Good Listening
Thinking about stories this morning. There are library books due back and piles of books needing a shelf and tea in my cup so I took a moment to read before sorting. No news there perhaps.
the messy table
Behold
“When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and the face of the earth is renewed.” Psalm 104 v. 30
This morning was one of the gorgeous October days when the air is crisp and good, and the sky is bright. The kids are on holiday from school this week, and today was a day for outside.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, I’m thankful for… Bright light. Isn’t October beautiful? The air is crisp and good, and the sky can be so bright. This is a snapshot of the sky over my church last week. When the sky lights up like this, it is easy to get your eyes off your feet and feel thankful.
Hand-crafted World
Our Genesis-charge is to look after the world. Our own place is that of carer. That feels right. We aren’t just wandering around a gallery. We are tending and caring. Maybe that’s why the Psalm opens with the image of singing children. It focusses our minds on care. And maybe also makes us remember that it care isn’t all about shaping and teaching, but also about listening and celebrating.
Salt, Gardens, Cake, and Peace
I’ve been trying to write about Mark 9 and the stumbling blocks we put before those of little faith. But I keep seeing rubber boots flying and my hands stuffed full of a mad collection of twigs for pooh sticks.
It’s Bigger than Children
The disciples were squabbling about rank, and Jesus brought in a child to make a point about welcome. And what a point. Because he didn’t say that whoever welcomes a child does the work of the faithful. Or serves God well. Or gets brownie points
How to Pray
Yesterday, we read Mark 7: 24-37 in church. It’s the difficult story of the Syrophoenician woman. Difficult because Jesus looks wrong. I had the interesting […]
A Birthday Cake for my Dad
One retro double-meringued, coconut custard, messy and gorgeous birthday cake. Just what September ordered.
My parents’ table and landing on the moon
I wish I was at my parents’ table this morning. I want coffee and shredded wheat, toast with Mum’s marmalade heaped high and Dad’s stories. And I’d ask them both again about the moon landing. That’s the story I want to hear this morning.
Living in the lovely house of God
On holiday, we seem to collect churches. You’d think that the kids would complain about this habit of ours, but so far they don’t. I know. Give them a few years.
Imitating and Eating
This week’s lectionary work keeps pace with the words of John’s Gospel, walking slowly through chapter six from the feeding of the five thousand and through to the passages about the bread from heaven. Bread and more bread
Offering space at the table
I’ve got a brain full of hospitality today. All the bread scriptures in the last few weeks’ lectionary are probably part of it. As are the personal circumstances. We’ve been offered holiday space by a church friend with a house in France.
Best thing since…
It felt like a complete win. We were in the grocery store and getting to that stage where we were a little desperate for something to eat. I have been known to pick up raisin scone to scarf on the way home. (The Spouse is classier by far and buys baguette.)
All the water in all the oceans
“All the water in all the oceans cannot sink a ship unless it gets inside. Nor can all the trouble in the world harm us unless it gets within us.”
The Chronophage and the Fullness of Time
This week’s lectionary flings open the door to a new perspective on time. Paul starts Ephesians with the great mystery of the gospel. It’s all there – creation, calling, the covenant, the cross. And the passage is shot through with a strange chronology.
Go and Bellow
Last Sunday, I got to yell the gospel. Of course, it was due to a microphone malfunction in church, but it made for a memorable experience – and a good lead into this Sunday’s gospel reading in the lectionary.
Our Decennial
Ten years already. I wrote a bit about this anniversary as it loomed back in January. Now, we’re here.
Our Decennial. To be celebrated with tin
A spot of mustard
Growth is in God’s hands. Thank heaven for that. If it were up to me to schedule growth, I’d procrastinate and the kids would never grow at all.
GA and the Diamond Jubilee
This morning, I got to read scripture on the BBC. The service was part of the on-going Diamond Jubilee celebrations and went out live on BBC Radio 4 long wave. I’m currently working in Scotland at Canongate Kirk, the Queen’s parish church in Edinburgh, and though I can’t say broadcasting was part of my job description, I’m glad to be let in on the fun and history marking.
Here I am
“Here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord. I have heard you calling in the night.” I don’t have enough fingers and toes to figure out how many times I sang these words at how many campfires. We’re probably talking hairs on my head at least. Goodness me, I would sing it frontwards and backwards and probably while bailing a sinking canoe blindfolded.
But the story is much harder to hear than the song.