Blogging by wireless part 2....

You wait ages for a post and then 2 come in at once.

A few days ago I gave a link to Maggi Dawn. I just picked this up...

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.”

–Howard Thurman

Blogging by wireless

I've never done this- blogging by wireless connection from my room at Cliff College.

Excellent time- lots of good lectures, beer, walking, conversation and praying. I could seriously be a tutor here (ah....but I'd have to do a PhD and actually have to say something..........). Maybe not- maybe God gives me places like this as an oasis......

Things that have hit me- maybe I am not called to be a minister and have the mindset that I have to 'fix' things. Maybe 'things' can never be 'fixed'. I am reminded of the great prophet, Thom Yorke (Radiohead...keep up). There is a track on 'The Bends' in which he intones:-

'Everything is broken'

Maybe what the primary calling of a minister is is to have imagination and passion and to paint big pictures and sing good songs and live in and give people a picture of a big God, a big hope, a big heaven..................oh and visit the ladies' sowing circle once a month....

I'm off to read more stuff and then off, as course pastor, to escort a group to the pub..... what a hard life I lead....

Hey this made me think.....

'Your problem is not that God is not fulfilling, your problem is that you are spoiled'

('Blue like jazz' p92)

Aye.... me and the rest of my culture....

No posts for a few days, said he to the (empty) blogosphere (---- well this part of it anyway)...

on Sunday, off to Cliff college for a few days (if Victoria's back starts working, that is) to be part of an MA week..listening, course auditting, giving some tutorials and using 'The Smiths' in worship.

Hardly any time to go until sabbatical finishes now....

Thoughts

Some good advice from Maggi Dawn's blog http://maggidawn.typepad.com/ to the blogosphere on 16/09/08:-

"Regardless of what is sensible, and regardless of what you think you "ought" to do, which of the courses ahead of you makes you feel alive, makes your heart open wider, makes you feel hopeful and as if the future is opening up not closing down? That is the route you should go."

I'm musing on that- with 13 days to go before I start work- not sure where I am. An opening presents itself to me, but I can't see how it ticks all those boxes....

Thoughts

I use a lot of cartoons from 'Naked Pastor' which I probably should credit and I don't.

He is on http://nakedpastor.com/- read him!!!

This is another cartoon (see above- I got my formatting wrong):-

Check out this thought- made me think.....

Perhaps you are feeling trapped where you are. Sometimes all it takes is
the revelation that you are actually free. Sometimes it takes a revelatory peek
into the reality of your situation to realize that you are actually not trapped.
Sometimes the seduction of our securities is so powerful that it makes us think
we are without options. Sometimes, when our securities and comforts are exposed
as illusory, temporary and sometimes even as snares, we can free ourselves of
them. This experience taught me that. It taught me that I am a free man, no
matter what situation I find myself in. It is an incredibly liberating truth to
know. It may not mean leaving the situation but living as a free person within
it. But sometimes it may very well mean leaving the land of your slavery behind
you and moving on to new and promised land that is waiting for you.

It was published on Sept 11th.....

Meeting my idol part 2

I spent a day with a good friend at an MJ event at Lancaster.

It was just excellent. Lots of thoughts about art with integrity, being whole (but not squeaky clean), being honest and passionate with it. Lots and lots of exceelnt musicianship and songs that connected.

Hmm... I have phone calls out to two guitar teachers. Maybe I should follow them up. It is what I really want to do and one of the things that makes me feel alive.....

Ok- I was very cheesy on the day. Sample conversation 'Martyn---- this sounds cheesy, but can I have your autograph...... ok then---how about a photo for my blog'. Maybe at 42, I have to abandon cool and know that I was created in the image of an anally retentive train spotter....

Talking in school line about Saturday and meeting Martyn Joseph. The person I was talking to was very gracious, although he happened to mention he had bumped into and spoken with Eric Clapton and Gary Numan on his holiday........ Ok- but give me Martyn Joseph any time- top music- top guy and one of my idols. Just got to meet Bono and Jarvis Cocker and I can die a happy man.....

Meeting my idol....

They always say you shouldn't, but I met one of mine yesterday...more details later.....

It's ending soon......

'You'll be getting geared up to come back then' said someone to me in the Spar Shop today.

I'm not- I'm still horizontal! Painted a shed today. I now have 2 (a prize for those who remember Arthur 'Two sheds' Jackson...)..... looking forward to 12 hours with Martyn Joseph this weekend & then have to crank it up to prepare for being involved in an MA week & try and produce a final report of sorts...

Did one thing today...finally began to sort out a spiritual director...

Technology defeated!

Finally managed to upload something..... result!

It's sunny- so it must be abroad, no it's not- it's a bloke ( abroad.... A Broad.... American slang... geddit?,... I'll get my coat....)

I'm back...did you miss me...obviously not...

Finally back- well been back over a week, but I've not blogged.

Finally managed to see some cricket, including a whole day with Matthew, my 7 year old. It was really good, even if I was exhausted by the 'Why Dad....' questions after 5 hours....

I'm now on 1.3 theological books. Including one read almost entirely on the toilet (don't ask!).

Spent last week at a friend's wedding. It was his second marriage. Done well in a tiny chapel near Lancaster. I have done a few 2nd/3rd marriages and thought about God redeeming the mess. This was the first time I have sat in the congregation and knowing all about the first marriage and thinking 'heck, there were good bits about that as well'. A good time, but a strange time...'

Trying to get my head into gear for returning to work. At the moment I can't. Gearing up to take part in auditing/tutoring/ leading 'edgy' worship for an MA course.

...still can't work out how to add pictures....