Last Sunday our preacher was in Romania. Remarkably it was one of the clearest broadcasts we have had. He preached very powerfully about Noah's ark. Today we have a preacher from Baldock. On Tuesday evening we had a sermon from the pastor of Bedford chapel on pursuing the presence of God.
Monday was a bank holiday. It was lovely to meet my friend for a walk again. This time we enjoyed learning some of the history of Aynho and a walk through the surrouding countryside. The weather has been beautiful this week.
I started a new job but am still going through the training process at the moment - another job from home on the telephone. My main clinical job is getting a lot busier. I'm noticing how levels of anxiety and the effects of isolation seem to be increasing.
There has been further easing of lockdown. From next week Year 1 and reception can return to school, although in a modified format. We will be able to meet in gardens in groups of 6 from multiple households but continuing to social distance. There are still a few hundred dieing each day.
It was nice to meet with friends from my previous church on Zoom this week. It's a wonderful blessing how Christian friendship continues with unity in Christ.
It's strange how waves of isolation distress come. Generally it is fine but every now and then an hour or two of distress come - despair at the never ending nature of lockdown, not enjoying the status of nobody being able to come nearer to me than 2m, fears of lack of the emotional and social impact of this period. Normally though it is fine and you just keep going through the routine. I notice how my work and church Whatsapp groups are a lot quieter now. People seem to be becoming more withdrawn as isolation continues.
For many people in difficult homes or enduring separation from loved ones this will have been a very difficult period. The full impact I am sure is yet to be seen.
Sunday 31 May 2020
Sunday 24 May 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #10
Week 10 of lockdown and church at home!
This week I have had 3 walks with other people. One after travelling for an hour to meet for a long walk - a sense of normality. It is lovely to have the freedom but it is peculiar trying to maintain the 2m distance. There is always the return to reality of lockdown.
Next week is halfterm so it will be nice for the children to have a break from their home schooling. After half term some children are due to return to school part-time - reception, year 1 and year 6 to begin with.
I've completed my application process to be a contact tracer, The government is relying on the contact tracing system to be able to offer more freedom to people. As would be expected with a rapidly developed system, there are a few early stage issues being identified. It's very impressive all they have put together in a short period of time and hiring around 20000 people. I've got lots of training to do before I can start contacting people.
Last Sunday was the first time we had significant problems with Zoom. It happened nationally. The morning service started with a few difficulties connecting to sound. The afternoon service had to be cancelled because Zoom wouldn't connect. Oliver Baker was the preacher for us again, this time on the 10 lepers healed by Jesus. I continued to be challenged by the Proverbs studies.
Clinics are getting much busier at work - maybe as people are feeling the effects of the stress and sedentary lifestyle of lockdown, perhaps also because people are now taking action as lockdown begins to be eased.
Still making good progress with jobs around the home which is satisfying. I queued up at the garden centre on Monday so now have some gernaiums to enjoy through the summer.
There is still a shortage of flour and baking powder in the supermarket as there has been for several weeks now.
I enjoyed thinking about this part of Corinthians: The gospel - which you received, in which you stand, by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word - a wonderful picture. I've also been reading Authority by Martyn Lloyd Jones - the authority of Jesus Christ, scripture and the Holy Spirit. How easily we loose sight of this authority and try to do things in our strength, thinking we can engineer things. We need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our day and generation in reviving power.
This week I have had 3 walks with other people. One after travelling for an hour to meet for a long walk - a sense of normality. It is lovely to have the freedom but it is peculiar trying to maintain the 2m distance. There is always the return to reality of lockdown.
Next week is halfterm so it will be nice for the children to have a break from their home schooling. After half term some children are due to return to school part-time - reception, year 1 and year 6 to begin with.
I've completed my application process to be a contact tracer, The government is relying on the contact tracing system to be able to offer more freedom to people. As would be expected with a rapidly developed system, there are a few early stage issues being identified. It's very impressive all they have put together in a short period of time and hiring around 20000 people. I've got lots of training to do before I can start contacting people.
Last Sunday was the first time we had significant problems with Zoom. It happened nationally. The morning service started with a few difficulties connecting to sound. The afternoon service had to be cancelled because Zoom wouldn't connect. Oliver Baker was the preacher for us again, this time on the 10 lepers healed by Jesus. I continued to be challenged by the Proverbs studies.
Clinics are getting much busier at work - maybe as people are feeling the effects of the stress and sedentary lifestyle of lockdown, perhaps also because people are now taking action as lockdown begins to be eased.
Still making good progress with jobs around the home which is satisfying. I queued up at the garden centre on Monday so now have some gernaiums to enjoy through the summer.
There is still a shortage of flour and baking powder in the supermarket as there has been for several weeks now.
I enjoyed thinking about this part of Corinthians: The gospel - which you received, in which you stand, by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word - a wonderful picture. I've also been reading Authority by Martyn Lloyd Jones - the authority of Jesus Christ, scripture and the Holy Spirit. How easily we loose sight of this authority and try to do things in our strength, thinking we can engineer things. We need to seek the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in our day and generation in reviving power.
Sunday 17 May 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #9
Last Sunday the prime minister made an announcement about the plans to reduce the restrictions of lockdown. The message was not altogether clear. However this week the first changes have been put in place. Anyone that can't work from home should go to work. We are now allowed to exercise as much as we like and drive to the place for exercise and recreation. You can also meet one person from outside your household for exercise or recreation outdoors but maintaining the 2m social distancing. There are plans for schools to return in June and shops to open in July.
It was lovely to meet with a friend for a walk this week. So nice to spend time in someones company.
I've been applying to become one of the Covid contact tracers. Lots of osteopaths are. The application process is quite inconsistent and there are lots of hiccups with the training but its not surprising with the rapid roll out. I'm still at the application stage. There is talk of osteopaths returning to practice in the next few weeks but with some strict PPE and cleansing procedures. It all seems very onerous.
In some ways this week has been hard. There is the reality that the distancing measures are going to be in place for a long time yet and although not unexpected it is still somehow hard to accept.
I had an all day meeting on Zoom this week. It worked well.
I'm continuing to learn lots of new pieces on the piano which is a nice distraction. I've actually enjoyed doing scales and exercises to improve my technical ability. I find it strange when the mind-body connection is not there for the fingers to do what I want them to but practice builds skills.
The furlough scheme has been extended to October. There have been different grants available for businesses and the self-employed. I have been eligible for two.
I'm continuing to study Corinthians enjoying the orchestral piece speaking of divisions and sinful practices in the Corinth church coming to a peak in acknowledging one anothers gifts and necessity as part of the body of Christ. The most important gift of all is love. This has been wonderful teaching that I have needed.
Last Sunday we enjoyed preaching from Psalm 18, the Galatians bible study - what a difficult book, and then from Acts in the week.
I thought it would be good to list some of the things I have been learning in lockdown - skipping double and single leg, working towards doing the splits, graded exposure cycling to limits, new piano pieces - about 6 now, the garden and the house are clean and tidy, studying Pleasing God, Corinthians and Proverbs, reading more books. I thought I would get into studying more Greek and Hebrew but haven't really got into that yet and I have dabbled in improvising on the piano but would like to do more. It's a blessing to have so much time for these things without commuting each day.
It was lovely to meet with a friend for a walk this week. So nice to spend time in someones company.
I've been applying to become one of the Covid contact tracers. Lots of osteopaths are. The application process is quite inconsistent and there are lots of hiccups with the training but its not surprising with the rapid roll out. I'm still at the application stage. There is talk of osteopaths returning to practice in the next few weeks but with some strict PPE and cleansing procedures. It all seems very onerous.
In some ways this week has been hard. There is the reality that the distancing measures are going to be in place for a long time yet and although not unexpected it is still somehow hard to accept.
I had an all day meeting on Zoom this week. It worked well.
I'm continuing to learn lots of new pieces on the piano which is a nice distraction. I've actually enjoyed doing scales and exercises to improve my technical ability. I find it strange when the mind-body connection is not there for the fingers to do what I want them to but practice builds skills.
The furlough scheme has been extended to October. There have been different grants available for businesses and the self-employed. I have been eligible for two.
I'm continuing to study Corinthians enjoying the orchestral piece speaking of divisions and sinful practices in the Corinth church coming to a peak in acknowledging one anothers gifts and necessity as part of the body of Christ. The most important gift of all is love. This has been wonderful teaching that I have needed.
Last Sunday we enjoyed preaching from Psalm 18, the Galatians bible study - what a difficult book, and then from Acts in the week.
I thought it would be good to list some of the things I have been learning in lockdown - skipping double and single leg, working towards doing the splits, graded exposure cycling to limits, new piano pieces - about 6 now, the garden and the house are clean and tidy, studying Pleasing God, Corinthians and Proverbs, reading more books. I thought I would get into studying more Greek and Hebrew but haven't really got into that yet and I have dabbled in improvising on the piano but would like to do more. It's a blessing to have so much time for these things without commuting each day.
Sunday 10 May 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #8
Another sunny week. The usual routine was broken up by a Friday bank holiday. May day was moved for the nation to commemorate 75 years since VE day. The celebrations and events were not as planned but many streets had gatherings. There was a 2 minute silence at 11, Churchill's speech was played at 3pm and the queen gave a speech at 9pm. My street had a socially distanced gathering in the evening, although some had been out most of the day. The bunting looks nice around the houses.
Last week I started some admin work for the drugs team, that finished on Monday as I completed the task. I have applied to be a contact tracer now. Clinics have been busy. Many people seem very appreciative of the telephone contact. I wonder how the health service will re-shape how it continues in the future.
Today the prime minister is going to make a speech about plans for coming out of lockdown. People are quite anxious to get back to normal life but there is a lot of fear around contracting the virus. Normal life will not be possible for a long-time but life cannot go on simply in lockdown.
Last Sunday we had our usual meetings for worship and bible study and I continued to enjoy Paul Washers teaching on Proverbs. A friend and I have got in the habit of working through a Bible quiz book for an hour on Sunday afternoon on the telephone. It is surprising how quickly the time goes by.
I've seen my parents a couple of times in the garden this week. It's nice to meet face to face but socially distanced talking can be difficult.
There are still a number of items missing in the supermarket - flour, eggs, baking products are usually low or out of stock. Covid related deaths continue to be in the hundreds each day sometimes 350, sometimes 650. We went over 30 000 deaths this week. The Nightingale hospital rapidly built in the Excel centre London was hardly used and this week has been stepped down but will not be packed up yet.
There are so many opportunities for online learning at the moment. Many organisations are offering their learning for free and there are loads of webinars. There is always so much to keep learning, even in my small field of work. Many are anxious about returning to clinical work - there is a lot of PPE requirements. It seems some may not return. It will be interesting to see the shape of the profession as we emerge from this and the future implications.
This week I was struck by a verse in Corinthians reminding us that we exist for God the Father and exist through Jesus Christ (1Cor 8:6). Life needs to be kept in perspective. So much of this life is futile. I always find it so solemn at funerals that no matter who you are, and what you have done, the end of this earthly life is the same - a wooden coffin. There is only one thing that is needful - to follow the Lord.
This week my resolve is to have a week of prayer for the church, preachers, leaders of the church and revival.
Last week I started some admin work for the drugs team, that finished on Monday as I completed the task. I have applied to be a contact tracer now. Clinics have been busy. Many people seem very appreciative of the telephone contact. I wonder how the health service will re-shape how it continues in the future.
Today the prime minister is going to make a speech about plans for coming out of lockdown. People are quite anxious to get back to normal life but there is a lot of fear around contracting the virus. Normal life will not be possible for a long-time but life cannot go on simply in lockdown.
Last Sunday we had our usual meetings for worship and bible study and I continued to enjoy Paul Washers teaching on Proverbs. A friend and I have got in the habit of working through a Bible quiz book for an hour on Sunday afternoon on the telephone. It is surprising how quickly the time goes by.
I've seen my parents a couple of times in the garden this week. It's nice to meet face to face but socially distanced talking can be difficult.
There are still a number of items missing in the supermarket - flour, eggs, baking products are usually low or out of stock. Covid related deaths continue to be in the hundreds each day sometimes 350, sometimes 650. We went over 30 000 deaths this week. The Nightingale hospital rapidly built in the Excel centre London was hardly used and this week has been stepped down but will not be packed up yet.
There are so many opportunities for online learning at the moment. Many organisations are offering their learning for free and there are loads of webinars. There is always so much to keep learning, even in my small field of work. Many are anxious about returning to clinical work - there is a lot of PPE requirements. It seems some may not return. It will be interesting to see the shape of the profession as we emerge from this and the future implications.
This week I was struck by a verse in Corinthians reminding us that we exist for God the Father and exist through Jesus Christ (1Cor 8:6). Life needs to be kept in perspective. So much of this life is futile. I always find it so solemn at funerals that no matter who you are, and what you have done, the end of this earthly life is the same - a wooden coffin. There is only one thing that is needful - to follow the Lord.
This week my resolve is to have a week of prayer for the church, preachers, leaders of the church and revival.
Sunday 3 May 2020
Coronavirus Reflections #7
'What do you have that you did not receive?' 1 Corinthians 4:7
These words have been a blessing to me this week. There is so much to be thankful and what a comfort it is to know that everything we have has been measured out by God in the right proportions, at the right time.
It has been a blessing this week to have communications from friends updating how they are getting on in the lockdown. I had a lovely conversation with a Christian friend earlier in the week. Some people are just so full of joy in the Lord. Yesterday I received a parcel from a missionary friend which was a great encouragement.
Last Sunday I enjoyed watching a talk about missionary work in Mombassa recorded for a Sunday school class. We had preaching from Psalms and the bible study from Galatians again. In the evening I enjoyed watching some of Paul Washer's talks on Proverbs. We also met on Tuesday with a message from a local pastor from the temptation of Jesus.
Last night the All Souls Prom Praise was online to watch. It was lovely to hear some rousing hymns. There was an amazing pianist which caused me to marvel that the Lord created us with such amazing potential for creative ability and pleasure.
We held our quarterly osteopaths meeting on Zoom. It was good to have a chat with colleagues. I was humbled to realise that I was the only one still working. It is moving to see the deep effect the coronavirus has had on clinic life and the understandable distress of the practitioners. There were positive plans towards getting started again though.
It has been wet a lot of this week. It has done the garden good but more challenging for people in lockdown.
The prime minister returned to week and his partner gave birth to their son. The prime minister is gifted in inspiring confidence and yet showing compassion for the situation. There is generally some unrest in the nation about how we are going to get out of this lockdown situation - the schools are still shut and most people are either furloughed at home or working from home. It has been promised that plans will be revealed next week.
I started some more work this week doing some admin for another team in the trust. It is good for me to have a purpose each day. I've almost finished all the possible spring cleaning around the house.
It's good to have time for reflection and other pursuits. I've now learned 3 new piano pieces and am continuing to enjoy exercising regularly. I completed the bible study course on Pleasing God which I found very helpful. I've started studying Corinthians now. I find I get computer fatigue so it is nice to just use pen and paper to study.
I set up a tablet for my 95 year old friend to be able to watch sermons. She received it this week so hopefully she will get on alright. I may have said before how impressed I am at older friends embracing technology and their resilient spirit coming to the fore.
A man called Captain Tom completed a walking challenge in his garden in Marston and raised over 30 million for the NHS. He celebrated his 100th birthday this week so people sang happy birthday at the Thursday evening clap.
I stayed in all of this week after an upset tummy last weekend. It didn't really make much difference apart from I missed being able to get out for a walk. I'm hoping the step down plans will enable those of us on our own to be able to meet up with someone else.
There is much to be thankful for - friends, family, work, church, access to so many resources, peace and safety, health and so much more. We have all things in Christ.
These words have been a blessing to me this week. There is so much to be thankful and what a comfort it is to know that everything we have has been measured out by God in the right proportions, at the right time.
It has been a blessing this week to have communications from friends updating how they are getting on in the lockdown. I had a lovely conversation with a Christian friend earlier in the week. Some people are just so full of joy in the Lord. Yesterday I received a parcel from a missionary friend which was a great encouragement.
Last Sunday I enjoyed watching a talk about missionary work in Mombassa recorded for a Sunday school class. We had preaching from Psalms and the bible study from Galatians again. In the evening I enjoyed watching some of Paul Washer's talks on Proverbs. We also met on Tuesday with a message from a local pastor from the temptation of Jesus.
Last night the All Souls Prom Praise was online to watch. It was lovely to hear some rousing hymns. There was an amazing pianist which caused me to marvel that the Lord created us with such amazing potential for creative ability and pleasure.
We held our quarterly osteopaths meeting on Zoom. It was good to have a chat with colleagues. I was humbled to realise that I was the only one still working. It is moving to see the deep effect the coronavirus has had on clinic life and the understandable distress of the practitioners. There were positive plans towards getting started again though.
It has been wet a lot of this week. It has done the garden good but more challenging for people in lockdown.
The prime minister returned to week and his partner gave birth to their son. The prime minister is gifted in inspiring confidence and yet showing compassion for the situation. There is generally some unrest in the nation about how we are going to get out of this lockdown situation - the schools are still shut and most people are either furloughed at home or working from home. It has been promised that plans will be revealed next week.
I started some more work this week doing some admin for another team in the trust. It is good for me to have a purpose each day. I've almost finished all the possible spring cleaning around the house.
It's good to have time for reflection and other pursuits. I've now learned 3 new piano pieces and am continuing to enjoy exercising regularly. I completed the bible study course on Pleasing God which I found very helpful. I've started studying Corinthians now. I find I get computer fatigue so it is nice to just use pen and paper to study.
I set up a tablet for my 95 year old friend to be able to watch sermons. She received it this week so hopefully she will get on alright. I may have said before how impressed I am at older friends embracing technology and their resilient spirit coming to the fore.
A man called Captain Tom completed a walking challenge in his garden in Marston and raised over 30 million for the NHS. He celebrated his 100th birthday this week so people sang happy birthday at the Thursday evening clap.
I stayed in all of this week after an upset tummy last weekend. It didn't really make much difference apart from I missed being able to get out for a walk. I'm hoping the step down plans will enable those of us on our own to be able to meet up with someone else.
There is much to be thankful for - friends, family, work, church, access to so many resources, peace and safety, health and so much more. We have all things in Christ.
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