50 Years Ago: The Beatles' Love Is All You Need

I'm still an incurable Beatles fan after all of these years. Here's a recording of their 1967 song, now 50 years old-Love Is All You Need. This is one of my favourite Beatles songs for a couple of reasons. Theologically it is a 1960's version the love commandment in the Gospel of John and the First Letter of John, at least it is for me. Aesthetically it is brilliant and creative music. The Beatles were pioneers in symphonic rock and progressive rock. I love the symphony orchestra in this song, it blends in so well I think with the singing. What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment! 

Beatles - All You Need Is Love from SimDo on Vimeo.

Our trip to beautiful Norway

UNESCO World Heritage Site-Geiranger waterfalls

UNESCO World Heritage Site-Geiranger Fjord

For more interesting photos from around the world, and/or to share yours visit Through my lens. 

Weekend in black & white - July 7, 2017

Old anchor on land near Stavanger, Norway harbour

For more Weekend in black & white photos, click here. 

The Reformation in Wittenberg: Part III

In 1522 Luther preached to the citizens of the town a sermon which included these lines:

   Here let us beware lest Wittenberg become Capernaum [cf. Matt. 11:23]. I notice that you have a great deal to say of the doctrine of faith and love which is preached to you, and this is no wonder; an ass can almost intone the lessons, and why should you not be able to repeat the doctrines and formulas? Dear friends, the kingdom of God,—and we are that kingdom—does not consist in talk or words [I Cor. 4:20], but in activity, in deeds, in works and exercises. God does not want hearers and repeaters of words [Jas. 1:22], but followers and doers, and this occurs in faith through love. For a faith without love is not enough—rather it is not faith at all, but a counterfeit of faith, just as a face seen in a mirror is not a real face, but merely the reflection of a face [I Cor. 13:12]. Read the entire piece of Dr. West’s essay here. 

The Reformation in Wittenberg: Part II

While at the Wartburg, Luther wrote to Melanchthon, among other things, these lines which hint at the reception Luther’s reforming efforts were receiving among the populace:

   I have not abandoned the hope of returning to you, only God must do what is good in his eyes. If the Pope will take steps against all who think as I do, then Germany will not be without uproar. The faster he undertakes this, the faster he and his followers will perish and I shall return. To read the entire piece by Dr. West, click here.

The Reformation in Wittenberg: Part I

In celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation, the Christian History Institute is publishing a three part series of essays by Dr. Jim West on how the citizens of Wittenberg regarded Luther’s reforms, as well as Luther’s remarks about Wittenberg.

   Whilst it is fairly well known how Calvin felt about Geneva and the Genevans, and how they felt about him, it is less widely known what Martin Luther’s attitude towards Wittenberg was.  Yet the town and the Reformer are eternally and everlastingly intertwined.  What was Wittenberg like when Luther lived there and how did the people of the town look upon the new Professor of Bible and his fight with Rome?  How influential were Luther’s efforts and did they make any difference to the townsfolk or were they just more academic churchly squabblings which had little impact on the citizens and their daily lives? Read more here.

Prayer of the Day/Collect Easter Day Year A

Image by Eclecticity

Blessed are you LORD God of all creation: On the dawning of this day you acted in a surprising and powerful way to raise Jesus the Messiah from the dead. Grant us the awe and joy of the women who met you Jesus on the first Easter day, that we may live and speak the message of resurrection and new life; through the same Jesus Christ our risen Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, through all ages of ages.