Mike's musings

Hellfire and damnation

(backposting) Today I preached on hellfire and damnation. It went down really well, and I got lots of approving comments afterwards (including "that was a damn good sermon" and "brilliant"). I finished it off on the positive note for John 3:16-17, pointing out that although Christ said that deserved/were subject to/were liable to hell (Matthew 5:20-22), that's luckily not what God sent him to us for. I really enjoy preaching, and I think it was a good sermon. I'm beginning to worry about the sin of pride, and I spent some time this evening retching over the bathroom loo, but decided that this may have had more to do with the unlimited kebabs and cakes available at the toddler's birthday party we had in the afternoon than God's judgment on me.

Or maybe not.

Labels: children, god, party, preaching

God on Trial

(backposting) At 2100 today, BBC2 showed God on Trial. It was astonishing. The acting, script and cinematography were astounding, and it was extremely moving. I'm still trying to process it, but it's the sort of programme that I'd like to show the girls when they're old enough. That'll be a while. I wept.

I came across a stubble fire today, called the fire brigade and told someone who might know the farmer. It's a while since I saw a stubble fire. They spread quickly, they really do.

We had a "ministers fraternal" meeting today, where the clergy from Halstead - Baptist, CofE, Methodist, Roman Catholic and URC (notice how I sorted them alphabetically?) get together. The Baptist guy didn't make it, which was a pity, but it was good to meet the other clergy. We do a number of services together, and there's a "Churches together in Halstead" group (also including lay people) which meets to arrange other events, etc.. I also called someone from the town of Haubourdin, near Lille, which is near Halstead's twin town, and got them to agree that we might try to have some coordinated prayer events with them during the Week for Christian Unity next January. Did that in French. I was quite chuffed with myself.

Labels: church, ecumenism, god, television

Spiritual direction

I went to see my spiritual director today, and it was really good to have the time and opportunity to spend time talking through and thinking about what's been going on since the ordination. So, so many things. Much to reflect on.

Oh, and God's grace moved today. I can't really talk about it, but He answered a major prayer, so wow.

Labels: god

Miri and the phone

(backposting) Miri loves phones. She'll pick them up, talk to them, hand them to you, take them back, talk some more, all of that. But when there's actually someone there, she seems entirely freaked by the whole business, and will just look at it in a slightly bemused fashion.

Today, she talked back. She seemed to realise it was me, and even responded to "kiss, kiss" (and a kissing noise from my end) by kissing the phone. In fact, she pretty much slobbered all over it, and Moo had to clean it afterwards, but it was really sweet. I remember when Jo suddenly seemed to get it, and it makes phoning home so much more rewarding.

A really busy day in Mississauga (my company's HQ) today, which is excellent, but tiring. I popped to a Mall in the evening, bought some books and some clothes (so cheap over here), some of which are presents for Moo and the girls. On the way back, witnessed an amazing thunderstorm in the distance, with ragged lightning across the sky: God works in truly fantastic ways.

Labels: god, miri, travel, weather

More theology

On the way back from Greenstead Green church with Jo and Miri, decided to address the question of Jesus' flying (see Friday's entry). Went into omnipresence (Jesus doesn't really fly, but he's everywhere): could have gone worse. Then addressed Jesus' dying, and coming back. ("Why?" "Because He loves us: Jesus is God, and he loves everyone.") Went back into omnipresence. "He's everywhere, but you can't see Him." Pause. "I can see God: he's over there." (Jo points at a field).

I have some more work to do.

Labels: god, Jo, theology

God, evolution (part II)

As Jo eats an orange for breakfast:

Jo: what's that?

Moo: it's a pip. It's a kind of seed.

Jo: why?

Me: it's how you grow things. If you want to grow a new thing, you need seeds.

Jo: why?

Me: you put it in the ground and give it water and keep it warm, and if you're lucky, it will make a new tree, or flower, or vegetable.

Jo: why?

Me: because that's how evolution and God made things

Me (aside to Moo): well, it worked last time

Jo: why?

Moo smirks

Me (struggling): because there's a bit of the divine in each of us, and we're all products of evolution, aren't we?

Jo: Amen.

Moo looks flabbergasted

Mike (looking smug): it's taking...

Labels: god, Jo, Moo, theology

God, evolution

(Reading "Each Peach, Pear, Plum" with Jo)

what are the rabbits doing?

finishing off the plum pie. that's funny, isn't it?

why?

because rabbits don't usually eat plum pie

why?

they usually eat grass

why?

because they like grass

why?

because evolution and God made them that way

*silence*

Labels: god, Jo

I suspect...

... that God loves me. I'm not sure why: I certainly don't deserve it. But that doesn't seem to stop Him or Her. Why would anyone love me? Catherine does, Jo does, too. There's God for you (and they're both women, too...).

(How can anyone say that women can't be priests, and bishops, and ...?).

Labels: god