Ray's Blog: January 2012
Agape Cafes
Alain de Botton does not believe in God but thinks benefits would flow if everyone did. For example, we could have restaurants which radiate ‘agape love’. Agape is a splendid Greek word used in the New Testament. Agape offers compassion and goodwill to a person regardless of whether we find...
Marriage Talks
A German student named Daniel Hug spent a year in a Newcastle Buddhist monastery and a year as a volunteer at our Lindisfarne Retreat House. Now he is married to Jessica and they belong to the Bruderhof Community.
He writes: 'I would like to make you aware of an event we...
Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity Tweets
The theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2012, prepared in Poland, is the transformative power of Christ. Christian churches observe this week at different times, usually during either the Epiphany or Pentecost season. Prayers and reflections for the eight days are published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian...
Blest Are The Politicians
Blest are the politicians who listen to the people. Blest are the politicians who walk with the poor. Blest are the politicians who are a still, quiet voice in the maelstrom of public life. Blest are the politicians who trade their influence for the common good. Blest are the politicians who speak truth to...24/7 Hits New Hot Spot
The 24/7 prayer movement and our community share some common aspirations and sources of inspiration. Those who have made vows as Voyagers made a 24 hour prayer vigil during their annual retreat, held this year at Shallowford House, near Stoke-on-Trent. Personal prayer requests were posted on one wall, prophetic words and...
Why I Like Brighton
Epiphany moments graced a full house at St. Cuthman's Retreat Centre, Sussex, UK. Afterwards I chilled out at Brighton before driving to our annual Voyagers Retreat near Stoke-on-Trent. 'Brighton?' sniffed a retired barrister. I'll tell you why I like it. First, because I can get a bed by the sea for...
Fair Trade - Fair Do
A good new year resolution is to buy more local food and more fair trade products in 2012. Yesterday a visitor told me that London would not survive more than one day if the food supply chain collapsed and supermarkets had no stocks. No wonder he is thinking of setting up a...
