On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns fell silent in Europe in 1918. Yet it was not to be a lasting peace. Many of us will have very personal memories of loved ones who suffered in 2 world wars, and will feel deeply for those who have suffered…

This thought comes as a continuation on the theme of inheritance which I have been thinking a lot about recently.  I have realised how much this issue features in books and films, when situations that seem to be unfair cause distress, rifts in families and even crimes such as murder. While many people strive to…

While I was writing last week’s “thought” about inheritance my daily Bible reading notes took me to Matthew Chapter 20 and verses 1 – 16. In this parable a landowner hires labourers early in the morning and they work all day, being joined later by labourers who are hired at 9am at 3pm and at…

I have been thinking about inheritance recently, after preparing the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis for a young people’s Sunday morning session. For most parents nowadays the pattern is to leave assets in equal measure to each of their children, unless special circumstances apply, meaning 1 child is particularly in need or has…

October is a time of transition, when we start to think about putting the heating on, planting bulbs for the spring, and, for some making plans for Christmas. In the church I belong to it is a time of preparing shoeboxes to send to families who have very little, in our case through the “Amen”…

Last week I wrote about the early life of Thomas Clarkson, who became convinced of the evils of slavery while writing an academic thesis, and dedicated his life to campaigning for its abolition. I continue his story today. It is one thing to become convinced that something is wrong, but a huge challenge to then…

Earlier in the year I wrote about slavery after I had visited Bristol, where the subject comes up so often when looking at the city’s history. If I were to ask you which figure did most to bring about the abolition of slavery, I imagine many would reply  ” William Wilberforce”. A very prominent figure…

This week I am reflecting on the challenges of catering for people’s food needs, linked to my Bible reading one day on Matthew 14. vs 13 – 21 where Jesus feeds the 5,000 plus. I have been spending a week away with 5 friends, all of whom normally cater for themselves as singles in their…

Recently I have been watching “The Great British Sewing Bee” on Tuesday evenings and have found it entertaining and inspiring, though so far, I have not gone so far as to buy a sewing machine, having sold mine many years ago. If you haven’t seen the programme the format is that 12 contestants, all with…

I guess most readers of these thoughts either go on holiday sometimes or used to do so. I wonder if you prefer to plan holidays to new places so that you can explore another part of the world, or whether you like to go to familiar places?  On one of my holidays this year I…