Seeing Through Another’s Eyes
It was one of the odder conversations I’ve had. We had just moved to New Zealand and were in a temporary house while the church manse we were to stay at was being finished. Being new, I wanted to get to know our neighbors and seeing the one on our left hand side in his yard, I popped my head over the fence to say hello. He was very friendly and showed interest in who I was and where I was from. I felt welcomed and as though we could become friends. And then a strange thing happened. “This is such a perfect country” he said. “And it would be completely perfect if it weren’t for all the...
Read MoreRefresh: Sabbath as Restoring or Restorying?
As the silly season kicks in and most of us are desperately trying to get on top of too full an agenda, I thought this post from November 2023 would be a gentle reminder to keep first things first. Refresh: Sabbath as Restoring or Restorying? Perhaps the title of this post is a little too clever, but it started as a throw away question in a podcast I was half listening to while going through my paces at the gym. My location is important, as it meant I was trying to follow a thoughtful discussion whilst gasping for breath and wondering if I would still be alive in ten minutes. In other words,...
Read MoreLove in Action: When Words are Not Enough…
I don’t know if you enjoy the Peanuts cartoon characters but in one memorable sketch the ever philosophical Linus bursts out: “I love humanity – its people I can’t stand.” Love is so much easier when it’s theoretical. And there are indeed some extraordinary visions of what love is. St Paul’s portrait in 1 Cor 13 is breathtaking. Do you remember this part of it: “Love is patient and kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud… love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth… love never fails…” Beautiful –...
Read MoreRefresh: By Persevering…
Is there a difference between persistence and perseverance? This Refresh post from Oct 2023 says there is, and argues that it is not simply a niggle point. To persist is to keep going; to persevere is to keep going despite adversity. I thought it worth thinking about this again… What’s the greatest predictor of future success? While experts express a range of views, their answers usually include words like resilience, tenacity and perseverance. Those who persevere, reap the reward. Naturally there are limits to this. If you persist in doing the wrong thing, you will be persistently...
Read MoreBecause “No” is a Full Sentence: When Values Guide Decisions
I’ve always been intrigued by Jesus’ instruction, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:37). It’s refreshingly simple, and an invitation to engage in straightforward speech and make promises that can be trusted. If I say ‘Yes, I will do that’ I should do it. If I need to add 25 qualifiers (provided the weather is good, or I don’t get a better offer, or…), I am in real danger of becoming untrustworthy – someone whose word...
Read MoreRefresh: Because Lost Direction is Worse than Lost Time…
“Being before doing” – it’s an important life principle. What we do should flow out of who we are, and when the two are inconsistent, heartache and confusion awaits. I thought this post from Oct 2023 worth highlighting as this weeks “Refresh”… Refresh: Because Lost Direction is Worse than Lost Time… Have you heard the one in sixty rule? Pilots are taught it. If you are one degree off course, after sixty miles you will be one mile off course. That might not sound like much, but it is a big deal if it turns out the wheat field you thought you...
Read MoreWhy the Bible?
I don’t know what you think of the new fad of bringing old authors to life. It’s pretty widespread, and you can now read new Poirot or Miss Marple mysteries written not by Agatha Christie but by her fans, or dive into a new Ian Fleming novel (Anthony Horowitz of Foyle’s War fame is taking this on) or read a fresh take on Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Some fictional characters are able to capture the imagination of multiple generations, and become a permanent fixture in our collective consciousness – after all, most of us have heard of James Bond or Poirot or...
Read MoreRefresh: Blending Amish and 21st Century
I was doubtful about this post when I wrote it back in Jan 2022, but I’m not sure why. The case for “doing an Amish” or at least trying it for at least one day each week, seems to me to have strengthened. What do you think? Refresh: Blending Amish and 21st Century OK, so I accept some will think this is one of my sillier blog posts, but I recently wondered if it might be possible to navigate life part Amish, part 21st century. Of course a whole lot of qualifiers need to be thrown in, and I realise the thesis would never stand up to serious scrutiny, and those in the know...
Read MoreJudge Not! But Judge…
Colliding truths are always fascinating. Try this one. We are not supposed to judge others, but exercising good judgment is a crucial part of living a good life. Should we be moral watchdogs, evaluating the behaviour and lifestyles of others, or should we simply adopt a live and let live attitude, generously passing off differences with “it takes all sorts to make a world” or “if it works for you, it works for you – so that’s fine”? Those in favour of disinterest in the behaviour of others might quickly quote the words of Jesus from Matt 7:1-2 “Do...
Read MoreRefresh: When You Can’t Unfriend
Most of us walk away from difficult people and complex situations, but sometimes the greatest joy and satisfaction is found when we persevere with difficulties and refuse to unfriend difficult people. This Refresh post from Nov 2022 reminds us that sometimes it’s best not to give up. Refresh: When You Can’t Unfriend I don’t know what your relationship with Facebook is like, but on the whole, mine is pretty good. It’s introduced me to over 2000 friends, the majority of whom I didn’t know before, and they often like or share my posts, introduce me to new concepts...
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