On Rowan Atkinson, jesters, and why we still need comedy to speak freely.
Continue readingAuthor Archives: John
One reason why studying the minor prophets matters
One of the lovely things about God is more often than not He uses unlikely people to take up His cause and often leaves behind those who seem more qualified, evidenced in the way that He used the Hebrew prophets. I have been doing a deep dive into the minor prophets of the Bible and found them all to be a fascinating bunch, with something to say, much of it applicable to our own times.
Continue readingHas King Charles III reneged on his Coronation oath?
I used to be a moderate monarchist and saw having a monarch that “reigns but does not rule”, to quote Walter Bagehot who I studied back in the day, was a good thing overall and part of the checks and balances inherent in the technically unwritten British Constitution.
Continue readingJohn Barber’s May and June writing and blog update
Below are click onable links to articles I posted on my website since the last time I sent out to my “those who may be interested” e-distribution list. Feel free to either check out anything of interest or ask to be removed from the list. May God bless you in your endeavours for Him
Continue readingAmos – an eight century (BC) prophet for our twenty-first century (AD)
My latest minor prophet in my current round of OT studies is Amos and, like all the prophets, he was a remarkable chap, with his own distinctive features, audience and message. Rather than make this long, besides drawing on a recent presentation (see below), here are some that come to mind …
Continue readingFIFA World Cup 2026 (1)
In 1966, at the age of 15, I followed for the first time, intensely, the World Cup (which was all about Football, i.e. not soccer, or any other sport with many these days having their own world cup).
Continue readingWhy the recently unveiled Conversion Practices Bill needs safeguards
This week Labour published a draft law for a “trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices”.
Continue readingWhen Diversity Training Destroys Diversity
I recently shared the following photo and caption on my social media feed: “BREAKING: Christian cop who was suspended and out under investigation for asking questions about Islam during a DEI training, just won a settlement with the North Yorkshire Police Dept in the UK”.
Continue readingAndy Burnham wins Makerfield – so what next?
I won’t need to remind folk who regularly follow my ranting and ramblings on the Internet that I am a political nerd who is disillusioned with the political parties in the UK, but who hopes against hope that soon a group of politicians will arise that can work with the Almighty to help sort out my beloved country.
Continue readingShould schools be promoting Pride Month
June is internationally recognized as Pride Month, or LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969 in New York City, when patrons of the Stonewall Inn resisted a police raid. Southend Pride is held annually, usually in July. It entails a parade starting at the Royal Artillery Terrace/Southend Pier area, going through the city centre to Warrior Square Gardens.
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