Trading Joy

The trading of joy comes naturally because it is of the nature of joy to proclaim and share itself. Joy cannot contain itself, as we say. It overflows.

Frederick Buechner

This was this morning’s thought from inward/outward, and it came through just as I was thinking about the worship theme for this coming Sunday (yes I am starting back to work at last).

I was thinking about recognition and how we all need to be recognised, appreciated and loved. And I was reminded of this wonderful short film, part of which I am hoping to show on Sunday morning.

So if you have a dose of the Monday morning blues – then grab a coffee, put your feet up and watch this – I guarantee it will make you smile

Still off sick…

This was posted on Facebook this morning and it sums up my life quite well. This is how I look and feel these mornings after two months of coughing and wakeful nights.

Things can only get better… I hope

Faith has me…

it’s faith that has me
not the other way round

i try to shake it loose
and i don’t know whether it’s habit
ingrained
or the god i can’t believe in
but somehow i am wrapped
in this story
and it won’t let me go

so today,
i wondered again
how i would survive a moment
and a place
that seem overwhelming.
and maybe it’s only the memory of faith
i heard telling me
trust the wisdom that’s here
in this moment
already.

regardless,
i will.

Some musing from Cheryl at hold this space … she wrote this when she should have been preparing something else!

I love this – and it  covers sentiments shared in a conversation I had with a friend over coffee earlier today.

I find it reassuring that faith has me and not the other way around.

There was a time in my life when I walked away from faith. I found ‘churchy’ stuff – all the requirements and expectations overwhelming – and I wanted out.

But 10 years later – like Cheryl – I found that I couldn’t quite shake it off and gradually I rediscovered faith.

And this ‘rediscovery’ was the beginning of a new journey, one which would take me into the ordained ministry

I too am wrapped in this story and it won’t let me go.

Picture is ‘hymn of praise’ by Jonny Baker on Flickr

Just imagine…

An appropriate piece for this Christian Aid Week when we see how a coffee bean can transform a village:

They are right,
those who doubt what we do.
It is purely the product of over-active imaginations.

Who but the foolish would look at barren ground and imagine food for all,
see past desolation and believe it will become an oasis,
would not be stopped by war, but live for the day it will be peace,
and reach deep into the world’s fear in the prayer it would bring life.

So if faith is the terrain of the deluded
then may you leave here with the faith of the fools
who have loved the world since it’s beginning
and will live for its redemption until its end.

(From Cheryl at holdthisspace)

Imagine what would change if we had the “faith of fools” – praying… acting and giving out of love and living for redemption.

Work rules…

Here is another great quote about work:

“How to work better.

1. Do one thing at a time
2. Know the problem
3. Learn to listen
4. Learn to ask questions
5. Distinguish sense from nonsense
6. Accept change as inevitable
7. Admit mistakes
8. Say it simple
9. Be calm
10. Smile “

Peter Fischli & David Weiss

Great advice for work… for ministry… for life as each tumbles one into another.

And as for no 10 – I think it should be no 1. Smiling gets you though no matter how you are feeling or what chaos is erupting all around you. (Trust me I know!!)

And why is coffee NOT on this list – it would be my no 2 (after smile).

BTW… why am I thinking about work when I am on holiday? Good question

Work or pleasure?

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. J.M. Barrie

This is a wonderful quote and it really gave me food for thought. If I like what I do is it not work?

Is work just the daily grind… stuff to fill your life in between weekends and holidays and retirement?

Some of my ‘work’ is a pleasure, some of it is not my cup of tea, some of it is well out of my comfort zone. But most of the time I know that there is really nothing else I would rather be doing.

I recently had coffee with a friend and colleague. We talked for nearly three hours. Was this work or pleasure? By Barrie’s definition it wasn’t work because for those three hours there was nothing I would rather have been doing. But the ‘work’ of ministry was what occupied our thoughts and our discussions for those hours.

When the husband came home he asked “Productive day?” And I answered without hesitation…”Yes very productive actually”.

And it was! It helped me to put into words lots of thoughts which had been circling around in my head over the past weeks and to have more clarity about the way ahead.

Coffee and a good chat… essential for life and work

Peace and laughter…

May today there be peace within…

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received,and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

(Attributed to Saint Therese of Lisieux)

I have posted this prayer before, maybe more than once. I used it as the prayer after my sermon last Sunday.

I come back to these words over and over again and I often pray them for myself, especially when I am feeling weary or discouraged.

This week I am grateful for good friends (and for a friendship renewed) and I am especially thankful for friends who make me laugh and who help me to keep it all in perspective.

(and for coffee… obviously).