Peter Oborne fails to understand Christian theology

In the Daily Mail, Peter Oborne made a pathetic attack on Archbishop Welby's theology and position on God and mammon, that is God and money.

In the Judaeo-Christian tradition God has blessed people with money, wisdom and wealth. They can work together, but here is the crux of the matter. Money or mammon should never be a master, a god or a controlling influence. The doctrine of stewardship and the parable of the talents are relevant.

To some God gives talents etc. But it is in the handling of the money that matters. It counts! And we are accountable for it. We cannot deny that money matters. Even the most ascetic saint or missionary has to have the means to minister, to serve and to live. The church has had problems with money and the allocation of resources. See Acts 6, for example. The question is in its distribution, in justice and care for the poor, the needy, the weak etc. Caring and sharing are important. See also Acts 4: 32-35.

It is more blessed to give than to receive, but few apply that teaching of Jesus.

God and money do work together for good when God is in control, and hearts and minds are in tune with Him.

Russian Mission Impossible Force in action

Yes folks, the British press has identified the RMIF agents irresponsible for the Salisbury novichok attack. Boshirov and Petrov, associated with the GRU, have been active in the service of Vlad the appalling. There is no disputing the facts, though Russian political gangsters may say it is fake news. These agents of RMIF could come up trumps in mother Russia.

One of the wonders of Oregon : The Painted Hills

I went to see the Painted Hills in July 2018, and I was not disappointed.

Far from the madding crowd? You betcha! Right out in the boondocks, the boonies.

Oregon may be the best place to live in the USA

I love going to Oregon. What scenery! Such mountain grandeur. Gorgeous gorges. Great canyons. Rivers with salmon that attract fishermen from all over the States.

 The Columbia River Gorge, before the tragic fire started by an arsonist.

 The deliberate mistake! This is Mount St Helens in Washington.

Mount Hood, magnificent.

 On the Pacific coast at Cannon Beach. Haystack Rock on the left.

One day it will look like this again.

Multnomah Falls, a must see place in Oregon

Mas Menorca: magnifico!

Looking through my photographs I found some taken in Menorca. I loved looking at the sunsets across the sea to Majorca. The evening skies were magnificent.

A tribute to Canon Dr. Ian Tomlinson, friend, scholar and beloved rector of Ragged Appleshaw

It was a privilege and a joy to have known Ian, when we were at Oxford together on the Master of Theology course at Regent's Park College. Ian went on to study for his Doctor of Ministry at King's College, University of London.

He had a great sense of humour, sometimes dry and droll, and sometimes he enjoyed teasing me and pulling my leg. I remember, during Formal Hall on Fridays, some of his anecdotes and amusing tales of life in the Winchester diocese, where he served faithfully. Ian told his jokes with a great sense of timing.

The tale of the late Bishop John V. Taylor and the sherry party really appeals to my sense of humour. Ian told it so well, and the punchline had me in stitches of laughter.

I am glad to hear that his work as part of his D Min has now been published (posthumously by SCM, edited by Dr. Percy). I will read it next month when I go to the Bodleian Library, or perhaps the Pusey Library at St Cross College.

Historic Harwich prayer walkers

Greetings to the prayers walkers who were prayerwalking yesterday in historic Harwich. What a lovely evening it was near the harbour, with cool breezes blowing on a warm high summer evening.
We visited the parish church of St. Nicholas, which is steeped in history and connected to the Mayflower pilgrims and seafaring folk who settled along the east coast of America, now the USA.

Some of the group ended the walk and guided tour at the Alma inn, once owned by Mayflower Captain Christopher Jones' wife, and in the street where he lived. Tony Francis, who led the group, and I enjoyed steak and lobster, turf and surf. Tasty? Yes! Recommended? Yes! I understand that real ale enthusiasts are never disappointed.

For those interested in dialects and regional accents, some of the local Harwich residents speak in an authentic Essex accent, and not estuary, East End, Cockney, Received Pronunciation, or London accents.