Posts

The end of the Department For International Aid (DFID) should encourage a bigger conversation about governments, aid and charity

The merger of the Department for International Development (DFID) into the Foreign Office was one of those worst kept secrets, a case of when not if.  In effect it’s a bit of restricting, a bit of musical chairs. Of greater importance than what departments exist in government, is the effectiveness of their objectives. This means… Continue reading The end of the Department For International Aid (DFID) should encourage a bigger conversation about governments, aid and charity

Free School Meal vouchers over the summer will not deal with the problem of poverty

Well done to Marcus Rashford, his campaign seems to have encouraged the government to extend provision of free school meal vouchers through the official 6 weeks holiday. If that means the result is that a number of children are properly fed over the summer then that is a good thing. However, this is not going… Continue reading Free School Meal vouchers over the summer will not deal with the problem of poverty

Some things take priority over the fear of Coronavirus

What would you have broken lockdown for? Is there anything that would have pushed you to move beyond the 2 metre distancing rules?  We were told that these rules were essential, that we should not under any circumstances break them or risk spreading the virus, getting ill of even dying ourselves.  People have expressed their… Continue reading Some things take priority over the fear of Coronavirus

Terror (Revelation 8-9)

“Change course” came the signal to the bridge. “No! We advise that you change course” was the response Again: “We strongly advise that you change course.” The officer on duty signalled a reply “This is a US Navy cruiser. We strongly advise that you change course.” After a short pause, the reply came back, “This… Continue reading Terror (Revelation 8-9)

Leaders set the tone -sometimes it is about us

In a previous article I said that we set the tone by recognising that things are not always about us. However, sometimes they are.  One of the things that concerned me about early comments during coronavirus was the speed with which some church leaders and prominent speakers and writers were quick to suggest that the… Continue reading Leaders set the tone -sometimes it is about us

Meaningful traditions and empty rituals

On Saturday, it was the Queen’s official birthday. Her actual birthday is in April and so it has been the custom for her to have an official celebration in June enabling the pageantry of the Trooping of the Colour with less risk of bad weather. It makes sense and has become part of our customs… Continue reading Meaningful traditions and empty rituals

Leaders set the tone – it isn’t always about us

If you live in a multi-ethnic context then over time you get to hear the thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears of people from different ethnic backgrounds to your own. I have the privilege of living in a community and being part of a church where people come from so many different backgrounds, Afro Caribbean, Nigerian,… Continue reading Leaders set the tone – it isn’t always about us

The people of God kept safe (Revelation 7)

We started the year asking the question “How can we get through the year ahead?” Here’s a  bit more of the answer. Keep trusting -knowing that God has promised to keep you safe through the trials and tribulations of this life (v 1-8) A sense of drama, we are waiting for the last of the… Continue reading The people of God kept safe (Revelation 7)

Tested (Matthew 4:1-11)

“I will tell me dad.” There are few more reassuring things for a child than to know that their parents have got their back and are looking out for them. So, there is nothing more disturbing than when someone starts to sow doubt “My dad is bigger/stronger than yours). This is one of the devil’s… Continue reading Tested (Matthew 4:1-11)