Ash Wednesday rolls around once more. I’m sure it’s quicker each year! Each Lent I try and be a bit creative about giving something up. Without intending to be pompous, I think that self-denial is an important discipline, and Lent gives us a little opportunity each year to practise. I generally fail miserably in my […]

I am firm believer in God (obviously!). I am also a firm believer that He is interventional, and takes a daily and individual interest in us (supremely shown through Jesus of course). On the back of those beliefs, I further believe that God moves in ‘waves’. Almost like 90% of the time we just have […]

I’ve been chatting with friends recently about job satisfaction, and it’s actually quite hard to put my finger on what it is. Several people love their jobs, others are sick to the back teeth. It’s easy enough to identify highs and lows of any given job (and every job has both). It’s also easy enough […]

Couple of quotes from yesterday that caught my eye. Of poor leaders they say We did it despite them Of good leaders they say We did it with them.” Of great leaders they say We did it ourselves. And (at the risk of doing a Bernie), the difference between charismatic and inspirational leaders: They say […]

I spent today in Leeds, at a Growing Leaders training day (“training the trainers”), and I’m really excited. I’ve been reading the book of the course, and there’s a lot of it that excites me because of what I believe to be my overall calling in life, but also that resonates with stuff that I […]

Oh yes, I meant to say – I thought the two Archbishops’ contribution was excellent. The Archbishops of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and York, Dr John Sentamu, have called on Anglicans to “pray, fast and give” to highlight Zimbabwe’s slide toward starvation. Absolutely spot on.

Well, here we are again at another Lent. Going for the slightly boring route of “biscuits/snacks” for my Lent this year. Puddings and starters are allowed, it’s just those extra biccies at work/home/church/youth group which are getting the chop. To give up puddings and cakes would be a bit sad, as our wedding anniversary and […]

I almost had my poorest Lent performance ever last night (Ash Wednesday). We were having slightly-late pancakes, and one of the youth had brought Nutella (YUM!!), so I carefully covered my pancake with Nutella and squirty cream, rolled it up, and was about to tuck in when I remembered that chocolate is my Lent this […]

So, away at a conference in Edinburgh. I decided to go the cinema, so went to the Vue cinema here, to see Constantine. Full review of the film in the appropriate place, but it did bring some thoughts to mind. First of all, the cross or crucifix is fairly universal counter-attack against evil, and particularly […]

Right, this’ll be my last entry for a while! As you know, Lent starts on Wednesday, and this year I’ve decided to give up the World Wide Web, which I reckon extends to me writing Letters from Leeds. I’ve tried out various things over the years – chocolate, tea and coffee; you know the score […]