tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78511630582420725942024-02-07T12:28:12.269+00:00A fitting nameSome nonsense that spews from my brainAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-58850626116072449522013-02-05T01:36:00.001+00:002013-02-05T01:36:54.750+00:00The Atheist 'Church'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwgg7MP8NZNE2dzwWUAmNMCkFGLwplUIS8c7yqxpTE3r7qt1lWA83pyxbK5guywJsFelW7kDcEuw34ooQdzajVNFHf6iHN1pJA1tE4fLz391P__iVLCzbWa7Sbr7Rm1uqtUuylaAP_is/s400/atheist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwgg7MP8NZNE2dzwWUAmNMCkFGLwplUIS8c7yqxpTE3r7qt1lWA83pyxbK5guywJsFelW7kDcEuw34ooQdzajVNFHf6iHN1pJA1tE4fLz391P__iVLCzbWa7Sbr7Rm1uqtUuylaAP_is/s200/atheist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://dearephesus.com/2013/02/03/my-sunday-at-an-atheistic-church/?year=2013&monthnum=02&day=03&like=1&_wpnonce=964eadb256">A great post on this flash-in-the-pan phenomenon that has been dubbed 'The Atheist Church'.</a><br />
Have a look, then have a look at a real church,<a href="http://www.saintpeterschurch.org.uk/"> like this one</a> (others available).<br />
Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-71122541374426677852013-01-09T16:16:00.001+00:002013-01-09T16:16:39.255+00:00Things I love in England 2It's time for<a href="http://afittingname.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/things-i-love-in-england.html"> another of these</a>. Some of you may know I've applied with <a href="http://www.jet-uk.org/">JET</a> to be an <a href="http://www.jet-uk.org/about/aboutalt.html">ALT</a> in Japan for a year. The time where I am supposed to hear from them about whether I get an interview or not is looming and therefore my heart is drifting towards Japan again, which can/has caused problems. The problem is I am here for at least another 7 months, if I even get selected (which is far from certain) and therefore although I don't want my love or passion for Japan to diminish, I neither wish for my current calling to suffer. Therefore, here is another list of things I love in England. (There may be repeats!)<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGXeYJnVvOoCpFlYpA8_du2THoyP3hcLLK23vaO31bT6AMqe4wojUXJZeSEa81_RHo1ehHdOuPqBnhe8doC879RE1l6as1bDF9XFDK4Nmsu6p8HDMTAnRBjElGeiH0lrM6NU6FSIxDa8/s1600/427696_10151170496346286_1339409438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGXeYJnVvOoCpFlYpA8_du2THoyP3hcLLK23vaO31bT6AMqe4wojUXJZeSEa81_RHo1ehHdOuPqBnhe8doC879RE1l6as1bDF9XFDK4Nmsu6p8HDMTAnRBjElGeiH0lrM6NU6FSIxDa8/s320/427696_10151170496346286_1339409438_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardiff Friends</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4748491136_1892410521_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/4748491136_1892410521_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Peter's, Interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li>English. Being able to communicate easily is wonderful.</li>
<li>St. Peter's, Woodmansterne. A church I love, full of people who love Jesus and have welcomed me with open arms.</li>
<li>Churches in general. There are loads of them here. Even the smallest villages tend to have churches and towns and cities have a plethora. </li>
<li>Coffee, especially Coffee#1, Costa and Neros.</li>
<li>Tea. Good in Japan too but different. </li>
<li>Ales</li>
<li>Pork Pies</li>
<li>British TV</li>
<li>NHS and access to medicines</li>
<li>British humour </li>
<li>Queues</li>
<li>Friends (Some of them on the right)</li>
<li>Family</li>
<li>Social understanding</li>
<li>Seasons</li>
<li>Queuing</li>
<li>Relaxed hobbies</li>
<li>Cheese. As in actual cheese and not cheese flavoured rubber.</li>
<li>Not sweating 24/7 during the summer</li>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<li>The countryside</li>
</ol>
Let me know your thoughts. What is great about England? I'll even extend it to Great Britain if that makes life easier. Comment below.<br />
Till Next Time! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-8053031179821847962012-09-28T21:19:00.002+01:002012-09-28T21:21:10.704+01:00Ladies, put your testicals away in church!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAErHI8qPnM/T8jb9FgCh_I/AAAAAAAACfA/RJxwZ1YSFnQ/s1600/lady+gaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Not the strangest style she's worn!" border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MAErHI8qPnM/T8jb9FgCh_I/AAAAAAAACfA/RJxwZ1YSFnQ/s200/lady+gaga.jpg" title="Lady Gaga with testical hair." width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Gaga with testical hair. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A really intersting concept.<br />
Did paul mean ladies' hair was thier 'covering' or 'testicals'?<br />
I know! Sounds mental right? Well it's from good scholars, not nut jobs.<br />
Might be right and might not be. Have a look and decide for yourself <br />
<br />
See this post by Richard Beck: <a href="http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/head-coverings-in-worship-why-female.html">http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/head-coverings-in-worship-why-female.html</a><br />
<br />
and this short essay by Mark Goodacre: <br />
<a href="http://markgoodacre.org/peribolaionJBL.pdf">http://markgoodacre.org/peribolaionJBL.pdf</a><br />
<br />
H/T: <a href="http://nearemmaus.com/2012/09/28/around-the-blogosphere-09-28-2012/">Nearemmaus</a><br />
<br />
Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-38335358461093820002012-08-29T20:20:00.001+01:002012-08-29T20:20:30.399+01:00To learn ASAP<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L038mQSOi7o" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<pre><b>Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode</b>
|--------|-/3-3-3-/3-3-3-/3-3-|-3---------------|
|----3-5-|-/3-3-3-/3-3-3-/3-3-|-3-6-5-3---------|
|-/4-----|--------------------|---------3-4-----|
|--------|--------------------|-------------5-5-|
|------------------|------------------|--------------|-3-----------|
|------------------|----3-5-3---------|----3----3----|-3----3----3-|
|-/4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|-/4-4-4-4\2p0-----|-5b---5b---5b-|---5b---5b---|
|-/5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|--------------2p0-|--------------|-------------|
|--------------|-3-----------|----3-------5-3-|---------------3---|
|----3----3----|-3----3----3-|------6-5-3-----|-6-5-3--------3--6-|
|-5b---5b---5b-|---5b---5b---|-5b-------------|-------5-3---4-----|
|--------------|-------------|----------------|-------------------|
|---------------------|-------------|
|-5-3----3----3-------|-------------|
|-----5b---5b---5--3h4|-0-----------|
|---------------------|-------------|
||---------|---------|---------|---------|
||.3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|
||.0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|
||---------|---------|---------|---------|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|
|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|
|-1-1-1-1-|-1-1-1-1-|-1-1-1-1-|-1-1-1-1-|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|
|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|-5-5-7-5-|-5-5-7-5-|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|
|-3-3-3-3-|-3-3-3-3-|-1-1-1-1-|-1-1-1-1-|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|---------|---------|---------|---------|
|---------|---------|---5-5-5-|-5-5-5-5-||
|-3-3-5-3-|-3-3-5-3-|---3-3-3-|-3-3-3-3.||
|-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-|---------|--------.||
|---------|---------|---------|---------||
/ = slide up
\ = slide down
b = bend up
h = hammer-on
p = pull-off</pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre><a href="http://home.arcor.de/crazydawg/tabs.html">Here for this tab and many more!</a></pre>
<pre> </pre>
<pre>Till Next Time! </pre>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-44617373936189613492012-08-26T14:09:00.001+01:002012-08-26T14:09:03.357+01:00Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong passed away this week. In his honour here are two lesser known facts:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuc6f-bv8YYCGXz9YKnQn2M2JJWPoyP2FbQQyIP3YsexuzLY93K5FpyhOCRTrvfgBIpwSUDZzEGmJn1Bqb9_gXtOqf4ydkmI4_sLf6h0I2OOVFsgurxXUWfKYEppo3WpV_P20uDrHk9A/s1600/NAuke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuc6f-bv8YYCGXz9YKnQn2M2JJWPoyP2FbQQyIP3YsexuzLY93K5FpyhOCRTrvfgBIpwSUDZzEGmJn1Bqb9_gXtOqf4ydkmI4_sLf6h0I2OOVFsgurxXUWfKYEppo3WpV_P20uDrHk9A/s200/NAuke.jpg" width="200" /></a>1)He was a Ukulele player and requested one to be left in quarantine to pass his time. (See photo)<br />
<br />
2)He was a Christian. He and Buzz took communion before emerging from the Pod.<br />
<br />
Till Next Time! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gotaukulele.com/2012/08/rip-neil-armstrong.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GotAUkulele+%28GOT+A+UKULELE+...%29">H/T GOT A UKULELE</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-21974414176577526092012-08-26T09:29:00.001+01:002012-08-26T09:29:58.026+01:00I Won't Be Lazy - A Parody of 'Call Me Maybe' by Carley Ray Jepsen<span style="font-size: small;">A song for Woodmansterne primary school. It was performed on the last Tuesday assembly of the Summer term. It reminds us that holiday is not so we can be lazy but to have fun, help others and serve our family. Lyrics and chords are below (as well as the original and Cookie Monster Version videos)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/68CTdIVlMeQ" width="420"></iframe><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-right: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #007fbf;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>Em*</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D</b></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I threw my
bag on the floor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">ain’t got to work now at all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I kicked my
shoes off my feet,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And now I’ll watch T.V</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />My Mum is
whinging at me,<br />”Do chores and turn off T.V”<br />but it’s my
holiday time,<br />I turned the volume up.<br /><br />Wait! What am I
doing?<br />getting fat with all this chewing<br />lawn is needing
mowing.<br />Should I help my parents, maybe?</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="western">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>CHORUS</b><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hey,
it’s the summer,<br />And I feel lazy,<br />playing consoles,<br />and
watching T.V.</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.27cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s
time to do right,<br />stop thinking of me,<br />start helping others.<br />I
won’t be lazy!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1.27cm; margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hey,
it’s the summer,<br />go and climb trees<br />play some football<br />swim
in the sea<br /><br />I’ll use the body<br />that God gave me<br />for fun
and service.<br />I won’t be lazy!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ll
go out, have some fun,<br />not sit all day on my bum,<br />I’ll use my
holiday time,<br />to play out with my friends.<br /><br />I’ll clean the
table at home,</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ll
wash the dishes with mum,</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ll
do whatever I can,</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">to
love my family.<br /><br />Great, we’re doing better<br />loving one
another<br />Love like Jesus loves us.<br />I want to be more like him,
today!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> CHORUS</b> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>BRIDGE</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C
G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />When
I live just for myself</span><br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so bad</span><br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so bad</span><br />
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D
C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so, so bad<br /><br />But when we live for someone else<br />and
live for Jesus<br />His love completes us<br />and makes us so, so glad.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>CHORUS 2 </b></span><span style="color: #007fbf; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>Em*</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #007fbf; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’ll
use the body<br />that God gave me<br />for fun and service.<br />I won’t
be lazy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It’s time
to do right,<br />stop thinking of me,<br />start helping others.<br />I
won’t be lazy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hey,
it’s the summer,<br />go and climb trees<br />play some football<br />swim
in the sea</span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>BRIDGE 2 </b></span>
<br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C
G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />When
I live just for myself</span><br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so bad</span><br />
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so bad</span><br />
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D
C</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />my
life is so, so bad<br /><br />But when we live for someone else<br />and
live for Jesus<br />His love completes us </span><span style="color: #00ccff; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><b>D
G</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
won’t be lazy!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">---------------------------------------</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>G</b></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
- 0232</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Em*</b></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
- 0402</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>C</b></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
- 0003</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>D</b></span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
- 2220</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In case you've not heard it before, here is the original</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fWNaR-rxAic" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and here is a(nother) brilliant parody!</span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-qTIGg3I5y8" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: 0.16cm;">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Till Next Time!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-73139443840695228572012-08-22T18:22:00.000+01:002012-08-22T18:22:13.046+01:00Lectio DivinaScripture knowledge today, even among Christians, is poor. I Have been a student of scripture most of my life and I still find my knowledge lacking, and even more the living out of the message. One great way to help us engage with scripture is Lectio Divina. You may have heard the phrase before. Here is a fantastic introduction by Dr. Joanne Jung to what it is and how to do it. Give it a listen, give it a go and see what God has to say and have you do today.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FnclELwr190" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://open.biola.edu/">Courtesy of Biola. Check them out!</a><br />
<br />
Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-46523643418933886592012-08-21T16:48:00.002+01:002012-08-21T16:48:29.036+01:00 Some Guidelines for Reading Old Testament Narrative<span style="font-weight: normal;">In the west we are often more comfortable with the New Testament as it fits into the Hellenistic framework we're used to. The Old testament can sometimes feel puzzling and even when we read commentaries it can sometimes be hard to see how they came to that conclusion. Here are 10 principles copied from <a href="http://julianfreeman.ca/bible/guidelines-reading-testament-narrative">Julian Freeman</a> which can help us interpret Old Testament narrative passages.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
10 Principles for Interpreting OT Narrative: </h2>
<ol>
<li>A narrative usually does not directly teach a doctrine but rather
illustrates a doctrine or doctrines taught propositionally elsewhere</li>
<li>A narrative records simply what happened, not necessarily what <em>should</em> have happened or what should happen every time</li>
<li>We’re not always told at the end of the narrative what was good
& bad; narratives invite reflection and thoughtful pondering based
on other teachings</li>
<li>The things that happen in a narrative are not necessarily a positive
example for us, even if the person is a positive figure by and large</li>
<li>Most people are far from perfection; so are there actions</li>
<li>All narratives are incomplete and selective in details; sometimes
what is left out is as important as what is included (what is important
is that we know everything the inspired author intended of us to know)</li>
<li>A narrative is not written to answer all our theological questions and they are misinterpreted if we come with <em>our</em> questions, rather than the questions the narrator wants to answer</li>
<li>God is the real ‘good’ character and the hero of all biblical narrative; he is the only one always worthy of emulation</li>
<li>The historical narratives are <em>always</em> to be interpreted by the teaching material</li>
<li>Always remember that Jesus told us the story is about him; you
haven’t finished understanding the narrative as a Christian until you
see how it helps you to understand and know and love him </li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
I think these are really helpful although I'd like to comment on #10. Although this is very much true we can sometimes look too hard to make Jesus fit into things in a way he's not meant to. For a classic example, Song of Songs is a wonderful love poem and rightly praises romantic love. It does teach us about Jesus in that he shows us that he is a God who rejoices in love and sex in correct context. It is not, however, an allegory for Jesus and the church. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song%20of%20Songs%207:7-8&version=NIV">I don't want Jesus climbing my palm trees and taking hold of my fruit, if you know what I mean!</a><br />
<br />
Till Next Time!<br />
<br />
H/T: <a href="http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/blog/ontoagoodthing210812/">Good book Company</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-40266939489713180852012-08-16T21:47:00.001+01:002012-08-16T21:52:32.065+01:00Heart Shaped TattooMany of you will already know James Hill. I love his song 'Heart Shaped Tattoo' and so spent this eve working out the chords and tabs for it. I think its pretty good but I'll let you decide for yourself. Download it here: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/u825sjayvdu7jug/Heartshapedtattoo.pdf">https://www.dropbox.com/s/u825sjayvdu7jug/Heartshapedtattoo.pdf</a><br />
For now here is the original for your enjoyment:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nlfrHelmX34" width="560"></iframe><br />
Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-84362259964201697362012-08-16T21:17:00.000+01:002012-08-21T09:58:47.892+01:00The Ukuleles on BBC Breakfast this morningThe imaginatively names 'The Ukuleles' were on BBC Breakfast this morning. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00xg7j0">Go here to check it out</a>.<br />
or if you're outside the UK, check this video out: <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3llAKRy2WIk" width="560"></iframe><br />
Till Next Time!<br />
<a href="http://www.gotaukulele.com/2012/08/the-ukuleles-make-bbc.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GotAUkulele+%28GOT+A+UKULELE+...%29">H/T</a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-26863711901103997162012-07-08T22:39:00.001+01:002012-07-08T22:39:30.476+01:00Light<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What follows are the two short talks from my brothers baptism on 08/07/12.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Light
to walk in</u></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">John 8 v.12</span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> There once was a mole boy who lived in a mole hole
in the mole ground with his mole family. He ate all the best grubs and the
slimiest worms. It was very, very dark underground, too dark to use his eyes,
so he never even opened them. Instead he felt where he was going with his nose
and whiskers, and sensed things move in the soil around him. One day he
remembered what his granddad told him about this place called ‘the Outside’. He
was told that it was a very scary place but he was far too curious to not go so
he started digging up as fast as he could. He reach the point where there was
no more soil to dig. It felt like a cave but bigger, and there was a warm
breeze through the air. “This must be the outside!” he thought and started
exploring around. He walked a little then fell over something hard and round.
He stood back up and started walking again until he walked into something tall
and covered in bark. “My granddad was right, this is scary”, he thought. He
stood up again and started walking again but this time he tried to be very
carefully but suddenly he fell into a big puddle of water. Something grabbed
him and pulled him to the side. “Ribbit” said the stranger “What did you jump
into my house for?” “I’m sorry” said the mole. “I didn’t mean to. There’s no
mud around me to feel so I don’t know where I’m going.” The stranger laughed,
“Silly mole! Open your eyes. It’s not dark like in your home, there is light
everywhere!” As he did he could see everything. The rock he fell over, the tree
he bumped into, the pond he fell into and the helpful stranger, Mr. Frog.
Suddenly the outside wasn’t odd and scary anymore but was exciting and
wonderful. All because he opened his eyes to the light and saw everything in a
new way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We can be a bit like that mole can’t we.
Feeling out through our lives, not really knowing what to do or where to go.
Life can seem a bit like finding our way in the dark, falling over thing we
come across. Jesus said that he is the ‘Light of the world’. No longer do we
have to go through life in darkness, instead Jesus brings us light and guides
us where to go. All we have to do is open our eyes to him and follow. He shows
us how to live, worshipping God and loving one another, and leads the way. No
longer do we have to stumble on our own because Jesus, the light, will lead us
if only follow. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><u>You are the light of the world!</u></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Mathew 5 vv.14-16</span></b><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(<i>Set up lamp under bucket</i>) It’s
getting a bit dark in here isn’t it? It’s making it quite hard to read the
service sheet so I’ve decided that I’d bring along my lamp to help us all see.
Isn’t it wonderfully bright?! (<i>Await response</i>) It <i>is</i> on, so why
can’t we see the light? <i>(Await response and remove bucket).</i> Well that’s
much better now isn’t it! I suppose lights are only useful if we can see them
aren’t they. It’s a bit silly to have a light and then hide it away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We’ve already looked this morning at how
Jesus said that <i>he</i> was the light of the world but now we have heard
something else Jesus said, that we are the light of the world. Light can be
catching. If we follow Jesus then we start to shine light just like he does; we
start to do what he does, to love good and shun evil, to worship like he does.
Therefore our lives shine out into the world like a light in the darkness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It’s infectious to others around us too. When
people see how God’s family live and the light that we show, it shines on them
too. It shows how wonderful and good it is to below to God and shines light on
those things we do wrong so they can be made right. It’s attractive and draws
people into God’s marvellous light. It would be odd then wouldn’t it to hide
this light away, like hiding a lamp under a bucket. Instead we should shine the
light we received from Jesus to all around us by the way we live, act and
speak. Instead we let our light shine all around so that others can see and
start to follow God too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It’s a bit like the Olympic torch. (<i>Help</i><i>: torch + 3 candles and Jason</i>) It
is said that there is one flame in Greece that a torch is lighted from, which
lights the next torch and the next and the next until they spread all across
the world. God is that one flame, that one light. Jesus shared that with his
followers, who told others who told other until we get till today where Jason
has taken up the light which he will let shine out to share with others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 100%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So then friends, see the light that Jesus
shines and then follow him like Jason has begun to do. Catch the light
yourself, live a life pleasing to God and attractive to those around you, then
shine it for all too see that they too can follow and shine too, pleasing their
Father in heaven. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.
Amen <b>Pray</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Till Next Time! </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-18026236434567329972012-07-08T22:33:00.000+01:002012-07-08T22:33:09.132+01:00Parable of the Mole<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/static/projects/DoodleGod22/1461686_med.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://scratch.mit.edu/static/projects/DoodleGod22/1461686_med.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
There once was a mole boy who lived in a mole hole
in the mole ground with his mole family. He ate all the best grubs and the
slimiest worms. It was very, very dark underground, too dark to use his eyes,
so he never even opened them. Instead he felt where he was going with his nose
and whiskers, and sensed things move in the soil around him. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6016/5932622909_7dd67bc586_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6016/5932622909_7dd67bc586_z.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
One day he
remembered what his granddad told him about this place called ‘the Outside’. He
was told that it was a very scary place but he was far too curious to not go so
he started digging up as fast as he could. He reach the point where there was
no more soil to dig. It felt like a cave but bigger, and there was a warm
breeze through the air. “This must be the outside!” he thought and started
exploring around. He walked a little then fell over something hard and round.
He stood back up and started walking again until he walked into something tall
and covered in bark. “My granddad was right, this is scary”, he thought. He
stood up again and started walking again but this time he tried to be very
carefully but suddenly he fell into a big puddle of water. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles7/923271/projects/3407983/1dc0127c292936f28a5ed3bf604ee0a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://behance.vo.llnwd.net/profiles7/923271/projects/3407983/1dc0127c292936f28a5ed3bf604ee0a8.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
Something grabbed
him and pulled him to the side. “Ribbit” said the stranger “What did you jump
into my house for?” “I’m sorry” said the mole. “I didn’t mean to. There’s no
mud around me to feel so I don’t know where I’m going.” The stranger laughed,
“Silly mole! Open your eyes. It’s not dark like in your home, there is light
everywhere!” As he did he could see everything. The rock he fell over, the tree
he bumped into, the pond he fell into and the helpful stranger, Mr. Frog.
Suddenly the outside wasn’t odd and scary anymore but was exciting and
wonderful. All because he opened his eyes to the light and saw everything in a
new way.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-54277686007008111682012-06-24T15:11:00.000+01:002012-06-24T15:11:28.132+01:00What Did I Do That For?! - Sermon Here follows the sermon preached at 6:30 on 24th June 2012 (an abridged version was preached at the 10:30 Baptism service.<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What did I
do that for?! </span></u></b></div>
<h1 style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Passages: Romans 7:15-8:8 / John 14: 15-27</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpuxNJFHLbj2vQKTKJdGJO6JUwXI1IgpUqk0bW6F5O-6waftfwF-z_ql0o6KLfWXHX9uhjUKnLZ0Dd804H34Tqbd2opl6zVkeZ2SGZJafPPYxmmU5TsXKVvmrPXngKZylvm0EzfXUlE/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpuxNJFHLbj2vQKTKJdGJO6JUwXI1IgpUqk0bW6F5O-6waftfwF-z_ql0o6KLfWXHX9uhjUKnLZ0Dd804H34Tqbd2opl6zVkeZ2SGZJafPPYxmmU5TsXKVvmrPXngKZylvm0EzfXUlE/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5NfQUyjUCADAf-oEh7e-ZURMTs-4PL9c5mbQ-G_7MsaxGrcysRCEXVQQbFG08f1Gxlyr-0P6JIuLBO68jlsthmoNVt0By0JEYhRJ_uB6AeMfUzmlSxRrqIXtT8iXHIQVCS4bqZZqTb4/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This
morning is confession time. For the last month or so I have been on that thing
we all hate: a diet! That however is not my confession. Salads and red-top milk
now lace my fridge and meat has become an absent friend for the most part.
Treats are supposed to be low-fat which often seems to be a synonym for
tasteless or salty. It means trips to the gym although on the plus side that
also means trips to the sauna. Believe it or not I do want to do this: to
improve my health, improve my stamina, sleep better and so on. Here is my
confession: I am an awful cheat.<b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2S0xAcyPEjoW20WybLFelqJB4YRNs4CUlSZZYHefVMpMRxF8u9qwalM_CVYKSlDTl83rsd2ilA6uS854h8FgNbLGpPPnPkuzMqMrS_gV4Tm7JPl-XBwHfCf9eNWd1WcFyW5P8I_v_Zw/s1600/Slide2.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2S0xAcyPEjoW20WybLFelqJB4YRNs4CUlSZZYHefVMpMRxF8u9qwalM_CVYKSlDTl83rsd2ilA6uS854h8FgNbLGpPPnPkuzMqMrS_gV4Tm7JPl-XBwHfCf9eNWd1WcFyW5P8I_v_Zw/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Despite wanting to loose
weight it seems that I want crisps, cream cakes and fast food too. I am my own
worst enemy. I have a constant internal battle between what I want to do and
what I seem to do. I nearly always immediately regret when I cheat and yet I
keep doing it. It’s a self-destructive cycle that I don’t seem to be able to
escape from. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Life can
be like this, can’t it. We set ourselves goals, we set ourselves morals to live
by: to do good and avoid evil. We set out with genuine intentions to do these
things and often start out well. To be more patient with our families, to smile
more at work, to be more generous with our money or to look after our money
better, to stop smoking, to put others first, to look after our health, the
list goes on and on. Sometimes we manage this yet after a while we fall back
into those old patterns to self and want, then the whole process starts over
again and again. All too often it seems impossible to escape and if we do then
we are one of the few that manage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XisrJVS7-zpxpINuaNc1j-25oaaeJ07vN8c9jhqXrz4YTjZLOZkafVSaEcd6zFvQ2snUbGAZP1-A8idXF8a1om21f2OyegKO2rS6HbVgpaVjeCvmlcwm06z9Lxo14iNvH0bL5cGA98k/s1600/Slide3.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XisrJVS7-zpxpINuaNc1j-25oaaeJ07vN8c9jhqXrz4YTjZLOZkafVSaEcd6zFvQ2snUbGAZP1-A8idXF8a1om21f2OyegKO2rS6HbVgpaVjeCvmlcwm06z9Lxo14iNvH0bL5cGA98k/s200/Slide3.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In our
reading today Paul was thinking some very similar thoughts. He was in despair.
All those good things God said to do like loving God first, putting other
before himself, loving everyone, working on his temper, not worrying so much,
he constantly kept failing at. And all those things God said not to do like
breaking promises, hurting others in words and actions, being selfish and
loosing our temper, these he just kept on doing. Its not like he wanted to be
selfish, yet if he looked at his actions that’s what he kept doing. Why was it
that even though he always wanted to be good that he kept failing. It didn’t
make any sense. He wanted to obey God and follow his ways and yet too often he
simply followed his selfish nature. It is the human condition and has plagued
us, and every other person in history, for our whole lives. We seem like a
people torn in two directions and that is exactly how Paul sees it. On the one
hand he desires to do good and to follow God, yet on the other hand he keeps
doing evil, the thing we call sin; those things that ignore God and neighbour
and focus only on ourselves. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9-NxPWTogTJ-j2Hn1aSWxAjuK6IM7ZTOxxrps0WzxAOzeRgfKDiOKS0ID-GugyuzbORsvEobgF-d3Ay-kIbGjWJmhBtB9qbh_eF-6SaVhYVlMlc36IsPzsFqvTv0UVVTn48Aet8QLmY/s1600/Slide4.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9-NxPWTogTJ-j2Hn1aSWxAjuK6IM7ZTOxxrps0WzxAOzeRgfKDiOKS0ID-GugyuzbORsvEobgF-d3Ay-kIbGjWJmhBtB9qbh_eF-6SaVhYVlMlc36IsPzsFqvTv0UVVTn48Aet8QLmY/s200/Slide4.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO6PxHzU4oALrSpl7fmaoUvqzTRPuNGxf4Do5m1IJV1sFAzmDaO2Xf8KGIMdyLyivE-G6-RPj7C0ah128pYBGH-vLbqm_Quqlwx_DFF5QCTOCIIqNRekuN8Y4uu0KZFt4Mumkhp4RJQk/s1600/Slide6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">God calls
us to be perfect just as he too is perfect. A holy God that calls us to be
holy. He wants us to come to him, to love him and follow him, to enjoy being
known as his. He desires for us to be whole, to be the people he made us to be
and to know the immense love that he has for us and yet he cannot have a hint
of sin in his presence, not even an inkling. It’s like having a knife you’ve
used to spread marmite then wanting to use it to spread butter. Not matter how
much you scrape it on the toast there is still some marmite the gets into the
butter and corrupts it. It seems hopeless, even impossible, especially if we
look to our past. None of us can honestly say that we have lived a perfect life
so far, nor can we envisage it in the future no matter how hard we try. It can
often feel like locking the gates after the horse has bolted. Perhaps we find
ourselves echoing the language that Paul uses, “<span class="textrom-7-24"><i>What
a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to
death?</i>” The system we are trapped in, this system of sin that leads to
death, needs to be broken and yet our attempts to break it simply drive us
deeper into that very system. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO6PxHzU4oALrSpl7fmaoUvqzTRPuNGxf4Do5m1IJV1sFAzmDaO2Xf8KGIMdyLyivE-G6-RPj7C0ah128pYBGH-vLbqm_Quqlwx_DFF5QCTOCIIqNRekuN8Y4uu0KZFt4Mumkhp4RJQk/s1600/Slide6.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO6PxHzU4oALrSpl7fmaoUvqzTRPuNGxf4Do5m1IJV1sFAzmDaO2Xf8KGIMdyLyivE-G6-RPj7C0ah128pYBGH-vLbqm_Quqlwx_DFF5QCTOCIIqNRekuN8Y4uu0KZFt4Mumkhp4RJQk/s200/Slide6.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="textrom-7-24"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></span><span class="textrom-7-24"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It is like
an old clay-bottomed well. Over the years the well has all but dried up. The
only remains of water is the wet clay at the bottom. One day a boy walks past
this well with his father and the father warns the boy sternly, ‘you must never
go near that well. It is very dangerous’. The next day, enticed by the well,
the boy returns on his own and leans over to look how far the well goes down
and why his dad thinks it’s so dangerous. At that moment he slips and falls to
the bottom. As he sits the bottom his feet get stuck in the clay and not
wanting to get in more trouble he tries to get out himself. The problem is that
the more he struggles the deeper into the wet clay he sinks. Every wiggle and
jump he uses to get out simply drives him deeper and deeper into the clay. It
seems like there is no hope.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So has God
abandoned us to failure? No, and that is the good news; God has come to redeem
us. He has not left us but rather has come to rescue us and all we have to do
is accept that. Much like that boy in the well. If he decided to continue
trying to rescue himself then surely he would be trapped forever, but instead
he realised that he needed help. The clay was too much for him to deal with and
needed someone outside the well to rescue him. So he called out to his Dad “I’m
sorry, please help”. Hearing his son’s cried he ran to the well with a rope,
tied one end around a tree and threw the other end down the well. He climbed
down the rope, reached out his hand for his son to grab and pulled him out. We
too needed someone not trapped in the system of sin and death that we are
trapped in and so God came down the rope into our well, the world, to rescue us
in Jesus. That sin we commit; ignoring God, his law and our neighbours, our
selfish ambitions needed to be dealt with and so Jesus did, by dying on the
cross then rising to life again 3 days later. The penalty of death paid on our
behalf. All we have to do, like with any gift, is to accept it and say to God,
like the boy to his dad, “I’m sorry, please help”. That is why Paul, after his
declaration of despair suddenly busts out into, ‘<span class="textrom-7-25"><i>Thanks
be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!</i>’ The question
begs to be asked then. A question that we all must ask, young and old. Have we
called out to God, rejected our selfish ambitions and accepted his rescue? My
friends, don’t do what that boy did and struggle in the clay but call out to
your heavenly father to pull you out.</span></span></div>
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<b></b></div>
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<b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO6PxHzU4oALrSpl7fmaoUvqzTRPuNGxf4Do5m1IJV1sFAzmDaO2Xf8KGIMdyLyivE-G6-RPj7C0ah128pYBGH-vLbqm_Quqlwx_DFF5QCTOCIIqNRekuN8Y4uu0KZFt4Mumkhp4RJQk/s1600/Slide6.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqO6PxHzU4oALrSpl7fmaoUvqzTRPuNGxf4Do5m1IJV1sFAzmDaO2Xf8KGIMdyLyivE-G6-RPj7C0ah128pYBGH-vLbqm_Quqlwx_DFF5QCTOCIIqNRekuN8Y4uu0KZFt4Mumkhp4RJQk/s200/Slide6.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The wonder
is then, that if we have accepted God’s rescue then we are out of that system.
No longer are we stuck in that clay of sin binding us to death. That depressing
cycle that leads us to despair, guilt and condemnation is made powerless to us
for we are now part of a family with God as the head leading the way, the
church. That’s all well and good you may say, God has pulled us out of the clay
of sin but what keeps us from falling back into it again? Well, God doesn’t
leave us to struggle alone, nor simply pat us on the back and wish us luck. If
we were left to our own devices we’d simply fall back into that well of sin
over and over again, in fact that was the problem in the first place. Paul puts
it like this in verses 5-8, “<span class="textrom-8-5"><i>Those who live
according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires…</i></span><span class="textrom-8-6"><i>The mind governed by the flesh is death</i>…</span><span class="textrom-8-7"><i>The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does
not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.</i></span><span class="textrom-8-8"><i><sup> </sup>Those
who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.</i></span><span class="textrom-8-5">” Now here ‘flesh’ doesn’t mean our physical bodies as if
they were evil, far from it, as God has created us, rather it is a shorthand
term used to mean the sinful things we do and think that has permeated our very
nature, the corrupted nature that we have come to live-by. If we carry on
living as we have always done, by the ‘flesh’ then we will fall back into sin
as we have before. It’s a basic principle of life. If we do the same things
over and over again then we should expect the same outcome over and over again.
To change an outcome the process must be changed. The ‘flesh’, Paul says, is
hostile to God: by it’s very nature it seeks self, it seeks gratification, it
seeks glory. No wonder then that it is hostile to God and to his laws, his ways
because that would mean acknowledging our weakness, our need for rescue, that
God is greater then we are, that his ways are greater then our ways. Those that
live like that cannot please God then, it is the natural conclusion that we
must come to. No matter how much good we do, no matter how much we come to
church or partake in the sacraments, we still have a nature problem of ‘flesh’;
we ultimately will reject God for self and can never reach him.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRN_tf2F1S-9Gguv0hvBaHEBNjRF2xDaApaEhTMKMwwXnOXYMC7HEDihNiK7iBeVZmpg8xwP2iDQR2HX6fLDCv6GhCsiHfUr4Vkl3_za0mTv-ldvD7tYhQb26BGcnKKOd3LJ-lx6oTks/s1600/Slide7.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRN_tf2F1S-9Gguv0hvBaHEBNjRF2xDaApaEhTMKMwwXnOXYMC7HEDihNiK7iBeVZmpg8xwP2iDQR2HX6fLDCv6GhCsiHfUr4Vkl3_za0mTv-ldvD7tYhQb26BGcnKKOd3LJ-lx6oTks/s200/Slide7.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There is
another way though for those that accept that rescue God offers. A complete
change of mind is offered to remove us from the perpetual cycle of sin. Later
in Romans Paul puts it like this, ‘<i>D<span class="textrom-12-2">o not conform
to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good,
pleasing and perfect will</span></i><span class="textrom-12-2">.’(Rom 12:2) So
how then do we transform our minds? It is by receiving the Holy Spirit. When
speaking of his death and ascension Jesus told the disciples not to worry
because he’s not leaving them alone, rather he is sending us the Holy Spirit
who will ‘</span><span class="woj"><i>teach [us] all things and will remind [us]
of everything [Jesus has] said to [us].</i>’ We must allow the Holy Spirit to
change us, to transform us, to teach us of God’s ways and to strengthen us to
live that way. </span>As Paul says in verses 6-7, ‘<span class="textrom-8-5"><i>those
who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit
desires…</i></span><span class="textrom-8-6"><i>the mind governed by the Spirit
is life and peace.</i>’ It means living differently, seeking what the Holy
Spirit wants and desires, dying to our old ways of self and want and finding
life in him.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5NfQUyjUCADAf-oEh7e-ZURMTs-4PL9c5mbQ-G_7MsaxGrcysRCEXVQQbFG08f1Gxlyr-0P6JIuLBO68jlsthmoNVt0By0JEYhRJ_uB6AeMfUzmlSxRrqIXtT8iXHIQVCS4bqZZqTb4/s1600/Slide8.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5NfQUyjUCADAf-oEh7e-ZURMTs-4PL9c5mbQ-G_7MsaxGrcysRCEXVQQbFG08f1Gxlyr-0P6JIuLBO68jlsthmoNVt0By0JEYhRJ_uB6AeMfUzmlSxRrqIXtT8iXHIQVCS4bqZZqTb4/s200/Slide8.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="textrom-8-6"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">When we
seek to be physically stronger we lift weights, we train, we stretch. This
principle is true for spirituality too. We must stretch out spiritual muscles,
training ourselves in righteousness and holiness. Learning to listen as the
Holy Spirit convicts, teaches, comforts and guides. To make time each day to
pray and to read the bible, and meet regularly with other Christians to share
what God is saying by his Holy Spirit and to spur one another on in holiness.
To choose each day to reject self and follow him, and to keep the promises we
have made.Is this easy, no but it is certainly worth it. It is also
why we make promises to support one another and to meet together. God has given
us the church for a reason. So let’s listen to his voice, let’s look for his
guidance, let’s forget the flesh and set our minds on the desires of the Spirit
to find life and peace. Amen</span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span class="textrom-8-6">Pray</span></h2>
<h2 style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span class="textrom-8-6">------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-indent: 0cm;">
<span class="textrom-8-6"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Till Next Time! </span></span></h2>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-56460835027238031722012-05-30T19:58:00.001+01:002012-05-30T19:58:12.395+01:00Day Conference on Lament (London)This looks amazing. Hope you agree.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzqjOlLkjb7B_b5dCz07I57roQ6uoZzRI-nWVtJD8sKlvJqYFORHCPp0BIxhQYn_5-XHh9bLOb_fLZDA43-RUP5-r0pZEh17ZeJwGXHC_XO2vjci0pp8ZkpxNPCJGIExHyxEppDDMKuc/s1600/Lam_confposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzqjOlLkjb7B_b5dCz07I57roQ6uoZzRI-nWVtJD8sKlvJqYFORHCPp0BIxhQYn_5-XHh9bLOb_fLZDA43-RUP5-r0pZEh17ZeJwGXHC_XO2vjci0pp8ZkpxNPCJGIExHyxEppDDMKuc/s640/Lam_confposter.jpg" width="452" /></a><br />
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Thanks To Robin Parry at <a href="http://theologicalscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/">Theological Scribbles</a> <br />
Till Next Time!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-57828487559941484732012-05-01T17:19:00.003+01:002012-05-01T17:19:41.965+01:0010 Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained For Ministry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-image/mainimages/blog/shutterstock_92015645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://sojo.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-image/mainimages/blog/shutterstock_92015645.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
At the moment I am going through the process of being ordained in the Anglican church. Then my Rector (that's vicar with an weird historical name) passed this on to me. I wont take it personally!:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_578017751"><br /></a><br />
<a href="http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/04/30/10-reasons-why-men-should-not-be-ordained-ministry">10 Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained For Ministry</a><br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://sojo.net/biography/eugene-cho">Eugene Cho </a>who wrote the post over at <a href="http://sojo.net/">Soujouners</a> and to <a href="http://www.saintpeterschurch.org.uk/">Mick Hough</a> who tipped me off on Facebook.<br />
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Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-37115221109121063602012-04-13T01:03:00.000+01:002012-04-13T01:03:19.211+01:00SuperglueA wrote a song. It's childish and gross, but them so am I. Enjoy....if you can!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gAZCzIJPS6U" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-52344669469043840322012-04-08T16:55:00.001+01:002012-04-08T16:55:38.162+01:00The fate of post-enlightenment mankind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk13/Peven67/bloomcounty.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk13/Peven67/bloomcounty.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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To reject God is to reject our source.<br />
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Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-2157716084226382702012-04-07T12:57:00.003+01:002012-04-07T12:57:55.333+01:00Maundy Thursday Reflection<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">What follows is the Maundy reflection delivered at St. Peter's Woodmansterne by Rev. Art Baron. Enjoy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Philippians 2.1-11 and John 13.1-17; 31-35</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">An old Doctor friend of mine had a favourite
story which he used to tell his medical students with only a moderate degree of
approval.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">It was a particularly busy day at the Pearly
Gates, following<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>something of a minor
disaster on earth, with a large crowd of people queueing to get in to heaven
when somebody strolled up from the back of the queue and was immediately let in
by St Peter. ’Who does he think he is?’ mumbled the crowd. ‘Oh, that’s God,
somebody said, ’but sometimes he thinks he’s a Doctor!’ As you might imagine
some of William’s students did not get the joke. And in fairness most of the
Doctors I know do not fit the description in the joke. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; page-break-after: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">In our reading from Paul’s letter to the church
at Philippi we are told that Jesus knew he was ‘in very nature God,’ but ’did
not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing’
emptied himself, became a servant, a mere slave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br />
Many years ago in a small town in Russia, according to legend, there was a
rabbi who disappeared each Friday morning for several hours. His devoted
congregation, young and old, boasted that during those times, their rabbi went
up to heaven and talked to God!<br />
<br />
One day a stranger moved into the town and, to say the least, was sceptical
about these claims. So, he decided to check it out for himself. Late one
Thursday night he hid himself somewhere in the rabbi's house and waited and
watched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><br />
He saw the rabbi get up, say his prayers, and then dress in peasant clothing.
Then, the rabbi grabbed an axe, went off to the nearby woods, and cut some
firewood, which he then carried to a shack on the outskirts of the village.
There, an old woman and her sick son lived. The rabbi left the wood, enough to
last a week, and then sneaked back home.<br />
<br />
Having seen the rabbi’s actions, the newcomer stayed on and he too, became a
member of the congregation and a disciple of the rabbi. Whenever he heard one
of the villagers brag, “On Friday morning our rabbi ascends all the way to
heaven,” the newcomer would maintain a discreet silence. <br />
<br />
On the first Maundy Thursday, some two-thousand years ago, another rabbi (a
title that means teacher), a rabbi Who also claimed to be the visible,
physical, tangible, human incarnation of God Himself, not only took the form of
a servant but sacrificed his own life for the benefit of others including you
and I.<br />
<br />
On the night before His arrest and subsequent trial and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>crucifixion, Jesus took off his outer
clothing, wrapped a towel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>round his
waist, poured water into a basin and, no doubt on his hands and knees, bent
over and washed the dirty and calloused feet of his disciples, including the
one who he knew would betray him. Peter, who was probably the most vocal of his
disciples, objected, saying ’you shall never wash my feet.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the work of a servant, Peter
thought, not of his Lord and Master.<br />
<br />
Jesus, in effect, told Peter that the Saviour is a servant. The human race
could only be saved from the sin that otherwise kills us by a Saviour so humble
that He is willing to serve the lowest of the low and even die for the worst
sinner who ever lived.<br />
<br />
After washing the feet of all twelve of His closest followers, even the one He
knew would soon betray Him to the Jewish temple police and the Roman soldiers,
Jesus put His outer clothing back on, resumed His place at supper, and no doubt
with all eyes fixed on Him, spoke:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he
asked them. “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I
am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have
done for you.”</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Jesus
is saying that like Him, we should serve each other and others. Jesus says that
when we serve others in His Name, we do more than make them feel good. We give
them a glimpse, a window, into the Kingdom of God. He then in effect says, “Do
this. Be a servant like me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Jesus
also said that we should take up our cross, whatever that may represent for
each one of us, and follow him. The famous German theologian and Pastor
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote that when Christ calls a man he bids him come and
die, which in his case literally meant execution at the hands of the Nazis. It
is in serving others that we should die to ourselves, to our own needs, our own
wants, our own desires, and our own selfish ambitions.<br />
<br />
Today, Christians of all denominations and none, followers of Jesus from around
the world, celebrate Maundy Thursday. Maundy is an Old English word from the
Latin mandatum, which means mandate or commandment. On that first Maundy
Thursday, after washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus gave them a new
commandment. He told them to love one another.<br />
<br />
There is a good reason Jesus linked servant hood and love in the way that He
did that night. Servant hood in Jesus' Name is so extremely powerful because it
is the most profound, meaningful, and practical way we can fulfill His command
to love others.<br />
<br />
And God knows that in this upside down, morally bankrupt, selfish, war and riot
torn world, a world full of disease, famine, and earthquakes, we desperately
need to love each other. The love of Jesus, really and truly lived out by
Christians in the guts of everyday life, makes a difference in this world and
to the lives of ordinary, and not so ordinary, people! In Proverbs chapter 29
verse 18 we read “Where there is no vision the people perish” or “where there
is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.” Let us play our part in
helping to restore that vision of which the writer of proverbs speaks and in
the love we show and the service we render to others that demonstrates His
presence in our lives.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">We
all have our own agendas and often put our own selfish desires before the needs
of others. We build walls between ourselves and God, and between ourselves and
others. We can begin to think that we’re somehow entitled to being first. And
when the world refuses to bend to our wills and preferences, we may dig our
heels in and we may even become angry and bitter at not getting our own way.<br />
<br />
Our lives make a lot more sense once we embrace the simple insight that the
world doesn’t revolve around us, but around God. When we dare to serve others
as Jesus has served us, we give Him an opening that He fills with His love and
his grace and his peace. It is the servants who follow Jesus who show us all
what the Kingdom of God is really like.<br />
<br />
Just as amazingly, like that rabbi who sneaked away on Friday mornings to serve
without recognition, those who serve others in the Name of the God made known
through Jesus Christ., get to feel what heaven is like themselves!<br />
<br />
Speaking for myself, I’m praying this Maundy Thursday that God will keep making
war on my ego and that as I surrender my life to Him, Jesus will make a willing
servant out of me because I love experiencing what heaven is like and I love
sharing it with others!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">When
I was a child at school in the days when hymns were sung and prayers marked the
beginning and the end of the school day we often said the prayer of St Ignatius
of Loyola which was one of the headmasters favourites. It was a prayer which
influenced me greatly and ironically a catholic prayer which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>probably gave me my protestant work ethic,
and I should like to finish with it now:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Dearest
Lord, <br />
teach me to be generous;<br />
teach me to serve You as You deserve;<br />
to give and not to count the cost,<br />
to fight and not to heed the wounds,<br />
to toil and not to seek for rest,<br />
to labour and not to ask for reward<br />
save that of knowing I am doing Your Will. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Amen</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Till Next Time! </span></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-29495182020464860472012-03-27T12:01:00.001+01:002012-03-27T12:01:29.707+01:00Easter Youth Talks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.christart.com/IMAGES-art9ab/clipart/1865/risen-indeed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.christart.com/IMAGES-art9ab/clipart/1865/risen-indeed.png" width="150" /></a></div>
There are a lot of talks to do over Easter. It can be hard to find inspiration and even harder to find brilliant talks that are pretty much ready to use. Here then are a couple of links I've find whilst planning for an Easter Youth talk this week.<br />
Hope they help you as much as they did me:<br />
<br />
1) <a href="http://www.thesource4ym.com/movieclipdiscussions/discussion.aspx?ID=163">We all need a saviou</a>r - Talk based on a clip from Superman Returns. Whether we think it or not, we all need a saviour and that is Jesus.<br />
2) <a href="http://insight.typepad.co.uk/insight/2009/03/washed-clean-an-easter-discussion-starter.html#more">Washed Clean</a> - A talk telling the gospel using a heart shaped cloth and chemicals. Sin makes our heart dirty, Jesus cleans it.<br />
<br />
Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-71281233576741113982012-03-26T22:35:00.002+01:002012-03-27T20:00:35.501+01:00Saviour - An Easter Parody<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SVSQFLJMr3g" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Saviour - An Easter themed Parody of Jessie J's Price Tag.<br />
It's been written for school assemblies to teach a little about the real Easter story.<br />
Please feel free to use it if you'd like it but obviously don't make money from it<br />
as you'll get us all sued! Chords and lyrics below.<br />
<br />
Till Next Time!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;">F Am Dm Bb</span> (alt Capo 5th Fret C Em Am F)<br />
<br />
Seems like everybody’s got it wrong,<br />
Will anybody get it right?<br />
When the myth comes first,<br />
And the truth comes second,<br />
Just stop, for a minute and Smile:)<br />
<br />
Everyone’s so articulate<br />
About an egg of chocolate<br />
A burrow of bunnies<br />
A nest of chicks<br />
That you don’t even know what’s<br />
Right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">Pre-chorus</span>:<br />
<br />
Everybody look to their left (yeah)<br />
Everybody look to their right (ha)<br />
Can you feel that (yeah)<br />
He paid for our sins, that’s right.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus:</span><br />
<br />
It's not about the bunnies, bunnies, bunnies<br />
We don’t need no bunnies, bunnies, bunnies<br />
Wanna hear the world roar!,<br />
It’s all about the saviour<br />
<br />
Ain't about the (ha) T-tweet T-tweet.<br />
Aint about the (yeah) S- sweet S-sweets<br />
Wanna hear the world roar!,<br />
It’s all about the saviour.<br />
<br />
<br />
I need to take you back in time,<br />
When on that cross Jesus died<br />
When he paid for our sin and made love win.<br />
This news is going worldwide<br />
<br />
Why you looking so depressed?<br />
Jesus rose up from the dead.<br />
Just three days down risen up now.<br />
Sat down by his Fathers<br />
Side<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Pre-chorus</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bridge:</span><br />
<br />
Lala-Lala-Lalala hey!<br />
Lala-Lala-Lalala hey!<br />
Lala-Lala-Lalala hey!<br />
Saviour! [X2]<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-88719519675510519052012-02-22T17:33:00.003+00:002012-02-22T17:38:03.264+00:00Finally someone speaking senseImagine that! Someone responds reasonably to silly stories of 'intolerance' in the UK. If only he was a Christian I'd put him forward to be the next Arch Bishop of Canterbury!<br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fg8qg2Thlss" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />Thanks be to Gordon Farmer...I mean God :s<br />HT: Baptist BookwormAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-81912086084799036002012-02-05T19:07:00.002+00:002012-02-05T19:11:09.788+00:00God Hates Checkered Whiptail Lizards<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4179/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4179-38434.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 229px;" src="http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/4179/PreviewComp/SuperStock_4179-38434.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2012/02/god-hates-checkered-whiptail-lizards/">So funny I may cry!</a><br /><br />HT: <a href="www.patheos.com">Patheos</a><br /><br />Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-63950023435636609742012-01-16T22:30:00.000+00:002012-01-16T22:31:57.004+00:00Skinny Love By Me!<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iLioEuvYRU0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-7779386660376747492012-01-15T20:29:00.002+00:002012-01-15T20:34:01.830+00:00Sermon: Pray Together<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUyIXKnG5W-gFO8etN3Dva_87-VcmKGY7BDr2URXjz4vlkNlzpgmYopioTENepqGOVAA3RJGgOX3Q5klDpsEnrBlp-U6Cfy-QkULsBtL9Z1IzoFLRrVWCcPfwxOrZTHwcPTd64SG1pc/s1600/prayer-purpose.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rUyIXKnG5W-gFO8etN3Dva_87-VcmKGY7BDr2URXjz4vlkNlzpgmYopioTENepqGOVAA3RJGgOX3Q5klDpsEnrBlp-U6Cfy-QkULsBtL9Z1IzoFLRrVWCcPfwxOrZTHwcPTd64SG1pc/s320/prayer-purpose.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697959572642785602" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Acts 2:42-47; Luke 18:1-8</span><br /><br />City breaks are all the rage at the moment but this is not a new idea. In the 186o's a group of 5 young students went for the weekend to London. When Sunday came around they could think of nothing better then to go and see the famed Charles Spurgeon preach. So keen were they that they arrive early, so early in fact that the church doors weren't even open yet. On seeing them waiting for the doors to open, a man approached and greeted them, “Gentlemen, let me show you around.” Asking, “Would you like to see the heating plant of the church?” It's not the most exciting offer that you could receive and even less so as it was a rather hot day in July anyway. However, being the polite gentlemen they were they didn't want to offend their host so they consented. The man took the gentlemen down a flight of stairs and quietly opened a door, whispering “This is our heating plant.” The gentlemen looked at each other with surprise for inside was not a boiler, a furnace or anything of the like but rather around 700 people with their heads bowed in prayer asking for God's blessing on the service which was shortly to begin. The man gentle closed the door and said to the gentlemen. “I must apologise, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Charles Spurgeon.”<br /><br /> In our Acts reading today we've heard about the first church to form. Of course there was no church building and in fact the term Christian hadn't even been invented yet. They were simply Jews that followed the Messiah, Jesus. He had ascended back to the father and here was left his little band of followers. This then was a simple church. They met together daily, they ate together and celebrated the Lord's supper, and they prayed. All they had they shared, no matter what it was. Here then was more then a group of individuals who loved Jesus, rather it was a family. Church as it ought to be. Now of course you can have biological family who feel more like a house of strangers then a family so there is obviously more going on here then having the same heavenly father. A family is bonded by mutual interest, by supporting each other, by love, by shared experience. Love and bonding are not passive things: they are active, taking effort to achieve and sustain.<br /><br /> The church has the privilege of sharing Jesus. We believe because others told us, who believed because others told them and so on, a chain that reaches all the way back to Abraham or slightly more immediately to the apostles and the early church we have just heard about. It would have been easy to keep quiet. A group whose leader was rejected by the religious leaders and much of society, and then killed. In fact we hear that is exactly what they did, hid in that locked room until the risen Jesus appeared among them. The likelihood is that they would be treated with suspicion at best and killed at worst, well I say likelihood but we know that is exactly what happened. Fortunately for us they spoke up and the spirit worked powerfully in those first days for we hear that as they shared Jesus there was more then just a few converts. People were being saved everyday, sometimes just 1 or 2 but on one occasion we are told more then 3000 people began to follow Jesus because the holy spirit moved and Peter spoke up. There was something different going on here as this wasn't the first group to claim that the messiah had come, yet suddenly people were coming in droves to follow Jesus. There was something about this new community that was attractive to those around. This new community was genuine. They cared for each other and lived out what they spoke. They cared for those around them and sought not to condemn people but to redeem them trough Jesus. It was a community of sincere love rather then hypocritical piety. It was also a community whose words were accompanied by actions, some were noticeably supernatural like healings and some were seemingly natural like prayer. Either way the people saw that there was more to this community then just a band of people because God was at work there.<br /><br /> There is loads that can be drawn from the passage, but today we are going to focus on just one aspect of that early life. It's something which is vital to a church if it is to be healthy and grow both in quantity and quality: It's prayer. Prayer is the theme for this week and next weeks service. Next week we'll be looking at what prayer is and how to pray but this week I'd like to focus on a specific aspect of prayer, namely corporate prayer.<br /><br />Your first thought may be something like “Why do we need corporate prayer when I can pray on my own?” Which is of course a valid question. In a sense prayer is an individual matter. We require no-one else around to pray any more then we need people around to eat. Although this is true, it is merely eating when we are on our own but it can become a meal when we eat with others. The event which is in itself solitary is improved on when it is done with others. It becomes more then just the mere act and becomes something more then just individuals eating in a room together. In the same way prayer, although it can be done alone, is a different experience when it is done collectively and becomes more then just individuals praying in the same room. This then is the first reason that corporate prayer is so important: it is a relational event. We can share with one another our joys and sorrows and bring them collectively to God. In the same way a family grows by sharing together, so does the church. We have all known times when we want to pray but find ourselves unable, then we can pray for one another, or times when you just want to burst with praise and seek others to join in, then we can pray together.<br /><br /> We all pray. Even if for most people it is a muttered plea in a moment of panic. It is innate in us. The hope is of course that those of us who call ourselves Christians pray regularly, may I dare say daily. It is a relationship thing, not that God may be our slot machine but that we might know him better. Anyone that only spoke to another person to get something would be far from regarded as a friend, rather we speak to develop our friendship, to share, to encourage to build one another up. In the same way prayer is a relational device. It is the mere act of conversing with God. I use the word 'mere' not to belittle the act of pray but rather to emphasise how simple it actually is. It's funny then how such a simple thing as talking, which the majority of us manage quite respectfully every day, perhaps a little too much in some cases, can suddenly be so hard when it comes to talking to God.<br /><br /> This then is the second reason that corporate prayer is so vital: we encourage one another to pray. Many of us take part in group exercise at the gym or moves, or whatever you do. It's not that it cannot be done on your own for the most part but because its easier to do when others are joining in. The same is true of prayer. Where our mind wanders and gets distracted on our own, when we are praying with others our minds can become focused on their prayers, which in turn focuses our mind back on God.<br /><br /> There is a picture that's going around the internet (See above), “Prayer: How to do nothing and still think you're helping”. The truth is that for most people they may agree in public but as we have seen and I'm sure you've hear elsewhere, most people pray. We may be disheartened at the lack of hope that this expresses but the truth is I wonder how much this is our fault. We saw in the reading earlier that the community was attractive to those outside to the point thousands were converting. I'd suggested that at least one aspect of this was sincerity. When this community said it believed something it lived a way that showed it did. So when they said that God loves his people, when they said that God is present and changes lives, when they said that God hears us when we pray, when they said that God wants us to play our part in his story, they meant it and showed it. If it was just words and nothing more then they would be guilty of the same thing that Jesus condemned the religious leaders for at the time. Just empty words. Rather they met daily, the shared life together, they shared Jesus with others and the constantly prayed together.<br /><br /> So as for us, if we say that we believe in the power of God in prayer to change us and to change the world and we don't pray then what are we? And if people do not see that we are a church that prayers then what will that say to them when we say that God hears our prays and wants a relationship with us? It will be just empty words. Just another religion built of self and emptiness. Thirdly then, Corporate prayer then is a witness to new believers and to those outside that God hears and answers our prayers. That God calls us into relationship with him. That when we speak of who God is we truly believe it because our lives reflect when our mouths preach. It is also a witness to one-another and to ourselves that we truly do want God to change the world because we say together “God, change the world and start with us”.<br /><br /> So then friends, I say this boldly: Do not give up meeting together and praying together. Yes on a Sunday but more so: At small groups, with a coffee mid-week, with your family, at Wednesday morning pray and of course the church prayer meetings on the first Tuesday on the month. Build one another up, support one another's prayer life and be a witness to the church and to the world.<br /><br /> PRAY<br /><br />Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7851163058242072594.post-86777497792344238062012-01-01T13:01:00.004+00:002012-01-01T13:11:26.401+00:00Still I will say, 'Blessed be the name of the Lord' - A New Year's Day sermon<span style="font-weight: bold;">Habakkuk 3: 16-19; Matthew 26: 36-50</span><br /><br />El Salvador was a country torn by greed and corruption; 40% of the land was owned by 14 families with 90% of the country’s wealth owned by 0.5% of its people. On the 15 August 1917 a baby was born to a regular and typically poor family, in a small city. Shortly after, the baby was baptised and bought up in the faith, spending much of his free time growing up in one of the two churches in the city. At this time many believers were being persecuted even to the point of death and assassination. At seven he contracted a life-threatening disease but slowly recovered. He was only educated till 13, although that in itself was for then average. He was trained by his father in carpentry as academia very rarely lead to any work but at the age of 14 he left home by horse to begin his calling to ordained ministry in the church. At 25 he became ordained and worked as a parish priest in El Salvador. His eyes were opened to the extreme injustice that was all around him and was known for his hard stance on ethics and justice. Progressive reforms were being issued as the church stood with the people in criticising the government. In 1974 he was made the bishop of the diocese of Santiago de María, where his home city was. The following year the national guard raided a village in his diocese, killing and mutilating the inhabitants. At the funeral of one of the victims, he spoke up against human rights violations. Shortly after, his friend, another priest who was out spoken against the government was gunned down. He buried his friend, although he was not given governmental permission to do so and the next Sunday cancelled all services though-out the country, except one: A mass service, conducted outside the cathedral for all to see. Over 100,000 people turned up to see and hear what he had to say whilst government groups were leafleting: “Be a patriot: Kill a priest.”. For the next three years he spoke up against injustice and received a steady stream of death threats. On Sunday, March 23, 1980, he went to a quiet place to pray then phoned a local news paper to say his goodbyes, telling people that the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. At the service he was speaking, as usual, about how the gospel speaks against injustice including a famous call for the government to repent, "In the name of God, in the name of this suffering people whose cries rise to heaven more loudly each day, I implore you, I beg you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression." The following day, during mass, after speaking about the need for a seed to die for wheat to grow and bring a harvest he was assassinated by a single bullet. His name was Oscar Romero, the Salvadorian martyr.<br /><br />Believe it or not we are still in the middle of the Christmas season. We’ve written cards with “Merry Christmas and a happy new year” inside, or something like that. They may even depict in picture or maybe even in words the cry of the angels “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” It is the season of good will to all mankind and dream of a wonderful season full of parties and rest with friends and family. We also look forward to the new year and hope that it is better then the one that’s gone before, full of hope and expectation for what the new year might bring for us, pregnant with potential. Movies at this time of year particularly are full of happy endings and things that turn out alright in the end. The problem is that things in real life don’t work that way. All of us have bad days, weeks, months and years. For those of us whose year has been wonderful we rejoice in that and look forward to another, but for those of us whose year has bought pain and disappointment the clichés can feel painful and the thought of a new year evokes pain and fear. I think most of us can probably relate to these feelings and if you cannot, although I pray you won’t, you almost certainly will one day. The world is full of wonder and awe but also of pain and disappointment, and no-one is exempt. We like to think that if we are good enough or nice enough, if we do the right things and work hard, or we worship regularly enough then we will have a long and happy life. It was, and in some cultures still is, common to think that if we succeed then we deserve it and if we suffer, we deserve that too. The problem is reality just doesn’t share the same thought. There are plenty of good, loving, kind people, like Oscar Romero, who suffer miserably and plenty of evil, cruel, and twisted people who know little or nothing of pain and struggling.<br /><br />The Jewish people thought very much like this. They were God’s special people so of course God would protect them and give them financial security. If people were poor or ill it was because they weren’t religious enough and didn’t do the right things. You may remember the disciples shock at being told it was hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven because they thought the rich were the ones that God blessed the most. Constantly though we see another picture. The Jews are constantly in trouble. The big two are Exodus and Exile: Exodus, where God saved his people who had been enslaved to hard labour in Egypt, and Exile where the Jews had been invaded, captured and taken to Babylon. The book of Job addresses this subject too. Job looses everything, except his own life, and his friends try to help him by saying that he had done something to deserve it and to repent but Job is insistent that he is innocent. It turns out he is right. He is vindicated by God although he is not given any more answer to why, then to trust in God and his ways.<br /><br />Our OT reading this morning was from a book called Habakkuk. He was a prophet who was troubled by the unfaithfulness of his people and their abominal behaviour. The book starts with Habakkuk complaining at God in the same way many of us still do today, “How long, O lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” and “Why do you tolerate wrong?”. God's answer is 'patience'. “I am doing something in your day that you would not believe even if you were told”. God was telling of the exile, that extremely dark but important period in israels history. Habakkuks message is a call to faith. You have forgotten God and follwed idols, he says. Stop and return to God. Have faith in him and trust. That is where we get to our reading for today. Despite the darkess that is to ensue and the seemingly hopeless situation, Habakkuk chooses to trust in God because he knows who He is. It is not that Habakkuk thinks he will have a better time then the rest for, as we have already heard he has suffered and knows he is not immune but realises that either he can forget God and worship wood and stone which is powerless or he can remember God, the mighty God who loves and remembers his people and is mighty to save.<br /><br />We see the pinnacle of this, as in many things, in Jesus. We know Jesus as the God-man, the one with whom the father is 'well-pleased', the perfect, the righteous. If there was ever one for whom the common thought should be true then it should be Jesus, the truly blessed one. We would expect to see him healthy, rich and happy. This however is not what we see! He is no richer then the average man, he was born running for his life and became a refugee, he was hated by those who you would expect to be his closest allies, he had no real home to speak of, he had few close friends and of those whom he did, one betrayed him and of course he died an early, unjust death of the most horrific nature. In our gospel reading we peek at him at his lowest moment. He feels crushed by the weight of expectation and the severity of what is to come. He takes his closest friends with him for comfort and support and they continually fall asleep. Alone in the garden he prays, “Father, if its possible take this away from me”. This is not an easy or happy life!<br /><br />This year friends perhaps we will feel like Jesus, over-whelmed by all that is expected of us or scared by the prospect of what is to come. Perhaps we are praying to have something taken from us yet it remains, or perhaps we are just praying in general that we might have evil taken from us, as we do everytime we say the Lord's prayer. Perhaps we are tempted to just walk away and leave our worries behind. Remember Jesus, our example. Things were not going how others expected yet he trusted in the father. It meant great pain and loss from his part but he still trusted. He could have walked away but trusted in God and that all things work together for the good of those who love him, even if it means pain now. God never promises to take all pain and suffering from us this side of the new creation but he promises to be with us, just as the father was with Jesus in the garden and how he was with his people in exile.<br /><br />Belief, faith and trust are not abstract principles. They are not things we believe despite the evidence but they are things we actively do. To know God, to know his character, when things are good. To build a relationship and a trust in what he does so that when he seems quiet, when the world seems too much to bear, we have a foundation to work on. C.S. Lewis once said that “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” Are we willing to trust God even in the pain, even if it means pain? Of course this is not easy or passive. Sometimes we ignore God all year and call on him when something goes wrong and wonder why he is hard to hear. We must get practicing at hearing his voice now, get reading the bible and praying, learning his character so that trust is not blind but reasonable behaviour. We must also support each other. Rejoice together when things are good and mourn when they are not. This of course means a community of friends and family, of openness and trust. When others cannot hear God's voice we can speak words of life to them to hear. When our faith is weak alone, together we are strong. When we stumble on the rocks of life alone, together we pick each other up. And of course, as the apostle Paul tells us, where we are weak, God is strong.<br /><br />I of course hope that you will have a year of peace but I pray that our faith is strengthened and that we trust in God no-matter what 2012 brings. In a moment we will listen to a song that speaks of trusting in God no matter the circumstance. I hope that this can be a reminder to each of us this year in the good and the bad. Have a read of the words and dwell on them. It's called 'blessed be your name'.<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mYiaEHfeuDE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Till Next Time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522794031978733696noreply@blogger.com0