The ramblings of a diseased mind

The Disgusting Practice of Nepotism...in the Church!

2011-09-28T09:42:00.004Z

nepotism [ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm]
n
favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence

I recently started work for the South Eastern Education Board, and about a month in, I am finding it to be a great challenge. So different from Church youth work, and I can really feel myself being stretched and new skill sets being acquired on an almost daily basis (mostly paperwork I might add!). Before all this though, I had found myself to be in a very interesting, often difficult place. I would be bold to even say, I might have been wandering in the desert for a while!

In December 2010, a decision was taken which meant that upon completing my contract in Glenavy, I would be moving on. I have to add at this point, that this was absolutely the correct decision, and one I am glad for. I immensely enjoyed my time at Glenavy (5 years, 4 months), and really built up some firm friendships and learnt a lot about myself, who I am and what I want to be when I grow up! I am thankful that I still have links with that church, and actually enjoy just being a 'parishioner', not the youth WORKER! However, in December, this decision meant that I needed to get into gear and find myself a new job; a daunting enough prospect given the current economics of our land!

So, over Christmas I dutifully searched the usual places, and found quite a few I could apply for. The one thing that hit me initially was the thought that this time round I was actually pretty well placed-after all I had nearly 6 years full time youth work experience behind me, as well as several new qualifications in the youth work field. I got a few responses in those early months, and each one were happy to invite me for interview. I was pleased with this, as I knew that interview stage was half the battle, and being reasonably confident in myself and my abilities, I knew I would give a good accounting of myself!

First interview in, and it went well. I got asked back for another interview, and whilst I was not successful (no-one was on this occasion) my confidence had been boosted; this was, after all, only the first job I had applied for!

Second interview didn't go so well, but I had applied for this job not really looking to get it, but wanting the experience of more interviews. No need to say it, but I was not successful, but also not too bothered.

Third interview in, and this was a good job. This was perhaps the first interview I went into really interested in getting the job and thinking I could do lots here. I did an excellent interview in my opinion, as well as a near perfect presentation. I left feeling confident, but knowing that as with any job, you didn't know who else you were up against. However I felt I could not have done any better and surely I must have given the panel something to think about...I waited with anticipation for the letter to come back to me. When it did, it thanked me for my time, but that they would not be taking things any further with me. I was disappointed at this stage (which was about four months into the process of me looking for jobs), but I had faith that God would lead me to where I needed to go. I subsequently heard that this post wasn't filled at all, due to funding issues, but by the time I had heard this, it was too late.

I took a break for easter, and then got into full swing. I applied for several jobs at once. Whilst I had been disappointed with the outcome of my last interview, I knew I just had to keep plugging away. And then, perhaps the hardest couple months of my life started! Application after application was returned. They all said the same thing (as if churches had a stock letter for this situation); 'Thanks for your interest in this post. Unfortunately you have not been selected for interview. We wish you God's best in your future endeavors'! By the third letter I was getting frustrated. By no means am I an arrogant fella. However with my experience and qualifications I felt I should have at least been given an interview for most jobs I applied for. In fact, each one which refused me an interview, it would be fair to say I was overqualified for. This meant either there were people applying who were outrageously more qualified than me, or something more sinister!

Church youth work is a relatively small world. You get to hear things down the grapevine, and over time I heard things that really began to upset me. As I was plugging away looking for jobs, and continuing my post in Glenavy, the clock counting down to my departure date, I began to have inklings, suspicions and information passed my way. In essence, they all said the same thing; these jobs already had someone in mind. At first, I couldn't believe it. I mean, this seems too sneaky, doesn't it. It's something a business might do; write up a job for a specific person who you already have in mind (perhaps they already work in the company). No way a church would do this! If they advertise a post, surely they are going to do it fairly, and seek to get the best person for the post, not a favored candidate (who admittedly might be the best person also)! But my experience did not add up here. I was a reasonably well qualified youth worker (over qualified if going by the criteria many of these jobs had set), with 6 years experience of youth work, and a degree in theology. And yet I wasn't even getting an interview?

It was this period I found hardest. Not even getting interviews took it's toll on me. I started to get down, and was frustrated. At one point, my girlfriend tried to console me and suggested that knowing God, He would give me a job the day before I was due to finish my current post. At the time, it didn't take away the obvious sense of frustration I was feeling. I began to get angry at the church too. I felt that if there was one place on earth a person should get a fair deal, then surely it was the church. However, in my experience, the opposite was true-some churches were advertising jobs, getting people's hopes up, when in reality they already had someone in mind. There were just going through the motions to satisfy legal concerns. After about the third knockback (which got me really angry and actually resulted in me writing a letter to the church), I 'threw the head up' and decided to go outside the church. I applied for a job with the education board, got an interview, and within a week was offered a job. This only served to underline just how awful the church process was. It took me months looking for a job in the church, with many knockbacks, but go 'out there', and I was offered one immediately. It would be hilarious if it did not underline the seriousness of the issue!

Luckily for me, I did get a job...and it was offered to me the day before my contract with Glenavy expired (my girlfriend was right, as she always is!). However, I constantly hear about churches who offer jobs to family members of important members of the church, or people who have been serving in some role within the church for some time. Now, there is most definitely an argument to be made here that if people have been performing some of the roles of youth worker, and have built up a relationship with the young people in the church, then maybe they should get the job, for continuities sake. And whilst I would put some merit in this, is it enough to employ someone based on just the fact they are a member of your church, or have established a relationship. What about the dozens of other applicants who have worked for years in other areas, who are qualified and who can perhaps bring new ideas and new initiatives to the mix?! It only really takes about six months for any new youth worker to find their feet, so bringing in a new person does not mean the end of the world from a youth work context.

Church needs to be careful what message it sends to the outside world. Employing the daughter of this committee member, or the husband of someone influential in the church says that it's about 'who you know' in the church world, not how good you are for the post, whether this person is qualified or not. When it's seen as a common practice, that's when it is truly dangerous. In my experience, I have seen numerous job descriptions that seem to have been written up with a specific person in mind; obviously so they, over everyone else, can meet all the criteria, and legally be 'the best person' for the job. I think this practice means that churches miss out on some truly great youth workers. It means that young people may miss out on new opportunities as they are left with someone they know who may just continue on with the old way of doing things. And it means that honest to goodness brilliant youth workers are left unemployed because they aren't lucky enough to be 'known' by the church looking to employ.

As I look back at that time, it was difficult. I did find myself becoming very angry and frustrated with church. After being employed by a statutory agency, it saddened me that I didn't get as fair a deal in 'mother church', that I had to go outside the church to be valued based on my experience and skills, and not just on who I was (or who I was related to). It would be easy to look at this blog and call it a rant, but I can honestly say it isn't. I truly see the hand of God on the last few months as he guided me into the post I am in now (which I am over the moon to be in, despite, or maybe because of, it's challenges). Indeed, there have been other opportunities that have come about that would probably have never came to my door if I were still in church youth work. However, whilst I am happy on a personal level, I still find myself getting angry at the perception the church gives out to the world. Indeed, it isn't just restricted to offers of employment. Countless times I have heard the same story from people of how they were left out in the cold because they weren't part of the 'in gang'. How sad that church, the one place where all should be accepted and where all should get a fair deal, is the one place where many feel the opposite. As hard as it was for me when it came to NOT getting a job, I can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be for those who are just looking to be accepted, to be involved, but who find the door closed because they aren't 'one of us'.

The challenge to the church is very clear, and not just in matters of employment. We must resist the easy temptation of choosing those we know or like, and be willing to meet new people, involving ourselves in their lives, take risks with the unknown, and not let our decision making (on all levels) be about who you know. There are gifted, talented individuals out there (in your church maybe), who could bring a whole new dimension to the work of your church...if you gave them a chance. Let church be the one place on earth where everyone get's a fair deal, and where you are cherished not on who you know, but who you are and the sum-total of who you could be with the gifts God has given.

Revelation: Literally Real, or Really Literal

2010-04-08T14:58:00.004Z

Ok folks, it's new post time. I know you can hardly contain your excitement since the last, back before Christmas, but I am sure I can whet your appetites for the next couple of months...or maybe not!

Anyway, Christmas has been and gone. Grumpy times over. I am on my second haircut of the year (only another 2 or 3 to go), and life moves on into the monotony of routine.

So I got to thinking the other day about Revelation (that book at the end of the Bible). It's such a confusing and often misused book (there I said it!). It is confusing in the sense that it talks about Dragons and Beasts and horses and numbers. In some ways it seems like it is part of a trashy fantasy series written in the 50s. It is misused in that when people 'use' things they don't understand, mistakes/errors can be made and horrible things can be justified by such misuse! And to be honest, I think for a long time now the function and purpose has been misunderstood, and sometimes abused!

As some of you may know, my degree at university was in Theology. Interesting enough if you're into that sorta thing. I remember that one of my modules was on Revelation. It seemed like a good idea at the time of choosing modules, but when it finally came to my first class, I was filled with a not inconsiderable sense of trepidation. How on earth was I going to sit in an exam and write about REVELATION. I barely understood it, and found it really confusing (and weird). This sense was not helped by the lecturer, who right at the start of the first class suggested that we would end this module with even LESS of an idea about Revelation than when we started. He went on to say that studying Revelation was all well and good, but do not expect to receive enlightenment as the nature of the book can sometimes inhibit that! Needless to say, I was not filled with much confidence by this point. However, I worked through the material, did the coursework, sat the exam, and I passed.

Passing an exam on Revelation still left me with little clue as to the nature of the book. I left well alone for a few years, but it always seems to draw me back. Just what is this book all about? Is it a literal account of the end of time, where God will triumph over his enemies, and Jesus and the Heavenly Host will squash all opposition to God's will and rule? Or is it something else?

You see, on a theological level, I really struggle with the concept of a God who is all war and blood. Jesus suggested that we see the Father through the Son, and whilst Jesus did display anger on occasion, it always seemed to be aimed at the injustice perpetrated by society. He didn't seem to be very much in the game of 'winning' against his enemies. Indeed, he suggested that LOVING one's enemy was the proper course of action, and that losing was ACTUALLY winning. In some ways, comparing the Revelation story with the accounts of Jesus' ministry almost make one think that God is perhaps a bit bipolar!

But of course he isn't! Maybe this gaping chasm in personality can be attributed to how we read Revelation. For the record, I don't think Revelation is a literal account of the end of days, and shouldn't be read as such. It may well come to pass that there will be a human (or group of humans) who so personify evil as to be called Anti-Christ. It may well happen that disease and death and war and famine will hold sway over the earth (and this is not too hard to believe looking at the world around us). Will they ride horses...I personally think not! I believe that the book of Revelation is a metaphor for the world. It is trying to hold a mirror up for us to peer into and see just how WE have a role to play in this story of Creation.

You see, I very much believe that God called mankind into relationship with him at the beginning of it all (Adam, Eve, Garden of Eden etc). That relationship was strained, and throughout history, God has been working to restore and redeem that, the fulfilment of which was Jesus. Of course one of the significant things about Jesus was his death. However, let us not forget his LIFE. I believe that Jesus came to earth, not just to die but to show US how to truly LIVE. That by our actions, we could bring Heaven or Hell to earth and that building the Kingdom was a PROCESS, not a one of event with a floating city coming down out of the clouds.

You see, Jesus was all about justice. In fact, throughout the whole Bible we see God calling for justice and equality; for slaves, women, foreigners. In many ways, Revelation should be a call to action! It is more about what effect WE have on the world, than some beast rising out of the water. Can we honestly say that ALL war, death, destruction, famine, natural calamity, disease etc is the result of external forces riding about on horses? Is it possible that the personification of Four Riders is actually human activity in the world? That it is us, and our abuse of the world and all in it, that cause War, Disease, Famine and Death? Revelation is a call to the underground church, those who are oppressed and downtrodden, who seek justice and love for all. It is less about triumph over enemies and the destruction of the world and more about the restoration of the world, and the hope that God gives...even to those who may be his enemies!

Don't get me wrong, I do believe in a literal Satan (maybe I will write some thoughts on this sometime). I do believe that the world is building up to something-I mean look at how much the world has changed, even in the last decade, and we can see that. I do believe in anti-Christ, although I think that anti-Christ is not always a person, but can be an idea, or a system (basically anything that is against Christ). I do believe that God will work things out and there will be redemption, but I don't think we should be looking to that END, but rather should be looking to what we can do NOW. If anything, Revelation isn't an account of the end, but a wake up call for us here, now. What is YOUR role in creation? Will you be someone who builds Heaven through your actions, or someone who builds Hell? To me, THAT'S the message of Revelation.

It's been years since I studied Revelation at university, and I must confess to a certain degree of confusion, especially with some of the imagery portrayed there. It is uncomfortable and hard to understand. However, as the years have trundled by, I have become more certain that God is not an all-conquering warlord. He is a humble servant. And he invites us lovingly into this Great Task of building the Kingdom, of re-creating the world to the original design specifications. Revelation can be a call to war, or it can be an encouragement to keep going in the LOVE of God.

I guess it's really up to you!

'Merry Christmas your arse' and the hypocrisy of being a Christian

2009-12-10T23:39:00.002Z

Yes, it is true...I am well known amongst my friends and family for being a cynical, miserly old git, especially in relation to Christmas. I wont deny this, and there are many good (and not so good) reasons for this. However, I have been feeling very challenged of late, due in no small part to the work I have been doing in the local High School. In the last few weeks, we have dealt with issues such as the plight of the refugee, genocide, natural disasters and conflict (of many kinds). In each area, one thing has held true-in every scenario, there are always people whose lives have been irrevocably changed by the events they have experienced. For many of these people, there is incredible loss and suffering on their part.

What has really troubled me is just how hard it is to really connect with these people in their suffering, not just on the part of the kids I teach, but also if I am truthful, for myself. Natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis don't happen in our wee corner of the world. Organised and mass genocide has not touched our shores. Even if we think of the Troubles, and the cost in both human and material terms, they pale in comparison to the troubles suffered in places like Rwanda in the mid 90s, and Sudan now (although that is not to belittle the suffering of the many thousands whose lives were directly affected by the Troubles). Needless to say, apart from the aforementioned Troubles, or wee country has got it pretty easy. It is such comfort that I feel numbs us to the plight of others!

At this time of year, thoughts inevitably turn to Christmas, buying presents, attending parties, eating food, enjoying the company of friends and family, crap television, and a whole host of other associated things. And yet as a Christian, I am deeply disturbed that for many of us, Jesus is no where near the top of our list (if he is even on it in the first place). I have come to ask the question 'what is the point of Christmas if Jesus isn't even in it?' Don't get me wrong, my understanding of God allows me to imagine the great delight he takes in when we encounter real and genuine community that happens especially at Christmas. This is a good thing and should be encouraged more often. However, in the same sense, I imagine his heart breaks when he sees us becoming so focused on trivial things.

The incarnation was such a dramatic and radical act within the span of human history. Here we have God himself, in the form of Jesus, coming to earth to exist as one of us, to live for us and show us how to live in turn, and then finally to die and resurrect for humanity. Such a profound and powerful act has been boiled down to what is essentially an orgy of selfishness.

As a Christian, I sometimes feel ashamed; not only at society at large, but also at myself. How can I have let myself, and those around me, focus on such selfish things. Is Christmas really about presents, or overeating food, or complaining about how bad television is? Is that what it has become? What happened to the radical and life changing act that was the original incarnation?

If you haven't already figured it out, you will by now notice my blog is often full of questions I don't always have answers too. By no stretch of the imagination am I trying to exist in an ivory tower passing judgement on others. I know I am just as complicit in the creation of a festival that is often as anti-christ as a coven of Satanists (or should that be Santa-ists?!). Am I suggesting we do away with Christmas, and have just a normal day (sounds nice!). Joking aside, of course I am not. However, what I am suggesting we do to do (Christian or not) is to set aside the self and consider the real reason of Christmas-that God would come to the world for mankind, to bring hope and redemption. There are an awful lot of people in this world who right now need a little hope and redemption. Perhaps we as a society and as individuals have an opportunity-strike that-a responsibility to ensure that such people find some hope. I hope that we can shake ourselves and hear the challenge to not become desensitised and numb to the plight of others whose Christmas will be more about surviving famine, or disease or death squads than it will be about buying presents, or complaining of what is on the TV.

Happy Remembrance of the Incarnation!

The arrogance of youth

2009-06-30T00:38:00.004Z

I was getting out of my car one day, a week or so past, and I see this kid walking past me with his mobile phone out, and tunes blaring out of the damn thing. It was a funny moment, as his music was just pure AWFUL, but I didn't have the heart to say anything to the poor fella, who probably thought he was the 'dogs' as he walked past me listening to his totally radical music (or insert a more culturally relevant word than 'rad'-thinking about the 'Turtles' at the moment). Anyway, a very normal everyday occurance made some impact on me. You see, I have encountered this quite a lot-young people using their mobile phones as an open air disco, for all the world to 'enjoy', and to be honest, it strikes me as quite arrogant! I mean, what makes these kids think that I really want to listen to their music, which quite often has the musical quality of a hammer banging on a sheet of metal whilst someone runs a screwdriver down it! Don't get me wrong, I happen to think I have a pretty decent taste in music, and it is as varied as it is good! But kids these days?!!! Sheesh, most of them have an awful sense of what constitutes what makes 'good music'!

Anyway, I promise this is not a rant, and there is indeed some kernal of a point in this (apart from the 'grumpy old git'-esque rant on young people). As this kid walked past me listening to his music, I thought to myself, 'what the heck ever happened to earphones'?! I mean, I encounter this phenomenon quite regularly, where a young person will have the music playing over loudspeakers, and often think this. And on this occasion I came to the conclusion that it is because young people (and I do include myself in this) are essentially arrogant! Now, we could recriminate and justify and argue all we like, but I think that those of us under 35 can probably recognise a little bit of truth in this. Oh I am sure many of us continue to 'respect our elders', but we often consider that they are wrong on many issues, and we are right. I mean, as we shifted from modernity to post-modernity, many of us looked to our parents and especially our grandparents and sometimes consider their worldviews and experiences to be 'antiquated'! Come on, most people over the age of 50 struggle with common concepts such as i-pods, gaming on consoles; even tuning a VCR (which has itself become obsolete) is a struggle for some. Now I do stress that there are exceptions to the rule, but I draw on my experiences, especially with my parents, who seem to be almost pre-historic in their understanding of technology! So as we show respect to our elders, we often think that we probably are at a more advanced level in our understanding of the world and how things 'work'!

But is this the case?

I am not really coming at this with any concrete answers. However, I have seen that young people today have lost something of what I had when I was a 'kid'. I see young people spending all their time on computers, gaming, social networking. Whilst things like the internet and modern technology can be an amazing resource in drawing people together, I think in some ways it can create a massive distance. And I do appreciate the irony in saying this in a forum which can only be accessed by such technology. However, I feel that something has been lost in the last 15 years. As a kid, I often went out and 'horsed about'-the less said about this the better for my reputation-but I can honestly say these were important times in my life, and particularly in the formation of who I was to be. I often smile when I recollect stories of my youth, and whilst I made many mistakes, I think I got through things all right (depending on how you judge the 'end' product). So if thats how I feel in my mid-20s, how must someone in their 50s, 60s or 70s feel? Do they feel the world has changed for the better? And when I say better, I guess what I am really trying to assess is our level for true and intimate community with each other. As someone who believes that our reason for living is community, if something doesn't add to community, then it doesn't make things better.

Like I said, no answers, but more a case of having some thoughts to share. Perhaps what we can learn is that awareness that we haven't got it all 'sorted'! That in the 21st Century, there are perhaps things we can draw down from previous eras, especially in regards to community. And perhaps instead of being arrogant about our knowledge of technology or philosophy or any other thing ending with -y, that maybe, just maybe, we haven't got it all figured out...yet ;)

Peace

Communion?

2009-05-08T09:59:00.006Z

Chatting to fellow youth worker and profound thinker Saint Martin Montgomery, I suddenly realised that I shouldn't have to start off every blog with the usual round of apologies for not writing for months...I mean, do you, the reader, really care? And to be honest, why should I write useless drivel for the amusment of the mob?! Simply put, I have not had much I wanted to say these last few months; of course thats not to say I haven't been thinking about a lot of issues/topics. I want to share some brief thoughts that have been swirling through the grey matter!

This time, its about communion. I have long held the belief that communion is a very significant act for the Christian. Strangely for a "Protestant" (and believe me, I do use that term lightly!), I have contended that perhaps our Catholic brothers are a little bit closer in their understanding of the significance of the act. Now, let me say that theologically speaking, I do not believe that the bread and wine physically turn into the body and blood of Christ. That is in no way to criticise Catholic theology on the matter, but rather to make my position clear (and not just as someone who has been brought up a 'Prod' in Ulster to disagree with everything Catholic, but as someone who has thought and reasoned the issue out for themselves).

Back to the matter...In communion, I believe something very strange takes place; whilst Catholics may believe that the bread and wine transubstantiate physically, I believe that it is more a metaphysical transformation. That is, there is a very deep spiritual transformation that occurs, that allows us to connect with Christ on the cross through the Eucharist. An act it may be, full of symbolism, but I think we do it a disservice if we leave it as just an act! On some very deep level, we are taking the body and blood of Jesus into us, perhaps not on a physical sense, but in a very real spiritual sense!

Being brought up as a Presbyterian, the Lord's Supper (wasn't much of a meal-sip of ribena, and a piece of bread) was always a time of reflection that inevitably had to be a guilt trip. Don't get me wrong, I love my Presbyterian brethren (the rest of my family still go there), and respect a lot of things about that church, but communion should never have turned into a guilt trip-where you feel bad about all the naughty things you have done, and feel so unworthy to partake in communion. Jesus never wanted us to go on a guilt trip when we take part in the Eucharist. Jesus wants us to remember him; to celebrate his life, and rejoice in his death and resurrection. When we take part in communion, it should be with a party atmosphere (at least in my thought). Of course, we should always enter into some self-examination and reflection, but it should never be self-recrimination. That is just not the Jesus Way!

And then there is a deeper issue behind communion; what does it mean to 'remember him'? I think that Eucharist should not just be a piece of bread and some wine (or Ribena for our Presby friends), but that Eucharist should be a 'lifestyle'. When we walk out of church, do we 'remember him'? When in work, do we 'remember him'? With our friends and our family, do we 'remember him'? With the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, do we 'remember him'? The etymology of the word 'Eucharist' stems from two Greek words; eú- "good, well" and kháris- "favor, grace"...Good grace! Hmmm, I wonder what this is trying to say to us? Is it that Eucharist is about more than imbibing and ingesting Jesus (whether physically or metaphorically)? Is it that communion is about more than a sacred meal that helps us remember the events of Jesus' life and death? All these things are extremely important for the Christian...However, maybe Eucharist is actually about our 'good grace' or good works after we walk out of Church. Maybe the true power behind communion is that it is not just for us, but it is for the world. As we 'remember' Christ, we live like him, and show him in our lives (speech and actions). And as we do that, people are drawn to the truth of the Gospel-that Christ came to set us free and give us 'real life'! Maybe it is that as we engage in good works, we need a little more of the body and blood of Christ within us, so that we can be more like him to the world? Perhaps that is the real power, the real purpose behind communion? Can it be that communion is so much wider and so much deeper than we every thought it could be? I mean, with anything of God, it is entirely possible that we have only just scratched the surface!

So, as you take communion, I encourage you to think about what this means not just for you, but for those around you (Christian or not)! I encourage you to recognise that a very significant and spiritual act, drenched in symbolism, but full of power, is taking place. I encourage you to think of how this act may be changing you, and how in turn does that change the world around you. And I encourage you to enjoy it!

Peace

How He loves

2008-12-13T02:23:00.002Z

I have been spending a lot of time recently listening to a guy called John Mark McMillan, from America. I generally dislike 'Christian' music (as if the very use of the word Christian excuses it for being musically crap), but this guy is something else. I love his music, and I love the place it takes me...

The story about Steven at the start of the video is heartwrenching. However, one thing that strikes me about this story is just the committment Steven had; he prayed that if his death would mean something, then let it happen, and that night he died! Oh how I wish to have that passion for my God...

Here is the song in full, if you just want to listen to it

Taking a break from all your worries

2008-10-25T13:39:00.002Z

Gosh, how the world seems to have changed over the last year! Everytime I switch on the news (be it ITV, BBC News 24, France 24, ABC) it all seems to be full of doom and gloom. This credit crunch (which I stil don't fully understand, especially when a lot of the downturn in the markets 'seems' to be caused by PEOPLE) has really instilled a lot of fear and worry. But since I don't have lots of money anyway, I don't have much to loose (well maybe my massive Star Wars novels collection). I just wish people in the media would stop focusing on the fear and worry; this creates more panic than what it is actually worth (although not to take away from the genuine worry posed by the current economical downturn). At least the price of oil has dropped, and petrol is now below the pound mark in the first time in AGES!

Anyway, enough of the despair; I am heading away this Sunday for a few days with some friends to the Slieve Donard. The aim here is to get a nice break from things, relax, and have some banter. I probably can't really afford it, but to be honest, its worth getting away for a couple of days, and Bag did manage to get us a pretty decent deal (well at least for it being the Slieve Donard anyway). So for the next few days, I am not going to be thinking about the credit crunch, or work, or all the other things that cause me headaches, but just relaxing in the company of good friends, and maybe for a couple of days, we can imagine the world is a great place with no worry!

That being said, I do have LOADS on at the moment. I am preparing to take a youth weekend with a Church in Antrim. I am looking forward to it, but seeing as it is my first time doing a weekend, I am more than a little apprehensive. But hey, the way I will look at it is just a series of conversations (which I am more than good at!). I also have to deliver a report to my bosses in the next couple of weeks. Now it is just a routine report (I try to give one every 6 months), but it will quite possibly dictate the direction the youth work, and possibly the Church, will take for the next few years. So I am feeling a little bit of the weight of responsibility, as I want to make sure I get everything I need to into my short 10 minute report, and try to show a glimpse of a possible way forward.

A New Season

2008-09-02T20:30:00.002Z

Boy...summer flew in. I cannot believe that summer is over and people are getting back to school, uni, work. For once, I was part of a Church community that didn't shut up shop for the two months of summer! Don't get me wrong, it is good to have a break, and I certainly enjoyed mine, and it was sorely needed. However, it is also good (at least as a youth worker) to realise that there is a very real need for our young people. That for them, summer can be a long time, and if we do not engage with them, if we do not connect with them, it can be a negative time for them. I was so blessed to have certain things come together which meant that this summer, we had around 50 hours of engagement with young people in Crumlin, as well as Summer Madness, Impact (street reach) and a kids bible club. I think that is just amazing, and already I have seen so much benefit from just opening our doors for a couple of hours a week over the summer. Young people are asking questions, they are showing interest in being more involved, and the opportunity for some of our younger leaders to actually just get a chance to lead was great.

That being said, the challenge now is how we bring this into the new school term. Obviously (and rightly so) priorities shift; people focus on work, study etc. How do we continue to meaningfully engage with young people without facing burn out. This is the question I must answer in the next few months!

One other thing summer is good for is weddings! I have been at three this summer, and they have been fun times-opportunities to meet with old friends, and wish the happy couple well. I had a crazy weekend last week, with two weddings in two days. I would not want to do that too often, but by the end of the second wedding, I was just deliriously happy, to the extent I hated myself (those who know my cynical side will empathise!). I have also enjoyed spending time with a new arrival; Bag and Emma's son, Jude. It's been great getting to know him, and I really look forward to being a part of his life (Lord help the kid with me as his 'uncle'!).

So, a new season indeed. Looking forward and seeking God, trying to grow and move in the right way. It will be exciting, fun, scary and challenging. Times like these are what I live for (and hopefully Arsenal will win this season!).

Adieu

Kids Club and nights out

2008-08-11T01:44:00.006Z

Just finished my Church's annual kids club, and have to say, I really enjoyed it. I'll be honest, I am not a big fan of children. They can be uber-annoying, and ask hard questions I don't have easy answers to, and I have so much respect for dedicated childrens workers, whether they be primary school teachers, or more informal workers. I do see the benefit as a youth worker in knowing the children of my community, and having those relationships in place early on can be good. But I just don't think I am a good childrens worker! It was fun, and being able to act like a total child for one week (only one!) is good fun. A lot of preparation goes into a children's week, and you have to hope that something goes in there; something that can be of benefit to the kids when they get back to school etc. We had a church service to mark the end of it and I felt it went really well, and the kids did a good job in singing, praying and saying some words which described kids club for them (flabertastic!). Now I am back to more youth orientated matters as I continue to run our summer programme and look to the autumn and plans I have then. Maybe more on that later.

One other thing I want to talk about was my mate Bud and his stag do...what a night. I can honestly say, I have been out a lot, and I have never had such a good night. There was so much laughter (I nearly went into cardiac arrest at one point) and it was just a superb night, with some great memories and funny photos. My favourite has to be this one of Bag. I found it that funny that I actually woke up the next morning laughing...

Return to the blogosphere

2008-07-02T10:45:00.002Z

I have been silent for quite a while...in some ways I needed that, in others, I haven't had much chance to rant! But I am feeling s little more ready to write now...I am sitting inbetween big 'events'. Summer Madness ended yesterday, and apart from feeling absolutely shattered, I don't know what else to say. As I get older, Summer Madness looses it's shine for me, but I so appreciate the effect it has on young people, to learn and grow and experience more of God. Next up; Impact. I have been working on Impact the last few months, and it is one of the biggest projects I have ever undertaken. The idea behind Impact is to encourage young people to serve their community through practical service (think StreetReach). A lot of preparation has gone into this, and I am now just completely drained, and ready for a break. But I do feel Impact will be an amazing opportunity to see the Kingdom grow in Crumlin, and look forward to see what God will do.

After Impact, I have a break, and whilst part of me needs it emotionally and physically, another part doesn't want to be left sitting alone with nothing to do for two weeks. So I am slightly apprehensive about this!

Lots more going on, but not all stuff I can write about. I appreciate your prayers for all that is going on (especially Impact), and hopefully it wont take me as long to write again.

Rape, murder, mutiliation: its the Bible!

2008-02-25T13:42:00.005Z

Wow...my posts seem to be getting more and more sparse. It has been difficult recently trying to keep on top of everything, as I have lots going on, and as sad as it seems, this blog is just another victim, along with the countless relationships that have been put on hold! If you are one of the people who I rarely see anymore, my apologies-but know that I still think about you...unless I hate you! Only kidding!

Anyway, what has been going on? Well work has continued at a frightening pace. With weekends to organise, and the week to week business of spending time with young people. However, a few new and exciting things have happened in the last few weeks. Uppermost in my mind is a prayer event that we ran in the church. It was encouraging to see people drop in and pray for an hour or two in their own way. Several people asked what were we praying for, to which my reply was, 'we are just praying'. It is interesting that some still need to have reason to pray, and I understand this; as humans, many of us need to have a motive, a 'raison d'etre', behind all that we do. We often ask the question 'why do we do this' instead of just saying 'why not'! However, I feel it was a great start, yet an exhausting one for me, as I was there for around 27 hours!

Another new thing is an after school drop in that I have been working on. It is myself and another youth worker from the Glenavy Youth Project, as well as two young volunteers from church. We seem to attracting about a dozen young people every thursday, which is encouraging. However, it still needs work. It is great to give the volunteers the chance to really gain experience however, and for that, it is an exciting opportunity.

Life without Gail has been a struggle...sure we talk at night, but sometimes, when you have had a tough day, you just want to chill! I am a great believer in the beauty of companionable silence. I sometimes love to sit with s friend, or with Gail and just not have to feel the need to talk; to just enjoy each others company. However, when all you got is a phone call, its impractical to do that :(

Want to share a quick 'holy thought'. I was doing some research the other day for a talk. I found myself in Judges and was just reading aroung, when I came across Judges chapter 19. The gist of the story is about a Levite and his concubine. They travel and eventually come to a town where they are welcomed in by a man. Later that night, the men of the town come to the man's house and demand that they be allowed to have sex with the Levite. The man, afraid for his guest, instead offers his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine. Refusing, the men keep demanding the Levite, until the Levite forces his concubine out. The men of the town gang rape her all night, and in the morning, she makes her way back to the house. The Levite goes to leave, and seeing her lying there, demands her to get up. When she doesn't respond he puts her on his donkey and travels to his home. When he arrives, he cuts her up into 12 pieces and sends them to the tribes of Israel, as a sign of what happened.

I was very shocked by the brutality of this story. But it reminded me that the Bible is a very shocking book, full of war, intrigue, death, rape, misfits, liars, terrorists, sacrifice, destruction of innocents, but yet, it is the book with which we recognise God speaks to us. How many of us have sat in a church and heard the story of Judges 19...yet here it is in our Bibles. And the story has much to say; about selfishness and the state of a nation, that resonates even today. In what society what it be acceptable to rape, murder and mutilate a woman? Until you turn on your TV and realise that it happens all the time. These stories, whilst shocking, can have a lot to say to us, here and now in the 21st century! It just saddens me that so many in the church (and I am guilty of this too, as I suspect we all are, consciously or not) pick and choose what they want to get out of the Bible. If we are going to accept the authority of scripture, then surely that includes even the passages that make us uncomfortable, or confused?

Well, I have rambled enough. Thanks for listening

The Final Frontier

2008-01-20T00:04:00.000Z

I can't wait until december! This movie is gonna rock! Finally something to look forward to this year!! Live long and prosper

Things can only get better!

2008-01-10T22:19:00.000Z

Ok, so I haven't been on for quite a while (nearly a month in fact!). Between then and now we have had christmas and new year. It is probably good that I didn't get on over christmas, as I probably would have moaned about how it has been hi-jacked by the commercial, consumerist regime...ooops there I go! Anyway, one thing I do like about that time of year is just the opportunity to catch up with friends who I haven't seen for a while. It seems that the space between such meetings is getting bigger and bigger, despite any efforts to the contrary.

That aside, Gail was home and it was great getting to speand some time with her. It was far too short a time before she was going back to Bristol, and it is tough getting used to a routine without her here!

2008 hasn't seen the greatest start for me, but the beauty about a miserable start is that it can only get better! I am spending time getting things together for church, and it feels like a crucial time, with pressure abounding! I would assume however that for most people this is also the case with work starting back! I sometimes wish we didn't have holidays, because it can be a nightmare getting back into things!

Anyway, enough complaining...I hope your 2008 has had a better start to it, and if it hasn't, in the words of a famous one-hit wonder from these beautiful shores, 'things can only get better...'

Happy New Year

Provocational living!

2007-12-06T14:50:00.000Z

Ok, so I have been through the absoring of the Xbox, made it through the other side and then disappeared to a youth worker retreat this week!

Peace

Only joking, but that does pretty much sum up the last fortnight for me. However, I want to discuss the retreat I was on...there was loads of stuff unpacked at it, and I would like to share a few things!

The key speaker was Tony Jones, who writes books and takes part in an emergent church! I honestly think he was class, but he seemed to provoke some negative reaction from some of the people there!

He spoke about spiritual practices, but the main controversy seemed to come from his views on church. He was asked on more than one occasion about his view of mainstream denominational church (it was Anglican and Methodist youth workers!) and he said his view should be fairly obvious, as he had already chosen to opt out of it by becoming part of an emergent community...smart guy!

This made me think about my own (and my colleagues) objectivity. At the end of the day, we are paid by the Church, and therefore can we claim to be objective about its negative things?! Maybe we can; however, we need to recognise that just as people like Tony don't have all the answers (indeed he doesn't claim to) neither to we!

There was one question I asked during one of the many times of open discussion that was picked up on by more than a few people who approached me about it (not in confrontational ways, but more to discuss) and it was this; 'Is the Church Christian?'. What do you think of this statement/question?

The return of an all conquering hero

2007-11-22T19:13:00.000Z

I was away over the weekend visiting my wonderful girlfriend in Thornbury, Bristol. Unfortunately I had a bad case of cold and due to the crappiness of the weather over there, didn't actually get to do much. However, it was good spending time with Gail. Boy was it hard leaving to come home and I understand why people talk about long-distanced relationships in a negative way. That being said, I find that the distance isn't too much of an issue!

I was thinking last night about my erstwhile career as a rapper! In fact I blogged on my bebo band page about it, but since no one ever reads those blogs on bebo I might as well have tried to write it on the dark side of the moon. However, I realy got to thinking about getting back into writing some hip hop. So, maybe, just maybe, 2008 will see a return to that for me. I just need to find the time and the inspiration!

What else is going on? Well, I have a couple of important weeks coming up in work. These are all tied into the future, particularly what 2008 holds for youth work in our church. These will be an interesting, but challenging few weeks, and I am really looking forward to seeing what God can do. Perhaps closer to the new year I may share some of the plans (once they are made!).

So, my life as a social creature is about to end tomorrow (if Royal Mail can deliver on time!). I am looking forward to getting my copy of an eagerly awaited game; 'Mass Effect'. This game (I will not bore you with the details) will effectively see me lock myself away until I complete it 2 or 3 times. And if it is like any other RPGs (Role Playing Games) I have played that could take anywhere up to 100 hours of gameplay each!!! So, if you don't hear from me, then yes, it is because I have ceased to exist as Stuart Moles and have become absorbed into my Xbox 360!

Peace

God Is An Astronaut

2007-11-11T17:23:00.000Z

I have really been enjoying listening to this band recently. The album 'All is violent, All is bright' has been a particular favourite (although I haven't really listened to much of their other work yet!). God is an Astronaut are a three piece from Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Their music is often referred to as being part of the post-rock genre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-rock). So, as a tribute to seagoe, I am going to put up a video of one of their songs. Enjoy

On a more serious note...

2007-11-05T12:34:00.000Z

Ok, so its been quite a while since I produced a blog that was more serious in tone. But today, for those who wish an injection of seriousness (seriously?!), this one is for you!

I have been grappling a lot recently with the fact that our generation struggles when it comes to being serious about God. I mean, its easy to be serious about the Creator when you are in a hyped up worship atmosphere, or things are going well (in church, in life etc). However, in the boring, tough times, we seem more likely to turn to bebo, our blogs, ipods and games consoles. Why does it seem so hard for us to sit and pray or read our bibles. Now I know some of you who read this are very serious and passionate, so this probably ain't aimed at you. However, any advice/wisdom/tips you can give would be appreciated by the rest of us!

Let me get something straight; I suppose this is aimed more at me than anyone else. As a person, I find it soooo hard to concentrate! I just can't seem to focus on something for long (unless its playing Halo 3!). Is this an inherent fault in my genetic makeup? Do I need more discipline in my life? Maybe it's both! I mean, it is so frustrating-I want to read more, pray more, but it just seems such a struggle at times. Dare I say it-its boring!! I believe that in my life, church has made these things boring, but I totally recognise that I have an opportunity to do something about it. And if you are like me, someone who feels disconnected at times from prayer and bible study I would encourage you too! Lets start being more serious about God. Lets pray for our towns/cities/villages and the people in them. Lets study the bible more and gain some knowledge. This takes committment, and that is probably something our generation, with its consumeristic approach to life may find difficult. But with the power of God (was nearly gonna say Grayskull there!!), we can do anything! Are you up for it?

Handy!

2007-10-25T23:30:00.000Z

The video below is rather sad, but at the same time very creative.

Like I said...creative. Amazing what people spend their time on; just gimme Halo anyday!!

I've been stuck in a nuclear bunker!

2007-10-20T19:06:00.000Z

Well, not quite as the title suggests, but I have been out of touch with my old buddy the internet for a couple of weeks! For those who have been reading and eagerly anticipating any posts, I apologise (particularly you Wiggins!). I have been having a few technical difficulties, but hopefully now they are resolved...we shall see!

Anyway, whats been happening? Well Gail has made the move to Bristol three weeks ago, but that seems like ages ago...how will I survive the next year?! Halo 3 has also played a big part of my life the last month...man what a game. I will give a more indepth report on this later!!!

I have been working away in Church and lots of things are happening. I have been involved in a series of leadership development nights, the aim of which are to get together and learn things that we feel are useful to youth work and to life. I have also started a OCN course in youth work in Belfast and it seems like it could be very interesting!

Well, that was a very brief report, but gotta dash. Thanks for reading!

Faith Healing

2007-09-18T00:27:00.000Z

I'm really just on a rant, so you have been warned [not that I think anyone wastes their time reading my blog]! I was away with a few people over the weekend from churches in the area I work in. We were all leaders in our respective churches trying to seek big G on some things. Anyway, a group decided on saturday to go into town as there was a healing ministry run by one of the churches local to the area. Long story short, one of the guys got healed of a back condition; his leg actually grew longer [which was apparently the reason for his back ache-different length legs]. Now this is an amazing story, and I'm sure many have a similar story or at least know of someone who has. However, what I am taking umbrage at isn't the incident itself [it was clearly a work of God] but the fact we use the phrase 'faith healing'!

Faith healing is such a bad word to use. It suggests that for it to work, one must have faith, and if there are no results, then maybe you didn't have enough faith, or God doesn't like you. And lets face it, there are many out there who have received healing when they didn't have much faith it could happen in the first place, whilst those faithful people who pray day in and day out for healing don't get it! I suppose it is a question that is often asked; why does God heal some and not others. I mean when we look at it, God heals people who have faith, and those who don't. And sometimes those who have enough faith to actually move a mountain don't get healing. Does it all depend on our faith? I'm not sure. Obviously faith can play an important part, but I think why having faith is so important is that it can bring hope to a situation where maybe all earthly means of hope have been exhausted.

Its late at night, I'm rambling and it probably doesn't make any sense at all. But please leave a comment if you feel the need. I think the only conclusion I have come to is that I don't have a conclusion. Other than I am gonna try and maybe, perhaps, possibly not use the word faith before healing. I just dunno...

Future proofing

2007-09-09T14:20:00.000Z

It's been nearly a month since my last blog, but that doesn't mean nothing has been going on! It's been an interesting month, one full of planning for future and searching; my soul, my room, my dvd collection!! In all this has been a difficult but good process. As I look to the future I ask God where He wants me to be, what He wants me to do, who He wants me to be.

In the middle of all this I managed to get away for a few days with Gail. We just stayed in a caravan for a few days, and it was great to just get away. My mind was still on work, and that is something I need to work on-to really just get away for a while, but it still was a refreshing time nonetheless. Had a great time visiting the Bushmills Distillery (my first time there) and also went to Carrick-a-rede which was great (but nearly gave me a heart attack with the steep steps). Also saw a Eurofighter on my last day which flew right over the caravan sight-what a noise!!

Gail leaves for Bristol in a couple weeks for a year! What more can I say to that one? Other than I will miss her and it will be strange without her (nagging in my ear!!!).

Ok, so this was a very brief update, if you can even call it that! But before I go, let me leave you with this video. It's of Bono at the NAACP Awards about 6 months ago. Bono, as ever, gives a stirring call to action to help the oppressed and to bring justice.

Liberal?

2007-08-13T12:03:00.001Z

Followed this link on a friends blog. Thought it might be fun to try. It's more American based, but I think you could get the point. Anyways, if you do/have done it, let me know so we can compare notes!

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 20% Conservative, 80% Liberal

Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Fluteboxing

2007-08-04T21:12:00.000Z

This is pretty class. Many of you may know that I like to try my hand at a bit of beatboxing. I am rubbish, and set against this there is just NO competition. How talented is this guy?!

Thanks to Bag for showing me this. Sit back and enjoy for 3 minutes!!

Peace

Live the Questions

2007-07-26T15:30:00.000Z

Ok, let me be frank (or maybe billy!)...right now I am at a place where I am really questioning this whole life thing. When I say life, I am actually talking about what Jesus gave me (in all its fullness). Don't get me wrong, I am not questioning in a sense of is it worth it (cos it is!), but recently I have found myself shifted into a place where I have more questions than answers! Is this a good thing? Well, I think it is. Some of the questions I have felt moved to ask could damage your faith, but I am holding up to it fairly well. Thats not to say I have better faith than most (far from it), but for some reason all this questioning seems...holy. I can't explain it! Most of our christian indoctrination (oops did I say that-slip of the tongue!) would seem to say that too many questions are bad, but I somehow seem to be able to connect with God more when I am asking Him questions. I suppose my reasoning on it is that the guy made the flipping universe; I reckon He can handle a few questions about 'Life, the Universe and Everything'.

I was at a gathering of some people the other week, and a lot of stuff was said (some of it not particularly relevant to me), but one thing that a guy said was all about questions. And he said to 'Live the Questions'! What does this mean exactly? Well I'm not too sure, but I think ours is an angry generation; too much bad stuff happens in the world and our only response is that 'God's ways are higher than ours'! Surely we can come up with better answers! Maybe not, but I'm still gonna keep asking God the hard questions. I reckon He can take it.

Oh, and if you want to know what some of the questions are, come and talk to me and we can have a discussion. I wont, for obvious reasons (i.e. fundamentals whose world might explode at the thought of a Christian asking God questions), repeat them here.

Keep the Faith...Thanks for listening

Update

2007-07-18T12:27:00.000Z

Well, it's been a while since my last post! So I have decided to give a wee update on whats been going on in the life of Moles...

Firstly I am currently living in a non-Gail world as the lovely one has been in Moldova since the start of July, and wont be home until the 29th of July. Cue much moping about the last week or so!

Then, lets not forget the craziness that was Summer Madness/StreetReach! What can I say? In the aftermath of the car crash (see previous post for more info!), I was actually dunging myself as to how I would cope over Madness. I knew that lack of sleep wouldn't be good for the healing process, and I didn't even want to consider camping! For the first few nights, I was lucky enough to be offered a bed in a friends house, but during StreetReach I camped with the crew. It was...interesting. Many reading this will have experienced Summer Madness on some level in the past, so I wont bore you with details. Let me just say this; apart from lack of sleep and general umcomfortability/nuisance of living at the King's Hall for over a week, Summer Madness was great. Highlights for me had to be Bart Campolo whose message, in my mind, is key to our culture, Stan Fortunado, and all of StreetReach. I was very apprehesive about StreetReach, but really enjoyed it. And the march from city hall to King's Hall was one of the most amazing things I have ever participated in. I could say a lot more here, but will maybe leave it to another post, once all the buzz has died down and I have had a chance to process everything!

Next up, I had a week off. I did absolutley nothing but game and hang out with Bag and Emma. It was a tough week without Gail and a car, but my trusty Xbox helped me through it all.

So I am officially back to work now. I am currently in the process of organising our kids club week at the start of August, and also planning for the future (particularly come September). There is some change on the horizon, which is exciting, but also scary! So say a prayer for me and the youth leaders in Glenavy. As well as all this, there is the usual smattering of summer weddings, of which I will be attending one tomorrow actually. I am also looking forward to the missus getting home, just to spend some time with her before she goes to Bristol...for a year!!!

Anyway, thats all for now. Thanks for listening...

Crash!

2007-06-27T18:16:00.000Z

If you are wondering whether I have taken up car body modification as a new hobby, then let me assure you, I haven't! This is my car after it had a tete a tete with another vehicle at 30 miles an hour!

So what happened? Without getting into to too much detail, I was coming home from the train station after picking my sister up and turned down the 'new road' (Millenium Way). As I was driving down (about 100 yards from the junction) a car attempted to turn into Tescos, cutting across the road, right in front of me. Needless to say, I dunged myself! Next thing I know, I'm slamming hard on the breaks and into the front of the oncoming car. It was kinda funny and scary-my glasses flew off my head, so I was practically blind, and I got out of the car, still blind. My sister was in the car too and had to be taken away in an ambulance, where she then went on to be a guest of Craigavon Area Hospital (good food, good beds!!!). I followed her out later on that night and managed to see a doctor after about two and a half hours. I was knackered when I finally got home!

One thing struck me about the whole thing though; I normally don't use that road when coming back from the train station, but for some reason I did use it last night. And I wasn't even going to pick me sister up, as i was supposed to be at Gail's house and was very close to telling my sister to get a taxi. But being a good Christian I decided to go pick her up. And she was supposed to walk home that night, but decided not to as it looked like rain. All these chance occurances make me wonder whether it was fate! Too many things clicked into place and I was definately in the wrong place at the wrong time...Or was I?

You see, whilst I was out at Craigavon, a patient came in, who was not in a good way. I don't know who it was, or what exactly happened, but it had sounded like a suicide attempt, and all I could hear was him crying and saying why was he still alive. That sound of hopelessness and despair prompted me to pray for that man. Will it do any good? I dunno, but at least last night, someone was in the same room as that desperately hopeless person praying for them. So maybe I was supposed to crash, maybe I wasn't...However, it is a good lesson in how God can always use a situation for good, regardless of what that situation may be.

P.S. Please pray for me and my sis-they kept her in overnight, with concerns for her neck, and I am feeling very sore, especially down my left side. I am going to Summer Madness with a group for 9 days this weekend, and Im not savouring the prospect of camping. So your prayers are very much appreciated.

So from a battered and bruised, but nonetheless happy, Molar; Peace

Bartlett for America!

2007-06-15T15:29:00.000Z

The West Wing: possibly one of the greatest shows on earth! This is how government should look like-it ain't perfect, but boy, do you wish that Jed Barlett (Martin Sheen-who is, I hear studying at NUI Galway) was the real life president of the USA. Anyway, I have blasted through the final two seasons of the show (seasons 6 and 7), and I have finally finished them. Part of me wishes that they could continue with a new presidential storyline, but hey, all good things come to an end (also the title of the last Star Trek: The Next Generation episode!). It is sad when things end, but inevitably all things have an ending (except of course God). I am really resisting the temptation to go off on a really deep discourse about things ending and look at some of the theological implications of death; however, I wont! Especially since Leanne wants a short blog (so here it is Ladders!).

Anyway, just let me finish by saying; go out and buy the West Wing. Borrow, beg or steal if you can't afford to buy. It is a great show, with fast paced, witty dialogue, and it will make you wish we all had leaders like Jed Bartlett!!

A language of hypocrisy

2007-06-07T23:02:00.000Z

Let me start this post by saying categorically 'I do NOT like or watch Big Brother as an avid fan'. However, that being said, I like many heard the news this afternoon whilst out driving that one contestant had been thrown out of the house. Somehow I found myself in front of the TV tonight (probably more to do with my lovely girlfriend than anything else) and saw the incident which resulted in the expulsion of Emily (said housemate).

For those who didn't see Big Brother (or didn't lower themselves to watch it!), said incident involved housemate Emily referring to another housemate (who is of Afican descent) as a n****r (clearly I do not wanna print the word because of fear of offending anyone, or having the PC Brigade crashing through my door!). I have to say, on first reaction I really did feel that Emily (who is white) meant no offence in the word she said, and was just a little bit silly. On further reflection, I still believe that it was a stupid comment and hope the poor girl doesn't get villified by the media or the public. However, I do believe that she has been made a scapegoat on the altar of hypocrisy! Let me explain...

Big Brother did not have to show the offensive comment. They could have dealt with it in a private manner, giving Emily a private slap on the wrist! Clearly, she meant no offense to Charlie, and unless Charlie wanted to pursue further action, it could have been resolved fairly amicably, and quietly! Now let me emphasise, I am not condoning racism in any way, but I do believe that in this case, Channel 4 used this incident for their own interest. It does add a fair bit of drama that someone had been thrown out of the house, and like myself, I am sure that many others switched on to see what it was all about. Part of their reason for throwing her out was that she made a comment that could offend viewers, but we the viewer did not have to see the incident if it wasn't for Channel 4 airing it.

However, my point doesn't just end there. This move is utter hypocrisy because culture is saturated with racism, bigotry and sexism, yet very liitle is done to stop it. Rap music is the perfect example; the N-word is used so much in rap music, that it is hard to tell when the insults end and the words begin. And rap music is one of the biggest selling art forms around at the moment. We make racist comments into a multi-million dollar industry. Also, Hip Hop's attitude to women is often times deplorable; they are almost treated as second class citizens! Surely this is hypocrisy in its ultimate-we will listen to, and purchase music that clearly is racist and derogatory, yet when a silly little girl makes a stupid comment, she is thrown off some stupid game that has no relevance for most of us who have half a brain (I am being a bigot towards people who like Big Brother!LOL).

I think this is truly sad. Clearly Big Brother's history of racism (Shilpa Shetty and Jade Goody) shows that action was needed. But I feel in showing this incident (which I would add, was nowhere near the seriousness of the last Celebrity BB) the only people who have gained is Big Brother themselves. However, maybe there is an opportunity here to discuss racism in all its forms, be it minor comments that we make, to clear racial hatred. It would be a shame if this discussion just stopped at a young girl in a gameshow. We need to really look at the almost institutionalisation of racism through such forms as Hip Hop. We cannot let one section of society get away with this, because rappers (as role models) then send out the message that it is ok to use such language, when in reality, many are offended by it!

Anyway, I really hope this is my first and last Big Brother related topic. I just felt that I needed to discuss this issue, becasue it just smacked of hypocrisy. Again, I emphasise at the end that I do not, repeat DO NOT, support racism in any form, and understand that words are powerful and we need to be careful in how we use them, as they can cause hurt and offense. So I invite comments, but ask you to be sensitive in what and how you say things.

Peace

Break........DANCE

2007-05-31T22:00:00.000Z

Well, I'm away tomorrow for a much needed break with my lovely girlfriend! True to my style, we have nothing organised and are just gonna see where we can get ourselves booked into for a night (hopefully in Donegal or summit). To be honest, its about time I got away. My job doesn't really facilitate weekends away as most of my weekend is taken up with work (exceptions being most saturdays with the lads!). However, this is the first friday night I have been off in ages, and we just decided, lets go for it!

I'm hoping that I will be well rested (even though it only is for one night), as Summer Madness rapidly approaches, and there is much more to be done during summer. So i ask you, spare a thought for us poor youth workers who have much stress at this time of year.

Peace

All Creation groans

2007-05-24T12:43:00.000Z

I'm sitting here trying to think of what to say, and I just keep coming back to how disappointed I am with life! Now this is not a suicide note; but I have to say, life at the moment seems to be a bit tedious. I think it's because like all of us, I sense that there is much more to the mundane life that this world offers us. This probably seems very obvious to those of you reading this, bit I think I just need to get this off my chest.

Is it just me or does life seem to have come to a halt. We were promised so much at the dawn of the 21st Century...until 9/11 changed that. We were promised so much by Live Aid...but it seems that nothing much has changed (sure individual communities benefit from this, and this is not to be underwritten-but where is the end to war, poverty, injustice etc). It seems we are further away from these things than we ever were in the 20th Century. At least then, we knew what was right and what was wrong; we were good and they were evil. Now we live in a world were there seems to be good and evil in every story. We were promised so much by our peace process, and it has taken 10 years to get something workable, and the success of that remains to be seen. And we were promised so much when we became a Christian, but for many of us, that life isn't really a fulfillment of that promise.

This all seems to be very negative, and maybe you are sitting there saying that I need to wise up; the glass is half full, silver lining and all that. There are people in this world who are in a much difficult situation than I am-starvation, loss of loved ones, persecution etc. I suppose what I am trying to articulate is that somewhere, deep within me, a groan of significant proportions is arising. I'm fed up with the promises...I want results. And maybe that starts with me. Do I believe that even in all the cynicism of this world, God works? Do I believe that the actions of a few can greatly benefit the many? I mean, all the examples I have given above haven't exactly been resounding failures; Live Aid helped feed countless millions, we do have peace in our country, the War on Terror has captured many 'terrorists' (who in reality are just like me; trying to fight for their cause!), and my Faith has helped me, guided me and shown me many wondrous things in the last 10 years.

But, it just doesn't seem enough...maybe I want too much! But maybe the greater crime is not wanting/needing/caring enough! Ok, so I am an optimist in a pessimists body (and quite a sexy one at that!!!!!). And what this blog boils down to is that even in all my frustration, squashed hopes and cynicism is the feeling that its gonna be ok; as long as I am never satisfied with what I have, God will use that to spure me (and hopefully others around me) on.

Sorry if this seems like a selfish blog; I needed to get this off my chest. I understand that my position in life is fairly comfortable when held up against other people's who have suffered tragedy. I don't mean to be ungrateful, or uncaring whatsoever. I hope that maybe some of what I have said can inspire you, the reader. If not, just ignore it, and pray for me and those around you.

Peace

When you speak does God listen?

2007-05-14T18:00:00.000Z

Had an interesting discussion with a really good friend the other day which was challenging and completely out of the box of normal 'Christian' thought. I just want to share some of it with you, for no other reason than it has occupied my thoughts the last few days...

The conversation started because a friend who is not a christian raised an issue of whether it is wrong to partake in communion if you don't even believe in the bible-for you it is just a piece of bread and a sip of wine; nothing more or less. Then we discussed someone else who wouldn't call themselves a christian but who feels that they have a personal relationship with God-they pray and share things with God. However the point was raised; are these prayers effective in any way? Does God listen to the prayers of people who are not christians? Lets get into the theology a little bit-it is said that God cannot stand evil, and therefore does not have communion with sin. Therefore, to pay the price and allow us to have a relatioship with God, Christ died. Theologically speaking it can be said that God doesn't see us, but instead sees Christ as we stand before Him (if we are christians). However, if God cannot have communion with sin, then how do we even get saved?! And thats were the discussion seemed to stall for a while...

I don't know if I have an answer-I mean logically speaking, if God can't stand sin, and Christ takes our place, then for us to accept Christ, we have to come before God as sinners-it seems paradoxical. And the question I had to ask was that does God ignore us sinners, or does he lower his standards for a brief time so that we can approach him to seek forgiveness?

If you're still with me, could you explain this to me; if you are not, then don't worry about it!

Anyway, it seems to me that yes, God hates sin (righteous anger of course), and that the only way we can have a real relationship is to stand on the payment that Christ made. But does that mean that God just ignores those who haven't accepted Christ? It seems to make Christianity a little bit too transactional; that is, if you don't accept God, he wont listen, and furthermore, you're going to hell! It doesn't seem to fit with the view I have of an all loving God who sent his son!

So what did I conclude? Well, I suppose if you are a christian, its kinda like a marriage-when you marry someone (so I'm told) the relationship you have with that person is so much deeper than the one you have with your mates-there is more to it. So maybe God has 'friendship' with people who are not christians; he listens and sometimes will speak to them, but the relationship is limited because that person is not 'married' to God (which is in a sense scripturally correct wording-'bride and bridegroom!).

The lesson...get married to God. Fall in love with him, because it is the best relationship you will ever have...period!

Faith as doing

2007-05-02T15:32:00.000Z

Another part of my personal journey over the last two years has been learning what true faith looks like. Now I am not talking about the faith that pays lip service to doctrine or organisation, but faith that is there because of the personal relationship you have with Jesus if you are a christian.

What I have discovered/learned/realised is that this true faith is all about actions. God brought me to James chapter 2 where he showed me that the faith that really matters is the faith that does!

What does this look like then? How do we live a faith that does? And do we really believe it matters?

In asking these questions, we would do well to remember the life of Jesus (you know, the guy we follow). Jesus spent time with people, building relationships. Granted, he didn't always have time for everyone (after all whilst on earth he was bound by temporal mechanics!), but he nevertheless was involved in some very deep, lasting relationships (his family, his friends the disciples, even some of the unloved!).

I believe that having a faith that does will look like that; relationships-not with everyone mind you, but with a small core of people, whether they be family, friends, christian or pagan. Some of these relationships could be the deepest of your life, or they could be built around a common thread, such as a love of football, or having a pint with a few old friends from school. And through these relationships you will have an opportunity to really show God's love through your actions.

And does it matter? You better believe it! Through interacting with people, we can show them a glimpse of heaven; not in our power of course, but by the power of the Spirit that lives within us. We carry God inside us, and in our actions, people are shown His love.

So its easy then...but it is also very tough!

Teaching a new dog old tricks!

2007-04-25T17:12:00.000Z

So here goes my second entry to this heap of junk! I'm just gonna share a thought or two...maybe three, who knows.

The last year or so, I have been musing on what it means to be a real Christian; what is the shape of being a follower of Christ in the 21st century. This has been an up and down journey as I have realised that there is something radically modern (or post-modern if you are that way inclined) yet something very ancient about being a follower! If you think at all about any of this stuff you will realise that Church history has been an exercise in dilution-the faith that was originally given to the disciples has been watered down to suit our tastes! As we go forth into the 21st century, there then has been this movement of (mostly young) people who are really searching for a new way to do Christianity.

What I have realised is that this new way is just the old way rediscovered. For many who may read this blog, that statement may be as old as the hills, but if this is new to you in any way take a moment to ponder that; to really seek after and follow Christ, all we need to do is look at the actions of a few rogues, scoundrels and a pharisee from nearly 2000 years ago...

So having established that the new thing is just the old thing, I then ask, what exactly is the old thing?! Simply put, the old thing, i.e. the Kingdom life, is all about putting others before yourself. Yes we have attached a lot of doctrine to this (some good, some bad) but if you want to truly follow, then I believe your starting place is 'life laying down love' or prefering others over your own needs.

Which brings me to my final thought (in a Jerry Springer-esque way). I once told a friend that I was no longer a Christian. She looked at me with a mixture of shock, horror and confusion. I went on to explain that not only was I not a Christian, but that I had found a new God. Let me explain, as I explained to her...I am not a Christian, but a follower of Christ. And my new God is not religion, But God! Maybe your thinking that I am stating the obvious, but sometimes I think we get so caught up in Christianity and all its doctrines that we sometimes forget the man/God behind it all. I am probably being semantic about it all, but I think we may just have to rethink what being a Christian is. As Rob Bell puts it, 'Christian' is a good noun, but a really bad verb.

Sorry if this seems too much like a ramble/rant, but please feel free to comment.

Peace

Welcome

2007-04-23T14:39:00.000Z

Just decided, after much thought (yeah right!) to set up a wee bloggy thingamajig. I had contemplated this a while ago, but then thought, why bother. But maybe now I can be bothered! Who knows?

Anyway, abandon hope ye who enter here!