This introduction to the book of Numbers from the NRSV pretty much sums up the core of what I'll be speaking about on Sunday.

I'm glad to be back into routine, and hope that the ideas that have been perculating will coalesce into something that makes sense for the hearers.

It's surprising what time out can do to confidence and self-belief/esteem that isn't entirely helpful... being back in harness is definitely a good thing for me.

Low Sunday will hopefully not leave us feeling flat!

Had some fun and games with computers and servers synching or communicating, so only just been able to access photos sent to me from church folk.

Here's the cross, dressed in white and with oodles of daffodils expressing the joy of Easter Day.

Better late than never. 

Photo (c) Brian Muir.

Returning to work after an extended break is always a bit odd - the sense of being completely out of touch that may or may not be totally justified, the need to catch up with correspondence, read minutes, check in with various folk and begin to do some actual work as well.

Day 1 was productive, and tiring... so recognising the need to take it steady, not run before I can walk, and ease my way back in to the assorted stuff I do.

Day 2 has already seen some service prep and admin and will move on shortly to assorted pastoral stuff and maybe some sermon drafting if time permits.

It's good to be back in harness - I certainly thrive better with plenty to occupy me!

Back to work - and working hard not to work to hard!  When I switched on the computer this was the start screen image that popped up, which felt appropriate somehow (and as I had my fancy phone with me, I could photograph it!)

Having just put away the Easter detritus and cleared a path to my desk, I can get going on doing "real" stuff... Sermon prep it is then!

This little funny does the rounds every year... and carries more than a germ of truth.  Clergy, organists/musicians, choristers, flower arrangers, tea-makers, messy church facilitaters, meditation/reflection leaders and so on, all arrive at Easter Monday in a state ranging from tiredness via kn*ckeration to full on medically defined exhuastion.  We love Easter, we want it to be special, and it always is... and then we need a rest.

I have a feeling this tomb is rather full of snoring clerics right now!

There are lots of funny pictures available online, and I guess they could offend, but I thought I'd share this one which is new to me, and reminds me of a special friend at whose funeral these same words, in the chorus of a song, were used in the eulogy...

If you know the song, you will know that the opening lines run roughly thus:

I used to think that music matters

But does it b******s

Not compared to how people matter

I think that's a not too bad summary of what the cross event is about really...

Sorry if images or language offend, if so just ignore the post and move on.