ALookintoT

Shrew

How many of you know that a Shrew is a small mouse like mammal with a long pointed snout and tiny eyes? How many of you relate the word Shrew with a bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman? Now, that is a sexist definition if I every heard one! Good ole Shakespeare wrote a whole comedy play called the “The Taming of the Shrew”. Not PC now or maybe even back then. But that is another subject. Let me stay on the word Shrew and specifically the meaning of a small mouse like mammal. If we stick to just this definition, the word most likely would stay as a boring definition. But now the word was expanded way back in 1590 or so by Shakespeare to have a totally different meaning. Replace the word Shrew with Tongue. “Taming of the Tongue” may be a great play if we can find a play write to take on the project.

Like Shrew, Tongue has a very simple definition that is boring unless you are a doctor of the tongue. The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that manipulates food and is used in the act of swallowing. Now, that is about as exciting as a small mouse like mammal! What is the point? Like shrew was used to stereotype one gender, tongue is used like a flame of fire. How did that happen?

James 3:1 tells us that many of us should not consider being a teacher because may judge more strictly. This is a challenge as I have been a teacher and a little bit of knowledge can go to our heads to make us a bit condescending to who may be on the learning curve. Being a teacher is an admirable profession, but like most professions, empathy for our audience is needed. Empathy is a small thing to possess, but without it, I believe we are like a ship without a rudder. A ship would soon be lost without the rudder. (James 3:4-5) But what about that tongue? Is it just a small organ used to facilitate the digestive system in our bodies. According to James 3:6, the tongue is a small flame of fire set on fire by the flames of hell. Verse 7 continues to advise us the we can tame all manner of creatures but not the tongue. Wow! The tongue is only an organ so how can it be so unruly? Do we shower blessing or cursing? Maybe, the answer is what is in our hearts.

Claim

An assertion that something is a fact without evidence, which causes dispute or doubt. That is the definition of claim. One person claims the other person is wrong or right, depending on that one person’s point of view. Perhaps, the truth is somewhere, but the opposing claims tend to shadow any trust we may have for one another. I get fed up listening to claims from politicians but even more fed up with the media sponsored celebrities who are used to sway voter opinion. In my opinion, it is hard to trust anything anyone claims anymore.

Three years ago I witnessed an agonizing loss of a church member. I saw first hand family members hit with pure reality. At first, claims from medical experts were simple medical challenges that could be treated with medication. Then I saw how, in a few weeks, reality revealed an untreatable disease that took the life of the loved one. The loved one has joined other heavenly hosts that help us along our life’s journey to the ultimate truth.

We all have a role to play in disseminating truth. Claims are no good without facts to back up those claims. Claims without facts are like trains without tracks. They are heavy and get a lot of attention, but go no where. The media will cover the story and many claims will prevail according to which group is supporting their ratings. Eventually, the story gets replaced by some other claim. We all have challenges in life. Do we listen to the claims or do we determine the facts. If we here a claim, before we reach a judgement on the merits of someone’s claim, take the time to get more facts before acting. Whether the claim is a health condition that should have been taken care of immediately, instead of self diagnosis, or some other claim that causes us to act irrational. Let us get in the real game and not get caught in smoke and mirrors. (Note: Some situations will be beyond our control as was the case with my dear friend. In those occasions, put all of your trust in the Divinity.)

James 2:14 says, “claiming to have faith can’t save anyone”. Verse 17 says, “faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity”. How do you show your faith? Do we make bold statements designed to impress our friends, but not substantiated by good works? Do you demonstrate your faith by your actions that produce miracles guided by the Holy Spirit? Faith is an action word. Claiming to have faith is a statement not founded on facts. All of us are in the game of life together. Use your God given talents to be less a claimer and more a doer of the truth.

Armor

Thirteen years ago many of us were fighting to survive after horrendous natural events called “Katrina” and “Rita”. Hurricanes that will live in our memories forever. What armor could we put on to defend ourselves then and what can we use now to fight the battles within our selves? Can you imagine putting on this heavy armor to defend flaming arrows, slashing swords, flying rocks, etc.? It would be hard to put on this armor let alone fight in it. St Michaels Mount was defended by such guardsmen back in older times. Perhaps, instead of putting up a gallant fight, the stature was enough to intimidate anyone who tried to breach the castle walls. I suppose in earlier times, intimidation was one of the weapons used to ward off evil attempts to take over another’s possessions. The tidal island where St Michaels Mount was erected was a civil parish of the Christian Church and never intended to be a fortress but as most things even now, it seems, someone is always after what someone else possesses. Fighting against human enemies seems to be a matter of reality so I suppose armor like displayed at St Michaels Mount serves as a reminder that us humans are subject to violence by our very nature to preserve our selves and our earthly possessions. But, what if we put on a more efficient set of armor? This armor will defend us from self righteousness and possessiveness as well as other challenges in our lives? Perhaps, the challenge is recovery from natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, etc. What if we put on an armor that will defend us from forces of cosmic darkness and spiritual powers of evil.

“Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible, to still stand.” (Ephesians 6:13) The scripture continues to say to put on the belt of truth, breastplate of justice, shoes to spread good news of peace, shield of faith to ward off flaming arrows, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is God’s word. Perhaps, wearing this armor will be more effective not only for the principalities of evil but our own battles within.

The West Country

Wow, how do I begin to describe the beauty of the area they call the West Country. Some may say a piece of heaven. Others driving from one small town to the next, may consider roads hellish. However, everyone is surprised by the beauty just over the next hill. It is an area of England I had only heard but now part of our memories looking forward to next visit.

Our first day’s journey takes us from Hampshire county to the town of Exeter in Devon. The drive through the new forest, where sheep and ponies roam free, was pleasant and gave us glimpses of what was still to come. We continued on to the Juassic coast to search the beaches filled with treasured fossils. We found some at least at the local museum. Mary Anning (21 May 1799 to 9 March 1847) was an English fossil collector, dealer, and paleontologist. She became known around the world for important finds made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along the English Channel. Lyme Regis in the county of Dorset in Southwest England was her home. (Wikipedia) She was a female breaking the barrier of male dominance in this science. The book made into a film called “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” was also written in Lyme Regis.
Next stop was Colyton to Seaton Tram ride along the wetlands down to the Coastline. Saw a pheasant and loads of ducks! Met with family staying at Caravan site overlooking an awesome bay. BBQ, great visit and we were off to Exeter.
The town center of Exeter and the huge cathedral is spectacular. St Caterine’s Almshouses was bombed during WWII and now serves as a reminder to the brave soldiers who fought for our freedom.

Day 2 we were off again through the moors. Sheep, beautiful landscape and narrow roads bordered by stone hedges overgrown with years of vegetation, kept us focused on the road ahead. We stopped at Widecombe in the Moor which is a village steeped in history and famous all over the world for Widecombe fair, Uncle Tom Cobley and all. There is a 14th century St Pancras Church called “The Cathedral of the Moor”. Search the net for the Dartmoor Story.

Can you imagine driving along these moores and saying, “Good place for a prison”? Dartmoor prison still operating today was built between 1906 and 1908 to house prisoners of war in lieu of prison ships or hulks. Living conditions were not much better and prison sometimes meant entering alive, but leaving in a box. The prison was designed for 1000 prisoners. It grew in excess of 1500. In 1813, it housed American prisoners, not from the war of independence, but from the forgotten war of 1812. America had to declare war again on a defiant England refusing to accept American Independence. Today the prison accommodates minimum security inmates but back then housed war prisoners and worse affendors of the Crown.

Now, if abstract art is your thing, visit Sir Francis Drake’s Buckland Abby Barn to view Andrew Logan’s Cosmic Egg. For me, more impressed with huge barn. The story of Francis Drake’s life is extraordinary from a meek farmer’s boy dreaming of being on a ship to a master commander who helped stop the Spanish invasion of England in 1588. He had previously been very successful in Spanish raids as payback for their attack on his vessel in 1567. Payback is a b… Then knighted by Elizabeth, he also becomes Mayer of Plymouth in 1581, before buying Buckland Abby. It remained in the family until recent times. Not bad for a lad with a dream! We ended up at Looe at the Shellseeker’s Guest House overlooking the Harbour. Great accommodations! Of course a stop at the Three Pilchards pub in Polperro helped put us in a great mood.

The 3rd day, we were off to Bodinnick where a short car ferry replaces no bridge. A little walk around before heading to Fowey pronounced foy to ryme with joy. The river Fowey rises high on Bodmin Moor and flows to the Atlantic. The Harbour has always been a seafarer haven and participated in the defeat of the Spanish Armada with Drake. Fowley’s history goes all the way back to 200 B.C. A short drive on to the museum at Truro and tour of Cathedral before pub at Marazion to get a glimpse of St Michaels Mount. We stayed the night at Helston’s Premier Inn to recharge our batteries.

On day 4, we were at St Michaels Mount for 10 am at low tide. Best to plan your trip according to tide schedule so you can walk across on the ancient cobble stone road. Boats at high tide are slow and cost extra. History of the Mount is so great but the actual walk up the old castle, is spectacular. Look for the giant’s heart on your way up. By the way, the Chevy Chase room is not named after the actor. The real meaning relates to the fox hunt or chase. When you get to the top, you view a wonderful surrounding of gardens and sea. Words cannot describe the serenity. We left before the crowds and the rain started.

Next on our journey through Cornwall was the Cable and Wireless point of convergence that kept the Allied world in communication during WWII. It is now fiber optics network to the whole world. Here, in the small town of Porthcurno, the world received vital communications even through constant bombing cut off London, this site continued the relay of messages.

Land’s End which is farthest anyone can travel without a ship is only 3,147 miles to New York from this spot. I think I will take an airplane. There have been at least 37 ships sunk off these shores so yep, airplane for me thanks.

We next headed along the narrow roads where lots of tin mining ruled the economy of the day. Then we stopped at St Ives for walk around this beach and harbour town. It was full of people enjoying the great sunny day. Enjoying the sunset at a pub was a great ending to the day.

Day 5 begins back at Helston as our base but now off to Port Isaac, Tintagnel and Boscastle. The later being our first stop. If you live on this planet and it is fair to assume, we all do, we are not immune to disasters. Boscastle was the location of tremendous floods on 16 August 2004. Helicopters were air lifting survivors from house tops. The slow flow of water from the hills down to the harbour became a raging torrent in hours of rain. Streams blocked by trees and debris served as dams that broke. This town now seems so quaint again though I am sure for those caught in the moment, shall never forget.

There have been many kings layed claim to Dumnonia but the magical world of Merlin and King Arthur in Tintagnel lasts in our memories. This mythical king was conceived here. Perhaps it was a little magic potion given to the King of Britian, Uther Pendragen, to look like Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. Perhaps it was just passion of one desiring another’s wife. Regardless, Gorlois’ wife Igraine becomes pregnant with the future king, Arthur. Legend or lies? You be the judge. The potion maker Merlin lived in the caves below this grand castle on a huge hill where wind howls and the sea surrounds most of the rocky land. Centuries of ruins reveals the magisty of a time of old. The original great hall dates back to 1230 but was mostly left for erosion after death of Earl Richard in 1272. Upkeep continued and a prison remained for another hundred years before abandoning. A sculpture of King Arthur stands at the top of the land to serve as watchman over the mysteries beneath.

Next stop was Port Isaac via Pendoggett where we stayed for the night. Port Isaac is made even more famous because of the filming of Doc Martin series. It is hard to imagine how such a small part of the port is captured on screen to film the series, but that is the modern day magic of TV. There is a small sign stating his house three doors up on left. The actual house is now for sell. Any buyers? We had a pub break just next door to the drug store used in the series before returning to our accommodations.

Day 6 after leaving Pendoggit took us to Morwellham Quay. There was a lot of mining in those hills. The problem was to get the copper ore from the tunnels in the hills to the quay where ships could transport the ore up to Scotland. They had the copper ore but no coal for smelting. Both West Country and Scotland enjoyed a profitable partnership until copper prices fell as mined elsewhere like Chilli. Morwellham survived many floods and copper downturns by mining arsenic after the copper extracted. I did not know arsenic is product of chemical reactions between copper and rock minerals. It is not poisonous in natural state. It becomes toxic after exposure to heat for a couple of iterations. I am sure discovery of process fatal during first attempts of cashing in on this product. It prolonged the economic life of this area for another twenty years.

We then headed to Dartmouth where we took a ferry across the harbour steered by a boat secured to its side. Never seen that before! We walked around Brixham for a wonderful view of harbour before meeting family for an evening meal overlooking the Harbour. We could get used to this beauty and lifestyle for sure!

After a great meal and visit, we were off to our final night at the Old Church House Inn in Torbryan. This old inn and church was on the main passage to London so had many guests of royalty including good ole Henry the VIII. He was probably in search for a new queen or going for a test drive but that is just my assumptions. No facts. Interesting to note that a tunnel runs from the church to the Inn. Again, assuming escape route for the persecuted Catholics of that time.

Our last day was spent slowly making our way back to Fareham from Torbryan through Honiton with a stop at the Sun Inn for Sunday roast dinner on a Monday. We made it back home with more memories anyone could imagine in a 7 day adventure. Thanks to the Hall’s for a great adventure. Looking forward to new adventure next year.

recognition

To be recognized is a great desire for many of us. It is an acknowledgment of our existence. Perhaps, we strive too much to be recognized. I believe social media is all about getting someone to recognize yourself or your cause. Sometimes there is a great deal of anonymity where we may just want to see what everyone else is posting. We reserve our opinions while still part of the crowd. How many times have you seen on TV some crowd gathering to protest something. When individuals are singled out to explain what they are protesting, they stumble for words or do not even know. The protest gathers momentum and becomes a mob sometimes without evaluating the facts. Someone or something has been wronged in their opinion so off we go where nobody knows. Is there perhaps some over reaction in play here. You think! What if you feel totally misunderstood and not recognized for who you are or what you represent?

Ephesians 4:26,27 advises us that it is okay to be angry, just do not sin in the process. Do not let the sun set on your anger as that only provides an opportunity for evil to creep in your souls. Evil being the devil. Later in the next chapter we are advised to live our life with love, following the example of Christ. Who is Christ? Did he have trouble being recognized? You bet! Even Jesus was not recognized. “They asked, “Isn’t this Jesus, Joseph’s son, whose mother and father we know? How can he now say, I have come down from heaven?” (John 6:42)

If Jesus was not truly recognized for who he was, what chance do we have to be understood and recognized for who we think we are? Are we spending too much time trying to be recognized. A good dancer does not need to be recognized as a good dancer. We cannot survive without air, water, food and avoidance of extreme environmental conditions. We can live without recognition. Life goes on regardless. Perhaps the best advise from Jesus is not to grumble among yourselves. Unless you are drawn to me by the Father, you will not be raised. (John 6:43,44)

Instead of trying to be recognized by your so called friends or those whom you relate, have a little faith and recognize the bread of life.