Seven Nation Army Stands Down

It was one evening in rural West Tyrone that I first encountered The White Stripes. I was working in Newtownstewart at the time, and had taken a wee trip up to Londonderry after work. On my way back to the village I was driving along in my blue Corsa, listening to Across The Line on BBC Radio Ulster. Medium Wave, because of the poor radio reception in the area.

As ATL often do, they were playing some upcoming releases, new music, and that's when the throbbing, unmistakable beat began. Even with the fuzzy Medium Wave reception, I knew it was a classic that first time I heard it.



Seven Nation Army will remain one of the best songs ever, which makes it sad that The White Stripes have announced they won't be making any more music. All that's left to say is, in the words of Abba, thank you for the music!

The Feeling and The Meaning

It all started the other night as I was making my way up to Belfast from Enniskillen. To aid my journey, I listened to two cds by The Feeling. Their quirky tunes, unusual lyrics and high energy songs made the trip seem fairly short. As I was listening to one of their songs, I finally realised (having heard it many times before) that it wasn't being sung to a girl called Rosie, but was rather a song to Rosé wine:



When I got home, I mentioned this on Twitter, which was found to be funny by some people, sparking a discussion on mishearing lyrics and making up your own lyrics. It was then that one of my friends made the following statement:

Art is never up for interpretation. None but that of the artist's.

In terms of art, I'm not sure if I would agree. After all, each of us can have differing reactions to a piece of art/music/literature; sometimes in line with what the artist intended, but not always necessarily so. Indeed, our reactions can add to the contribution of the art.

The other problem with that, though, is that you can't always know what the author was intending. Maybe it is my case of misheard lyrics; or the art being a complete mystery - I find most modern art unintelligible. Ideally, in order to hear what the artist is saying, we need an explanation by the artist.

It got me thinking, though, on our approach to the Bible. Many people would fall in the take what you will from it camp, so that the Bible can mean anything to you, whether it's close to the original intention or not. In this approach, the Bible becomes a launchpad for your own feelings, thoughts, emotions and directions, whether or not they are legitimate or 'biblical'.

Rather, as Christians, and particularly Bible teachers and preachers, we want to know the author's intention, so that we communicate the vital and essential message of the Bible, text by text and passage by passage. And not just the human author's intention either, remembering that men spoke by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21), so that the urgent question as we come to Scripture is: what is God saying in this section of his word?

To trifle with fancies and blind alleys of our own interpretations is dangerous and useless. To hear and understand the intention of the Author is the key to all our studies, meditation, and teaching. To do it, though, requires our effort and the help of the Spirit. Nothing else is good enough.

The Early Church and The Stig

Our Harvest weekend has now finished, and we'll probably be thinking and planning for Christmas services before long. Before Harvest completely disappears from our memory, I wanted to share a few resources from the weekend with you.

Our special guest over the weekend was Bishop Wallace Benn, the Bishop of Lewes on the south coast of England. On Saturday, he taught on the Early Church and its Growth: a study from Acts, which is the basis of a new book soon to be published. The book will be excellent, based on the material he presented and preached on Saturday. You can listen in, as the mp3s are available from the first two sessions of the day over at the St Elizabeth's sermon blog: Session 1; Session 2. Sadly the third session didn't record - blame the idiot curate and his technology!

You might have read the title and wondered how a racing driver fits in with the early church. On the Friday night, Bishop Wallace let slip that he had been on a well known driving programme, and thanks to the wonders of YouTube and the internet, we tracked it down and showed it on Saturday. This is the edited highlights of Wallace's appearance. Enjoy!

Old McDonald to the Rescue!

Over the past week or so, we've been spending quite a lot of time with family due to a health issue. It means that I've been seeing my niece who lives in Scotland, who we don't get to see terribly often. However, there was a problem. The past couple of times that we've seen each other, whether in Northern Ireland or in Scotland, Elizabeth has burst into tears as soon as she's clapped eyes on me.

This happened whether she was with her mum, or with a whole load of people. If I got too close, or she crawled too close to me, then tears were inevitable! So imagine my panic when I was left with Elizabeth while her mum popped into the kitchen. Just the baby and me. Tears were ripe. What to do?

At just the right moment, Old McDonald came to the rescue. Yes, that Old McDonald, the one who has a farm and all the noisy animals! Back when I was a baby, iPhones and YouTube had never been invented, but now they are my guarantee for a tear-free time with my baby niece. Old McDonald had a farm; Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; The Elmo Song; Five Little Ducks Went Swimming One Day; and many other kiddies favourites, all playing on my phone leads to smiles and dancing and happy times!

So you can join in with one of your old favourite childhood songs, I give you Old McDonald:

Reversal

Johnny, our youth leader, gave me the link to this video last week. It's really powerful, and highlights the reversal, the change that the Lord Jesus is doing in peoples' lives.

The Silent Monks Sing Hallelujah

This is brilliant!



H/T The SciFi Pastor.

Book Review: The Trellis and the Vine

If there's one book that should be read by all in ministry (apart from the Bible, of course), it is definitely this book. Drawing on thirty years of ministry and training gospel workers, Colin Marshall (affectionately known as Col Marshall) and Tony Payne, present a parable of church life in The Trellis and the Vine.

Drawing on John 15, the vine is the church, the people of God. Jesus, the vine, is growing his church, as more people are drawn into relationship with him, and they become fruitful in the kingdom. Vine work is to preach the gospel and bring the people of God to maturity. Vital stuff - there's something wrong if churches and ministers in particular aren't doing this.

But at the same time, the vine needs to be supported. This is where the trellis comes in - the trellis supports the vine, and so we have the necessary factors of finance, organisation, a meeting place, leadership, denominational structures etc. Yet it's so easy to get diverted away from Vine work into Trellis work - to be very busy, yes, but to completely neglect the very purpose the church exists for: vine work.

Having identified the 'root' problem, Marshall and Payne help ministers to work out their working out, and how to get the church back on track to the primacy of vine work. To get there, we need a change in ministry mindset, as well as identifying the leaders to train up, and help others get involved in vine work (which is for all Christians, not just 'ordained' people).

As I've said, this book is vital for church leaders to consider their priorities and to help them get back to vine work, which is the reason we're in church leadership in the first place. Lots of challenges in the book, but that's no bad thing, so there's plenty to think through and work through both now, and in the next x years of ministry. This might even be a good book for church committees / elderships / Select Vestries to work through together, discussing the issues that are raised. Get it from the Good Book Company. Check out the recommendation by Mark Dever:

Matthew's Begats

Ever wondered about the genealogy at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel? Why the big list of unpronounceable names? Is there any way of remembering the names?

Check out this song by Andrew Peterson, entitled Matthew's Begats:



The song comes from a Christmas concert Andrew has put together: 'Behold The Lamb of God'

Monday Morning Music

Here's a little video clip of an acapella group we saw performing on the sidewalk as we came off the (free) Staten Island Ferry having seen the Statue of Liberty. They are called Select Blendz, and the song is Stand By Me.



When we came along at first, they were singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight, but I didn't get it on video, even though it's one of my favourite songs, especially sung well. It is on the cd they were offering for a kind donation, so I can continue to enjoy their sounds now that we're far away from New York City.

(Video recorded my my iPhone)

Adbusting: Free?

I noticed a new advert on TV the other night for a new fragrance from Calvin Klein. CKFree purports to be the essence of true freedom. Here's what the actor says:

The best thing about getting lost is what you find along the way. Here, or there, I'm just going. Anywhere I end up. I'm just free.

So does freedom come from a bottle? Is being free just the absence of restraints, the ability to drive around a desert in a classic vintage car?

Freedom is what many of us long for. Teenage rebellion is a manifestation of the desire to be free from parents, school, authority and responsibility. We want to be free to set our own agenda, do things our way, in our time, according to our will.

The thing is, though, that often we fail to see that when we think we are free, we're actually in deeper bondage than we realise. In exercising our freedom, we're becoming slaves.

Going our own way sounds so respectable, yet it is the lie of the devil. It's what our first parents did, and what all of us do:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way. (Isaiah 53:6)

So as we chart our own course, we think we're free and unique, yet it turns out everyone else is doing the same thing. Turning aside, out for Number One.

True freedom? Well, no. It turns out that as we seek to be free, we turn to sin, with devastating effects. Jesus said:

Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (John 8:34)

Thinking we're free has led to a greater slavery, and we're trapped in the prison of sin, submitting to our master, the devil.

So how can we truly be free? Is there any hope for us of finding freedom?

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free... So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:31, 32, 36)

Our freedom comes in submitting to the Lord Jesus. Only through the word of his gospel, the forgiveness of sins, the glorious liberty of the children of God can be ours.

As the old collect reminds us: 'O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom...'

Are you free today? Truly free? Who is your master, the one you serve with all you have?

Scarva 09

With the Twelfth being on the 13th, the Thirteenth was moved to the 14th. The Thirteenth is the annual parade of the Royal Black Preceptories from Counties Armagh and Down, and accompanied by the Sham Fight.

One of the highlights of the Thirteenth is the quality of the bands. One of the best on parade today was Killeen City of Armagh Pipe Band:



Pure class!

I took about 850 photos today, which will be carefully selected and uploaded to Flickr over the coming days (as well as the remainder of the Belfast Twelfth pictures). You can check out the Thirteenth set or my main Flickr page.

Sunday School Musical

Yes, you read that right! The other day I was in Tesco, and noticed this on DVD. Buying into the huge High School Musical trend, Faith Films have produced a direct-to-DVD film called Sunday School Musical. Currently at the bargain price of £4 in Knocknagoney, perhaps because it hasn't been selling, since being released last October.

It's probably a good thing that Christians are getting in on the act, but surely many useful conversations could be had with kids who are into the HSM stuff rather than having a poor imitation coming from Christian media? Plus, I noticed that Sunday School Musical has a 15 certificate in the UK - which would surely limit or remove the very target audience they are seeking to reach - especially if Christian parents are more wary of certificate ratings and not exposing kids to unsuitable material?

I've found the trailer on Youtube if you want to have a look:

It's Oh So Quiet

The idea of a Clergy Quiet Day might strike you as an odd concept. The thought that a bunch of ministers could come together and not talk is incredible! Yet that's what happened yesterday in Carryduff for the diocesan clergy. With Lent beginning tomorrow, Bishop Harold invited us along to take some time aside from the busy-ness of parish life to look at John chapter 1 with Ian Dickson of Belfast Bible College.

Throughout the day, after three talks, there were periods of silence to reflect on the issues of ministry raised in the life of John the Baptist. Yet also part of the day were three packed Prayer Book services, so alongside the quiet there was much singing and liturgy. To be fair, it wasn't what I was expecting - perhaps a quiet day would be better with less liturgy and more quiet?

Nevertheless, it was a useful time, and it provided us with a place to catch up with colleagues from across the diocese.

* Bonus points if you spotted the title of the Bjork song in the title of this posting - thought I would add the video for a blast from the past:



Björk: Iceland's finest!

Weapon of Massive Consumption

Lily Allen's comeback single The Fear made it straight to Number 1 in the UK Top 40. The Simple Pastor has helpfully written about consumption already, but the song continues to haunt me as I drive around.



As the line goes:

I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it's not my fault, it's how I programmed to function

The message of the song seems to be that the whole purpose of our lives is to consume products, in greater quantities. Despite this being a solely Western concern (imagine this being played in a refugee camp or orphanage), is it even an accurate indication of our purpose?

There's no doubt that many are seeking the purpose of life. Indeed, as today's news suggests, Michael Phelps was seeking purpose and fulfilment in recreational drugs. As Dave Bish points out, all the gold medals in the world won't satisfy. Neither will Lily's consumer mindset.

Trying to fill a God-shaped hole in our hearts with anything else will not succeed! As Saint Augustine says: Our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you. Our purpose is to love, serve and obey the living God, and worship him only.

Flag Day

This morning I dropped Lynsey round to work in the Hospital, and noticed the Union Flag was flying. Strange, I thought, I haven't noticed that before - was it always there and I was too sleepy to notice in the morning, or was it only there today? My confusion lasted for a moment or two, until I remembered that it is His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles' birthday today! Which got me thinking on several different lines.

1. The Flag Days in Northern Ireland (and across the United Kingdom), on which the government buildings fly the flag. I found more information on it from the NI Assembly website, and the 18 days which are designated as specified days for the flag to be flown. On this, his 60th birthday, is Prince Charles really bothered that the Ulster Hospital is flying the Union Flag for him?

2. Prince Charles has had a long wait to be king. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second has held on for quite a while, leaving Charles to remain in the Prince of Wales position. This is just a bit of fun, but can you imagine Charlie leaping around Buckingham Palace gardens singing this:



(I just can't wait to be king - Disney's The Lion King)

Flags or no flags, king or no king, a very happy birthday to HRH The Prince of Wales.

Monk Mayhem

Dad was telling me last night about the fight in the church in Jerusalem, but it was only this morning that I got to see some of the footage. This is in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks clashed over processions and services in the church reputed to be on the site where Jesus was buried and resurrected.

See how these Christians love one another...



The whole thing makes me wonder what they were fighting about - is Christianity really just like any other religion with holy places? Surely if the 'earth is the Lord's' (Ps 24:1), then it doesn't matter where we meet - the Lord is present with us.

Theology at the Theatre 2

In our last posting in this mini-series, we looked at the opening of Les Miserables. Still within the prologue, we're given a glimpse of the twin concepts of grace and mercy. In the Cathedral we used to sing an old chorus which simply explains these foundational elements of Christianity:

Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve
Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve
He does it because he love us, He does it because he loves us
Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve.

Grace is when God gives us the things we don't deserve
Grace is when God gives us the things we don't deserve
He does it because he loves us, He does it because he loves us
Grace is when God gives us the things we don't deserve.

Back to our old friend, Jean Valjean. Having fled with his freedom, he is mistreated by employers who only give him half the wages of the other workers, because of his criminal status. Destitute, desperate and down and out, he is on the streets when the local bishop takes him in. Given a decent meal and a bed for the night, Jean betrays the generosity of the bishop by stealing a silver dish and fleeing in the middle of the night. [Maybe Javert was right after all?]

Captured by the local army officers, he is returned to the house, where he maintains that the honest bishop gave him a gift of the silver. Surely not. He's a thief after all, that's what he does. But what does the bishop do? Not condemn him - which he surely could do. Instead, he shows him mercy, by not punishing him, and at the same time, shows him grace by giving him the silver candlesticks as well.

What amazing grace!

His Nibs - Neil Cowley Trio

I'm not quite sure how or why, but I always seem to discover music I like a long time after everyone else has discovered it. One example was Muse - for years I had heard young Dave going on about them, but had never heard them myself. Then one day I did, and have liked their music ever since - as well as trying to work out what they're really saying on themes of sin and justice etc.

Well, the same has happened with the Neil Cowley Trio. I rarely ever watch Jools Holland, except maybe the Hootenanny Special on New Years Eve, but last week when Lynsey was home, it was on and I saw them play this track. I think they're great!

I've since discovered that they had their debut album out in 2006, and a new one just last month, but until I get them I've been listening and watching on youtube and the usual places.

Hope you like them too!

Blinging the Bishop

The Right Reverend Graham Cray, Bishop of Maidstone.

Weekending

Just a very quick post I'm not long home to Dromore from the Down and Dromore Youth Council Confirmation weekend in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh. As usual, we were joined by friends from YKEA - pronounced why-kee-aa - the Youth of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh.

With about 150 people on the weekend, a great time was had by all. Adrian Dorrian was the speaker, Dave Lowry led the praise band, and we had a big team of staff and facilitators.

I got a bit more sleep than normal this weekend - was in bed shortly after midnight both nights as I was tired. The bad thing is that I was able to have a full conversation with one of the guys who came into the room a couple of hours later!!! I don't remember any of it!

So it's a quick stop off at Dromore before I head on down to Dublin again for another busy week. Three essays and the 10,000 dissertation to get done in the next fortnight or so - to enable me to enjoy my holidays!

To see what went on over the weekend, you can see the official video here.