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Last weekend was Easter weekend. We thought about life and death, blood and tears, despair and hope, life on earth and the life to come. Yesterday was Pope Francis’ funeral attended by more than 250,000. There were world leaders in black, cardinals in red, bishops in purple, priests in white. Choirs sang Latin hymns andContinue reading “Peace in the Valley (2)”

In yesterday’s news… Lowestoft Journal… Daniel Jillings has won the prestigious Rotary Young Citizen Award 2025 and received the award in London. Daniel’s profoundly deaf and a British Sign Language user. He’s been actively campaigning since 2018 for all students to be able to study BSL as a GCSE. Daniel’s efforts have resulted in extensiveContinue reading “Quota Quickies and Apples”

My ‘New International Version’ Bible has been an old friend for many years. The more I read it the more familiar it becomes. I recognise recurring themes, spot repeated phrases. This morning I read Psalm 14. It’s familiar. It starts: ‘The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’’ I’ve heard sermons preached onContinue reading “From Eating Burgers to Joining Hands”

When I was teaching, the children always enjoyed the science lessons when we introduced them to microscopes. They’d learn how to set up the microscope and then they’d look at a blade of grass, a feather, a piece of material… draw it, describe the magnified object. Magnify comes from two Latin words: ‘magnus’ – big,Continue reading “Magnification”

The big news for Norwich City fans yesterday was that head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has been sacked; ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere is in charge for the two remaining games of the season. Losing six of the last eight matches, letting in eight goals in the two Easter games, the directors have runContinue reading “Moving On”

Yesterday Rachel and I went to Minsmere nature reserve. Go… We drove half-an-hour down the road, walked round Minsmere. We can’t visit Minsmere by staying at home! Experience… We took binoculars, watched patiently… engaged with others… spent several hours in hides… watching a Bittern, Marsh harriers, Hobbies, Avocets… Learn… We learnt/remembered from knowledgeable bird-watchers… fromContinue reading “Go, Experience, Learn…”

Easter’s done for another year. …There was usual ordinary stuff… gardening, reading, TV… I went with son-Pete to the football, Rachel did a jigsaw puzzle… …There was church stuff… communion, music, meeting friends… special services for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday… …There was spiritual stuff… reflecting on life’s great themes – death and life,Continue reading “When John, Paul, Charles and Jesus agree…”

Today is Easter Sunday… I’ve been reading the ‘Job’. Job has lost everything- his family, his reputation, his self-respect, his friends, his perceived integrity. He feels alone, abandoned by his friends and betrayed by his God. In chapter 19 he describes his suffering and complaints: ‘…God has wronged me and drawn his net around me…Continue reading “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

Yesterday… …The BBC said that we shall have mixed weather this weekend. Tomasz Schafernaker said that we should take sunglasses in one hand and an umbrella in the other… Choice? We can take either, neither or both. …I heard of a fifteen-year-old lad who went to purchase some glossy car magazines. The cashier at theContinue reading “Choosing to Choose Hope”

Today is Good Friday. Last night at church we had a Tenebrae Service – an old tradition that has been practiced in churches since medieval times. Originally it was for monastic communities; later it became an important part of the worship of common folk during Holy Week. Traditional Tenebrae Services start with a number ofContinue reading “Tenebrae Darkness”