Our quest for challenge and entertainment has sunk to a new low... we are attempting a jigsaw with no picture. We found three bags of pieces, all labelled 'David's jigsaw' and are having a go at putting it together. But neither of us know what picture we are creating. We don't know its dimensions, we... Continue Reading →
Star Trek and Strawberries – staying sane in scary situations
"Captain's Log Star date 01 01 2021 ..." I grew up with Star Trek, not the movies, the TV programmes with the doors that went 'swish', the devices into which 'beam me up Scotty' was the most frequent and desperate request, the inscrutable and ever logical Mr Spock, the pessimistic doctor 'Bones' (pessimistic inspite of... Continue Reading →
Looking into the Bible
Having just published two very wordy posts, this one is picture based. I'm posing the question: what are you looking for when you open the Bible and read it? For many the answer is this: You are looking for some light in the darkness, a bit of 'green pasture', some sustenance, a bit of blue... Continue Reading →
What is THE most important thing you bring to your service of God/the church?
(This is also 'Church: Fractions and Factions Part 2') When we step forward and seek to serve God in some public way (make coffee, arrange flowers,lead prayers, preach, serve on PCC, lay leadership, ordained leadership) what do you might think might be THE most important qualities that you bring with you? Please stop reading and... Continue Reading →
Church: factions and fractions. Part 1
Anyone who has been part of a church for any length of time has survived (or not) some kind of disagreement. Soon the much anticipated Living in Love and Faith Resources will be published by the Church of England working group who have been working on the church's response to issues of sexuality and gender.... Continue Reading →
A Manual for Heartache – Book Review
This is an extraordinarily good book. Practical and direct but overflowing with compassion Cathy Rentzebrink will gently talk you through how you can be kind to yourself when overwhelmed by grief. And she should know. Her 'back story' is of surviving a devastating and protracted loss which began in her teens when her brother, to... Continue Reading →
Touching the Wall Gently – a reflection on dying
Yesterday I went swimming and was praying. Not for myself that I wouldn't drown, I'm a reasonable swimmer. I was praying for others while I swam up and down because it's an activity that creates some quiet and still headspace for prayer. I have one close friend in mind especially so this blog piece is... Continue Reading →
Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton – book review
Every now and again I read a book which is just SO good, it’s hard to review because all I want to say is “this book is SO GOOD - get it! Read it! And then read it again”! This book Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership is in that category. So if you are... Continue Reading →
Mostly Joyful, Surprisingly
via Mostly Joyful, Surprisingly
The Stone that Sparkled
A few weeks ago I was able to enjoy a holiday which began with a Sunday off. This particular Sunday was truly a ‘holy day’ which was part of a ‘hol-i-day’. On the Saturday, I driven away from what had been an intense few days. A set of circumstances that had left me aware that... Continue Reading →