"Holy sequels Batman!" - The dark hero - a story re-told

Warning! Spoilers below!

Last Saturday I went to watch the latest Batman movie - "The Dark Knight". Since Tim Burton properly launched the caped crusader onto the silver screen in 1989, he has had a total of six Hollywood outings (Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman and Robin , Batman Begins and Batman the Dark Knight).

Tim Burton's original movie marked a return from the garish TV Batman to the original dark streets of Gotham that The Batman patrolled in his debut years in 1939. Sadly a change of direction (into primo family explosive blockbuster mode) for the third and fourth films meant a hideous decline in quality and an almost circular return to the bright comicness of the 1960s. Thankfully, a thoughtful Christopher Nolan sucessfully resurrected Batman in 2005, returning him to the bleak world in which he was born. You see, Batman was never a 'nice guy'; his alter ego, Bruce Wayne may be a billionaire philanthropist, but when he puts on his cape, his streetfighting persona, is as violent and (arguably) as twisted as they come.

It is here that Nolan has really hit the mark. We live in a violent age, our daily news stories consistently full of shootings, robberies, teenage knife crime and this is the world in which our modern Batman lives. He deosn't have any 'real' superpowers, he uses intelligence, physical training and discipline, technology, guile and cunning to outwit the organised criminal minds of Gotham City. Gotham too may be a work of fiction, but Nolan's vision brings it closer to our cites, New York, London, Manchester - we may not always see the underworld, but in his latest movie, its the focus. So with a believeable Batman in a quasi-believeable city, the story itself becomes more real; as we walk past a darkened alley on the wrong side of town, it could be a shadowy version of Gotham itself. Nolan takes the viewer on a journey, ever in danger, but with the wings of hope somewhere above us in the sky.

To complete the picture, the Joker returns to do battle with his nemesis and it was here that I really sat up and take notice. The critics have praised Heath Ledger's performance and rightly so. Jack Nicholson's utterly brilliant performance is not eclipsed by Ledger's interpretation, but Ledger makes Nolan's vision of a real-life, dark as sin Joker chill your spine. Burton and Nicholson retained an element of comic humour for their portrayal, and painted the colour into their frames with the Joker's toys, but Ledger makes the character's insanity colder, more real, he's crossed a line none return from, his humanity removed completely, his hideous black soul exposed for all to see. He calculates with murderous effect - and for what purpose? Purely his own torturous enjoyment. Heath surely deserves a posthumous Oscar, may he rest in peace.

The six films have seen three different directors, two different Jokers, two Harveys and no less than four actors putting on the Crusader's Cape. With a new Dent, Gordon and Joker joining in this Batman tale, I wondered how many times the story will be re-told? I for one am pleased that the Nolan brothers (Jonathan penned the script) have re-told the Batman tale in this way. Its not cheesy (yes its a blockbuster so there's lots of explosions, special effects etc - what do you expect? Its not an arthouse production!) and it returns to its origins - the theme and the message have been uncovered once again. The light and bright comic-book-for-kids layers have been removed and the raw characters of good, evil and the environment in which they battle are revealed; the original message clear. As I watched and the storyline unfolded, this context struck me as very familiar. Just how many stories do we re-tell?

The story of Jesus and the Gospel has been around for 2000 years and it has been re-told in so many ways. We have so many traditions (denominations, expressions, cultures, whatever you like to term them) that tell and have re-told the good news for centuries. Apostolic Catholics, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicans, Reformed (Baptists, Methodists etc), Pentecostals, Evangelicals... the list goes on. According to World Christian Encyclopedia (year 2000 version), global Christianity had 33,820 denominations!! But there is one God and one Truth: The one God created the universe we live in, and humnanity to love him and worship him. You have to be able to choose to really love, so He gave us that choice. We responded by trying to do things our own way (because we could choose to), which ultimately resulted in death for each individual (Gen 2:15). This ruined our loving relationship with our creator by allowing Sin to have a hold in the world and in our hearts and lives. We don't have the strength to combat that so God sent Himself as His Son, to pay the balance for that Sin and re-right humanity's relationship with God the Father. And here we are back to the film.

Nolans' Batman is human. He loves, he fears, he has no superpowers, he is aware of his own physical limitations and he responds to being toyed with like any other man. Yet he too makes a choice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, taking the sins of the world on His back, breaking Him to death: as the son of God only He could. But Batman too sacrifices himself. He lets his honour and the truth of his actions die for the sake of the people of Gotham, the people he loves and has sworn to protect.

So the film may be too violent for children as young as 12 to watch, but peel back the layers and what do you find? In our churches and outside of them, where we are the 'Dark Knights', God's chosen people commissioned to spread the good news and protect the world from evil (in His Name, authority and power), are we retelling the story? Are we telling the Truth? Or are we letting our layers darken and overshadow the Message we have been entrusted with? Let's be clear. Let's not be afraid and let's show the world that however dark the streets and corners are, the light of Jesus will always shine through.



PS - Todd Bentley is outpouring everywhere!

Sometimes there just aren't the words..

As I've been keeping this blog for the last 9 months, I've found it to be many things; a creative expression, a soapbox, a journal, a story, a commentary on my life's journey. I've not written anything for a little while. That's because sometimes it needs to be an empty space.

A book is only as good as the author. Sometimes there are periods in your life when you just don't have the words.

The last few months have been unusual. Losing so many people from around us, the reality of our new jobs, our new outlook on life and the changing shape of organisations we're involved with have brought us many questions, but as yet not revealed any answers and yet, in this space I've really learned something about my relationship with God.

I have to make space for Him.

It sounds so simple and so obvious yet this realisation is revelation. I learned a few months ago that we are designed to be 'human beings', not human 'doings'. 'I am' not 'I do'. When are lives are full of things to do, there is no space to 'be'. When I'm writing I'm not thinking, when I'm watching I'm not seeing, when I'm speaking I'm not listening. God speaks with a still, small voice of calm. In a busy life in a busy world, its all too easy to miss what He's saying.

With the maelstrom around me, a whirlwind of mixed feelings, thoughts, ideas, choices, questions, decisions, answers, paths, destinations, views, opinions, concepts and actions, I've tried to step into the eye of the storm. To try and find the calm there. Like the blank space on a page, its just as important as the words. Its been a conscious decision and its required sacrifices - I've had to choose not to do things, to create this space. But to gain, you have to give, so I've chosen to dig my ditches, to empty myself and need Him, because that's the only way to make room for Him to fill. Only then is there a quiet for God to speak into, where i can hear Him. This is a time therefore, not of speaking, nor even of thinking, but of listening and learning how to listen.

So I might not have my words, but I'll hopefully have His.

Sad things happen in threes

Tomorrow I'm returning to Norfolk again. For another funeral. I'm going to pay my respects to a wonderful man and support my family.

Suddenly and tragically, John Andrews died 10 days ago. He was a lovely man - a fantastic husband, father, grandfather, friend... My sister-in-law's dad, a gentle, kind and caring man who made me feel so welcome whenever I saw him that I hope I can be like that with others.

He leaves behind Marion, Tim, Holly, Robin, Katie, Phil, Elle, Eva and many others. My thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with them.

Whatever your belief, the pain of losing someone so close is unimaginable if its not happened to you.

May he be in peace and joy with Christ. That's where I believe he'll be.

2 Boldly Go

I want everyone I know to be saved. Actually I want everyone to be saved.

I've not been open enough about this.

Since my conversion, coming to Faith and choosing to walk with Jesus, my life has been transformed. I am being transformed, I view life differently and I do life differently: I don't suffer stress in the same way; I don't care for material goods as I used to; I take life at a slower pace, allowing myself time to take in the meaning of actions and occurrences; I'm not as self-concerned and I care more about others, especially those who have less than me. I care more about what I need than what I want or would like. I no longer chase things that have no substance and I no longer shy away as much from those things I am fearful of.

I make no pretence. I'm far from perfect and I'm still the person I was before, but the choices I make are made with a different attitude. I want to make decisions based in love, not selfishness. The new version of me is still sinful and makes mistakes but it feels like an improved version, as if the good bits are more visible and have been enhanced and that I chose to lose the bad bits and control them. Basically I've come to know a different way of living and I've chosen to try and live it.

What's brought about this change is the effect of Jesus' love and the indwelling Holy Spirit in my life. I know God's grace and His love for me. On an everyday basis I'm happier, more peaceful, more fruitful and my life has more meaning. Deeper than these things, is the understanding I now have of Creation and the meaning of Jesus' death.

In truth, I want everyone (especially those I know and love) to experience . The trouble is, I never really tell people this. Oh yeah, sure, I tell my friends that I go to church and I try (gently) to explain what I do as part of my church, but recently I've realised that it's not enough. Its a crazy thing, but as much as I want people to experience what I do and have what I have through my Faith in Jesus Christ, I don't want to scare them off. The difference between God's Kingdom and the World is so vast that I don't want the culture shock to be a chasm that may never be crossed.

Throughout my life I've experienced hypocrisy from churchgoers, a lack of relevancy from the church and on top of that, a desire to experience the delights of the World and a lack of understanding about what real love and real joy is. But I've realised that I shouldn't let my own experiences cloud my judgment, after all I'm not going to convert anyone - only God can do that. All I can do is ask Him, through prayer, and trust in Him and His Will. If He wants me to preach the Good News in word and deed, then that's something I'll gladly do.

In St Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Eph 6:19-20) he asks for prayer to speak the good news fearlessly, or boldly. It was so important to him that he asks TWICE. It is that important.

So I too pray that this is what God wants me to do and I pray that I will go boldly....

Sad times and good memories

In the last few weeks, two of my friends have died. Two people, from very different parts of my life, under very different circumstances.

David Barnes, 82.
David lived next door while I was growing up. I must have seen him and his wife Brenda nearly everyday for the entire time I lived there (over 16 years). He had a massive impact on my life. He was a best friend to my father (an older brother even) and in many ways he took on board the role of a grandfather in my life. Our family spent so many great holidays at "The Patch", the home that he and Brenda had by the sea up on the North Norfolk coast. He taught me how to sail, shared a love of cars and motorcycles and we always knew we were safe when he was around. He told a great story and had the most amzing sense of humour. A Norfolk man through and through, he served in the Army Medical Corps in WW2, practised as a pharmacist and chiropodist and was a local councillor for many years. I have so many memories about him, that I would spend the rest of my life writing them down. I will always remember the strong man he was and his love of life. In the last few years he had suffered from Alzheimers disease and it was incredibly difficult (for Brenda especially) to watch such a great man deteriorate. I have missed him for many years and will continue to do so.

Phil Locke, 24.
Phil was tragically killed in an incident at work. I met him through my little sister and her group of friends. Little Phil, as I knew him, (stature not personality!) touched my life on many occasions in the six or so years I knew him. My most recent memory of him was during my time at Spring Harvest. I was away for Rach's birthday party, but when talking to her the next day, she told me how Phil had bought her two bottles of champagne to celebrate and make the event that extra bit special. That's what he brought to many occaisions, the icing on the cake. He was welcoming, funny and fearless; a man who turned up at the pub for a pint only hours after writing-off his motorcycle. 24 years may not seem long, but to those who know him he fitted a lot in. Following his death his parents invited us all to have a drink and it is a testament to the number of people he touched that around 80 of them turned up. For those who knew him, I feel sad for our loss, but for those who never had the opportunity to know him, I feel sadder.

We say that death is a part of life. Actually, death has become a part of life that we are forced to experience at some point. It was only recently that I learned that Man was not created to die. In the Christian understanding, we were created to live and enjoy a relationship with God. However, when Eve and Adam ate the apple of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they died and from that day forth created a life-expectancy that was finite.

However you look at it death sucks. We lose loved ones and friends. The closer we are to those we lose, the harder it is. So many things are taken away from us and we feel so many things: Shock; anger; hurt; pain; sorrow; numb; denial. A gamut of emotions and a melting-pot of feelings. I've felt all of those and more with regard to the passing of both David and Phil. With David, I denied it for two days, with Phil, the absolute shock of its suddenness was what hit me first. With both though, after crying for their loss, I feel mostly numb, yet at every point where I remember how each touched my life - they still do - that's when the emotions rise up again; sometimes tears of sadness, sometimes tears of joy. Although we all deal with difficult situations (such as the death of a friend or a serious illness, etc) individually, the way in which men and women handle these things differently has become very apparent to me. In sharing this experience with other men, I've discovered that it's very male to be in denial and distance oneself from the emotions attached to loss - perhaps a basic defence mechanism for the traditional "protector".

In the aftermath, the one thing that really stands out is the support from the friends Rachel and I have made at work and at church. They've displayed a level of care, consideration, understanding and support that neither of us has experienced before. If any of you are reading this - you know who you are, and thank you, it means a lot.

In the face of death there have been many questions of what happens afterward and its been interesting hearing various perspectives and opinions: From a long sleep, to becoming an angel, to being raised with Jesus and residing in heaven. Whatever our personal beliefs, if we never let the memories die, then nor will the people we remember.

The sanctity of marriage

A couple of weeks ago I had the great privilege of being a Best Man. My best mate Sam at long last married his fiancee Katie and they had a fantastic wedding at the magnificent Horsted Place in East Sussex.

The day had all the best bits that it ought to - Katie was the stunning bride in a beautiful dress, the weather could not have been better, the food was outstanding and there were tears at the altar. I was lucky to be able to share the Best Man role with another of Sam's best mates (and mine) - Rob. Having been present at other weddings where the Best Man is wound up all the way until his speech is over, I was glad to share this great honour with Rob. We don't often see each other these days, but planning the speech and elements of the Stag Do brought us together and refreshed the bonds of friendship between us. It also meant that we were quite relaxed on the day and could enjoy such a special occaison properly.

Six old friends went to Tenerife together, "The Stag", "The Jackal", "The Bishop", "Peacey", "Wiseman" and "J.P." "Peacey, aka Keith, I've not seen for ten years. But all those ten years have done is age us a little. Other than that, it was like I hadn't seen him for a month. Still the quiet, laid-back, funny guy I've known.

We had great sun, good accommodation, fantastic food, a little too much beer, a lot of laughter and the comedy moments of the stag being forced to take an inflatable bride out on his last night of freedom. Not a cross word or moment of stress, the only soreness or pain we experienced was the sunburn. It was somewhat of a shame to come back (alhough I'm not missing being harassed into going into a particular bar or restaurant everywhere I go!)

Two weeks later, we'd grouped again for the wedding and were joined by those who were unable to make the Stag Do. Family and friends of Sam and Katie, congregating to watch them get married and celebrate their special day. And what a special day it was. I've never been to a civil marriage partnership before, but it was beautiful and tear-jerking. Katie's sister and Sam's cousin each gave a beautiful reading.

The most significant thing for me is that they chose to get married. In our current age where people choose to enter into long-term relationships but not marry, this decision stands out. Sam & Katie have been together for a number of years, but have still chosen to take this step of lifelong commitment. In a disposable, irresponsible society, they've publicly affirmed their love and commitment, taking responsibility for their relationship and one another. A loving couple, now husband and wife united, til death do them part. My friends, much respect and love goes out to you both.

S & K - it was an honour to be a part of your special day and to share in the celebrations of your marriage! Congratulations and thank you.

A leap of faith

A couple of weeks ago I went away on a "Mens' Weekend" with my church. It wasn't just for men within the church, but more of a get away for men from The Point and their male freinds.

It was a truly great time. An opportunity to build new relationships and create stronger bonds in current ones. I had gone with an open mind, knowing what the structure of the weekend was going to be, but I didn't really have any idea what might happen or how it might affect me.

We arrived and pitched our tents late on the Friday afternoon. One of the four teams we were grouped into prepared dinner and a fire was lit. Our first evening together was spent around the campfire listening to the personal testimony given by one of our congregation about his recent faith journey, followed by a campfire sing-a-long of some quality tunes.

Breakfast the next morning was prepared by another team and we were given a scriptural thought for the day to carry with us. My team's first activity was climbing. We were taught that the day would be about personal challenges, where we set the goals and the boundaries. Now I know I'm not Spiderman, but I soon discovered that my friends Paul, Jeremy and Chris, are. Straight to the top on all three sides of the tower - well done lads. For me, I figured that if I climbed higher than the dorma window of my house I'd be doing well. Not only did I manage this but I also fell off twice, which included a good swing round the side of the tower itself, culminating in a bruised and banged elbow. Following my injury and the fright that came with it, that was as far as I made it, but I was determined not to let my fear of falling ruin the rest of my day. The next activity was archery - great fun and a lot more sucessful for me personally. The only "competitive" activity of the day in which I believe our team came second and amazingly I still managed to leave the activity with a bruised arm! At lunch a few of us took a detour from the planned activity and went off the beaten track to find somewhere local where the Man U v Chelsea match was being played. With a number of supporters of both teams present on site there was a good deal of friendly rivalry - with both looking forward to a win! Sadly the detour became an adventure of its own - six pubs and 95% of the first half later, Andy and I finally managed to find a bar showing the match. Evidently football's not a popular sport in deepest West Sussex. It was time well spent getting to know Andy better, but sadly Chelsea on home turf won the day - we had little desire to return to the grinning faces of the Chelsea fans.

We returned in time for the last activity of the day and for my team the High Ropes. I have a fear of... I'm not sure what the fear is exactly, but I don't like climbing above a certain height. Now the High Ropes are just that. The first, about 9 feet above the ground was a round wooden beam - the objective; to walk across from one end to the other, then return to the middle, stand on one leg and be lowered down. This is an entirely safe activity, as with the Climbing, each participant is roped and secured with another two teammates feeding more or less rope as necessary, both ready to lower the climber if necessary. If you fall, the worst thing that can happen is that you swing in the air and perhaps bang into something. Jeremy, "The Human Fly", went first and demonstrated just how easy it was. When my time came, I found it a struggle, but with the encouragement of my friends I made it across, back to the middle, stood on one leg and came down. The next step was twice the height. Again, a beam between two trees, but after the ladder were a series of rungs hammered into the tree to climb up. At the top of the ladder I froze. Even the encouragement of my friends wasn't enough. Then the instructor started, "Our father..." As I continued The Lord's Prayer (out loud), I took a step per line and made it up the rungs and across the beam to the other side - all the time, my body tingling with nerves, but my focus aimed firmly at my destination. Then it was time to come down. This time, we had to lower ourselves onto the beam, straddle it and hang under the beam before being lowered. I made it back out to the middle of the beam and froze again. This time I just didn't know how to lower myself to the straddling position, without either falling, or causing myself intense pain and damage! Yet my team wouldn't let me come down in any other way, so I had to do it. So I dropped, arms and chest down... It happened so quickly I don't quite know how it happened, but the next thing I knew, I was hanging like a sloth, underneath the beam. I'd dropped and turned in one swift, slik motion - to a round of applause! I was chuffed and exhilarated. Then I was encouraged to let go with my arms and hang by just my legs. I managed that too - and it was much easier than I thought. In fact, I hung for what seemed like ages while Simon came back and took a picture. Once more safely on the ground, the hardest challenge of my day was yet to come.

The "Leap of Faith". A different task, a platform 30 feet up, 20+ feet worth of rungs in the tree above the ladder to reach it and then a jump. A jump to a trapeze suspended in mid-air. I waited until last, determined to do it. After my fall on the Climbling Tower, we'd walked back and watched some of our friends attempt this and I'd made it my complete personal challenge of the day to climb to the top and make the day. Also I'd discovered that my friend Rich (who also has a great fear of heights) had done it and this made me even more determined. Having manned the ropes for everyone else, they finally roped me up and I set to the ladder. I was the last man of the day and by this time, some of the other groups had finished and had gathered with us, so there was an even bigger crowd, yet the pressure I felt was from myself; I only felt even more encouraged by the presence and support of the others. Still, I was afraid. No-one had fallen, even slipped and none of my team had missed their jump. So I climbed and as I climbed I remembered that with God, we are always safe and He had helped me through the last one, so I knew he'd help me make it through this. As I climbed each step, the words of Matt Redman's song, "You never let go of me," ran through my head and I vocalised each one silently. Very, quickly, with no pausing, I was at the top and standing on the platform. My heart was pounding, but my legs were firm and I was ready - I needed to jump now! I asked for the trapeze to be moved toward me (I'm only a short guy!) and they counted me down. 10, 9, 8.. and I jumped! I caught the trapeze and hung there, while my friends applauded and cheered. I was elated and excited. I'd achieved my goal and was lowered to the ground. Everyone who did the High Ropes activity made the Leap of Faith.

The remainder of the day consisted of a huge-a-side game of footy, a great barbecue and a talk about Jesus from Will by the campfire. We shared stories of our adventures, the challenges, the achievements and the pains we'd gone through to get there. It was a great weekend and I experienced a lot. The events challenged me in unexpected ways. For example, when I gave my testimony to the group on the Friday night (yes, it was me, a surprise and last minute gift from my pastor) I had to think about my audience. I don't usually struggle with public speaking, but I was aware that I had a mixed group, of Christians and non-Christians. I wanted to convey the message that God had changed my life (& how) simply and without scaring anyone away (Spirituality and the whole "God-thing" used to make me run a mile). I hope I succeeded. Additionally, I was encouraged to recognise fear in my life and to confront and overcome it - this was a really important step for me. Prior to going, I didn't even completely know it was there but now I know I do, I've got to do something about it and look for other fears to overcome as well. I made new friendships and strengthened existing ones. I experienced encouragement and support in many different ways from people I know and people I don't. We shared with one another and we were open with one another, exposing our vulnerabilities and allowing and trusting others to help; it was a true experience of fellowship. But even more than this, I came to know God just a little bit more and trust Him to help me overcome my fears. The scriptural thought for the day on the Sunday after breakfast summed this up well for me: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Everyone needs someone else to help them a long. And here, the third cord includes God. I know that the friends of mine who don't normally come to church had a good time. I hope that everyone did. For those that came who don't know God in their lives I hope that in some way they were able to see how He is involved in ours.


PS My thanks again to Trevor and those who organised sucha a great event.

Too busy to write

I'm susceptible to being busy. Since returning from Spring Harvest I've only just stopped to think. I guess that's a good thing really, I mean, if I didn't do anything between writing, then I'd have nothing to write about, except writing.

Realise - the truth

Real eyes
Realise
Real lies

Sprung Harvest

21 Days. Every one a working day. In Spring Harvest's language; 3 set up days, and 3 'weeks', each comprising 6 days. Time is complicated out there. One loses the usual order and progression of time, proving that it really is subjective.

I can be told things, I can write them down on paper, listen to a recording, watch them on video, but until I see them for real, in three dimensions and immerse myself in them only then do I understand them for what they really are. Since September I have been inviting people to speak at Sprng Harvest's Main Event, playing my part in the planning. Yet until I got there I had no real idea of what it is.

Butlins at Skegness and Minehead become villages of Christians. They eat, drink, sleep, walk, play learn and worship together for five whole days (a SH 'week' starts in the evening of Day 1 and ends at lunchtime on Day 6). They meet with each other, they interact, they experience and they take away something with them that they didn't have before. A week at SH isn't just a holiday, its a series of holy days - time set apart from the World, with the purpose of becoming more as God wants us to be.

It is a collection of stories and of journeys. The theme of the event and the programme elements are merely an outline of a great picture, given colour by those who attend - both team and guest alike.

Thousands of guests attend each SH week, served by hundreds of team members, most of them volunteers. I'd like to thank all those who served and contributed; for giving up your time and using your gifts and yourselves in the service of others. It was a privilege to serve God in this way and to work with such a professional team.

God transforms lives. When He's not taking direct action ,He works through His people and events. When we come together as His ekklesia - as Christ's bride, He continues to make His presence known. I was touched by God these past few weeks and I saw others changed also.

I learned:
1) That I had the stamina to make it through the three weeks.
2) That I could perform a new role whilst on site.
3) That in God's world - individuals count. It didn't matter how many people were being catered for; if there were a few or even just one who had different needs, they were looked after as they needed to be, whatever it took.
4) To look deep for skills and abilities.
5) To manage people in their gifting - it is one thing to stretch people outside of their comfort zone; it is another to use them outside of their ablity.
6) That friendships are made and deepened.
7) That we don't always get it right, we won't always get it right. But we always have the choice and opportunity to try.
8) That God was evident there.
9) That the journey continues.

Roll on SH 2009 - Apprentice.

www.springharvest.org

Of Course!

Next week marks the end of another term.

For the first time since leaving university I've been measuring my life in terms. From September til December last year it was an Alpha Course for Rach and a Lifeshapes Course for me, since Jan its been Lifeshapes for Rach and The Marriage Course for both of us.

All these things have been great for us. Useful in guiding us along the new path we walk. We've learned about what Jesus did; about how we should follow Him and be like Him; about how we can develop our marital relationship, we've learned a lot. I'm grateful to our church for providing these learning opportunities and for those who've led and facilitated them - thanks for your servanthood.

What I take away from all this is a new look at myself and the way I want to live. I've learned to self-examine and bite my tongue, to focus my passion and be active in it, rather than just be passionate. The challenge and the discipline will be this: To use what I've been taught and put it into practice in my everyday life.

I'll miss the courses - I've enjoyed being a student and doing homework again, but everything has been about application and so any benefit I'm going to gain will come from making the paperwork real.

The Alpha Course
In short - a step by step introduction to Christianity. So good I did it twice! Useful in understanding Christians, even it you're not one.

Lifeshapes
Uses shapes as 'mnemonics' to detail and explain tenets of Jesus' teaching and ministry and how we can be disciples of His today.

The Marriage Course
We have to be taught to drive, cook, speak a foreign language, why not a relationship? The Marriage Course has really opened my eyes again as to how to communicate with Rach and understand and respond to her needs, whilst doing the same for me. We've been together for 10 years and it showed us two fundamental things - 1) We've done well so far on our own, naturally understanding and working at our reationship, and - 2) That if we'd had this knowlede before - we'd have probably done a lot better.

The Point Church - where if you live locally, you can sign up and try them out for yourself

What God wants me to do?

Over the past few months its become increasingly clear that God wants me (& Rach )to do something in His service, for His purpose.

However, I feel like I'm hidden in a swirling fog of confusion & I can't see my way through it. So I don't know what to do next that's in God's plan for me (us).

I revealed this to my Accountability Group on Saturday morning. They suggested that I pray directly to God about it and ask Him to show me what He wanted me to do / repent / etc?

On Saturday I prayed for a word. God gave me 'confirmation'
On Sunday I prayed for a sign and He gave me a last minute preach on Evangelism and a ready harvest.
On Monday I prayed for a piece of Scripture to guide me. He has 'given' me 2 Timothy.

I'm, watching this space (and continue to pray!)

God, I love singing!

This is just a thank you note really. To God, for giving me a gift in singing, to my parents in supporting and nurturing it and to The Welcome & the point (churches) for allowing me to sing with others.

I joined with some very talented musicians this evening and sang, worshipping and praising our Lord.

It was fun, joyful and sounded truly great. It was a privilege and an honour to be a part of it.

I loved it. Thank you!

Today's Slaves - Part 1

When someone says the word "Slave," what kind of an image does it conjure up? The blacks in America and the Civil War? Or the Greek & Roman civilisations, where slaves from conquered nations were kept by wealthy families. Maybe you think of today's sex trade and the people that are trafficked every day.

one definition of a slave, according to dictionary.com is this:
"A person who is the property of and wholly subject to another".

It is estimated that 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking. 600,000-800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors An estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year

Trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are caught in the trap of slavery
All these facts and much more information can be found on the Stop the Traffik website. Right now, stop the Traffik are campaigning the UN. They want to present a million signatures as a declaration to show that people want more done to stop trafficking and use it as an opportunity to set up a global fund to stop trafficking.

I encourage you, dear reader, to visit the website and sign up.Imagine having no rights, no choice: being used, abused and living in constant fear?

I hope and pray that their efforts bear fruit. I live in a prvileged society, where we take our freedom as read and have choice in our everyday lives. I believe that no man, woman or child should be the property of another.

Where am I?

I must be missing something.

I've been to a number of churches in the past two and a half years and I find that there's very few people like me. There are plenty of new Christians, there are many children, there are lots of "young people", there are lots of parents, there are... my list continues. And I love the fact that the Church has a young, exuberant, passionate populace but I keep looking for the late 20s, early 30s group who don't have kids.

Where are they? Its like the church has a "lost generation" - a missing demographic. But I know I exist and I know that there are plenty of people of my age and similar circumstances, they just don't seem to go to church.

Do they even need church? Why aren't they there? Where do they go? Do they have Faith but don't like the traditional forms that church has taken? What are they doing instead.

I'm part of a new social group. If I was my grandfather I would have been married, settled into a lifelong career, owned a house, have had children by now and my wife would not have worked. For my parents generation it was very similar, only they both worked. But what for us? "Partners" in opposition to marriage or marrying later. Being older and older before buying a house. Divorce. Equality in the workplace. Competition in the workplace from international workers. The likelihood of more than one career in a lifetime. No pensions. The degradation of community.

Western church attendance has reflected social change, generation after generation.

Are they missing something? I think so.

I'd like to be wrong, but whatever, I miss them.

I'll keep looking.

"Oh my tooth-fairy!"

Have you ever counted how many times you'll hear the phrase "Oh my God!" in a day?

I haven't. I'm not going to either. However, I have started to notice that it's used a lot, as is "Jesus!" (Jeeeezus!!)

Since coming to Faith, I've made a conscious effort not to take God's name in vain or use it as a curse. Why? Because it's disrespectful, dishonourable, disobedient and rude. It's like saying "Oh my (Insert Parent Name)!" only worse.

So, as I've used it less, I've begun to notice how many times I hear it said. Its like giving up smoking, as soon as you quit, you notice the smell - on clothes, in furniture etc. I've listened and noticed who says it. Those who believe in God don't tend to, its more commonly used by those who don't. At which point it can't have any meaning, surely? I mean, what's the point? It would be like saying, "Oh my tooth-fairy!", or "Santa!" ("Saaaantaa!") (Assuming you don't believe in either of these things of course.)

I'm not being judgemental, I'm just curious. Why do people who don't believe in God use His name so often as an expletive?

And the next time any of you Christian's out there allow something to come out of your mouth that you shouldn't (cos we all do - and I'm sadly too good at it), let something come out that's just as comparably ridiculous..."Oh my tooth-fairy!"

'Do-Gooder' is a swear word

I was sitting in church on Sunday listening to our Vicar preach, and then I stopped listening...

Sorry Will, it wasn't intentional, but my mind wandered to this, "'do-gooder' is a swear word!"

In the last two weeks, our church has started to study 1 Corinthians. We were being read through these verses when it hit me, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spritually discerned. The spritual man makes judgements about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgement. 'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ"

Now, this might be obvious to experienced and mature Christians, but I'm not one. You can't explain the Kingdom of God to those who don't believe in it. Simple. It was at this point my minor revelation came - 'Do-Gooder' is a swear word. Of course it is.

Those who aren't, use it towards those who are (carers etc). It denies those who aren't, any feelings of guilt for not being so and enables them to make those who are doing good sound like they are doing bad. How twisted is that? Which colour white is black?

I put my hands up now and apologise. I know its a swear word because I've used it as such. I may not have coined it, but I've used it as a taunt, jeering at those who are trying to give help and support to others when I was too stupid and selfish to do anything but think about myself.

Having Faith and becoming a Christian has made me look at this differently. It couldn't have happened otherwise. Thank you God for my Faith and my change of heart.

To those who commit themselves to love and care for others; in times when you are persecuted for your deeds, remember the passage above and be comforted by it.

A dog is not just for Christmas...

On Sunday night I stepped out of my own skin for an evening. Our church has a close association with a charity that ministers to homeless people in Brighton. One of the ways in which they provide care is by going out on the streets and distributing sandwiches and hot drinks, so on Sunday evening Rach & I joined them.

I learned a lot in just a few hours. The homeless people we met were polite, grateful, proud, protective of each other, chatty and friendly. I was told to make contact, to make physical contact with each one - because physical contact is something they have the very least of. I was pleased to; pleased to be able to take off my gloves and shake each one by the hand, give them my name and learn theirs.

I, like many others have so often ignored homeless people. I have deliberately closed my eyes to them - ignoring requests for a small amount of change, not even having the courtesy of acknowledging their presence and saying, "sorry, but no." Too many times have I justified that by telling myself that I have barely nough money myself or that, "he'll only go and spend it on drugs or booze." Whatever gave me the right to make that kind of hypocritical judgement? What was I going to do with my money?

Although I have spoken to a few homeless people in the past and I've given some small change (even if merely out of guilt or conscience), I've never gone onto the streets of a city with the specific intention of meeting with them and giving up something of my life to (hopefully) make their situation a little better. Of course it was eye-opening. I'm a suburban, middle-class man living in a suburban middle-class corner of a largely suburban middle-class country. I have food, central heating, clothes, a bathroom etc. Seeing lives so different, I've begun to learn a new perspective.

One thing really stuck with me. One young man was telling me what his Christmas had been like. On Christmas Eve a man in a Mercedes had driven up to him and given him some food, cakes and the like. Then he'd gone away and come back, and again. He gave this young, homeless man so much, he'd had to give it away. Whatever the background, the man in the Mercedes cared about the plight of the homeless man, and shown him (& by default, others) some of that Christmas Spirit I harped on about last month. I hope he goes back and does it again. I hope he takes that Christmas Spirit and remembers that, like the dog, its not just for Christmas. Its a gift that should last every day.

I thank all the people I met on Sunday night, for what they all taught me in only a few hours and I commend all those people who commit to helping them.

I'll be going back to the streets again.

Missing US already

I've not been back a week yet and while the jetlag has now gone, I'm missing America already.

Rach and I spent the Christmas holidays in Pennsylvania with some very close and very lovely friends. It was our first time together away from our families at Christmas, which was a little strange, but one: we're very fortunate and see a lot of them throughout the year and two: you gotta fly the coop at some point. In any case we were treated so well and felt so at home, we had an amazing time.

Christmas across the pond was, in many ways, not so different from our own. Turkey is of course, native and so the festive meal was very similar, but we needed to add some English flavour by insisting on roast potatoes instead of just the planned mash and sourcing some "breakfast" sausages to wrap in bacon. In fact, the only thing missing was a traditional Christmas pud! However, to replace this was a truly amazing trifle made by our host's sister. Eating this was like a dream come true for me as only a day before I had been introduced to something that we definitely don't have here - Lact-Aid!

For the last three and a half years, I have steered clear of milk, yoghurt, cream and most cheeses due to developing a severe lactose intolerance. Yet available from pharmacy shelves is a product that allowed me to tuck into this wonderful cream-filled treat, that was sooo good. I know our laws and processes here are different, but I hope we see something similar available to us, here soon.

This, as you'd expect was one of the many differences we experienced, but the more we visit, the more some gaps narrow and others widen. The range of products available (not counting pharmaceuticals) is very similar, but if course at 2 dollars to the pound, much more can be had for less as a UK visitor. General attitudes are very similar - middle-class concerns about safety and career prospects with rising costs, and we were (as ever) greeted with warmth and friendliness wherever we went. We're very lucky to know some fantastic people there and to have met many more.

Where we really saw some divides are in the recent changes in the UK's outwardly facing societal attitudes towards energy and resources. Food and gasoline come cheap in America. Where in Waitrose (or indeed some Tescos) if you're not putting your shopping in a reusable, hessian bag that's been handsewn in an African village both cashiers and fellow customers alike will be threatening to cause you GBH with a clubcard, Wal-Mart, by contrast was giving me a fresh plastic bag for every two items I purchased!

Cars are yet another matter. With a gallon of petrol costing a quarter of what it does here, travelling by automobile is a very different matter altogether. But it needs to be. It wasn't until I walked off our friends' property to take some photos that I noticed that there weren't any pavements! None at all until the downtown area (10 miles away). Its not a choice to drive everywhere, its a necessity. Even across a retail park there was no way to walk from one unit to another. If we are truly facing an oil and energy crisis (& with oil reaching $100 a barrel, the first signs are surely showing), then I have sympathy for our transatlantic cousins. When the new Tata "peoples car" goes on sale in India this week - the second largest nation on the Earth will increase its demand significantly. I'm praying for a replacement for the combustion engine to raise its head soon!

If I'm coming across in a negative way, forgive me, these are purely my observations. For two weeks I enjoyed great food and even better prices, but this was purely the icing on a cake made of good values and intelligent, fun company. People. Places are always made by the people and although my experience is founded by having great friends in the 'States, I've been welcomed and befriended by countless others.

So I'd like to thank our great friends Tim & Taryn for being such wonderful hosts and to everyone else we met - God bless America!

One more thing I loved... it was awesome to see proper snow again!