In my earnest and callow youth, I went on a student Christian conference which was tri-lingual: French, German and English. One of the praise songs was a rendering of Psalm 150 which contained the wonderous phrase ‘wohlklingenden Zimbeln’. Sadly, I didn’t speak German, so the band was on the next song by the time I … More Clanging cymbals and Corrie ten Boom- 1 Cor 13:1
The one undeniably good thing about snow is that it covers up all the eyesores and mess that surround us every day. … More Snowtime! Look, See, Pray
Job 42:1-6, 10-17 What do we say when things go wrong? When, despite all the fervent prayers, the diagnosis is cancer, your son does not come home, the baby doesn’t make it? “God works out everything for good,” some say. Really? Try telling that to the folks in Ukraine or Gaza, or that entire family … More When words are too much.
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)
For just a short time this climbing rose is beautiful. Most of the year it is either leafy or bald! But in Spring these magnificent roses cry out to be photographed. Timing is everything- too soon and the roses are tight buds. Too late and the petals are imitating confetti all over the ground. At … More Timing- Look, See, Pray
After a wonderful two weeks of no lessons, daughters home from uni and my own body-weight in chocolate, it’s back to normality today. But let’s not be like the disciples who returned to fishing after the resurrection, or the un-named pair on the road to Emmaus who thought the wonderful dream was all over. Sure … More Wassup? Lk 24
I do believe that we can pray from a poor motive- “if I don’t pray, God will be in such a mess and everything wrong in the world will be MY fault.” … More Prayer-Snooze? Look, See, Pray
Gentle Reader, Please forgive a slight departure from today’s lectionary texts, but this post from fellow ACW member Steve Dawson smacked me round the chops like a damp haddock, and I felt it right to repost her, in its entirety. You’ll find plenty of Advent links below and your liturgy resources at the the bottom. … More Advent 2 & Lullaby
I just received a brief thank you note for a devotional I wrote for 6th May. I sometimes wonder if the stuff I write makes any difference, so you can imagine how much that note encouraged me. A little sugar goes a long way. The devotion, Grace upon Grace, is reproduced below, and I commend … More Grace upon Grace – plus craft and liturgy
There’s a bumper crop of resources today! For starters, there is the RCL-linked liturgy, with a beautiful confession based on Isaac Watts’ ‘When I Survey’. Why has it taken me so long to spot that for a confession? Next are a couple of resources for 1 Peter 4:16 ‘Praise God that you bear that name.’ … More Phil 3, 1 Pet 4 – liturgy, drama and printable
The Reflectionary 