I am finding it difficult to write a Christmas message. It is so easy to fall into the trap of promoting mindless cheer. I am not suggesting that we discard the cheer, only the mindless. No doubt, even as I write this, hundreds of sermons and even more devotional bloggers will be reminding us not... Continue Reading →
On the Problem of Suffering
I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself. Perhaps it is because I quickly get tired of all the variations on “Shake that booty”, which seem to characterise the contemporary popular music scene. Somehow, when I am driving, out of desperation, I eventually end up turning to the local Christian station, and evidently... Continue Reading →
Making a Judgment Call
There are few Bible teachings as misunderstood and misapplied as Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-2 : “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” What follows is the exhortation... Continue Reading →
For The Love of Money
My new job has me doing a lot more flying than I am used to. That is why it took me so long to notice that British Airways does not have a row 13. It is pretty obvious why – many people regard it as unlucky. What is perhaps not quite so obvious is the... Continue Reading →
Learning to Forgive
It seems that every day brings news of another hate-based crime. As shocking as Paris was, it was certainly nothing new. And as I have done the necessary reflecting, in the wake of each heart-breaking story, I have been struck by the realisation of how much the world needs to understand and practise forgiveness. I... Continue Reading →
Making the Darkness Conscious
Introspection is an art. It is possibly the most important skill we can develop if we want to find a measure of contentment in life. But, like any art, it takes a lot of time and practice before we become skilful enough that the results are considered admirable by others. It is hardly surprising that... Continue Reading →
Reveling in Transience: Thoughts Inspired by Cheese
Everything you need to know about installation art would have been evident to you had you ever had the (probably quite surreal) opportunity of seeing (and certainly smelling) Dieter Roth’s Staple Cheese (A Race), which was part of his exhibition in Los Angeles’ Eugenia Butler Gallery in 1970. The work consisted of 37 suitcases of... Continue Reading →
Talking in Tongues: A Skeptic’s View
I will concede that it is a possibility that my vehemently anti-tongues stance was born out of a couple of negative experiences with charismatic churches. I certainly would be loath to tar all such churches with the same brush or to insinuate that all or even most members of such churches are in any way... Continue Reading →
The Curse of Blessing
I am not going to lie. I am a hardline cynic. Maybe I have been too jaded by experience, but I cannot look at the world and see it as basically good. I have no desire to stay forever young, nor to live any longer than I have to on this side of eternity. One... Continue Reading →
Hypocrisy: Asking the Right Questions
I need to confess to having a closet interest in Science. Many of the pupils I have taught would be horrified, given how much time I spend in my classes decrying it as the irresponsible obsession with throwing things off cliffs or buildings and timing the descent. But as many flaws as Science has, it... Continue Reading →
Vapors In The Wind 