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The Power of Touch

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One of the difficult things during the pandemic is not being able to hug family and friends.  Grandparents can only see their grandchildren on the other side of the window.  Some people have lost a loved one and we want to hug them, for others, we live miles away.   Touch is important. Physical touch matters for your wellbeing.  Touch plays a primary role in our development and physical and wellbeing. Lepers were never touched because the danger of infection was too high. Living as we have during Covid-19 gives us the insight into the life of the leper. For nearly a year we’ve not been able to embrace and welcome people with a hug, handshake or kiss. Covid has given us insights into what it’s like when we see people as ‘problems’ and not individuals.  Jesus looks beyond the problem and see’s a person made in his Father’s image.  He touches the outcast and the person is healed.  A part of loving your neighbour is keeping your distance, wearing a face covering, and not touching. We hope
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Give a Little Love

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How would you describe this year in three words? This time last year we were busy enjoying our Advent/ Christmas services and tucking into our turkey or nut roast not knowing what 2020 would bring. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!       The John Lewis Christmas adverts are the most anticipated video of the year. This year, Waitrose and John Lewis have unveiled their Christmas inspired by acts of kindness by the public during the pandemic, featuring snowmen, giant Christmas crackers and hip-hop pigeons.  John Lewis and Waitrose theme for this year is ‘Give a little love’. Four years ago, Helen and I went to see the film ‘I Daniel Blake’. The film is about an ill carpenter who finds himself in need of state welfare, he meets a desperate single mother who finds the same thing. Together, the duo discovers that negotiating through the red tape is a challenge.  Friends, we all know a Daniel Blake… We see this every day, on way too many faces. The person is our neighbour; our co-worker, our cl
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Thank you Chadwick Boseman

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My favourite superhero is Batman by DC comics.  And someone encouraged me to watch the Marvel films. So I did and was hooked on them. I watched them in viewing order from Captain America to Avengers Endgame. In 2018 Marvel introduced a superhero film that made a difference and the film was Black Panther.  After the death of his father, T,Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. Black Panther made a difference because it demonstrates the importance of Africa and the movement of beautiful black art. It was the only black superhero. Children see themselves in the characters.  Globally, Black Panther has grossed over a billion dollars and ranks as the no .10 top-grossing title of all time.  I share about Black Panther because news broke of the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman. He died of cancer aged 43. Chadwick played the Black Panther. Chadwick Boseman was raised a Christian and was baptised. He was part of a church choir and youth group. H
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Holiday Part 2 - where to visit?

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Decisions - so many choices to do during the holidays… Visit the zoo The beach (not an overcrowded beach at Bournemouth) Trips Walking  Museums  For many, the holidays are the best time of year. The smell of the countryside, the warm twinkle of fairy lights, and of course, the extra family time.  But for others, the holidays can be the most stressful of times especially those trips you wish you wasn’t on.  7 Strategies for Dealing with a Difficult Family Member During the Holidays Set boundaries. ... Realise you're not a magician or counsellor Avoid drama Have an exit strategy Wear a shield Open your heart, Give thanks. Helen and I like to go to the seaside and have fish and chips. We like to eat our fish n chips with our fingers from open paper with the smell of salt n vinegar.  Sometimes when planning what to do on holiday we create so much unnecessary scheduled holiday programme planning. We plan and get frustrated when nothing comes of it.  And like those disciples who went bac
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Holiday Part 1 - What to pack?

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It is now the summer holidays, but it feels different this year. This year seems different with more people staying at home. However, some have decided to go on holiday.  When you go on holiday, each traveller must make decisions about the sort of stuff that could go into his or her luggage. What size bag to take? Do I take the small bag, the medium bag or larger bag? Will it last me for one week or two weeks?  Decisions, decisions! You need to pack and take the right items.  It reminds me of a family holiday to New York. My dad picked up his suitcase at the airport and went to the hotel. Only to discover he picked somebody’s luggage up by mistake. Lucky enough he received his back.  We can spend a long time deciding what suitcase to take, what to pack, but that doesn’t always prepare us for the journey ahead.  Jesus said to his disciples... “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—   no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the wo
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Connected with the needs of the world

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13th July 2020 was the 35th anniversary of something unique. A year before I was born.  Live Aid was a benefit concert held on Saturday 13th July 1985, as well as an ongoing music-based fundraising initiative. The event was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine.  Held at Wembley Stadium, London with 72,000 people, and John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia with 89,400 people.  The 1985 Live Aid concert was a follow-on to the successful charity single "Do They Know It’s Christmas?” In October 1984, images of hundreds of thousands of people starving to death in Ethiopia shown in the UK in Michael Buerk’s BBC News report on the 1984 famine.  This led to one of the most successful concerts in history with performers such as Status Quo, Adam Ant, Paul Young, Queen, The Who, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and many more. What a fantastic lineup and that was only the UK!  Phil Collins appeared at both concerts thanks t
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What's Your Story?

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Last weekend one of the football greats Jack Charlton died. He played for Leeds United with 629 appearances and his brother Bobby played for Manchester United. Both Jack and Bobby played in the famous 1966 World Cup Final. England beating West Germany 4-2. During the lockdown, this famous final was repeated on the television. 1966 was before my time, but we all know the well-known quote from the commentator… England took their opportunities well.  Jack Charlton said... What’s your story? Andy Warhol (famous American artist behind the pop art movement) once said... Paul takes about taking opportunities when in Ephesians 5 writes… If everyone is going to be famous for 15 minutes we need to take the opportunity - to wake up and Christ will shine on us as Paul reminds us to make the ‘most of every opportunity because the days are evil.’  To take every opportunity means sometimes we can’t just sit back. Especially when things are not right in the world. We need to speak up and challenge unj
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