The latest Ashes Test Cricket series has just ended with Australia being emphatic 4-1 winners. In this part 2, having opened up the subject in part 1 (see here) I give my thoughts concerning what has transpired, what went wrong (and right) and hopes for the future.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: John
Trumpwatch 75 – Venezuela
When ten years ago I began my Trumpwatch series, recognising Donald J Trump to be a/the significant figure of my time, I little realised I would still be blogging about him by virtue of the fact he continues to be at the centre of something significant. Just over two weeks since posting my 74th instalment, I am posting my 75th, and on a subject not covered previously – Venezuela. Less than three days into a New Year, it looks like it won’t be a peaceful one.
Continue readingJohn Barber’s December 2025 blog update and New Year greeting
Check out below for click onable links to articles I posted on my website since the last time I sent out to my “friends who may be interested” e-distribution list (please let me know if you want to be added to or removed from that list).
Continue readingRing out the old (2025), ring in the new (2026)
In response to my enquiry, AI informed me that ““Ring out the old, ring in the new” is a famous line from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem In Memoriam A.H.H., (specifically, section CVI), traditionally recited on New Year’s Eve to bid farewell to the past year’s troubles and welcome the new year with hope, calling to banish grief, strife, and falsehood while embracing truth, peace, and nobler ways of life, symbolizing renewal and progress.”
Continue readingThoughts arising from our Christmas Day 2025 – The Kings Speech
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that, once upon a time, watching what was then titled: “the Queen’s Speech” was one of the regular activities that took place on Christmas Day. As I recall, my own household consisted of both royalists and those who weren’t.
Continue readingThoughts arising from our Christmas Day 2025 – time with the family
Who cares – some may ask? But for those who are mildly interested or better – here goes …
Continue readingRemembering Andy Jelfs
Two days ago, I posted the following text on my Facebook and X pages, in response to some sad news I had just received: “Some folk will know that I am a long-time supporter of the work of Counties UK concerning their evangelism endeavours across the counties of England, especially in Essex. Ever since I first come across him as a young student, Andy Jelfs has been one of its stalwart evangelists. A few weeks ago, I learned of a rapid decline in health and I have just learned the following news about his passing. I thank God for this dear brother and pray for his wife, Miriam.”
Continue readingChrist in the Psalms (2) – Psalm 2
My latest deep dive into the Bible has been on the subject of Christ in the Psalms. For some relevant background to what I am about to share, check out my recent “The Bible revisited” blog (see here) and my “Christ in the Psalms (1)” blog (see here), where the aim, besides providing an introduction to the Messianic Psalms, was to reflect on one of the best-known ones – Psalm 22.
Continue readingTrumpwatch 74 – The Agenda I predicted has begun
It has been nearly three months since I wrote my last instalment in my Trumpwatch series (see here), and given so much is happening in the world today, including and especially in the world of Trump, another episode (this one) is both due and overdue, so here goes …
Continue readingTommy Robinson, Immigration, Islam and C(c)hurch
In my almost twelve years as a regular blogger, I have posted several times on each of these ‘hot potato’, contentious topics and it might seem that I have said all that was worth saying.
Continue reading
JRB Publications 