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In Sunday School I learnt that life’s a journey, but I was confused… …I was sailing. I could invite Jesus to be my pilot, steering my little boat across life’s ocean. Storms may rock my boat, but Jesus can calm storms. Somehow I was also crossing the River Jordan… Eventually I’d reach my heavenly harbour.Continue reading “Journeying Well”

Yesterday morning minister-Lou quoted Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, from his novel, The Brothers Karamazov: ‘Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared to love in dreams.’ On Saturday Rachel and I went to Norwich to watch ‘Birdsong’ – a play based on Sebastian Faulkes’ book… In 1912 Stephen Wraysford visits France where heContinue reading “Love… in Dreams and in Action”

Friday was the annual BBC Children in Need appeal. There was the three hour TV live show of music, celebrities and comedy; by the end of the evening over £39m had been raised for ‘Children in Need’ The Children in Need single this year was the Girls Aloud cover of ‘I’ll Stand by You’. Oh,Continue reading “I’ll Stand by You”

This morning I read the story of Peter and Cornelius, two very different men… Cornelius is an important Roman captain who has influence and power. Peter’s an insignificant Jewish fisherman, who’s regularly falling out with the authorities. Cornelius prays, sees an angel, and is told to go to find Peter. Peter prays, and has aContinue reading “Disciples, Witches and Transformation”

In his autobiography Eric Idle refers to his famous song: ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ has probably been my subconscious motto throughout my life, but I never thought it would be a hit… On January 20, 2009 it officially became the number one most requested song at British funerals, Replacing Frank Sinatra’sContinue reading “The Bright Side of Life”

Yesterday morning I attended our Men’s Shed. From informal beginnings ‘Mensheds Australia’ was formally established in 2002. The notion of older men-in-sheds spread across the world with national associations of men’s sheds in many countries. Here in the UK, by 2023, there were over 900 men’s sheds… In Lowestoft a small group of us, inContinue reading “Lowestoft Men’s Shed”

Yesterday evening I drove through Lowestoft, past a huge building site. It was dark but lights were shining on busy diggers. High-viz jacketed men were shifting rubble, digging foundations. We’re told there will be: ‘a new restaurant catering for 80 people, a civic square, a new cultural and community hub with studio space for creativeContinue reading “Waiting, Wondering, Watching”

I’m reading Eric Idle’s autobiography. He writes about his childhood… church… boarding school… Cambridge University… comedy… writing… acting… Monty Python… Life of Brian… ‘Life of Brian’ is a satirical film about Brian Cohen, who’s born on the same day as, and next door to, Jesus. Brian’s subsequently mistaken for the Messiah… The film caused controversy;Continue reading “Faith, Inspiration and Action”

It’s been a noisy weekend. On Saturday afternoon Son-Pete and I went to Norwich to watch the football. Twenty-six thousand enthusiastic fans expressed their pleasure and displeasure loudly. In the evening, at Daughter-Jo’s fiftieth birthday party, there was music, and laughter. I’m aware of my inappropriate prejudice, but Jo’s friends… middle-aged women… are well-skilled atContinue reading “Good Noise, Bad Noise and Silence”

This old Proclaimers song is always sung with passion and intensity. It’s a song about love and loyalty, about purposeful action and intentional demonstration of that love and loyalty. When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna beI’m gonna be the one who wakes up next to youWhen I go out, well, I knowContinue reading “500 Miles”