Virtual Methodist

I have a memory that is well-fitted for table quizzes; a bizarre association of trivialities, dates, names, places that I can rummage through to find the answer or offer someone else enough information that they can fill in the blanks. I’m not good at remembering important details like real people’s names, birthdays etc out of the immediate context, and have never been one to quote at will pieces of text, be that Bible verses, poems learnt at school or even dialogue from parts that I played on stage in the past; once the curtain came down my brain seems to delete such information, or rather put it in an archive not easily accessible except on the rare occasion that I have returned to the part again. I can’t even easily retain pieces of poetry, or prose that I have written myself beyond the context for which I wrote it. So this week I found myself in a group where we were alluding to the image of “the mills of God grinding slowly but exceeding fine” in the hope of ultimate ...

Another reblogged monologue... Originally written for an event in the then new Waterfront Hall by Diane Holt, when she was quite obviously pregnant with her first child. So its been around for a while but I'm posting it because it is based on John 8: 1-11 which is in the Daily Lectionary for today and explores what might have happened to the woman "taken in adultery" after her encounter with Jesus, as we journey on through Lent towards Good Friday.  The image is "The Woman Taken In Adultery" by Horace Pippin (1941) I suppose I was looking for love, but I got more than I bargained for. Everyone talks about love... But there’s precious little of it about. When I was a kid, my Mum and my Dad both called me “Love...” “Love, would you give me a hand to set the table...” “Would you run down to the market for me, Love...” “Look love, would you clear off and give my head peace...” It’s an easy word to say... its not so easy to find. And let me tell you I’ve ...

Everything about the current conflict in the middle east seems somewhat surreal and there is no telling where it will take us. But I was "delighted" to find that T-shirt sellers were quick off the mark with their "merch..." A comic-book codename betrays Callousness. A video game brought to life Brings death. Rockets rain down and drones Devastate. Leaders choose to cause chaos To distract. Old men with adolescent mindsets Lash out. One merciless monster eliminated By another. Advocates of bloodthirsty deities Exult. Markets plunge and marketplaces Destroyed. But T-shirt sellers see Opportunity. Not a people but a djinn Liberated. Again leaving innocents Erased. Selah

A piece linked to the Old Testament lectionary reading for today, but written 22 years ago for an event at Methodist Conference and delivered at that point by my predecessor in my current role, Rev David Kerr. He had recently retired as Superintendent at the time, and as I deliver this today it will be doubly poignant. First with David's recent passing, and second because I do so a few days after I have delivered my last report to the Board of BCM as Superintendent. I genuinely thought that this post would be my last station, but it was not to be... I thought my travelling days were done… I’d had enough upheaval in my life… moving with my family from the centre of civilization to what I saw then as the sticks… Syria… Haran… But still it was a city… and I was a city boy… who grew into a city man… and was settling down to spend the rest of my days there… Surrounded by familiar faces… familiar places… familiar gods… Gods cast in gold and silver or carved from stone and wood, all aroun...

A reflection based on my current Lent reading  "The Missing Peace"  by Chris Whittington, and thinking about Jesus' prayer practice.  The irony is that this Lent I have never been busier, with impending changes, a certain book launch and a range of "routine" pastoral issues. So it could be a case of do what I say, not what I do, although I am looking forward to putting some of this into practice in my sabbatical after Easter. After hearing bad news.  Before sharing good news. Before big decisions. After major events. When overwhelmed withdraw. Retreat in order to advance. In place of busyness stop. Answer noise with silence. Absent yourself. Check out. Choose solitude and find in that place that you are never alone. Selah

Another brand new piece (hence its not in the new book), this time flowing from both the liturgical, season, the place we find ourselves in globally and the particular season that Sally and I find ourselves in at present. Wilderness is a repeated Biblical theme, ranging from the experience of the people of Israel in their Exodus from Egypt, through to Jesus' period of preparatory testing, and other individuals in between. It is portrayed as both a place of escape and of trial. It prompts some to look back longingly to slavery, others to wish for death, whilst the Psalmist seems to pine for it and the reliance on God it required. Physically I love wilderness spaces, but thats because I know I am only a visitor. But ending up there emotionally with no assurance of an imminent entry into a "Promised Land" is not my favourite experience.  Ironically Bono and I have both drawn on the same source for our inspiration, namely Richard Rohr's "The Tears of Things." Ho...