In the days of lockdown one of our pastors thought Philippians would be a good place to be. Lockdown proved to be longer than that, so where then do you go? To that great and exciting book of reflections, the book of the wind or breath, no, not the Acts of the Apostles but the preaching of the Preacher, Ecclesiastes. PeteT asked for a profile, but what does a profile matter now? Three years ago it did a little; ten years it was worth something; twenty, thirty years ago surely it was something which we polished up now and again. The Preacher reflected: it was all wind or heavy breathing.
Continue readingFaith
Carrots
Carrots are vegetables
Facebook seem to think that the post referenced here was in some way offensive for Coco, for one, can no longer access it.
Continue readingSlaver’s statues and statutes
It was with dismay that Coco read of the act by some the pulling down and littering of the harbour in Bristol with the statue of Edward Colston. Coco cannot support or in any way endorse such actions or the removal of statues to such men in this way, however neither does Coco endorse slavery in any of its forms whether ancient or modern.
Continue readingBlack but comely
Do those words cause offence? Is it the sort of thing you should shout out in the streets these days? Does it make you think of skin colouring? There are many skin types from black through browns, olives, yellows, reds, pinks, pales to white. If Coco have missed any please tell me [off?]. Please do not think that Coco has forgotten about frogs, fish, flora and feathered friends whose colourings are far more vibrant than our own. Does it make you think of complexion? A dark (to submit to modern perspectives on the matter, but Coco really means black) complexion is much more robust than a pale [white] one and longer lasting. But it is not just skin colouring that is in view here.
Continue readingPray!
Pray? Did I hear you say?
When did you last hear that said? We were reminded of that this morning. In these days of quarantine what do you do?
Continue readingA great and terrible plague
When David counted
Continue readingTheir foot shall slip in due time
August 4th 2019 West Hill
Deuteronomy 32:35 Their foot shall slip in due time (the word order varies in our English translations)
Introduction
About 3500 years ago the descendants of Jacob were delivered out of the house of bondage in Egypt and started their journey to the Promised Land. The passage (Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52) which was read in your hearing this evening, records Moses’s words spoken to the people before he was to die on Mount Nebo and before Joshua was to lead the people across the Jordan and into the land. At that time they had already tasted the goodness of the land, as two and half tribes had already settled on the east bank of the Jordan.
Continue readingThe second thief
Did you see what is going on in China?
Coco thought he would offer two different perspectives on the day which we call Good Friday. Please grant him an indulgence for this first one. The second perspective has been inspired by events at the focus of the Sinospheric regions. He shall come to that shortly.
Continue readingBill and Ben
When Faith could..
Coco heard the other day about Bill and Ben, not the famous flower pot men, but a pair of mountaineering brothers, indeed twins, and their little sister. They were well known by all for their many adventures. They did everything together, and would only ever climb if they were both in the team.
Continue readingStatues
If you don’t want the name, give the money back – isn’t it as easy as that?
Charities are minded to understand that if the source of the funds offered to them is questionable, they should refuse the offer.
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