‘I want to simplify your lives. When others are telling you to read more, I want to tell you to read less; when others are telling you to do more, I want to tell you to do less. The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God. Your friends do not… Continue reading Christmas Pretox: a pre-emptive strike on festive busyness
Category: Ethics & Christian living
A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
This week a Church of England report was published called 'Talking Jesus'. One finding of this report, highlighted by The Guardian, is that when Christians talk to others about Jesus, it is more likely to turn them off than attract them. So how can Christians share their faith in ways that are relevant and do not make people squirm with embarrassment?… Continue reading A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
The church that gives away assault rifles to whoever brings along the most new people
When I speak with Muslim friends in the UK, they will often express horror and disbelief at the terrible atrocities they see being done in the name of their faith by extreme Islamists. Sometimes, I have a similar experience as a Christian too... Yesterday a friend of mine, Mark Perrott, who now lives in the US, visited the… Continue reading The church that gives away assault rifles to whoever brings along the most new people
‘All of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone’
Blaise Pascal (1623- 1662) was a French philosopher, mathematician, inventor and Christian writer. He wrote about faith in a highly skeptical time, just after the Thirty Years War where Europe had descended into brutality and chaos as Christians killed each other over doctrinal differences. Despite this disastrous religious violence, Pascal argued that the Christian faith was true because it offered… Continue reading ‘All of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone’
Dealing with discouragements as a parent – by Olive Kuhrt
Children can bring us a lot of happiness, but as I have reflected on how I was brought up, how I brought up my children and as I see my ten grand-children being brought up, I think the whole process is tougher than ever. Parents can face a lot of discouragement. We should not minimize the… Continue reading Dealing with discouragements as a parent – by Olive Kuhrt
‘Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference’
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com At the church where my work is based, over 200 people come into the building every day for 12 Step fellowship groups. The most famous of these is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) but there is also Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Over-eaters Anonymous (OA), Debtors Anonymous (DA) and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA). … Continue reading ‘Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference’
Low pay or Living Wage: does the Church practice what it preaches?
Some Christians might be delighted that today’s front page headline in Britain’s most popular newspaper is a direct quote from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. But the article titled ‘Wages of Sin’ highlights the Church of England’s inconsistency in simultaneously calling for the Living Wage but not paying this to all of its staff. True… Continue reading Low pay or Living Wage: does the Church practice what it preaches?
‘I have come to see that there is good in every situation’ – Kayla Mueller’s hope in captivity
Photo by Tu00fcrker Burak TURGUT on Pexels.com The family of Kayla Mueller, a US aid worker who was being held by ISIS, have confirmed that she has been killed. Before she was captured, she told her hometown paper in Prescott, Arizona: “It’s important to stop and realize what we have, why we have it and how privileged we are.… Continue reading ‘I have come to see that there is good in every situation’ – Kayla Mueller’s hope in captivity
The Church, gay relationships and the truth
Photo by Alexander Grey on Pexels.com All Christians have to grapple with the challenge of how the truth revealed in the Bible relates to the truth revealed in our experiences. Over the years truths that are accepted in previous eras are challenged and church practice evolves. For example, few Christians still believe that St Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians mean that women… Continue reading The Church, gay relationships and the truth
‘I just want to do God’s will’ – Martin Luther King’s final speech
Photo by Hugo Magalhaes on Pexels.com Every day around 100 homeless people come to the day centre run by the West London Mission for a hot breakfast, showers, clothing or to see our in-house doctor or nurse. Every Tuesday a Spirituality Discussion group takes place in the TV room led by our Chaplain. I love it… Continue reading ‘I just want to do God’s will’ – Martin Luther King’s final speech
Grace + Truth 