Learning to Walk

blood diamond

I didn't make it to see Apocalypto in the end but last night we went to see Blood Diamond.  It was a great film.  The violence and carnage is horrific at times but not purely for 'this is Hollywood' effect, but because that is what must surely have been the case when government soldiers were engaged in street battles with militia.  The story was also incredibly engaging at a number of levels.

The film was such a success because it raised so many questions.  Although here we saw the exploitation of Africans for diamonds it could be so many other things that we in the west take for granted.  The sad reality of life for people who live through such times may be summed up by the comment of one man, sat in what remained of his burning village, surrounded by bodies: "At least we don't have oil.  Then we'd really be in trouble."  We were left with a number of statistics but probably the most chilling for me was that there are 200,000 child soldiers in Africa today. 

At the beginning of the year I had a strong sense of a need for social action to become a much bigger part of my faith.  A film like Blood Diamond only increases this feeling but the question I find myself asking is "How?"  Is ten quid a month going to do anything?  Is writing a letter?  Is buying fair trade?  Is going there myself?

I don't know what the answer is, but I want to find out.  If you do too, then start by checking out this site; www.realdiamondfacts.org.

public or private?

I was watching The West Wing last night (series 4 now).  During one scene a character said that he had been intimidated by the Presidents Catholic faith when explaining why he hadn't told the President earlier about the twins he and his ex wife were expecting out of wedlock.  The Presidents response was that it was his faith, that it worked for him, but that it wasn't for him to put on anyone else.  It reminds me of how, from time to time, we hear people in public office refer to their "private" faith and what seems to be being said is that it doesn't affect their public role.

Yet the thing about following Jesus, whatever denomination we may be a part of, is that it should affect every area of life.  I play rugby, I follow Jesus.  Whilst there will be times when I let myself and my faith down on the pitch it is not sufficient for me to say that it is a private faith and therefore shouldn't influence my on pitch decisions.  My mother once told me of a discussion she had with someone in which they ranked their priorities.  She said that she was first a Christian and only then a wife, a mother, a daughter etc.  The person that she was talking to just couldn't comprehend this.  But that is the life of a disciple of Christ.  It is about putting him first.

Of course the President shouldn't have judged the situation, the log in his own eye being a constant reminder of that.  But the Christian faith should be more than just a "works for me" thing.  It is the way, the truth and the life.  It is hope in the darkness.  It should be public and not private.

leading

I am taking a module this term on Teamwork and Leadership.  It is a very practical module which has so far been useful and enjoyable.  The first half of the course has seen us split into groups each of which has a presentation to make to the whole class.  I was nominated the 'leader' within our team and our task is to make a presentation to the members of our church on renovations and changes to the 18th Century Building to make it more user friendly.

As a leader I am very keen to see all the team members involved in planning and participating in the presentation.  I am not, nor is it a style I like, one of those leaders who does it all himself or takes credit for work that team members did.  I think that the role of a good leader is in releasing the team into areas that they can work in and giving them the tools to do this. 

This is certainly how I see church leadership; it involves enabling and helping people to walk with and serve God in the way that he has called and gifted them.  Great may the impact of a church be when the leader recognises that he/she cannot do it all.  Leading comes with great responsibility, something I have been more and more aware of lately, but also great joys.  This afternoon our team meets together to run through our presentation ahead of giving it next week.  I anticipate a great feeling of joy in seeing how well the individual members will have worked at their bit and the pleasure of seeing it all come together.

opting out

I have watched a few films lately and having spent the afternoon struggling to get my head into an essay on Sola Scriptura, how the leading reformers interpreted this principle and how their interpretation shaped their theologies, I am opting out and going to the cinema to watch Apocalypto.

But I really need to get my head around this essay; not because it is due in soon, it isn't, but because I need to keep myself in something of an academic zone.  As I only have 2 modules this term (only one of which is intensely academic) it would be easy to let myself become completely immersed in the practical side of things - something which I enjoy very much - but with 5 modules next term I mustn't forget how to study.  Assuming of course that I ever knew!

a tale of two ships

I watched in amazement yesterday as the news showed pictures of people helping themselves to the washed up goods carried by a grounded container ship off the English coast.  Apparently there is a procedure that can be followed which stops it from being stealing (as there is a way for the owner to claim it back if they want) but in the majority of cases it is not being followed.  It is a sad reflection of the society in which we live that people think it is acceptable to behave in such a way.

Today I am going to lunch with an elderly couple in our congregation.  As a student it is always lovely to be invited for a meal that you don't have to either cook or pay for and it is also a great opportunity to get to know people more.  The male half of this couple is particularly keen to see a ship being launched on the Clyde today and wants to take me with him.  His wife said that she wouldn't go and I was welcome to choose the same option!  I can't decide - perhaps it'll be one of those once in a lifetime things... 

Hopefully the snow will come before then and make it an easier decision!

youth fellowship

Tonight I am off to speak to a youth fellowship at a Church of Scotland.  I actually find it harder speaking to young people than the 'wider' congregation, a fact which surprises some people.  I think it's the fact that if they get bored they very obviously switch off which can be both disheartening and distracting whereas the older members are (sometimes) better at looking interested and interacting even when they're not.  (Note to self - keep it interesting!)

I am going to use a lot of testimony and I think I might start with my story about the (imaginary) Man U fan who changed his allegiance to Arsenal (topical given the good match this afternoon).  It is a story that I think reflects my own journey.  Someone who was so far away, going in totally the other direction, changes sides.  I hope that in the football mad city that is Glasgow this story may be understandable and that through it the truth of the gospel may be seen.

fly on the wall

"I'm disgusted in myself for saying what I have just seen myself saying..."

The BBC account of the words of reality TV star Jade Goody upon viewing footage of herself on 'Celebrity Big Brother'. 

I haven't watched any of the show but as someone who reads the papers and watches the news have followed the alleged racism that has been going on in the house.  But reading this quote from one of the 'offenders' set me thinking.

Yes; Miss Goody chose to go into the house (no doubt for a large fee).  Yes; Miss Goody should have thought - a concept we may not associate with her (but is such a statement me lowering myself to the level that she has been accused of being at?) - more carefully before opening her mouth.  But we may do well to remember this; what would we all look like if we had a fly on the wall camera following us around all of the time?  What would our words and our actions paint about what we believe?

I know what I would like the answer to that question to be although I know that there are times when the reality is anything but.  Yet I know too that there will be times when it is closer to what I would like.  However God sees all of this and more, because God sees our hearts also.  He knows despite good actions and words when my heart is out of step and He knows when actions and words look terrible but it was a moment of weakness and not a 'bad' heart.

So before certain house mates face the derision that is coming their way - and when you are in the public eye you need to set higher standards than appear to have been reached here, so derision there will no doubt be - let us take a moment to think about how we let ourselves down in keeping how we live in line with what we claim to believe.  And with that in mind let us go a little easier on those who also fail.

study skills

Once a term at ICC we have a study skills seminar the aim of which is to help us learn how to use various resources better when it comes to the different forms of study that we undertake.  Today there is a seminar which will be perfect for the upcoming history essay as it is all about how to use primary and secondary sources.  I will listen as attentively as possible.

After that I am meeting with my prayer triplet.  It comes at a very good time.  I am currently exploring what my future ministry will involve and have been having meetings and doing a bit of reading with this in mind.  I have found some of this to be incredibly thought provoking, challenging and not a little frightening!  It will be good to pray about this stuff.  The thought of ministry greatly excites me and I believe that I have God given gifts and passions which I will bring to it (whatever form it ends up taking).  But there will also be huge challenges that I will need to face; in my own life and in those of the people whom I will serve.  This week I have been really struck by that.  Really.

make a house a home

I find myself yearning more and more for a home.  But what do I mean by such a statement - after all I live in a nice flat already?  Well I mean a place that is mine, a place I can decorate as my own, a place that I live in with family (which I may one day have), a place where the mess and clutter is mine and a place where I am not living out of a room in a shared flat (this is absolutely not a reflection on my flat or flat mates - just a feeling I find myself with!)

Last night I went to some friends house for dinner.  They have two teenagers and being there gave me an insight into what life would have been like in my parents home eight or ten years ago.  It was so nice to be there; the kitchen was full of life - homework, cooking, washing etc.  There was the family debate (diplomatic wording!) around the dinner table, the frantic chatter at the end of the day, and the warm lounge to go and sit in after eating.  There was also fantastic chat between new friends getting to know each other more.  This truly was a house that had become a home.

One day I hope to be able to do the same in my home.  Some of the things that we read of the early church doing were meeting in their homes and sharing everything.  This is what many of us do when we meet in small groups, cells (call them what you may) or just completely informally.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.

300 not out

This is the 300th post on my blog which has now been going for just about a year.  If you are a regular reader then thanks for reading, if not then thanks for visiting...maybe see you again.  As an England cricket fan I only wish that one of our batsmen could to half this well! 

So much has happened in the past 12 months. I remarked to a friend this morning that in the last ten days I have trained more than I did in the first 5 months of last year - a sure sign of a better state of mind.  On this theme; I am more convinced than ever of the importance of exercise and healthy diet for a healthy mind. 

Last term I was training and playing a fair amount but as I got more tired and busy my eating went down hill.  My girlfriend on the other hand eats well but had taken a gym membership in the summer and still not visited the gym!  Our challenge to each other is that I eat better and she exercises more.  So far I think we are both doing ok - she has now seen the inside of the gym and I have green stuff (nearly) every day.  I feel very good for it and hope that the benefits will be felt in what will be a much busier term after Easter.  Having just started running again I wonder is she would say the same!