An interesting couple of days at SEITE.
I’ve been discussing Issues in Theology with Simon Barrow of Ekklesia, looked at the armour of God in my bible study, sat in a fantastic coffee shop in Canterbury thinking about mission while reading a couple of chapters of Exiles, and heard some great insights from 2 Muslims, Saira Malik a lecturer from Kings and Dr. Usmani from Maidstone Mosque who told us that Jews Christians and Muslims should get along well together as we are all cousins and have no need to fight each other with the common ground that exists.

Simon was good and I found it interesting to see that some did not accurately listen to what he said and became defensive on issues such as church schools. He was arguing for a different thinking whereas people heard ‘I am against and we should not have these’ rather than ‘if we have these they should not discriminate as that is not a Christian value’

I feel God challenged and spoke to me in the ‘3rd space’ of the coffee shop(you’ll have to read Exiles for a definition) – which makes me smile as I have not been able to find God in most of the structured and tightly controlled worship that we have experienced this week. I know that is an issue with me rather than the people planning and leading worship as I can see that others are being incredibly challenged and the worships sessions themselves are well planned. It’s just for me, at this point in time, I feel I need quiet and time to listen from scripture rather than fill space with words.

Highlights of the last 2 days …
sitting outside Buttermarket with good friends people watching!
a Wetherspoons Curry!
laughing over silly things
Old Specled Hen AND Bishops Finger on tap – a pub from Heaven!
speaking with those that have widely different theological views from me – and yet having friendship of respect and love which will hopefully exist beyond SEITE – that’s got to be a sign of the Kingdom of God!

And now … 7.20am so off to the Crypt! Have I metioned that the lectionary readings are Song of Solomon for the mornings! St John of the cross has interesting interpretations which do not seem to tie in with the immediately obvious interpretations which are a bit much at 7.30 in a cold cathedral crypt!