All Souls' - the day we remember those who have gone before,
As we begin our journey through remembrancetide, and especially in the light of the Covid-19 situation, we come before God and remember the Church now sleeping as we await the return of Jesus, the Christ, and the resurrection of the dead,
dona eis requiem
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflection. Show all posts
Monday, 2 November 2020
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Journal: up to scratch
I've been feeling a bit ??? For a couple of days now and it seems people have been noticing this if the couple of emails relating to me looking 'tired' are anything to go by. Yesterday I bumped into a woman I met at a service recently - she pointed to a spotty, miserable tot, and said, "He's got chickenpox and he's not happy!"
But I was because I realised that that was the cause of the itchy spots I've been slowly growing and the caus of the itchy eyes and the tiredness and everything else!
So I'm hiding from people as I am usually around quite medically vulnerable types and although I have been told that I'm 'probably' not contagious, I cannot take that risk with the elderly and medically 'at risk' types.
So having just woken up (yes I know it's almost seven the next day) I'm writing this journal well after the day has bolted the stable to say how good the day was anyway. I did loads of (long-distance) pastoral stuff and a bit of stuff behind the desk and put a bit of shine on the Hustings and the Dying - in the Ditch and more besides. Polished off a couple of things on the way to getting a new minister in St Chad's and am content. The only sadness came in my encounter with one of the 'little people' - the sort who challenge me because I can tolerate people who are inept and generally a bit useless, but get frustrated when the get in the way of sharing the Gospel. hey ho, guess they're sent to make me a better and nicer Christian!!!
So this is here a place marker - let's see that today brings forth :-)
But I was because I realised that that was the cause of the itchy spots I've been slowly growing and the caus of the itchy eyes and the tiredness and everything else!
So I'm hiding from people as I am usually around quite medically vulnerable types and although I have been told that I'm 'probably' not contagious, I cannot take that risk with the elderly and medically 'at risk' types.
So having just woken up (yes I know it's almost seven the next day) I'm writing this journal well after the day has bolted the stable to say how good the day was anyway. I did loads of (long-distance) pastoral stuff and a bit of stuff behind the desk and put a bit of shine on the Hustings and the Dying - in the Ditch and more besides. Polished off a couple of things on the way to getting a new minister in St Chad's and am content. The only sadness came in my encounter with one of the 'little people' - the sort who challenge me because I can tolerate people who are inept and generally a bit useless, but get frustrated when the get in the way of sharing the Gospel. hey ho, guess they're sent to make me a better and nicer Christian!!!
So this is here a place marker - let's see that today brings forth :-)
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Journal: Walking in the footsteps
The day now ended was a real buzz as we filled Lichfield Cathedral with music, ideas and people. The reason for this being the new bishop's launch of a direction for the diocese to begin to travel in and heralds a season of personal evangelism and discipleship for every member of the Church.
A bit of 'back to basics' without all the endless planning meetings with goals being set and outcomes and objectives being endless discussed as those employed by the diocese do their usual stuff - usually managing to have it all squared away as a new direction is announced and all the previously formed stuff is binned so they can start talking again!
Church ministry, chaplaincy, schools, fresh expressions - the thrusts we, the people of God (or as I like to call it: Laos), are (or should always have been) compelled to engage with. I have to say that I like this a great deal as I do church ministry, am in engaged in multiple chaplaincies, and involved with a few schools at various levels and do fresh expressions stuff too. This new bloke ticks all my boxes and seems to be a generally good guy too and so gets my vote (which of course if he didn't would undoubtedly stop him sleeping at night ;-)
On the day the wife was doing her pioneer minister stuff on the fresh expressions stand whilst I did my funeral Champion thing on their stand. I enjoyed talking to people about funeral poverty and fair funerals, things that make funerals fly or crash and burn and had some amazingly good engagements during the marketplace bit. Yes, I love funerals - give me more of them every day and you'll make me smile.
Later in the day there was an opportunity to engage with people about military ethics and this provided a bit of light relief and some real joy )hopefully for all present) before rushing off to make sure all was in place for the first Tamworth School's Music Festival. It not only was but it was a great success - so applause and additional buckets of respect go to Tamworth's sublime church organist.
Found myself spending some three hours tonight (wife out with the Street Angels) studying and reading the word - I know the working hours are shot this weeks, so what they hey? - looking forward to the services tomorrow (which looks like five with a potentially tough scattering of ashes in a favourite spot during the day).
Who ever said it was a quiet life in the regular clergy?
Lord, for all that has gone - Thank You,
For all that is to come - Hallelujah!
A bit of 'back to basics' without all the endless planning meetings with goals being set and outcomes and objectives being endless discussed as those employed by the diocese do their usual stuff - usually managing to have it all squared away as a new direction is announced and all the previously formed stuff is binned so they can start talking again!
Church ministry, chaplaincy, schools, fresh expressions - the thrusts we, the people of God (or as I like to call it: Laos), are (or should always have been) compelled to engage with. I have to say that I like this a great deal as I do church ministry, am in engaged in multiple chaplaincies, and involved with a few schools at various levels and do fresh expressions stuff too. This new bloke ticks all my boxes and seems to be a generally good guy too and so gets my vote (which of course if he didn't would undoubtedly stop him sleeping at night ;-)
On the day the wife was doing her pioneer minister stuff on the fresh expressions stand whilst I did my funeral Champion thing on their stand. I enjoyed talking to people about funeral poverty and fair funerals, things that make funerals fly or crash and burn and had some amazingly good engagements during the marketplace bit. Yes, I love funerals - give me more of them every day and you'll make me smile.
Later in the day there was an opportunity to engage with people about military ethics and this provided a bit of light relief and some real joy )hopefully for all present) before rushing off to make sure all was in place for the first Tamworth School's Music Festival. It not only was but it was a great success - so applause and additional buckets of respect go to Tamworth's sublime church organist.
Found myself spending some three hours tonight (wife out with the Street Angels) studying and reading the word - I know the working hours are shot this weeks, so what they hey? - looking forward to the services tomorrow (which looks like five with a potentially tough scattering of ashes in a favourite spot during the day).
Who ever said it was a quiet life in the regular clergy?
Lord, for all that has gone - Thank You,
For all that is to come - Hallelujah!
Saturday, 20 May 2017
Journal: Ok, where did the day go?
had it all planned but - a day off, but then there was a little website management followed by a lot of admin that needed to be done for the weekend followed by a couple of articles for people and some stuff surrounding the Tamworth Hustings on June 5th and some prep for the diocesan event tomorrow and before you knew it - the work day was finishing and it was almost 10pm and it had been something like a fourteen hour (working) day!
Finished tired and yet strangely satisfied - which is why I guess I keep on doing long hours - because if the work is there then I'll plough on!
So, a great day, albeit almost totally office based, with much to show for it and much to be grateful for.
For the conversations by telephone - glad I've abandon email for telephone, nothing better than hearing a voice and bringing about a solution in real time - I'm grateful. They were a blessing to the person at the other end of the wire and to me.
For the planning which appears to be coming together - always surprised and always blessed.
For the day gone - a big smile and gratitude for a productive day.
Yeeha!
Friday, 19 May 2017
Journal: There's always one!
Actually - there is, in my experience, often more than one!
It's amazing and sad in possibly unequal measure that the world contains some really sad people out there. The sadness is that they have to come and visit their sadness on me the amazing thing is their inability to extract their heads from their behindsides and yet can still talk out of it!
Every now and then I find myself doing something only to find that a Frank Sinatra imitator steps up and sings 'my way' as loudly as possible. Sometimes it's a moan over the fact that they didn't like a hymn or the way someone did, or didn't do, something. I had it once over a street theatre company who did came and made a decent fist of the passion - but they did it amongst the people (that's why it's called 'street' - if you want a show, go to a theatre!) and so some complained that they couldn't see the 'show'! The problem is that things we do and the way that we do them have the potential to overshadow the 'what' we are doing and we can soon follow this by losing the 'why' are we doing it too!
A simple idea to pay our respects to those who have fallen; those who have served (possibly with us); those who continue to serve - can be so very powerful. In fact the size and the manner in which it occurs can be a real bottom lip wobbler (I know, I've been there). A simple gathering of a few people in a place for the same reason - where service and sacrifice are held before them with a certain, grounded, awe and respect - this is the purest stuff of remembrance made real.
A coming together of people to mark something important in the Christian year - simple and honestly open - can there be anything more powerful?
Yet we strive to make things bigger or (put your word here) and before long the whole thing misses the point of the gathering, letting it become secondary as the event becomes the reason to gather, and so in perhaps achieving the success we crave, we find that we have in fact created a remarkable failure! What does it profit someone that they gain the world and in so doing forfeit their soul?
When does something special merely become a rally in a place where special things take place?
When does a service serve the people who attend rather than worship the one for whom respect, reverence and the gathering was intended?
Hard questions indeed.
I work hard to bring before people the focus of the reason we gather. Contained within this it is always Jesus, the Christ, that I seek to bring centre stage as we remember His life, message and sacrifice in our acts of worship: A true place to occupy whether we are doing Church, Remembrance or being a Chaplain. The ONLY place I can occupy as a Christian and a minister of God's grace.
So, if you are one of those who want everything done on your terms, your way, with the entertainers lined up - bringing something that rings your bell and gives you what you want. Here's a gentle recommendation:
So from today - if you want a sideshow, some entertainment, something that tickles your fancy - if it ain't god Jesus up front and centre: go find yourself someone with an equity card not a dogcollar :-)
It's amazing and sad in possibly unequal measure that the world contains some really sad people out there. The sadness is that they have to come and visit their sadness on me the amazing thing is their inability to extract their heads from their behindsides and yet can still talk out of it!
Every now and then I find myself doing something only to find that a Frank Sinatra imitator steps up and sings 'my way' as loudly as possible. Sometimes it's a moan over the fact that they didn't like a hymn or the way someone did, or didn't do, something. I had it once over a street theatre company who did came and made a decent fist of the passion - but they did it amongst the people (that's why it's called 'street' - if you want a show, go to a theatre!) and so some complained that they couldn't see the 'show'! The problem is that things we do and the way that we do them have the potential to overshadow the 'what' we are doing and we can soon follow this by losing the 'why' are we doing it too!
A simple idea to pay our respects to those who have fallen; those who have served (possibly with us); those who continue to serve - can be so very powerful. In fact the size and the manner in which it occurs can be a real bottom lip wobbler (I know, I've been there). A simple gathering of a few people in a place for the same reason - where service and sacrifice are held before them with a certain, grounded, awe and respect - this is the purest stuff of remembrance made real.
A coming together of people to mark something important in the Christian year - simple and honestly open - can there be anything more powerful?
Yet we strive to make things bigger or (put your word here) and before long the whole thing misses the point of the gathering, letting it become secondary as the event becomes the reason to gather, and so in perhaps achieving the success we crave, we find that we have in fact created a remarkable failure! What does it profit someone that they gain the world and in so doing forfeit their soul?
When does something special merely become a rally in a place where special things take place?
When does a service serve the people who attend rather than worship the one for whom respect, reverence and the gathering was intended?
Hard questions indeed.
I work hard to bring before people the focus of the reason we gather. Contained within this it is always Jesus, the Christ, that I seek to bring centre stage as we remember His life, message and sacrifice in our acts of worship: A true place to occupy whether we are doing Church, Remembrance or being a Chaplain. The ONLY place I can occupy as a Christian and a minister of God's grace.
So, if you are one of those who want everything done on your terms, your way, with the entertainers lined up - bringing something that rings your bell and gives you what you want. Here's a gentle recommendation:
Go buy yourself a ticket to the cinema or theatre!
But as for me (and my house) - we will serve the LORD
So from today - if you want a sideshow, some entertainment, something that tickles your fancy - if it ain't god Jesus up front and centre: go find yourself someone with an equity card not a dogcollar :-)
It's good to reflect on things. You find that the things that didn't make you angry make you think and the things (and people) that disappoint can actually encourage you and move you to be a better, more thoughtful, more focussed priest.
Now that's worthy of a 'Thanks be to God' innit?
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Journal: Monotheism, tritheism and Islam
One of the things that Christians appear to either struggle with or ignore has to be made real in the form of the Trinity! If we look to the words of Deuteronomy 6.4 (the shema) we find ourselves faced with the statement: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one'
No doubt or hint of equivocation to be found here - and we believe that God is consistently one, one substance, possessing three distinct and separate natures. There have been, and still are, people who have one God and then the other two as subjective and inferior, other have three gods. God as the Creator and the Holy Spirit and Jesus as created was dealt with in the Church Councils - Sabellius, Arius, modal stuff where there's three form - each existing like ice, water and steam - all this stuff was dealt with and lines were drawn to uphold the Trinity as something solid, sound and consistent.
The thing is that many don't understand the concept and outworking of the Trinity at all and if this is true for the Christians, how on earth do we expect Muslims and others to understand that we Christians and not a bunch of polytheistic - well tritheistic - sorts?
This was the task before me as I taught at an Islamic school yesterday. The school was good in so many respects, the children were disciplined and well-presented, generally attentive and to be honest - pretty much everything you don't always expect from a state school (in my experience).
Moving on to the classroom, the questions were though out and a dialogue was established. I did stuff in a year nine class and then a mixture of years nine and ten - boys in the first, girls in the second - and I think ( hope, pray!) that we all got something from the experience.
One of the best ways to understand your faith is to try and explain it to others and having had friends from many faith (and no faith) groups and nationalities I have often had to become an apologist for the things I believe to be true and found in Christianity.
So in all, a stimulating and most excellent afternoon was had - after an invigorating shower in the morning (indulged in whilst fully clothed in a graveyard with others) - some administration (which, like the poor, it seems will always be with us - followed by some study, some music practice and then a rather interesting Bishops Certificate course where the topic on offer was 'the Trinity' (how's that for a coincidence?).
So a day in which to give thanks for so many things.
For those I have engaged with.
For the places I have found myself.
For the conversations had.
May the things that divide us be made things that bring understanding and respect.
The things that we use to condemn others never be turned against us.
And may the love of God, and of his image made real in the person before us, never be weakened by the meanness of our hearts.
No doubt or hint of equivocation to be found here - and we believe that God is consistently one, one substance, possessing three distinct and separate natures. There have been, and still are, people who have one God and then the other two as subjective and inferior, other have three gods. God as the Creator and the Holy Spirit and Jesus as created was dealt with in the Church Councils - Sabellius, Arius, modal stuff where there's three form - each existing like ice, water and steam - all this stuff was dealt with and lines were drawn to uphold the Trinity as something solid, sound and consistent.
The thing is that many don't understand the concept and outworking of the Trinity at all and if this is true for the Christians, how on earth do we expect Muslims and others to understand that we Christians and not a bunch of polytheistic - well tritheistic - sorts?
This was the task before me as I taught at an Islamic school yesterday. The school was good in so many respects, the children were disciplined and well-presented, generally attentive and to be honest - pretty much everything you don't always expect from a state school (in my experience).
Moving on to the classroom, the questions were though out and a dialogue was established. I did stuff in a year nine class and then a mixture of years nine and ten - boys in the first, girls in the second - and I think ( hope, pray!) that we all got something from the experience.
One of the best ways to understand your faith is to try and explain it to others and having had friends from many faith (and no faith) groups and nationalities I have often had to become an apologist for the things I believe to be true and found in Christianity.
So in all, a stimulating and most excellent afternoon was had - after an invigorating shower in the morning (indulged in whilst fully clothed in a graveyard with others) - some administration (which, like the poor, it seems will always be with us - followed by some study, some music practice and then a rather interesting Bishops Certificate course where the topic on offer was 'the Trinity' (how's that for a coincidence?).
So a day in which to give thanks for so many things.
For those I have engaged with.
For the places I have found myself.
For the conversations had.
May the things that divide us be made things that bring understanding and respect.
The things that we use to condemn others never be turned against us.
And may the love of God, and of his image made real in the person before us, never be weakened by the meanness of our hearts.
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
Journal: Armed forces covenant
Today, on the sixteenth anniversary of the opening of the Milleneum Chapel at the National Memorial Arboretum, the Bishop of Lichfield signed a covenant committing the diocese of Lichfield to the support of those associated with the military within its bounds.
I had the immense privilege of not only being present at the service, but also took part in it, and that made something quite special, just a little more so (if that was possible). The bishop spoke extremely well (having a pointyhat is no guarantee that what's going to be said is good!) and added a cherry to an already rich cake. The previous bishop was an amazingly humble and lovely bloke - the new man is different and yet carries with him the same attributes, which is a bit of a win indeed!
So I got to play cleric, soldier and be present in the NMA at the same time doing something important with regard to the life of the diocese and the lives of those who serve (or have have served) and their families.
There weren't a good many at the event, just enough and only the right people really, but that was all that was required. We honoured God and we committed ourselves to peace and the support of those who are, or have, served.
All in all - brilliant day indeed.
So chilled and relaxed - could do this every day :-)
I had the immense privilege of not only being present at the service, but also took part in it, and that made something quite special, just a little more so (if that was possible). The bishop spoke extremely well (having a pointyhat is no guarantee that what's going to be said is good!) and added a cherry to an already rich cake. The previous bishop was an amazingly humble and lovely bloke - the new man is different and yet carries with him the same attributes, which is a bit of a win indeed!
So I got to play cleric, soldier and be present in the NMA at the same time doing something important with regard to the life of the diocese and the lives of those who serve (or have have served) and their families.
There weren't a good many at the event, just enough and only the right people really, but that was all that was required. We honoured God and we committed ourselves to peace and the support of those who are, or have, served.
All in all - brilliant day indeed.
So chilled and relaxed - could do this every day :-)
Saturday, 13 May 2017
Journal: An interesting evening
Spent on the side of the Aston Expressway as the cam belt on the Megane went and snapped. Still had a couple of k left but it obviously didn't read that bit! So there I was, almost there when all goes quiet. Fortunately I managed to coast into L1 and into a refuge - which was great until along came a bunch of workmen with cones!
They, most helpfully, started putting out the cones and diverting the traffic closer to me (thanks). Having already done the other side the AA bloke called me to say he couldn't make it to me as the traffic was horrendous as the road was closed. So along comes another vehicle from the opposite direction and eventually I find myself home.
But the evening was brilliant - I had a great time singing to myself, listening to football and generally having a great time. There were bits of excitement (like the lofty that came into my part of the road and just made it back onto main carriageway clipping the wing mirror on the way! There were bits of confusion as someone squeezed past me (on foot) and carried on around the corner. It was a great end to a super day - if you don't count the fact that I need a new car that is!!!
But the day rocked as I did more time on the streets of Tamworth talking to people as part of the 'Dying Matters' week. The conversations rocked and I reconnected with so many lovely people and met new as I talked about the place of bereavement and dying in today's society.
No Communions or home visits today - it was all on the streets - and it was brilliant!,
Tomorrow it's more of the same and then we have an 'art in unusual places' event with a musical due coming to perform (tickets still available!!!) before Sunday comes.
So tired and yet strangely happy - just need a car with a tow bar to replace Megané - hallelujah or what :-). ?
They, most helpfully, started putting out the cones and diverting the traffic closer to me (thanks). Having already done the other side the AA bloke called me to say he couldn't make it to me as the traffic was horrendous as the road was closed. So along comes another vehicle from the opposite direction and eventually I find myself home.
But the evening was brilliant - I had a great time singing to myself, listening to football and generally having a great time. There were bits of excitement (like the lofty that came into my part of the road and just made it back onto main carriageway clipping the wing mirror on the way! There were bits of confusion as someone squeezed past me (on foot) and carried on around the corner. It was a great end to a super day - if you don't count the fact that I need a new car that is!!!
But the day rocked as I did more time on the streets of Tamworth talking to people as part of the 'Dying Matters' week. The conversations rocked and I reconnected with so many lovely people and met new as I talked about the place of bereavement and dying in today's society.
No Communions or home visits today - it was all on the streets - and it was brilliant!,
Tomorrow it's more of the same and then we have an 'art in unusual places' event with a musical due coming to perform (tickets still available!!!) before Sunday comes.
So tired and yet strangely happy - just need a car with a tow bar to replace Megané - hallelujah or what :-). ?
Friday, 12 May 2017
Journal: How will they hear?
One of the challenges we have in the Church is that of being engaged with the Gospel and those around us as clergy become increasingly stretched and increasingly ignorant. If we are in the same place with Jesus that we were yesterday then we have effectively gone backward - this is something I have believed almost since I signed up to follow the Christ, because it is so very true - we need to be extending our understanding of the Bible and the way people interpret it and live it out.
Whenever I visit clergy, whenever possible, I have a squint at their bookshelf to see what they're reading (and I ask them too) and the sadness is that many of us stopped reading pretty much about the same time we left college or perhaps finished our curacies. The upshot of this is that we find ourselves becoming stuck in a deepening rut and as we do it's harder to move forward and eventually we fail to see the light!
Someone I engaged with recently told me that they would love to read but are 'too busy'. Another person said that they were happy with their faith as it was and didn't need to be seeking out 'new stuff'!
So I've decided that I'm going to ask everyone I meet what they are reading and what's new before them and try to encourage some dialogue with books and with each other because it's not paper and processes that will win the day but Prayer and people and a keener sense of our calling and relationship with Jesus. And I have decided to review the books I read to encourage others to do the same - and who knows, we might even get a night in the pub for us too?
How will they hear if we don't find God's voice and relay it to others and help them hear it for themselves too?
In other news, today was superb: a bit of admin', Communion followed by home Communions, followed by some pastoral stuff and then at 4pm my day ended and it was me time. Watched a film (White House Down) - visited the Ditch to say thanks for the help on Monday - watched an episode of Wallender and had an early night. A pretty amazing day full of blessing and ending with a tired but content spring in my step. What more can we ask for?
Tomorrow you'll find me on the streets in Tamworth for the whole day as we pick up the 'Dying Matters' awareness week again. Looking forward to loads of interaction and the buzz that people bring. Sublime day in prospect.
Lord, for all that has gone I thank You - for the lives touched, connected to You and the stories heard, I am so very grateful. Lead me on deeper into You. help me to learn new things and to meet new people enthused by the power of Your love and enabled by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to forgive and tolerate as you forgive and tolerate my foolishness.
Hallelujah or what?
Whenever I visit clergy, whenever possible, I have a squint at their bookshelf to see what they're reading (and I ask them too) and the sadness is that many of us stopped reading pretty much about the same time we left college or perhaps finished our curacies. The upshot of this is that we find ourselves becoming stuck in a deepening rut and as we do it's harder to move forward and eventually we fail to see the light!
Someone I engaged with recently told me that they would love to read but are 'too busy'. Another person said that they were happy with their faith as it was and didn't need to be seeking out 'new stuff'!
So I've decided that I'm going to ask everyone I meet what they are reading and what's new before them and try to encourage some dialogue with books and with each other because it's not paper and processes that will win the day but Prayer and people and a keener sense of our calling and relationship with Jesus. And I have decided to review the books I read to encourage others to do the same - and who knows, we might even get a night in the pub for us too?
How will they hear if we don't find God's voice and relay it to others and help them hear it for themselves too?
In other news, today was superb: a bit of admin', Communion followed by home Communions, followed by some pastoral stuff and then at 4pm my day ended and it was me time. Watched a film (White House Down) - visited the Ditch to say thanks for the help on Monday - watched an episode of Wallender and had an early night. A pretty amazing day full of blessing and ending with a tired but content spring in my step. What more can we ask for?
Tomorrow you'll find me on the streets in Tamworth for the whole day as we pick up the 'Dying Matters' awareness week again. Looking forward to loads of interaction and the buzz that people bring. Sublime day in prospect.
Lord, for all that has gone I thank You - for the lives touched, connected to You and the stories heard, I am so very grateful. Lead me on deeper into You. help me to learn new things and to meet new people enthused by the power of Your love and enabled by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to forgive and tolerate as you forgive and tolerate my foolishness.
Hallelujah or what?
Thursday, 11 May 2017
Journal: where did that day go?
Today was a total rush! Everything was pretty much planned to the minute today, it had to be as there was but a fag paper between the gaps - one of those days where you end up feeling really great and go to bed with a buzz. The day comprised of some home visits for pastoral, Communion and a bit of assistance offered and then it was service planning, some study, some pastoral stuff, music practice and then Bishops Certificate.
Think I'll find I'm struggling with the time thing when I come to log the last couple of weeks, but I have made some differences and am cutting back, so hopefully there will be a little drop in hours.
Next week is a quiet week in prospect - hopefully get ready for some time away and do some study and prayer. No funerals - which feels odd - but time to catch up on sound stuff and do some studio time to make me smile even more.
Being a dog collar is a great role - you determine your day and you get a rush a minute for much of it - you just need to realise it's your life and not your job I guess.
Loads of positive feedback from the Ditch evening - looking to extend it into something a little more in other areas now. All takes Prayer, planning and then the people. But God is good and so it onwards and upwards :-)
Lord for the needs I've encountered today - touch those lives, bring Your healing and breathe in you wholeness and peace.
For the people who are needy and difficult - give me grace and patience.
For the people who are demanding and distracting - help me to show your love.
For those who challenge my moments - help me to look to you and the image of your reality in them and be generous.
And for me - you know my needs, my challenges and my pain: You have me life and I trust You!
Think I'll find I'm struggling with the time thing when I come to log the last couple of weeks, but I have made some differences and am cutting back, so hopefully there will be a little drop in hours.
Next week is a quiet week in prospect - hopefully get ready for some time away and do some study and prayer. No funerals - which feels odd - but time to catch up on sound stuff and do some studio time to make me smile even more.
Being a dog collar is a great role - you determine your day and you get a rush a minute for much of it - you just need to realise it's your life and not your job I guess.
Loads of positive feedback from the Ditch evening - looking to extend it into something a little more in other areas now. All takes Prayer, planning and then the people. But God is good and so it onwards and upwards :-)
Lord for the needs I've encountered today - touch those lives, bring Your healing and breathe in you wholeness and peace.
For the people who are needy and difficult - give me grace and patience.
For the people who are demanding and distracting - help me to show your love.
For those who challenge my moments - help me to look to you and the image of your reality in them and be generous.
And for me - you know my needs, my challenges and my pain: You have me life and I trust You!
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Journal: Dying matters Awareness week
What an amazingly immense day spent outside engaging with people as they shopped as part of 'Dying Matters' awareness week. I have had so many conversations with people and taken the opportunity to just 'be' with the people of Tamworth and it was marvellous.
From 10:00 to 16:00 I walked, talked, listened and prayed. I handed out leaflets for a bereavement support group based in St. Martin's (Stonydelph) and conversed with people from St Gile's Hospice Funeral Directors, and many other people besides.
Back on the Streets on Friday - hoping it stays dry and that I experience more of the same.
There is a real temptation for me to just give up on all the admin and stuff and just soak myself in being out there on the streets - so many needs - and so much joy to be celebrated and made real.
As a society it seems that we don't do death as well as we did. We don't think about it in a healthy way, in fact we rarely think about it unless our mortality (or that of someone we live or know) is threatened. One of the most important roles a cleric has is that of helping people to die well - not a morbid thing, but something of joy and completeness I reckon.
We don't always grieve well either and the spectrum ranges from 'always look on the bright side of life' through to turning the home into a shrine and engaging in a toxic grief that ends normal life for others too. Death is a painful thing, but it is supposed to be and because grief is so often malformed rather than bring healing and a way forward it causes people to revisit the pain with no obvious exit for the roundabout!
So on with the week and the encounters and conversations and the pain of loss and the optimism that a new day brings.
Have I mentioned how much I love this ministry stuff.
Lord, for everything that's been today and all that's before me tomorrow: I thank You.
From 10:00 to 16:00 I walked, talked, listened and prayed. I handed out leaflets for a bereavement support group based in St. Martin's (Stonydelph) and conversed with people from St Gile's Hospice Funeral Directors, and many other people besides.
Back on the Streets on Friday - hoping it stays dry and that I experience more of the same.
There is a real temptation for me to just give up on all the admin and stuff and just soak myself in being out there on the streets - so many needs - and so much joy to be celebrated and made real.
As a society it seems that we don't do death as well as we did. We don't think about it in a healthy way, in fact we rarely think about it unless our mortality (or that of someone we live or know) is threatened. One of the most important roles a cleric has is that of helping people to die well - not a morbid thing, but something of joy and completeness I reckon.
We don't always grieve well either and the spectrum ranges from 'always look on the bright side of life' through to turning the home into a shrine and engaging in a toxic grief that ends normal life for others too. Death is a painful thing, but it is supposed to be and because grief is so often malformed rather than bring healing and a way forward it causes people to revisit the pain with no obvious exit for the roundabout!
So on with the week and the encounters and conversations and the pain of loss and the optimism that a new day brings.
Have I mentioned how much I love this ministry stuff.
Lord, for everything that's been today and all that's before me tomorrow: I thank You.
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Journal: In the Ditch
What an absolutely amazing night - the day was as busy as Mondays usually are with meetings, home Communions and a funeral and then there was the first 'Dying - in the Ditch' - a totally unknown quantity.
Having spoken to people about their endeavours I soon realised that the stand up and hold court, lecture, and the like wasn't the way forward for this event and so it was a beer a low key start as conversations began. But the place was pretty much packed and the noise of conversation and laughter - the topics and the way that people began to engage - had me leave at the end of the night with a big grin.
And so it's onwards and upwards with some planning to be done for the next one and some thinking about what else needs to be done in such a brilliant venue. Ged and Ade, who run the place, were absolute stars for all their help and hopefully this is the beginning of something really effective in the lives of some of Tamworth's inhabitants.
Wasn't a 'godbothering' event - no prayers, hymns, sermons or collections - but an opportunity to bring some sense of peace and healing into a few lives. And I know who I work for.
So Lord, thank You for a stunning day - for those with whom I have engaged a massive Thank You.
Strengthen my arms that the ministry opportunities in this place might be seen and acted upon. Help me to pastor the flock and to steady the wobbly.
Alleluia or what?
Having spoken to people about their endeavours I soon realised that the stand up and hold court, lecture, and the like wasn't the way forward for this event and so it was a beer a low key start as conversations began. But the place was pretty much packed and the noise of conversation and laughter - the topics and the way that people began to engage - had me leave at the end of the night with a big grin.
And so it's onwards and upwards with some planning to be done for the next one and some thinking about what else needs to be done in such a brilliant venue. Ged and Ade, who run the place, were absolute stars for all their help and hopefully this is the beginning of something really effective in the lives of some of Tamworth's inhabitants.
Wasn't a 'godbothering' event - no prayers, hymns, sermons or collections - but an opportunity to bring some sense of peace and healing into a few lives. And I know who I work for.
So Lord, thank You for a stunning day - for those with whom I have engaged a massive Thank You.
Strengthen my arms that the ministry opportunities in this place might be seen and acted upon. Help me to pastor the flock and to steady the wobbly.
Alleluia or what?
Friday, 5 May 2017
Journal: Philomena - not an easy watch!
I watched the film, Philomena, today. It's one of those films that relate to the 'Magdelen Laundries' and the actions of various members of the Catholic Church relating to the care of young 'fallen' and/or 'unrukry and wayward' young women.
The film featured harsh and bitter treatment of the young women at times but that want the worst bit, for it also pointed to the results of these young women's sin, the children, being effectively sold off to adoptive couples.
In 1952, Philomena Lee (played by Judi Dench) gave birth to a son in a 'mother and baby home'. Three years later that same child was passed on for adoption (with another child) and money changed hands. The institution was legal led allowed to do this because the mothers were made to sign a document passing all rights regarding the child to the order of nuns and the Catholic church. Seems to me that, having read other books on the subject, this was a nice little earner - but that's not the bit that causes me distress (even though it is distressing).
What gets my goat is the institutional corruption and deceit that saw all paperwork, save the legal transfer of rights, destroyed by the nuns. Add to this the fact that the organisation denied access to information that would have enabled morhter and son to be reunited when they came looking and you have sprinkles on the cake already bedecked with the cherries of sexual immorality and abuse. Is it any wonder that people distrust the Church (all and every brand of it) when our recent past is held up to scrutiny.
Add to this the remarkable film 'Spotlight' and the exposé of the sexual abuse covered up and buried, and the institutional suppression of the truth and the oppression aimed at those who sought to find it: and you have a picture of something extremely wrong in terms of Church and the discharge of the Gospel.
This is not a Roman Catholic issue alone, as happenings in the CofE and other denominations and groupings clearly demonstrate. Wherever there is power on offer, there are people who will abuse that power for their own gain and pleasure. What is tragic (and that's a polite word) is the fact that the Church (universal) has looked the other way and so permitted wrong to have happened and then covered it up - lying, using its institutional power and the pressure its members can impose on friends and family should they be rocking the boat - and so compounded their sin.
The Church is made up of flawed, fallible and potentially awful people. But evil does triumph and Jesus, the Christ, falls from the cross onto the floor impotent as the Church, stumbling and falling seeks to cover things up. The triumph is that there are good people doing good things and standing against evil inside and outside of Church.
The good (should that be 'amazing') thing is that there are people like Philomena Lee who maintain their faith in God, seeing past the flawed and fallible representatives of the church before them, to Worship God. A most uncomfortable and angst-filled, Anger-making film indeed.
Worth a watch,
The film featured harsh and bitter treatment of the young women at times but that want the worst bit, for it also pointed to the results of these young women's sin, the children, being effectively sold off to adoptive couples.
In 1952, Philomena Lee (played by Judi Dench) gave birth to a son in a 'mother and baby home'. Three years later that same child was passed on for adoption (with another child) and money changed hands. The institution was legal led allowed to do this because the mothers were made to sign a document passing all rights regarding the child to the order of nuns and the Catholic church. Seems to me that, having read other books on the subject, this was a nice little earner - but that's not the bit that causes me distress (even though it is distressing).
What gets my goat is the institutional corruption and deceit that saw all paperwork, save the legal transfer of rights, destroyed by the nuns. Add to this the fact that the organisation denied access to information that would have enabled morhter and son to be reunited when they came looking and you have sprinkles on the cake already bedecked with the cherries of sexual immorality and abuse. Is it any wonder that people distrust the Church (all and every brand of it) when our recent past is held up to scrutiny.
Add to this the remarkable film 'Spotlight' and the exposé of the sexual abuse covered up and buried, and the institutional suppression of the truth and the oppression aimed at those who sought to find it: and you have a picture of something extremely wrong in terms of Church and the discharge of the Gospel.
This is not a Roman Catholic issue alone, as happenings in the CofE and other denominations and groupings clearly demonstrate. Wherever there is power on offer, there are people who will abuse that power for their own gain and pleasure. What is tragic (and that's a polite word) is the fact that the Church (universal) has looked the other way and so permitted wrong to have happened and then covered it up - lying, using its institutional power and the pressure its members can impose on friends and family should they be rocking the boat - and so compounded their sin.
The Church is made up of flawed, fallible and potentially awful people. But evil does triumph and Jesus, the Christ, falls from the cross onto the floor impotent as the Church, stumbling and falling seeks to cover things up. The triumph is that there are good people doing good things and standing against evil inside and outside of Church.
The good (should that be 'amazing') thing is that there are people like Philomena Lee who maintain their faith in God, seeing past the flawed and fallible representatives of the church before them, to Worship God. A most uncomfortable and angst-filled, Anger-making film indeed.
Worth a watch,
Thursday, 4 May 2017
Journal: trying to live the stuff
This being a Christian thing isn't as easy as one might expect or hope.for Church is a bit like some of the parties I've attended: It would be great if it wasn't for the people!
It's not that they drive me mad, they just don't help me to stay sane, and that's where the problems arrive by the lorry load. After all there's so many challenges to one's sanity in the shape of malformed liturgy, misread Bibles, unread Bibles, weird theologies and basically weird, infrequent, attenders. And that's the good side of the event before me!!!
As much as God is blessing (because that's what He does) stuff that surrounds me, the reality is that people are working (albeit not hard) at confounding and confusing what otherwise can only be assumed to be right stuff in so many ways. There's so much to be grateful for (and I am) but there's so much that causes me to ask what is going on to the extent that I can understand why a hermits life is so appealing.
People energise me, which is right for someone doing the stuff I do. But they also drive me round the bend at times as they work so hard at staying the same and doing Church on their terms. Regardless of the way remedy is attempted we all cling to self and selfish, self-serving, ambitions and attitudes. If you speak out you're regarded by some as grumpy old wotsit and the eventual tack to be taken is to merely smile and let the world pass you by on the way downhill and to let the lunatics attempt to run the asylum.
Discussing this elsewhere, a wise friend encouraged me to step back and merely smile on the grounds it's what they've done for years and it serves them well. "Do this and everyone thinks you're a really nice person," they said, "And although you get frustrated, you just tell God it's all His and do something nice!"
"But what about when it goes wrong and you've done nothing?" I asked them, "What then?"
"Well then I do something and people see what a nice person I am again," was the reply.
Lord, I struggle to say nothing when things around me look at odds with the things You call us to be and yet one around me tell me that the answer is to be honest and silent and yet this doesn't seem to be the hallmark of living like Jesus. Help me to be a man of integrity without frightening the sheep or compromising myself. Help me to step back and leave things to You if this is the right way forward - safe in the knowledge that people will become stronger if they get through it in their own!
Lord, give me Your heart and the wisdom to make it real in the lives of others.
And for all the party poopers out there - help me to find different parties to attend ;-)
It's not that they drive me mad, they just don't help me to stay sane, and that's where the problems arrive by the lorry load. After all there's so many challenges to one's sanity in the shape of malformed liturgy, misread Bibles, unread Bibles, weird theologies and basically weird, infrequent, attenders. And that's the good side of the event before me!!!
As much as God is blessing (because that's what He does) stuff that surrounds me, the reality is that people are working (albeit not hard) at confounding and confusing what otherwise can only be assumed to be right stuff in so many ways. There's so much to be grateful for (and I am) but there's so much that causes me to ask what is going on to the extent that I can understand why a hermits life is so appealing.
People energise me, which is right for someone doing the stuff I do. But they also drive me round the bend at times as they work so hard at staying the same and doing Church on their terms. Regardless of the way remedy is attempted we all cling to self and selfish, self-serving, ambitions and attitudes. If you speak out you're regarded by some as grumpy old wotsit and the eventual tack to be taken is to merely smile and let the world pass you by on the way downhill and to let the lunatics attempt to run the asylum.
Discussing this elsewhere, a wise friend encouraged me to step back and merely smile on the grounds it's what they've done for years and it serves them well. "Do this and everyone thinks you're a really nice person," they said, "And although you get frustrated, you just tell God it's all His and do something nice!"
"But what about when it goes wrong and you've done nothing?" I asked them, "What then?"
"Well then I do something and people see what a nice person I am again," was the reply.
Lord, I struggle to say nothing when things around me look at odds with the things You call us to be and yet one around me tell me that the answer is to be honest and silent and yet this doesn't seem to be the hallmark of living like Jesus. Help me to be a man of integrity without frightening the sheep or compromising myself. Help me to step back and leave things to You if this is the right way forward - safe in the knowledge that people will become stronger if they get through it in their own!
Lord, give me Your heart and the wisdom to make it real in the lives of others.
And for all the party poopers out there - help me to find different parties to attend ;-)
Friday, 28 April 2017
Journal: Saturday's coming
Been a different day from the norm, probably because it was set aside for study, prep and admin? That said, I was doing a wedding rehearsal this evening, not one of my more common services. As ever the run through worked easily - not lost a Bride yet - and the joy of knowing the couple and having a relationship with them and the family made it quite special.
Funerals have slowed down now such that I'm about to hit what I think is the thirtieth the of the year and there are a few baptisms on the horizon too. Occasional offices are sometimes more frequent than the name suggests.
I'm enjoying a return to writing theological material and the slow progress being made in trying to find some more postgrad and the frustrations this brings have been out aside for a bit. Mind you, I need to call in the support people to work through my daily hours and help me rationalise things to get more study and prayer as i have become so busy that I'm doing nothing other than keep the wheels spinning. the irony here is that I used to work with people on this and now I find myself doing so much that I'm doing nothing. A tough place to be found residing.
The week past fits the pattern many experience, especially the fact that we knock ourselves out getting stuff in place before we have time off and then, upon our return, find ourselves hammering through work to catch up because we were away. A colleague told me that I needed to aim for something between thirty-eight and forty-two hours a week as this game space for the crises but provided time to live in. Failing (happily rather than miserably) at this at the moment, but the goal is gradual change so that by the time I hit the end of September I might be running somewhere near.
The odd thing about the time thing is the fact that although I wear many hats, the demand placed by them is minimal really - a service here, another there, the occasional meeting. the same is true of time for personal study and private prayer - prayer is trickling along at about seven hours a week, but this is a 'cat's lick and a promise' fulfilled by my daily office routine. So watch this space Lord, although those who know me will shake their heads in anticipation of a failed attempt - I'm heading for the things that matter.
But rather than a promise for the future I look to the day of promise that has passed and give You praise for all it has contained.
I thank You for the people I have met - especially Stephanie who needs a touch from You for the growth on her foot - and for the many, unmanned, but loved people I have encountered on the journey today.
Lord, help me to do more and to find the still waters.
Funerals have slowed down now such that I'm about to hit what I think is the thirtieth the of the year and there are a few baptisms on the horizon too. Occasional offices are sometimes more frequent than the name suggests.
I'm enjoying a return to writing theological material and the slow progress being made in trying to find some more postgrad and the frustrations this brings have been out aside for a bit. Mind you, I need to call in the support people to work through my daily hours and help me rationalise things to get more study and prayer as i have become so busy that I'm doing nothing other than keep the wheels spinning. the irony here is that I used to work with people on this and now I find myself doing so much that I'm doing nothing. A tough place to be found residing.
The week past fits the pattern many experience, especially the fact that we knock ourselves out getting stuff in place before we have time off and then, upon our return, find ourselves hammering through work to catch up because we were away. A colleague told me that I needed to aim for something between thirty-eight and forty-two hours a week as this game space for the crises but provided time to live in. Failing (happily rather than miserably) at this at the moment, but the goal is gradual change so that by the time I hit the end of September I might be running somewhere near.
The odd thing about the time thing is the fact that although I wear many hats, the demand placed by them is minimal really - a service here, another there, the occasional meeting. the same is true of time for personal study and private prayer - prayer is trickling along at about seven hours a week, but this is a 'cat's lick and a promise' fulfilled by my daily office routine. So watch this space Lord, although those who know me will shake their heads in anticipation of a failed attempt - I'm heading for the things that matter.
But rather than a promise for the future I look to the day of promise that has passed and give You praise for all it has contained.
I thank You for the people I have met - especially Stephanie who needs a touch from You for the growth on her foot - and for the many, unmanned, but loved people I have encountered on the journey today.
Lord, help me to do more and to find the still waters.
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Journal: I'm different!
I can't describe the feelings that the closing day has brought me. Well I can but it would sound trite and the potential to do it an injustice is so great I guess I can but say, "Wow!".
Somewhere in today there was a gentle funeral service, some wonderful home Communion visits, some funeral prep which left me positive and blessed, some pastoral encounters and an evening spent with a great bunch of people as we studied and formed our individual theological positions and found ourselves united in it.
I was once told that life is like a giant slinging tile puzzle, you can't lift the tiles to set the order - the classic 'fifteen tile game' being something I think we all know - so you have to move in sometimes unexpected directions to get them into the right place; and when you do you have numbers or letters in the right sequence or a picture or whatever. This is what the Christian life is like with the objective being to see Jesus at the end of the game!
During the course of the day I was told on a few occasions that I am, "Not like 'normal vicars'!" As thankful as I am for being able to maintain my personal brand of weirdness, I have to say that I don't think I've met a normal cleric yet. So today I challenge one of those who had uttered the comment as to what they meant. At first they were a bit shocked and quickly told me that they meant it as a compliment. I responded by telling them that that's what I'd taken it as and was merely wondering what is was that made me 'abnormal'. "Not abnormal. Different!" Was the response; and before I could ask how, they told me.
At the end of the encounter I found myself feeling blessed by who I am for in the words used to describe me were little squares on another person's puzzle and they were moving to show the face of Jesus becuase of their encounters with me. And through their encounters with me they were encountering Jesus, the Christ.
This is all I life for, to make Christ known and to make for a passionate, engaged and redeemed image of the invisible God in every person I meet.
Please God, don't ever let me be whatever a normal cleric looks like, let be look and smell and be like Jesus in the lives of those I encounter. May I be a pleasing aroma, a child who basks in the love of the Father at whose feet he plays, a man of the word and one who will always come alongside.
Lord for the day past I thank You.
For the noise and the mayhem that is me, I ask that you use what You can and recycle what distracts.
For those for whom I have been a blessing - thank You.
For those I have failed to help as I should - bless them and give me another opportunity.
For those who frustrate me and cause me to stumble by my wrong responses: bless them and change me.
As the song has it:
Lord You have my heart and I will search for yours: Jesus, take my life and lead me on.
Lord You have my heart and I will search for yours: Let me be to You a sacrifice.
Thursday, 13 April 2017
Journal: Two stations keep us moving along.
The first night saw us using images commissioned by St John's, bethnal Green and painted by Chris Gollon. The service was met with a number of comments and people were moved and shocked in equal measure.
The second (last night) was a more gently affair altogether and used easier images.
I wonder whether easier images are the best way forward though as it seems to me that we make our journey to the cross so sanitised and gentle - masking the blood, the pain, the sacrifice - making it acceptable and in doing so make it unreal.
The grotesque image, the painful tearing of life from the container that is the human body - how can we make it clean and acceptable? It is as awful and despicable as those who would portray the Shoah, or the atrocities inflicted by wicked men and women in Iraq or Syria, Palestine or Pakistan and mere 'local disturbances'.
The truth is this:
That Jesus, condemned by those He came to save,
Body broken by those whom He took on flesh to become one of,
Chose to do it all for me!
For those in whom I find the image of the invisible God is made visible and real.
See from His hands, His head, His feet . . .
What more needs to be said, seen, sensed
Ignored.
Lord, as I gaze upon the images of Your Passion,
In Your brokenness, I too am broken.
In Your death I find life,
In my life I find opportunity - a day returned from the dead that I might live.
Lead me to Your cross that I might marvel, be broken and find life
I wonder whether easier images are the best way forward though as it seems to me that we make our journey to the cross so sanitised and gentle - masking the blood, the pain, the sacrifice - making it acceptable and in doing so make it unreal.
The grotesque image, the painful tearing of life from the container that is the human body - how can we make it clean and acceptable? It is as awful and despicable as those who would portray the Shoah, or the atrocities inflicted by wicked men and women in Iraq or Syria, Palestine or Pakistan and mere 'local disturbances'.
The truth is this:
That Jesus, condemned by those He came to save,
Body broken by those whom He took on flesh to become one of,
Chose to do it all for me!
For those in whom I find the image of the invisible God is made visible and real.
See from His hands, His head, His feet . . .
What more needs to be said, seen, sensed
Ignored.
Lord, as I gaze upon the images of Your Passion,
In Your brokenness, I too am broken.
In Your death I find life,
In my life I find opportunity - a day returned from the dead that I might live.
Lead me to Your cross that I might marvel, be broken and find life
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Journal: What an amazing week
Holy Week has to be one of the most challenging and blessed weeks of my year as it provides the chance to reflect on the passion of the Christ. This year has been made better by the fact that although the diary is rammed solid, it has space to reflect and ensure that everything is done in slow time - and that makes such a difference.
So today had space to get out to meet and enjoy people, take Communion out, double check the remaining services and do the second stations service of the week. Next up is the tenebrae - always a moving experience.
The rest of the week becomes more crowded and frenetic as the we remember a new commandment and a Passover meal; and then Good Friday itself is so full on with all that the is.
Lord, have I mentioned how much I love You and the life I have?
I thank You for our family - back together for Easter.
I thank You for the Church family who continually bless and challenge me.
Help me to be the person I need to be for all before me.
To make the right decisions and to never avoid doing what is right.
To recognise the moments when I am wrong and resist, or repair, rather than wound.
Strengthen my resolve and my commitment - helping me to do what I should and not what I can.
So today had space to get out to meet and enjoy people, take Communion out, double check the remaining services and do the second stations service of the week. Next up is the tenebrae - always a moving experience.
The rest of the week becomes more crowded and frenetic as the we remember a new commandment and a Passover meal; and then Good Friday itself is so full on with all that the is.
Lord, have I mentioned how much I love You and the life I have?
I thank You for our family - back together for Easter.
I thank You for the Church family who continually bless and challenge me.
Help me to be the person I need to be for all before me.
To make the right decisions and to never avoid doing what is right.
To recognise the moments when I am wrong and resist, or repair, rather than wound.
Strengthen my resolve and my commitment - helping me to do what I should and not what I can.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You
because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.
Monday, 10 April 2017
Journal: An above below average day!
It's not often you get to do a four Communion day, but that's been my experience today and it was great fun. At the close of the day it's been Common Worship 3 - Taizé 1 and so Common Worship goes on to the next round.
The early Communion (up the road) was tough today as the liturgy of the passion took over the majority of the service. Always a tough read. The second service was a lot easier as I played guitar and shared the reading with six others. Service three (which I thought was the last service) - a Taizé offering, was gentle and a real blessing as it enabled me to reflect on the day and hang some of my hurtsm, frustrations and challenges on a hook at the feet of Jesus.
I hadn't counted on service No.4, but someone managed not to turn up and this meant that once my service was done I had to rush off to care for those sheep without a shepherd elsewhere (and it was lovely to be with them).
Today we were so blessed when someone felt the prompting to come in to a service for the first time, and stay! Not sure I would have the courage to do it without knowing someone. But it was another day with few empty seats and some good singing (generally, if you discount me).
So it's gone midnight and I've just received my first birthday wish of the day - how very keen indeed.
Grant me a good night Lord - Holymweek is upon us and the workload becomes immense.
The early Communion (up the road) was tough today as the liturgy of the passion took over the majority of the service. Always a tough read. The second service was a lot easier as I played guitar and shared the reading with six others. Service three (which I thought was the last service) - a Taizé offering, was gentle and a real blessing as it enabled me to reflect on the day and hang some of my hurtsm, frustrations and challenges on a hook at the feet of Jesus.
I hadn't counted on service No.4, but someone managed not to turn up and this meant that once my service was done I had to rush off to care for those sheep without a shepherd elsewhere (and it was lovely to be with them).
Today we were so blessed when someone felt the prompting to come in to a service for the first time, and stay! Not sure I would have the courage to do it without knowing someone. But it was another day with few empty seats and some good singing (generally, if you discount me).
So it's gone midnight and I've just received my first birthday wish of the day - how very keen indeed.
Grant me a good night Lord - Holymweek is upon us and the workload becomes immense.
Saturday, 8 April 2017
Journal: Brunch, craft and Easter collide
What a day: we had a Brunch at one church and a craft day at another and we were cooking (literally)!
Was sad to be reminded that we sometimes live in one-way streets where we can be treated quite poorly and seek to be doormats in our response to this. "We mustn't upset people who are negative or rude to us. After all, what would Jesus do?" they cry from a safe distance.
Actually, I reckon Jesus would have used some robust challenges to their wrong attitudes and their mean-spirited existences. Being Christian means we not only resist living a life of fear but also speak the truth in love. This mistaken belief that Christians are an easy touch needs to be correctly as soundly as those who choice to live contrary to God's good suggestions.
In my life I encounter a number of people who assume that I have to do stuff because I'm a Christian.
"You have to do .. You have to give me ... You have to ..." well actually I don't and the criticism that I have taught people to be bone idle, inept, or the like, because they know I will stand in the gap and meet their needs (dropping stuff for myself or mine) is the same thing in this context too.
So a warning: if you are someone who expects certain things, makes demands, likes to abuse Christians or wants to call yourself Christian without living like one - be prepared to be (gently) corrected!
Let's get it started ...
Lord - Jesus, the Christ, came as servant to all, but not as a patsy and nor a limpwristed fop. We are called to be as men (and this includes women so there's no exeat on offer) in our understanding and our living. Help us to be this!
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