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1st March was the beginning of meteorological spring. Spring has certainly started in our garden. Snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils are flowering, birds are more active, newts are surfacing in the pond… I love the rhythm of the seasons. We’ve had a few days of blue skies and sunshine.  Last night I was with friends Steve andContinue reading “The Moon, the Rainbow, the Kingfisher and the Jordan.”

Minister-Lou preached on ‘Embracing Adventure’ yesterday morning at church: Jesus’ disciples are in a boat… there’s high winds and rough water… Jesus walks on the water towards them… Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water to Jesus… It was about the bold and courageous, taking risks, attempting the apparently impossible… relinquishingContinue reading “In Contrast…”

The Brandon Lake song ‘Gratitude’ was chosen for the service last Sunday morning. I’d not heard it before. I listened to it. Together with the other musicians I learned and practiced it on the Wednesday before the service. I wasn’t convinced that it was a song for congregational worship. We sung it in church onContinue reading “Gratitude”

On Facebook yesterday our friend Jon posted: ‘First Grandfather Clock repair completed’. Jon’s combined his engineering skills with patience and determination to make his old clock go… like clockwork. ‘Like clockwork’ implies dependability, precision… working well… happening in exactly the way it’s expected to… no disruptions or problems. If only life were like that… FiveContinue reading “Like Clockwork”

Last night we watched the Rogers and Hammerstein 1945 musical Carousel. With issues of domestic violence. knife crime and single parent families… with themes of ambition, dreams and hope… death, grief and regret… it speaks to life today.   Set in a fishing community on the Maine coastline, Carousel tells the story of carousel workerContinue reading “Carousel Choices”

This morning, I read, ‘Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.’ It set me musing… …Hearing motivational speakers telling me that I can achieve anything if I set my mind to it …Hearing parents tell me that only the best is good enough for their child …HearingContinue reading “When One Handful is OK”

As a child I knew of TS Elliot’s poems in ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’; more recently I’ve watched the stage musical adaption ‘Cats’… The elderly cat leader and patriarch is ‘Old Deuteronomy’ – named after the biblical book. In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses is speaking to Israel before they enter their PromisedContinue reading “Old Deuteronomy and Refuges”

Gordon was a lovely man whose funeral we attended yesterday. It was said: ‘Gordon was consistent in his faith and character… The person he was as a respected magistrate, in the Juvenile Court, working at Birds Eye, on a local high school appeals board, in his home and family, was the person we knew andContinue reading “Walking Towards Our Fears”

Yesterday in church we thought about being part of a team – in sport, in an orchestra… We considered the picture of the body – where fingers, feet, ears and eyes are all different but have an important part to play. We thought about valuing diversity, appreciating others, sharing strengths, carrying weaknesses, recognising the importanceContinue reading “Doing the Right Thing”

Sometimes my life and my mind get clogged up with events, activities, conversations, promises, people, responsibilities and general stuff of life. When I don’t have the desire or capacity to take on anymore, I appreciate something simple that can speak to my heart with gentleness and clarity… like this song by the Gettys. Listen toContinue reading “Listen To The Word Of The Lord”