Psalm 139 says it all
What can I say, you know it
What can I do, you know it
Where can I go, you know it
You know it, you know it all, Almighty God
Every thought, my heart, plans
The days, years before me, you know it all
You planned it all, loving father
The highs and lows, joys and tears,
Yours,all yours, for you are mine and I am yours
Have it all,
Today, I am at your disposal dear father,
For your glory.
Acts 1. 6-9 Ascension Day 2025
Witness
I am witness of your life
A witness to your love
For I have seen you in creation
I have heard of your fame
I have smelt your fragrance
I have touched your Kingdom presence
I have tasted and you are good
My conscience confirms it, and by your power I will be and I will tell of the Truth, wherever and to whom you send all the days that you have given me
For I am witness of your life
A witness to your love
Paddington, Fozzie, and Baloo,
We could also say Yogi, Smokey, Rupert of course
and Pooh Bear, also known as Winnie the Pooh.
They've been loved and lost, tattered and treasured,
Inspired a love of marmalade too.
Now dear Amelia on your first birthday
We have a new one, it doesn't growl,
a gift thats just for you
It's a special teddy and wants to get to know you
and spend it's life with you
It will need lots of love and care
and a name of course,
you'll no doubt want to choose
So Happy Birthday little one
With our love and bear hugs too,
Cause everyone needs a teddy bear
to help them see life through.
I shook the hand of Hans the boy who rejoiced at chocolate dropped by parachute during the Dutch Famine.
I talked with Fred, wounded tank crew in Monty's mighty Army.
I kissed the cheek of my mother who kissed Otto a German POW, and welcomed the Americans billeted in the village.
I stood on the spot where my father described St Andrews full of flame in the Bath Blitz.
I watched 'The Darkest Hour', reflecting on the burden Churchill and others carried.
I listened to a son describe the moments before his Nazi father was hung at Nuremberg.
I think about the brave who fought on in the east and the veterans now so few.
I visit the care home for an afternoon tea celebration, where the wartime generation live, flags flying, Vera singing,stories telling, balloon and poppy held in equal measure.
I touched this special generation that saw such trauma, their courage, resilience, sacrifice, and the awful price of peace.
And I listen afresh to birdsong, smell afresh the sweet scent of an early rose, thanking God for them, longing for the day when all wars will cease.
A late Easter and He has now appeared on the road to Emmaus and I'm sitting with my love on the deck overlooking the bay bathed in sun and blue.
Lingering after breakfast, a good book in hand to the sound of birdsong, waves breaking on the shore, soaking up the rays like an osteo opening it's petals, like a cat before it gets too hot and has to cool in shade, or a cormorant drying its wings on a rock in the gentle breeze. Later that morning a snakelet will slither across the warm stone and away into undergrowth.
Meanwhile a boat trawls, people working, children schooling, peace talks happening over wars, family tensions; all seem far away, yet close at heart, with thoughts for today and plans for the future.
For Rev'd Emma King, Easter 2025
Times And Places
Special times and places mark our history.
Births, anniversaries and deaths
All part of life's long tapestry.
9/11, Diana and Covid easily come to mind
Wars, Hiroshima, D Day and the Berlin Wall,
Events which draw a line.
And further back, ancient history special moments That have been,
An erupting Vesuvius, Roman invasion or Ice Age, They all feature in the scenes.
But there are events which stand out embroidered in the finest thread,
And at the centre a virgin birth, Golgotha cross and empty tomb, in deepest gold and red.
Easter 2025
This Is Why
This is why you went to the cross, to carry the can for us all, to deal with the devil, all the anguish all the pain and separation, all the fears and tears, all the hatred, unforgiveness, brokeness, death and destruction, division, and all the hurt, sin and shame.
This is why, this is why you went, the perfect sacrifice, that love might win, the light of life dashing the darkness, making a way of forgiveness, restoration, relationship, peace and joy, and everlasting life for all, a reason to live, power and hope for today.
This is why, and a sure tomorrow.
Time For Tea
This is my day with a cuppa, and thank you to Gillards of Bath, tea merchants in the Guildhall Market founded in 1888, for their advice. Loose leaf where possible please, tea bags, whilst appreciating their convenience, especially for mass catering and a quick brew on the go, could be just fannings or sweepings, depending on their quality. Did you know loose leaf tea is very forgiving, just keep it dry and out of direct sunlight and it will last 2 years or more, as long as you haven't drunk it in the meantime!
I go for two mugfuls of water first thing in the morning without fail to get hydrated, and then plenty through the day depending on activity and temperature- yes that does mean the odd loo stop!
For breakfast my current preference is English Breakfast, a traditional blend of the finest of Darjeeling and Ceylon estate teas. They say best served with milk, but I like pretty much all my teas without and on the weaker side, thank you. I find Ceylon orange pekoe, or failing that broken pekoe a good alternative. By the way did you know black tea contains antioxidants which can help to reduce free radicals in the body, promote cellular health and ward off degenerative diseases like cancer. And why is it called Orange Pekoe you might ask? Well the Dutch royal family belonged to the House of Orange. The Dutch East India Company brought teas to Europe from the early 17th Century, setting aside the best black teas for the royals. The story goes that when this tea became accessible to the public, people nicknamed it the 'orange' pekoe for its association with the royal family.Orange pekoe means highest grade tea leaf and must be composed purely of the new flushes, it contains a moderate amount of caffine as well as a compound known as I-theanine, which can help to reduce anxiety and relieve stress. Anyway I digress.
In ordinary time around eleven, freshly prepared root ginger and slice of lemon in hot water, or fresh verbena leaves in season, goes down well with a plain digestive biscuit,chocolates ones feel a little excessive and could lead one down a slippery slope.
On holiday I'll look for freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast followed by a decent coffee then or at elevenses with croissant or pastry.
Earl Grey at lunchtime or in the afternoon with or without a slice of lemon, and especially with a cream tea is parfait. One of the key ingredients, bergamot, has become recognized as having many health benefits, so while it adds that delicious citrusy flavor, apparently it also has antibacterial properties that give your immune system a boost. Okay if I was out with friends, or on a good walk to refresh, I might have a beer as a treat, but look to finish with an Earl Grey.
Late afternoon I invariably turn to the 'champagne of teas', Darjeeling broken orange pekoe. Hailing from the foothills of the Himalayas, this is a prized tea for its delicate flavours and the broken pekoe allows for a quicker infusion time. Rooibos South African red bush is a great low tannin option and especially for anyone who pops in and wants a caffine free alternative; I gather its particularly good iced in hot weather.
By the way, I am ever mindful who's making, with my time in the police teaching me it's use in calming situations and building relationships. Some close friends love strong Yorkshire tea so that's a separate pot, and once a student staying took an hour to make a cuppa- she was Japanese and wanted to introduce us to the ceremony!
In the Winter as we draw the curtains and put the heating on, in our case hug the aga, maybe its time for a Lapsang Souchong. This is a unique and bold black tea renowned for its distinctive smoky flavour. It traces its origins to the Wuyi Mountains in Fujian Province, China. Legend has it this tea was born out of necessity during the Qing Dynasty. The story goes soldiers camped in a tea factory using freshly picked leaves as bedding. To salvage the tea, farmers quickly dried the leaves over pinewood fires, resulting in a smoky flavour that captivated taste buds and become a beloved tradition. Russian Caravan is a gentler less smoky alternative, and as the tea merchant contrasts the two, you are standing by the fire, instead of in it! There we go, digressing again, but interesting to know if you have time over a cuppa.
After supper a special Gillards Digestive mix of peppermint, Egyptian mint (Wintergreen) and Rosehip, goes down just right with a square of high percentage dark chocolate. And speaking of which, a hot chocolate would go down well anytime at elevenses onwards on a cold day or out in the evening with friends as an alternative to alcohol- you just have to be your own person!
Finally, you'll be glad to hear, if one is suffering, then it might be a hot toddie and to bed. However, at the end of the day, come rain or shine, in the happiest or saddest of times, I don't think you can really beat a nice cup of tea.
In response to Fergal Keane's moving article searching for happiness https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ye6d43rqwo
What is the secret, and where to search,
Which is the key to happiness that will take away my hurt?
What gives me peace and contentment, well being, joy,
Satisfaction and fulfillment, oh what to employ?
To deal with the grey, bleak moments and dark nights,
Addictions, loneliness, what do I bring to the fight?
Is the beauty of nature, advances in medicine, positivity, counsel, reaching out enough?
What is the answer that will free me to live, to love?
'Come to me, said the man, come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, take my yoke for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest, you will find rest for your souls'.Adapted from Matthew 11.28
