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The Israelites have been in the desert for thirty-eight years. Moses is addressing the nation before they enter their long awaited ‘Promised Land’. He talks about the Anakites – local people who are bigger and stronger than they are. He reminds them of a local saying: ‘Who can stand against the Anakites?’ (Deuteronomy 9:2) EarlierContinue reading “Standing Against The Anakites.”

Last night we saw The Wizard of Oz in Norwich. I’ve seen the old film many times; I’d not seen the stage show. The setting was modern, there were new songs, but the story’s the same –Dorothy leaves Kansas, arrives in Oz, follows the yellow brick road, meets Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, andContinue reading “Already Home”

There’s a path close to the edge of a cliff. What’s required? A fence at the top to prevent people from falling, or an ambulance at the bottom to treat those who fall? Joseph Malins’ poem ‘A Fence or an Ambulance’ starts:  ‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,though to walk near its crestContinue reading “A Fence or An Ambulance”

I was brought up with Bible stories that have an unexpected ending … Noah, Joshua, David… Zacchaeus, May Magdalene, Jesus… Potentially unhappy endings become happy endings. The selfish, reckless ‘Prodigal Son’ takes the money, leaves home, has a great time; his money and popularity end. He’s broke and broken; potentially it’s a bad ending. HeContinue reading “Changing The Ending”

It’s the old joke… ‘On the one hand I’ve broken my finger; on the other hand, I’m fine.’ Former NFL player and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, who worked on the space shuttle Atlantis, says: ‘On the one hand we possessed the technical savvy to create vehicles and satellites capable of reaching distant regions of theContinue reading “…On The Other Hand”

Richard Rohr writes: ‘When I established the Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico in 1987, well-meaning folks asked if I had not put the words in the wrong order. Shouldn’t ‘contemplation’ come first…’ I would have been one of Richard’s ‘well-meaning folks’. I can still hear myself in school saying, ‘You didn’t think,Continue reading “Think Before You Act?”

During this period of Lent John 13 seems to be such an important chapter. Graham Kendrick captures it in his song: All the room was hushed and stillAnd when the bowl was filledHe stooped to wash their feetAnd when it was complete, he said It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that theContinue reading “Love Each Other”

Yesterday an elderly gent was describing his regular visits to the pub and how he’d changed. ‘In the past I’d walk through a snowdrift for a pint,’ he said with a sigh. ‘Now I can’t be bothered.’ He’s not the man he was. I understood. I’m not the man I was either. Earlier this weekContinue reading “I’m Not The Man I Was”

In ‘From Wild Man To Wise Man’ Richard Rohr writes: ‘Much of the human race experiences an immense father hunger. It is felt by women, but even more so by men…’ He continues: ‘Father hunger often becomes a full-blown father wound…’ He tells of a sister who ministered in Lima’s central prison. As Mother’s DayContinue reading “Fathering and Being Fathered…”

In 2021 13-year-old Martha Mills developed sepsis whilst in hospital. Her family’s concerns about her deteriorating condition were not promptly addressed. Tragically Martha died. In response to this and other related cases ‘Martha’s Rule’ is being introduced in hospitals. Patients and families will be given access to a rapid review and second opinion if theyContinue reading “I Need a Second Opinion”