Lent 2014 - 19th April: simple pleasure of Easter

I have blogged over 40 days worth of simple pleasures in which to be thankful for. Some have been a little tongue in cheek, such as cows, others have been much deeper in thought. All have been heart felt and things I enjoy. Maybe I have  missed off a few things. I don't think I mentioned the simple pleasures of gardening or cooking for instance. I'm sure you can think of other things I've missed.It is easy to see the negatives in life and to become negative as a result of focusing on the things that need changing. It is easy to pick holes and less easy to give constructive criticism. It is not always easy to stay upbeat and positive about life especially when the proverbial hits the fan. As a perfectionist I can be quite hard on myself but I have learnt that there is always going to be something I could do better or change. Being at college taught me the art of deadlines and having to put aside perfectionism in order to meet those deadlines. Actually I work much better this way. However, not all of life has deadlines. Maybe that is just as well. There is of course one deadline we all face. Some people know when their days are numbered, others never know and they are here one minute and gone the next. Whilst we are here surely it is better to focus on the beauty and good things of life rather than the bad and the negative.

The Easter message is about the painful death of the Messiah who was hung on a cross, despite his innocence, but the focus is not so much on his brutal death but rather on the resurrection and the concurring of death. Jesus overcame death and paid the price for our negativity and wrong doing. Through faith in him we have been given life, eternal life, to live to the full. The world may bring us all sorts of problems but what matters is how we choose to deal with them. I pray that you may focus on the good things of life, those simple pleasures, and that they may give you joy and the strength to carry on. Life is full of many twists and turns but as every Sunday School child knows the answer is always Jesus. Now what's your question?

I love Easter it is a simple pleasure all in itself. Have a blessed Easter and rejoice in the good things of life that God has given us to enjoy and savour.

Lent 2014 - 11th April: shopping

One of life's simple pleasures is the occasional shopping trip. I'm not really a big shopper. I think my husband enjoys it more than me. Today I went to Derby to get my hair 'done' and to buy a present for a good friend, I hope she likes it, I also treated myself a little. My excuse was that I have gone down a dress size, surely worth a celebration. I say dress size but I can't recall the last time I wore a dress. I digress. Not everyone can afford to go shopping. Money is tight at the moment having been given notice from the church here in Burton. Money is tight for a lot of people but compare our living standards with those of other parts of the world such as, the favelas in Brazil, there is no comparison. We are blessed, truly blessed. Compare what we have with what our parents or grandparents had and again we are worlds apart. The world hurtles on at a tremendous pace. It is good to stop and appreciate the simple pleasures of our life and the abundant blessings that knock at our door day after day.

Lent 2014- 10th April: gazing at the view

One of life's 

simple pleasures

is of course

to gaze

forever 

at the view

of dancing clouds 

and rolling weather

of patchwork quilts 

knitted together

secrets hidden 

amongst the leaves

some to be seen 

on bended knee

or stood 

side by side 

in solidarity

much to behold 

in art

and science 

In history 

and mystery

of bygone 

year on year

there is much 

to gaze

and admire

warming views

of sandy shores

of setting sun 

in foreign lands

of rolling hills

in Gloucestershire

Maybe a view 

of grass 

and sheep.

maybe just 

a piece of cake

or icecream flake

Or Devonshire teas

with views of

sea and sail.

Or just 

a silly photo 

of Jo's snail

what do 

you 

simply

see 

that gives 

you 

pleasure?

©revdjo 10/4/14

Lent 2014 - 9th April: the sun

The sun has got its hat on

Hip Hip Hip Hooray

The sun has got its hat on

And he’s coming out today

 

Now everybody’s happy

Hip Hip Hip Hooray

The sun has got its hat on

And he’s coming out to play

Today's simple pleasure is the sun. These lyrics by Noël Gay and Ralph Butler were part of my childhood. A song I use to sing along to with my mum as she was doing the ironing. The song was on a tape, remember those, called Honkie Tonk Hits 1 & 2 I seem to recall.

Nothing like a bit of sun to make you feel good. Anyway, that's enough from me or I will be singing some of the Beach Boys' songs next.  Simple pleasures - always the best. I'm thankful for the sun and even more for God's son - just incase you forgot it's coming up to Easter!

Lent 2014 - 8th April: childhood books

Today's simple pleasure is that of remembering all those great childhood books. I am reminded today of 

'Bednobbs and Broomsticks' that was put into film by Walt Disney. As I remember that my love of Enid Blyton also comes flooding back. I read the Famous Five books but I much preferred the Secret Seven and books such as 'The Island of Adventure'. As a child I was encouraged to read and found my solace in childhood encyclopedias and comics. A piece of paper, some coloured pencils or some paints and a comic or book and I would entertain myself for hours. I am naturally creative but it is only recently that I have found my creative side again. I don't think I have ever lost my love for reading. It is is part of who I am. As a teenager I loved the classics, mainly Thomas Hardy. As a child, a teenager, and as an adult I have always ready the Bible firstly in picture form and then as a teenager the Revised Standard Version. Today my preferred version is the New Revised Standard Version which is also a Spiritual Direction Bible. Second choice is the New International Version that flows slightly more readily. I still love Thomas Hardy and the Classics, I still love the Beano and Denis the Menice. I still love to read God's Word.

Can't beat a good read or, as my earlier froidian slip read, a God read.

Lent 2014 - 6th April: wandering around cathedrals

I may be a non-conformist of the Baptist persuasion but I so appreciate the architecture and presence of God to be found in a Cathedral. The above photo is of course Westminster Abbey which I visited recently. There is something about the grandure of Cathedrals that proclaims the awesomeness of God. Our non-conformist history is short in comparison to the established church and consequently we lack age in our buildings. We also tend to lack the grandeur. 

    Gloucester Cathedral's beautiful ceiling.

Baptist chapels are simple so as not to distract from worshiping God. I like the simplicity but sometimes I want the grandure and ornateness which reflect God's glory and majesty. I am eclectic in my spirituality and a true ecumenical at heart. A simple pleasure for me is to gaze in wonder at our places of worship that differ so much and yet all point to God in their own unique way.

Today's simple pleasure is wandering around Cathedrals, it could equally be sitting in a simple chapel.

Lent 2014 - 5th April: humour

Today's simple pleasure is humour. I like to laugh. I don't like to take life too seriously. It's easy to get caught in the spiral of negativity and to forget that life is for living. My humour can get me in to trouble sometimes. I guess what one person finds funny someone else finds offensive. I love situation humour but dislike jokes. It is normally the visual things or silly childish things that make me chuckle. John and I went to the butchers today to buy a leg of lamb. (It tasted fantastic by the way.) we always end up giggling whenever we go there. It's not what is said but what is unsaid. Something about the way the three butchers never really talk to one another and are so serious. An old lady wished them a merry Christmas, obviously at Christmas, and had to say it three times before getting a response. Anyone would think they were androids by their apparent lack of emotion. Actually, one is slightly more human than the others. They must wonder why we are always giggling. As my husband said today, it would be a good basis of a sitcom. Maybe I should write that one. As with all good visual humour you have to be there and see it for yourself. 

I hope today has been a blessed day for you filled with at least some humour. 

Lent 2014 - 3rd March: meeting New People

Another of life's simple pleasures is meeting new people. I love meeting someone who I don't know at all, or very well, and spending time getting to know them. All too often these meetings are fleeting and over far too quickly. Today I got the opportunity to meet and talk to a few new folk at The Northern Baptist Theological Consutation at Blackley Baptist Church, West Yorkshire. I have to admit I have never been this far north before! It was a great day. The keynote lecture was on spirituality and poetry, so right up my street.

One of the reasons I loved working as a mortgage adviser was that I met lots of new and interesting people. New people are intriguing and meeting them is on a par with opening a wrapped present. You never know what you are going to get! Some people we relate to more than others, that's just life, but everyone we meet is a potential friend. Who knows how deep that relationship will develop. So here's to friendship and the simple pleasure of meeting new people. I thank God for the new people in my life and the friendship they offer. 

Lent 2014 - 2nd April: Spiritual Direction

 

 

As I have written these blogs on simple pleasures I have tried to write about something I have found pleasurable and want to give thanks for that has happened that day. Today I met with my Spiritual Director so today's simple pleasure is Spiritual Direction. Sometimes our spiritual life can be very arid. It is like walking through a desert with the sun beating down and no sense of where we should be headed. I am blessed to have a number of good friends who I can call on to pray for me. For a long time I wondered about having a Spiritual Director to accompany me on my spiritual walk. About a year ago I decided God had been nagging me long enough and that I should give it a go. I am so glad that I did. I have been truly blessed. 

It is easy to loose our way in the desert sometimes we need help in finding the way and seeing the signs of where God is in our life. Sometimes we need someone to challenge us and help us to face up to difficult questions. Sometimes when our spiritual life gets boring and routine we need someone to suggest knew ways of connecting with God. I feel that I have been wandering through the desert of life for a while now. Trudging through sand is tiring and can be lonely. It is then when we need our praying friends all the more. It is the time when we need God but can't always see how closely he walks along side us for the sand that is blowing in our faces and getting in to our hair. I started spiritual direction because I wanted to refocus on God and my spirituality and to draw strength from that in order to get through the hard times. Yes, this is normally for a Christian but I wanted to be more definite about it. Whilst I may have to continue to walk through the desert a little while longer, and no doubt it is a place I will revisit at some stage in my life, I can see signs of new life beginning to break through. There are streams of living water in the desert but sometimes we need help in finding them and drinking from the cool waters. 

There is nothing magical about spiritual direction but there is something more precious than that for me that I can't quite put into words. It is something holy. A divine appointment. As I look back on the thoughts and feeling that have been shared, the tears and the laughter, I know that my journey has been made easier through sharing. A big thank you to my spiritual director, you know who you are. Thank you for sharing your gifts with me and encouraging me along the way. Thank you for believing in me.

Lent 2014 - 1st April: Music

As I write I am listening and half watching a George Michael concert on TV. George's music has featured in one of my earlier blogs. You can find in here if you want to have a look. I seem to like his music more as I have got older. Maybe I am just re-living my youth, who knows. Today's simple pleasure isn't George Michael, although I am sure he is to some, but music. I love music. I like to sing, not that I am a brilliant singer, I just like singing. It brings me joy and puts a smile on my face. Car journeys are the best when the music is turned up and you can sing to your hearts content at the top of your voice. Life is so much better with music. I love good guitars, strong vocals and a good beat. Translated that means the likes of Queen, The Police, The Eurythmics/Annie Lennox, Texas, and many more. I prefer rock, indie, or alternative genres. I like 80's music more now than I did at the time. Generally I think 90's music was much better with the likes of R.E.M. Alanis Morrisette, Pulp, Blur, Manic Street preachers, Supergrass, Oasis, etc, etc.

There isn't much I dislike but drum and base and boy bands would be amongst them. I can't image a world without music. I can't imagine a world without being able to praise God. Music is about expressing how we are feeling or wanting to feel. If we are feeling sad then we may want to play something soulful and relaxing, perhaps some Dusty Springfield, Simply Red, or Adel, or Leona Lewis. If we are feeling happy and full of beans then we would crank up the volume for a bit of Robbie Williams (sorry very Girlie choice), some Bryan Adams. or Dire Straights, or Guns n' Roses. If we wanted cruising music then some Beach Boys, or The Eagles, or well depends what you are into I guess. For me praising God through song is about expressing how I am feeling and also about getting in tune with God. I may not always feel like worshiping God through singing when I start to sing but my mood and my whole being starts to change as I engage with the music and as I engage with God. Singing in church on a Sunday, or around the house, or in the car is the way in which I connect with God. This may be through worship songs or it may be in a secular song. Music is a powerful thing. It is my simple pleasure. Thank you God for music. 

Lent 2014 - 31st March: swimming

I have always loved to swim. I wouldn't say I'm a particularly strong swimmer but I enjoy swimming up and down the pool. Today's simple pleasure is swimming. Sometimes we can feel that we are swimming against the tide. Sometimes we perceive the waves to be massive and much bigger than they actually are. Sometimes we can feel like we are drowning in life. Life can be hard and demanding. Following Jesus doesn't mean we will never face trials. Being a Christian isn't easy. Life isn't easy. Trusting Jesus is not always easy but yet he asks us to put out faith in him during these difficult times. 

When I am in the swimming pool I feel close to God. It has become a time of centering prayer for me. No need to speak words but just to be with God. As I swim I sense God around me. He is to my right and to my left keeping me safe, he is below me keeping me afloat, he is above me keeping a watchful eye, and he is before me guiding my way. Spending time in the water cleanses and refreshes me in a spiritual way. I leave my troubles on the side of the pool and I try not to take them home with me.

A simple pleasure to give thanks for - swimming. Jump in, the water is warm!

Lent 2014 - 30th March: mothers

The simple pleasure of spending time with your mum. You never know how long or short your life is so spend time with those you treasure. John and I spent time with his mum today. I saw mine on Friday. Both are not in the best of health. Both are treasured. Not all mums are purfect. Not all love us as they should. Maybe there is someone else you call 'mum' who cares for you? Mothering Sunday or Mother's Day, call it what you will, can be a difficult time for many. If you don't know the love of a real mum, or have lost yours, here is a big hug. Remember you are loved and special; yes you!

My Mother-inlaw is the one in the middle.

Lent 2014 - 29th March: Time

Sorry there was no blog yesterday. I did write one but it's slightly differnt from those I have been posting during Lent and I want to give myself a little more time to ponder before posting. 

Time is our simple pleasure to reflect upon today. In the UK the clocks spring forward one hour tomorrow marking the beginning of British summer-time. Summer-time what happened to Spring? We can become very complacent with time. We scurry along at such a pace we miss the moment. We fail to enjoying the here and now. (This is some of what I was writing about yesterday.) When we are young we want to be older. When we are older we hanker after our youth. 

Time is precious. Life is precious. You are precious. Hmmm maybe I am sounding a bit like Gollum from Lord of the Rings talking about 'my precious' as he rubs his hands and stares at his beloved gold ring. I mislaid my wedding ring yesterday and felt a little bit like Gollum when I put it back on my finger where it belongs. Time is more precious than gold. Whilst a gold band can symbolize our love for each other it is the time spent together that really matters. So what are you going to do with your time this week? Revel in the moment and give thanks for the here and now. If you have a special someone tell them you love them whilst there is still time to do so.

Lent 2014 - 27th March: phone chats

Phone chats are one of life's simple pleasures. I often phone a friend who lives in France just for a natter. It amazes me how easy it is to stay in touch with people and yet we don't. Is there someone you need to ring? They say, 'a problem shared is a problem halved.' Maybe there is something that is worrying you that is better shared with a trusted friend? Maybe a phone call isn't a simple pleasure for you but, maybe, it would make someone else's day? Spread a little happiness and pick up the phone.

Lent 2014 - 26th March: writing

I find a simple pleasure in writing. Anyone who knows me well will know that spelling is not my strong point, even when I know how to spell a word I will make a simple error. It is often in haste to get words on a page. I love to write. If I'm writing an essay I normally write too many words and have to edit large amounts. I can't seem to help myself when words start to flow. I have a few ideas in my head at the moment of things to write but alas I am struggling to concentrate fully on the task. Blogging through Lent is a way of disciplining myself to write a little every day. Hopefully it will encourage me to write more. 

Lent 2014 - 25th March: Spending time with Dad

 

March 25th is my Dad's birthday, he is 79 today. This is a photo of me and Dad, I must have been about 10 I think. Birthdays can be simple pleasures to enjoy and to look back on the past year. Birthdays come and go every year but dads are far more special. So today's simple pleasure is spending time with Dad. They don't last forever and I am conscious as I write this yours may have passed away. I hope you have fond memories. 

God is refered to as our Heavenly Father. The Lord's Prayer begins, 'Our Father who art in heaven'. Sometimes relationships with our human fathers are not ideal. Sometimes earthly fathers can be abusive, or unloving. I hope that is not your experience but if it is know that God is not like that. Our Heavenly Father's love is pure, full of grace and there no matter what. Today's simple pleasure is spending time with Dad, have you spent time with your Heavenly Father today?

Lent 2014 - 24th March: Prayer

Today's simple pleasure is prayer. Some people get hung up on what words to use to pray, many dislike praying out loud. Prayer is simply talking to God. He doesn't expect us to use fancy long words only to be honest with how we are feeling. I have times when I stop and pray, such as before I go to sleep at night, but most of my prayer is on the go. Something comes into my mind and I have a conversation with God about it. If I'm annoyed, or angry, or sad, or happy I pray, wherever I am. Prayer is one of the simple pleasures of my faith.

Is there something you need to pray about? 

Lent 2014 - 23rd March: God's Word

For me there is a simple pleasure in reading God's Word. On days that I spend away from it I feel out of sorts. I try to read a small portion of the Bible every day but I am human and sometimes I fail in this. It is probably my Evangelical roots that mean I feel guilty if this happens, or maybe it's my conscience? I like days that are not hurried and where I can read as much as I want to, but spending time in God's Word isn't about how much I read but about how much I listen to God as I engage with him. There are lots of different versions, or should I say translations and paraphrases, of the Bible. The Old and New Testament were written in Hebrew and Greek respectively. Our English translations try and capture the original meanings but sometimes our English language doesn't help for instance we have only one word for 'love' but in the Greek there are five words: 'agape', 'eros', 'philia' and 'storge'. I will leave you to google their exact meanings! The Bible is not just a book it is the main way in which God communicates with us today. It is the vehicle in which he uses to speak, hence the term Word of God. 

This week I picked up a copy of The Message, a brilliant paraphrase, I found that the following Psalm spoke to me (see photo). Perhaps it will speak to you to? Today's simple pleasure to give thanks for is 'The Word of God'.

Lent 3014 - 22nd March: special places

Another simple pleasure from me... special places. There are many special places that I have already blogged on. Today I focus on The National Memorial Arboretum at Arelwas, Staffordshire. It is a special place for me for a number of reasons. My husband is ex-military and served with the Grenadier Guards whilst the Arboretum is not just about remembering those who have died in conflict, for me, this is a significant reason why I like to visit. The Arboretum is fairly close to where I live and one of the places locally that I feel at peace. It is quite exposed and can be rather chilly on windy days. It can also be rather wet under foot. I love going at different seasons and seeing the change in landscape both because of the season and because there is always something new to see. It continues to live, and breath, and grow on behalf of those who have died and are remembered in our hearts. 

The Arboretum pay only a peppercorn rent, of £1.00 PA I believe, for the land that has has the gravel extracted from it. As the gravel company extracts the gravel for the adjacent land it then gives the land other to the arboretum. This is such a generous act that again makes it so special. It is a place I can loose myself in for hours. The other reason close to my heart is that a friends name (a close friend of my husband) is written on the remembrance wall. It is a special place for remembering. If you have never visited I would urge you to do so. It is important to remember those we love. For me the Arboretum is a special place I hope it becomes one for you as well. Maybe you have your own special places where you can relax, feel at peace, and remember?

Lent 2014 - 21st March: home

There are many things to give thanks for and many simple pleasures. Today's simple pleasure is... home. Home is where I am happiest. There is nothing like coming home if you have been away for a while. I remember going to Spain with my parents as a teenager. We were away for only a couple of weeks and yet when we came back all the leaves on the trees had changed colour for autumn. It was utterly beautiful.

There is nothing like coming home and collapsing in a favourite chair with a lovely cup if tea. You will already know that both trees and a cup of tea are also amongst my simple erasures.

Home is where the heart is. The heart in the photo says it all and can be found pitched in my lounge at home.

What have you enjoyed today and can be thankful for as a simple pleasure in life?