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I wonder when you’ve been hurt? It might not have been something big, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. I wonder when you’ve hurt others? It might not have been something big, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. I wonder if you can pinpoint the times when one of those things has been the result of the other, and you’ve hurt someone because you’ve been hurt? That might be the person who hurt you, or it might be someone else who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was asked to speak about Ephesians 4:32 : “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” But I needed a little bit more context, so want to add in the verse before it as well. Ephesians 4:31-32 (New International Version) The Bible talks a lot about forgiveness, and suggests emphatically that it’s a good thing.
It talks about forgiveness being a sign of love, of being a way of restoration, a way of beginning to rebuild relationships, but mostly as a way of re-discovering Shalom... **No potty mouth warning, but a request for you to read with grace** Today's "to-do" list was short from the off. I had decided that there was going to be a single item on it, and I was going to do it well. (Granted, I had forgotten about the assembly that I had to deliver this morning, so that added to it). Today's "to-do" is simple: Read and reflect upon "God in Love Unites Us - The report of the Marriage and Relationships task group, 2019" The list is simple, the task less so. The task is bound up in my history, my upbringing, my theological journey, my desire to see God, my longing for others to meet him, my calling to "Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with my God". Wherever my journey with this report takes me, I have to submit myself to God.  For as long as I can remember I have wanted a dog. Not a sorry excuse for a dog that could be mistaken for a rat, but a proper dog: One that I could wrestle with, play with, and then have climb up next to me on the sofa for a cuddle; One that would be strong enough to protect my family, but gentle enough to let children play with him; One that I could take for a walk and then have him curl up under my desk when I work.
There’s a story involving year 8 and my parents which I could go into, but near on 20 years later, it’s still a sore point… And 9 years into marriage (ish…) I have petitioned Suzanne (let’s use that word instead of moaning or begging…) to the point where I have a firm promise of “Maybe one day” I can get a dog. I’m thinking I’ve only got another 12 years of “petitioning” to go… But what many people don’t know is that I already have my own dog... Another cheat blog...
This time is this morning's welcome service for the new Year 7's at National Academy, which was conducted at St Mary's in the town. The theme was "Blank Page", encouraging young people to use the fresh start and the blank page that is in front of them... "Flattery will get you anywhere..." ... Always worth trying I guess. "A smile that could light up the whole town..." ... Why thank you! "He could sell water to a drowning man..." ... It's all about the patter. But it wasn't my flattery, gorgeous smile or patter that worked today...
It's been a while since I played a proper game of poker.
I have only ever properly played Texas Hold-em, and whilst I rarely walked away the victor, I wouldn't say I was bad at it. The problem I have is that I'm unpredictable, and because of that I risked too much. Maybe my character means I am guilty of going "All-in" too often, and the problem comes when someone calls your bluff, or the cards don't fall your way, or you misread your cards, or you are just outdone by someone else. My first instrument is the drums. I've been playing for nearly 20 years I reckon, and while there's room for improvement, I'm not bad even if I do say so myself.
The thing is, I know my strengths. I know that my style and my playing isn't cut out for the big stages and the big crowds. I can pull it off briefly, but sooner or later I'd get caught out for what I am... And I think what I am is a small-room worship drummer. The key, I've always been taught and stand by to this day, to being a good worship drummer is to know what to play, to know when to play, to feel the room and to sense what is going on. You could apply it to any musical instrument really. People get old.
Assuming that they are healthy, they can go on for a while. But it's not the number you reach that determines the value of your life, rather it's the number you reach.  Different type of update today:
A few photos. The "Tour of Britain" cycle race flew through Hucknall today, and went right past the front doors of our church. I took my camera down to take some photos of what we were doing, and also of the race. Here are some of the better photos. Here's the latest song I've been working on, inspired by the journey of a friend. I sang it at church as part of this morning's service. (I stole the verses from an old hymn that I've never known by George Washburn Lyon, which is now in the public domain, and there's an accompanying tune which will be shared at some point.)
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MARCRemarcable is one man blogging about Youth Work, Theology, Family, Life and those other random things that come to mind. Archives
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