Learning to Walk

what a day!

Wow.

What a day we had, yesterday.  The church was open to visitors from 2pm onwards, right through until the end of the evening service, and at 6.15pm (when we switched counters) we had had 547 people come through the church.  There was a cafe (with home-made fair-trade baking), massage, bouncy castle (for kids), computer games, scalextric, quiet place, prayer room, necklace-making and live music throughout the day - and it was all free.

I spoke to a couple of families who were in complete amazement that we were also a 'fully functioning' church but who also thought that what we were doing was really great (especially considering that we are a 'fully functioning' church).  It was also a great privilege for us to be able to pray with a number of people, one of whom had come into the church, had a hand massage, left, but then felt prompted to come back and ask for prayer.  I am reliably informed that there were a number of people who came in throughout the course of the day and said that they would be back for services next week.

In the evening we had a service which was advertised on all our leaflets which were handed out throughout the day and which we hoped people might invite non-Christian family or friends to.  In true St Silas fashion people were still arriving after 6.30pm and so we started a little late as the first half of the service was all performance (poetry and music).  It was excellent: a great testimony to the incredibly creative and gifted people that we are blessed with.

After that I spoke, making the theme for the (short) talk 'bridge building'.  I used this picture (a must buy for preachers/teachers).  I think it is incredibly symbolic of the way in which we try to build bridges - with God, with people, or in situations - but also of how, although they may work for a while, a new storm will always come along rendering them somewhat useless.  We looked at three great truths from the bible in relation to bridge building:

1. Jesus builds a bridge for us to God.
2. Jesus builds a bridge for us to fullness of life.
3. God expends the energy in the bridge building process.

We then ended with a time of sung worship, culminating in an a cappella version of Amazing Grace.  A fitting way to end an amazing day.

whistling

I was just chatting with the vicar of the church where I became a Christian.  He has since 'retired' - i.e. taken on a smaller rural parish - but is still more than happy to be a sounding board, source of advice, and prayer support.  We chatted about some of the things that have gone on in the Anglican 'world' over the past week and what the future might hold.

I have come away whistling the song that goes with these old, but enduringly true, words:

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

concerts

I have now been to 3 (non-classical concerts) in my life!

Following on from my Meatloaf and Will Young experiences last night was something completely different.  It was in a place called King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, a small venue the likes of which I had never been in; but it was great.  There were 2 support bands of which the second were very good and the main act (Phil Campbell, maybe?) was excellent.  I would buy the CD and go back to the venue - which from a TT fan that is really saying something.

Perhaps I'm evolving.

the 3 p's

It is a busy weekend coming up.  I am back in the 1st team squad tomorrow - my first serious game since the cup final last May.  Then, in the evening, we are off to a concert with some friends.  I'm not sure who it is that we're going to see but it's in a small place in town where, according to YKW, Oasis were 'discovered.'  On Sunday I am going to watch Rangers play - my first pro game in Scotland, and then in the evening I am preaching.

I have been trying to find ways of making my preaching more memorable - not so that people remember me but to help them find ways in which they will more easily be able to remember the points of the sermon and how to apply them in their lives.  This Sunday is the first time that I will have really employed this method, but I hope that it will have some success...

If it doesn't, at least you will be able to remember what I am up to this weekend - the 3 p's; playing, partying and preaching!

not alone

It looks like I am not the only Take That fan in the Scottish Episcopal Church.  I wonder if this fan has ever managed to drop some lyrics into a sermon!

patience

I have a meeting tomorrow evening and, when I phoned the person to arrange it, rather than the normal "ring-ring" as I waited for him to answer I was greeted with the Take That song Patience.  He said that it was because often people have to be patient when trying to get hold of him.  Unfortunately for me he was very quick to answer and so I am going to have to dig out the album if I want a better listen!

happy easter

I often wake up with a song on my mind and this morning I find myself singing 'Jesus Christ is Risen today' which was one of the songs on the CD Easter Alleluias which we recorded whilst I was in Coventry Cathedral Choir about 15 years ago.

According to the BBC website the Archbishop of Canterbury will be preaching on how Jesus' death and resurrection, and his victory over the conflict caused by sin, can be a model for us showing that conflict in our own lives and in the world can be overcome.  A great message, so long as the focus is on Jesus as provider of that healing and not just a good guy to kind of base our lives on. 

Lent this year has highlighted a few things to me, helped right at the end by elements within the Labyrinth at St Silas on Good Friday.  It is easy to let things pass us by.  To have good intentions at the start but then to miss out as we allow life to start to get in the way.  It is a lesson I will endeavour to hold onto. 

But for now, happy easter. 

May the love of Christ and his life changing power - shown to us through his coming to earth, his life amongst us, and his death on the cross - be known by all as we celebrate his glorious resurrection and victory over the grave.  Amen.

hymn theology

A college first year reminded me of something on Thursday that was said in one of the lectures during first year and which I had kind of forgotten but was still doing.  It was about not singing songs/hymns that don't fit in with your theology. 

Her timing was good as recently I found myself not singing a certain line of a contemporary worship song because I didn't agree with it.  The particular section goes, "like a rose, trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me, above all."  I don't agree with the 'me, above all' bit.  Jesus died that all who believe in him may have eternal life.  And I believe that the promise of salvation is open to everyone if they accept Christ as Lord and Saviour.  Christ certainly died for me, but I don't think that he thought of me above all.  I am not quite sure what he was thinking; I am not convinced by predestination so did he literally know he was dieing for me or did he know it was for people like me i.e. us?  Either way this song doesn't fit with my theology.

On the other hand over Christmas I was greatly touched by these words in Hark the Herald Angels Sing:  "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see.  Hail the incarnate deity.  Pleased as man with man to dwell.  Jesus our Emmanuel."  Great theology.  Great hymn.  Great sing.  Great God.

the jiggers

I have a friend who runs a ceilidh band, 'The Jiggers'.

Now being English I wasn't sure about Ceilidh-ing when I moved to Scotland.  In England we call them 'barn dances' and they are quite often stereotyped as the sort of things that go on in run down church halls attended by families with young children (skidding around on their knees ala Peter Kay) and older people; the ones who particularly spring to mind being the men with overgrown beards, socks, sandals and a lack of (recently applied) deodorant!

But upon moving to Scotland I was ever so pleasantly surprised.  Ceilidh dancing is cool.  And with this in mind I thought I would give a big 'shout out' to my friend, fellow St Silasite, fellow blogger and musical genius; Mr Beat de Beat de Beat.  You can read his blog here, watch his band here, and book them here.  Do it.  You know you want to.

deeper

Last night was the monthly evening service at St Silas called 'Deeper'.  This month, through my involvement yesterday, I have been given a great insight into just how much work goes on behind the scenes for this service.  As a church we are incredibly blessed to have a group of people so willing to give of their time and gifts.  I want to big them up.  BIG UP. 

I had been asked to speak at the service, the second time now that I have spoken in an evening service.  I have found both to be very enjoyable experiences, from planning through to delivery.  Preparing for Deeper was different to when I spoke on 1 Corinthians 4 as it is a total team effort; all services are obviously a team effort - welcomers/musicians/readers/preachers/prayers/communion administration etc - but at Deeper it was more explicitly a team run service, beginning with the fact that we met up 3 weeks ago for an incredibly enjoyable meeting to discuss ideas and flow for the service.  So my Deeper planning (prayer aside) began with this meeting, continued with a couple of commentaries, then came Take That, more prayer over ideas and structure and we ended up with a "5 parts of the story you need to remember to overcome pressure" talk.

This week I have more preparation to do as I am speaking at All Age on Sunday morning and then next Monday evening at Jordanhill CU.  I'm just about to put the Take That CD on again!