Easter excitement, and my fare-well to you

Every day we should celebrate the amazing good news that Love is stronger than death, that Truth always trumps lies, that God surprises us by revealing his awesome self in ways which can touch us deeply in the ordinary things of life. Easter is especially dedicated to all Jesus gave us in example, forgiveness, zest, humour, and humanity.

He's our rock, and source of energy. He's reliability, and adventure. If you want boring stay put. If you want excitement follow him.

I leave you in God's good hands, with a real sense of excitement for your future. After 40 years 'vicaring' I need a complete change, and will be enjoying retirement opportunities to write as Elder Adok. I'm really looking forward to another evolution of God's faith in me as I return to civistreet.

Link an inkjet printer I've had different colours to work. You've been very patient putting up with me for over 23 years. There have been phases during that time when I've been part of teams that: designed, built, and thrive in the Church Rooms; trained curates to become vicars; assisted C of E Churches in the borough through new appointments, joys, and sadness; evolved the Community Angels; but most of all being part of our gorgeous communities next to the sea.

Fare well, and may God bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you, and may he give you his peace, his wisdom, his strength, his love, and his laughter. And may the blessing of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit rest upon you always.

Take up, not give up!

The privilege of serving local communities lets me see how we are ticking. The second and third 'lockdowns' have seemed harder to bear than the first. At one level that's not logical because the first was largely an unknown open-ended challenge, whereas 2 and 3 were/are shorter with more of the same. Landing on the moon in 1969 was not exactly straightforward, so it's hardly surprising that coping with a pandemic has its problems!

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Perhaps it's the feeling of going backwards; progress is often 3 steps forward, 2 back, 3 forward. Unrealistic expectations have been dashed; a normal Christmas reduced to a day, with strong guidance to avoid mixing at all. It could be that we've had a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, but are still in dark dank conditions.

So how about treating yourself this Lent instead of giving things up. We've had to give up so much! I'm not arguing we overdose on chocolate, rather bathe in what's wholesome. Here are some examples. Observing nature unwrap the seasons from a similar viewpoint each day.

www.bbc.co.uk

Research has shown that watching programmes about fellow creatures lifts our mood; I find short extracts just before turning in put life in perspective. Surely respect for nature is our top priority, beginning with each other, the challenge of global warming, and reuse/recycling so that we don't exhaust our supply of raw materials.

Covid has made me less patient with myself. I'll be taking up the Lent challenge of giving more time to what energises me: observation, music, creativity, friendships, exercise, beer!?

May God bless us as we spoil ourselves in order to be better at spoiling others!

Certainty & surprise

Adventure is a mix of certainty and surprise. If everything is predictable, well why bother with such boredom? Going out totally unprepared would be crazy too. Perhaps the mix is illustrated by a 'toss a penny' walk. Stick you coat on and take a coin.

Go out your front door, and then toss the penny to decide whether to turn right or left. At the next junction do the same, and so on. These walks have the capacity to get tedious very quickly, for example you might end up in a cul-de-sac or find yourself going round in circles [bit like our Covid challenge!], you could find yourself completely lost; on the other hand they can take you where you've never been before.

What we need is a balance between certainty and surprise. Many have told me how difficult having hopes raised only for them to be dashed at the last minute. They have also spoken of discovering better priorities, and new relationships with neighbours and nature. It is realistic to believe certainty will increase this year.

Jesus gave very practical advice about worrying: take a day at a time, and keep things in perspective. [Matthew 6.25-34 has more]. You might ask what this means for me as I near retirement in April.

Well, this last year we have certainly gained new perspectives with worship on-line being as important as in-church. More follow Facebook than attend church, but it's an amazing privilege to be safely with others.

I am making preparations to write my third novel [the first only took 18 years!], another couple of children's books, and publish these Views through Hiss Farm Concepts. It will be great to have quality blocks of time without interruption, but I will miss the huge privilege of being with you through thick and thin.

So it's more adventure for all of us. Bring it on!!

Radicalisation is good for us?

Looks like Covid 19 is going to take at least a year, and we've been finding out what roots we have to take us through this challenge. In many ways we've become more radical, in the sense of rooted ~ and that's good! Many have told me how watching nature through the seasons has helped keep them sane.

Of course there's another understanding of radical, and that's someone who loosens ties the that bind and goes off in a completely different direction. Perhaps we need a bit of both as we find ourselves in 2021. Let me explain.

Psalm 1 speaks about trees with good roots being stable regardless of the weather challenges they face, and we need reliable truths to hang onto. At the same time flexibility to think in new ways is vital. Covid has given technology a fast forward, and we certainly won't return to square one.

Shopping will be different, so will meetings, and sharing worship outside church buildings. These give us huge opportunities, but there are risks. Worship could just be marketed like some product, and vicars might become online stars!? We need to keep our feet on the ground, and make sure worship doesn't become just another branch of our excellent entertainment industry.

There's lots of mileage in the idea of a Church [people not buildings] being like living stones. They don't rattle up and down like pebbles on a beach, but show a home for companionship, prayer, praise, healing, wisdom, laughter, peace, creativity, and glimpses into eternity. 

As we begin a new year we should be proud of how much we have evolved and adapted, but we always need the Good Lord's guidance. There are many challenges ahead! This prayer may help us.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference."

Every Christmas should be different

Same old, same old ... kills off any celebration. We need to constantly evolve as circumstances change. Christmas should radicalise us! Not in some daft self-righteous sense, but because it reminds us of our roots. Jesus Christ was born under a bureaucratic lockdown when everyone had to register in the place where they were born. 

www.dailymail.co.uk

Brexit is a tea party [no offence to any Americans welcomed among us] compared to the political chaos of his day. Roman imperialism vied with puppet kings and religious authorities for control of peoples lives. His 'NHS' was overstretched, and so his birth took place in a stable.

This will be my last Christmas with you, and I have celebrated many under wildly different circumstances: tragic funerals either side, festive weddings, baptisms at the Springhead with Salvation Army leading carols, personal traffic of one sort or another. And every time the story of the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe giving our little planet his message of love has been mind-blowing and heart-warming.

www.nasa.gov

We may well have to be physically distanced from each other, but it's vital we remain socially close. God didn't maintain superior physical distance, but became intimate in the Christ child. May we accept such wonder into our hearts and minds.

A very happy, peaceful, and fun Christmas for all of us.

Bubbles easily pop

I've been done for speeding, and as a result am a safer driver. For example, I deliberately change down a gear for speed restrictions. It annoys me when others complain about speed cameras because they improve safety for all of us. The same applies about Covid etiquette; it's there for everybody. Bubbles are important but so easily pop.

itv.com

Right now complacency is a real risk, especially since our local count is relatively low. Be assured though that at least a couple of schools have had to reduce numbers because of positive Covid tests. One of our relatives has it, and his family network is isolating. We'll only beat this thing if we're persistent, careful, and use belts as well as braces.

May I encourage you to invest in a smart mobile that can operated NHS track & trace; the app works easily, and is uncluttered. I also recommend https://covid.joinzoe.com/ which assists in forecasting positive cases. The two are completely separate but can play a part in us looking after each other.

https://picjumbo.com/

The devil is described as a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour. It's a frightening image which brings to mind evil that cannot be seen. There's for more good in our world, but we should never be complacent about aiming for the best in life, for ourselves and for others.

Ringing true

I've been listening to some BBC pods on the manufacturing of doubt, a technique to muddy the waters of truth. Two good examples spring to mind: smoking kills but was not publicly banned in England until 2007 [2005 in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales]; fossil fuels cause global warming but some still don't accept this even now. Active doubt sources have delayed acceptance of truth.

bbc.co.uk

The new game is rowing back on agreements. Our government has publicly admitted defaulting on Brexit, and condoning 'eye test' behaviour while expecting everyone else to follow Covid 19 etiquette. Jesus had harsh words against any form of hypocrisy or self-righteousness. So what should you and I do?

How about celebrating truth in the way we tell it? There's no such thing as a cantankerous Christian; Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding reception. He delighted in celebrating true love. Of course we might be sad or heartbroken by the weight we carry, but God's love seeks our eternal fulfilment. We can delight in the truth that sets us free.

The greatest sermons don't need words!? If we ring true that can be far more powerful than grand clever pronouncements. It's not about slick performance, no it's being real that counts.

www.building.co.uk

We should encourage truth at every level. We should tell it how it is! It belongs to us all, like tax. If someone fiddles their tax return to pay less than they should, they're defrauding you and me. If someone breaks the speed limit [hands up, I have] they are making our roads less safe. Take away truth and our world ceases up.

Delighting in the truth is an excellent pastime.

Silver lining?

Just imagine what it would feel like if a massive explosion in the old Weymouth ferry terminal devastated a large part of the quay and sea front. That's what happened in Beirut. Can anything good come from such an appalling tragedy?

Photo credit: @fdia_art

The answer is yes. On a small scale, a Lebanese artist Fatima Dia has auctioned this picture to raise funds for those in need. It focuses on the explosion and loss of many lives, yet it speaks of hope through colour and possibility.

There are other signs too. For years those in power have shown contempt for their electorate, and been blatant in corruption. A trickle of resignations led to the government relinquishing power. This creates new opportunities for justice and peace in a beautiful cosmopolitan part of the world.

The blast may be a turning point, rather like a trail of dominoes knocking each other over. Do pray and give for healing of the individuals and wider communities involved, that there will be real silver from such a ghastly cloud.

www.darrenscherbain.com

 

It's the 75th anniversary of two other horrific blasts: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Not fertiliser but atomic bombs. Some have argued that it brought World War II to an earlier close, and thus saved lives. Others have said that the opening Russian front was what actually made the difference, and peace would have been signed without those bombs.

Either way, who would have believed that America and Japan would become such close allies. Apparently post Brexit Britain is seeking to muscle into that relationship too.

Where does Christianity fit into all this? It's fundamentally about new beginnings through forgiveness, and new life when all seems to have failed. That's Easter.

It's also about hope, even in the ghastly times. The Old Testament book of Lamentations pulls no punches about the utter despair of being under siege. Yet it also holds out hope, even in such desperate times. So let me quote chapter 3, verses 19 to 23:

The thought of my suffering and homelessness

is bitter beyond words. 

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

After the clap it's up to us

Annemarie Plas, a Dutch expatriate living in London, copied the clap for our carers from a similar event that she had seen in the Netherlands. It caught on, and we were particularly encouraged locally when the ocean going liners anchored in Weymouth Bay joined in with their hooters.

The weekly Thursday clap has now been wound up to be replaced by an annual clap on the anniversary of the founding of the NHS [72 years old on 5 July this year]. However I think it's now up to us to generate and enjoy community conversations, and to bear one another's burdens.

Jesus was always chatting with those around him, and he invited us to share challenges with him. In fact he invites us to learn from him so we don't get weighed down by worries but find that our spirits are liberated; the we can carry loads with ease.

So, when you feel like it and the weather is fine, why not tell you neighbours that you'd like them to join you for a cuppa on the street?

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I did that recently and we had a great time. Nobody else joined in, but that didn't matter because others might have shut down some of our banter. Things don't always have to be on a huge or national scale! Over these coming months it's very much up to us how we behave.

I'm certain that we will have to learn to crawl before we walk, and running may well be some time away. Meanwhile, God's surprising blessings in this pandemic adventure.

How are we doing?

At last Weymouth Crematorium has gone back to the usual 45 minute service times. For the last couple of months it's been just 30 minutes so, bearing in mind that the Chapel is disinfected between each service, we've had 15 minutes to give thanks for someone's life. The staff there have been brilliant, and at no small risk to themselves.

In mid April the King's College, London Covid 19 app flagged up that Weymouth and Portland was a hot-spot equivalent to East London boroughs, and certainly the crematorium had only a few spare spaces for weeks. Put those two bits of information together, and it tells me we must be careful not to relax too quickly. All this took place before the influx of day-trippers crowding out Durdle Door.

Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination! and there is argument over the usefulness of  international comparison [which appeared in early government briefings but have not featured recently]. One chart in early June showed that the UK had more deaths than the rest of Europe put together. It is clear that complacency is dangerous, and that is why church buildings are being brought back into use cautiously and gradually.

It's one small important step towards our new norm because church buildings are 'thin' places where heaven overlaps with earth. They are 'houses of prayer' and remind us that investing in our spirits is vital. May God bless us all as we move forward.

Let's go hunting

Our family recently did a joint video version of the Lion Hunt, where everyone copies the leader's actions and chant 'Can't go round it, can't go over it, have to go through it!'. There follow sound effects of climbing trees, crossing bridges, going through swamps etc to discover a cave where the lion is hiding and waiting for them. At high speed the petrified troupe have to reverse all the sounds in the right order until reaching the safety of home.

animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/strange-lion-facts

The Coronavirus Challenge is one for the whole world, alongside halting climate change, stopping littering, and vastly reducing waste. We've got to go through it and, unlike the lion hunt, can't reverse things at high speed. Socialising at a distance is to be part of the new norm, but thank God for all the contacts we've been enjoying through the web. Incidentally, please keep a lookout for those who can't join in, and who won't have a printed Register this month. 

Sorry there was no View from me last time; I was incredibly busy trying to establish a pattern for Phase 1, and coping with the immense privilege of many mini-funerals. Incidentally they are honouring, heartbreaking, and at times intimate [at a distance, so no panic!?], even fun. it's so amazing to give thanks to the Almighty for the miracle of life.

If you've not found it yet I'm on Facebook as canon.tim.west and normally post a couple of times each day. If you're not on Facebook then let me know you email address, and I can send you a link [bcc to protect your privacy]. A video link just needs to be opened, and you're away without having to join Facebook.

www.esquireme.com

Coronavirus Challenge Phase 2 is likely to include masks [Darth Vader or otherwise!?], and will mean socialising at a distance. We will evolve slowly. This applies to worship events too. Each setting is different, so solutions will be unique for ages, locations, and type of worship. It is unlikely that Holy Communion will be distributed conventionally until a vaccine has taken effect, however many have received the simple symbols of bread and wine at home while watching one of my Sunday posts.

Love never recognises boundaries, whether time, space, virus, or anything else. As St Paul put it in his famous Poem 'Love never ends' [1 Corinthians 13.8]. Jesus described himself as the Way, Truth, and Life. 

May he be our leader on this hunt for a better future.

Being a selfish hypocrite

The Lent course for Ridgeway Churches has been brilliant because imaginative, participatory, realistic, diverse, and honest. One session comes to mind. We were considering becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and realised that we could be hypocritically smug. Why? It all began at Ironbridge.

www.shropshire-guide.co.uk

Great Britain exported the industrial revolution across the world, and stoked a seemingly insatiable appetite for the earth's resources. Last year was the highest demand since records began. We have to be honest with ourselves because we should take into account our historical debt. We need to absorb carbon dioxide to play a fair role in respecting nature.

The situation is serious, as shown by the increasing abnormal weather events. Temporary flood barriers gave way at Ironbridge, and we should spare a thought for thousands whose homes have been devastated, and for many farmers unable to work the land.

www.standard.co.uk

The Lent group has recommended that our Churches appoint Parish Eco-Warriors [PEWs] to keep us up to scratch. Rightly, we take welcome and care of each other seriously [safeguarding], so why not do the same for our planet?

Jesus talked about those looking at a speck in someone else's eye without realising they had a plank in their own. His exaggeration makes the point powerfully. We can too easily pontificate without accepting responsibility for our own actions. I found the Lent group really challenged my outlook.

Faith = Belief x Action

I'll have mixed emotions when I first receive a Brexit 50p coin, and perhaps that's exactly right. We've been told to choose one option or the other: in or out, control or influence, border or not.

 

Jesus' actions were challenged by a trick binary choice: should he pay taxes to the emperor or not. He asked for a coin [Matthew 22.15-22] and flagged up that it had two sides, one bearing the emperor's head. He argued that his challengers had responsibilities both to God and to the emperor.

It is unclear quite where the United Kingdom goes from here, but whatever the outcome it should include a balance between all our responsibilities. Open debate is essential, and the disturbing trend in government of avoiding scrutiny is a dangerous path. Jesus responded to questions, and asked many himself. 'Speaking truth to power' is the motto of the United Nations; we all need to be held to account.

The famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel's father believed that he could build a tunnel from Kent to France. As I understand it the Chunnel actually starts at the original site of what proved to be a hopelessly optimistic attempt. He had belief but his actions didn't bare it out.

Several generations after that failure tunnelling machines working from France and Britain met under the English Channel. 25 years later an average of 60,000 passengers pass through the tunnel each day, along with 4,600 trucks, 140 coaches and 7,300 cars; that's about a quarter of our continental trade.

The faith of many thousands involved was demonstrated by their actions in turning their collective belief into reality. It wasn't easy, but adventures rarely are. However, they left an amazing legacy, and a fine example of greener travel because it's powered without using carbon fuels.

You and I won't build a tunnel, but the small details of our living can present the same challenge: will we #makeadifference by demonstrating our beliefs through action? I thank God so many do, and add my hearty encouragement.

Adventure, and toothbrushes

Robust romance leads to adventure, so if I send or receive a fleeting gesture on Valentine's Day it's unlikely to be remembered. On the other hand if I live in a grace-full way as opposed to a grace-less one, then life will be more exciting and rewarding.

East Suffolk Council

After Christmas I try to thank any 'recycling operatives', the fantastic people clearing away the tons of rubbish after our celebrations. They are often cheery, even though only getting one or two days holiday. So much of what they collect is the residue of fleeting gestures.

The amazing lego kits will be built, jigsaws done, internet bombarded with a myriad of new devices ... and what will last? Imagination to create something different from all those coloured bricks; websites giving inspiration, perspective, and humour; and above all relationships that evolve with generosity.

In September 2018 I bought some bamboo toothbrushes [as if only cleaning one tooth?!]. I was delighted to be asked in a pub what had happened to them. Well, the spent brushes didn't go to landfill; instead I used them as kindling to light the wood burner. It felt good not to add more plastic to the environment.

by Ash Mills

At first sight this stunning picture makes it look like Salisbury Cathedral is flooded; in fact the reflection is on water filling the font. The image reminds us of our relationship with nature. Will we be graceful towards her beauty and power, or treat her as a dump? 

Half hour worship by candlelight takes place in St Andrew's at 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. We've just finished a series on marriage, and celebrated a core part of life which needs support from everyone, whether married or not. Some of the wisest counsellors are single and can see the wood from the trees.

In in all our relationships with each ourselves, with other, with different cultures, and with nature may we seek the greatest fulfilment. Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding. He blessed adventure.

20-20 Vision!

With a quick backward glance Café Church looked forward to possibilities for silicon and carbon. We started by agreeing that endless arguments about the Big Bang were rather pointless.

www.tubefilter.com

The Higgs-Boson was discovered in 2012, and promptly called the 'God Particle', but who put it there? As I understand it, this enables mass to be created. Or in other words we've seen the firework display that is our universe, now we've found the firework. By the way, all are welcome to Café Church or any other worship for that matter.

Looking to the future [something natural at the beginning of a year], we asked the question: if carbon and silicon are right next door to each other in the periodic table does it mean they have a future together? Could that be part of our natural evolution? What was in a laptop a few years ago is now in a mobile phone, and artificial intelligence [AI] is making itself at home more and more.

axial.acs.org

St Paul wrote that Christians should be marked by renewal of their minds, not changing opinion sporadically but considering possibilities for the future. Jesus talked about young people having visions, and elders dreaming. In other words we look back to see forward and come to clear judgements. Discoveries won't be put back in their box, but just because we can do something doesn't mean we should.

A very Happy New Year, with peace in heart and mind. Here's to 20-20 vision!

How should I vote this Christmas?

It would be wrong to tell you which political party to vote for but it's appropriate to suggest things to consider in making a choice. Here's a list which might help in choosing who to support:
 1) are they taking green issues seriously?
 2) do you trust that their promises will be honoured?
 3) are they balancing justice with mercy?
 4) do empowerment and aspiration feature?
 5) will they be a good constituency MP?
 6) and are they addressing Brexit?

As I shake hands after worship in the Church it's not unusual to hear a wide range of opinions about party political issues. That's great because it demonstrates that faith brings with it responsibility to vote, to play a part in the community, our nation, and through appropriate world-wide causes.

Going back to my suggestions [and of course there are many other factors], let me argue for those who are not old enough to vote but are clearly expressing their concerns through demonstrations right across the world. 1, 4 & 6 have vital long-term implications in a world largely controlled by vested interest. Our votes should represent those without an electoral voice. Incidentally, I think 16 would be a good age to begin voting; after all it's when you can get married without parental permission!

2, 3 & 5 are about the integrity of the candidates. Being a Member of Parliament is an amazingly difficult role to fulfil, with instant social media reporting or distorting responses to questions. However Jesus was a master at responding to those trying to catch him out. A classic response to a binary question was to ask for a coin. Are you on God's side or the emperor's? He said a coin had two sides, and so our allegiance is both to state and to God.

The miracle of Christmas is that God showed himself to us in human form through the baby Jesus. He was the ultimate constituency member because he grew up to become involved in all aspects of life, and that gave him the right to be our Representative.

So lastly, do vote for those who take faith seriously, and a very Happy Christmas to you.

Life and limb

I was horrified to be reminded recently that only 80 years ago World War II began. It seems that we've only just finished reliving World War I. But of course that's exactly what it must have felt like. I remember being taught that more died in Europe from war last century than in all previous conflicts. And many were damaged in mind or body so they could only really exist afterwards, not thrive.

peace bench by Jurassic Roundabout cycle track

My generation didn't fight in the wars but do have uncles, aunts, and parents who did; or who grew up during the horror. This means first hand memory of those times is fading, and that brings the risk that we take peace for granted.

Sadly since then many have been killed or maimed in Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan to name a few. It has been great to see Help for Heroes emerge alongside the British Legion as a way of recognising this amazing sacrifice, but still we often take Her Majesty's Forces for granted.

It's important to remember the Reserves who make a significant commitment in training so that they are ready to serve if called up. Those working in intelligence are vital in thwarting acts of terror, and giving politicians information on which to make decisions. Our ambulance, police, fire, and coastguard services play an important part too. All in all the numbers involved are huge.

Jesus told a story about a king honouring those who didn't feel worthy of praise because their acts of kindness were natural and spontaneous. 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me' [Matthew 25.40]. The costly commitment to peace is made on behalf of all of us.

With whatever Brexit throws up next, lets make sure we act and speak for peace, to honour the fallen, and recognise all those who work to keep us safe. May we live life to the full as we treasure the extraordinary gift of peace.

Fruit counts

Against my better judgement I had to admit that when I worked in the Central Electricity Generating Board [CEGB] the ruthless managers often achieved more than others. That meant cheaper bills for consumers.

CEGB logo

Jesus taught that judging people by the fruit of their efforts was important. He was quite relaxed about things, even though the political climate of his day would make Brexit seem straightforward. He put it like this: 'Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit [Matthew 7.17]. Some make great claims which result in little, while others achieve beyond expectations. Leaders need to bring the best out of the teams they head. We are held to account for the fruit of our labours.

I might be tempted to write to the Prime Minister as Mr Dominic Cummings, and congratulate him for controlling Boris Johnson so effectively. He is certainly a ruthless manager. Both Cummings and Johnson will be held to account by the fruit they produce. That might be through Parliament, or via social media, or through the ballot box. Whatever the outcome of a confused time in the UK, fruit will tell.

Jesus was no lightweight because his teaching made it clear that diseased trees are cut down and burned. It's a powerful image for all of us. Voting and influencing those in authority are important, but so are day to day actions. We never get this opportunity to make a difference for good again.

In a time of national confusion, we can be crystal clear about our words and actions. Have a good day!

Voluntary victim?

One of our choices in life is between letting the past haunt us, or letting go into future freedom. Easier said than done, but Jesus Christ taught about forgiveness as liberation. One of his well known stories involved different quantities of wood.

He exaggerates to make the point. It's no good trying to get a speck out of someone else's eye if you have a plank of wood in your own eye. Sort that out first, and then you'll be able to see straight to help someone else. All of us make mistakes, so being honest about our own failures means we can advise others without being self-righteous hypocrites.[Matthew 7.1-5 has the full quote]

Seeing straight isn't just for now, it's about past hurts too. Over the years I've had many conversations with those who have been deeply hurt, and some seem to cling on to the pain. It traps them. Where can liberation be found?

Sometimes it can be as simple as letting go of an object, and in so doing symbolically breaking the bond that has ached for many years. I find this particularly helpful, and it's perhaps no accident that Jesus gave us symbols to help us grow in faith: bread and wine for holy communion, water for baptism, and his presence at a wedding [more wine!].

I might put a stone on a windowsill and let it accumulate all the angst that might otherwise eat into me. Then when it's 'loaded' I throw it out to sea. We're not machines as if we could just throw a switch, so sometimes the 'letting go' has to be repeated perhaps in a different way. Over the years I've become better at not carrying unnecessary burdens, even if they were hurtful at the time.

Healing prayer can help, for example the Tuesday and Friday 7.30pm candlelight services at St Andrew's often have [check page 18 in the Register for details] healing prayer received by everyone there, including the leader. Candles can be lit too. You are warmly invited to join these half-hour services which are a real tonic.

Forgiving others is vital too, but sometimes forgiving ourselves is harder. I imagine sitting at a distance from the cross, and witnessing the innocent Christ humiliated in public, hurting beyond words. But he does speak, 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do'.

Pool of trust

Whenever I see someone operating a speed camera I thank them. It might seem odd since I was once caught doing 35 mph past a school, but ever since I've driven more carefully and changed down a gear in restricted zones.

It's important our driving is held to account, and all other actions for that matter. Why? If we keep our collective behaviour on the roads to a high standard, we'll be safer for it. Several local speed restrictions have been lowered to make just that point. It's like a pool of trust.

Imagine if a small minority get away with dangerous driving, it would allow normal behaviour to drop to a lower standard. It's as if the banks of the pool of trust have sprung a leak, and the overall level of trust is going down. On the other hand, if our standards are kept high then the level of trust rises and we're all safer.

A betrayal of individual trust in any sphere of life also reduces the value of trust for all of us. If I fiddle my tax return then everyone else has to pay a bit more to cover the shortfall. We rightly should challenge each others behaviour, not in a self-righteous way because we all make mistakes.

I've noticed local electronic road signs have sometimes been flagging up the message 'Take your litter home like everybody else'. It's a reminder that works because if someone tips stuff out of their car window as they drive along, the verges become polluted for everyone.

And of course this trust pool works at every level including our local and national government. Broken promises, false claims, and downright lies all drain trust from political life. Some of Jesus' strongest words were used against hypocrites. Careful decision, accountability, and clarity help build up trust.

You and I can make a huge difference through our actions, and the quality of our speech. We can increase the level of trust so everyone lives richer lives.

And finally, can you think of any part of normal life that could continue if there was no trust at all?