Omoto is a mystical faith, founded by an illiterate Japanese widow Nao Deguchi in 1892. The faith was further unfolded by her co-founder and son-in-law, Onisaburo Deguchi (1871-1948). The founder of aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), was profoundly influenced by the Omoto faith, shifting his martial arts from a focus on defeating enemies Read more
Gertrude and Samantha had been pals for many years. Both had attended the famous Cheltenham Ladies College that had instilled in them a profound respect for knowledge and learning. Both ladies had been recently widowed and their financial autonomy and security had aroused a delicious longing to explore the British Read more
As the Honorary Director of RealityBites I am working on 50 short gospel presentations that compare and contrast conflicting worldviews. Here are four of them that get people thinking about blasphemy. Edward Wightman was the last person in England to be burnt at the stake (1612) for blasphemy. He denied Read more
Do you have world cup fever? It’s all kicking off as we hear about footballers and fans weeping and wailing as their beloved teams are dumped out of the world cup. In this article I want to explore both the good and the bad side of the beautiful game. Can Read more
The World Cup is starting very soon and this article honours this excitement. Emmanuel Petit is a French former professional footballer. He is best known for scoring in the 1998 World Cup Final and winning Euro 2000 with France. His goal in the 1998 World Cup final was the last goal Read more
When we think about a concentration camp we are immediately confronted with human depravity and cruelty. The guards in these camps were brutal and merciless. The Nazi creed proclaimed that many people, including Jewish and disabled people are, ‘life unworthy of life’. Hitler once wrote: “Victory is to the strong Read more
How do you serve God as a soldier? For some this question is absurd. Only pastors, preachers and missionaries can serve the Lord, they murmur piously. We have already explored the inspiring story of the detective William Sleeman but let’s look at the life of an African disciple of Jesus Read more
Many people experience trouble and strife during their lives. We live in a broken, groaning world (Romans 8) and sometimes innocent people suffer greatly. We know that many Christians in the first century were persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Faithful followers of the Lord were imprisoned, tortured and killed Read more
I was very impressed by the presenter Vicky Gibbens who interviewed me yesterday on her radio show. I’ve been interviewed on the radio quite a few times and I’ve often come away feeling rather deflated and disappointed. I’m making myself vulnerable here. With Vicky it was completely different. It wasn’t Read more
Fred Lemon was born in 1914 in the east end of London. He grew up in the world of jellied eels, winkles and cheeky, cockney geezers. His mum and dad taught young Fred “to steal whenever there was an opportunity and to forage in dustbins for rags and bottles and Read more