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Archive for November, 2023

Nov 29

Candy Floss

For anyone finding it hard to hope, even when there are reasons to hope.

Today you tried to give me my hope back.
But I couldn’t take it, too afraid I’d break it,
Or watch it slip from my grip and feel its loss,
Like water poured on candy floss.

Today you tried to give me my hope back.
But it’s too bright, the light of it hurts my eyes.
It’s been gone for so long I’ve forgotten what it’s like,
Maybe darkness is better than fading light.

Today you tried to give me my hope back.
But my hands are full holding this shovel, as I struggle to clear the wreckage and rubble.
Memories of the dead still circling my head.
Why rebuild if it all just gets smashed up again?

Today you tried to give me my hope back.
Like a giggling kid holding candy floss,
Saying take it taste it just smile and embrace it.
But I’m filled with dread as I look up ahead,
Because clouds are forming over our heads.
The water will pour and next time take even more,
I can’t take more loss, can’t cope with the cost,
I’d rather go hungry than taste candy floss.

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Posted in Poetry

Nov 28

Reimagining Church Leadership

As part of a series at Oasis Church Bath called ‘What’s On Your Mind?’, I ask how we might reimagine what church leadership could look like in the light of a progressive theology. With failures around safeguarding and morality by prominent Christian leaders hitting the headlines recently, what can we learn and how should this change our approach at Oasis?

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Posted in Thoughts

Nov 21

Explaining Evil

If we are born good and wired towards goodness, then how can we explain evil, and the choices we sometimes make that harm ourselves, others and the world around us? Is ‘original blessing’ just a way to avoid facing up to our mistakes, and how do we ensure it doesn’t stop us from continuing to seek wholeness and forgiveness? 

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Posted in Thoughts

Nov 04

Heart

This spoken word poem is called ‘Heart’. If you’re struggling right now I hope this helps you remember how strong you are. Words below if you need them.

The strongest part of me will always be my heart.
It gets battered and shattered it breaks apart,
Still it restarts.
You can smash it and bash it, hide the crash cart,
Still I’ll revive it, still I’ll survive it,
I’ll stay alive.

The strongest part of me will always be my heart.
You can squeeze it until it bleeds you can cut off the air it needs,
Still I’ll breathe.
You can shake it and break it make it into a thousand pieces.
Still each piece will beat beat beat,
It will not cease.

The strongest part of me will always be my heart.
It’s cracked but still intact despite every attack,
It fights back.
Made of rock but still soft, no love lost.
Tough enough to pump a body full of blood.
It won’t give up.

The strongest part of me will always be my heart.
It’s been in despair and it’s needed care but
It does repair.
So when you feel distress when everything’s a mess
When you feel like what’s coming is cardiac arrest,
Rest your hand on your chest.

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Posted in Poetry

Nov 01

Rethinking ‘Sin’

If we reject the notion of ‘original sin’ as progressive Christians, what do we do with the word sin? What does it actually mean and how can we develop a helpful and healthy understanding of it in relation to our faith and the lives we live? In this talk for Oasis Church Bath I encourage us to think differently about sin, and ask how we might reimagine it in light of being ‘already good’.

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Posted in Thoughts