Actual human speech about God, thus, is not abstract logical talk about an ‘ultimate limit’ but rather talk about life and the world, about our deepest problems, about catastrophe and triumph, about human misery and human glory. It is about what is really important in life, how we are to live, how to comport ourselves, […]
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The purpose of theology?
Posted on by James Woodward
As a result of these various trends, Christian ministry comes to be understood as being less about the application of expertise and more about facilitating the vocation of all Christians through processes of understanding, analysing and reflecting. The purpose of theological education, therefore, is to equip people with skills and strategies to enable them to […]
eyes
Posted on by James Woodward
Love is the cure. Your pain will keep giving birth to more pain. Just let your eyes breathe out love as easily as a flower breathes out its sweetness. Rumi, Love is the cure,
Discovery?
Posted on by James Woodward
In other words: the process of finding ourselves through narrative, not mathematics, is the most trustworthy form of access to truth, and finally the one our humanity cannot do without.
Chartwell
Posted on by James Woodward
Chartwell was the principal adult home of Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill and his wife Clementine bought the property, located two miles south of Westerham, Kent, England in 1922. Extensive renovations simplifying and modernising the home were undertaken directly, completely transforming it when complete. When it became clear to the Churchills in 1946 that they could […]
Beatitudes for the Ageing
Posted on by James Woodward
Blessed are those who have the courage to do nothing. They demonstrate to us a different level of living for one another. Blessed are those who no longer expect anything and yet are able to smile. God’s goodness is shining through them. Blessed are those who are able to listen without harping on the same […]
A Trip down the River!
Posted on by James Woodward
Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located 11.7 miles (18.8 km) south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames. It was originally built […]
Henry Moore – Figure in a Shelter (1983)
Posted on by James Woodward
Moore’s Figure in a Shelter 1975 finds its origins in the Helmet Head series first produced in 1939-40. By making the central figure smaller, widening and dividing the space around that figure, and even eventually removing it entirely from its’ protective armour to produce Bronze Form 1985.
awakened, lips parted
Posted on by James Woodward
This form, this face, this life Living to live in a world of time beyond me; let me Resign my life for this life, my speech for that unspoken, The awakened, lips parted, the hope, the new ships. From T.S.Eliot, Marina
Henry Moore
Posted on by James Woodward
Perry Green is the name of Moore’s former estate, which includes the farmhouse home of Hoglands and garden, his studios, and less formal gardens and fields containing many of his larger sculptures. The grounds also feature the Sheep Field Barn gallery with changing exhibits of his work, and the Aisled Barn with a display of […]
Church Going by Philip Larkin
Posted on by James Woodward
Once I am sure there's nothing going on I step inside, letting the door thud shut. Another church: matting, seats, and stone, And little books; sprawlings of flowers, cut For Sunday, brownish now; some brass and stuff Up at the holy end; the small neat organ; And a tense, musty, unignorable silence, Brewed God knows […]
Our neighbour
Posted on by James Woodward
Our life and our death is with our neighbour. If we win our brother, we win God. If we cause our brother to stumble, we have sinned against Christ.’ And this is where Christian discipleship has an uncompromising message for us: a relationship with eternal truth and love simply doesn’t happen unless we mend our relations […]
Distraction and Prayer
Posted on by James Woodward
Distraction serves a purpose. Like gargoyles guarding the roofline of a cathedral, distractions first serve to ward off those who lack proper motivation. In an age when people claim to be ‘spiritual, not religious’–not really knowing what they mean by either-lack of proper motivation is common. We must long for truth, freedom, loving communion with […]
The Road to Emmaus
Posted on by James Woodward
Luke 24:13-49 13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from […]
AM I NO LONGER YOUNG?
Posted on by James Woodward
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me Keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished. -Mary Oliver
What is theological reflection?
Posted on by James Woodward
Christianity began with an experience, the experience of Jesus—his teachings and his deeds, the impact he had on people, the feeling for life which he communicated. People talked about this experience, formed opinions about him, and even took sides. Some of those who were attracted to him became regular followers and some of those were […]
dark
Posted on by James Woodward
Like the water of a deep stream, love is always too much. We did not make it. Though we drink till we burst we cannot have it all, or want it all. In its abundance it survives our thirst. In the evening we come down to the shore to drink our fill, and […]
GRACE APPROACHING
Posted on by James Woodward
There is a grace approaching that we shun as much as death, it is the completion of our birth. It does not come in time, but in timelessness when the mind sinks into the heart and we remember. It is an insistent grace that draws us […]
The Long Walk
Posted on by James Woodward
The Long Walk was commenced by Charles II from 1680-1685 by planting a double avenue of elm trees. The central carriage road was added by Queen Anne in 1710. The original planting comprised 1,652 trees placed 30 feet apart in each direction. The width between the two inner rows was 150 feet, and overall […]
Easter
Posted on by James Woodward
Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who […]