Last week we were on a weeks break in St Ives and it was our friend James' birthday. For him we got him a book entitled "how to change the world - 9 to 5." It was full of fun suggestions on making a difference to people's lives. One of them invited you to give out thank-you stickers to people who have done something for you during the day. We went out for his birthday meal on the Wednesday and took the stickers with us to potential give the waiter/waitress. At the end of our night we duly gave a sticker to our waiter, he seemed reasonably embarrassed buy it but pleased.
The next day, James and I were chatting on "the Island" (not really an Island but it what the locals call it) when noticed to dogs swimming in the sea. They were following their ball deeper and deeper out and the owner was getting more and more paniced so we got up from our seat and jogged quickly to the rock to see if we could help reach the dogs. Without spilling a drop of my coffee i managed to get hold of one of the dogs and climb back along the rocks to its owner. We then set off to see if we could get the other one. This was a mistake, while the owner was getting the other dog, i was going for a swim - fully clothed!!!
Do you think that you could change the world on your own! Probably not, that's why God raised up the church.
Do I know the out come of our two attempts to bring joy and peace to people. No, but I know I tried, I know i did what God expects form his people. Changing the world isn't difficult but changing the way and reason we do things is!
Matt
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
I think it maybe broken!
On reflecting on my post on the cost of the US elections and a couple of lecture at college, I have been reflecting on just how broken our world is. It seems to me that humanity today doesn’t even realise just how broken it has become. People seem to have either begun to ignore it or accept it as the "norm."
What are we (the church) to do? Do we make people aware that they are broken or do we pick them up once they realise?
My gut feeling is that we need to do a bit of both. We need to be proactive in raising issues of morals and ethics within our society but also responding to the impact that these have had already. For example: we need to be a church that is open in it dialogue about Genetic Engineering and the implications that that have upon our moral framework as Christians. We need to make sure people understand the purity and uniqueness of God's creation and how he has made everything as He wanted and we should not try and replace his good work. Yet, we need to be mindful of those who could benefit from such revolutionary medical advances i.e. Dementia, Parkinson’s and other debilitating illnesses.
As a Christian I am not exempt from brokenness, I have experienced it in my own life but I am also a testimony to the power of prayer and passion of others to see that I can be rebuilt and renewed.
Matt
What are we (the church) to do? Do we make people aware that they are broken or do we pick them up once they realise?
My gut feeling is that we need to do a bit of both. We need to be proactive in raising issues of morals and ethics within our society but also responding to the impact that these have had already. For example: we need to be a church that is open in it dialogue about Genetic Engineering and the implications that that have upon our moral framework as Christians. We need to make sure people understand the purity and uniqueness of God's creation and how he has made everything as He wanted and we should not try and replace his good work. Yet, we need to be mindful of those who could benefit from such revolutionary medical advances i.e. Dementia, Parkinson’s and other debilitating illnesses.
As a Christian I am not exempt from brokenness, I have experienced it in my own life but I am also a testimony to the power of prayer and passion of others to see that I can be rebuilt and renewed.
Matt
Monday, February 11, 2008
Appointments
Well here it is.......
As from August Lizzy and I will be moving to Nottingham Aspley and I will be taking up the role as the Corps Officer(church leader) for the church and community centre.
We are really excited about it and can't wait to move and get involved with what is going on. It like a really exciting place to be. There is pre and after school provision, cafe, parents and toddlers, jam club, bible study, Band and Singing group etc....
It feels really strange to know that we are moving yet still have 6 months before we can get there and get on with things. However, I know I still have things to do (like assignments), things to learn (I assume) and things to prepare.
Watch this space for more info about our new home and our new community.
Suddenly, the reality of being an SA officer has hit home and I can't wait!
Matt
As from August Lizzy and I will be moving to Nottingham Aspley and I will be taking up the role as the Corps Officer(church leader) for the church and community centre.
We are really excited about it and can't wait to move and get involved with what is going on. It like a really exciting place to be. There is pre and after school provision, cafe, parents and toddlers, jam club, bible study, Band and Singing group etc....
It feels really strange to know that we are moving yet still have 6 months before we can get there and get on with things. However, I know I still have things to do (like assignments), things to learn (I assume) and things to prepare.
Watch this space for more info about our new home and our new community.
Suddenly, the reality of being an SA officer has hit home and I can't wait!
Matt
Monday, February 04, 2008
Let the count down commence.
Well, here it is! Appointments week!If anyone is reading his who is unfamiliar with the Salvation Army, this is the week when all its Officers and Officers to be, find out if and where they will be moving to in July!
For Lizzy and I Thursday will bring so many emotions with it. Not only are we excited about moving to a new house, a new area and a church but also rather quite scared at the same time. We believe (other wise we wouldn't be doing this) that God has had His hand in our journey all along and we trust Him. But it is still hard to sometimes see that and know it. We have got this far, why should we doubt that God will place us where He wants us and it for us to work through the why over the coming months if not years!
Watch this space for the out come!!
Matt
Friday, February 01, 2008
How much!!
Just been reading about the US Primarys:
"Mr Obama has seen his campaign funds swell since the start of the year, with $32m of contributions reported in January.
He is now running TV advertisements in 20 of the states which will be voting in primaries on Tuesday.
His opponent has yet to release figures for the past month, but the Clinton campaign says it raised $26.8m in the last three months of 2007." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7221388.stm
This adds up to about £29m. I read in the times yesterday that Rudy Giuliani, who pulled out had spent £25m on his failed bid to be the republican candidate.
"Today, the month-long January transfer window closed shutters for the season, with English clubs spending a record £100m on approximately 50 transfer deals, eclipsing the £81m spent two years ago, and the £63m last year. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080131/sports/sports4.html.
Has the world finally gone mad, can it keep pushing it's self in this way! The economy in the US is heading for a recession and the UK's is slowing down. Can we continue to justify this silly, irresponsable spending.
What do we(the church) do about it? Can we do anything about it? Is our only responsability to "pick up the pieces" of the impact that our materialistic world has become or can we actually influence change on a wider scale?
Matt
"Mr Obama has seen his campaign funds swell since the start of the year, with $32m of contributions reported in January.
He is now running TV advertisements in 20 of the states which will be voting in primaries on Tuesday.
His opponent has yet to release figures for the past month, but the Clinton campaign says it raised $26.8m in the last three months of 2007." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7221388.stm
This adds up to about £29m. I read in the times yesterday that Rudy Giuliani, who pulled out had spent £25m on his failed bid to be the republican candidate.
"Today, the month-long January transfer window closed shutters for the season, with English clubs spending a record £100m on approximately 50 transfer deals, eclipsing the £81m spent two years ago, and the £63m last year. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080131/sports/sports4.html.
Has the world finally gone mad, can it keep pushing it's self in this way! The economy in the US is heading for a recession and the UK's is slowing down. Can we continue to justify this silly, irresponsable spending.
What do we(the church) do about it? Can we do anything about it? Is our only responsability to "pick up the pieces" of the impact that our materialistic world has become or can we actually influence change on a wider scale?
Matt
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