As my family know only too well, I am a slow driver. So slow that I frequently have to pull in to allow tractors, even cyclists, to pass.   This week I was reminded why I tend to drive so cautiously, as I reviewed the ministry of a young vicar in a neighbouring deanery. It was his father who originally signed me up for a police driving course.   Way back in 1971 I had just passed my driving test — first time, I hasten to add. However, my driving experience was limited to just

The Gospel – that is, the cross and resurrection of Jesus – stands everything on its head. It overturns all our assumptions and turns life the right way up.   This morning, as part of my daily discipline, I’ve been reading Psalm 44. As ever, it’s brutally honest. The central cry is simple enough: “Lord, we’ve been faithful — so why has everything fallen apart?”   The psalm begins conventionally enough. It praises God for past blessings – the gift of the land, victory over ene

The correct answer to this question may well save your life – and possibly the lives of others.   There you are at 38,000 feet. Suddenly the cabin air pressure drops and the oxygen masks fall. You’re travelling with a child or someone with a disability. What do you do?   The answer, repeated in every pre-flight briefing, is simple, if counter-intuitive: you look after yourself first. You put on your own mask, then you help your companion. By caring for yourself, you are bette

Our daughter lives a very sad life.   Last night she and her two secondary-age children went to bed at 9.00 pm. Yet this morning they were up, dressed and breakfasted, by 6.45 am.   Why so early? They could, of course, have waited until this evening – but the risk was far too high of overhearing the result. It was even splashed across the front pages of the  Daily Star  and the  Daily Mail !   So, eight hours after the rest of the nation, they finally discovered in watching t