I sat in a church listening to a woman tell me about the horrific domestic violence that she had experienced from her former partner. It had left her so scared that even when she had moved out she slept in the wardrobe of her new room to try to feel safe. But she then told… Continue reading Empowering change: carrying the burdens of others so each can carry their own load
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
St Francis may have said “You do not know, what you have not practiced” I say may because I can only find it referenced in the writings of Dorothy Day but if it’s only her quote that’s still good enough for me. By the standards of St Francis, or at the very least Ms Day,… Continue reading Doing is a tricky thing – by Alan Carson
‘Guard your heart: the wellspring of life’
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Our physical hearts are… Continue reading ‘Guard your heart: the wellspring of life’
Lent: giving up ‘malicious talk and the pointing finger’
I see Lent as an opportunity to realign ourselves. A time to re-commit to an integrity between who we are on the outside and who we are on the inside. To seek a wholeness between the person that we present for the world to see, and the person we are when no one sees. Whilst booze… Continue reading Lent: giving up ‘malicious talk and the pointing finger’
A spirituality for reality: saying what we mean and meaning what we say
Adapted from a talk at ‘Beer and Theology’ at the Angel Pub, Rotherhithe on 17/2/23 I like both beer and theology. Whilst I have seen plenty of problems associated with alcohol addiction, I have always appreciated the good things that beer can bring. A few drinks can give us ‘Dutch courage’ to be more real… Continue reading A spirituality for reality: saying what we mean and meaning what we say
Kindness, compassion & forgiveness
In my church, we are in the middle of a 40 Days of Prayer which has involved daily 3 minute videos done by different members of the church and posted on YouTube every morning. Its the kind of project that would have been really complicated a few years back but now is made relatively straightforward… Continue reading Kindness, compassion & forgiveness
Hope doesn’t house people. Action does.
The New Testament book of James challenges the idea that Christianity is chiefly about what is going on inside of our heads: our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Faith is easily turned into an intellectual exercise, a doctrinal debate or an emotional experience. But abstract thoughts, beliefs and feelings cost us little and don't change… Continue reading Hope doesn’t house people. Action does.
The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
The tradition of a New Year's Eve church service was originally started by Moravian churches to reflect on the year that has past and to contemplate the one to come. John Wesley adopted the practice for his Methodist followers. But it was given new significance by African-American communities on the 31st December 1862. Original basis… Continue reading The political roots of the Watch Night New Year church service
Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, the main character George Bailey faces bankruptcy and scandal. After a life of service and sacrifice, someone else’s negligence takes him to the brink of ruin. On Christmas Eve, in the midst of his angst and desperation, George goes home and sees his family. His young daughter, Zuzu, has… Continue reading Zuzu’s petals: reminders of what’s most important
‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
In the last 18 months I have published a number of articles related to safeguarding issues in the Church of England. As someone who grew up within the C of E and continues to have close links, it is a subject that I care deeply about. Last year, I wrote a parable Whistleblow and the… Continue reading ‘Time to face reality’: C of E safeguarding has ‘no functional leadership’
Grace + Truth 