Since getting back from Jerusalem:
Number of sermons written: nil
No. of books read: Book of Numbers, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes. Beard Theology, a book about the Navy and the Slave trade (look out for a book review on that) and a book of poems by Jude Simpson (Shambolic Mammal, very funny).
Most surprising bit of bible: Numbers 36v6. Its in a passage about giving equal inheritance rights to the daughters of Zelophehad where the LORD says “Let them marry whom they think best.” On the one hand this is then given some tribal parameters but on the other hand its not an arranged marriage, but free. I think I had presumed that ancient weddings were all patriarchal / business arrangements.
Least understood bit of bible: Ecclesiastes 12v11 “The sayings of the wise are like goads.” I suspect this is a deliberate attempt of scripture to goad me into meditating on it.
Profoundest phrase I’ve come across: “You don’t think yourself into a new way of living, you live yourself into a new way of thinking” from Richard Rohr – Eager to Love about Franciscan Spirituality. I think that this means we don’t change just by thinking that we should change, we change by living the change and then through that growing habit, we begin to re-adjust how we think. St Paul is often urging us to be the person you already are in Christ. Be who you are. But that’s a lot easier to type than to apply.
No. of washing loads: Six.
No of takeaways: two evenings of Fish n Chips, one of pizza. (only one ice-cream from Holy Cow).
Alcohol intake: Some port (to go with the stilton obviously), some whiskies tasted: Jamieson’s, Aberfeldy, Glenfiddich (this one from a friend who I’ve not seen in 5 years who had been given this as a presi but doesn’t like it and wondered if I would). Perhaps five fingers in total, if you follow me.
No. of lectures tidied up: 16 – this is the 10 hours of 20th Century History I sometimes teach. (20 still to go re the Church History overview)
No. of assignments marked: Three, all exceptionally good. One exploring the pros and cons of Nationalism and Christianity by looking at Poland, Germany, Rwanda. In it was the disturbing comment about one group going to church, taking communion before going out to hack the other group to death. The next assignment explored safeguarding in the church asking whether ordaining women sooner might have helped limit the power of the old boys’ network? Really good challenging stuff. And one unpacking equality in the church. He kept coming back to the idea that during times of war or revival that the Church would be more inclusive of women’s ministry. Two of these by Viva (nowadays called Assessed Conversation). (1 more assignment to mark)
No. of relatives seen: daughter Ruth and husband Tim the day after I got back from Jerusalem (hence the large number of washing loads), and Abigail for a walk around Sheffield Park. Very Jane Austen ‘would you care to take a turn with me’.
No. of friends who popped by for a: Coffee x4, whisky x2, fish n chips x2, hugs x1.
Photo is of the ceiling of part of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It has Christ at the centre as the saviour of the world, and in the for corners of that dome the four gospel writers written as Evangelist Matthew etc.