Glen writes: Our expectations shape our experience in a dramatic way. Emma and I once watched Event Horizon thinking it was a comedy. Though there were no jokes, we cackled our way through the first 15 minutes expecting hilarity and hijinks any moment. It should have been very obvious that this was, in fact, a blood-curdling horror – for the next hour and a half, we were absolutely terrified. The same can happen with the bible. Martin Luther knew this, which is why he …Read More
Returned from shopping to find my husband being propositioned by another woman. We’d arranged to meet in a café and I was slightly delayed. When I arrived he was comforting a crying woman. I blinked, watched as he wrote down her address, and then reversed. Later, I got the full story: The café was empty, but the woman sat on the sofa with Glen. Asked what he was up to. Put a hand on his knee. ‘Just waiting for my …Read More
When I look at the past, I see someone else. Like an old lover. There was a time we knew each other; inside-out. Now we’re estranged: bound together, but further apart than if we’d never met. Back then, I loved to run. It was 95% anorexia, 5% inclination, so I don’t miss it much. I’m not a natural athlete. Fear however – whether of fat or failure or loneliness or people – is remarkably motivating. The logic of addiction; your …Read More
– following someone who tells us it’ll be hard and feel like death – repeatedly giving chances to folks who let us down – moving somewhere scary and dangerous to talk to people about a God they don’t want – staying somewhere because you love Jesus: even though you’d be happier somewhere else – inviting strangers into your house and trying to get to the same answers from the same book – giving to people who can’t say thank-you …Read More
Our cat loves to be stroked. When Glen and I sit too close, he huffs and then muscles in. One time Glen was stroking my head and he started head-butting the window in fury. (I realise this reflects worse on me than the cat, but you take simple pleasures where you can). Humans too, love to be stroked. The baby, curling its fist around your fingers. Toddlers, cocooned from the world in daddy’s arms. Touch matters: but it’s not something …Read More
Ever feel like a square peg in a round church? Ever feel like the person you were, are now or are becoming, doesn’t “fit” in Christian community? Is this a sign you’re weird or unwanted or outside the faith? Should you give up? No. You might not fit, but you’re not meant to. Church is the only place in the whole world, where everyone belongs. We’re meant to be a ridiculous, crazy mixture – that’s what sets us apart. When you’re …Read More
Some thoughts on getting through: 1. plan together what you’ll say when asked ‘why don’t you have kids?’ 2. work out together who you’re going to tell and how much. It can be great to be prayed for, but that might mean just a few close friends. 3. love each other and work as a team. In all the hoo-ha of baby planning/making, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact you actually like your partner. Recognise that you might …Read More
How does God see you? No – not ‘Christians’. You. Not when you’re ‘better’ or ‘trying harder’. Not when you first came to faith or were ‘really going for it’ How does God see you, right now? I ask because, for me, there’s a gap. A gap between what’s true for others (grace) – and what’s true for me (musttryharder). My head knows the answers. My head’s been to Sunday school and Bible college and prayer meeting. God sees me as-perfect-in-Jesus. …Read More
Back to the baby doc today. We’re reviewing Cycle 2: What Went Wrong, (tagline: ‘The Final Chapter?’) Guest-stars: Mad scientist consultant. His desperate, inexorable search for progress has blunted his social skills and made him crazy with power. Hickster Fundamentalist Christians. Comedy couple – reared by dingos in the outback/potato farmers in Peat bog land. Him: Nice Vicar who Finishes Last. Her: Feisty Irish Rose Nettle with Big Gob. Nurse with Heart of Gold (winces/emits spontaneous clucking noises when Mad Scientist …Read More
From Glen’s daily devotional: The King’s English … Mark 9:24 is the confession of all weak and failing Christians – which means all Christians: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!” They are the words of a father seeking deliverance for his son who is oppressed by a spirit. He tells Jesus, ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘“If you can”?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is …Read More
