Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Godtube goes Tangle
Fun viewing
If you have grown a little tired of spending time on Youtube you might want to take a look at http://www.tangle.com/ (formely Godtube and revamped). Here you will find some hilarious, moving, inspiring, and cringy churchy clips from around the world plus other features. Worth a 30 minute browse, but as with most of these things - set yourself a time limit and stick to it!
If you have grown a little tired of spending time on Youtube you might want to take a look at http://www.tangle.com/ (formely Godtube and revamped). Here you will find some hilarious, moving, inspiring, and cringy churchy clips from around the world plus other features. Worth a 30 minute browse, but as with most of these things - set yourself a time limit and stick to it!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Friends Forever?
Powerful Friendships
In the closing chapters of both the book of Romans and Colossians in the New Testament the apostle Paul speaks extremely warmly of his friends. This after titanic chapters about the Supremacy of Christ, Justification by Faith and other huge truths and doctrines. He finishes both letters however by greetings his friends, sending affectionate personal messages to them and generally encouraging individuals he obviously misses and loves.
When we read the life of Christ too we find the rabbi-master enjoying time with friends: eating, drinking, walking, talking, praying and doing miracles. We also find Jesus addressing the disciples as "Friends" and Himself being accused of being a "Friend of tax collectors and sinners".
The advent of Facebook and other social networking sites has opened cyber-friendships to us but let us not neglect personal time with friends and personal time to cultivate our friendship with Jesus.
In the closing chapters of both the book of Romans and Colossians in the New Testament the apostle Paul speaks extremely warmly of his friends. This after titanic chapters about the Supremacy of Christ, Justification by Faith and other huge truths and doctrines. He finishes both letters however by greetings his friends, sending affectionate personal messages to them and generally encouraging individuals he obviously misses and loves.
When we read the life of Christ too we find the rabbi-master enjoying time with friends: eating, drinking, walking, talking, praying and doing miracles. We also find Jesus addressing the disciples as "Friends" and Himself being accused of being a "Friend of tax collectors and sinners".
The advent of Facebook and other social networking sites has opened cyber-friendships to us but let us not neglect personal time with friends and personal time to cultivate our friendship with Jesus.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Myths of marriage
Working on your marriage.
With 3 marriages to conduct over the summer I have been thinking and reading again about the subject. This began with a look at the Centre for Social Justice who have produced a formidable report on marriage and family life in the UK. 8% of married couples, the report says, will break up before their first child's 5th birthday, 48% of co-habiting couples will break up before the first child's fifth birthday. In other words there is a stronger commitment to the relationship in married couples which is better for the family and ultimately better for society (family breakdown, the report says, costs around £18bn in the UK)
Reading Bob Gass (July Word for Today)I discovered his provocative Marriage Myths:
1. The myth of Viral love - you catch the bug of love and enter a lifetime of unending bliss. Love based sole on romance doesn't work when "for better" meets "for worse", he says.
2. The myth of the Right Person - there is no right person to make us happy always.
3. The myth of the Full Box - effortless unending marital bliss.
4. The myth of the Marriage-go-Around - you can hop on and off marriages when you're bored. We don't have to grapple with marital issues. Just replace it!
Finally, The Marriage Book by Nikki and Scilla Lee. Every married couple should read it and every couple thinking about getting married. It is brilliant.
Long live marriage and live long in your marriage by working at it.
With 3 marriages to conduct over the summer I have been thinking and reading again about the subject. This began with a look at the Centre for Social Justice who have produced a formidable report on marriage and family life in the UK. 8% of married couples, the report says, will break up before their first child's 5th birthday, 48% of co-habiting couples will break up before the first child's fifth birthday. In other words there is a stronger commitment to the relationship in married couples which is better for the family and ultimately better for society (family breakdown, the report says, costs around £18bn in the UK)
Reading Bob Gass (July Word for Today)I discovered his provocative Marriage Myths:
1. The myth of Viral love - you catch the bug of love and enter a lifetime of unending bliss. Love based sole on romance doesn't work when "for better" meets "for worse", he says.
2. The myth of the Right Person - there is no right person to make us happy always.
3. The myth of the Full Box - effortless unending marital bliss.
4. The myth of the Marriage-go-Around - you can hop on and off marriages when you're bored. We don't have to grapple with marital issues. Just replace it!
Finally, The Marriage Book by Nikki and Scilla Lee. Every married couple should read it and every couple thinking about getting married. It is brilliant.
Long live marriage and live long in your marriage by working at it.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
What a weekend!
Last weekend was great. On Saturday we married and celebrated with Dan and Sarah - a lovely Christian couple both from non-church backgrounds (Sarah met Dan in a nightclub and lead him to Christ!). Marriage is very special and I always find the exchanging of vows a powerful and holy moment.
On Sunday we had the church Guest Service and Family Fun Day - and a lot of fun it was too with lots of visitors, a hog roast and a very popular inflatable assault course amongst other things. We also said good bye to the Saunders family who are off to Cambodia on Friday; dedicated 2 Kelly children to God and baptised Chris (an adult).
I am grateful to God that the rain held off for both events and the w\e events were enjoyed by so many people.
Last weekend was great. On Saturday we married and celebrated with Dan and Sarah - a lovely Christian couple both from non-church backgrounds (Sarah met Dan in a nightclub and lead him to Christ!). Marriage is very special and I always find the exchanging of vows a powerful and holy moment.
On Sunday we had the church Guest Service and Family Fun Day - and a lot of fun it was too with lots of visitors, a hog roast and a very popular inflatable assault course amongst other things. We also said good bye to the Saunders family who are off to Cambodia on Friday; dedicated 2 Kelly children to God and baptised Chris (an adult).
I am grateful to God that the rain held off for both events and the w\e events were enjoyed by so many people.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Small Group is great
Small Group this week
The Beacon Church doesn't just meet on Sundays. We meet during the week in Small Groups, normally in homes. I really enjoy the amazing mix of people in my Small Group - single, divorced, married, four nations represented, different backgrounds and careers, aged 18-56, the friendly banter and the genuine care and concern demonstrated. Where else would you find such an amazing mix of different people enjoying each other's company week by week? Church is great and Small Group is a good way to get involved.
The Beacon Church doesn't just meet on Sundays. We meet during the week in Small Groups, normally in homes. I really enjoy the amazing mix of people in my Small Group - single, divorced, married, four nations represented, different backgrounds and careers, aged 18-56, the friendly banter and the genuine care and concern demonstrated. Where else would you find such an amazing mix of different people enjoying each other's company week by week? Church is great and Small Group is a good way to get involved.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Brighton Leadership Conference
Leaders at Brighton
We have returned from an excellent week in Brighton. 25 of us from Camberley joined with 4,000 others for great worship and excellent teaching. I think the highlight for me was Terry Virgo speaking on the church on Wednesday evening. It was the kind of message you want everyone to hear. All the sessions are now available free to download or you can watch the video if you prefer. Just follow the link:
www.newfrontiers.xtn.org/together-on-a-mission
For me it was also very challenging hearing from those building churches in very difficult parts of the world where intimidation and persecution are staple diet.
Newfrontiers is a great family to be part of!
We have returned from an excellent week in Brighton. 25 of us from Camberley joined with 4,000 others for great worship and excellent teaching. I think the highlight for me was Terry Virgo speaking on the church on Wednesday evening. It was the kind of message you want everyone to hear. All the sessions are now available free to download or you can watch the video if you prefer. Just follow the link:
www.newfrontiers.xtn.org/together-on-a-mission
For me it was also very challenging hearing from those building churches in very difficult parts of the world where intimidation and persecution are staple diet.
Newfrontiers is a great family to be part of!
Brighton Leadership Conference
Leaders at Brighton
This years Leadership Conference was even better than I anticpated. 25 of us from Camberely enjoyed great worship and teaching with 4,000 others. The highlight for me was probably Terry Virgo on Wednesday evening speaking about the church. It was the kind of message you want everyone to hear - in fact you will be able to soon as all the sessions will be downloadable free very shortly.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Can you trust a politician?
Can you trust a politician?
Recently I was invited to meet Philippa Stroud the director for Centre for Social Justice – a stones throw from the House of Commons in London http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/.
With the present expenses scandal amongst MPs in the UK it is difficult to know who to trust in the political world. After an inspiring a very informative time my confidence in the polical process was restored inasmuch as there are individuals like Philippa making a real difference in the political arena, working hard, full of compassion, well informed and who you can trust.
I came away very challenged at how little I am engaged in the political debate and how uninformed I am.
Recently I was invited to meet Philippa Stroud the director for Centre for Social Justice – a stones throw from the House of Commons in London http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/.
With the present expenses scandal amongst MPs in the UK it is difficult to know who to trust in the political world. After an inspiring a very informative time my confidence in the polical process was restored inasmuch as there are individuals like Philippa making a real difference in the political arena, working hard, full of compassion, well informed and who you can trust.
I came away very challenged at how little I am engaged in the political debate and how uninformed I am.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Local Churches Working Together
Local churches working together
One of the fun things about this week was having breakfast with the other local church leaders. Each week we meet together to pray (yes the Brethren and Roman Catholics too - we all get on!), but one a month we have breakfast together. We ate, prayed and laughed a lot. We are committed to building better relationships.
Yesterday was special because we were joined by Christine – the new churches Project Development Officer. She will help us, as churches and other bodies, join up some of our ministries and resources plus identify other areas of need in the community.
Our regular meeting together has also resulted in the generous offer made by our Catholic friends that we move into the Catholic Church whilst we have building work done on The Beacon Church building. Grace indeed.
One of the fun things about this week was having breakfast with the other local church leaders. Each week we meet together to pray (yes the Brethren and Roman Catholics too - we all get on!), but one a month we have breakfast together. We ate, prayed and laughed a lot. We are committed to building better relationships.
Yesterday was special because we were joined by Christine – the new churches Project Development Officer. She will help us, as churches and other bodies, join up some of our ministries and resources plus identify other areas of need in the community.
Our regular meeting together has also resulted in the generous offer made by our Catholic friends that we move into the Catholic Church whilst we have building work done on The Beacon Church building. Grace indeed.
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