Life's Journey

Seeing the smiling pictures of the Bee Gees it seems ironic that the word that comes to mind is tragedy! It is that song that they sung in which "tragedy" is continually repeated that seems so appropriate today The big news today is the funeral of a much loved Member of Parliament.  Southend will say goodbye to much-loved MP Sir David Amess with a procession through his constituency and funeral service today. Conservative MP Sir David Amess died after being stabbed several times at his constituency surgery, almost 40 years after entering parliament. It is a tragedy, irrespective of where we stand politically. Indeed in the past decade a number of MP's of different political positions have been tragically killed, the last one being Jo Cox who was a Labour MP. In a world that seems to often to be a harsh place where everyone tries to bring others down, but on this occasion all political persuasions in Westminster came together to speak well of this man loved across the poli

  "Lest we forget...." It is that time of year, and how can we forget that through out the centuries young people, both men and women, have gone to war and given their lives for others. Many of us will take up the poppy and pin it to our clothing. Our red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community.  The poppy is a well-known and well-established symbol, one that carries a wealth of history and meaning with it. Wearing a poppy is still a very personal choice, reflecting individual experiences and personal memories. It is never compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those who it is intended to support. During WW1, much of the fighting took place in Western Europe. The countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over repeatedly. Previously beautiful landscapes turned to mud; bleak and barren scenes where little or nothing could grow. And so the poppy emerged as a symbol of hope as th

an interview on radio  November is certainly a month for remembrance. In a few days, the 5th November, many in the UK will be recalling the poem "Remember, remember, the 5th of November" which continues to detail the story from history of Guy Fawkes and the failed gun powder plot over 400 years ago. The 11th November is also known in the UK as "Remembrance day", remembering the day that peace came to the world in 1914, with the hope that we might have seen the war to end all wars. That hope was so disappointing, wars continue to this very day but we continue with that memory seeking to find lasting peace. Today, the 1st of November, is also a day to remember, "All Saints day". It is a day to be reminded that there is something personal in all of this, for the bible indicates that saints are the people who have trusted Jesus as Saviour. On the day of that commitment God has set us apart for him, not about being perfect for none of us has gained perfection b