Author: slg1

learning enthusiast, Christian, researcher and sheep breeder
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Day 2 Mt Nebo

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A sense of calm in the jutting cream rocks and the sun haze over Mt Nebo with its pink oleanders and birdsong . A lizard emerging from a stone wall. The land of milk and honey – milk from the goat and honey from the date. Our guide is descended from nomads – they used to be 85% of the Jordanian population and are now 1.2%. His grandfather lived in the traditional goat hair shelter with goats and donkeys. The grandson was born in the city and longs occasionally for the peace of the desert. He retreats when he can … Continue reading Day 2 Mt Nebo

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Day 2 body mind and spirit

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We are the body, mind and spirit. We need breakfast and shelter but also enquiry and conversation with people and with God. And then the spirit, left to last needs time to catch up, to cast quietude into the fevered, frantic body and mind. Lest we leave with only facts and photos, give us your Grace Lord. Give me a strong heart, a quiet mind and a peaceful and generous spirit. Amen Continue reading Day 2 body mind and spirit

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Day 2 the Dead Sea

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Last night’s coach dropped 3200 feet from Amman to reach the lowest point in the world at the Dead Sea 1200 ft below sea level. Across the black water as we arrived, our guide pointed out the lights of Jericho, Qumran and Jerusalem. The shock was that they were not distant. Though 45 miles long, this salt lake is quite narrow and Jerusalem, over the border in Israel, is close. This morning in shimmering heat at 8am the Sea looks as inviting as any Mediterannean resort. Not so surprising as, facing these holy sites across the pale blue water are … Continue reading Day 2 the Dead Sea

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Day 1 Amman

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It has begun. The pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A group of Christians from assorted Sussex churches leaving the green and flying to Jordan on the first stage of our 11 day journey. Like Chaucer’s little band we mill and gather in groups learning about each other and bubbling with excitement. Why are we going? For many it is a first and only chance to add our own dimension to the Bible. For me – a space filled with potential and a place to quieten the mind. Just to be. In the Holy Land. Continue reading Day 1 Amman

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Day 1 Heathrow

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A prayer from the multi faith prayer room at Heathrow O God our father in heaven, you love each one of us, for you yourself have made us. Watch over me this day, I pray . Be with all those I love. I bring to you all those in need for whom I pray today, whatever their situation may be. May your love and your strength fill us each day so that, trusting in you, we may be able to cope with whatever life demands of us. Guard and guide us Lord, this day and always. Amen Continue reading Day 1 Heathrow

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God in common

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Just finished 24 hours of prayer in Heathfield for Christian unity. Churches Together in Heathfield (CTH) took turns to attend and pray. The event began and ended with an hour long service led by Father Michael at St Catherine’s . The strength and joy of praying together is tangible – why do we put up do many barriers between our churches? All must pray to God. All must contemplate the gulf between our small lives and His creation. All at some point cry out for spiritual comfort. Continue reading God in common

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God in others

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Leading the first Compline of Advent this evening, I wondered how to share this quiet awe and sense of gratefulness I was feeling. Using Steve Brady’s BRF Advent book for the meditation, the early themes based on Genesis seemed too powerful for the message I was trying to express. In the end I used his reflection on the Garden of Eden , which cited the well-known verse “one is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth”. He goes on to reflect that we are nearer God’s heart when we are close with other people, in God’s … Continue reading God in others

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Faith and Science

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Really helpful annotated list of resources on these debates, passed on by a fellow Reader – thank you Robin. The author of the list is Rev Stuart Cashman, Associate Minister, Duke Street Church, Richmond, Surrey Selected Science and Faith Resources: *Collins, C. John, Science & Faith: Friends or Foes, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003). This is an excellent overview of the whole debate. It is clearly written and covers all the major questions. Collins is an engineer turned biblical scholar and the book was originally written to help parents who were home-schooling their children figure out what do with the dinosaurs. Davidson, G.R. When … Continue reading Faith and Science