A few years ago I was invited to write an article for Who do you think you are?, the companion magazine for the BBC’s family history series. The piece told the story, indeed the tragic story, of my great, great, great grandparents, Sophia and Richard (Frost) who lost four of Read more…
Under pressure? Want somebody to love? Or just to ride your bicycle? Recently, I went to see Queen with Adam Lambert. A presence in the music industry for over five decades, most of Queen’s songs are over 30 years old – and yes, I knew every single one of them. Read more…
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…
For many people, the only way they know they’re doing a good job is when they’re not being criticised. We Brits aren’t that good at giving praise are we? But having had a recent rejection, I have been very touched by the many congratulatory comments received in the last few Read more…
‘I matter therefore I am.’ One of the highlights of the recent short sabbatical was being in Salisbury to hear and meet Luigi Gioia, former Roman Catholic Benedictine monk turned Anglican priest. In a wonderfully stimulating study day, Luigi talked about how Benedictine spirituality is still very relevant. (He even Read more…
‘Your writing is clearly very strong, and I thought it was a compelling novella…I hope you persevere, because I could see this doing well for someone!’ As far as rejections go, that was a very acceptable one. Two manuscripts have been doing the rounds of publishers over the last year. Read more…
A reflection for the first week of Advent: Hope ‘Being hopeful is a choice.’ Where we live there is a regular meeting of the local ordained and lay ministers. It’s ecumenical: crossing the denominational lines from the free church charismatic to the Roman Catholic, the Anglican to the Baptist, the Methodist 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…
While one cannot begrudge the third Mrs Johnson and her husband every happiness, one’s heart surely goes out to all who have been refused permission to marry in church because they were divorced. It’s not unlike the situation surrounding the PM’s former advisor’s trip to Barnard Castle when the rest 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…