I need to find some time to pause and reflect and prayerfully discern what and where my energies need to go. This blog has become something I never guessed it would be, and it is a little fractured. It is split between posts about autism and posts about Christianity. The image above shows something that …
The building dictates the music
A lot of music is dictated by the building it is played in, particularly church music. The resonance of the building creates a sound that is played there. You only have to hear the resonance of softly sung voices in a large cathedral, choral evensong in York Minster being a case in point, to realise …
Righteousness and peace kiss — Psalm 85
Psalms of the Sons of Korah Can righteousness and peace actually kiss? Yes, because Ancient Hebrew philosophy is not like modern Western philosophy. In the book of Proverbs Wisdom is a lady, philosophical ideas are personified, wisdom, righteousness and peace are treated as people in order to understand them rather than the idealistic abstract quality …
Keeping the streets safe for women
It has been a bad week for the British police, and the Metropolitan Police in particular. Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens was given a full life sentence last Thursday, 30th September 2021, for charges including the false arrest, kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard. There are things about the case which give me …
Keeping the virtual congregation
How not to lose those who came to virtual services How do we hold on to those who came to our virtual services? The bad news is we can't do it. Some came because their church did not have any online services and when churches open again they will go back. Then there is another …
One of the most sweet of the Psalms of Peace — Psalm 84
Psalms of the Sons of Korah The previous psalms of the sons of Korah were in the second book of psalms, this is the first of four psalms in the third book, not because they were written later, but because the theme has moved on God being with us, around us. This is a love …
Continue reading One of the most sweet of the Psalms of Peace — Psalm 84
The tragedy of the commons and COP26
Axe-man 'Arry and Burglar Bill This is one of those maths problems that has people with names in alphabetical problems.Axe-man 'Arry and Burglar Bill have been captured fora theft they both did, both are in separate rooms in the police station, they have two choices in getting off: They can either say they know nothing …
It’s re-connection time
How to re-connect with regular members who have not come to services over the last 18 months. This is a difficult question with no answer. Over the last 18 months churches have been using different means of going online, but now that we are starting more and more to worship in buildings we have a …
A warning to the rich — Psalm 49
Psalms of the Sons of Korah This is a song in two halves, and both halves say the same thing, the second half building on the first. The books of Psalms are roughly themed like this: Book 1: Psalms 1 - 41: God is beside us.Book 2: Psalms 42 - 72: God goes before usBook …
You are a child of God: Who does God say I am – Part 5
'Jesus said to [Mary], “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” John 20:17. Here's a couple of questions for you, can think of anywhere …
Continue reading You are a child of God: Who does God say I am – Part 5
Making an ass of myself 