Is it surprising if you deconstructed from a faith built only on what you like, that when what you dislike loomed large you fled and left.

 It came to light today in various forms that the first world faith concept of deconstructing is struggling as people turn away from Church. My own thoughts travelling around fact that too many of these deconstructed people are spending time in therapy and on retreats mostly  via social media like zoom.

There is an issue a factor staring everyone closely in the face. These people in the main chose a conveyor type faith. One that allows them to sample and have sound bites they favour . Relationships and encounters with poverty. The poor and inner cities are not their mission ground. The university campus was the place they felt at home. Academy of learning. Practical outliving of faith among those facing injustice not been area nor a path they have been along.

Is it surprising if you deconstructed from a faith built only on what you like, that when what you see as uncomfortable loomed large, you fled and left.

Zoom then into therapy because the faith you held was tested and you departed. That isn't faith it was just a jolly period out, like a Student night at the comedy corner. The laughter died you looked around and chance to wear your faith among the everyday issues was no longer attractive.

The Maltese budget 2027 and thuggish gread..

The Maltese budget of 2027 has targeted...
'A get richer at the expense of others' platform.

Shows how far the country's leaders have lost any moral compass. No where is the statement close to it's heritage and historical, further theological ethics of the Faith followed by St Paul. Reflecting fairness justice honesty and community.

They have made life difficult for those from mainly Asian third world countries who service its main industry.

Well perhaps it's only industry tourism. Made LIFE difficult further distressful for those working long hours in poorly paid jobs. The cleaners doing long shifts , that keep Hotels looking clean bright and welcoming.

Those cooking meals, serving plus  creating menus and putting cooked food onto Hotel buffet plates. 

The Bus drivers working for the wages those living on the Island of Malta cannot afford to exist on Poor wage long dangerous thankless hours. 

It does not stop there unfavorable also pretty unfathomable increase more then double for the ferries criss, crossing, the islands. Unacceptable increase more then double the present prices.

Such economic demands cannot be met. Then  worse the environmental tax that increase relate mainly to the tourist. Oh boy do Maltese Government really think we accept that. Few years ago for a stay it was fixed at €1-50 per day max of if recall €5. 

It increased in the Maltese budge 2027 at €8 day with l understand max of €68. Greed, pure greed immoral plus unacceptable.

Already l know personally 10 people could cancelled bookings. WOW read that again.

Already many others reported cancelled bookings. Also many will not arrive. Workers are leaving positions with Maltese budget 2027 only being approved a week ago.

I fell in love with Malta because of it's people.besuty, warmth and encounters. The faith we shared and resilience of the people in periods of difficulties. They like it's past recalled in the Holy word in Acts were people of  honesty and , justice, trustworthy.

So many solid friendship's built up so many lovely periods of my life. The excitement of being assended into Europe, that vote celebrated with flag waving, horn honking sense of belonging. The warmth of last Papal visit. Old fashioned Buses. Greetings when Maltese people visited the UK we chatted and ate together.

No More does this Maltese  Government value its heritage and historical, nor theological ethics of the Christian Faith. It's Socialist leader favours greed and money the new worthy bed fellows distorting any sense of economic fairness. You lost your faith sold your soul and we leave you. 

We will not be held accountable to you nor will we sing your praises previously valued. We know you for what your Leader values. 

Behave that. Is Unfair, greedy, lack just actions, improper relationship. Look how low you sunk oh my beloved Malta. 

I grieve.

It's tempory but l will ask are not most things in life.

                                                                        Just asking!

Precious encounters.

I never parked how important community and youth work is to myself. Still grasp the preciousness of having encounters with each other but more espically for myself ..encounters with youth.

Who at the most important period of their life's growth plus development. It's precious also urgent those you going into this special vocation. You must fully grasp that element. It's precious and relationships formed are unique. These encounters have to be carefully nurtured with space and patience. 

That's not a sub text it's important we allow space for work to grow. Lots of LIFE events can develop at certain pace but relationships need space by that statement unhurried but more substance then that. Allow growth as we gain more understanding of the individuals.

Again and again return to importance of gathering in community. Something youth setting with age range of 11 plus age,  happens organically. For the 11 to 26 age range gatherings help them discover boundaries being placed they grow as they evelop own relationships. Ones they have chosen to be in. The other youths they chosen to gather with. It's sometimes first inroads into making shuttle use of power.

Youth work is precious. I repeat these encounters are vital for you the leader and the young people using your device to them.

Faith not a get out tough uncomfortable moments.

                                         I struggle.

It's fact some maybe can't grasp. Pretty sure hold certain resilience got sense of faith l hold values feel are precious. In good relationships. Comfortable alone not got special female friend but beautiful ladies are in my LIFE. Enrich me as also do other friends in various ways.

Church remains place were getting support offer me sense of purpose finding grow among the fellowship. But l struggle like you perhaps this thing identified as Heaven. The LIFE tried, failed, plus risen again from own personal ashes to struggle on. Believe some don't expect this of me but it's just worth stating....it's this l struggle too. Can't always work stuff out ..thinking gets too difficult and the TV bored me the news grieves me the treatment l witnessed hurts. I fail and struggle.

That's the hope Faith not a get out of LIFE and it tough uncomfortable moments. LIFE upside down moments, difficult hard and very uncomfortable. But something shines ...it's that light that never goes out.....It's that echo that remains. It's the hope in a  word of a scripture it's the promise of a better way a different way of being.

 Morning prayer

Lord Jesus, hold our attention, and keep our focus on you and on your way; let us not be swayed by empty philosophies, by the lure of possessions, by the love of power, or position, or pride. Give us a proper humility and confidence in your love, for we are yours.

LIFE well you know....it is ...

Returning to the gym sessions it felt good to stretch oneself physically. Fortunate can still be active, work on areas of my physically this of course impacts areas of our mental wellbeing being. Which then philosophy affects leisurely pursuits have more energy to think and ponder.

My good fortune carried on as before the bus arrived had chance to enjoy a cuppa. Need to reflect on life and how lucky, blessed, fortunate, a person is and hope you can count the little things as blessings worthy of you recieving them.

The storms of yesterday still raging bringing further destruction even lose of LIFE the services have been out putting stuff in place. Shocking evidence lack of support along with the high costs of heating making LIFE difficult. We learnt at Unie that the book a road less travelled begins with these words a line so relevent from 1960 to the present these words resonate. 

LIFE is tough.