Category: Meaning of Life

Listening to the music of the soul: The grandest and rawest outcry

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my eighth and final musical moment.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/24/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-the-grandest-and-rawest-outcry/

Listening to the music of the soul: Wisdom in secret things

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my sixth.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/22/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-6-wisdom-in-secret-things/

Listening to the music of the soul: Standing at the crossroads

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my fifth.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/21/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-5-standing-at-the-crossroads/

Encouraging words build community spirit

LAST MONTH, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this reflection about the inmportance of sharing encouragement when we can, not waiting until someone leaves or has died to say how we really feel.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/08/04/encouraging-words-build-community-spirit/

My Christian journey – A testimonal for ministry training

IN MAY 2023 I began the process of applying to begin training as a Methodist minister in 2024. This is the testimonial I wrote for a portfolio as part of my application.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2023/11/24/my-christian-journey-a-testimonal-for-ministry-training/

An introspective retrospective – 10 years of blogging

TEN YEARS AGO today (as I turned 42) I began this blog. I wrote a brief retrospective after five years. Here’s an update on the next five: having ‘come out of the Catholic church‘ in 2011, then authorised as a lay leader in  Church of England, I have now become a Methodist thanks to its commitment …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2022/08/31/an-introspective-retrospective-10-years-of-blogging/

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans – What I learned from the #10YearChallenge

While I don’t usually take part in social media trends, this one seemed worthwhile, as this past ten years has been particularly significant for me.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2020/01/09/enjoy-your-achievements-as-well-as-your-plans-what-i-learned-from-the-10yearchallenge/

Will you welcome #HomelessJesus this Christmas?

TODAY the YMCAs in the Liverpool City Region gathered for a carol service in the city’s Parish Church, opposite the world famous Liver Building. As the chaplain for YMCA Liverpool and YMCA St Helens, I gave a reflection on the Christmas story and what it means for the people the YMCA supports

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/12/13/will-you-welcome-homelessjesus-this-christmas/

Every day can be #TimeToTalk Day

ON THE FIRST Thursday in February each year, the UK charity Time to Change helps to challenge the stigma around mental distress and promote mental well-being by encouraging everyone to take ‘Time To Talk’ about mental health.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/02/07/every-day-can-be-timetotalk-day/

Seize the day – in memory of Stephen

JUST HEARD that Stephen – my friend and neighbour for almost 12 years – has died suddenly. I was too busy to visit him in hospital the last time he was there – in fact I didn’t even know he’d gone in again this month. He made this great montage of photos for Warren and I a couple of …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/26/seize-the-day-in-memory-of-stephen/

Load more