Why is it that good news and bad news often come so close together?
This morning I heard that my daughter had been successful in a job interview and will be starting her dream job in London next week. After five years of higher education she is now ready to earn some money and start her career. So many emotions together - elation, fear, apprehension, but mainly excitement!
Then, this afternoon, the sort of bad news about a friend that makes you stop in your tracks and feel awful because you can do nothing to make the situation better, except pray. Thank God that in all situations we can go to him in prayer.
Wednesday 22 April 2009
This last week I have been beset by computer problems. Various nasty worms had violated my life by finding their way into the PC and causing mayhem.
It made me realise how much computers have become a vital part of life. I correspond with friends over the internet, use online resources for research into everything and even read newspapers online. The weekly shop is even ordered online.
I also realised how much clutter and rubbish was on the system, so, in a way, I am rather glad to have had the opportunity to "wipe clean" the computer and restore it to factory newness. The desktop is virtually empty, the lists of favourite websites gone forever. I have the same sense of satisfaction as I have when I have sorted out cupboards and drawers and de-cluttered the garage and the shed!
We clutter up our lives with non-essential things, when really there is very little we actually need. Once we get rid of a lot of unnecessary rubbish we are in a much better position to see what really matters and what we reallycannot live without!
It made me realise how much computers have become a vital part of life. I correspond with friends over the internet, use online resources for research into everything and even read newspapers online. The weekly shop is even ordered online.
I also realised how much clutter and rubbish was on the system, so, in a way, I am rather glad to have had the opportunity to "wipe clean" the computer and restore it to factory newness. The desktop is virtually empty, the lists of favourite websites gone forever. I have the same sense of satisfaction as I have when I have sorted out cupboards and drawers and de-cluttered the garage and the shed!
We clutter up our lives with non-essential things, when really there is very little we actually need. Once we get rid of a lot of unnecessary rubbish we are in a much better position to see what really matters and what we reallycannot live without!
Saturday 18 April 2009
I spent the Easter week in Rome and was privileged to attend Easter Sunday service at the Methodist Church on the Ponte Sant'Angelo, over the footbridge from Vatican City and within sight of St Peter's.
This small church and English-speaking community bear a strong witness in Rome. The congregation has a few core members - some of whom have been living in Rome for many years and an ever-changing number of students and visitors each week.
There were people from many different countries there on Easter Sunday and was a truly cosmopolitan experience!
This small church and English-speaking community bear a strong witness in Rome. The congregation has a few core members - some of whom have been living in Rome for many years and an ever-changing number of students and visitors each week.
There were people from many different countries there on Easter Sunday and was a truly cosmopolitan experience!
Wednesday 1 April 2009
On Monday evening I witnessed a wonderful thing. Representatives from every local church in the Methodist Circuit here got together with the Leadership team to look at the future.
There was apprehension on behalf of the team. Change was inevitable, but how would the representatives react to being asked to visualise the future shape of Mission in this place? Some of the local chapels in rural locations have a tiny membership and an ageing congregation.
Those attending were divided into groups and given questions for discussion. Each group had a Circuit Steward to act as a facilitator. Questions ranged from "How do you see the Circuit looking in 10 years time?" to "What do our ministers actually do? What do they think they should do?"
The Holy Spirit certainly moved through that meeting! What an air of positivity, what a willingness to embrace change! Wonderful, positive suggestions for engaging with the community, for freeing up resources so they coukd be used where they were most needed. Above all, an absolute commitment to continuing witness, to spreading the Gospel message and to following Jesus and the knowledge that there is much work for us to do and God wants us to get on with it!
There was apprehension on behalf of the team. Change was inevitable, but how would the representatives react to being asked to visualise the future shape of Mission in this place? Some of the local chapels in rural locations have a tiny membership and an ageing congregation.
Those attending were divided into groups and given questions for discussion. Each group had a Circuit Steward to act as a facilitator. Questions ranged from "How do you see the Circuit looking in 10 years time?" to "What do our ministers actually do? What do they think they should do?"
The Holy Spirit certainly moved through that meeting! What an air of positivity, what a willingness to embrace change! Wonderful, positive suggestions for engaging with the community, for freeing up resources so they coukd be used where they were most needed. Above all, an absolute commitment to continuing witness, to spreading the Gospel message and to following Jesus and the knowledge that there is much work for us to do and God wants us to get on with it!
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