Digging a lot

I have moved- change your links!!!

2009-01-18T19:32:00.001Z

http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

Nothing to see here..... move along now.......

http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

Change your links to

http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

visit me...take my count up...inflate my ego....

http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

Last posting on this blog

2009-01-13T20:10:00.001Z

I have now moved and you can find me on....
http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

It is not yet complete but it is fit to move into....... it will be updated and changed over this week...

I'm leaving!

2009-01-13T09:58:00.005Z

Well.....leaving blogger anyway and moving to a new site 'soon' (and by the way, whichever way you look at it- the above picture is 'wrong'. Why would you need to move a church building anyway- why not demolish or do without? Hasn't this been the western Christian way- 'church' is something fixed, immutable and unchanging.... grrrrr). If I have time, it will be tonight....although you know that a good minister never has time; he (and it is always he, never forget that) is too busy (business is a sign of holiness) doing church stuff.....being overweight, having bad hair etc to ever have time to do normal things...

This will be the site: http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/ it is still being constructed- so it is not complete. I like it- a friend in Seattle, an all round good egg, is completing it...

It will be just like moving into a new house- getting used to it, working out what works and eventually being proud of a functioning space. Hmmm, so nothing like a manse then, which is rarely new, often doesn't function and 'OK that is fit for the tip and we were going to tip it, but we wondered whether you want it' (mayhaps a smidgen of irony there.... just a smidgen...).

While I'm at it, isn't a blog the ultimate vanity project, like the 18th century gentleman's habit of wearing powdered wigs? We laugh at powdered wigs now, but then...... they were just as trendy and upper class as insulting someone of a different ethnicity is now (upper class people in GB don't do that anymore though do they.....do they.....hmmmm...why can't they all be as upstanding as Prince Harry?).

No, no vanity here in my blog. That is 'my' blog..... my blog... my blog .... MY BLOG...... I am ever so 'umble.....

check it out http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

but I'm not boasting about http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/

No you won't catch me boasting (by the way it is http://diggingalot.org/diggingalot/ did I mention it?).

Quote of the Day

2009-01-12T20:14:00.001Z

“Nothing makes people in the church more angry than grace. It’s ironic: we stumble into a party we weren’t invited to and find the uninvited standing at the door making sure no other uninviteds get in. Then a strange phenomenon occurs: as soon as we are included in the party because of Jesus’ irresponsible love, we decide to make grace ‘more responsible’ by becoming self-appointed Kingdom Monitors, guarding the kingdom of God, keeping the riffraff out (which as I understand it, are who the kingdom of God is supposed to include.)”

- Michael Yaconelli in Messy Spirituality

HT:http://www.nakedpastor.com/

Church

2009-01-12T20:08:00.001Z

Did it!

With thanks to a small floppy earred quadruped of unusual hue for the advice! (HT:http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com/)

Church

2009-01-12T12:36:00.002Z

For some reason I can't wotk out how to upload videos, so you will have to click on the link.....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc80G6Yzu04

Go on....you know you want to and it is only 2:30 of your time.

It could be any church- any issue...

2009-01-12T09:13:00.007Z

This is not me; for one thing, I am not an angry woman (at least not time I checked in the bathroom, although there are many industrial chemical factories not far from here) and for another I had one of those mellow Sundays that was beautiful (a baptism of some good friends' daughter and their farewell service before emmigration. Just beautiful- a thin place and some very affirming comments).

This is not me, but why o why o why o why o why? Just these last few days I have witnessed some unseemly spats ( did you like the 19th century english just there?) on an e-group I am part of (of Methodist ministers of all people) and on one or 2 websites that I like.

I know why...people get upset, angry, furious even. I do and I do often. It is so easy to post first and ask questions later. I wonder if part of it is the nature of being a Christian/being in full time ministry?

Even my postmodern, casual, ironic, slacker self wants someone to like me/affirm me as a success or at least better than someone else. I want to be 'right'. I get angry with people who I think are 'wrong'.

It is hard to get in touch with your own insignificance, acknowledge it even; especially as a 'professional Christian'. This is not to wallow in middle-class guilt (looking at my last few cd purchases, I do seem to be like that); you can't lose your perspective that although you screw up big time, you are valued and unique.

But as a 'professional Christian' I think that it is essential to know that although you are gifted and have a calling, you have to know that you are at the same time not the centre of the universe, not the new messiah, not annointed beyond flaws, not indispensible.

I came across this a day or so back. I first came across it during my sabbatical. It reminded me of important stuff. It is from Romero. I think I ought to print it out. I could mail it to a few friends....which would really make me a self-righteous prig that most right thinking people would want to deck. A lot. No best to think on it myself........

(HT: http://wesroberts.typepad.com/)

A Future Not Our Own...

It helps, now and then, to step back

and take the long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,

it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of

the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete,

which is another way of saying

that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:

We plant seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted,

knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.

Quote of the Day

2009-01-11T22:23:00.001Z

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."

George Bush Washington DC, 12 May, 2008

...and there are many more from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7809160.stm

Football result of the day

2009-01-11T20:58:00.001Z

Manchester United 3- Chelsea 0

I make no further comment.

Cartoon

2009-01-11T07:15:00.003Z

HT: http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com/

I think that this works on several levels; I counted at least 17 (or it could be 18).

What I've always thought.....

2009-01-10T23:11:00.001Z

From the incomparable http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/

Quote of the day

2009-01-10T08:59:00.003Z

“Apparently Suggs is marching against racism and homophobia - I mean, it’s just madness gone politically correct”

(from Stephen Fry on Twitter HT: http://theconnexion.net/wp/ .... perhaps incomprehensible to anyone not British...).

Cartoon

2009-01-10T07:41:00.002Z

(HT:http://www.internetmonk.com/)

Quote of the day...

2009-01-09T12:23:00.003Z

Serious this one...I'm going to use it on Sunday...

‘A fairly new worshipper shocked her friend; ‘Before I became a Christian, I told lies; now I sing lies.’….. can we allow ourselves to ‘tell it like it is’ in worship?’
(Roots magazine Jan/Feb 2009 p2)

...not always..... see this http://revjph.blogspot.com/2009/01/cross-rewritten-for-modern-people.html and leave a comment. This site is always interesting and frequently controversial..

Comments please!

2009-01-09T09:13:00.005Z

Image from www.lawyersconveyancing.com.au/img/im_gagged.jpg. It is amazing what images come out when you put the word ‘gagged’ in…

Ok- I know that some people read this blog. A chosen few I actually know; most of you I don’t. You do it either because:-

(1) You know me and it is to keep me quiet.

(2) You accidentally clicked on ‘diggingalot’ when you were looking for gardening supplies or you are a hep hip cat kind of dude that ‘digs’ things.

(3) It is part of your asbo/community service order /rehabilitation to surf the net.

(4) You do not have a life.

(5) You like it (really…?)

(or it could be a combination of all 5).

But not many of you comment!!!

Therefore, to make it easy for you I’ve put some sample comments below. All you have to do is cut and paste into the comments field! It couldn't be easier! (well breaking wind and picking your nose probably is....).

Sample comments:-

* 'Thanks for your blog; it is the most wonderful thing written ever! '

*'Amazing; have £60,000 a year and come and work for me.'

* 'I will report you to your church; you are a heretic and should be burnt at the stake or at least forced to watch God Channel for 65 hours a week'.

* 'Sorry, I just stopped by whilst looking for Dutch porn (you are not by any chance from Zeebrugge are you….thought not…)'

(visitors should note that I often use a concept called 'Irony' (TM) in my postings...)

Quote of the Day

2009-01-08T11:02:00.006Z

....I never meant this to be a daily thing.....I just keep finding quotes.... I guess I always did...just never had anyone to inflict them on..... plus they got lost....

'The Seldom Seen Kid': another CD I must blog on soon (still yourselves...settle down...). I have always had a soft spot for Elbow as one of the lead singer's friends was once part of a former congregation (Don't you just love hanging on the coattails of fame? Did I ever tell you the story of when I saw 'Wham' in a service station?....ok I won't).

This CD is beautiful, yearning and just lovely. Take the mystic yearning of 'The loneliness of a tower crane driver':-

'Now I live off the mirrors and smoke.

It's a joke.

A fix.

A lie.

Come on tower crane driver.

Oh so far to fall.

Send up a prayer in my name.

Just the same.

They say I'm on top of my game.

Gentle gentle love.

Send up a prayer in my name.'

Ah..... turn the lights off...kick your shoes off...light a candle...light several.....find a mature single malt... lie back... and once you know this song. I defy you to sing it in this mood and not have tears pouring down your face.

Church...what is it good for? (again)

2009-01-08T09:44:00.006Z

(From 'Naked Pastor'- see links. It is such a brilliant site...)

The blog title says it:- 'musings from the web'...

This is one I unearthed a few days back, quoting from someone who trained for the ministry (Chris Hedges http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20081229_why_i_am_a_socialist/) who now rarely attends worship. It is from a USA perspective (I think):-

'the inanity of the sermons and the arrogance of many congregants, who appear to believe they are "honorary" sinners. The liberal church, attacked by atheists as an ineffectual "moderate" religion and by fundamentalists as a "nominal" form of Christianity, is as its critics point out, a largely vapid and irrelevant force… it does not understand how the world works or the seduction of evil. The liberal church is largely middle class, bourgeois phenomenon, filled with many people who have profited from industrialisation… and global capitalism. They often seem to think that if "we" can only be nice and inclusive, everything will work out. The liberal church also usually buys into the myth that we can morally progress as a species… [and has a] naive belief in our goodness and decency - this inability to face the dark reality of human nature, our capacity for evil and the morally neutral universe we inhabit……

Religious institutions, however, should be separated from the religious values imparted to me by religious figures, including my father. Most of these men and women ran afoul of their own religious authorities. Religion, real religion, involved fighting for justice, standing up for the voiceless and the weak, reaching out in acts of kindness and compassion to the stranger and the outcast, living a life of simplicity, cultivating empathy and defying the powerful. It was a commitment to care for the other. Spirituality was defined not by "how it is with me," but rather by the tougher spirituality of resistance, the spirituality born of struggle, of the fight with the world's evils. This spirituality, vastly different from the narcissism of modern spirituality movements, was eloquently articulated by King and the Lutheran minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was imprisoned and put to death by the Nazis'.

(HT: http://pluralistspeaks.blogspot.com/)

His bile is against the 'liberal church', but it could be any of us. Is church really worth anything if we just attend from time to time or even attend regularly, but spend ages on what goes on inside (and just become banal and safe)?

I was leading something this week based on something that 'Fresh Expressions' http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/index.asp?id=1 produced. It talked about how if Western churches make a move from isolated souls just happening to share the same space once a week, they move towards a 'pastoral' model- caring and loving each other, but that is where it stops. We have to move to a 'missional' model (horrible, horrible jargon) where our relationships show Christ, where we bleed and rejoice together, but where we turn outwards at the same time... so the hungry are fed and the humble lifted high (hmm... wonder where I have read that before?).

I guess when we just look at ourselves and get all pastoral, we end up getting obsessed with stuff that, although important, just doesn't matter in the global scheme of things: worship styles, defining the word 'missional', is this a 'proper' communion?, are they ordained? etc etc etc. Or is this just me? Or is this just one of my dark January rants?

Quote of the Day

2009-01-07T13:19:00.005Z

‘This leads me to something weird about the power that music has, it’s transportive ability. Any time I hear a song or record that meant a lot to me at a certain moment or I was listening to at a distinct time, I’m instantly taken back to that place in full detail.’

Warren Gamaliel Bancroft Winnipeg Harding
Chicago, Illinois,
April 6th, 2008

Sleeve note- Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (2008)

I must blog about this CD sometime. It is incredible. Cool name as well. 'Gamaliel'....wow. The quote is 'right' as well. Music takes me to another place.

Praying.....

2009-01-07T11:58:00.020Z

....Praying..... most Christians talk about it like going to the toilet...it is assumed that you do it...you just don't talk about it in polite society.

I spent some time today at a church prayer breakfast. As always there was a lot of breakfast. That is why I have put these pictures in; to brighten up this posting. There wasn't a full cooked English, but there was a lot of food......

I have been musing on a friend's blog posting of a day or so ago. I have worked with this friend before. I respect him immensely. He has taught me a lot about abandoning my English reserve (which I have not effectively put into practice!).

Check out his web site....a good illustration of what happens to a retired Boeing Exec who hits 60 & decides there must be more to Christian retirement than going to church and dying on the golf course http://efmdg.org/efmdg/

This is the blog posting:-

***WARNING: THE MAN IS NOT, I REPEAT NOT, ORDAINED SO READERS OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION SHOULD SCROLL DOWN***

Answers to Prayer for What I Want

I struggle with prayer. In many ways it seems so pointless. I’ve seen more rationalization about prayer than any other spiritual topic.

The most fervent prayers seem to be for things we want. It can be for health, money, relief from suffering, preferred outcomes–you can fill in the blank. After the prayer comes an expectation of an answer in the near future. Sometimes the thing we pray for comes about, more often (in my experience) it doesn’t. Then comes the rationalization. God is saying “no” or God is saying “wait” or something similar to that. Sometimes we think that maybe the prayer didn’t go through and then we think about James’ statement that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Maybe the problem is that I’m not righteous enough. Or again James says “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Maybe my motives were wrong. As Mordecai says “Who knows?” In the end, we really don’t know why the request was not fulfilled–that’s why we have to rationalize.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prays for God’s will to be done, the coming of the Kingdom on Earth, daily bread, forgiveness of sins (conditional on our forgiving others), avoidance of temptation, delivery from evil. Nothing there about good health, a promotion and raise, a new car, healing of others. The only time that I can think of when Jesus prayed for himself was in the Garden of Gethsemane and that request was refused. He accepted the answer and moved on albeit sorrowfully.

I tend to avoid praying for specific things or outcomes. There are several reasons for this:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that God knows what we need and, as a loving Father, provides those things to us. Jesus also points out that God does not give harmful things (stones and snakes). As I look back over my life, I realize that a lot of things I prayed for were best left unanswered. I realize that in so many cases I was praying for rocks and snakes instead of bread and fish. This leaves me with a strong distrust of my ability to discern the difference.

If I pray that God’s will be done, then maybe I should leave it at that. What is my wisdom compared to God’s? If, as Jesus says, that God is a loving father, perhaps I should spend my time finding the benefits of the things that He sends my way–even if they are trials that build my perseverance. Perhaps the time I spend praying for what I want but don’t have would be better spent in giving thanks for what I do have.

There’s a lot more in the Bible on prayer. And there’s a lot more to prayer than asking for things. But praying for specific things and outcomes seems to me to be running into dangerous territory. I think I’ll stick to the Lord’s Prayer.

http://ericsblog.org/ericsblog/

Well it made me think.... a lot....

Then I scroll across to 'naked pastor' (see links)

You have to read this blog- it is an antidote to the 'God has touched me and my life is a state of perpetual bliss' (or 'why I listen to CCM music all the time'). Today's post http://nakedpastor.com/archives/2532#comments deals with existential crisis and actual crisis (note to those who wonder about random pictures- that is why I have the above picture). One of the comments to the posting says:-

In the end the only way through is to find meaning within the the world around you. For those of us who are believers, that means prayer, community and scripture. But the most important of these is healthy, compassionate community which is a precious commodity in our churches. Very few people in our individualistic society are capable of engaging in true community. I have learned too that there are some questions that have no answers and some pains and trials that simply must be endured. No explanations given, despite our pleas. But if you have the Holy Spirit and a friend/lover/dog to walk beside you, its amazing what the soul can endure.

Perhaps that is why the prayer breakfast I went to somehow 'works'- there is prayer, some of it with tears. But there is also food, banality, friendship and community. I can never fathom or give a reason to prayer, but if it is just personal and never corporate and divorced from a community that bleeds...is it ever really prayer?

(picture:http://www.vuni.net/b/dereliction.jpg)

Today.... for our troubled times (although when commentators write that about the developed west, I wonder if they have ever spent any time in Africa... )check out the wonderful http://davidkeen.blogspot.com/ and 'prayers around redundancy.'

Quote of the day

2009-01-06T22:26:00.003Z

From E.W.Hornung 'Raffles: The Amateur Cracksman' (1899, Penguin 2003) p17:

'The truth is that I was entering into our nefarious undertaking with an involuntary zeal of which I was myself quite unconscious at the time.'

Don't you just love being English? There was a multitude of quotes that I could have chosen from that book, but that one is a beauty. I have no idea what it means, but it sounds just lovely.

What is there to fear from a nation that can come up with phrases like that? How could anyone hate a nation that encouraged phrases like that? True, they could snigger behind their hands at a nation like that... but hate us....Pah unhand me you blaggard, you dashed scoundrel of the first water....

...jazz continued..

2009-01-06T14:22:00.003Z

Ok, it wasn't quite like this...... but the assembly certainly was 'interesting/vocal/participative' and did stray into rabble territory.

Ministers have a very high opinion of what they say ('I am good at preaching' 'I am annointed by God' etc etc)....recipients less so....

I thought it was good/ok- but it was noisy.

And then I got to thinking...if that is what you do...jazz/improvisation/participation etc..... then there are going to be times when there are bum notes, things that don't quite work. Then (he said, moving further into the territory of self-justification), shouldn't worship reflect life and be messy....isn't there something artificial about 'dignified and reverent'?

school's back for winter....

2009-01-06T08:09:00.003Z

School starts today. And it starts for me with an assembly.

I love assemblies and work in schools. Often I come out of a school class/assembly and think 'Wow, I get paid for this!'

It can be any age: 2-18 and it is fantastic (in fact, a group of 13-18s that don't want to listen feels like gladiatorial conflict- in a good way ie without the casual murder and ritual disembowling).

Today it is a primary school- lots of people that I have a link with. I read some assembly websites and the assemblies come across a bit didactic and 'Dear children- let me get you to learn something drippy.' I think a good assembly is like jazz.

I don't do jazz (think Spinal Tap and 'free form jazz')- hence my dated jazz picture here......

What I mean- you go in with something- you listen to God and the kids and suddenly what you have got starts riffing and changing. It becomes alive and creative and pregnant with possibilities.

It's 8.15am and I'm raring to go!

Quote of the Day

2009-01-05T12:44:00.003Z

From the Observer Sport section yesterday p6. An article about Middlesbrough v Barrow:-

'How ironic, then, that Barrow's big day should be played out in another northern coastal town only too familiar with the ups and downs that come with being built on the sweat of heavy industry.'

Mr Spencer Vignes ( for he was the journalist); please look at a map before writing a 'it's grim oop north article'. Last time I was in Middlesbrough (Saturday) I did not notice groups of people queueing up to buy candy floss, buckets and spades, and 'kiss me quick hats'. And there is a simple reason for this (apart from the temperature currently being about -1 centigrade); there is no coast in Middlesbrough- we are inland.

Also 'another northern coastal town' is like writing that Penzance and Brighton are 'southern coastal towns'..... grrrrrrrrr.......... why is the media so southern?

I'm just off now to have tripe butties for my lunch, feed the whippets, put some more coal in the bathtub and find my flat cap. 'appen lad- there's trouble at t'pit'

grrrr grrrr grrrrrr

The first day of the year....

2009-01-05T10:08:00.007Z

Well it's not.....it is the 5th and the 11th day of Christmas (and my 100th post......wahey....woohoo and other sounds of merriment)..... but this day always feels like the first day of the year: the first Monday 'back at work' proper. It used to be the day when I had a 'proper job' that I would sit at my desk, head in hands, drinking coffee (hmm..... have you ever tried holding your head in your hands and drinking coffee at the same time? It is not easy) and thinking 'when can I have another day off?'

('Addictive to Coffee' cartoon from littlefunny.com)

But- that was then, this is now and I'm always full of beans (mainly coffee) and the joy of the Lord and raring to go (well my study is next to the toilet, so that helps...)....hmmm- maybe a 'hint' of irony there....

3 quotes/ideas that are going round my head at the moment and helping- only one is original; I 'magpie' constantly:-

(1) Something that I picked up from Maggi Dawn's blog a year ago (see links section):-

'The danger of seeing our present actions as only steps to some future goal is that we will find ourselves waiting to start living, postponing present possibilities in the vain hope of some future state of bliss. The secret of happiness is to make peace with the present.'

(2) I was reading a blog on new year's day about action/seeking God and thinking about a baptism/leaving service I am doing for friends who are emigrating (this Sunday- Huddersfield- be there or don't be there). I was also thinking about what it means to 'Go' and this thought came to me...

'There is no point in a restless adventure without a still centre'.

(3) This is off Jonny Baker's blog (see links) a day or so ago. I used it yesterday and plan to use it on Sunday. I like it!

May we be blessed.

As we look to the year ahead, and the year gone by.

As we return to our schools and workplaces and find New rocks and New brambles.

May you be blessed as you engage with others,

as you find the time to participate and give others the chance to do the same.

May you have the courage to create and take risks,

and may you find your rest in God.

May you be blessed,

as you show your weaknesses and accept God's Grace.

May others see that you are fragile that they might join in your fragility.

May our broken edges fit together to become one body.

As Christ kept the holes in his hands and feet having rose from the dead,

may we keep our wounds even after we have healed.

May you be blessed as you are healed by Christ's own wounds.

May you become broken in order to become whole.

May you become whole by knowing you are broken.

May you remember your wounds and embrace your hurt.

May you go into the places that scare you.

May you deal with anger and with sadness

And may God be with you all the way.

May you be blessed, that you are perfect in your imperfections -

as you are forgiven, but never forgotten.

May you be blessed, as you are accepted as you are.

As you are broken.

As you are wounded.

As you are hurt.

As you are loved.

Amen.

Quote of the Day

2009-01-04T20:16:00.002Z

From p32 of the current Q magazine (John Harris):-

'As far as I am aware, no rock career crisis has ever resulted in its victim going off to their local Anglican church, and resolving to make it down there most Sundays and help out with jumble sales.'

...I can add no meaningful comment to that...

Covenant

2009-01-04T08:58:00.010Z

'One of the liturgical jewels that methodism brings to the ecumenical table'.

Don't you wish that there was a church version of 'Pseuds corner?' (for non British readers, that is a column in 'Private Eye' for overblown, stuck up your bottom, language). What for instance is a 'liturgical jewel'- is it more or less valuable than a small diamond/piece of gold/ruby/zirconite/beach glass? And what, pray tell, is an ecumenical table? Is it stored in a cupboard at a church HQ somewhere to be bought out for ecumenical discussions: 'Sorry lads- that is the 'Real Presence' table; please could you get the Ecumenical Table in; you know the one that doesn't quite balance and is a bit battered and embarrasing. Whilst you are at it; phone Security- we have an ecumenical jewel coming in today'.

I like the Covenant Service- it is a kind of health check, a reminder at the start of the year. I don't like the service fully from the service book. It can become too po-faced and stern (and why do we often think that that is good in a church setting?). It can confuse seriousness with plain boring and tends to shut all ages out IMHO.

See this from the excellent Dave Walker:-http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/
However- this morning I will use one of the versions of 'the prayer' in its entireity. I always do. I/we face many big possible life changes in the next few weeks. I haven't a clue what to pray. Sometimes written stuff helps. This prayer, said in a community with others, stops my prayers becoming 'Me Me':-

'I am no longer my own but yours.

Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;

put me to doing, put me to suffering;

let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you;

let me be full, let me be empty,

let me have all things, let me have nothing:

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours.'

(check out: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=1499)

That will be one of several moments of stillness in an 'all age' service this morning (I like 'all age'- lots of opps for light and shade, stillness and movement and formality and informality- ie a life-filled occasion).

I did google 'comedy vicar' for a picture for this post and it only came up with this, which I like immensely (see asbojesus in links):-

nb: Middlesbrough v Barrow yesterday was not like watching Brazil, but it was exciting (and very cold).

Thank you

2009-01-03T10:55:00.006Z

I'm sat here designing 'thank you' cards for my children to send. I used to have to write them myself and they always followed the same formula:-

Dear Uncle Saddam,

Thank you for the weapon of mass destruction that you sent me for Christmas. I liked it a lot and I keep destroying my enemies with it. I hope you had a nice Christmas. Give my love to George.

love Graham

.....it seemed I had to do it over and over and over again. It was a sign that the fun part of Christmas was over. And now they feel the same way.

Why?

What is it that makes playing a joy and writing 'thanks' a pain? How do we manage to seperate the two so that we get 'pleasure' and then 'duty'---- could they both be intermingled?

I don't know- I hope so this year- if I have a hope for this year, it would be to live more in gratitude and thanks...

Anyway...here I am blogging when I could actually be writing 'thank you' cards...history is repeating itself..... back to 'work'......

Hey--- some pleasure to look forward to this afternoon- Middlesbrough v Barrow in the FA Cup. It will be just like watching Brazil. Not

Wearing badges is not enough in days like these....

2009-01-02T10:08:00.011Z

Red Wedge, Newcastle 1985 (it could have been 1986). I saw the Smiths there! But I also saw the wonderful Billy Bragg. I can rememember Morrisey's gladioli, I can remember the Style council and I can also remember Jimmy Somerville singing with a woman who seemed at least 5 times his height. My strongest memory, however, is hearing Billy Bragg talking about the Labour Party (remember, these were the dark days of Thatcher) and talking about how it was so great that the concert was a sell out, but that meant nothing unless the 'real work' continued and grew after the concert. I can remember leaving, singing his closing song 'Wearing badges is not enough in days like these'. I can remember thinking that I was a Labour Party member in badges only...

I have often thought on those words. I'm thinking on them now as I start a year with soul searching (as ever). I am a Christian, I am a minister- but I'm wondering if these have just become badges. Soon, our income will increase. It will be possible to buy clothes, food, heating, even treats without wondering how we are going to afford it. After 7 years, I can't tell you what that feels like. Maybe I will feel less like an outsider in this village; I don't know

Thing is, I'm already plotting how to spend it..... and a few days in, I'm wondering 'where is God in all this?' See- I have the new(er) car planned, ideas of holidays etc and it seems like God/Christian living has got pushed to the edge of my actions- what about giving/living generously and not just trying to reflect the values of my (over) affluent community? I have no answers at the moment..... but I keep hearing those words- 'wearing badges is not enough in days like these.'

And now, a continuity link leap that even someone in local radio would wince at.......I found this yesterday about the badge 'missional' that has been at the centre of my thinking for I guess, 5 or more years. It made me wince and think 'wearing badges is not enough in days like these.'

Where to now, O Lord?!

http://brackishfaith.blogspot.com/2008/12/are-you-mino.html (HT: the always excellent http://www.backyardmissionary.com/- and see his recent post (today?) on ‘Post-Missional’ - More Than a Dash of Truth?)

'But an idea that has been brewing in my head is that part of the misgiving some have over the word missional comes from the fact that some (many?) who use it are misusing it. I’d like to suggest that there are a lot of churches/individuals out there that are Mino (or Missional In Name Only). And before I continue - I not claming the higher ground on this one because that would just make me a hypocrite. I’m defiantly still trying to overcome my own Minoness.So without further ado – Are you Mino?

+If all the talk is all about ‘going’ and no one goes anywhere – you might be Mino.

+If the majority of your money, your leaders time and your buildings are still used to meet your needs – you might be Mino.

+If your idea of church is still just one hour out of your life each week – you might be Mino.

+If I can come to your church, be anonymous and just blend in – you might be Mino.

+If you spend any significant amount of time perfecting the show – you might be Mino.

+If your worship is little more than an act of spiritual masturbation – you might be Mino.

+If church always has to feel good – you might be Mino.

+If you like to talk about being missional because you think it might help grow ‘your church’ – you might be Mino.

+If you have added a ‘missional program’ – you might be Mino.

+If you bare no resemblance to your surrounding community – you might be Mino.

+If you bare too much resemblance to your surrounding community – you might be Mino.

+If your church sold its building, cancelled all services and programs, fired all staff and gave all its money to the poor but then the church didn’t exist anymore – you might be Mino.

sweeties

2009-01-01T19:14:00.004Z

Christmas. Christmas week. Lots and lots of sweets.

That is one of my abiding memories of childhood. We hardly had sweets. Or at least sweets freely available. Except for Christmas week, when plastic pots of Quality Street and Licorice Allsorts would appear. And then...it was sweets before breakfast, in between meals and in between sweets....

Someone bought my children some marshmallows. They don't like them. I do. To be more exact, I like anything sweet. Particularly sweets composed entirely of e numbers and the remnants of the colouring used in biological warfare, like these.

I know it's Christmas as I eat sweets a lot. I eat them when I want to and when I don't want to. I eat them if I have to go into the kitchen. I eat them if I have something difficult to do- in order to put it off. They become comfort- kind of a la recherche du temps perdu I guess......

I think at this time we all do stuff that casts us back & helps us recall childhood or imagined childhood.

Back to the present....... is it just me or is this a common experience(?)- I have such a comedown contemplating my first official day 'back to work' in January (a bit of work 2moro, a service on Sunday- so Monday 5th.... In fact its getting me so much that I have to go to the kitchen to do some jobs and eat some sweets.....

How do you do that 'imagined childhood'/ 'Christmas warmth' bit? And no- you can't have any of these sweets. They are all mine. Besides, there soon won't be any left....

Last post of the year....

2008-12-31T23:36:00.004Z

I remember the excitement of being allowed to stay up until the new year when I was a lot younger... well it is nearly 2009 & I'm excited (and my 7 year old nearly managed it).

I leave you with this from the amazing http://nakedpastor.com/. If you have not read it, you should.

Happy new year/ blwyddyn newydd dda!

...I'm not dead yet...

2008-12-31T12:47:00.005Z

Being of a certain age...you may remember the title from Monty Python somewhere or another (I have just had to explain to my 7 year old as to who they were)..

Here are 2 boring Woolies pictures.

I went yesterday when I was in Oldham (Oldham is that kind of place)- it was like raking over the belongings of a dying, loved friend.

Did I really need to spend £5.98 on a DVD of 'There will be blood' or Neil Diamond 'Twelve songs' ( Rick Rubin is the producer- that is my excuse & I'm sticking to it)? No----but they were cheap. Here is a thought- the demise of Woolies has been mourned and lamented, but give us a chance and we are ripping the fittings off the walls to try and get a bargain. I am no better- I picked up a copy of 'Seasick Steve- I was born with nothing and I still have most of it left'- the assistant said it was only £5.98. I said 'No thank you'....thinking that I could get it cheaper from Amazon....

Such is the loyalty of the British (or this British) consumer.

What is there left to believe in, now that we know that shopping won't sustain? Hmmm....still have a feeling we are like junkies and if more retail fixes are offered, we will take them. We can't, with the help of others, or Another, go cold turkey and try something different.

I'm back...2 (late night) thoughts....

2008-12-30T23:04:00.003Z

Back from the frozen north to the even more frozen north...

(1) I could watch a junky movie over and over and over again. Negligible character development, wooden dialogue, gratutious bloodshed and ahigh bodycount and I'm 'in the zone' (I haven't got a clue what that phrase means but it is used a lot).

Late at night, knackered, something like Jurassic Park 'ticks all the boxes' (I'm being paid per cliche). To my befuddled and resting mind, most of the Freeview channels are repeating various Jurassic Parks ad nauseum at the moment. One of the beauties of this series of movies is that you cannot tell which is which...it is pure mindless entertainment.

Watching one a day or 2 back hit me---it suddenly got serious. The Jeff Goldblum character said something like:-

'You have been too busy working out that you could, without thinking whether you should'.

And just before we returned to the wooden dialogue, blood etc, I'm thinking 'Wow..... and therein lies my weakness and the whole of my western culture's weakness.... and right in the middle of a pulpy film.'

(2) Passing an ergonomically designed M&S lorry on the way down to Manchester. On the side of the lorry was some helpful blurb about the design of the lorry and M&S's green credentials (I find it incredibly helpful seeing lots of interesting writing on the side of a lorry. Particularly when you are passing it at speeds of between 69.5 and 70.5 mph (and if you'll believe that...) in tricky road conditions and you are programmed to read anything....).

Is it just me..... or would the biggest contribution to the environment be to stop making lorries full stop... and to stop making so much stuff to sell to people whose houses are so full of stuff in the first place (ie people just like me.....)?

...oh no it's not...oh yes it is...

2008-12-27T20:32:00.010Z

It shouldn’t work- bad jokes, iffy acting (in fact brilliant acting does not work), dancing, the leading man is a woman and the comedy woman is a man. It shouldn’t work but it does. Welcome to the world of panto…..

It is one of the best things about being British (alongside rain, rain, rain, talking about what the weather will do next (rain) and oh…rain). It has to be northern to be best as well. So, last night; that is where I was- in Middlesbrough watching panto- and it was glorious. Probably a lot better than the panto taking place at the Riverside ( they lost 1-0; they teeter just above the relegation zone and have the easy task of Man Utd at Old Trafford…oh dear)…

Sat there, amidst the laughs, I got thinking about the parallels of that other Great British institution- the church.

Cynically (never a good idea---- I keep thinking Psalm 1--- 'sitting in the seat of scoffers'--- it is great to scoff, very satisfying, but it becomes an addiction that eventually destroys...); arcane ritual accesible only to an in crowd (in this case the British), funny costumes, jargon ('oh no it isn't..... oh yes it is...... he's behind you) and things, for some reason that just have to be done for it to be 'proper'...although no-one quite knows why...

Hopefully- a disparate group of people having fun, making sense of the world, celebrating, laughing and interacting with each other (ok- we are all facing the front, but I know of no other theatre experience where you talk to the person next to you), all ages engaged and enjoying it....

Ok- that breaks down in lots of ways and maybe I should just watch stuff and not think- wish I could. I do love a good panto, but it has to be at Christmas.... My next big experience is next Saturday in the FA cup- Middlesbrough v Barrow. I suspect it will not be like watching Brazil... and it may be like panto, but without many laughs...

Ok- the fellow on the right was in it....bringing all the acting skills of an ex joiner who won a reality TV show (the first Big Brother)- actually he was quite good. I am just jealous- I'd love to be on stage as a performer...telling jokes, riffing...getting a reaction. Hmmm...I think I do that most Sundays...

After a world beating series of successive blogs I am taking a few days off....Manchester...my in laws... a few days of watching TV...being fed and half-arsed parenting (think 'The Royle Family') whilst I am spoilt rotten. Chance now to quote one of my many favourite Smith's lyrics:-

'Manchester, Manchester: such a lot to answer for'.

..which I think says it all...

Happy Christmas part 17

2008-12-26T09:05:00.002Z

It has been done elsewhere on the blogosphere, but check this out:- http://red.msn.com/.

Click on U2 (where else!) and see how a familiar song is recast: 'but I believe in the Israelite..' It is a frequent U2 thing- reworking something (often their own songs) to twist the meaning. Lots to think about here in (subtle) evangelism.

Have to go- house full of presents, chocolate and unwashed kids...

...only the saddest people...

2008-12-25T09:09:00.001Z

...blog on Christmas Day....

...but the even sadder actually read them........

Happy Christmas!

I'm still excited part 2

2008-12-24T09:39:00.011Z

Random things that have made me excited since yesterday:-

(1) My Q magazine arrived this morning..... 'they' are on the front page (see yesterday) and there is an 'in depth' interview (well as in depth as a magazine that has taken the corporate dollar can be.....now there is Gen X irony for you- I'm ironic, detached, but I still read the thing)...

(2) Fractious wife and children yesterday, so I moved stuff around and went to see 'Madagascar 2' with Matthew and Benjamin- not as good as the original, but plenty of wry laughs. Watching films, eating junk food and it is called 'child minding'. That for me is a result every time (my summer version of this is walking across the fields at the back of our house with Matthew and Benjamin, watching cricket, filling them full of lemonade and crisps and me drinking beer). We also repeatedly played 'Hallelujah': the Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen versions. The voting from a 7 year old and a 4 year old was for the 'old man's version'....

(3) This:-

http://www.churchads.org.uk/downloads/media/nativity_animation.wmv
(see image at the top- I couldn't get it to embed)

It has been seen in loads of places on the web and I'm just repeating myself- but I like it. I have a soft spot for what this organisation do and a friend of a friend produces this clip. Note: Justin Hawkins (ex Darkness) as the singer.

I won my only preaching bet ever through the Darkness. A few years ago at Ben's dedication, I told a friend who rarely came to church that I was going to preach about 'I believe in a thing called love; just listen to the rhythm of my heart'. He could not believe that I would (why do people persist in thinking that church is alien and unrelated to culture...and why do large parts of the church persist in living up to that belief?) and bet me £5. I forgot this until after the service, when he came up to me, laughed and produced £5. Wonder what I could get if I tried a similar thing on Babyshambles' 'F*** Forever'? Maybe not.... If you google, check out Justin Hawkins new band 'Hot Legs' and their new download 'I've found Jesus'...

(4) Check out this thoughtful upload.....

http://www.backyardmissionary.com/2008/12/what-happens-when-you-give-an-atheist-a-bible.html

(5)My favourite hymn line of this season- rendered here in all it's 18th century glory:-

'Our God contracted to a span, incomprehensibly made man'

Nadolig Llawen i bawb......

I am excited...

2008-12-23T10:00:00.007Z

Just occasionally the carapace of Gen X cool and ironic detachment slips............

OK- I know their flaws, I know they use bombast and clunking poetry sometimes, I know that Bono can sometimes make Mother Teresa, Gandhi and Martin Luther Ling look like uncaring godless no hopers, I know that £50 is far too much to pay for a concert ticket and I know that there is something faintly creepy about 49 and 50 year olds leaping about on stage and still using nicknames that they have had since age 15....... but but........ A NEW ALBUM IS FORTHCOMING!!!!

From U2.com:-

No Line On The Horizon, the new studio album from U2, will be released on Monday 2nd March 2009.Written and recorded in various locations, No Line On The Horizon is the group’s 12th studio album and is their first release since the 9 million selling album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, released in late 2004. Sessions for No Line On The Horizon began last year in Fez, Morocco, continued in the band’s own studio in Dublin, before moving to New York’s Platinum Sound Recording Studios, and finally being completed at Olympic Studios in London.The album calls on the production talents of long-time collaborators Brian Eno and Danny Lanois, with additional production by Steve Lillywhite.

My MA thesis was on U2 and theology (well it was a bit more complex than that). So it is my theological and spiritual duty to shout it from the rooftops (which on a pitched roof in sub zero North Yorkshire with Siberian winds takes a lot of doing).

So:-

Cancel everything. This is conclusive proof that there is a God. Sorry Dawkins- you have got it wrong. Bow with me and worship at the shrine of U2.

I'm just going to take my medication....

I have not sent any Christmas cards

2008-12-22T13:53:00.008Z

Behold the display of twee looking cards. I have not sent any. I am not trying to be 'alternative' or 'edgy' (and what are those labels anyway- most times I see them used, they are used as labels to sell products or 'experiences' (yeuch......I'm with John Lennon on this one- you can't buy experiences; '...life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans'), just a freak combination of domestic circumstances that will lead to:-

-more money (perhaps an end to sheer panic when the next bill comes to the house- maybe I'll be able to up my clothing budget from £25 (my total spending for the last 4 years!))

-a nicer kitchen

-complete breakdown (perhaps!).

So- I'm thinking of sending an e-mail round to my Christmas list. Not very personal, but I really want to keep in touch.

I'm thinking of including one of 'madpriest's' (see links) recent thoughts:-

'It is what most people haven't achieved in their lives that makes them better people than those who boast most about their achievements'.

I've blogged on this before- if you send Christmas letters- stop boasting!!! Tell me how it is- life with its mixture of light and shade, triumph and despair, hopes and fears... please don't send me letters that make the early parts of the Acts of the Apostles sound like a bit of a failure...

Right...I'm back to praying and I'm stopping ranting....

Ouch!

2008-12-21T09:37:00.008Z

I got this picture from 'naked pastor' (see links) I may have used it before- it is one of my favourites.

Christmas preaching- it is easy to get twee- bless everything that happens, give people a feel good time. I'm not against this (I've been bored listening to stuff in church often enough!), but...

but.... but......

I read this- it is making me think. A lot. (HT:-http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/) There is a posting from http://www.parablesofaprodigalworld.com/2008/12/top-10-emergentmissionalpost.html giving his top ten of 2008- this one is from 'internet monk' (who is always food for thought). It is very American, but most of it translates. It makes me go 'ouch':-

'Suburban Christianity is frequently not about an honest following of Jesus. It’s about an edited, reworked Jesus who blesses the American way of life and our definition of normal and happy.

It’s Jesus the sponsor of our beautiful church. It’s Jesus the bus driver of the ticket to heaven. It’s Jesus the guy who wants us to be nice to children. It’s Jesus who presides over all kinds of niceness.

Hey….I can get that from Tony Robbins or Oprah. I don’t need to dilute the demanding, revolutionary promises of Jesus into the suburban American Dream. I can get that life from someone who makes no more demands on me than buying a book.

Churches in suburbia can do so much good for the Kingdom, but when I have to come face to face with a version of Christianity that puts Christ in his place and baptizes all the values of the empire, it makes me angry. It discourages me about what all those nice people are thinking in those beautiful buildings. I know a lot of them send a lot of money to ministries like ours, but if we don’t really believe Jesus is the one for whom we sell it all to buy the pearl of great price, what’s the point?

I also know my own answer. Learn to know the virtues of relative poverty. Learn to see poverty as Jesus and the saints saw it. Keep real poor people in view. Keep real poor churches in mind. Don’t listen to the broadcasted, published propaganda of the suburban Jesus. Read the sermon on the mount. Remember that Jesus is a true revolutionary, and those who want Jesus but reject the revolution always have a nice slide show and plenty of facts and figures.

Remember that to those who are ignoring the game, or eating in the parking lot, or dozing in the sky boxes, the game on the field is just a game. To the players on the field, it’s blood, desperation, hope and perseverance.

So if you’re within earshot of the suburban Jesus and his invitation to have your cake and eat it to, walk away. Walk away with humility, but be decisive and walk away.

Jesus never gave his disciples a lesson on how to explain it all to their families, friends and communities. He just told them that the reaction wouldn’t be positive. And he was right. His own family came to take him home when things got tough (

Mark 3) and they tried to kill him in his own home town.

Christian had to leave the City of Destruction with his fingers in his ears, you know'.

another Christmas thought...

2008-12-20T12:17:00.004Z

I see people at church related stuff at Christmas for the only time I ever see them during the year. This is not an unusual experience for any minister/vicar/ pastor/senior pastor/priest/curate/Pope/archdeacon/ bishop/archbishop/rector/Chair/rural Dean/area Dean/ James Dean/Dean Windass (? only comprehensible to English readers)/priest-in charge/canon..... (don't you just love the simplicity of the church?).

An extract from the episode 'Lisa the vegetarian' of the wise and theological 'The Simpsons':-

Lisa: 'I still stand by my beliefs, but I can't defend what I did. I'm sorry I messed up your barbeque.'

Homer: I understand, honey. I used to believe in things when I was a kid'.

True.... or wishing, longing, hoping that there might be still be something there?

Decay

2008-12-19T09:04:00.013Z

Decay- there is no escaping it- we all do. I am 42 and 'aging gracefully', but I am also decaying. I (almost) have a new kitchen (the last one was put in by someone with the kitchen installation skils of a blind florist who loves Heath Robinson)- putting stuff in it last night, stuff that looked ok when it was in the old kitchen just highlights how a lot of our stuff is plain shabby, and yes, decaying.

Sideways thought- why is shabbiness in a minister's possesions/home considered a virtue/sign of holiness by some; 'we have got to cut corners- there is really not a lot of money to go round', while often the same people would regard it as not acceptable in their own homes? Just an (un) innocent remark....

To quote those noted divines The Proclaimers: 'The life that I've been living since the day I first drew breath, has been my way of forgetting I'm on the journey to my death'. Decay can be beautiful- see these pictures- we also talk about someone being 'distinguished' (hmmm...why are men aging 'distinguished' and women just 'getting old'?), but it is still decay. Funny how adverts/marketing hit us with 'new, new' all the time- maybe it is because we prefer to avoid decay and we can run around through life like a 4 year old at a party, cramming junk food down our necks (I've been to a lot of parties for 4 year olds. Actually, when I go, I'm trying to stuff loads of junk food down my neck- it tastes so good!).

I am not being maudlin- not in Leonard Cohen mood just yet (and on that subject- Hallelujah- X factor- it is all so wrong. Here is a classic song that connects, asks questions- faces up to life. It is like someone has grabbed it, put it in box fresh trainers, given it the Daily Mail, cut it's hair and force fed it Big Macs and fries. Stop it. Now)- although I did a funeral today. The person had a very very long life. But at the end...decay.

Perhaps part of what I do is to try and point out the beauty in decay and to draw attention to where God might be (see Gifford post earlier this week), albeit imperfectly. Another part of what I do is to face up to and name death when others struggle to do it. Maybe (on good days) to others and myself I manage to say- 'Hey guys- listen to what the Proclaimers say'. I think that is tangentially a little of what Rowan Williams was saying yesterday on R4 about the slump.

I actually like funerals- it feels a real privilege. And now, in one of those dramatic switches that local radio continuity announcers can pull off- my day suddenly switches to 2 school christingles. I love this job!

(These photos are from an excellent stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/deano/sets/72157601310098830/)

Your free 2nd post of the day- Happy Christmas!

2008-12-18T14:44:00.004Z

Without doubt the finest* Christmas CD ever is Sufjan Stevens' 5 CD work, imaginitively titled 'Christmas'.

You can hear the whole thing streamed at http://xmas.asthmatickitty.com/(click on musical notes at top of page) and it even includes two free downloads costing nothing.

(* results of a survey carried out of all Methodist Ministers aged 42 within Hutton Rudby, North Yorkshire on 18/12/08)

I am feeling jocund....

2008-12-18T09:11:00.005Z

I went to a carol service last night in the Parish Church. At this time of year it is all work, work, work; I did one reading, then was forced to stand around talking for an hour, drinking wine and eating food. It is a hard life. It took me a few years to tumble it, but Anglicans do better socialising- booze in church- fantastic!

It was a traditional 9 lessons and carols- this is where ecumenism works- I couldn't have done this without it sounding contrived- they did and the place was heaving.

For the first carol we went all medieval ( I think- my knowledge of hymnody and hymbigears.....think about it...oh you just did-now that was lame) and sang the lines:-

'While our happy voices rend,

The jocund air asunder'.

Aren't those words both incomprehensible and wonderful? Doesn't that make you glad to be British? I did not have a clue what I was singing. Apparently 'jocund' is an adjective (I am only dimly aware of what an adjective is- I was educated in the 70s and 80s and despite 3 degrees still can't 'do' grammar). It means; 'of a humourous temperament or merry'.

I am going to try and use that word today- 'jocund'; 'I am not feeling particularly jocund about the fact our kitchen has not been finished.' 'I am feeling jocund today' or even 'This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be jocund!'

Go on- you try and use it today. You know you want to....

This cartoon is from the 'naked pastor' (see links below- I know this page is all over the place- I've been trying to move the links to the side, but I have, as yet, not managed it)- he is always thoughtful. Last night they read exclusively from the 'King James' and in so doing, in context, stepping out of this cartoon.

They don't normally use this version, but the type of people who look for this service ; they come to the Anglican church regularly- once a year and never miss- look for this. That is one thing about being 'missional' I guess- what is God doing 'out there' ( although 'out there' is not a biblical term methinks...) & how can we join in? So, whilst keeping in harmony with what they do, they changed subtly to the 'felt needs' of those coming.

So there we go--- a bombshell. I said 'yes' to the KJV and what is more, I feel jocund about it...

Cheese alert

2008-12-17T17:45:00.002Z

'Tis the season of Christmas letters, viz: 'little Jocasta sails through life, having started an MA in difficult sums, horse riding on 8 nights of the week, being proficient in 5 languages and she is only 6. Aren't we yummy?'

Stop. Right now. Or I will shoot you. Or at the very least smile glassily at you and say 'I really enjoyed that letter'.

I've blogged on this before- but you don't put pictures of your over acheiving kids on a blog. It is cheesy.

However, my 7 year old son bought this home today. It is a self portrait and I think it is brilliant. He thinks it is 'just good'.

Ahhhh. Bless. But still cheese. Good cheese though....

Advent again

2008-12-17T11:21:00.003Z

This is another lovely image from http://davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com/. I passed over it at first but it has come back to haunt me. Do I do this during advent? I'm not sure that I do- you will have seen my previous posts on being a 'homeletical battery hen'. I'm so busy telling others to be aware that I'm not aware or trying to be aware myself.

Yesterday, in a reception class and today in a prayer breakfast (there is usually a lot of breakfast! Hey, but isn't that a great illustration that something used 'for children' actually speaks to us all and helps us all get inside a story?) I used a child's nativity set to tell the story and to get people to react so that we all became 'interpreters of the Word'. It just struck me in retelling the story, how often God came to the marginal, the unexpected and not those in 'the centre'. Maybe the word 'godforsaken' should be taken out of every Christian's dictionary. Taking the story seriously, nothing can ever be 'godforsaken'.

I've just reread what I wrote- maybe I just did 'Stop Look Listen be aware of God'.....

And now an artist....

2008-12-15T19:32:00.019Z

One of the great things about what I do is that it cannot be defined to the nth degree.

This means that sometimes days happen like yesterday....

When I came here, I was told that someone linked with the church , but who had moved away was an internationally known artist; Andrew Gifford (google him on images. Do it. Right now).

At that time the local primary school did not know/had forgotten that link. As I make my living talking, I spoke to the arts specialist at the school, gave her a couple of books and the rest you see on pictures here.

A fully entranced year 6 were still asking for more after 2h30! They even spent 15 minutes watching him mix paints!

It was fantastic- like that feeling you get at a good rock concert where things just 'are' and just connect. I could have watched for hours more.

What I do is reflect- I look at the ordinary and try and see where God is. It is a parable of Christmas, I guess; something earth shaping happening in obscurity where people might not notice. I don't always do that very well.

So what did I learn from Andrew's excellent sermon? Just some thoughts:-

(1) Passion. It was like that Martyn Joseph day I went to a few months back (look back in September on this blog if you are so minded...)- when I came back, I believed I could one day write songs (I am not there yet, but into Reception class later today to play 2 carols). Andrew's passion shone through. Does all that bollocks (sorry there is no other word...forgive me) about the 'correct liturgical order' or as one article in the Methodist Recorder recently said about an act of worship 'It was a dignified and reverent occasion' actually mean anything unless there is passion behind it? I'm remembering Eugene Peterson (translator of 'The Message. Go google) who said after a crisis- I am called to ministry because of God and passion. Hmmm....so the six figure paycheck, the stream of luxury cars, the models throwing themselves at you not come into it? Damn- looks like I need to reorder my priorities.

(2) The detail. On the back of 'The Genesee Diary' (Doubleday, 1989 in the version I have so far borrowed from a friend for 12 years...), Henri Nouwen says 'Just as a whole world of beauty can be discovered in one flower, so the great grace of God can be tasted in one small moment.' I aspire after this; Andrew lives this. Hearing him talk, most of us who listened will never look at a branch, a shadow, a tower block, or a piece of litter in the same way again.

(3) Grace makes beauty out of ugly things (from U2. Of course. Just how long did you think it would take me to quote them?). Ok- this view is of beautiful Hutton Rudby- it is not exactly Southbank or downtown Beirut. It is pretty nondescript, average. I guess it is where the poor of Hutton Rudby live (apart from my house); those who can barely keep two Lexus's on the road and are struggling to pay the swimming pool heating on their French gite (I attempted a joke there. Humour is not acceptable in the ordained; I will go back to being mindnumbingly boring...).

Perhaps I should have said it was ordinary. But as Andrew spoke to us; we became aware of beauty in stuff we pass by on the way to something more interesting. I remember him saying something like 'If you want to paint Hutton Rudby; don't paint the Green. Look for something no one else notices'. Wonder if I have the grace to do that in everyday life? And with everyday people?
.

(4) Knowledge can be accessible and live. This guy knew a lot and loved a lot. It was obvious. But he spoke in a way that you were not put off- you were invited in- not bullied and not overawed. I will never look at a picture in the same way again. I will want to go close- to look at how the artist has built up piant layers, to see the work and the passion. I'll want to stand back. I will want to spend time (brings to mind again Nouwen and Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son - how he describes spending the best part of a day, looking at a picture, living with it).

So why does the word 'theology' just sound so boring? Surely it is art, story, passionate, something living, breathing and beautiful. Er....actually it is not. Maybe I was fortunate (and arrogant) to enter theological college at age 30- I'd seen life. Some of the stuff that was put my way was plain boring, life draining; like someone has taken a butterfly, preserved it and mounted it on a board. Sure it looks ok, but you should be out there, chasing it, watching the light on its wings; not sat in some boring room arguing over its colour....

I'm going to stop there; I have just drowned something beautiful in a sea of words.

Andrew lives in Brighton- here is a Christian arty community/collective doing something imaginative with Advent and beach huts (although not to Andrew's level)...http://beyondchurch.blogspot.com/

Try and write something original about Monday...

2008-12-15T09:11:00.005Z

.....I can't. It's not possible. It's been done. There are no original thoughts about Monday. Ever. Besides- why are you looking here? There are no original thoughts on the blogosphere. Wait....there was one on 25th January 2003 at 11.03am. No. Just joking.

The above is one of my favourite cartoons from the incomparable http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/. For me, on Monday morning, instead of the tinsel and the baubles, it would be blogs, commentaries and books on all age worship. See my post of a day or so ago- I'm frantically trying to lay sermon eggs.....

This is from the equally incomparable http://nakedpastor.com/. 'Get away Jesus, can't you see I'm trying to write a service for Christmas involving a selection box, 3 live llamas, a choir of children, 7 surplus army jeeps and 3000 christmas crackers'.

To all other homeletical battery hens out there: this Monday morning I salute you!

Get your chunky sweaters on; it's poetry time....

2008-12-14T17:59:00.003Z

Poetry.

Doesn't that word just fill you with dread? I'm going to have to listen to someone intoning humourlessly about something that makes no sense. Plus, they are going to talk in a funny voice not like their real voice. Plus, they are going to become over earnest.

Ok- I am a Philistine (yes, I am 3000 years old, attack Israel frequently, raping their women and dashing their babies against rocks. But it's ok..... I am undergoing counselling). When I was 14, in the top set for English Literature, I did say to the teacher about some poem or other (you can see it had a deep impression on me) 'This is not a poem as it does not rhyme.' Now, at 42, having heard stuff that does rhyme (ie Coldplay) I have learned that rhyming does not neccesarily guarantee quality:-

'Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones'

is hardly Shakespeare (ok, I am jealous).

With all this cornucopia of caveats, here is a poem I do like.

Simon Armitage is tops (and not just because he used to work with someone I knew as a part-time probation officer in Oldham) - 'Killing Time' is excellent.

Check out:-

'Scarborough beach on Friday, sandwriting

says Jesus is Lord.

Letters come and go. On Sunday he's lard, lurid, blurred.

By Tuesday he's bored'.

And this, by way of a lengthy introduction is my Christmas bit:-

Meanwhile, the lights on Oxford Street this year

ask us to stop and think

not of Christ in his crib or reindeers hauling a sleigh

but a chemically-inferred orange drink

and the nation's best known brand of frozen peas,

frozen straight from the pod.

And couples walk its golden mile, brides and grooms on the aisle

of the church where money is God.

Back where,back when, Christ was a painted clothes-peg

in an After Eight box;

Mary the Tiny Tears doll and Joseph the Action Man

knelt with the sheep and the ox

in the shape of a fun-fur teddy and porcelain dog

from the mantelpiece, and all

were lit by a single flame from a nite-lite candle

floating in a glass bowl

within the manger of an upturned packing case with a window hole.

And it had the right feel,

even if one version of Christmas compared to another is no more or less real.'

I challenge you to buy the book or to use it at sometime.

Right- enough earnestness for one night, chunky sweater off. That's better. Back to being irreverent (and irrelevant) and time to clean the kitchen. Man, that's living............

Please do not read this post!

2008-12-13T16:04:00.002Z

I am dog tired...frazzled and short.....already had to apologize to 2 people today for yelling at them (outside my own family, which is a novel thing....being a minister, I often appear as 'Mr nice guy' which is a bad impression to give). The only thing I want to say today is the old prayer:-

'Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me a sinner'

...over and over again. No original thoughts today, so here is someone else's

My former boss's son blogs at http://jonnyopinion.wordpress.com/. I looked at his blog and thought 'Why do I bother?' I could never reach his standard- see this post from yesterday.....

Do not, under any circumstances, read this post. Stop it. Stop it at once. Stop reading! Please, it’s for your own good. Stop. STOP! No good can possibly come from you reading on. Make sure this sentence is the last sentence you read. Or, if you really can’t resist the urge to know what comes next, make it this one. But definitely don’t read this one; in fact, stop before you even reach the end - say, at the next piece of punctuation, three-syllable word, or use of the word “the”. I’m warning you. This paragraph will end in a few sentences’ time. Make sure you read no further. Please. Promise me you won’t. You’ll regret it.

You’re probably thinking that you’ve made it this far, though, and nothing bad has happened, so you might as well read all the way to the end. If so, you’re making a big mistake. I definitely don’t advise reading any further than the very sentence you’re reading right now. You’ll wish you hadn’t. You might lose sleep over it, causing you to be very tired at work tomorrow, make a stupid error that costs your organisation dearly, and get the sack. You don’t want that to happen, I’m sure. Is it really worth satisfying your curiosity at the expense of your career? That’s not even the worst thing that could happen, you know. I’d explain but then I’d be giving you a reason to read on, and that’s the last thing I want to do. Really, it is. There’s no reason to read on, so just stop what you’re doing, turn off your computer and go outside, or something. Anything. Just do not read this post. Here comes the end of the second paragraph. The third paragraph absolutely must not be read by anybody, so stop reading…now.

Stop reading. Stop reading! Stop it! It’s just not worth it; believe me, I know. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to finish reading this post - after all, I wrote it. Then when I’d finished writing it, I proof-read it, and I wish to God I hadn’t. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Please. Stop reading this post. It’s a very bad idea even to begin reading it but if you’ve got this far (and I can’t for the life of me think why, you’re had ample warning) the only thing I can suggest - in fact, insist, is that you stop reading immediately. Please, please, please stop reading. PLEASE. I’m begging you: make the word “read” at the end of this sentence the last word of this post you read. For the love of God, stop! STOP IT NOW! Stop reading this post. It’s not even very interesting. It only took me about ten minutes to write but they were the most painful, agonising ten minutes of my life. Just imagine what it would be like to read this post from beginning to end. It really doesn’t bear thinking about does it? So don’t be like me. DO NOT READ THIS POST. Rise above your baser instincts and just stop reading. 3…2…1…STOP READING!

Daily Mash

2008-12-12T15:59:00.003Z

Don't know if you have ever discovered this site http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/. It is twisted, politically incorrect, over the top, offensive and very funny. NB: I am not endorsing everything on there. There is language on the site that I wouldn't normally use in a sermon, such as 'Conservative', 'Sane right wing idea', 'Westlife have tremendous artistic credibility' and 'Isn't Christian Rock music good' and some even worse than that....

UK TO BOYCOTT ALL GERMAN GOODS, EXCEPT CARS, BEER, KITCHEN APPLIANCES, ADIDAS AND KINDER SURPRISE

UK consumers last night pledged to buy British, unless there was an obviously superior German alternative.

As the economic war of words between London and Berlin escalated, millions of Britons said they would be happy to boycott German goods as long as it did not involve Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi, Becks, Lowenbrau, Knorr chicken stock cubes and those chocolate eggs with the toy inside.
Germany, meanwhile, said it would boycott British goods as soon as it could find any.

Dr Tom Logan, an economist at the German-owned University of Reading, said: "If I was a confused recession-hit country looking for advice, I'd probably go with Germany, given that they still have an actual economy based on making stuff that people want to buy.

"Meanwhile, the British 'economy' seems to be based on selling each other money so that we can buy high quality German goods."

German finance minister Peer Steinbruck said: "Let's think, what could we boycott? Cars? Oh yeah, like everyone else in the world I really wanted a Rover 200. Ah, but what about the Mini, you say? Or the 'BMW Mini', to give it its full Bavarian title."

He added: "Beer? Yeah, we drink loads of British beer, it's sooo good. So I guess that means we'll just have to boycott Tizer and Jaffa Cakes."

Chancellor Alistair Darling said: "I will be boycotting a wide range of German goods and services apart from Aldi, obviously. It's so much cheaper. How do they manage it? Those Germans really do know what they're doing.

"And also those big hotdog sausages that come in a jar. Bloody love those."

A homiletical battery hen....

2008-12-12T12:44:00.004Z

When at 'theological cemetary', one of my tutor's favourite sayings was that he didn't want his students to become like 'homiletical battery hens'- ie being forced to churn out sermons etc too fast or too frequently.

Great idea sir- unfortunately, this is the time of year when it gets like that. I love this time of year- great chance to see loads of people, many of whom hardly ever come within the orbit of the church. But.....I do feel like a homiletical battery hen...... just pray that I might see the wonder of it all.

(picture from http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/ihamptonsmall/gallery/the_weird_n_the_wacky/- I understand that no actual chickens or batteries were harmed during its composition....)

Chill

2008-12-11T11:12:00.004Z

http://1x.com/photos/popular/day/20582/

This is going to sound like one of those bad 70s records as in 'Why can't people just love each other and not get cross, ever?' (ok I made that title up, but you get the picture).

Someone asked me last night- 'where do you go to rant?' I said 'I have a blog'. And today I'm going to rant (well a little- I have to disguise the situation).

I'm facing a situation where I feel that everyone needs to 'take a chill pill' (maybe, including me). 'That would be an ecumenical matter'- to quote Father Ted. I'm cool- I think I've got it worked out- mission- God is out there beckoning us on- we join in. But why o why o why ( x100), when you factor in 'ecumenical' does this often become- 'let us spend ages working out what we can agree/disagree on' and 'mission' become 'not mission' i.e. inward looking. Why does so often action shudder to a halt and anything 'new' seem to be considered with suspicion?

Why does so often the phrase 'ecumenical worship' fill me with a sense of numbing boredom?

I have lots of other questions like that- unreasonable rants really. I'm having a bad Thursday and to cap it all England are throwing away a promising situation in the Test Match

I'll end there , obliquely, meditate on the above scene, find my box of chill pills and work out some chords to 'Why can't people just love each other and not get cross,ever?'

Pray for me!

I long for....

2008-12-10T09:11:00.004Z

I have been thinking on this image for a while. It is from the very excellent http://davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com/ (although distressingly he has added a photo of himself today with 'imaginative' headgear); in fact he is an excellent person in himself.

And I've been thinking on Psalm 42....my soul longs for you/ my soul thirsts for God. This frozen nettle has so much, but it is frozen. I pray that I notice what I am preparing this advent and unfreeze.

Something tangentally related from the also excellent http://maggidawn.typepad.com/maggidawn/blog_index.html today. See the post on 'Journey' and the comments- especially the one where the biggest temptations in ministry are to be messiah or manager. Solid gold....

Give us today our daily bread....

2008-12-10T08:47:00.004Z

I do not claim to understand geo-politics, but I found this in the Times today. It is about the decline of Zimbabwe. This really hit me.

'Most hospitals have closed because their staff have gone abroad or given up working for nothing. In a country that once had a higher literacy rate than the United States, most schools are shut because the teachers have done the same. Water and electricity are treats. Public transport has all but ceased to function. Rubbish is no longer collected. The security services are practically the only part of the State that still functions, but the lower ranks are close to mutiny.

The Zimbabwean dollar has been rendered utterly worthless by an inflation rate that halves its value every 1.3 days. Last Friday, after the Government raised the daily withdrawal limit from banks, it halved every ten minutes. A loaf of bread rose from Z$1.5million to Z$20million'.

I can't really say anymore except:

' May your kingdom come,

may your will be done,

on earth,

as it is in heaven.

Amen.'

Advent hope?

2008-12-09T10:54:00.004Z

Check out 'naked pastor' (see links below- I know the formatting has gone to pot on this blog- I am still learning). Always thoughtful. See this (above)- it is my favourite advent hymn, but I sometimes wonder....

I am still too (can never work out if that is 'to' or 'too') busy which is not good....

Can't find my bottom from my elbow...

2008-12-09T08:15:00.003Z

This is the companion poster to yesterday. Can't remember where I got it from- I think it is originally from Los Angeles (or 'LA' apparently).

I had one of those days yesterday where I had to look in my diary to see where and if I could draw breath. One of those days that ministers like to boast about ('O I was so busy- 38 nights out on the row, 25 hour days, aren't I fantastic?') as they get their affirmation over how hard they work.

I didn't like it, though.

Happy Tuesday one and all.

Monday morning-text for the day...

2008-12-08T08:14:00.003Z

I don't do mornings. If I'm doing anything early (like an assembly) I survive by the power of coffee (and the Lord of course). I hate doing anything early on Monday. I have to recover from the weekend. I need time to pray, to plan, drink coffee, read, drink coffee.....

Today is an exception- early start- gathering with colleagues for most of the day & then an evening meeting. Plus we have to look after a friend's kids and we have no kitchen (you are dying to hear the story aren't you.....no I thought not).

So here is my text for the day- got this from Barter Books, Alnwick a month or so ago. It was produced by the British Government just before WW2 in case we got invaded. It was meant to inspire the population. I now know why Hitler never invaded Britain. If I had been a manic dictator with a vast superiority of weapons, the mere threat of this poster would have scared the living daylights out of me....not.

And on the 7th Day....

2008-12-07T08:54:00.003Z

Ok- it's the sixth day, but I like it having lived pres de Manchester from the mid 80s to the late 90s.

Sound words about living in the mess from Annie Lamott http://www.inwardoutward.org/?p=899

(HT: http://wesroberts.typepad.com/)

Where do people get the time?

2008-12-06T20:30:00.004Z

I'm sitting here thinking....this is a picture of me on the left, sat in the garden at a temperature of -2 centigrade (the blurring isn't a badly copied image...its frost on the lens).

Where do people get the time? To blog of course. I'm just copying some stuff for 'Messy Church' tommorrow & catching up on the blogosphere & being shocked by the number of my watched blogs who have blogged today. Haven't these people got a life? What kind of saddo blogs on a Saturday at 8.30 at night just to get another consecutive entry on his vain kingdom of the ego? Answer me? What kind? Erm...I think that would be me.....

Always readable and relevant, the entry which caught my eye the most was the ever insightful
http://davidkeen.blogspot.com/ (always relevant and irreverent is, of course, is the maddest of mad clerics, Mad Priest http://revjph.blogspot.com/):-

''Soul Destroying

A story is told of a Himalayan mountaineering expedition, where the Western climbers wanted to make quick progress. For three days they walked quickly, though the sherpas seemed reluctant. On day 4 the sherpas sat down and couldn't be moved. One climber asked the sherpa translator what was happening, and he replied: "after walking so fast for 3 days, they are now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies."

Maybe this recession, painful though it is for impatient Westerners, is the same thing happening on a national level. We have been rushing ahead of capacity - of our personal capacity, and that of the economy and the planet. It's time to stop and let everything catch up. Maybe as we stop we'll get the time to think, reflect, and adjust''.

I have to go....house is a tip and the kitchen needs clearing. It's a pulsating life of vibrancy here....

That Friday feeling....

2008-12-05T09:38:00.002Z

(HT: http://theconnexion.net/wp/)

'That Friday feeling' is where I know that anything for Sunday has to be 'finished'. I try to finish by midday/ one-ish so that I can chill & get ready for being 'off' on Saturday. There I've said it- I have 1.5 days off- o the scandal and shame of it! I started off in ministry in an area where 'we work' was almost a mantra..... I'm learning...but slowly.

'That Friday feeling' either means:-

(a) I work like crazy, get over-anxious to try and finish stuff (and what does that say about trust in God....not a lot...)

or

(b)mess about as some of the ideas I have seem to be a little outre....today is one of them. I'm toying with prayer stations, dramas (see yesterday) and playing the sublime Sufjan Stevens. Not 'cos I want to be radical but because it seems to fit.

But I'm nervous. Far easier to dash the same old thing off. I'm motivated by something Mike Riddell said about the word of God leaping 'wet and wild' at us. Can't understand worship where we talk about our devastations, wild hopes, joys and despairs in a totally one dimensional drone....

Better get working and no messing.

No blogging for a day or 2 or 3 or 4- new kitchen next week- lots to do. I may blog about 'the spiritual significance of my new kitchen' (yes really- steady on- ease that beating heart).

Also blogging (just starting) at my local paper http://ts15.gazettelive.co.uk/churches/ see 'godbotherer'

Drama: Advent 2

2008-12-04T11:42:00.003Z

(This is from http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/2007/12/second-sunday-of-advent-john-baptist.html. I don't think it translates very well across this side of the pond.....I like it as it seems kitsch....).

This is the height of vanity, but I'm trying to make it seem like a service to you.... I get bored sometimes writing sermons. I'm slick with words and when I use them I feel good.... I know God can use anything, but sometimes people (ie me....) need shocking.

If you can use it or adapt it, or make it better then do....it would be nice to have a credit somewhere though.... I wrote it for a small congregation in a small village- once a month they have maybe 15-20 there with perhaps 6/7 between the ages of 8 & 16).

4 characters- one ( BUILDER) could have a builder’s hat on (!), the other 3 are chapel members. The builder stands on one side & the chapel members on the other side of the chapel.

Someone reads Isaiah 40:1-5

BUILDER: Gesturing at an invisible bulldozer/earth mover. Wait- left a bit, right a bit. That’s it, now start knocking…..

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: What is happening?

BUILDER: We are building a road.

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: What- here?

BUILDER: Yes- here!

CHAPEL MEMBER 3 : Right through our chapel?

BUILDER Looks around, sniffs- Yes- right through here, straight through here.

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: But I was baptized here.

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: And I fell asleep there…frequently…

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: And I was bored there….

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: And I sat there, just the other Sunday, desperate for the service to finish, so I could turn my phone back on and start texting….

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: And I….

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: looks crossly….I think we get the picture…to builder…this place is precious to us. Why through here?

BUILDER: Haven’t you read the specification?

CHAPEL MEMBER: What specification?

BUILDER: I have it here….. I was told you have read it a lot (picks up Bible, clears throat)….here we go….. ‘every valley shall be lifted up… and every mountain and hill made low….and the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain’

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: O that….

CHAPEL MEMBER 2 : I’ve heard that before

CHAPEL MEMBER 3 : Was it OK magazine or Hello….no wait a minute (smiles) it was in the Bible.

BUILDER: So you are familiar with the specification?

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: specification? Specification! Look you’ve got it all wrong…. That is not meant to be taken literally…

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: No its poetry…..

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: It’s a bit boring really…I can’t understand it

CHAPEL MEMBER 2& 3 glare at him

CHAPEL MEMBER 3 (again…..)….erm…. its nice to listen to…a bit….on Sunday….

BUILDER: Well it’s in the specification and this (points at chapel) has to come down.

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: Well can’t you bend the road a little?

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: Go round it?

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: Just knock a little bit down, maybe a tree in the garden?

BUILDER: Well the client says straight….and what the client says goes.

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: The client? Who is that.

BUILDER: coughs…..points upwards…. Him

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: He is on the roof?

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: Is it a bird, is it a plane?

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: No it’s superman!

BUILDER: No it’s God.

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: God?

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: The big cheese?

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: The head honcho?

BUILDER- that is him..

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: God…..you’ve got it wrong….. he doesn’t want us to really do anything…….

CHAPEL MEMBER 2: We have a nice house here for him, he is warm, we come to feed him every so often…I’m sure he is very happy.

CHAPEL MEMBER 3: He is not really in the demolition and straightening business. You’ve got it all wrong.

CHAPEL MEMBER 1: Lets keep him happy shall we? Lets sing Hymn 956 ‘Away in a Manger’

CHAPEL MEMBERS: all softly begin to sing…… Away in a Manger….

BUILDER: more loudly, so can be heard over the singing…… beckons bulldozer….. Right away lads…lets get this job rolling ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his ways straight’

CHAPEL MEMBERS----- All look up in horror, stop singing and go AAAARGGGHH!

One of the characters (or someone else) reads Mark 1:1-8. Everyone else freezes (literally if the heating is not working….)

Unspeakably poignant?

2008-12-04T09:13:00.002Z

I wasn't going to blog today and held off switching on the pc. Blogging is too good for the ego. Sometimes talking when you have nothing to say. Then I came across this on aol this morning. Maybe it was because I had actually spent some time in stillness and prayer and not just talking about it.... I don't know.

A baby boy whose troubled mother laid him in the manger of a church nativity in hopes that someone would find and care for him was doing well, police in Germany said.

Augsburg police said a priest was startled to find the new-born baby in the nativity scene on the altar of the Peter and Paul Church in the village of Poettmes. He immediately called an ambulance.

Police have since found the 38-year-old mother, who said she gave the child up because she was in a "difficult personal situation," but hoped someone would quickly find the child and care for him.

The child is being cared for by the local youth services.

The priest told the Welt Online the church hoped to collect donations to help the woman care for her son. She had named him Christian.

Take some time over that story.....

This is me!

2008-12-03T14:49:00.003Z

I found this quote- it is very well known. In my earlier days as a minister I would have used it and said (passive aggresively of course) 'Hey- this is all you sitting out there'.

The longer I am a Christian and a minister (those two terms are not always co-terminus), the more I think 'Hey....this is me- standing here'.

'One critic said he had gone to many churches and heard the preacher say, "Don't try to impress God with your works" or "Don't attempt to please God with your merits" or "Don't try to keep the rules and regulations and thus win your way." He looked around at nearly slumbering collections of utterly casual Christians and wondered, "Who's trying?"

Martin Marty

This links as well
(HT:http://wesroberts.typepad.com/)

If I preached what I practiced
the church would be full,
with eager listeners to the latest means
of getting away with as easy a lifestyle as possible
and still call it Christian.

If I preached what I practiced
the faith would have followers
clambering at its door, eager to sign up
to wishy-washy justice and part-time belief
if I preached what I practiced.

They would be keen for sermons about
a penny for the poor, and a pound for the pension
keen to listen to homilies that spoke
of living in the reflected glory
of someone else working for peace
They would happily believe
in a faith that changes a light bulb for the sake of creation
rather than sacrifice to shape a whole new way of living
If I preached what I practiced

If I preached what I practiced
church would be popular again
with a doctrine of excuses
and a creed of compromise
a half-way house on almost anything
and a God who is washed out
watered down
and used to support anything you want

we would never need to sign up
to a faith where we find ourselves feeding the poor
by feeding ourselves less
we would just have to proclaim it without doing anything about it
if I preached what I practiced.

we would never have to make a sacrifice for justice
for we would always find an excuse
that would allow us to buy things for the taste
paying lip-service to buying things for justice

or we would never have to go green
we could get away with lime
for we could live according to our personal means and desires
speaking passionately for the planet
living passionately for ourselves
without a thought for the legacy and footprint it leaves
if I preached what I practiced

So hear my confession
that my living is not as full of God
as the words that I utter
May it be that the words
take form
and leave footprints
of someone who finally
practices what they preach.

To cheese or not to cheese?

2008-12-03T09:17:00.002Z

Is there any finer cheese in the world than stilton? No there isn't- this is my blog and I'm in charge: I make the rules....

On Sunday I was talking to a friend who edits the web site for the local paper www.gazettelive.co.uk/ts15 and telling him about my wonderful blog...... he suggested that on the local area of the site (see above) they were looking for local blogs- I could give it a dabble if I wanted to. Hmmm.... when I am talking to thousands at the next Christian Conference that will come out as 'A senior newspaper editor personally invited me to share my thoughts with an eager world'.

Anyway they have accepted me (well the only other applicant was someone who rants at the extreme left wingness of the Daily Mail and a man from Hilton who collects nail clippings). They want to give me the title 'Methodist Minister'....very cheesy...

I just sent this.....

'Methodist Minister' sounds too lame!

I am trying to think of a title where I can obscure slightly who I am and where it looks slightly intriguing/worth clicking on; I won't generally be writing stuff like 'At 2.30 on Thursday it was the ladies' macrame circle where we listened to an interesting talk on 'bunions I have had treated' and it was very soporific'. Here are some- they hint at what I am but they don't fit the whole bill:-

strangerandrefugee
godbotherer
skypilot
godsquad
You're not from round here

Its your site- your choice!

I've just heard back- I am to be 'godbotherer'. Watch the above site this week..... This means that I can now spend 99% of my time on the internet instead of 95%. Hey- but didn't say that John Wesley say the world was his parish?

I've arrived!

2008-12-02T14:37:00.004Z

This is a shot of me taken in a typical pose... (well I did enjoy a pint of 'World's Greatest Liar' on Sunday lunchtime...).

The good news is that I've arrived- I have been cited on someone else's blog http://revjph.blogspot.com/..... as excellent! By the way the blog I just cited is much more excellent than mine (honest......scroll down/find the post on swearing.... as far as I know I only have two 'craps' on mine).

Mega blog stardom beckons..... at last the long years of no earthly assets at all ( apart from an unfeasibly large CD collection and a large Wisden collection....which my 7 year old has already announced that he will sell when I die...) make sense, at last the large and mounting overdraft has meaning and purpose.............at last.....

D'oh......

Random pictures to brighten up Monday....

2008-12-01T10:42:00.003Z

Ok jokes about George Bush are so last month, but I couldn't resist this.
(HT:http://revjph.blogspot.com/)

It's a link from another blog (HT:http://davesdistrictblog.blogspot.com/) that is always wise. The person behind it is also very wise....gave me much wise counsel at the start of this blog ( about my life and not about this blog).

Martyn Joseph again...

2008-11-29T21:43:00.003Z

If I had the choice I would go to a gig everyday of the week. My wife would go at least once a decade or maybe longer. In fact, it is 12 years since we last went (Eddi Reader, Manchester, since you ask. Someone was smoking something strange (smoking, now there is ancient history for you) in front of us and instead of being transported to another place, Victoria wanted to leave & said 'Don't you EVER take me to another concert'.....).

We went last Sunday (23rd) to Stockton Georgian Theatre, mingling with the happy crowds of simple rustic folk that throng Stockton's quaint streets on a Sunday night at 8...

MJ (that's what we in the know call him) was brilliant....holds an audience, uses humour, mixes songs well. I could watch him at least once a week. In a crowd of just over 100 there were at least 3 Methodist ministers, so it was a typical mixed crowd then.

There were so many highlights and bits (if I wasn't driving) where I could have sat drinking beer with a far away look in my eyes saying 'Take me from this earth now Jesus, because it doesn't get any better than this.' Over 2h 15 on stage and it could have gone on longer for me . He ended with 'Turn me tender'. Perfect.

I think we may go again to a concert, perhaps quicker than 12 years hence. Hmmm 'Napalm Death' and 'Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine' are in concert at the Stokesley International arena next month. I wonder if...? Perhaps not...

2nd post of the day...

2008-11-27T16:15:00.002Z

I read this a few days ago from the always excellent http://annedroid-annedroid.blogspot.com/

How to Hide Jesus by Steve Turner

There are people after Jesus

They have seen the signs.

Quick, let’s hide Him.

Let’s think; carpenter,

fishermen’s friend,

disturber of religious comfort.

Let’s award Him a degree in theology,

a purple cassock

and a position of respect.

They’ll never think of looking here.

Let’s think;His dialect may betray Him,

His tongue is of the masses.

Let’s teach Him Latin

and seventeenth century English,

they’ll never think of listening in.

Let’s think;

humble,

Man of Sorrows,

nowhere to lay His head.

We’ll build a house for Him,

somewhere away from the poor.

We’ll fill it with brass and silence.

It’s sure to throw them off.

There are people after Jesus.

Quick, let’s hide Him.

I'm just looking at some ideas for Christmas services....might be a good idea to keep that poem in the centre of my thoughts/prayers.......

I so love this poster part 2

2008-11-27T12:31:00.003Z

Found this under a site critical of 'emerging church' (http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/posters.htm).

Hey, I'm so 'emerging' that I can be 'in conversation with' criticism. How cool am I? (Not at all).

I so love this poster...

2008-11-26T23:23:00.001Z

(HT: http://ffffound.com/)

Not blogged on Martyn Joseph yet- I will do. Like you care......

Mad or sane?

2008-11-24T15:22:00.002Z

With a colleague today who works in a large mental health hospital.

He meets a woman who is a Roman Catholic:-

'I would like communion from you.'
'Are you sure.....you realise that I am not a priest.'

'We follow the same Jesus. It's all bread'

...thereby demolishing much of the church guff about a meal that should unite being used for centuries to divide. I'm wondering: who is mad and who is sane....

Quotes and thoughts........

2008-11-21T11:55:00.005Z

(ht: http://www.ffrf.org/fttoday/2006/nov/addis.php- an athiest site- I'm not proud!)

Quote of the day from Henri Nouwen...... OK I don't exactly live in the poorest part of the world, but one of the churches that I work with (sounds better than one of 'my' churches) is going through a good, creative review at the moment. I wonder how the discussion will go when we talk about the way forward- will one theme be 'I like things as they are. You can't change things for 'them'? Maybe we only exist when we exist for others....

“Those who are marginal in the world are central in the Church, and that is how it is supposed to be! Thus we are called as members of the Church to keep going to the margins of our society. The homeless, the starving, parentless children, people with AIDS, our emotionally disturbed brothers and sisters - they require our first attention. We can trust that when we reach out with all our energy to the margins of our society we will discover that petty disagreements, fruitless debates, and paralysing rivalries will recede and gradually vanish. The Church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us…”

(HT: http://prodigal.typepad.com/)

A second quote for today, this time from LICC's weekly mailing (Nick Spencer) on Charles Darwin...

Moreover, he lost it (his faith) for a good reason – not so much his theory of evolution (although that played a part) but more because he witnessed his favourite child, Annie, aged ten, die a slow, painful and degrading death. Few people, no matter how strong their faith, could endure such a loss without severe doubts. In this, as in so much else, Darwin has much to teach us.

Darwin’s Christianity was more philosophical than theological, built on the seemingly secure foundation of universal human reason, rather than on the particularities of the Christian story, let alone the counter-intuitive scandal of the incarnation and crucifixion. Yet, as soon as Christianity moves away from the foot of the cross and loses sight of the crucified God, it became defenceless against accusations of suffering and injustice. No amount of philosophical justification or arguments for the immortality of soul is enough. The pain, the sense of injustice, the sense of loss becomes overwhelming. Christianity stands by the cross or it doesn’t stand at all.

In truth, Darwin’s own faith never stood anywhere near the foot of the cross. But which of us can say ours does?

2nd gig of the week this Sunday pm- Martyn Joseph......

I still haven't found what I'm looking for- part 1,256

2008-11-20T10:18:00.000Z

Great post today on 'Naked Pastor' (see bog roll). I discovered 'paradox' over 10 years ago when reading Kierkegaard. Live with paradox, it is much more creative than 'synthesis' (aka the desire to always have resolution or the happy ending)- hence why I want 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for' at my funeral.....

Here is the post:-

1:I have amazing friends. I’ve lost amazing friends.
2:I’m blessed with a good church. What a headache!
3:I’ve got lots to be thankful for. I’ve got lots to complain about.
4:I’ve got a reason to get up in the morning. I could sleep all day.
5:I need people in my life. I sometimes wish they would leave me alone.
6:I’m loved. I’m hated.
7:I’m happy. No, wait, I’m depressed. No, wait…
8:I live in inexpressible light. It’s so dark I can’t find the switch.
9:I boldly go where no man has gone before. I’m an idiot!
10: I’m rich. I’m bankrupt.

So Low in Manchester.....

2008-11-19T16:09:00.000Z

What a night- excellent. As my youngest son says 'so so good'. It was billed as a 'holiday concert', so they played the whole of the 'Christmas' EP/album and played much of the show with support band 'Ida', in so doing becoming a 7 piece.

Too many highlights or transcendent moments..... usual crowd shouting.... Alan Sparhawk dedicating the show to 'Michele Obama'- loud applause/shouts.... and then dedicating it to 'Jehovah...even our saviour Christ'...... total silence.... but great- good try!

I heard some new reggae (yes really...) style song. Normally 'reggae style' or 'reggae lite' would have me running screaming quicker than you could say 'G4', 'Il Divo' or 'Westlife'... but it worked and it was something about 'Every knee shall bow'. I would love to play that in church. Might even boogie to it, or at least respectfully tap (slightly) my right foot....

(the basement of the Academy looks nothing like this...) Good gigs are more than good gigs... you've got to have a good mate there. And I did....meal, honest conversation, catching up on faith, family and music and a bit of (respectful, in a kind of 'I'm evangelical but real') swearing and some testosterone fuelled (!) jokes....

Also bumped into the daughter of a good friend at the gig- quote 'I'm becoming really interested in how people with faith work it out in the rock world' - at least that is my take on what was said.

All together now.... 'Take the long way round the sea... (repeat to fade)

So Low.......

2008-11-18T15:10:00.000Z

I'm off to see Low (http://www.chairkickers.com/ ) in Manchester today..... and then Martyn Joseph on Saturday. My first 2 gig week in my life.

Who says broke and impoverished Methodist Ministers can't have any fun? (Actually- I say that).

Rome wasn't built in a day

2008-11-17T17:01:00.000Z

'They say Rome wasn't built in a day, but I wasn't on that particular job'.

Brian Clough

(HT http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=79075)

(I'm going through a Clough era at the moment- just finished 'Provided you don't kiss me' by Duncan Hamilton)

This post below is very very good (ignore the confusing numbering). It is about how hard, but how neccesary it is to start new things .... and how 'success' can be illusory. One for all those 'woe is me' types. Hmm... that would be me.....

4 posts in a day is too much for any sane person....

http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/6-reasons-not-to-quit

Thought for the Day....

2008-11-17T11:55:00.000Z

''I like getting into hot water. It keeps you clean".

G.K.Chesterton.

HT http://annedroid-annedroid.blogspot.com/

...some more

2008-11-17T09:34:00.000Z

I like this picture- (see http://www.baytrust.org.uk/assets/images/stillness.jpg)- I have seen so many drippy pictures of 'stillness'.... picture the scene- slightly drippy person talking in very strained 'spritual' tones...enough already....

...but that is how I feel...not always and certainly not in an 'um zen' way.....perhaps more an awareness now that I have done what I can do & the rest is up to God. At the moment I feel less anxious in the middle of busyness.

I guess I am also (see blog posting for Wednesday) becoming more aware that part of me will never fit and I'm becoming more comfortable with that....whilst at the same time not trying to slip into 'wilful angularity' TM (I've put 'TM' there as I've just coined that phrase...).

Also..... and perhaps its a 'decade thing'- now in my 40s- I feel more an urge to be creative, to experiment. If something is too staid or too predictable (apart from keeping my cd's in alphabetical order- there are limits)....inside I have my tongue out and am going 'thrrrrupppp'.

That is quite enough soul baring for now. On with the business of serious ministry.....important ecumenical business doesn't become boring all by itself...it needs working on...

Finding a way ahead.....

2008-11-17T09:10:00.002Z

photo courtesy of...... http://www.flickr.com/photos/audrius/

''So, lets get this right.... you claim to hear from God, you work alone, you speak a lot trying to voice a community's hopes, fears, joys and despairs, you see people acting as a conduit for their joy, angst, pain etc etc and you do this alone?''' D'oh...

I never fully check what I've written on this blog in the past, but I think I have written elsewhere on 'The Messiah complex'---- that thing that siezes ministers that makes them think they are God--- ie if anything good has happened, it is down to them, if anything bad has happened it is their fault, if anything needs doing, only they can do it..... we all get it, I get it (fequently, but less so than before my sabbatical....I hope)...... I remember when I started the sheer covert (and overt) pressure to talk up how busy you were, how you never took time off....

In Wales I started to use a 'spiritual director'- a Roman Catholic monk- who would sit down, listen to me, pray, help me sift my thoughts and quietly teach me that I was not the centre of my world..... well someone helped me to find one here... I went a few days ago....

...next post says some more.......

Not fitting may be good...

2008-11-12T09:02:00.000Z

I read this post yesterday on Jonny Baker (see blogs section):-

'you don't fit and that's your gift ............

cultures need people that don't fit - it's how things get moved on when they get stuck.....

...... and guess what - the institutional church really doesn't get it or them too well!

........they need these kinds of people to create new things often around or off the edges of the existing map.

....... if somebody is asking a lot of questions, doesn't fit, are creative - don't push them away. give them the space to create something different and new and resist the temptation to co-opt it.'

This really helped me- thanks Jonny!

I am still not sure ( a favourite phrase of mine) whether I am 'out there' as any kind of pioneer or whether that is my area of calling. I know I am called to be a Methodist minister but at the same time I feel perpetually uneasy with that role. I hope I don't aspire to what Soren Kierkegaard is reputed to have wanted on his tombstone: 'That individual'..... I need people.....

...however the phrase 'you don't fit and that's your gift' is at the moment helping me. Maybe I don't have to try and fit. Maybe when most other people seem to be nodding and agreeing and inside I am thinking 'this is crap/lame/ we could do something else but it will be scary (well it scares the living daylights out of me)'..... then that is good.

Guitar tricks- taught myself the (simple) riff to Portishead 'Over'- no one here is impressed. I am. A lot.

woo-hooo!

2008-11-07T11:07:00.000Z

Ok- I couldn't have a totally happy picture...... but (whisper it gently from the tree bottoms)...more people than me have looked at this blog! The map even shows someone from Asia. I know no one from Asia. I can now die a happy man (oops- but first I have to see Bob Dylan, learn to play the guitar and 13025 other things...but you get the picture...

A really thought provoking post from someone who describes himself as an athiest on how Christians can talk to athiests...

http://www.joethepeacock.com/2008/03/how-to-actually-talk-to-atheists-if.php

if you read down it really is as simple (difficult) as that...

The weekend beckons; Remembrance Sunday and before that sleeping in a cold barn with at least 10 7-8 year olds- the things you do to support your children...

It's church Jim, but not as we know it....

2008-11-05T13:11:00.000Z

A very, very long post, but it's worth reading...honest!

I found this at http://timchester.wordpress.com/ yesterday. Ok it sets up a dichotomy where the reality may be more grey, but it is making me think.....

Is your community a community of performance or a community of grace? Try these diagnostic tests …

Communities of Performance
--the leaders appear sorted
--the community appears respectable
--meetings must be a polished performance
--identity is found in ministry
--failure is devastating
--actions are driven by duty
--conflict is suppressed or ignored
--the focus is on orthodoxy and behaviour (allowing people to think they’re sorted)

Communities of Grace
--the leaders are vulnerable
--the community is messy
--meetings are just one part of community life
--identity is found in Christ
--failure is disappointing, but not devastating
--actions are driven by joy
--conflict is addressed in the open
--the focus is on the affections of the heart (with a strong view of sin and grace)

and then.......

How do communities of performance impede mission?

Communities of Performance
--talk about grace, but communicate legalism
--unbelievers can’t imagine themselves as Christians
--don’t attract broken people
--the world is seen as threatening and ‘other’
--conversion is superficial (people are called to respectable behaviour)
--people are secretly hurting
--people see faith and repentance as actions that took place at conversion
--the gospel is for unbelievers

.....versus........

Communities of Grace
--people can see grace in action
--unbelievers feel like they can belong
--attract broken people
--people are loved as fellow-sinners in need of grace
--conversion is radical (people are called to transformed affections)
--people are open about their problems
--people see faith and repentance as daily activities
--the gospel is for both unbelievers and believers

A suprise

2008-10-31T20:51:00.000Z

Through an e-group I am part of, I heard about 'The Welcome Wagon' who are part of Sufjan Stevens' label -check out http://www.asthmatickitty.com/musicians.php?artistID=22. The album was available as a free download to pastors/worship leaders etc. I guess that is me- especially if there is something free....

Just an excellent album- especially if you like Sufjan Stevens (I do)...I had hear about them before; a husband and wife- he is a minister. If it sounds 'twee' it ain't (I have a morbid and probably unjustified fear of 'christian music'- there is no tension; everything seems to have resolution). If you want a freebie- contact me and I can send you an address to e-mail...

Top quote of the week....

2008-10-30T12:29:00.001Z

So there I was, it was 8.25 on Monday morning at Kwik Fit in Berwick on Tweed (don't ask) and trying to finish 'Velvet Elvis' (Rob Bell) and I read this, which for you, my multitude of readers (0 is the count for the last 2 weeks) is my top quote of the week......

'That is why it is so toxic for the gospel when Christians picket and boycott and complain how bad the world is.... why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn't as bright as it could be.' (p166).

I also like this- ok it is technically a 2nd quote....

'The church doesn't exist for itself; it exists to serve the world. It is not ultimately about the church; its about all the people God wants to bless through the church. When the church loses sight of this, it loses its heart' (p165)

They are making me think this week. So is half term- I have had approx 25 interruptions from little people since I began this post.....

I only work one day a week....

2008-10-24T09:04:00.000+01:00

3-4 weeks back and I am away (again!). It's one of the pieces of advice given when you return from sabbatical..... but it feels like luxury !(Berwick upon Tweed, high winds predicted, no heating in bedrooms and a very large campsite.....ok, I'm cheap and my definition of luxury is maybe different to yours)....

Back again on Tuesday.

3-4 weeks in and, ok I'm busy, but I feel much more relaxed under it; less prone to 'messiah complex' ('It's my church' 'I can solve it' 'Its all crap and its totally my fault'.....or even when you are asked how you are, you don't reply properly but launch into a speech about the 'successes' of your ministry')....hope it continues....

Lovely, postive, church council last night: dreaming some dreams & planning some small acheiveable steps and then some prayer encircling it all in God's hands. A business meeting that felt like worship.... this is the way it should go.

Thought for the day (hat tip http://bishopalan.blogspot.com/).

“I’ll probaby forget what you said; I’ll try and remember what you did; but I may remember for the rest of my life how you made me feel...”

This works for Church, too'

Oh, and if you like the picture at the top, try

http://www.says-it.com/wbc/index.php

http://www.churchsigngenerator.com/

and have some fun....

Attempting more technology

2008-10-16T12:19:00.000+01:00

One thing that makes what I do potentially the most fascinating thing ever (and believe me- what I do can also from time to time be mind numbing) is the wide variety of 'stuff' I get involved in.

Whilst dealing with someone going through more stuff than I would be able to handle, someone else involved sent me this. I'm thinking on it and sometime I'm going to use it....

still enjoying things.....

2008-10-14T09:19:00.000+01:00

I have been toying with this quote for a few days- it is from Maggi Dawn's blog (see links on right):-

Burnout comes not primarily from doing too much, but from doing what we don't really want to do - so that one foot is moving forward and the other foot is trying to run away."
Dennis Linn - Sleeping with Bread, p.13

I think I'm really back in the swing of things, but (at the moment) in a different way. I don't feel so overwhelmed. I'd still like to be on sabbatical, or at least have 'sabbatical moments'.

The Sunday Breakfast? Record crowds- they kept coming & I don't know where from. The challenge now is to work out what 'discipleship' means in this context and I've got a lot to do to find and follow that for myself.......

In the car, following BBC4 documentary on Sunday on the Hammersmith Palais, rediscovered 'The Good, the Bad and the Queen'.......just an excellent, excellent album...

Cartoon...try again

2008-10-11T21:13:00.000+01:00

Next time I'll use the 'preview button'. D'oh...

Cartoon

2008-10-11T21:10:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure how this is going to paste, definition-wise, but this is a cartoon I was going to use tommorrow for the main service. Never got round to it though..... check out http://asbojesus.wordpress.com/.

2008-10-11T20:50:00.000+01:00

I just read this (M.Moynagh 'emergingchurch.intro-Monarch 2004 p25):-

'Emerging church is a mindset ('we'll come to you') rather than a model. It is a direction rather than destination. It rests on principles rather than a plan. It arises out of a culture. It is a mood,scarcely yet a movement.' (p25).

I'd like to think that is where I'm coming from...

The picture is of a breakfast (as a comment that ranks level with 'water comes out of taps' , 'cars go on roads' or 'England didn't play very well' (I watched the 2nd half- despite 5-1 they were poor and slightly less boring than something very boring)). It is 'The Sunday Breakfast' tommorrow in Hutton Rudby.

On and off in 9 years of paid ministry I've been doing stuff like this. I'm never quite sure whether it is emerging from a community or I'm imposing it. Is it God moving or my ego projecting ('look at me, I have an earring, I'm trendy and a vicar, love me...please'). Perhaps a strange mix.

Anyway, its my first since sabbatical and I've heard that so many won't be there....hope it 'works' (and what is 'works' anyway?)...........actually, now I know that I'm back and will be around for ages, will I have the courage to develop it/stop it/ explore what emerging discipleship looks like/add as applicable......

Can you see why my theme song is 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for? I can!

Pray for me!

Back at work...still

2008-10-10T09:06:00.000+01:00

I've finally started proper lessons on this...... I am slowly trying to unlearn my bad technique...

My posting is slipping- that is a bad sign.

I made all sorts of informal promises to myself about how I would handle the return and what I would do....blogging was supposed to be a discipline to help that.

So here I am on Friday...the day that I get most stuff done for Sunday, trying to keep that vow.

Here is something from Jonny Baker (see blogs I follow) from a couple of days ago:-

'one of the interesting sections in clay shirky's chapter is a story of a firm that had new management and a piece of research was done to see which managers came up with the most creative solutions. the discovery was that those that were least locked into their own department brought the most creativity i.e. lots of their connections were external. as he put it bridging capital puts people at greater risk of having good ideas. in any network there is a balance to be had. the temptation is to want to keep it tight - i.e. relate to people with similar passions/interests etc as you share concerns, struggles etc. but the network will stifle if it is too tight - it needs random elements and connections that are totally different to bring a creative edge. how you strike that balance i have no idea but for some people i think it's counter intuitive'.

That says to me, don't get sucked in.... keep reading, networking etc etc and make space for that. When I don't I get too serious or suffer from 'Messiah complex' (every minister gets it- 'I can solve your problems' or worse still 'I am the cause of everything, nothing can move without me).

I'm going now, back to preparation hopefully, to paraphrase Leonard Cohen, to leave enough cracks in everything so the light can get in.....

Photos- today

2008-10-01T20:43:00.000+01:00

Don't you get sick of blogs where the blogger's family photos keep appearing in the blog? Really cheesy.............

Back to work

2008-10-01T20:35:00.001+01:00

First day back....... have I stepped off the island back into the sea, or have I come out of the sea and got back onto the island? I am not really sure.

I intended to blog more from Cliff but I couldn't fathom the wireless connection after a while, so being a bear of very little brain gave up.

Back from Cliff, some writing up, a sabbatical report (could I, couldn't I be a little bit transparent...ok I managed it), lots more time with the family... some drinks with a two friends (last night- toyed with doing my sabbatical questionaire, but that is as far as we got) plus.... I picked up a copy of Terminator 3 for £2 from Woolies!!!! Exactly my kind of film; sensitive characterisation, deep dialogue and subtle nuances.....

Still having trouble locating a guitar teacher who can match the gaps in my schedule although I can now (nearly) play one Belle and Sebastian song and one U2 song.

Tired...

Blogging by wireless part 2....

2008-09-24T20:27:00.000+01:00

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

2008-09-24T20:07:00.000+01:00

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.....

2008-09-19T11:25:00.000+01:00

'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

2008-09-18T09:17:00.000+01:00

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

2008-09-15T10:24:00.001+01:00

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

2008-09-15T10:14:00.001+01:00

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....

2008-09-14T17:04:00.000+01:00

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