In 2016, five-year Brooke Blair became an internet sensation after a video of her berating Prime Minister Theresa May went viral. As she put it, she was ‘very angry’: “Yesterday night, I was out on the streets, and saw a hundred and a million of homeless people. I saw one with floppy ears, I saw loads. You… Continue reading The rough sleeper: an icon of contemporary poverty
What we can all learn from ‘The Great Escaper’ – by Jeremy Sharpe
‘The Great Escaper’, starring Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson, tells the true story of Bernie Jordan who ‘escapes’ from his seaside care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France. Its a film that gives a fascinating insight into the lives of many older people, both positive and negative.… Continue reading What we can all learn from ‘The Great Escaper’ – by Jeremy Sharpe
Full Fat Faith
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In The Church Times this week, Angela Tilby wrote a refreshingly honest article titled Emptied-out belief leads to empty pews: “At my end of the C of E, everyone remains very polite, tolerant, and a bit disconnected. It is just slightly embarrassing to speak directly about God.” And she pin-points… Continue reading Full Fat Faith
The key to preventing leadership scandals
There is no shortage of articles, blogs and podcasts to dissect, analyse and rake over the entrails of Christian leadership scandals. The podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill was a compelling account of Mark Driscoll's rise to fame and influence, and how his narcissism and arrogance led to a dramatic fall. It challenged… Continue reading The key to preventing leadership scandals
My Last Message (a short talk on love) – by Dave Andrews
As a result of the death of dear friends, I have been reflecting on the fact I’m closer to the end of my life than to the beginning. This has led me to wonder, if this is the last message I have to give, what would I want to say? The longer I live, the… Continue reading My Last Message (a short talk on love) – by Dave Andrews
‘Do not impose today’s worry upon tomorrow’
Odette Prévost was a French nun who had joined the Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart at age 21, in 1953. She spent her lifetime working in Morocco and Algeria, living and serving among acutely poor communities. She studied Arabic and helped educate women and provided free tutoring for children to help them with their school work.… Continue reading ‘Do not impose today’s worry upon tomorrow’
The best hour of my summer
I have been richly blessed through holidays this summer. Visiting Malta was a beautiful experience. And going as a family for our 13th year to the Lee Abbey Youth Camp was as rewarding and spiritually refreshing as ever. One significant event was my parents celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. 60 years ago, on 31st August… Continue reading The best hour of my summer
Is the UK really polarised on immigration? – by Jonathan Thomas
My work on immigration policy for a think tank argues for a more open approach to immigration in the UK, but also one rooted in majority public consent and acceptance. The EU Referendum reminded us of the real and important differences in people’s experiences of and worldview around immigration. Those differences are quite natural and… Continue reading Is the UK really polarised on immigration? – by Jonathan Thomas
Henri Nouwen on leadership – by Ed Walker
‘Leadership requires deep spiritual formation involving the whole person – body, mind and heart.’ In the Name of Jesus: reflections on Chistian Leadership is a great little book. As with all Henri Nouwen's writing – it is best read slowly. You need to allow its wisdom to sink deep. Many of us have read leadership… Continue reading Henri Nouwen on leadership – by Ed Walker
Comfortable beliefs or a shipwrecked faith?
St Paul's Islands, Malta This summer I went on holiday with the Apostle Paul. Well, sort of. I went to the Mediterranean island of Malta where Paul in AD59, under arrest, was shipwrecked on his way to a trial before Caesar in Rome. The traumatic voyage is recorded in dramatic detail by Luke in Acts… Continue reading Comfortable beliefs or a shipwrecked faith?
Grace + Truth 