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 →
‘Dead’, ‘bitter’ or ‘better’ – Three ways in which we will come through this crisis.
'All things pass' said Teresa of Avila. This too will pass. There are three ways in which we can emerge. We have some measure of control over the first way (but not a lot) but we have a bigger measure of control over the second two possible outcomes and that is why I'm writing this... Continue Reading →
Seeing something BIG in something very small
Seeing something big in something very small is sometimes known as 'catastrophising' - I think this word now exists. And catastrophising is bad, not a helpful habit for your mental well-being. It is literally a case of getting things out of perspective. But I'm talking about a positive ability to see something good and something... Continue Reading →
Finding Jesus in the gloom and uncertainty
This wonderful Easter reflection (used with permission) is by my friend Wendy Bray, a priest and author who lives with terminal cancer. She is also quoting Debie Thomas For anyone who finds Easter hard because it seems to be all about sunshine and brightness and life -all-sorted, this might be helpful for you. Happy Easter. (... Continue Reading →
This is Who I’m talking about…
A 14-year-old boy called Walker whose heart is breaking prays and the next day Jesus turns up in his bedroom, long flowing robes, sandals and all. This short story/poem is absolutely amazing. The Jesus we meet is the Jesus I'd like everyone to meet. I often ask people to read one of the gospels to... Continue Reading →
“The marmalade made me do it!”
I've been away for two days and blown the diet. Forgive me Helen, my fab healthy eating guru friend. It was the marmalade that made me do it. Here is the little mini message that was on the underside of the mini marmalade pot I opened each morning at breakfast. (Yes, I know, opening the... Continue Reading →