’ come first…’ I would have been one of Richard’s ‘well-meaning folks’. I can still hear myself in school saying, ‘You didn’t think,Continue reading “Think Before You Act?”

During this period of Lent John 13 seems to be such an important chapter. Graham Kendrick captures it in his song: All the room was hushed and stillAnd when the bowl was filledHe stooped to wash their feetAnd when it was complete, he said It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that theContinue reading “Love Each Other”

Yesterday an elderly gent was describing his regular visits to the pub and how he’d changed. ‘In the past I’d walk through a snowdrift for a pint,’ he said with a sigh. ‘Now I can’t be bothered.’ He’s not the man he was. I understood. I’m not the man I was either. Earlier this weekContinue reading “I’m Not The Man I Was”

In ‘From Wild Man To Wise Man’ Richard Rohr writes: ‘Much of the human race experiences an immense father hunger. It is felt by women, but even more so by men…’ He continues: ‘Father hunger often becomes a full-blown father wound…’ He tells of a sister who ministered in Lima’s central prison. As Mother’s DayContinue reading “Fathering and Being Fathered…”

In 2021 13-year-old Martha Mills developed sepsis whilst in hospital. Her family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not promptly addressed. Tragically Martha died. In response to this and other related cases ‘Martha’s Rule’ is being introduced in hospitals. Patients and families will be given access to a rapid review and second opinion if theyContinue reading “I Need a Second Opinion”

There’s a place for usSomewhere a place for usPeace and quiet and open air wait for usSomewhere… Tony and Maria, deeply in love, dream of their ‘somewhere’ – the time and place that they can be together and all will be perfect… How do we find our ‘Somewhere’? Some friends say, ‘If I win theContinue reading “How Do We Find Our Somewhere?”

Yesterday’s news included an interview with Phoebe-Rae Taylor, a girl with cerebral palsy from Billericay. The Essex schoolgirl has landed her first acting role in the new Disney film, ‘Out of My Mind’. Phoebe-Rae plays Melody Brooks a non-verbal wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. In the film, Melody use assistive technology, voiced by Jennifer Aniston.Continue reading “Dealing with Difference”

Oliver’s in the workhouse restricted to three small bowlfuls of gruel each day: ‘Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: “Please, sir, I want some more.” TheContinue reading “Please, Sir, I Want Some More”

How great the chasm that lay between usHow high the mountain I could not climbIn desperation, I turned to heavenAnd spoke your name into the nightThen through the darkness your loving kindnessTore through the shadows of my soulThe work is finished, the end is writtenJesus Christ, my living hope We shall sing this Phil WickhamContinue reading “Living Hope”

When we were children we would ‘go out to play’. As long as we were back for dinner or tea at the Mum-decreed time we could go where we wanted. Sometimes I went with a group of boys ‘up the rec’ (the recreation ground) to play football. Sometimes I joined a group of boys andContinue reading “Coming – Ready or Not”