The Orpington is a breed of Chicken

The Orpington is a breed of chicken named after the village of Orpington in Kent county England Which was made famous in part by this breed. Belonging to the English class of chickens, it was bred to be an excellent layer with good meat quality. Their large size and soft appearance together with their rich color and gentle contours make them very attractive, and as such its popularity has grown as a show bird rather than a utility breed. Being rather heavy, they are unable to fly, so they work well as backyard birds. Due to their build they do well in very cold climates. The fluff of their feathers allow rain water to penetrate their feathers, so they must be kept out of the rain.

How like a chicken we can be, I recognise myself there... large size and soft appearance, rich colours and gentle countours, being rather heavy, does well in cold climates...... but they sound like right sissy's they must be kept out of the rain, and work well as backyard birds. You know God doesn't care how soft our appearance, how gentle our contours, or even our weight, he does care about whether we restrict ourself in our mission. The Church wasn't bred to stay in it's own back yard but to go into all the world and make disciples of all men. The Church wasn't bred to be fair weather friends only popping out our heads when the situation seems right and safe we are to be ready both in and out of season.

We often refer to people being 'chicken' I was called chicken throughout school for refusing to get involved in fights. It takes a strength to be different, and strength to let others know you are different. The quality of our faith will be shown in the care the Church has for each other - getting ourselves out there in the wet and the muck, grieving with those who grieve and reminding the world that joy comes in the morning.