Muddy Devotions

Welcome back to the weekly roundup! It’s Sunday, which means it is time for our quick 5-minute evidence check-in for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. I am officially at Week 19 , and things are progressing beautifully across all sections. ​Here is how the checklist is shaping up this week, along with some exciting new developments in nature connection and pioneering ministry. ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​ Status: Completed previously. ​ All evidence for this section has already been successfully logged and submitted! ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) & Prescribe Nature ​ Status: Active ​ Evidence:  ​This week's fitness and nature connection overlap beautifully. I've wrapped up Week 5 of the Prescribe Nature program at Newbattle Abbey College . It was another incredibly enriching week of nature-based activities. The outdoors continues to be a profound source of healing, grounding, and joy. ​ I have also...

Lately, life has been all about finding balance—nurturing the body, mind, and spirit while holding onto our steady family routines. A massive source of that healing and grounding has been my time at Newbattle Abbey College for the Prescribe Nature programme. Today, I want to take you on a journey through two very different, yet deeply connected weeks in the woods: Week 4 and Week 5. ​So, take a deep breath, leave the rush of the world behind for a few minutes, and let's step onto the trail. ​Week 4: Deep in the Dirt ​Week 4 was all about the foundation of everything beneath our feet. Fittingly, the theme was earth and soil. ​If you remember from our earlier bushcraft sessions, we recently carved our own wooden tent pegs. Well, we put them straight to work, using them to pitch tents under the shelter of the trees. It’s amazing how a little practical outdoor skill instantly makes you feel more connected to the land. ​Once camp was established, it was time for a proper woodland ...

This week has been all about balance—nurturing my body, mind, and spirit while staying true to my advocacy work and family routines. Here is a breakdown of my activities and evidence for Week 18: ​1. Volunteering ​ Activity: Walk for Autism ​ Status: ✅ Completed previously. Medal and Certificate: Received this week.  ​2. Fitness & Nature ​ Activity: Nature Walk & Prescribe Nature Course ​This week, I embraced the outdoors by attending Week 4 of the Prescribe Nature programme at Newbattle Abbey College . The outdoors continues to be a massive source of healing, grounding, and joy for me. Set up tents using pegs we made last week.  Had a cuppa in the woods at a new location.  Found some leafy specimens someone had collected.  Found Badger claw marks.  Explored the Badger sets and set up a trail camera.  Did some nature ar...

​ Adapted into Easy English from "What Is Nonresistance?" by Tom Lock. Originally published at nonresistance.org and shared freely for all. ​Where the Word Comes From ​The word "nonresistance" comes directly from the Bible. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says: ​"Do not fight back against someone who does evil to you. If someone hits you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too. If someone takes your coat, give them your jacket as well. Love your enemies. Pray for people who hurt you." ​What Nonresistance Means ​Nonresistance is more than just avoiding fights. It is more than staying calm when someone is cruel to you. ​Nonresistance means: ​ Refusing to hurt someone back when they hurt you. ​ Trying to do good to all people, in every situation. ​ Working toward forgiveness , kindness, and love—always. ​ Staying away from all violence, all wars, and all hate. ​ Remember: Nonresistance is not about doing nothing. I...

Welcome back to the blog! It has been another busy, fulfilling week of routine, growth, and reconnecting with nature. As Sunday rolls around, it’s time to check in, reflect, and share my Week 17 evidence for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award , alongside updates on my other weekly activities. ​Here is how everything shaped up this week: ​🌟 Mencap Gateway Bronze Award: Week 17 Checklist ​ 1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism): Completed previously. ​ 2. Fitness (Nature Walk): Kept up with my steps and physical activity in nature.  ​ 3. Hobby (The Digital Parish & Prayers): Continued my rhythm of praying and documenting my reflections on faith right here on the blog. It remains a grounding anchor for my week. ​ 4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted and completed. ​ 5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): I have been actively managing my daily regulation using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and sensory snacks. ...

Welcome to Above All Love . This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. ​This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't need to have your theology sorted to be here. You don't need to feel worthy, or confident, or certain of your standing before God. ​You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this — carrying whatever you carry, however long you've been carrying it. ​If you need to read slowly, or stop and come back — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. ​Hymn ​We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. ​Not the labours of my hands Can fulfil thy law's demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears for ever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone. ​— Augustus Toplady, Rock of Ages ​Prayer ​Gracious God, ​Thank you that you do not ask us to earn what we could n...

Welcome ​ Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. ​This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't need to have answers about buildings or belonging, or about where God is or isn't. You don't need to have a church to come back to, or feel the loss of one that has gone. ​You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this — in a home, in a garden, on a phone in a waiting room, or anywhere else entirely. ​If you need to read slowly, or stop and come back — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. ​Hymn ​ We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. ​O thou not made with hands, Not throned above the skies, Nor walled with shining walls, Nor framed with stones of price, More bright than gold or gem, God's own Jerusalem. — F. T. Palgrave ​Prayer ​Living God, ​Thank you that you are not conf...

Welcome back to the weekly roundup! It is Sunday, which means it’s time for our 5-minute evidence check-in for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award . This week has been a rich blend of outdoor education, sensory management, and spiritual reflection. ​Here is the breakdown of activities and evidence for Week 16: ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed and submitted previously. ​2. Fitness: Nature Walks & The Great Outdoors ​This week’s fitness has been heavily integrated with my studies at Newbattle Abbey College and a family trip.  ​ Activity: Woodland walks and exploration. ​ Highlights: ​A family trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens over the holiday weekend. ​Continued the Prescribe Nature course, which involved a significant amount of movement while building wellbeing in the outdoors. ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Daily Office ​I have found myself returning to the Northumbria Community Daily Office . Ther...