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Weblog Archives: May 2002

Friday, May 31, 2002

We've arrived safely in Florida, had a fantastic welcome and are really looking forward to the time we'll spend here. First impressions - amazingly wealthy churches, very noisy "bugs", lots of gators and it's very, very hot. More later with luck.

Posted by Richard @ 05:29 PM BST [Link]

Tuesday, May 28, 2002

I'm going.
Now.

See you in a few thousand miles.

Posted by Richard @ 11:11 PM BST [Link]

I'm grateful to Wood for bringing the story of the Siberian Messiah to my attention. He finds it disturbing. It made me groan. What do you think?

Posted by Richard @ 09:28 AM BST [Link]

I'm late posting, so I've missed Monday. (Note to self: if I ever reach a position of power I'm going to make missing Mondays compulsory) Truth is, I'm late with everything today. Too much to do, too little time - but the warmth of the Florida sunshine begins to beckon, and I find I'm much less anxious about being ready. After all, it will soon be time when the only thing to do is to get on a plane. Happy? You bet!
All the preparations have meant that I haven't done much 'browsing' recently. However, I'm intrigued by suggestions of anti-semitism in the Eurovision Song Contest. Can anyone explain to me what this story is about? The Eurovision Song Contest is alot of things - camp, kitsch, dull, unhip, deeply weird, oddly compulsive, to name but a few - but antisemitic?? I doubt if the charge will stick. (It occurs to me that if you're reading this in the USA, you probably haven't a clue what the Eurovision Song Contest is. Believe me - ignorance is bliss)

Posted by Richard @ 12:53 AM BST [Link]

Sunday, May 26, 2002

Yesterday, Wood challenged me to come up with an anology between the Trinity and making a cup of tea. Here's my first effort.

Hi Kid's! I often think that the Trinity is rather like a cup of tea. You pour hot water onto tea leaves and give it a stir. What you get (tea!) contains water, essences from the tea leaves and energy from the stirring. There are three parts, but you cannot separate them. The cup of tea is a unity. Just like the Trinity.
:o) So could you do any better?

Posted by Richard @ 11:03 PM BST [Link]

Bah! I've just had to fix the first bit of vandalism on Compass. I hope you enjoyed yourself, whoever you are, but it's not big and it's not clever. Even my 5 year old daughter understands that.
Incidentally, the Wiki hasn't taken off as I expected it to. Anyone got any idea why?

Posted by Richard @ 10:53 PM BST [Link]

Saturday, May 25, 2002

Panic is setting in.
I've been away taking my dogs to their sitters (hence no updates), Ruth's not been well and we keep finding stuff that needs doing before we go away. And I've got three services tomorrow. Aaaaaagh!
Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday, aka 'the Preacher's Graveyard'. What I can promise is that there'll be no attempt to "explain" the Trinity: no ice/water/steam, shell/white/yolk, body/mind/spirit or shamrock type illustrations, each in its own way a reinvention of some ancient heresy. God is not to be 'explained' nor can the doctrine of the Trinity be 'examined'. The proper response to God is not enquiry, but worship and wonder; the Trinity is not the subject for our investigation, rather the Trinity examines and tests us. Blessed be God forever!

Posted by Richard @ 09:00 PM BST [Link]

Wednesday, May 22, 2002

The wiki word of the week is ECUMENISM. Read the definition - if you've anything to add, from academic article to silly story, click "Edit this page" and go right ahead. (More information about how this works)

Posted by Richard @ 11:01 PM BST [Link] 

Soundbite of the day #3:
         "I'm a Christian, I don't have to think"

Posted by Richard @ 06:47 PM BST [Link]

Tuesday, May 21, 2002

Couldn't resist this mathematical one-liner:
There are 10 types of people in the world:those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Posted by Richard @ 11:15 PM BST [Link]

Soundbite of the day #2: Advice to a student confused about 'conversion'

"Coming to faith is rather like falling in love; for some it's love at first sight, for others it takes a bit of time"

Posted by Richard @ 02:39 PM BST [Link]

Monday, May 20, 2002

Our weekly dose of Charles Wesley:


O Love divine, what hast thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father’s co-eternal Son
Bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th’immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Is crucified for me and you,
To bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
Ye all are bought with Jesus’ blood.
Pardon for all flows from His side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Behold him, all ye that pass by,
The bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Saviour die,
And say, “Was ever grief like His?”
Come, feel with me His blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Then let us sit beneath His cross,
And gladly catch the healing stream:
All things for Him account but loss,
And give up all our hearts to Him:
Of nothing think or speak beside,
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

Posted by Richard @ 11:43 PM BST [Link]

Here's a few words from the first entry of Martin Roth's weblog:

For those in the West trying to live as Christians it sometimes seems that the whole culture is conspiring against us.
Jesus preached a message that was revolutionary in its day: love, forgiveness, service, integrity, trust, humility, prayer, compassion, justice, and more. Yet too often in our world today we see self-interest placed ahead of love and compassion, rule by the powerful in place of justice and service, spin instead of honesty and integrity.
The message of Jesus has become revolutionary again. Christianity is the new counter-culture.

Amen!

Posted by Richard @ 06:34 PM BST [Link]

Sunday, May 19, 2002

We had an ecumenical service for Pentecost today, a great occasion with most local churches at least represented. In the sermon, Kim Fabricius told this story:

'A couple went to see the minister about becoming members of the church. "Of course," said the man, "we're too busy to take part in any midweek activities." His wife added, "And we wouldn't be able to join the envelope or covenant scheme - we're already very heavily committed financially. We wouldn't be able to come every week either. We both play golf, and there are times when we have work to catch up on at the weekends."
The minister was thoughtful for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry, but I don't think that this is the church for you. We obviously have a different understanding of belonging. But don't worry. There is a another church not far away that I'm sure you'd find ideal."
The couple went away and walked a few hundred yards, where they found their perfect church - boarded up, and long since closed.'

Posted by Richard @ 03:44 PM BST [Link]

More from the blog of Andrew Careaga

We've been asking the wrong questions about the Net. And we're still asking the wrong questions. Even those of us who think we get it.
What are the right questions? I don't know if I know what the right questions are. But I know some different questions we could be asking.
Instead of asking, "How can I make my page cool?" or "How can I get more hits on our church website?" or "How can I establish community with our church website?" why don't we try asking, "How can we engage Internet culture by joining in on the conversations that are happening all over the Net?" or "How can we be a part of the community that already exists online"?
Instead of talking about static billboards (websites), why don't we talk about the dynamic conversations springing up all over the Net -- on blogs, in chat rooms, over IM, on many and sundry forums, via Usenet?
Instead of debating among ourselves whether authentic community can exist over the Net, why don't we go out into all the world of cyberspace and be part of the community that does indeed exist on the Net? Who knows? Maybe the church can add some authenticity to what's there?

Posted by Richard @ 07:58 AM BST [Link]

Saturday, May 18, 2002

How do you picture the Spirit of God at work in the world? Sometimes Christians behave as though God wields his power like a sledgehammer, crushing opposition with devastating force.
Some years ago, a neighbour put down a new tarmac surface at the front of his garage. He took great care and made a fine job of it. He was rewarded with a smooth black surface on which to park his car. It wasn't long though before the black uniformity was broken by a spot of green as the leaves of a dandelion plant inexorably pushed through the hard surface. When I saw the dandelion, it made me think of the way God's Spirit is at work - not with shattering fury, but with irresistable gentleness, bringing new life in situations that seem beyond all hope.

Posted by Richard @ 09:32 PM BST [Link]

THERE'S TOO MUCH TO DO! Sorry to shout, but I'm "on the edge". Preparations for our trip to Florida are falling behind schedule, and it's my fault. These entries may get a little sporadic over the next little while... Please bear with me.

Posted by Richard @ 02:14 PM BST [Link]

Thursday, May 16, 2002

Here's a "spiritual exercise" that we've invited people in our church to undertake. Thought I'd give it a wider airing:

God is present in all aspects of our lives, but there may be specific areas in which you are aware of God's invitation to serve. Under each of the headings listed, note the areas where you feel a call to serve.


Find a quiet moment to ask if God is still calling you to work in these ways, or is it time to move to new areas of commitment?

Posted by Richard @ 11:34 PM BST [Link]

Wednesday, May 15, 2002

From the United Methodist News Service
It is interesting to speculate how, if they had been at his disposal in the
18th century, Methodism's founder might have taken advantage of today's
communication techniques... [more]

Posted by Richard @ 11:44 PM BST [Link]

Soundbite of the Day #1:
"We use our religion to justify our politics when it should be used to shape them" (Wood)

Posted by Richard @ 03:28 PM BST [Link]

Tuesday, May 14, 2002

From the blog of Andrew Careaga

According to the U.S. Congregational Life Survey, released recently, "American worship is lopsided toward small congregations, fewer men in the pews, a once-a-week gathering and few newcomers at the service." Moreover, according to The Washington Times, "'Most worshippers are not involved in small groups in their congregation,' the study said. Also, 'in an entire year, most people did not invite even one person.'

Sound familiar?

Posted by Richard @ 11:54 PM BST [Link]

The Open Forum has had some interesting conversations recently. Sometimes it even gets quite scholarly!

Posted by Richard @ 06:57 PM BST [Link]

I've been contacted by the founder of Mars Hill Review which is described as "a journal of provocative thought and transcendent stories". Here's what Kim Hutchins, the founder and publisher has to say:


We challenge common assumptions that music, film, literature and other narratives are inherently secular or sacred.
Three times a year, we publish original essays, intriguing interviews, fiction, nonfiction, poetry and insightful reviews of film, music and books. Our readers are offered both an education for the mind (in the Essays, Studies and Interviews sections) and an experience for the soul (in our Reminders of God offerings). Noted author Peter Kreeft comments, "I find the fiction and literary criticism in Mars Hill Review to be especially valuable... I know of no published Christian equivalent."
Founded in 1993, we're in the Literary and Poetry section of 300+ general trade bookstores nationwide (presumably this means the USA) and in Canada (Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton, Bookstops) as well as many independent stores and newsstands.

It looks like an interesting journal - their site has some interesting stuff on it and I'm glad to share the link.

Posted by Richard @ 01:14 AM BST [Link]

Monday, May 13, 2002

David & Victoria Beckham, Britain's real royalty, held a bit of a charity bash yesterday. The BBC reports that the event is expected to raise £400,000 for the work of NSPCC, which I suppose is a "good thing" and not to be sneered at. But it's also reported that the event was attended by about 400 celebrities, and that it will be shown on television for our entertainment. Well. Is it just me? Am I being churlish? Or is the parading of celebrity charity just a little bit sickening?

Posted by Richard @ 07:13 PM BST [Link]

Craig Schwarze's reflection on silence and solitude is well worth giving some thought to. Like most people I know, I don't find it easy to get 'quiet moments', and tend to fill them with guilt when I do.

Posted by Richard @ 04:31 PM BST [Link]

Sunday, May 12, 2002

More from good ol' C. Wesley...


Jesus! the Name high over all,
In hell or earth or sky;
Angels and men before it fall,
And devils fear and fly.

Jesus! the Name to sinners dear,
The Name to sinners given;
It scatters all their guilty fear,
It turns their hell to heaven.

Jesus! the prisoner’s fetters breaks,
And bruises Satan’s head;
Power into strengthless souls it speaks,
And life into the dead.

O that the world might taste and see
The riches of His grace!
The arms of love that compass me
Would all mankind embrace.

His only righteousness I show,
His saving grace proclaim;
’Tis all my business here below
To cry “Behold the Lamb!”

Happy, if with my latest breath
I might but gasp His Name,
Preach Him to all and cry in death,
“Behold, behold the Lamb!”

Posted by Richard @ 11:46 PM BST [Link]

I was a bit surprised at the interest in my list of (current) favourite songs that I posted a day or two ago, but it set me thinking about some of the other music I've enjoyed but 'forgotten' about. But who could forget Peter & the Test Tube Babies and their timeless classic, "Elvis is dead"? Keep a place in your mind, too, for the Dodgems with the wonderful "Lord Lucan is Missing". They don't write them like they used to...

Posted by Richard @ 03:44 PM BST [Link]

In case you were worried, I feel better already. I've just read what Martin Roth has to say about theConnexion and this blog and, well modesty forbids me repeating it. But you could read his entry for May 10th! Martin is trying to maintain a list of Christian weblogs - no easy task.
I'm much cheered by his encouragement, and reminded just how important "encouraging" is. In a culture which increasingly values the clever "put down" this is surely something Christians can help others rediscover. Can't we?

Posted by Richard @ 01:09 AM BST [Link]

Saturday, May 11, 2002

Do you ever get days when you've been really busy all day, but end up not having achieved the things you set out to do because other stuff got in the way?
Yeah? I'm glad it's not just me then. I wouldn't like to think I was the only one who had days like today. For some reason I'm reminded of a bit of graffiti a friend claimed to have seen in the "gents" of a university physics department: Gravity doesn't exist - the earth sucks

No doubt I'll be back to my usual sunny self tomorrow.

Posted by Richard @ 11:46 PM BST [Link]

Friday, May 10, 2002

There has been a terrible rail crash at Potters Bar in England. 8 people have died, many more have been injured. (Get the full story) The media are already talking about a lack of confidence in rail safety, but the facts must speak for themselves. The latest statistics I could find were for 1999. Rail deaths: 37, Road deaths: 3423 (Stats from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety) Rail crashes are dreadful events, but deaths on the road are almost too common to warrant reporting in the media. I hope that this tragedy will not be used as a stick to beat the railways with.

Posted by Richard @ 11:38 PM BST [Link]

Thursday, May 9, 2002

Not much time, and very little energy tonight. I'm touched by a mention on the weblog of Andrew Careaga. Returning the favour is the least I can do. Apparently he likes the Buzzcocks too. It's through his blog that I came across this fine example of how not to use the Bible. Read it and weep!

Posted by Richard @ 11:26 PM BST [Link]

Wednesday, May 8, 2002

10 favourite records (no particular order)


This is not an "all time favourites" list - I couldn't do that. But they're my favourites now.

Posted by Richard @ 11:51 PM BST [Link]

Tuesday, May 7, 2002

There's a cheerful fire burning at the bottom of my garden, saving me a trip to the tip with the sawed up remains of a dead tree. There is something almost primeval about a wood fire - is it a 'man thing', or does it appeal to everyone? Either way, it's a very satisfying way to dispose of a tree, and they tell me that the ash is a useful source of potash (whatever that is!) for the garden.
But a fire is a rich vein of sermon illustrations too. The "old chestnut" about taking a bright ember, and seeing it's light die and it's fire fade (for "Why Christians need to belong to the church"); how a fire might smoulder and fume for quite a while before it bursts into flame; how you build a fire by first using small bits of wood and gradually add the larger pieces; how a dose of 'accelerant' can get things going; how a small persistent flame can gradually take hold - I'm sure all of these are going to find their way into my sermons in the weeks to come. How would you use them?

Posted by Richard @ 09:42 PM BST [Link]

Sunday, May 5, 2002

Jayne did a spot of tidying the shed and garage today. She came across a box containing some bottles of home-brewed beer, that must have been at least 12 years old. Remarkably, they were still as drinkable as when they were made (which isn't very!), but even more remarkably we've obviously been dragging them round the country with us without knowing we'd got them. It's 4 changes of house since I last brewed any beer - in my mispent youth, you understand. Anyhow, I've recycled them on the compost heap, where I hope they'll do a bit of good.
But it made me think of the other stuff I carry around but don't know about or remember, the hurts and regrets that I've got lurking in the dark recesses of my psyche waiting to be discovered by accident. In the ordinary way I don't have too much time for the vogue for introspection - self-indulgent and ultimately self-centred is my instinctive feeling about it - but this chance encounter with some long-forgotten beer has made me think. Perhaps that's why the 'collect for purity' is (I think) such an important prayer:

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known and from whom no secrets are hidden; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Sprit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Posted by Richard @ 11:24 PM BST [Link]

Saturday, May 4, 2002

A wise (?) man once gave me this advice: “Before you start anything new, work out who you will blame if it goes wrong”! This advice was given with tongue firmly in cheek, but 10 years or so on it begins to sound less and less silly. “Who gets the blame?” seems now to be the first question that arises whenever anything goes wrong, closely followed by, “How much compensation are they going to pay?” Once guilt is established and blame attached, vengeance can properly be extracted. No doubt you’ve seen the TV ads: ‘Have you had an accident or injury in the last three years ... you could be entitled to compensation.’ No institution or group is immune from this: church, police, hospital, school - all now face extra burdens because of the increasing likelihood of litigation. I'm writing from a British perspective of course; other countries, notably the USA, have been going down this road far longer than we have, and perhaps take it for granted.
I'm not saying that negligence should go unnoticed and incompetence unchecked, but we shouldn't allow ourselves to be persuaded that there is always someone to be blamed and punished for every mishap. Worse still is the pernicious suggestion that an accident may be turned to good fortune thanks to the cheque book of an insurance company. In the end we all pay for this - in the increasing reluctance of people to take on responsibilities, the ever tighter regulation of voluntary activity and, not least, through the insurance premiums that we all grumble about.
Ultimately, the determination to find someone to blame and extract cash from them is a symptom of a culture which has encouraged the priority of the individual to the neglect of the communal life of society. The demand of the gospel is that we live not for ourselves but in the service of others. In an age which wants blame and vengeance, Christians are called to the task of repentance and reconciliation. Time to take a stand.

Posted by Richard @ 11:06 PM BST [Link]

Friday, May 3, 2002

Thought for the day
"Outside of a dog, a man's best friend is a book.
Inside a dog it's too dark to read" (Groucho Marx)
Came across this today, and just couldn't resist. Sorry.

Posted by Richard @ 11:15 PM BST [Link]

Wednesday, May 1, 2002

Mark Ritter of swordandspirit.com has said some encouraging things about theConnexion, and I'm always glad to receive encouragement. swordandspirit is a site for Christian apologetics, and very good it is too.

Posted by Richard @ 05:21 PM BST [Link]

There are some interesting threads going over on Open Forum. What's your view on Hell? Any reaction to the elections in France? How can we know that we are forgiven by God?

Posted by Richard @ 12:00 AM BST [Link]

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