tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111007802011-08-02T12:15:38.130ZTo some he's the vicar, Reverend Stuart, on a mission to help people discover the open secret of eternal life. To others he is a writer, thinker, punster and drinking partner. He is Dr Moose - and these are some of his thoughts.Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.comBlogger2811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-33065567688731349672007-09-28T21:32:00.000Z2007-09-28T21:36:23.894Z

Well, after a couple of years, a respectable number of posts and a change of job(s), it's time to change blogs too.That doesn't mean I've actually done anything other than create it, but nevertheless... once I have a few moments (when I'm awake), Dr Moose's random scribblings, reflections and rants will be over at http://2hats1head.blogspot.com but until then I need some sleep!

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-68579334937289836432007-09-21T15:26:00.000Z2007-09-21T15:31:55.808Z

What it says really. We've been here in Northampton for well over a week and courtesy of BT an Tiscali I still have no broadband, and it's driving me absolutely crazy! I don't know how much time I'm going to have to be able to sneak into Internet cafes, and I don't have a university ID yet.Stll, we're alive. Lucy's at school, and settling with plenty of tears and uncertainty. Becky has just about

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-80898120429502407732007-09-05T19:55:00.001Z2007-09-05T19:58:55.728Z

(Cue Bee Gees music!)Still alive, but with a move due on Tuesday, and still having to work through to Sunday, I hope you'll understand why I've not said a lot recently!Greenbelt with the family was a qualified success, but that comes of having a 5 year old and an 18 month old as part of the package. They are not going next year, but I am!Too much happening and not enough time... or motivation at

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-55430796656396464682007-08-23T21:54:00.000Z2007-08-23T21:55:57.054Z

Right. GB here we come. We're all packed. The stress is lifting. See you all at the races!Mine's a pint of Hobgoblin, and if they don't have that, well, I'll just have to stoop to the organic cider at 8% abv.Cheers!

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-4522462799342120742007-08-22T15:47:00.000Z2007-08-22T15:53:10.632Z

Well, it's Wednesday before Greenbelt. The weather here is distinctly odd. The tent can't be properly aired, there's nowhere really big enough to put it. The hire car can't be collected until tomorrow.We are still getting removal quotes. The diocese has gone to sleep. MLPK is pretty much asleep. I want sleep. We still have no confirmation of LM's school place.Am I worried? Strangely, no. But the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-67527037122102138152007-08-16T10:35:00.000Z2007-08-16T10:37:43.530Z

Not quite what you might expect, but it tickled me. Advanced maths, popular puzzles and theology lite!Good for a Friday, any way!

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-88988906108263693782007-08-15T11:59:00.000Z2007-08-15T12:34:57.046Z

At last! I can now officially tell the world (or that tiny portion of it which reads my scribblings!) that which was the worst-kept secret in MLPK - to wit, I HAVE A NEW JOB! :)In early September the herd of Moose will be striking northwards to sojourn once more in the East Midlands, in Northampton to be precise, which may or may not be a city, depending upon who you ask!On September 23rd I'll be

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-26105323594467653202007-07-20T09:08:00.000Z2007-07-20T09:14:58.411Z

I'm trying to write the latest letter for one of the local publications in MLPK, and have just checked the letters for the last few years. (Whether I'm trying to find something to steal or trying avoid repetition I'll leave you to decide!)However, having read last August's I thought (in my vanity) that maybe it deserved an airing - to prove I'm still alive and, if nothing else, to remind us about

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-43314276253851646512007-07-12T12:30:00.000Z2007-07-12T12:52:25.542Z

What ho! Shocking news, old boy. That well-known purveyor of fascist propaganda, Borders, is up to it's beastly old tricks again. Peddling offensive literature about those chaps of a different skin colour, what?Or put it more simply the Campaign for Racial Equality want to stop us reading Tintin!I should add at this point that I've never been a great fan of Tintin, but this does seem a tad silly.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-85786911002755680262007-07-12T11:53:00.000Z2007-07-12T12:19:20.317Z

I heard on the radio the other day that a good dairy was one which was written with no real readership in mind. Just written, whether as an obsession, an aide memoire or as a cathartic activity made no difference. Which just about sinks most political diaries these days, like Alistair Campbell's for example.It made me wonder a little where blogging fitted in. Blogging, as has been written by far

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-91751244195443056482007-07-10T20:31:00.000Z2007-07-10T21:22:34.639Z

It's fascinating how words find new, but related uses.Only in the last few years have I come across the use of canon and canonical lifted from the ecclesiastical and into the realm of Role-Playing Games. It seems to be applied especially in cases where there is an extensive corpus of published works, from a variety of sources. Hence there is the Traveller Canon (although I'll have to be a pedant

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-82342051119545817122007-07-10T16:09:00.000Z2007-07-10T16:14:03.677Z

I was in the middle of writing a post, which will hopefully soon appear, about yesterday's peregrinations, when who should appear but GLW, clutching a tasty-looking piece of white chocolate. Except that somebody agreed with me - there being a series of little nibble marks.Yes - we have a mouse!(Should come as a surprise at all - Cat-who-owns-this-human has a habit of bringing them in.... and then

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-31483812970501886742007-07-10T14:24:00.000Z2007-07-10T20:31:22.622Z

Very tired today after "investing" my day off in a trip to Grand-Parental Midlands City. It's not that I mind driving, I don't, but the M1 and the M25 are a rather potent combination, although moreso coming South than going North. I'm very glad I had a reasonable run up and a good time there, because it felt like we crawled en masse all the way between the M1 and well-beyond the M11 junctions of

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-36108315757980882362007-07-03T09:12:00.000Z2007-07-03T09:16:34.341Z

Some excellent stuff from St Casserole.Done for laughs, but as with all humour many a true word is said in jest.Go read, and don't forget the comments.On a more serious note: why don't I ever think in these terms? Answer: because I'm burning out and need that change.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-12964816541913809792007-07-03T08:23:00.000Z2007-07-03T08:42:43.949Z

Funny things, labels. They tend to stick. To the exclusion of anything else. Names and associations from the Bible still have weight, embedded in culture, even if the culture has apparently moved on. For example, have you ever met a Judas? I haven't.And today the Church remembers another labelled individual. Thomas, rarely referred to without his prefix, "Doubting" Thomas. The one apostle who as

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-59510630258952909402007-07-02T07:46:00.000Z2007-07-02T08:02:07.009Z

It's probably the sign of a fizzing brain - which is a very good thing on a Monday morning as I might get some quality creativity done - that I picked up on the following point on the news.The body representing Fertility Specialists across Europe is calling for a harmonisation of standards across countries to enable equality of access to services. Which is all well and good, I suppose (although

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-10124438202427704842007-06-27T12:28:00.000Z2007-06-27T12:33:32.940Z

I have just heard, via the delights of email, that GrandParental Midlands City post wants me for interview. Not bad for the day after applications closed! (What do the others know that I don't?)The only real question in my mind is... will the other candidate be another middle-aged woman? (Not that I have anything against middle-aged women, of course!)This is unquestionably Good News. Prayers

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-15298223087054503822007-06-24T20:13:00.000Z2007-06-24T20:16:47.343Z

You will either get this or you won't... but I think I'd book a place (if GLW would let me!):)HT to Darran at The Tavern

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-41538542891706340692007-06-23T13:41:00.000Z2007-06-23T14:16:07.945Z

The title says it all really. I have a talk for Tea Time Worship, but that's usually a little less difficult since I tend to use only the one text. Sunday mornings are, however, a different matter. Since I see scripture as important we tend to use the three readings (although not, in common with much Anglicanism to my experience, the psalm... but that's a separate point).It's not that the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-88524443869237030672007-06-17T21:55:00.000Z2007-06-17T21:58:13.725Z

NERD!(apparently)I have to admit to being slightly surprised, but nevertheless...

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-10458155483058363272007-06-15T09:44:00.000Z2007-06-15T15:41:28.073Z

I had earlier this week one of those things that has been increasingly rare of late. That was a trip into London. As a man who is on record as saying that he would rather work abroad than in London that may seem a little strange. Maybe I've changed, but I still wouldn't want to have to commute into the Big Smokeless.The occasion for the trip was our annual Deanery Chapter excursion. The first one

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-17732225830056440272007-06-15T09:14:00.000Z2007-06-15T09:39:13.832Z

(with apologies to Bill Bryson)I think that most people who know me would consider me a relatively gentle soul. I mean, I have been known to terminate bluebottles, wasps and ants with extreme prejudice, but generally speaking I rarely wish ill on any one or anything for very long. Even as I write this I've had to stop and rescue a sparrow from the claws of the cat. (Not enough sparrows around if

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-51393549099085994892007-06-10T10:31:00.000Z2007-06-10T10:45:11.767Z

While I would hesitate to call myself a townie, I'm not really a country lad either. My home stomping ground in the Midlands had farmland within easy walking distance (in fact even in sight of my bedroom window for the first few years).But my passing acquaintance with dairy farming doesn't stretch to the phenomenon seen each year here, as scores of foreign teenagers descend on eurosceptic Kent to

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-25965646227016128092007-06-09T16:23:00.000Z2007-06-09T16:46:20.721Z

Just a quick reflection. Here in MLPK there was a "Family Fun Day" today, an event organised by the Traders'/Tenants' Association as a fund-raiser for the local hospice, and, incidentally to raise the profile (and hopefully the income of the traders, despite the presence of a small "market").I'm not one for fairs, fetes and markets, and yet here we have a re-invention of the community-building

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-40625855042783589662007-06-05T08:53:00.000Z2007-06-05T08:58:17.688Z

Almost in response to my last post, comes this from the CofE website.And what are we going to do about it? Where can I get several dozen egg-timers from, and more to the point, would I get up to get those who catch the 0530 train to London?Guilty as charged?

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-51769791675287055622007-06-05T08:29:00.000Z2007-06-05T08:53:32.125Z

How can you speak of failure in the context of mission? Even in terms of regular ministry? I have had numerous people tell me that there is no such thing as failure in this context - the nearest thing to seems to be to say that you failed to reach your expectations, or that they were unrealistic. Not to mention the truism that we can never truly know the value of our endeavours in the longer

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-72079938314373254452007-06-04T09:30:00.000Z2007-06-04T10:16:09.843Z

I have an aversion to Enid Blyton. Don't ask me why. I don't know. I have never knowlingly as a child read any of her stories, nor had them read to me. They seemed pretty old fashioned when I was growing up. Biggles, yes. And if I could get them all cheap I would (and I mean cheap!) But not Enid Blyton.Nevertheless when LM is due a bedtime story it's hard to refuse her choices, unless they are

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-18159943745643891972007-05-30T14:38:00.000Z2007-05-30T15:12:28.205Z

Last Sunday we decided to do something different for Pentecost. Tea Time Worship morphed, for one Sunday only, into Cafe church. Out went the horse-shoe of chairs, in came round tables and sitting through the songs. Out went the talk, and in came interactive activity - getting the congregation to draw pictures of their houses and blu-tac them on the wall next to the street name - to try to show

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-26847913196945178162007-05-30T14:03:00.000Z2007-05-30T14:19:08.865Z

(Beware: this might count as a rant!)I can't remember who it was on the Today programme this morning, George Osbourne? Anyway a Conservative wannabee minister, but he summed up a lot of what has gone wrong to my mind. Forget about the Conservatives being the new Blairites. Maybe they are, but I tend more to Old Labour and socialism, ayway. But that's not the point.They just don't get it do they?

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-23198059336394640022007-05-30T13:08:00.000Z2007-05-30T13:51:31.410Z

Not the title of the Easter hymn, but simply one of many titles I could have found for this post (and probably the safest).I may, or may not, have mentioned recently that I needed to do a survey in MLPK about the need and desire for some sort of church/community building. The content of the questions and the strategy of sampling were broadly agreed, and two weeks or so ago the questionnaires went

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-6575818938403915372007-05-25T09:32:00.000Z2007-05-25T09:36:45.300Z

In trying to prepare a sermon for Sunday morning I've been through my old ones. I discovered this from last year. If anyone wishes to use it, feel free.There were once three men who lived in a hot, barren and rocky land. One day each of them noticed that a spring had appeared on his land, and the waters were making a lovely pool. It was cool and refreshing. Each man gave thanks to God and

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-7400208507450145382007-05-20T19:30:00.000Z2007-05-20T19:36:04.743Z

My old colleague Andy from theological college (which is advertising for a new College Chaplain - hurrah! - but only half-time - alas!) has posted a piece on a project in his neck of the woods about preserving community identity in the form of stories.It made me wonder about MLPK. His assertion was that a place may exist without stories, but it cannot be a community without stories. I think he

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-11352939211346858422007-05-20T18:56:00.000Z2007-05-20T19:21:50.882Z

Most of my regular readers will know my mixture of feelings about ministry here in MLPK. About the factors I cannot change, some of which I need to let drop and leave in God's care, and the ones I wouldn't want to change. I'm exhausted after a very busy two weeks. The sort of satisfied exhaustion that comes from knowing you've been doing the right thing.I don't know how busy most of my clerical

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-75286476409561104072007-05-18T10:21:00.000Z2007-05-18T11:50:58.174Z

Sitting at my desk tired and somewhat unwell I have just read Kathryn's blog with her thoughts on Ascension Day. I have to admit that I might be of a different generation and background, because it's only in recent years that I've been able to see Ascension as anything other than a bit of a Cinderella. Yes, I was lucky enough to go to a school with a Chapel and Chaplain, but all I remember

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-38453921291146265462007-05-17T08:47:00.000Z2007-05-17T08:54:18.123Z

Like many parents of five year olds I have the dubious privelege of being treated to all sorts of "plays", "lessons" or "shows" from LM, usually as she attempts to delay the act of getting dressed.This morning, though, was a classic demonstration of both how a child learns to recognise and use words, and possibly, how she will imitate her Daddy's love of words, puns and the like.LM: "I'm going to

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-3779637512557587402007-05-08T09:14:00.000Z2007-05-08T09:16:31.898Z

Another gem from David. Please contact me for details of his published poetry.*Mother Julian’s Eve*The first change in the weather has come. Stiff winds have blown blossom off the trees and scattered it haphazardly, with new leaves and litter, along the hedgerows and pavements.There is a chill under the clear night sky, and the dogs race for home, walk and duty done.Tomorrow God’s gathered

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-30590552483259780372007-05-03T20:09:00.000Z2007-05-03T20:10:31.939Z

And I complain about cars and lorries stopping outside my house for just a few minutes to look at the map...

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-82198865325123659042007-05-03T13:07:00.000Z2007-05-03T13:13:04.563Z

3 candidates,2 parties.2 votes,1 pencil.No point,no relevance?Local democracy in action. Don't hog the pencil.Honestly, I really find it hard to say very much good about the whole proceedings. All I can say is that because I know one of the candidates a little that I know his intentions are good and honourable....and that's enough to quash the cynicism, if not to raise the excitement.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-75634103393147977562007-05-02T09:24:00.000Z2007-05-02T10:17:42.103Z

We dog-collared types have all seen the ads in the Church Times and the Church of England Newspaper, and similar publications.So as a bit of therapy, how do you think those looking for clergy to fill their posts would respond to this?EDIT: Apologies for the 2 minor spelling/grammar/vocab errors - I was in a hurry! :)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-73880764252318674492007-05-01T06:52:00.000Z2007-05-01T09:36:37.522Z

I'm sure some of my readers will remember the 1980s song, even if, like me they'd be strecthed to remember who performed it. You will, also, I suspect have divined the nature of this post!So, not only did I withdraw from Small Midlands City (and feel a little bad for doing so when there is nothing that the folks could have done about it), but neither am I going to Nice Team Vicar Job Just Down

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-23988593338356880452007-04-29T10:54:00.000Z2007-04-29T11:35:40.581Z

I have never owned a wringer or a mangle, but in distant student days I did, for a while, regularly hand-wash my clothes. Why I can't quite fathom, possibly just the novelty value, combined with the time to do it. The phase didn't last long, but I do remember the experience of wringing out the towels, twisting them into contorted knots in an effort to extract as much as possible from them before

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-5959665872891718272007-04-19T21:18:00.000Z2007-04-19T21:51:51.206Z

So, the Snark hunting continues. Although there has been a variation of late. I've already said, and it remains true, that I'd like to move onto a University/Higher Education Chaplaincy post at some point, but that is easier said than done. There are universities and universities. With 60 expressions of interest and 25+ applicants SW15 showed how popular church college Chaplaincies are. Then

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-5753335626588990862007-04-08T06:37:00.000Z2007-04-08T06:42:55.487Z

If David Blaine wanted to prove his divinity by being tortured, killed, buried and brought back to life three days later he'd want to do it in Trafalgar Square with 24 hour broadcast coverage and sponsored for a good cause.Not to mention, of course, the presence of a skilled executioner, a panel of medical experts and specialists from the funeral industry.Yet, in a well-planned manoever by night,

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-40486125563796595042007-04-06T09:18:00.000Z2007-04-06T09:27:26.103Z

Another gem.*All in a Day’s Work*‘And he shall crucify’.O not to have been the soldier who had to do it, who was glad to do it, to ‘another criminal, just a Jew’.What did his eyes say to the other as he did it? And what did he see in the other’s eyes?Agony. Unbearable for any human.Did he understand any syllable of the ‘Father, forgive’?I guess not. He wouldn’t have known the language,

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-21250126596568973842007-04-01T14:46:00.000Z2007-04-01T14:49:05.595Z

I think this blog should be renamed the David Grieve Appreciation Society!Anyway, another poem, too good to miss.*April’s Fool*In humility, April’s Fool expresses his kingship in other-worldly /condescension/, mounted on a foal broken in by love, making a jackass of the pride and power of rulers.Mounted on the Cross, The Fool on the Hill will reign in glory, outwitting Satan.Hosannas will

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-33862033318726136412007-04-01T06:27:00.000Z2007-04-01T06:32:13.936Z

Bruno, Missionary, Martyr, 1511A Silesian in the service of Queen Elizabeth, author of The Fragrant Presence, matryed by native Americans after a misunderstanding over sacred herbs. His remains are interred in Durham Cathedral.*Before April*I watch and wait beside the relics of St Bruno. My hands are ready rubbed, fighting off the chill of early morning, but I feel inwardly warmedAnd glad to

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-79298870174551551932007-03-31T13:34:00.000Z2007-03-31T13:51:16.112Z

Very tired this afternoon, and with lots to catch up on for tomorrow, but not so busy as to record a strange "first" and a reflection.It's taken nearly seven years of ordained ministry to get here, but last night I had the privilege and sadness of helping some of my folks, my friends, see a member of their family, and our church family, slip away from this life and, all cliches aside, on to

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-8644123004940879602007-03-27T11:02:00.000Z2007-03-27T11:28:23.301Z

No, these have nothing to do with Lent, Holy Week and Easter, either... (at least no in this context).I'd forgotten how stressful job-hunting was. I sort of expect the lows, so the University Chaplaincy post I really wanted not even calling me for interview wasn't actually too bad once the self-set deadline for being summoned was overdue, and the slim letter to say "no thank you" was a pleasant

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-36095282745044528912007-03-21T15:02:00.000Z2007-03-21T15:07:25.631Z

Well, my next blog will not be SW15something, as Roehampton hasn't worked out. Not too surprising with 27 (yes, twenty-seven) applicants involved.I have another Uni Chaplaincy application on the go, although it doesn't have quite the appeal of Roehampton. Ho hum - just as well that there are other Tean Vicar-ish things that are worthy of application.Could it be that however much I might like the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-11452835267505629992007-03-11T13:51:00.000Z2007-03-11T13:53:49.004Z

(being another of David's wonderful poems)Blossom in February struck a chord of hope and fear; uneasiness at the coming new order.We talked of how it used to be or, at least, how we remembered it.Snow-ins for many weeks at a time. Each parish with its own Priest and Lay Readers in abundance and the reassurance of Jacobean liturgy. Villages with self contained entertainments, family businesses

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-36558226941209831912007-03-08T15:42:00.000Z2007-03-08T15:48:51.547Z

"a new life emerging" is a blog I don't read often enough. Although I should. There are some wonderful reflections on the grace and power of God as well as the brokenness of humanity.Are you with the band? is a marvellous piece about Jesus, Judas and ourselves.Do yourself a favour. Go read!

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-65034842204925186722007-03-03T13:49:00.000Z2007-03-03T13:54:38.921Z

[engage prevarication mode]Went on a flying visit (well 100 mile round trip) to a potential next post with GLW and LMP yesterday. Very encouraging, and not quite what I expected. In fact some uncanny similarities to the situation in MLPK, but in a context I'm thoroughly familiar with. Challenge and comfort in equal mixture - which sounds actually about right.Cryptic? Yes (deliberately). Applied?

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-9465612193274984952007-03-01T09:28:00.000Z2007-03-01T09:33:03.999Z

In and around MLPK a friend of mine runs what could be called for lack of better words, fun and enjoyable musical education classes for toddlers and children, Musical Bumps. Both LM and LMP go, and have a good time. In fact GLW is even half-tempted to take a franchise herself.Just occasionally though, we run into slightly incongruous situations. Sarah, who runs it, is a Christian and the organist

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-9651427062782069402007-02-27T11:03:00.000Z2007-02-27T11:28:02.193Z

A short post to try and get back into the habit. Call it trivial chit-chat.Rough...Don't you just hate it when you're unwell enough to feel off (snotty nose, on-off cough, aching limb and a slow brain), but not really unwell enough to take time off? :(Sums up today really, and the overcast skies don't help very much.Thoughts...Of course, having decided to share our intention of moving with the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-14365120368212394562007-02-22T16:36:00.000Z2007-02-22T16:45:18.532Z

After several months of thought, prayer and others, especially clergy, talking about the importance of looking after yourself and your family, I think our focus has changed. Instead of seeing the potential of Kings Hill and bemoaning the lack of human resources, and worrying about sustainability without us, we've recognised what has happened and what the possibilities for the future are. The more

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-45308833619840745812007-02-21T14:25:00.000Z2007-02-21T14:32:08.693Z

So, it's Ash Wednesday. The day that I, like so many, start some degree of discipline, and then like so many, never quite seem to complete. This year I'm trying to bend my body to my will with a much needed alcohol fast.... and if that's not hard enough I've even gone on a diet!I must admit, however, that neither seem particularly "spiritual" (except the lack of gin, that is!) I'd like to say I

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1171364135810676942007-02-13T10:43:00.000Z2007-02-13T10:55:35.826Z

(Category: Life, Faith)Not the wonderful album from Yes, but simply a statement of fact. Three and a bit years in, three and half years of feeling that I'm getting nowhere fast (or slow for that matter), I'm nearly ready to quit. It's not a lack of potential, it's a lack of resources, both human and financial. I feel like I'm running on empty, lacking any drive and really don't know what to

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1171363412646871142007-02-13T10:41:00.000Z2007-02-13T10:43:32.660Z

(Category: Life, Faith)Another of David's wonderful poems...Soon enough bare branches reaching out skywards like tilted antlers will flood into leaf as the sap surges.Eager to make the most of winter and not to wish it away unheeded, I count its many blessings, not least the companionship of the chilled which huddles us together and takes a friend’s arm in case he slips.Perhaps there is mercy

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1171019301905166362007-02-09T11:05:00.000Z2007-02-09T11:08:21.933Z

(Category: life)Long time, no post (or inspiration for that matter).Nevertheless we'll see what develops. Just to prove htat I'm still alive and (in)sane(?) here's a little something which caught my eye. A little sensible long-term planning (shame there was none of that in MLPK! But that's a different story!)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1167387512740786912006-12-29T10:15:00.000Z2006-12-29T10:18:32.783Z

(Category: life, faith)In memory of a memory that could speak so much to the world, if only we could break through the festive mush of what Christmas has become for so many, another poem from David.Holy InnocentsGod left her desolate? Rachel, weeping for her children, while terror then as now vents fear and fury on the weak and defenceless?Sword flash in Bethlehem, bomb flash in Baghdad, slice

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1166995573455464322006-12-24T21:06:00.000Z2006-12-24T21:26:13.476Z

(Category: Life, Faith)(And yes, (a) It's a bit early, and (b) I can hear Steeleye Span singing it too!)Happy Christmas to one and all.There are reasons to rejoice in MLPK too.The Vicar (me) has benefited enormously from his "emergency" retreat at Sheldon, which produced no miraculous answers, other than the courage, resolve and grace to soldier on. (Which surely is all you need at the end of the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1163240106184094352006-11-11T10:13:00.000Z2006-11-11T10:15:06.203Z

Sorry for the silence dear readers, things are all a bit "off" at the minute. I seem to be suffering from clergy stress-related emotional exhaustion or something closer to "Aargh! I can't cope!" which means I've been missing a lot of things, some work, some leisureI've been instructed to get away for a few days, sometime before Christmas, by Bishop B. Prayers would be appreciated.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1160564127007771502006-10-11T10:53:00.000Z2006-10-11T10:55:27.020Z

I have plenty to say, but that doesn't mean I have. Nevertheless, in the interim, here's another of David's poems.*The Underground Church*There were walls and terrors and tortures in those awful, godless years.But love leapt underneath and grace undermined what had not eternal foundations.Grasping hands closed empty; empty hands grasped spirit and in death willingly embraced was life

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1159724717568941512006-10-01T17:42:00.000Z2006-10-01T17:45:17.586Z

(Category: faith)Insufficient time to blog in depth, but to quote Ren and Stimpy, "Happy, Happy! Joy, joy!) 47 children and 35 adults to TTW/Parade! (A bit of a change from 7 and 18!)Maybe the wind is changing?:)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1159624583524060292006-09-30T13:22:00.000Z2006-09-30T13:56:23.613Z

(Category: life, faith)(Engage procrastination mode)In one of the many glossy freebies to land on the doormats in MLPK, and soon due for the recycler, were two items that caught my eye recently.The first was the caption for the cover picture, selling a certain shopping area (which I'm pleased to report has it's own chaplaincy team) as "An inspirational new shopping experience." Apart from

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1159262521044060892006-09-26T09:06:00.000Z2006-09-26T09:22:01.056Z

(Category: faith)Strange is it may seem, I don't often get very excited - especially not about church and things of faith. You might thank that's a bit worrying for a vicar, but that's me. I can enthuse about computers and role-playing games at the drop of a hat. I can enthuse about the work in MLPK when I'm somewhere else, like Greenbelt. But I'm not so good here at home. Worry? Yes. Despair?

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1158929321191259412006-09-22T12:26:00.000Z2006-09-22T12:48:41.300Z

(Category: life)According to those good folks at the Beeb, today is OneWebDay. Susan Crawford, a law professor at Cardozo School of Law, New York, said: "I am hoping that people will take a step back and recognise how much the web has changed their lives over the last ten years, and reflect on how they would like the web to change the world in future. "I also want people to see themselves as

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1158916796868218112006-09-22T09:16:00.000Z2006-09-22T09:19:56.880Z

(Category: life)A rather amusing, and though-provoking snippet, from The Econmoist, of all things. (Thanks to Angus for the tip....)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1158750768325393572006-09-20T10:57:00.000Z2006-09-20T11:12:48.373Z

(Category: faith)As you may be able to tell, I should be doing something else. I have found the delight of the simple things, spending time talking to folks in MLPK, time in being. Which is making the work that really needs to be done (writing the monthly "Minister's Musings" for The Kings Hill Directory) unattractive at best, near impossible at worst.But to the point. At Morning Prayer this

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1158408444320435822006-09-16T12:04:00.000Z2006-09-16T20:22:42.653Z

(Category: faith)To ensure that you know I am still alive, I thought I'd just say how much I agree with this post over at Nouslife on the recent uproar over the Pope's quoted comments on Islam.I suspect most of my regular readers are also his regular readers, of course.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157815403091853542006-09-09T15:17:00.000Z2006-09-09T15:23:23.103Z

(Category: life)Over the years my email addresses (yes, I have several) have been picked up by the spammers. Most of us have experienced the same thing, I suspect. Maybe having my own domain name actually increases the problem, because it remains the same when I change ISPs.Nevertheless it is a rare, disconcerting and bizarre experience (happenig maybe once every two years, I think) to receive

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157798964379891592006-09-09T10:25:00.000Z2006-09-09T10:49:24.413Z

(Category: life, faith, role-playing games)I once saw that phrase, quoted on a bookshop's bag, if I remember correctly. While I'm not sure I can agree 100% with the statement, it certainly rings true. (BTW, can anyone identify the author of that quote?)Having had far better response to my meme challenge than I expected or deserved, John got his own back with this. It's odd that this should come

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157723763088463452006-09-08T13:55:00.000Z2006-09-08T14:49:30.186Z

(Category: life, faith)Amid the continuing fall out from the death of the flambuoyant Australian TV conservationist and TV presenter Steve Irwin there's this interesting piece from the good folks at the Beeb."Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin's final moments were captured on camera. But should that film ever be broadcast to the watching public?"I find it fascinating that the individuals asked for

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157722768541819292006-09-08T13:26:00.000Z2006-09-08T13:39:29.086Z

(Category: life)The Vicarage here in MLPK is "blessed" with hedges. You may remember that I am not the world's greatest gardener - primarily becuase I can be rather lazy. I appreciate a good lawn, or a good hedge, but that doesn't help motivate me to do anything to them one iota. Instead I tend to (inwardly) mutter and grumble when doing it - even if I quite enjoy usuing the hedgetrimmer (a sort

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157404784087750112006-09-04T21:16:00.000Z2006-09-04T21:19:44.130Z

It had to happen sooner or later... I know this is predominantly a US phenomenon, but even so this news is hardly the sort I want to hear.Maybe it should just be Left Behind, or better still consigned to The Fire?

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157192343753989472006-09-02T10:16:00.000Z2006-09-02T10:19:03.766Z

(Category: faith)Some wise words from Stanley Hauerwas, (Hat tip to Andii). Go read, and ponder.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157116175916784542006-09-01T13:06:00.000Z2006-09-01T13:09:35.936Z

(Category: life)A nice little whimsical and thoughtful piece from the good folks at the Beeb, now that Airfix have gone into administration. I rings a lot of bells, and I still have two 1:35 Tamiya kits in my playroom awaiting construction or sale...Happy days!(And it's true, they did teach literacy... and patience!)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157100366128539192006-09-01T08:19:00.000Z2006-09-01T08:46:06.160Z

(Category: life) It's a meme thing...Helen Lousie, bless her, tagged me several months ago to write about my weird habits, but as she has (at least) two blogs, which repeat most of the material I managed to miss this one.It's certainly given me food for thoughts in my idle moments. Once you are tagged you MUST write a blog entry about your 6 weird habits/things as well as state this rule clearly.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157020901317569012006-08-31T10:15:00.000Z2006-08-31T10:41:41.363Z

(Category: Life)OK, I confess the Greenbelt part of the title is an attempt to get attention, but it worked. That doesn't remove thae fact that it is also true.While I am something of a technophile (an 'early adopter', rather than an' innovator', if you follow Hägerstrand's model of diffusion, I have to admit), I have only recently taken the Wireless Networking revolution beyind the home (or

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1157014372701545322006-08-31T08:46:00.000Z2006-08-31T08:52:52.723Z

Another one of David's Poems, while I try to motivate myself for the work of the day, not to mention thinking of another blog post...ImpressionsThe wood pigeon, drawn by daylight showing through, flew forcefully, fiercely, frantically into the window paneleaving behind it no broken body lifeless on the ground below but its ghostly image on the glassan image of itself mirrored in a snapshot of

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1156793503677111982006-08-28T19:10:00.000Z2006-08-28T19:31:43.763Z

(Category: Life, Faith)Well, this post is living proof that I am, if not an addict, then at least in some degree dependent upon the Internet! I've been on site here since Friday lunchtime and I have finally cracked. From the window just above the monitor here I can see the big top housing the Performance Cafe, most of the marquees in the centre of Cheltenham Rececourse, (including the Organic

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1156429936688734002006-08-24T14:04:00.000Z2006-08-24T14:32:19.106Z

(Category: life, faith and a hint of Role-Playing Games)Well, having returned from Continuum, and never properly written it up, it's time to prepare for the other pilgrimmage - the trip to Greenbelt.Once again I am the be found with my head in the understairs cupboard, muttering incoherently about the evils of disposable plastic bags and the way the roost in dark places, totally obscuring useful,

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1154517229536186112006-08-02T10:36:00.000Z2006-08-02T11:13:49.646Z

(Category: Life, Faith, Role-Playing Games)I somehow think I'm doing what I promised myself I would never do again - going away for a while only to have to return to "work" for a few days before going away again. I thought I'd been so clever and got so much done before the wonderful time that was Continuum.It was fantastic to get away, and far more relaxing travelling by train. A long-weekend

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1154508857877670692006-08-02T08:51:00.000Z2006-08-02T08:54:17.896Z

(Category: Life)While the sentiment could equally apply to Continuum, from which I have still not really recovered, I think the latest of David's poems, takes a rather different direction!*A Glad Time We Had Of It*A glad time we had of it, the sun beating down on us but with mercy’s breeze at the church.To walk waving across from home to there, with her on my arm, a father and daughter at their

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1154438531859155322006-08-01T12:52:00.000Z2006-08-01T13:22:12.190Z

(Category: Role-Playing Games)Having recently returned from Continuum, and being tired here are some first impressions of Mongoose RuneQuest. (Regular readers are entitled to glaze over at this point).I almost want to say "I've been had." There's the old adage, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I'm sure that RQ2 wasn't perfect (even though I have to say I preferred it to RQ3), but I'm not terribly

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1152178851662225352006-07-06T09:36:00.000Z2006-07-06T15:31:07.863Z

(Category: Life, Faith)Go and watch this. Laugh. Enjoy. It's priceless.Correction.I had credited this to John whose site is always worth a visit, but as he pointed out, it isn't his.The correct attribution is (drum roll):"HT to Hopeful Amphibian at Dissonant Bible."(Now - I really must do some more work!)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1152178216565173502006-07-06T09:27:00.000Z2006-07-06T09:30:30.490Z

(Category: Life)Interesting piece on Climate Change from the good folks at the Beeb.(And yes, one of these days I will write more in the "faith" and "role-playing games" cateogories. Just not now!)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1152005481596298802006-07-04T09:29:00.000Z2006-07-04T09:31:21.620Z

(Category: Life)Good stuff at the BBC website. Go read.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1151432993979113232006-06-27T18:28:00.000Z2006-06-28T15:54:33.096Z

*Narrative*The cuts and bites on a poacher’s dog, the quarrying scars on the fell, metallic bleeding in old sandstone walls; all chronological stories to tell.God, who left landmarks, footprints and tide marks, changing our landscape with every tide’s run. Notch on me grace marks of Jesus the carver and let all my weathering speak of the Son.In all you allow, all that may happen let me read

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1150542079560521202006-06-17T10:58:00.000Z2006-06-17T11:01:19.590Z

Twice now within the past six months I have become aware that I have unwittingly made major errors, both times resulting in the partial withdrawal of very capable people from the fully-active life of the church. Through oversight, omission and lack of preparation, they have amounted to breaches of trust and damaged relationships.The ongoing question is about how many more I have made that I don't

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1149927508505685772006-06-10T07:59:00.000Z2006-06-10T08:18:28.523Z

(Category: life, faith)As I once more wrestle with what to say this Sunday, the best of which seems to be that I can simultaneously be "Dr Moose" to my wife and friends, "Rev Stuart" in MLPK and "Daddy" to LM and Little Miss Placid, here's another gem from my friend David, who is obviously having another burst of inspiration:*Hymn to the Trinity*In the offering of our praise, in the healing of

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1149591028309300992006-06-06T10:48:00.000Z2006-06-06T10:50:28.330Z

(Category: Faith)Being another of David Grieve's wonderful poems.The hardened, the petrified heart God freely, God threely fleshes into life as fire falls on bowed heads in Jerusalem, AD 33and hands down the kindled flame through all the God-not-forsaken centuries, love conquering all. (C) David Grieve 2006

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1149327153081263412006-06-03T09:29:00.000Z2006-06-03T09:32:33.103Z

(Category: faith)There were once three men who lived in a hot, barren and rocky land. One day each of them noticed that a spring had appeared on his land, and the waters were making a lovely pool. It was cool and refreshing. Each man gave thanks to God and wondered what he should do with the pool and the water.The first man said, “I know. I'll use it to swim in. I will float in it. Splash in it.

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1149170840695525652006-06-01T14:01:00.000Z2006-06-01T14:07:20.710Z

Some (I hope all) of you may have noticed a distinct lack of postings over recent weeks. The simple truth is that I haven't really had anything to say! Neither have I been making much of an effort to keep up with other blogs.Partly it's a matter of time - the changes that come with a second child in the household.Partly it's a matter of inclination - the inspiration has gone somewhat.I'm not

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1146214613887586092006-04-28T08:27:00.000Z2006-04-28T09:10:44.633Z

(Category: life, faith, role-playing games, d'uh!)My sitemeter has a handy feature - it enables me to find out something about who visits the site, and what brings them here. Every so often there comes up a search for "Christian Role-Playing Games" - et viola!Well, I don't have time for a developed post on this at present - I'm spending too much time on the Role-Playing Games and not enough on

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1146139230078667212006-04-27T11:56:00.000Z2006-04-27T12:00:30.096Z

Hat tip: John My blog is worth $2,822.70.How much is your blog worth?I'll take cash then, and sell out tomorrow!:)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1145963794526908212006-04-25T11:14:00.000Z2006-04-25T11:16:34.546Z

(Category: life)I know I shouldn't but my mate Adrian just sent me this... Energizer Bunny arrested - charged with battery.A pessimist's blood type is always B-negative.Practice safe eating - always use condiments.A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.Shotgun wedding: A case of wife or death.I used to work in a blanket factory, but it folded.Marriage is the mourning

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1145222043690326772006-04-16T21:12:00.000Z2006-04-16T21:14:03.703Z

Easter Day 2006 *In a While*It takes a while for the eyes to adjust to the brightness of Resurrection, for the mind and the leaping heart to process what cannot be so but is so.It takes a while to realise that our cheering, our applause, our joy is not for the /status quo ante/ being restored.It takes a while to grasp that we cannot contain him, limit him, pin him down or keep him from

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1145022341316239152006-04-14T13:35:00.000Z2006-04-14T13:45:41.343Z

(image (c) BBC)(Category: Faith)Go read this. Then tell me, who do you agree with? The artist, or the Christians? Do you need to ask me?(It's amazing what you find when in "sermon avoidance" mode!)

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11100780.post-1144953822338755102006-04-13T18:28:00.000Z2006-04-13T18:43:42.356Z

(Category: faith)It was a very strange sensation saying Evening Prayer at the Community Hall tonight. I, alone in my bare room, with a single candle for company. Outside a large group assembled, the kitchen humming with the activity of preparation for the Jewish Passover meal in the larger of the halls.A strange juxtaposition. A night of memories of salvation in the Exodus, and the night of the

Dr Moosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027877685848693649noreply@blogger.com0