The Vale of Tears?

Are you up for a challenge?
The Calder Woodland Way seemed to present the ideal one when I needed to raise money via a sponsored walk. How did I get on?
Perhaps I took on more than I’d bargained for? but you’ll have to read this post, and its companion, to find out whether it was worth it.

Pentecost – A Joyless and Boring Occasion

Faith and Religion makes life dull, dutiful and boring at best, whilst at worst they encourage abuse. So goes the Prevailing Narrative.
Bonnie Garmus’ ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ abounds in diatribe to this effect, BUT it’s a very enjoyable read and I thoroughly recommend this book! However, on the eve of Pentecost, I HAD TO react….

Celebrating our Bronze Award

Something to feel proud of. My church, St John’s Rastrick, has just achieved the Eco church Bronze Award.
I feel like we’ve just arrived at Base Campo, with the summit of Everest towering way above us. But looking back, we’ve come a long way up.
But, does it make a ha’porth of difference?

An Anchor in the Storm

Not a believer? Perhaps give this post a miss? Hold on! Might you be missing out on life’s best open secret?
We’ve been studying Hebrews in our Home Group at church. It’s not easy to understand. But it’s richly rewarding. And it’s got lots to say to us in our bizarre 21st century world. Especially in tough times.

Happy Advent (what’s that?)

The man in the street has as much idea what Advent’s about, as he does Trinity Sunday. Zilch. So, imagine my surprise when a council administrator wished me a happy Advent at the end of an email exchange.
What’s Advent? And, has it anything relevant to say concerning my usual blogging topics, e.g., climate change?

Too late for Planet Earth?

By all accounts, the World Leaders at COP27 failed to deliver any new commitments to address climate change. The chance to restrict global warming to 1.5 degC has all but gone.
Have I lost hope? If hope’s based on optimism in humans’ ability to save ourselves, then it’s slipping away. True hope needs to be anchored in something deeper. There we CAN find grounds for hope.

COP27…The Eleventh Hour?

Will enjoying nature soon become a thing of the past? Many people are attending the COP27 summit because they want to conserve nature. More than this – to preserve humanity itself! Yet, as Antonio Guterres said, we’re still speeding down a highway to hell with our foot on the accelerator…
A challenging conversation in a pub left me wondering, is there any reason not to despair?