There has been a lot of cleaning going on in my flat recently, due to my flatmate moving out. And a lot of recycling, hence the title. I always like recycling because as well as getting rid of stuff that needs to be got rid of, there is the feeling that you are Doing Good at the same time; and when getting rid of glass, it is particularly satisfying to know that you are breaking glass and it is Perfectly Okay. It can be quite good at relieving stress, I find-though maybe that's just me.
So, the recycling bit was alright. Almost fun, and definitely satisfying, in that those things are gone, and don't have to be thought about any more. On the other hand, the cleaning bit definitely isn't, especially if you don't know very well what you're doing.
My mum came over to help me, which was both good and bad. Good because I did things I wouldn't otherwise have done, and bad because I had to do things I wouldn't otherwise have done. I definitely learned some stuff, but on the other hand, that day was exhausting. To be fair, though, that was the day I started to get ill, so it's just possible that may have had something to do with it. However, as a result, the place is now cleaner than it was, and cleaner than it would have got if I had been left to my own devices. And I have to admit, it is somewhat satisfying to see the difference after it has been done.
And I started thinking-I do that sometimes. A long time ago, when I was working in a cleaning job, God said to me something along the lines of that this is something Christians are supposed to do, to clean up the mess the world is in. All the mess, everywhere. So I was thinking about mess, and how easy it is to make. Some mess is sort of 'deliberate', like when something is spilled, but most, if not all of the mess we were working on was just caused by living. Apart from things like preparing food and leaving books on the floor while I'm reading them (to be fair, I do know pretty much which ones are finished and where they should go), there is also just dust-which is just what happens when there are people in a place-and when they're not. And the other thing is how easy it is to live with a certain amount of mess-first because you know you can clean it up, and/or if it's been left a while, it's easy enough to live with things the way they are. Until you have to do something about it.
So, what about the mess in the world-or in our lives? Of course, it would be easier to clean it up as we go along, always assuming of course, that we can. But if/when we don't, what then? What will happen to it and us; and what will make us clean our lives up? And, getting back to where we started, how do we recycle-and more importantly, how do we decide what can be recycled? Just a few questions-if you do have any answers, I'd be interested to hear...
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Thursday 24 January 2013
Issues-Important Or Interesting?
The idea for this post has been floating around in my head for a while now, but it was the last few days that it really started to become a big thing for me.
Looking around at various other blogs, there appear to be mainly two types:- ones which are predominantly (auto)biographical, and ones which deal with ideas or issues. In my head, I think of them as 'professional', as people read them pretty much to find out what person x thinks about whatever issue, whether or not that person is known to be an authority, or indeed actually paid to know about those particular issues. Now, obviously, there is no reason why a blog can't be both, and indeed, quite a lot are both; but, as a general rule, most of them seem to be predominantly one or the other.
And this goes just as much for ones by Christians, as you can see by looking at some of the links from this blog. I'm still working on exactly what sort of voice I want my blog to have and be; what I want it to say and why, but so far, it has appeared to be mainly a biog-which really wasn't what I expected when I started it. I kind of thought I'd be talking a lot more about ideas and issues-something along the lines of 'here's something that people are thinking about, and here's my take on it' sort of thing. And, although I have done that a bit, it hasn't really been a large focus of the blog so far. Most of the 'issue' posts (like this one) have been about something personal to me. Not that others can't understand them, otherwise there would be no point in me doing them, but they definitely haven't been inspired by things in the news or that I've seen or heard lots of people talking about. I remember a couple of posts by a friend, like this one about the new Archbishop here, where I thought 'hey, maybe I should say something about that', and then didn't. Obviously.
And what I've been thinking recently is whether that really matters either way. I mean I do have opinions on some/most of these things, and I'm not worried about sharing them. Although I do think that most people who really know me have some sort of an idea of what I think about the issues-and if they don't, they (should) know I'd be happy to tell them if they ask. But I don't think anyone is really that concerned about wanting me to write on particular issues-or not, as the case may be. No-one wants me to force myself to write on particular things just because they're in the news; they may well be quite happy to read about something else at that time. However, if you really do want me to write on anything in particular, let me know. I can't say I definitely will, it's possible I don't have an opinion or know what to say; but I promise I will definitely consider any suggestions.
And so I still don't know quite how this blog is going to continue, but I do know that it will continue. And I hope you will continue to visit; so we can find out together.
Looking around at various other blogs, there appear to be mainly two types:- ones which are predominantly (auto)biographical, and ones which deal with ideas or issues. In my head, I think of them as 'professional', as people read them pretty much to find out what person x thinks about whatever issue, whether or not that person is known to be an authority, or indeed actually paid to know about those particular issues. Now, obviously, there is no reason why a blog can't be both, and indeed, quite a lot are both; but, as a general rule, most of them seem to be predominantly one or the other.
And this goes just as much for ones by Christians, as you can see by looking at some of the links from this blog. I'm still working on exactly what sort of voice I want my blog to have and be; what I want it to say and why, but so far, it has appeared to be mainly a biog-which really wasn't what I expected when I started it. I kind of thought I'd be talking a lot more about ideas and issues-something along the lines of 'here's something that people are thinking about, and here's my take on it' sort of thing. And, although I have done that a bit, it hasn't really been a large focus of the blog so far. Most of the 'issue' posts (like this one) have been about something personal to me. Not that others can't understand them, otherwise there would be no point in me doing them, but they definitely haven't been inspired by things in the news or that I've seen or heard lots of people talking about. I remember a couple of posts by a friend, like this one about the new Archbishop here, where I thought 'hey, maybe I should say something about that', and then didn't. Obviously.
And what I've been thinking recently is whether that really matters either way. I mean I do have opinions on some/most of these things, and I'm not worried about sharing them. Although I do think that most people who really know me have some sort of an idea of what I think about the issues-and if they don't, they (should) know I'd be happy to tell them if they ask. But I don't think anyone is really that concerned about wanting me to write on particular issues-or not, as the case may be. No-one wants me to force myself to write on particular things just because they're in the news; they may well be quite happy to read about something else at that time. However, if you really do want me to write on anything in particular, let me know. I can't say I definitely will, it's possible I don't have an opinion or know what to say; but I promise I will definitely consider any suggestions.
And so I still don't know quite how this blog is going to continue, but I do know that it will continue. And I hope you will continue to visit; so we can find out together.
Thursday 17 January 2013
What A Week!
Well, I finally get around to another post after an unusual week; some of it fun, some definitely not. And, in that, all sorts of reasons why I couldn't post any earlier.
Starting on Saturday with a panto, which was great. A friend of mine, who has recently started a curacy in a rural parish near Worcester invited us to see him in a panto he was in. Apparently, his parish started Martley Amateur Dramatics as part of their outreach several years ago, and have put on one ever since the 100th anniversary of one of the churches. Some of the group belong to one or other of the churches (mainly the men, which is unusual), and some don't-it's a very good way to both build community and get the church involved in the community. And as he's now started in a rural parish where getting into the community is vital, he was basically told he had to be in it. His vicar takes one of the main parts, as he does conjuring and juggling-apparently the main problem they have is getting him to stick close to the script.
So, anyway, I was picked up by a friend after work, and off we went to Martley for their production of 'Cinder Ella' (the German version) 'a small but subtle difference'. And a most enjoyable time was had by all, especially the cast. It was clear that most of the audience was connected in some way to some or all of the cast, and they seemed relaxed and enjoyed themselves. One of the best amdram shows I've ever seen. And afterwards, we were invited to the after-show party; which was basically everyone in the hall heading down the road to the local pub, The Admiral Rodney, and generally having a good time. The food was good, the company better, and the overall atmosphere was great-I found a perry I hadn't had before, so that's a good excuse to go back there.
And then on the Sunday, there was the latest Seek His Face event, at Elim Church, which was interesting. I've been having a difficult time praying recently, because I've been thinking that I've been praying about the same things for ages, and my life doesn't seem to be much different than it was X number of years ago. Or any different. I suppose I may be different, but it's difficult to tell how much and in what ways. And, more importantly, what difference this may make. I don't see what I can do to make much of a change in my circumstances, so it's really up to God; but I don't see Him doing anything (much). Anyway, the guy leading worship had a prophecy for me-that God was tattooing something on me, that I would have a ministry to people who no-one else would want to/be able to. This was very interesting, as one of the things I've been thinking about recently is getting a tattoo, though I haven't decided yet-and also, I went to a prayer meeting recently where the phrase 'soul tattoo' was used. So it seems that it wasn't just something general that could have been said to anyone, the way he said it was as important as what he said. Something to consider, anyway.
After that, it was back to work Monday, as usual, and then on Tuesday (my day off), my mum came round to help me clean the flat. As my flatmate is leaving soon, it will have to be looking good for a new tenant, or the landlord will complain. So, that was both intense and exhausting. And then, after that, what really held up the posting of this post, I got ill. I don't know why, as I don't really get ill that often, but I felt bad enough to be off work. As the last time that happened was about 6 years ago - I can't actually remember - you can see that I wasn't really in any fit state to do this post. Or, indeed, to do anything much. And, just as clearly, you can now see that I'm better. ;). Which is good. And now I have posted. Nice.
Starting on Saturday with a panto, which was great. A friend of mine, who has recently started a curacy in a rural parish near Worcester invited us to see him in a panto he was in. Apparently, his parish started Martley Amateur Dramatics as part of their outreach several years ago, and have put on one ever since the 100th anniversary of one of the churches. Some of the group belong to one or other of the churches (mainly the men, which is unusual), and some don't-it's a very good way to both build community and get the church involved in the community. And as he's now started in a rural parish where getting into the community is vital, he was basically told he had to be in it. His vicar takes one of the main parts, as he does conjuring and juggling-apparently the main problem they have is getting him to stick close to the script.
So, anyway, I was picked up by a friend after work, and off we went to Martley for their production of 'Cinder Ella' (the German version) 'a small but subtle difference'. And a most enjoyable time was had by all, especially the cast. It was clear that most of the audience was connected in some way to some or all of the cast, and they seemed relaxed and enjoyed themselves. One of the best amdram shows I've ever seen. And afterwards, we were invited to the after-show party; which was basically everyone in the hall heading down the road to the local pub, The Admiral Rodney, and generally having a good time. The food was good, the company better, and the overall atmosphere was great-I found a perry I hadn't had before, so that's a good excuse to go back there.
And then on the Sunday, there was the latest Seek His Face event, at Elim Church, which was interesting. I've been having a difficult time praying recently, because I've been thinking that I've been praying about the same things for ages, and my life doesn't seem to be much different than it was X number of years ago. Or any different. I suppose I may be different, but it's difficult to tell how much and in what ways. And, more importantly, what difference this may make. I don't see what I can do to make much of a change in my circumstances, so it's really up to God; but I don't see Him doing anything (much). Anyway, the guy leading worship had a prophecy for me-that God was tattooing something on me, that I would have a ministry to people who no-one else would want to/be able to. This was very interesting, as one of the things I've been thinking about recently is getting a tattoo, though I haven't decided yet-and also, I went to a prayer meeting recently where the phrase 'soul tattoo' was used. So it seems that it wasn't just something general that could have been said to anyone, the way he said it was as important as what he said. Something to consider, anyway.
After that, it was back to work Monday, as usual, and then on Tuesday (my day off), my mum came round to help me clean the flat. As my flatmate is leaving soon, it will have to be looking good for a new tenant, or the landlord will complain. So, that was both intense and exhausting. And then, after that, what really held up the posting of this post, I got ill. I don't know why, as I don't really get ill that often, but I felt bad enough to be off work. As the last time that happened was about 6 years ago - I can't actually remember - you can see that I wasn't really in any fit state to do this post. Or, indeed, to do anything much. And, just as clearly, you can now see that I'm better. ;). Which is good. And now I have posted. Nice.
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Now, Beginnings
Finally I get around to writing another post. Not only is it several days into the new year, but also almost two weeks since I last posted. Pretty much the longest I've ever been between posts. Which in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing, but at this particular time of year, it seems more important. Because it's the New Year, and a time for reflection, it seems that the longer I leave it between posts, the harder it is to write.
And so, one year ends, and another begins. Traditionally a time for taking stock and new beginnings, that sort of thing. Well, there's certainly some new things in my life-quite a few from Christmas. I am currently wearing new socks (marked Tuesday) and sleeping in new bedclothes, among other things. As well as reading new books (of course there would be books). All of which is good, and which I am enjoying; but not really the sort of new things people remember about this time of year.
What people remember is new ideas, new opportunities; even new outlooks on life. As we look back on the good and bad things that happened over the last year, we can see what worked, as it were, and look at the decisions we should make in order to keep going in that direction. And over the past couple of weeks, I've had plenty of inspiration to think about it. In a lot of ways, my life went on pretty much as normal, though there were some pretty amazing things that went on in 2012, such as going to Kenya to do some building work. That was absolutely fantastic, something I will remember for a long time-and I would definitely like to go back. I also signed up to support a child in Kenya through Compassion UK, an 8 year old boy called Benjamin, so I won't ever forget it-maybe someday, I'll be able to meet him. I went to New Wine to help in the art gallery, which was great fun. And actually really relaxing to be around people who were interested in art and creativity, as I don't meet too many. I also wanted to get back into being creative myself, to do some more writing-which worked a bit. The main way that happened was through this blog, which in itself was a great thing, as I've been thinking about doing one for ages, and now I've finally started.
I'm not sure how many of those things I would really have been able to visualise happening the year before. And at the moment, I feel the same way-that I don't really know what is going to happen this year. I have no idea, but I know something is-and I have no doubt that when I look back at the beginning of next year, I'll have some things that I honestly can't visualise right now. I know God can do more than I could ever ask or imagine, and definitely some different things. As long as I'm willing to follow where He leads, I will end up with some very surprising memories.
I look forward to that, and at least having some new things around me at the moment may help remind me of that as the year goes on.
And so, one year ends, and another begins. Traditionally a time for taking stock and new beginnings, that sort of thing. Well, there's certainly some new things in my life-quite a few from Christmas. I am currently wearing new socks (marked Tuesday) and sleeping in new bedclothes, among other things. As well as reading new books (of course there would be books). All of which is good, and which I am enjoying; but not really the sort of new things people remember about this time of year.
What people remember is new ideas, new opportunities; even new outlooks on life. As we look back on the good and bad things that happened over the last year, we can see what worked, as it were, and look at the decisions we should make in order to keep going in that direction. And over the past couple of weeks, I've had plenty of inspiration to think about it. In a lot of ways, my life went on pretty much as normal, though there were some pretty amazing things that went on in 2012, such as going to Kenya to do some building work. That was absolutely fantastic, something I will remember for a long time-and I would definitely like to go back. I also signed up to support a child in Kenya through Compassion UK, an 8 year old boy called Benjamin, so I won't ever forget it-maybe someday, I'll be able to meet him. I went to New Wine to help in the art gallery, which was great fun. And actually really relaxing to be around people who were interested in art and creativity, as I don't meet too many. I also wanted to get back into being creative myself, to do some more writing-which worked a bit. The main way that happened was through this blog, which in itself was a great thing, as I've been thinking about doing one for ages, and now I've finally started.
I'm not sure how many of those things I would really have been able to visualise happening the year before. And at the moment, I feel the same way-that I don't really know what is going to happen this year. I have no idea, but I know something is-and I have no doubt that when I look back at the beginning of next year, I'll have some things that I honestly can't visualise right now. I know God can do more than I could ever ask or imagine, and definitely some different things. As long as I'm willing to follow where He leads, I will end up with some very surprising memories.
I look forward to that, and at least having some new things around me at the moment may help remind me of that as the year goes on.
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