URBANarmy

Amazing thoughts on reconciliation by Nouwen. "When we are free from the need to judge or condemn, we can become safe places for people to meet in vulnerability and take down the walls that separate them. Being deeply rooted in the love of God, we cannot help but invite people to love one another. When people realise that we have no hidden agendas or unspoken intentions, that we are not trying to gain any profit for ourselves, and that our only desire is for peace and reconciliation, they may find the inner freedom and courage to leave their guns at the door and enter into conversation with their enemies."

The phone rang and I picked it up. The distressed voice was familiar, it wasn't long before I wished I hadn't picked up! "I don't know what to do.... I don't know what to do .... please come I need help" The distress grew ... on both ends of the phone. " There is a terrible mess here and I just can't cope ... there's dog poo everywhere...!" The growing realisation that I needed to go, equalled with a deep regret that I picked up the phone instead of Kate began to consume me.  I looked appealingly as Kate heard my side of the conversation. "dog poo... everywhere ... mess on the bed ... can you wait till your support worker ... no ..." "would it help if I came ...!" My voice almost whispering in hope that it wouldn't be heard. The relief was palpable. I'm glad he heard! I left with the full backing of Kate armed with rubber gloves, bacterial spray and a monster kitchen roll!

There seems to be wrapping papers and gifts all around the hall wherever you look. Some donated by our Sunday worshipping community, but equally loads of gifts have been given from those we share with during the week. An army of wrappers await sthe mamouth wrap tonight. All caught up with the spirit of giving something, of doing something, for the unknown. It is the narratives behind the wrapping paper that make the simple giving of a gift sacramental. The stories of mattresses on the floor without bed clothes, parents struggling with addictions while the children go without, stories that could be right next door behind the pretense of a tired holly wreath on the door. Being a small part of giving while anonymous and distant felt immense last Sunday. A simple phrase used to relay thanks through the social services acute family need coordinator. "Please tell those strangers thank you!"

Strange coincidence - we used John Hick's Peaceable Kingdom together with Isaiah 11 as a backdrop to explore the glory of God yesterday. Today Henri Nouwen's thoughts arrived in my inbox! The Peaceable Kingdom  All of creation belongs together in the arms of its Creator. The final vision is that not only will all men and women recognise that they are brothers and sisters called to live in unity but all members of God's creation will come together in complete harmony. Jesus the Christ came to realise that vision.  Long before he was born, the prophet Isaiah saw it: The wolf will live with the lamb, the panther lie down with the kid, calf, lion and fat-stock beast together, with a little boy to lead them. The cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like the ox. The infant will play over the den of the adder; the baby will put his hand into the viper's lair. No hurt, no harm will be done on all my holy mountain, fo...

Letting the Love and Light Flow Jean Vanier When we begin to discover and to drop the barriers and fears which prevent us from being ourselves and which prevent the life of the Holy Spirit from flowing through us, we become more simple. Simplicity is no more and no less than being ourselves, knowing that we are loved. It is knowing that we are accepted, with our qualities, our flaws and as we are in the depths of our being. Simplicity is letting the love and the light of God flow and shine through us. Source: Community and Growth Thanks Grinner, great quote!

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/12/05/bishops-in-church-attack-prime-minister-welfare-cuts_n_2243278.html?ir=