Category: Personal

more “I”

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

The basic depravity of our times is that personality has been abolished. No one in our time dares to be a personality, everyone shrinks in cowardly anthrophobia from being I over against, perhaps in opposition, to others. Then the politicians avail themselves of the public. The politician is no I – good gracious no, he speaks in the public’s name. Religiously, ‘the Church’ is used in just the same way. What people want is an appropriate abstraction which helps them avoid being I, which is surely the greatest danger of all.

The Journals (1855)

I have to find the source of the quote! Maybe I should start a new category “Find Quote”?! Anyway, well said SK!

Be holy

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13-16

I was going to write a whole different post this morning – full of gloom and doom. But the above was part of the reading for Morning Prayer. It lifted me and made me think – “Be holy as I am holy” and trust Jesus.

I pray you have a hope filled day with Jesus.

moving on?

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

I have been listening to Hillsong United’s album “Tour for the People” on repeat. It is not the normal type of music I listen to but it has connected with me. The last song, “Echoes (Till we see the other side)” is my favourite at the moment. The video is great because it shows the joy on people’s faces.

I had a dream last night (that included Britany Spears but let’s ignore that part) about packing bags. I had a number of suitcases that I packed with various things. When I woke up I had this strong feeling that I need to “move on”. I am not sure what that means – physically somewhere or emotionally. But I heard the above this morning and I like the idea that no matter what it means there is always “the other side”. And that “other side” is a Person! Maybe I am called to move on into Jesus – to deepen my relationship with my Friend and Saviour?

Jesus
Light of heaven
Friend forever
His kingdom come

digital discipleship

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

Our Vicar emailed me this article: 3 THINGS THAT WILL BE TRUE ABOUT GROWING CHURCHES IN THE FUTURE. The statistics are interesting. However, they highlight that churches need to know their “audience”.

I was struck by the first point: Digital Ministry Will Be About Genuine Connection. People used to come to the church but now the church needs to come to people. The church needs to connect with people “where they are at”. Also, as a related point, the church needs to love people “where they are at” and not where it wants people to be.

Right now, many churches are using digital ministry for content distribution via YouTube and social, but in its fullest form, digital ministry is about people.

And that is the fundamental point: it is about people and not information. And it is The Person that is the aim and end of all “ministry”.

I want to explore “digital discipleship” more. Can we disciple people online? Can people have an experience of Jesus via social media or YouTube?

building up

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

2 Corinthians 13:10

I really like the above quote from Paul. I want to work in the Holy Spirit for “building up”. The opposite is “tearing down” which is not of the Spirit. It is true in our personal life too – tearing down is not of the Spirit.

I pray I can be part of the “building up”!

irony?

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

I found a really good introduction to irony: What is Irony in Writing? The post is a quick read and gives a good insight into irony.

I like this very simple definition:

Verbal irony is when what’s said and what’s clearly meant are at odds, subverting expectation.

The post describes other forms of irony. Worth a read!

stress

~ a solitary ~ Leave a comment

I have been thinking about stress. And what things trigger my stress! Often, for me, it has to do with uncertainty and sense of losing control. I get a feeling in my stomach that simply will not go away.

Currently I am sitting in the car, reading, and waiting for my parents who have gone to a medical appointment. My dad has had some health issues and I am glad I can be of serve to them. And I like that I get out of the house, especially in lockdown. The sun is out and I have music.

I am hoping to have a day of doing nothing much. Well, actually, I am hoping of doing some things that I want to do. I really want to work on my Rule of Life and I have a book I would like to read about the process. I am hoping for some clarity about things in my own mind. At the moment I feel very disempowered by the system which is not helping my mental health.

Really not much else to write!!