He ranks as high as any in Rome!

This is for my family who gathered to say prayers with mum and dad: Margaret; May & Norman; Angela & Roger; Eddie, Ruth & Karen; Anna, Pat & Andy. It’s also for my friends around the world who have been having a word with ‘Him upstairs’ on my behalf. Preparing for more n-n-n-n-nasty chemotherapy tomorrow, I’m strengthened by your prayers and wishes - and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Somewhere in the Middle East with hair

I’ve led quite a wild life, so many people are shocked when they discover I’m religious. Yes, I mock all the man-made hierarchies, costumes and rituals. And 'Life of Brian' is, perhaps, my favourite film of all time. But I have unshakable faith in God and the life to come.

In 2003 I set off on my motorcycle, rode around a lot of countries, and haven’t turned around since. I met the fabulously wealthy and the poorest of the poor, wise men and fools. On the road, I studied many religions. In the Bible, I concurred with what Ecclesiastes saw on his journey. It’s from Chapter 9, verses 11 & 12:

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

Death is certain - life is not. Life just throws stuff at us. Good and bad. I believe it’s all a big test of character and faith on which we will eventually be judged by our maker. The snare of a rare and deadly cancer has fallethethethed suddenly upon me. God only knows when my time will come but, when you pray for me, take comfort that I have no fear of death. I fear only God. And needles. And wasps.

... and at Dr Karmen's office - without!

I’ve been deeply touched by the hushed prayers of a great many people who are more usually found in a bar than a place of worship. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. For them, one of my favourite passages from the Koran; it’s from Sura IV; Women:

O ye true believers, come not to prayer when ye are drunken, but wait till ye can understand what ye utter ...

Now if that doesn’t start some intellectual debate on the comments page, I don’t know what will.

For the pious, it's time for Elvis with a spiritual belter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdrBWiSxStI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL8A918EDB65602384

I'll need cheering up after a tough day tomorrow. So, my fellow sinners, think carefully and post your best ONE line from 'Brian' please. And, all together now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ