Tag Archives: God

The Question of Humility

Humility is a much neglected virtue in the modern world; everyone wants to be a ‘winner’ and the implicit assumption is that nice people finish last, that understating yourself is a strategic mistake, and that humility, basically, is for wimps. Like the virtue of ‘meekness’ it is perceived as a negative virtue for those lackingContinue reading “The Question of Humility”

The Antidote to Fear: Trust

I read an ancient Arabic story the other day about a merchant traveller with his caravan on his way to Baghdad. Half way to his destination the merchant encounters Pestilence who informs him that he too is on his way to Baghdad. Pestilence’s reason for travelling there is to kill five thousand people. Having deliveredContinue reading “The Antidote to Fear: Trust”

The Real Meaning of Christmas

I love Christmas, and I am especially looking forward to it this year because, as some readers of my articles may have deduced, I have been seriously ill and in hospital for three months. At one point it looked as if I wouldn’t make Christmas at all; and then as if I’d still be inContinue reading “The Real Meaning of Christmas”

Visiting the Underworld with Orpheus

When I was a child I was fascinated by myths, and especially those concerning the underworld, what we sometimes call journeys into hell. It is difficult to account for why these sort of stories appeal, although now – at the later end of my life – it’s all very clear: having been to hell –Continue reading “Visiting the Underworld with Orpheus”

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

As we passed a church on the way to Bournemouth Rail Station the other day I saw a fantastic advertising poster. It said: “The B.I.B.L.E – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth! What a concept, what an acronym! In today's Western society there is – despite the relentless barrage of bad news, war and mayhem –Continue reading “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”

Coaching, Mentoring and Spirituality

Sometimes in mentoring and coaching the question of spirituality comes up with a client; it is not necessarily the issue they engaged you for, but the conversation spirals in that direction, and you are faced with that awkward moment of deciding whether to explore it with them or leave well alone. I think it isContinue reading “Coaching, Mentoring and Spirituality”

My Life After Death – a Vision

There are two stultifying views of life after death that must be refuted. The first is that there is no life after death; this view, promoted by atheists and humanists, is a desperate appeal to deny the collective wisdom of mankind from time immemorial that has decided otherwise. Even reincarnation is a way of lookingContinue reading “My Life After Death – a Vision”

Imaginary Beings, Numbers and God

The imagination is one of the most powerful faculties of the mind or indeed of human beings generally. It was the poet W. B. Yeats who said: “The imagination has some way of lighting on the truth which reason has not … and its commandments are the most binding we can ever know.” But thenContinue reading “Imaginary Beings, Numbers and God”

Relieving negative self talk

  Everyone at some time or another experiences negative self talk. Why is this and what should be do about it? The first character who speaks in the Bible is God: at Genesis 1 v 3 God says, “Let there be light”, and there was. This is a pattern of God's language: he frequently speaksContinue reading “Relieving negative self talk”