Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day
Back when I was a teenager, and we lived in Germany, we used to take holidays down in Bavaria or Austria. It’s a part of the world I absolutely love with it’s high mountain peaks, thick forests, hidden waterfalls and springs, and amazingly beautiful castles and towns. It’s also a place where they don’t hide …
I am the Doctor and this is my spoon!
I am the Doctor and this is my spoon!
It’s an inescapable fact that when a new Doctor comes along people immediately compare him to the previous ones, and there’s always those who (in spite of doing the same with the previous incarnation) state that the new Dr is not as good as the previous one and the franchise is doomed. When Peter Capaldi …
Not settling for OK.
Not settling for OK.
I’ve had enough. Seriously. It’s completely unacceptable and I’m not going to accept it any more – and it’s right that I shouldn’t. Pain, and other issues, are a part of my life and they have been for far too long. I’ve always seen it as a triumph when I am prayed for and the …
WAKE UP & Speak, Brother
Since moving to Rugby, one of the (many) things that has struck me is just how there seems to be a huge hub of creativity in the town and the surrounding areas. There are artists, writers aplenty and an absolute orchestral overload of talented musicians, songwriters, singers and more. You can’t turn around without discovering …
Remembering Senna
Remembering Senna
At 14:17 on the 1st of May 1994, the Williams Renault car of the greatest driver in Formula 1 history went off at the Tamburello curve at the San Marino GP in Imola. Motor racing had lost its brightest light, in a tragic finale to its blackest weekend following the horrendous crash experienced by Rubens …
A legend is born
A legend is born
In the world of MotoGP there’s been many great riders. Arguably the best of these would be Valentino Rossi (and yes, I admit that I’m a fan!) – a man who has managed to smash records, race hard, win when the odds were against him and yet all the while remain one of the most …
Three words that shook the universe
Three words that shook the universe
There are three words that are amongst the most powerful ever spoken. Whilst there are other candidates for the top spot, these three words shook the universe to the heart. 12 letters that broke the grasp of hell and rewrote our future and destiny. It is finished. So simple, but with them being uttered …
Life in the fast lane
Life in the fast lane
It’s been quite a while since I posted here – not for lack of wanting to, nor for any lack of ideas, but purely because life is one wild maelstrom since we’ve moved. Don’t get me wrong that’s not an excuse, a complaint or a moan, it’s just the way it is. And that’s …
Never been a fan of rollercoasters
Never been a fan of rollercoasters
I’ve been on a few – nothing as extreme as the ones you get nowadays at Alton Towers etc but I have done some pretty big ones… but I don’t actually *like* rollercoasters. The constant ups and downs and loops and turns, well, it turns my stomach just thinking about it. Ronan Keating sang a …
The Nuances of Pain
The Nuances of Pain
Pain. It comes in varying degrees and the severity is very much a subjective thing. It always makes me laugh when doctors ask for you to quantify pain levels on a 1 to 10 level as the results will differ for each person and can depend on a huge number of variables (and yes, I …
Everything?
Everything?
At Church this week we sang a song by Jules Burt, Paul Oakley and Sam Cox. We were in the middle of a time of worship where I really felt connected to God and then we sang these lyrics: You’re all I want, You’re all I need Jesus my love, my everything All of a …
Boxes and Brushes
Boxes and Brushes
It’s finally happened! On the 12th of July we actually moved from Stamford to Rugby – and the process that was kicked off 5 years ago reached its culmination. With delays occurring even up to the day of the move it proved to be a stressful and nerve-wracking time and not an experience I plan …
A legend lost, a legacy remains
A legend lost, a legacy remains
The 1st May is a date etched into the memory of all F1 fans who watched the sport in the early 90’s. It was the day when a freak accident robbed us of the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. I don’t need to document the events of that day here, there are plenty …
A Frantic Serenity
A Frantic Serenity
(Sadly I’m not talking about a rush to make more episodes of the total excellent and criminally cancelled Joss Whedon series!) Swimming gracefully on the still waters of a Lake floats the swan – looking serene and peaceful as it loftily looks down on the activity going on around it. As we know though, this …
On the move…
On the move…
Back in July 2008 I posted on these very pages that we were being called to leave Stamford and move. It’s been nearly 5 years in the making (crazy I know) but it looks like we are now definitely on our way – we’ve sold our house and had an offer accepted on a house …
The Confused Disciple – Perspective without Hindsight
The Confused Disciple – Perspective without Hindsight
Reading the Easter story is really like reading a murder mystery where you know the ending. You know whodunnit, you know the police triad of information (Means, Motive and Opportunity) and you can see all the clues as you are reading it . In fact, if you’re like me, it’s easy to find yourself almost …
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2012 – Prayer, Pride and Pauses
2012 – Prayer, Pride and Pauses
Hard to believe it, but we’re already half way through February 2013. It seems crazy that over 6 weeks have past since we bade a fond farewell to, quite probably, one of the most memorable and brilliant years in modern British history. It was also a year that featured some major decisions as a family, …
We will now sing Hymn 214 from Hymns Ancient and Prehistoric (1983 edition)
We will now sing Hymn 214 from Hymns Ancient and Prehistoric (1983 edition)
All across the world tomorrow there will be a minimum rebellion and battle of wills when the vicar stands to announced the singing of one particular song. Mr Davies (3rd seat in on the right hand side, 4th row from the front) will pointedly sing “Redeemer” in a loud deep voice whilst Mr Jones (aisle …
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To Infinity and Beyond!
To Infinity and Beyond!
There are moments in history that are the “where were you when…” moments. Earth-shaking moments that write themselves into the human psyche. Sadly a lot of them are tragic moments – 9/11, Diana, Elvis, Senna. There are odd moments though that celebrate human achievement and the biggest of those was undoubtedly the moon landings in …
** PAUSED **
** PAUSED **
… Press Pray to Continue. The road to moving home is never fully smooth, and pretty much always throws up the odd surprise along with a bit of tension and even a few tears. When it’s God telling you to move, you kinda hope, and pray, that the road will be smooth and that things …
Proud to be British!
Proud to be British!
What a year to be British in fact the Queens speech this year is going to need to be an hour long for Her Majesty to be able to capture the year in words! There’s a self-deprecating negativity that seems to ooze from the pores of most British people when it comes to anticipating large …
Rock & Roll with extra cheese (and some rather spicy sauce!)
Rock & Roll with extra cheese (and some rather spicy sauce!)
When it comes to music, films, TV etc (entertainment in general I guess) I’m a rather odd specimen of a man – enjoying an eclectic mix of styles, genres, eras and volumes! I can watch everything from sci-fi blasts to detective dramas, comedies to quizzes, debates to debacles. I listen to music from so many …
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Purpose, Conviction, Vision and…. patience
I’ve mentioned here in the past that I can struggle with the P-word sometimes. Patience is something that I can often lack, and always need more of. What makes things worse is when you have a clear sense of purpose, a definite goal and total faith in what you are doing… but you still have …
Legends, Lessons and a Lyrical Life
Legends, Lessons and a Lyrical Life
It was sad to hear the news that Robin Gibb had passed away at the weekend, succumbing to the cancer and related illnesses that had affected him recently. As part of the Bee Gees, his influence on music in the latter quarter of the 20th century cannot be underestimated or dismissed with several commentators and …
Pssst…. wanna buy a house?
Pssst…. wanna buy a house?
*GULP* The “For Sale” board has now gone up! We’re listed on the main housing websites! It’s happening folks! (and, yes, there *are* a lot of exclamation marks there!) Yup, after much heaven-driven heart-shaping and a mad dash of DIY our house is on the market. It’s quite a milestone really, a bit like planting …
One to watch: The Digital Age
One to watch: The Digital Age
Band: The Digital Age Website: http://thedigitalagemusic.com Twitter: Mark / Mike D / Jack / Bwack YouTube: http://youtube.com/thedigitalagemusic Facebook: http://facebook.com/thedigitalage It’s been a while since I’ve done a music review (sorry!) and then two come along in one evening! This is slightly different but I thought that these boys from Waco, Texas, deserve a bit of …
Music Review: “Dubbed and Freq’d” TobyMac (and others)
Music Review: “Dubbed and Freq’d” TobyMac (and others)
Title:Dubbed and Freq’d (a remix project) Artist: TobyMac (and others) Genre: Rock/Hip-Hop/Dance iTunes / YouTube / Spotify Tracklisting: Made to Love (Telemitry Remix) No Ordinary Love (G-Man Remix) Showstopper (Capital Kings Remix) City on Our Knees (Golden Snax Remix) Tonight (Capital Kings Remix) Hold On (Telemitry Remix) Get Back Up (Broke Remix) Boomin (UTB Remix) …
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And after all…
And after all…
In the midst of all the house move preparations and DIY chaos (more on that soon!), I’ve found a need for a simple connection with God. Through all the busy-ness and noise, just a still small voice before the throne of God. There’s a song on the last David Crowder Band album (Give us Rest) …
Lost in translation.
Lost in translation.
It’s such a famous passage: “They that wait upon The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 King James Bible) I’ve always read it as a call to rest, be quiet, wait… and …
Love, Life and Communion
Love, Life and Communion
What a weekend! One couple committing to a new future together, another celebrating a major milestone and a big reminder of the ultimate expression of love. You may have noticed it’s been a few weeks since my last blog post. You may also have noticed the little counter that is on the right of my …