Ben Blogs

War and Peace? From stmss in Hope Child (3 days old)

So this is what the aftermath of war feels like? On a sacred day that is Remembrance Day people ignored my call for peace. They formed their own coalitions and rehashed the truth to fit their ow… more

Thank you for Bhangra! From stmss in Gratitude Blog (6 days old)

I'm getting ready for my Bollywood Party in December and just have to say how thankful I am for this style of dancing and celebration! Don't just sit there,join in!… more

Thank you for meditation From stmss in Gratitude Blog (7 days old)

Silence. Going within. The great journey. Meditating in a group is a wonderful thing that banishes self consciousness and builds up trust. The silence may be like liquid gold or heavy treacle. But eit… more

MY FATHER AND HIS GIFT OF HEALING From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (8 days old)

HOW MY FATHER DISCOVERED THAT HE HAD A GIFT OF HEALING. When my father, the Rev Edgar Bell, was a young Vicar the clergy of his area held a monthly meeting called "The way of renewal". This was … more

Acknowledging our sources? From stmss in Respectful Blogging (9 days old)

There seems to be a lot of what I call piggy back blogging going on. That is what I call a blog written on the back of another one; you know, when you read someone else's blog and get inspired to take… more

Favourite Building? From stmss in Hope Child (10 days old)

Do you have a favourite public building? Is it a town hall or little church? A hotel or intimate restaurant? Is there a place that you have experienced dread when you've walked in there?(don't say the… more

THE POOR DO: final part From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (12 days old)

Jesus invites us to live simply Surely poverty isn’t good. In fact the church has committed itself to trying to end poverty. So I always used to puzzle as to why Jesus said “Blessed are the po… more

My father and his gift of healing From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (14 days old)

Hello all, I am pleased to say that my father's little book on Christian healing, called 'Redemptive Healing', is now available to read on our family blog at http://godschool.wordpress.com/2009/10… more

THE POOR DO, PART 4 From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (14 days old)

Material gain - and spiritual loss Although I think that it’s good for clergy to have sufficient money to live on now, the point I want to make is that we no longer have to rely on God for necessit… more

Thank you for Robert Downey Junior From stmss in Gratitude Blog (15 days old)

I remember when I first saw him in Chaplin and was captivated by his talent.He is an amazing actor though you don't really get to see that in the likes of Iron Man and Tropic Thunder or (gulp)Sher… more

THE POOR DO, PART 3 From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (17 days old)

My discovery that our real needs are mysteriously met Because clergy life was a constant challenge to make ends meet, it meant that for many of us the vocation to the ministry was a vocation to co… more

Happy Birthday Pauline! From stmss in stmss (17 days old)

Hope you have a brilliant day and incredible year from all your good friends at Hope Child!… more

Tri-Sexual? From stmss in Hope Child (17 days old)

Are we primarily sexual beings? If all other things were equal would we spend most of our time pursuing sexual encounters and experimenting with different partners of either sex? … more

THE POOR DO, PART 2. From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (19 days old)

Because vicarages and rectories were such large houses, standing in their own grounds, everybody in former days subconsciously classed the Anglican clergy as ‘gentry’ and assumed that they could manag… more

Thank you for parties!!! From stmss in Gratitude Blog (19 days old)

As I countdown to my Hallowe'en party I give thanks for all the occasions where we can get together and enjoy companionship, silliness,frivolity and luxury in a festive mood. Anyone for Hagaoke?… more

Hallowe'en Howl for Husband Help! From stmss in stmss (21 days old)

What do you suggest as a costume/fancy dress for the husband who hates to dress up?We have a party every year and although I tell him (and any guests) that fancy dress/costume is optional,he insists t… more

POVERTY AND TRUE RICHES: Part 1 From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (21 days old)

THE POOR DO. When I was younger you often heard this phrase: "it's a poor do!" It's not a phrase you hear so much these days. It means "I don't think much of that" or "that's not very good". Ho… more

Freebie karaoke From stmss in FREE STUFF (22 days old)

Party season coming up and I have just been trying out this free site. You can use a microphone if you have one. I'll be using it for Hallowe'en bash :) KARAOKEPARTY....… more

Is it seasonal? From stmss in Respectful Blogging (22 days old)

As a comparatively new blogger I haven't seen much action but feel that I am a hardened veteran in the spats that I have witnessed,moderated or tried to avoid. Is there a pattern to this? Does o… more

Thank you for ballpoint pens From stmss in Gratitude Blog (24 days old)

Biros,ballpoints,felt tips;whatever they're called, they've revolutionised our lives. Imagine carrying a nib pen or quill,bottle of ink and blotter in your handbag or pocket? :))… more

Thank you for literacy From stmss in Gratitude Blog (27 days old)

Even in the UK we still have students leaving school who can barely read and or write. What an awful place to be. Confidence with words, meanings,spellings, opens up the entire world to us.How lucky w… more

Thank you for the scent of freesias From stmss in Gratitude Blog (29 days old)

I first experienced these flowers at a wedding. As as young child I could hardly believe the colours, the fragility of the blooms and the heavenly perfume. They were glimpses of paradise.… more

The Warden... Part 4... "Reward & Punishment" From Jimi-Kent in Welcome to Jimi Kent's blog (30 days old)

Click here to visit my website ======================================================= The Warden... Part 4 "Reward & Punishment" John Kinnison was kneeling on the cold stone floor in t… more

Thank you for a quiet life From stmss in Gratitude Blog (30 days old)

A life where I can peacefully go about my business,doing my own thing,doing my best not to ruffle other people's feathers. A quiet life where I'm not caught up in the drama or the hurly burly of other… more

Thank you for candles From stmss in Gratitude Blog (34 days old)

A source of decoration in the UK rather than function but still little beacons of hope and light the whole world over. Dinner in candlelight. Churches with their glorious smoky aroma of candles going … more

Starman From Andyndy in AFTERLIFE (35 days old)

In the words of david bowie ''Theres a starman waiting in the sky he'd like to come and meet us but he thinks he'll blow our minds'' Could there possibly another life force out there ? surely we ca… more

LEARNING TO BE A WIDOWER From philipbell in PHILIP AND GOD: DEEP WISDOM FOR TODAY'S CHRISTIAN (35 days old)

Recently I have been writing my memoirs and I would like to share the latest chapter which describes my life with Dilys, my wife of 62 years who died earlier this year. Look, I know this is not … more

Thank you for gallimaufry From stmss in Gratitude Blog (35 days old)

Or new learning. No gallimaufry doesn't mean that but I have just read a blog by janeagain that uses this delightful word. So thank you for opportunities to learn and the openness  required to take ad… more

The Warden... Part 3... "Recovery and Loss" From Jimi-Kent in Welcome to Jimi Kent's blog (36 days old)

Click here to visit my website ======================================================= The Warden... Part 3 "Recovery and Loss" John Kinnison stepped from the shadows into the empty stree… more

Thank you for liquorice From stmss in Gratitude Blog (36 days old)

An odd confection. Sweet in the UK,salty in Europe. Hard, black and shiny or red, green and soft. All that sophistication from a humble plant root? A miraculous example of making a silk purse out of a… more