Locally, it is called 'THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE' because of our annual Christmas Lights display, raising money to install water facilities in Gambian villages. It is also THE SINGING HOUSE, as we feed the birds, and have bushes, hedges, trees and water features for their delight, so through the years, sparrows, collared doves, wood pigeons, starlings, thrushes, pied wagtails, blue tits, crows and magpies are welcome visitors. A very tame robin is a favourite, always coming so close, even to my hand, as though bearing a message from heaven. Their bird song is mesmerising and fills the house with music and joy. It is THE NATURE HOUSE where the frogs ribbit and hop happily and unexpectedly (even into the house) and splash happily into the pond. Squirrels scurry across the trampoline, foxes saunter across the wall, butterflies dance, the bees hum and local cats visit. It is also THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE, where countless youngsters stop daily entranced by all the ornaments that populate the front garden including sheep, foxes, rabbits, owls, beavers, tortoises, hedgehogs, monkeys, elephants and even giraffes, but also by the real birds that swoop to the feeder or walk proudly on the grass. It is also THE ADVENTURE HOUSE, as those in search of geocache treasure know well, once they have worked out the clues. It is also THE LIBERATING HOUSE where many have been ordained for ministry, not only in the U.K. but also in America, Spain, Thailand, Scotland and Ireland. It is THE DREAM HOUSE, where many who have had their hopes dashed elsewhere, have found a solution to their obstacles: those rejected for Baptism, for Confirmation, for Communion or for Marriage, by the main denominational churches, here have been availed of the sacraments. It is also THE TRUTHFUL HOUSE where, because of our integrity, we come over time to discover the truth about people and situations, finding the genuine and uncovering the false. It is also THE GOD HOUSE as often a young voice will be heard in conversation, "That's where that vicar guy lives", an oasis in often a lonely world, where people know a special, trustworthy and safe resource can be found, to which many people come with a variety of requests. It is most important of all, THE LOVING HOUSE, where people with genuine needs know they can find compassion, understanding and help: whether the bereaved needing support, the infirm needing nursing care, the sick needing comfort, traumatised children needing fostering, refugees fleeing war, the homeless needing shelter, the hungry needing food, the addicted needing rehab or the countless other manifestations of human difficulties, all have been helped from our loving, life filled home.
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ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART ONE
ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART TWO
I AM PROUD OF MY WRITING, FOR JESUS’S SAKE, THAT HAS HAD ME FOUND INNOCENT IN HEAVEN, BUT TWICE A CRIMINAL ON THE EARTH. THE FIRST IN 1990 WHEN I WROTE A BIBLICAL TEXT ON THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN PEACEFUL PROTEST ABOUT THE BOMBING OF YOUNG IRAQI RECRUITS DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. THE SECOND, IN 2016 WHEN I WROTE ON MY BLOG, TO ALERT THE PUBLIC ABOUT A PAEDOPHILE, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN FORCING THE AUTHORITIES TO STOP HIM HAVING ACCESS TO CHILDREN. THERE WAS ALMOST A THIRD! IN 1997, WHEN I WAS ARRESTED FOR NAILING MY PROPOSALS FOR REFORM OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ON THE DOOR OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. WORDS ARE POWERFUL MESSAGES THAT CHALLENGE CORRUPTION, CONFRONT THE WICKED AND CREATE A BETTER WORLD. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE CALLED TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORDS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE COST.
"You brave, courageous and wonderful man. To stand up for the truth
in the face of suppression and oppression is truly an act of a pure heart."
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