thinking honestly about life and faith
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a colleague’s Dad. He was, as several of the tributes said, a fairly ordinary man: not spectacular in any particular achievement, just a caring family man, who worked hard all his life and was … Read More »
Chapter 6 of A Thinking Reed, Barry Jones’ memoirs, is called ‘Faces’ and is about a lot of the significant people in Jones’ life, including his mentors. But prior to that he introduces a few short cameo sketches, the first … Read More »
I’m reading the autobiogrpahy of Barry Jones (born 1932), called A Thinking Reed.It’s interesting in a lot of different ways, and I think I will write several posts about it.But first I want to note again the value of stories, … Read More »
I have to admit it: I have not succeeded with my plan to post, chapter by chapter, on Luke’s Gospel.No excuses. But I am still following the Year of Luke, in my preaching and reading, so here is something from … Read More »
At last I have had some time to finish Marilynne Robinson’s book Gilead.It is a beautiful tale, and the theme I noted in an earlier post continues to the end.The pastor, John Ames, is a man of deep, reflective faith, … Read More »
It’s been more than a while since I posted.There have been very good reasons. College life has been busy with the end of semester time. The amidst all that we had a tragic event, with the suicide of one of … Read More »
I’ve been enjoying reading Marilynne Robinson’s novel Gilead (published 2004). It’s written as the reflections of a pastor, Rev John Ames, who knows he is soon to die. These reflections are offered to a son who has come late in … Read More »
One of the classic insights of spiritual teachers, over many centuries and across all faiths, is to challenge what has been called spiritual blindness.There is something about religious fervour which actually blinds us to what is evident to others.Somehow, we … Read More »
Today in Australia we commemorate a truly historic occasion: 40 years ago, on May 27th, 1967, Australians voted to change the constitution, to allow the federal parliament to make laws for the well being of the indigenous people, and to … Read More »
People everywhere are talking about Richard Dawkins’ argument about ‘the God delusion’.Dawkins has been a critic of religion for a long time now, but his recent work has gained a lot more public notice. Dawkins and a number of other … Read More »