A wee rant

As mentioned in my last posting, Joe and I have just returned from a holiday in Brazil - amazing, fascinating, and we had opportunity to rest. However, at church this morning I was chatting to folk who asked for my impressions and (like so many other countries that I have visited) my overall impression is one of overwhelming contrast between the very rich and the very poor.

I just feel so dreadfully frustrated that there is so much wealth in the world - and so much poverty. I could jump up and down screaming with the injustice of it all!!! Yet, that is tinged with the guilt of being able to go to another part of the world on holiday .........

I know that many others must feel the same. But, what can we do? Can we do anything?

Stop the world, I want to get off!

I feel a little world-weary. The news seems to be full of sad news - yet another shooting at an American college and, in the UK, a story of young people committing suicide. All so absolutely tragic, and my heart goes out to the parents, families and friends of all these young people. I wish I could do more than just pray for them.

In Britain we have the usual mix of political wrangling, religious misunderstandings and the (boring) ubiquitous cult of celebrity. In Scotland winter is dragging her heels - even though there are some signs of spring - and there's not even anything good on TV to divert us!

On a personal level, I am concerned for Sarah - she is a bit volatile at the moment, and has been suspended from College. There is no easy answer - we just have to wait until she becomes more stable and hope that, in the meantime, she does not loose too many of the things that both she and those who support her have worked so hard for. So, I pray for Sarah too.

Of course, my real problem is that I would just like to be able to 'fix' all these things, but I can't, so I pray - because I know a Man who can help!

Power!

I seem to be full of wee moans these days....... We have just received a letter from Scottish Gas saying that the cost of both gas and electricity is to increase by 15%. That's a lot. The company say that their costs have increased such a lot that they are having to pass on these costs to their consumers. Fair enough I suppose.

However, I'm curious to know what kind of profit the company is currently making and if they are paying-out to shareholders. It is difficult to find the extra money to pay these increased costs, so how are folk on a pension or suchlike coping?

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Healthy Food

The other week there was a lot of news about the fact that the Government are going to grant pregnant women a sum of £120 towards buying healthy food. I think this is great!

However, I'm just wondering why this amount will be given to everyone - even those who are very well off? I would love to know what others think about this?

There, but for the grace of God ........

I have just watched 'Ghosts' - the story of the 2004 Cocklemouth tragedy, in which Chinese cockle-pickers were trapped and drowned by the rising tide. The victim's families are still paying off their 'debts'. Sadly, the Government won't help.

The whole programme was terribly sad and I feel so angry that people continue to use vunerable people for their own financial gain. I also feel extremely grateful to have the life I have.....

Shocked and sad

I'm feeling shocked. Is anyone else feeling the same?

On August 12, Gerry Tobin was shot and killed on the M40. Then, on August 22, young Rhys Jones was shot and killed in Croxteth, Merseyside. Today, I read that two people were seriously injured following a street-shooting in Letchworth on the morning of 23 August and, I believe last night, two doormen were shot and injured outside a club in Liverpool. Sadly, the violence continues - today I read that, in Sunderland, a man with learning difficulties has died following a 'savage and prolonged attack by a gang of five youths'.

What is going on? Is violence on the increase - this cannot, surely, be a normal level? What can be done to halt the violence? What can be done to comfort the family and friends of those who have been killed or injured? What can be done to save those who are being influenced, by peer pressure, into the gang culture?

It is all so very sad............. Like many others, I pray for all those whose lives have been touched by the violence of the last few weeks.