Tuesday 29 September 2009

Little Connections

On Friday night my husband and I had supper with a group of people that are somewhere in that funny space between acquaintances and maybe-one-day friends – mostly all people that we’ve met at church over the last few months. Yesterday, as I went running (great time for thinking!!) I thought about the little connections that we have with people, of which I had a couple of examples on Friday. Little connections like common likes or dislikes, or common personality traits or characteristics. On Friday, one little connection I shared with someone was taking a little peak at the end of books – just to see where I’m headed. Another was a love of books in general (that one was shared by a number of people). Another little connection was a little partiality for chocolate spread such that one might start out being very good and only having it on bread or toast (that lasts for about a day or two, if I’m lucky) and then suddenly be overtaken with a desire for much more of the creamy badness goodness. On its own – delicious spoonful and after spoonful straight from the jar. And before you know it, the ‘only one mouthful’ is half the jar.

To make little connections with other people, to built bridges and relationships, you’ve got to be open to others – often near-strangers – about your own little quirks, and that can be quite scary. But it can also be fun. You might feel you’ve found a kindred in a sea of not-very-well-known. You might feel that you’re not the only slightly strange one. You might even make a friend. What little connections have you had with new people lately?

Sunday 27 September 2009

Psalm 19

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The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is they servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern his errors? Clear thou from me hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my hear by acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19 (RSV)

Friday 25 September 2009

Funny Sign Friday

Well, first of all a HUGE thank you to my trusty womanservant for taking care of last week’s Funny Sign Friday whilst I was working hard* in the lovely Med. If you’re planning a trip to Crete anytime soon, today’s sign demonstrates one end of the range of car hire options available:IMG_4324 Economy Car Hire – Engine Optional.

*Okay, okay - and sunning myself. But there were many archaeological site visits, relevant to what I’m studying so I did a lot of work as well.

Friday 18 September 2009

Funny Sign Friday

So, B is currently rocking the world elsewhere, and I've zoomed in here to be her trusty womanservant and provide you the readers with a sign to make up for both her extreme absence and lack of presence.

I therefore present you with this wonderful trophy:

Oh how we love those wise authorities who think everything through fully and would never ever make empty threats.

Friday 4 September 2009

Funny Sign Friday

We’re going to kick off “Funny Sign Friday” with a warning, and an apology to any environmentalists who may take exception to favour shown to land cruisers in this sign, which comes from Belgium…

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“LAND CRUISER PARKING ONLY” All others will be crushed.