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