Oddities 2) Winnie the Pooh

So many of my old newspaper cuttings are dated and in a way this one is, because it was written about the church denominational scene in the 1970's. Christopher Idle, one of the Church of England's prolific hymn writers at that time examined: The Theology of Winnie the Pooh.  

I see that a new Winnie the Pooh story collection is to be released shortly to celebrate the bear's 95th. anniversary so why not mention this cutting. I realize that for some readers these book characters may be hazy in memories at best.  But I chuckled as I read this. 

Idle explained that each of A.A. Milne's famous characters had denominational identities. He had no doubts that Rabbit is a Baptist.  Unlike the Pentecostal Tigger, Rabbit neither bounces people into the river nor speaks strange tongues -' Worraworraworraworraworra'.  Nor does Rabbit mother everyone like Catholic Kanga with her liturgically repetitive offspring Roo.  

Rabbit is not so high-flown as Owl, but earthed in the world. He does not need such learned language as his Reformed and Presbyterian friend.   Nor is he so easily excited with Methodist Piglet's enthusiasm.  While serious in an 18th century way, Rabbit cannot retain the gloominess of Eeyore, who know no denominational label but is found in all of them.  Above all he is is not Winnie the Pooh. No-one ever accused Rabbit of having Very Little Brain. Rabbit does not wander through the Forest aimlessly, vaguely compiling pointless statistics of his steadily diminishing assents (honey) nor does he walk around in circles pursuing non-existent quarries (Woozles) like his easy going Anglican friend.  

Don't forget this is an Anglican assessment of the characters. More strikingly he also sees the positive signs that Rabbit is a committed Baptist!....see next. 

Oddities 1 - A note to the preacher

When I left for the US in 2000 I left bundles of papers in the UK to be sorted later.  Only now am I struggling through these masses of old newspaper cuttings and personal papers. I am uncovering oddities.  For example, a note passed onto me after a service when I was minister at St. Andrew's Street Baptist Church.

Please, please, PLEASE!

1. Can we have some more 'proper' hymns and not just the statutory two at morning service - usually chosen from the same half dozen.

2, Can we give Paul a rest for a while and get back to Jesus.

3. Have some more of Michael's humour in sermons - which differentiates them from long years of worthy (but dull) dissertations and drives home the points with unerring accuracy!

Why did I keep this?  I think it was part of my 'listening to my listeners' process which blossomed into some of my writing as a preacher.  Not always comfortable (far from it) and always to be balanced by others, yet vital.  

An Accident 4) Mental Re-construction

Hopefully this is my last accident posting as we nudge closer to a replacement car.  But I must relate the session Carol and I had with a retired police Inspector, who belongs to our church.  He called and offered to give us both a post-accident talk in order to help us face driving again.  From his long experience of dealing with people involved in accidents he has devised a way of providing a kind of mental reconstruction.  Actually, he mentioned that he had offered to help others but few had wanted help.

Well, we said 'Yes please'.  He arrived with a large notepad and wide felt-tip pen.  He began drawing road plans, including the crossroads where the van had smashed into us.  Painstakingly he began to point out the hazards in each scenario, emphasizing the need to 'cover the horn' , ever ready to use it as a warning, as well as braking to notify the driver behind.  The high levels of anticipation required as you drive everywhere. As he tore off each sheet to draw yet another possibility he kept reinforcing the danger of assumptions that creep in over the years.   Especially assumptions that there is no danger round the next corner.

It took me back to my driving lessons (also with a retired police chief) with the deliberate anticipation of the possible hazards in different situations.  Was it helpful?  Most definitely.  As I reflect on the moments before our crash I realize that having enjoyed a coffee at the Emmaus charity store, I was too relaxed driving along the hedge-lined road.  Yes, I had low levels of anticipation as I approached that cross-roads.

So going back to basics is to be recommended. I am a chastened driver.  

An Accident 3) 18 days later

At last, 18 days later, I have heard that my car is definitely a write-off and I have been allotted a sum towards a replacement car.  The frustration of dealing with the insurers is nearing an end. My neighbour told me last week that I am far too nice and kind to be dealing with the hard realities of my accident!  He told me when an organization is obstructive: "A red mist descends and in rage I tear into them, disturbing their tea break.  Perhaps they thought they could fob me off one more day....my anger (and imagine the language) rips into their organization and its incompetence and uselessness.  That's the way to get noticed. Michael, I think you probably don't have a nasty bone in your body,' he said, 'so you really are out of step with what it takes in today's world.'  

It makes you wonder about all the anger and assertiveness that does seem so often to be the way the world works! Perhaps I have been out of step.  No red mist moments.  But, after all I have just been preaching the Beatitudes!   Anyway, the immediate aftermath of the accident is over. A friend has loaned us a car while we try to organize a replacement and we remain grateful.

Actually, we are especially grateful because today marks our 53rd. Wedding Anniversary. Still together!

 

An Accident 2) Aftermath

It is now 13 days since the crash.  A couple of things have happened and other things haven't.  Obvious were the shock reactions we both had in different ways. After 24 hours, I suddenly went into Artic freeze - unable to warm up during the day and at night, in spite of 4 blankets, a hot water bottle and bed socks.  Apparently a common reaction.  Carol sunk into deep fatigue and a reactivated illness. It is surprising how long shock waves continue with flashbacks.

Wonderful has been the reactions of friends and neighbours.  In our carless state they have covered our shopping and medical journeys with such kindness.  Phone calls, emails have brought sympathy and support.  We are immensely grateful.  So many have been praying for us - the support has been tangible.

Other things haven't happened - the prime culprits being our elusive car and insurance company.  Together they have dodged persistent investigation about progress. At last, I have learned that I will be told by Friday whether the car is a write-off or not. So, we remain in suspension until the end of this week.

In my devotions I have been challenged:  Preacher, you preached on: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, the will walk and not be faint (Isa. 40:31).   Now trust in God's promise!   Yes, it's no good spouting great God words in the past.  They are for living now.  He is for now!

An Accident

It's extraordinary how a dull Thursday morning, visiting the Emmaus Community (on the Ely Road) for coffee, could turn into such a traumatic mess.  As someone said to me 'That's why we call it an accident!'  Taking a back road to avoid major hold-ups on the A10 I approached a cross roads.  What happened next is a bit of a blur. The police and insurance reports will likely record that as I came into the main road to turn left I was hit by a van at the front on the driver's side. Shunted across the road at speed.  Who was at fault?  Good question.  I am sure I looked right and would have seen him but....! Nearby residents said it was an accident black spot with a previous collision just a week befor.

What is truly extraordinary is that the collision shot my foot down on the accelerator and we ploughed across the road straight for a large stone marker welcoming us to the village of Landbeach.  As Carol screamed for me to stop I found myself making a swift left turn that grounded us safely between the stone pillar behind and a telegraph pole ahead, with a solid street sign about 6 inches away, parallel with the car on the left hand side.  3 obstacles any of which could have done further damage to us.  Onlookers commented on the miraculous driving.  And it was.  We sometimes talk about God's protection and even guardian angels.  Well, this was some skillful driving of which I have no memory.  Many other things could have gone wrong too - a sudden break in oncoming traffic spared a further collision.

Reflecting (in this time of considerable after-shock) we give thanks for God's protection, for the amazing kindness of Landbeach villagers who brought us refreshments and enabled comfort breaks!, the help of passing first-aiders, the pleasant other driver was not seriously injured (though he did go to hospital for a check-up overnight), and a villager who drove us back home. Within the nearly six hours so much kindness

Alas, I have discovered my insurers are rated very badly and confused communications between them and outsourced support means the car remains in six days limbo (so far) until an engineer examines whether it is a write-off or not. :So we are in limbo too though neighbours and friends in the church are really helping us.  I'll let you know the next chapter.

 

On a hillside 30) B8 Truth 3 The promise

As with all the beatitudes there's a promise: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!  At no point in the Beatitude Jesus escapes real life.  It’s a whole life-style that causes an affront.  Jesus knows that none of these eight beatitudes are possible without his love and power. Rather, with him, mourning, hungering and thirsting to do the right thing for God, peace-making, gentleness with the strength of steel, mercy giving and bearing persecution is the best way to live.  For the best way to live and strange though it seems he claims all this adds up to being blessed, happy God’s way.  Even facing persecutions and insults.  

The Message paraphrases Matt. 5:11,12 : You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me.  What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens – give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it , I do!  And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

 So, let's be God botherers because we love Jesus!