Servant king...

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Matthew 25 v40: The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me...

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Never mind the bollocks...

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Last week was quite a tumultuous week with the Pope launching his surprise reclamation scheme and BBC's Question Time getting its highest ever audience. Although I have discovered this a little late I do think it is worth drawing attention to, an excellent blog from Jonathan Bartley on how the church needs to react:

Why the churches should listen to what Nick Griffin said on Question Time

Having listened to a bit of the Bishop of Chichester's keynote address on the Forward in Faith website I feel my opinions about FiF being primarily an inward looking initiative were reinforced. Frank Skinner articulates it much better than I ever could:

My Church is not a safe haven for bigots

And finally a heart warming story which was a kind of summary of last week. I found it touching and greatly encouraging (as a wishy-washy C of E liberal type who loves mainstream music!):

Dean Martin and a fitting send off for my Uncle Sid

Bright eyes... and one buttock playing!

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A truly wonderful 'sermon' on classical music in a week that has been quite bizarre...

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I need(ed) some time to think...

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Random beliefs

Rev Sam tagged me with this yonks ago! I'm supposed to 'Post a collection of 10 things you believe, ethical, philosophical or theological' and here, finally, it is:

1. I believe music is, therefore I am!
   
2. I believe I am in a good place most of the time.
   
3. I believe it's time to leave the sinking ship.
4. I believe food and feasts, with love, can change any world.
5. I believe listening is more important than trying to shout loudest.
6. I believe it's better to build bridges rather than walls.
7. I believe the veil of the temple should always remain torn in two.
8. I believe I am ok with being a servant yet struggle with being a slave.
9. I believe I don't do enough good things to help others.
10. I believe it is essential to individually do what would make a difference even when it seems everyone else won't.
    
11. I believe complication leads to confusion. (As a muso my amp goes up to 11!)

Now I'm going to tag: Phil R, James W and Joe H (please forgive me if I hadn't seen you've already been had!)

Why can't we be friends?

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Some more from the brilliant Seth Godin... every business, band/musician, club, church, society and organisation take note! One of the best sermons I've heard ;-)

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Should I stay or should I go...

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A glimmer of hope for Gary McKinnon, good news for today.

The Rolling Bones...

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They should have gone to SpecSavers!

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Read more in Ruth Gledhill's article in the Times Online. This section caught my eye:

— At Westminster Cathedral alone, 50,000 roses - the saint's symbol - were sold and up to 10,000 candles. Roses sold for £10 for a small bunch, although as the final Mass progressed they were discounted to £5
— The Big Issue seller outside Westminster Cathedral during farewell Mass sold three copies at £1.50 each

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And on that Sunday...

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This Sunday, just after hearing the sad news about Stephen Gately's untimely and unexpected death, was driving off to a busy day at church and turned the dial to Radio 2. Out came the dulcet tones of the very wonderful Martyn Joseph singing 'Cardiff Bay' on the Aled Jones morning programme. This is a highly moving and evocative song and it was so good to hear it unexpectedly on such a strange Sunday, especially as the song revolves around happenings and recollections on Sundays.

Most music journalists would class Martyn's songs in the folk and protest song genre, however, my view is that what sets him apart is whilst his songs do indeed 'protest' he does not abdicate or pass responsibility on to others like most of his songwriting peers.

Meanwhile for many their world this Sunday changed so abruptly and would never be the same again. Oh how I wish they could also have felt the peace that came over me as I listened on a Sunday...

Respect.

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The Devil Inside....

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First of all I thought this was a spoof h/t the Stuff Christian Culture Likes blog! Surely this cannot actually be a real product? Then, shock horror, the discovery that this 'Christian' equivalent of the mainstream 'Guitar Hero' is already on sale in the UK for £59 (free delivery btw)! If you need to see more (to believe!) check out the promo (which includes some dreadful phrases such as 'on screen lyrics reflect positive Christian messages' and 'live the dream: jam with your favourite Christian band') then check out the youtube video here.

I think this is another dreadful step towards a separate and highly consumerist church using world culture within its own veil restored temple. Furthermore, from the price of the product it is almost definitely manufactured for peanuts in China (or similar location) under conditions that we would call slave labour. This alone disgusts me even more than the utter distaste I have for the product and everything that it actually stands for.

Now that is truly diabolical...

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Time and Tide...

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One desirable aspect of when the tide comes up over the road on Mersea Island is that there is a little window when everything stops for a while... no-one can get on or off the island (via the causeway called 'The Strood' locally) and midweek there is a peace that gently descends, wonderful!

Rooting out Evil...

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Michael Moore, Oscar and Emmy winning director, implores us to think on this as we go to church. Read his Huffington Post entry here on his take on capitalism, health reform and a guide to what our Christian response should be.

Benedictus Benedicat... Amazing Graces!

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In my upbringing saying Grace before meals was never missed. I have tried to maintain the tradition and am pleased to say, on the whole, have managed to keep it going. I feel it is an important moment to take in our day as we effectively break bread together and to give thanks for our daily manna.

Love this one for brevity:

Good food, Good meat, Good Lord, Let's eat. Amen!

(attributed to Rick Edmondson)

And a poignant one:

For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
For friends in a world where many walk alone;
We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen.

(Source: Huron Hunger Fund, Anglican Church of Canada)