Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com For many years, a devout Muslim man lived next door to us with his family. He was just about the best neighbour that it is possible to have: friendly, kind and generous. He was very tolerant of the noise our young children made and cheerfully threw back the many balls… Continue reading The judgement on all religion
Category: Ethics & Christian living
Exclusive Inclusivity – by Tobias Mayer
Photo by Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto on Pexels.com "It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences" Audre Lorde, September 1979 I like inclusivity. Who doesn't? But I've started noticing an interesting paradox in inclusive spaces. By going to any length to include the traditionally excluded… Continue reading Exclusive Inclusivity – by Tobias Mayer
Discipleship takes Practice: the best Christian course I have ever done
Earlier this year, I reviewed the book Practicing the Way and said it was the best book I read in 2024. And earlier this summer, as a church we completed the 8 week Practicing the Way course. In many ways the course has been even more significant experience as I have travelled on this journey… Continue reading Discipleship takes Practice: the best Christian course I have ever done
On what is faith based: escape or divine renovation?
I find many contemporary Christian songs difficult. I find them too fluffy, too sentimental, too individualistic, too escapist. They may contain words of radical aspiration but do not seem drawn from the genuine struggles of life. Rarely do our songs reflect scripture’s lament for the injustices and brokenness of the world. My friend Andy Flannagan… Continue reading On what is faith based: escape or divine renovation?
The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas
Photo by vectors icon on Pexels.com Immigration to the UK continues to be a big story, with many sub-plots. The most recent episodes involving asylum hotels, local protests and flags. ‘France is not war’ The asylum system leaves the public confused. They tend to be most sympathetic to those fleeing from war. But those people… Continue reading The flag is up: the Good Samaritan versus Lazarus – by Jonathan Thomas
Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
Amos lived in the 8th century BC in a village called Tekoa. He was called to proclaim God’s Word to the political and religious elites of the time. This is a fictional imagining of the personal cost involved...and what this means for speaking up for truth today. Tension Amos was late home that evening from… Continue reading Prophet or loss? Counting the cost of speaking truth – by Stephen Kuhrt
The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)
Ethan Malcolm is a 22 year old student who decided earlier this year to take up the challenge to walk the entire length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. He doing it to raise funds for Hope into Action and is aiming to cover the 12oo miles in 60 days. Hope into… Continue reading The path less travelled (& what we can learn from younger people)
The heavy burden of self-justification
Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com When I was manager of an emergency shelter for rough sleepers in central London, I led a team which was constantly in danger of arguing and falling out. Many difficult decisions had to made every day and it was hard to avoid the chaos of our resident's lives infecting… Continue reading The heavy burden of self-justification
Glad All Over & rising up on wings like Eagles!
Yesterday I had an incredible day that I will never forget. I was at Wembley stadium watching my team Crystal Palace win the FA Cup, the first major trophy the Eagles have ever won in their 120-year history. We have been to an FA Cup final twice before, in 1990 and 2016, and both times… Continue reading Glad All Over & rising up on wings like Eagles!
The Anti-Greed Gospel
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Review of The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward; Malcolm Foley (BraznosPress, 2024) On a flight to New York last year, I watched Martin Scorsese’s film Killers of the Flower Moon. It is a… Continue reading The Anti-Greed Gospel
Grace + Truth 