St Andrews east sands

Drifting east

I took this photo while at candidates' conference during one of our breaks. I don't post many photos, as I'm hyper critical of them and this is a little shoogly.

It wasn't a great day, weather wise, but the beach still had a reasonable amount of people on it. There were even people surfing (braver souls than I am!). But the beach looks empty in this photo. People who really know this area may not even recognise it from this shot.


That's one of the things I like to do with photos. See places from a different perspective. Use different lenses and apertures to change how the location is perceived. To reveal beauty where is may be overlooked or taken for granted.


As part of the conference program we were invited to think of creative ways to lead a group to reflect on the spirituality of creation (or words to that affect). I think photography can be used for this. Pictures taken from unusual angels forcing the community to really look at where they are with different eyes.


Maybe this part of me. The "photographer" in me is part of my calling. Maybe I can use this gift in some way to enable a community to engage with there surroundings and each other. To engage with the wonder and beauty of God's creation in ways they may not have before. To get people outwith the established church involved too. Lets face it, everyone is a photographer these days.


But here I am getting ahead of myself again. I like taking photos and I shall always take photos of places I go. This gift, this skill may be just for my own pleasure and spiritual renewal. Or maybe God has other ideas...

Out of the blue

Here I am, less than a week to start uni and not long before I begin my first placement. In many ways, I'm looking forward to getting started. In other ways I'm a bit overwhelmed and daunted by the whole thing. I've so much to learn and it really doesn't seem long enough a time to learn all I think I might need to.

So, I'm getting a wee bit ahead of myself thinking about my summer placement. The earliest is can be is next summer, but it can be as late as summer 2014, just before I get to probation. Many people have said to me "if you get the chance to go abroad for a placement, go" and I was starting to think that was God's message. Now, I'm not so sure.

Yesterday, from left of field, I realised I am terrified of how to deal with seriously ill and dying children. It's not I don't care, quiet the opposite. So much so I couldn't visit Robin House when I was invited before it opened as I knew it would upset me too much. This although I know it, and Rachel House are exceptionally positive places and are about life, not death.

Funny how this hit me. I was thinking of placements and logistics of placements abroad (yes, yet again, getting ahead of myself). Me thinks if this hits me when I am thinking of placements, maybe a hospital/hospice chaplaincy placement is where God wants me to go. Go where I am scared of. Because that's probably exactly where I need to go.

Talking to and responding to God

How do you feel about prayer? Do you think you need special words or place? Watch this and be reassured.

Ever wondered what worship really is? This video sums it up really well and is entertaining.

Everything's amazing and nobody's happy

A friend sent me this from a tech blog. Much of what is said is so right. We live in an amazing world where technology means we can connect to people all over the world in a matter of seconds. Yet many, many people are exceptionally unhappy. Maybe they are looking in the wrong places. Stuff can't make you happy, it just makes you want more stuff. This video sums it up.

Silent Monks

In honour of the service I attended yesterday, where the organist played out to this. Only without the monks...