Elusive Ethics
The ancients recognised something that in many ways we may have lost sight of. Namely the importance of what they termed ‘virtue’. Simply put this is a life seen to be well lived. Or as one definition has it, ‘We study ethics in order to improve our lives, and therefore its principal concern is the nature of human well-being’. I recently engaged in some correspondence with the EAUK following the ruling on assisted s

Guest Reflection
Recently the delightful Jonny and Desirea Rodgers stayed with us at the Friary. It is my pleasure to present their guest contribution to this blog. "When we first arrived through the front gate of the friary, we were greeted by a little garden, a sizable wooden bench beckoning us for peaceful moments of reflection over tea, or perhaps something stronger.  Micha and Jayne had just finished installing footpath lights that were ready to be turned on for the first time that evening.  Micha welcomed us into the house, a grand, semi-detached Victorian, seemingly full of secrets from the time when Southsea was first blossoming into a 19th century resort town.

The Fragility of a Prayer
It was reflecting during my morning office that I paused to consider just how fragile a prayer is. As an admirer and follower of Jesus I embrace his invitation to pray for the needs of others. However, so often this can simply become a jumble of words scrambling out of my mouth in a vain attempt to cover every possibility I can imagine and 'dumping' it all on the unseen yet ever present triune God.Certainly my prayers per se will make no difference. Even as they are uttered, and yes they are spoken for fear that they simply resonate within my head space, the wind carries each one away to who knows where? The intensity or emotional attachment I may have felt vanishes s th

Visitors
Well a good week at the friary. Two friends from the USA have been sharing our space over the last seven days - Jonny and Desirea Rodgers. Jonny is an innovative musician and Desirea a photographer and founder of the anti-trafficking organization, Love146. It has been a good opportunity to explore the way the house will be used into the future. It will not be as an extended household/friary community. The last thirty years living in this way h

Katey - One Year On
Well how quickly and yet softly a year passes. Many days seemed so much longer than a day ought to be, but now I can reflect on sitting beside a hospital bed 365 days ago supporting the lovely Katey as she battled and eventually lost her fight for life. However, this was only her mortal life - she now celebrates in eternity briefly screened from sight by a thin veil. I happily await my reunion. The Garden of Tranquility is completed,