Stand Still in London

Today traffic was brought to a halt in central London. Roads normally full of traffic were empty. As 250,000 people march through the streets to voice their concerns over the latest government cuts. We are in a time where we need to all tighten our purses a little but how we do that MATTERS. How what is taking place effects those in my patch I don't really know right now. But they will and some will be struggling even more. The march brought together people from all ages from all over the UK. Will it have made a difference I really am not sure. 

Here's a few photo's of the day that show the different people that where there 

At the table

© 2011 Julia Lohmann

I had to smile today, I really did not want to go to church today as wesley once wrote in the famous journal entry  "I went very unwillingly". I haven't been all that well again this week, and had been ill during the night and again during the service. But I was acting steward today so went. Toward the end of the service just as we came together to read the liturgy for communion our youngest member who's about 18months wandered over to the communion rail reached up and almost danced along the rail and played under the table. I was wonderful to see... then his older brother joined him it was great to see the freedom of these two young lives free at the table free to crawl and play and dance... in their fathers house. I came to remember the verse from Song of Solomon 2:4

He brought me to the banqueting house, 

And his banner over me was love.

There is a song called his banner over me that I was singing to my self as I sat there just watching the boys part of the words go   

He brought me to his banqueting table 

And his banner over me is love 

I am my beloved’s and he is mine 

And his banner over me is love 

We delight ourselves at your table oh God

we delight ourselves at your table oh God I love that phrase but it also comes with a "ouch" the ouch do I really delight my self at HIS table like the two young lives did today.....

who's pulling your Strings......

The 1967 Uk entry to the Eurovision song contest was puppet on a string Last night I got to meet one of my all time favourite puppets from childhood sooty.....

I loved this cheeky little bear. So there was a reason to be playing with puppets well at cubs tonight we had a visit from a puppeteer. The cubs were mesmerised by them. Now I'm not always a fan of puppets I hate the ones that look human so the old guys off the muppet show are out... but cuddly ones like sooty sweep and sue 

Though there is much fun and laughter with puppets. What I got to thinking about was the string puppets I have a few of these. the ones that work by strings that make it move. The question was who's pulling your strings. Who is it that guides your motives and actions. 

This can be taken further who is pulling the string on the street, in the flats or over the estate that we live in. Who is it that is being allowed to run things. Is there a time for a change a time to bring about a new way of thinking a new way of being. 

By placing my hand inside sooty I could control to guide the bears actions... am I as willing as the bear to allow my actions to be guided by God. To allow those action and ways to make a difference on my patch.... 

A new friend

There are many things that take over our towns and city's at night, I love watching the BBC's two series spring and autumn watch. These programmes look at the different animals that are around a live documentary that the viewer can join in with. I had not got my camera with me as i walked home last night but did manage to get this 

A young fox who more or less walked me home, I sat watching it for a while till it got too cold for me, to get this close was so good. I really was as close as the picture seems to suggests. many of those who live alongside us have had to adapt and overcome. Some have done it better than others. Urban foxes often get a bad press, but I'm really glad to have them around.

scouts and pancakes

Tonight was pancake night at scouts.. yes a week early.. well be prepared and all that :) and it wasn't done the way you would have expected.... these little burners had a tea light inside...

 no it's not a egg .... it's a mini pancake :) 

 the fun started when they decided they wanted to flip the pancakes it all started so well 

 yup they ended on the floor 

it was a good night and some very interesting creations were made and eaten :)

Though I think I'll have someone else cooks the pancakes for next tuesday :)