Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Yesterday I went for coffee with Andrew Wallis. It was a good time to hang out, catch up and talk about church. Some things we talked about…

The Poor: I’ve been really trying to work through the conception of followership that says that to follow Jesus you must have a significant relationship with the poor. As the church we are certainly called to the poor, but sometimes this can lead to a ‘social justice gospel,’ which is really only a partial gospel. Ministering to the poor may be the primary calling of some individuals, but may only be a small part of other peoples’ walk. This is ok, God calls us to different things. First and foremost we are called to make disciples.

The Church gathered: a lot of people have been toying with the question of what should stay and what we should say goodbye to. Many have seen off the weekly Sunday meeting in an attempt to flee consumerism and to focus more on real community. While small groups can be and are great for growth, if this is your only context your group may become very insular and unaware of the wider picture. Sundays, in the early church, were a statement of defiance, of saying “we’re different, we’re not Jewish etc.” (see NT Wright on the resurrection)

Control: this came up in relation to a few things. Firstly when talking about giving – there have been conversations recently about, rather than giving financially to a central fund, keeping the money and giving it to needs as you see fit. Part of giving is giving up control. In the scenario of giving as you see fit, this isn’t the case.

The other notable point at which the topic of control came up was to do with the question of how to build/encourage a church that “fires on all six cylinders” (Rich Nathan)? It is important to make room for people to find their calling. If we’re not careful we can end up with a partial gospel (like the ‘social justice gospel’ mentioned above) and therefore with a church that only fires on 1 or 2 cylinders (a bumpy ride). Allow the Holy Spirit to lead. This conversation echoed what I read on Eric Keck’s site after his visit with Eugene Peterson.

Monday, October 27, 2003

The guys from Allelon have recently visited the Petersons, Eugene and Jan, to read some notes on the trip from Eric Keck and Winn Griffin, click here and here respectively.
Kill Bill vol.1
I took my Dad to see Kill Bill last night. I really enjoyed it - I know it was "a bit gory" etc, but I thought that was balanced off nicely by the camera work and general overall production of the film. Good soundtrack and cast and the feel of the movie was somewhere between samuri action and spaghetti western.****

Tuesday, October 21, 2003

I've just been listening to a tape by Bill Hybels talking on 'surviving leadership.' He has some real good insights into keeping a balance in your life...

1. Don't run in crisis mode (or if we're in crisis mode, recognise it and spend serious time and effort getting out)
Crisis mode is where we spend all our time and energy working out how we can "keep all the balls we are juggling in the air."

2. Recognise that there are more than 2 gauges in your life...the gauges of the Spiritual and Physical aspects of our lives are important, but we need to be aware of our Emotional life. It's too easy to suppress our emotional life and leave ourselves open to attack - they surface eventually.

3. Draw up a relationship inventory. List your friends according to 3 categories: Draining; Neutral; and Replenishing. Make sure that you have relationships that cause you to re-energise.

Monday, October 20, 2003

Musings of a non-Thatcherite
Today I was sat in a lecture on Robert Nozick's Anarchy, State and Utopia, which is a book that inspired the likes of Ragan and Thatcher.

Nozick's theory is that the State should be minimal, that it should be something of a nightwatchman and an enforcer of contracts, rather than a provider of welfare. He believes that the poor, old and sick etc. should be left to the provision of private charities.

I find this a rather interesting proposition because it is so alien to my socialist sentiments, however there's one question that I just can't get off my mind...If the state was minimal and healthcare, food etc. wasn't so readily provided, would we see a culture in which those who follow Jesus could really blossom and stand out? (to a greater degree than at present?)

Following on from this, in his book Discipline and Punish, Foucalt describes our state as one in which those who do not fit within our definition of what is 'normal' are locked up, hidden from society. This includes those who are mentally disturbed.

This got me thinking of moments when Jesus cast out demons from people exhibiting signs of what we might call sectionable behaviour. If we outreached to those institutions to which we now send the 'abnormal', would see more healings?

Saturday, October 18, 2003

Pine cone fight, Gliwize, sometime in August
Autumn is well and truly upon us in Sunny Cardiff and today I was reminded of some of the most fun we had while travelling Europe this summer. We were visiting Darek and Eva and some of their friends Anjay and Casia (sp?) visited us. We went for a walk and Anjay treated us all to ice creams. We came upon their local forest and someone threw a pine cone at someone else and before we knew it everyone was engrossed in a full on battle. It was very funny and we laughed loads. It was kind of amusing as I was chatting with Anjay about his work in the field of logic at the same time as hurling these small missiles through the air.
Vineyard represented on Pop Idol
While I don't agree with the notion of a manufactured music scene, I'm pleased to report that tonight saw part of our 'vineyard family' back in the running for this years' Pop Idol. Susanne Manning, who hails from Reading and is part of the Reading Vineyard had been voted out on a previous show, but got to return as a wildcard on tonights' show - and won. Congratulations Susanne.

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

My bike is now fast fast fast thanks to the guys at Cyclopedia. I had a new bottom bracket fitted as well as some semi-slick tyres, as I'm currently using it for commuting to uni. Be warned...

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

the tongue
On Sunday we looked at 'the tongue', how harmful it can be if used wrongly, but also how much good it can do if used well. I noticed when looking at James 1, it talks of the heart as the first thing to be aware of and then your tongue. The two are so closely intwined. I've felt challenged, particularly when we were talking about the effects of sarcasm and how it's so ingrained in our culture, to really find a God's eye view on the words I speak.

Someone, maybe Willard, speaks of developing 'habits of righteousness.' These 'habits' are things I really want to develop in my own life, that I really up the ante on character change. I can either 'tame the tongue' through sheer effort (which James seems to suggest is impossible), or I can draw close to God (using the 'habits') and allow him to make me the kind of person who naturally speaks uplifting and God-honouring words as the overflow of my changed heart.

I know which I would prefer!

Monday, October 13, 2003

Last night a group of us (Jon, Cathy, Viv, Rob, Zoe and myself) went to see Finding Nemo after our gathering at the YMCA. Viv treated us! It's the hilarious story of a clown fish (Marlin) who loses his son (Nemo) and the ensuing adventure. My favourite characters were the Californian sea turtles who were riding the currents. The sharks belonging to "fish are friends, not food" were funny too - the nautical equivalent of AA. I seem to have watched so many movies recently.

Sunday, October 12, 2003

We watched The Ring last night to see what freaked all our friends out. On arriving at the Video shop we had to decide between the original Japanese and the Hollywood versions.

Having gone with Hollywood we were mildly dissappointed to find that there wasn't really all that much to get scared about. Maybe we were just wrong to opt for Hollywood (mainly because we didn't fancy subtitles at the end of a busy week).

The scariest movie ever? I think NOT.

Saturday, October 11, 2003

I just took an interesting personality profile on the BBC website...click here to do it yourself and don't forget to let me know how you did!

My Results

Extraversion
Some people like lots of stimulation; they want people around them, activity and excitement, whilst others prefer to be able to focus on things in a calm and quiet environment. Most people prefer a blend of the two extremes although your answers suggest you have a preference for the livelier situations. This may help you if you work in busy, hectic and very sociable settings but you may get bored and even frustrated when things are too quiet.

Confidence
Some people make decisions very easily and tend not to worry about them before or afterwards while, at the other extreme, some people are so careful and cautious that the decisions never get made! Taking a cautious approach can be a good thing (do you want to fly with a pilot that is so free from worry and concern that she never checks her controls and instruments and doesn't bother to communicate with air-traffic control?) and you seem to have described yourself as someone who does tend to be quite cautious and careful. This can be very important in detailed work or areas were mistakes can have a major cost although you may find yourself avoiding risks and many cautious people wish they were bolder.

Openness
While some people like experimenting with new things and ideas, others prefer traditional methods and taking a very practical approach to problems.

Your answers suggest that you may more interested in the creative, new and experimental aspects of situations than dealing with the routine practicalities. While your dreams and plans may not always be achievable, you are likely to be very open to new ideas and ways of doing things.

Agreeableness
Most people want to be able to get on with others but to some it is the most important thing in the world, whilst others are quite happy to upset someone else if it means that things get done.

Your answers suggest that you can be firm with people when you need to be but that getting on with others is still important to you. Like most people you would rather avoid conflict but are not prepared to put up with being treated badly by others.

Conscientiousness
Some people like everything to be well planned, tidy and organised, whilst others prefer to deal with things as they come up and appear to work in absolute chaos.

Your answers suggest that, like most people, you like to have a little clarity about where things are but that you would rather cope with some things as they arise than spend too much time sorting out every single detail. This approach may help you when working with teams and also when having to deal with those situations that you just can't plan for.

Friday, October 10, 2003

In America
On Wednesday night we (Cathy, Viv, Zoe and I) watched the preview of the new film 'In America', the story of an Irish family who move to Manhattan.

It's a great story, told from the perspective of a little girl, about life and the developing of community among hurting and broken individuals. Go see it. *****
Last night we ate Waffles and talked about James 1. I was really struck by a number of things

v6-7
But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

v22-25
And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23 For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law – the law that sets you free – and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

It reminded me of that old quote that goes something along the lines of: "tell them and they will hear, show them and they will know, involve them and they will remember." Following Jesus isn't reading the bible and intellectually agreeing on the points it makes, it's about reading the bible and doing it.

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

I had a funny, if frustrating cycle home. My gears are playing up and when I went to change to the top chainring my chain rocked off and got jammed between the rings and the crank. So I'm there trying to pull it out and loads of British people walk past just looking and then this Spanish guy came over and offered to help, fixed it, and walked off.

I rode off and couldn't see him anywhere - so maybe he walked into his house or maybe he was an angel. Thanks anyway spanish dude.

Monday, October 06, 2003

The John Stott Breakfast was mildly disappointing. I have to admit I didn't really know what to expect, but I was aware that some people class him as a hero, having been inspired by his books. John spoke on "The importance of the Christian Mind," and he gave what really amounted to a brief overview of the importance of thinking and understanding.

He balanced it well with a great illustration, "I'm not interested in producing tadpoles - with a big head and little body." This meant that we mustn't just know, we need to be followers of Jesus.

Simple, but true. The air of 'hero worship' scared me though.

Friday, October 03, 2003

I'm off to a "John Stott breakfast" early tomorrow morning with my Dad. I hope he's a good cook!

Apparently he used to be the Queen's chaplain.

Wednesday, October 01, 2003

It's funny how suspicious people are of someone giving without a clear motive! Check out this article on Bill Gates.
We found this in yesterday's Guardian...

"Countries such as Britain which are destroying the environment of poorer nations by contributing to global warming and using tropical hardwoods should be prepared to take a fair share of the refugees they have created, says a thinktank report today..." >>more

If we are going to have a global "community," we need to treat our 'neighbours' and 'workers' accordingly. Just because we can't see them doesn't mean they're not there.