Holiday's over...
We had a great holiday in the lakes, with amazing weather for the time of year- almost spring-like- and the house was lovely, as was the health club (which the holiday came with complimentary membership to), and the company-Rachel, Paul and Abi-and everything else. The only bad thing was Joni and me getting a sickness bug for a couple of days, also our bed was a bit soft, and too small for three (as Joni proved conclusively by refusing to sleep in her travel cot night after night!)
We had a great walk on the Saturday, and on the Thursday, of the week. On the Saturday we walked directly "up" from Elterwater, where we stayed, to the top of the chain of hills that form the Langdale pikes, and enjoyed spectacular views over Langdale and down the other side into Grasmere- you could see four lakes from the top. The walk was steep and demanding, especially for me, as I had Joni on my back! Worth it though. On Thursday we walked a beautiful footpath along Langdale which ended nicely in the well visited and old favourite pub, the New Dungeon Ghyll.
It was great relax and think of nothing holiday, it was a bring a book but don't read a page holiday, it was a kick back in front of an open fire and drink mulled wine holiday, or else walk the 10 minutes to the health club and sit in the sauna/steam room/jacuzzi, holiday!
If I had one thought of a religious/serious nature, it was this (fitting, in such beautiful surroundings):
God, Father, I don't want your presents, I want YOU.
Often it's been said that a child needs its parents company to be happy, and that nothing can make up for this. I've heard it spoken from religious platforms, and read from religious publications, criticism of parents who spend little time with their children, perhaps working long hours, who buy presents for their children as if this can substitute for their love, or show their love in place of themselves. These same publications and speakers have pointed to, as examples of Gods love, his "presents", or Creation. Where is our Father though? Many religious people would say he's only a prayer away, or he's only a book away, but if all we have are presents- a book is a present, the ability to pray is a present too perhaps- God is not in the presents. It's a horrible comparison to make, but in such a muddled world, the comparison is there to be made. I sincerely hope that God clears his name, as Jesus prayed, that it be sanctified, but to do this he must (as the Bible says) reveal himself. Please God, reveal yourself to ALL in an unambiguous way, if that is your will.
Here's some photo's of a beautiful place, and some beautiful people.
We had a great walk on the Saturday, and on the Thursday, of the week. On the Saturday we walked directly "up" from Elterwater, where we stayed, to the top of the chain of hills that form the Langdale pikes, and enjoyed spectacular views over Langdale and down the other side into Grasmere- you could see four lakes from the top. The walk was steep and demanding, especially for me, as I had Joni on my back! Worth it though. On Thursday we walked a beautiful footpath along Langdale which ended nicely in the well visited and old favourite pub, the New Dungeon Ghyll.
It was great relax and think of nothing holiday, it was a bring a book but don't read a page holiday, it was a kick back in front of an open fire and drink mulled wine holiday, or else walk the 10 minutes to the health club and sit in the sauna/steam room/jacuzzi, holiday!
If I had one thought of a religious/serious nature, it was this (fitting, in such beautiful surroundings):
God, Father, I don't want your presents, I want YOU.
Often it's been said that a child needs its parents company to be happy, and that nothing can make up for this. I've heard it spoken from religious platforms, and read from religious publications, criticism of parents who spend little time with their children, perhaps working long hours, who buy presents for their children as if this can substitute for their love, or show their love in place of themselves. These same publications and speakers have pointed to, as examples of Gods love, his "presents", or Creation. Where is our Father though? Many religious people would say he's only a prayer away, or he's only a book away, but if all we have are presents- a book is a present, the ability to pray is a present too perhaps- God is not in the presents. It's a horrible comparison to make, but in such a muddled world, the comparison is there to be made. I sincerely hope that God clears his name, as Jesus prayed, that it be sanctified, but to do this he must (as the Bible says) reveal himself. Please God, reveal yourself to ALL in an unambiguous way, if that is your will.
Here's some photo's of a beautiful place, and some beautiful people.
posted by John Doran-Armstrong at 4:27 PM
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