Convex Cushion

We've had a great time being proactively lazy in Ipswich. So lazy that we're coming home in stages staying tonight in Ardleigh. Its my brother-in-law's birthday today so we stopped somewhere to buy him a presi and found this. Can we have one? Its like a bouncy castle but you bounce out instead of in. I can't think of a theological argument but give me time... (That's the Orwell Bridge in the background)

I've finished Jesus and the Racing Rat which is a really good application of Jesus' seven last words to the working world. I particularly liked his criticism of the "real world" being 9-5 where we do performance analysis and review our roles.

I've also finished The Grace Outpouring - that book that Gillie recomended. Its really good - the story of God blessing a welsh house of prayer. I can't work out over how many years this is set. I reckon we could put our heads together and come up with a whole pile of similar stories of God blessing us, answered prayer and miracles and souls saved.

Framlingham Castle

In 1553 (July) Mary Tudor was first proclaimed queen here. Her brother Edward VI was the first monarch to say Okay to Clergy getting married. So I am very fond of Edward. Mary reversed this law but Elizabeth put it back so that lots of clergy wives who'd been living in France could come back home.

In the Museum here are some Churchwarden Pipes - as far as I can see they have a serial number and are stamped. It looks very official and makes me wonder if amongst my neglected duties I have failed to provide past and present Wardens with a pipe.

They have a giant chess set. I won the first time and again the second time but that was by accident more than design.

Two Great Grandmas

The first great Grandma is great because she's said Yes of course she'd be delighted to babysit her grandchildren whilst her daughter's 40th birthday present from all and sundry flies her over to Israel for my last week there.

The second is my Grandma and so actually a Great Gma. We went to visit her today and I helped put up some yellow curtains. I once gave her a book for Christmas because it was about God or Jesus. Years later she let me have it back saying it didn't really do anything for her. The book was about the resurrection being a metaphorical made up myth. Thank God my Grandma's faith is bigger than mine. The best book she ever recommended to me was Mr God this is Anna.

Sensible Toads

I was scolded for peeking at a work email so we drove to Felixstowe to throw stones in the sea, eat ice-cream and find a small uneaten edible crab. We got lost en route and passed a red triangle sign with a frog on it. Apparently it's a toad. And apparently, says Grandma from the back seat, they're quite sensible and mainly cross at about 4am. Perhaps its okay to get a little lost sometimes.

Washing up

I've been trying to learn some hebrew - the word for sin is pronounced 'hate', the word for house 'buyit'.
Abigail has been making millionaire shortbread with Grandma - we're waiting for the caramel to cool before adding the chocolate. Washing up is sometimes the best job!
One friend urges me to buy some Noah's Nuggets whilst another praises the Lord for the ordination of Barbie . All that you need now are the Apps of the Apostles.

Sabbatical Day One

Woke up at 6am with three pointed sermon in head - goal, giving, gratitude.
Weigh 13.9.3/4 will I lose or gain over next 3 months?
Tried to Read book on Leadership - its probably really good but just guilt inducing this morning. I will leave it for a month or two ...
Read preface to my new bible - a New King James - not a new King James - but a NKJV. It doesn't smell as nice as my NASB but God is still there in the beginning and seeing that everything He made was good, even very good. Time to get up.

The Next Sermon

Yes I've been working on my sermon for August 29th - Paul thanks God for pouring out an abundance of grace and faith and love. I've been loading the coolest bible software you ever did see (oxymoron surely - but you wait till I plug it into our projectors) because my profound bible won't work on win7. (its 32bit not 64 bit thanks for your concern).

Sabbatical has now started (last work email sent 10pm) It feels indescribably odd to have a weight lifted off me. It will take a while for me to really believe it and I shall miss it too. As Arnie says I'll be back.