Somewhere and Nowhere

What does it mean if you realise that you don’t belong anywhere but you feel as though you belong somewhere? All words and thoughts and wondering and probably a waste of time but for me – no!

For me that’s a huge statement and in so many ways a freeing statement as it gives me value for my life and ministry and the days ahead.

I always had a feeling of not belonging but belonging somewhere. I always knew that my life would not be my own but that it belonged to a greater mission. Still making no sense – it hasn’t to me either in many ways and maybe it won’t because what we do here on earth in ministry may only be revealed to us in eternity.

This is not a new sense of thoughts but an even bigger one for me anyhow here I go to explain it.

My family and friendship group has always been large but small in the need to keep my friends close and my small circle of deeply trusted friends even closer.

But my heart and love is large. My love for the Gospel and the mighty effects are second to none. I love fiercely and feel every emotion doubly.

I exaggerate mightily and live large. But I think and grieve and celebrate in private too.

In the last few days I have really seen the need for me to grow and trust God even more. I am being called to challenge the thoughts too. The thoughts that I have about church privilege. The thoughts I have about reaching out to those in need. The thoughts I have about the future and the thoughts I have about returning to the UK can all be wrapped up in the crazy emotions I have.

So where does any of that fit in to not belonging and belonging somewhere. I suppose it doesn’t to anyone else but me.

I am currently listening to “Braving the Wilderness” by Brenè Brown and yesterday I messaged a friend who has read the book and she said it’s been a game-changer for her. You can’t ignore what she (Brene’) says about belonging and self-acceptance. It’s a path I am travelling. It’s a learning curve. Do I accept me as I am and will be? Do I have the courage to go forward in who I am? The woman who has a complex relationship with food and healthy eating. The woman who for a few years after her parents died wasn’t sure who she was. The woman who holds her friends close and loves large. The woman who is loud and really is okay with that. The woman who loves large and fierce. The woman who believes in the power of the Gospel and with that the power of love. The woman who believes in the capabilities of her friends more than her own (that’s normal eh).

That game – changing book might prove a game-changer or not for me, but I do know that in the 24 hours of hearing those words I have a lot to work through.

See Brene’ Brown suggests that to stand in that place is a place of wilderness and it’s where you belong. It’s the place where you can be alone and probably will be. Am i okay about living in the wilderness? The answer is yes and no?

See – a part of me knows that I am happy to be seen as the odd one out – it’s a role I have basically “played” all my life. But the person that needs love and affirmation doesn’t want to be there in the wilderness. Seriously who wants to be the first to stand up or out for an issue! Why would you do that to yourself? Once standing up to a bully got me in trouble, not as much as the bully, but hey. Opening my mouth and speaking out and maybe not saying what people expect can get me in trouble sometimes, because there are moments that when you are out in the “wilderness” that others see you and decide to join you because they maybe don’t have that same courage. Straightaway I go from being alone to being in community. That isn’t always the case but boy does it feel good to be true to me. You can ask me about anything and you will probably get a fairly normal response to most issues. Some i will surprise you with (this isn’t the place to discuss those thoughts), some may make you think that we can’t be friends any longer.

Here’s one I am in the wilderness about often in the very circles I thought people would agree! I really believe that we have to make an effort to reach out to the “traffickers” because they are the ones that can stop the issue. If they meet Jesus, as the exploiter Zaccheus did, then they will change. I’m not saying stop outreach to “victim/survivors” but do it as well as that.

Maybe think of it like this – if I stop buying plastic, there will be one less person adding to the issue. That one person has changed the world in a small way. That’s not so wild and crazy an idea that many have bought into it (unless you are my goddaughter who believe the best way to stop pollution is to stop eating meat). At some point, someone stood in the ‘wilderness’ and said it’s wrong to have plastic packaging on everything. Now they are not alone in the wilderness.

So the power of being in the wilderness and wasteland means that I may be alone but then i probably won’t be for too long as i find others who have also chosen to belong nowhere and by virtue – they belong somewhere.

So the power of belonging somewhere as belonging nowhere is all that and braving the wilderness will be learning to understand where nowhere and somewhere are for me.

Maya Angelou says the following — ‘You only are free when you realise you belong no place — you belong every place — no place at all’.

When Calls The Heart

I love a cheesy show. I love all the bad things ending with a happy ending and it’s one of my guilty pleasures along with musicals, pride and prejudice and The Godfather films. Last night in North America, the TV programme “When Calls The Heart” aired the season finale. One of the main characters died. I am a geek and love following the stars on Social Media. The abuse and vitriol thrown at these people because of what happened on the show is incredible.

Now I can understand getting sucked into a programme so much that you feel it’s real life – I did it with The West Wing, when Zoe Bartlett was captured. I was expecting BBC News to give an update! That taught me so much.

I have a few shows that have pulled me in  so much that I have the DVD box sets – Friends, The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters and Rizzoli & Isles. But never would I ever think to send a message to the stars, if not to thank them, for what happened on their show.

Last night just proved some things to me, from what I can see and have experienced, we in the Western  World don’t know how to deal with death. we are really good at celebrating life – death not so much. It makes us uncomfortable. We don’t know what to say to someone who is dealing with death and bereavement. I now I have read and written about it before. Were all those people angry because of the show plot or because it means that they have to deal with a sentiment that they don’t like. It makes us uncomfortable and means that we have to face the questions about who we are. It means having the tough and lonely nights and it can mean losing connections with people because they don’t understand or don’t want to be around.

I was taught by my parents that death is not the end and in many ways it’s a celebration. I was never not around it – my parents conducted and officiated lots of funerals. I now can testify that until you are in the midst of a close and personal bereavement – you can’t or wont fully understand it, because it is the end of one part but the beginning of a whole new you.

So, I reckon those people watching the TV last night and seeing the processing of Jack’s death aren’t angry because of him leaving, but are angry because they felt emotions they don’t understand. Me – I will see the episode when it appears on Netflix and I will cry like I do for a cheesy tv show, but I will also grieve the people I miss and love and again I shall embrace that moment of longing.

today i am 49

Today I am 49, I feel older than that some days and younger than that some days. As I have never been this age before I am not sure what it is supposed to feel like. But as always, I look back on the last year and laugh, cry, smile, remember, and more importantly thank God for the fact I am here to celebrate another birthday. So here’s a list of 49 moments from the last year.

1. I have realised I can speak good Italian – a week in hospital does that to you
2. I ticked a few things off my bucket list this year – attending meetings at the UN was one of those
3. I can offer advice when asked
4. I am reading more diverse books
5. My Pride and Prejudice collection has exploded
6. I am learning about uncomfortable issues like passive racism
7. I love to cook
8. I rediscovered the cooking passion
9. Verona is a very cool city to visit
10. I miss people and places, but mainly people
11. Grief is a long term process
12. Presence is better than words
13. It’s okay to spoil myself
14. It’s okay to take time for Estelle
15. I don’t like walking but it’s good for me
16. 51°c with no air con is too hot.
17. Blue Skies always feel better when it rains
18. I am loved by so many people
19. I am a terrible patient
20. I can talk with passion about Social Justice issues anywhere – including just before my colonoscopy
21. My tribe is the best.
22. Words count
23. 10 years went by fast
24. Sometimes telling people you love them makes a difference
25. Technology has been a blessing
26. Binge watching means I get hooked on shows like “Designated Survivor”
27. I still cry at happy endings
28. Jazz is my favourite chill out music
29. Gospel does my soul good
30. Making new friends is a good idea
31. Dancing is good
32. Tears in private or public are okay
33. I am blessed
34. I watched 4 transfusions go in my body
35. I discovered my blood type
36. I am grateful for strong friendships
37. I still get scared
38. Being a grown up is not always hard, it can be fun too
39. Sometimes I laugh in inappropriate places
40. The peri-menopause is not nice
41. My favourite gelato this year is “Rice Pudding”
42. Watching my favourite Italian football team live was fun
43. I have had some big dreams this year and they excite me
44. I enjoy preaching
45. Taking photos is fun
46. As my buddy Bronwen says, “something shifted” and I have moved on in an area of my life
47. I still love happy endings
48. I am creative
49. A few years ago . Lt. Colonel George Pilkington told me about how he always reads the Psalm for his birthday that year with the same number of years as his age. So here is Psalm 49

49 ^1-2 Listen, everyone, listen—
earth-dwellers, don’t miss this.
All you haves
and have-nots,
All together now: listen.

^3-4 I set plainspoken wisdom before you,
my heart-seasoned understandings of life.
I fine-tuned my ear to the sayings of the wise,
I solve life’s riddle with the help of a harp.

^5-6 So why should I fear in bad times,
hemmed in by enemy malice,
Shoved around by bullies,
demeaned by the arrogant rich?

^7-9 Really! There’s no such thing as self-rescue,
pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.
The cost of rescue is beyond our means,
and even then it doesn’t guarantee
Life forever, or insurance
against the Black Hole.

^10-11 Anyone can see that the brightest and best die,
wiped out right along with fools and dunces.
They leave all their prowess behind,
move into their new home, The Coffin,
The cemetery their permanent address.
And to think they named counties after themselves!

¹² We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long.
Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.

^13-15 This is what happens to those who live for the moment,
who only look out for themselves:
Death herds them like sheep straight to hell;
they disappear down the gullet of the grave;
They waste away to nothing—
nothing left but a marker in a cemetery.
But me? God snatches me from the clutch of death,
he reaches down and grabs me.

^16-19 So don’t be impressed with those who get rich
and pile up fame and fortune.
They can’t take it with them;
fame and fortune all get left behind.
Just when they think they’ve arrived
and folks praise them because they’ve made good,
They enter the family burial plot
where they’ll never see sunshine again.

²⁰ We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long.
Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.

Not Speaking out

Racism

Maybe we’ll say “I’m not racist” but today I would like to talk about passive racism. Racism exists because we do not say anything.

What is racism?

One definition is: Each trend, psychological or political likely to rise to theory or be justified by the law, which, based on the alleged superiority of one race over the other or another, encourage or cause social discrimination or even genocide.

In the Bible we read, “There is neither Jew nor  Greek; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female; because you are all one in Christ Jesus. “Galatians 3:28

In no part of the Bible, we read that God has chosen a person because they come from a special race.

Today, we must think more than ever, that defining people by where they come from is wrong and we cannot remain silent. Passive racism is simply when we do not talk and we remain silent.

Today we look at how to crack racism and the lesson we see in a simple sentence from the Bible.

Being a believer means being present and active in our community and fighting injustice wherever we are. To challenge those around us.

21 years ago before coming to Italy, people were talking about the country of pizza, pasta, ice cream and the Mafia. I can tell you that now I fight saying that Italy is pizza, pasta, ice cream, mafia and much more. Being passive and denying the richness of Italy put me in the shoes of a racist.

Our Bible reading from Acts chapter 10, reminds us that we have to include people, we cannot exclude people from the body because of the nation they represent.

We are called to destroy the walls and barriers that the world constructs and speak out.

Maybe you would say that this is not of the church, but for the politicians, my answer is that it “is for every citizen …” Racism is against the law of the country and also against God.

• Scripture and Racism or Inclusion
• My answer

Scripture: Acts 10: 34,35   Then Peter began to speak  he said, “In truth I perceive that God does not show partiality,   ³⁵   But in every nation whoever fears him and works righteousness is acceptable.

These two verses are found in the midst of Peter’s speech.  Cornelius undoubtedly had a true faith in the Word of God, as far as he understood, though not yet clear, faith in Christ.    The gentile/judaizing controversy is more about circumcision than baptism and rumbles on through Acts 15 and several passages of Paul. What Peter realises through this encounter is that God is drawing all kinds of people to Himself. Jesus had promised the gospel would go to the ends of the earth in Matt 28. Now fulfilled. But Christianity won’t emerge from being a Jewish sect for a while yet, and both sides will live with the tensions. Peter’s “gentile Pentecost” is foreshadowed by Acts 2 and the giving of the Spirit on all people. It is the great Babel reversal: people who were divided by language when they thought themselves greater than God are united in common understanding when they fall under the Power and influence of the Spirit. The Risen and returned Christ unites all the nations in Rev 7.

Thus, a change in the people of God begins. In Galatians 2: 6, Paul repeats the phrase “…. God has no personal regard” to a people reputed to be converted from pagan religion. To make it understand that racism or favoritism has no place in the kingdom of God and his people. It’s very easy to say, but the message does not belong to us. Paul also repeated the phrase in Romans 2:11. To make sense that the reputation or culture of doing things does not count with God, what counts is experience with God.

In Leviticus 19:15, we see and read, “Do not commit iniquity in judgment; you will not regard the person of the poor, nor will you pay a special honor to the person of the mighty; but you will judge your neighbor with justice “

In racism, poverty often belongs, unfortunately, to a caste. Discrimination, as in India, people coming from various parts of the country are poor and maybe as we are today watching the Roma people. Racism can be influenced by the culture or class of a person.

The boundaries of culture, country or ethnicity cannot deny access to a person to the Kingdom of God. Often, a barrier is placed in front of people not having access to the programs, but through Christ blood on the cross all over the world, the barriers are removed.

Racism is not only in the action we do when we do or say something. Racism is often in silence.

Racism and me:

A personal story; For so many years I grew up with a slight dislike for the people and the country of America. A bit like my dad with the Germans and French after World War II. At some point, I met the Americans, we became friends, I went to America and even celebrated her wedding to her husband. That woman is one of the most important friends for me, she’s like a sister. Knowing her family, I had to ask for forgiveness from God for my silent racism towards Americans. Now God has given me so many American friends and I love them lots.

Ecclesiastes 3: 7 reminds us that there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Returning to the Galatians 2: 6, people expect us to say something as a leader, and remaining silent our testimony will never bring anyone into the kingdom of God. It does not mean, talk and criticize, but to explain and dialogue with love. as we read, for example, in Ephesians 4:15, but the truth in love, may grow up in every way into him who is the head, even Christ. “  In love by showing the world the work of the devil. As Paul reminds us in the same book to be imitators of God walking  in the light (Ephesians 5: 1).

We need to talk and admit that we are different in the world, Peter denied Jesus three times with the cockerel crowing. Peter knew of the sorrow of Jesus by denying and remaining in silence. The sorrow that we bring to God when we don’t challenge racism is a rotten witness only helping to build barriers in our communities and the world we live in. We should be known as something different. People waited for Peter to be different. In his silence, he did not show himself to be a follower of Jesus, set apart. If we aren’t careful we will resemble the Pharisees, unless we do and say something different. Living the gospel even in uncomfortable moments.

Conclusion:

Having the courage to talk about the racism we see every day on TV, in our communities, at school, in the supermarket, we share the hope we have. The hope of 1 Peter 3: 13-15 ” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect^“. During the story of the Good Samaritan, we see that all of them passed by, but not the Samaritan.  *** The Samaritan, the despised outsider, crosses the divide that the religious professionals are not prepared to cross. ***

Unfortunately, we often go and say nothing but a “Samaritan” will do something. Not speaking we perpetuate an expectation that the world is waiting for. Let’s become the people we are called to be and be active for God and not passive in our actions and words.

life goes on

Life goes on……………..
I don’t like the month of JUNE and this year will be ten years since my parents were “promoted to glory” or they passed or died or are no more – yes I am bordering on quoting the whole of the dead parrot scene from Monty Python, but I won’t.
Over the last few weeks I have discovered personally that for me grieving is living. Living with the everyday knowledge that you won’t hear their voices again, has probably been one of the hardest experiences for me. I am grateful for Youtube and a video of my parents doing what they did best – leading a church in worship.
I have cried openly and at surprising moments over the last few weeks as several times, the grief has hit me when I least expected it; although having 2 Mothers Day festivals in 2 months probably didn’t help. I am grateful to those that I have been able to be honest with in my pain. And who all these years later walk the road with me.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, can I say it takes a village to walk and grieve with an individual or family.
Life takes over when the music has faded and comfort is no longer found in numbers.
Life takes over when you need to eat and cook and clean and people expect you to get back to it.
Life takes over the grief when you are invited to a party and don’t feel like going because you might bring the mood down.
Life takes over when you see a family enjoying being together and your dream and wish that you could do that mundane shop again.
Life takes over when people don’t know what to say and you find yourself comforting them.
Life takes over when you don’t want to be nice to anyone anymore or have them be nice to you. Life takes over when you are in the supermarket and everyone is just getting on with life and you want to shout, “ I miss my parents.
Life is unfair. I am grieving and don’t want to be happy.” Life takes over when you have to explain the whole story – again!
Life takes over when even now you pick up the phone to tell your mum or dad about your day and then realise you can’t.
Life takes over when you are in so much pain that you sob as you fall asleep because “your village” have been amazing and you don’t want to burden them anymore.
Life takes over when you put your grief aside to walk the path so well trod with someone in your village.
Life takes over but the grief and the constant sadness never passes, it lessens.
Life takes over the grief and you thank God for that bit of breathing space.
Life goes on even when you don’t want it too and some days you are grateful some days you wish it had stopped at the last laugh, hug or I love you.
Life goes on and the village gets smaller but they are still there and so are you going through life.
You see life goes on……………….and so does the grieving.

Appointed………..

Some days, I wonder if I know what I am doing and that’s after 13 years of working with men and women in prostitution and victims of Human Trafficking.

I ask myself the question what did my leaders see in me that I didn’t?

In 1996, I left Italy and was appointed to The Salvation Army project in London to work with people in prostitution. I wondered what their reasoning was (as many before have and I am sure will still, not about me but about their present appointments). I arrived and it was raining and all I know when I arrived was that I was in a place that many wanted. There was a famous saying, “Lord give me any cross but Kings Cross” and this was the other side of peoples thoughts. I was nervous and excited and all of the other emotions you face. I wondered if I would make it through the first week after realising that I had no skill sets I thought appropriate (turned out I did!), but here I was the Centre Manager of an outreach to women in prostitution.

Soon after I invited to a training for managers at a hotel in Milton Keynes hosted by Beyond The Streets and I knew then that I wasn’t alone. I felt a little more confident to talk to agencies and chat to those I met. I didn’t feel so stupid when a woman asked me for help whilst injecting a drug or running away from a client. I knew in that moment I had the opportunity to make a difference and the appointment made some sense.

Cadets (trainee Salvation Army officers) came and helped as did lots of “called” people, some of whom didn’t stay around so long when the calling meant late nights and wet/cold walks with little results; but many bothered and committed to those days and nights when it snowed and rained and we were ignored. I still didn’t feel called to this kind of ministry, but I was beginning to feel like it made sense and I fitted into this little weird world. This was all before it became a fashionable thing to do.

And here I am 13years and few months down the road, feeling “called” to this kind of ministry; feeling I am good at it; have something to offer and I come alive when I get to meet the people to  whom I am appointed to.

I have had the privilege of reaching out to those that the world shuns and the world sees as Victims and I see as Survivors. To those that are classified as unlovable and a commodity.

This is still my privilege and a morning in the office in Rome has reminded me that I am good at this and yes I do feel called to the sacrifice as found in Isaiah 58 (The Voice Translation)

6. No, what I want in a fast is this:
        to liberate those tied down and held back by injustice,
        to lighten the load of those heavily burdened,
        to free the oppressed and shatter every type of oppression.
⁷     A fast for Me involves sharing your food with people who have none,
        giving those who are homeless a space in your home,
    Giving clothes to those who need them, and not neglecting your own family.

⁸ Then, oh then, your light will break out like the warm, golden rays of arising sun;
    in an instant, you will be healed.
Your rightness will precede and protect you;
    the glory of the Eternal will follow and defend you.
⁹ Then when you do call out, “My God, Where are You?”
    The Eternal One will answer, “I am here, I am here.”
If you remove the yoke of oppression from the downtrodden among you,
    stop accusing others, and do away with mean and inflammatory speech,
¹⁰ If you make sure that the hungry and oppressed have all that they need,
    then your light will shine in the darkness,
And even your bleakest moments will be bright as a clear day.

Some days it’s easy to get fired up and shout; and some days I feel like that there is a world that doesn’t want to listen.

So my question is: Called or Appointed? Both for me, one lead to the other.

Lost in Translation

this blog entry makes sense of some of the emotions I sometimes feel.

Source: Lost in Translation

I Am An Operative Theologian……..

Theology as far as I have always been concerned was something for everyone else, until a few years ago when I was asked to read a paper on The Theology of Prostitution. Yes, there are a few out there. I am intelligent, but not an academic. I read because I want to and not because I have too; well until recently. And then a few years ago, I wanted to be able to speak intelligently when I needed too about the ministry I am involved in and suddenly, I was searching for books. And in May 2014, a book was published and bingo, I had the desire to read and to learn and to soak it up. The book in question is  Stopping The Traffick – You can find out more and buy it here.

This morning I was reading it again, for I think the 3rd time and I came across the following quote.

Practitioners are effective “operative theologians.” They live and work close to human pain and suffering and bring God’s grace to bear on chaotic situations.

(CHAPTER 8 HOW CAN WE SURVIVE IN THE MIDST OF THE MESS? Theological Reflection , by Bill Prevette)

wow – that’s what I am and it makes sense. I am an “operative theologian”. I am someone who understands the need for Theology to sometimes make sense of the ministry I am involved in. You see I am convinced that theology only makes sense when it is grounded in the ministry/work we are involved in practically. There needs to be a balance of both the thought and the practical otherwise all we do is work or think (and there are far too many theorists and people who ‘just do it’ in the world.)

This idea does not just work for the sphere of work I do but for all ministries. Work with the elderly, refugees, addiction services, the homeless, children, youth and churches…………the list is endless. Let’s all be Operative Theologians and know why do what we do. You see together they make sense, separated not all.

I keep learning from this book and I will keep learning.

am i a justice seeker

yesterday on the fabulous The Match Factory – Justice Seekers blog Nick Coke presented some challenges to me and all fellow Justice seekers. Today I decided to take some time to look at them. and ponder upon them a bit.

here are my thoughts.

1. Present: justice-seekers understand there is no justice to be done from a distance. there are far too many people who stand up and speak and shout from a soap box about the injustices in the world. if we are not present and involved regularly, how can we ever become a voice for the voiceless. Theory is easy but I know that when I sat down with a woman forced into prostitution that I saw a woman and not a statistic. one of my favourite days of the week is Tuesday – it means I will meet the people I write about and read about each day in the office.
2. Migrants: All are migrants, wanderers through life. JRR Tolkien famously said, “that all who wander are not lost”. I am a migrant of God’s choosing. I am a foreigner in this land and as Scripture says this world. I wander dreaming of a better world. I want to see the end of Human Trafficking and Slavery. I want to walk alongside and talk as Jesus did with people. My home is not based on my location; it based on where God calls me.
3. Contemplative: justice-seekers know more than anyone that activism is futile without contemplation, prayer and Biblical reflection.  With contemplation the activist fixes their eyes on Jesus – ‘the author and perfecter of our faith’. ah yes, and this is maybe the hardest for me in some ways because it requires me to sit still and read and learn. But it also reminds me of the need to know why I do what I do. The need to step up to the plate and get on with it. The need to “Be Jesus in my community and not just Do Jesus”. The need to not go where Angels fear to tread but to only go where I believe I am called to be. if you go to this blog entry of mine, it was through prayer and contemplation I learnt something: Learning why…… it’s here that I needed to learn when to go forward and when not too.
4. Prophetic: the justice-seeker has eyes to see an alternative future to the present reality. I have never seen myself as a prophet or prophetic. recently though I have identified in myself the fact that I always seem to search for the gaps in ministry in the place I am and go for that. Looking back I can see it clearly over the last 23 years of ministry. Looking back I realise that actually it may not have seemed prophetic but it probably was.
5. Kingdom-minded: although never naive of the world as it is, justice-seekers will have a vision of the world as it should be – the kingdom of God established ‘on earth as it is heaven’ here I would like to add the old sentiment, but not “so heavenly minded the individual is of no earthly use” . i want to see the kingdom of God here in my community. I want to see the name of Jesus spoken in faith and praise and not as a swear word. I want to see an upside down world to the one we have now, the one that God saw when all men have enough to eat, to drink. The possibility of education and fairness. i want that we ‘fast’ for the naked to be clothed and the hungry to be fed, the lost to find direction and that each day will be a day of Jubilee.

at this point I would add a no.6 to the list: Crazy & Courageous. For me there is a need for us to be a little bit crazy, to not fit the mold and definitely to be courageous. It is in those moments that we see change and developments. Because the crazy and courageous don’t think of self. They deny themselves and take up their crosses and follow where God leads.

Thanks Match Factory for the provocation of my thoughts and yes I am proud to be a Justice Seeker.

Theory and Practice

Here’s something I have written for a some friends. Take a look at all the posts not just mine and thanks to The Match Factory for the privilege.