with the Rev Kevin Logan, Vicar of Christ Church, Accrington.

IN my younger more ignorant days, the cruelty of God amazed and horrified me. Don't do this, or that, and, especially, not the other.

And by the other, you'll know exactly what I mean, from your own experience.

Oh no I don't!

Oh yes (if I may be so bold) you do!

The other is that tiny (or not so tiny) weakness: that one temptation (or maybe two) that grabs you when least expected.

Like the four vicars who agree to trust each other with their real selves.

'My biggest problem is the dipping into the collection,' confesses one.

'I struggle with communion wine tipples,' professes another.

'It's the ladies with me,' owns the third.

'I'm addicted to gossip...' twinkles the fourth.

Each of us has our dark side, and it is here where God seems most cruel. 'How can I not do that?' we seethe at him. 'You sit up there making rules and commandments, expecting us to.'

'Hang about, me old Sheila!' God might interject in the latest Aussie Strine version of the Bible, 'how's about my offer of 9-star accommodation?'

On the first Whit Sunday (remembered last week), God's Spirit promises to make his home within all who agree to stop accommodating only themselves.

On arrival, he brings nine gifts, or fruits, to nourish and strengthen his children: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (letter to the Galatians, Chapter 5:22).

God loves us too much to abandon us.

'Let's start again,' he smiles, 'this time with my supernatural help.'