With Jesus, I'll walk (through this shadowy land)

With Jesus, I'll walk (through this shadowy land)
A meditation on Habakkuk 3v17-19

I may be made redundant, my job taken away,
my house reposessed where, for 10 years, I've stayed,
my stocks daily drop, as I look at the Times,
my investments shrink, draining dollar and dime,
my friends may well leave as my wealth starts to fade,
my family be worried for the plans that we'd made,
though all that's material be taken away,
I'll cling to the rock of the one who will save:
my strength and my joy, my treasure and worth
are found in my Lord, king of all of this earth.
He will make clear, a path, where we'll walk hand in hand
with Jesus, my joy, through this shadowy land.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Sunset on a Spanish beach

Sunset on a Spanish beach

Sunset falls on a beach Nova
dying beams of light bless the sea
as couples, children, passers-by
bath in the golden, orange rays.
Late-night bars, like Christmas-tree lights,
twinkle into life
as Spanish guitars caress the air,
music clothing the velvety twilight with colour.
Exotic drinks infuse the darkess with a lightening air,
tavernas enticing wandering strangers in,
while warm night air
cools the burns of the afternoon sun
and frosty pitchers of Sangria
soothe tired minds and bodies.
Moonlight highlights flecks of silvery crests
as langorous waves break gently
upon the silent beach.
Only the dreams of angels can be heard upon the shore.
If you listen carefully, you can hear them,
even now.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Underwater

Underwater

Hazy mist drifts by as I float,
gently descending through shifting currents.
My senses feel dulled
as though I were half sleeping,
drifting in a world of cotton wool.
The delicate shingling sound of a thousand marbles on wood
washes over me like the sands of time.
Then, like an eagle spreading its wings for flight,
I stretch my arms out, reaching up and up, higher and higher,
hurtling through this tranquil world,
I break the surface,
and breathe.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

There and back again, a short person's tale

Hurrah for sun and sea and Ticket to ride! My family and I have just been amazingly blessed to enjoy a week in Majorca with a range of books, games and exploration up the island's sheer hills and things to do. Highlights have to be the Western Waterland (waterpark) with its 30m (!!!) near-vertical waterchute, the Pirates Adventure (seriously, watch the trailer -- it was amazing!) and the real luxury of being able to enjoy spending time with my mum, dad and sister.

Amongst the craziness and relaxing of the week, I wrote a small number of poems & songs which I'll be posting soon. Some are based from the balcony of the hotel we stayed in, and others are somewhat more from the (often somewhat worrying) depths of my mind. I hope some make you smile, and others, to reflect.

I'm now officially moved back in with my folks in Swindon as well. As some of you may know, I've had a challenging first year's teaching, but have known God's amazing grace & the blessing through friends like Dave and Marie, Adam, Si, Lizzie, Frazer and the rest of the Carey 20s and 30s, not forgetting my very patient and loving girlfriend Cat who's kept me smiling and joyful in Jesus' hope more times than I care to count!

One thing I have found constantly encouraging this year and currently is how the hope I am amazingly allowed to have in Jesus keeps me worry-free (in theory!) I've been very challenged this year about what I cling to and where I find my security. I've been reminded that my security and hope doesn't lie in my job, a mortgage or house or the place I live, nor the church I attend. My hope for tomorrow lies squarely in Jesus for my patience, energy and peace (about jobs and so many other things). Proverbs 3v5-6 has resounded throughout this year, and has become something of a guiding light as I've weathered the peaks and troughs of recent times in particular:

'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight'

I love how God's plan doesn't depend on my state of mind, feelings, cash flow or concerns. He promises simply to 'make your paths straight'. And how twisted I seem to love to make my path!

So I'm currently applying around Swindon and the rest of Wiltshire for supply teaching, with a view to find a job in the area this year. Eyes will be kept to the ground -- let me know if you hear any Upper primary jobs come up! And if you happen to be in the area of Junction 15 of the M4, do pop by for a cup of tea of coffee - the kettle's always on the boil with 3 teachers under 1 roof ;)

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal