Most days I read, almost religiously, pages from a few AA devotional books. I know there must be a “new-agey” word for devotional but I have not time to find it, sorry. The undiscerning, dismissive, prejudiced mind will reject such pages as wildly irrelevant and wholly inappropriate and yet… such reflections come from those who… Continue reading
Sermon Audio Sermon Text Sermon preached at Trinity Church, Newport, Sunday October 25th 2015 The Reverend Alan Neale, “Is there really loose change?” Mark 10:51 “Jesus asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?”. There are seven profound questions that Jesus asks in the records of New Testament history. All of them redundant,… Continue reading
John Wesley (the ‘founder’ of Methodism) would ask church members to consider three questions about their relationship with God. 1.“How have you experienced prevenient grace?” This may sound theological goobledegook but it reflects upon one’s personal history from birth (maybe even pre-natal). The ways in which, the degrees to which, we have… Continue reading
Increasingly this theme of “confidence” has become important to me both as pastor and as preacher and as… person. Maybe it’s getting nearer to dying that prompts such reflection but I think it is more that I realize how crippled are by lack of confidence… and the awful things that occur on this frightening soil… Continue reading
Of course to talk about human nature is for anyone a matter of process and degree. Much time has passed since positions were taken over whether to be masculine meant to be 100% masculine, and to be feminine meant to be 100% feminine. Now it is generally accepted that we all move somewhere on a… Continue reading
Pope Francis has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands, maybe hearts more so than minds but then the spiritual journey must be one of passion and commitment. Unfortunately, but to this writer not surprisingly, the Pope has not won over hearts or minds of the Vatican Institution. And, I dare to prognosticate, he never… Continue reading
It is without doubt one of the constant first questions I ask an engaged couple, “So, how did you two meet?”. The responses can sometimes spur some little agitation as each person remembers the occasion slightly differently. This temporary hiccup is easily overcome by smiles, fond memories and (I remind them) even the Four Gospels… Continue reading
And so sexism continues apace, regardless of education and experience. The article below gives the facts, it seems that a cursory review will give the conclusions. Oh dear! Gender Gap Increases With Age
Over recent weeks there has been a constant flow of news that ISIS is, apparently without system or premeditation, destroying the historic symbols of an ancient nation, culture, ethos and religion. At first the response to this is “how could they wreak such barbaric and mindless destruction”, pummeling into oblivion beautiful and valuable markers of… Continue reading
I read yesterday that Henning Mankell died, age 67. This was the man who introduced me to the deceptively prosaic and the definitively shadowy nature of Scandinavian mystery stories. I pray he has discovered a place without mystery (except that of grace) and without shadow. Mr. Mankell – rest in deserved peace… and light