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Allowing ourselves to hope
“It taught me to hope,” said he, “as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.” Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice” ― Jane Austen A poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: I envy not in any moods The captive void of noble rage, The linnet born within the cage,That never knew the summer woods: […]
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At least I don’t live by the sea!
Thank God I don’t live by the sea! This was the very thought I had whilst driving down the M42 back towards my home in the midlands, just over 30 miles away from the place deemed the ‘furthest away from the coast’ by ordnance survey. Now I know it’s a really weird thought to have, […]
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Reaching for hope
For years I have been bleeding. A constant dirtiness, impurity, shame. The kind of dirtiness that cuts me off from family, friends and loved ones. I cannot come close in case I damage them somehow and I am afraid. I have tried everything to get clean – washing, scrubbing, doctors, but still it remains and […]
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Life is like a ‘zoom’ call
By now, many of you will be used to doing life electronically, having meetings on zoom or skype and seeing loved ones through a variety of video calls, picture messages and cards and because of this digital world we have been thrust into, life for me seems busier than ever – and that’s before I […]
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Reflecting the light
We are pilgrims on a journey, And companions on the road. We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. ~ Richard Gillard This is my first blog post in a long time. Life has been busy and it still is. Looking after a small boy, working nearly full time […]
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The Torn Curtain
One day when I was about 14 years old, some friends came to visit – two boys, the older one, Luke, was my age and the younger one, Simon, was my sister’s age. We went to the local park together without our parents, and as they were sporty types, they brought along some balls to […]
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Pearl of great price
On Sunday this week we were thinking about maintaining a good life/work balance. I was looking after my 15 month-old son and he was absolutely determined to get out of the church and into the sunshine so I couldn’t stay and listen to the sermon, but what I did hear was enough. The preacher shared […]
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Letting go
My little boy is now 13 months old. He’s cheerful, lively, funny, an excellent eater and sleeper, and very handsome indeed. But unlike most of the other babies in his NCT group, he isn’t walking. He was one of the first to walk holding on to my hands, and he has been cruising around the […]
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Pressing On
10 I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold […]
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Irresistible
The body is placed in the tomb By grieving men who risk Their reputations Wracked with sobs they Wordlessly wrap The limp figure in cloths Blood soaks through With each layer of linen The stain becomes smaller Their pain veiled With one last glance They seal the entrance Hands laden with spice Death is […]