Pollyanna gets a bit of stick these days. The name of the main character from Eleanor H Porter’s work of classical children’s fiction has become an epithet for anyone deemed to be unrealistically optimistic. In the novel made even more well known by Walt Disney’s cinema version in 1960, Pollyanna invents “the glad game.” NoContinue reading “Advent Reflection: Hope, not optimism”
Category Archives: Spirituality
Such is life?…
Often a picture does it best. I’ve seen reams written on “the six (sometimes seven) stages of life” and even run the odd workshop or two myself. I found this silent but eloquent expression on imgur.com. The caption is a bit of a worry. That’s why I’ve inserted the question mark. “Such is life!” TheseContinue reading “Such is life?…”
Youth Talks – Age Teaches
So runs the Maori proverb in “Native Wisdom for White Minds” But how many times have I encountered wise heads on young shoulders and immature heads that have long years?
Calculating Seventy Times Seven?
Image via Wikipedia Some folk are fond of saying that the teachings of Jesus are impossible to live. “How often should I forgive – seven times?” asked Peter (no doubt believing himself to be typically magnanimous) “Pffft!”, replies Jesus, “not seven. Try seventy times seven!” This was yesterday’s lection, and Ben Smith, our guest speaker,Continue reading “Calculating Seventy Times Seven?”
Crossing places
Back from retreat. Reflecting still on the ramifications of chaos theory, entropy of closed systems, and the ‘strange attractor‘ in evolutionary transition. So much sync with the Christian story! Ably led by Margaret Silf. Here’s something I wrote on “crossing places” My rope bridge came to mind even before it was mentioned I hate evenContinue reading “Crossing places”
Exploring destinations beyond
Imagine living in West Berlin during the time of the separation of East and West Germany – half a city full of bright lights and high commercial activity walled off to its other half and the surrounding countryside. Bus and train routes come to an abrupt halt at the borders. The destinations displayed on theContinue reading “Exploring destinations beyond”
Retreat to advance…
Yep, I’m off to cool my heels for a few days at the local monastery. Contemplative author, Margaret Silf, is leading a retreat around the theme of “transformation.” It seems to sync with some of my daydreaming of late, particularly following discussions on committees and commissions that, confronted with the need for change, are temptedContinue reading “Retreat to advance…”
Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture
A variant on Peter picked a pepper? No – just some leftovers from this morning’s ruminations on the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Peter walking on the water and sinking. I would never dare use such a pretentious alliterative phrase anywhere else but here. I reiterate the view, however, that Peter was not being typicallyContinue reading “Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture”
What does it mean to cede control to the Divine Other?
This is the question I didn’t address in this morning’s harangue based partly on Jacob’s nocturnal struggle with a mysterious strong man. I would have said that Jacob didn’t cede control to the divine being with whom he wrestled all night. He managed to extort a deal – only then did he release the mysteriousContinue reading “What does it mean to cede control to the Divine Other?”
Holy skulduggery
By the end of Genesis, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Divine only favors scoundrels. Jacob, already a fugitive from the consequences of fraudulent behaviour in impersonating his brother, Esau, is outdone by his prospective father-in-law, Laban, who passes the less desirable daughter, Leah, off as the promised bride, Rachel. Ultimately, Jacob scoresContinue reading “Holy skulduggery”
Wondering Pilgrim 