Pause for thought

I'm on local radio this week (WestSound 1035AM) trying to redeem Lent.

Spring in the air?

A walk along the river today revealed signs of spring. But also traces of winter hanging on in the patches of snow that refuse to melt. The catkins that were like cotton buds a few weeks ago are now green in bud. Gardens have splashes of colour in crocuses. All encouraging signs. And although the Daylight Savings Clock change isn't for another few weeks yet, its still possible to drive home before it gets dark. In our new garden we are waiting to see what will emerge. And, in the same way, we are waiting to see what will emerge in the church as we journey on through Lent towards Easter. May it be a time of awakening, a time of budding and a time for growth.

Too big to play?

Went to a presbytery meeting on a damp dreich night tonight.

Halfway through the meeting I felt as though something had changed. Oh my colleagues were still droning on but there was something different in the air. Then I realised - it was snowing - heavily. Through the blinds I could just see that kind of silent, mesmerising snow falling.I began to wonder if we'd all get home. Had no one noticed? Or did they just not care - business came first?

Anyway, eventually the meeting rumbled to a conclusion and we left, slipping and sliding to cars.

We all had to clear the snow from our windows yet no one even attempted to start a snowball fight. How sad is that?

Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.

I think we missed an opportunity tonight!

Adding temptation

Even though its the first Sunday in Lent, we celebrated with a chocolate fountain this morning as a way of illustrating for the young folks that the communion we were also celebrating is  a feast at which all are welcome. Whether young or old, God's love overflows into our lives and draws us all in to party - even in Lent. Because if we make our Lent a time of renewed awareness of God all around us, there's lots on which to feast.

Lenten Labyrinth

Its always fun installing a Labyrinth in a new setting. I love to have time and space to set it up prayerfully. Its wonderful to be working with a sanctuary large enough to accommodate several things going on at once and the opportunity to experiment. For me, the Labyrinth has become a useful focal point in Lent, affording opportunity to gain some perspective and depth in the journey. And its my hope and prayer this Lent that others will find it useful too.

Remember you are dust

Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. The words we spoke tonight as we chose to wear ashes as a sign of our commitment to our Lenten journey. Not unusual words for Ash Wednesday but uncommon in the Church of Scotland. Sometimes its good to reclaim symbols and allow them to speak powerfully. To see them in a new light and be touched in new ways by God's spirit. 

So begins our contemplation of Jesus' sojourn in the wilderness. Will our Lenten discipline be one of denial or one of discovery ? Perhaps we will manage both. Donning ashes is a good place to start.

Making dreams realities

Enjoyed taking time out today with office bearers, dreaming dreams and trying to discern where God wants to engage us in mission in our parish. Celebrating communion together to wind up the day was a useful reminder that, though we're in a state of flux right now, still we are rooted in that eternal body and blood of Christ, that sacrament that links the past, present and future, a feast that transcends life itself and reminds us that we are cradled in the embrace of eternal love. It is that soul food that will allow us to make dreams realities and get to the work of kingdom building.