Shadow of the Galilean

Walking on the beach at Cruden Bay on Saturday, my husband and I stopped to take this photo of ourselves. We will smile as we look back - about ten minutes later the weather changed and it began snowing while we were still walking on the beach!

The photo reminds me of a book I studied at university called 'The Shadow of the Galilean' by Gerd Theissen. I loved the image that phrase brings to my mind. An image of Christ's shadow stretching down through the years (like my photo above) and covering us. He casts his shadow (in a good way) over our days and never leaves us. And of course, to be standing in his shadow facing him, we are looking towards the light.

My heart's desire

Two deer wandering in the grounds of Glamis Castle last week caught my eye. They brought instantly to mind one of my favourite hymns:-

As the deer pants for the water,

so my soul longs after you.

You alone are my heart's desire

and I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength and shield,

to You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire

and I long to worship You

I want you more than gold or silver,

only you can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy-giver

and the apple of my eye.

You're my Friend and you are my Brother,

even though you are a King.

I love you more than any other,

so much more than anything.

My kitchen is for dancing

When we were on holiday in America at a theme park there were warning signs in some of the rides. They were pictures of a moving  man with  a line through him - the message was to stay seated and not move around. As a family were would joke that the signs meant 'no dancing'. Whenever we saw similar signs we would point them out and say 'look - there is no dancing allowed here as well!'

My daughter came across this picture of an apron - "My kitchen is for dancing". And I endorse that whole-heartedly. In fact you can dance anywhere in my home.  For many years I was a highland dancer and thoroughly loved every minute that I was dancing. As a couple we love to dance and enjoy nothing better than a good ceilidh. As people often lose themselves in the music so too you can lose yourself in a dance.

Jesus himself is, as we sing, is the Lord of the Dance. May we follow in his dance steps - in the kitchen, the dining room or wherever we find ourselves this evening.

Fields of our hearts

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,

Thy touch can call us back to life again.

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

Love is come again

Like wheat that springeth green.

                                                                                                    

                                                                                              - from a French carol


{Photograph taken - Memus, Angus - 5th February 2012 - Linda Stevens}

Walking a step or two

Minister's walk - Prosen to Clova, Angus

Snow covered hills in Angus catch my eye as I drive to and from work. From a distance you notice their beauty. From afar all is pure and white. If the sun is shining you get the impression that the snow is glistening in the sunlight. But, if you were there, in amongst it all you may have a different impression. There may be challenges to be meet. The cold biting in for one. Or perhaps there would be slippery conditions underfoot. In extreme parts the deep snow may make travelling onwards virtually impossible. A reminder that when we look at another person's life we may not always get the right impression. It can be easy to make snap judgements - for better or worse. But, really, unless we are truly walking in their shoes, we have no idea what their journey is all about. What we can do is take the time to get to know them better and perhaps walk a step or two along the way with them.