Welcome to my blog...whatever image springs to mind, be it a hippopotamus, Tigger, red-haired Highland cattle, or a simple kitchen table, 'Unless a Seed' is a four-legged creature. My hope is that having read a Book Review, a Poem, or a What is a Christian? or some random post in Everything Else, you will be kind enough to leave a comment or a short reply. And I hope you enjoy reading its contents
What is a Christian?
Book, Podcast, Film, and Blog Reviews
Poetry
For Writers, Writing and Everything Else
Book Review: Small Steps for Big Change, Patrick Regan, 2025
A very good book on recovering from mental health issues
Now we move
The Israelites in the wilderness did not move until the cloud and pillar of fire moved. Then they moved. Jesus updated this in his curious conversation with Nicodemus at night John 3
Book Review: Fully Alive, Elizabeth Oldfield, Hodder 2025
Fully Alive - only read this if you’re curious about the human condition and spirituality, Christianity and community, and want to be ‘fully alive’.
The Lover of My Soul ii Like Mary
‘Jesus, lover of my soul’ is the title of John Wesley’s 1740 hymn. It sparked controversy then…maybe the same now as you read this poem? But why?
Silence at 7.05
One of those deep silences came and poured itself around me early in the morning, after I’d finished my normal routines, exercise, tea, cereal, read bible/pray…then it came…surprisingly like a gift.
Book Review: The Correspondent, Virginia Evans, M&J, 2025
An intriguing novel in the form of letters to and from Sybil, a retired lawyer.
Would you have gone to see Jesus?
The answer to the question posed here is ‘Yes, I think would have. Especially if I knew someone else going or could persuade someone to go!
A Three-Dimensional Church?
The process of maturing physically and/or mentally and emotionally is rarely smooth, a continuously unblemished upward trajectory. Same true for us spiritually?
The Beer Beech Report
Beer beach never fails to produce a pleasurable sense of calm. It’s a special place. It’s good to have a few. They are like old friends. My ‘Report’ will not do it justice. I apologise.
A Haiku Triple Serving
A triple helping to three disconnected Haikus. I suppose they are riddles but then many things are, aren’t they?
Matthew Chapter 11
I read Matthew 11 a few days ago. I felt I should write a few words in response.
A Beer Beach Poem
Enfin! My first visit to Beer Beach in 2026. I think part of my soul has a beach hut here. Cornwall is stunning, the Algarve equally so…but
Upstream – the new ARC heresy
I’m both a fan and, ultimately, a critic of the Canadian intellectual, Jordan Petersen. Heretic?