Currently listening to...

Easter
I'm enjoying hanging out in Cardiff this week. The easter weekend was fun - spending time with Rob and Mark over the weekend, chilling out with the family, walking in the park.

On Monday Emelie came over with Mia, her friend from Sweden and we did the tourist thang - we visited Cardiff Castle (see photos). It's always fun seeing Cardiff through the eyes of a visitor - the surprise at finding a castle and acres and acres of grassland bang in the middle of the city.

Tomorrow I'm hanging out with my little sis - something I don't get to do as much as I'd like.

My Sister

courtesy of Mark

Sometimes it's hard being true to yourself. This morning I received an application form and job description from a Christian organisation who are looking for a lobbyist. For a moment I was tempted - a good salary, a variety of political responsibilities and the opportunity to stretch myself.

The problem is that in recent years I've become less and less convinced that the Church's role is to pursuade politicians to formulate policies which force those who aren't followers of Jesus to act as though they are. That just oozes a Christendom mindset, the need to assert power on a political level.

I believe we are called to be a voice for the voiceless and to be actively involved in addressing justice, but I'm not too worried about us 'followers of The Way' getting marginalised in society. We might even rediscover the radical way of life that Jesus calls us to!

The B-movies that are shown on channel five (UK) have three main plots...

Plot 1
A plane flight crash, survivors left in a remote and icy location, two of them survive but not without the need for amputative surgery on their toes to deal with the frostbite they have suffered. Happily ever after (they generally leave the story of their recovery sans-toes to the imagination).

Plot 2
When she hears that her daughter is unable to have children, X offers to carry the child on her behalf. The tale of love, joy and tension that this incurrs.

Plot 3
A 'cop' whose partner was killed in action goes in search of revenge.

Have I missed any out?

Drinking Beer with Vikings
We had a great weekend hanging out at Copenhagen Vineyard. They are a great bunch of people, mostly around my age and lots of whom are fairly new to following Jesus. God showed up in power on both Saturday and Sunday and it was a great privilege to bless what He was doing.

Things I liked about Denmark:
- Big, powerful showers.
- Wood burning stoves that heat the houses.
- Architecture.
- Comprehensive bike lanes.
- Snow (that actually sticks).
- Copenhagen Vineyard.
- Candles.
- etc.

We're sat in the business departure lounge for our flight to Copenhagen and I've been contemplating the transience of these places. They're like a no-where zone between life in one country and life in another. Existence hangs, on hold, as we sit savouring our free drinks.

Whenever I read a good book I have an internal dialogue that goes on. Half of me is eager to drink it up, to absorb every moment of it as quickly as possible. The other half is pleasantly contented that I have found a book which I love and want to savour. For this half, the thought of reaching the end is sad.

Eugene speaks
"I think relevance is a crock. I don't think people care a whole lot about what kind of music you have or how you shape the service. They want a place where God is taken seriously, where they're taken seriously, where there is no manipulation of their emotions or their consumer needs." [read more]

A whole week later...

News: I've uncovered the student subculture of Risk Players, which led to a four-and-a-half hour session on Sunday afternoon. I had a lot of fun despite being the first loser.

On Friday we head to Denmark on a ministry trip, which will no doubt stretch me some more. I've never visited any Nordic countries, so it will be an experience.

I'm reading, and loving, How to be Good by Nick Hornby. He's one of my favourite writers, the way he composes a scene and at times sheds light on the mysteries (and monotonies) of human life. Reading his books are a breath of fresh air, easier and more relaxing than watching TV.

One morning last week, I can't remember which day, I was in the shower and found myself thinking of a story that I've heard a million times before. Years ago, before I was even a twinkle in my fathers eye, my Grandpa was asked to pray for a lady who was completely blind. He recalls having absolutely no expectation of anything happening and remembers being astounded when the lady informed him that she could now see.

Cut to me thinking about this one morning last week. I suddenly felt really challenged as I heard God whisper in my ear, "ok, it might be a nice story, but it's someone else's. I want you to have your own." This is what I long for. I don't want to find myself recounting 30 year old stories of how God used my Grandfather. I want to join God in his kingdom work here and now and to have stories of my own that reflect that.