Reader Writes September 2024

The old forester rises early to enjoy his familiar morning ritual. The kettle is filled to the

brim and a secret number of teaspoons of loose leaf “breakfast” tea is spooned into the

pot. There it brews for a bit while he finds his bible, ties a shamagh round his neck for

cosiness and probably puts on an extra jumper. The tea is poured into a favourite pottery

mug from his friend James up at Lower Hergest, it is then tamed with plenty of full fat milk.

Resisting the temptation to open his phone and see if that lunatic in the Middle East has

started World War 3, he lodges himself in a comfortable corner.

For years he has used his bible-in-a-year covering the whole bible in daily readings; these

comprise readings from the Psalms or Proverbs, Old Testament and New Testament.

That’s less than 4 pages a day. And the side by side position of Old and New Testaments

frequently means they chime with a common theme. He’s always delighted, but sometimes

tempted to feel surprise. The themes of scripture follow an arc that broad reading begins to

notice and anticipate. In the Old Testament man is blessed, but finds himself cursed by his

perpetual disobedience and greed. In the New Testament, God sends his Son Jesus as

Redeemer to rescue us from ourselves; God’s people finally become the Church.

Recently, the old forester had taken to using the bible App (bible.alpha.org); same daily

readings but with a very helpful commentary from Nicky Gumbel who lead the

development of the Alpha Course. His very clear teaching has been honed over years; but

it is not didactic, just good explanation and practical application. If you are driving to work

or catching up with chores, you can listen to it all on audio.

Gumbel also regularly uses Eugene Peterson’s bible translation The Message. This

translation uses clear insightful contemporary language. Peterson, like Gumbel, is a

church pastor and expository preacher. His translation from the Hebrew and Greek

reaches for the vivid and practical imagery found on the street or in the workplace. He is

teaching us to live with Christ -forgiven, loved, redeemed. As Paul puts it “More than just

getting us out of trouble, he gets us into life! One man said no to God and put many people

in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.” (Ro5:19)

One of the joys of his old hard copy bible, open day by day along with the App, is to

scrutinise the pencilled notes by date accumulated in the margins over the years. These

celebrate family and friends, escapades and milestones, or remembered catastrophes and

wars, and chance encounters like this; he asked a waitress in a pub where she was from

(he hadn’t guessed). The answer “Ukraine”; so he could mumble with tears welling “Slava

Ukraijni”, to which Maria replied “Heroiam Slava” (to the heroes, glory). So yes, old

scribbles become a mix of prayers and celebrations. Naturally, wildlife is remembered.

Cuckoos endlessly calling in NW Scotland one May. A scimitar winged hobby dashing

among the sand martins. The swifts, presently flocking and screaming above him, will

have long departed. And soon the swallows will leave. Day by day, for your creation and

for your word, Thank you Lord!

Robert MacCurrach