Off to Taize this afternoon, leaving my best beloved behind but other than that huge distress I am really looking forward to having some time to reflect and give my still centre a little TLC.
Think of me on the big purple bus tonight as we drive through the night!
Blogging service returns to normal after I'm back sometime like 7th August.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Fresh Cafe 07
Fabulous couple of nights at Fresh Café with young people chilling (rather too literally in some of the downpours!) hanging out at the café, strutting on the dance mats, zooming on the snowboard, getting down on the singstar, getting moving on the volleyball and five-a-side football, getting artistic for our big art installation, reflecting in the labyrinth, rocking to the bands (Behaviour were just STONKING!) and generally exploring what MAKES LIFE MAKE SENSE to them.
There was time also for some deep conversations and some important conversations too.
This may not sound amazing but at the beginning of the second evening we had about 25% of the main tent that was useable and not literally underwater, the labyrinth tent had blown apart earlier in the day and most of the site was decidedly squelchy and clouds like these were looming around us!
Clouds over Fresh Cafe 3
Originally uploaded by Sarah Brush
There was time also for some deep conversations and some important conversations too.
This may not sound amazing but at the beginning of the second evening we had about 25% of the main tent that was useable and not literally underwater, the labyrinth tent had blown apart earlier in the day and most of the site was decidedly squelchy and clouds like these were looming around us!
Clouds over Fresh Cafe 3
Originally uploaded by Sarah Brush
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Who do you say you are?
We had a good chat at Fresh Cafe last night about personality types and how people are different.
Some of the young people were wondering about it so I said I'd put up a link to a page that has an online version of the Myers Briggs Test. I would strongly recommend being tested properly by qualified Myers Briggs tester in the future but this one is good if you're just curious and this other one has good explanations too.
Some of the young people were wondering about it so I said I'd put up a link to a page that has an online version of the Myers Briggs Test. I would strongly recommend being tested properly by qualified Myers Briggs tester in the future but this one is good if you're just curious and this other one has good explanations too.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The real Mary Magdalene
This morning's sermon is below. I also strongly recommend anyone wanting to explore this further to take a look at the Rejesus site.
You may notice that we have a smaller version of Da Vinci’s Last Supper on the back of your service sheet. Today I want to explore Mary Magdelene not as the Da Vinci Code would have it -
Wife of Jesus? mother of his children? Centre of a great church conspiracy? but as she is presented in the Bible.
What does the Bible say about Mary Magdalene?
Matthew
Mary is the first one he mentions as those gathered at the foot of the cross and in the list of women who went to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday and were the first to see Jesus risen
Matthew 27:50-56 Matthew 28:1-10
Mark
The Gospel of Mark also lists Mary Magdalene first at the cross and in the garden and who fled from the empty tomb telling no-one because they were afraid but Mary then sees Jesus and here we have some new information about her
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
Mark 16.9-10 Mark 15:33-41
Luke
Luke also lists Mary Magdalene as the first among those to the tomb but this is not her first mention in Luke. In his gospel Luke also mentions Mary somewhat earlier. She is listed, again first in the list, among those women whom Jesus had cured of evil spirits or diseases and who travelled around with him and helped to support Jesus out of their own means. (Luke 8.1-3) (Luke 24.1-12)
John
As is so often the case, it is the Gospel of John which is different and a little more detailed in its description of Mary Magdalene.
Mary comes last in the list of those standing near the cross – unsurprisingly it is Jesus’ mother that John’s Gospel lists first. But this isn’t a judgement against Mary magdalene’s significance, more an honouring of the place of the Virgin Mary. Indeed John’s recognition of Mary Magdalene’s own ministry is evident in his description of Easter Sunday. In John’s account it is Mary alone who goes to the tomb. She finds the stone rolled away and seeks out Peter & John. After Peter and John have gone home again, Mary stays near the tomb weeping and after meeting with two angels, she is then the first to witness the risen Jesus, though she’s not aware of it at first:
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20.14-18 (John 19.25, John 20:1-2 & 11-18)
So this is what the Bible says, does it tell us anything more?
Well the fact Mary is called Magdalene rather than “the wife of” indicates that she was probably not married. Magdalene indicates she was from a place called Magdala, a town next to the sea of Galilee
Mary’s prominent listing as first in the list of women around Jesus certainly hints to a prominence and importance. Does this mean that the she was MORE than a significant follower?
What about what the bible does NOT say.
There is no mention of Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene. If Jesus had been married, I personally see no reason why it should not have been mentioned. As many of us will have heard at weddings:
“Marriage is a gift of God in creation
through which husband and wife
may know the grace of God.
It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust,
they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind,
as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.”
For me, If Jesus had been married, if he had had children, I might question God’s plan which left that family unsupported but the very fact of Jesus being married. For me that would be acceptable, honourable but most importantly the bible does NOT SAY HE WAS.
More importantly, we have nothing in these passages about Mary being a prostitute. This results from a confusion over so many Mary’s in the New Testament. It’s the same as someone hearing about All Saints in a few hundred years confusing David Picken with David Knight or David Cambridge and coming up with a Vicar who plays the organ and used to sit in the front few rows.
Unfortunately even one of the great fathers of the church, Pope Gregory the Great described Mary as a prostitute in a sermon in the year 591.
The Da Vinci code and other books see this as a conspiracy. Something sinister and secretive? If this were so, surely the church would not celebrate Mary Magdalene as they do today, honouring her role.
So, according to the bible, Mary Magdalene, dedicated follower and supporter of Christ, present at his death and resurrection; NOT a prostitute, not the wife of Jesus,
What about these other texts which Dan Brown’s book says presents a “more human” story of Jesus. The Gospel of Philip, which the Da Vinci code cites as describing how Jesus loved Mary above the other disciples an used to kiss her on the mouth. Firstly, a kiss on the mouth then was a common practice. Secondly this book was written some 250 years after Jesus’ death – compare that with Mark’s Gospel which written within a lifetime of the event. Which would you consider more reliable?
(Other texts, the Gnostic Gospels, seek not to portray a more human Jesus, but in line with the Gnostics focus on knowledge and wisdom, many of them portray Jesus more as spirit than as human. The Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Jesus, much later than those in the Bible, describe Jesus as having one special confidante wither Mary or Judas. These texts are both from the mid 2nd century and differ drastically from the more contemporary Gospels which have been generally accepted. The Gospel of Thomas which is earlier has barely any reference to Mary. )
As some of you may know, before I was youth minister here I used to study History and Latin and, as much as I enjoyed the Da Vinci code as a great work of fiction. I have to say that for the period of History I myself had studied, that of early medieval France, Dan brown’s history is decidedly dubious. So much so that one part made me laugh out loud.
Fiction of this kind may well be fascinating but this (Da Vinci Code) is not the book that should be central to us. It is FICTION. This (the Bible) is what should be central to us.
What does the Bible and the real life of Mary Magdalene have to offer us as an example today?
She was someone whose life was turned around by her encounter with Jesus. Before him she had been possessed by seven demons. We know from other storied of Jesus curing demoniacs that such people were ostracised and ignored. Jesus delivered her of those and she followed him and supported him in his ministry.
Mary Magdalene had the guts to stand by as Jesus was crucified. When many of the disciples had fled in terror at Jesus’ arrest, fearing for their own lives, Mary and a few others stood with Jesus in his agonies.
She also demonstrated her caring nature in coming to the tomb to anoint his body with spices. She was certainly an emotional person. We hear her mourning and weeping. When she does see Jesus after his resurrection, John tells us that Jesus instructs her “do not hold me”. Clearly she had instantly embraced or reached out for him.
[This is something that can be very dificult for some Christians, especially for us Anglicans it seems. It's not this book (the Bible) that we have a relationship but with Jesus Christ.]
She knew the reality of his suffering, his sacrifice, his death. She witnessed his body being placed in a tomb and, because of this, she also knew the reality and significance of his resurrection.
She calls Jesus, the Lord, and teacher yet she is not entirely perfect. She does not recognise Jesus at first when he is risen. Like many of us, she missed something she was not looking for. It was only when Jesus called her by name that she recognised his presence.
How much do we follow Jesus? Acknowledge him as Lord and teacher?
How much do we support him and his ministry by our presence and our money?
How much do we allow ourselves to respond to Jesus with our emotions?
Do we recognise it when we hear Christ's call and do we respond?
You may notice that we have a smaller version of Da Vinci’s Last Supper on the back of your service sheet. Today I want to explore Mary Magdelene not as the Da Vinci Code would have it -
Wife of Jesus? mother of his children? Centre of a great church conspiracy? but as she is presented in the Bible.
What does the Bible say about Mary Magdalene?
Matthew
Mary is the first one he mentions as those gathered at the foot of the cross and in the list of women who went to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday and were the first to see Jesus risen
Matthew 27:50-56 Matthew 28:1-10
Mark
The Gospel of Mark also lists Mary Magdalene first at the cross and in the garden and who fled from the empty tomb telling no-one because they were afraid but Mary then sees Jesus and here we have some new information about her
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
Mark 16.9-10 Mark 15:33-41
Luke
Luke also lists Mary Magdalene as the first among those to the tomb but this is not her first mention in Luke. In his gospel Luke also mentions Mary somewhat earlier. She is listed, again first in the list, among those women whom Jesus had cured of evil spirits or diseases and who travelled around with him and helped to support Jesus out of their own means. (Luke 8.1-3) (Luke 24.1-12)
John
As is so often the case, it is the Gospel of John which is different and a little more detailed in its description of Mary Magdalene.
Mary comes last in the list of those standing near the cross – unsurprisingly it is Jesus’ mother that John’s Gospel lists first. But this isn’t a judgement against Mary magdalene’s significance, more an honouring of the place of the Virgin Mary. Indeed John’s recognition of Mary Magdalene’s own ministry is evident in his description of Easter Sunday. In John’s account it is Mary alone who goes to the tomb. She finds the stone rolled away and seeks out Peter & John. After Peter and John have gone home again, Mary stays near the tomb weeping and after meeting with two angels, she is then the first to witness the risen Jesus, though she’s not aware of it at first:
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20.14-18 (John 19.25, John 20:1-2 & 11-18)
So this is what the Bible says, does it tell us anything more?
Well the fact Mary is called Magdalene rather than “the wife of” indicates that she was probably not married. Magdalene indicates she was from a place called Magdala, a town next to the sea of Galilee
Mary’s prominent listing as first in the list of women around Jesus certainly hints to a prominence and importance. Does this mean that the she was MORE than a significant follower?
What about what the bible does NOT say.
There is no mention of Jesus being married to Mary Magdalene. If Jesus had been married, I personally see no reason why it should not have been mentioned. As many of us will have heard at weddings:
“Marriage is a gift of God in creation
through which husband and wife
may know the grace of God.
It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust,
they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind,
as Christ is united with his bride, the Church.”
For me, If Jesus had been married, if he had had children, I might question God’s plan which left that family unsupported but the very fact of Jesus being married. For me that would be acceptable, honourable but most importantly the bible does NOT SAY HE WAS.
More importantly, we have nothing in these passages about Mary being a prostitute. This results from a confusion over so many Mary’s in the New Testament. It’s the same as someone hearing about All Saints in a few hundred years confusing David Picken with David Knight or David Cambridge and coming up with a Vicar who plays the organ and used to sit in the front few rows.
Unfortunately even one of the great fathers of the church, Pope Gregory the Great described Mary as a prostitute in a sermon in the year 591.
The Da Vinci code and other books see this as a conspiracy. Something sinister and secretive? If this were so, surely the church would not celebrate Mary Magdalene as they do today, honouring her role.
So, according to the bible, Mary Magdalene, dedicated follower and supporter of Christ, present at his death and resurrection; NOT a prostitute, not the wife of Jesus,
What about these other texts which Dan Brown’s book says presents a “more human” story of Jesus. The Gospel of Philip, which the Da Vinci code cites as describing how Jesus loved Mary above the other disciples an used to kiss her on the mouth. Firstly, a kiss on the mouth then was a common practice. Secondly this book was written some 250 years after Jesus’ death – compare that with Mark’s Gospel which written within a lifetime of the event. Which would you consider more reliable?
(Other texts, the Gnostic Gospels, seek not to portray a more human Jesus, but in line with the Gnostics focus on knowledge and wisdom, many of them portray Jesus more as spirit than as human. The Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Jesus, much later than those in the Bible, describe Jesus as having one special confidante wither Mary or Judas. These texts are both from the mid 2nd century and differ drastically from the more contemporary Gospels which have been generally accepted. The Gospel of Thomas which is earlier has barely any reference to Mary. )
As some of you may know, before I was youth minister here I used to study History and Latin and, as much as I enjoyed the Da Vinci code as a great work of fiction. I have to say that for the period of History I myself had studied, that of early medieval France, Dan brown’s history is decidedly dubious. So much so that one part made me laugh out loud.
Fiction of this kind may well be fascinating but this (Da Vinci Code) is not the book that should be central to us. It is FICTION. This (the Bible) is what should be central to us.
What does the Bible and the real life of Mary Magdalene have to offer us as an example today?
She was someone whose life was turned around by her encounter with Jesus. Before him she had been possessed by seven demons. We know from other storied of Jesus curing demoniacs that such people were ostracised and ignored. Jesus delivered her of those and she followed him and supported him in his ministry.
Mary Magdalene had the guts to stand by as Jesus was crucified. When many of the disciples had fled in terror at Jesus’ arrest, fearing for their own lives, Mary and a few others stood with Jesus in his agonies.
She also demonstrated her caring nature in coming to the tomb to anoint his body with spices. She was certainly an emotional person. We hear her mourning and weeping. When she does see Jesus after his resurrection, John tells us that Jesus instructs her “do not hold me”. Clearly she had instantly embraced or reached out for him.
[This is something that can be very dificult for some Christians, especially for us Anglicans it seems. It's not this book (the Bible) that we have a relationship but with Jesus Christ.]
She knew the reality of his suffering, his sacrifice, his death. She witnessed his body being placed in a tomb and, because of this, she also knew the reality and significance of his resurrection.
She calls Jesus, the Lord, and teacher yet she is not entirely perfect. She does not recognise Jesus at first when he is risen. Like many of us, she missed something she was not looking for. It was only when Jesus called her by name that she recognised his presence.
How much do we follow Jesus? Acknowledge him as Lord and teacher?
How much do we support him and his ministry by our presence and our money?
How much do we allow ourselves to respond to Jesus with our emotions?
Do we recognise it when we hear Christ's call and do we respond?
In the palm of his hand (finished)
Finally finished the painting yesterday and posting it as I think of all the people affected by the rains.
Very much in mind are all those flooded for a second time.
Prayers too for all those involved in planning summer activities for children and young people. Be assured, all those preparations will not be wasted. The young people and children join these events for what they get to do with friends old and new not for the sunshine! Even if it is pouring with rain - they'll all be happier at a camp than bored at home with it raining outside.
God is with you all. Remember he holds you in the palm of his hand
Very much in mind are all those flooded for a second time.
Prayers too for all those involved in planning summer activities for children and young people. Be assured, all those preparations will not be wasted. The young people and children join these events for what they get to do with friends old and new not for the sunshine! Even if it is pouring with rain - they'll all be happier at a camp than bored at home with it raining outside.
God is with you all. Remember he holds you in the palm of his hand
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night,"
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.Psalm 139.8-12
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
In the palm of his hand (in progress)
Close up of the picture I'm currently working on and really loving the colour blend. Just hope I don't muck up the detail at the centre when this bit has dried!!
Friday, July 13, 2007
On the front line
According to Ian, this is what the new bishop of Oxford has said:
[Youth Ministry] “This is absolutely frontline mission with an agegroup that has never been so alienated from the Christian Church. It’s not that they’re against the Church; it’s just that they know almost nothing about it.
Anyone in our churches involved in youth work needs special thanks, regular encouragement and an occasional bottle of whiskey”
Anyone in our churches involved in youth work needs special thanks, regular encouragement and an occasional bottle of whiskey”
if only it were so - my whiskey stores say otherwise!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Jesus on the cross
I got the chance to do some painting on my day off this week and managed to use the new BIG canvases that Michael treated me too in Cheltenham. It really is much more liberating to paint BIG. This is an image which has come to me over the last few years. It's all about the contrast of that dreadful and agonising cross and the glorious salvation it procured.
The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing but to those whoa re being saved it is eternal life.
I'm doing another canvas for Paul for the Youth for Christ office soon too. it really is good to have an outlet for stuff in a creative medium like this. Not sure what life would be without it in fact! This kinda ties in with waht we're looking at for Fresh Cafe this year. What makes life make sense for you?
The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing but to those whoa re being saved it is eternal life.
I'm doing another canvas for Paul for the Youth for Christ office soon too. it really is good to have an outlet for stuff in a creative medium like this. Not sure what life would be without it in fact! This kinda ties in with waht we're looking at for Fresh Cafe this year. What makes life make sense for you?
Monday, July 09, 2007
Yellow Braces 07
Fabulous weekened at Hill End though I am still tired!
We had some really great talks from Simo, an unforgettable flip-flop-flip-flop stomp from Ian, fabulous worship from the Taste band, awesome lifeguarding and techie stuff from KT, amazing nosh from the unflappable catering team, some great energy and enthusiasm from all the leadership team and some really good chat both fun and serious with the young people.
The late night worship was based on Jesus' two great commandments of Love God and Love your neighbour. There was the usual set up panic - this time resulting from a corrupted CD which meant I used different music to what I had planned BUT it worked SO WELL so maybe God had other plans all along!
I'd done a powerpoint show of images of people serving or seeking/needing help (which I'll try and put up somewhere for people) and invited the young people to pray for situations needing love via the hearts in the cetnre of the room and to offer their own service through adding their "hands" to the dead looking branch to bring our faith to life. I'm hoping someone else got some pics of what it all looked like in the end!
We had some really great talks from Simo, an unforgettable flip-flop-flip-flop stomp from Ian, fabulous worship from the Taste band, awesome lifeguarding and techie stuff from KT, amazing nosh from the unflappable catering team, some great energy and enthusiasm from all the leadership team and some really good chat both fun and serious with the young people.
The late night worship was based on Jesus' two great commandments of Love God and Love your neighbour. There was the usual set up panic - this time resulting from a corrupted CD which meant I used different music to what I had planned BUT it worked SO WELL so maybe God had other plans all along!
I'd done a powerpoint show of images of people serving or seeking/needing help (which I'll try and put up somewhere for people) and invited the young people to pray for situations needing love via the hearts in the cetnre of the room and to offer their own service through adding their "hands" to the dead looking branch to bring our faith to life. I'm hoping someone else got some pics of what it all looked like in the end!
Friday, July 06, 2007
Monday, July 02, 2007
Bless to impress
For various reasons, next week I need to IMPRESS some people with my skills and talents. As a strong believer in the concept of servant leadership I always find a certain conflict within myself when trying to demonstrate ability and competence whilst maintaining suitable humility. Of course, Jesus' response to people demanding that he impress them was usually to ask them a question, tell them a story with a hidden meaning or beginning a sentence with the phrase "woe to you..." (though the last one was not so often in response to people to be honest!)
Of course as in many things it's more about discernment than about testing how GOOD someone is, well it certainly is for me.
I don't tend to do youthwork in the mode of trying to impress young people with how cool I am (though occasionally they do say I am which I find quite unfathomable!) but rather in that more incarnational model of coming alongside them, sharing in their journey and their story and helping them see themselves in the greater story of God and find God in their own story.
Unfortunately that slow, dedicated and personal model of ministry is never very impressive if you try and judge it in terms of SUCCESS but I don't see the point of measuring success that much as it's not really about how well I've done. It's whether or not I'm doing what God wants for me and for the young people in front of me which really counts.
So am I going to impress? I don't know. Am I going to endeavour to discern... I certainly am.
Of course as in many things it's more about discernment than about testing how GOOD someone is, well it certainly is for me.
I don't tend to do youthwork in the mode of trying to impress young people with how cool I am (though occasionally they do say I am which I find quite unfathomable!) but rather in that more incarnational model of coming alongside them, sharing in their journey and their story and helping them see themselves in the greater story of God and find God in their own story.
Unfortunately that slow, dedicated and personal model of ministry is never very impressive if you try and judge it in terms of SUCCESS but I don't see the point of measuring success that much as it's not really about how well I've done. It's whether or not I'm doing what God wants for me and for the young people in front of me which really counts.
So am I going to impress? I don't know. Am I going to endeavour to discern... I certainly am.
Friday, June 29, 2007
It looks like a castle but it's not
These are the words I heard from a 6/7 year old walking past our church down the churchyard path with his dad. It got me thinking - I hope people do see that the church is not a castle - not a fortified place defending what's inside it from the outside world. I hope they focus on the "it's not" part - the wide open doors that welcome all of any age. hmmm - that'll have me pondering.
"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Matthew 11.25
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Armour Believer
I can't believe I haven't put up the notes from my talk to Cross-Section on Sunday! Well I suppose I can as I have been kinda busy since then BUT I do usually manage it. In fact it was one of those talks which I can't quite remember. A friend kindly said "those ar the best kind" and another also confirmed I said something that hit home so...
We often think of faith as a journey. At the moment if we were going ona journey we might take a rain coat and heavy boots (there were props - can you guess what!) but of course I'm not talking about that kind of a journey. The faith journey isn't like that but we still need to be equipped.
How about these (ok without the visual bit here this may have slightly less impact)
a sign to point the way (a cross)
a map of where we're going (a Bible)
something to light the way (a candle - Christians use those a lot)
a guide book to explain everything (a bible commentary)
Well let's have a look at what Jesus' model was:
So Jesus didn't tell the disciples to go out with Scriptures and commentaries and of course he wouldn't have sent them with a cross. No the equipping we need for our journeys of faith is very different. Paul considers faith not so much a journey as a battle:
At the centre is the belt of truth - the thing which holds everything in right in the middle is TRUTH. The truth of the Gospel of Christ. The knowledge that this Good news is TRUE and is TRUTH is central to our defence and our faith.
What is it that protects us against temptation? against sin? Righteousness is what protects us. You can wear a silver ring as a symbol of that if you like but it is your own inner sense of Christian morality, your own righteousness which will protect you against sin.
Our feet a protected too. Whether we are called on to stand firm against oppression by others because of our faith or if we must follow Christ and MOVE. It is the READINESS of the Gospel of peace. What does that mean? It is that inner peace, that calm still centre which is the knowledge of the peace which God gives that makes us able to stand firm or to follow where Christ leads. (My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you etc.)
What about all those peopel who attack our faith; people at school who take the mick out of you for being a Christian or just for believing SOMETHING rather than being cynical "like everyoe else". I often think this is harder for young people than for adults. Most adults will be polite and not criticise someone for their faith even if they do disagree but young people will voice their opinion and the defence against that is your own faith in God.
For all those times when someone does try to RATIONALISE you out of your faith there is this helmet of salvation. People may try to make arguments that they call logical against your belief in God but the knowledge of the salvation that God offers all through the death and resurrection of his son; that totally irrational illogical love of God for his creation and his children.
Now the last in the list. The ONLY weapon please note. The Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. When people DO attack your faith, God offers all this armour to defend you and he gives us just one weapon; the word of God which is revealed in scripture and the words given to you by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Those are the only things you can use to fight back.
That doesn't make it easy. It is a struggle to keep the faith in an increasingly secular world and that's why we at Cross-Section what to give you some tools for that journey. One of them is the Examen, an ancient form of prayer used by Ignatius Loyola and many Christians since. You can do this each night when before you go to sleep - something we all do pretty much everyday, no matter how late! We'll do it now and you can try it on your own again tongiht or tomorrow night as one of your tools for the journey.
We often think of faith as a journey. At the moment if we were going ona journey we might take a rain coat and heavy boots (there were props - can you guess what!) but of course I'm not talking about that kind of a journey. The faith journey isn't like that but we still need to be equipped.
How about these (ok without the visual bit here this may have slightly less impact)
a sign to point the way (a cross)
a map of where we're going (a Bible)
something to light the way (a candle - Christians use those a lot)
a guide book to explain everything (a bible commentary)
Well let's have a look at what Jesus' model was:
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'Luke 10:1-11
So Jesus didn't tell the disciples to go out with Scriptures and commentaries and of course he wouldn't have sent them with a cross. No the equipping we need for our journeys of faith is very different. Paul considers faith not so much a journey as a battle:
"Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."So in Paul's image of the battle of faith, our armour is not something you can pick up and hold it's not something you put on - it's something inside; it's the way you behave and how you feel. So what is this armour?Ephesians 6.11-18
At the centre is the belt of truth - the thing which holds everything in right in the middle is TRUTH. The truth of the Gospel of Christ. The knowledge that this Good news is TRUE and is TRUTH is central to our defence and our faith.
What is it that protects us against temptation? against sin? Righteousness is what protects us. You can wear a silver ring as a symbol of that if you like but it is your own inner sense of Christian morality, your own righteousness which will protect you against sin.
Our feet a protected too. Whether we are called on to stand firm against oppression by others because of our faith or if we must follow Christ and MOVE. It is the READINESS of the Gospel of peace. What does that mean? It is that inner peace, that calm still centre which is the knowledge of the peace which God gives that makes us able to stand firm or to follow where Christ leads. (My peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you etc.)
What about all those peopel who attack our faith; people at school who take the mick out of you for being a Christian or just for believing SOMETHING rather than being cynical "like everyoe else". I often think this is harder for young people than for adults. Most adults will be polite and not criticise someone for their faith even if they do disagree but young people will voice their opinion and the defence against that is your own faith in God.
For all those times when someone does try to RATIONALISE you out of your faith there is this helmet of salvation. People may try to make arguments that they call logical against your belief in God but the knowledge of the salvation that God offers all through the death and resurrection of his son; that totally irrational illogical love of God for his creation and his children.
Now the last in the list. The ONLY weapon please note. The Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. When people DO attack your faith, God offers all this armour to defend you and he gives us just one weapon; the word of God which is revealed in scripture and the words given to you by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Those are the only things you can use to fight back.
That doesn't make it easy. It is a struggle to keep the faith in an increasingly secular world and that's why we at Cross-Section what to give you some tools for that journey. One of them is the Examen, an ancient form of prayer used by Ignatius Loyola and many Christians since. You can do this each night when before you go to sleep - something we all do pretty much everyday, no matter how late! We'll do it now and you can try it on your own again tongiht or tomorrow night as one of your tools for the journey.
Racing through a journey of faith
I picked up from Tim Abbot that Jonathan Edwards, once hailed as such a great ambassador of the Church in the media and the public eye has now had a crisis of faith.
Apparently it was in making a documentary about St Paul that Jonathan first heard the suggestion that the conversion of St Paul was in fact an epileptic episode. Edwards' response:
What is it about one tiny comment like this that can unpin a whole life of faith. I remember someone else (much younger than Edwards) who decided the whole Bible must be"made-up" because the angel in the book of Isaiah needed to use TONGS to pick up the coal which he touched to Isaiah's lips in the vision. Surely an angel wouldn't need tongs - was his assertion.
Fowler's model (though in my mind not perfect) talks about the different stages of faith development and I think it's the transition between each of these stages which can be the most difficult. I'd say Jonathan Edwards may have been stuck in one of these stages and fallen between the gap. Of course i don't know him so I wouldn't want to judge but his description of the St Paul incident and his reaction to it suggests his faith was more at the
Stage 4 - "Synthetic-Conventional"and hadn't worked through the stage 5 - Individuatice-Reflective stage. Some might even argue he IS in stage 5 and in taking charge of his own beliefs has rejected those of his upbringing.
Jonathan Edwards does not seem to be missing his faith but rather rejoicing with the zeal of the convert. He puts it this way:
So there are three challenges to us as youth ministry practictioners:
How do we disciple our young people to THINK about their faith not just learn it?
How do we help young people move from one stage of faith to another?
How do we Christians deal with the secular humanist spectale wearers who consider themselves "neutral"?
Apparently it was in making a documentary about St Paul that Jonathan first heard the suggestion that the conversion of St Paul was in fact an epileptic episode. Edwards' response:
"It made me realise that I had taken things for granted that were taught to me as a child without subjecting them to any kind of analysis."I think this response says to me that we need to learn a lesson from this in our ministry to young people. Of course we shouldn't be telling them that all the events in the Bible can be explained away by science BUT we should tell them that people will suggest it. We should encourage them to THINK about the Bible not merely to READ it but to read it WISELY and REFLECTIVELY.
What is it about one tiny comment like this that can unpin a whole life of faith. I remember someone else (much younger than Edwards) who decided the whole Bible must be"made-up" because the angel in the book of Isaiah needed to use TONGS to pick up the coal which he touched to Isaiah's lips in the vision. Surely an angel wouldn't need tongs - was his assertion.
Fowler's model (though in my mind not perfect) talks about the different stages of faith development and I think it's the transition between each of these stages which can be the most difficult. I'd say Jonathan Edwards may have been stuck in one of these stages and fallen between the gap. Of course i don't know him so I wouldn't want to judge but his description of the St Paul incident and his reaction to it suggests his faith was more at the
Stage 4 - "Synthetic-Conventional"and hadn't worked through the stage 5 - Individuatice-Reflective stage. Some might even argue he IS in stage 5 and in taking charge of his own beliefs has rejected those of his upbringing.
Jonathan Edwards does not seem to be missing his faith but rather rejoicing with the zeal of the convert. He puts it this way:
"But I feel internally happier than at any time of my life, more content within my own skin. Maybe it is because I am not viewing the world through a specific set of spectacles"I'd argue that he IS viewing the world through a specific set of spectacles. It's just his prescription has changed. He's not viewing the world through Christ's eyes anymore but through those of the secular humanist.
So there are three challenges to us as youth ministry practictioners:
How do we disciple our young people to THINK about their faith not just learn it?
How do we help young people move from one stage of faith to another?
How do we Christians deal with the secular humanist spectale wearers who consider themselves "neutral"?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Examen-ation time?
We used a form of the examen at Cross-Section on Sunday...
Do I hear "what's the examen?" or "what's Cross-Section?"
Head on over to the WYDE blog to find out!
Do I hear "what's the examen?" or "what's Cross-Section?"
Head on over to the WYDE blog to find out!
thundercats
We had our youth event on Sunday night - we'd planned a great SUMMER feel with BBQ and outdoor cafe with garden games... ok so it didn't go wuite to plan but at least when we were setting up the rain wasn't too bad AND we only heard thunder AFTER the event... even thought it did make a few of us unable to get a certain song out of our heads! enjoy!
Shiny Happy Person?
Your Social Dysfunction: Happy You're a happy person - you have a good amount of self-esteem, and are socially healthy. While this isn't a social dysfunction per se, you're definitely not normal. Consider yourself lucky: you walk that fine line between 'normal' and being outright narcissistic. You're rare - which is something else to be happy about. | ||||
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Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com Please note that we aren't, nor do we claim to be, psychologists. This quiz is for fun and entertainment only. Try not to freak out about your results. |
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Cross Section this sunday
Cross-Section is travelling into the coutnryside this Sunday as we're off to Hughenden church. We're also thinking about our faith journey and the tools that we need to travel that journey. I'm delivering the talk this time and (after using the examen) I'm going to pick up on Jesus' instructions to the twelve and the seventy two as well as the armour of God from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Any thoughts people?
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Life's tough
I know Ben has already put this up (thanks to Fr Simon Rundell's inspiration) but it is SO TOTALLY A MUST SEE. I'm just trying to work out when to use it... Heads up to the Australian section of World Vision for putting this together - majorly thought-provoking.
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