David Turner Blog

Uncertainty and fear are on the prowl. A group of people who are used to meeting and being together are forced to separate because of a threat to their life. Rather then stay together they retreat to be by themselves and with their families. Anxiety and fear dominate this new terrain. This description of events could describe what is happening across the world right now, but it could equally describe the state of the disciples at the time of Jesus death. We read that John is the only one present at the cross, Peter is off denying Jesus in different places, and when the disciples do come together at the discovery that Jesus is alive, we hear that Thomas is not there. There is of course evidence that the disciples remained together, or at least had time together, but fear and panic had struck, to such an extent that Peter could not remember Jesus’ prediction of denial, and denied him all the same. We too, the local and global church, have been forced to disperse. Panic and anxiety ...

We have to be careful what we show our boys on TV. They are 4 and 2, and whatever they watch they copy. If it’s something with animals in they become the animals, as do their toys. If it involves some kind of rescue they are rescuing their teddies from impending doom. If there is a catch phrase they learn it, a song, they sing it. And if the program includes fighting... you guessed it, they want to fight. Children love to imitate, and so whatever goes in, comes out. It’s why we have to be careful what we say, as sure enough they will repeat it at the worst possible time (as a Pastor this is usually at Church!). But we grow out of it, don’t we? I’m not so sure, I think the same principle applies to us as adults, whatever goes in, comes out, it’s just a lot more subtle. I’ve realised during the current “lockdown” that I have gone back to some unhealthy habits which leave me feeling pretty meh, and frustrated. A few months back I read a book called ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hur...