Thought for the week

In 2024 the Bible Society commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey of church attendance in England and Wales. The Bible Society published a report called “The Quiet Revival”. The survey revealed that between 2018 and 2024 monthly church attendance had risen by 50% from 8% of all adults to 12%. The most dramatic church growth…

Judge Frank Caprio died recently from pancreatic cancer aged 88. He was known as “America’s nicest judge.” From 1985 to 2023, he served as a Providence Municipal Court Judge. Some of the proceedings he presided over dealt with low-level non-criminal cases. Judge Caprio came from a poor background, an experience that encouraged him to put…

This year we enjoyed a dry and sunny summer and there have already been many beautiful autumn days. The beauty of autumn is stunning as the leaves change colour to reds, yellows, oranges and browns and the low sun brings out the depth of their colours. The early morning mists clothe the world in a…

The Corps of Royal Marines, founded in 1664, are the Royal Navy’s elite amphibious special operations force. They are a highly versatile and self-sufficient commando force known for their ability to operate in any environment, whether on land or at sea. They are considered one of Britain’s primary fighting arms and form the core of…

Recently my wife, Margaret, and I celebrated our 61st Wedding Anniversary. Our marriage service used the traditional words. We were reminded that God instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden and that marriage is to be entered upon thoughtfully and reverently as in the presence of the living God. Marriage was ordained “for the life-long…

Alexandr drew his comrades in the drone squad close and asked for silence before he began to pray: “Protect our lives, preserve us from injuries. Let the angels of heaven cover us with their wings. Turn the mines away from us, keep the FPVs (First Person View drones) far away. Lord, protect us. Lord, guide…

Astronaut Jim Lovell, who guided the Apollo 13 mission safely back to Earth in 1970, has died aged 97. When there was an explosion onboard the spacecraft while it was 200,000 miles from Earth Jim sent a message to the NASA Mission Control Centre, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” As they were closing in on…

Last week 26 international leaders gathered in Beijing. While they were together, they watched a massive military parade in Tiananmen Square which show-cased China’s growing military power. As Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were walking to the viewing platform their conversation was picked up on…

Sir Christopher Wren was an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who was one of the most highly acclaimed architects in the history of England. In 1666, after the Great Fire of London, he was given the responsibility of rebuilding 52 churches in the City of London. St Paul’s Cathedral, which is regarded as his…

I recently read an obituary to Tim Dutton CBE, KC, who died in June at the age of 68. He was a very distinguished barrister and a past Chairman of the Bar. When he was 5 years old, he began boarding as a chorister at Durham Cathedral and later attended Repton School in Derbyshire. When…