Grumpy God

Darren, who played God in worship this morning was wearing a Grumpy T shirt.
Lots of folk think of God as pretty Grumpy - and certainly, the God portrayed in the Hebrew Scriptures does seem to have good days and bad days and is pretty fickle at times as well as blood thirsty and vengeful and generally not the sort of God you'd want to know.
Another barrier that Jesus came to break through - to reveal the God of love who created the world, who lives in the heart of all creation, in whose image we are created, the God who loves us back to faith and to life in all its fulness.

Breaking Down Barriers

The theme of National Youth Assembly this year is "Breaking Down Barriers"
Staff worship this morning reflected on Shrek and his desire to build a wall around his swamp. As he explained to donkey: "...the world seems to have a problem with me. People take one look at me and go, "Aah! Run! a big, stupid, ugly ogre!" they judge me before they even know me. That's why I'm better off alone."
The sad fact is that folk often feel judged - particularly by those in the church.
Here's to a weekend of working on breaking down those barriers with the God who knows and respects no bounds but insists on breaking in to our world.

Creating the image

I have no idea why Chilli the owl looks bigger than Sarah in this picture. A spectacled owl, he's not huge. Owl Magic only brought their smaller birds for the children to handle at our Holiday Club. But the perspective got me thinking about the images we create and the impressions we leave as we journey through life. Often we are unaware (perhaps blissfully) of the effect we have on others. It may be that we have more influence than we could have ever imagined. Or leave a lasting imprint. That can be both salutary and humbling. A testament to the hope and trust that God places in us. Even we can make a difference as we blunder on. By the grace of God may that be a force for good, building up and affirming all God's people for all bear the image of God. The power of love helps us get that in perspective.

Puppy love

Dogs don't seem to mess about. They encounter each other and make an immediate decision - friend or foe. Our puppy, just wanting to be friends with any other dogs she meets simply rolls over and surrenders. And, of course, that inevitably leads to others taking advantage if they are so inclined. That doesn't seem to faze her. She never seems to learn - just keeps on repeating the same behaviour, believing, expecting the best of others, looking for love and not aggression, encouraging play and not competition. A lesson in love for her human companions.

Nightly show

The sun bleeds through the clouds

It touches the water

and melts

spreading to the beach,

 tendrils creeping to the shore

Everything takes on its hue

and reinterprets:

from orange to red

from gold to ochre 

and every variation along the way.

A nightly display

of spectacular beauty

no two performances the same.

Commonplace, perhaps

but always worth

taking the time

to view

and marvel.

I saw Jesus

I thought I saw Jesus tonight

walking on water

As the sun set over Holy Isle

a man skipped through the water

taking pleasure in the pyrotechnics

of sun and sea and sky

He was capturing the sunset too

and I realised

that his pleasure 

and playfulness

in the breathtaking beauty of creation

made him Christ to me this night.

I did.

I saw Jesus tonight

walking on water.

A dog's life

Ruca, a border collie, came to live with us, almost 6 weeks ago - she is now 3 and a half months old. What a difference she has made already - here are just some of the benefits of our addition to the family:

• Early mornings in the garden.
• Taking after dinner coffee outdoors so that we can play with her.
• Regular lunch breaks - to play and eat.
• A warm welcome any time of day or night.
• Great excitement in little things.
• Conversations with other dog walkers.
• An ever willing foot warmer.
• Unconditional love.

God is dog spelt backwards - for sure.