> ”What feeds us as we journey is the word of Christ. Good pasture can be found today in the Scriptures, for it’s in the Scriptures that we hear the voice of the Shepherd.”

From _The Glory of the Cross_ by Tim Chester.

Some thoughts on the interfaith event

I’m a day or two removed from the interfaith event that was held at the local Ahmadiyya mosque. It was a really interesting time, particularly the addresses from _respected scholars_, a group which I somehow found myself in as a representative of Christianity. We heard from the local imam as well as the regional imam. There were representatives from the local Jewish community, city councillors, a vicar as well as people sharing about the charity work that they do.

I really do believe that there is something to be said for dialogue between people of different faiths. What is essential, however, is that an actual dialogue is happening. With this event, it was primarily a series of monologues. Everyone was given an opportunity to speak but there wasn’t anything meaningful happening during that time.

The real heart of the experience was actually spent before and after the event. Spending time talking with people and sharing a meal is where dialogue happens. I was able to have a conversation with a veterinary surgeon while we ate. Under any other circumstances, a conversation like that isn’t going to happen.

Above all, what this experience helped cement in my mind is the very same thing that I have spent the last 12 weeks studying, relationships. Real, gospel ministry primarily happens in the context of conversations with people, not during keynote addresses. The ministry of the preached Word is absolutely essential to the life of the church but so is the ministry of Word being spoken of around the table. **If we want to have a real, effective method of evangelism then I think that is going to happen in the context of personal ministry.** Outside of that, we move too quickly to shouting for our voice to be heard above the din.

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Nothing quite as nerve-wracking as trying to finish up a difficult paper the day before it’s due and being unsatisfied with how the paper actually turned out.

Cathedral.

_”The quality of my faith or repentance is not what counts. What counts is the one to whom we come. And I’ve come to Jesus.”_ – Tim Chester

I’m really enjoying this devotion book from Tim Chester right now. Also featured here is my beloved Kaweco AL Sport that I won in a Jet Pens giveaway a few years ago.

It’s been a very rough week and weekend, but finally getting a chance to do a bit of painting has helped a bit. 🎨

Sometimes you only need another 15 words for a paper, but sometimes those words just don’t seem to be there…

Working in Procreate again for another women’s event flyer for [Trinity Church Everton](https://trinitychurcheverton.org).

Page one in my new Maruman Croquis S163. I think if the paper was 20-30g heavier, it would work really well for on-the-go watercolour. Not that that’s going to stop me.