Earth is crammed with heaven

The town where I live is quite busy. It has tons of roundabouts And a bountiful supply of parked cars. Driving around it is interesting at times. All the time it seems we’re faced with the ancient philosophical question  question To give way or not to give way. Now I know there are rules about such things. I know the Highway Code and can recite it on request. Obviously 🙄 But what about times when judgement is required? It’s my right of way. There are parked cars on both sides but room for two. It’s not my right of way but they’re approaching very slowly. And the age old ‘Who dares wins’ When you all get to the roundabout at the same time. Time and experience has taught me how to be a fairly good, safe driver. Other people may not agree with me. Ask my sons about my clutch control. But I’ve not had any complaints. At least not to my face. My thinking is how in life we know the right thing to do. We know the rules. We know our rights And we have every ...

I’m reading a book about Psalm 23 at the moment. The Lord is my shepherd I shall lack nothing. The Psalm has become a favourite in recent years. If you spot me talking to myself, while walking Daisy by a river, I’ll be reciting Psalm 23. It helps me stay grounded in God Even, or especially when life is a bit of a struggle. It’s mental health awareness month. Or at least I think it is. I’m in a good place at the moment. The worst and longest depressive episode I ever had, began to pass about 14 months ago. I feel more alive than I have in quite a few years. I’m grateful. But today I want to sit with those who are struggling. To pull up a chair Curl up And just be quiet next to you. The one thing I know I lacked in the worst of times Was hope. Hope that the darkness would ever end. Hope that I would survive. Hope that I would ever feel remotely like me again. I don’t have answers. And actually answers are not what I needed. I’d done it all. Tried eve...

The lake was quiet tonight. In fact I had it to myself for most of the time. Apart from the seagulls The coots And the odd grebe. I’d done about twenty strokes when the rain started to fall. I count them with my breaths. Just at the start to keep me focused On something other than the temperature of the water. Sometimes I forget why I swim. Until I get back in the water And it immediately soothes my heart My mind My soul. And the rain? It reminds me that there is a cycle to life. Rain is part of that and there’s a strange but wonderful feeling Of swimming in the rain. Sing along if you know it... Life is sometimes ordinary. It happens. But in the ordinary we find wonder Peace Life itself. May we find extraordinary in the ordinary. For there truth lies. And hope And joy.

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 ...