What a Mess !

road near the Rift Valley, Kenya

Who would have thought that such quick and steep descent into raw evil could have happened, as it has in Kenya in the last few weeks? Some would argue that it's always been there - as it is everywhere else in the world, if only an inch or two beneath the surface of 'civility' - such violence born of poverty, greed, corruption, injustice, lusts and fears - all the kinds of things I find too often in my own heart.

The rift that goes right through Africa, the rift of evil that goes right through the universe, as Russian novelist Alexander Solzenhitzen use to point out, goes right smack through the centre of my own heart.

O that God would deliver us from the enemy within as well as from others circling without.

Drink This Cup

Drink This Cup, originally uploaded by Laurence Barber.

I am aware of the cup of suffering all Kenya is experiencing at this moment, due to a violent and split election result, with rigging and fraud no doubt figuring in the results. Slums like Kibera and Mathare have erupted, in Nairobi, as well as dissent and disatisfaction as expressed by violence elsewhere and throughout the nation. Innocent people are losing their lives - much of the violence being carried out along tribal lines.

I worry for friends, in the midst of the reality of such turmoil, burning, pillaging and other acts of violence.

It reminds me of a visit to the Iona Community at Iona Abbey, Scotland. There, as depicted on one of the cloister columns, a black man is drinking of the Communion Cup. That Cup is a cup of suffering, taking solidarity in and with the Christ who died for us.

May the Saviour , who suffered - and suffers, also in solidarity with us all, bring His comfort, purpose and shalom. May God's peace and prosperity come to this troubled nation, and also to all of the Horn of Africa and, indeed, to all the peoples of that warm but troubled continent.

Blue Boat

Sometimes it's great to not have to be anywhere on any particular schedule. Just to relax, rest and gently meander on the ripples and tide of one's moorings . . .

Imagination

"We cannot have faith (belief in that which is unseen) unless we have imagination; imagination is the vehicle through which faith is expressed. Nor can we understand our world without active imaginations...The only way to apprehend a mystery is through imagination. Our metaphors and paradoxes attempt to make concrete, at least a little, the faith presented in Scripture."

- Cheryl Forbes

The Third Day of Christmas . . .

Turkey left-overs, cold potatoes and squash, tiny mince tarts, a glass of cranberry cocktail . . . a brief but pretty snow flurry - whispy cotton, gentle on the neighbour's recently new fence . . . getting over arthritic aches of playing trains on the floor with our grandson . . . we love this time of the year !

And still pondering the gifts brought that first Christmas - perhaps the sheperds, a lamb and the magi their gold and frankincense and myrrh . . . now: What can I give Him? . . .