Dear Me

A letter to my 17 year old self, back from the future.

He’s Coming

Our local event advertising pamphlet this month has a front cover showing a boot print in the snow, and below it in jolly red letters the words “He’s Coming”. For most of us, at this time of year, it is fairly obvious who they mean. Who it is that, in the words of the song, is coming to town. It is that time of year again. In the liturgical calendar of the Christian church it is known as Advent. But as you open the doors on you advent calendar, and prise the chocolate from behind it, stop for a moment and consider.

The Crux of the Matter

He is risen. That’s been the traditional paschal greeting of the church down through the ages.  These days you find it trending on social media as well as being exchanged in church fellowships worldwide. He is risen.  He is risen indeed. We say it, type it, hear it and read it, but do we really get it? Are we blown away by it? Do we marvel at it? Does the full impact of this statement hit us square on?

Dueling With The Black Dog

Or How Playing With Swords Helped Me Get a Handle on my Mental Health

A Message for My Non Voting Friends

I hear a lot of people saying there is no point in voting. Politicians don’t listen to us, they don’t care about us. Well, why should they?  Why should they care about you when you don’t even care enough to exercise your democratic right?  How can they listen to you if you won’t speak through the ballot box?

In our system, voting is how we hold our politicians to account. An engaged and informed electorate reminds them that they are our servants, not our masters. An apathetic populace tells them they can do what they like because we can’t even be bothered turning out to vote.

Don’t whine about political disconnection, get out and connect yourself. Don’t complain about disengagement if you aren’t prepared to engage.  If you want to be heard, speak up. #JustVote

His Name Is Aylan Kurdi

His name is Aylan Kurdi. He was three years old. Chances are you don’t know him, but you’ve probably seen his picture. There have been a few of them doing the rounds recently.

Stand and Deliver

Once upon a time couriers had to worry about being held up and robbed by highwaymen. These days they seem to be intent on cutting out the middlemen.

A Real Easter Eggsperience?

Are you egg-cited about Easter? Or does the whole thing make you Cross?

Do We Know It’s Christmas?

Its Christmastime …. But what does that actually mean?

Cross Purpose

So, it’s St Andrew’s day again, another opportunity to celebrate our Scottishness, whatever that means