Since the beginning of the pandemic last March, I’ve had far more opportunity than normal to notice the wildlife in our garden. Over this now-more-than twelvemonth span, I’ve been drawn into the dramatic arc of daily life lived by the birds, small mammals and occasional amphibians that share the space I used to think of … Continue reading The Tale of the Determined Squirrel…
Bible
Love is…
Love is fierce. Love is strong. It cowers, and bends, and withstands crushing pressure; it folds in on itself. Love clings, love grips, love hangs on in the storm. It looks for the spark of light when there is none. Love knows when it is not enough. It seeks unceasingly for the scaffolding to shore … Continue reading Love is…
We went in search of you…
We went in search of you, Wild and elemental, At home in the storm, With feet that walk waves. And we found you. In sand-blasted skin And salt-tanged lips, In sun-beaten cheeks And sea-sprayed hair, In briny-deep swell And wood-sweet smoke. In grit between our teeth. We went in search of you, Spirit and creator, … Continue reading We went in search of you…
Floating around…
I led a discussion about Noah last night. I hadn’t planned to. My vicar was supposed to be doing it. Then he phoned an hour before people were due to arrive at my house. He wasn’t well – could we manage without him? Of course! He needed to rest. Not a problem. More than happy … Continue reading Floating around…
Water into Wine
I told the story of Jesus' first miracle three times on Saturday. I was asked to choose two Jesus stories as part of a story walk through Bradford City Centre for the Biblefresh Festival, organised by the local Methodists. Water into Wine was my immediate first choice. Why? Because I love it. Almost every time I read … Continue reading Water into Wine
He is alive!
It was still dark when she left her home. She made her way through the silent streets to the garden where his tomb lay. She felt troubled but the silence comforted her. She carried spices to anoint his body. She reached the garden and walked down the pathways until she came to the place where … Continue reading He is alive!
It is finished…
The man followed them when they left his house, walking in the shadows through the streets of Jerusalem. He watched as they entered the garden. Then he crept in after them. He heard their lowered voices as they talked. He saw the shadows shift and settle as they moved through the garden. The silence was … Continue reading It is finished…
Those Hands
He lifted the water jar onto his shoulders and set off through the streets. He knew people were looking at him, could feel their eyes on him as he walked. He didn’t fit, he was an anomaly. Men didn’t carry water jars – that was women’s work. He passed the city gate as two men … Continue reading Those Hands
A Generous Gift
The sound of voices surrounded her as she walked, noise upon noise, donkeys braying, haggling, shouts, laughter. She could smell the scents of the busy market place, olive oil, baking bread, freshly cut wood, pungent ointments. She walked up to a man, exchanged a few words, handed over a large bag of coins, picked up … Continue reading A Generous Gift
Enough is Enough
The priest picked up the scroll and put it away with the others, neatly and carefully lined up on the shelf. He turned and straightened the oil lamp on the table. Then he smoothed down his robe and left the temple. He walked with long strides past the benches of the dove sellers and the … Continue reading Enough is Enough
