This just has to be one of my favourite Christmas songs. Although it consists of rhetorical questions addressed to Jesus’ mother, Mary, it is really addressed to us, today. It is more about Jesus than Mary. Although it is related to Christmas, it is timeless and speaks to all the generations of Mankind. For me, it is, “George, did you know?” [Read more…]
Mary, Did you know?
December 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Death and Hope
November 14, 2017 by 1 Comment
On Saturday I went for a short walk and ended up walking through Ash Cemetery which is just down the road from our house. I am not a morbid sort of character but was deeply moved by some of the inscriptions that I saw.
- A pair of plaques with the same date marking the grave of twins who had died, aged two.
- Grandparents who would be remembered by their grandchildren.
- Sad messages which also spoke of love and hope.
Why do we have to die?
Seeking Justice through Love
October 30, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Justice and love are two sides of the same coin. We can seek justice through love.
- Love means wanting the best for a person or group of people and acting accordingly.
- Justice means wanting to eliminate those things which do harm to the person or group of people who we love.
In seeking justice I am not taking about legal punishment of those who steal from, act violently or oppress their fellow human beings but about seeking to change the system where injustice is encouraged or tolerated. [Read more…]
Hell?
October 13, 2017 by 8 Comments
From ‘The Christian Left’ Facebook page
I have decided that what I write in my blogs must firstly be honest to myself, honest to other people and honest to God. I realise that I may upset a few people and may be un-subscribed, un-followed or un-friended. I am going to say what I believe about the concept of hell in association with what I know about a God of love who gave his precious son, not to condemn the world, but to save us all (John 3:17).
Ageing gracefully
September 28, 2017 by 3 Comments
For much of my life I felt that I was going to this life forever. O.K., I knew that I would have to die someday, but that seemed in the far distant future.
Then 13 years ago, at the age of 59, I had a stroke and came face to face with my mortality. I could have died then. I also had a blood clot on my lungs which was even more likely to have killed me. I came out of hospital in a wheelchair but I have largely recovered, to about 80% of my former physical abilities. [Read more…]
Lord I want to dream again
September 24, 2017 by 8 Comments
Lord, I want to dream again.
When I have followed my dreams my life has been fulfilled.
When I have ignored my dreams I have become stagnant.
What do I do now that some of my dreams have come true?
Do I just glory in their fulfilment?
Do I just rest now that I have passed on my dreams to others?
Lord, I want to dream again.
My life is not yet over.
I have not yet run my race.
I cannot retire from life.
I will not sink into contemplation of my achievements — or lack of achievements.
I ask, “What’s next Lord”?
I need to dream again.
Sometimes I dream of things I cannot possibly do on my own:
I want to change the world!
I want to meet every need!
I want to put right every injustice!
But I will not be put off by the impossible:
I will try with all the strength I have.
But Lord,
But Lord, I want to dream again!
I wrote this when I was on a day retreat on Saturday. We were encouraged to be …..
[Read more…]
Jesus and Politics
May 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
or, “How would Jesus vote?”
With a general election looming in the United Kingdom I am asking the question, “How, as a follower of Jesus should I vote?” Does Jesus give us any clue how we should act in a democratic age? Jesus said a lot about how we should order our lives, but very little about how we should go about choosing a politician or political party to rule over us. But if we want to be true to following Jesus we need to look carefully at his life and words and see if we can glean some clues.
- What are the cultural differences between Jesus’ day and today?
- Was Jesus a nationalist?
- Was Jesus a socialist?
- Did Jesus believe in a free market?
- How would Jesus vote? [Read more…]
