Povey Prattle

What follows below are the words of Anne Lamott,  (as posted on Facebook). They are utterly pertinent to me, because I had to preach this afternoon at a "Celebration of Life"  for a 20 years old woman who took her own life on May 23rd.  In my sermon I too preached against the notion that * "God never gives us more than we can handle.". Here is what Anne Lamott wrote.  She is utterly wise! ( The emphases are mine.)   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Anne's  words( NOT MINE) " You know how sometimes you go to church or temple or mosque, or to those little meetings for people like you, who perhaps have tiny control issues, or used to d rink until you ended up face down, or married; and you sit there desperately hoping someone will say the exact right thing, to help break the toxic trance you're in, and help you find your way back home? ...

Plough   "O Christ who holds the open gate, O Christ who drives the furrow straight, O Christ, the plough, O Christ, the laughter Of holy white birds flying after, Lo, a ll my heart’s field red and torn, And Thou wilt bring the young green corn The young green corn divinely springing, The young green corn forever singing; And when the field is fresh and fair Thy blessèd feet shall glitter there, And we will walk the weeded field, And tell the golden harvest’s yield, The corn that makes the holy bread By which the soul of man is fed, The holy bread, the food unpriced, Thy everlasting mercy, Christ."   From “The Everlasting Mercy” - John Masefield

My U.K. home town newspaper "The Bristol Post" (formerly "The Bristol Evening Post")   carried a story the other day about "Vintage Railway Posters"  i.e. the posters which railway companies used to encourage holiday-makers to travel by train. The "Bristol Post"  had a link to a site where such posters could be purchased. That U. K. site offered the posters at cost of about 10 pounds (approx. $15) - which leads me to believe that they are reproductions (not originals). Nevertheless the posters are charming.  I would guess that they date to the 1950's. Here are my favourites: Clifton Suspension Bridge  GWR and LMS Bristol Cathedral, where I was made Deacon in 1976  GWR  Bristol's old Dockland (British Railways). The LMS and the GWR were two of the four private Railway Companies which emerged from a (government mandated) rationalization of a host of private U.K. railways (in about 1922.     Bristol was served...

My cousin Janet has been scanning photo's from her Mum's albums.  (Her Mum is my dear Aunt Irene). Here is one of my twin sister Elizabeth and me. I cannot remember the place or event,  but it must be after the summer of 1975 - in which year I grew my beard.

Maybe you, like I, have sometimes wondered "who will be at my funeral?".  'Tis a silly thought, yet it is rooted in the question we all have:  "Do I truly matter?"? I got my answer yesterday and today (May 25/26 2015). For you see, I love my birthday, and I try to celebrate it with glee.  That I did this year. And on this, by 71st birthday I received more than one hundred and thirty greetings: "phone calls, traditional birthday cards, e-cards, and Facebook messages -  they came flooding in. Thank you one and all.  Your greetings have filled me with a joyful gratitude -  and a consistent "smile with teary eyes". You are telling me something which will not have to wait for my funeral.  " Yes, I truly matter". Early this morning (6:00 a.m.) as I walked with Penne I, as I usually do, gave thanks to God for yesterday, and for the gift of life today. Then I realised that God's grace and mercy have been with me for 71 years.  As...

My birthday cake at lunch with Jack, Donna and Muriel   Donna, Muriel and jmp   Later in the day:  Ben and Betty at my home. (Betty is a 92 years old e-marine who has become a firm friend.   My pals Gordon and Rick Good friend John at my home. Bob and Ben at my home AND TO THINK THAT I KNEW NONE OF THESE GOOD FOLKS NINE YEARS AGO   (Except for Ben) I wore this badge today, the last day of my 71st year.  In the meantime Penne "crashes". She could  not care less! A classic Canine pose on my bed 

According to the New Testament book of First Corinthians (St). Paul wrote: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"   (1 Cor 15:55). St Paul is,  of course,  waxing lyrical about his belief that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has de-fanged death, and that those who are "in Christ" die in the hope of their own resurrection to life eternal. That's all well and good, I suppose, in the long term. But in the short term death has a vicious sting, and the grave is a dark and bleak place. I think that when a person we love has died, we rush all too quickly to Paul's "words of hope". I assert that death is friggin' awful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My friend Bruce W died as a result of un-treated cancer.  He received Hospice Care during the last 48 hours of his life. But he died.  Even as his lifeless body was being moved out of his home the Hospice volunteer spoke ...