In previous posts, I’ve considered the topics of importance and status, last weekend I was humbled by the response to a Bible study on Acts 6:1-7 which explores these themes. (You may like to read the passage alongside this post.) The book of Acts tells the story of the early Read more…
A Summer sunny afternoon needed a ‘thinking walk’, as Winnie the Pooh called them. To be honest though, it was more of a ‘ranting walk’. As our churches emerged from the intensity of the pandemic restrictions, the criticisers and complainers had gone back to normal too. Whether lay or ordained Read more…
Despite all the difficulties, the Olympics will, no doubt, produce moments of greatness. Great sportswomen and men at the top of their game. Gold medals. World records. Memorable moments. Whether it’s in sport or politics, businesses or churches, I imagine we can all think of people who are great. Some Read more…
‘Could you go and sniff somewhere else. This is a confined space.’ The remark took me by surprise. I could have understood it if I’d coughed. Humph! My wife and I were visiting Kingston Lacy, a National Trust property while on holiday last week and admittedly, the path where I Read more…
The bride gave a speech. The two best men sang. The groom ate a marmalade sandwich during the signing of the registers and the 300-strong congregation ate cake and drank wine in church. It was the wedding of the year. At least it was from our perspective. Thirty years ago, Read more…
‘Behind the scenes’ documentaries have been part of TV viewing for decades and, with the growth in streaming alongside hundreds of channels, there are a multitude of different settings for the cameras to spy on. One series I’ve enjoyed recently has been Channel 4’s The Yorkshire Jobcentre. Given my own Read more…
On 8th May 1945, with the end of war in Europe, the country celebrated (or at least this country did – others did not). The previous years had seen horrendous loss of professional and civilian lives. Medical services overwhelmed. Businesses disrupted and closed. The economy shattered. Public movement limited. Many Read more…
In the paid work I used to do, I was often heard to proclaim, “It’s not about me”. No… it was about the work we were doing and, in essence, the hundreds of people who were making it happen. And it was usually other people who, very kindly, were mentioning Read more…
There’s a story about President John F. Kennedy visiting NASA headquarters. Introducing himself to a janitor, he asked what the man did. “I’m helping put a man on the moon!” came the reply. Whether it’s an Apollo moon landing or England’s cricketers winning the World Cup, success is often all Read more…
When Manchester City beat Watford in the recent FA Cup Final, I probably wasn’t the only one to notice the reaction of Pep Guardiola, the City manager, as the fifth and then sixth goals went in. His head was in his hands. Was it embarrassment… or was he humbled by Read more…