Tag: rescue

Inner Torment

Posted on by Olaf

This looks to be a psychotic crab with an identity crisis!  Have you ever struggled with an inner anguish? Such an internal storm may be invisible to those outside or there may be tell-tale signs in one’s behaviour.  When extreme, it is a dangerous state making a person vulnerable to feelings of worthlessness, self-harming and even suicide. There are so many causes – gender confusion, guilt, insecurity, sexual ethics and bereavement to name a few. It could also be around money issues, breakdown in relationships or a sense of inadequacy. There are more people suffering this inner pain than we like to admit – it is likely that there are those around you carrying this heavy load unbeknown to others. Perhaps you are suffering or have suffered in this way?

Spring

Posted on by Olaf

Supposing you were an artist and had a blank canvas, would you start with Spring, another season or no season? Spring sounds like a logical choice … or does it?  Its poetic speech is always of new beginnings as we associate it with the seasonal cycle that we humans have become used to.  No Spring, no Summer. No Summer, no Autumn.  No Autumn, no Winter. No Winter, no Spring.  Each one brings something different and bounces off the previous one bringing the contrasts we all love. Snowdrops herald the Spring even after the fiercest Winter – each fluttering fragile snowdrop is a little white sail symbolising the hope of gentle summer breezes.  When you feel like your life is in the grip of Winter, consider the seasons and remember that Spring cannot be far away. Our Father God is ‘The Creator Artist’ and never gets the rhythm of life wrong.

  • ‘Spring is nature's way of saying, “Let's party!”' – Robin Williams
  • ‘It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring who reaps a harvest in the Autumn’ – Bertie Charles Forbes

Jubilee

Posted on by Olaf

In April 2012, an estimated £1.3 billion was spent celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth ll.  This is somewhat ironic as the word ‘jubilee’ is a biblical term associated with the cancelling of debts – a time of emancipation and restoration, supposed to be kept every fifty years.  It can be applied to any big anniversary for a reigning monarch and is to be a time of jubilation.  What is it that makes you jubilant?  Is it the same thing that makes God jubilant? There are many indications that you will find this ‘Jubilee’ in the heart of God as will be explored in this Booster. To understand freedom you must first understand captivity and oppression.  With the pandemic of 2020 came an oppression of people as rich and poor alike had to wear face masks, endure lockdowns and long for release.  When a vaccine was discovered and lockdowns ended, people discarded their masks – a bizarre symbol of jubilee.

  • ‘Life is one long jubilee’ – Ira Gershwin

ADDICTIONS

Posted on by Olaf

How many Biology terms do you recall from school lessons?  How about Symbiosis, Commensalism and Parasitism?! Symbiosis describes a close and long-term relationship between different species. Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other is not affected, with examples such as barnacles and birds nesting in tree hollows.  Parasitism is a symbiotic relationship in which the parasitic species benefits while the host species is harmed.  This is less pleasant but obvious examples are mosquitos, fleas, aphids and tapeworms!  Whilst not such an extreme example of parasitism, ivy does use the structure of a tree or bush to support its growth, subsequent domination and eventual destruction of its host plant.  If this ivy is not dealt with, it will destroy this vine meaning there will be no more lovely fruit.  Addictions act just like this.

  • ‘I wanted to write about the moment when your addictions no longer hide the truth from you. When your whole life breaks down. That’s the moment when you have to somehow choose what your life is going to be about’ – Chuck Palahniuk