Braving Ahab and then being ministered to by ravens sent by God at the Wadi Cherith. A most remote place yet a place where God tenderly looks after him.

Staying quietly with a widow and healing her son, and knowing the Lord’s provision daily.

Calling down fire from God on the soaking sacrifice, ending the drought and showing God’s power.

Fleeing to a cave when his life was threatened and an angel providing him with food, and the same at the next cave.

Feeling all alone, the only one left who worshipped God; and then the privilege of knowing the Presence of the Lord – the still small voice in the sheer silence.

The times of solitude were not easy for Elijah.

But it was then that he knew the Lord and experienced Him in unimaginable ways.

Thomas a Kempis wrote in the 15^th Century:

The person who wants to arrive at interiority and spirituality has to leave the crowd behind and spend some time with Jesus. Nobody’s comfortable in public unless he spends a good deal of time in the quiet of his own home. Better to lie still in one’s cubicle and worry about one’s spiritual welfare. Worse, to roam the streets, a wonder-worker for others, to the neglect of one’s own spiritual life.

God tells us, as he told Elijah – Go and hide yourself by the stream.

It’s there that He will tenderly minister to our needs.

Does busyness really fulfill you?

What prevents you from making times of solitude, even if it’s just one minute, a part of your everyday life?

Can you trust God to give you all you need through times of solitude with Him?

WHERE TO RETREAT?

June 20, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE, RETREATS

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotswold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

WHERE TO RETREAT?

I am often asked for recommendations of places to go in order to spend time alone with the Lord – places for retreat, where there is peace and quiet, beauty and solace. Time to be, uninterrupted; maybe with a comfortable bed and a large bath. Not too expensive. Nearby.

And so on. We each have our list of requirements.

Mostly, I am asked for places in Great Britain.

So I began to make a list. It's below if you want to read it.

But I would love more input on this.

Where have you been on retreat?

Would you recommend it? Why?

What was good – or not-sot-good – about it?

What person might it suit?

What type of retreat might it be best for?

Was it relatively affordable?

What else can you tell us about it?

Here’s some suggestions of what I have already gathered;

for beauty and peace and quiet, I love and highly recommend Launde, Harnhill or St Beuno’s! And you? What's your favourite Retreat Centre?

Good resources:

http://www.eden.co.uk/directory/christian_retreats_10.html

http://www.retreats.org.uk/

LONDON

CITY

St Katherine, Limehouse, London

http://www.rfsk.org.uk/

Retreats and Quiet Days in the centre of London between the City and Canary Wharf with easy access to the West End. Residential/day

NORTH LONDON

The Guy Chester Centre, Muswell Hill

http://www.chestercentre.org.uk

Day/residential Courses, retreats, workshops

EAST of ENGLAND

The Chelmsford Diocesan House of Retreat, Pleshey, Essex.

Near Stansted/Chelmsford

http://www.retreathousepleshey.com/

Retreats, courses. Day/residential

Mulberry House, High Ongar

http://pastoralcentre.nationwidechristiantrust.com/pages/3.htm

Retreats, courses, healing prayer. Day/residential

CENTRAL

Pelagos

Latimer, Bucks

http://pelagos.co.uk/

good day centre for retreats, Spiritual Direction, Courses

Turvey Abbey, Beds

www.turveyabbey.org.uk

day /residential, for retreats, for prayer, for rest and relaxation

Buckend Towers, St Neots, Cambs

http://www.buckden-towers.org.uk/

Day/residential. Spiritual guidance available

LAUNDE ABBEY, Oakham, Rutland

http://www.laundeabbey.org.uk/

Day/residential. Courses, retreats

WEST

HARNHILL, Cirencester, Glos

http://www.harnhillcentre.org.uk/centre.htm

Residential/day. Emphasis on Healing prayer

SOUTH

The Emmaus Centre, West Wickham, Kent

http://www.emmauscentre.org.uk

day/residential Retreats

The Peshurst Retreat Centre, Nr Battle, E Sussex

http://www.penhurst-retreat-centre.org.uk/

day/residential Retreats,prayer,counselling

WALES

NORTH WALES

St Beuno’s nr St Asaph, Snowdonia

http://www.beunos.com/

Residential Ignatian centre: retreats, Direction, prayer

PEMBROKESHIRE

Ffald-y-brenin, Fishguard

http://www.ffald-y-brenin.org/

Residential/day. Retreats,prayer

SO: your comments and suggestions please!

CLUSTERS OF GRAPES

June 19, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotswold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

WEEK FIVE DAY TWO

God gave me grapes, great

clusters of them

then He picked them and took them away

naturally I sulked

it hardly pays to be a branch

I muttered

and wouldn’t you know it my next grapes

were bitter

God said you can keep them

so they went to the birds

Pruning time

and the sweetness of the Lord came

pouring in from the Vine

and I said

Father take this branch it’s all yours

He said back to work son

give me the grapes

I don’t know where that came from: I wrote the words in my prayer journal when I was at university nearly 40 years ago. It’s unattributed.

But the words come back to me every so often.

This morning.

I am running late, lots to do – mostly phone calls which I dislike intensely as I prefer to write, to ponder, choose the right words. Shopping. Looking after a husband with pleurisy. Walking. The gym. Someone to see, coming for Spiritual Direction. Writing. This.

Stuff.

So the bitterness came creeping.

And I knew I needed the sweetness of the Lord to come pouring in.

* * * *

Our curate was priested on Sunday evening. The Bishop came.

I wore my beautiful white silk stole, made and embroidered for me by a dear friend, now no longer with us.

On it she sewed a pattern of vine branches and grapes; of the Spirit descending like a dove; and these words:

And the sweetness of the Lord poured in from the Vine.

Father take this branch it is all yours.

My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

That’s my prayer for today:

Pour in your sweetness Lord

in to me

and out to others

Take my branch Lord – and keep it firmly attached to the Vine.

Here are the grapes

you gave me in the first place

They are yours

to use as and when You will

In the name of the Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

Top of embroidery just visible on my stole!

WHO NEEDS A GOAL?

June 18, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

WEEK FIVE DAY ONE

It’s difficult to do something without a focus, a goal, an end-in-sight.

Or it is if you are me.

Walking miles for no reason with no companions and nowhere in particular to aim for is not something I enjoy.

And attempting the goal is easier the nearer it becomes – there’s still eleven weeks until the Pilgrimage: plenty of time, I tell myself!

So I was looking forward to the 60^th birthday celebration for my brother-in-law on June 16: an 8 mile circular walk in north Devon, with a pub lunch half way. Only my husband’s indefatigable brother could have persuaded family and friends to join him on such an expedition – even with the promise of a champagne tea at the end.

Alas, it was not to be part of our Saturday.

My husband has pleurisy and is confined to total rest.

As it was cold, wet and windy in Devon, his brother - who is a doctor - told him in no uncertain terms not to go. So we didn’t. I offered to go alone but the long long drive there and back by myself in foul motorway conditions did not bode well – and my husband did not need a long day alone either.

But I really did want to walk. Our local weather was not too bad. And an hour or two of walking each side of lunch would be great practice for the Pilgrimage.

I needed a goal, a focus.

I found it in the aforesaid pub lunch – only at a different pub. An hour and a half to walk across the fields to a local favourite pub, and an hour and a half back.

Perfect.

Especially when the husband said he felt he could drive the 15 minutes it takes by car – we could meet for a date!

And so I had not one but two purposes: a good walk to get to lunch -and a date with my beloved.

With such purposes, I found myself striding out, walking fast, aiming for the goal.

It worked: I was there early. Plenty of time for a glass of wine, petting all the resident dogs including the new 12 week old spaniel puppy (envy envy) and reading the paper.

Unhurried lunch, time to talk, to BE, to be together.

And then a brisk walk back – uphill most of the way but inspired this time by the thought of tea and finishing the excellent book I was reading.

A purpose or two, a goal, an end-in-sight.

That inspires me to do what otherwise I might not attempt.

And inevitably it reminds me of my ultimate goal, which I find so easy to forget is ahead of me:

Running toward the Goal

12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. 15 All of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you. 16 But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed.

Philippians 3 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

What do YOU need a goal for? Where are you headed? What helps to focus on it?

The insidious creepingness of all faiths and none

June 15, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

Elation and excitement.

Arriving at Highgrove, home of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Being waved through the gate, shown where to park.

And Leave your cameras and mobile phones in your car. No photos. None whatsoever

Welcomed and led into the Gardens.

Our Guide, she was all pink and purple, with a peep of bright green wellies..

-Now, d’you see? she says, pointing out this plant and that.

- And His Royal Highness has such good sense of humour: d’you see? and she waves at the duck egg blue board which proclaimed: Entering an old fashioned establishment. GMO free.

- He is such a fun gracious man, she enthuses. He plans it all, chooses the plants.

He wants a garden which delights the eye, warms the heart, feeds the soul.

- D’you see that little statue? A thank you from the Welsh children’s charity. He has them here for a Christmas party every year.

- Oh and when he takes us round each year and points out all the new things, it’s such an honour. D’you see?

We did see – and there’s the boss!

That IS him, isn’t it, my boss, the Bishop of London. Beheaded and on top of the wall.

- Are you a Vicar then, she enquires wide eyed? Yes, that’s the Bishop of London. And the other heads too: all people that the Prince admires. Dr Kathleen Raine, the poet and scholar; Sir John Taverner, the composer; Dr Vandana Shiva, the environmental campaigner. D’you see?

The rain is obliging and holds off. It’s damp and windy but dry.

And there we are, standing at the front door of the house.

Right at the front door. Did you ever think you would get this close, she asks? He wants you to see it all.

We do, we are - in awe and wonder.

Is that his bedroom window, opened a crack, curtains parted? Does he sit hereon this garden bench? And here? He must be glad when we all are gone.

- And one last thing, she promises, d’you see? D’you see this plain wall and these simple wood doors?

She throws them open. The Carpet Garden. Based on the design of a Turkish carpet in the house.

It’s so beautiful, calm, tranquil. D’you see?

Nature to heal and restore the soul.

Healing plants.

Life giving water properties.

All the best of the Islamic faith, nurturing and healing and life restoring. Not what you read of when the extremists get hold of the faith; but Islam at its best, its basis. A place for nurturing and restoration. D’you see?

And I want to cry out, to intervene.

We are being fed snippets of positive Islamic faith. Were I to do the same with my Christian faith, I would be hounded down.

But it’s there in our culture each day.

The insidious, creeping takeover – whether it’s gay lifestyle, civil marriages, all faiths and none:

just as long as it isn’t Christian.

You can do what you like, say what you like, believe what you like – as long as it’s not Christian.

I gaze up at the The Crescent which dominates this beautiful garden.

And I don’t say a word.

My silence is my acquiessence.

What might Ann have said? http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/06/what-in-the-world-should-christians-wear/

Why in the world don’t I say these words aloud to strangers more often? Why don’t I live them more clearly? I am ashamed of how many times, unlike the apostle Paul, I have been ashamed of the gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16)

And what are we really here to do but to live the Great Commission — not the Great Optional?

WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

OR SAID?

Or even thought?

Our Guide smiles.

- Your Champagne tea awaits. She points to the tea room.

And I gratefully flee.

Pleurisy and a new resolve

June 11, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

WEEK FOUR already.

Time for a checkup.

Yesterday was decidedly a non-exercise day.

The Vicar has been feeling poorly all weekend – no energy and some chest restriction and pains. I felt I needed to keep him company so after leading at the 8am Communion service and helping with the 9.30am Communion service, I flopped on to the next-door sofa to him – and read and read and read. Anne of Green Gables: it’s the book for my Book Club this evening. (#happinessproject Book Club reading children’s classics post: http://www.ministriesbydesign.org/2012/01/23/finding-fun/)

Not many steps on the pedometer yesterday then. We don’t even have to go out of the front door to get to church: which in such wet weather is really quite a bonus. Apart from that, living in/over the shop (ie church) does not have many advantages.

* * * *

The Vicar has been to see the doctor this morning, and was sent immediately for various tests and checkups at the hospital. It would take the morning; I drove him there, and headed off to Brent Cross, the nearest indoor shopping centre. And there, I paced up and down and round and about, feeling quite American in my trainers and determination to put steps on the pedometer.

A good place to walk in such Noah weather. Not sure others appreciated the sense of pace and speed as I sped around each level. 3,000 steps clocked in a short time. But I fear I will need to venture out into the storm that is the current British summer if I am to do another 7,000 today.

Most days last week I managed at least 8,500 which is the target set for me on my Fitbug online pedometer. And a couple of days were a minimum of 10,000 and Monday was 12,000+ having walked the hilly golf course.

I am also trying to ensure I do at least one hill, up and down – we fortunately live at the top of a steep hill; or escalators on the Underground make a good way to run up and down.

Then there’s the PowerPlates at Movers and Shapers. I am going three times a week - half an hour sessions each time with an instructor putting us through our paces. They promise that if you attend twice a week for six weeks, you will be in good shape. It's definitely coming.

So, there is definite improvement. I can walk briskly up the two flights of escalators at Highgate Station with hardly any difficulty – a huge advance in three weeks. And the powerplates sessions are beginning to have the desired effect.

BUT.

There is a big but. All that exercise together with some other things going on right now have led to an increase in eating. The more I try to eat less and eat better, the more I crave chocolate rich tea biscuits and digestives and other unsalubrious carbohydrates.

The scales are either lying or I have actually put on weight.

Eating is such an easy way to try to cope with stress and depression.

But it’s not the best way.

Time for drastic action.

* * * *

Meanwhile, the poor Vicar has been diagnosed with viral pleurisy and told to rest. He is looking very sorry for himself, understandably so. Not much going out in this weather for him.

I shall be his nurse for a while, I think.

* * * *

Resolve: to continue the exercise – walking lots, powerplates, up and down hills and escalators.

Resolve: to cast my cares upon the Lord and not try to find solace in the biscuit tin. HE alone can rescue, He alone can save. HE alone can lift me …

Nostalgia, Chocolate and Cakes

June 08, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

WEEK THREE DAY FIVE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

I have to bake a rich dark fudgy chocolate cake.

Not for me, you understand. For our annual college reunion.

When we first began to do this each June, it was a black tie affair, usually at a London restaurant. People had left Cambridge and were working their way up various corporate ladders or into Chambers.

My husband and I were in the church, even then. Some years we just couldn’t afford to go.

Now, we are all retiring, or about to; becoming grandparents; on second or in some cases third marriages. Life changes. Two took early retirement and were ordained into the Church of England as unpaid assistants.

So much for those heady days as Cambridge students who were going to change the world.

Tomorrow we are gathering once again.

In wellies and waterproofs.

On someone’s organic (naturally) farm. They’ve dropped out - to make cider and live off the proceeds of former success.

And we are having a bring and share early supper. 5.30pm. Perhaps we all prefer to retire early these days, not drive too late.

Or for several of us, to be bright eyed and bushytailed at the 8am service on Sunday morning.

I have been assigned the chocolate cake. My problem is, which recipe to follow.

Nigella’s “serves 12 or 1 with a broken heart.” I made that for the youngest daughter years ago after a particular heartbreaking end to a romance. Holidays from Durham University.

Delia’s chocolate truffle torte. As a family, we enjoyed it for dessert on Christmas Day for years and years – remembering the first year when the shops all sold out of liquid glucose. Christmas in Stamford, Lincolnshire, for twelve years.

Mary Berry’s American Chocolate Wedding Cake. Three layers of decadence. I made that for the elder daughter’s wedding, cooking it in my mother-in-law’s kitchen, seven years ago near Bath, for we were living in the States.

Good Housekeeping’s White Chocolate Cake Sensation. My son’s twenty first birthday at Lumley Castle near Durham. I learnt to temper the chocolate and carve it to make decorations.

And then further back: the Stork Chocolate Cake recipe of my teens – does any one ever use Stork margerine these days? The recipe is copied into my old recipe book, tatty and smeared with - marg, probably.

I pick up recipe books, flick through ideas – and another recipe drops out.

Vegetable Diet, it says. Looses 4lbs in two days.

Sublime to the ridiculous. But I remember that diet, too; sometimes it was even just grapes and water for 2 or 3 whole days.

No wonder I was so slim in those far-off days – a stone (14 lbs to the Americans!) lighter than now. My doctor recently told me off for being so thin in my 30’s and 40’s and suggested that it was a contributing factor to the osteoporosis.

IS that an excuse to indulge?

Back to choosing a chocolate cake recipe. Time for a change?

A NEW RECIPE. Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, made with Maya Gold Chocolate. “If chilled overnight it will be dense, fudgy and wicked.”

Sounds perfect.

The Lord promises,

The former things have passed away.

I make all things new (Rev 21)

Our God is in the business of new things, of change in order to bring completion and perfection. And that includes you and me.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Rev.21:3-7)

PUTTING TEN THOUSAND TO FLIGHT

June 07, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

WEEK THREE DAY FOUR

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

We’ll just walk nine, he promised. If it rains we’ll stop.

But it’ s a Bank Holiday, I protested. A day to stop, relax, watch the Queen.

Later, he said. There’s not much happening right now. Come with me and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

Grudgingly I laid my book aside and found garments suitable for a wet hilly golf course. Just nine holes, I told myself. And I’ll look for lost golf balls in the rough and see if I can beat my record.

He hit the ball long and sweet. I found two golf balls. One hole down, eight to go.

Long steep hill down to the next hole; even steeper climb up to the third. I’ve done it so often with him that I know what lies ahead. Cotswold hills.

Four more balls found in the rough.

Long third hole and round the corner to the fourth. The clouds parted briefly. Fifth, sixth …. Nearly back.

Long steep drop from the tee to the eighth hole. I always forget just how pretty this is. How much I love the peace and the beauty and the trees and the stream flowing through.

We cross the tiny Giverny-like bridge. I’ve found 7 balls already.

Long haul up to the nineth – really steep. And I realize I am going up at some speed and only a little out-of-breathness.

All those London Tube escalators, up and down, are beginning to have an effect. Three weeks into this preparation and I can FEEL a difference.

Second nine he asks. Look, the sun is coming out.

Late afternoon shadows and dappled sunlight.

Another round of eight holes; more ups and downs. More beauty. More time together. How can I resist?

But I do. Time for a cup of tea, I wail.

His arm around me, urging me on. You’ll be glad you did it, later.

He knows me well.

And I am. The pedometer looks most encouraging. We skip the tea and go straight to something stronger.

And I acknowledge the help of another urging me on, doing it together.

Two can put ten thousand to flight.

Ten thousand is my minimum daily step count. A golf course which is long and spread out and hilly easily accomplishes much more than that.

For once, I am grateful for a golfing husband. And for his persistence and determination.

And today – today I shall run and up down those escalators on the way to and from the grandchildren and pretend they are Cotswold hills on a beautiful golf course.

And put ten thousand to flight on my pedometer.

Olimpick tikets

June 06, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

WEEK THREE DAY THREE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

There was great excitement amongst certain members of our household this morning.

One man to be precise.

His tickets for the Olympic Games were hand delivered at 8.15am. There was fevered anticipation as the envelope was torn apart to reveal a purple folder. Checking of dates and events and times.

And seats.

Front row for the football at Wembley, he announced gleefully. Triumphantly. Oh - tickets for the beach volley ball. And the tennis.

The tennis. Even I am looking forward to the tennis.

Such anticipation. Such checking already of public transport to get there.

It occurred to me that I could walk to Wembley from here – much quicker than the five changes on the buses and tubes that it takes on public transport.

But fortunately I’m not going to the football.

An image of the athletes flashed into mind as I thought of the old adage: football is 2000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of a rest.

Those athletes are in training – have been for years. Determined and dedicated. Up for a challenge.

The Greeks said that humans are hard-wired for challenge.

Sculptor Henry Moore wrote

The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is – it must be something you cannot possibly do.

I am training for a walk of a mere 100 miles. Granted it goes up and down; and I have already done it several times before and hopefully God willing shall do so again.

But it’s something I know I can do. Easily.

And athletic achievements don’t actually last.

Nor do they impact people for the Kingdom of God.

Unless you are Eric Liddell.

What am I devoting my life to? What can’t I do that I am intent on doing?

Mike Bickle wrote

We cannot function properly until we have passionately given our heart to a person and purpose beyond ourselves. If we don't have something to die for, then we don't have anything to live for. We don't work right half-hearted.

Amy Carmichael, one of God's extraordinary missionaries, lived in India for 35 years without a furlough. She is noted for her many writings expressing God's passion for the lost, the hurting, the poor and the ensnared. In one of Amy's most often quoted prayers she asks, "Give me a passion that will burn like ﬁre.” She was passionate right up to the very last moment of consciousness. She had a passion for missions.

She was whole-hearted in all that she did for God and His Kingdom.

She wrote:

Oh for a passionate passion for souls.

Oh for a pity that yearns!

Oh for the love that loves unto death,

Oh for the fire that burns!

Oh for the pure prayer-power that prevails,

that pours itself out for the lost.

Victorious prayer in the

Conqueror’s Name,

Oh for a Pentecost.

Am I dedicated and passionate for the work of the Kingdom?

For bringing people into a relationship with the Lord and helping them along on that journey of Life?

I can’t actually do it: but God chooses to do it through me – and you.

So what are you dedicated to?

What’s the challenge you face every day with a passion?

And will it have a lasting impact?

Focused on the Goal

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. Philippians 3: 12-19 (The Message)

Let me know what you are dedicated to and passionate about? What's your commitment?

Am I allowed to tell you that the man has some spare tickets if you are interested? Probably not!!!

2 x category B tickets for the Badminton on Friday 3 August, between 9am & 12 noon

A KNIFE TO THE THROAT

June 05, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

I’m reading Proverbs at the moment. (I’m doing George Guthrie’s Bible in a year Chronological Reading Plan). Here’s today’s eye catching, thought provoking proverb:

Put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.

Proverbs 23:2

It seems rather extreme.

Of course it’s in the context of dining with a ruler. Invited by the Queen to lunch? Don’t eat too much. She might not like the knife to the throat action, however. Not polite in the best of circles and could be misconstrued.

But it’s a useful thought to have in mind when sitting down to eat a meal and tempted by all that is available.

Mostly, however, the problem begins further back than that.

In the shops.

We drove west yesterday, to be in the country for the long bank holiday.

Stopped at a service station for petrol and coffee and lunch.

I queued at length to pay for the sandwiches; and my eye inevitably was drawn to the strategically placed chocolates and other goodies, temptingly within easy grasp.

Too easy to throw into the basket at the last minute – a treat for the holidays.

I needed a knife to the throat.

Yet deny myself every single treat and I long for more.

My father’s ‘diet’ worked well for him: Moderation in all things. Deny yourself nothing for then you long for more. Eat anything – but only in moderation.

Today we would call it portion control.

I think I need to take a knife to the shops. Better still, order online where I don’t even have to look at the temptations, just order only what is needed and necessary.

Avoiding temptation is an action that works well for me – in so many different situations.

I am not strong enough by myself. I need the continuous infilling of the Spirit’s power.

Rather more effective than a knife to the throat, don’t you think?

Lord, reign in me, reign in your power

Over every dream, in my darkest hour.

You are the Lord of all I am

So won’t you reign in me again?

ANTARTICALLY INSPIRED

June 01, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

I love the way that social media can impact life in positive ways. Idly flicking through tweets and postings just now, I was attracted to two quotes. They will each affect my life today.

"The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total attention."  (Matthew 7:14, The Message)

“Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.” Corrie Ten Boom

Whether preparing for a Pilgrimage

or doing the Lord’s work each day

or just being who God meant us to be

requires total attention.

But trying to do it in our own strength is draining and de-energising.

Learning to open up to the grace-filling of the Spirit leads us to a whole new level of energy and enthusiasm and in-God-ness.

* * * *

Yesterday I had a gentle, be-kind-to-yourself kind of morning.

Then I popped up to Cambridge for the afternoon. Dropped into the University Library to see the amazing Shelf Lives Exhibition. Had tea with an old friend not seen for some time. More tea with my father-in-law’s first cousin, an expert on Antartica and still dropping into the South Pole occasionally even though he’s 85.

And Charles, he talked about all the things he has done and is still doing. Even at 85.

If I am to carry on with the Lord’s work until 85 and beyond – and my mother was still practicing in-God-ness at 90 to her full capacity – then I need that daily grace filling, energizing filling of the Spirit.

A daily Pentecost.

Inspired, possessed, filled.

By, in, for, GOD.

enthousiasmos (Gk) possessed by God, inspired

inspirare (Latin) breathe or blow into, originally used of a divine being

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit and possess me until I am inspired and enthused. For you.

Tired of sirens

May 31, 2012 by Penelope in PILGRIMAGE

I am writing a daily blog (Monday to Friday probably!) on preparing spiritually and physically

to lead a Pilgrimage of 100 miles in September.

for details of the Pilgrimage, click on the dropdown Cotwold Pilgrimage bar at the top of this page

I admit it. I’m tired.

We’ve been back from the States for almost two weeks; not only is the holiday euphoria wearing off along with the tan, but the amount of exercise and the lack of sleep is beginning to show.

The first month of Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project, which I began in January, is a time to take plenty of sleep; and I started well - preparing for bed at 9.30pm most evenings, turning off the light well before midnight after a relaxing read in bed. And I always intend to continue the habit, as recommended in her Project.

But with a Vicar for a husband whose evening meetings mean he isn’t back in the house until well after 10pm and who then needs to unwind, early nights are not easily attainable in this household.

And the time difference of two weeks ago took a while of adjustment – in a deep sleep when the alarm goes off each morning but wide awake late at night.

Yesterday evening was no different. Husband out, due back late.

Except that, after another day of powerplates, hurtling into London, running up and down the escalators (all right, climbing swiftly) meeting up with old friends, hearing the London sirens going day and night, I realized by 8pm that I was physically and emotionally drained.

So I was a couch potato for the entire evening and read the newpaper cover to cover (except for the sports pages) completed the crossword and swooned over the property pornography in Country Life.

My light was out well before 11; the Vicar came in late from a meeting and needed to unwind, watch the news, do the Su Doku.

Inevitably I woke when he came to bed.

There were sirens several times during the night. It was oppressively airless again.

Sleep came and went.

So this morning has been leisurely. Be kind to yourself, people have repeated to me over the past eighteen months. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, bereavement, depression – they each take time for recovery.

Sirens cause flashbacks; the number I heard yesterday while sitting in the British Library forecourt was extraordinary. Each one meant taking control of emotions, a mental readjustment, a not giving in.

Sirens are constantly heard up and down the Broadway; they penetrate our house, my mind.

I am learning to adjust, mentally to replace them with another image. But it takes time.

So I am being kind to myself today. No pressure. And no pedometer.

We are under grace, not law.

A morning to go slowly.

Grace-filled, grace-full, grace allowed,.