An H block of songs from my iPod.
Have You Met Miss Jones? - Robbie Williams
He Doesn't Know Why - Fleet Foxes
He Is Yahweh - Summer Madness
He Reigns - Newsboys
He That Dwelleth in Heaven - Handel's Messiah
He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living - Handel's Messiah
He Was Despised - Handel's Messiah
Hear All Creation - Margaret Becker
Hear The Call of the Kingdom - Keswick 2008
Hear the Music of my Heart - Matt Redman
Heard Them Stirring - Fleet Foxes
Heart As Your Home - Mel Wiggins
Heart Of Gold - Neil Young
Heart Of Worship - Matt Redman
Heartbeats - José González
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
Heartless - Kanye West
Quite a number of Handel's Messiah included here, although my favourite song in this batch has to be 'He Reigns' by Newsboys. A great reminder of the worldwide church, and that He Reigns!
Friday, June 19, 2009
McFlurry's McLinks (4)
It's been a while since the last update of links from the blogosphere, so here we go:
Etrangere muses on the summer affliction of hay fever.
Mark Meynell releases another gem from the John Stott archive - The Message of Job. Also in the realm of free e-books, check out Tony Reinke's blog for seven free Don Carson books, via Dave Bish. No excuse to not be reading!
The last mentions of the European election were from Alan in Belfast with his review of the count (no, not the Sesame Street character), and Keith had Gerry Adams shouting cock-a-doodle-doo during an interview!
Unashamed Workman linked to Joe McKeever's article on 17 methods to shorten sermon preparation.
And what about this for a first dance at a wedding?
Etrangere muses on the summer affliction of hay fever.
Mark Meynell releases another gem from the John Stott archive - The Message of Job. Also in the realm of free e-books, check out Tony Reinke's blog for seven free Don Carson books, via Dave Bish. No excuse to not be reading!
The last mentions of the European election were from Alan in Belfast with his review of the count (no, not the Sesame Street character), and Keith had Gerry Adams shouting cock-a-doodle-doo during an interview!
Unashamed Workman linked to Joe McKeever's article on 17 methods to shorten sermon preparation.
And what about this for a first dance at a wedding?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Look To The Rock
The people of Jerusalem were in a sorry state. Most had forsaken and abandoned the LORD, the God of the Covenant. Successive foreign powers had attacked the city, and exile was a very real threat. Already many of the people had been carried away. The remnant was small, who held to faith in the LORD, who sought to serve him.
God's word to them through Isaiah is one of comfort, hope and encouragement. The remnant may be small, but God is not small!
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (Isaiah 51: 1-3)
You think things are bad now? Abraham was on his own when God called him, and look at what God did with him! God is never in for the numbers game, but always works through his faithful remnant to gain the glory.
Look back to your roots, and see the fruit which the LORD has produced. If he can do that for Abraham, what will he achieve through the Jerusalem remnant? And further forward, through the servant of the LORD, Jesus Christ, the remnant of his people, the only true, faithful and law-keeping Jew that ever existed!
God's word to them through Isaiah is one of comfort, hope and encouragement. The remnant may be small, but God is not small!
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him. For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (Isaiah 51: 1-3)
You think things are bad now? Abraham was on his own when God called him, and look at what God did with him! God is never in for the numbers game, but always works through his faithful remnant to gain the glory.
Look back to your roots, and see the fruit which the LORD has produced. If he can do that for Abraham, what will he achieve through the Jerusalem remnant? And further forward, through the servant of the LORD, Jesus Christ, the remnant of his people, the only true, faithful and law-keeping Jew that ever existed!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Precious Sheep
How much are sheep worth?
If you've ever listened to Good Morning Ulster or Evening Extra on BBC Radio Ulster, you'll have heard the listing of prices at the various livestock markets and marts around the province. Among them, there's always mention of hoggets. No, I didn't know what hoggets were either. Seemingly they are last year's lambs, one year old before they have grown their first two adult teeth.
How much are they worth? A recent sale at Markethill had sheep going for about £3.50 per kilo, which works out at about £85 for a lamb.
But it's not the price of sheep I want to talk about. Rather, it's the value of another kind of sheep. The flock of the Good Shepherd, the Church.
Last night, at the end of the ordination service, the Bishop gave a final charge to the newly ordained Presbyters - the new under-shepherds of the Lord. Here's what he says:
Remember always with thanksgiving that the treasure now entrusted to you is Christ's own flock, bought through the shedding of his own blood on the cross. The Church and the congregation among whom you will minister are one with him; they are his body. Go forth to serve them with joy, build them up in faith, and do all in your power to bring them to loving obedience to Christ.
What is the value of the sheep? Not gold or silver 'but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.' (1 Peter 1:19). The people of God are his, bought with his blood. This shapes and informs every aspect of my work - the Lord Jesus died for the people I meet.
How precious the flock is, and what great cost to the Son of God, who is the Chief Shepherd of our souls.
If you've ever listened to Good Morning Ulster or Evening Extra on BBC Radio Ulster, you'll have heard the listing of prices at the various livestock markets and marts around the province. Among them, there's always mention of hoggets. No, I didn't know what hoggets were either. Seemingly they are last year's lambs, one year old before they have grown their first two adult teeth.
How much are they worth? A recent sale at Markethill had sheep going for about £3.50 per kilo, which works out at about £85 for a lamb.
But it's not the price of sheep I want to talk about. Rather, it's the value of another kind of sheep. The flock of the Good Shepherd, the Church.
Last night, at the end of the ordination service, the Bishop gave a final charge to the newly ordained Presbyters - the new under-shepherds of the Lord. Here's what he says:
Remember always with thanksgiving that the treasure now entrusted to you is Christ's own flock, bought through the shedding of his own blood on the cross. The Church and the congregation among whom you will minister are one with him; they are his body. Go forth to serve them with joy, build them up in faith, and do all in your power to bring them to loving obedience to Christ.
What is the value of the sheep? Not gold or silver 'but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.' (1 Peter 1:19). The people of God are his, bought with his blood. This shapes and informs every aspect of my work - the Lord Jesus died for the people I meet.
How precious the flock is, and what great cost to the Son of God, who is the Chief Shepherd of our souls.
The Ordination
Last night was my ordination to the office of Presbyter (elder), also known as Priest, alongside Adrian Green. Willowfield Parish Church seemed to be right and full, a huge congregation, with great singing, although it made for a very warm evening, especially under a cassock and surplice.
Harold Miller, The Bishop of Down and Dromore led the service, and Craig Cooney, the Curate Assistant of Shankill Church, Lurgan was the preacher. I was encouraged to see so many other Presbyters who took part in the ordination prayer and laying on of hands, both old friends and new.
Also, in the congregation I noticed many friends, with a big contingent from my home parish of Dromore Cathedral, and another big crowd from my current parish of St Elizabeth's Dundonald. Plenty of family and friends were also scattered throughout the building, bringing good wishes and prayers.
Craig preached from the Old Testament reading, which was Isaiah 61:1-3, and specifically its use as a text for Jesus' sermon in Nazareth from Luke 4. We have a Spirit-empowered mission; a Jesus-centred mission; and a transforming mission. So be it!
When Deacons are ordained, it is only the Bishop who lays hands on the ordinand. With Presbyters, all the other Presbyters present have a share in laying hands, so it's a good job I'm not claustrophobic, with a group of about 20 Presbyters gathered around laying hands. A great sense of the togetherness of the mission we are engaged in, and a mighty time of prayer and encouragement.
At the end of the service, when we received the final charge from the Bishop, we were surrounded by representatives of the parish and diocese, before being led out into the world for mission and service by the Bishop, accompanied by the Church.
A special night, which will long stick in my memory. I haven't got any photos yet, but will post some and link to them when I see what other people have got on their cameras.
Harold Miller, The Bishop of Down and Dromore led the service, and Craig Cooney, the Curate Assistant of Shankill Church, Lurgan was the preacher. I was encouraged to see so many other Presbyters who took part in the ordination prayer and laying on of hands, both old friends and new.
Also, in the congregation I noticed many friends, with a big contingent from my home parish of Dromore Cathedral, and another big crowd from my current parish of St Elizabeth's Dundonald. Plenty of family and friends were also scattered throughout the building, bringing good wishes and prayers.
Craig preached from the Old Testament reading, which was Isaiah 61:1-3, and specifically its use as a text for Jesus' sermon in Nazareth from Luke 4. We have a Spirit-empowered mission; a Jesus-centred mission; and a transforming mission. So be it!
When Deacons are ordained, it is only the Bishop who lays hands on the ordinand. With Presbyters, all the other Presbyters present have a share in laying hands, so it's a good job I'm not claustrophobic, with a group of about 20 Presbyters gathered around laying hands. A great sense of the togetherness of the mission we are engaged in, and a mighty time of prayer and encouragement.
At the end of the service, when we received the final charge from the Bishop, we were surrounded by representatives of the parish and diocese, before being led out into the world for mission and service by the Bishop, accompanied by the Church.
A special night, which will long stick in my memory. I haven't got any photos yet, but will post some and link to them when I see what other people have got on their cameras.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Half Happy
We're moving into the first part of the H batch in What's on your iPod?
Half the Fun - Snow Patrol
Hallelujah - Alexandra Burke
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Hallelujah - Newsboys
Hallelujah Chorus - Handel's Messiah
Hallelujah Song - Matt Redman
The Hands That Built America - U2
Hanging on Too Long - Duffy
Happiness - Orson
Happiness is a Warm Gun - U2
Happy - Max Sedgley
Happy People - Static Revenger
The Happy Song - Summer Madness
The Happy Song - Delirious
My favourite here has to be the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. No question about it!
Half the Fun - Snow Patrol
Hallelujah - Alexandra Burke
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Hallelujah - Newsboys
Hallelujah Chorus - Handel's Messiah
Hallelujah Song - Matt Redman
The Hands That Built America - U2
Hanging on Too Long - Duffy
Happiness - Orson
Happiness is a Warm Gun - U2
Happy - Max Sedgley
Happy People - Static Revenger
The Happy Song - Summer Madness
The Happy Song - Delirious
My favourite here has to be the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. No question about it!
Ordination Retreating
The car is packed, the iPod is loaded up with teaching (Don Carson, if you're interested), the cassock is about to be put on, and then we're off to Willowfield for the ordination rehearsal. After that, it's a quick dash to the Benedictine Monastery in Rostrevor for our pre-ordination retreat.
All the meals are in silence, which will be a bit weird, and there's to be no talking in the corridors, guest kitchen, and radios are banned from the rooms in case other guests or monks are disturbed. Hence the iPod which will be in my ears when in my room!
Bishop Harold is leading the retreat, speaking on the life and ministry of Moses, which should be great. Then on Sunday, the Curate-Assistant of Shankill Parish Lurgan is preaching at the actual ordination service.
You're very welcome to attend - Ordination of Presbyters at 7pm in Willowfield Parish Church on the Woodstock Road / Cregagh Road in East Belfast.
If you're coming and can bring a camera, take some photos as I'll be slightly too busy to be wielding my camera that night!
So until Sunday, farewell.
All the meals are in silence, which will be a bit weird, and there's to be no talking in the corridors, guest kitchen, and radios are banned from the rooms in case other guests or monks are disturbed. Hence the iPod which will be in my ears when in my room!
Bishop Harold is leading the retreat, speaking on the life and ministry of Moses, which should be great. Then on Sunday, the Curate-Assistant of Shankill Parish Lurgan is preaching at the actual ordination service.
You're very welcome to attend - Ordination of Presbyters at 7pm in Willowfield Parish Church on the Woodstock Road / Cregagh Road in East Belfast.
If you're coming and can bring a camera, take some photos as I'll be slightly too busy to be wielding my camera that night!
So until Sunday, farewell.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Waiting for God
Are you good at waiting? I don't mean serving tables, but rather in waiting for something. You know it's going to happen, but there's a delay. Waiting.
It might be hard enough to wait for a birthday or Christmas, with the expectation of nice things in store. How much harder, then, to wait for God to act. We sometimes wonder why God appears to be slow to fulfill his promise. Why he appears slow to act. It may even appear that we just want to plough on ahead and let God catch us up.
Especially when we're in trouble. You know, we can handle this God, we don't really need you.
I've been reading through Isaiah, and in the days leading up to my ordination as a Presbyter, I've reached one of the verses that helped kick off the whole journey way back when.
28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
If we seek to serve the Lord in our own strength, we will quickly fail. Even youths and young men grow weary. We can't do it on our own. I am not able for the task in my own power, because I don't have any power of my own.
It is in waiting for the Lord, for his timing, for his power, for his strength, that we can do all things through him who strengthens us.
I can remember thinking through these verses - which in the context of the chapter are an essential element of the good news which is heralded to Jerusalem for her comfort - when I was still a student at Queens, all those years ago. Ten, to be precise.
There was a song by Petra which had the following line:
Good things come to those who wait,
Not to those who hesitate,
So hurry up and wait upon the Lord.
I was hesitating, and putting off responding to the call of God. Last night I was listening to an mp3 sermon from St Helen's. They're preaching through Judges in the evenings, and I was listening to the sermon on Judges 4 and 5, the episode of Deborah. Except, Deborah wasn't the judge, the mini-messiah, the saviour that God had called in Israel. Barak was the one God had called (no, not Barack Obama), but he had failed to respond to the call. When Deborah goes to challenge him, he'll only go if she goes with him.
Hesitant, fearful, comfortable.
It is in responding to the Lord that we grow in faith, as we know his strength, and see him at work. To respond, we must wait for the Lord, spending time with him.
Our lives are so busy that we can think, oh, I haven't got time for the Quiet Time, or for reading my Bible or praying. Ironically, that is what will be most useful to us when we're busy. Our strength or God's? Our timing or God's? Will we blarge on ahead, or will we wait for the Lord?
The one who does not grow weary strengthens his servants so that they also will not be weary. Hurry up and wait upon the Lord!
It might be hard enough to wait for a birthday or Christmas, with the expectation of nice things in store. How much harder, then, to wait for God to act. We sometimes wonder why God appears to be slow to fulfill his promise. Why he appears slow to act. It may even appear that we just want to plough on ahead and let God catch us up.
Especially when we're in trouble. You know, we can handle this God, we don't really need you.
I've been reading through Isaiah, and in the days leading up to my ordination as a Presbyter, I've reached one of the verses that helped kick off the whole journey way back when.
28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)
If we seek to serve the Lord in our own strength, we will quickly fail. Even youths and young men grow weary. We can't do it on our own. I am not able for the task in my own power, because I don't have any power of my own.
It is in waiting for the Lord, for his timing, for his power, for his strength, that we can do all things through him who strengthens us.
I can remember thinking through these verses - which in the context of the chapter are an essential element of the good news which is heralded to Jerusalem for her comfort - when I was still a student at Queens, all those years ago. Ten, to be precise.
There was a song by Petra which had the following line:
Good things come to those who wait,
Not to those who hesitate,
So hurry up and wait upon the Lord.
I was hesitating, and putting off responding to the call of God. Last night I was listening to an mp3 sermon from St Helen's. They're preaching through Judges in the evenings, and I was listening to the sermon on Judges 4 and 5, the episode of Deborah. Except, Deborah wasn't the judge, the mini-messiah, the saviour that God had called in Israel. Barak was the one God had called (no, not Barack Obama), but he had failed to respond to the call. When Deborah goes to challenge him, he'll only go if she goes with him.
Hesitant, fearful, comfortable.
It is in responding to the Lord that we grow in faith, as we know his strength, and see him at work. To respond, we must wait for the Lord, spending time with him.
Our lives are so busy that we can think, oh, I haven't got time for the Quiet Time, or for reading my Bible or praying. Ironically, that is what will be most useful to us when we're busy. Our strength or God's? Our timing or God's? Will we blarge on ahead, or will we wait for the Lord?
The one who does not grow weary strengthens his servants so that they also will not be weary. Hurry up and wait upon the Lord!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
A Model Prayer
How should we pray? What should we say? These can be some of the questions that jump to mind when we pause to pray. Ecclesiastes has some great advice for prayers and pray-ers:
Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much busyness, and a fool's voice with many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3)
Not using many words, being careful what to say. In my readings in Isaiah, I found a great model prayer being uttered by King Hezekiah. The situation is that Jerusalem is about to be besieged by King Sennacherib of Assyria, who has conquered every kingdom up to now. Sennacherib boasts about his achievements and cracks his knuckles as he looks forward to another victory.
Hezekiah prays:
16"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD."
A great prayer, and one that God in his mercy answers. There are a few elements to it:
1. Be clear who you are addressing. Hezekiah is talking to the God of Israel, the one and only God and King of all the kingdoms, the one who made heaven and earth. Catching the vision of who God is, and reminding ourselves of this can help us to pray rightly, and to expect big things from our big, big God.
2. Asking God to hear and see the situation. God already knows our sticky situations, yet in his grace he hears our cry. As we cry out to God, the situation becomes clear in our mind, and also reminds us that God knows what is happening.
3. A passion for God's glory. Sennacherib was mocking God, and Hezekiah doesn't like this, so he asks God to intervene for his own glory and name's sake. This is what leads to the final petition, the plea for God to act:
4. Asking God to act. Having aligned his own will with God's, Hezekiah asks God to act to save them, so that the whole earth will know that God is God. There are no false motives here, like self-preservation, only a desire for God to be famous.
O God, help us to pray according to your will and for your glory! Make us pray-ers more and more.
Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much busyness, and a fool's voice with many words. (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3)
Not using many words, being careful what to say. In my readings in Isaiah, I found a great model prayer being uttered by King Hezekiah. The situation is that Jerusalem is about to be besieged by King Sennacherib of Assyria, who has conquered every kingdom up to now. Sennacherib boasts about his achievements and cracks his knuckles as he looks forward to another victory.
Hezekiah prays:
16"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20So now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD."
A great prayer, and one that God in his mercy answers. There are a few elements to it:
1. Be clear who you are addressing. Hezekiah is talking to the God of Israel, the one and only God and King of all the kingdoms, the one who made heaven and earth. Catching the vision of who God is, and reminding ourselves of this can help us to pray rightly, and to expect big things from our big, big God.
2. Asking God to hear and see the situation. God already knows our sticky situations, yet in his grace he hears our cry. As we cry out to God, the situation becomes clear in our mind, and also reminds us that God knows what is happening.
3. A passion for God's glory. Sennacherib was mocking God, and Hezekiah doesn't like this, so he asks God to intervene for his own glory and name's sake. This is what leads to the final petition, the plea for God to act:
4. Asking God to act. Having aligned his own will with God's, Hezekiah asks God to act to save them, so that the whole earth will know that God is God. There are no false motives here, like self-preservation, only a desire for God to be famous.
O God, help us to pray according to your will and for your glory! Make us pray-ers more and more.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Euro Election First Preferences
The BBC have just reported on the first preference votes from the Northern Ireland constituency European Election count:
Stephen Agnew, Green Party - 15,764
Jim Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice - 66,197
Bairbre De Brun, Sinn Fein - 126,184
Diane Dodds, DUP - 88,346
Alban Maginness, SDLP - 78,489
Jim Nicholson, Ulster Conservative and Unionist - 82,893
Ian Parsley, Alliance - 26,699
Quota: 121,144
Sinn Fein comfortably topped the poll, and gain the first seat, and it looks like both Dodds (DUP) and Nicholson (UUP) will be elected in the later rounds of the count.
Some initial thoughts:
Jim Allister has polled extremely well, and will be confident of gaining a number of seats in the next Stormont Assembly election. The media are reporting his considerable share of votes as a protest against the DUP, but they could also be the result of people voting for a consistent hard-working MEP for Northern Ireland.
This should be a warning for the DUP, who appear to be moving away from their traditional ground of being the protest vote, and are maturing into government with Sinn Fein. Despite their rhetoric of controlling Sinn Fein, a sizeable proportion of previous DUP voters have abandoned them in this election - and will worry them if this continues in future elections.
If this pattern was repeated in an Assembly election, then Sinn Fein would have the right of nomination of the First Minister, and the DUP would be nominated for Deputy First Minister. Perhaps because of this possibility, such a vote would not be repeated in Assembly elections. The fear among Unionists of having a Shinner as First Minister of Northern Ireland might convince many to vote DUP to prevent this. Although that remains to be seen.
Stephen Agnew, Green Party - 15,764
Jim Allister, Traditional Unionist Voice - 66,197
Bairbre De Brun, Sinn Fein - 126,184
Diane Dodds, DUP - 88,346
Alban Maginness, SDLP - 78,489
Jim Nicholson, Ulster Conservative and Unionist - 82,893
Ian Parsley, Alliance - 26,699
Quota: 121,144
Sinn Fein comfortably topped the poll, and gain the first seat, and it looks like both Dodds (DUP) and Nicholson (UUP) will be elected in the later rounds of the count.
Some initial thoughts:
Jim Allister has polled extremely well, and will be confident of gaining a number of seats in the next Stormont Assembly election. The media are reporting his considerable share of votes as a protest against the DUP, but they could also be the result of people voting for a consistent hard-working MEP for Northern Ireland.
This should be a warning for the DUP, who appear to be moving away from their traditional ground of being the protest vote, and are maturing into government with Sinn Fein. Despite their rhetoric of controlling Sinn Fein, a sizeable proportion of previous DUP voters have abandoned them in this election - and will worry them if this continues in future elections.
If this pattern was repeated in an Assembly election, then Sinn Fein would have the right of nomination of the First Minister, and the DUP would be nominated for Deputy First Minister. Perhaps because of this possibility, such a vote would not be repeated in Assembly elections. The fear among Unionists of having a Shinner as First Minister of Northern Ireland might convince many to vote DUP to prevent this. Although that remains to be seen.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Sermon: Whenever You See A Rainbow
Today, we’re gathered to celebrate the first 25 years of the Rainbow Pre-School, as we look back and see God’s faithfulness over these years. Who would have thought back in 1984 that we would be here now, rejoicing and giving thanks to God for the leaders and children who have been a part of the Rainbow.
I want to ask you a question. Whenever you see a rainbow, what do you think of? When I was asked to preach, I wasn’t sure what I was going to talk about, but I was drawn to the first mention of a rainbow in the Bible. We find it in Genesis 9, which was read for us earlier. As we look at the rainbow here, we’ll see a sign of grace, a reminder of a promise, and a covenant of life and love.
In Genesis 1, we read that God created all things, heaven and earth, animals and plants, birds and fish, and last of all, humans. Throughout the chapter, we read the constant chorus ‘And God saw that it was good.’ Then, having created Adam and Eve, our first parents, it was very good. Paradise.
Soon after, though, Adam and Eve messed things up. Doubting God’s word, they listened instead to the serpent and the desires of their heart, and broke God’s commandment. Paradise lost. Sin had entered the world, and it was on a downward slump. Cain kills Abel his brother, and sin increases and spreads like a virus.
Sin is now so widespread that God decides something has to be done - and prepares to send a flood on the earth to destroy all living creatures. Genesis 6:8 says ‘But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.’ Noah found grace, favour in God’s sight, and so Noah will be rescued from the watery judgement.
The ark is built, the animals gathered, and the floating zoo is launched. Forty days and nights the rains fell, then the waters begin to sink, and they land on top of a mountain. All in all, they had spent one year and ten days in the ark before God brings them out onto dry land again.
Noah sacrifices some of the animals as a thanksgiving, and God reveals the rainbow. The colourful rainbow in the sky is a sign of God’s grace, God’s favour towards Noah. Noah wasn’t saved because he was better than the rest; he was a sinner like everyone else. Yet Noah sees the rainbow because of God’s grace - his undeserved favour, because God has saved and rescued him.
As a sign, the rainbow points beyond itself to something else - just as the signpost points you towards Belfast, or towards the park. The rainbow points us to God himself, and God’s grace towards us, even though we don’t deserve it.
But more than that, the rainbow is also a visual reminder. I don’t know about you, but I can be very forgetful sometimes. I’ll say I’ll do something, but unless it’s written down in my diary, or I’ve set a reminder on my phone alarm, I’ll probably forget. The rainbow is there to help us to remember God’s promises to us.
Yet what Genesis 9 tells us, even more surprisingly, is that the rainbow is a reminder for God! ‘Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember.’ (9:14-15)
The Bible isn’t saying that God is forgetful. He knows all things, and yet, the rainbow is the confirmation of his good purposes towards us, a reminder for both God and us.
The rainbow is a sign of grace, but what is it pointing to? The rainbow is a reminder of a promise, but what is that promise? Verse 12: ‘This is the sign of the covenant’ and verse 15 ‘I will remember my covenant.’ A covenant is a promise, where two people or groups are bound together through the keeping of the promise. So, for example, my wedding ring is the sign, and also the reminder of the promises that Lynsey and myself shared last year.
So also here, the rainbow is the sign and reminder of the promise that God makes to all human, and all living creatures. What does he promise? That never again will a flood destroy all living things. It is a promise of life, a promise for life.
We may well see local flooding - who can forget the images of the Westlink as a swimming pool, or scenes of devastation where rivers burst their banks. But even though small floods occur, God promises that he will not destroy the earth by flood. We can be sure of God’s promise because it is based in his love.
We’ve been thinking about the rainbow as a sign of grace, as a reminder of the promise, and the covenant of life and love. In these three areas, the cross can also stand - a sign of God’s grace to sinners, so that as we turn to God, we find our sins forgiven, wiped clean, a fresh start; the cross is a reminder of the promise - that those who are in Christ Jesus, who trust in him are saved - there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; the cross is the covenant of life and love - as we believe in Jesus, we are assured of eternal life, secure by the love of God in Jesus.
Whenever you see a rainbow - remember God is love.
This sermon was preached in Dromore Cathedral on Sunday 7th June 2009 at the Rainbow Pre-School's 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.
I want to ask you a question. Whenever you see a rainbow, what do you think of? When I was asked to preach, I wasn’t sure what I was going to talk about, but I was drawn to the first mention of a rainbow in the Bible. We find it in Genesis 9, which was read for us earlier. As we look at the rainbow here, we’ll see a sign of grace, a reminder of a promise, and a covenant of life and love.
In Genesis 1, we read that God created all things, heaven and earth, animals and plants, birds and fish, and last of all, humans. Throughout the chapter, we read the constant chorus ‘And God saw that it was good.’ Then, having created Adam and Eve, our first parents, it was very good. Paradise.
Soon after, though, Adam and Eve messed things up. Doubting God’s word, they listened instead to the serpent and the desires of their heart, and broke God’s commandment. Paradise lost. Sin had entered the world, and it was on a downward slump. Cain kills Abel his brother, and sin increases and spreads like a virus.
Sin is now so widespread that God decides something has to be done - and prepares to send a flood on the earth to destroy all living creatures. Genesis 6:8 says ‘But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.’ Noah found grace, favour in God’s sight, and so Noah will be rescued from the watery judgement.
The ark is built, the animals gathered, and the floating zoo is launched. Forty days and nights the rains fell, then the waters begin to sink, and they land on top of a mountain. All in all, they had spent one year and ten days in the ark before God brings them out onto dry land again.
Noah sacrifices some of the animals as a thanksgiving, and God reveals the rainbow. The colourful rainbow in the sky is a sign of God’s grace, God’s favour towards Noah. Noah wasn’t saved because he was better than the rest; he was a sinner like everyone else. Yet Noah sees the rainbow because of God’s grace - his undeserved favour, because God has saved and rescued him.
As a sign, the rainbow points beyond itself to something else - just as the signpost points you towards Belfast, or towards the park. The rainbow points us to God himself, and God’s grace towards us, even though we don’t deserve it.
But more than that, the rainbow is also a visual reminder. I don’t know about you, but I can be very forgetful sometimes. I’ll say I’ll do something, but unless it’s written down in my diary, or I’ve set a reminder on my phone alarm, I’ll probably forget. The rainbow is there to help us to remember God’s promises to us.
Yet what Genesis 9 tells us, even more surprisingly, is that the rainbow is a reminder for God! ‘Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember.’ (9:14-15)
The Bible isn’t saying that God is forgetful. He knows all things, and yet, the rainbow is the confirmation of his good purposes towards us, a reminder for both God and us.
The rainbow is a sign of grace, but what is it pointing to? The rainbow is a reminder of a promise, but what is that promise? Verse 12: ‘This is the sign of the covenant’ and verse 15 ‘I will remember my covenant.’ A covenant is a promise, where two people or groups are bound together through the keeping of the promise. So, for example, my wedding ring is the sign, and also the reminder of the promises that Lynsey and myself shared last year.
So also here, the rainbow is the sign and reminder of the promise that God makes to all human, and all living creatures. What does he promise? That never again will a flood destroy all living things. It is a promise of life, a promise for life.
We may well see local flooding - who can forget the images of the Westlink as a swimming pool, or scenes of devastation where rivers burst their banks. But even though small floods occur, God promises that he will not destroy the earth by flood. We can be sure of God’s promise because it is based in his love.
We’ve been thinking about the rainbow as a sign of grace, as a reminder of the promise, and the covenant of life and love. In these three areas, the cross can also stand - a sign of God’s grace to sinners, so that as we turn to God, we find our sins forgiven, wiped clean, a fresh start; the cross is a reminder of the promise - that those who are in Christ Jesus, who trust in him are saved - there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; the cross is the covenant of life and love - as we believe in Jesus, we are assured of eternal life, secure by the love of God in Jesus.
Whenever you see a rainbow - remember God is love.
This sermon was preached in Dromore Cathedral on Sunday 7th June 2009 at the Rainbow Pre-School's 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Beyond Greed: Book Review
Greed is perhaps the forgotten sin, particularly in Western society today. It doesn't feature highly on most people's radars, and is certainly not regarded as a major problem. Any discussion of greed is a good thing, when most try to redefine it as being sensible, putting away a nest-egg, or being prudent.
Brian Rosner, in a revised and updated version of his original How To Be Really Rich, sets about seeking to help us recognise the danger of greed, and to move us beyond greed to contentment, sharing with others and storing up riches in heaven. The book is built upon the foundation of two verses which are really very clear on the issue of greed: 'Greed ... is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5), and 'There is great gain in godliness with contentment' (1 Timothy 6:6), but provides a Scripture-wide basis for the consideration of greed, and how to deal with it.
Interspersed through the chapters by Rosner, are shorter features and articles by Phillip Jensen, John Dickson, Broughton Knox and Tony Payne (among others). These articles are sourced from various issues of The Briefing, the monthly magazine published by Matthias Media, and are further discussions on the area of greed. There's also a chapter on the so-called prosperity gospel, which easily exposes the false gospel of money for what it really is.
Quite a number of copies of this book were distributed through our church this spring, as we were using 'The Money Revolution' as our Lent Course. The book was recommended reading for us to think it through, and it's well worth reading.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Glorious Grace
It's Friday and time for another alphabetical musical selection. We'll do some more G's today:
Glorious - Chris Tomlin/Christy Nockels at Passion
Glory - Jonny Parks at Summer Madness
Glory to God in the highest - Handel's Messiah
Go, Go, Go Joseph - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
God Bless The Child - Eva Cassidy
God In My Living / Everything - Tim Hughes at Summer Madness
God Of Wonders - Piano Chill
God on Your Side - Booley
God We Praise You - Summer Madness
Going Missing - Maxïmo Park
Going Under - Evanescence
Gold Digger - The Automatic
The Golden Path - The Chemical Brothers/The Flaming Lips
Golden Skans - Klaxons
Golden Touch - Razorlight
Gone - U2
Good King Wenceslas - Tonus Peregrinus
Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley/The Jordanaires
Goodbye Brother - Prince of Egypt Soundtrack
Got No Love - The Kooks
Grace Flows Down - Christy Nockels
Grace Kelly - Mika
Glory, God, Gold, and Grace. Quite a combination for this week's episode. Favourite song in the batch is Glory by Jonny Parks, although Grace Kelly comes a close second.
What songs should be added to my list? What have I missed that you would recommend?
Glorious - Chris Tomlin/Christy Nockels at Passion
Glory - Jonny Parks at Summer Madness
Glory to God in the highest - Handel's Messiah
Go, Go, Go Joseph - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
God Bless The Child - Eva Cassidy
God In My Living / Everything - Tim Hughes at Summer Madness
God Of Wonders - Piano Chill
God on Your Side - Booley
God We Praise You - Summer Madness
Going Missing - Maxïmo Park
Going Under - Evanescence
Gold Digger - The Automatic
The Golden Path - The Chemical Brothers/The Flaming Lips
Golden Skans - Klaxons
Golden Touch - Razorlight
Gone - U2
Good King Wenceslas - Tonus Peregrinus
Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley/The Jordanaires
Goodbye Brother - Prince of Egypt Soundtrack
Got No Love - The Kooks
Grace Flows Down - Christy Nockels
Grace Kelly - Mika
Glory, God, Gold, and Grace. Quite a combination for this week's episode. Favourite song in the batch is Glory by Jonny Parks, although Grace Kelly comes a close second.
What songs should be added to my list? What have I missed that you would recommend?
The Stability of Your Times
There can be no doubt about it - our world is unstable. Whether it be the disappearance of a transatlantic plane, or the uncertainty of the stock exchange; the political world of exorbitant and outrageous expenses or the very position of the Prime Minister. The times we live in are unstable.
This is not a modern diagnosis though. Unstable times are not the exclusive privilege of the twenty-first century, nor even just of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. For all people in every generation, the times are unstable. Things are uncertain, with the rise of disease, the threat of war and ecological disaster, and the always present reminder of death - the one certain thing in a confused world.
The residents of Jerusalem were living in unstable and uncertain times when they looked over the city walls to see the advancing threat of the Assyrian army. King Sennacherib had defeated and conquered many nations and many cities, and Jerusalem was firmly fixed in his sights. The army must have been huge - 185,000 were to die in one night, with many more left, and the threat of siege hung over the city like a pall.
Into this situation, the prophet Isaiah speaks God's word, and what a relief it is:
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. (Isaiah 33:5-6)
Assyria might threaten, but God is on the throne.
War be on the horizon, but God is on the throne.
The godless enemies bring violence, but God will ensure that righteousness triumphs.
Virtues are in short supply, but God will supply salvation, wisdom and knowledge in abundance.
Many trust in riches, wealth and money, but the fear of the LORD is the city's treasure.
We live in uncertain times, but the LORD is the stability of your times.
The LORD is immovable, immutable, and does not change. We can depend on him for all that we need, because he is the faithful God. No wonder one of the titles for the LORD God is the Rock.
Are you on shifting sand today, unstable and uncertain? Build your house on the rock, the LORD, and know his peace and the joy that comes from knowing him.
This is not a modern diagnosis though. Unstable times are not the exclusive privilege of the twenty-first century, nor even just of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. For all people in every generation, the times are unstable. Things are uncertain, with the rise of disease, the threat of war and ecological disaster, and the always present reminder of death - the one certain thing in a confused world.
The residents of Jerusalem were living in unstable and uncertain times when they looked over the city walls to see the advancing threat of the Assyrian army. King Sennacherib had defeated and conquered many nations and many cities, and Jerusalem was firmly fixed in his sights. The army must have been huge - 185,000 were to die in one night, with many more left, and the threat of siege hung over the city like a pall.
Into this situation, the prophet Isaiah speaks God's word, and what a relief it is:
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. (Isaiah 33:5-6)
Assyria might threaten, but God is on the throne.
War be on the horizon, but God is on the throne.
The godless enemies bring violence, but God will ensure that righteousness triumphs.
Virtues are in short supply, but God will supply salvation, wisdom and knowledge in abundance.
Many trust in riches, wealth and money, but the fear of the LORD is the city's treasure.
We live in uncertain times, but the LORD is the stability of your times.
The LORD is immovable, immutable, and does not change. We can depend on him for all that we need, because he is the faithful God. No wonder one of the titles for the LORD God is the Rock.
Are you on shifting sand today, unstable and uncertain? Build your house on the rock, the LORD, and know his peace and the joy that comes from knowing him.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Guest Blog: On Blogging
I tried my hand at ‘blogging’ (short for web log, like a diary on the world wide web) on the Dromore Cathedral website a while back and must say I enjoyed the experience and was never short of something to say. Each night I wrote down my thoughts and experiences as I reflected on my day. I must say though, although I do enjoy ‘surfing’, for me the news on the web however will never replace the newspaper which leaves your fingers grubby and is full of little snippets and which you can pore over and then use to light the fire
The trouble with the world wide web is exactly that, it’s worldwide and is very largely unregulated. Before the ‘fame’ of being a ‘blogger’ went to my head, I’m glad I still read newspapers. A journalist writing in one newspaper put it quite bluntly saying that anyone can go on line and “regurgitate bile into the blogsphere”. His main comment was this, “Just because you have an opinion, doesn’t mean you have to give it to people.” It made me think, what is the difference between my opinions, which I write for you to read, and all the bile?
I always endeavour earnestly that everything I write for anyone to read is based on the Bible. I believe in the Bible, in the promises it contains, promises made by God. I’ll share an opinion shall I? It would be my opinion, based on observation, that the world around me will offer me nothing but empty promises. Again, in my opinion, looking to the ‘real’ world, the ‘fly on the wall’, for guidance on how to live my life gives me the latest reality TV ‘stars’ as role models, makes me spend more than I can afford, unhappy with the body I have and so forth. In fact, one sure way to be unhappy with every area of my life these days would be to be unduly influenced by the world wide web and listen solely to opinions.
At the beginning of the month I was involved with planning an open air worship event in Dromore Square, billed as a cross community event to close Dromore’s Civic Week. No pressure there then! And so I prayed for help. Here it was, on the face of it, my big chance to say what I wanted, and my opinions about what people in Dromore should hear. It was cross community, so no just lifting readings out of the Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer. Yes Easter could have been a theme, but, no. I had my own ideas, my opinions, but no. And so I prayed, and my friends prayed and the Cathedral prayed.
On the Thursday before the event I was in Liverpool airport, returning from a meeting and was irritated when my return flight was delayed and to top it off my mobile was out of charge. It was a late flight, and so the airport was relatively quiet. I found a quiet spot, and decided to make the most of the time. Now this is quite unlike me as I’m usually huffing and puffing and tutting over a delay, but as I sat over a bite of supper, again unlike me, I felt such a calmness descend on me. Most of the mechanics of the worship were in place, but I still had nothing apart from my own opinions to say. For some reason, my little eating spot remained empty with the revellers at the hen and stag parties at the other end of the airport.
I sat in a calm ‘heavenly bubble’. God had watched over me for days, weeks, putting people in my path, but now it was time to talk to me. I sat with a blank piece of paper and a New Testament in front of me and wrote four words. “WHAT DOES GOD WANT?” What did God want for Dromore Square on Sunday 10th May 2009 at 3.30pm? Was there one particular person He would speak to, were there many? From that moment I had such a focus and I soon had a full A4 page of notes for what was only going to be one Bible reading and a few accompanying words. The rest was up to me and He would watch over us all.
In my opinion, what I said in the Square is worth repeating and I’ll close with this.
I read a passage found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20. “One Body, Many Parts.”
“The body is a unit, though it is made of many parts: and though all it’s parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink”
And I said. “A church is not a building with walls and a ceiling. A church is the people inside the building. You are the church.”
(PS In case you wondered, my opinions and what God wanted me to say, were on this occasion really very similar)
Lynn
This article was contributed by Mrs McF, and also appeared in Dromore Cathedral Parish Post June 2009 edition.
The trouble with the world wide web is exactly that, it’s worldwide and is very largely unregulated. Before the ‘fame’ of being a ‘blogger’ went to my head, I’m glad I still read newspapers. A journalist writing in one newspaper put it quite bluntly saying that anyone can go on line and “regurgitate bile into the blogsphere”. His main comment was this, “Just because you have an opinion, doesn’t mean you have to give it to people.” It made me think, what is the difference between my opinions, which I write for you to read, and all the bile?
I always endeavour earnestly that everything I write for anyone to read is based on the Bible. I believe in the Bible, in the promises it contains, promises made by God. I’ll share an opinion shall I? It would be my opinion, based on observation, that the world around me will offer me nothing but empty promises. Again, in my opinion, looking to the ‘real’ world, the ‘fly on the wall’, for guidance on how to live my life gives me the latest reality TV ‘stars’ as role models, makes me spend more than I can afford, unhappy with the body I have and so forth. In fact, one sure way to be unhappy with every area of my life these days would be to be unduly influenced by the world wide web and listen solely to opinions.
At the beginning of the month I was involved with planning an open air worship event in Dromore Square, billed as a cross community event to close Dromore’s Civic Week. No pressure there then! And so I prayed for help. Here it was, on the face of it, my big chance to say what I wanted, and my opinions about what people in Dromore should hear. It was cross community, so no just lifting readings out of the Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer. Yes Easter could have been a theme, but, no. I had my own ideas, my opinions, but no. And so I prayed, and my friends prayed and the Cathedral prayed.
On the Thursday before the event I was in Liverpool airport, returning from a meeting and was irritated when my return flight was delayed and to top it off my mobile was out of charge. It was a late flight, and so the airport was relatively quiet. I found a quiet spot, and decided to make the most of the time. Now this is quite unlike me as I’m usually huffing and puffing and tutting over a delay, but as I sat over a bite of supper, again unlike me, I felt such a calmness descend on me. Most of the mechanics of the worship were in place, but I still had nothing apart from my own opinions to say. For some reason, my little eating spot remained empty with the revellers at the hen and stag parties at the other end of the airport.
I sat in a calm ‘heavenly bubble’. God had watched over me for days, weeks, putting people in my path, but now it was time to talk to me. I sat with a blank piece of paper and a New Testament in front of me and wrote four words. “WHAT DOES GOD WANT?” What did God want for Dromore Square on Sunday 10th May 2009 at 3.30pm? Was there one particular person He would speak to, were there many? From that moment I had such a focus and I soon had a full A4 page of notes for what was only going to be one Bible reading and a few accompanying words. The rest was up to me and He would watch over us all.
In my opinion, what I said in the Square is worth repeating and I’ll close with this.
I read a passage found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20. “One Body, Many Parts.”
“The body is a unit, though it is made of many parts: and though all it’s parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink”
And I said. “A church is not a building with walls and a ceiling. A church is the people inside the building. You are the church.”
(PS In case you wondered, my opinions and what God wanted me to say, were on this occasion really very similar)
Lynn
This article was contributed by Mrs McF, and also appeared in Dromore Cathedral Parish Post June 2009 edition.
Sermon Audio: 1 Corinthians 14: 1-12
Here's the sermon audio mp3 file from Sunday morning's sermon, Building up the Church from 1 Corinthians 14. Listen out for the horn in the middle of it!
090531am 1 Corinthians 14 1-12 Gary McMurray.mp3
090531am 1 Corinthians 14 1-12 Gary McMurray.mp3
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
European Election: The Candidates
Tomorrow, a small proportion of the populace of the United Kingdom will go to the polls to vote in the election to the European Parliament. It is expected that the turnout will be quite low, so why should we go out to vote? Here's a brief summary of the candidates and their election communications, but the end decision is up to you!
In alphabetical order of candidate:
Steven Agnew, Green Party. For a Green New Deal. As you would expect from the Greens, their communication comes on recycled paper, as part of a carbon neutral publication. Their policies are towards being better environmentally, but it isn't clear how this directly impacts on the European Parliament. Rather, they seem like sensible things that could be done whether he is elected or not - and probably should be initiated by the Northern Ireland Assembly, rather than his one voice amongst a European Parliament of 736 members.
There seems to be a good online presence, with links to his own site, the Green Party site, as well as badges for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Bebo and Myspace. It's interesting to see that his election communication is targeted to specific constituencies - ours is for Strangford, Lagan Valley and Newry & Armagh. Is this one different to one being received in East Belfast, and if not, then is it 'Green' to produce lots of different versions rather than producing one Northern Ireland-wide version?
Jim Allister QC MEP, Traditional Unionist Voice. Experience, Principle, Integrity. One of the sitting MEPs, Allister makes the most of this as he highlights his record during the last Parliament - 228 speeches, 46 oral questions and 214 written questions. The other two Northern Ireland MEPs don't come close even when you combine their results. As well as the European issues, Allister is pushing for this to be treated as a referendum on the DUP - Sinn Fein joint government, and providing the opportunity for people to object to terrorists in government. His communication is probably the most useful, in reminding voters what they need to bring to vote, and in providing transport for those who need it.
Jim is also sensible in pushing for two unionist MEPs to be returned through the wise use of transfers, although there are plenty of digs and sniping at his former colleagues in the DUP. Interestingly, while the Conservatives have a candidate in this election, several sitting Conservative MEPs have endorsed Allister as the best candidate - Daniel Hannon MEP and Roger Helmer MEP. A lot more material is covered, but then his communication leaflet runs to 8 pages. Not so much social networking here, just a link to his own website, and the TUV website.
Bairbre De Brun MEP, Sinn Fein. Putting Ireland First. Short, sharp and to the point, in this small bi-lingual communication. Just a few paragraphs in both English and Irish, and some pictures of the candidate. Only one link, to her election site.
Diane Dodds, Democratic Unionist Party. Strong Leadership in Challenging Times. Beside her photo, on the front there's also a blue bubble which proclaims 'The only unionist who can top the poll, which is then repeated in various formats throughout the rest of the four pages. The DUP seems to be fixated with topping the poll, and preventing Jim Allister, or Bairbre Dr Brun from collecting the most first preferences. It's sad really, to see them concentrating on something that doesn't actually matter. Maybe the DUP don't understand elections and how they work, but the end result in a Single Transferable Vote Proportional Representation election (PR-STV) is not coming first, but reaching the quota. It can happen that, for example, where there are three seats and 6 or 7 candidates that the person who comes in third with 1st preferences is beaten by the 4th ranking candidate after the first round, simply because they gain more transfers from winning candidates or those who have been eliminated.
But on with the analysis of their communication. On the inside pages, there are three columns of reasons to vote for Dodds, 22 in total. It's only in the third column that they actually get round to talking about what the election is about - only three of the 22 are about Europe and European policy. It seems that the DUP is fighting the wrong battle - it's as if they have already begun campaigning for the Stormont Assembly elections in the wrong year!
The DUP are also providing assistance to get to the polling stations, and remind voters to bring identification with them. There's an online presence, at the old dup2win site, as well as Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.
While not within the scope of this blog, Sunday's The Politics Show might be influential for many unionists in making their final decision. Allister and Dodds were fighting tooth and nail, with Dodds coming across as ill-informed, nasty and rude. de Brun was sitting between them looking bemused for most of the time, probably smiling on the inside at the war within unionism.
Alban Maginness, Social Democratic and Labour Party.When We Win, You Win. The SDLP are, according to their material, the only major party in the North which is pro-Europe. The communication is strongly focused on European issues, and highlights the party's links to one of the bigger groupings within the Parliament. As well as a profile of Maginness, there are also mini-interviews with 'ordinary' voters from across the province.
Their leaflet is also carbon neutral, reminds voters of what they need to vote, and mentions Alban's two election sites, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter. The back cover also has his election slogan in four languages for a bit of multi-cultural outreach.
Jim Nicholson MEP, Conservatives and Unionists: A New Force. Vote For Change. This may not have been the best slogan within the Northern Ireland context, given that Nicholson has been a sitting MEP for twenty years now. Will the change be him losing his seat?
With the UUP's merger with the Conservative Party, Jim's election material has a more UK-wide feel, with attacks on the Labour Party Government as the brochure is opened. There are also Northern Ireland specific sections, relating to farming, business and community affairs, but in each, the message is that Jim will work with his Conservative candidates in the European Parliament. Would that be the same colleagues who are endorsing a rival candidate?
Just one link to a website, and no social networking, but theirs is the only election broadcast which came personalised, specifically addressed to me. Does that count for something?
Ian Parsley, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. Replace the politics of fear with the politics of hope. The communication continues in the same vein, with the comparisons between what works and what costs. The environment, business and European democracy are issues that are highlighted. Surprisingly there are no links to any websites, nor even a phone number for people to contact to find out more information.
It will be interesting to see how the election results shape up, and may give an indication of how future Assembly and Westminster elections will go. The important thing is that everyone uses their second, third, fourth preferences to help with transfers, rather than stopping at 1st preference, no matter who it's cast for!
In alphabetical order of candidate:
Steven Agnew, Green Party. For a Green New Deal. As you would expect from the Greens, their communication comes on recycled paper, as part of a carbon neutral publication. Their policies are towards being better environmentally, but it isn't clear how this directly impacts on the European Parliament. Rather, they seem like sensible things that could be done whether he is elected or not - and probably should be initiated by the Northern Ireland Assembly, rather than his one voice amongst a European Parliament of 736 members.
There seems to be a good online presence, with links to his own site, the Green Party site, as well as badges for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Bebo and Myspace. It's interesting to see that his election communication is targeted to specific constituencies - ours is for Strangford, Lagan Valley and Newry & Armagh. Is this one different to one being received in East Belfast, and if not, then is it 'Green' to produce lots of different versions rather than producing one Northern Ireland-wide version?
Jim Allister QC MEP, Traditional Unionist Voice. Experience, Principle, Integrity. One of the sitting MEPs, Allister makes the most of this as he highlights his record during the last Parliament - 228 speeches, 46 oral questions and 214 written questions. The other two Northern Ireland MEPs don't come close even when you combine their results. As well as the European issues, Allister is pushing for this to be treated as a referendum on the DUP - Sinn Fein joint government, and providing the opportunity for people to object to terrorists in government. His communication is probably the most useful, in reminding voters what they need to bring to vote, and in providing transport for those who need it.
Jim is also sensible in pushing for two unionist MEPs to be returned through the wise use of transfers, although there are plenty of digs and sniping at his former colleagues in the DUP. Interestingly, while the Conservatives have a candidate in this election, several sitting Conservative MEPs have endorsed Allister as the best candidate - Daniel Hannon MEP and Roger Helmer MEP. A lot more material is covered, but then his communication leaflet runs to 8 pages. Not so much social networking here, just a link to his own website, and the TUV website.
Bairbre De Brun MEP, Sinn Fein. Putting Ireland First. Short, sharp and to the point, in this small bi-lingual communication. Just a few paragraphs in both English and Irish, and some pictures of the candidate. Only one link, to her election site.
Diane Dodds, Democratic Unionist Party. Strong Leadership in Challenging Times. Beside her photo, on the front there's also a blue bubble which proclaims 'The only unionist who can top the poll, which is then repeated in various formats throughout the rest of the four pages. The DUP seems to be fixated with topping the poll, and preventing Jim Allister, or Bairbre Dr Brun from collecting the most first preferences. It's sad really, to see them concentrating on something that doesn't actually matter. Maybe the DUP don't understand elections and how they work, but the end result in a Single Transferable Vote Proportional Representation election (PR-STV) is not coming first, but reaching the quota. It can happen that, for example, where there are three seats and 6 or 7 candidates that the person who comes in third with 1st preferences is beaten by the 4th ranking candidate after the first round, simply because they gain more transfers from winning candidates or those who have been eliminated.
But on with the analysis of their communication. On the inside pages, there are three columns of reasons to vote for Dodds, 22 in total. It's only in the third column that they actually get round to talking about what the election is about - only three of the 22 are about Europe and European policy. It seems that the DUP is fighting the wrong battle - it's as if they have already begun campaigning for the Stormont Assembly elections in the wrong year!
The DUP are also providing assistance to get to the polling stations, and remind voters to bring identification with them. There's an online presence, at the old dup2win site, as well as Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.
While not within the scope of this blog, Sunday's The Politics Show might be influential for many unionists in making their final decision. Allister and Dodds were fighting tooth and nail, with Dodds coming across as ill-informed, nasty and rude. de Brun was sitting between them looking bemused for most of the time, probably smiling on the inside at the war within unionism.
Alban Maginness, Social Democratic and Labour Party.When We Win, You Win. The SDLP are, according to their material, the only major party in the North which is pro-Europe. The communication is strongly focused on European issues, and highlights the party's links to one of the bigger groupings within the Parliament. As well as a profile of Maginness, there are also mini-interviews with 'ordinary' voters from across the province.
Their leaflet is also carbon neutral, reminds voters of what they need to vote, and mentions Alban's two election sites, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Twitter. The back cover also has his election slogan in four languages for a bit of multi-cultural outreach.
Jim Nicholson MEP, Conservatives and Unionists: A New Force. Vote For Change. This may not have been the best slogan within the Northern Ireland context, given that Nicholson has been a sitting MEP for twenty years now. Will the change be him losing his seat?
With the UUP's merger with the Conservative Party, Jim's election material has a more UK-wide feel, with attacks on the Labour Party Government as the brochure is opened. There are also Northern Ireland specific sections, relating to farming, business and community affairs, but in each, the message is that Jim will work with his Conservative candidates in the European Parliament. Would that be the same colleagues who are endorsing a rival candidate?
Just one link to a website, and no social networking, but theirs is the only election broadcast which came personalised, specifically addressed to me. Does that count for something?
Ian Parsley, Alliance Party of Northern Ireland. Replace the politics of fear with the politics of hope. The communication continues in the same vein, with the comparisons between what works and what costs. The environment, business and European democracy are issues that are highlighted. Surprisingly there are no links to any websites, nor even a phone number for people to contact to find out more information.
It will be interesting to see how the election results shape up, and may give an indication of how future Assembly and Westminster elections will go. The important thing is that everyone uses their second, third, fourth preferences to help with transfers, rather than stopping at 1st preference, no matter who it's cast for!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
McFlurry's McLinks (3)
Another quick recap of the best blogs I've read in the past fortnight or so.
Most recently, Alan in Belfast reviews a mystery play at Queens.
As Robert and the gang finish off in Dublin, Unashamed Workman tells how Chinese students learn how to preach.
Looking back over previous blogs can be an interesting exercise, and Unfurling Flower humbly reflects on three years of blogging.
The major convergence of material seems to have been focused on the micro-blogging media Twitter. Josh Harris kicked it off by asking the question if we should use Twitter in Church. Both John Piper and his son Abraham responded, and later, and I think unconnected to the previous, James Cary thought about Twittering.
Irish Calvinist shares a list of ten people pastors should fear.
And finally, David Keen of St Aidan to Abbey Manor has been compiling a series of video clips of comedians talking about God.
Most recently, Alan in Belfast reviews a mystery play at Queens.
As Robert and the gang finish off in Dublin, Unashamed Workman tells how Chinese students learn how to preach.
Looking back over previous blogs can be an interesting exercise, and Unfurling Flower humbly reflects on three years of blogging.
The major convergence of material seems to have been focused on the micro-blogging media Twitter. Josh Harris kicked it off by asking the question if we should use Twitter in Church. Both John Piper and his son Abraham responded, and later, and I think unconnected to the previous, James Cary thought about Twittering.
Irish Calvinist shares a list of ten people pastors should fear.
And finally, David Keen of St Aidan to Abbey Manor has been compiling a series of video clips of comedians talking about God.
Monday, June 01, 2009
It's Your Move!
I'm not thinking about board games, but rather the excellent new schools resource produced by Scripture Union. The move from Primary School to secondary schools, whether they be High Schools or Grammar Schools, can be a stressful and worrying time for P7 pupils. Scripture Union's material can help the children get ready for what's coming next, as well as helping them to get to know the Lord Jesus for the rest of their life.
The material is designed for SU leaders or members of the local churches to deliver over three sessions of 45 minutes each. This morning was our last session, having visited Dundonald Primary School over the last three weeks, as part of a team from Dundonald Presbyterian and St Elizabeth's. The sessions are interactive and fun, with lots of games which are linked in to the main themes of each class- Creation, Choices and Changes. In brief, because God has made the world, and humans in his image, we are each special. God gives us choices, the most important of which is whether we will follow Jesus. And while changes happen in our life, we can be sure that God goes not change, and that he is with us always.
Sometimes the material needs to be tweaked slightly, to suit the particular situations in classes due to time pressures or the bible inputs, but as a resource, It's Your Move is highly recommended. As well as the leader's book, each pupil receives their own activity book to read and keep, reminding them of the teaching and providing practical tips for their new school experience.
Sermon Audio: Luke 16: 19-31
Last night I was speaking on 'Do we need to believe in hell?' in a mini-series we're doing on heaven and hell. The passage I ended up speaking on was Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus.
Download this sermon
Download this sermon
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