Shefchap's Blog

Another wonderful day.

shefchap — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:47:07 +0000

Yes, it’s another wonderful day. I often say to people as we greet each other ‘another fine day in Paradise’. I’m surprised no-one’s thumped me yet or told me to change the record. But it is about having a positive outlook; things to be thankful for; food, shelter, clothing, family, my job, the fact that I’m still alive and I have a God and people who love me, despite my failings, and whom I love too. Enough people have real problems and pressures, so the least I can do is smile and look up. The most encouraging video I ever saw on YouTube was the one about the man who has no arms or legs, yet he plays golf, and says he’s happy – Really happy, because he doesn’t look at what he could bemoan – he’s thankful for the things he has and his real triumph over adversity. I heard a guy in a wheel chair speaking recently. He’s got an illness that could kill him in years to come – he’s outlived the doctor’s expectancy already, but here is another guy who just gets on with it. He’s just completed his second year of a degree course in Theology and Children’s work, and he is a funny guy too. I love his sense of humour, and he also gets stuck in with serving others where he can.

So here goes for today. Have a great day, and remember Christ is with you.

Something I wrote on another blog a while ago….

shefchap — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:37:04 +0000

Since I last wrote back in the Winter,lots has happened. The main thing is that I now have a part time job as a multifaith chaplaincy co-ordinator to workplaces in my area. It is fascinating, as it has taken my theology forwards hugely – perhaps that means in simple terms that I’ve had to deal with my preconceived ideas and get real with the world around me. That’s no bad thing, but best of all, it has deepened my faith in Christ and I don’t feel I am denying the authenticity of the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible; rather it has taught me to be more respectful and more receptive towards those of other faiths and none. Only yesterday, I was in Bradford at the magistrates courts to learn about their multifaith chaplaincy (which is aimed more at the clients and their supporters who have to come to court, and less so those who work in the courts.). Talking to Latif and listening to him and his colleagues was a real joy. What’s cool about multifaith chaplaincy is finding the common ground between those of faith, and in particular the things that unite us as humanity seeking to live in peace with each other and in our community – especially where faith is often marginalised. Faith is an integral part of the lives of those of faith, and it spills over in to our working lives. It affects our worldview, and how we want to live alongside our colleagues, clients and and so on, and how we deal with the inevitable conflicts, or moral dilemmas one often faces.One of the best books I’ve read in recent months is ‘The Vicar of Baghdad’ by Canon Andrew White. The way he deals with people of other faiths really inspired me and his is one of few books that I can say ‘changed me’. Yet on the very same day that I was in the court building, 2 things happened; the courts had issued summons to hundreds of people who had defaulted on council tax payments so the entrance to the building was HEAVING with people who had come for their time in court as I tried to make my exit,; during that time, an elderly man in that queue collapsed upstairs. The court ushers and security did a sterling job of helping him. As I climbed back in to my car, the radio news announced that the latest serial killer of 3 sex workers had been arrested in Bradford. The very place I was visiting became headline news. Christ is to be found loving and compassionate in the midst of the sinfulness of humanity. He associated with the sinners of his day bringing redemption, forgiveness, and compassion. He did not turn his back on ‘sinners and tax collectors’ but he levelled his anger at the religious teachers of his time who really were power hungry and failed in the Godly areas of justice, and feeding the poor an hungry. The chaplains are simply there to help people without being judgemental or without prosyletising/ pushing their own religious agenda’s. that’s about all for now – I have to sign off and get dinner on the table. TTFN

Starting out with WordPress

shefchap — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:43:28 +0000

Hi, I’m David and I’m just starting out with blogging. I’m not the kind of person who’s into blah blah blah to the world for the sake of it, but I am realising that this is a medium by which lots of people can make their views known. It may influence others, or better still, it may illicit responses to see what others think – a forum for discussing what ever interests us. Like alot of people, I’m quite private, but perhaps I need to just see what interaction happens as a result of this. It may even become an open diary – who knows !

I’ve tried a few other sites for blogging and for trying to create easy websites, so we’ll just see how this goes.

Cheers for now

David