One of BBC Radio's “Thought for the day”, by Rev'd Derek Boden, and went along the lines of, “Maybe, even while I’m speaking, your mind has turned to people and times when something that someone has said or done has had an influence on you. Probably, we think first of people who have had a good influence on us. Maybe because of some lesson learned or example shown. If we’ve been fortunate, parents - I imagine - figure largely in any such list and there are others whose influence on us for good has stood the test of time. On the other hand, we may remember someone whose influence was so negative or unattractive that we said: “I hope I’ll never be like them!” and this is never truer than in the world of religion. Many of us have known people who have made religion – perhaps, especially, the Christian faith - seem so narrow and judgemental that their attitude has turned us off both forever.”

I have been very fortunate to have had the example of many fine people in my life; two of them spring instantly to mind. One was the village Vicar when I was in my teenage years. An early retired soldier who he had worked his way up through the ranks from Private to Major, and who had then joined the Church late in life. A tall upright man with a fine military bearing, he led by example, preached concisely and well, spoke quietly in private but loudly during worship! We kept in touch over the years, he visited me when I was a Midshipman at BRNC Dartmouth, and I visited him when I had been ordained and just before he died. I always felt that he had given me so much – by example – that I was quite flabbergasted when I realised that my being ordained (and visiting him in my dog-collar) had given something to him.

The second influence was an uncle who farmed in the Midlands. He worked 100 acres, by himself, until his death in his mid eighties. He kept sheep; he knew them by name; they came when he called them, he was their “good shepherd”. Decades before it became fashionable, he planted hedgerows for the wildlife; set aside areas for tree-plantation and wild-flower growth; dug ponds to attract insects, ducks and birds. He was a true steward of the world and a friend to nature; he believed that God was to be found in nature as in anything else.

If there has been someone in your life who has influenced you – for good or ill – why not write in and tell us about them?

Creator of all things, grant us the insight fully to enjoy all your good gifts, that using them wisely, we can truly appreciate the wonder of your goodness. Amen.

Please pray for those members of HM Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan, especially the members of 40 Commando Royal Marines from Norton Manor Camp, Taunton. So many young men dying, so far from home.

Completing this series of thoughts from 8 year old Danny Dutton who, for his homework, had to explain God. …..

“You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church or do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong and besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway. If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids. But you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I think God put me here and he can take me back any-time he pleases; and that's why I believe in God”