Today I came across a free online Myers Briggs type-indicator (hyphenation mine as otherwise it's ambiguous!) test.  It confirmed that despite all the last few years have sent my way, and despite the fact that I am now more of the sieze-the-day mentality than I used to be, I am still an ISTJ.

Way back, when I was at college, a vicar did 'formal' MBTI tets for us and announced quite pointedly words to the effect that 'ISTJs are not ideally suited to be ministers'.  Pah!  Actually my ISTJ-ness has been well employed this past almost a decade, so I reckon God probably makes some pretty good calls.

You can find it here

Other personality tests are available and none should be taken too seriously!

This morning we thought about 'gentle wisdom' as per James 3/4, and I noted that it is not the existence of structures and systems which is critiqued by the above/below comparison  but instead the values that drive or underlie those systems.  I'm quite impressed that I managed to quote the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Walter Wink and Julian of Norwich all in the same sermon... and that's three more quotes than I'd normally use!

This evening we were looking at some 'creation time' themes recognising the orderliness of creation and the challenges and tensions of good stewardship alongside the power we have in the wealthy north west of the globe.  Questions about food miles and renewable energy, about fairtrade and local sourcing are really important, and really complex.

So, two services and two clearly inter-related themes... that God is a God of order, and that we need real 'wisdom from above' to live well in the complex world of which we are part.  Perhaps a less blatant connection than some Sundays of late, but it's still there.

A quiet week in prospect, as I have next Sunday 'off' so I am looking forward to doing some reading and reflecting (plus the inevitable interruptions which are the real ministry).

The sign of a desperate blogger - linking other people's stuff.

Ah well, this, this and this are fun, and worth a look imo.

Every list of suggested hymns/songs I look at these days seems to include the song 'Everyone needs Compassion'.  So the question I ask myself, in a traditonal but never stuffy church, is: would this work in our context?  This afternoon I 'googled' it and found several versions on You Tube. 

The song has its good points, but I'm not sure it will ever find it's way into my personal 'top ten'. However, this video does demonstrate that such songs can be sung successfully in more traditional styles, so long as you have singers and musicians willing and able to make it work...

Enjoy!

This Sunday is number four of five on the little book of James.  Next Sunday we have a guest preacher whilst I climb Ben Nevis (well, technically, whilst I travel go home from climbing Ben Nevis) so this is my last input.  I have found the series very challenging because James calls a spade a spade (or a shovel, whichever version of the saying you prefer), his letter needs little or no interpretation and it is utterly practical.  This afternoon I will be tidying my sermon, but here, in my words, is what I think James has been talking to me about these last few weeks...

Faith that is not active in everyday life is futile.

An attitude of gratitude - the big-hearted God generously supplies all our needs, therefore gratitude should be our prime motivator

The generosity that results from gratitude should be impartial, not favouring any one 'people group' over any other

We are responsible for the words we choose, and use; when (not if) we foul up, we need to forgive and be forgiven

We should practice gentle wisdom, which is totally counter-cultural, seeking neither personal advantage or reward

Diligence in prayer, sticking at it, and recognising its divers purposes (praise, confession, intercession) as we endeavour to practice what we preach.

A few years back, over at Living Wittily, Jim Gordon collated a series of haiku summaries of books of the New Testament.  I have a sneaking suspicion I did James, but I cannot find, even with Google, the relevant post (Jim......).  They are worth checking out, if you can find them, and if not the challenge of summarising the message of a book in a few words is a good one.

James 2:26a - faith without deeds is dead.  QED.