Wednesday 22 July 2009

Have we deified youth?

This brilliant little clip by Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson (previously known as Bing Hitler and now a big cheese in the States) shows us that it's not just people INSIDE the church who are observing youth trends and society's clamour to remain young.

Monday 20 July 2009

Cink ends Watson fairytale at glorious Turnberry



THE WEEKEND THAT WAS:


It was the weekend of The Open Championship, and I was glued throughout. What amazing stories potentially waited to be told. Could young Manassero, the 16-year-old Amateur Champion really compete in the rarefied atmosphere of the game's elite? Answer: yes and then some. We saw the new Seve. Could Chris Wood, last year's silver medal winner for low amateur, and an incredible fifth overall, translate that into success as a rookie pro? Answer: yes, and then some. Finishing in a tie for third, and only one off a play-off. Could we see a more sustained home challenge than in previous years? Answer: yes, although Wood and Westwood came up one shot shy. Could we see a fairytale story like Greg Norman last year? Surely not. That was a one-off. Answer: Yes, and then some. Tom Watson, 59, had a six footer to win his sixth Claret Jug, an unbelievable 34 years after he claimed his first. But not to be as his nemesis of the last 20 years, short putts, came to haunt him one last time. We also had the 'will she won't she' daily diary of Ross Fisher's wife, whose waters were about to break, as he challenged for his first major. She hung on, but he couldn't deliver (boom boom). As it was, the play-off was a huge anti-climax after the most engaging of final days on which the lead changed hands innumerable times. Stewart Cink is a worthy winner as he shot the low score of the week, and that is what the record books will show. He has been a top pro for a decade with little but a healthy bank balance to show for it. Now he is in the history books forever and gets to join an elite club. An Open to remember.


ON MY TO-DO LIST THIS WEEK:


We head to Keswick this weekend and there is a bit of prep to be done for this so that will dominate the week I guess. I lead an elders' discussion tonight on the theme of preaching and teaching in the church.


BOOK(S) I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF:

Have just started reading 'How Would Jesus Lead Worship?' by Sam and Sara Hargreaves


TV HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:

The BBC's coverage of the Open was superb as usual. the slow-mo camera, though overused like any new toy, showed some superb features. In particular, for the aficionados, it was a treat to see ball contact from a rough lie or in a bunker. Quite amazing.


WHAT SONG IS THE IPOD SHUFFLE PLAYING AS I TYPE THIS:

"Three more Days" by The Proclaimers from 'Notes and Rhymes'



NEXT TRIP:

Keswick Convention with 22 young people this Saturday for 6 days. Dry weather please...


HOW I'M FEELING ABOUT THE WEEK:


Glad to be back at work and getting into the guts of summer. Lots of planning to do for the autumn and I'm enjoying thinking about that and making plans for teaching programmes etc.

Tuesday 14 July 2009

It really feels like summer!



So I missed a week. No excuses except that it's maybe reflective of the busyness of the season.

Last week Sam and I went, along with my best mate Alasdair, to Milan to see U2 strut their stuff at the awesome San Siro stadium. After months of anticipation and excitement, it didn't disappoint. The sheer scale of the concert was breathtaking. You can see pictures here.

On the home front my 16 year old daughter Laura had her school prom last Friday and she looked beautiful. Quite the princess! She's off in London for a few days before heading off to visit family over the summer so I won't see her till the end of August. At least then we have a family holiday together to look forward to.

At church, I have been officially welcomed as an elder of Bethany Christian Centre. What a daunting responsibility and privilege. All I can do is keep trusting God for His equipping and enabling to carry out the responsibilities of an elder in the local church. If you pray, please pray for me.

This past weekend was the latest service where we integrated the youth service and the regular evening service. Several of the young people participated and we built the service on the theme of 'Freedom.'

Yesterday I popped over to Keswick in the beautiful Lake District to do a bit of a reccy for a youth week away later this month. We're visiting the Keswick Convention so I took advantage of the teaching on offer and listened to Dale Ralph Davis preaching on 'The Heart that Strays' from 1 Kings 11. Solomon allowed his heart to be distracted and stolen by competing gods, as the influence of his 700 wives and 300 concubines wore him down. (Can you imagine?)

One of the major disconnects in the modern age is between heart and head and Davis was reminding his audience that in God's kingdom, they intrinsically go together.


BOOK(S) I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF:

On the recommendation of my colleague, I've begun reading 'So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore' by Wayne Jacobsen & Dave Coleman. So far so good. Written in a very accessible style, it paints a picture of how going through the motions of faith can have a devastating effect on someone's personal relationship with God. I'm hoping that as I approach the meat of the book, that it also points to some ways of preempting these dangers.


TV HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:

Haven't seen much telly, but Alli and I are enjoying 'On Thin Ice', a documentary on BBC1 on Sunday nights, following Ben Fogle, Ed Coats and James Cracknell on their race to the South Pole.


WHAT SONG IS THE IPOD SHUFFLE PLAYING AS I TYPE THIS:

" Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" by Travis



NEXT TRIP:

In 11 days we take 22 eager teenagers to Keswick for a week's camping and exposure to God's Word. What an exciting prospect. Pray for lives to be changed.


HOW I'M FEELING ABOUT THE WEEK:


Well, the hits just keep on coming. After last week's trip to Milan, I have a few days off this week and I'm going to watch the Open from Turnberry from the luxury of our lounge. Anybody but Tiger please.