Media Watch On Thursday, 18th December, the Mental Health Bill 2025 received Royal Assent and is about to become law. This has been well received by the NHS, the Royal College of Nursing and the National Autistic Society. "It is a change long in the making," says Tim Nicholls, former Assistant Director of Policy, Research, …
Continue reading Ending Inappropriate Detention: The 2025 Mental Health Act Explained
A statue? The Bride Searches for Her Beloved - Song of Songs 5:2-6:3 Saint Augustine of Hippo was a strange character. From the time he was 16 years old, St. Augustine led an immoral life. He had a child out of wedlock, embraced heretical teachings, and was even a thief. His reaction to God during …
Water transformed into wine Who is Jesus? Part 35, John 2:1-11 Have you noticed the passage I'm talking about? It's the same passage again. The first time, I dealt with the obvious theme of obedience to Jesus. This time, I will briefly examine eight other points found in this short reading. Having written it, it's …
Continue reading 8 things Jesus’ turning water into wine means
My bass, a Fender Jazz Bass V Standard from 1996, is working OK but is only noiseless when both pickups are turned all the way up. To remedy this I bought a new set of pickups. Of course, two ceramic magnets attached to the bottom of unmagnetised metal slugs will not produce the same magnetic …
Understanding atonement Lent 2024 - Part 3, A ransom paid to Satan This Lent, I reflect deeply on the profound significance of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, exploring the various theories embraced or historically cherished by Christian churches. I realize that this journey reveals a rich tapestry of beliefs and interpretations. It's important to acknowledge …
Continue reading Unpacking Jesus’ Sacrifice: Ransom Theory Insights
I have received this email reply from my MP: Dear Steven Thank you for contacting me about support for people with autism. As you say, it is unacceptable that autistic people can struggle to get the support they need. I agree with you that more needs to be done. I share the Government’s aim to …
Who is Jesus? part 19 How do you see a voice? The esteemed priests and Levites from Jerusalem, the most distinguished among them, were eager to meet John the Baptist. They were on a quest for a remarkable figure, the Messiah, or perhaps the prophetic voice of Elijah, or the great Prophet foretold by Moses. …
Continue reading In the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.
Who is Jesus? part 17 Before we leave the opening song to John's Gospel, it's good to look at the whole thing for context. Although we are looking at poetry, and although the form is chiascic, like most of the Psalms, this is a narrative song and has a clear begining and ending. (Chiasm is …
Who is Jesus? part 16 They say all good stories have a start, a middle, and an end—like a three-act play or an awkward family reunion. Now, the opening of John's Gospel? It’s got a start, a middle, and then, surprise, here’s another start! Just when you think it’s over, bam! Jesus Christ pops back …
Continue reading Understanding Jesus: The Transfiguration Explained in John’s Gospel
Autism First Mondays The first of the Autism First Monday blog posts, and it isn't on the first Monday. It looks like a broken resolution, but January 6 was the first Monday this month and Epiphany is not a movable feast. Autism First Mondays will be on first Mondays unless some other event comes then …
Continue reading Autism Spectrum Disorder: Beyond Labels and Deficiencies
Making an ass of myself 