The Forest Parish: Above All Love

Posts

The Body as a Prayer: Reclaiming the Small and Big Cross

- January 23, 2026

For those from Reformed, Anabaptist, or Quaker backgrounds, the "Sign of the Cross" often feels like something belonging to "someone else’s" church. We are people of the Word, the Spirit, and the Inner Light. Yet, there is a deep, historical hunger to involve the body in our devotion—to find a "physical Amen" for our faith. Beyond its historical roots, the Sign of the Cross serves as a powerful form of non-verbal communication . In a faith that is often "word-heavy," these gestures offer a visible language that transcends literacy levels and provides a grounding, sensory experience for neurodivergent individuals (ASN) or those who find vocal prayer a challenge. 1. The Small Cross: The Secret Sign of the Martyrs The absolute oldest layer of Christian ritual dates back to the 2nd century, long before there were cathedrals or complex liturgies. In the era of Roman persecution, Christians used their right thumb to trace a tiny cross on their f...

Finding Sanctuary: My Gateway Journey Begins

- January 22, 2026

This week marks the beginning of a six-month journey as I work toward my Bronze Gateway Award. I’ve decided to frame this experience as a 'Sanctuary'—a dedicated time to build a rhythm of health, service, and reflection. Over the next 26 weeks, I am committing to a balanced path: supporting my Health and Well-being through the Northumbria Office and the Finch app, and challenging myself to build Self-awareness and connection at the Dad & Me group with Midlothian Sure Start. My days will include mindful nature walks for fitness and the creative outlet of this blog. Most importantly, I’ll be spending my volunteering time planning and completing my Walk for Autism . This journey isn’t just about ticking boxes for a medal; it’s about intentionally creating a consistent, peaceful routine that supports my autistic profile while giving back to the community. I look forward to sharing the quiet milestones and the steady progress of this path as it unfolds.

The Atomic Shadows

- January 18, 2026

Revisiting Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and the Questions of Intent "The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." — Psalm 9:9 (ESV) Seventy-nine years later, the mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki still cast long shadows over our understanding of warfare, morality, and geopolitics. While the conventional narrative holds that these bombings were a tragic necessity, a closer look at the historical record—and the specific destruction of Japan’s Christian heartland—reveals an unsettling debate. The Weight of Regret: Oppenheimer and Einstein The men who birthed the atomic age were among the first to be haunted by it. J. Robert Oppenheimer , upon witnessing the first successful test of the bomb, famously recalled a line from the Bhagavad Gita : "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This quote has become the definitive expression of the scientist’s burden—the realization that his intellect had provi...

"The True Myth"

- January 17, 2026

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...” — Hebrews 1:1-2 The "True Myth": How Ancient Whispers Found Their Voice in the Forest In the quiet corners of the proverbial Forest Parish, where the wind through the pines feels like an old conversation, we often find ourselves standing between two worlds. On one hand, we have the earthy, rugged wisdom of our Pictish and Norse ancestors. On the other, we have the radical, transformative message of the "Red Letter" Gospel—the direct words and life of Jesus. At first glance, these might seem like opposites: one rooted in pagan myth, the other in sacred scripture. However, there is a robust theological tradition that suggests they are actually part of the same story. This is the theology of Fulfillment , or Praeparatio Evangelica —the "Preparation for the Gospel." 1. The Greek Connec...

The Brotherhood We Fear: A Logical Challenge to Modern Faith

- January 16, 2026

The Red Letter Challenge "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?" — Matthew 5:46-47 The Brotherhood We Fear: A Logical Challenge to Modern Faith In the 1995 film Cry, the Beloved Country , James Jarvis (played by Richard Harris ) reads a letter written by his late son. The words provide a sharp logical challenge to anyone who claims to follow a faith of love. The quote says: "The truth is that our Christian civilization is riddled through and through with dilemma. We believe in the brotherhood of man, but we do not want it. We believe in justice, but we are afraid of it. When posterity comes to judge us, will we be consigned to the pages of history as tyrants, or as men who had the courage to be free?" Historical Parallels: A Logic Check History shows that this "dilemma" follows a predictab...

Winter at Vogrie Country Park

- January 15, 2026

I have the pleasure of being an outdoor learning assistant (ASN) at Vogrie Early Learning Center here are a few of my nature photos from the area this season.

Search This Blog