God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission – I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next …. I have a part in a great work;…
Complex & Simple, Places, Posts, The Arts
Copenhagen – Of Rivers, Bikes, Beers and Museums
City of rivers, bikes, beers and museums. Beneath the neat and shallow archetypes, there was a real sense of tolerance for diversity than most places, and a beer can be consumed on the move in the streets (unlike in some cities). The travelers’ experiences of rivers (and riverbanks and boat-houses), bikes (and safe biking-lanes), street-side beers…
Complex & Simple, Nature, Posts
Amid the Placid Wall – A Summer of Discontent
The placid wall on my West Garden has been a fascinating flora cliff, where the daily lives of inter-mingling plants … well, mingle. Here we have the Mexican Coral Vine or Antigonon leptopus, also commonly known also as the Honolulu creeper, an unyielding climber with beautiful pink bi-pedal petals with searching tentacular vines sprayed precariously…
Complex & Simple, Nature, Persons, Places, Posts
The Lion in Winter – A rethink on living with purpose
When we ponder over the idealism of humankind’s strive for progress and perfection, we are captivated by the notion that dissatisfaction with the status quo leads on to great things especially if we have the motivation to embark on such endeavors with a purity of heart and mind. This is unfortunately a tall order for…
Books, Complex & Simple, Persons, Places, Posts
Offer the Evil Man No Resistance
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 † As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day…
Complex & Simple, Persons, Places, Posts
The Ramen Shop at Rausu
Arriving at the wind swept coastal town of Rausu, we had emerged from the shrouded overland traverse across Mount Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula and stumbled upon a small community that faces the Kurile islands. We drove up to the Rausu Kunashiri Observatory Tower and confronted an exhibition that reflected the remorseful regret of kinship,…
Complex & Simple, Nature, Places, Posts
As Spring Beckons
In this dreamscape image at the American Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, hikers stand on the shore of Dream Lake and admire the traverse between Hallet’s Peak and Flat Top Mountain to the west. Dream Lake is accessible from the popular Bear Lake trail head, on an fairly easy hike through fresh snow tracks…
Complex & Simple, Nature, Places, Posts
Like the Wind
Jesus said to Nicodemus: ‘Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. The wind blows wherever it pleases; you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. That is how it is with all who are born of the Spirit.’ How sweet…
Books, Complex & Simple, Posts
Making a Home in Us
Gospel John 13:13 : Now he showed how perfect his love was ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you…
Complex & Simple, Persons, Places, Posts
Burmese Days
As dawn beckons on the streets of Yangon, I saw the ubiquitous dish of Myanmar, the Mohinga, a blend of vermicilli, in thick fish stock, and layered with the flavours of Indochinese condiments – witness to subtle hues and variations around a common theme. Here, in the morning informality of the railway stop beneath the…