Thatcher and Sons: A Revolution in three Acts (Allen Lane 2006)
Simon Jenkins is a clever, insightful and careful writer. I read this volume after the considerable publicity following the thirtieth anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s historic election in 1979. It was one of
Spring
Posted on by James Woodward
spring fever
Today, look: another day. Waking, wide open,
Afraid. Don't dive into the library,
Into yet another book! Reach for your guitar,
Let love, let beauty, be what it is we do:
You don't have to fly abroad, in order to kneel
And kiss the tarmac!
The breeze at daw
St Marys Church Farewell
Posted on by James Woodward
Time and its passing. Just over eight days ago St Marys gave me a grand send off. We used the Church which was great and these pictures give you some sense of the gathered group and the food!!
the second course of cakes are hidden in the pews. Now Judith (Adlington) at last I
The radical heart of Epstein
Posted on by James Woodward
I have written before about the innovative and attractively modern Art Gallery in Walsall built to house a collection of diverse and powerful range of pictures and sculptures. It is an interesting space – though I suspect rather under used.
The latest exhibition (running until
The Speaker
Posted on by James Woodward
The Speaker
(BBC 2 14th April 2009 8 – 9pm)
What makes for a good speech? How do those of us who are tasked to speak become better (more convincing) speakers? What is a significant speech?
Young people from across the country are gathered together and offered an opportunit
Music
Posted on by James Woodward
where everything is music
Don't worry about saving these songs!
And if one of our instruments breaks,
it doesn't matter.
We have fallen into the place
where everything is music.
The strumming and the flute notes
rise into the atmosphere,
and even if the whole world's
Good Bye to all my friends in Temple Balsall
Posted on by James Woodward
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to c
Farewell Party
Posted on by James Woodward
Thank you for coming tonight. I want to share with you three bits of prose!
First from my primary school leaving report..... it read -
‘James is cheerful child and shows some promise but can talk too much’. Do you recognise that report? Talkative? Me? Yes! Will
Risen with Healing in His Wings
Posted on by James Woodward
Lord, Who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:
With
Easter Eve
Posted on by James Woodward
As some of you know I am embracing a major transition at the moment - a time of waiting, of the unknown, a time of fear and joy, of thankfulness, of things said and unsaid.......all of this and much more is gathered up in prayer during this most holy of days.
A friend shar
De- Baptism in a secular Britain?
Posted on by James Woodward
A friend of mine from the States sent this news item - can it be true?
More than 100,000 Britons have recently downloaded "certificates of de-baptism" from the Internet to renounce their Christian faith.
The initiative launched by a group called the National Secular Soci
Good Friday
Posted on by James Woodward
and the mystery and power of Gods love given in Christ
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all
How can I help?
Posted on by James Woodward
In the super market the other day I glimpsed an older man guiding his frail wife around the aisles - the scene touched me in a very profound way. What amazing things emerge when we open our eyes and our hearts.
Perhaps we all have an impulse to care when faced with others i
Beginnings and Endings?
Posted on by James Woodward
What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make and end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from. And every phrase
And sentence that is right (where every word is at home,
Taking its place to support the others,
The word neither diffident nor ostentati
Palm Sunday
Posted on by James Woodward
Palm Sunday is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. The feast commemorates an event witnessed by all four Gospels: the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his Passion.
This entry is re-enacted in the main service of
Do not forget the poor!
Posted on by James Woodward
G20 leaders must not forget promises to the poor - Religious Leaders Communiqué
In a communiqué issued in advance of the G20 meeting in London, they call on political leaders to consider the moral issues at the root of the current financial crisis, and to pay special att
Spirituality and Ageing
Posted on by James Woodward
Spirituality and Aging
Robert C. Atchley
John Hopkins University Press Maryland 2009
13: 978-0-8018-9119-9
There are a growing number of people who are consumers of literature, retreats, and personal growth programs concerning spirituality. In this admirably concise and importa
Morals and Money……
Posted on by James Woodward
I thought this worth reading as world leaders gather today
in London
Interview with Radio 4 'Today' programme ahead of G20 summit
Tuesday 31 March 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams spoke with Jim Naughtie on Radio 4's 'Today' program about the moral imp
The Young Victoria
Posted on by James Woodward
Man cannot live by packing boxes alone! And the trouble with lists is that every time one item gets knocked off another two take their place..... so after some shopping for a lunch party I went to the cinema! And here is a tip - turn up and take your chance! If you have some spac
In Praise of ……
Posted on by James Woodward
The Shredder
Sorry to bore you with the ongoing saga of moving - but the process has uncovered all kinds of delights! In a cuboard long since forgotton I uncovered historical documents of mind blowing insignificance! Here are some examples:
Details of all the cars I have ev