Lent 2014 - 19th March: feeding the birds

Today's simple pleasure is...

Wait for it....

Feeding the birds...

One of my favourite places to go is Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire. On the banks of the River Severn it is an amazing place. The birds love the mudflats there. It is a unique place. God's creation has so much to offer us including these amazing creatures. The simple pleasure of feeding the birds. It reminds me of the following verses:

'Therefor I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body? What you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they are? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?' Mat 6:25-27 (NIV)

Lent 2014 - 18th March: Friendship and Good Company

 

There are many simple pleasures in life that we forget about. Blogging through Lent on this theme had helped me to realize everything I have to be thankful for in life. Today I am thankful for friendship and good company. Good friends are hard to find. Finding friends when you are pastoring a church in an area you don't know very well is very difficult. It takes time. Sometimes you think people are your friends but actually they are not. Sometimes good friends are made in unexpected places. I am blessed by many good friends. Some have known me since I was a child, others are new friends and we have only just got to know one another. I think it is in the difficult times that you work out who your friends really are, who you can trust and who you can't. 

This picture is of an ornament I have i my home. It reminds me of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It reminds me of the love that is shared between them and the need for each other. God is in relationship and we two need to be in relationship with friends and loved ones. We are not made to be on our own but to enjoy each others company. I like my own space but I need good friends. I am blessed and thankful for them today.

Lent 2014 - 17th March: books

Today's simple pleasure is a good book. I love reading. I started reading aged 4 and haven't stopped since. As a child I loved to read comics and had a couple every week. Who can remember 'Twinkle' and 'Bunty'? My favourite was 'The Beano'. I loved Denis the Menace and The Bash Street Kids'. I still have some childhood copies. I also have a first 'Nutty' comic squired away and a few copies of The Dandy. My dad was a journalist so the house was always littered with newspapers, magazines and lots of books. My mum also loves to read. 

In my teens I grew away from the Enid Blyton classics and fell in love with Thomas Hardy and Tess of the D'urberbelles, and Far From the Madding Crowd, along with Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. I normally have a book of sorts, if not more, on the go. 

I love books and I love to read. If I could choose only one to read for the rest of my life then it would have to be the Bible. Now that's a surprise, isn't it? Favorate book of the Bible would be difficult to choose. At the moment I'm still wandering through Exodus with Moses. I think I would choose Isaiah, or Job or maybe the Psalms. If I could read only one ever then the Psalms. 

Today's simple pleasure - books.

Lent 2014 - 16th March: kicking off your shoes

Today's simple pleasure to be thankful for is kicking of your shoes...

And relaxing! That's better.

Lent 2014 - 15th March: romantic meal for 2

Today's simple pleasure to be thankful got is a romantic meal for 2.

Lent 2014 - 14th March: Country walks

Today's simple pleasure is country walks. Whether it be the Derbyshire peaks or Coteswold hills or a canal path or... just about anywhere. I think I am overdue a wander or two. 

Lent 2014 - 13 March: A cup of tea

Today's simple pleasure is a 4 o'clock cup of tea. (Note it is a 'cup of tea' rather than a 'cuppa', I do so hate that expression.) I managed to drink mine in the garden today. Lovely! In case you are wondering it is Sainsbury's Fair Trade Asam tea - yum.  What's you favourite brew?

Streams of Living Water part 1

I went to the recent Fresh Streams Conference and wrote this when I was there...

Lent 2014 - 12th March: Films

Today's simple pleasure is a bit late owing to said pleasure distracting me. It is films. I love a good movie, don't you? I watch most things unless it is gory, for the sake of being gory, or it's supernatural. I generally don't like to be scared, although I like a good thriller and a bit of suspense. I don't mind army movies, John likes those. I like to loose myself in the storyline and forget about reality for a couple of hours. I guess it's my escapism. Some folk like to theologically reflect on movies but for me it spoils the enjoyment and makes it more work than fun.

My favourite movie of all time is... wait for it.... Predator. I do love science fiction and a bit of Arnie. I always have to watch it if it comes on the TV. Other favourites would be 'What Women Want' with Mel Gibson; funny film. In fact I love most of his films. Also The English Patient with Ralph Fiends, and Silence of the Lambs with Jodie Foster and  Anthony Hopkins, Favorate actors, other than the ones already mentioned, Meryl Street, Sandra Bullock, Renee Zellweger, Colin Frith, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Clint Eastwood, Kevin Spacey, Liam Neeson Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford.

So what's your favorite film and actors?

Lent 2014 - 11th March: Art

I use to spend many an hour looking at pictures of paintings. I have enjoyed Joseph Wright's work but never really noted his name until I wandered around Derby's museum and art gallery recently and realized he was a local artist. I still have the children's encyclopedia set I had as a youngst. This picture is in the book on science I think. On either end of the set are a book of art and an illustrated book of Bible stories. 

Here are a couple more of his paintings, sorry the quality isn't as good. Today's simple pleasure is the appreciation of art. I would post a photo of my recent panting by numbers but you may laugh so I will refrain... Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. 

 The Hermit

 The Blacksmith's Shop 

Lent 2014 - 10 March: Poetry

Today's simply pleasure to thank God for is poetry. I can't say I know that much about poetry only that I enjoy writing it and occasionally reading it. I really ought to read more. It seems of late every time I have gone to blog a poem transpires. It is a great way in which to express emotions. Sometimes my poetry express my own emotions, other times I try and place myself in other peoples' shoes. I can't say I have a favourite poem but here is one I learnt as a child. 

Here am I with my four daughters

Dead from drinking Cheltenham waters.

If I'd have stuck to Epsom Salts

I wouldn't have been in these here vaults.

Anon

I like it because it is local (Cheltenham is not far from Stroud where I grew up) and because it amuses me. The voice from beyond the grave has a certain sarcastic tone that always makes me smile. Growing up I spent many a happy hour in the local grave yards looking at the graves. Destined to be a vicar don't you think!

What is your favourite poem or poet?

Lent 2014: March 9th - Cows

Today's simple pleasure is...

Can you guess what it is yet? ....

Maybe another hint? ...

Yes, it really is...

Cows. I love gazing at cows. I'm not sure why I love them so much but I do. Maybe love is the wrong word? We use it so flippantly these days. Cows remind me of the countryside. In particularl they remind me of my home town of Stroud where they freely wander around the local commons and have free grazing rights. I have a few cows adorning my study walls, not real ones you understand (far too messy). I like the way in which they stare at you and seem to weigh you up. I wonder what they think, if anything, beyond where the best bit of juicy grass is to be found? 

Today's simple pleasure is cows - for their beauty, for their part in making the countryside so complete, for the milk and cheese they produce, for the lovely filet stake I enjoyed eating for lunch! ;-)

Lent 2014 - 8th March: Sleep

 

Today's simple pleasure is sleep. This is Holly who loves to make herself a den under the covers of the spare bed when I am working in my study. I work, she sleeps. It's been a long day so night, night... Zzzzzzzz...

Lent 2014 - 7th March: warm spring days and flower buds.

It was a lovely sunny day today so I tidied up the garden a little. I could loose myself for hours pottering around. Spring is on its way and I feel a lightness in my spirit. Mr Snail doesn't seem to get very far though! The crocuses are out in vibrant purple, daffodils in their majestic yellow and the little pink buds on my tree (can't recall its name) are bursting into flower. I am thankful for and take simple pleasure in warm spring days and flower buds.

Lent 2014 - 6th March: Laughter

I like to laugh, big belly laughs that I can't stop. Silly things make me laugh. I don't really like jokes as such, it is more situation humour that makes me chuckle. I like to banter and tease folk and I like for them to do the same back. For me the world is a dismal place without laughter. I haven't laughed as much as I should have recently. Life has been stressful but c'est la vie. My husband John and I took a trip to London to see a show recently and came across Chalie Chaplain. Photo opportunity or what! Well it made me laugh. I thank God for the simple pleasure which is laughter.

Lent 2014 - 5th March: Memories

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. This year I will try and do a quick blog every day. More importantly, my aim is to appreciate and give thanks for the simple things in life that give me pleasure. For today here is an old photo of me and mum on Juniper Hill, Stroud. We often use to walk from the Uplands, were we lived, up Folly Lane and either we would turn right down into the Slad Valley or left to Juniper Hill, along Wick Street and back. Mum and Dad loved to walk and so do I.

Simply pleasures of memories. 

Full to the brim.

Overflowing with laughter,

Squeals of delight.

Fun in remembering

Times gone by.

Thoughts of a lifetime

Of you and I.

© Revdjo 5/3/14 

Streams of Living Water part 2

The words of the following hymn have been with me all week:

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

On Tuesday I conducted the funeral of Joyce McDonald who finally went home to be with her heavenly Father. We sang this hymn at the beginning of the service. At church on Sunday I found myself singing the hymn again. The words continue to resound, in particular the second verse. Saturday night I could not sleep, I was also a little hot so I opened the window. There was a small brook outside that had swollen because of the amount of rain we have been having recently. It was raining and I could hear the rain hitting the brook and the brook flowing faster than normal. It was a reassuring sound and something else to listen to other than my husbands snoring. I felt God say to me, 'focus on the brook, focus on me'. It is easy to loose sight of God and to stop listening to his voice. It is easy to be distracted from our faith. 

Is it time for you to listen to the brook and to feel God's Holy Spirit again in the gentle breeze? 

We have an awesome God.

 

The Desert of life

The desert lies before
Its vastness open wide.
I long to find the answer
An oasis in my mind.

The sun it beats upon
Everything it can find.
My soul thirsts for reassurance
In its solitary confines.

The arid search for justice
Beckons forth once more.
Step by step I travel longing
For the promised door.

I trust that I will find it
That darkness cannot last.
The breaking of a new dawn
Opens up at last.



© Revdjo 6/12/13