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A BIG MONTH FOR WRITING

BLOGS

This month has given birth to not one, not two, not three but four blogs, (including this one)!   All part of a project to produce a new book, ‘Making Sense of the Bible in Forty Blogs’, which I intend to publish next year.  I have already written thirty blogs covering most of the New Testament.  Now I have to fill in the gaps, specially the early bit of the Old Testament.  

1 I sent out an introductory blog on Sunday 12th, ‘The Bible as she was Spoke’- Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek’.  Example:  Peter was not called Peter, and Jesus was not called Jesus! 

2 I then went back to the beginning of the Bible, Genesis 1-11.  The writing went well, but by Thursday I realised it was going to be far too long, so I split in two.  On Sunday 19th I sent out the blog on Genesis 1-3, creation and Adam and Eve.   In it I reveal the name of the actual writer of the story of the garden of Eden (I think).  Sadly Facebook refused to boost my post about it, I think because I included this naked painting of Adam and Eve by Lucas Cranach (1472-1553)

3 I have just finished the blog on the next section, about Cain and Abel, the Flood, the Tower of Babel, plus four genealogies.  I got enormous help for a large book called ‘Legend’ by David Rohl than I have had for years, and his maverick theories about the Bible and ancient Sumerian civilisation (Epic of Gilgamesh etc.).  I am amazed how many really useful books I have in my possession that I have not opened for years, specially now that most theological libraries are in lockdown.  I discovered the real villain of the story is Lamech, father of Noah, not a nice man.  I will publish this blog on Friday 7th August.

4 And today’s one.  What do you think of the new title?  Is ‘My Writing Life’ better than ‘Rev Andy’s News’?  Or not?  Or do you have another suggestion?  Please email me.

ANOTHER NEW BOOK!

In my planned book “Making Sense of the Bible…” I intended to include ten blogs I had written in 2019 on ‘Holy Week – What Really Happened’.  During my time of prayer on Sunday 19th I had the idea of separating that out into a separate book, illustrated by plenty of photos I had taken in Jerusalem.  At the moment it comes to about 13,000 words. With an introductory section and some extra material (especially about Zacchaeus), it will probably reach 20,000 words, which is more than my book ‘Discovering Psalms as Prayer’.  And I will be able to produce, publish and market it in time for next Lent, February 2021.

BLOGGING

I am a not very active member of the Association of Christian Writers, but I did take part in an online training session on blogging on Saturday 11th, followed that up by an excellent hour’s coaching on Zoom on Monday 27th.   I found, to my relief, that the length of my present blogs is just about par for the course.  I also made a few new resolutions:

1 Post out a blog every Friday

2 Create a free PDF to offer to anyone who subscribes (and sent to existing subscribers as well).  it will probably be ‘the Five Worst Scandals in the Bible’.

3 Sort out automatic welcome messages for new subscribers on mailchimp.

4 Investigate canva.com as a free design app.

Will I do it?  See next month!

FAMILY LIFE

Two big events this month.  My stepson Peter had his 26th birthday on Sunday 5th.  Linda and I got invited to his place where his girlfriend cooked up a massive Mexican meal.  A great afternoon.  My wife Linda had her birthday on Friday 17th and we all went out to an excellent local Lebanese restaurant – the first time since lockdown.  

We are sad about the cancellation of the Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in August.  So Linda, together with our creative neighbour Ewa, has set about making our own festival in Philbeach Gardens.  Fourteen locals had a lovely evening on Saturday 11th telling stories about growing up.  On 25th we had a tea-time consultation meeting in the rain, and plans grew rapidly.  Let’s Create Festival in Philbeach Gardens will open on 5th September, in the street in the afternoon, and in the communal garden in the evening.  Exciting!

 And on 31st Linda and I are going for a weekend away to a cottage near Salisbury, the  first for six months.  Hallelujah!

FILMS

No trips to the cinema of course.  I have been putting on late night films for myself, often from my own DVD’s, where I can find bonus extras like the director’s commentary – really interesting.  Films have included Pulp Fiction, Matilda, North by North-West, The Hit, and Hal Hartley’s The Unbelievable Truth.  You may not have seen the last two.  Check them out, you won’t regret it.

THIS MONTH’S BIBLE QUIRK

Matthew (13.33f) and Luke (13.21) both have the parable of the kingdom of God being like a woman mixing yeast with flour to make bread.   How much flour?  35 – 45 kg – almost a hundredweight!  Was she feeding Jerusalem?

Wishing you a very happy August, whether you are able to go away or not.

Andy.