麻豆约拍

Matt Woodcock, Church of England Pioneer Minister and Mission Supporter in the Diocese of York:

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Well, Chris, I know this is blasphemous to say in your company, but up until recently, my dislike of cars ran deep. 听 They鈥檝e always let me down. Every motor I鈥檝e ever owned has been a cash burning, unreliable nightmare. My mechanic Steve has become like a second father so often have I called upon his services.听 It hasn鈥檛 helped that I鈥檓 not the best driver.听 鈥楾errible鈥�, my kids say.听 Nervy and jerky. Poor spacial awareness.听 A motion sickness sufferers worst nightmare. Well, scrapping another rust bucket recently, I was determined to finally channel my inner petrolhead. I coveted a Rev-mobile that would not move in mysterious ways but be utterly dependable, adoringly attractive and a joy to drive.

Something to make my neighbours swoon not snigger when I pulled into the vicarage.
And for once, one with a cup holder.听 It鈥檚 the little things. After days of searching, I thought I鈥檇 found it.听 Low mileage. Affordable price. Attractively curvy in shiny maroon.听 And a dashboard like something from the Starship Enterprise.听 The smiling, gold-toothed salesman assured me they were 鈥渧irtually giving it away鈥�. I had to have it.听 Bank card at the ready, I thought I better just call my mechanic friend Steve. Barely had I told him its name, when he shouted: 鈥楳att, walk away from the forecourt! Do not buy that car!鈥�

Turns out this model is notoriously unreliable. Steve virtually makes a living out of fixing them. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what鈥檚 under the bonnet that counts in this game,鈥� he said.听 Another lesson learnt, then. My Christian faith is rooted in a God indifferent to outside appearances. His chief concern is our inner workings.听 God 鈥渓ooks at the heart鈥�, the Bible says. Certainly so many of the faith heroes and heroines I鈥檝e come across have a distinctive soulful beauty. A big-heartedness. My daily challenge then, is to continually nurture my inner self, while encouraging others to see that their real attraction lies within.

As for cars, Chris, I鈥檓 finally a proud owner of one. It鈥檚 silver, smooth to drive, totally reliable and joy of joys - has a cup holder.听 Yes, outwardly it鈥檚 a bit ugly, but glorious on the inside, Steve tells me. I鈥檓 learning that鈥檚 what really counts.