David Turner Blog

Halloween has seemingly creeped up on us. In more ways than one. It is never on our mind particularly, not like the bigger events like easter or christmas, until we see masks, pumpkins and the like in shop windows and shelves. But also in how it has steadily grown here in the UK. Never a particularly popular 'holiday' (and I use that term loosely), in the last few years the spending has increased, the trick and treaters grown in number, and halloween parties more widespread. All harmless fun right? Not in my eyes. The very basis of halloween is evil. A celebration of darkness, ghosts and ghouls, demons and vampires. All things bad, scary. The very concept is just weird. I don't get it. Fun seems to be the name of the game, the reason for the season, but when has 'because it has fun', been the sole reason to do anything? Maybe a strange question, but genuinely, fun can't be our only basis. Murder can be fun to the serial killer, robbery a thrill to the thief....

Have you ever sung along to one of those songs that makes massive proclamations? They occur in the secular and the Christian worlds. Songs like Bruno Mars 'Grenade' - 'I'll catch a grenade for ya, step in front of a train for ya...' or worship songs that say things like 'Here I am, take all of me.' There are many like it. Great lyrics in the car, or in the church, but when it comes to the crunch do we mean them? Will we literally catch grenades for them, do we really want God to take and use all of us? Are these bold statements true reflections of our heart, or a true reflection of our feelings clouding our judgement? When the trouble comes will we stand resilient and jump on the grenade like Steve Rogers before he becomes Captain America or will our grand statement of love, become an epic fail? We can do the same in our everyday life as we do with the lyrics to these songs: 'This year will be different' 'I'm going on a diet, goin...

People can often see Christianity like Star Wars can't they? I don't know if you agree with me, but I find that many Christians have this perspective that they are 'in the force', and that anyone else is on 'the dark side'. They can also treat God at times like he is some kind of 'force', sure he's good, but is something to be learned and even at times manipulated. This view has several flaws: 1. The God I read about in the bible, is a God who is for people. All people. 2. This paints an impersonal view of God. People may not actually think like this; 'oohh, isn't this exciting, it is just like star wars', it is obviously much more subtle than that. However in the way we speak and the language we use we can play this out and maybe more importantly in the way we treat people. Jedi's in case you haven't seen the films, are the dudes with light sabers, and special powers which they learn through having some ...

I'm sitting having just finished a workout in the gym, one of my better ones of late (they've added games to the machines, and they have become a distraction recently). But, it still wasn't perfect. I can't seem to get my mind out of that precise moment in time when I'm on the rowing machine, or while I'm pumping weights, the fact that it hurts, and it's hard. My mind always seems to say 'you can just stop, you know'. I quite often look at the timer to see if I can justify getting off, but this usually starts around a minute. While I was rowing, I was thinking that if I could just think differently about the pain, it would transform my work out, and in turn my life. Sounds extreme doesn't it? But it's true. If I was able to row for an hour, beating my own mind, changing the way I look at the pain, I would get fitter quicker, be healthier, and lose weight - a current goal of mine. I've realised that this is true of life. And sufferin...

Life is complicated. Yet simple too. I’m constantly mystified by the paradox of our world, whether it is things that are massively overwhelming to the very same day experiencing a moment when time freezes and life seems ... worth it. Recently I was walking down a hill, reflecting on my present circumstances, while on one side of me was trees, bushes, nature and the other side people in their cars. As I listened to music and thought to myself about all the stuff contained in that moment in time, the thoughts, worries, cares and priorities of the people, to the processes, of the natural realm I just was amazed at how much of a mystery it all was. Yet I was able to connect with something beyond myself and my thoughts, to recognise that no matter how big all the stuff was that surrounded me it all somehow had meaning. Just as the road to my left was put there with a plan and a purpose, so the lives, the nature and my own existence had meaning too. I am here for a reason. And so I was...

Recently I finished the novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird". A very well known and loved book, and as such I figured I should give it a try. It certainly wasn't what I expected, but did keep me captive throughout. Many things struck me about the book, I suppose this is why thousands of school children have had to write essays about it, there are many things to be struck by. Yet one stood out to me, not because it was greater or more worthy of my attention than the other issues in the book, but because it was one I had spoken on the day before. Ever had that happen to you? You are studying something, reading something, and suddenly ideas, pictures, themes, words, stories related to it pop up. Like when you buy a new car (although I can't say I ever have), before the purchase yours is the only one of that model you have ever seen on the road, but after they seem to be everywhere. It would be great to know if this is because of our heightened awareness, or because someone s...

What is the difference between comfort and contentment, and what does it mean for our faith? Comfort - a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint Content - a state of peaceful happiness Which of those would you prefer? A state of physical ease or of peaceful happiness? The first sounds great, until you give it some thought - physical ease. Peaceful happiness, as a bloke sounds a bit loose, kind of bath and candles territory, but ultimately isn't this what we are all after? Not baths with candles but happiness. I love the addition of peaceful to happiness, it gives the impression this happiness didn't come at another's expense, as oppose to stolen happiness, warlike happiness, hostile happiness or disturbed happiness. Yet maybe these are forms of happiness people choose in order to achieve both comfort and happiness. I don't believe comfort and contentment go together, they are two opposing forces. Comfort is about the physical, contentment is ab...