Has the world gone mad?

I would like to think I could give everyone the opportunity to show that they are in fact okay.

Even allowing for the press taking sound bites and catching a photo and implying it says more , you can't ignore the words and actions that play on peoples fears and promote both fear and even hatred to others,  The latest action of Donald Trump to exculde refugees, and even US citizens, speaks of a paranoia  that is now driving the new American administration. 

There are amusing moments this tweet of a photo says so much ...

You have to wonder how the Queen copes with her royal duties after all she has had to sit with dictators in all their forms, even elected ones!!!

I think what really riles me is the way God is invoked to give approval for actions which are inherently un God like. You know 'look after the widow , orphan and refugee' The constant reference to God   feeds off the weird American idea that somehow their land is special in the eyes of God.  So dismantling a health care system will impact on the poor, how is that heaven blessed? Or  refusing  entry to many from certain parts of the world, many of which are the very same places where ill conceived wars have played out and produced the refugee   crisis in the first place, by the very same USA and ourselves, this is a scandal. 

What is also scary is the fact I am conscious that many of the views now being expressed by the President are echoed in our own British society. Even more worrying sometimes within church communities. The rise again of nationalism under the banner of being patrotic recalls a very dark time in european history. So we have to work even harder at walking in the footsteps of a Jewish Rabbi who challenged the nationalism of his own day. We have to stay faithful to a compassion that is for all people. We have to be generous with what we have for it is already a gift to us by a loving generous God. Such generosity calls us to share. 

I guess Jesus wasn't really concerned with how many turned up for the feeding of the five thousand! He was more concerned those that did were fed. But then he was humble and it wasn't about him . It was about people who all had needs to be be met. So Mr Trump get off your ego trip. It's not about you its about everyone but you, and how as a leader you make sure that everyone is included, welcome and accepted. But please don't evoke God as backing your plans and actions , God has his own plan and is sticking to it. God is planning to redeem the world and is doing so with Love. It's costly and tough and it most certainly is for everyone. 

Tinsley meadows Friday - Fish and shell fish cookery course at The Milestone

It was a challenging time havng been invited to talk with three year four classes at Tinsley Meadows Academy in their new school building. What makes Jesus inspirational for Christians? Yes a straightforward topic. Each class was different with challengng questions that kept me on my toes, and the need to be honest if there wasn't a simple answer or even an answer at all. But yes I really enjoyed myself having the opportunity to reflect upon my own faith and why for me Jesus the person is so life     changing. From his openness and acceptance of all, to his breaking of cultural norms, to his belief in peoples God given potential, to seeing women as equal to men, Mr Trump take note! 

I found myself touching on so many areas of life it was a brillant time and can only hope that something  will be remembered.

So Saturday came and the chance at last to take up my daughters birthday present. So down to 'The Milestone' for a cookery course. I had previoulsy taken the 'Pig in a day' so today it was 'Fish and Shell fish' . It was a very relaxed time with nine of us on the course. Coffee to start and on we got with making Salmon Gravlax after being shown how to fillet a fish properly. So a new skill learnt and how to cure. With it we made a mustard dressing and it should be ready to eat by tomorrow afternoon but will keep till Monday. 

A cossiant with raspberry puree kept us going as did constant supplies of water with cucumber. 

On we moved to a Malasian Prawn and Spinach curry.  The ingredients above look fairly normal but 

Once in the pan  with coconut milk and it was delicious and became our lunch with fresh bread

It was scrummy and a small glass of red accompanied it very well. 

Then we went on to fillet a mackerel and a sea bream, the later was much harder to do.

A pause to wash and clean the Moules for what would be the last dish to cook.

Then back to pan roasted Mackerel on a bed of Kale, Beetroot and Samphire Salad , with a wonderful dressing made from horseradish, creme fraiche, chives, dill and lemon. 

Then to the Sea Bream - 'Pan fried Sea Bream' , braised gem lettuce, peas, mustard and tarragon veloute. This served as the evening meal once home.

Finally it was time to cook a classic Moules Mariniere. So simple but so delicious .

Sadly cooking was over and how the time had flown having met some people from all over Sheffield who love to learn about cooking.

Thursday night at city hall

Always a delight to take time out and attend a concert at Sheffield City Hall.

It was the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with their conductor Edward Gardner.

We were treated to Grieg's Lyric Suite Op. 54 and then onto Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor Op 85 with a wonderful performance by Truls Mark on the Cello, very intense throughout. How did he keep playing all the way through. I'm sure they were all ready for the interval , we were, having rushed from work to get there for 7pm so a much needed cup of coffee. 

Then we had Sir William Walton's Symphony No 1 in B flat Minor. The audience clearly appreciated the performance and we had an encore as a reward for our applause.  

Once more I get to appreciate what this amazing city has to offer and unlike London we were soon home reflecting on a great evening.

Tomorrow beckons and its a series of talks to three four year classes at Tinsley Meadows Academy about what makes Jesus inspirational for Christians. So an easy one then!