Earth is crammed with heaven

This week has been marked by inactivity. The most ministry-filled Easter in recent years left me with little energy. I fought it for a day or two. Kind-of. Then I followed the advice I give to others: Talk to yourself as you would, a dearest friend. So I rested and relaxed. Walked Daisy Watched Nathan play football. Read and watched TV It helps. Yesterday I was thinking about Jesus' appearances to his disciples post-resurrection. He didn't crack the whip Or tell them it was time to get to work. He didn't make them feel guilty for their lack. Instead he ate with them. Spoke peace to them. Showed them his hands and his side that they might believe. It's a bit of a pattern with him, I notice. Nothing is more important than just being with him. No work, no task, no obligation. It's about balance. Life is busy. I know that. May we hear the voice of Jesus saying "Peace be with you." Amid it all.          He restores my soul...

I wasn’t going to write today. My brain Body And emotions Went into overdrive this morning. Not for the first time this week  I’ve found myself  Shaking and Crying tears of frustration  With myself mainly. I’ve decided to write because  Now work is finished  Lunch has been eaten and Eggs given out I am amazed. I’m amazed that this is the first Easter  I haven’t been ill In 5 yrs. I’m amazed that I’ve been to every thing Done all the prep  And delivered every message I had planned for. I hate busyness for busyness sake. It doesn’t impress me in myself  Or in others But in this afternoon sunshine  I’m quietly chuffed with myself. And finally  Most importantly  I’m amazed at what Easter means for me. Not a dead God, but a risen Saviour. Not empty dreams but vibrant hopes. Not a time of mourning  But a time to celebrate With family  Fo...

On t he night he was arrested,  J esus shared the Passover Meal with His disciples. The meal was, and is significant. Jesus said to them,  Do this in remembrance of me. Remember Me. Who I am What I’ve done. Never Forget. Every Meal Every Day Every Conversation Every Task Things are about to change. Never Forget that I’ve promised to be with you always. Christ in you, the hope of glory The thief on the cross said to Jesus, 'Remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus replied,  Today  you will be with me  in paradise. We are never forgotten. Our names are written on the palms of his hands. He loved us enough to die for us. Never forget.

I think I’ve always loved Easter. My childhood memories are of  Daffodils and Sunshine. Picnics and primroses  New dresses  Chocolate Eggs. Our own family memories of Easter are precious too. Ryan took his first steps on a Good Friday. Football kits Treasure Hunts Easter Eggs  Among all the good memories, Easter these days feels a bit bittersweet. I think the events of Easter impact me more. Gethsemane Golgotha Great expectations. Staying in the moment while anticipating the ending. Easter hasn’t been great for my health in recent years. I’ve had to make choices that hurt  Balancing what I’d like to do with the energy at my disposal. There’s so much preparation involved in all the extra services. And that’s before I even think about home. I’m in a good place this year. I’m not having a depressive episode  And I’m looking forward to the weekend. But I’m so tired. Day after day of writing ...

It was just before the Passover Festival.  Jesus knew that the hour had come  for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,  and that he had come from God  and was returning to God;   so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.   After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,  drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13 "Here" He said. "Let me. I see your pain. Your fear. Your doubt. I see your plans. Your dreams. Your hopes. I see how  mad I make you. How  much you long for things to turn out right. H...

Legend has it that Bono’s Mum brought out a single. It was 1988. And it was called... Where did you last see it? (Shall I have a look?) Give it a few seconds. I’m hoping you found that joke as funny as I did. If not, Look up U2 singles 1987. There you go! I worked from home today. And I found this in the freezer. Does this count as an accident at work  that’s not my fault? Today’s word is found. If you were hoping for something meaningful  Or even profound  I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong place. I’m all thought out. Except  It’s Holy Week. The week that runs the whole gamut of emotions  for Christians. It can be exhausting  For all kinds of reasons. Be gentle with yourself. And may we be found rejoicing  On Easter Day.

Silence is rarely silent in my experience. Finding quietness Stillness  Is hard. In my case it’s often accompanied by  Sirens  TV Traffic  Speech  And the occasional barking dog. My soul sometimes craves silence. Not the absence of noise But Solitude  Stillness  Peace of heart and mind. A longing to be a Mary In a Martha world. Richard Rohr  says ‘Prayer is sitting in the silence  until it silences us. Choosing gratitude until we are grateful. And praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise.’

My meditation app is very proud of me. I’m currently in a 91 day streak. You can see for yourself. Mindfulness has taught me so much recently. Acceptance  Breathing  Stillness. It’s given me tools that mean  when people are rude Judging  Upsetting  I can pause Know the truth Be set free. Meditation for me is unavoidably linked with prayer. As I pause I am drawn into God’s presence. I remember who I am. I can know the peace of God  In the middle of the storm. ‘Stay close by my side. Keep your eyes on me. Though this life is hard I will give you perfect peace.’ Laura Story

What can I bring? Nothing.  Just bring yourselves. Really? I could bring cake. Chocolates. A bottle. We're just looking forward to seeing you. You don't need to buy anything. Bring anything. Be anything. Come as you are.

My wardrobe door often makes me smile. On it are photos  Cards Motivational thingies. The picture of the otter basking in the water ‘We swim because we are too sexy for a sport that requires clothes ‘ Funny family photos. The pictures of cockapoos in sunglasses, Looking gorgeous. But pride of place is reserved  for the cards people have sent me at tricky times. ‘Fabulous woman you.’ ‘You are the type of friend that everyone wishes they had.’ The ones that remind me who they’re from  and how much they love me. How about making your own encouragement area? Mine lifts my spirits every time. And you know that  card     That text That thing you saw that reminded you of someone? Send it. If someone has touched your life, Tell them. Send kindness. The effects last a long, long time.

In praise of life. Breath. Strength. Endurance. Team  Friendship  Laughter. Bacon. Coffee  Cake  The Ordinary  The Wonderful  The Grace-full Let’s celebrate today. For today is all we have for sure. Breathe  Smile Weep Laugh Live Celebrate

Today's word has been a bit of a tricky one. Worthy is not a word I use often. For me it provokes the same reaction  as when someone says they're feeling 'humbled'. So Daisy and I have had a long, theological discussion this morning  about the concept of worth. Her contribution was based mainly around the words ball, dog, food, friend. Mine, however went the whole range from faith, approval, wholeness, to  unworthiness, guilt, shame. My cup of coffee after lunch had a message for me. It was printed on it, it didn't actually speak to me, In case you were worried. It's a message I know, but forget sometimes. It reminded me; I am God's very good idea. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am pleasing to my heavenly Father. I am outrageously loved. I am not alone. I am a child of God. I am God's masterpiece. I am unique. I am made in the image of God. I am enough just as I am. I am a work in...

It’s hard to listen. To really listen. To hear past the noise The words. The cry for attention. The need for reassurance. The constant chatter The jokes  The nervous laughter. For beyond the eyes The smile  The mask Lies truth. Loud and clear.