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Crime, Punishment and God
Russell Brand is now starting a 10.5 year prison sentence for crimes against women, including rape. At his sentencing his barrister argued for leniency on the grounds that Brand was now a changed man compared to when he had committed his offences; this largely rested on Brand’s claim to have embraced Christianity. I have no…
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The Path of Peace
This week has seen elections in the USA. What happens in the USA matters for us and indeed for the rest of the world. In those elections, the people of the United States effectively sacked their current government and brought in a new one. It was not a presidential election so it was not full…
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The Two Hearts
A few days ago, a friend of mine died. We had known each other for thirty years but it would be wrong to say that we were close friends. However, I enjoyed his company whenever we met. He had an impish sense of humour, he did not take himself seriously and he knew how to…
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The Legacy of Babel
The Book of Genesis gives a mythical account of the origin of different languages. According to this, humanity originally spoke only a single language. The people decided to settle in just one place and built a city with a great tower, the Tower of Babel pointing heavenwards. However God was not pleased; he thought humanity…
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Human Capital
Regular readers may recall that last week, a year after retiring, I returned to my former place of work for the retirement of a colleague. I enjoyed the event because it allowed me to meet up with my former colleagues. So often, the way we feel about work is determined not so much by the…
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Work in all its Forms
Today I am off to Aston University for a retirement party for a colleague I have known for over 30 years. I feel I am particularly well-placed to advise her, as I retired from the university almost exactly a year ago. At least, I retired from paid employment. I still continue to do my research;…
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Empathy in Action?
A few weeks ago, I had a couple of uneasy encounters with people who were disillusioned with church. The incidents were nothing to do with the local church and nothing I had any influence over. I simply had to listen as they vented their frustration. I tried to explain where I could, but mainly I…
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A Trip to Bardsey Island
Earlier this week, I had a couple of days in North Wales, just outside Aberdaron on the Lleyn Peninsula. There I achieved a long-standing ambition; I took a boat to spend a day on Bardsey Island, off the tip of the peninsula. Bardsey has long been known as a Holy Island; tradition has it that…
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Ground Zero
I am writing this on the 25th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Centre in New York, when terrorists hijacked two planes and flew them into the twin towers of the building, causing them to collapse and kill over 3000 people. That afternoon I had to meet a solicitor; he compared it to the…
Benefice of Highley with Billingsley, Glazeley and Deuxhill and Chelmarsh
Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known
