Rewriting the bible

Saw this on the BBC website, I have never read the "Manga Bible" but they seem like they are trying to do the right thing and at least interesting young people in the stroy of God.

Matt

Richard Dawkins

5 Mins with Richard Dawkins. Thought you maybe interestes in what he has to say.

Matt

Seeing God at work

It is just over a year since Lizzy and I first came to meet people at Aspley. Time has flown by, lots of stuff has happened and will happen. Today was another of the many occasions where I have meet God at work. I recently joined the partnership for Children and Young people for the west area of Nottingham. Having attended about 5 meetings I have been asked to chair the group until next March. I feel completely out of my comfort zone, quite apprehensive about the responsibility and what work it may bring.

But here is where God shows up! My vice chair is someone I meet randomly just 3 weeks ago on a litter pick and she happens to go to a local church. She is someone that I instantly clicked with and will work well with. What an opportunity to be in a very significant position within the structure of Youth and Children's work for the. It will bring many opportunities for our church to show people God's grace and mercy.

At the end of the meeting I warned them that if I say "we will now close in prayer" to forgive me. I got quite a laugh! I guess you had to be there but for me I love it when I get to see God at work.

Matt

Fasting

I have been fasting, one day a week, for a couple of months. I have found it really helpful as part of my week to "go without something" and to focus on prayer throughout my day. Most Thursdays I fast food but a I have also fasted coffee. On the days I do fast I feel more energetic, focused and productive.

I am still getting to grips with making sure I don't make a big thing about it (did wonder if I should blog about it), don't want people to think I am more spiritual because I fast or it to become a ritual but a help aspect to my spiritual life. Fasting is just one simple way for me to focus my mind on God, when my tummy rumbles.... I pray, when I should be eating a meal.... I pray, read or do something productive.

I will continue to fast for the time being but will be mindful that I may need to review it in the future.

Hope it helps if your thinking about it.

Matt

Drinking and Dreaming

I was out last night at the awards ceremony for the Beacon U12's that I coach on Tuesday nights. It was a nice evening, a good opportunity to spend some time meeting the parents and chatting to the boys about football.

A couple of things that I wanted to share.

Firstly, it was evident that what I believe about the churches need to reach people outside of it's buildings is true. Even more true than I first thought. The reality is that if these people are to meet Jesus and follow Him, we need to be image and an an expression on God that is real and visible.

Secondly, one of the lads asked why I wasn't drinking alcohol. He asked if I was driving and was very surprised when I said I didn't drink. His comment was (I think) very significant. He said "its ever mans dream to drink a beer, I know its mine." I was taken aback, this boy is 11 and his dream is to drink. It probably the first time I have every heard such a comment from a young lad. If this is the dreams of our young people the we really need to give them a bigger dream, a deeper dream and a dream that will bring purpose, hope, joy and fulfillment. That dream is a relationship with Jesus, a dream that is as big as you allow it to be and a dream that will never disappoint.

Matt

Make room for Jesus

I got this from a brochure of christian literature that I got this week. There were a number of them of a similar theme.

What struck me was the way it depicts our lives being departmentalised and Jesus being just one part. To say I disagree with it (and therefore will not be buying one) is an understatement. It says to me that these things are OK but Jesus isn't in them. That surely diminishes God's ability to be in all things. I think that God loves sport, jobs, films as much as we do and He is in them too.

Maybe the poster should read "Whatever you get up too, Jesus is there to."

Matt

Season review.

I have been playing for a local Saturday pub football team called "The Beacon." I found the team by wondering over the park and asking the first team I saw if they needed some players. Since then I have had some interesting, frustrating and funny times with them over the season. I even managed one goal and a couple of assists (In 5 starts and a number of short sub appearances) and a appearance in the Senior Cup Final.

As soon as I got a start in the team (which was usually because we were short), the next week someone would turn up who would be more upset than me if they didn't play so I was dropped! This didn't happen once but a number of times. I know I am not the best player in the team but I was only missed 3 games due to other commitments. Lizzy was very patient with me as I turned up home 3 weeks in a row having "run the line" and not played.

Yet I have learnt much and enjoyed it (most of the time). The first few games I felt like a real outsider. In the pub the conversation was not one I would usually have and the language was colourful to say the least. Our manager is one of the few people that can string a sentence together with just swear words and still make sense.

I learnt what it means to feel excluded and be a part of a different culture which I do not feel comfortable in. They have nicked named me the Vicar and keep asking for me to pray for the water so that it is "Holy" and to pray for the win! I have even been asked to dedicate 2 babies whilst on the sidelines (I must follow that up).

I look forward to next season to continue the relationships and allow God to keep teaching me what I means "to be in the world but not of it."

Vision over Visibility

I am a huge U2 fan (going to see them in August) and always buy their latest album. On of my favorites is called "moment of surrender" which I have listened to an awful lot. The line that has got me thinking a lot recently is this line; "At the moment of surrender of vision over visibility."

Why? Because it has made me think about my life as a follower of Jesus and as a leader of a church. Sometimes it feels like the visibility is limited or non-existent in our relationship. We wonder where we are headed, what is going to happen next and are we doing the right thing. I have been questioning myself a lot recently about what I need to prioritise in my life and what our church should be doing to be effective in Aspley.

I even though the visibility maybe poor, the vision is not. The vision of a community connected in Jesus, with each other and for each other is very much alive. Our vision sustains us, it bring hope and passion to keep on going. It breathes life in to our being to get on and do what is required for the kingdom. The vision demands us to surrender to God's plan and let him loose on our lives.

This post may not make much sense to you but its where I find myself and where God finds me too.

Matt

Why do we do it!!

In the Salvation Army weekly paper "The Salvationist" was a small review from "The Times" newspaper regarding the bus adverts in London by the Christian Party. They put posters on buses saying "There is a God" in response to the British Humanist Associations poster that read "There is probably no God." The Christian Party's advert got 1045 complaints, the forth highest received by the Advertising Standards Authority. Two things popped into my mind;

Firstly, this is a reflection of peoples lack of interest in religion or desire to seek a relationship with God. It could be a sign that Christianity is (or has been for a while) on the back foot and people are fed up of the church. It also highlights to us that people want to be left alone o make up the mind about whether or not there is a God.

Secondly, I was left feeling that if we have to resort to putting adverts on buses, we really have lost the plot. I believe that news like this does nothing but harm to the church at all levels. People will look at us and think that we lack confidence in our faith and in our claims on the power of the God we worship. Our mission, if done effectively, should never need a publicity stunt or packaging.

My hope is that I can be confident in my faith and in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for His people.

Matt

Rhythm or Retreat

I have been on our SA leaders retreat for the East Midlands this week. It is was nice to get away, have time to read, catch up with a few friends and have some teach on Servant Leadership. The teaching was good with stuff for me to take away and think about.

However, I was prompted to think about the retreats purpose and value via a line in a song we used. The 4 words were "rhythm of His grace". I wonder how many of the leaders present were there to get away because they are worn out, burned out, spiritually low or just far to busy and don't get time to stop. Without trying to sound like I have it sorted, retreat for me is not necessary or vital for my well being yet nor is it a thorn in my week.

My experience is that you need a good rhythm to your week, whether an Officer, centre manager, office worker, at school etc. Having a rhythm allows you to have free time to read, think, time to do the house work and have leisure time in your week. As I look at Jesus life there is always times of rest, time for friends, teaching, others and doing His Fathers work. When He is arrested, charged and crucified He is ready for it, He know God's grace is what will sustain Him for what was to come.

Matt

Taking to the streets

I have given up my car for driving to the church for lent in an attempt for me to do more walking and save some money. One of the things that has also been good is having some time to myself either silently or with my ipod with the occasional hello to those people who stole by.
On Monday evening as I was walked home, I walked past the local C of E church where they were in full swing with bell ringing practice. I took of my ipod to listen and I have to say they were pretty good. As I popped my ear phone back in Matt Redman's "take it to the streets" came on.
What a contrast between the bells calling people to come and worship and a song challenging us to GO and worship on the streets.

Matt

Thanks is not always easy!

The last 10 days has been a tough one in our house. It has been a time of hurt and pain for us as a couple as Lizzy miscarried at 7 weeks. It has at times been surreal and at others desperately sad. Some of the times I haven't really thought about it but the all of a sudden the emotion and feelings have crept up on me.

I emailed my best mate Mark (who is in South Africa) to let him know and to ask him to pray for us. We exchanged a few emails and in on of them was this comment; "Thanksgiving is not circumstance dependant". Which may seem a little insensitive but that's what good friends are about. It really made me think about our circumstances, others who may have experienced the same thing. Even in times of pain and loss can I still praise God, can I still thank Him for who He is and His presence in my life?

It still isn't easy, I think about what could have been, dates and stuff like that but I am also grateful to God for a wife to share my pain with and someone who I can rely on. I give thanks to God for the last week because He has been in it in many different ways, like friends, family and our church community.

This sentence popped up on a PowerPoint slide this week: "Gods answers are always better than our prayers!"

Thanks

Matt

Is this Church?

Is this church?

Of course I know the answer to my question. This picture is from the Saturday Party of our Children's Weekend in Aspley. It was amazing to have about 70 people playing games, singing songs, eating food and chatting to each other. I can imagine heaven to be quite similar! Probably 80% of the people do not have a faith yet they were all worshipping. Dose it matter that they don't realise it or even that they can express it the way we think they should?

So what now, we had a great party and a great Sunday morning meeting but it doesn't stop there. What's next, how do we deepen the relationships and give opportunity for conversations to take place? We need to keep thinking about how we relate and the way's in which we can serve those families in our community. Also, we must seek ways to get out into our community to show that we are willing to get out of the confines of our church and onto "their patch".

We have an awesome opportunity to make a difference, to provide a place of love and care. I pray we get it right!

Matt

Tragets, priorities, projects and people

I was at a meeting yesterday with local partner organisations from the West area of Nottingham. It was really helpful for me to get a extended view of what is going in the area and meet a few local workers and show that the church is interested in community. Yet as the meeting went on, I grew very aware that allow a lot of "good stuff" was going on, they were all targeted at certain groups or priorities and actually could be quite harmful to communities. All the projects had strings attached, funding stipulations or a certain percentage for certain groups. People were spoke of as commodities rather than as human beings who exist in community.

It has really got me thinking again about how we do mission, how we do effective mission in Aspley as a church. Projects and events are all well and good but are pointless if they are not firstly grounded in the gospel and secondly built on a foundation of relationships. Whats the point of mission without being intentional about our reasons? Are we scared that we won't get funding from people if we tell them we are Christians? Should we just do our own thing in isolation anyway?

I believe that the church needs to be more positive about it's intentions and be willing to be bold in it's mission. Yet, we need to make sure we do not alienate ourselves from reality, from other organisations, those who make decisions and of course our communities.

Matt

No second generation!

Whilst watching the cricket (which England look unlikly to win) I was reading my current book "Total Church" by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. It very interesting and challenging my thoughts about church. One such sentance has stopped me in my tracks and I had to blog about it.

They said "There need be no second-generation churches if the church is constantly re-configuring itself through church planting."

The Salvation Army has in the past been successful at growing its congregations by keeping families in the SA and their children "coming through the ranks." Yet our numbers are in decline, churches are struggling to survive and attract people to its fellowship. Have we been guilty of seeking to maintain the SA/church fellowship rather than be confident to growing and dreaming of what the SA could be. Being a forth generation Salvationist maybe I am to blame.

How do established churches break out and seek to focus on community and mission without losing faith, committed people from its fellowships who are use to the way things are. But is that a good enough reason not to investigate planting? Surely a church plant in essence is a second-generation church!

All I know is that we need to look at all the options and be ready to change.

Matt

Big Church Little Church

So what is it to be? Small Church or Big Church? What is the future for the church in our country? Will people find large professional places of worship inviting or small intimate settings! What abouts cells, interest groups or house churches? Is every church suppose to grow numerically and look for bigger premises or is planting the future?

I so feel so confused as to what is "the best thing to do" for a church to grow and develop. Currently I find myself in a Salvation Army church in Nottingham that has been here for many years with committed members. I am really enjoying the challenge, the community and hope that comes through lead a group of followers forward. I want to be in Aspley for as long as possible. One day, I would love to plant a new church one day. Go into a community where there is no expression of the church and believe that God can raise up a community willing and ready to worship and serve.

But I keep coming back to the question "what is best?"

I am learning that every church/worshipping community can grow, can be what God desires it to be and that there is not one perfect model of church. We have tried to do that in the past and it only worked for so long. We need to be prepared to re-think, re-shape and re-imagine what the church should be and what it can be.

Matt

Conversion or Conversations??

I read this last night.

In a post modern world we should count conversations rather than conversions. In other words the church should not be driven by numbers of new people, converts or members but by the conversations that occur within the community regarding the Kingdom of God.

So are "Kingdom conversations" equal to seeing people make a decision to follow Christ? I guess there is a wider debate to be had about the place on conversion in the 21st century. My head as a Salvationist says that providing opportunity for people to make a decision is part of who we are, our history and a tool for spreading the good news.

But my heart says that we do not live in a world where people can make such a clear cut choice (for various reasons i.e unable to live up to the standard, commitment is to much etc) and sign on a dotted line to say that they are a Christian. Certainly in my time in Aspley it has been the conversations that have led to decisions, changes, opportunities and deepen faith. I don't need to record them but store them as encouragement for me and the church.

By it's very nature the good news of Christ will also stir peoples hearts to change but is that how we measure the effectiveness of a church in sharing the story of God.

Matt

What have I been thinking about lately?

Thanks to Brian Mclaren's book "A New Kind of Christian", I have had loads of stuff running through my head lately and just wanted to get it out of my head as it started to hurt!!!

I have been mulling over what the challenge of the church is in the 21st century, what should the church look like, focus on and do to show the heart of God. Is every church suppose to grow numerically and look for bigger premises or is planting the future? Is the church to be poor or rich? How important is Sunday as part of the churches weekly life? Is Post-modernity something to be embraced or is it an enemy of the church?

Not really sure what I think at the moment but that's OK. I believe that as part of a healthy christian journey we must wrestle with these questions and seek God's inspiration to discover the future of the church other wise we will have none.

Over the next few blogs, I will look at a few of the issues.

Matt

Getting away

Being away with Lizzy is great. We are in st ives with friends just chilling out and eating far too much. It has great to get away, too take stock of whats going on at church, read and get lots of fresh air. Cant wait too get back and see what God has in store for us in the coming months. Matt

Patience

Lizzy and I went to see "Strictly Come Dancing - Live" last night. I have to say that I really enjoyed it. The evening's only down point was getting out of the car park afterwards.

We were on the level 9 of the car park with most of the audience fulfilling the spaces. There were large lines of people getting their tickets with only one visible attendant, which didn't help. Once we had our ticket and got back to the car we had to sit for 20 mins before we moved anywhere. within a few moments of getting back to our car the beeping started of impatient drivers waiting in line. Not only that car inched forward every so often to gain that extra few inches in the line. I sat there relaxed and content with my lot and spending time with Lizzy. Yes it was frustrating but really not worth getting wound up about.

It seems that we have become a society where we are unwilling to wait, impatience to get on with our own life no matter what is going on around us. Sadly, I am sure that there will be people who would have got all worked up, maybe even writing complaints when they got home but for me, I got home safely, went to bed and forgot all about it (apart from writing this blog).

How often do we treat God like this, expecting Him to sort out all our problems and issues instantly and for our benefit and not His. This week why don't you stop what your doing and wait.....................................

Matt

P.S - As I was writing this, the story below was being played on News 24.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7490776.stm

A note from a piece by a US composer is to be played this weekend in a German town in what has been called the world's slowest and longest concert.
The church organ in Halberstadt will play the next - sixth - chord of John Cage's As Slow As Possible work.
The performance began in 2000 and is scheduled to last a total of 639 years.
The idea of taking so long to get through the composer's piece is to find a musical way of countering the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Will Obama’s inauguration be an opportunity for the world’s poor?

Got this email from the Micah Challenge: Will Obama’s inauguration be an opportunity for the world’s poor?

The short answer is No! But I really do believe it can have an impact upon the way that our world can refocus it's priorities and values. With Obama in office there are reasons to be hopeful, he is high intelligent, motivated and also passionate about peoples freedom but not forgetting the communal responsibilities we have. The reason why I don't think that his inauguration will be an opportunity for the poor is because he is just one man (even if he is the President!!).

We all have the opportunity to serve and support the poor, even in this difficult economic climate. We can't pin our hopes on one man and leave him to it. He is going to need some help.
Whether in the US, UK or Africa each of us can do something. Our church has raised £225 to buy a cow and goats for families in Africa and we run a Breakfast and After School club for children in a deprived area of Nottingham.

We have loads of opportunities within our local community to serve the poor. Obama is more than welcome to join us but I am sure we will manage without him.

Matt

There is no God!

'No God' campaign draws complaint

Scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins backed the campaign
An atheist campaign claiming "There's probably no God" has been reported to the advertising regulator.
Posters with the slogan appear on 800 buses in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as on the London Underground.
But organisation Christian Voice has complained to the Advertising Standards Authority saying they break rules on substantiation and truthfulness.
The British Humanist Association, which backed the campaign, said it was not taking the complaint seriously. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7818980.stm

I can't help feeling a little embarrassed that the Christian Voice have lodged this complaint. The God I believe in isn't worried about what people think of Him, he's worried if people know Him.

So maybe we should let the athesit waste thier money on expensive ads and we should concentrate on the people in our community who don't yet know Him.

Matt

New Year

For someone who has a lot to say, I have been very quiet on the blogging front. I have being thinking about it lots but have not mustered up the will to do it. Not only that I have not being running since we moved to Aspley and I am feeling very unfit!!
So my new years resolution is to blog three times a week and run twice a week. So here is my blog entry and tomorrow morning I will be out running!!!!

On Saturday in the Pub after football I had a fairly random conversation with a guy called John. I had never me him before then but hopefully will again. We got chatting about my "Salvation Army hoddie." what he said has stuck with me over the past few days. He said "I thought you lot had gone, where are you!" A good question for us a church to answer. That is the second time I have heard that question in a few months - Jimmy Carr that asks that question at his gig.

So where are we? What are we doing? Who knows who and where we are? These are the questions we both locally and nationally we need to answer......and quickly.

What are we going to do about it?

Matt

Carolling or Football

Today was the first carolling gig for the Aspley band indoors at Homebase. It was good fun and a few people were around but it didn't seem that busy. A few people stopped and listened and a few people chatted to our collectors. We raised some money for our corps work which is obvious one of the main reasons why we go out over the festive period.

At 1pm, I had leave early to go off to play football for my pub team. I hadn't played for a few weeks so was looking forward to seeing the guys and maybe get to play. It was a cold afternoon and I was sub so happily took the flag to keep warm on the line. I didn't get on but it was a close game which we came away 3-2 winners.

So which is more important? Do I have to put my role as Corps Officer over playing football? Should I not play football because I should support the band? Or, is my passion to play football and build relationships with guys in the team a good enough reason for leaving early?

Where would Jesus be?

Matt

Is God extinct?

Found this article very interesting, two scientists talking about the whether science has "buried God."

It was really helpful in trying to look at something that I don't doubt (the existence of God) from a hard line scientific point of view. Sometimes it is hard to be subjective about such things because the significant part faith plays in my experience and belief of God.

http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/www_uki.nsf/vw-issue/B2EEA54CB5882BE2802575040053CDF2?opendocument&id=2235A1F2C9E5E225802575040052259C

The "God Delusion" has been sitting on my book shelf for a while maybe I need to dust it down and see exactly what Richard Dawkins has to say.

Matt

P.S - have just recieved the new Rob Bell book - "Jesus wants to save Christians". Thanks Chris and Lib.

Strictly Moaning

I can admit that I watch Strictly Come Dancing. It's good fun watching the trials and tribulations of celebrities leaning to dance. This series how every has started to annoy me. Here's why:

John Sergeant has come under a barrage of abuse and moaning from the judges for still be in. They continue to complain that he has not been voted out by the public. Each week I get more and more annoyed with them because, by now, they should know the premise of the show; to entertain. This is exactly what JS is doing, and personally I love it. The judges can't seem to grasp that the public have the right to vote for who they want, it has been like that for 6 series!! If they wanted a dance show then pick 16 people that can dance to start with. The BBC purposefully get people like JS in because they can't dance to make people watch in the early stages.

The great thing is by the judges moaning only makes people vote for JS even more. I will be voting for him next week!!

I do realise that my street cred(what I had of it) has now disappeared.

Come on John!!!!

Matt

It's not all about money!

Tomorrow is the Stanford 20/20 between England and an All Star team who will play one game of cricket for $2o million, winning team takes all! If England win each player will get about £600,000 for about 3 hours work. It is the richest sporting single game ever.

I love cricket and think that 20/20 is a great asset to the sport that can encourage people to watch and/or play it but it is obscene to think that single game can be worth that much. Kevin Pietersen (England Captain) came out this week and said that "it wasn't about the money only pride in playing for England." I am sure the money helps though. If it was really about pride they would either not have gone of offered the money to charity.

Matt

Unlikely conversations in unlikely places

Since moving to Aspley (Nottingham) I have joined a local football team, The Beacon. I have only started one game so far and came on as sub in the others. Saturday I should have started but because we had a water leak in our dining room so had to hang about whilst a friend sorted out for us (I am not safe to be doing plumbing). As a result I was late and couldn't start the match so was on the side lines as sub.

I was a little annoyed but it was one of those things. Yet, I was soon to find out as to why I was on the bench. During the first half I got chatting to one of the girl friends of our team. She told me that they are expecting a baby in April 09. She knew that I was a minister at the SA and so asked me if I would dedicate their baby next year. I said I would and that it would be an honour to do so. Not only that her boy friends mum comes to our parents and toddlers each week and her brother is the teams manager.

You never know when an opportunity might arise. Kepping looking for them.

Matt

Thinking Global, Acting Local

Yesterday we had our Harvest Celebration which was a lot of fun (even though I did it). I realised that being ethical can actually be a lot of fun. The church really took to what was put to them, so much so that they now want a church goat!!! Bearing in mind we are in urban Nottingham with a side allay for it to live, it didn't seem like the most appropriate idea. Other idea (slightly more realistic) included Solar Panels, energy saving light bulbs, turning down the heating, fair trade tea and coffee and even a church allotment.

However from that we have decided to buy a cow with the money we would spend at Christmas! This may not seem an awful lot or will make a huge difference but it is the beginnings of our church to "think global, act local." What we do locally has an effect on our world globally, so anything we seek to do for the common good must be worth while. There are obvious dangers that buy a cow and not fully realise the impact it can have, it could be a one off and our lifestyles don't change as a result. As a small, urban, relatively well off church we have a responsibility to look different from what our society demands from us. It's part of our mission as Gods people to care for the world and seek to restore it to the state he gave it to us in.

Matt

Blogging and Running

Since moving to Nottingham I have neither blogged on been running. This is my attempt to at least have a go at doing one of them!! To be fair though I have been playing football (all be it as a sub for two 15 min cameo appearances!).

I have quite a lot that I should be blogging about but don't seem to have had the motivation to do it. There is the credit crunch, the Ryder cup, Zimbabwe, the US elections and the Political Conference season.

It was Brown's speech that interests me. I thought it was pretty good, I thought Brown himself was quite good. I was impressed with his emphasis on fairness and justice for all not only in this country but also across the world. He seems genuine in his passion to eradicate poverty by 2020. Some people may see this as political opportunism, some may see it as naiete or a mere pipe dream. Yet as a christian, my hope is that he is right, that it is possible and in my life time. It is not easy. We live in a world that is currently sufering from people greed of wealth and status. These core values surly must change if poverty is to be assigned to history.

I look forward to Cameron's response next week.

Matt

Nearly there.

Well, it is only one more day till we move from Leicester to Nottingham. As from my previous blogs you will have gathered that we can't wait to get there. We have nearly finished the cleaning, only a few last bits to pack and my new car arrives tomorrow.

On Thursday we make the short journey up the M1 to our new home in Aspley. It will be sad to leave Leicester. Lots of happy memories like our first marital home, getting Ruby (our dog), various meal with big Andy, moving from Leicester Castle to Leicester South and much more. But we are assured that what is before us will give us just as much joy as Leicester has. Looking back God has taught us a lot about trusting him and being patient (not always easy for me) and we know that what every is put before us in the future, God will not abandon us but we need to make sure that we call on Him in confidence and hope.

Next week we are at a Summer School for young people in the Salvation Army and then the fun starts in seeing what God has in store for me as the Corps Officer (church leader) in Aspley.
Matt

Life and Dignity

Gordon Brown was in Iraq this week to promote the "success" of the Coalitions efforts in reducing violence and the deaths of UK soldiers and Iraqi's. Obviously, this is very positive news for those who want the Coalition to withdraw from Iraq but I can't help thinking that it seemed a well timed visit know what the "good news" was. Is it possible for politicians (of all parties) to be driven by "the right thing" rather than political gain. This may seem cynical but it is frustrating to see such devastation being used for sound bytes.

Wallis states that; "In matters of life and death there is no left or right right, only right and wrong." (Wallis, 2008:169). This maybe a dream, an unrealistic hope but surely it is not difficult to understand the difference it would make. If our nations were to respond to Darfur, Zimbabwe or Iraq with a basic hope that those that have been wronged are dealt with for their own future and not the future of their own governments what a statement that would make to the world about the importance on individuals lives.

Matt

Commissioning 2008

Commissioning 2008

What a weekend. I have now been commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer, have moved back to Leicester and in 24 days move to Aspley to take up my appointment as the church leader.

It has been a long and difficult year. Lots of traveling for Lizzy and I (22,000 for Lizzy to be precise), lonely weeks apart and the strain of exams and assignments but we have made it.

For me, commissioning weekend symbolised all that is good about faith in God. When He calls people and they respond amazing things happen, anything is possible. For me it is being a church leader for Lizzy it is being a surgeon. Our vocational paths may rarely pass but our journey of faith is very much as one.

God has called us. We responded. Now, we follow.

Matt

P.S Aspley here we come. We can't wait.

Covenant Day.

I have now completed my training as an Salvation Army officer and tomorrow is our sessions Covenant Day. This is where we sign to say that we are committing to live our lives for God as Salvation Army officers. This is a significant day in the process of training and will be a commitment that I make for my life, allowing God to direct me and the ministry I am involved with.

This has felt like a long time coming and am looking forward to it and commissioning on Saturday. But I am more excited about what those days mean in terms of Gods plan for us in the future. Lizzy and I are both excited about moving to Aspley this month (Yippee) and that we can live together permanently again. But most of all we are excited about how God is going to us us as a couple in the life of the church and the community of Aspley. We don't know what that will look like but that's part of the fun and our faith.

Matt

Tsvangirai speaks to the BBC

I have spent the day fasting and praying for Zimbabwe. It has been a good day and I have reflected not just on what I can do but what I believe God can do in this desperate situation.

Mugabe himself said that "Only God would remove him ." What that looks like, I have no idea. It seems that a UN peacekeeping force is problematical, sanctions will effect the citizens of Zimbabwe but words from African leaders will only get us so far.

I believe that God can work in and through all things and my deep prayer is that He will work in this situation and i will continue to pray in that hope. Practically, I am writing a letter to my local MP to express my discomfort and sorrow for the people of Zimbabwe. Will it make a difference? Will I feel better? It is only a small response but I must do something!

Matt



Tsvangirai speaks to the BBC about his decision to pull out of the elections in Zimbabwe.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7480974.stm

Germny or Spain

Well, Holland were knocked out of Euro 2008 by Russia in the quarter finals. So my interests is feel strained in the final tonight. I don't really care who wins. But any football fan will appreciate that you have to support one team or the other.

So I am going for.....Spain. Not because of the usual "we don't like the Germans" line (that is rather outdated and rude) but because Spain have been the only team that have attacked the opposition in all their games. Italy should be given some kind of ban for the way they played against Spain in the Quarter finals. They were negative beyond belief.

As the saying goes, "Football has been the real winner!", it has been a great tournament with the huge disappointment of England getting knocked out when they should have won. Anyway, only two more years when English fans can take a month out of reality, get depressed and buy pointless items of memorabilia. Bring on South Africa 2010.

Matt

What can I do!

Voting in Zimbabwe is underway. There is a choice if an oppressive, dictatorial and murderous leader or an oppressive, dictatorial and murderous leader. Not much of a choice.

President Mugabe is running with this election to legitimise his power and rule to both the citizens of the country and the rest of the world. But everyone knows he does not have the support of his people. He makes them vote with fear for the lives and families lives.

But what can I do? what can we do? In a state of helplessness, I am going fast every Monday for a month to pray for Zimbabwe and its people and government. Its not much but what else can I do. Boycotting products and companies is problematical because of innocent peoples lives being effected by those actions. I can't vote him out! I don't have the influence to make others put pressure on him so pray is my first and last resort.

Join me in prayer that hope and freedom are allowed to rule in Zimbabwe.

Matt

Equality and Diversity

As a white middle class man, my experience of being marginalised is very small indeed. The only significant experience happened in 2004 when Lizzy and I went to India for a Youth Conference. We stayed in the middle of deepest darkest Calcutta and went out for the afternoon on our own. It was obvious that we were the only white people as we were stared at constantly. It was very unnerving and uncomfortable.

Jim Wallis says that "We respect one another because God made us equal, views us as equal, and treats us a equal - and expects us to treat one another the same way" (Wallis, 2008:148)

As I read the chapter on equality and diversity, I realised how unaware I have been about how my actions, words or silence effect others. If I am to live out an inclusive gospel, I can't and must not just value and focus on my feelings or presumptions but the the feelings and opinions of others. In India, I noticed how I must react at home when I come in to contact with those who are not like me, whether Class, gender, race or ability. Am I welcoming, responsive and engaged or do I only subscribe to thoughts, opinions and actions of those I like or who like me?

God's world is just, I hope mine matches up more in the future.

Matt

Third Way interview with Khalid Mish'al

A really useful interview with a senior Muslim Political figure. Here is a small extract from the full interview from Third Way magazine:

Khalid Mish'al is widely regarded as the most senior figure in Hamas, the Islamist resistance movement that two years ago won a landslide victory in the Palestinian general election.

Many Christians in the West are afraid of Islam. Can you tell me honestly what you think of Christianity?
My answer is not a diplomatic answer: it comes from my heart and from my mind. Many people in the West do an injustice to Islam and make false accusations against it, because they misunderstand it or because they see some Muslims behaving badly and they generalise, or because they want to justify aggression, as George [W.] Bush did.
Look today, who is occupying whose lands? The Zionists are occupying Palestine. Should I conclude that Judaism is an aggressive religion? Judaism is a religion revealed by God - we believe in Moses. It is not Judaism that is to blame, but those who claim to adhere to it and wrongfully occupy other people's land in its name. http://www.thirdwaymagazine.com/354

What should a Christian magazine interview a Muslim? Shouldn't we be focused on our on faith and response to Islam and the other religions?
Personally, I found it really helpful to see a different perspective on a situation that I don't full understand. Maybe the church should be more open about interfaith dialogues in order is aid peace and unity.

Matt

A Peaceful Britain!!

Found this hidden in the middle of the Times today:

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) said that arms exporters had added £9.7 billion in new business last year, giving them a larger share of global arms exports than the United States. (The Times,18th June 2008)

This is scary. We say we are a nation for peace yet we are providing various countries weapons.

Weapons are never used for peace. That, in my opinion is a myth. I believe that the church must at all times advocate peace and forgiveness. It is the only way that we will see transformation.

Jesus could have used force, he could have given in to the temptations of power and prestige (Luke 4) but he humbled himself (Phil 2) and gave everything peacefully for the good of others.

Matt

Difficult is worth doing

Honda's latest advert slogan for the new Accord is Difficult is worth doing. There stunt was a live advert on Channel 4. It consisted of a load of people sky diving spelling the word H O N D A in mid air. It looked great, you can see it at this link: http://www.honda.co.uk/accord/

Yesterday, as I saw the poster with these slogan I was reading these words:
"Literally half of God's children on this earth, three billion people, live on less than two dollars a day. And more than one billion people live on less than one dollar per day." (Wallis, Seven Ways to change the World:90).

If difficult is worth doing then why aren't we doing something about this grim statistic. Why am I not doing anything about it? In this chapter, entitled Inclusion and Opportunity, Jim Wallis urges Christians, governments and other faiths to interact with the poor. It is only then that policies and attitudes will change.

God saw the injustice in the world so sent in Jesus to do the difficult, do the impossible. He cam down on to earth and fought for justice, freedom and equality. He out His life on the line. His death was not limited to salvation of souls but the liberty of society from the hold of dictators, oppress and the greedy. What has changed. Nothing, we are the ones that must act and act fast.
Start by signing up for a campaign for social justice at:
http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/keepcampaigning/

Is 61: The Spirit of the Lord is on me now, to bring good news to the poor.

Matt

Changing the world!

Is it possible for individuals to influence that change? How can I, as one person, do anything that will make a difference peoples lives? Is it possible for the world to change a all?
A lot of my reading lately has been around this issue of justice, making a difference and bring hope into hopeless situations. Jim Wallis has presented me with a challenge to make a difference and be a positive voice of God in my community.
In his book, Seven Ways to Change the World he sets out the need for the church he sets out, at great depth, the role of the church in the world, specifically politics. He says; "If the great mountains of greed, injustice, and indifference are to be moved, they will most likely be pushed aside by the mustard seeds of faith" (Wallis, 2007:23).
On Wednesday I heard a SA leader say that social action/justice was just a buzz phrase and only one dimension of the churches role. I could not disagree more, I believe that it is at the very heart, the very centre of the gospel and the church mission in the world today. I can be honest enough to say that I am not engaged as I should be with social justice but I want to be and believe I have to be.
My next few blogs entries will reflect my thoughts and preparation of a journey I believe I am about to embark on.

Matt

Who will you support???

The European Championships are upon us next week and England, as if we needed reminding are not going to be there! So who will you support!

My selection are the Netherlands! One of reasons why is that I went to see them at Euro '96 against the Swiss. The dutch fans were brilliant! A blanket of orange covered Villa Park and they never stopped singing and chanting for there team. Not only that I remember These two old dutch guys next to Mark and I who hugged us when the dutch scored.

The only good thing is that I can watch the games without getting nervous, disappointed or delirious about England performances and no Meta-Tarsal's in sight!!!

Come on the dutch!

Matt

Weak and irrelevant leaders wanted!

"I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self." (In the name of Jesus by Henri J.M Nouwen,1987:17)

Having read this in light of being commissioned as an Officer (minister) in the Salvation Army, i was challenged by what it meant and more importantly, what it looked like. We are told the church needs to be relevant, up to date and connected with it's community. We are taught that leadership involves having tools for the tasks presented before us. What on earth is Nouwen getting at.

Actually, I think it is quite simple. We need skills, tools, passions and knowledge but not at the expense of knowing Jesus. His weakness is the source of our strength, His (seeming) irrelevance gives us authority in this world. Jesus must come first in all we do. "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).

I repeat my call (for myself as much as anyone else); "Weak and irrelevant leaders wanted!"

I'll take the Job!

Matt

A time to run!

Well, I've done it. I have entered the ballot for the London Marathon for 2009.
I have always wanted to do it but never got round to it (probably never plucked up the courage to do it) but hopefully next year I will.
I have even planned some running routes and downloaded a training schedule. But I need to now find the motivation to go out running to prepare for the 26 miles ahead. It won't just happen, I need to put some effort in to finish - alive.

I update my blog with my progress.

Matt

Identity

Who are we? What do we do? What do we look like? Are we recognisable as as a church? Is Uniform out dated? etc.....etc.....etc

These questions seem to have been going round and round the SA world for as long as I can remember. To be honest I am bored of the discussions because we seem to have missed to point.

Does it really matter what we physically look like, surly it i our presence and purpose that will identify us as the Salvation Army, more importantly as followers of Jesus. We have forgotten that the world doesn't need another "fad" or "cool" looking bunch of people, it needs authentic Christianity, lived out so that they can connect it with their own need for salvation.

This debate within the SA world is not that important but yet it has huge implications for us. If we change or lose the uniform how will people recognise us? How will we maintain our image? Will individuals lose their identity? For me, this is irrelevant! I don't think that the world cares what we look like on the outside (they have enough to look at already to occupy them). I don't think that what we put on will show them the gospel and make them respond.

It's a difficult issue but not that difficult!

Matt

Not much to say.....very unlike me

Have been feeling very guilty about not blogging for 3 weeks!! But to be honest I don't have an awful lot to say! Those who know me will be aware that this is quite unusual because I am usually the first to jump in with an opinion, insights or witty but unhelpful comments.
I have come to the conclusion that if in doubt saying nothing is rarely an option for Christians. We have a responsibility to not only speak out but live out our faith as if we really mean and believe it. However, we need to be careful and considerate to the places and conversions we may find ourselves in as to the speed of our responses. Saying nothing may not be wise but how quickly or slowly we respond is up for grabs!
I have been challenged about how I will react to situations within the corps and community in Aspley but also at what speed I respond them. To quickly and I may make a bad choice, to slowly and I may miss out on making a positive contribution to peoples decisions and lives.
Not much to say, Well maybe you will have to wait.

Matt

Easter

Miracle on the Estate
For Good Friday, the residents of Harpurhey in North Manchester - once described as the worst place to live in Britain - join forces with a poet, a composer and a director to see if they can produce their very own mediaeval mystery play, based on the story of the Flood. In so doing they uncover a deep-rooted sense of community, untapped talent and breathe 21st century life into an ancient story of sacrifice and salvation. (BBC.co.uk)

This was the best thing I watched on TV over Easter. It was brilliant and encouraging. Based on the story of Noah, the people of Harpurhey showed just how powerful God's word is. Most of the people were non-Christians but yet seemed to reflect God's heart for community! By the end of the showing of the film they had made they were embracing each other, some near to tears of what they have achieved and others had been changed by the whole experience.

It struck me as I watched, that God can do amazing things if only people let Him. Sound obvious yet we want to make it difficult. We can use the latest fashionable evangelistic tools but at the end of the day there is nothing quite like the gospel being lived out through the ones that read it.

Matt

Visit to Aspley!

went to Nottingham Aspley last week to visit our new church. The one that I am to be responsible for!!! It was great, met some of the staff who seemed really nice, had a look around the build, had a look around our house which we will be moving into in July 08.

We also me with one of the senior leaders, David. We had a really long and exciting chat about what is going on, what there vision was, what the expectation was etc. I remarked that for Lizzy and I our heart was for the non-church! His reply will stay with me for a very long time....... he said "what other reason is there?"

It really hit me that we can't muck about when it comes to to being effective witness! This has challeneged me to really consider how effective I am and whether I really do love unconditionally all people espically who do not have an experience of Jesus.



Matt

Sunday......Holy?

This week in class we were asked the question whether "Sunday was Holy?" Specifically we were asked to think about whether we would encourage our worshipping community to play football on a Sunday instead of going to church?
Should Sunday be a day where everything stops, where all we do is go to church and spend time with our families? No games, no TV etc...
Or has it become a day that is now part of a seven day week with no distinction between week days and weekends?
Either way Sport on Sundays is big business as well as a past time for local people to be involved with.
For me the question is not about whether its on a Sunday or not the question that sprung to my mind is "what is church?" Surely a football to is as good an expression of a christian community as you could hope for. Common goal, team work, focused on others, commitment, hope, expectation and using your talents. There is no reason why a football team can't be "Church." In my experience, A football team with Jesus at the heart can change people, maybe not over night but season after season, He can break in to people's lives and make them feel part of a kingdom and not just a team.
Would I play football on a Sunday? Oh Yes! If as a leader I say one thing and do another, I am not much of a leader!
Matt

Changing the world!

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

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

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

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

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

Secret Agents wanted........

Following on from my last post, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a people of the kingdom. Is it enough just to be a fully paid up member of a local church or is there more to it than that? What does a kingdom based Church look like and how can Churches get there?
I have nearly finished Brian McLaren's book, "The secret message of Jesus" and have been struck by its depth yet simplistic nature. He (McLaren) has been able to dig deep, right to the bone in places, and reveal to me a lot of the bits of have missed or misplaced of my understanding of the kingdom of God. You could be forgiven for thinking that he is taking a huge swipe at the church but I think he is off loading his own frustration and allow himself to become vulnerable to Jesus' message.
God has been testing me and challenging me about what my part is in His kingdom is and about what that will entail. With Appointments only 7 days away it seams all a little to late but actually the timing could not be better! I believe that God has called me to do this and so must believe that he has and still is preparing me for what is to come. The world needs a church that is raw, that is real and is willing to admit that it has missed the point once to often and needs moulding once again by a message that can change the world now! Can I do it, can Lizzy and I do it, can the church do it????? I don't think we have a choice!!

Matt

Is Planting for me?

It don't really enjoy gardening, so why on earth would I want to plant something??

Obviously, I am not talking about flowers but church planting. Last week I was let out of the college to attend the "First steps in church planting" conference. It was a great few days listening to the speakers go through the various aspect of the what, where and why of planting!

The thing that struck me was the need for any expression of the church to a) know it's context and b) be relevant to it's context. I would love to go and plant church but that is not for me to decide (two weeks Thursday til we find out where we are going). If I do, I know that our responsibility is to discern the heart of God already at work in peoples lives and jump on board and play an active role in his impressive story. If I go to an established corps, my prayer is that through prayer, vision and obedience, I will see just where God needs the presence of His people.

Matt

Vicar to stand for council!

Lizzy and I watched the Vicar of Dibly last night - the one where Geraldine stands for the local council against David Horton. This was just the example I needed to help me answer the question I set a few posts ago. "How much should the church be involved in politics?" and "how can we be involved in politics?".

It is clear to me that faith and politics should not be kept apart, in fact they go hand in hand. Politics and church, at their best, are about transformation. That does not mean that Christians make the best politicians but it does mean that Christian need to be involved in politics both locally and national. Political agendas, whether we like it or not, are here to stay and make significant impact on the moral and ethical environment of you and me! We may not understand the terminology but we will experience the impacts.

For example: The "opt out" proposal for organ donations; ID cards, Identity fraud, Hospital cleaning, human cloning, recycling, Education systems etc

We are not inumuune to the effect of decisions made by the goverment (not just our own). We have to relate and seek to unstand the reasons and implictions through diaolgue, newspapers, the internet, Prime Ministers questions and blogs. All are good sources of insight in to the world of politics and provide the church with oppertunitys for interaction.

Matt

Go Go Power Rangers!!!!

"The christian message is not about transcendence and power, but about weakness, vulnerability and powerlessness." (Drane, 2000:13)


I found this quote this week whilst reading for an assignment at College. I love it, i buy in to it!! But i have to be honest and say that I am not sure that I live it!! This idea of being vulnerable seems to go against a lot of what I have been taught about church ministry. I have been told, "don't get to close" or "you need to detach yourself form the people." This has always made me feel very uncomfortable, it goes against who I am. For me, it goes against the purpose of the church and its ability to bring about transformation with in communities. The church seems to quake at even the idea of being vulnerable with each other in the fellowship, let alone strangers.
I don't believe for one moment that we should let people walk all over us (That achieves nothing for anyone) but I am beginning to realise that we need to put ourselves in harms way so that the gospel is clear and real to those who cross our paths.

Matt

P.S My next post will answer the questing I set two post ago!!

Legend

I went to see I am legend last weekend. What a film! I loved it from start to finish. Will Smith was excellent and brought the whole character to life and believable! I can't wait to see it again. I won't spoil what happens, just go and see it for yourselves. The ending is slight weak, it all happens a bit quickly but it is still rather emotional!
At about the same time I had just finished "Intelligent Church" by Steve Chalke. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is frustrated by their church, those who believe their church should do more or just wanting themselves to live out a more together significant Christian life. It was a really easy read but challenged me at the core of my understand about church and it's mission in the world.
Having watched "Legend" and finished "Intelligent Church", it raised in me a question. What "legend" does the church leave on our communities? What do people remember about us? What do people assume they know about us? I don't believe the church should create a legend that makes it look good but be a legend that makes God look good, a legend that means something maybe even just to one person.
I have been challenged to assess not only what I do and why, but how? Let me give you an example. I believed that if I spent time with non-christian friends that I could help them become Christians. A noble cause but I have completely missed the point. My role is to love them for the people that they are not what I want them to be. No agenda, no goal, no evaluation just love. This, I pray, will be my "legend."
Matt

Blair's Conversion?

Two things have struck me about the story of Tony Blair's conversion from the Church of England to the Catholic Church.

The first is this:
What is the big news. I know i don't fully appreciate the complicated history between the CofE and the Roman Catholic Church but i know there is not difference in the God they worship! What is the big news here. Is it a case of the media making to much of something again or is it really that important?

Secondly:

I read the below comment that made challenged me about the state of our nation. it read:

Blair's obvious religious side has long been viewed with suspicion, even hostility, by the largely agnostic or secular British intellectual and media elites. (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1196847405564&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull)

The questions for me is "how much should the church be involved in politics?" and "how can we be involved in politics?"

I will have a think and come back to those.

I hope and pray you have all had a wonderful Christmas!

Matt

Nativity

Anyone else see the "Liverpool Nativity" on BBC 3, if not it is being repeated.......

Liverpool Nativity
Sun 23 Dec, 22:45 - 23:50

BBC One
Contemporary music drama which reworks the Nativity story. Set in a fictitious state, it tells the story of a pregnant young girl set against a backdrop of political tension. [S]

It was an excellent example of "God's" story being brought into a modern day context. I was also pleased to hear that the Bishop of Liverpool was consulted with the planning. I was encouraged by the fact that there were so many people there to take part. For some, I am sure, they would have been there because it was a free night out, singing some Beatles songs and maybe get on TV. Yet everyone looked like they wanted to be there and enter into the "spirit" of the Christmas story for themselves. Who said people don't want to be part of a bigger story!

Matt

Just Pray!!!!!!

Can we ever "just" pray?

This word has been challenging me over the last few weeks about my prayer life and how I pray. I have heard people so often say "we are just going to pray" or "shall we just pray. Just Pray!!! Isn't there more to it than that, isn't it bigger than that. I just check my emails, I just phone a friend or just make a coffee. Surely pray is more than just speaking to God, more than a last resort or more than a menial task.

Or is it?

Pray should be not something that is set a side for certain people or for certain times but a intergrated part of our spiritually well-being and experience. Pray is what keep us in tune with our maker the one who is on the other end of our prayers. Pray is not an excact science but a act of faith, who are we to judge the right and wrong way to pray.

I have really been enlightened whilst reading "Prayer, Does it make any difference?" by Phillip Yancey. His book has helped me think deeply about what I believe pray is and isn't. The book is hard work but has opened up my understanding and allowed God to speak to me about my own prayer life.

The word "just" is something that I still have to work through but I am more convinced than ever about the nessecity to speak to the One who made prayer possible about anything and everthing.

Matt

Standing out!

"Thought Harry Potter was blasphemous? That was kids' stuff compared to the His Dark Materials trilogy, in which God is an impostor, angels are sexually ambiguous and the Church kidnaps, tortures and assassinates to achieve its goals, one of which is stealing children's souls." - http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200711/05014981.html

A Christian group has lost its High Court battle to prosecute the BBC's director general over the screening of Jerry Springer - The Opera in 2005. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7128552.stm

I am glad that the Christian group lost their bid to prosecute the BBC. Not because I think that the BBC should be protected from prosecution but because as a Christian I have no problem with these things being made, even shown. What have we to worry about! I am going to see the Golden Compass because I want to know what all the fuss is about. I want to be able to have opportunity to work through some of the questions for myself because I work with young people who no doubt will go and see it.

I know that God is bigger than any film or opera made by man and if we are to be effective witness we need to know that answers (or work through them with people) when questions are raise through these mediums.

Matt

We won!!!

For only the second time in my life I have seen my beloved Southampton win. We beat Leicester 2 -1. Both time have occurred when i sat in the opposite end to the Saints fans. Today I was sitting in the Grand Hall Stand, comfortable seats, free programme and free tea and coffee. Great.

I didn't wear my Saints shirt and was very restrained when we scored, I don't think anyone noticed me. I just blended in pretending to clap Leicester but really clapping the Saints. We are still in the bottom half but hey ho, there is still a long way to go.

Question for the next post: How can we make the Kingdom visible and not left unnoticed (like me in the crowd)?

Matt