My Life in a Book

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My Life in a Book – John CarvossoDownload

This, my first and only published work began from an 80th birthday, present from our son Tim. Entirled ‘MLIB ‘ and web-based – there was a weekly question to be answered for eack of the 52 weeks from 5 June 2025 to 5th June 2026.

At the end of the year Ruth and I sat down for an hour or so to edit the manuscript & photos. Then the gift was for a published copy of these 52 questions.

I added a final short paragraph (What”s it all about) and the book was published. MLIB also supplied the pdf shown above.

I greatly enjoyed the year spent answering the questions and from them took 2 especial life lessons.

(1 )Life has centred around two values – joy and curiosity.

(2) My spiritual journey has been in 3 interlocking circles of growth

a) Evangelical and Charismatic

b) Liturgical and Pastoral

c) Mystical and Inward

If anyone who reads this blog would like a copy of the pdf they are welcome to download it but I would be grateful for a donation to the work of OPOD , which a friend runs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have recently helped Mkangya to build a small community library and so any further donations are for this project.(www.opodasbl.org)

The Real

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An intriguing verse from St Paul (1 Corinthians 13:12) reminds us that ‘Now we see through a glass darkly ‘ and ‘Now I know in part’ – reminding us of our often limited seeing and knowing.

A lovely, though rather controversial ,aphorism tells us that ‘To understand all is to forgive all’ So I am glad that God’s knowledge of us is characterised as ‘perfect’ in Psalm 139,

I find this immensely reassuring as it’s so easy to be quick to judge others. I think we had a reading from Advices and Queries about this last month.

The conclusion of St. Paul’s thought process helps us to look forward to ‘Then’- the Reality. –

when we shall know fully as we are known and see face to face

The family photo taken at the ‘wake’ in the Commodore (Instow) after my mother’s funeral

and now 3 others in the photo have also died and know this Reality for themselves.

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I am definitely slowing down – having reached 80 and starting walking with a stick – and benefitting from 

seeing more on my daily walks.

This lovely bush, with delicate spiders webs on top and view over our local Torrington countryside, really fascinated me with it’s

wonderful colour. delicate bud-type leaves +.

How much for us to see and enjoy in our lovely though fragile world.I love some words from St. Paul about this way of seeing and have used the Biblical reference in my email address <ph.4v4to8:gmail.com)

‘And now, my friends, all that is true,all that is noble,all that is just and pure, all that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable – fill all your thoughts with these things (Philippians 4 verse 8)

Looking Back

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It seemed right to look back on God’s Presence/Guidance in my life over the years to be able to begin a reflective answer

1. In 1974 God called me out of a career as a Chartered Accountant (12 years) to explore ministry within the Church of England. I had been a believer since before could remember -looking back , with a current understanding of Christian Baptism of God’s work in my life since my parents asked Him for this when they took me for Baptism

To love and worship Him seemed natural and I was involved in several different Christian groups/churches  up until 1974 (Presbyterian/Baptist/CofE) but then the Church of England became the focus.

2. From 1974 to 2010 ministry (worship, service( caring. teaching) and learning ) was within urban parish of Chelsea, RAF chaplaincy & rural parishes in Devon).

3. Since retirement in 2010 I have been  still been active within various Christian Churches (CofE, Methodist and Baptist) and expect to do so until He calls me closer  to Himself through death.

4. About 4 years ago I felt Him impressing on me ‘John , now is the time to Be more than to Do’ and so when I could I started attending Quaker worship, learning more about stillness and contemplation and enjoying these CAC courses. (I will have completed 5 of the 6 online courses at the end of BOW and am starting the last-Wisdom School- on the 14th)

5. So  a ‘Contemplative Mind’ is becoming a joyful & vital part of my journey.

LIve Simply so that all may Simply Live

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This was the motto Horace Dammers (Dean of Bristol) coined for our newly formed movement in 1972. I remember thesmall geen and yellow

lapel badges we used to wear though sadly cannot find mine now.

This sustainability movement flourished and still continues (https://www.lifestylemovement.org.uk)

We are always looking for articles for our magasine (Living Green)

and for friends to join our , at present, quite small group.