That's my King!

That's My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

HT to The FRWY for introducing me to this video

The Church is not the building

I’ve just discovered a piece on the handsome new building at The Salvation Army in Chelmsford, Essex UK

Having skimmed the text, and looked at the impressive images I’m still wrestling with my feelings, both about the perceptions of the writer, and the appropriateness of such a grand building for a movement such as ours. When I’ve had more time to gather my thoughts, I might post again.

One thing I am convinced about, though, is that the Church is not the building

Anyone got any thoughts?

Pic Credits: : Keith Collie

Heroes wanted: the HUMAN EVENT

HEROES WANTED FOR A QUEST TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE…SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL

I’m struggling to decide whether I can really make this, the HUMAN EVENT or not later in the year, as it’s so very close to the ½ Marathon I – somewhat stupidly – agreed to run in.

However, I’m hoping I can find a way to make it work for a number of reasons:

• It would be great to hook up with some creative and innovative Jesus followers who have a heart for mission

• It’s a chance to hook up with Sam & Rachel of Mosaic Sheffield once again

• …an opportunity to meet Geoffrey Baines for the first time

• I want to find out if Alex is as inspirational as Erwin! ;-)

• I’d like to know more about the International Mentoring Network

• Revisit Sheffield. My last weekend there was a good one

If the idea of a

“UNIQUE CONVERSATION about the future of humanity and the role of the church in the 21st century”

sounds interesting, you might want to check it out too.

Cuz

Proud of my kids' cousins.

What a great lookin' bunch!

BUILT on immigration, invasion, inclusion and adaption

Ever since the news broke that the BNP had secured two seats in the recent European parliament elections, I’ve been really troubled and have been wrestling with what would be a suitable & gracious response.

Anyhow, I think I’ve found that response in the form of this wonderful post on Tom Attah’s blog “Curry and a bit of Motown”. Clearly it’s written from the perspective of a Black English man, which is something I not (as a white Scot with an English accent), but I did find a lot in this post that resonated with me.

When the vote was announced I couldn’t adequately express my initial anger and dismay, so since then I’ve tried in my own mind to understand what it is that has allowed some sectors of the community to become so disenfranchised and fearful that they would be willing to align themselves - by virtue of their cast votes – with such an extreme party. I have to confess, I’ve largely failed to understand.

As I’ve gone about my business, travelled on the train, spent time with family, friends and colleagues here in London I’ve found myself thinking deeply about what a terrifying prospect it would be if a party like the BNP held power. They seem to be yearning for a mythical time of so-called racial purity that has never really existed. History tells us that this amazing island where we live has - for many centuries - been defined by the lives of those coming and going.

For me the notion that there is a pure indigenous British people is wholly erroneous, or at least long gone. I’ve taken more notice than usual of background and ethnicity of the people I know and I see around me to try and get some kind of a feel of who would be considered “indigenous”, and it doesn’t take long to figure out that we are deeply reliant on each other – we’re connected on many levels, and there’s no going back….thankfully.

Tom asks

“How do we take a message of understanding and inclusion…to people who have forgotten it or never been taught that they belong in the world, not on an island?

For me, as a follower of Jesus – someone who strives to live by the maxim Love God, Love Others - there are few better responses than this from Desmond Tutu that I’ve used on this blog before:

Jesus said, 'If I be lifted up I will draw all, all, all, all, all. Black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not so clever, beautiful, not so beautiful. It's one of the most radical things. All, all, all, all, all, all, all, all. All belong. Gay, lesbian, so-called straight. All, all are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go. All.

Chris Moyles enthuses!

If you’re reading this from anywhere other than the UK , you probably have no idea who Chris Moyles is, but it’s excellent to hear him enthusing on his show about a TV service he found on a recent Sunday AM.

Chris is kind of a big noise on the radio here in the UK, so it makes a change to hear someone being genuinely positive about the impression left after seeing a Kingsgate Community Church service on TV

Top effort, Chris!

Salvador: Dance Like David

Salvador at New Hope,Oahu,Hawaii.

Dance Like David

Fabulous!

Imagine Chick

I was interested to read that Chick Yuill has joined the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity as the Regional Church Life Consultant in the North West of England for the Imagine Project, which seeks to

“cultivate open, authentic, learning and praying communities that are focussed on making 'whole-life disciples' who live and share the gospel wherever they relate to people.

Sounds good to me!

There are more details here

I’ve not had a massive amount of contact with the LICC, expect for their involvement with a Michael Frost event I attended last year, but everything I’ve seen has impressed me.

Definitely worth checking out

Mooziq

When I created my blogger profile years ago, I listed my favo(u)rite music, as you do.

I thought I’d revisit it today, just to see if there were any changes I would make if I redid the list today.

Here are the people who float my musical boat:


• Aaron Neville
• Ben Harper
• Bill Frisell
• Brooklyn Tabernacle Gospel Choir
• Johnny Cash
• Iz (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)
• Jack Johnson
• Jaco Pastorius
• Joni Mitchell
• k d lang
• Lester Bowie
• Leonard Bernstein
• Massive Attack
• Marvin Gay
• David Bowie
• Me'Shell NdegéOcello
• Miles Davis
• Nicole C Mullen
• Ry Cooder
• Salvador
• Santana
• Steve Turre
• Stevie Wonder
• Talvin Singh
• U2
• William Orbit

Am I missing some of your faves you want to recommend? …because it’s a snapshot, there are even some of my own favo(u)rites missing!

Any of the above sending you reaching for the dial?