Author Archives: Erika Cule

Ambivalence, reluctance and the Jesus scale

Posted on 6 May 2024 by Erika Cule

About eight months or so ago, I started talking about the concept of a scale of faith in Christ. I christened it the Jesus scale. Here is a diagram: On the far left, you have antitheism, hard determinism, militant atheism, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in career, careers, challenge, Clams, discernment, doubt, Faith, Life, PGF/TikZ, Prayer, the Jesus scale | Comments Off on Ambivalence, reluctance and the Jesus scale

Desires of my heart

Posted on 2 March 2024 by Erika Cule

Let the little children come to me 14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” — Matthew 19:14, NIV Once St Mary’s clocked that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in career, careers, Children’s ministry, discernment, Faith, Life | Comments Off on Desires of my heart

What do you do when God comes for your LinkedIn?

Posted on 9 February 2024 by Erika Cule

My Father’s house has many rooms 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in alternative careers, Ambivalence, Blogging, careers, Faith, Life, linkedin, social media | Comments Off on What do you do when God comes for your LinkedIn?

Bookshelf

Posted on 30 January 2024 by Erika Cule

Recovery You’re reading again. my brother remarked, last fall. You said you couldn’t read before. I jolted. It was true. When I am depressed I lose the ability to read books. This is one of the worst symptoms. Staring at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in book review, book reviews, discernment, Faith, Life, Vocation | Comments Off on Bookshelf

Perfect love casts out bitterness

Posted on 17 January 2024 by Erika Cule

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. — 1 John 4:18, NRSVA That escalated quickly. How was morning … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in careers, Faith, getting the hang of this now, Humour, science | Comments Off on Perfect love casts out bitterness

Milestones and Morning Prayer

Posted on 4 January 2024 by Erika Cule

2023 Morning Prayer is said each weekday at St Mary’s. Last year I took to going semi-regularly, on Tuesdays. Because it gets me out of the house, I explain. I go to the gym on Tuesdays, in the morning, I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Life, Milestones, Prayer | Comments Off on Milestones and Morning Prayer

Surprises: Notes from my first year as a practicing Christian

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Erika Cule

Christmas 2022, Christ Church, Harpenden: a riot of 200 people in a school hall. An invitation to join home group. Joining the Teas and Coffees Rota. Learning the drill, and the importance of the ministry of hospitality. Contemporary Christian Music. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Faith; Fun; Life; Lists, Fun, Life | Comments Off on Surprises: Notes from my first year as a practicing Christian

John Jackson OBE (1934 – 2023)

Posted on 5 March 2023 by Erika Cule

It is good to read about a life well-lived, I think. Especially if you struggle with your own existential dread. (Following Covid, isn’t that all of us, to a degree?) My mother’s Uncle, John, to us “Uncle John” even though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Burton Albion FC, Faith, in loving memory, John Jackson, Life, obituary, unlikely fandom | Comments Off on John Jackson OBE (1934 – 2023)

I am evangelical about this

Posted on 14 January 2023 by Erika Cule

PhD students should* consider industry roles; academics should not dissuade them. Ten years ago today I began what I now refer to as my industry detour, a decade spent as a statistical consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. I went directly: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in alternative careers, career, careers, conferences, Life, PhD, science careers | Comments Off on I am evangelical about this

Computers these days

Posted on 11 January 2023 by Erika Cule

When I was in primary school, in the early nineties, Tesco ran a scheme called Computers for Schools. Shopping at Tesco earned paper vouchers which were collected by local schools. When a school had collected enough vouchers, they could spend them … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Computers are stupid, Life, Mac, Meta, Tech, Windows | Comments Off on Computers these days