I read some great books in 2024. Among them, The Wood Between the Worlds by Brian Zahnd, Fully Alive by Elizabeth Oldfield, Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry and Open by Andre Agassi.… Continue reading The best book I read in 2024
The ’emotional magnifying glass’ of Christmas
That Christmas is a new animated Netflix film from Richard Curtis, the writer of some of my favourite comedy such as Blackadder, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill. (Curtis also wrote Love, Actually which is my least favourite Christmas film, but that’s a subject for another blog). That Christmas is a decent family… Continue reading The ’emotional magnifying glass’ of Christmas
“If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
A few Christmases ago, when I was running a homeless charity in the West End of London, we took a phone call from a businessman that I will never forget. He was due to host a major Christmas event for 50 colleagues and clients in a prestigious local member’s club. A number of guests were… Continue reading “If you charge me, I’m going to bring 50 homeless people here to eat the meal I have paid for”
‘The church has been the cornerstone of my recovery’: homelessness ends in community
Prichard is a young man whose life was almost destroyed by drug addiction. It led him into a chaotic lifestyle which spiraled downwards and led him into homelessness. As he bluntly puts it ‘My life was a shambles.’ It’s a story I have seen so many times in so many people trapped in addictions and… Continue reading ‘The church has been the cornerstone of my recovery’: homelessness ends in community
The crucible of truth
The legacy of John Smyth’s sadistic abuse has had far-reaching consequences which will rumble on. In almost 1500 years never before has an Archbishop of Canterbury resigned. Smyth's appalling crimes have been transposed, compounded and institutionalised through both the active cover-up and the passive inaction of others. The yeast has worked through a whole batch.… Continue reading The crucible of truth
Compassion or coercion? Grace, truth & Assisted Suicide – by John Clifton
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com On Sunday, I took a risk. I was preaching to a congregation I didn’t know and I chose to speak on the emotive topic of assisted suicide. With the second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill approaching on 29th November, I felt it was vital… Continue reading Compassion or coercion? Grace, truth & Assisted Suicide – by John Clifton
Corruption, lies & the power of truth: ‘Mr Smith goes to Washington’ is a film for our times – by Stephen Kuhrt
Senators Joseph Paine (Claude Raines) & Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart). Click to watch trailer. As Christmas approaches, many will repeat the annual ritual of watching It’s a Wonderful Life. A lesser-known film with an equally powerful and important message is Mr Smith goes to Washington. Produced seven years earlier in 1939, it has the same… Continue reading Corruption, lies & the power of truth: ‘Mr Smith goes to Washington’ is a film for our times – by Stephen Kuhrt
The de-humanising effects of liberalism – by Jenny Sinclair
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com Every era is characterised by an animating idea – and in our era it is liberalism. This is the sea we swim in. We don't really see it because it's all around us. Much of its influence has been positive, but it becomes a problem when it goes too… Continue reading The de-humanising effects of liberalism – by Jenny Sinclair
Why Justin Welby must resign – by Stephen Kuhrt
Photo: Flickr The Makin Report, published this week, chronicles the appalling, sadistic and spiritualised abuse carried out by John Smyth and the abject failure of the Church of England to respond adequately to this. John Smyth’s abuse represents pure evil. But just as evil is the vast number of professing Christians who knew about Smyth’s… Continue reading Why Justin Welby must resign – by Stephen Kuhrt
Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
Watch: Prince William: We Can End Homelessness (ITV) Last week, ITV broadcasted two hour-long programmes Prince William: We Can End Homelessness in which the future King outlined the ambition of his initiative Homewards. The programme included plenty of footage of the Prince talking about why he cares about homelessness and the influence of his mother… Continue reading Prince William & ‘ending homelessness’
Grace + Truth 