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James Edwin Orr was born in Belfast in 1912. When he was just 18 he started preaching; when we was 21 he felt God wanted him to be an itinerant evangelist. Despite scepticism and discouragement from family and friends, he went to London, preached throughout the British Isles and then preached throughout Europe. In 1935Continue reading “Search Me, O God”

Dan Snow says: on this day, 19th July, 1799, Frenchman Pierre-François Bouchard discovered a four-foot lump of stone with weird markings on it. He dragged it to the city of Rosetta… The British defeated the French; the ‘Rosetta Stone’ went to London. Displayed at the British Museum since 1802 it’s the most visited object there.Continue reading “From Use-Less to Use-Full”

This afternoon is our Singing for Wellbeing group. We sometimes sing ‘Dem bones, Dem bones, Dem dry bones…’ The song lists bones that are joined together… Toe bone connected to the foot boneFoot bone connected to the heel boneHeel bone connected to the ankle bone… and so on. It’s a fun song with actions thatContinue reading “Only God Knows”

This morning I’m musing on recent conversations… watching, listening to other senior citizens. Some blow their own trumpet – tell you what they’ve done, successes they’ve achieved, the importance of their job, places they’ve visited, money they’ve earnt, the car they own, their wonderful grandchildren (clearly due to wonderful grandparents!) It’s an endless list! OthersContinue reading “Trumpets, Troubles, Treasures, Trust…”

Yesterday… …I attended our church home group. We reflected on Psalm 139… Verses about being ‘knit together in my mother’s womb…’ ‘fearfully and wonderfully made…’ ‘seen and known before I was born.’ Someone called it ‘the midwives psalm’. Ann directed the discussion towards the current proposed legislation on abortion. Ann’s enthusiasm and passion for vulnerable,Continue reading “Enthusiasm and Passion”

In church on Sunday we sung: ‘No one else can touch my heart like you do’… We came home and had dinner together as a family – nine of us. There were silly conversations, serious conversations, laughter, concern… After everyone went Rachel and I sat down and reflected. We’re so grateful for our family. WeContinue reading “Touching My Heart”

Last week, on our ‘Lochs and Glens’ holiday, Paul, a ‘Norfolk-boy’, was our coach driver. Paul calmly, patiently, expertly, drove us hundreds of miles to, around, and home from Scotland. One day Carl drove our coach. Carl’s a Welshman who’s lived in Scotland for many years. We learnt that his girlfriend lives just round theContinue reading “Filling the Gap”

During the 1960s, bands from Liverpool – The Beatles, The Searchers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer… – changed British music culture. One lesser known Liverpool group, The Crossbeats, sung Christian songs. I saw them on several occasions. I remember seeing them with Rachel at her school… They wrote and sung the song ‘HeContinue reading “He Waits”

Yesterday our holiday in Scotland ended. Starting at 07.30 we left behind the Scottish hills and lochs, travelling South to Glasgow and then back into England. Delayed by road works, road closures, Friday evening traffic, and an accident, we finally arrived home at 23.00. It’s home because it’s… ..Lowestoft – familiar surroundings. We were droppedContinue reading “Coming Home”

Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If’, includes the lines: If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster     And treat those two impostors just the same. On Wednesday evening we enjoyed thirteen-year-old Alastair playing the bagpipes for us at our hotel. I was impressed by his musical passion, his confident maturity and his cheerful enthusiasm. He’s alreadyContinue reading “The Alastair and Paul Conundrum”