Category Archives: Uncategorized

On Saturday, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, spoke of the conflict in her native Iran with personal understanding, some anger, heart-felt compassion for the suffering… She challenged the lack of clarity regarding the aims of the war: ‘Without clear aims it’s impossible to properly assess whether the cause of this war is just, whetherContinue reading “Clear Aims”

The Bible has always been a part of my life. From an early age I used ‘Scripture Union Bible Readings’ – a few verses to be read each day. On all of their literature was, ‘Open thou mine eyes that I might behold wondrous things out of thy law’  Psalm 119:18. I learnt that PsalmContinue reading “Thy Word”

Acceptance: Earlier this week I was reminded of Kermit singing the old Jim Henson song: It’s not that easy being green;Having to spend each day the colour of the leaves.When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-Or something much more colourful like that.It’s not easy being green. I’ve met folksContinue reading “Acceptance, Aspiration, Achievement.”

In ‘Dad’s War’… In 1943 Ian Reid was wounded and captured in North Africa and taken to an Italian prisoner-of-war camp. He escaped and survived… Following his father’s footsteps nearly sixty years later, his son Howard meets a family in an isolated Italian farm that had sheltered and looked after his father: ‘Pompilio… considered itContinue reading “Common Decency”

This morning, I was reading… Saul has been a disappointing king of Israel. The prophet Samuel, tasked with finding the next king, goes to Jesse’s house. Jesse has eight sons. The eldest, Eliab, is a good-looking young man. Samuel’s God says to him: ‘The Lord does not look at the things people look at. PeopleContinue reading “Seeing Beyond Appearances”

…Reading Howard Reid’s ‘Dad’s War’. In 1943 Ian Reid was wounded and captured in North Africa and taken to an Italian prisoner-of-war camp. He escaped and survived… Nearly sixty years later his son Howard followed his father’s footsteps across Italy… Howard’s writing from a farm in Tuscany, ‘A wonderful calm place’. I read: ‘The raucousContinue reading “Interrupted by Silence”

…St Patrick: Today is St Patrick’s day. Born in Britain, sixteen-year-old Patrick was captured by Irish raiders. After six years as a slave he escaped and returned to Britain. He heard a call from his God to return to Ireland, where he preached, bringing Christianity to Ireland. Patrick responded to the call… …Soldiers: Reflecting onContinue reading “Responding to the Call”

In church yesterday Elspeth handed me a small book. The cover read, ‘Sacred Songs and Solos… compiled and sung by Ira D. Sankey’. Inside the cover was written, ‘Miss M Shales… Lowestoft 4.8.1906. In my childhood a big purple ‘Sankey’s’ – music edition – lived on our piano… I imagined Miss Shales singing from herContinue reading “The Old Hymn Book”

It’s springtime! The sun is shining, there are buds on the trees, I’ve cut my grass for the first time, daffodils are flower; flowers celebrate new spring-life. In contrast last week we saw flowers around a grave as a coffin was lowered into the earth; flowers for a good life and a sad death. NewsContinue reading “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”

On Sunday Minister-Lou preached on Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus: A rich man lives in luxury. Lazarus, covered in sores, sits begging by his gate… They both die… The rich man goes to hell… Lazarus goes to heaven… Lou noted that Lazarus, the poor beggar, is named; the rich man isn’t. SheContinue reading “Named or Nameless?”