I recently wrote a bible study for SCM, in connection with this years theme; Small World, which looks at the connections between different parts of the world, and the impacts various changes in the environment will have on every individual, regardless of faith, class or social standing. In this study I focussed on the creation story at the beginning of Genesis.

The theme I was trying to follow was the question of where the creation story ends. The account of creation stops at the end of this passage, but what happens then? God the father, the creator, is beginning and ending, he is ever present, so we are told, so we believe. Does he stop creating at the end of the second verse of Genesis chapter 2?! Reading this passage it is easy to think so; the world came into being, God was pleased, and stopped to rest and admire his handiwork. And that was that. But the world we live in is far from constant. It has changed in many ways, some more rapid and more noticeable than others, and continues to do so. This is something we cannot dispute.

I find it hard to imagine, or to believe in, a God who is involved in the creation of his world over a finite period of time, and then steps out of the picture, having nothing more to do with it as it grows. If we profess a faith in a living, omnipresent God, who listens to and answers prayer, and is ‘pleased’ with his creation, surely this God is actively present in our lives, and consequently, in the evolution and continuing development of this world? And if we accept that God is still creating, changing, shaping our world, then we also, as his creation, as his followers, have a part to play. The creation is documented, in the form of a story (which you may or may not believe to be literally true, that doesn’t matter), in the beginning chapters of the bible. It tells how the earth was formed out of the vacuum of space, something from nothing. Inspiring stuff. But still more inspiring surely, is the possibility that this description of the creation is there to show us the continuing story of which we are part. The first chapter of Genesis tells not the whole story of how the world was made, but the first chapter in the life of this planet. The next chapters are being written now, by you and me.

Richard posted this on Connexions recently, and, as usual this kind of thing gets me angry. Not so much, as you might expect, at the people who produce these ‘lads mags’, or even the unimaginative and plain ignorant men who buy them, although both groups are not high on my list of favourites. No, the real problem I have with this is with the women who allow it to happen. And its not even just in magazines and ‘news’ papers like these, but in every corner of our lives. Singers, actors, generic ‘celebrities’, they all participate, voluntarily flaunting themselves to sell that next single or raise those ratings.

The justification for a lot of this, as Richard mentioned, is that it promotes the empowerment of women. This never fails to remind me of the catch phrase of a certain all girl singing group of the 90’s; “girl power” was yelled from the stage as they begged you to “tell me what you want, what you really really want”. Empowerment of women? In the shortest skirts and heaviest eyeliner? In flaunting your ‘assets’ in our faces in the hope of increasing record sales? In the need to be sexy, regardless of age or inclination, if you want to get ahead? This is making women stronger we’re told, it shows they can be dominant, and can’t be walked over. If you say so. To me, it says that no matter how talented, intelligent, courageous or strong-minded she is, at the end of the day, a woman is first and foremost a body, and that that is her most important asset.

Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with being pretty, and every woman loves to be considered attractive, but there’s so much more to it than that. A woman’s power lies in her character, her mind, and her strengths and abilities, in the same way as any man. And I’d rather a daughter of mine grew up with that definition of ‘girl power’ than any other.

So, how to summarise nearly three weeks of holidays and stuff?? Lets see…

19 days out of work, not having to think about, worry about, go anywhere near the place, or deal with problematic collegues and their issues. Just a complete break from it all, relaxing and doing whatever I chose to do

Three very different types of holiday, in various different places, with different groups of people, all of whom I enjoy spending time with and many I don’t see as often as I would like to.

Two (long) weekends camping, in glorious, baking sunshine, either end of a week (not camping) in slightly less brilliant weather but with other redeeming features which compensated for the sun

Two very different but equally enjoyable festivals, one involving a lot of sitting around drinking beer and listening to folk music, and the other involving more active, brain stretching thoughtfulness, but also a fair amount of the first two as well But spending time with family and friends, chatting about life the universe and everything, feeling connected to them, to those around me (even those I don’t know), and to God. Sharing the things I enjoy with the people I love.

One week (and a little bit) away in the middle of the French countryside with Chris (and family for part of it), with a little bit of sunshine (even if he was ill for most of it) and then rather a lot of rain. But being away, from work, from internet and tv, from the rest of the world, and just being able to be together. Being forced to relax, and spending a lot of time sat in front of a log fire reading my way through a rather stonking book collection

(Only) one new CD purchased, but definately well worth it!

One huge big birthday bash for a special girly mate, with many a black tie and posh dress and some rather fab music that you couldn’t help but dance to.

Countless pints of beer, and a few of cider, and rather a lot of glasses (more like bottles!) of wine…

Many nights of less sleep than needed, but kinda compensated for by the positive effects of being away from the ‘real world’ and recharging the batteries

Not bad for less than three weeks. Back to normality now though, such as it is!