Here are a few statements that I think all my readers, and indeed almost everyone in Britain would agree with: If you’re ill it’s often a good idea to go to the doctor; Devoting your professional life to improving other people’s lot on earth is...
(Happy New Year to all readers!) I know, I know, Christmas is over. But before stashing away the decorations, I thought I would just contribute a few thoughts on the great church debate of the festive season, which of course centres round the fourth verse of...
As we wander round the shopping centres or do the washing-up, favourite Christmas songs and carols come at our ears from all directions. And every family has its Christmas film and TV traditions. What about books? I am not here talking about Advent reflections, which I...
In November 2015 I established this website, and on 19th November I posted the first entry in this blog (https://www.penelopewallace.com/introduction/ ). In it I listed the purposes of the blog as follows: Publicising my work. If you have already viewed the rest of the site (if...
I was reading the 5th chapter of the First Letter to the Thessalonians recently, in my trusty RSV version, and I came across the following injunctions: “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those...
(After last week's froth, something rather darker. Warning: contents may distress or disturb.) In December last year, a sentencing judge said to a woman who had defrauded and attempted to murder her sister, “Quite frankly, you are evil.” Judges do say this kind of thing, and I...
So far, in my posting about Esau, I have concentrated on the case for the defence – Esau’s alleged sinfulness, and God’s choice. And of course it’s very reassuring that God can still “choose”, and certainly use and bless, someone like Jacob. Someone whose life from...
Diana Wynne Jones’ children's fantasy “Howl’s Moving Castle” starts: “In the land of Ingary… it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out...
The horrific events in Orlando and Birstall need no comment from me, to add to those already out there. Let's pray. And in the meantime...
The second thing for which God is responsible, and which surely must have been planned by Him, is the passage of time. (For the first thing, see God’s Responsibility 1, 13th May.) It looks from the New Testament as if all its writers, and Jesus Himself, expected...