So many to choose from - here's a few of my favourites:
The last one, in particular, reminds me of the cartoons my brother Brendan used to draw when we were younger - draw some more Bren!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Church Politics and Chess?
I've just recently (re)discovered Dave Walker's cartoons on his Cartoon Church blog. Made me laugh lots despite (or perhaps because of) not being an Anglican!
So many to choose from - here's a few of my favourites:
The last one, in particular, reminds me of the cartoons my brother Brendan used to draw when we were younger - draw some more Bren!
So many to choose from - here's a few of my favourites:
The last one, in particular, reminds me of the cartoons my brother Brendan used to draw when we were younger - draw some more Bren!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Fun in the Playground
I missed church on Sunday, being away, so I was glad of this paraphrased excerpt(?) from Ruth's talk on Ben's blog:
(Thanks to Benbo Baggins!)
Some people think of God's will, the plan God has for them, as a tightrope. You have to be really careful to stay on, otherwise it's a disaster. I think God's will is like a playground. It has a fence, and there are limits. Outside the fence it's dangerous as you could get hit by a car. Inside, there's slides, roundabouts, see-saws, swings - you can play on what you want. Sometimes God might say 'that's enough sliding for now, have a go on the swings'. You might enjoy some bits more than others, but you can have a go at different things. As long as you stay inside the fence, you're safe. But you don't have to walk a tightrope.I like playgrounds!
(Thanks to Benbo Baggins!)
Healing on the Streets in Dudley
Here's hoping we have some testimonies like these at June Project!
The revival in Dudley seems to be an off-shoot of what's happening in Lakeland, Florida with Todd Bentley. Peter Kirk's been keeping up with events in Florida and the UK response on his blog 'Gentle Wisdom'.
The revival in Dudley seems to be an off-shoot of what's happening in Lakeland, Florida with Todd Bentley. Peter Kirk's been keeping up with events in Florida and the UK response on his blog 'Gentle Wisdom'.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
John Piper on the Prosperity Gospel
This a superb video highlighting comments by John Piper on the 'Prosperity Gospel' message speaking in Birmingham in 2005.
Those are full-on words, but I think he's essentially got it right.
N.B. The story he tells about the car crash happened to someone in his church.
Those are full-on words, but I think he's essentially got it right.
N.B. The story he tells about the car crash happened to someone in his church.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Patches of Green
I've previously posted on Christianity on Trial, a book well worth reading for its balanced and convincing approach to historical Christianity and the church's successes and failures.
The conclusion to the book asserts that "if knowledge of such dark episodes [such as the Crusades] in the history of Christianity is essential, it is also corrosive if it is the only knowledge of the past that most people possess." (p.208) The writers point out it is not just society at large, but also the church itself, that has been quick to over-represent failures and paint a unbalanced picture of Christian history that doesn't take into account all the facts available.
The book has been a excellent read and given me a much better sense of the detail of history as well as the bigger picture - the redeeming work that God has done and is doing. I've been especially struck - in a similar way to reading a biography - by what God can accomplish through individuals; the powerful impact that one or two people can have on a society, William Wilberforce being a powerful example. His story, and that of the other British abolitionists and what they accomplished, is almost beyond belief.
In 1770, slaves comprised 22% of the population of Britain's American colonies, 90% in the East and West Indies. Between 1791 and 1800, 400,000 slaves were sold, making these some of the most active years of the slave trade (p.33). It was during these years, when the British economy was heavily dependent on slavery, or slave-produced goods, that the antislavery movement began to pick up steam, driven by the Methodists and men like Wilberforce. The Abolition Act of 1833, brought the emancipation of 780,000 slaves, at a cost to the British government of 20 million pounds!
Equally striking is the reminder, in the conclusion, that we "have no need to pore over historical works to appreciate an example of the more hopeful side of the Christian legacy" as significant examples exist even in the last half century. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe began with a nonviolent campaign in Poland, sparked off and encouraged by visits by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and 1983. The authors make a convincing case for the importance of the church and Christian faith, as well as the impact of the Pope, during the ensuing events. They comment that even the Chinese government recognised the role that the churches had played and on their own turf sought to 'strangle the baby while it is still in the manger' (p.211). They argue that Christianity's "indigenous growth outside the West is one of the signal democratizing forces around the globe today." (p.211)
Philip Yancey also remarks on these 'patches of green' in a chapter in What's so Amazing about Grace:
"Remarkably, we have lived to see these [Eastern European] dissidents triumph. An alternative kingdom of ragged subjects, of prisoners, poets, and priests, who conveyed their words in the scrawl of hand-copied samizdat, toppled what seemed like an impregnable fortress. In each nation the church operated as a counterforce, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly insisting on a truth that transcended, and often contradicted, official propaganda. In Poland the Catholics marched past government buildings shouting 'We forgive you!'" (p.261)
The conclusion to the book asserts that "if knowledge of such dark episodes [such as the Crusades] in the history of Christianity is essential, it is also corrosive if it is the only knowledge of the past that most people possess." (p.208) The writers point out it is not just society at large, but also the church itself, that has been quick to over-represent failures and paint a unbalanced picture of Christian history that doesn't take into account all the facts available.
The book has been a excellent read and given me a much better sense of the detail of history as well as the bigger picture - the redeeming work that God has done and is doing. I've been especially struck - in a similar way to reading a biography - by what God can accomplish through individuals; the powerful impact that one or two people can have on a society, William Wilberforce being a powerful example. His story, and that of the other British abolitionists and what they accomplished, is almost beyond belief.
In 1770, slaves comprised 22% of the population of Britain's American colonies, 90% in the East and West Indies. Between 1791 and 1800, 400,000 slaves were sold, making these some of the most active years of the slave trade (p.33). It was during these years, when the British economy was heavily dependent on slavery, or slave-produced goods, that the antislavery movement began to pick up steam, driven by the Methodists and men like Wilberforce. The Abolition Act of 1833, brought the emancipation of 780,000 slaves, at a cost to the British government of 20 million pounds!
Equally striking is the reminder, in the conclusion, that we "have no need to pore over historical works to appreciate an example of the more hopeful side of the Christian legacy" as significant examples exist even in the last half century. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe began with a nonviolent campaign in Poland, sparked off and encouraged by visits by Pope John Paul II in 1979 and 1983. The authors make a convincing case for the importance of the church and Christian faith, as well as the impact of the Pope, during the ensuing events. They comment that even the Chinese government recognised the role that the churches had played and on their own turf sought to 'strangle the baby while it is still in the manger' (p.211). They argue that Christianity's "indigenous growth outside the West is one of the signal democratizing forces around the globe today." (p.211)
Philip Yancey also remarks on these 'patches of green' in a chapter in What's so Amazing about Grace:
"Remarkably, we have lived to see these [Eastern European] dissidents triumph. An alternative kingdom of ragged subjects, of prisoners, poets, and priests, who conveyed their words in the scrawl of hand-copied samizdat, toppled what seemed like an impregnable fortress. In each nation the church operated as a counterforce, sometimes quietly and sometimes loudly insisting on a truth that transcended, and often contradicted, official propaganda. In Poland the Catholics marched past government buildings shouting 'We forgive you!'" (p.261)
Friday, May 26, 2006
Why you should sit still in church
Dave read me this excerpt from The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass (aged 37 3/4) last week and it made me laugh out loud! I haven't met any Doreen Cooks in Kings yet, but the near-familiarity of this story made it all the funnier!
Sunday December 15th
Our church is getting like an auction room. One blink and you get ministered to. Sit still and keep your eyes shining - that's my motto. This morning was Edwin Burlesford's fault. Forty-five minutes on 'sin'! A record nine-fruit-gum talk. Halfway through, I was checking supplies when Edwin suddenly shouted 'LUST!', and made me drop the packet under my chair. Put my head down between my knees to locate it, then couldn't get up because Doreen Cook pressed her hands down on the back of my head. She prayed that 'our despairing brother would move from darknes to light'. I was all for that - I couldn't see a thing. When she let me get up she had one of those roguish Christian smiles on her face. Came very close to really giving her something to forgive me for. Everyone thinks I've got a big lust problem now. At coffee time they all smiled reassuringly at me. Leonard Thynn hugged me. I signed Edwin's carol-singing list for next Saturday to show that I'm not all bad.
Sunday December 15th
Our church is getting like an auction room. One blink and you get ministered to. Sit still and keep your eyes shining - that's my motto. This morning was Edwin Burlesford's fault. Forty-five minutes on 'sin'! A record nine-fruit-gum talk. Halfway through, I was checking supplies when Edwin suddenly shouted 'LUST!', and made me drop the packet under my chair. Put my head down between my knees to locate it, then couldn't get up because Doreen Cook pressed her hands down on the back of my head. She prayed that 'our despairing brother would move from darknes to light'. I was all for that - I couldn't see a thing. When she let me get up she had one of those roguish Christian smiles on her face. Came very close to really giving her something to forgive me for. Everyone thinks I've got a big lust problem now. At coffee time they all smiled reassuringly at me. Leonard Thynn hugged me. I signed Edwin's carol-singing list for next Saturday to show that I'm not all bad.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
A letter from Cyprian
This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden, under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see-brigands on the high roads, pirates on the seas; in the amphitheatres men murdered to please applauding crowds; under all roofs misery and selfishness. It is really a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. Yet in the midst of it I have found a quiet and holy people. They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasures of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians - and I am one of them.
St. Cyprian, c. 258, a letter
St. Cyprian, c. 258, a letter
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Early Christians...
...In their own words.
I've been dipping into The Early Christians In Their Own Words, a 'topically arranged collection of primary sources', edited by Eberhard Arnold, the founder of the Bruderhof community.
These texts, translated from Greek, Latin and Hebrew, range from letters and accounts to apologetics, poetry and confession, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of the 1st and 2nd century Christians.
The most striking texts I've read so far are those concerning the martyrs. The most revealing perhaps is a letter from Gaius Pliny, the governor in Asia Minor, to the Emperor Trajan, asking for advice on prosecuting Christians: "I do not know what or how much to punish or to investigate." He asks whether Christians should be punished even if there is no crime, how he should determine guilt where names had been given by an informer, and whether he should acquit those who denied being a Christian and worshipped the statues of the gods. As regards the last, he points out: "It is said that those who really are Christians cannot be compelled to do any of these things in any circumstances."
Gaius Pliny explains that Christians who continued to confess their faith, despite threat of the death penalty, were "led away to their death, for I had no doubt that, whatever is was that they confessed, their stubborness and inflexible obstinacy certainly deserved to be punished."
He also reveals his concern about the large number of those 'imperiled': "The contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities but even to the villages and to the country districts."
Trajan replies that Pliny has followed the correct procedure and explains that Christians "should not be sought out", and should be pardoned on 'repentance'.
There is a further letter from the Emperor Hadrian, again concerning the legal implications. His instruction is that accusations against Christians should go through the proper channels and proof should be given that "the people concerned are acting against the law". He also speaks strongly against accusations brought with "slanderous intention".
It's amazing to get such a clear picture, from the Roman authorities, of the life and health of the early church. The letters reveal the very real danger of life as an early Christian and yet the church is clearly growing and thriving, and with a reputation preceeding it - that the Christians would rather die than recount their faith.
Finally, Pliny also offers what is apparently the earliest external account of Christian worship, describing "their custom to meet on a fixed day before sunlight and, alternating with each other, to sing a hymn to Christ as to a god.... After doing this it was their custom to part from one another and then to meet again to share an ordinary and harmless meal."
(If you're interested in reading the correspondance for yourself, the link at the top of the page takes you to the ebook version, in pdf format. )
I've been dipping into The Early Christians In Their Own Words, a 'topically arranged collection of primary sources', edited by Eberhard Arnold, the founder of the Bruderhof community.
These texts, translated from Greek, Latin and Hebrew, range from letters and accounts to apologetics, poetry and confession, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of the 1st and 2nd century Christians.
The most striking texts I've read so far are those concerning the martyrs. The most revealing perhaps is a letter from Gaius Pliny, the governor in Asia Minor, to the Emperor Trajan, asking for advice on prosecuting Christians: "I do not know what or how much to punish or to investigate." He asks whether Christians should be punished even if there is no crime, how he should determine guilt where names had been given by an informer, and whether he should acquit those who denied being a Christian and worshipped the statues of the gods. As regards the last, he points out: "It is said that those who really are Christians cannot be compelled to do any of these things in any circumstances."
Gaius Pliny explains that Christians who continued to confess their faith, despite threat of the death penalty, were "led away to their death, for I had no doubt that, whatever is was that they confessed, their stubborness and inflexible obstinacy certainly deserved to be punished."
He also reveals his concern about the large number of those 'imperiled': "The contagion of this superstition has spread not only in the cities but even to the villages and to the country districts."
Trajan replies that Pliny has followed the correct procedure and explains that Christians "should not be sought out", and should be pardoned on 'repentance'.
There is a further letter from the Emperor Hadrian, again concerning the legal implications. His instruction is that accusations against Christians should go through the proper channels and proof should be given that "the people concerned are acting against the law". He also speaks strongly against accusations brought with "slanderous intention".
It's amazing to get such a clear picture, from the Roman authorities, of the life and health of the early church. The letters reveal the very real danger of life as an early Christian and yet the church is clearly growing and thriving, and with a reputation preceeding it - that the Christians would rather die than recount their faith.
Finally, Pliny also offers what is apparently the earliest external account of Christian worship, describing "their custom to meet on a fixed day before sunlight and, alternating with each other, to sing a hymn to Christ as to a god.... After doing this it was their custom to part from one another and then to meet again to share an ordinary and harmless meal."
(If you're interested in reading the correspondance for yourself, the link at the top of the page takes you to the ebook version, in pdf format. )
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Church: why bother?
No, I'm not trying to be controversial, that's the title of my half-term-book-of-the-day today (although I should say that this is the first day I've managed it - and potentially the last one!)
This is Philip Yancey's reflection on his own church experiences, and although it's fairly slight and doesn't say much that I haven't gathered already from his other books, he's as readable as ever. I always find Yancey an inspiring read, or at least an affirming one. He asks honest questions and his reflections on genuine God-focused spirituality ring true for me.
However, the foreward by Eugene Peterson is perhaps my favourite part of this book. He relates the story of John Muir climbing a Douglas Fir in a storm, in order to experience the Weather.
He goes onto to talk about spirituality being about lived life, and his inspiration from Muir to "open myself to the Weather, not wanting to miss a detail of this invasion of Life into my life, ready at the drop of a hat to lose my life to save it (Mark 8:35)
"...if there is no readiness to respond to the living God, who moves when and how and where he chooses, it isn't much of a life - the livingness soon leaks out of it"
And two or three thoughts from Yancey that struck me...
On hypocrisy - "one day the question occurred to me, 'What would church look like if every member were just like me?' Properly humbled, I began concentrating on my spirituality, not everyone else's."
On the body of Christ - "As I look around on Sunday morning...I see the risk that God has assumed. For whatever reason, God now reveals himself in the world not through a pillar of smoke and fire, not evern through the physical body of his Son in Galilee, but through the mongrel collection that comprises my local church..."
On the 'saviour complex' - "Nouwen concludes, 'When we can come to realize that our guilt has been taken away and that only God saves, then we are free to serve, then we can live truly humble lives.'"
- (from Helmut Thielicke, on Jesus' ministry) "Though the burden of the whole world lay heavy upon his shoulders...he has time to stop and talk to the individual...for all time is in the hands of his Father. And that too is why peace and not unrest goes out from him."
Actually, this is one of the most interesting sections of the book...a reflection on how ministry in obedience and 'under' God's faithfulness avoids frenzied activity and burnout.
This is Philip Yancey's reflection on his own church experiences, and although it's fairly slight and doesn't say much that I haven't gathered already from his other books, he's as readable as ever. I always find Yancey an inspiring read, or at least an affirming one. He asks honest questions and his reflections on genuine God-focused spirituality ring true for me.
However, the foreward by Eugene Peterson is perhaps my favourite part of this book. He relates the story of John Muir climbing a Douglas Fir in a storm, in order to experience the Weather.
He goes onto to talk about spirituality being about lived life, and his inspiration from Muir to "open myself to the Weather, not wanting to miss a detail of this invasion of Life into my life, ready at the drop of a hat to lose my life to save it (Mark 8:35)
"...if there is no readiness to respond to the living God, who moves when and how and where he chooses, it isn't much of a life - the livingness soon leaks out of it"
And two or three thoughts from Yancey that struck me...
On hypocrisy - "one day the question occurred to me, 'What would church look like if every member were just like me?' Properly humbled, I began concentrating on my spirituality, not everyone else's."
On the body of Christ - "As I look around on Sunday morning...I see the risk that God has assumed. For whatever reason, God now reveals himself in the world not through a pillar of smoke and fire, not evern through the physical body of his Son in Galilee, but through the mongrel collection that comprises my local church..."
On the 'saviour complex' - "Nouwen concludes, 'When we can come to realize that our guilt has been taken away and that only God saves, then we are free to serve, then we can live truly humble lives.'"
- (from Helmut Thielicke, on Jesus' ministry) "Though the burden of the whole world lay heavy upon his shoulders...he has time to stop and talk to the individual...for all time is in the hands of his Father. And that too is why peace and not unrest goes out from him."
Actually, this is one of the most interesting sections of the book...a reflection on how ministry in obedience and 'under' God's faithfulness avoids frenzied activity and burnout.
Monday, December 26, 2005
Barbecued Turkey a Success!
Yesterday certainly had its surreal moments. Pass-the-parcel at church, a bear to dinner, dad with a blow torch and the aforementioned turkey..
Christmas morning started off in much the same way as ever, opening my stocking. Santa had brought me a slinky, some sour worms and a pair of polka-dotted girls' boxers...it made an interesting start to the day!
Some theology books and new pjamas later and we were off to church. It couldn't be worse than last year, we reassured ourselves. In fact, it was very much better. It was about as far away from a traditional Christmas service as you could imagine and probably the most informal church service I have ever been a part of (but then that's what C-brook does best..)
We walked into a room lively with people greeting each other and children everywhere. 'Celebrate good times, come on!' was playing on speakers and it seemed appropriate for the mood of the morning! What followed was a cheerful and eclectic mix of celebration and earnest message. We were treated to a dance, an 8-instrument rendition of Away in a Manger from the kids, the shortest nativity ever (on PP- nicely done!), a game of pass-the-parcel-with-a-message, a drama/dialogue on the meaning of Christmas, and a prayer for us to 'take this gift home'. All led by a family of 6 - the four girls doing an impressive job taking us through the craziness of the morning.
Christmas Lunch was a little more complicated than usual, due to a broken oven. Veg was boiled and microwaved, but the turkey found a new home in the barbecue!
Lunch was attended by a most distinguished visitor, Grandpa Bear. He came dressed for the occasion and in good Christmas cheer.
Leo is regaled with stories of past glories...
"What do you call a polar bear wearing ear muffs..?"
Dad took the opportunity to try out his new present - the kitchen blow torch! We stood back, but the turkey wasn't so lucky...
Christmas morning started off in much the same way as ever, opening my stocking. Santa had brought me a slinky, some sour worms and a pair of polka-dotted girls' boxers...it made an interesting start to the day!
Some theology books and new pjamas later and we were off to church. It couldn't be worse than last year, we reassured ourselves. In fact, it was very much better. It was about as far away from a traditional Christmas service as you could imagine and probably the most informal church service I have ever been a part of (but then that's what C-brook does best..)
We walked into a room lively with people greeting each other and children everywhere. 'Celebrate good times, come on!' was playing on speakers and it seemed appropriate for the mood of the morning! What followed was a cheerful and eclectic mix of celebration and earnest message. We were treated to a dance, an 8-instrument rendition of Away in a Manger from the kids, the shortest nativity ever (on PP- nicely done!), a game of pass-the-parcel-with-a-message, a drama/dialogue on the meaning of Christmas, and a prayer for us to 'take this gift home'. All led by a family of 6 - the four girls doing an impressive job taking us through the craziness of the morning.
Christmas Lunch was a little more complicated than usual, due to a broken oven. Veg was boiled and microwaved, but the turkey found a new home in the barbecue!
Lunch was attended by a most distinguished visitor, Grandpa Bear. He came dressed for the occasion and in good Christmas cheer.
Leo is regaled with stories of past glories...
"What do you call a polar bear wearing ear muffs..?"
Dad took the opportunity to try out his new present - the kitchen blow torch! We stood back, but the turkey wasn't so lucky...
Monday, September 12, 2005
Christians in Antioch
I was reading Acts 11 this morning and noticed for the first time Luke's statement that "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch". The notes in my Bible point out that they were called Christians because, being a mixture of Jews (speaking Greek or Aramaic) and Gentiles, Christ was all they had in common - not race, culture or language.
I was inspired by two things:
- unity IS possible in Christ, across all cultural boundaries and in the most impossible situations
- diversity is a reality, homogeneity unnecessary. Sometimes Christ is ALL we have in common. We don't have to 'click' with everybody, nor mold them in our own image, but we are called to love everyone.
I was inspired by two things:
- unity IS possible in Christ, across all cultural boundaries and in the most impossible situations
- diversity is a reality, homogeneity unnecessary. Sometimes Christ is ALL we have in common. We don't have to 'click' with everybody, nor mold them in our own image, but we are called to love everyone.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Loving People
I have been reminded that 'building community' is done by giving, not taking. When I go out with or see people I'm hoping that I can remind myself to look for opportunities to love people. To say deliberately and regularly to myself 'how can I show this person how important they are?' I'm going to pray that God shows me ways...
The question i'm left with is one of practicalities: does the loving lose value if it it not spontaneous? I'll explain.. If I ask someone how I can best love them, do my subsequent (informed) actions then decrease in value in that person's eyes?? Does it matter? Is it a weird thing to ask?!
The question i'm left with is one of practicalities: does the loving lose value if it it not spontaneous? I'll explain.. If I ask someone how I can best love them, do my subsequent (informed) actions then decrease in value in that person's eyes?? Does it matter? Is it a weird thing to ask?!
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