Northumberland hand written blogs

All Saints East Window

Holy island blog 1

SO now I'm here, what do I feel?

Overwhelmed, yet silent
Nothingness, yet pregnant with meaning.
Exhausted,yet exhilarated.
Filthy, yet being cleansed.

The Anglican Church St. Mary's is overwhelming too.
I need time to,take it in.

The Lawson statue dominates
(The one of the monks carrying Cuthbert's coffin)
And also needs to sink in.

Also beautiful fisherfolk carpet work copying so-called carpet pages out of the 
Lindisfarne Gospels.

God seems silent now and yet in the morning I know God spoke of the need to be 
God's servant.
"Having just had a long opportunity to do so",
The sense was "Go and tell".

So, like Mary after the Annunciation, I am obedient and
Treasure up these things in my heart.

But I need to learn from Aidan and go out Into the quiet lanes to preach the 
Good news; compel me by your Spirit,Lord.
Amen.

Holy island blog 4

So what do I think? Where am I now? Am I on a boat at "sea with God"? Have I arrived? Or, yet another option, Is the destination simply the journey? Perhaps a better question is What have I learnt? But that sounds too "Latin" and not enough "Celtic" For me, as I've been reading about the Synod of Whitby And the Irish monks leaving Holy Island as a result. So let's call them areas of potential growth instead. Silence is one key area of growth - and one that'll contInure, I reckon. A lightness of holding onto possessions (in a positive sense) is another. Using imagination and allowing time to think and reflect another. IF I wanted a rule to live by, which I don't yet, these would be a good start, if combined with an urgency to share God's Word in a hurting World. I hope my blog is beginning to do this. I hope my preaching continues to do this. I hope my life will show this in action. And yet in the area of relationships, there is so much to be done. With people, I mean, leaving aside with God. My goal must be to do the above within a context of developing,pastoral gifts, finding time to be with folk. My impatience with current management speak And general wordiness seems to grow with a "Celtic" worldliness. I need to do what needs to be done, But to concentrate on what is truly important perhaps this will do for starters ... BIll the arrived of sorts pilgrim.

Bill made it!

Last blog before holy island

Well it's off today I can't delay So here I go I can't say no It' s waiting there So I must share As I've relied On time and tide For no one waits Break through the gates And enter boldly in From this dear world of sin A thinner place to be With God twixt earth and sea

final blog before the crossing!

Well, I got here, on foot, Porlock to Brackley, Bourne/Edenham to Beal opposite Lindisfarne. And tomorrow, Friday 5th. August, I'll be going over the pilgrim's causeway to Holy Island (barefoot and in shorts!) When you read this, I'll be there, assuming I don't sink, and yes, we've checked the tide times. As I write this another black cloud skids by and I Think, well I've had my ups and downs - losing (and then finding) my phones, wallet etc. Ups and down of walking, but not too many hills. in fact, I wanted to go up more in Yorkshire.Thistles, thorns, nettles, oilseed rape and corn, but also ridgeways, canals and finally coastal paths. Old railways, Roman roads and roadworks too. It's like life, full of ups and downs, but with a final destination, and yet ... The destination is in fact the journey itself And the journey is, in fact, the destination. See you back in Porlock, those of you who are near, soon God bless BIll and Daff

A long version of psalm 119

A long version of psalm 119, Though or as long as the original (25 x 4 rather than 23 X 8 for those of you with An arithmetic all Hebrew bent. For those of you unfamiliar with the original It is an acrostic psalm Always walk in the way of the Lord As we walk, we bring peace Answer to the Lord and his peace As we walk in the way of the Lord. Better it is to walk in the way of the Lord But not to fail to do justice Bring unto the Lord justice and peace By walking in the way of the Lord Could we walk in the way of the Lord Confront war and bring justice Call to the Lord for justice and peace Come let us walk in the way of the Lord Do walk in the way of the Lord Don't fail to bring justice and peace Dread disobeying the way of the Lord Delight to walk in the way of the Lord Each one walks in the way of the Lord Encourages the way of righteousness Enter his gates with peace and justice Ever to was in the way of the Lord For to walk in the way of the Lord Forgive hate, war and do right Forsake not the way of peace Fear God and walk in the way of the Lord Gently walk in the any of the Lord Go and bring peace, and righteousness Give no time for war and hatred Go and walk in the way of the Lord Hearken to walk in the way of the Lord Have joy in your heart and peace Hate not the way of righteousness Hope to walk in the way of the Lord I will walk in the way of the Lord In justice, peace and righteousness It is right to love justice and peace I'll walk in the way of the Lord Just to walk in the way of the Lord Judges us by peace and righteousness Justice and peace are God's ways Joy comes from walking with the Lord. Know the Lord and walk in the way of the Lord Knowledge is his, of truth and right Knights walk in the way of peace Kings too walk in the way of the Lord Love to walk in the way of the Lord Learn to love justice and peace Law-abiding in peace and justice Let us walk in the way of the Lord My will's to walk in the way of the Lord Marvel at God's righteousness and peace Make way for peace and justice May we walk in the way of the Lord Not to give up the way of the Lord Nor to let go his peace and justiice Neither eschew righteousness Never forsake the way of the Lord. Often walk in the way of the Lord Observe the way of justice and peace Or dwell in the way of righteousness Only walk in the way of the Lord! Pleased to walk in the way of the Lord Pursue righteousness and peace Peace and justice are the Lord's way Pass not up on the way of the Lord Question not the way of the Lord Quell war and bring justice and peace Quicken the way of peace and justice Quietly walk in the way of the Lord Run and walk in the way of the Lord Rehearse ways of justice and peace Righteousness reigns with peace and justice Repeatedly walk in the way of the Lord Serve God, walking in the way of the Lord Seek righteousness, justice and peace Stop war and love righteous ways Safe to walk in the way of the Lord Trump not the way of the Lord Take care to love peace and justice Trust in God's justice and righteousness Try to walk in the way of the Lord Unswervingly walk in the way of the Lord Understand ways of justice and peace Uphold peace and justice Undergirded by the way of the Lord Veer not from the way of the Lord Very true is God's way of peace Vanquish war, and build righteousness Verily walk in the way of the Lord Wander to from the way of the Lord Walk in the ways of righteousness Wonder at the Lord's way of peace Want to walk in the way of the Lord Yearn to walk in the way of the Lord Your will is to walk in righteousness Yardsticks meet of justice and peace You must walk in the way of the Lord Zealously walk,in the way of the Lord Zestful to keep peace and justice Zealously guard ways of righteousness Zestfully walk ice the way of the Lord

Blog catch ups overlooking holy island

Hymn to the tune of I vow to thee my country (Despite using Jerusalem words) And did those feet in present times Walk upon England green? And were the saints of years gone past On Oswald's pathway seen? And did those pylons jauntily March across England's land? And is this better than the nuclear Power station planned? And did those Aircraft noisily Flying past to deafen me Care at all about the impact Of sound upon this tree? I cannot fight the battle That we are meant to fight But this I know, and truly My God is power and might. This verse written as I was walking from Rothbury to Newton on the moor, just as more,news was breaking about,Hinkley Point. at some point verse 2 to follow

REFLECTIONS BY A FRUSTRATED PILGRIM – THE MORE SPIRITUAL ONE

My apologies for what could be a longer blog – but here goes …

(who is to say what is “real” and what is “spiritual” – what indeed is truth?)

The last day I was walking I felt I had something to say based on Henri Nouwen’s book “The way of the heart”, an old book of his written in 1981 on “desert spirituality and contemporary ministry”.

He quotes a story from the Desert Fathers (pointing out then that there were desert mothers as well) about Abba Arsenius who heard a voice (from the Lord) saying:

“Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always …”

and uses this as a basis for “desert spirituality”. He interprets these three instructions as a need for solitude, silence and continual prayer.

In looking at the first, solitude, he has a chapter headed “The compulsive Minister” in which he talks about the danger (for a minister/priest) of being sucked into society’s values. He says this:

[“Just look for a moment at our daily routine. In general we are very busy people. We have many meetings to attend, many visits to make, many services to lead. Our calendars are filled with appointments, our days and weeks are filled with engagements, and our years filled with plans and projects. There is seldom a period in which we do not know what to do, and we move through life in such a distracted way that we do not even take the time and rest to wonder if any of the things we think, say or do are WORTH [his italics] thinking, saying or doing. We simply go along with the “musts” and “oughts” that have been handed on to us, and we live with them as if they were authentic translations of the Gospel of the Lord. People must be motivated to come to church, youth must be entertained, money must be raised, and above all, everyone must be happy.

Moreover, we ought to be on good terms with the church and civil authorities; we ought to be liked, or at least respected, by a fair majority of our parishioners; … and we ought to have enough vacation and salary to live a comfortable life. Thus we are busy people like all other busy people, rewarded with the rewards we give to busy people.]

A long quote – written from a Catholic priest’s perspective, but very clearly indicating the dangers clergy and others face. (words to our PCCs too, and all in active lay ministry). He says “horrendously secular our ministerial lives tend to be.” Why is this so? Because our very identity is at stake.

He quotes Thomas Merton saying that our self (or rather “false-self”) is fabricated by “social compulsions” and narrows them down to anger and greed, claiming that the first, anger, is close to “a professional vice in the contemporary ministry”

He finishes this chapter by saying “it is not our so strange that Anthony considered it a spiritual disaster to meet passively the tenets and values of their society”,

and then uses this later as a basis for our need for solitude and silence (together, I presume, with continual prayer).

This was written in 1981, but speaks to me with a fresh voice today.

However, I’m uncomfortable with it and almost disagree in parts (with Henri Nouwen!?!), but recognise the dangers of accepting society’s values. [Ironically, as I am writing this Daff is watching “Neighbours” where a priest is breaking his dog-collar in half].

Before I left for pilgrimage I was much taken with a short article Kenneth Cross (an Exmoor Deanery priest) has written about the danger of the “churchified” language we sometimes use. Others as well as him have criticised the church using management techniques and their language. We have to guard against this when talking about vision and mission and yet this is not an excuse not to do it.

We live in difficult times – but so have Christians always in a sense.

I’ve said enough – for now. …

I need to continue to think about the need to be in the world and out of the world.

REFLECTIONS BY A FRUSTRATED PILGRIM – THE MORE FACTUAL ONE

Well, it’s happened again. Pilgrimage suspended. This time it’s my health, not Daff’s. Sunstroke or a virus. Fortunately, we staying at Olga’s friend, Maureen, whose allowing me to recover.

 

My last walking day* was one of two when I was without my camera phone (temporarily mislaid!). However, I can clearly remember my excitement at leaving Durham (technically Gateshead) to enter Northumberland. Self-styled “land of the borders”.

 

*[Before my last walking day, I’d walked from Durham to Lanchester, and from there to Leadgate (not Consett) – both nights staying with a young(er) couple – Hannah and David – both ordained. They trained at Cuddeston at the same time as Liz Mortimer. It was great to attend services led by both of them and to see what life was like in an ex-mining community.]

 

I walked to Heddon-on-the-wall via a lovely church dedicated to St. Oswin (look him up), which was so peaceful and prayerful. Daff saw me walking along the road and beeped at me (a first) – so we stopped in the pub there.

 

She’d been to “Heavenfield” almost by chance – about 10/15 miles away. I said I really wanted to go there. So, after warning Maureen we’d be a little late, we went there.

 

A small church, like Stoke Pero (in Porlock Parish) – in the middle of a field. It had the base of a cross, the original of which was meant to be sixth century.

 

This is where King Oswald was victorious in battle after a vision promising him success

(nb not many saints were warrior kings – but he was).

 

The significance for me is that I’ll be joining Oswald’s way which goes from Heaven’s Gate to Lindisfarne.

 

In the planning stages I’d looked at this walk and decided it started just a little too far west for me. Hence me picking it up later. So it was great to travel there – if only by motorised transport.

BLOG 4 DURHAM

(with apologies to Ian Adams)

I have in mind a journey

north-east from the south-west,

  with humility,

  with strength,

whose course calms the human breast.

I have in mind an island

gazing at the north-east,

  with humility,  

  with strength,

whose soul calms ev'ry beast

I have in mind some saints

whose lives come out from the sea,

  with humility, 

  with strength,

pure and simple and holy.

I have in mind a cathedral

rising from out of the sea

  with humility, 

  with strength,

whose soul makes music, calms me.

I have in mind a church

in a parish near the sea,

  with humility,

  with strength,

whose mission is yet to be.

I have in mind a man

walking behind the Lord

  with humility,

  with strength,

God's name by him adored.

I have in mind a woman

whose man is walking behind,

  with humility,

  with strength,

to see what he can find.

I have in mind a believer,

praying through the night,

  with humility

  with strength,

as they lose the sight …

  of the journey

  of the island

  of the saints

  of the cathedral

  of the woman

  of the man

and give up their spirit

- but gain their due birthright

Durham onwards Blog 2/3

Uprootedness or Rootedness – that is the question?

In the outdoor performance of Kynren much was made of Shakespeare supposedly meeting Queen Elizabeth I in Durham – any quotes were mis-appropriated - or just appropriated, so I feel able to misquote.

Iam Adam, of Cave,Refectory, Road, says this in

“Stay Somewhere”* (see end)

In my journey I often feel I am doing the opposite – leaving too soon. I must get on, I feel myself saying (eg this morning to Daff – we need to leave). I often just get to know people and then have to depart.

However, also, I often can rest - as long as I care to - in a church or a pub, cafe or park bench – in a sense time is my own guardian.

In both staying and moving on the can be “rootedness” (and uprootedness if we let it); I guess the difference is an attitude of mind, our approach to time.

I deliberately lingered in a pub garden writing this – drinking soft drinks in the heat – to try and express my thoughts; but to push the boundaries – longer than I imagine will be comfortable. It's my “imagining” that's the key issue here; maybe I'll do the course in

Imagination, Theology and Culture after all next year, rather than the one on spirituality (MAs part-time in Sarum) – who knows.

Keep those imagination juices flowing!

*
• Stay somewhere
• Remain in one place
  for longer than you imagine will be comfortable
• Stay there for whatever length of time that will be more than you would choose
• Give yourself to the place and to the moment.

(from Cave, Refectory Road, quoting “Stay somewhere”)

Durham Blog 2

I do not know what to write – and I don't seem to be able to write poetry.

I was overwhelmed in the cathedral by sensation, spectacle and the sacred. I am ready to leave now, but a little of my heart is there (to misquote Ann Spence).

“Kynren” has to be seen to be believed (google it if you've never heard of it) – it explained the history of two places I'd been to - Stamford Bridge and Neville's Cross.

So does the cathedral (have to be seen to be believed) - with quiet Bede and reverential Cuthbert – as I have already said, very moving.

Our hospitality here has been great too – we have been allowed to get on with things, and enjoy the “northern experience”.

But I am ready to leave – having read about Bede and Cuthbert and Aidan amongst others – I feel I am being immersed in the northern Celtic Saints.

I'll finish this blog with a version of Celtic night prayer (slightly adapted):

Take my beginnings: and bless their completion.

Take my striving: and soften my need.

Take my journey: and lead me deeper –

and lead me onward. Amen.

Durham onwards Blog 1/3

(a version of Psalm 120 – to the tune of “In Christ Alone” - I hope it works)

In my distress, I cry to God

that he may answer me.

Deliver me, O Lord my God,

from lies and a deceitful tongue.

What shall be done

and given to you

Deceitful tongue

and lying lips

A warrior's sling

and sharp arrows

(and) glowing coals of the broom tree.

O woe is me, and all my kin

Those who live in the land of sin

In Kedar's tents, and in Meshech

amongst those who hate peace.

I am for peace, they are for war,

They are for war, I am for peace

But when I speak, I am for peace

(for) too long I have dwelt in war.

Durham blog

I was very moved when I arrived at St. cuthbert's Tomb in Durham CAathedral, particularly by a modern sculpture of the pieta carved in wood. I have said to a few that Imthink a little of my heart erstwhile in Durham. IN the chapel of the tomb, which is quite simple, was this prayer from France on a card, which I have slightly adapted: I do not know how to pray I do not know how to pray I feel I have little time. SO? THis candle I light is Something of what I have Something of my time something of myself that I leave before the Lord. this light which shines Stands for my prayer That I continue to offer Even as I leave this place Perhaps we can use this in Porlock church when I return, or before. IT speaks to me. God bless, Bill the Porlock pilgrim now in bishops Auckland

BLOG ESSAY PARTS 2 AND 3

       
So, dependence is a key issue, dependent on others, dependent on self and dependent on God. Does the last grow out of the other two - or is it there unrecognised at the beginning? This is both a  philosophical and a theological question, but I don't know that this matters - God imbues all that we do (or do not do).

But there is a sense in which there is a "trinity" - with a small "t" of self, others and God. I often say some need to learn
to love our neighbours AS OURSELF . But we live in an age where others are "self-obsessed" - we are encouraged to become more "self-aware".

A healthy balance the three, self , others and God seems to be a way forward - a dependence on each as we carry our heavy rucksacks onwards. And also finding the time to share our burdens and enjoy God's creation and the silence of the moment.

Doherty ends her first chapter with these words:
"Let us walk softly and consult wise [people] about our desire for solitude; it may be a grave temptation (p28).

We need some people around us and to hear wisdom in others along the way: sometimes in the mouths of "fools". She gives a very moving picture of a poustiniak friend of her father's who becomes a "fool" literally for Christ, after giving away all his many riches - he is atoning for people calling "God a fool" in the past.

At a similiar time to re-reading that I had someone greeting me across the market-place - "Hey, Crocodile Dundee" - I ignored him - but he then asked me where my crocodile was. Clearly not in my rucksack.

Perhaps a better example of a contact I didn't follow through was of a barmaid in the Wetherspoons - she asked if I was going "on a hike"; I said "to Lincoln and beyond", She said, "Good luck".

Like many others, I find it difficult to talk about my Christian journey - yet often people outside the church "get it". They see the need for a deeper spiritual journey. They may even see the need for a Bible to be carried.

I usually have one or two spiritual books as well as the Bible and the lectionary  - a true "poustinik" has only the Bible, but according to Doherty, sometimes will read only a page a day, sometimes just a couple of sentences. What matters is the way it is read: pondered and treasured in the heart.

She calls upon the example of Mary the mother of Jesus, and her response to him as he grew up  (and her response to the annunciation). Obedience, yes, but pondering too. We need to carry scripure in our hearts - like Mary - and not just in our heads.

My attempt to digest a psalm each day is an attempt to do this, I think - sometimes it leads to a poem - a re-writing of it - or a canticle. Sometimes just a short reflection, or a word - sometimes nothing I can write. Yet, if they dwell deeper within me as a result, I have grown with and in God, I feel.

But why do I read the Bible? That's a difficult question to answer. It's the best book in the world to read - to quote the Sunday School song. Is that why I read it?
Yes, but also.. what ?

To grow in God and God's word  - to enable the spirit to talk to either the Father or the Son.
And also ... to relate it (the Word) to life - maybe to atone for a God-less, Bible-less society may be to make the world a better place, but above all to grow in God.
Maybe we will try to do it (read it and digest it).

I have also been reading a (liberal) book on the interpretation and use of scripture, another on Christian feminism  -we have to be careful how we relate the word in our modern world. - yet we need to speak it out fearlessly - the horns of another dilemma.

So the original "Poustinik" would have a Bible, enough food, for one day only and no spare clothes. He (or she) would also grow their own veg, fish and cut wood in a remote bit of woodland. Villagers would be glad to have them - the poustinik would give to them.
"It is of giving of ourselves that we receive".
Often they would have a listening ear and a welcoming face, despite days of fasting and penance.

I feel here is a sign post for us  - later in the book Doherty describes how she tried to apply being a Poustinik in North America/ Canada with the permission of her Bishop - but I mean the application more generally.

As often I speak for myself, to myself, of the need to give away many possessions, to travel lightly (remember my tombstone) - to be hospitable, to listen, and
to be ready to enter God's presence.

For a Poustinik they could be days of prostration or fasting; perhaps we need to find a modern equivalent.

Doherty says:
The poustinik learns to know God
Not learn about him, but learn of God himself, through God himself (p43).

For in the tremendous silence, God reveals Godself to those who wait ... and don't try to "tear at the heart of a mystery" (ibid)

When Mary was greeted by Gabriel she didn't understand the greeting - or the result - she simply said "yes" - let it be done - according to God's word, as says another.

May we also say "fiat"  - in the silence of our hearts.
Amen.

Click here to Reply or Forward

Blog 11 July Bp Auckland to Durham

More of a sermon today

As I approach Durham, I've been thinking a lot about silence - so I'm writing this in a pub with noisy music, a baby crying, sports news on TV and bar conversation in the background.

(It's raining - otherwise I'd be outside)

The phrase in my mind is (adapted slightly from) one of Michael Mayne's:

"God walking in the porticos of silence".

This author talks of us needing reserves of silence within us in order to be able to speak words of wisdom, and of God's presence in our hurting world.

I've also been recently reading of Aidan wandering the lanes looking for chance encounters to share God's word - presumably not in silence. He seems to have been a quiet, humble man.

Many would see us as being in troubled times as our government changes its sense of direction and leadership.

I am minded of Jeremiah (also read this am) talking about the need to plant vineyards, despite concerns for the future. In other words, get on with life and do what you can without too much regard for the future.

So, let's do what we can in a spirit of silence and waiting - trying to discover the wisdom of the age, to discern the spirit of the age, and how to preach God's word to it - even in the country lanes. Amen

July Blog 10

Melsonby to Bishop Auckland

A poem based upon encounters...

A crock, a gun, a smock, a hook

A boy, a man, a shepherd's crook

In corn fields golden, a dead rook

   not in Durham, but in Yorks

Rabbit, two hares, lark and lapwing

Bumble-bee, butterfly, hover - no sting

Three planes in mid-air synchro-flying

  not in Durham, but in Yorks.

Elderflower, honey-suckle and scented rose

Fragrance wafting, seeds-sticking in sock toes

Look like insects, sharp asnails - how God knows

  not in Durham, but in Yorks

Lanes or roads, road or lane

The choice is mine, not hill or plain

Then finally we come down again

  now in Durham, not in Yorks

Melsonby

The images from Melsonby:  they will probably be in the Parish Magazine next month, and they are on my Facebook page.

Ian Black

Next Blog 9 July

It's a bit like an interlude in a Shakespeare Tragedy - after the serious bit comes a comic interlude (but I'm not suggesting my walk is tragic!)

Yesterday, walking from Northallerton to Catterick I encountered two sets of uniformed personnel as well as road  and footpath closures galore. (more of these, today, on Sunday).

I've been very pleased to find some good lunch quiet times and although this (Sat) was the first day I had set off in the rain (a minor miracle for the wettest June in record!), I found a good farmer's barn to shelter from another outburst; I appeared to be well on my way. A police car stopped as I was about to leave and out stepped PC Plod - straight out of Martin Clunes - and asked me what I was doing. I don't think I looked like a vicar on Sabbatical so he asked to see id etc. I was trying not to laugh - there was nothing portable in the barn that I could carry and my rucksack was bulging.

He said we've had some incidents recently - presumably theft. I suppose I could have been an unlikely arsonist with the kit in my bag?!

Anyway, he eventually went on having passed me through the computer and after I'd promised to leave the barn as I'd found it (which of course I would have anyway). Then I left after recovering my hat - which I was far more worried about than the Police Officer.

I felt sure that while I was being interviewed a serious burglary was going on down the road, but that's just pure fantasy.

As I continued walking, I puzzled out how I felt and as I came close to Catterick village I texted my next host, Lindsay, to say I was on target (so I thought) to arrive on time. I wish. I'd not allowed for the building of a new A1 as well as the river Swale (if only I'd stayed on the north side of the river ...)

I found a closed road, with no footpath through, and the beginning of countless roadworks.

(I'd already spent ages detouring around two farms - deliberately going backwards some of the time in order to get to the roadworks).

I found some more tarmac - followed it - alongside or near to the roadworks and found myself in the middle of an army exercise! I went up to what appeared to be a 17-year old cadet/raw recruit with a semi-automatic weapon (I assume) slung around his neck. I asked him if I could get through and he said no - so how could I get out? He pointed to completely the wrong direction and said that was the only way to come in by car. He also said that he didn't live around here - came from somewhere like Southampton. Not much help then.

I detoured and carried on, saw more army personnel pass by in a truck and further on an army vehicle check point with a barrier. I decided I'd had enough and diverted through a few trees to the side of the A1 - yet another truck went by and waved at me - clearly approving of my decision!

Thank goodness it wasn't the A1(M), but I got a few hoots from motorists as I walked alongside it for < 800 yds. I guess I was a distraction, but I'd run out of options - it was safe enough.

Fortunately this time PC Plod wasn't around.

I eventually veered off to the right of the A1  - in front of the same army barracks - but this time safely on public roads. By now I was 1 1/2 hours late and very tired.

So what did I learn - other than to be right not to trust uniforms and to beware of roadworks (more tomorrow)?

I don't know, but I did reflect on how it might have been if I'd had a darker skin colour.

I also amused myself by thinking that somewhere out there was a news report about a dodgy character carrying a large yellow rucksack - claiming to be a vicar  - Clearly up to no good.

Roll on tomorrow and the day after - please let me leave roadworks behind.

Bill the exhausted pilgrim

Blogs July 6,7,8

A short blog to try to convey a spiritual experience I've been having as I've travelled from York to Northallerton (not Ainderby Steeple, nearby). My latest stay with a free church family has been significant, as have two Bible studies on Jacob wrestling and Ruth meeting Boaz.

In the middle of Fri (8th) I found a hedge to sit under in the shade (echoes of the Jonah story for those who know the less famous bit) and felt God empower me  - partly to do with a  previous decision, partly thinking and praying about the Parish (of Porlock) - and by implication the Benefice.

In a nutshell it's both my JOB and my JOY  to be available for people.

Obvious stuff, really, but spoken afresh to me. 

In a way, I'm different to how I was before, 

perhaps I have been born over again, over again, over again!

I also had some thoughts on Poustinik/ia  - but they can wait.

This was written in Catterick after a tough walking day - details to follow 

- so it's not long before I  leave Yorks and go into County Durham. 

    Northumberland here we come!

God bless, Pilgrim Bill

(as I got used to Stephanie from York calling me)

The Pilgrim's Way

Blog 2 July

Prayer for all that I picked up somewhere

 

The Lord is my Pace-setter

 

The Lord is my Pace-setter

I shall not rush;

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness,

Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency

Through calmness of mind,

And his guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

I will not fret,

For his presence is here;

His timelessness, his all-importance,

Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal

In the midst of my activity,

By anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows;

Surely harmony and effectiveness

Shall be the fruits of my hours,

For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,

And dwell in his house forever

 

                             Toki Miyashina

 

 

Prayer for all that I picked up somewhere

 

The Lord is my Pace-setter

 

The Lord is my Pace-setter

I shall not rush;

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness,

Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency

Through calmness of mind,

And his guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

I will not fret,

For his presence is here;

His timelessness, his all-importance,

Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal

In the midst of my activity,

By anointing my mind with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows;

Surely harmony and effectiveness

Shall be the fruits of my hours,

For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,

And dwell in his house forever

 

                             Toki Miyashina

 

BLOG 16

I wrote the following after an “encounter” with a modern “Emmaus Road” stained glass window; of which I have one poor postcard copy en route.

It’s from a church in Millington (two stages before York)

My viewing it, reading about it and praying had quite a profound effect on me and led to this reflection, which I’ve decided to share:

Reflections based upon the Emmaus Road Experience

1.  Walking Dejectedly

This is when we walk, perhaps with, perhaps without, a destination, unsure of where we are going - weighed down by the world’s wishes                                                                                          (why am I doing this pilgrimage?)

2.  Encounter

 

We meet someone, or engage with something, which lifts our spirits – suddenly things begin to drop into place

(the purpose of my pilgrimage) 

3.  Invitation

Not only are we invited, we have to “invite” the encounter, the situation, to rest with us.                                                                         (inviting Christ into my pilgrimage)

4.  Hospitality      

We have to give and receive hospitality    - of ourselves, of others, we have to spend time with them, eat and drink with them.                (accepting pilgrimage hospitality)

5.  God apparently no longer visible

When we recover from our spiritual encounter, we need to “hold it in our hearts” – let it rest with us – and keep it for the desert times.         (holding on in our pilgrimage)

6.  Encounter with the Word

As well as the above, we need to let the encounter and the Word of God begin to burn within our hearts – to re-charge us.                             (refiring our pilgrimage)

7.  Mission

Charged up, we need to run uphill even with heavy loads and be prepared to share our encounter, tell others that we have seen the risen Lord                                                          (making our pilgrimage available to others)

These seven stages will need to sustain us, on our journey, until maybe one day, we end up walking along dejectedly again.                                  Bill the pilgrim

BLOG 1 July

A revised version of “O Jesus I have promised – for pilgrims and others (my new words in italics, where possible)

[nb I’m not trying to improve upon the original, far from it, but to make it relevant to my/our current situation]

As a complete aside, we watched the DVD "A Walk through the Woods" last night, based on the Bill Bryson book, which made me think of "wandering from the pathway" - it's worth watching for a laugh.

Lord Jesus, if I’ve promised

  To serve you  to the end

You promised to be near me

  As master and my friend

I shall not fear temptation

  For you are my true guide

And when I leave the pathway

  I’ll know you’re at my side.

Lord Jesus, you have promised

  To all who follow you

That if to you we hold fast

  In glory, we’ll be too.

And Jesus, I have promised

  To serve you to the end

To walk, to serve, to follow

  My master and my friend.

Lord Jesus we have started

  Our journey as your friend

Our hope’s  to follow duly

  Until our lives you end

So, then in heaven, espy us

  Look down on us to earth

Forgive, restore, uphold us

  By grace, not for our worth