This short news article on the BMS World Mission website has promped this post.

David Kerrigan is one of the people I admire most in the whole world.  He would probably be embarrassed to be told that, but it's true.

David's role in BMS is challenging and demanding, he meets hundreds of people and travels widely.  He is a gifted speaker, educator, preacher and pastor.  He holds strong views with incredible grace and humility.  He is one of the most Baptist Baptists I know.

And five years ago, when I was diagnosed with cancer and was scared witless, David took the time to pray for me during a trip to Israel/Palestine.  Since then we have met on occasions and he has been a great encourager of my own ministry.

Now David faces his own journey with cancer, has had some surgery and needs time to rest and recouperate.  I can't equal praying in the homeland of Jesus, but I can pray...

Pray that David knows the love of God surrounding him, and is granted peace within the storm

Pray that David will have places and spaces to express his emotions and concerns

Pray that David and his family will given privacy when they need it, and company when they need that

Pray that in the tracing of rainbows hope will be renewed

Pray that in the darkest night inextinquishable flames lead the way onward

Pray for wholeness and the assurance that all will be well

I hope that five years from now, David will be fit and well, living life to the full and able to look back, as I do, wondering where the time has gone.

Thirty "squares" knitted and ready for blocking, pressing and sewing up.  I have a strong suspicion some of the sizes will be sufficiently different that some knitted "shims" will be necessary.

Once that's all done, there's just the small matter of knitting a border to finish the whole thing off.

Still on target for my personal deadline!

One of the tasks I set myself for this morning was to come up with a preaching plan for the autumn, probably the part of the year in which there is least opportunity for a clear run at anything, especially if you are daft enough to take your main holiday in October!

Yesterday our Worship Group had a very productive and creative meeting working out how to fit in the assorted special services that are coming up, and which I think have the potential to be exciting and a little bit innovative.

But I still have a huge void called mid-October to mid-November where, apart from Remembrance, I have no idea what we might explore together.  The Lectionary is not overly inspiring, and four weeks, with a one week gap, is not conducive to much by way of a series.

At various times - but not for quite a long time - I have invited suggestions for preaching themes or series, and I am wondering if maybe this might be such a time.  I have a few back up ideas for 'one-off' services, but it does feel good to listen to what the people in the 'pews' are interested in exploring and respond also to that.

Watch this space... and more will emerge, eventually!

This morning as I left home I detected that subtle shift in the light that heralds autumn... surely not, I thought, it's still July and we haven't really had summer yet.

Then I noticed the first fallen leaves on the pavememnts.  A closer look into the branches of those trees I passed revealed the first signs of changing colour... to yellow, to gold, to red, to brown...

Soon, soon, it will be be autumn once more...

Soon, soon the season will slide seamlessly, the leaves will fall, the light will change...

Soon, soon, the arirval of another autumn will be my personal herald of hope.

I settled down to listen to today's PAYG, discovering it was the Feast of St Martha.  A quick 'google' reminded me of a poem that I had been introduced to many moons ago called 'The Sons of Martha'.  This in turn led to me 'googling' my own blog as I recalled some of the many psots I have made about Martha with or without her sister and brother. 

I enjoyed rediscovering them, so here are the links...

From 2007, a sermon 'Three Portraits' and the poem 'The Sons of Martha'

From 2008, a reflection on my own Martha tendencies 'Sophia and Martha'

From 2010, a slightly flip observation about Mary and Jesus' feet, and a transcript of some reflections for Advent

From 2011, a reflection for the Feast of St Martha

My memory is rapidly descending to the annoying levels of Theresa of Avila, but at least by the wonder of the interweb and I can quickly retrace my own thoughts!  I have always had a fondness for Martha and felt she had an undeserved 'bad press', so it isn't such a surprise that I've written a lot about her.

Whether you are busy busy, or relaxed and reflective, I wish you the blessings of this day!