Jude Smith

This Christmas I have seen three families talking about forgiveness on the basis of their faith. I think (I can't wholly remember the third family) that all three had lost a child to criminal activity. Losing a child somehow defies how things are supposed to be- it rebels against the natural order of things.. And yet all these people are talking about forgiveness. In the third (or maybe 4th) century Christians were the only ones who stayed around to care for plague victims. I wonder if in the 21st century blame pandemic, that Christians might be the only ones who offer forgiveness. I'd like to be known like that.

So, one of my esteemed colleagues has gotten into bother for 'encouraging' shoplifting. I probably don't want to say too much about it- other than the context of the sermon is important. There is something about theft and relationship which I want to articulate (I may fail). If one shoplifts there is very little relational damage. When someone steals from their parents or children, some part of the social fabric is ripped. Relationship has somehow been dishonoured. Being burgled last week fits in the middle. My predecessor was quick to point out this morning that he was never burgled because: 'I pretty quickly got to know all the rogues'. Aside from the implied 'you are shit at the job'- it raises a relational question. Was the theft from my house a relational act? I was very publically out and about that afternoon- at a kids party then a school play. Anyone who knows where I live would know the house was empty. So was it relational? And is it a g...

I confess. A bit of me still thinks that I am a student or a teacher or something. It is the week before Christmas and my body just wants to stop. Admittedly it hasn't been helped by the burglary- I think that has raised profound thought that I might blog about later. But it is Christmas week and I must wind myself up into action. There are crib services and Midnight Communions and Christmas Day.. There are perhaps some unprecedented opportunities. I just hope that my overriding feeling of being the athlete who was great in the European Cup but may not make teh Olympic semis will pass.

I woke up at 6.05 this morning: and having done one of those weird deals with God I hauled me out of bed and got breakfast one! And then I went and put on my gym stuff (Which looks better each time I put it on!) And then I got in the car and at 6.40am I was in the gym! I have a number of observations: 1- everyone looks less glam at that time in the morning: in fact I observe that you are safe from the ultra thin ultra tanned until 7.45am! 2- this is reassuring and invites you to try harder and try new things. 3- there is more space 4- surprisingly I have more energy than I thought I would. So: I did my interval cross training, then my upper body work, then my 2000m row.. which I knocked 17 seconds off! Its not great (9:56:7) but its under 10 minutes and gives me something to work on.. Training session three tomorrow so we will see how we go!

Well dear reader, I wouldn't want you to think that I hadn't trained since last time- I have been dutifully pushing squatting and other things that when written down seem strangely toilet related! In ten days I have eaten only one cheaty food thing (a planned cream cake) and I am pleased to say that I have lost five pounds. Its a slowish start but should get quicker from here on in. I now have my personalised training programme too.. Its a good combination of cross training and rowing, of weights and lunges! It should all have me a bit more toned and shaped by Christmas! (Honest Guv!) The only 'problem' is that my arms are now very tired and gimpy! But I am excitededed!

So I had my first training session with the personal trainer yesterday: and all things considered, pretty good... We started with a fitness test: a 3000 metre row. It took me just over 15 minutes. Not bad considering: though blatantly want to be able to do it first in 15 minutes flat and then eventually in under twelve. Then it was squats, lunges and some weights. My body was proper feeling it by the end of the day but was all good. More bizarre was the lovely scales in the gym clocking me as having lost 13lb (if only).. But the wii has me having lost 2lb plus a little bit more this morning. I am beginning to feel the lack of caffeine and carbs today though.. but we fight on. Today's exercise was cleaning- an hour of it! All good..

This 'dieting' business (which is actually about eating fewer calories not some weird only eat food beginning with z thing.. are there any foods that begin with z?) is quite hard with this job.. I must self congratulate first.. I have had no sugar in coffee and have had no biscuits cake or crisps.. or chocolate. BUT- on a visit I was made homemade Italian sauce from a homemade lovely Italian lady.. with an ENORMOUS plate of pasta (white carbs bad..) and- having not quite made it to a meeting, David and I went to the local and the locals MADE us (really) drink beer.. It was very lovely- but not quite the calories cutting. So.. not bad.. but need to plan things somehow..