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I was reading about John Calvin, the French theologian and reformer during the Protestant Reformation. He spent some time living in Geneva; Geneva’s coat of arms bore the Latin inscription ‘Post Tenebras Spero Lucem’ – after darkness I hope for light… This was used by protestants to compare the light of their reformed view ofContinue reading “Post Tenebras Spero Lucem”

The teacher knew the law ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. He asked: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Jesus answered with the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’… Yesterday, responding to the war and suffering, the Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem called for a global day of prayer and fasting for justice, reconciliation, peace, and anContinue reading “Who Is My Neighbour?”

Our friends Simon and Caro live and work in Perth, Western Australia. Their monthly newsletter is always full of their activities and adventures. This month included holiday in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide… return to Perth for light shows (as above)… They conclude: ‘Go well friends, send us your news and pray that we may all haveContinue reading “Pray For Duller Lives…”

On Saturday sister-in-law Geneviève took us to the train station for our return trip from France. Seven soldiers entered the station, each carrying a gun. Scary! We guessed this was a response to the school stabbing in Arras earlier in the week. I looked more closely at the soldiers. They were people, little more thanContinue reading “He’s not a Problem; He’s a Person.”

When I’m busy, when I’m sad, when I’m anxious… when life’s complicated, when life’s frustrating, when life’s overwhelming… I remember the words of the Psalmist: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Be still and knowThat the Lord is in controlBe still, my soulStand and watch as giants fall The two must go together:Continue reading “Be Still (And Know That the Lord Is In Control)”

Grand-daughter Hannah had joined her university volleyball team. A picture of her with a bunch of other girls proves it. We were delighted to learn that in her first game of the season she received an ‘honourable mention’ – ‘Hannah used her initiative in the game and won us multiple points.’ An honourable mention. OurContinue reading “Honourable Mention”

Yesterday we spent a lovely day with sister-in-law Geneviève, walking, talking, seeing the sights around her home in Pontault-Combault, on the outskirts of Paris. ‘We’re having dinner tonight with Sara and Fred. We shall have ‘La Raclette’. Sara is Geneviève’s daughter, our niece… so that will be good… but La Raclette? I googled it… RacletteContinue reading “La Raclette”

Most days flow from one to another – increasingly quickly. Events are planned, details written on the kitchen calendar, but yesterday… We’d suggested it a year ago, we’d talked about it through the year, we’d planned dates, bought tickets… Yesterday was different. We got up early, checked we’d remembered everything. Daughter-Jo took us to theContinue reading “That’s Different”

This morning we’re going to Paris… train from Lowestoft to London,  Eurostar from London to Paris… My brother Chris lived in France for most of his life. It’s the first time we’ve been to see our French relations since Chris died last year…    I’m reminded of three train songs… If you miss the trainContinue reading “Trains – Miles, Morningtown and Mountains…”

At Sunday’s Silhouette Stage School show, groups of proud children had done their routines… In the darkness a small child steps up. The lights come up. It’s Maya. A small child on a huge stage. Maya sings beautifully, poignantly:   Where is love?Does it fall from skies above?Is it underneath the willow treeThat I’ve beenContinue reading “Maya’s Big Question…”