Oh and a good book of poetry. That does the soul good too.

As a matter of fact, I purchased At Home when Dixie and I were in England (in a chain bookshop near Trafalgar square, I believe) in 2010. It was quite a point of pride that I was able to acquire a copy prior to its publication in North America! But thanks for your offer.

“the vicarious Englishman that seems a part of your soul” — indeed!

Interesting comment on Richard Foster. I’d expected Celebration Of Discipline to be a bit more fascinating and a bit less dry, and to my shame, I put it down after a very short period. It definitely isn’t the content, so much as the delivery that fails to allow one to make contact with the content.

If we should happen to meet up over the next little while, let me lend you At Home – A Short History Of Private Life, which I suspect will appeal to the vicarious Englishman that seems a part of your soul.

…to the both of you.

Sounds like me, although 12.30 would often be 2-3am. :p

Facebook lies is an interesting one. I post little there these days because so many people from the church link to me, and I know that if I speak my mind then some of them will be upset, probably with some justification. Becoming one of the silent types is easier on relationships. That applies to the blog to a degree too.

We had a small group meeting on Thursday night where we talked about truth and being open, about the proverb 6 scripture where friends say things that hurt which help, but enemies flatter and lie. Some friends present who have no problem telling me ‘how it is’ to my face dissembled and emphasised how we mustn’t judge others, needed to be so cautious etc. There’s a conversation we’ve not had yet…..

But when I’m tired like that from staying up, generally I have a sense of shame, and that’s enough to help me think others have a right to give me a hard time. Only occasionally do I have enough sense of self worth to reject that thinking and give them a hard time back. It seems to me that doing ‘helpful things’ like making sure we have enough sleep is as much a Christian duty as praying for people or preparing sermons etc, but one that’s so personal it’s hard to get a right perspective on.

Good that you found the grace to hit re-start the way you did.