In my view, It’s a Wonderful Life is not the best Christmas film ever. It is simply the best film ever, full stop. Released in 1946, the film focuses on the life of a man called George Bailey (James Stewart) who lives in the small town of Bedford Falls. As a young man, George intends to ‘shake… Continue reading Three reasons why everyone should watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ this Christmas
Why acceptance isn’t enough – a reflection on the nativity and homelessness
Photo by Phuc Tran on Pexels.com Christmas is an important time for homeless projects and every year I speak briefly at a handful of concerts and services. This is (roughly) what I said at the beginning of the second half of Divertimento choir's wonderful fundraising concert for us. "Yesterday I was at the Salvation Army… Continue reading Why acceptance isn’t enough – a reflection on the nativity and homelessness
What is the Occupy camp at St. Paul’s really like?
It's almost impossible to see through the spin and opinion in the mainstream media to get a picture of what the Occupy London Stock Exchange (LSX) camp at St. Paul's is really like. Earlier this week a friend and I spent the morning there to get a feel of what's going on... Welcome tent: "Caring… Continue reading What is the Occupy camp at St. Paul’s really like?
Should I lie about Santa Claus?
Photo by lascot studio on Pexels.com Welcome to December everyone. I now officially allow myself to talk about Christmas. And this year I have a new challenge and I need your help. For the first time my daughter will be old enough to know what is going on and to ask about Santa Claus (to… Continue reading Should I lie about Santa Claus?
I find praying hard
Since becoming a Christian I have always found praying hard. I know its important and valuable – but I find it difficult. I have tried various books to help me. Many have stimulated my thinking and intellectual reflection about my faith. Too often though, in the words of the band Switchfoot, this just 'adds to the noise’. I get loads of… Continue reading I find praying hard
Helping the homeless become addicts?
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com Every day I work to support people who are homeless or have addictions. I sometimes hear this described as ‘helping people integrate back into mainstream (or ‘normal’) society. At this point I am torn – enabling people to participate in families and stable work or friendship circles is an… Continue reading Helping the homeless become addicts?
Just Can’t Get Enough Enjoying the Silence with a Personal Jesus*
Do random, bizarre questions ever arise in your mind? I had one the other day which went like this: Over the course of my life what I have spent more time doing - listening to Depeche Mode music or praying? To be honest, its a close call. In the past I have spent a lot of time listening to… Continue reading Just Can’t Get Enough Enjoying the Silence with a Personal Jesus*
“Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems” *
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com This is a guest post by my mate Mikey Walker, a Primary school teacher in Leeds, on his recent 70 days 'sans lager'... Sometimes I think Homer Simpson* wasn’t far off with his dystopian conclusion of beer’s place in society. I say this as my 2nd ever “beer fast”… Continue reading “Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems” *
My two minute silence: ‘Thank God it wasn’t me’
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Lots of people in the media have been complaining that ‘everyone’ (starting with Jon Snow) is being pressurised into wearing a poppy. Maybe I live in some kind of poppy backwater, but I spotted only a minority of wearers in Leamington today and nobody seemed to be judging those that… Continue reading My two minute silence: ‘Thank God it wasn’t me’
Doublethink in the City: the inner contradictions of the finance industry laid bare
Photo by Expect Best on Pexels.com The St. Paul’s Institute report on attitudes in the City that was finally published today. It reveals a host of peculiar contradictions: Financial Service Professionals say that their primary motivation of their work is financial reward, but also believe that they are paid excessively. They say that their companies maintain… Continue reading Doublethink in the City: the inner contradictions of the finance industry laid bare
