There’s a fascinating exhibition running at Tate Britain in London, called Picasso and Modern British Art. It traces the legacy and influence of Picasso on seven British artists including Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and David Hockney. It’s well worth a visit. One room focuses on a visit Picasso made to London in 1919 to work on the scenery and costumes for Sergei Diaghilev’s ballet The Three-Cornered Hat. It reminded me of watching that same ballet, with Picasso’s scenery and costumes – though not in 1919. It was part of a programme of short ballets where the décor and/or costume designs were by well-known artists. My memory of The Three-Cornered Hat is lots of reeling around by a miller and his wife. But the ballet that really stuck in my mind was very different…... continue reading
It's that familar story I'm sure we've all experienced: evil Norse legend teams up with equally evil alien race to attack Earth. Naturally, the U.S. government gathers a crack team of superheroes, monsters and scientists to thwart the tyrant and his hoardes. Okay, so the premise may be an unfamiliar and fanciful one, but the emotions, frailties and problems at the heart of this super movie are very human and recognisable...... continue reading
I have always loved God’s creation of seasons, and His promise that they’ll continue as long as this world does (Genesis 8 v 22). There’s so much variety – especially living in the UK. I even have two seasons in my flat – summer at the front, winter at the back (which is why I’m wearing fingerless gloves to type!). But my favourite thing about seasons is that it means we get Christmas every year, and Pentecost, and Advent, and… Easter.
Many of the children’s and youth workers I know have been running Easter clubs and events. It’s a fantastic opportunity to focus on the cross. I find that children, unlike some adults, have no problem with the concept of sin. They’re used to being in trouble; they know they mess up; they recognise their need for forgiveness. So the death of Jesus for their sins makes sense (if I can put it that way) for many of them. As does the fact that the resurrection shows that God accepted Jesus’ payment in full.
But I know that many of these children come to holiday club and not much else, which can mean the message of the cross is once-a-year. And while it’s great that the seasons give us this annual focus on the Easter events, I find myself wanting to home in on the cross all year round. Which is why I’m so pleased with many of our supermarkets. The Easter eggs have all gone – but something remains. Have you noticed that hot cross buns are now an all-year phenomenon? That’s great if we like them, but even better when we’re looking for visual aids. How about giving an “Easter talk” at a completely different time of year; then giving everyone a hot cross bun afterwards? The cross isn’t just for Easter – it’s for life.
PS That’s the reason this year’s children’s “Easter tract” doesn’t look Easterish. The message of the cross is for any and all seasons, and I’m hoping the tract can be used that way too.
58 years ago to the day, the world experienced its most boring day - April 11th 1954 was very dull.
Apparently, it’s official. I heard it on a QI rerun last night and then checked it on Google, so I guess it must be right…! Nothing of interest happened. No really famous people were born or died. No wars or acts of terror were committed. No celebrity weddings occurred. Nothing. A whole 24 hour period where there were no note-worthy headlines or jaw-dropping incidents of any description.
Or so the media would have us believe.
The gospel reality, however, is that no day can ever be truly boring. Every day is full of exceptional acts of grace. And if you would like to take a moment to ponder, you might find yourself smiling at just how extraordinary every day really is:
And then there’s the miracle of new life – each baby knit together by God himself. The fact that our every thought is known by the loving and holy ruler of the universe. The wonder that God is tender enough to lead mere humans like us through each day of our lives until he calls us home.
Incredible truths (from Colossians 1 and Psalm 139). Extraordinary privilege. All stemming from an awesome God.
Boring? Never!
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
It's a great question. But how do you explain it simply? And at the same time inspire people to give reading it a go?
"But I don't want to sit down... I want to be out doing something..."
A familiar cry during the Easter break. Children liberated from the structure of school, and fueled with more chocolate than might be ideal, want to bounce. And why not? They are children after all!
But how can parents (and grandparents and aunts and godparents and friends) harness some of that boundless energy and creativity and use it this week to help their children understand the gospel better?
One way is to encourage them to tell the Easter story not just listen to it. A drama, a puppet show, a powerpoint presentation, a collage or painting, a photo story, an acted scene videoed and edited by them, a song written and performed all engage children (and adults for that matter) in the Easter story in new ways.
"Expression deepens impression" as the old adage goes. We learn something well when we explain it to others.
So tonight, before the chaos of the bank holiday weekend sets in, why not get out an age-appropriate version of the Bible, a box of creative tools and set the children you are naturally going to be coming into contact with the task of retelling the Easter story? The only parameters are that they need to be faithful to the biblical text ... other than that, they can let their creative juices flow. And then promise them that you'll look at it after lunch on Easter day so they know just how interested you are in what they are doing.
Hours of fun and great potential for spiritual growth this Easter.
So go on, let them tell it back this year ...
Some "churches" are just beyond the pale.
We're scandalised by their false teaching, outraged by the way immorality and sin is tolerated and even applauded, and incensed at the way preachers make themselves the centre of attention.
Sadly the wreckage of apostate Christianity is all around us. From crumbling denominations to wild money-grabbing showmen who know how to turn on our attention and empty our pockets at the same time. And of course, like self-respecting Bible-believing evangelicals, we turn away in sadness, dismissal or rage. We distance ourselves from them as a disgrace to the gospel and as a poor advertisement for what faith in Jesus as Lord should look like.
Or should we…... continue reading
Church packed. Songs sung. Prayers said. Notices read.
There was a calm and silent atmosphere as people sat in quite reflection. But then the peace was shattered by the insistent shrill wailing of a fire siren. As the deafening racket continued, an announcement came over the PA system:
"There is a dangerous fire in the building. You must calmly get up out of your seats now, and leave the building."
The siren continued to wail for a time, but eventually it stopped, and the worshippers sat in their rows looking nervously around at each other. Eventually, they began to talk:
"Wasn't the sound of the siren interesting!" said one woman.
"Yes", replied another, "Once you got used to it, it was really quite lovely."
"I though the announcement was very clear and helpful", said a man.
"I've made some great notes that have got all the main points down" said another.
"I didn't find it that interesting - no funny stories or jokes at all" said a sullen teenager.
The excited buzz of conversation continued as the smoke slowly filled the room…
Q: How do we know when people have truly heard the fire alarm?
A: When the building is empty.
Q: How do we know when people have truly heard a sermon?
A: suggestions below please...
Based on an illustration heard from Mike Cain at the Planting for Christ Conference last week.
A week ago one female blogger in the states posted her 15 reasons why she left her church. I don’t know her. I don’t know her church. I’m not going to assess her decision. What has been intriguing, however, is the comments that have followed. Nearly 800 responses, many of which have been profoundly caustic. Some, down-right unkind.
It might be that some of the blogger’s assessments of her church feel very alien to other members. If her comments were unfair, it is right that they are challenged. Her understanding of Scripture may well need some discussion. But having said that, I’m saddened that the responses haven’t been spoken humbly and in love.
I could rant about the dangers of quick-fire blogging and commenting that can all too often reflect “heat of the moment” emotion much more than “godly wisdom”. I could wax lyrical about postmodern culture (or just the nature of fallen humanity) that has the tendency to be self-seeking rather than other-serving. But I probably shouldn’t. It’s very easy to criticize what’s happening “out there”. It’s far more important to turn a thoughtful eye to our own hearts. So instead I’ll pose the question: how do we – you and I respond when someone leaves church? Do we display a balanced attitude of truth and love that unswervingly seeks the good of the precious sheep leaving the fold?
Or to put it more practically, here’s a challenge for the weekend (one that I am posing from a position of weakness not strength). Think of someone who has left church, someone who stays home on Sunday these days. And ask yourself 5 questions:
As Christians we are called to love God and our neighbours (Luke 10:27), love our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 13:1) and our enemies (Luke 6:27). It’s pretty certain, then, that we’re called to love Church-leavers too … and to do so right now.
