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Chris Jefferies

@scilla.org.uk
167 followers 285 following 986 posts

Interested in everything! - jhm.scilla.org.uk - Journeys of Heart and Mind - copy.scilla.org.uk - ©2002-2026 (free) - chris.scilla.org.uk - Bio - coffee.scilla.org.uk - Buy me a coffee

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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 5h
Here's the latest JHM post, hot off the WordPress this morning. Enjoy! jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/10/01/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
A stunning ceiling
We went to see Worcester’s famous cathedral. There was a service underway so we couldn’t visit the nave, but today’s photo shows a section of ceiling between the choir and the altar retaining…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 18h
Other topics I've been considering for posts on JHM include an update on Russia's war in Ukraine (a lot of things have changed recently) and another article on reusable spacecraft. Let me know which of these you'd like to see first by commenting below. Thanks!
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 18h
I'm working on a new Image of the Day post, I think I can probably make it live some time tomorrow. Here an image from the post as a taster. I'll link here to the article as soon as it goes live.
Part of a statue from an old building.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 29/09/2026
Roundup video on Starship flight 14, a really good but short contribution on a groundbreaking SpaceX mission from the best spaceflight commentator out there - Marcus House. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/28/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
2026 news roundup
Marcus House includes everything you need to know and collects up some of the highlights from SpaceX’s livestream yesterday. Awesomeness in less than 25 minutes, don’t miss it!
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 28/09/2026
Latest news - Starship orbits Earth for the first time. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/28/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
2026 news roundup
The latest test flight of SpaceX’s Starship has gone well enough that the decision could made to go to orbit.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 26/09/2026
I wrote recently about the difference between a dead butterfly and a living one. I said in that article that I'd write again about the spiritual aspect of dead and alive. Here it is... jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/25/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Are we dead or alive?
If I tell someone that I follow Jesus they will expect him to be like me. If I am mean, greedy, selfish and easily angered people will pick up the notion that Jesus might be like that too.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 25/09/2026
I've signed the petition calling on the Government to make wildfire prevention and climate resilience a national priority. Join me and help protect the places we love. campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk/page/196457/...
campaigns.nationaltrust.org.uk
I've signed. Will you? Add your name to help make wildfire prevention and climate resilience a national priority, and stand with the communities affected by wildfires.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 24/09/2026
Here's today's post from JHM: jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/24/b...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Butterfly dead or alive?
Like all living things, butterflies have a metabolism in which interlinked biochemical processes are are always active. On death these processes cease and the remains are consumed as food by other …
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 19/09/2026
The third part of my constitution for the church is now live. The title is 'Start with Jesus'. The article includes an index to guide you to parts one and two. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/19/s...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Start with Jesus
A good start would be to state that church is defined by everything that Jesus is and does and teaches and by nothing beyond that.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 14/09/2026
I've finally made a start on a commentary for Luke's gospel, here's the introduction for anyone interested to read it. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/14/i...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Introducing Luke
Luke’s gospel and Acts probably began as a single book dedicated to Theophilus (a Greek name meaning ‘friend of god’ or ‘lover of god’) and written to provide a clear background and history of the …
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 12/09/2026
It's a day of progress, I've completed my commentary on John's gospel. It's taken a long time, but I'm finally there! Here is the final piece: jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/11/s...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Seeing and believing (2)
Yahshua, coming and standing there amongst them says ‘Shalom alechem’, ‘Peace be with you’. It’s the everyday greeting you’d hear on the streets in any Jewish town but here amongst these frightened…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 09/09/2026
Here's the latest from Journeys of heart and Mind (JHM): jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/09/u...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Ullswater
The Ullswater Way is a footpath allowing visitors to walk right round the entire lake. We walked parts of it, Donna and I walked to Pooley Bridge and back one day, and I walked several times to How…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 05/09/2026
Here's an interesting series of videos for anyone thinking about the history of the early church. Well worth a look: www.youtube.com/@Historyofth...
youtube.com
History of the First Christians
‎This channel is a focused exploration of the Early Church, uncovering what life truly looked like for the First Christians in the First Century. ‎ ‎Each video examines the world of the Early Christia...
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Reposted by Chris Jefferies
Quotes from the Forum @stoicquotes.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
“Be like the cliff against which the waves break.” – Marcus Aurelius #stoic #philosophy #wisdom
Stoic quote image
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 02/09/2026
If you're interested in church and in history, this might be something you'd really enjoy watching... jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/01/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
2026 news roundup
Bishops and other church officials gradually took on government and civic duties. When dusk fell on the Western Empire and pagan kings took charge of old Roman cities and provinces, it was the chur…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 02/09/2026
Do you see church as a channel you flow along, something that contains you and controls your flow? Do you see the value of complete freedom to rush headlong towards Jesus like a waterfall, with no channel to contain and direct your flow? jhm.scilla.org.uk/2020/06/05/l...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Like a waterfall
A waterfall breaks the pattern of a river’s flow
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 01/09/2026
Take a look at Times Radio's 'The Trump Report'. In depth news every day about the mayhem around Donald Trump. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/09/01/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
2026 news roundup
Times journalist, Maddie Hale, interviews top journalists, military experts, economists and more in a daily, in depth round up of events. This lays bare the US President’s naive, often foolish, and…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 01/09/2026
Does a church need a name? A name is not required, it’s important to state that; because the name doesn’t help to define church. 1st Century believers talked about Lydia’s House. or the gathering at Corinth? They knew what we have often forgotten.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 01/09/2026
We had our family holiday in the Lake District again this year. here's our holiday house, almost on the shore of Ullswater with a private beach near the house. It was a great week as always.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 19/08/2026
All feathered up? jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/08/18/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
A fallen feather
There were several groups of dinosaurs that had feathers. These were probably mostly for warmth, display or camouflage rather than flight thought there were some flying dinosaurs that had flight fe…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 16/08/2026
I've been having something of a computing upheaveal. I've installed Linux Mint on my old Windows laptop. I don't trust my Ubuntu laptop until it's been serviced. In this hot weather the BIOS has been shutting it down due to overheating.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 07/08/2026
I've extended my latest #history post back to 1976, covering events in my own #life, my #family, and the places where I've lived - #Cirencester, #StNeots, and #Yatton (near Bristol). It includes brief notes on world events too. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/08/07/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Art in the forest
Speech House has a sculpture trail set up and we walked some of it, then drove to Monmouth to explore the lovely old town, and on to Chepstow stopping again at Tintern Abbey before crossing the old…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 02/08/2026
Here's what happens when a giant #iceberg flips, breaks in two and rolls right over. Awesome footage! www.youtube.com/watch?v=UufM...
youtube.com
Massive Iceberg Collapses and Flips Over in Ilulissat, Greenland | Full Event in 4K! (July 25, 2026)
YouTube video by afarTV
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 31/07/2026
Journeys of heart and mind. I've redesigned the JHM landing page to improve clarity and increase engagement. Let me know what you think. scilla.org.uk or jhm.scilla.org.uk
scilla.org.uk
Journeys of Heart and Mind
Post by @ChrisJJ.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 25/07/2026
Paul writes of 'the church at Ephesus' or 'at Corinth'. Surely this suggests multiple churches? Not so, the sense is of one church in multiple places. How can this work? And how are we to get back to such a state of affairs? We need to understand networks. jhm-old.scilla.org.uk/2012/05/chur...
jhm-old.scilla.org.uk
Church is a network
< No earlier items | Index | Groups of two or three > Church is a typical network structure with rich connections at multiple levels, just...
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 20/07/2026
It's deeply troubling that church has divided itself into denominations and still continues to do so today. Why? Because Jesus clearly intended it to remain one single entity. 'I will build my church' is a singular statement in both senses of the word 'singular'.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 19/07/2026
There's a new #history page available now: Blast from the past 41 is part of a series covering my #family, home #town, and other events. This latest post covers selected months (mostly Aprils) from 2006 to 2026. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/07/17/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Art in the forest
Speech House has a sculpture trail set up and we walked some of it, then drove to Monmouth to explore the lovely old town, and on to Chepstow stopping again at Tintern Abbey before crossing the old…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 17/07/2026
Yesterday's Starship launch was aborted due to four Superheavy Booster engines failing to start. At least two need to be switched out so there'll be a delay of about a week before another attempt can be made.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 16/07/2026
Time for the next Starship launch attempt tonight, 23:00 UK time. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/07/16/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
2026 news roundup
SpaceX is aiming to launch their largest and most powerful rocket later tonight, 16th July 2026, just after 23:00 UK time this evening. Once again, expect quite a spectacle whether it proves to be …
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 14/07/2026
Do we pay attention like #Jesus does? We really should, but we might prefer to avoid it sometimes. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/07/14/p...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Paying attention like Jesus
We need to have challenging conversations with one another, Holy Spirit-led conversations like those Jesus had with his disciples and with those he met as he travelled with them in Galilee and in I…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 11/07/2026
The tale of two kingdoms, recommended reading on #truth and #deception. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/07/11/t...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
The tale of two kingdoms
Sometimes we need to be provoked into thinking things through more thoroughly and deeply. The enemy is so clever at interleaving error quite subtly into everything we think and do, even in meetings…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 07/07/2026
#Life will find a way. There are striking parallels between #ecology and #church life. There's a clear way forward, let's not leave it unexplored. #leadership #abundance jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/07/06/l...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Life will find a way
All that is required to restore native woodland in Scotland is to remove or significantly reduce the presence of Red Deer and sheep … Where deer-fencing is erected to protect an area the tree…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 30/06/2026
#Debt, #love and #forgiveness, why would anyone hold back from this? jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/06/30/l... #Money #Care
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Loving more fully and widely
There are to be no debts amongst us, not only because we pay them off but because we forgive them. When I lack the means to pay I become dependent on your willingness to forgive. Jesus is our examp…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 26/06/2026
Here we go with the tenth part of my series, Activating the church'. This time we check to see if we can find the #APEST gifts in #Jesus himself. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/06/26/a...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
APEST in Jesus
Since Jesus is the best example of all five APEST gifts, it makes good sense to look to him for guidance in using them. I’d say read the gospels and notice the things he did and the things he…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 25/06/2026
Today I want to mention a series from the past. Nearly fifteen years ago I felt the #Spirit nudging me to visit #Coventry #Cathedral; it turmed out to be a tour with the Spirit as guide! Here's a link to a set of five articles I wrote as a result. jhm-old.scilla.org.uk/2012/02/cove...
jhm-old.scilla.org.uk
Coventry Cathedral - Index
(See indexes on  other topics ) In November and December 2011 I began to feel Father wanted me to travel to Coventry and visit the Cathedr...
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 21/06/2026
I've edited and re-published my article about teaching in #church life. We often think teaching is is about imparting #information, but it's not. It's about growing #character. Until a believer understand this clearly, they cannot become a useful teacher. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/06/21/u...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Understand and explain
Jesus taught his disciples, but he also taught the crowds. Sometimes his teaching went way beyond words and ideas, often he’d share a parable like the Good Samaritan that reached directly into mind…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 20/06/2026
The Wayback Machine makes every news outlet it archives more resilient against pressure to remove stories that threaten the powerful. Tell the New York Times, The Atlantic, and USA Today to stop blocking it! savethearchive.com/newsleaders?...
savethearchive.com
Tell New York Times, The Atlantic, and USA Today to keep the crucial work of journalists in the Wayback Machine!
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 16/06/2026
The next section of my commentary on part of John 20 is now live. If you read it, I hope you'll find it both interesting and helpful, whether you have a strong faith or no faith at all. Pass it on to others, adapt it, re-use it. #Jesus #Gospel #Bible #Commentary jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/06/16/s...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Seeing and believing
No gardener would know her name, and in that moment she recognises his voice. She cries out ‘Rabboni!’ (‘Teacher!’) and reaches to grab him, perhaps just an arm, more likely a full hug. Her misery …
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 11/06/2026
Cirencester in 1500. Some thoughts about the town as it was long ago, Tudor street names like Batel Strete and St Laurens Strete, the state of the wool trade, and more. #Cirencester #Cotswolds #History jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/04/14/t...
Cotswold Lion sheep
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 10/06/2026
#Gloucestershire #Cirencester #JHM Free history post starting in March 2026 and running to 1500, scroll down for older and older material. jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/03/20/t...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
The Lauriston Hotel
I took this photo of the Lauriston Hotel in Weston-super-Mare where I stayed for a week with my parents and grandparents when I was about two-years-old.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 09/06/2026
The biggest Blast from the past post so far - The history of my town and family from March 2026 right back to the 1500s! Dip in and take a look. Focus on the parts that interest you most. #Cirencester #Gloucestershire #Cotswold #Jefferies #History jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/04/14/t...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
The Lauriston Hotel
I took this photo of the Lauriston Hotel in Weston-super-Mare where I stayed for a week with my parents and grandparents when I was about two-years-old.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 01/06/2026
This my most recent 'Image of the day' post. It's been a while and it's good to get back to it. I love taking photos, and it would be a shame to waste them 😀. #Photo #Cirencester #Landscape jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/06/01/s...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Seemingly a leafy town
When I say ‘landscape’ I’m thinking here of the way the rising hills and the meandering river valley reveal a town snuggled into a cosy couterpane of woodland as in the photo.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 28/05/2026
Here's the second part of my thoughts on a constitution for the church. #Church #Jesus #Constitution jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/28/w...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Whys and wherefores
A good start would be to state that church is defined by everything that Jesus is and does and teaches and by nothing beyond that.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 24/05/2026
Does church need a constitution? Can we agree on a single, fundamental definition? #Church #Constitution jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/24/m...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Making a start
[Why do] we have and use the term ‘church’ at all? It’s come to mean those buildings in most towns and cities in the world where Christians gather on Sundays (and often at other times, too) to read…
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 22/05/2026
The launch was scrubbed within seconds of lift-off. They may try again today. #SpaceX #Starship jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/07/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
May 2026 roundup
Today I updated Blast from the past 40 right back to 1946 when my father was travelling from Bombay to Singapore during the second world war.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 21/05/2026
We're expecting Starship's 12th flight to launch this evening, UK time. It should be pretty spactacular! jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/07/c...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
May 2026 roundup
Today I updated Blast from the past 40 right back to 1946 when my father was travelling from Bombay to Singapore during the second world war.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 17/05/2026
Why are we always in such a hurry, particularly when dealing with pain or loss? Here's an excellent post on the topic at 'Running with patience'. #Review #Website #Patience jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/17/w...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
What’s the rush?
We live in a culture deeply uncomfortable with grief. We rush people through heartbreak. We hand out silver linings while wounds are still open. Even in faith spaces, we sometimes move too quickly …
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 16/05/2026
Amazing! What a treat to see this...
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 16/05/2026
The River Churn in flood on 20th March in Stratton Meadows. #Churn #Cirencester #Flood #Photo #Water
The River Churn overflowing its banks and finding an alternative route in Stratton Meadows, once used for growing willow rods for basket making.
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Chris Jefferies @scilla.org.uk · 10/05/2026
Here are some thoughts on events after Jesus died, my comments on John 19:31-42. There was an important custom to be followed, and very little time in which to get it done. #Jesus #Tomb #JosephOfArimathea #Nicodemus jhm.scilla.org.uk/2026/05/10/d...
jhm.scilla.org.uk
Dealing with the body
They took down the body and followed the Jewish practice of spice embalming and wrapping it in linen strips. Very short of time before sunset, they found a newly-carved tomb nearby and laid the bod…
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