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Ian’s father is an identical twin and on 8 November Tom’s twin brother died in hospital. On Monday the 17th we attended the funeral in Blanford Forum, Dorset. This is a picture of Jim when he was the town crier in Blanford. I don’t know if you can see the picture clearly but Ian was surprised at the number of people who came up and said how much he looked like his Uncle Jim. We were able to meet Ian’s cousin, Jim’s son, Michael with his wife, daughter and son-in-law. The funeral was well attended, even the mayor came. Many returned to the warden assisted home where Jim used to live for a time of refreshment and remembering. It was a mad dash down on Sunday and a return trip after the events. Normally it should be about a 5 hour drive but on Sunday we got caught up in traffic halted because of a serious road accident. We had to turn around and go the long way around to get back onto the road to Blanford. The journey in the dark was ardous and about Southhampton the heavens opened and it bucketed down. So we were so glad to arrive at our B & B and amble to the pub for tea.
This dash and stress of the journey showed up big time on Tuesday when I was meant to be starting the preparation for my sermon. I went into a deep, albeit one day, depression. On Wednesday things looked brighter after a day of rest but the sermon didn’t flow until Friday and then on Saturday it became a battle again. The good news is that it seemed well received with one lady grabbing me in a big hug with tears telling how it had touched her. Now it is a new week and another sermon to prepare. It is the first Sunday of Advent and I am leading and preaching at our sister church, St. Ethelburgas. I know many preachers keep their sermons to re-use but I can’t do that. I usually enjoy the preparation and looking deep into the scripture text, spending time worshipping my way into the sermon.
Now about that snow! No, this is not S.E. England but snowy Latvia. Our friend Kim took this picture on the way to a church service. This is what we have to look forward to next year.
Isn’t it lovely and Christmasy. I love it when the creator paints in white. He does all things well. But what are the practicalities of the white stuff?
This is a picture of the entryway door into the building of our flat in Latvia. Our friend Joanna took this picture. Do you see the shovelled path? We will be on a rota to do this when we move in. The windows to the right are our kitchen and bedroom. This is some serious snow, apparently unusual for this much in November. What will January bring when our furniture makes the trek from England to Latvia?
Time to get back to the sermon preparation. Watch this space.
I won’t speak about my personal choice except to say I have conservative tendencies. Today Barack Obama was voted in as the next President of the United States of America. His tag line is ‘Change.’ Here in the U.K. there is great hope that Obama will be the instrument of change. At the moment America has a horrible reputation in Europe and certainly within the U.K. so yes, change would be good.
Obama’s personal history reveals many experiences that qualify him to be an agent of change in the world arena. His own family is a palette of several differing backgrounds both racially and socially. He has been involved in redevelopment within inner city areas, he has overcome huge barriers in his journey to this current place and he has inspired people world-wide to grab for hope. The media is waiting to triumph over the first crack in Mr. Obama’s personal dish of hope. I am not, and intend being faithful to pray for him and his lovely family. On another blog I refered to the possibility that as he carries this ‘burden’ of hope for the world, it could bring him to his knees in surrender to the only One who can sustain him in this desire, to bring hope to so many.
Like many others I don’t agree with some of his professed policies but defending even Godly righteous beliefs to the point where other Godly truths are out shouted, is the way of the world, not God. God has a passion for those are oppressed and we need many good samaritans, healers, gracious, generous people to carry his grace and mercy. Our calling is to love one another as he loved us and sacrificed for us. So let us love and support Mr. Obama as he steps into this role as first, President elect and then President of the United States. Let us rejoice with him as he rejoices and weep with him when he weeps and not the reverse. This spreads light and salt, showing forth the glory of God and causing people who need Him to ask us who know him, for the hope that is within us.
Will Barack Obama fulfill the world’s hopes and dreams, no, there is only One who can bring true hope but Mr. Obama may be used by God to broker hope and peace for some. We trust God and pray for all those in authority over us. Our hope continues to come from the Lord as we are called to pray for Barack Obama.
