Comic capers, superheros, and God

I loved comics as a kid and would eagerly await with anticipation for my weekly Beano and Dandy comics to arrive. It didn't take me long to grow out of reading Twinkle and Rupert Bear in favour of something with a little more action and, pardon the pun, some comic relief. I must admit to getting fed up of Desperate Dan and his cow pies and replacing him with Bananaman and the aptly named Nutty comic. Maybe I was enticed by the free packet of Space Dust? The first issue came out 16th February 1980 but it seems like only yesterday, such was my excitement of my new comic. I still have some back-copies somewhere. Should I have admitted that? I should perhaps point out, Space Dust was popping candy that crackled and made your tongue tingle. I loved my comics and think I was in love with Denis the Menace. I also loved Saturday morning TV. The caped crusaders, alias Batman and Robin, battling numerous villains: the Penguin, the Riddler, the Joker, and my personal favourite Catwoman. Saturday viewing however, was not complete without Zorro. OK maybe he wasn't a Superhero, although he did wear a cape, but he was my hero. You just can't beat a good sword fight!

When not reading comics, or watching children's TV, I would be roaming the streets and fields where we lived. On rainy days I would draw cartoon characters or read. I inherited some children's encyclopedia from my older brother. The set was bookended by an illustrated Bible and a book of paintings. I loved both. There was also an atlas. Atlas may have had the world on his shoulders and I may have lugged said book around on my shoulders during my secondary school years but alas my geographical knowledge is almost non-existent. I just wasn't interested. We are all inspired by different things. What grabs one persons interest bores the next. We are all different and it would be a boring world if we weren't. I was out walking the other day, OK maybe more of a gentle stroll, and came across a certain Superhero. My husband completely missed him, but then he dislikes anything science fiction. How can you miss Spider-Man? Its not everyday you come face to face with a Superhero!

There is so much around us that we miss in our hurry to get things done. Perhaps we think we are a Superhero and can cope? Wearing your pants over your tights is never a good look, especially in public. Thinking we are Superman or Wonderwoman is not healthy. Even God took a rest on the seventh day and yet we so often ignore our own needs for a Sabbath (Gen 2:2-3; Ex 20:8-11; Lev 19:30, 23:3; Deut 5:12; Jer 17: 24). Thankfully God never takes a holiday but us mere mortals certainly need one. I know I do. Still we continue racing around like the Bionic Man or woman. If we are not careful we miss the things that God wants to show us. It might be Spider-Man stuck up a tree reminding us we are not a Superhero. It might be the catkins that look so delicate and beautiful glistening in the sun as a reminder of spring and a new season in our life. It might be the ripples of the water reminding us that our actions effect other people and the world around us. Or perhaps that Gods love reaches out to all.

Stop rushing around and relax. Take a stroll. Go feed the ducks. Remember there is bread for all.

'I am the bread of life,' Jesus told them. 'Those who come to me will never go hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty.' John 6:35 GNB

How do you listen to God?

How do you listen to God? 

As I thought about the subject of listening to God I could not help but think about Adam and Eve. 

Genesis 3:8-9 When the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 

Adam and Eve did not seem to have a problem in listening to God in the Garden of Eden. They heard him walking in the garden. I wonder if he was singing a tune or whether he was just rustling some leaves as he walked? They hid from him because they were naked and yet God knew that they were there. There is no hiding from God and there is no hiding our sins (the things we do wrong) from him. He already knows what they are. People say they cannot hear God but I wonder if they are blocking him out or perhaps, like Adam and Eve, trying to hid from him? Perhaps we have just forgotten how to listen to him? Or are too noisy or to busy rushing around to stop and listen to the sound of God?

For me God is in the incidentals of life and in the things we so often can miss. He speaks to us through the majesty of creation, through the cry of a baby, and in the vastness of the ocean. He speaks to us in the quietness and stillness of the morning. He speaks to us in the crash of thunder and the roar of a waterfall. He speaks to us through our friends who encourage us and offer a helping hand (Prov 11:14, Mat 18:16). He speaks to us through the preacher on a Sunday morning. Through scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17), and through the pounding of our heart beat as the Holy Spirit prompts us (Heb 8:10-11). He speaks to us through the still small voice, as well as through prophecy, dreams, and visions (Act 2:17-18). God talks to us in so many ways and yet we fail to hear. 

What has he been trying to tell you today? Take a moment to sit quietly and listen. Do you hear him?

 

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

 

Book Review: The Scent of Lemons

The Scent of Lemons: Technology and relationships in the age of Facebook written by Jonah Lynch and published by Darton, Longman, and Todd (2012) is eloquently written. The flow of the writing entices you in and paints an almost romantic picture of our relationship with technology. The Internet and in particular social media, be it Facebook, twitter, or indeed blogging, have changed our world in the way we communicate; so to has the introduction of the mobile phone. The book has an interesting title and to explain why it was chosen Lynch writes in his preface:

But what do lemons have to do with technology? A lemon fresh from the tree has a rough skin. The better the tree has been cared for, the rougher it is. It's a strange roughness, because if you squeeze a little, a perfumed oil comes out and makes the skin suddenly smooth to the touch. And then there's that wonderful sour juice, so good on fish and oysters, in summertime drinks and in a hot cup of tea! Touch, scent, taste. Three of the five senses cannot be transmitted through technology. Three-fifths of reality, sixty per cent.

Lynch invites us to notice and give time to developing the remaining sixty per cent in our own relationships. He argues, there is a parental and older sibling responsibility to notice and reflect on the changes the internet brings to our relationships and society, to see the warning signs and offer guidance to those caught up in the change who have no experience of a pre-internet age. So how has technology, and in particular the internet, profoundly influenced every part of our daily lives? This needs more unpacking by Lynch to support his thesis of how it has changed relationships. Those of us who are already somewhat addicted to social media, writing a status update or tweeting our every move, may already know but there is still a readership who do not understand social media and if they are to offer guidance to their children they need educating.

Lynch writes from a Christian perspective and calls for a life balance where technology is embraced but social media, and the like, does not dominate relationships or replace face to face meetings. In the chapter 'A Nerd's Life' Lynch talks of his experience and love of technology, as well as his sense of responsibility as an educator and priest to reflect and share his concerns. For example, his concern for his work habits: its fast pace, the immediate response of email, and distraction in prayer. (Prayer requires a much slower rhythm of life and God's response cannot be hurried.) As well as the intrusion of mobile phone calls that have invaded places of relaxation, such as train journeys and the theatre, and sacred spaces such as the church. A 'technology fast' is one of the tools he offers to help safeguard relationships and one that Lynch advocated to students of his seminary. Having recently trained for Baptist ministry, alongside Anglican ordinands, I do not think a complete 'technological fast' would be practically possible, but I like the concept.

As someone who loves well written books and social media I enjoyed The Scent of Lemons. It is however, more of an overview of the subject matter, rather than an in-depth unpacking of Lynch's thesis. I hope Lynch continues to explore and write more on what he acknowledges are, 'his incomplete thoughts.' With social media still in its infancy opportunity presents itself for further study in this particular area. Psalm 34 says, 'Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.' Lynch calls the world to wake up and smell the lemons before we loose our senses. A timely written book.

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Pushing doors with a little help from Miranda

 

Are you in the hallway wondering what's next?

The good thing about hallways is they always lead somewhere depending what door you choose: an office to study, a comfy bedroom to rest, a bathroom for a bit of relief, a kitchen if you're looking to be fed, a dining room to share a meal with friends, a lounge for entertainment, a utility room to wash the dirty laundry, or through the front door - the excitement of a big wide world.

I wonder which door God will open for you?

The only way to know if the door is open is to push it. 

I have just finished one of the books I got for Christmas, Is it Just Me? In case you are confused that's the name of the book, Miranda Hart Is it Just Me? (2012, London, Hodder & Stoughton) Actually, it's not just me finishing their Christmas reading. I know of a few other friends who have just done the same. I digress, something Miranda is good at in her book, nothing like a good digression and a forward roll (you really must read said book to understand what I mean) to amuse and make you laugh. Such fun. If you have the book turn to page 312...

My beloved, my trusted reader, my faithful St Bernard of a chum. We have now addressed, confronted, lolloped through and gently probed (pardon) a number of important issues together. Like a contestant on a reality television show, we have been on a journey... I'd now like to lead you into our final subject: dreams.

 

What do you dream is behind 

the door?

 

 

Blogger's Block: when times are arid - don't ignore the driftwood

 

Have you ever got stuck? We nearly got stuck here in the summer. The narrow streets of Pompero are not very car friendly and if you don't know what you are doing, or should I say where you are going, and take a wrong turn you end up wishing you had stayed at home.

 John and I wondered what on earth we were doing driving down this hill (see photo) trying not to scratch the paintwork of the car. It wasn't the fun we had in mind when we set out. I often seem to suffer from bloggers block, by this I mean writers block but of the blogging variety. I am sure it isn't just me that suffers from this condition. I seem to have no problem twittering, or talking for that matter, but I settle down to write something and... well... nothing... In place of all the words that have circled round my head there is a void...

 

An arid, lack of words.  Where once was a waterfall of words in its place there is nothing. The tide has gone out. Bloggers block remains. I am forced to look at the driftwood, the pieces that have been washed-up in the previous tide. 

Most people would not even look at the driftwood but to do so means missing out on unexpected beauty and buried treasure.

Words that have been cast out, and ideas forgotten, are sometimes just what we are looking for. Is this recycling? Is this art? Is this the direction we needed. Is this God?

Sometimes we think we will scratch the paintwork of our lives and try and take a different path to the one God has destined us to take. It is easy to panic and think we are stuck when actually we just need to take a leap of faith, or just keep going. Our journey with God is not always an easy one but if we allow him to take the steering wheel of our lives we will not scratch the paintwork or even fall off the proverbial cliff edge. We journey through times of plenty and we journey through the desert. The wilderness makes us stronger, it makes us watchful; or at least it should. Tides ebb and flow that is natures course. Don't ignore the driftwood that you see along the way. Stop and gaze on its beauty and listen to sound of the sea. God uses everything and is in everything  if we care to look. 

Listen do you hear it? 

The flow of words... Ideas... Vision... 

The flow of God's Spirit.

Psalm 42

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
    leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and ⁶ my God.

My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why are you downcast, O my soul?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

 

(NIV1984)

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