This month seems to have past by quite fast.

I only have one regular commitment in the week because my working weeks and days for locations are never the same. If I could do three days working from home and two in the office I could have regular commitments.

Healthwise, I try and squeeze in going to the health club either morning before work at 6am or in the early evening after working from home about 18.45pm. My daughter goes twice a week so I can go with her. A bit gruelling after work but easier going with someone else.

Spiritually –

keeping strife out of my life ‘requires willingness to constantly communicate and confront issues… prayerfully ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to be a person who avoids strife and restores peace everywhere. It’s not a simple task, people have their own inner convictions on what is right or wrong for them.

I have the calling on my life – Servant Leadership – selfless love in everything – : “(Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”

Galatians 5:14 – Love your neighbour as yourself – have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit.

(John 13:34-35).

Love one another as I have loved you.

My daytime job as public servant in the local government requires me to uphold their services and not be judgemental which is in line with my faith. Not to discriminate against anyone even though I do not always agree with their way of life.

I walked another ten miles to raise money for Tear Fund – a charity my church – All Saints Church supports. – Tearfund Disaster Relief is a Christian charity working in more than 50 countries 🌎such as the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, the East African food crises & the Pakistan flood crises. I raised £90 thanks to the generosity of my friends.

A great contrast in weather conditions here in Eastbourne . September was really lovely weather and I really caught the sun and it was sweltering hot.?This walk was a challenge with the blustery wind, rain and muddy conditions.

Someone gave me a bin bag to put over my head. 😀

Have to keep the fitness regime going as I’ve committed to walk again next September this time 50k this time up in London walking along the Thames.

Yesterday I walked into my town and back.

Now the clocks have gone back and it’s officially Autumn/ Winter it will be important to take a walk lunch time every day while the sun is shining or even if it isn’t otherwise the mornings will be dark and evenings too. Shorter days.

This Tuesday is All Saints’ Day (Or All Hallows’ Day in old English) which means that Monday evening is All Hallows’ Eve – known by nearly everyone these days as ‘Halloween’. Traditionally All Saints’ was a day to remember and celebrate those who have “Died in Christ”- those who have lived lives reflecting Jesus’ love and have now “gone to glory.”  Indeed, in countries such as Poland, All Saints’ Day is still celebrated by families gathering together to put candles on the graves of loved ones – and by Monday evening Polish cemeteries will be aglow with the light of millions of candles.

Our British Halloween traditions originate from village communities where local children would dress up to mock the “powers of darkness” on their last evening of influence before their defeat when All Saints’ Day dawned. 

These celebrations weren’t a sign of evil’s power – quite the opposite – they were a celebration of Christ’s victory over evil.

But modern Halloween celebrations seem to have turned in a much darker direction, with shops filled with increasingly dark and unsettling costumes. Gone is the light-hearted teasing of a defeated enemy. Instead there seems to be an embrace of wickedness, with none on the light of All Saints’ Day.

We live in a world where evil and pain really exist and whilst many will see this years Halloween celebrations as harmless fun, it may come at an unseen and unintended cost. Are we looking towards the light or are we wrapping ourselves in darkness?

See you in November….