The truth will make you free

Wednesday: John 8.31-42

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’

They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me.

'The truth will set you free'.

Yet, we so often react badly to the truth - especially when it surprises us, or turns our view of somebody upside down, or teaches us something about ourselves that we didn't realise, or want to realise, we needed to learn.

'Truth hurts', as the saying goes...
Yet, it's true. Even if painful, finding out the truth does, eventually, give a 'new lease of life'...having a better understanding of ourselves, and of those who we find in the world, is always, I think, going to lead towards freedom, however painful the path there might be.

Through God, we can explore the truth about ourselves. This won't always be pleasant to discover. However, it will always lead to freedom, and deeper relationships.



Today, as the church commemorates F.D. Maurice, a 19th century priest and professor of moral theology at Cambridge, I find myself reflecting on the truth of his statement:

'The Lord's Prayer may be committed to memory quickly, but it is slowly learnt by heart.'



♫ What about this music choice? People are feeling lost and disoriented and scared at the moment; it can be healthy to acknowledge the pain, to sit with it for a time, and then go about as before (it's keeping it bottled up, or dwelling on it continuously, that can be far more unhealthy)
REM - Everybody hurts

Photo of the day - 17

Robot light switches; plants with eyes; eyes on the front door; names for plants (and teapots - they'll come later!) Our house is full of friends, and friendly fun.

Anthropomorphism - giving human attributes and emotions to other things (alive - like animals or plants, or dead - like that light switch) is a natural part of being human. There's a reason why things like this happen (and not just in our house!); that same reason is why it's easy to see a face in the clouds, or in the embers of a fire, or 'the man in the moon'. 

It's partly because relationships are important. Relationships with others, and with things too. Taking this photo just as I said goodnight to the children started me wondering... what around me is just 'stuff' - some that I need, and some things that I really don't - and what things in this house mean more than that to me? What things truly matter to me, that bring joy and peace to my life and enhance my relationships, with myself and with other people?

[Photo shows a purple wall sticker that makes a light switch look like a robot with an 'on/off' switch.]

Boredom buster - 17

Posting about different prayer methods, and reflecting on different passages from the Bible, etc, has reminded me particularly of one of the declarations at the ordination service:

'Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scripture, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the gospel?'

Response: By the help of God, I will.


This applies particularly to ordained ministers equipping themselves to lead congregations, but the idea that we never cease to learn, and should always look to understand more about God, ourselves, and the world, applies to us all.

Perhaps today would be a good time to start learning something that there hasn't quite seemed to be time for? Or to take something up that used to be a habit or skill, but has fallen by the wayside? It could be, but doesn't have to be anything especially 'holy' - God can be found in all things - how about finishing that book that never quite got finished, or starting to learn the language that you've always wanted to, or trying out a new recipe?

Alternatively, if life is still busy (or even busier) at the moment, a new word each day might be a tempting approach? - Merriam-Webster's word of the day

I do nothing on my own

Tuesday: John 8.21-30

Again he said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will search for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ Then the Jews said, ‘Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means by saying, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he.’ They said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me. And the one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.


The first thing that jumped out at me when I read this passage was 'then the Jews said...'.
Holy Week, in particular, is a week where passages from the Bible have often not been read with sympathy towards the Jewish religion (indeed, quite the opposite!).

More about that next week! Today, I’d like to find focus on Jesus’ words, ‘I do nothing on my own...the one who sentence me is with me; he has not left me alone’.
All that Jesus did, he did with the Father. It’s a glimpse towards an understanding of God as the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

From that, we can be reassured that we, too, are not alone in anything that we do, or anything that we experience. God is always with us.

The relationship between Father, Son and Spirit also invites and challenges us - we are invited into a relationship of love with God, in which we will always find love. We are challenged to model this perfect example in our relationships with one another.



Why not be creative while you're praying today, with the Trinity in mind? You could plait three strands together - threads, or hair, or bread dough. Or perhaps make pretzels, with their three holes representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
You might like to use the 'Gloria Patri' as part of your prayers:

     Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
     as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever. Amen.


♫ Holy, Holy, Holy... Byrd's Sanctus for 4 voices

Photo of the day - 16

This is Margie.

Typing now, I can't remember what the link is between this lemon tree and the person who inspired its name (which is frustrating, because it's definitely one of our newer plants(!) - she was an ordination present).

Whenever I water her,  though, she is a reminder of people who have influenced me in the past; people who have brought joy, and who have taught me - about myself, and about faith and about God.

I'm also always reminded that lemons take an awfully long time to ripen. Now we're stuck inside because of self-isolation and social distancing, that's been making me wonder: how patient am I, really? what techniques do I employ when my patience is being tested? and where (and who) do I draw support from to help me be patient?
Other questions that come to mind, are ‘what will be produced from my experiences over the coming months?’; ‘what fruit is ripening in me at the moment?’.



[Photo shows a lemon tree against a brick wall.]  

Boredom buster - 16

It was partly because of Margie (the person, not the lemon tree!) that I was able to see the original artwork 'flora in calix light' by David Jones - now one of my favourite images.

It lives in 'Kettle's Yard', which is (now) a museum, in Cambridge. If you'd like to explore it, and everything else found there, here's an online tour of Kettle's Yard.

Neither do I condemn you

As mentioned yesterday - this week's 'Ponderings' will all be based on the Gospel reading for Communion that day. Today, it's:

John 8.1-11

While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’

'Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone...neither do I condemn you.' This passage is a great reminder that whatever wrongs we have done in our lives, we have the assurance that God will forgive us.

However, we also need to consider Jesus' final words to the woman here, 'Go on your way, and from now on do not sin again'. Knowing that God will forgive does not give us carte blanche to do whatever we like, without regard for others.

Considering others leads us to the knowledge that forgiveness comes in three parts - we can trust that God will forgive us, but we have no control over whether those we have hurt will forgive us. And we also have to come to terms with our actions ourselves; we need to forgive ourselves too.

Forgiving ourselves can be so hard to do. If we manage it, however, we can then let that forgiveness to give us the healing, freedom and energy to continually strive for the unattainable goal to 'sin no more' - without beating ourselves up when we inevitably fall short of that goal.

As a different way of praying, perhaps try one of these 'flower prayers' today.
If you draw and cut out a flower, like this one (any number of petals is fine)...

..you can write your prayer in the middle, then gently fold each petal into the centre, one on top of another.
Carefully float the whole thing on water, then sit with the prayer as slowly the petals unfold, until the flower is flat again.
(Tip: If you use water-soluble ink, the words/drawings of the prayer will end up dissolving into the water; use pencil if you'd like them to stay)

♫ And a hymn that fits these themes too: There's a Wideness in God's Mercy


[Image shows a simple image of a flower with five rounded petals]

Photo of the day - 15

As the children played with lego today, it made me wonder whether there's an analogy there for how things are at the moment... everything seems to be 'all over the place'...all the usual structures and patterns and routines have been broken down.

They are being rebuilt, and altered, as each day goes by.

One thing that is on my mind at the moment is what they'll look like tomorrow, or next week, or next month...and that comes with all kinds of emotions that have as many 'colours' and 'shapes' as the lego above. Much like the sadness of putting the lego away, or pain of stepping on a stray brick(!), I know I don't have to have (and can't have) the all the answers quite yet, so I've been especially wondering what 'lego bricks' I can find in my life that I can use to make structures I can lean on.


[Photo shows an assortment of lego]

Spiritual Communion

As well as all the online prayer resources and videoed services available at the moment, there is also a way of sharing in Communion even when you can't get to church. It's called 'Spiritual Communion', and if you think it might be helpful, here's a guide to it:

[Material mostly copyright Church of England]

Boredom buster - 15

We're mostly stuck inside at the moment... so how about a virtual walk in the Peak District?!

This one's a walk we went on last Spring; it was a fantastic day.
Hope you enjoy some of the photos we took!

A virtual walk in the Peak District


If you'd prefer audio rather than photos, there are several audio tours here.

Boredom buster - 14

🧩 It's weekend puzzle time!

Puzzles are a firm favourite in our house.

How about a sudoku this week?
We're running out of them in the puzzle books we have, but they can be played online here.
(along with a couple of other games, like solitaire)

We adore you, O Christ

Today is Passion Sunday - the point in Lent when we shift from thinking about Jesus' temptations in the wilderness (and our own temptations), towards His Passion.

It's a turning point in Lent, where we move the focus from ourselves, and our Lenten observances and fasting, to think about the events of Holy Week - Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the turning of the tables in the temple; Jesus washing his disciples feet; the Last Supper; Judas identifying Jesus, leading to his arrest; the praying in the Garden of Gethsemane; Jesus' trial and crucifixion; Jesus lying in the tomb until the Resurrection.

This week's sermon, from Fr Philip, can be found on the online sermons page of the benefice website.

As the Church contemplates Jesus' words and actions in his final days at this time, each of this week's 'ponderings' will reflect on the Gospel reading set for Holy Communion in the lectionary that day.


One thing that isn't possible at the moment is for people to go away on retreat. It is possible to 'go' on retreat at home however; the Rev'd Catherine Williams has created a set of retreats for Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost


We may be separated physically, but we can be united as one in prayer; here is a set prayer from the Church of England:

Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us
that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters
we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others
as you were the servant of all,
and gave up your life and died for us,
but are alive and reign, now and for ever.
Amen.

(Prayer from here)

This is one prayer that will be included in our celebration of the Eucharist here, as we pray for all those suffering at the moment, everyone who can't get to church, and those who are giving of themselves to help others in need.

♫ And, finally, a Passion themed music choice for today: Drop, drop slow tears

Photo of the day - 14

This cross was bought for me as a present for my confirmation. As we're at the point in Lent where we begin to particularly turn our attention towards the events of Holy Week, it seemed a good time to share a photo of a cross (especially this one - crosses, statues and other images in churches would traditionally be veiled from Passion Sunday until Easter; stained glass windows would be the only images left unveiled).

I've always loved how this cross brings brightness and colour into the house, and how you can see the outside world through it. It's a reminder that through faith, we invite the true source of hope and joy into our lives, and by faith we see everything through a different light.

Seeing the coloured light from the cross transforming the walls of the room on a sunny day also reminds me of the challenge, and call, faith brings to share the wonderful Good News with the world.


[Photo shows a stained glass cross, made of yellow and green rectangles, hanging in a window, with plants and a brick wall outside.]

From where does my help come?

At times of natural and human disaster in particular, the questions 'why is God doing this?' and 'why does God let bad things happen?'/'why doesn't God do something to stop this suffering?' often get asked.

There isn't space here to do much justice to any answer for either of those - this is one of the big questions in theology, and a google of 'theodicy' will give a wealth of articles and opinions in far more detail. However, there are a couple of things that spring to mind that I'm pondering at the moment (which of themselves is far too simplistic an argument for the whole!)...

If God is love (1 John 4.16b), then the idea that God causes suffering...that God has 'sent' this pandemic doesn't fit. Sending suffering would either be simple cruelty, or to punish. Neither fits with the assurance that God is love, and that 'nothing can separate us from the love of God' (Romans 8.38-39). It also ignores the scientific fact that viruses exist in the world, and are perfectly capable of infecting living things without God 'sending them' to do so.

The more important question, it seems, is not 'why is God doing this?', but 'why doesn't God do something to stop this?'.

The scientist in me says, 'to explore this, think about the extremes'...
- if God never intervened in our lives and in our suffering... then would God be God?
- if God always intervened... then we would find ourselves completely controlled by God, so that no one ever suffered any pain. We would not be humans with free will; instead, simply God's playthings.

Perhaps, then, the question is...so where is God in all of this?

While we should definitely not discount miracles, it is pretty safe to say that whenever we get ill, we have to trust on our bodies, and frequently on modern medicine, to help us recover. God is not absent in this, but walks alongside us in our illness.
A broken bone will not fix itself immediately because of prayer. That does not mean God is absent or that prayer is pointless at times like that.

(Pope Francis preached a homily today that touches on some of these themes. If you'd like to read it, it can be found here.)


When anxiety is high and the future uncertain, it can sometimes be difficult to find headspace for prayer other than simply crying out to God (which in itself, is no bad thing, and no less of a prayer!); these prayers for calmness might be helpful at those times.


♫ As a reminder that God is with us through the good and the bad, how about listening to:  I AM

Boredom buster - 13

How about letting your mind wander whilst doodling?
It's also a great way to pray...reflecting on something and letting your prayer guide your doodling.
The different colours and patterns could be used to represent people and things that you are praying for - such as red for love, circles for the world, blue for the NHS, spirals for the spread of coronavirus, yellow for hope, and so on.

The really simple examples above are a couple of patterns I used to love drawing when I was a teenager - a wavy 'chess board', and curve-sketching using straight lines.

Here's a great selection of how impressive doodles can get: Doodle ideas
and, if you want to do something with an explicitly religious theme, maybe take some inspiration from Mary Fleeson - Lindisfarne Scriptorium


[The two images show doodles - an orange and white 'wavy chessboard' design, and an ink doodle of a curve made from overlapping straight lines.]

Photo of the day - 13

This mug came to mind after thinking about today's 'boredom buster'.

It's not just a nice mug to have when sitting down with a cup of coffee, but also a reminder of a couple of wonderful times spent on pilgrimage on the island of Lindisfarne.

As I drank my coffee, I wondered what other things I've 'collected' over the years, that have value to me, personally, far more than they would to anyone else. The toy plastic duck whistle I was given as a present when I was ordained as a deacon for example (I'll explain quite why that's so special another time!)

[Photo shows a cup of coffee. The blue design, labelled 'Lindisfarne Harbour', on the white mug is an image from Lindisfarne]

Photo of the day - 12

Here's part of one of the walls in the study. It's a collection of some of the churches that have meant a lot to us over the years. There's the church where my wife was baptised, the church where we got married and I was baptised, and the church where my wife was ordained priest.

The pictures are of buildings, but mean much more than that...they are a reminders of some of the people and moments that have meant a lot over the years, as well as the places themselves. Taking the photo made me think: where else has been significant? who has been influential on my life? what are the moments I remember with the strongest feelings (good or bad, happy or sad)?


[Photo shows a white wall with three framed pictures of churches.]

Immanuel, God with us

This picture from yesterday, as we celebrated the Annunciation at home, praying for the world, the benefice, and ourselves, and remembering Mary's 'Yes' to God's invitation and call to become the mother of Jesus.

Celebrating God stepping into human life, in the person of Jesus, reminded me of the connection between 'mess' and 'mass' … life, and ministry, is about finding God, both in the sacred and in the everyday. In the wonders of creation and of the divine, God can be found. In the messiness of our human lives, God is there also. Here we have both: the mystery of meeting God in the Eucharist, and indicators of life more generally, and all that it holds - the window showing a glimpse of the world outside; the skateboards* tucked down the side of the makeshift altar; the iPad leaning against the wall, ready to be picked up and for emails to be replied to and this blog added to.

If you'd like to try another way of praying today, what about praying through/while creating something?
Maybe think about the way you're feeling, or a particular Bible verse or hymn line that comes to mind, and paint, draw, fold, tear - whatever comes to you? Or, if you don't have paints to hand, see what else you've got nearby that you could use (perhaps even things from the garden). And let yourself be led wherever your thoughts and prayers take you - if it ends up looking like a crumpled, torn mess, that is absolutely fine - it's the process and the prayer, not the product, that's important.

♫ A reminder that God is with us, in the good and the bad: You'll never walk alone

*I won't mention the time I fell off and broke my arm just after I was ordained priest...


[The photo shows: A Communion service at a makeshift altar at home.]

Boredom buster - 12

The weather has changed over the last few days, and it's absolutely glorious outside. While it lasts, why not see what birds (and other wildlife) you can see or hear outside?

In our garden we have some regular visitors - a particularly friendly robin; a whole host of sparrows; Heinrich the pigeon (unfortunately we think his partner, Helga, might have been eaten); a frog who is difficult to spot, but fun to come across unexpectedly; and a couple of cats...who are seen a little less often nowadays, with Tallis bounding around the garden frequently.

There's a guide to identifying birds - by sight or sound - here, which you can also click through to find information about other animals and insects you might be able to spot.

Covid-19 Symptom Tracker

I've just seen Bishop John Inge share this on twitter:

App to help researchers track Covid 19

If you have a smartphone, please do think about downloading this to report your symptoms each day (even when you're feeling absolutely well), so the spread of covid-19 can be tracked and the best decisions made about how to get through this pandemic.

I've just done it, and it's quick to set up, and will be even quicker each day to let them know whether I feel ill or not.

Boredom buster - 11

As the weather is so nice at the moment, why not try a picnic? Either out in the garden, if you have one, or inside with the windows open and (if you can manage it) a blanket on the floor.

Even eating the same things as usual, but in a different location, can bring a fresh sense of fun and enjoyment to it. (Indoor picnics are still definitely a thing in this house!)

It could be as elaborate or as simple as you like - and gives a great excuse for mixing up unusual food combinations in the same meal!!

How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

With events being so serious and concerning, I've been finding they take up a huge amount of headspace at the moment.

Over the last day or two I've been more often intentionally trying to bring some levity and fun into what is a bleak situation. Not, of course, to try and make light of what is happening, or to minimise its importance, but to provide balance - if this is going to be the 'new normal' for many weeks, we need to be mindful of what needs to change to stay physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy,

It's made me reflect on how I 'switch off'/relax fully, and assess what 'baggage'/burdens I'm carrying - consciously, and unconsciously.

One way to help prevent dwelling on worries is to have something else to focus on. Things to sing along with that will stick with you might be worth a try? Before I suggest any...if one of them gets too stuck, here's some advice about how to get rid of an earworm!

Here are a few 'top earworms':

Happy         Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious     Blue

The Pink Panther     Tomorrow     Yellow submarine

Star Wars: Theme and Imperial March

There's another list here if you'd like more!

Of course, an earworm can be a really good thing. Perhaps you'd like to try something that's meant to stay, marinating, in your head, allowing you to absorb and reflect on the words and meaning. How about these two Taize chants?

The Kingdom of God     Within our darkest night

And here's one that often gets stuck in my head: The Lord bless you and keep you
(The words of this blessing, from here in the Biblical book of Numbers, are also part of my continued prayer for you all.)

Photo of the day - 11

This is Phyllis.

She was a present for my wife when she finished her MPhil (that's how she ended up with the name Phyllis).

If you look closely, you should be able to spot Lucy, who tends to live with her. (Why our daughter called the bee Lucy I'm not sure, but Lucy it is!)


Phyllis is wondering...
What other ways are special days marked or celebrated in your lives?
How do you decide what days are particularly special?


[Photo shows a Dracaena house plant, with a small knitted bee sitting in the middle of it.]

Angelus ad Virginem

The Feast of the Annunciation

Celebrating the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary to say that she would conceive Jesus seems especially apt at the moment, as we find ourselves not knowing what the next few months, and longer, will bring. The inner turmoil so many of us are feeling - about what will happen to us, our families and communities, our place in society - and the fear, anticipation, excitement, boredom and hope all mingling, surrounded by uncertainty.
Uncertainty reigns at the moment, in so many areas. And that makes things more difficult; it's always easier to deal with things, positive or negative, when there are answers, rather than unknowns.
Amidst all this, we celebrate the Annunciation; a reminder that gifts from God so often come in surprising and unexpected ways.

More about the annunciation, from the Bible, here: Luke 1.
You might also like to reflect on Denise Levertov's poem Annunciation.

Another reminder, if you're reading this before 11 o'clock - if you feel able please join in with The Lord's Prayer, the prayer Jesus himself taught us, with millions of others across the world, at 11 o'clock GMT. (More here).


♫ Today, how about this music, which starts 'The angel of God visited Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit'. Ave Maria - Biebl

Photo of the day - 10

The Annunciation on a bag! :)

(The angel is on the other side ...original artwork can be seen here.)

It belongs to my wife, who found it attracted lots of conversation, and made her wonderfully recognisable, when she was a university chaplain.

It's made me wonder... what do I wear and/or do that shows my personality, character, and generally something of 'myself'? (Aside from my amazing pink satchel - photos of that to come at a later date!)


[Photo shows a Dr Martens backpack made with an image of the Annunciation on it]

Though we are many we are one body

Following Sunday evening's Candles of Hope (which some people are continuing to light every night), there has now been a call for us to unite across the globe in praying the Lord's Prayer at midday on Wednesday (11 am GMT!) - the Feast of the Annunciation (the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary to say that she was going to conceive Jesus).

Aleteia.org article about this call to prayer

Please do join in if you feel able!


Any language and version is fine, but one is below - the traditional form, in English.
Other languages, including audio versions, can be found on this website.


Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us, not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Boredom buster - 10

Shall we watch some animals, while staying at home?

Animal webcams - selection 1

Animal webcams - selection 2

You, O Lord, are in the midst of us

Thinking about the posts I've written so far, it has struck me that lots of them have been about 'little things' - cups of tea, letters from friends or family, photos of flowers or familiar things.

The 'little things' really aren't that little at all.

The things we minimise are often the things most important to us.

Suddenly having to sit back and take notice of all the changes that are happening - all the things that are no longer possible; all the things that we are now focusing on as being truly important - has made me realise afresh how special they are (or were).

I think it's so easy to take things for granted, and not realise their importance.
In the same way, I think it's very easy to only feel (or even look for) God when going to church, or sitting down to pray, instead of walking with God through everything in life.
One way of finding God in the everyday is to follow the Ignatian spiritual practice of the Examen, which is a way of purposefully looking back on where God can be seen in the day gone by.
Here's one brief guide: The Examen steps


♫ It's definitely time for this music today, I think (the photo of the day will show why!)
If ye love me - Thomas Tallis

Photo of the day - 9

I never wanted to have my own dog until a few months ago, then I wondered aloud to my wife that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. She'd clearly been waiting patiently (for well over a decade...) for that moment, because we ended up, unsuccessfully, visiting the Dog's Trust that same day. Even so, two weeks later we had a puppy!

I've mentioned walking 'the dog' a couple of times already. But he has a name, so today's photo introduces him. In fact, he's so floofly (as we describe him) he gets two photos.

This is Tallis:

I've been wondering, given how much unanticipated joy Tallis has brought to us in the last few months, what other things give me joy in my life - and also, whether I always recognise and appreciate them all.

[Photos both show our long-haired black and white border collie.]

Boredom buster - 9

Why not try composing Haiku?!

The syllable pattern is 5, 7, 5.
(More information can be found on this website).

I tried a serious ones about the current situation, but they all ended up really quite bleak, so here's a light-hearted one instead (I'll keep working on the others!)

Tallis is a dog
and a composer too, but
he can't Bach in tune.

Photo of the day - 8

We're all seeing things in a very different light at the moment, which made me think it might be an idea to give the camera to my daughter and see what photos she came up with, instead of something chosen by me. This close-up of her apron was the first photo she took. Nowadays I generally just look past it, but her photo has made me look at it again, to re-appreciate the design, and also think about why it's precious to her.

I've been wondering if I always remember that others perceive the world in different ways to the way I do. And, indeed, whether I remember that others see me in a different way to the way I see myself!

[Photo shows a close-up of a child's apron; white with colourful spots and birds.]

Boredom buster - 8

All over the world rainbows are popping up in windows for people to spot as they go past; bright, fun, and a symbol of hope.

BBC article about coronavirus rainbows


I've also seen bears appearing too - allowing people to go on a bear hunt.

Why not put one or both in your window(s)?
And, if you are able (within the latest government advice), maybe take a walk and see what you can spot in windows nearby?

God is love

For the last eighteen months or so something Bishop John Inge has said a few times has been rumbling around in the back of my mind:

'The opposite of love isn't hate. It's fear.'

This came to mind again yesterday as I was walking the dog, and it set me wondering. If the opposite of love isn't hate, but fear...what is the opposite of hate?

One of my first thoughts was 'forgiveness', but that didn't seem quite enough. Hate is a strong word. Maybe the opposite needs to be deeper than something like 'forgiveness'. How about 'reconciliation'?
That seems to add an extra dimension of understanding another, and walking forward together.
I'm not sure I've finally decided yet, but that's where I am at the moment.
Perhaps another word comes to mind for you?


As well as considering that, I thought I'd suggest a way of 'walking alongside' verses of the Bible, in an ancient way of letting words sit in our mind and for deeper meaning to be found from them.
Here's a guide to the practice of Lectio Divina
(And if you'd like a starting place for what verses to begin with, why not the Psalm set for morning prayer today? It's Psalm 77)


♫ and for music today, what about this song that the local schoolchildren sung recently for part of their Eisteddfod celebrations? It seems to sum up a lot of people's approach to life at the moment, I think: Count on me

We are the Body of Christ

Today is the first Sunday that people won't be gathering in churches all over the country to worship. Instead, a new way of worshipping, a new way of gathering, will be necessary.

Dave Walker drew this cartoon, which I think is an amazing reminder that the Church isn't the building - as important as they are for so many people - but the people themselves.

As so many mourn the loss of familiar ways of experiencing church and congregation, of Eucharist and fellowship, it offers a glimmer of hope.

As we begin a journey into a new way of understanding church, what about helping the journey with the use of a labyrinth?

They're wonderful, prayerful places where you are free to relax into the journey because there is no race to finish it, and no way to get lost. You start and end at the entrance to the labyrinth, but still finish in a different 'place' to where you began, because you yourself have changed along the way.

There are lots of ways to make them.
Perhaps by drawing. Or, instead of drawing, they can be made in all kinds of ways - on the ground to walk through, or maybe with string and glue like this one I made a few years ago:

Here are some instructions for making them:

How to make labyrinths

and here are a couple of guides that might be useful too:

Labyrinth guide 1

Labyrinth guide 2



♫ Music for today?

Two suggestions. As it's a Sunday, why not a hymn:
Love Divine

The RSCM have also just begun a 'hymn of the day' webpage, which has a short service (with downloadable service sheet) on Sundays too:
RSCM Hymn of the day and Sunday service

A tiny light...

22nd March, 7 pm.

#NationalDayOfPrayer
#CandleOfHope

[Photo shows a candle burning in a window at night time]

Photo of the day - 7

As there won't be daffodils given out at church this morning, here's a 'virtual posy' - for everyone - who is a mother, who has a mother, or has had a mother. 

I've been wondering... 

Who has shown motherly care to me at different times in my life?
What do I do for or with others, that I might not realise is me showing them a form of motherly love?

Boredom buster - 7

My son has been really keen for me to suggest a crossword for one of the 'boredom busters' all week. Maybe not this week, but how about something puzzling for the weekend? (Something to puzzle over at some point each weekend sounds like it could be a plan!)

There's *plenty* out there online, but how about this, that I enjoyed earlier?

Dingbats/Rebus puzzles

Bordedom buster - 6

Remembering St Cuthbert yesterday made me think about re-exploring Celtic crosses and knots (both myself and for my kids to try creating too, who are off school now).

Simple once you know how, and surprisingly soothing :)

There are a lot of guides out there, but here are a couple to save you from having to search for them unless you want to:

Celtic cross tutorial

Celtic knots

Photo of the day - 6

Time for one of my much-beloved 'tenuous links of the day' from when I ran a weekly Sunday school. A doctor's kit? Who does it belong to? ...Doctor Who?

As the Church remembers Thomas Cranmer today (and therefore inevitably The Book of Common Prayer too), Doctor Who came to mind because of 'The Time Lord Collect'.

One of the Collects (prayers) needs to be read carefully or it sounds like we are like Dr Who, with two hearts (click here if that means nothing to you!). 

It reads:

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

I've been wondering... how often does the way I receive/react to things match what was actually meant - especially when it's via text message/email/etc!
...and do I remember often enough that what I say won't always be heard/received in exactly the way I meant it?


(Also, whilst this post was slightly flippant, all the doctors, nurses, carers and other healthcare workers are very much in my prayers at the moment.)


[Photo shows a child's toy doctor kit]

We praise thee, O God

A lovely coincidence today. The church is celebrating Thomas Cranmer (who wrote the 1552 Prayer Book, from which the 1662 Book of Common Prayer that we use today originated) and this morning a letter arrived in the post with details about my new membership of The Prayer Book Society.

In all the uncertainty and change at the moment, one certainty is that parish clergy up and down the country will be praying for everyone in their parish at morning and evening prayer - not just for those who ever attend church, but for everyone, of all faiths and none.

The different daily prayer services are called 'offices'. The pattern of the offices - once a day or all the way up to the traditional nine monastic offices - give an amazing rhythm to life, and a bedrock that can support everything else. I think it's no surprise that churches have started recording and live-streaming morning and evening prayer and compline (night prayer); some of these can be found in the links on the right, or by clicking here and scrolling down to the list of churches streaming services in this diocese: Worcester Diocese online services.
Perhaps you might find them a useful way to bring structure in where other structures have suddenly fallen away?


In terms of music... If we're thinking about the Book of Common Prayer today, what about Sarah MacDonald's wonderful setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis from evensong?
Evensong canticles

Boredom buster - 5

The internet is full of wonderful places and people.
How about exploring a few things that have made me smile in the past?

(Not necessarily always suitable for children - please check first!)


One of my favourite cartoons: Heart and Brain

A video cartoon series: Simon's cat

And, one that appeals to my scientific background: What-if?

Photo of the day - 5

This is Irene.

I said that all our plants have names.

They mostly also have eyes. (How else would they see?)

She's called Irene because she's a peace lily, and 'eirene' is Greek for 'peace'

She's been wondering:

- What brings you peace at the moment?

- Are there ways you can help bring peace to others at the moment? (Especially those for whom the 'peace and quiet' of isolation isn't bringing much peace at all. Those of us who are extroverts especially might already be struggling.)

[Photo shows a picture of a peace lily, with enormous googly eyes]

Consider the lilies

St Cuthbert's Day!

I think St Cuthbert will always remind me of a youth pilgrimage I helped to lead about a decade ago. We had a wonderful few days on Lindisfarne, including several periods searching for 'Cuddy's beads' on the beach. (More about them here - Cuddy's beads )

The larger ones that are found often have small holes in them, so they can be strung together.
I have two favourite ways of stringing beads together - have you encountered both?

Two forms of prayer beads, or rosaries:

Rosaries are one way to immerse ourselves in short prayers or passages of scripture, allowing the words to help us to focus on God.

Prayer beads, as an intentional form of spiritual marinade, have been used for centuries to help people centre their minds and lives on God, and so grow in holiness.

Rosaries are intended for use deliberately, and meditatively. Take time noticing the feel of the beads you choose to use. Let each bead and prayer be an anchor for your attention as you bring the whole of yourself, and your life, before God.

The Anglican Rosary 

The Anglican rosary is split into four groups of seven beads called ‘weeks’ (recalling the seven days of the week, and also the seven days of creation). They are separated by four Cruciform beads (which form a cross shape). From the cross, the first bead, is the Invitatory bead – it invites us into the circle. Altogether there are 33 beads, symbolising the years of Jesus’ life on earth. Many verses of scripture can be used – a few are selected here.

1.     In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

2.     O God, whose son is the good shepherd, grant that when we hear his voice we may know him and follow where he leads. Amen.

3.     Either:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.                         (Ps 103.1)

Or:

The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose… For we are God’s servants, working together.                                                       (1 Cor 3.8-9)

4.     Either:

        Come Lord Jesus, draw us to yourself     (John 12.32)

       

        Or:

You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust.                                 (Psalm 91.2)

2.     The Lord’s Prayer (below)

1.     The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirt be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Traditional Rosary

The traditional rosary is used with a set of ‘Mysteries’. They may be a set of Scriptural verses to meditate upon, or can be used for particular themes, such as thanksgiving or discernment. The 'Joyful mysteries' are included here.

1.     In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the

Holy Spirit. Amen.               Then - The Apostles’ Creed

2.     The Lord’s Prayer

3.     The Hail Mary - one each bead

4.     The Gloria Patri, then one of the Mysteries (take each in turn), then The Lord’s Prayer

5.     The Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation

Gloria Patri

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Joyful Mysteries

1.     The Annunciation – Mary’s visit from Archangel Gabriel to say she was going to give birth to Jesus. (Luke 1.26-38)

2.     The Visitation – Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. (Luke 1.39-56)

3.     The Nativity – The Birth of Jesus. (Luke 2.1-20)

4.     The Presentation – At the temple, Simeon recognises the baby Jesus as the Messiah. (Luke 2.22-35)

5.     The Finding in the Temple – As a boy, Mary and Joseph lose Jesus, finding him in the temple – ‘his father’s house’. (Luke 2.41-52)

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us, not

into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Collect for the Feast of the Annunciation

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

♫
Music today...how about this? It also reminds me of Lindisfarne:
O God, you search me and you know me
♫


[Images show an anglican and a traditional rosary]