When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15.20 Times are when you don't pray. There's been a lot going on, you've been on holiday, you're not feeling up to it, you're busy, stressed, anxious, overwhelmed. There are always … Continue reading Starting again, again
The last day of your life
'So what is significant?' 'That today might be the last day of your life.' George Ivanovich laughed mockingly. 'But doesn't everyone know that?! Everyone knows that today could be the end of it all!' The man in the turban paused. 'Everyone knows it my friend. But not everyone feels it. Everyone knows it as a … Continue reading The last day of your life
How to find God in the humblest of things (V)
Being in God's story is hard for humans because we can never know the meaning. The meaning is in the being, not the understanding. Everything you need is already given. Do not try to invent or create a life where you will feel really alive. Live.
How to find God in the humblest of things (IV)
You are part of something unimaginably bigger than you. You can have little or no idea what that is about. It is above your pay-grade. You are a single letter in the book of God's story. Each particle of this world is your sister or brother because we are all born of the same star; … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (IV)
How to find God in the humblest of things (III)
This morning I stand in the warm rays of the morning Sun – about 94 million miles, or 8 light minutes, away. All the atoms in this body yearn for their primal home, this Sun. So does my soul yearn for You, O God. [Look out for part IV tomorrow.]
How to find God in the humblest of things (II)
What is the meaning of life? What is my life about? What does God want me to do? These are questions many of us ask, especially as life progresses, we get older, perhaps hit middle age, realise that life does not become clearer with age, and we begin to think about death. We want our … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (II)
How to find God in the humblest of things (I)
God reveals himself to the humble in the humblest of things, while the great who never penetrate beneath the surface do not discover him even in great events. de Caussade, p.5 6.51am Why am I sitting at this screen rather than walking out into the morning? I often do this. I am casting about for … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (I)
Experiments (part 2)
21 Experiments in Prayer In no particular order, but just as they occur to me… Sit still and breathe gently for a few minutes. Let your mind wander wherever it does, but if you get fed up with this come back to yourself. Stare out of a window for a few minutes. Watch the clouds. … Continue reading Experiments (part 2)
Experiments (part 1)
An early love of mine was chemistry. I completed my studies with a BSc in Chemistry and a PGCE. I taught chemistry up to 11-18 year olds for 3 years. That was enough. Most experiments in science lessons are not experiments: they are demonstrations. The teacher knows what the answer is. If you don't get … Continue reading Experiments (part 1)
Boredom: guardian of the Temple (part 3)
Not exactly waiting for someone else, he is, as it were, waiting for himself. Adam Phillips, On Kissing, Tickling and Being Bored, p.72 If you are bored, your mind is wandering—away from you—its rightful purpose. Gail Sher, One Continuous Mistake p.30 You long for yourself. Distractions are substitutes, looking for something to fill a hole, … Continue reading Boredom: guardian of the Temple (part 3)