This week PAYG has centred on extracts from the letter of James, so I am happy, as this is my favourite book of the Bible.  It has been good to hear other people's thoughts on aspects of what it says, and to be reminded of the challenges it brings.

Today was my absolute favourite part, the 'faith without deeds is dead' bit, and the example of Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac (I typed only descendant, but that's clearly not true, as Ishmael predated Isaac).  Abraham saw in Isaac the fulfilment of God's promise that he would be the forebear of many nations, and now God demands Isaac back as a blood sacrifice.  It is a horrible story, a horrible portrayal of a God who, it seems, gives and then takes back in a very gruesome fashion, what has been given.  PAYG noted that Abraham, however he may have felt, was willing to do whatever God demanded - even if that meant losing his future.  Of course, we know how the story ends, and how the unfortunate ram entangled in the thicket becomes the substitute acceptable to God.  And of course many of us know the story of the judge Jephthah who offered his daughter as a blood sacrifice and no ram appeared.  And of course we can expend endless energy trying to make it all make sense in a nice 21st century western world where our values and mores are very different.

But, James say faith without action is empty, meaningless, dead.  Dogma and doctrine without compassion and generosity cannot salvation bring.  And Abraham, willing to abandon his future hope is the exemplar.  Gulp.  Where is my/our future hope located?  In the houses we own?  In the qualifications we work hard to attain?  In the pension plans we pay for?  In our children?  And would we hand any of these back to God in order to fulfil what we understand as God's will... even if there was no ram in the thicket?

When I sold up to train for Baptist ministry, I can honestly say I would have walked out of my front door in what I stood up in, and done whatever the college and the BU had demanded of me.  Now and then I hear of ministers, or people wanting to be ministers, who quibble over the demands fo the BU or the college, who say they cannot afford to sell up, or to move here or there, who say that God is not calling them to sacrifice... It troubles me.  Not because I am especially virtuous or spiritual, but because it reflects a poverty of confidence in God, and possible even an unwillingness to put God at the centre.

Looking back, it amazes me that I was so confident in that moment, but I was.  And it is good to remember it on the days when the temptation to a more self-directed, self-determined life style lures me towards comfort in the here and now.

Faith without deeds is dead.  Faith that is willing to sacrfice its dreams and hopes is living.

Stern stuff indeed!

Today brought an 'extra' edition of Praxis (the joint Baptist/Methodist/URC public issues team publication) urging action on two live and important issues.  I know readers of this blog will have diverse views on each of these, and especially the second (it impacts the employment of some of my friends whichever way it goes) but it seemed right to bring them to your notice.

Firstly, the minimum pricing of alcohol measure for measure campaign where we are invited to write to our MPs urging action.  Several nights a week our premises are used by support groups for people with addictions, one of which is Alcoholics Anonymous.  Walk in any town or city on a Saturday night and the results of cheap booze are self-evident.  I'm not saying everyone should be like me and be TT, but if people are unwilling or unable to be responsible in their drinking habits, then action is needed - and ending cheap booze has to be a first step to moving away from a culture that promotes drunkenness.

Secondly, the replacement (or not) of Trident on which BUGB Assembly passed a resolution two years ago (I was there, I recall it!).  If the resolution is to move from rhetoric to reality, then people need to get off their metaphorical rear-ends and do something... again, writing to MPs is suggested.

You can find out who your (Westminster) MP is here

Then a reminder of the Beyond 400 bloggy thing to which I have a link in the left sidebar.  Some interesting conversations, though the level of active/public participation is small, if measured by comments left.  It does seem to be, so far, very much the 'usual suspects' and even the writers I don't know seem to be part of a similar mindset.  It really needs more people to join in - agreeing or disagreeing - so why not visit it if you haven't done so (or haven't for a while).  Anyone of any persuasion can comment, it's a public blog!

Fifty years ago to the date, my parents married in a register office ceremony in London, attended only by them and a few close friends.  I know, because she told me, that my Mum hand stitched a green dress for the occasion.  There were no photos, no grand reception, no presents and, so far as I am aware, no honeymoon, though they did spend some time in Scotland during that first year.  Today would have been their goldden wedding day, had my Dad still been with us; in fact it is now almost 22 years since he died, meaning that my mum has been a widow almost as long as she was married... a sobering thought.

I am under no illusions that my parents' marriage was idyllic, they faced many challenges along the way including chronic illness, loss of a child in infancy, poverty and unemployment.  They had some real humdingers of arguments at various times too.  But I am also convinced that they loved and cherished their children, living sacrifically to give us opportunities they had been denied.

I'm not a great one for sentimentality, my parents brought me up to be practical rather than romantic, but today, on what would have been their Golden Wedding, it seems right to pause for a moment in gratitude and respect.

[and yes, gentle reader, it also means I have a golden birthday in ten month's time]

Yesterday afternoon I placed an order for some items I wanted for our Maundy Thursday Seder... some paper 'Seder plates' and matching napkins and, more specifically, a proper Seder plate, something I have long wanted to own but never felt justified in buying.  So, ordered something like 3p.m. Tuesday... landed on my doormat 7:30 a.m. Wednesday... impressive!

I had a lovely time opening the parcel and removing the layers of Hebrew newspaper from the various items.  I love my Seder plate, which is now sitting next to my pottery communion set on a bookcase in my living room.

I am looking forward to the Seder... lots of work to prepare for it, especially as I want to do it 'properly' with a meal at its heart, not just a token bit of charoset and broken matzot.  Just wondering now if I should buy a proper menorah and a CD of Seder music too!

I've long wanted to climb Ben Nevis... and just about anyone I asked had already done this and had no urge to do so again.  I also wanted to find a way of marking the second anniversary of my cancer diagnosis that would raise money for one of the charities that I have been grateful for.  So, today I signed up for the Breast Cancer Care Ben Nevis Challenge which takes place in September (see widget thingy on the right sidebar).

BCC is a dedicated support charity whose leaflets are used extensively, and almost exclusively, by NHS GGC who undertook my treatment.  BCC provide many courses and events as well as opertaing a well-used online forum where people can give and receive support and encouragement or simply let off steam.  I used a lot of the leaflets and through the forums have 'met' and met-for-real many wonderful people.

So, the walk up Ben Nevis will be fun and a suitable challenge for second anniversary... much nicer to be facing a real moutain to climb this September than the metaphorical one two years ago.