Poppies are not political, but a cultural symbol of remembrance

FIFA, the international football federation, should be condemned and castigated for trying to prevent our footballers wearing poppies, therefore by interfering with our cultural and well established tradition that transcends politics.

The Football Association, the FA, should be commended for allowing and encouraging our national teams to wear the remembrance poppy at matches.

Well done FA.
 Shame on you FIFA.

Leavenworth, Washington, or was it Bavaria?

This place in Washington State, and I was there during Oktoberfest, was more like Bavaria than the US. What do you think?

Awesome Oregon on the West Coast, USA

Awesome is overused in the USA, but when you see the scenery and admire the grandeur, then you do get a sense of awe and wonder. It is a beautiful state and it is becoming a popular place to live, and it may be hard to leave. The standard of living is high, crime seems low and there is a healthy laid back approach to life that appeals to many people. In summer the weather is excellent, though the ocean is not that warm.

Mount Hood

Cannon Beach

Manzanita, Oregon

       From Highway 101 looking down to the beach on the coastal resort.

Manzanita Beach, Oregon

                  Looking back to Highway 101, from the beach below.

Sunset at Vista House, Crown Point, Columbia River Gorge

It is so good to chill out with family and friends

Laid back, but not sleepless, in Seattle.

Time for rich Nigerian Christians to help their staving countrymen and women

I hear Nigerians in the UK claiming abundance and prosperity from God. Well, it's time to share that abundance and to meet the needs of the hungry, those in famine areas and in desperate poverty. "No more delay", shouts KICC Pastor Matthew Ashimowolo. It is high time for rich Christians to help the poor. There are many repeated problems in Nigeria. Corruption problems. Greed. The love of money.
Let's start seeing that prosperity moving into northern areas of Nigeria. 2016 is a very bad year for parts of Nigeria. Let us see blessings coming from generous givers and true disciples.

Are the Nigerians in the UK aware of the severe famine in their homeland? How much do they care?

Lovejoy locations

Right now as I am writing this blog entry, today's episode of Lovejoy (on the Drama channel) features the magnificent Ingatestone Hall and its lovely grounds, and even the famous priest hole is shown. For those who miss this broadcast, the title of the episode is 'They Call Me Midas', and it is available on a DVD set. Ingatestone Hall, Essex, is well worth a visit but do check the opening times carefully.

Love does not rejoice in wrong and in tragedy

Love is at the heart of the Gospel, the good news of salvation in Christ. God is love. The love of Christ constrains us. Without love our faith is vain. Faith work through love.

Sadly we have manifestations of faith, religion, philosophies and politics without much love, ways of life lacking grace and kindness. Evidence of true faith is loving kindness, grace at work in everyday life.

Some religious people rejoice in hatred and disaster. When people are murdered they celebrate. They persecute the innocent and harm the righteous. This shows that they are based on false traditions and the doctrines made up by unspiritual folk who did not know God. They did not receive truth through revelation. They invented what they teach, pretending that is from God.


It was the religious establishment that arranged the crucifixion of Christ. Religious leaders rejoiced in his death. In the world today leaders are still harming his disciples. Christians are suffering outrageous persecution at the hands of religious fanatics convinced that they are serving God.