09.01.2021. We've had 9 days to try on 2021; the fit is not quite right - it chafes in places but we can't return it or ask for a refund. As we dip tentative toes into the year, I am reminded of lines from Chris Tomlin's song 'Whom Shall I Fear' "I know who goes … Continue reading The Offer of a Lifetime
Category: Time
The Hound of Heaven
I vividly remember a late preacher often referring to Francis Thompson's 182-line poem 'The Hound of Heaven' in his teachings. The heavy alliteration of the 'h' sound in the title literally pounded on my heart as it mimicked the footsteps of God chasing me down. Thompson brilliantly captures David's feeling of being hunted down and … Continue reading The Hound of Heaven
What to do when you get dumped
Recently, I was having a chat with a friend and of course we took the inevitable trip down dusty memory lanes to scenes in our history we are grateful are well tucked away in the past. In the aftermath of that conversation, I was left thinking about an article I read a few years ago … Continue reading What to do when you get dumped
Put your yam down and ask questions.
One of my all-time favourite poems is Niyi Osundare’s ‘Not my Business.’ I know poetry can appear dry and extremely abstract but I think this piece by Osundare is an exception. Have a read: They picked Akanni up one morningBeat him soft like clayAnd stuffed him down the bellyOf a waiting jeep.What business of mine … Continue reading Put your yam down and ask questions.
On heroes and nobility: a tribute to Chadwick Boseman
Reflecting on the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman and watching the many YouTube videos of him speaking or others speaking about him, the one thread that stood out to me was just how much people were impacted by his role as King T'challa in Marvel's Black Panther. Personally, I didn't enjoy the movie - I … Continue reading On heroes and nobility: a tribute to Chadwick Boseman
Stay on the attack!
If you follow English football (not soccer!), you'll be aware of a particular coach famous for his 'park the bus' philosophy. I'm not claiming to be the world's leading football analyst but I know that on several occasions where I've watched this coach's team play under this 'park the bus' strategy, it was mind-numbingly boring. … Continue reading Stay on the attack!
Same storm, different boats
Same storm, different boats. Pastor Rick Warren used this analogy in a recent conversation with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (HTB Brompton). Our world has been besieged by relentless waves and hurricanes of grief, loss, pain, confusion and paralysis. We’re all stuck in a collective limbo; to ease lockdown or to not ease lockdown? The same … Continue reading Same storm, different boats
Transition in 3D
What do you do when a change of guard looms and you are staring down the barrel of an unknown future? The book of Deuteronomy is sort of Moses’ last counselling session with the nation of Israel. He had led them for forty years and they were now on the verge of Jordan; Canaan was … Continue reading Transition in 3D
How to live a limitless life – a tribute to my father-in-law
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair..." 2Cor. 4:8,9 2020 strikes again, this time very close to home. My father in law, Daddy Olatoye, fell asleep and not even our loudest wailing could wake him up. Although he spent the last 22 years in a wheel … Continue reading How to live a limitless life – a tribute to my father-in-law
Ready or not…
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We only have today. Let us begin - Mother Theresa Ready or not, this is the day. This is the day to start ... (fill in the blanks) This is the day to stop... (fill in the blanks) This is the day to grow. This is the … Continue reading Ready or not…