It's very rare I have a lie-in, usually the kitties have me up and active long before the radio-alarm goes off.  Today they let me rest, until I was wrenched from slumber by the news of events in Paris; news that left me shocked, speechless, impotent, sorrowful.  I have friends who have family in Paris, and some are still waiting for confirmation their loved ones are safe.

So, as I have no words, I'm borrowing some from others, far wiser than myself, each of who knew the pain of hatred directed towards them and those they love... a photo, above, with a quote from Martin Luther King, and a song adaptation of words by Desmond Tutu

  Goodness is stronger than evil;
  love is stronger than hate;
  light is stronger than darkness;
  life is stronger than death.
  Victory is ours, victory is ours
  through him who loved us.

Desmond Tutu (born 1931) adaped John L Bell (born 1949) © Desmond Tutu

On the far side of the planet, it is late Friday evening... with daylight saving probably almost 10 p.m. by now.  And in a room in a university a book launch has been held for a publication in which my essay is chapter one.  Obviously I couldn't be there... but I did drink a toast in tea!

There is something that appeals to my naughty side that likes the idea of a group of grown-ups reflecting on "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and a series that has titles including 'Father Christmas' and 'The Witch'.

This will be our lunch time series for Advent 2015... and this afternoon I am enjoying starting work on it.  More posts to follow as time moves along...

There are some quaint, and still beautiful, aspects of Baptist tradition I'd hate to see us lose.

One that I was reminded of last night is that we, like most Baptist churches, still require "two Sabbaths" or "two Lord's Days" notice for calling a meeting.  I kind of hope we never change to "two Sundays" or "two weeks" notice... there is something deeply spiritual about the archaic terms, a reminder that a meeting is never 'just' about a matter to be presented, discussed or decided upoon, rather this aspcect of our life is as much "the Lord's" as the service of worship.

Of course, to 'two Sabbaths' could actually mean 8 days notice if you had a Monday meeting...!!

As I sat down to edit and tidy my sermon for Sunday, I found myself calling to mind a pop song from the 1980s (eek!) that still has the power to touch my soul.  So for anyone old enough to remember it (and anyone who isn't) here is Sal Solo's song 'San Damiano, Heart and Soul'...