I'm not really made from pink wool, and I don't live in outer space, but I DO like knitting! I'm a Bible-reading, maths-teaching, theology-studying, resource-writing, terribly untidy mum-of-three currently located in the middle of England. Occasionally, God gives me a thwack round the head with a rolled-up newspaper, and I try to listen. Sometimes.
Psalm 19 This a deservedly well-known psalm: from the first verse (‘The heavens are telling’, featured in Handel’s Messiah) to the last (‘Let the words of my mouth’, a prayer before many a sermon), it is packed with juicy morsels of wisdom – reviving the soul, making wise the simple, more to be desired than … More Ps 19:12 – Unknown unknowns
Isa 35, Jas 2 and Ps 146 Unless your name is Inigo Montoya (“You killed my father. Prepare to die.”), vengeance is not a popular word in our culture. It brings forth images of blood feuds, savagery and gang-land violence. So when in our Isaiah 35 reading or Deuteronomy 32:35 (It is mine to avenge; … More Vengeance and a Dominionican
I’ll be taking a break for a couple of weeks, folks, cos I’m off on holliwags! Oh yes, the sunny climes of Conwy, North Wales await. We’ll climb the town walls, fish for crabs (much more fun than it sounds), visit nearby Llandudno*, patronise a LOT of tea shops and play board games in the … More Ephesus and Conwy
[reposted from 2021 cos it’s the summer hols and I need some time off ] This afternoon, in a rare moment of domesticity, I made bread. I’m about as effective in the kitchen as a butterfly in a sumo match, but technology helps me cheat, so the house has been filled for hours with the … More 1 Kings 19:4-8 & John 6:35, 41-51
There’s none so blind as those that will not see. So goes the saying. It sounds like it’s from the Bible and, while not a direct quote, it has its roots in the Scriptures, especially Jer 5:21 “Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but … More None so blind …
Last week we had our inclusion Sunday, where we focussed on making God’s house a welcoming place for all people. For example, we had additional signs on the doors of the toilets to help those using Makaton widgets. (You can find Makaton resources here.) The overwhelming reaction was, “Why didn’t we have those before? We’re … More Mustard Seed All-Age
Promises, promises 2 Samuel 7:1-14a and Psalm 89:20-37, Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Psalm 23, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 One of the fun things I have on my messy desk is a bright turquoise, extendable, pointy finger. “Lovely,” you say, “but why are you telling me this?” Because it’s a useful metaphor for this week’s Bible … More Promises, promises
Sometimes, things really stink – no, that’s not a commentary on the recent UK elections (I’m writing this at five-to-close-of-polls on election night). No, it’s a reflection on the beheading of John in Mark 6:14-29. (Click link above for reflection and an activity to think about cleansing.) Whether you are jumping with joy at the … More Mark 6 – When Tragedy Strikes (&Ephesians 1)
As I write this, the UK is one week from a General Election. Very shortly, a new (almost certainly, Labour) government will be fluffing its petticoats, trying to look like it knows what it’s doing, despite the majority of cabinet members having no experience of the job. That’s not a party-political statement; it’s true of … More 2 Samuel 5 – Election Special
Today’s liturgy resources are based on the beautiful Psalm 130, De profundis, out of the depths. Here’s a musical version by Keith & Kristyn Getty. Below, are links to resources on the double healing in Mark 5 – two daughters of Israel who were both brought out of the depths by Jesus. Pretty snazzy, eh? … More Mark 5, Psalm 130 – Out of the Depths
The Reflectionary 