Sunday 24 July 2011

Signs of the Kingdom

Jesus, in the gospel, asks: What is the Kingdom like? And goes on telling stories to illustrate the Kingdom.
Looking around today, what stories point to the Kingdom?
Of course we would want to point out that the slayings in Norway, carried out by "a fundamental christian" are far from the Kingdom.
Pictures of drought stricken communities and war ravaged cities are not obvious signs either, though, in all of these stories, we find God at work despite human beings.
The question for us, though, is: To what stories do we contribute that point positively to the Kingdom of God existing in our midst?
How do we become signs of the Kingdom?

Saturday 23 July 2011

Wayside planking

Two pastors planking on a wayside pulpit in McDowell, Virginia.
It reads: U R born 2 B a blessing 2 D world.
Amen to that!

Friday 22 July 2011

Light up the darkness

I've just discovered lightning bugs for the first time - magical little creatures that light up the darkness of a summer evening. As far as I know, we don't have these in Scotland. I'm giving thanks this week for these little harbingers of light - watching these while listening to the refrain of bull frogs and cicadas is truly wonderful. Celebrating creation with all the senses!

Sunday 17 July 2011

The old and the new?

Planking on Girvan Bowling Green

I found it necessary at our annual church bowling outing to do some planking. It struck me that this was merging the new with the old - the ancient game of lawn bowling with the modern craze for planking. Ministry is a call to introduce new elements to ancient traditions. I wonder where Jesus would have "planked"?

Friday 8 July 2011

Rock of ages



In all the cracks and crevices
in all the gaps and hollows
the hand of God 
is evident.
In the amazing complexity
and sheer wonder 
of geology
we glimpse a brief theology:
the God of creation
assaults our senses
at every turn
with awesome sights
and sounds
so that we are compelled
to silence
in the face of
unspeakable beauty.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

For everything...there is a season.

I was sharing with a colleague recently how, so often, when the frustrations that are not the essence of ministry seem overwhelming, God allows us to encounter others at a deeply spiritual level, making a connection the like of which is one of the huge privileges of ministry. And, in such encounters, exhausting though they be, we are affirmed in our calling, in our worth and as beloved children of God. Such affirmation brings its own energy along with  healing and restoration. Giving thanks today for that energy that allows us to rise above the life sapping hurdles that we meet along the way.

FEEDJIT Live Traffic Feed