tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:57:18 +0000poetrystanzapoemsLentSudanbookpriestserviceGodchurcheasythemeAngelJesusbabylovepoempolishingreadingrhymespiritualsupportBibleCardiffChristianChristingleChristmasFreezerMaryNew Yearblogchallengechaoscreatedcribdeterminede-mailelderlyexcusefaithfellowshiphomehughymnideainterregnumjourneykeykidslastlinespolishprayprayerreaderrepetitionsalesscansellshineslaverystartstoriesworshipyearAIDSAdventAlphaArchbishopBathChrismasChristinglesCongoDadEzekielHeavenHoneypotJaneLlandaffLongfellowLordMakerMaliManchesterNHSNativityNine LessonsOfficeOxfamRomanSt TeiloSundayTentThomasThrushTrinityTrowbridgeTunisiaValentines dayWelshWilliam WilberforceWindowsacceptedachieveadvicealoneamazingannoyingapparentapplyapprovalarrivearrivedaspectbarriersbeginningbetterblessesblurbodybondcarolscatch upcathedralcensuschangecharitycheerfulchildrenchoiceclappedcleancomingcommon prayercommuniactioncommunitycompetitionconferanceconnectedcontactcontrolcoolcorecreativecreativitycrookcrossday caredeviateddifferentdiscountdiscusseddistractionsdittydonedoordoubtingdramaticdrivendropearlyeducationeffectelementemotionalencourageentertainedentertainmentevensongeventfacetfeastfeel goodfeistyfelowshipfirst linefollowfoodfriendfrustratedfutureglidegoodgraffitigrammargreengroupgrowguidanceguidehappyhiddenholidayhomeworkhospitalhouseinfirmisolatedissuejoylamblaterlaughlesslightlistenerslivinglulumarketingmeaningmimicmissionmomentmoochingmoodmouldymuseummushynewnewsfeednewsletternightsoceanoftenoldorganisedparallelpeacepeculiarpensionersperformpickingpiestpilgrimageplightpolishedpolitepowerfulprayerspreciouspresspretendpreviewprintprocessproofproximitypublishpublishedquietracehorsereadrealreflectedregimentationreplacementsresponsibilityrevisingribbonrootingroughrunningrushingscaredscentsscripturesculptsearchsecondsessionshepherdsimpleskeletonskimsmilesneakysnowsongspatialspiritsstanzasstepstorystrangestressesstrugglesupportivesurprisetailstalentstalktemptationthinkthinkingtimetitletonetopictorridtranscendtransienttravellingtryingunityvariationversevigourvitalvoicewaitwarm. happywaveweighedwonderworkerworriesworrywritingwrittenzoneA personal blog about my life and my poetry. I want to use it to express myself and exchange opinions in the hope of improving my work and growing generally.http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-8299227897084788736Fri, 16 Mar 2007 21:33:00 +00002007-03-17T00:02:15.468+01:00aloneconnecteddropeffectgoodisolatedoceanLent is an odd time, it can easily become a time of isolation. People tend to take time out to think, pray and generally be alone with God and their thoughts. It can also be a time of isolation as well as solitude because suddenly you are not doing the same things as everyone else. As a general rule the feeling of isolation is not good.Often people that have a faith can feel isolated in society http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/03/drop-effect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-4745504493116491031Mon, 12 Mar 2007 15:56:00 +00002007-03-12T21:01:27.308+01:00choiceeasyJesuskeyresponsibilityslaveryI have a friend who is for ever making one line style remarks that are a commentary on life. One of his more recent quips was that, every key represents a worry. It's true, a key is a way of protecting something that we own and by virtue of that it is something we have to be concerned about. If not I would never lock my house and soon I would be sharing it with squatters or some one would have http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/03/key-issue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-1689950984825321359Sat, 10 Mar 2007 22:57:00 +00002007-03-11T00:29:58.601+01:00BibledetermineddrivenfaithfollowLentstoriesLent is a time of learning and growth. Being a Christian I try to spend time in Lent improving myself. I usually give up alcohol as this helps me to maintain a clear mind. But Lent, despite what you may have heard is not just about about denial. Like most I am following a Lent course which if you have read my previous posts you will know is about William Wilberforce and his faith.The course seekshttp://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/03/be-determined.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-1540713517681393620Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:44:00 +00002007-03-11T00:30:55.082+01:00AlphaChristiandeterminedeasyLentpretendI recently worked a lot of overtime. What that means for my employer is that they paid me extra to come to work on my days off. What that means for me is that I had two days off last month and next week my pay packet will be bigger than average. The extra pay is handy as like everyone I have bills to pay,but also I get the grinding realisation that I am trading my life to get this extra pay - no http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/03/welcome-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-1169134124695837100Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:55:00 +00002007-03-11T00:31:21.769+01:00achievebodychurchcommunityencouragesmileI have been thinking a lot recently about William Wilberforce as not only is it his anniversary but also he is the theme of my Lent course. One thing though is that quickly pointed out is that William did not work alone but was part of a group, called the Clapham Sect. These people all shared the same thoughts about slavery but only one of them could represent that opinion in parliament. A task http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/03/be-encourage-able.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-5207782914902452570Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:57:00 +00002007-02-26T18:20:17.593+01:00applyBibleLentreadscripturestorytemptationI listened to a priest preaching last night about Jesus being tempted during his time in the wilderness. The sermon centred on the fact that Jesus countered the Devil with quotes of scripture that he had obviously memorised. Thus the literal word of God was used to defeat the Devil. The priest then went on to talk about us and the constant temptation coming our way in life. His suggestion was http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/02/bible-temptation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-7819981989789179900Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:56:00 +00002007-02-23T22:31:04.251+01:00acceptedexcuseslaverytalentsWilliam WilberforceThere is a lot of talk about slavery at the moment, partly because it is the anniversary of William Wilberforce and partly because slavery has not completely stopped. The Lent course that I have signed up to looks at the underlying Christian values that Mr William Wilberforce adhered to and asks can we make use of them today as Christians ourselves. For those of you that don't know William http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/02/good-opportunity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-3497976741881552224Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:26:00 +00002007-02-22T23:00:58.093+01:00changedifferentdramaticLentNew YearstepLent can be a bit like New Year, you make promises to yourself - and sometimes to others. Plans always seem easy, it's when you begin to do the things you plan that reality kicks in. Change can be awkward to manage simply because it is change, you need to make room for it.So today I have steeled myself and began as I intend to carry on. No great secret, just determination and effort. It may soundhttp://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/02/proper-start.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-8911032326468598823Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:17:00 +00002007-02-22T00:34:03.626+01:00beginningChristiancleangrowLentspiritualSudanI haven't blogged for far too long and I was reminded of this fact by a friend that I encouraged to set up a blog. She, Amanda, e-mailed me to look at her blog and see what I thought. It was one of those sheepish moments when you realise that you haven't really practiced what you preached.Amanda's blog is very good and is aimed at raising interest in South Sudan and the ongoing situation there. http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/02/lenten-return.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-500199714756612525Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:54:00 +00002007-01-11T17:10:44.626+01:00blogcontrollovemushypoetrystanzasthemeSeveral days have passed since my last post and I apologise for that. I have taken a decision that I will no longer try to post everyday. This was becoming a strain on me and over Christmas it really showed. So I still intend to regularly blog, just not every day.Since the start of the year I have taken control of the library poetry group, which I really don't have time for but will do as best I http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-3607705083570742938Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:55:00 +00002007-01-06T00:14:39.088+01:00BathbooklastmoochingpoetrypriestworriesToday is the last day of my wife's Christmas break and also my day off. So we abandoned life and went out. We went to the historic city of Bath and enjoyed a day of mooching around the shops looking for bargains. Didn't find many but did enjoy the distraction. I'm not a shopping person and do so only rarely.I received some invitations to enter a poetry competition for the poetry group which is http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/day-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-4618425777341675839Thu, 04 Jan 2007 21:39:00 +00002007-01-04T22:51:25.994+01:00blesseselderlyfeistyfelowshippoetrypowerfultryingAs I am often reminded by the elderly, you are not dead until you are dead. It's easy to give up, to throw your hands up in the air and stop trying. What surprises me are the number of feisty, and powerful older people doing things that many people younger than I would be scared to try. I believe that God blesses our efforts and that for this reason alone we should give our all in all the things http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/begin-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-7099240420034164409Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:07:00 +00002007-01-03T16:22:40.607+01:00lessmoodpoetryquiettopicValentines dayyearThings did not go well for the poetry group yesterday as no one turned up. The Librarians (the group meets in the local library) were very kind, as they always are but I still felt a lot less than comfortable. O.K. I tell myself there may well be a hundred reasons for their absence not least the fact it is so close to New Year. I have to admit That I felt a little let down.The time was not lost http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/let-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-1931396238841286797Tue, 02 Jan 2007 12:39:00 +00002007-01-02T13:53:52.585+01:00advicepoetrypreciousrunningstartsupportiveworrySlightly worried today. This is the first meeting of the local poetry group since the departure of the librarian leading it. I am essentially landed with running it or letting it fail. I don't really feel I can do either and certainly don't want to do both. To be fair the library staff who have been thinned out recently have been very supportive and friendly. But they will not run the group. So http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/poetry-group.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-3063214855034836495Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:39:00 +00002007-01-01T17:49:11.529+01:00betterchallengefuturehappyNew YearMade it !Another fresh new year and another chance to pick up the reins, so's to speak. Lots of challenges and problems too I'm sure. No matter, we are still here and so long as we are we can carry on. But with one change, lets carry on better. What ever we do, when ever we do it, who ever we do it to or for, lets try to do it better. Iv'e added a poem called The Future which is for all the http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-start.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-5835652630594722638Sat, 30 Dec 2006 22:47:00 +00002006-12-31T18:56:05.092+01:00catch upeasyGodnewpoemThrushtorridyearI like to take moments in the torrid whirl of my life to be still and quiet with God. It's not easy. This is one day in the year when I look for such a moment and also to take stock on a year gone by. I find that this poem helps, capturing the moment perfectly.May I take this moment to wish you a blessed and happy new year. Call by and catch up once in a while.Peace Dave.The Darkling ThrushI http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/year-end.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-3476928598538157286Sat, 30 Dec 2006 22:22:00 +00002006-12-30T23:45:40.457+01:00babylastpolishedprocessstanzaSudanworshipTomorrow is the last day of the year 2006, it is the last day of the Christian festival of Christmas (officially)but even more than that it is the last day of the incumbency of our parish Priest. Tomorrow sees the end of fourteen years of his work within our parish. It will be a strange thing to worship without him.The gift I prepared for him is ready, as polished as ever it can be and also with http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/last-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-2755185140672125700Fri, 29 Dec 2006 22:26:00 +00002006-12-30T00:00:56.288+01:00arrivecheerfulcoolFreezerlivingsurprisetalkIn a way this post relates to yesterdays post in that I have picked up something really quite general in something really specific. If you've been reading my posts you'll know that my freezer was due to be taken off life support today. To catch up please connect with this link to the relevant post.The bottom line is that when we purchased the freezer the cheerful salesman told us that it would behttp://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/freezer-promise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-5078997385284221906Thu, 28 Dec 2006 23:27:00 +00002006-12-29T00:52:05.009+01:00corecreatedGodhomeworklovethinkWindowsA bit more life, it's what holidays are about. This is core business, it affects my computer. For ages we have had the computer and all it's associated stuff locked up in a large cabinet. It served a purpose keeping Little hands far away from damaging sensitive equipment. Recently I learned how out of date that thinking was when my daughter asked me how to download an animation about combustion http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/simple-install.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-2583320136442725198Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:44:00 +00002006-12-27T19:08:01.390+01:00discountFreezerfriendoldrootingsalessupportToday was to be the first real break day in our Christmas holidays. The first day when we could lay up ignore the world and just chill. Maybe watch TV a bit, maybe play with some of our presents or just simply hang around. Sorry not to be. Our freezer which has been a good friend for several years, probably over six, has died. It has exhibited signs of illness for a while, frosting up and http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/material-issues.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-7492680700725525567Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:20:00 +00002008-12-10T15:37:35.729+01:00DaddooreasyHeavenhomelaughtimeverseI always smirk when I read the great poem by Philip Larkin - This be the Verse, the opening line which I will not repeat here is a sweeping truth. However the individualism that parenting can impart is not always a bad thing. I am who I am because of who they are. My daughter often comments that I am becoming more like my Dad, great I say I like my Dad. Christmas is a time for relatives and http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/my-parents.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-1223252381992584508Mon, 25 Dec 2006 20:30:00 +00002006-12-25T21:55:51.888+01:00barriersChristmasearlyfeastservicetranscendThere are two days of the year that exist outside the normal rules of general life and Christmas day is one of them. Advent is a season of preparation and this is what we have prepared for. If you have children it starts early, always early, less than five hours sleep in this case. Wonderful! I love the stumbling struggling start with children's excitement screaming like hyperactive bees all http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-914788075075074764Sun, 24 Dec 2006 21:41:00 +00002006-12-24T22:59:15.503+01:00ChristinglesJesusMarypriestRomanserviceThis afternoon at 4pm we put on our parish Christingle crib service. We have been practicing this and today the moment came. The Church was full to bursting with young families with kids of all ages and the young at heart. Every thing went very well and I think was well received. The service began with two Roman soldiers attempting to hold a census, Gluteous Maximus and Gratuitous Ugliness. Then http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/christingle-sucess.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-4137243981187572551Sat, 23 Dec 2006 22:19:00 +00002006-12-23T23:32:24.827+01:00groupguidancepoetrypraysupportTrowbridgeDark news. I spoke just yesterday to the librarian who was until recently leading our local poetry group. He has been moved/promoted to another town and can no longer meet his commitment to our little group. We meet once a month on the first Tuesday of the month in Trowbridge town library - all poetry lovers welcome. The remaining librarians will assist with tea, coffee and book lending but not http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/poetry-group.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36964473.post-7672364701951061695Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:37:00 +00002006-12-22T13:46:22.245+01:00AngelbookcrookcrosslambscaredshepherdThis is a poem from my book - which can be had on line from Lulu.com. There is a link for that on the right just above my archive listings. It's a bit of a Christmas freebie - enjoy and obviously if you like it.....Meeting.He looked up slowly, scared,Fear drawing his sinews tight.Staring into soft angelic eyes,That seemed to fill with light.The camp fire danced orange nearby,Cracking quietly two http://churchmousemutterings.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-poem.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0