Why do we still need the Old Testament?

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Back in April a tweet from John Cleese sparked some interesting questions with the ‘Impasse’ group. The tweet read: “You see… Evangelism is defined as spreading the word of the Gospel. The Gospel – the teaching of Christ and the apostles – is to be found in the NEW Testament. There is no Gospel in […]
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Go ahead, ask

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“Mumineedafountainpen!!!”   This cry of anguish was uttered at 8:07 one morning. One school morning. Brushing teeth, finding jackets, tying laces, packing lunch all while irritating your sibling morning.   I mean, really? What am I, a stationery shop? Think those exact words came out of my mouth. If I were Mary Poppins, no doubt […]
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I Miss my Dog

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I remember one Sunday evening a couple of years ago. Liverpool were playing Chelsea in the Premier League. Liverpool were drawing 1-1 to a superior team. The game seemed to be playing itself out for a draw when an unlikely figure popped up and scored. Glen Johnson, Liverpool’s then right back beat their defence and […]
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In the Moment

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There are times in life when you are just too busy, and that’s that. There’s no point thinking about reflection and peace, meditation and mindfulness. Sometimes you have to get up and start working and keep going till you fall asleep again. That’s just how it is.   Writing a blog after one of those […]
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Love is a Risky Thing

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‘So what happens when the heart just stops Stops caring for anyone The hollow in your chest dries up And you stop believing’ The Frames ‘What happens when the heart just stops?’   ‘Don’t ya think that you need somebody Don’t ya think that you need someone Everybody needs somebody You’re not the only one […]
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The Resurrection

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As we are in the season of Easter and the mystery of the Resurrection, I couldn’t but write on this theme. Marion Smith gave us a wonderful reflection during lent and outlined the various critical questions to think over, including Jesus’ sojourn into the wilderness. Having given this much thought, I also reflected on the […]
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Patterns of Joy

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A few years ago, when I was on staff with Agape I read Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts. When we moved to Addis Ababa nearly two years ago and experienced the chaos of the city and the shock of the culture, I was drawn to read it again. It illuminated so much to me […]
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Lent Slide

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It seems ages since we had all the fun and sweetness of pancakes just before Lent started. All the excitement and chat about giving up chocolate or something else. I wonder how many have kept to their promise. Somehow Lent has drifted away from me this year and has been overlooked in the busyness of […]
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On Being Proper Old

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Genesis 25.8 says   Abraham breathed his last And died in a ripe old age, An old man and satisfied with life And he was gathered to his people.   My mom, Joyce, will be 93 next month.  That almost certainly qualifies for proper old.  She has been around a long time and has forgotten […]
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The Beauty of Intergenerational Church

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As a child, who were the adults in your life who pointed you towards God? What difference did their relationship with you make?   Tara and I recently attended a workshop called Becoming an Intergenerational Church and I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts from it.   An intergenerational church not only […]
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