Easter Sunday was an interesting day for me. In the morning we shared with the URC congregation and experienced a special time around Communion and Blessing. There was dignity and freedom, some congregational singing of songs we didn't really know - so words had to be read and taken in.
In the evening we had our own service with a few of the URC joining us, which was great. We had every musical section on duty in an Easter Praise celebration. It was a good meeting, but my reflection today is - do we use music to generate emotions? By contrast to the many spoken words we heard in the morning in liturgical readings, do we allow our music to do the thinking for us?
Was there any point in allowing all the music sections to take part so often in one meeting? Why do we fill every moment with sound? There was a one point last night, to be perfectly honest, that I felt it was "battle of the bands"!
I wonder how we would cope without any music one Sunday? mmmmmmmmm
Monday, 24 March 2008
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Lemonade
I have a new favourite phrase....."If life gives you lemons, make lemonade"..... All I want to share with you, is that I am trying to make lemonade honest I am !!!
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Sooo Trusting !
A surreal thing happend to us on Monday. Edward, Richard and me went into London for the day. SP&S / IHQ / Tate Gallery / St Pauls then walked back to Liverpool Street to get train back home. Just before we got the train home we decided to have a drink in McDonalds at the station. As we were sitting there a well dressed gentleman came to the chair beside me and put a plastic bag and briefcase down on the table and said "would you mind just keeping an eye on these please while I go to the toilet and order my food?"....I promptly said "sure, that's fine, no problem".
The moment he left and disappeared out of sight we looked at each other and realised what a trusting thing I had just agreed to do....."What if this is not just an innocent couple of bags?" What if it is a.....whisper....bomb?" Realising that we had left Hannah at home on her own - I then said "you better take Edward and get the train...I'll meet you back home - can't risk all three of us getting blown up!"
The next 3/4 mins were taken up with Richard and I arguing over who would be most missed and who Hannah and Edward needed the most. Both of us had good arguments for the other person to be the one to stay with the children. Neither of us suggested that we ALL leave !
Just as it was beginning to become a bit of an issue - the very gentle man waved at us as he ordered his food and very soon had joined us and his bags once again. He said "Thank You" and I said "Your Welcome" and we quickly left to get our train. Little did he know the anxiety he had caused the three of us.
Very odd few mins - but on reflection - how sad it is that we now live in a world/society that makes us so suspiceous (hope I have spelt that right....mmm?). Would I say "yes" again....I don't actually think so !
The moment he left and disappeared out of sight we looked at each other and realised what a trusting thing I had just agreed to do....."What if this is not just an innocent couple of bags?" What if it is a.....whisper....bomb?" Realising that we had left Hannah at home on her own - I then said "you better take Edward and get the train...I'll meet you back home - can't risk all three of us getting blown up!"
The next 3/4 mins were taken up with Richard and I arguing over who would be most missed and who Hannah and Edward needed the most. Both of us had good arguments for the other person to be the one to stay with the children. Neither of us suggested that we ALL leave !
Just as it was beginning to become a bit of an issue - the very gentle man waved at us as he ordered his food and very soon had joined us and his bags once again. He said "Thank You" and I said "Your Welcome" and we quickly left to get our train. Little did he know the anxiety he had caused the three of us.
Very odd few mins - but on reflection - how sad it is that we now live in a world/society that makes us so suspiceous (hope I have spelt that right....mmm?). Would I say "yes" again....I don't actually think so !
Monday, 28 January 2008
A Family Night In
I am just about to make a cup of tea and settle down for the evening after a days work....think to myself, "be nice to have an evening with the family".... but these days that generally means:-
Eldest child either on sofa or our bed with the laptop talking on MSN to her friends - far more exciting than real conversation with the family.
Youngest child doing homework and watching what he wants on the TV
Husband in and out of office answering building related emails, and then wanting sports on TV
ME....well, worst offender of all - since kids been home I have gone from kitchen, my computer, eat my tea, back to computer, hang washing up, back to computer....now I am ready to sit down and relax....rest of family settled in what they are doing - so I guess it is another night in with the family - at least we are in the same house :-)
Eldest child either on sofa or our bed with the laptop talking on MSN to her friends - far more exciting than real conversation with the family.
Youngest child doing homework and watching what he wants on the TV
Husband in and out of office answering building related emails, and then wanting sports on TV
ME....well, worst offender of all - since kids been home I have gone from kitchen, my computer, eat my tea, back to computer, hang washing up, back to computer....now I am ready to sit down and relax....rest of family settled in what they are doing - so I guess it is another night in with the family - at least we are in the same house :-)
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Looking Good !
I have just come back from weight watchers having only lost 1.5lbs this week ! Not too bad considering I have had a curry one night, Apple muffin and a meal at Frankie & Bennies on another day during that week. Funny how I expect more without trying harder :-) Just wonder if I do that with my spiritual life too - expect to be more spiritually in tune with very little effort mmmmmm !
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
SoF and the Bible !
I am excited ! (is that a feeling word, I am using by any chance !!!) BUT a familier piece of scripture came a new to me yesterday at Mulberry House......not quite what I had expected from the choice to have a day out with God yesterday....but still this is the new revelation to me:-
Colossians 3:16
"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing Psalms (Scripture) Hymns (Song Book) and Spiritual Songs (Songs of Fellowship) to God with thankful hearts."
and then....
Ephesians 5:15-19
".....v18b let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts."
A little bit of everything is just what we need ! Perhaps we not on the wrong track after all :-)
Just a thought anyway.....
Colossians 3:16
"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing Psalms (Scripture) Hymns (Song Book) and Spiritual Songs (Songs of Fellowship) to God with thankful hearts."
and then....
Ephesians 5:15-19
".....v18b let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts."
A little bit of everything is just what we need ! Perhaps we not on the wrong track after all :-)
Just a thought anyway.....
Monday, 19 November 2007
Feeling Numb
Thought it was time for another blog but to be perfectly honest I am just feeling numb at the moment. Last week I physically experienced my skin being put to sleep in order for a mole to be removed....the Doc kept on asking "Can you feel that, can you feel this?" as he prodded me with a needle ... very quickly the answer was "no" and the job was done.
Reflecting on this experience I realise that at the moment this is exactly how I am feeling. Not feeling much at the moment....not sure why....is it self-preservation and protection from all that is being demanded of me at present? Is it just that I have shut down after a manic month of moving out of our building and other pressures? Have I given up? I hope NOT....but that's the point, I just don't know!
This is not intended as an alarm call - if you are a member of our congregation reading this, please don't worry....I am still functioning and love you all to bits....but have to be honest and admit that there is a part of me that has been put to sleep for a while - just praying hard it will wear off SOON !
Is it times like these that I just have to KNOW in my head and heart that I am been carried by God and those who are praying for me? Can I feel that? yes I can !
Reflecting on this experience I realise that at the moment this is exactly how I am feeling. Not feeling much at the moment....not sure why....is it self-preservation and protection from all that is being demanded of me at present? Is it just that I have shut down after a manic month of moving out of our building and other pressures? Have I given up? I hope NOT....but that's the point, I just don't know!
This is not intended as an alarm call - if you are a member of our congregation reading this, please don't worry....I am still functioning and love you all to bits....but have to be honest and admit that there is a part of me that has been put to sleep for a while - just praying hard it will wear off SOON !
Is it times like these that I just have to KNOW in my head and heart that I am been carried by God and those who are praying for me? Can I feel that? yes I can !
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