Today has been one of those nothing days, you get up, it is light, you sit down, you do one or two emails, you look up and it is dark. And what has been achieved? Nothing very much.
Actually that is not quite true – the email was to the MSP for this area (Member of the Scottish Parliament) and it got some things off my chest about the way Local Government is wriggling out of shedding management jobs by charging for frontline services.
I haven’t read any blogs so far today, neither have I listened to or searched for any news. However, I suspect that there is much about the engagement of Prince William and Miss Middleton. It has been said that it took Maggie Thatcher 3 years to organise a royal wedding to take the heat off her unpopular government; whereas the Coalition have only taken 9 months! Anyway, I must add my congratulations to the happy couple, and admit there is a sense of being glad of good news for a change.
Yesterday was the last of our Living the Questions discussion group, so HBTW and myself cheered ourselves up by baking a gluten-free chocolate cake. To be honest it was a bit dry – any suggestions for a new recipe to try out?
The evening was challenging as always and there was a sense of being pleased with ourselves for lasting the whole of the 21 week course, and still being cheerful.
It’s worth quoting Gordon D Kaufman, Professor of Divinity Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. He says:
We may find a certain security in believing that “our” way is the only way. This is a natural part of any cultic religious experience. Far greater faith is required, however, to seek and trust that which you accept as infinite, beyond your comprehension and subject to change. Today, this just may be the challenge of an educated and thinking Christian – and to retain a faith ‘in the face of the mystery.”
In other words, God or the Divine Spirit or the Divine Essence or even “The Force” is bigger and more mysterious than we can ever imagine. When you think of the consequences of that thought, it is the biggest challenge ever.
I am excited about Kate and Prince William engagement. About time don’t you think.
She seems to be a lovely young lady and they both deserve all the happiness in the world.
The cake looks good. I wish I could eat more chocolate. Regarding William and his intended…may they find more joy than Charles and Diana did.
I think the mystery is unfathomable and so I concentrate on what I can understand, and try to live my life on earth well: with love for those I can love and with charity for those I cannot. Above all, I try to remember that I don’t know much and have no answers to cosmic questions.
Savored your posts about the group throughout. Kudos to you and HBTW for staying the course. I, too, have been newsless today, but a wonderful day of doctor visit with my mother, good report, and lunch with family friends who bring so much joy to my mother’s life. . . and mine.
William giving Kate Diana’s engagement ring leaves me wondering if he’s ever heard of Argos. For me it comes with far too much history for a new Bride.