Enlivening Spirit

I LOVE Pentecost. At this morning's service I was beside myself with joy, celebrating God's gift of the Holy Spirit. We had lots of fun, hearing God's word in different ways, listening to God's word read in different languages - Spanish, Dutch, American Scots and even a Pentecost rap! It felt like what we did this morning - the babble and the buzz - must have echoed that first Pentecost when the Spirit blew through festival goers, ready to party.
I don't subscribe to the notion of Pentecost as the birthday of the church, so I do my best to avoid the cake and the candles but I'm always ready to celebrate the gift of the Spirit that radically and irrevocably changed the church - and the world - forever. Pentecost - not a birthday - but a wake up call.

Paws for thought

Meet Ruca, our nine week old border collie pup. It seems to be the season for ministry colleagues adding puppies to their families. I suggested, tongue in cheek, that we feel the need to have a cute fluffy bundle in our manse to secure our tenures. The Ministries Council certainly isn't doing much to affirm full time ministers of word and sacrament at present. When I broached this I was told that I was just insecure. That may well be true but it was hardly a very pastoral response. Yesterday's report to the General Assembly seemed to focus on asking yet more of parish ministers already stretched by shrinking resources. Just one reason it's good to come home to the enthusiastic welcome of a four legged friend.

Heart and Soul

During worship at Heart and Soul (The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland's celebration in Princes Street Gardens) today, I couldn't find a seat in the arena, so sat on the periphery under some trees. That only added to the awesomeness of the worship experience. Because there were folk wandering through these public gardens who hadn't intended to worship but who found themselves drawn in, surrounded by folk singing God's praises.

I was particularly enthralled by the Jambo's fans who, after parading their victorious team and their colours down the Royal Mile, wandered through the gardens and found themselves bang in the middle of a worship fest. Lost in a little reverie about this, I then realised that the Moderator was speaking about how Jesus always welcomed those on the periphery. The Church of Scotland - mirroring Christ today. Thanks be to God.

A new look

We love to spend time in the grounds of Culzean Castle. Despite spending many hours there, still there are new paths to be discovered, new areas to be explored. It is always interesting to take visiting friends there. To see some of the more familiar features through another's eyes always brings surprises. I hadn't appreciated how many crosses there are featured in the windows and on the roof tops of Culzean.

I had also failed to notice this strange looking fellow before - supporting a sun dial on his head.
It is always good to be able to see things from another's perspective. Seeing things with fresh eyes can bring a refreshing depth and reveal facets previously hidden.
In every day there are surprises lying in wait for us to uncover.
Surprises bringing joy and sorrow and intrigue - the spice of life.
Lord give us new eyes for seeing.

The handiwork of God

As we approached this pond, I could see the rhododendron blooms reflected in the water but couldn't see the actual blooms through the trees that bordered the pond. They were still beautiful, however, reflected as they were in the water, alongside the sky and other elements of God's handiwork. Sometimes reflections and shadows are all we have to go on. Sometimes our reflection and our shadow are the things that make an impression, the things that remain. Do those convey enough to still be considered beautiful? Are there hints in them of the beauty of God?

Least said... soonest mended

Broken beyond repair

the jagged edges cannot be stuck together

the severed pieces are strewn around

refusing to fit.

Reproach changes nothing.

Regret is insincere.

Maintaining integrity

demands moving on

recognising brokenness

and letting it be.
Resisting the temptation
to scoop up the pieces
and glue them back together.
Accepting that some things broken
cannot be fixed.

Not edifying

but death defying.

the craft of preaching

Putting together words

springing out of thoughts

engendered by The Word

brought together 

sifted, sorted

presented

as raw material

not the finished article

Encouragement for others

to pick up on

and improve

or develop

like traveling unfamiliar paths.

Journeying deep enough

to stimulate growth

losing sight of the beginning

but forging new journeys

into the unknown.

A veritable warren

of trails

some that peter out

some that lead

to new discoveries

unforeseen

unanticipated

inspiring hope

and truth

and belief.

And, sometimes,

simply inviting:

Come, sit here awhile,

find rest and refreshment

balm for the soul.

So many tasks demanded

of one act.

The craft of preaching.

Reflected

As the celebrant lifts the cup

the highly polished silver captures

the worshipers gathered around the circle

their faces mirrored in the sheen - 

reflected in the vessel

that holds the blood of Christ.

Light too is caught up and sent

swirling around the room

a riot of rainbow colours.

Love and light fusing together

in communion.

This is the blood of Christ

radiating love and life

and stories and sharing

bringing together

hopes and fears

and confidences whispered.

As the sacrament is shared

and the promise it holds

is savoured

life itself

is nourished

and cherished

and the journey goes on

Thanks be to God.

(Having shared two days training with colleagues involved in the ministry of supervising students, listening and learning, holding space and honouring experience, communion celebrated in a sun filled room prompted this reflection.)

Taking stock

Meandering in the early morning light

through the ripples and reflections

seemingly aimless

though there is purpose

the quiet

and the space

allow unfolding

and unravelling

of tightly wound emotions

the lack of pressure

brings focus

growth occurs

without striving

breathing space

brings clarity

distance

begins healing

balm brings refreshment

its own kind of epiphany.

Swapping tales

Girvan harbour seems to be a stopping off place for life boats in transit- there are often visiting lifeboats moored alongside the Girvan vessel. I wonder if the crews get together and share stories of the shouts they've been on.
It's always good to find folks with whom you share a passion, folk who are fired up by the kinds of things that get you going. Good to have an opportunity to share stories.
There's a lot of that going on just now at Gartmore House where I'm involved in a ministry training event. Lots of stimulating discussion and conversation - always the best bit of any conference.