revgpp

‘Credo’

It’s been a while since I wrote anything on here: we moved house and I’d underestimated both the feeling of security of having your own home and also the physical and emotional toll- clear thought has been rare. At the theological college I went to, there was a final year course called ‘Credo’; the aimContinue reading “‘Credo’”

Leaving…

Home: I’ve always been fortunate to have the sense of security that comes with one. We owned one once, in Oldham: it was relatively small and wasn’t in an area that could be described as ‘sought after’, but it was ours and I liked the feel of living in an ethnically diverse area. When IContinue reading “Leaving…”

General Election:2

Even before I got a degree in Politics back in 1987, I’ve always been interested in the subject, but I know that is a minority interest… I originally wrote a longer version of this that was more polemical, but then I shortened it, split it into two and tried to make it more pithy. It’sContinue reading “General Election:2”

General Election:1

I’ve not posted much recently as I haven’t had the headspace to do so. I got a degree in Politics back in 1987 and I’ve always been interested in the political process and the question of ‘how then shall we live together?’. I originally wrote a longer version of this, but then decided to shortenContinue reading “General Election:1”

In the wilderness.

‘All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone’ (Blaise Pascal). I’ve been back a few days from a yearly ‘wilderness retreat’ and it was beautiful; hard, tiring, full of laughter, tears & honesty and at times almost overwhelming. The wilderness doesn’t exist for you or me and theseContinue reading “In the wilderness.”

‘Just go with the flow’ : from ‘Vacuous Cliches’ (pg183)*

Some days I wish I could It would be easier. Instead of being battered by its waves or weary from trying to fight it, And anxiously uttering prayers for it to cease, or just to have strength, orO God, anything… There is a lot to do, And a lot to save: too much (Although,Continue reading “‘Just go with the flow’ : from ‘Vacuous Cliches’ (pg183)*”

Grateful

I was due to go to a church meeting a few weeks ago: it was important- the church has opportunities, but also problems that threaten to derail it. Since I finished church ministry over nine years ago, I reckon I’ve only been to 3 or 4 evening meetings to do with church. When I’ve been,Continue reading “Grateful”

Happy Easter

I’m not sure how to celebrate Easter Sunday on social media. ‘Happy Easter’ combined with bunny rabbits and Easter eggs doesn’t quite cut it, but neither does the stock Christian meme of a blonde bearded Jesus emerging from a cave dressed in a white nightie with the kind of graphics that wouldn’t disgrace the bargainContinue reading “Happy Easter”

Empty

The phone Charging Blinks at me ‘23 minutes until full’ If only…’ I’m indebted to the cultural influence of Methodism in my life. It has left me with the idea that faith isn’t purely personal but has social, political, environmental etc implications: it is impossible to separate the two. I could cite so many examples,Continue reading “Empty”

Pensioner

Today marks my first day as a pensioner: a pension from a previous employer begins from today. I’ll still be working for many years to come, but ‘pensioner’ has a strange ring to it- it is me, but is this me? I have no desire to hide the label: it’s part of life, and evenContinue reading “Pensioner”