Daily Office - Aug 1

Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth. My soul shall glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Look upon him and be radiant and your faces shall not be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is gracious; blessed is the one who trusts in him. Fear the Lord, all you his holy ones, for those who fear him lack nothing. Lions may lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good. Come, my children, and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is there who delights in life and longs for days to enjoy good things? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from lying words. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and will save those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the troubles of the righteous; from them all will the Lord deliver them. He keeps all their bones, so that not one of them is broken. But evil shall slay the wicked and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord ransoms the life of his servants and will condemn none who seek refuge in him.

1 Samuel 16
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ He said, ‘Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
Now the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. And Saul’s servants said to him, ‘See now, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command the servants who attend you to look for someone who is skilful in playing the lyre; and when the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.’ So Saul said to his servants, ‘Provide for me someone who can play well, and bring him to me.’ One of the young men answered, ‘I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilful in playing, a man of valour, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him.’ So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, ‘Send me your son David who is with the sheep.’ Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them by his son David to Saul. And David came to Saul, and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armour-bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, ‘Let David remain in my service, for he has found favour in my sight.’ And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Luke 23:44-56a
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

The Collect
Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Schoenies fresh water stream

The area around Schoenmakerskop and the Sacramento Trail has a number of fresh water springs seeping out the surrounding countryside and flowing down towards the sea. With all the rain we've had these past couple of months some of the little streams are flowing nice and strong. This specific one can be found close to the Sacramento monument a few hundred meters down the trail.

LA CARTA DE LES VACANCES





Avui serà el darrer dia abans de les vacances d’estiu. Aquests dies arriben com foscos núvols amb les mesures preses per l’actual govern de l’estat i perquè molts dels drets adquirits pels anteriors governs socialistes s’estan cremant a la foguera de la injustícia i la insolidaritat.

Ha arribat una llarga nit que no sabem quan trigarà en marxar. Per això avui, un dia, que en principi hauria de ser alegre, em cobreix d’una certa enyorada nostàlgia pels temps passats, i de desesperança i crispació davant l’escenari polític actual.

Els infrangibles drets a una vida digna, al treball, a la justícia social, a la llibertat estan essent cada dia més amenaçats, ja paguem un euro per recepta, aviat haurem de pagar per entrar a un supermercat a comprar o per fer cua a un banc o vés a saber... Per tot això, ara més que mai és quan necessitem fer més fort la democràcia. Aquest no és moment per fer baralles internes, per badar, per refredar-nos, per distanciar-nos... Ara és el moment de fer equip, de treballar plegats de continuar escalfant i lluitant pels nostres drets, pel nostre estat de benestar. Ara és el moment de sortir de les cases al carrer i continuar caminant pel camí solejat de la justícia social des de la dignitat i l’honestedat que ens caracteritza com a socialistes.

No podrem gaudir complaguts d’aquest estiu mentre sabem que cada dia hi ha més persones aturades. No podrem gaudir complaguts de l’estiu mentre sabem que cada vegada hi ha més retalls amb la llei de la dependència. No podrem gaudir complaguts de l’estiu mentre sabem que s’estan privatitzant els transports públics, la sanitat, l’educació. No podrem gaudir satisfets de l’estiu mentre sabem que quan tornem de vacances hi haurà un augment dels serveis imprescindibles a la nostra vida quotidiana com la llum, el gas, l’aigua; que ens trobarem amb l’augment de l’IVA...

No, no, no estarem complaguts i no estarem complaguts fins que les rodes de la justícia social tornen a girar de nou cap a l’esquerra social i democràtica.

Avui 31 de juliol, abans que comencin les vacances del mes d’agost, ens podem dir tots plegats que malgrat les dificultats del moment, els/les socialistes continuarem treballant per a un món millor; continuarem revoltar-nos davant les injustícies i les necessitats dels altres, d’aquells que demà poden ser nosaltres mateixos; continuarem sensibilitzant-nos amb el patiment i el dolor i, continuarem cultivant el nostre jardí ideològic per a què cada dia en qualsevol racó del món neixi una rosa socialista.

Els/les socialistes sabem que arribarà un dia que el solitari desert que estem patint es convertirà en un nou oasi de justícia social i de llibertat. I amb aquesta força ideològica treballarem per a què cada una de les nostres passes vagi adreçada a transformar l’actual brunzit vesper en el bell cant socialista.



Amics i amigues de la vida virtual (facebook) i de la vida real de tot cor us desitjo que passeu un molt bon estiu.



Petons i una forta abraçada

Mari Carmen Lozano



Badalona, 31 de juliol de 2012

Rethink Your Polo Shirt


As the heat rises, men are left with fewer options in their wardrobe. As a default, many guys turn to polo shirts as their go-to for the summer.
The problem is, the polo shirt category is dominated by few brands who make a very similar product. Not every polo shirt needs three buttons and a chest symbol.
Try a polo design that is a little less predictable, and a little more stylish.
The V-Neck w/ Shirt Collar (pictured) is one alternative worth considering.
This super simple design is made of cotton in a red hairline stripe, with a slight spandex blend for a little stretch. The collar and neck trim are shirting cotton, so it feels like a real collar. A simple and effective design, for only $30 (by Uniglo).

Meduses



Divendres vaig fugir a la platja amb la intenció d'encetar el cap de setmana de forma més o menys sana, i així, vaig passar el matí de dissabte amb el caiac que un parell de setmanes abans havíem regalat a mon pare pel seu aniversari.

Em vaig endinsar a la mar per fer uns llargs al fons, però els bancs de meduses gegants que nadaven al costat del caiac em van fer canviar d'opinió i em vaig haver d'acontentar amb una lesió al trapezi dret.

De nit vaig deixar enrere la platja i les meduses i vaig sopar amb el meu amic S. a València. Teníem més o menys tancada la nit, però els plans van saltar pels aires quan al local més depriment que conec vam fer amistat amb uns desconeguts i vam continuar la festa a un pis, propietat del novio d'una estudiant del col·legi femení Guadalaviar (!), drogant-nos sobre una cadira Barcelona de cuir negre.

Definitivament, necessite unes vacances.

Military Chaplaincy

Just a thought but I wondered if any of those who pass by this blog might consider getting involved as Chaplain to the uniformed cadet or Armed Forces Chaplain's branches?

The Cadet forces' Chaplains find themselves presented with varying degrees of opportunities for pastoral engagements with young people. The 'Padre's Hours' bring challenges, opportunities and discussion. It's not 'God-Bothering' or sermons, it's real down-to-earth dialogue and getting the younger generation to think, challenge and stand up for themselves. There are pastoral care issues for cadets, staff and families and, of course, the opportunities for church parades at relevant times (Trafalgar Day, Battle of Britain, Remembrance, etc.).

The Armed forces' Chaplains are engaged with much the same as the cadet role with the added edge of deployment, casualty notification and all the issues that being an adult and serving (regular or reserve) bring.

Bottom line is that within the military chaplaincy roles there is an opportunity to bring Christ into the lives of a particular group of people and through the Values and Standards teaching engage with them and the Gospel.

Never thought about it before?

Here's your opportunity . . . . .

Daily Office - Jul 31

Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556

Psalm 32
Happy the one whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Happy the one to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile. For I held my tongue; my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. Your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up like the drought in summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore let all the faithful make their prayers to you in time of trouble; in the great water flood, it shall not reach them. You are a place for me to hide in; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance. ‘I will instruct you and teach you
in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye. ‘Be not like horse and mule which have no understanding; whose mouths must be held with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.’ Great tribulations remain for the wicked, but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord. Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Psalm 36
Sin whispers to the wicked, in the depths of their heart; there is no fear of God before their eyes. They flatter themselves in their own eyes that their abominable sin will not be found out. The words of their mouth are unrighteous and full of deceit; they have ceased to act wisely and to do good. They think out mischief upon their beds and have set themselves in no good way; nor do they abhor that which is evil. Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens and your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness stands like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; you, Lord, shall save both man and beast. How precious is your loving mercy, O God! All mortal flesh shall take refuge under the shadow of your wings. They shall be satisfied with the abundance of your house; they shall drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the well of life
and in your light shall we see light. O continue your loving-kindness to those who know you •
and your righteousness to those who are true of heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, nor the hand of the ungodly thrust me away. There are they fallen, all who work wickedness. They are cast down and shall not be able to stand.

1 Samuel 15:1-23
Samuel said to Saul, ‘The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, “I will punish the Amalekites for what they did in opposing the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” ’
So Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot-soldiers, and ten thousand soldiers of Judah. Saul came to the city of the Amalekites and lay in wait in the valley. Saul said to the Kenites, ‘Go! Leave! Withdraw from among the Amalekites, or I will destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.’ So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites. Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt. He took King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep and of the cattle and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was valuable, and would not utterly destroy them; all that was despised and worthless they utterly destroyed.
The word of the Lord came to Samuel: ‘I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commands.’ Samuel was angry; and he cried out to the Lord all night. Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, and Samuel was told, ‘Saul went to Carmel, where he set up a monument for himself, and on returning he passed on down to Gilgal.’ When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord; I have carried out the command of the Lord.’ But Samuel said, ‘What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of cattle that I hear?’ Saul said, ‘They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the cattle, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; but the rest we have utterly destroyed.’ Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me last night.’ He replied, ‘Speak.’
Samuel said, ‘Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, “Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.” Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?’ Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But from the spoil the people took sheep and cattle, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.’ And Samuel said,
‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,he has also rejected you from being king.’

Luke 23:26-43
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

The Collect
Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Flooding on Seaview Road

Whenever we have excessive rain in Port Elizabeth the 3rd Avenue Dip is the first road that gets closed.  When Port Elizabeth has manor flooding, like we've had twice in the last three weeks, one of the roads that get the worst effected is the Seaview Road at the Deer Park turnoff.  There is no river that runs through there, but the runoff from the surrounding hills dam up at the bottom and over the last 6 years have caused major flooding on at least two occasions.  On the road itself the water is apparently 1,6 meters at its deepest point while a restaurant and wedding venue about a hundred meters away is up to its upstairs windows under water. 
I took a drive out on Sunday morning and this is the sea of water that greeted me. 

Daily Office - Jul 30

William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson,
Anti-Slavery Campaigners 1833, 1797 and 1846


Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not be afraid, and though there rise up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. One thing have I asked of the Lord and that alone I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek his will in his temple. For in the day of trouble he shall hide me in his shelter; in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me
and set me high upon a rock. And now shall he lift up my head above my enemies round about me; therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy upon me and answer me. My heart tells of your word, ‘Seek my face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor cast your servant away in displeasure. You have been my helper; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me on a level path, because of those who lie in wait for me. Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and those who breathe out violence. I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 30
I will exalt you, O Lord, because you have raised me up and have not let my foes triumph over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to you and you have healed me. You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; you restored me to life from among those that go down to the Pit. Sing to the Lord, you servants of his; give thanks to his holy name. For his wrath endures but the twinkling of an eye,
his favour for a lifetime. Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. In my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved. You, Lord, of your goodness, have made my hill so strong.’ Then you hid your face from me and I was utterly dismayed. To you, O Lord, I cried; to the Lord I made my supplication: ‘What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness? ‘Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; O Lord, be my helper.’ You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.

1 Samuel 14:24-46
Now Saul committed a very rash act on that day. He had laid an oath on the troops, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food before it is evening and I have been avenged on my enemies.’ So none of the troops tasted food. All the troops came upon a honeycomb; and there was honey on the ground. When the troops came upon the honeycomb, the honey was dripping out; but they did not put their hands to their mouths, for they feared the oath. But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the troops with the oath; so he extended the staff that was in his hand, and dipped the tip of it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened. Then one of the soldiers said, ‘Your father strictly charged the troops with an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food this day.” And so the troops are faint.’ Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land; see how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. How much better if today the troops had eaten freely of the spoil taken from their enemies; for now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.’
After they had struck down the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon, the troops were very faint; so the troops flew upon the spoil, and took sheep and oxen and calves, and slaughtered them on the ground; and the troops ate them with the blood. Then it was reported to Saul, ‘Look, the troops are sinning against the Lord by eating with the blood.’ And he said, ‘You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone before me here.’ Saul said, ‘Disperse yourselves among the troops, and say to them, “Let all bring their oxen or their sheep, and slaughter them here, and eat; and do not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.” ’ So all of the troops brought their oxen with them that night, and slaughtered them there. And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
Then Saul said, ‘Let us go down after the Philistines by night and despoil them until the morning light; let us not leave one of them.’ They said, ‘Do whatever seems good to you.’ But the priest said, ‘Let us draw near to God here.’ So Saul inquired of God, ‘Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?’ But he did not answer him that day. Saul said, ‘Come here, all you leaders of the people; and let us find out how this sin has arisen today. For as the Lord lives who saves Israel, even if it is in my son Jonathan, he shall surely die!’ But there was no one among all the people who answered him. He said to all Israel, ‘You shall be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side.’ The people said to Saul, ‘Do what seems good to you.’ Then Saul said, ‘O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant today? If this guilt is in me or in my son Jonathan, O Lord God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim.’ And Jonathan and Saul were indicated by the lot, but the people were cleared. Then Saul said, ‘Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.’ And Jonathan was taken.
Then Saul said to Jonathan, ‘Tell me what you have done.’ Jonathan told him, ‘I tasted a little honey with the tip of the staff that was in my hand; here I am, I will die.’ Saul said, ‘God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan!’ Then the people said to Saul, ‘Shall Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory in Israel? Perish the thought! As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground; for he has worked with God today.’ So the people ransomed Jonathan, and he did not die. Then Saul withdrew from pursuing the Philistines; and the Philistines went to their own place.

Luke 23:13-25
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’
Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

The Collect
God our deliverer, who sent your Son Jesus Christ to set your people free from the slavery of sin: grant that, as your servants William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano and Thomas Clarkson toiled against the sin of slavery, so we may bring compassion to all and work for the freedom of all the children of God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Buying amagwinya

Today's post follows on yesterday's Takeaway in the township post.  Here one of the mamas who run the shop is busy putting the fat cakes into a plastic bag for us.  Caroline commented on the previous post about the grille and that it shows something about the area where the take away is in.  The grille does form part of the counter but the side gate, even though they can lock it if they choose, is always open.  After asking for permission to take some pictures I entered through it to take the picture of the ladies working.  It does act as security at night in case somebody breaks in through the door.

Sunday Worship - Everything


Christ in me, the hope of glory - be my everything.

Happy Sunday people

Takeaway in the township

Over the last two weeks I have ventured into the townships with one of my colleagues for lunch on two occasions.  Mr X knows the townships like the back of his hand and some of the places we stopped at I don't think I will every find again.  The first time we got amagwinya (vetkoek or fatcake which is a ball of dough deep fried in oil) with sliced polony at one of the informal takeaways doing business from a shipping container.  A vetkoek costs R1-50 while the slice of polony is R1 so you can just about stuff yourself with three of those for R7-50.  For the international readers that is about $1 or just more than half an English pound.

Occasional Offices - Hatch, Match & Despatch

It's nearly eight am and, daily office done and dusted (so now we're both up!), I begin to prepare for an early wedding. Looking at the league tables I see that weddings are lying a poor second to funerals but were still way ahead ahead of baptisms when we hit the halfway mark for 2012.

I think we often miss the fact that the occasional offices are more than just something we 'have to do'. I meet clergy who grumble when someone has the temerity to encroach upon their 'day off'. I meet others who do the service without any wedding preparation ("What's the point, they're only coming for the building?") and, by virtue of their lack of engagement, find in weddings a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Actually, weddings are a happy moment. The white dress, the shine of the shotgun, the dressing-up and so many other things conspire to make this a 'special day' for the punters and with just a bit of work on our (the DogCollars) part it could be even more special. It could be the pin in the map of life that marks step one in relationships between the couple and God. Not only that some of the things we tell and teach in preparation and the way we sell the Church (even though we give it away for free there is still marketing to be done!) in the interface with those coming all add up to either a warm feeling or a closed door.

The same is true of funerals for in them we find the potential for the development of real relationships as we become someones neighbour when they are in need. The trouble is that I know some who have two funeral sheets; one for 'believers' and the other for 'the lost'. I know so many clergy who offer nothing outside their rigidly structured service. Funerals are, for me, the best part of the job and I reckon that to do one well takes upwards of half a day when the visiting, preparing and doing (not including post-service involvement when required or VAT). When I said this to a bunch of people recently they told me it was, "Half and hour in the undertakers, half an hour in the crem/church/graveside - job done!" If this is the reality is it any wonder people pay for those who are other than clergy to give them what they want in a service? Seems we don't even manage to bring God into it (and I have listened to more than a few by arriving half an hour early for my slot at the Crem') so what's the point of having us do their services for Him or them?

And of course there's baptisms. That wonderful service that every time brings surprise from the family when you tell them, "No charge - God's grace is free!" So why is it when I ask about baptism prep' the answer is (almost) always in the negative? The rite of initiation is something that needs to be taken seriously (as do all the offices) but also need to be customer-facing, friendly and taking the opportunity for engagement. So why the hell don't we take these opportunities?

Here's a raft of things I encounter from talking to other clergy about their offices:

Baptismal preparation is often left out because people don't come.

We don't do baptismal preparation because the families don't like it.

People go somewhere else when we tell them they need to come for three months before we will baptise.

We ask baptism families to do an Alpha.

I just get the sheet and do the funeral with that and the words I ask the family for regarding the deceased.

I try not to do weddings as they take up my Saturdays and no one ever come back.

We don't do wedding preparation because they've already got loads of kids from other relationships.

I usually meet my wedding couple for the first time on the Friday before, the office do all the paperwork and meet them to arrange the service.

I never see any of the baptism couples again.

I never see any of my wedding couples again.

I never see any of my funeral families again.

Discuss

Daily Office - Jul 28

Psalm 20
May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble, the name of the God of Jacob defend you; send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you out of Zion; remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice; grant you your heart’s desire and fulfil all your mind. May we rejoice in your salvation and triumph in the name of our God; may the Lord perform all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord will save his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven, with the mighty strength of his right hand. Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call only on the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright. O Lord, save the king and answer us when we call upon you.

Psalm 21
The king shall rejoice in your strength, O Lord; how greatly shall he rejoice in your salvation! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not denied the request of his lips. For you come to meet him with blessings of goodness and set a crown of pure gold upon his head. He asked of you life and you gave it him, length of days, for ever and ever. His honour is great because of your salvation; glory and majesty have you laid upon him. You have granted him everlasting felicity and will make him glad with joy in your presence. For the king puts his trust in the Lord; because of the loving-kindness of the Most High, he shall not be overthrown. Your hand shall mark down all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them like a fiery oven in the time of your wrath; the Lord will swallow them up in his anger and the fire will consume them. Their fruit you will root out of the land and their seed from among its inhabitants. Because they intend evil against you and devise wicked schemes which they cannot perform, you will put them to flight when you aim your bow at their faces. Be exalted, O Lord, in your own might; we will make music and sing of your power.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

1 Samuel 13:19-14:15
Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel; for the Philistines said, ‘The Hebrews must not make swords or spears for themselves’; so all the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen their ploughshares, mattocks, axes, or sickles; The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the ploughshares and for the mattocks, and one-third of a shekel for sharpening the axes and for setting the goads. So on the day of the battle neither sword nor spear was to be found in the possession of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and his son Jonathan had them.
Now a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass of Michmash. One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armour, ‘Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.’ But he did not tell his father. Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is at Migron; the troops that were with him were about six hundred men, along with Ahijah son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, carrying an ephod. Now the people did not know that Jonathan had gone. In the pass, by which Jonathan tried to go over to the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on one side and a rocky crag on the other; the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. One crag rose on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armour, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will act for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.’ His armour-bearer said to him, ‘Do all that your mind inclines to. I am with you; as your mind is, so is mine.’ Then Jonathan said, ‘Now we will cross over to those men and will show ourselves to them. If they say to us, “Wait until we come to you”, then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them. But if they say, “Come up to us”, then we will go up; for the Lord has given them into our hand. That will be the sign for us.’ So both of them showed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines; and the Philistines said, ‘Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.’ The men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armour-bearer, saying, ‘Come up to us, and we will show you something.’ Jonathan said to his armour-bearer, ‘Come up after me; for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.’ Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armour-bearer following after him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armour-bearer, coming after him, killed them. In that first slaughter Jonathan and his armour-bearer killed about twenty men within an area about half a furrow long in an acre of land. There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

Luke 23:1-12
Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

The Collect
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

EFíMERA IL.LUSIÓ



I cada dia sorgeix un petit pretext per escriure’t, per inventar-te, per crear-te; per acaronar el teu nom entre les tecles de l’ordinador; per mirar-te, allà lluny, encara que sigui de reüll; per dibuixar el teu somriure per tots els fulls escampats; per escoltar la teva veu barrejada en altres veus; per apropar-me des del silenci als teus ulls tancats i obrir-los amb paraules llançades al vent. I així agafo, en cada moment, aquesta efímera il•lusió entre les meves mans i em sento feliç de trobar-te en els llocs més amagats, en les cantonades més equidistants, en els carrers menys concorreguts o en les places més bullicioses. I embriagant-me amb el teu perfum m’omplo d’aire, de flors, de caramels, d’herba fresca, d’arbres i de vida i, passejo per la ciutat amb els braços estesos com si fos un ocell o una papallona a punt d’aixecar el vol. I és aquesta sensació de llibertat la que m’omple el cap de paraules eixerides que em fan pessigolles quan tinc els ulls tancats, quan el somni encara no és profund i tot està mig callat; llavors elles, inquietes i decidides, encenen focs que et cremen per dins en mig de la nit. I és en aquest somni de foc on aprenc a trobar-te més enllà dels teus ulls.

Badalona, 27 de juliol de 2012


entendre la cosa humana

La persona que me’l va donar va sentenciar-ho: “Si quieres entender la cosa humana has de leer este libro”. Vaig ficar-m’hi de ple, alarmada per una advertència tant solemne. Alarmada, en part, perquè aquesta mateixa persona ha deixat per escrit que si hagués de recuperar del passat alguna cosa que fés més suportable el segle XXI seria Atila el huno amb les seves tropes, armades amb minibombes de neutrons i avions ultralleugers i indetectables, sota ordres d’extingir tot rastre de vida humana.



Tal és el destí que mereix la nostra espècie segons aquesta persona. I 283 pàgines després, hom deixa de trobar-lo cent per cent desgavellat. Jerzy Kosinski, el desenganyat autor d’El pájaro pintado, està de tornada i ens pinta la cosa humana com una bèstia cruel, ignorant, supersticiosa, brutal, incapaç de cap sentiment d’empatia, intrínsicament estúpida. Kosinski escup sobre el salvatge feliç de Rosseau, vomita sobre la doctrina cristiana d’amor a l’altre, trepitja la tradició literària de la infantesa dolça i innocent. Ep, no us enganyeu no hi ha salvació possible, només un campi qui pugui despiadat, la vida al camp no redimeix a ningú, la religió és una faula que només contribueix a perpetuar la il·lusió del bé, la solidaritat entre iguals és una quimera, etcètera.

The painted bird -en anglès a l'original, tot i ser d'autor polonès- és una variant una mica refinada de gore pur i dur. Tot és cru i explícit. Kosinski explica la rereguarda de la guerra sense amanir-la amb subtilitats ni metàfores, sino que te la embuteix directament a pressió sense ni tan sols passar-la per la planxa, i es queda tan tranquil. I, no obstant, al pròleg ens diu això:


Tal vez, la mejor prueba de que no exageré la brutalidad y la crueldad que caracterizaron a los años de guerra en Europa oriental la constituye el hecho de que algunos de mis antiguos compañeros de escuela, que consiguieron ejemplares clandestinos de El pájaro pintado, escribieron luego que la novela era un relato bucólico cuando se la comparaba con las experiencias que muchos de ellos y sus familias padecieron durante la conflagración. Me acusaron de diluir la verdad histórica y de complacer servilmente la sensibilidad de los anglosajones.

Gros, molt gros.

Hi ha una història. La d’un nen de sis anys que és enviat lluny de la seva llar, durant la Segona Guerra Mundial, en un intent desesperat dels seus pares de mantenir-lo allunyat del perill. Aquest nen ens explica en primera persona com menyspreat, odiat, temut i maltractat per tothom va rodolant de desgràcia en desgràcia, en una mena de malson inimaginable. El nen és morenet i canta com una almeja en un mon de pells àries, cabells rossos i ulls blaus. En definitiva, tots es pensen que és un gitanot malvat que els llançarà malediccions mortals a la primera de canvi.

Hi ha alguns personatges alegrement sàdics que Kosinski deixa anar al llarg de la novela com qui allibera els gossos de presa perquè fagin de les seves. Ara em ve al cap el moliner gelós al qual arriben rumors que el camperol del poble mira de forma impúdica la seva dona. I que, després d’invitar-lo diplomàticament a sopar a la seva llar, li arranca els ulls amb una cullera. Ulls que, abans de ser esclafats per les botes no tant diplomàtiques del moliner, reboten pel terra com aquelles pilotetes de goma amb les que jugàvem al pati del cole: flop, flop, flop.

També hi ha els trens plens a rebossar de jueus i gitanos que passen per la via propera a una petita vila, i una pressumpta mare que decideix llançar el seu fill amb el tren en marxa convençuda que els habitants del poble l’ajudaran, li curaran les ferides, l’amagaran dels alemanys, li oferiran l’oportunitat d’una nova vida. I d’altra banda hi ha els propis habitants del poble, que en trobar el nen agonitzant enmig del bosc es limiten a esperar que mori per robar-li les sabates i la roba.

O l’home solitari -inspirat en fets reals i titolant de la novela- que, per venjar-se d’un mal d’amor, agafa ocells salvatges i els pinta les plomes de colors brillants. Acte seguit els deixa alçar el vol a la recerca dels seus familiars i amics i espera a veure com aquests, desconcertats pels colors de les seves plomes, el considerin au non grata i el massacrin entre tots. Després, el complagut caçador observa com l’au de colors cau, ja convertida en una massa sagnant.

Jerzy Kosinski, amb la cara que se't queda després de llegir el seu llibre

La novela de Kosinski és una mica com aquest ocell pintat, ens diu el propi autor. La va escriure, la va deixar volar lliurement i va observar com la casta política d’aquí i d’allà, la premsa d’un i altre règim, l’opinió pública d’arreu, es llançaven voraçment sobre ella i la destrossaven, la prohibien, l’acusaven d’afavorir la potència enemiga i la titllaven dimpía, d’insult a la pàtria, a la comunitat, a la tradició i a la pròpia espècie. Cosa que, em perdoni la legítima autora d'aquest bloc, és un afalac per a qualsevol obra escrita i per escriure. Ja va bé que de tant en tant algú trii la primera forma d'explicar la veritat.

Olympic shock. Eye uses P**** on its cover

Private Eye doesn't seem to have bought into this wave of goodwill that the rest of the media is projecting on to the Olympics. Very funny though.

SUEÑOS DE MAR

Y fue el mar el que en una de sus olas me trajo la inspiración. Yo soy una firme soñadora. Cuando no sueño despierta por el pasillo de casa, me dedico la noche entera a soñar. Además reconozco que soñar me hace feliz. Esta noche mi sueño me ha llevado a un restaurante con ornamentos marineros y barcos de ultramar. El mar nos acogía en un escenario perfecto de luz y de color. Doce personas éramos los invitados a la fiesta, todos vestidos para la ocasión; el blanco resplandeciente de las camisas armonizaba con rostros distendidos y miradas animadas. Miradas llanas que estrechaban manos y daban paso a contactos más cercanos. Creo que celebrábamos algo especial, la llegada del buen tiempo y el principio de las vacaciones. El camarero nos recomendaba el menú del día en unas grandes cartas doradas. Cuando el camarero se alejó los diálogos se abrazaron alrededor de la mesa. De lejos vi el puente del petróleo y desvinculándome de las voces pensé que Badalona es hermosa. Me dejé llevar por un instante y caminé por la arena, iluminada por el sol, y a lo lejos oí el sonido de una melodía, lo seguí y me llevó hasta el puente. Vi a un hombre al final del puente, me daba la espalda. Yo me acerqué lentamente a él y, mientras la música acariciaba mi alma, le toqué el hombro. El hombre se volvió y vi que llevaba una cámara fotográfica colgada alrededor del cuello. Cogió la cámara y la sostuvo entre sus manos, y en el momento justo en el que iba a hacerme una fotografía, la cámara, el hombre, el puente, el club náutico, desaparecieron bajo las olas. Entonces me he despertado. Que hermoso es soñar! no hay limites y todo es posible.

Badalona, 27 de julio de 2012

Dragons, Scorpion Zappers and Mountains carved out of Stone

Looking down,
I was somewhat surprised to find the chart on my knee did not have a deep carmine image stamped on it to indicate that 'ye should beware of dragons'. I was approaching the Tibesti mountains at 10,000ft and 149kts, I had often talked about them when speaking about MAF's work in Chad but till the last couple of weeks I had not seen them except from the comfort of an airliner, so that does not count.  The previous week they had looked almost friendly, perhaps somewhat like a caged lion, their 1000 hues of brown and umber truly impressive when viewed under a jay blue sky that stretched forever and back again. Today though they painted a very different picture, looking almost evil, dark, malevolent; as rain & lightening where watering and splitting rocks on this usually arid moonscape of tumbling boulders, ravines and cliff faces that stretched up to 11000ft. I gently probed the foothill boundaries looking for a suitable gap but the flash of dragon fire was sufficient for me to decide that they had decided to bar all visitors today, so I bounced into a hard left bank and left them to themselves and skirted around them till I spotted a clear passage. Getting over the Tibesti's and on into Bardi some 80 miles south of the Libyan border is usually but 5hrs total flying in a Caravan, though an upload of fuel in Faya Largeau is required and makes for a welcome leg stretch, whilst a few folk hitch a lift on a military transport the alternate is 6 nights & 7 days on the 'road' across at times virtually trackless golden desert in the hands of a kamakazi desert driver's land Cruiser or up to perhaps 12/14 days perched on/in the back of a lorry or similar. This is a beautiful, stark, landscape, an unforgiving region for the ill prepared or unwary, remote and little visited area but populated by lovely desert people.

Jim Le Huray our diminutive pilot also popped in to the centre
The two trips I made up did here were for very different reasons but actually both had the same aims, which basically was to make a difference to both the local populace and those who work in the region. One involved flying technicians to service a remote antennae and solar powered aircraft communications station and the other to support a language project which in the last few years has enabled the Teda written language (unwritten 20 years ago) to blossom, such that a new dictionary and the first copies of a Teda newspaper printed in Libya are now being published. Having the written word is of great importance in a keeping a culture intact and healthy. The small centre is also able to offer the local community English teaching and introductory computer courses as well as the  use of a small library.

We also brought up a scorpion zapper, it probably has a far more technical name, in a nut shell it puts out a pretty healthy electric current (not unlike that from a cattle fence) which is passed through the sting and brings tremendous relief from the pain caused by the toxins, it has been used with great effect by missions in remote areas.  Whilst dismissed by some medics, it works well with scorpion and snake bites and the results are well documented and they have been used to save many lives as well as bring pain relief to many, you only need to speak with those who use them regularly to see they are a great tool. In the week between flights they used it 4 times on scorpion stings, here it is in use when this chap was stung by a scorpion which at first he had thought was a mouse!

My taste of the local driving involved a 25 minute drive through some pretty wild country from the sandy airstrip to the small town built around scores of date palms, whilst fun for half an hour it made me very quick to appreciate the advantages of flight! Chad is a remarkable country and what a gift I have been given to be part of the team that stretches around the world making a difference to people in some of the remotest communities on earth.




ACV Tirant


Després d'haver col·laborat (i d'haver afonat) els diaris digitals Pica'm i l'Informatiu i d'haver propiciat l'ERO de RTVV en passar pel programa Alta Fidelitat de Ràdio 9, els responsables de l'ACV Tirant lo Blanc m'han convidat a participar a la Universitat del Tirant, que tindrà lloc a València al mes de setembre, per parlar de producció cultural.

Sí: "Producció cultural".

Poca broma.


Daily Office - Jul 27

Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901

Psalm 17
Hear my just cause, O Lord; consider my complaint; listen to my prayer, which comes not from lying lips. Let my vindication come forth from your presence; let your eyes behold what is right. Weigh my heart, examine me by night, refine me, and you will find no impurity in me. My mouth does not trespass for earthly rewards; I have heeded the words of your lips. My footsteps hold fast in the ways of your commandments; my feet have not stumbled in your paths. I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; incline your ear to me, and listen to my words. Show me your marvellous loving-kindness, O Saviour of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who assault me, from my enemies who surround me to take away my life. They have closed their heart to pity and their mouth speaks proud things. They press me hard, they surround me on every side, watching how they may cast me to the ground, like a lion that is greedy for its prey,
like a young lion lurking in secret places. Arise, Lord; confront them and cast them down; deliver me from the wicked by your sword. Deliver me, O Lord, by your hand from those whose portion in life is unending, whose bellies you fill with your treasure, who are well supplied with children
and leave their wealth to their little ones. As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness; when I awake and behold your likeness, I shall be satisfied.

Psalm 19
The heavens are telling the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. One day pours out its song to another and one night unfolds knowledge to another. They have neither speech nor language and their voices are not heard, yet their sound has gone out into all lands and their words to the ends of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun, that comes forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber and rejoices as a champion to run his course. It goes forth from the end of the heavens and runs to the very end again, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey, dripping from the honeycomb. By them also is your servant taught and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can tell how often they offend? O cleanse me from my secret faults! Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins lest they get dominion over me; so shall I be undefiled, and innocent of great offence. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

1 Samuel 13:5-18
The Philistines mustered to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and troops like the sand on the seashore in multitude; they came up and encamped at Michmash, to the east of Beth-aven. When the Israelites saw that they were in distress (for the troops were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns. Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
He waited for seven days, the time appointed by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people began to slip away from Saul. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt-offering here to me, and the offerings of well-being.’ And he offered the burnt-offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt-offering, Samuel arrived; and Saul went out to meet him and salute him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul replied, ‘When I saw that the people were slipping away from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were mustering at Michmash, I said, “Now the Philistines will come down upon me at Gilgal, and I have not entreated the favour of the Lord”; so I forced myself, and offered the burnt-offering.’ Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which he commanded you. The Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel for ever, but now your kingdom will not continue; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart; and the Lord has appointed him to be ruler over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.’ And Samuel left and went on his way from Gilgal. The rest of the people followed Saul to join the army; they went up from Gilgal towards Gibeah of Benjamin.
Saul counted the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. Saul, his son Jonathan, and the people who were present with them stayed in Geba of Benjamin; but the Philistines encamped at Michmash. And raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies; one company turned towards Ophrah, to the land of Shual, another company turned towards Beth-horon, and another company turned towards the mountain that looks down upon the valley of Zeboim towards the wilderness.

Luke 22:63-end
Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ They kept heaping many other insults on him.
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’

The Collect
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Beautiful Thursday sunset

Over the last week or so we've had a number of stunning sunsets here in Port Elizabeth.  Unfortunately I was just never in a position to get a photo, but that was until last night.  I spotted the sky changing colour through the lounge window, grabbed my camera and ran out into the street.  And presto, here it is straight out the camera with no adjustments made.

The Times gets off to cracking Olympic start


So, Britain is on the eve of its biggest sporting occasion ever. Not even the World Cup in 1966 or the Olympics in 1948 can match this one. For newspapers that means the chance to go for it ... to create a memorable, historic front page. It's not as easy as it sounds though. The front pages that create themselves are those that record something that has happened. You have photographs, quotes, victims, perpetrators and a record of events. The hardest are those that preview an event and try to report on something that hasn't happened yet. That's when creativity, planning, headline writers, photographers, writers and layout artists all have to come together to build something special. So how do today's papers fare?
For me, The Times wins it by an Olympic mile. A stunning photograph of only two colours used as a classy wrapround. If you'd told me ten years ago the Times would lead on a magenta splash headline, I wouldn't have believed it. But it works. The back page quote by the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, is a nice counter to all the corporate nonsense that has surrounded the Games so far. The picture is by the Press Association's Dominic Lipinski @domlipinski. Really deserved a byline.



The Daily Star and Daily Telegraph aren't natural bedfellows but both use the same photograph and, more or less, the same headline. Great photo, although I'm not sure that too much effort has gone into the Let's party/Get the party started approach. 
Despite the universal outburst of positivity, the brilliant Matt still manages to add his waspish view.
The Mirror uses the same picture as the Telegraph and Star and adds a trademark pun to the splash headline. It also tries hard to wipe the slate clean ... by reminding us of all the awful things that have gone before.


The Daily Mail also has a lively picture across the full width. This time it's 81-year-old Torch bearer Florence Rowe dancing outside 10 Downing Street, with Dave and Sam Cameron in the background. It certainly reflects the joy of the Olympics. The headline is on the predictable side - although stronger than Let's Party. But is the ! really necessary?

Instead of gravitas, The Guardian goes for circus. It's main picture is not really an iconic image ... Ab Fab stars Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders partying with the Olympic Torch in London. In contrast the headline has a certain poignancy. One way to deal with something that hasn't happened yet is to get the best writers on the job ... and typically The Guardian does that brilliantly with a think piece from author and columnist Jonathan Freedland.


The Independent wipes out the front page with a classic London symbol - a double decker red bus in Oxford Street.


The Sun has also comes up with iconic British symbols ... all expected to appear in tonight's opening ceremony. Perhaps inspired by Linford Christie's famous claim that he started races on the B of the Bang, they all begin with B. They are an interesting choice ... Bond, Becks, Beatles, The Baked Bean (why the definite article?). What else could they have thrown into the mix ... Beef, Beer, Buses, Big Brother, Breakfasts, Bovril, Brass Rubbing, Blackpool Tower, Buckingham Palace, The Beano, Bingo, Bubble and Squeak, Binge drinking, Bad Weather?  The list is endless. Could have filled the whole paper. 

The Express manages to get the royal family, including the ubiquitous Kate, into its Olympic picture but decides that pensioners being ripped off by the taxman is far more important.
 The FT chooses an arty shot but also decides there are weightier issues to lead on. With the Nomura axe falling on top staff, who could argue?
All very positive though ... fingers crossed for more spectacular and good news pages in the weeks ahead.
Thanks to @hendopolis #tomorrowspaperstoday






  

Market Square aerial

I was very disappointed the day I saw that the municipality started to allow officials to use Market Square as a parking lot.  Tourists wanting to have a look around have to dodge cars and when you want to take a nice picture there is always a vehicle in the way.  Plus I don't think the paving put down on Market Square was done with a view that it would be come a parking lot so I'm sure at some stage in the very near future we will see some serious damage being done to it.  I just thought I wanted to get that off my chest.  The picture of the Port Elizabeth City Hall and Market Square was taken from the top of the Sky Deck on one of the adjacent buildings.

Apps v newsprint ... which wins?


So how many of you have cast aside your daily newspaper and opted for the app version only? Is it like quitting smoking? Reaching for the paper when your coffee arrives only to realise you have to download today's edition on to your iPad? Well, I recently quit reading national newspapers ... a habit I have had for almost 50 years. More specifically, I stopped reading newsprint. Instead I spent a month gaining my daily news fix from a range of apps. I have to say it was less painful than I expected and some of the apps, particularly The Times, had worthwhile extras. My briefcase was a lot lighter too. But now I am back with the old inky stuff, at least for the time being. Find out why in this article, in the latest InPublishing magazine.