Just finished reading an excellent book, ‘The Shack’ by Wm Paul Young. As it’s the New York Times bestseller, you’ve probably read it, but if you haven’t, do get hold of a copy.
Without ruining the story I can tell you that it’s about a man who meets with God. And since he discovers God to resonate very strongly with my own ideas about God, I think it’s a great book! So you can see, I’m not prejudiced or anything.
Just want to quote a passage for you. God says:
‘Those who love me come from every system that exists. They were Buddhists, Mormons, Baptists, Muslims, Democrats, Republicans and many who don’t vote or are not part of any Sunday morning or religious institutions. I have followers who were murderers and many who were self-righteous. Some are bankers and bookies, Americans and Iraqis, Jews and Palestinians. I have no desire to make them Christian, but I do want to join them in their transformation into my sons and daughters, my brothers and sisters, into my beloved.’
I f this sounds like your sort of theology, take a look at the website, The Shack
Enjoy!
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Trying out a new blogging software, which is open source and hopefully will connect to my blog…. And wow! It works! Why am I so surprised? Because I’m a complete newbie with Linux and haven’t a clue what I’m doing, so it’s all trial and error.
I bought a Linux magazine today which eulogised over some blogging software, but although I downloaded it, I’m completely unable to install it. However, help was at hand. Not with that particular software, but I then began browsing in the apps which are bundled with Ubuntu and which you can choose to install or not, and randomly clicked on one which sounded promising – there were half a dozen to choose from. The advantage of these included software programmes is that they install themselves with no help (or hindrance) from me, and lo and behold! It works! And is so easy to use.
I’m fairly gobsmacked, but it just goes to show, as I’ve said many times before, there is a God after all.
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Why is it that I always select the wrong gear?
Based on yesterday’s glorious weather with warm sunshine from a cloudless blue sky, today I wore a short sleeved shirt and discarded the winter anorak in favour of a much lighter fleece.
Ed and I decided to walk a couple of miles to the pub for lunch (they do excellent lunches. In case you’re wondering, it was well worth the effort) but it was absolutely freezing. The sky has been overcast all day and even the daffodils are huddling together for warmth. That’s my interpretation, anyway.
Still, a brisk walk back warmed something. Not sure what, but it must have warmed something.
This afternoon I embarked upon my sermon for Ladyday, having noticed with a shock of horror that it will be upon us next Wednesday. I’ve been invited by the Deanery Mothers’ Union to preach at their combined service, where all the MU members throughout the Deanery meet. So that’s about thirty people, then.
Actually, I quite enjoy it. And this year, the Old Testament reading is of the death of Absalom, so I shall go to town explaining why Absalom led troops in battle against his father David. It was all rooted in the rape of Absalom’s sister Tamar by their eldest brother, a crime which David chose to ignore much to Absalom’s fury and disgust.
Not a story which appears in the lectionary readings, so I shall enjoy shocking the Mothers’ Union with it.
Sermons can be real fun at times.
A glorious cycle ride today down to St Mary’s. The weather is wonderful, the birds are singing, the daffodils on the grassy bank outside the school are in full, golden bloom and the churchyard is carpeted with primroses, yellow, cream, pink and pale mauve.
Gill and Margaret, the Readers, were both there and we sat on the bench outside in the churchyard enjoying the sunshine and listening to the cockerel and the woodpecker, who were vying with each to be the loudest. Still no lambs among the sheep, but it can’t be long now.
After prayers, Gill was telling me about Treasure Seekers, the Christian club she runs in the primary school at lunchtimes. She doesn’t actually do anything. Just provides materials – colouring books, things to make – and children drift in or out as they wish. At the moment she’s so inundated with children that she’s had to say, “No more, until there’s some space!” I think the children like the freedom to do what they want and they also like to chat to her.
A small girl, seven years old, said to her,
“Why do you say God is great?”
“Er, well, that’s what the word ‘God’ means. God is greater than anything else you can think of.”
“I don’t think God is great.”
“Oh! What do you think is the greatest thing in the world, then?”
And without the blink of an eyelid, this little child said, “Money.”
I was quite shocked. So Gill told me of another occasion. She suggested to the children that they might like to draw a picture of Heaven. A small boy drew a picture of a room with bars on the windows and a face looking out.
Gill, ever the diplomat, said, “What would you like me to write underneath your picture?”
And the boy said, “Write: Heaven is a prison where good people go.”
Makes you think, doesn’t it? It’s so sad that children are growing up with such wildly erroneous ideas. I have no idea what the solution is, for how can we ever do more than drop a few tiny drips into a very large and seemingly overwhelming ocean?
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It was a busy weekend, as I was at Norwich Cathedral on both Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
On Saturday it was the installation of a new Canon Librarian at the Cathedral, who will be responsible for the Cathedral library (amazingly) and for education in the new Hostry, to be opened in September.
But the historic occasion was Sunday afternoon when the new Archdeacon of Norwich was installed, for she is female!
“So what?” I hear you cry. “There are masses of female clergy in our country, and a bishop or two as well.”
There are masses of female clergy in the UK too, but only twelve female Archdeacons to a hundred male Archdeacons. And of course, no female bishops. So you begin to see why I considered Sunday to be such a red-letter day. Jan, the new Archdeacon, has been Communications Officer in the diocese for eight or nine years – a post which she will continue to hold, which is good because she’s brilliant at it. Things are really looking up for Norwich Diocese.
Had my Lent group yesterday, at which twice as many people as last week turned up. So that was four, then. Still, you never know. Next week we may (or may not!) get eight.
This morning we had a clergy Chapter meeting, which was good fun. It’s quite encouraging to meet with other clergy and discover that everyone is in much the same boat – struggling! But the Rural Dean is now fully recovered from his illness, which lets me off the hook as I’ve been acting as his deputy for a while.
Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday. I hate, loathe and detest it, but at least the family is coming over. Well, eldest daughter, husband and grandchild, anyway.
Off now to think about something to say to the kids – if any should turn up for the service – and if not, we’ll all get our little bunches of daffodils anyway. Can’t be bad.
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