This is a sermon preached at St Olave Hart Street. Jesus said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” …
I drove across South London with my son Silas last night. I did not distinguish myself on the journey. Before we had got through Brixton it had become apparent to me that everyone else out driving that evening was an idiot; was thoughtless; was incompetent; was to be derided. I’m a terrible judge and cars …
I woke up tired this morning. On Friday, I went to see my Dad in hospital, where he’s stuck with a bout of pneumonia, and then had supper with my Mum. On Saturday I saw some very old friends, sat around, sang, laughed a lot and went busking. My children showed up as if by …
Some families are born of Kings: Danny Dyer’s, for example. Some are born of D-Day heroes. Mine, on the other hand, is born of ditch-diggers and shoemakers. Nevertheless, even ordinary families have their legends. And there's a legend in our family that I ruined my brother’s life. But this isn't a story about me tying …
So, I went to church yesterday. Obviously I needed some spiritual sustenance since, as both Wimbledon and the World Cup were resting, we found ourselves in the literally horrifying situation of no actual sport happening. Except for the Grand Prix, the cricket, the Tour de France, the rugby league… Oh. Now I am what’s called …
Let’s start with the gross bit. A little while ago I developed an unpleasant ear infection, my ears gummed up and for the next three weeks I was unable to hear very much at all. Now, to be honest, there are times when not being able to hear is a relief. When a meeting is …
I’ve been thinking about marathons. I watched my friend Jonny Taylor run the London Marathon some years ago and yelled encouragement on the approach to Tower Bridge before bursting through the crowd to run with him for a moment. I must have been so annoying. Now I've run half a marathon but at the end of that, …
This summer I didn't have a 'summer holiday'. I camped for a couple of days each in Wales and Dorset. I visited friends for a couple more, and I volunteered at a festival. In every case, someone shared. Some friends shared their garden for camping and others their house for more refined sleeping. To prove …
Until quite recently I had a jacket that I loved. It was of soft blue wool and beautifully relaxed tailoring; one of those pieces of clothing that makes you feel smarter, cooler and more attractive. I wore it a lot. One evening, I hung it on the back of a chair in front of the …