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28 May 2012

2012-05-27T18:32:35Z

Our dog loves to hide under the bed when she has taken something to chew that she shouldn't.

It used to be very easy to coax her out by shaking the box of treats , her response was immediate and we simply waited on the thunder of paws on the stair as she raced down to the hall. But clearly the shaking of the treat box has become tired and now we can shake 'til we drop and she will not come. Except that I have a new scheme...

Now I open the front door ,ring the doorbell , pretend someone has arrived and down she comes like a bolt.... as I tried this I felt quite smug, but as I am writing it I realised how mad we sound and that sensible dog owners who have actually trained their dogs well in the first place will be shaking their heads in disbelief. Still it works for us, until she gets used to it and doesn't respond any more.

Sometimes we too get so familiar with a story or a verse that we don't respond either. The parables are so well known we can recite them backwards but do they mean anything to us now? Yesterday in church I listened once more to the story of Pentacost and I really tried to imagine the scene, the disbelief, the discussion the realisation that something inexplicable was happening, and the excitement that it generated.

If we can only step back sometimes, hear again as if for the first time ,then our response may be quite different, and just like my dog, the rewards awaiting us will be well worth it.

24 May 2012

2012-05-24T07:04:04Z

Well better late than never, but it has taken me all this time, and my daughter's GCSE's for me to realise that the title of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, comes from the Burns Poem. Being a Scot I was familiar with the poem from the earliest age , and being an English student at some point in my schooling I was familiar with the book , but being a bit slow I never put the two together.

As this lightbulb moment occurred I started to think more about the words

'The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley'

I was further reminded when I watched the news last night as our European leaders got together for another emergency discussion ( or high tea as they were billing it) , who would have thought when the Euro was planned, of the perfect storm leading to such chaos

. Burns goes on in his poem rather gloomily about his fear of the future..

'Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me
The present only toucheth thee:
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!'

Before we all give up and go home however , the bible puts it slightly differently. Yes we must be aware that our plans can come to nothing because ultimately we have no control over events, but this is not a source for worry but a reason to trust, in a God who loves us and tells us to have no fear , that he holds us in the palm of his hand.

'Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget ,

I will not forget you!

See,I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;'

Isaiah 49:15-16

22 May 2012

2012-05-22T09:12:42Z

Last week I pulled out a hollyhock which had been growing bigger and bigger in my garden, with a view to dividing it- it looks so easy when Monty Don does it, but once I had it out I realised that the plant had been serving another function, a Premier Inn for snails. They were everywhere, curled up in every nook and cranny, hiding under every leaf and enjoying the free bed and board.

I am no expert but I think if i hadn't found them the plant would not have lasted long.

I was thinking sometimes it is the same with us, we look great on the outside but inside something eats away at us and unless we fix it we cannot thrive.

This morning I read the part of Joshua where he struggles to understand why his military campaigns are failing, even although he seems to have the best army and intelligence. God points out that there is actually something rotten at the core , that his men have been looting and until he deals with that , things will not go well.

Just like the Hollyhock, sometimes we have to look inside to fix what is really the problem.

That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction.I will not be with you anymore unless you destry whatever among you is devoted to destruction.' Joshua 7:12

21 May 2012

2012-05-21T09:14:32Z

Right in the middle of GCSE's, I can feel the stress getting to me, all the work and the preparation has led to this time, much depends on it and what if the questions are not the right ones, what if they refer to something obscure that has not been studied?

I have put the notes away, looked over them one last time,

eaten a good breakfast

made sure I have a nourishing lunch and

I am as ready as I will ever be-

Did I mention that I am just the Mum and it is my daughter who is actually sitting them?

She of course is so much calmer about it all .

It is hard is it not ,being the parent, sending them off, hoping they will do well and letting them go. yet I was reminded yesterday that sometimes there is no more we can do and at that point we give up control , let go and leave it in God's hands. Not a bad place to leave it.

Now if I can just look out the notes for tomorrow...

'Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

18 May 2012

2012-05-18T07:01:30Z

Walking the dog this past week it is amazing to see the growth in the fields that the recent rain has brought on, and now the wheat field is , to use an 'unagricultural' term Macy height. By this I mean when the dog runs through the field she is invisible amongst the crop and cannot see where she is going. Every now and again she jumps up on her hind legs to get her bearings and check out where I am , usually just before she runs off in the opposite direction.

I on the other hand can see her. From my great height I can see the path she makes through the field and the direction she is running in , and, when she seems to be going in the wrong direction I give a blow on the whistle which she can heed or ignore ,usually the latter.

It struck me that our lives are not much different, we sometimes blindly make our way through without really knowing where we are going or seeing what is ahead, and thank goodness we have a God who walk with us keeping an eye on our frantic activity and giving us direction which, like my dog, we can either listen to or ignore.

'The Lord is my shepherd, ^"I lack nothing.
²    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths ^"
    for his name’s sake.' Psalm 23 :1-3

16 May 2012

2012-05-16T07:00:50Z

Someone told me recently that at work on the end of texts was the message 'Nike', it took a while to work out what it was doing there but gradually they realised it was another way of saying 'Just do it'

That phrase can mean all sorts of things and the more I thought about it the more it said. It can mean, stop procrastinating and just get on with it , or stop worrying about how much needs done and how we are going to make it happen and just begin , or it can be a way of fighting the demons of our own lack of confidence and fear of failure.

This morning I was reading again about the parable of the sower who scattered his seed in the hope that some at least would fall on good soil, he didn't stop to work out the percentage yield, the best way for maximum return, or panic in case the whole lot blew away, he just went out there and scattered the seed.

Maybe we spend too much time thinking ...

'Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:8

15 May 2012

2012-05-15T11:38:20Z

Over the past few weeks I have been working with some of my primary school pupils on Time. It seemed straightforward enough until I tried to teach it and then I began to realise how confusing it can be.

For instance, why do we say quarter to nine but write 8:45?

If it is 12 midday is that am or pm and why?

Why do some people use the 24 hour clock and others don't ? And lastly why is we say we will be there at the back of 4 and that could be anytime between 4 and 4:30?

I have been so used to using it that I never think how complicated it is and as I began to try and see things from my pupil's point of view I realised they may be seeing the whole thing completely diferently.

It did make me think about how we communicate the gospel, we live with an understanding of the gospel and its teachings and sometimes forget how confusing , and strange it can appear to those who do not believe . Philip translated and explained for the Etheopian and it is a challenge to consider how we might do the same.

By the way there is one thing everyone agrees about time- that there is never enough of it, hence the reason I have not been writing since the weekend.

“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” Acts 8 :30-31

11 May 2012

2012-05-10T21:02:00Z

Oh dear clearly a few problems with Jeremiah yesterday, not quite sure what happened, but what appeared was not quite what I wanted to say.

And its not the first time that what comes out is not what was meant to. Yesterday was a technical hitch, much like the time I texted my daughter to let her know I was leaving Tottenham and it autocorrected to ' Just leaving rotten ham' sorry Tottenham!

I can think of plenty times unfortunately when it has been all me and I know I am not alone- these moments when you wish you could just take back what you have said, or wish you had spent more time thinking about it. I think Peter would understand, he seemed to come out with just the wrong thing at the wrong moment, but look what Jesus entrusted him with...

So with apologies to Jeremiah these lovely lines should have read

'I alone know the plans I have for you,plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster,plans to bring you the future you hope for.' Jeremiah 29 : 11

9 May 2012

2012-05-08T18:27:00Z

Today is a day filled with joy and excitement, the Olympic Committee, the team in charge of the Jubilee celebrations neither I believe, can compete with the plans and preparations which we as families put into .......

Prom Day.

How does one evening become so huge ?

I am not sure how the Olympic committee deal with the excitement, but I am looking forward to a small glass of something when I can sit back knowing it has been a job well done. Is it frivolous ? Yes! Is it worthwhile? Absolutely !

Why do we do it? Simply because we love them._ Now just the exams to get through...

'For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

Jeremiah 29:11

8 May 2012

2012-05-08T07:25:15Z

I wonder how you woke up today, first day after a bank holiday can be tough.

We had a lovely celebratory weekend in our house with a sixteenth birthday and a great day out yesterday but it seems to fly by so quickly and no sooner have we started to wind down and relax into a holiday spirit than we have to crank up and get back to work.

So, I suppose like so many others , as I awoke this morning I could feel a bit of dread at the things piling up to be done.

It was a great encouragement to come across this verse and I share it with anyone who woke up a little anxious or discouraged

'and when I awake your presence will fill me with joy.' Psalm 17

Joy might be a bit of a stretch this early, but it is a great comfort to know God is watching over us and will help us with all we have to tackle through the day.

4 May 2012

2012-05-04T07:40:09Z

Just after Christmas on my daily walk, I noticed a dead tree which lay split with snow resting on its broken branches. It made such a spectacular shape that I took some paints out later in the day to try and capture it, and its not often I am prepared to sit in the snow , but it made such a impact on the landscape I couldn't ignore it.

This week I past the same spot only to find the tree in full bloom, lots of new Spring green growth sprouting out of these 'dead ' branches, I would never have guessed but it did make me think that maybe we should not give up on things, that even if we think nothing can be done- God can do the impossible.

^'Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

1 May 2012

2012-05-01T07:57:54Z

This morning I have been sitting at the kitchen table looking at the dog and looking at the weather, and looking at both some more and trying to decide how bad it would be if I didn't take her a walk this morning. This is a busy morning and if I walk her she will be filthy and I will need to put her in the bath and then I will need to clean the bath which would be a shame because I just cleaned the bath yesterday - but she is a dog and she does need a walk...what to do?

I am sure there are many people who would be delighted if this was their only dilemma first thing on a Tuesday morning- David Cameron for instance, Rupert Murdoch but they have their own dilemmas and this is mine.

One way or another we often have to choose between doing what is right and what we want even when the right thing is hard. Strangely, somehow or another we always know what the right thing is, some call it conscience, I believe it to be the still small voice of God gently showing me the right way.

I can ignore it, I am free to choose- the dog will not die for want of a walk, but as she turns and looks up at me we both know what I will do, and we both know how much better I will feel for having done it.

"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.' Matthew 5:7

30 April 2012

2012-04-29T15:47:14Z

On Saturday evening we took our teenagers to a concert in Brixton, deposited them there and went to pick them up at the end of the night. I have never been much of a concert goer and so I am a bit out of my comfort zone standing in the O2 Brixton at 10.45 on a Saturday evening.

As I watched the thousands of people pouring out of the concert, I became aware that my perception was all skewed, that the crowd which emerged was not frightening but joyous, happy and elated after a good night. And the bouncers who I thought looked so intimidating and scary were just lovely- looking after the crowd, even insisting that one girl put on her jumper and mac before heading out into the rain.

We really can see things ' by the light of our own eyes' can't we rather than take the trouble to find out what things are really like. I think this is the same firstly with church, we have so many preconceived ideas and the image of church the institution and the reality of church as people can be very different.

Its also the same with faith- this world looks a very different place when we believe there is a God who loves us and who can do the impossible.

It all depends on the way we look at things.

"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!' Matthew 6:22-23

27 April 2012

2012-04-26T16:37:29Z

I am getting really tired of this drought, haven't had a dry dog walk in days- not in fact since the word drought was mentioned and I started to gather water in pots in preparation for the hosepipe ban, not to mention being up to my eyes in buckets full of water which need to go into the ground except that the ground is so very wet anyway.

Yet here I am complaining while other parts of the world are dying for lack of water, as in all things there is not enough to go around and some of us have too much while others have too little.

Which brings me to the simplicity of this morning's report from the Royal Society.

'Over-consumption in rich countries and rapid population growth in the poorest both need to be tackled to put society on a sustainable path, a report says.'

"Where we go is down to human volition - it's not pre-ordained, it's not the act of anything outside humanity, it's in our hands."

and the Psalmist noted....

Psalm 8 4-8

'what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

  You have made them a little lower than the angels^[e]
   and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.'

Hard though it might be it is our responsibility and we do need to be challenged by it.

Further reading on this morning's report

26 April 2012

2012-04-25T18:24:40Z

Sometimes it is just hard to make time for faith.

Busy schedules, early starts ,the day becomes crowded enough without any time to relax let alone sit quietly and meditatively with a bible and a time for prayer, and I confess I have never been one of those people who benefits from getting up half and hour earlier to fit it all in ,definately a case of 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak'

This morning started in just such a hurry and although I knew I wouldn't be able to clear a space I did manage a quick prayer as I walked the dog before leaving for work. Although I do strongly believe that we have to make time in our lives to read and pray and so to grow in faith, I am also aware that I skip days when I don't have time to do it properly.

But what is properly?

I think God listens to us whether we are driving into work, walking the dog in the rain, or standing waiting for a train, in fact I often think the more spontaneous prayers are the more heartfelt. True perhaps we are less likely to hear his response if we are too busy, but he certainly hears us.

So while it is lovely to free up quiet and still time to reflect and be at peace- we shouldn't be put off speaking to him as we dash out of the door.....he hears us no matter what and as I once read on someones' poster.

'Today I am too busy not to pray'

24 April 2012

2012-04-23T18:34:58Z

I managed to stop mid morning for a quick cup of coffee and while the sun was still out I thought I'd take it in the garden and throw a few balls for the dog.

Now I thought dogs were supposed to be excited everytime you threw the ball, but mine lay on the sofa looking at me as I tossed the ball, fetched it myself then tossed it again and...fetched it again myself. Feeling a bit stupid I abandonned the game.

The dog would not play ball. Literally.

Earlier in the day I had been listening to the interview with David Cameron discussing the reform of the House of Lords and he too made the point that unless all the parties acted together nothing would happen- it seems they too would not play ball.

For things to get done , for change to happen co-operation is key; not an earth shattering realisation but still an important one.

' They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.' Acts 2 42-46

23 April 2012

2012-04-22T16:05:05Z

Writing this on Sunday having enjoyed a few hour in the garden between the showers. I have spent the time planting more seeds, my current obsession, and thinning out the ones I planted a few weeks ago and there were two things I wanted to mention.

The first is that I find it hard to thin them out, I know I must for the others to survive but it makes me feel like some sort of tyrant choosing those who live and those who are put on the heap- too much power.

The other thing is the sheer joy I am getting from watching these tiny seeds begin to grow knowing what they will become and how they will fill up my garden and bring such beauty all from the most minute beginning. I still see it as something of a miracle.

Sunday's sermon in church was all about plans for the future and future directions and seeing the miracle God works with these seedlings I can't help but be excited at the possibilities.

'He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.' Luke 17:6

19 April 2012

2012-04-20T09:03:35Z

I woke up this morning with three things nagging at me to be done, there are three appointments I need to find time for in the next week which is already busy and none of them are things I would really want to be doing. Before I put my feet over the side of the bed I was tense and anxious. I hope I'm not the only one who starts the day like this sometimes.

This morning's bible reading was about Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac and led to some reflection on what might need sacrificed in our own lives in order to put God first, clearly for me it is control. I am far too busy trying to control all the things around me and not just letting things happen, the appointments will get made in due course there will be time for all the things that need doing- the important ones anyway and the rest don't matter...

So control goes on the sacrificial fire today , well for a while anyway but now I really do need to get to Tesco

'Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
   “Here I am,” he replied.
  “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
  Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.  So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Genesis 22 10:14

18 April 2012

2012-04-17T19:29:55Z

My daughter was telling me yesterday about the different reactions of her friends as they went through the dreaded vaccinations at school this week. The ones who wept, the ones who simply couldn't go through with it and the very very brave ones who boasted about how easy it was and how little they cared.

I am not convinced such reactions end with school days. I distinctly remember as a young Mum the ones who were so keen to impress on others how well they were coping while the rest of us struggled through as best we could, and don't we meet people in everyday situations still , the ones with more bravado than bravery.

Interestingly the ones who quietly got on with it were not noticed, at least not headlines news. I came across this lovely quote in Isaiah

'In quietness and trust is your strength' Isaiah 30:15

Not boasting, not bravado just quietness and trust, we could learn much from it at any age.

17 April 2012

2012-04-16T18:15:57Z

Have you ever made an excuse to get out of something, only to be found out?

I recently was in the process of finding a reason not to go to a friend's event when she stopped me midway and very bravely said 'You don't really want to come do you?' At that point I had to come clean and admit she was right and felt she was a much better person than I for being so honest.

What is it stops us just telling the truth sometimes, are we just not brave enough or are we trying not to hurt the other person's feelings, cause that usually doesn't work if they can see straight through us.

Maybe we just need to be honest a bit more often. Jesus told the story of the guests invited to the banquet who all strangely had other things to do- he wasn't fooled for a minute and neither should we be.

^'Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him,“Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Matthew 8 21-22