Cornwall Cogitation#3, 28.02.16–We’re enjoying a slower pace, a more observant mien (whatever that means) and a relaxed yet energetic pace somewhat timed to weather patterns, both sunny and rainy. “Reflective” captures the tenor of the week now history.
We do stay up on the main news stories; they’re just not the stuff I want to rehash here. I may from time to time refer to these matters, but reserve time and space to discuss them with you in person down the road. If something about politics, refugees, human and natural disasters or other issues bears mention, it will be brief, grist for further exchange–and reflection.
I’m still working on posting pictures and getting the caption process down pat. The captions for the following photos are supposed to come up as you click on a photo and then go through the slide show. Hope it works for you. For some reason I couldn’t correct the camellia photo caption spelling errors. Good luck!
On Monday, the Lenten study zeroed in on the divine nearness of the Lord as Shepherd. Meister Eckhart, 14th century mystic, is attributed with this dear thought: “Put on your jumping shoes and jump into the heart of God.”
On Tuesday, one of the books I picked up at St Ives Library is Desmond Tutu’s, God Has A Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time (2005). It’s a soul-searching book where you want to say “Amen!” on almost every page. For instance, in God’s family, as in the human family, “Our maturity will be judged by how well we are able to love one another, to care for one another and cherish one another and seek the greater good of the other.” What a noble, humbling, life-giving, Christ-like thought. Amen.
Chapter 2 “Thirst for God,” of Nelson Kraybill’s book, On the Pilgrims’ Way (introduced last blog), tells of four stages of love. Nelson said, “Perhaps the fourth degree of love, in which we love ourselves only for the sake of God, may not be perfectly attained in this life. But when it does happen, we will experience the joy of the Lord and be forgetful of ourselves in a wonderful way. We are, for those moments, one mind and one spirit with God.” Amen.
On Saturday we took part in an ecumenical study, discussion, prayer and fellowship day held at Marazion Methodist Chapel. The presenters gave us a space station overview of God’s loving purposes for creation and humankind, a detailed outline of God’s loving purposes for the church and a mind- and heart-warming clarion call of God’s loving purposes for us as individuals.
Discussion groups, prayer team, coffee breaks and pasty lunch kitted out the agenda. One person said that God sent Jesus to save us from the tyranny of ourselves. That means that as my life increasingly conforms to the image of Jesus, my mind and heart are tuned to life’s purpose to glorify God and enjoy God forever.
As if my cup of reflection were not already flowing over, Evensong at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday provided a heavenly transport of song and word. It’s the first time we were greeted after this 5:30 worship service by not one but two of the clergy. The Revd Canon Simon Griffiths introduced himself. He has recently been installed as Precentor, that is, he is in charge of preparing worship services, organizing liturgy and worship, including Evensong.
On Wednesday, on TV, we watched The Flying Scotsman, the restored steam engine and train, The Flying Scotsman, make its inaugural steam journey up the east coast from London to York. Yes, I have some early childhood memories of steam engines chugging across the East Zorra countryside, just south of my grade school. How exciting it was when diesel power and its sharp whistle replaced steam.
Right here, a 20 minute train ride away, in Redruth, Cornwall, William Murdock in his back yard invented the first railway engine, “Puffing Billy.” It was used to take tin and copper from the mines to the port at Portreath. The industrial revolution steam heritage of Cornwall-firsts is here for the finding.
On Friday, on BBC Breakfast, we watched the news staff say Happy Retirement to Bill Turnbull. John Kay, Charlie Stayt, and others, join Naga Manchetti and Louise Minchin on the program.
Another book, The Evening Gull, by the late Derek Tangye (Redwood Press, 1990), deals with carrying on conservation efforts after the death of his spouse, Jeannie. They had a small nature preserve near Lamorna Cove, on the English Channel. “Yet today there is a growing wave of courageous persistent, determination to do in peace what our generation did in war. The goal this time is not that of winning a war, but the winning of a green future for all mankind.”
Happy reflecting in your week. -John
It's About Now 