Cookie's days

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Thursday thoughts

1. My pal tells me I am old and not middle aged. Middle age he thinks is mid 30's to early 40's.

2. Dr Moore ask 'Have the planned parenthood films changed anything?'. Do watch his short film which will take you a couple of minutes.

3. After reading this, I bought the new Matt Redman album.

4. I am still reflecting on and preparing for Shared Conversations which I may participate in. I confess that when some paperwork and links came through with the letters 'LGBTIQ' - I had no idea what two extra letters 'I' and 'Q' stood for. Am I alone in this? There unexpected addition made me, a traditionalist/theologically orthodox Anglican, feel freshly a little ignorant about this issue that I have endeavored to think about, read and studied on quite widely and deeply. For your information, the 'I' stands for 'Inter-sex' and the Q for 'Queer' or 'Questioning' depending on which website you read.

5. I am in my BioY reading Ecclesiastes which coincided with Driscoll sending me an email about a new study he has done on the same book. I am wondering about the merits of Bible teaching that is not connected to a local church (as well as teaching from someone so flawed yet gifted). Is this simply a reworking of old material or a fresh, humble study on failure and regret from a book and by a leader who is learning from its lessons and is obviously in need of it?

6. Reading the interview with Jeremy Corbyn in the Belfast Telegraph makes me wonder if Labour party members have really thought through who they want as their leader.

7. It's bake off time of year. Here's how to make a sourdough loaf.

8. We made Ella's Veggie Lasagne and we are in agreement that the one thing it supremely lacked was meat.

9. We are watching Series 4 of Suits.

10. My mother in law loved reading Lila and found it hard to finish.

PS

A big shout out for a friend's book 'All sorts of possible' '(and my sister's partner) which is published today.If you read it and like it tell others. I plan that a review will follow....

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Learning from bright young things

We watched 'The Internship' which is a ridiculous but fun film about Google and so I read the 'Eight habits of highly effective Google managers' (via What's best next) with fresh interest.

Here are a couple of things I am feeling prompted about currently:

1. To write and read more

2. To learn what it means to be young in our culture (young people, young churches, young leaders and young companies).

Now, like it or not I am now old. Yes, I know you find that hard to believe but I am quickly advancing to my half century and by anyone's definition that is not young. Whilst I don't have a coherent set of thoughts yet about youth culture I have read a few things recently has got me thinking and made me realize that in some area I am very out of touch. Also, having a son has forced a necessary re-engagement with such matters.

Here's a question for you.

Is dating and dancing a thing of the past?

Rod Dreher's post called Tinder Mercenaries combined with the fact the half the night clubs in the UK have closed over the last decade made me wonder if dancing and asking someone to 'sign your dance card' are now unnecessary parts of the young adult experience. In such a highly sexualized and relationally isolated culture,why bother going clubbing when you can simply hook up earlier in the evening through a phone app? Just a thought.

At Focus this year I felt rather old which I took to be a good thing. During the worship set led by Bright City it dawned on me that it was not aimed at me- a middle-aged man with a new baby. That's a healthy thing methinks. I do worry that some conferences (incl Focus at times) may be in danger of getting a little grey and out of touch- New Wine (as this post implicitly suggests) and Greenbelt- see here- to name but two. Pete Hughes, Vicar of KXC, impressed me as a younger leader and movement influencer.

Finally, into the mix, I also throw two lists of young emerging Christian leaders and thinkers called '33 under 33' which offered some hope that there are lots of bright, talented and passionate younger folk in the pipeline. Thank goodness for that.

33 from the UK

33 from the US

Monday, August 03, 2015

Monday musing

1. Much to reflect on in 'The imitation game'. A couple of quotes that will live on with me:

'Sometimes it's the very people who no one imagines anything of who do the things no one can imagine.'

'Do you know, this morning I was on a train that went through a city that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for you. I bought a ticket from a man who would likely be dead if it wasn't for you. I read up, on my work, a whole field of scientific inquiry that only exists because of you. Now, if you wish you could have been normal... I can promise you I do not. The world is an infinitely better place precisely because you weren't.'

2. I love Jason Isbell's 'How to forget'. I'll let you into a little secret- I'm learning to play it on the guitar.

3, I have Donald Witney's Praying the Bible on pre-order.

4. I praying and weighing about my participation in 'Shared conversations'.

5. 1 Timothy tells us that to be an overseer you must 'above reproach'. This article on 'Seven spiritual challenges for Imperfect leaders' was a help to me and has this line that I am mulling on:
'Perfection isn’t the requirement for those who wish to lead. Progress is'
I recently watched John Piper reflecting on one particular imperfect leader: Mark Driscoll and also the Brian Houston Hillsong interview.
6. I am trying to learn to be more proactive. A book that is on my radar is 'The emotionally healthy leader' .

7. I re-read these words on prayer in 'Working the angles':

'The appearances mislead: Prayer is never the first word; it is always the second word. God has the first word. Prayer is answering speech; it is not primarily 'address' but 'response'. Essential to the practice of prayer is to fully realize this secondary quality'' [p 45-6]

8. The Panorama about the Tunisia massacre is captivating and terrifying.
9. Already looking forward to Focus 2016

10. This little piece on the real 10k hours is a challenge (via Paul Sohn)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The lost art of disciplemaking

“The ministry is to be carried on by people, not programs. It is to be carried by someone and not by some thing. Disciples cannot be mass produced. We cannot drop people into a ‘program’ and see disciples emerge at the end of the production line. It takes time to make disciples. It takes individual, personal attention. It takes hours of prayer for them. It takes patience and understanding to teach them how to get into the Word of God for themselves, how to feed and nourish their souls, and by the power of the Holy Spirit how to apply the word to their lives. And it takes being an example to them of all of the above.”

From 'The lost art of disciplemaking ' by Leroy Eims via Mark Howells

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Book Review: The Promise of Blessing

Not long after I became a Christian I started attending a wonderful Anglican church plant called St Barnabas, Kensington. I have lots of memories of those early years and one of them is of hearing the blessing from Numbers 6 for the first time. I had never heard it before and it would be periodically prayed at the end of the services and I grew to love it. I guess, as I look back 25 years, my lingering question about 'Blessing' was probably 'Will he? and more specifically 'How will he?'

This is the blessing:

“‘The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face towards you

and give you peace.’”

I do believe books can change lives, and even if you don't believe this, they certainly mark them. My friend Kate has written a book and I genuinely think it will mark your life if you read it. It will help you better understand God and his purpose for your life. It will help you understand the nature of God's blessing and his grace and how to face the mess of your past and the challenges of your future. Had I been given this book soon after I became a believer, it might have made my journey towards maturity a lot quicker and more comprehensible. I read this book in PDF format on my iPad during a day off. I finished reading it the same day sitting in a car in Richmond Park as dusk was setting with my wife feeding our newly born son next to me. I am still dwelling on the beauty and depth of the words it contains.

Here are seven reasons to buy it and read it:

It's full of God's word and alive with His Spirit

Too often with Christian books they are either too dry or too woolly. Kate's exposition of every phrase of this blessing is deep and rich and she peppers her narrative with a wonderful selection of quotes, stories and observations. She's a fan of C S Lewis.

It's practical

At the end of every chapter there is a section entitled 'Response' and you are encouraged to take some time to pray, think and to apply what you have just read. It works if you do that- I've tried it out.

It's rooted in the local church

It was such a joy reading the stories of people's lives -many of whom I know having worked with Kate in the same church together for six years. Kate isn't a Christian celebrity touting her signs and wonders from one conference to the next but is instead a local church pastor, school chaplain, wife, mother and friend. This saturates her book and is what makes it so real and interesting and vital.

It's beautifully written

Let's be honest- tons of Christian books are terribly written. This is a master class in good writing.

It's helps you understand suffering

The title of this book might lead you to think Kate has a bouffant hair do and a cable telly channel. The chapter on suffering and how we can comprehend blessing through all the pain and difficulty is worth the price of the book. As she writes, 'Tough times will come and you can name them and claim the blessing as loudly as you want but it won't make you completely immune to suffering. We are not promised undiluted health and wealth; what we are promised is the promise of a Saviour who comes to be with us and who can bring good out of the worst circumstances'

It's one you can give away to others (to believers and to not-yet believers) with confidence

You may, like me, struggle to think of good books to give to bright, broken and thinking people to help them engage with Jesus. You should add this one to whatever titles you already have on your list of those you give away. But give it away not just as an apologetic for the Christian faith but also as a tool for discipleship. Whatever church you're part of everyone in your church should read this book and you never know if they do some of them might even become Christians.....

It's all about the grace of Jesus

At one point (p.76) Kate writes this: 'I hope, as a result of reading this, that you will take time to consider how to put yourself in the place of grace. Where in your life do you make space for that encounter with God? If you flounder at the thought find someone you know who is a few steps ahead on their walk with God and ask them what to do. And be encouraged- God wants to meet with you. God wants to make his face shine upon you and through you to the world.

Now, I don't know if I am further along the road than you in my walk with Jesus but my advice to you is if you want to encounter God in the place of grace buy this book. The other funny thing is the blessing in my own life turns out to be that I now get to pray this blessing from Numbers 6 over a church of my own which I do almost every week. Who would have ever believed that 25 years ago?

You can get 'The promise of blessing' here and if you are at Focus then do go and hear Kate speak (29th July)

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Some interesting facts about UK Cities

This post makes for some interesting reading for those of us leading churches in Cities.

N.B

The view of Hammersmith Bridge as you look and walk right out of our church door.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Ten things for a Tuesday

1. Do you lose yourself when you have kids?

2. I am very slowly working my way through 'The Road to Character'. Much like reading this book- character takes time to cultivate. I underlined this little observation of Dwight Eisenhower most recently:

"When I go to a new station I look to see who is the strongest and ablest man on the post. I forget my own ideas and do everything in my power to promote what he says is right." Later in 'At Ease', he wrote, "Always try to associate yourself closely and learn as much as you can from those who know more than you, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you." He was a fanatic about preparation and then adaptation: "The plans are nothing, but the planning is everything. " he would say. Or "Rely on planning, but never trust plans"

(Page 63)

3. I listened to Bill Johnson's sermon called 'Prayer strategies' and he was very bold and clear on human sexuality post the SCOTUS ruling. I still think he too often speaks in riddles but it's refreshing to hear a movement leader showing courage to hold to Scripture (imagine a Bishop in the C of E opening a talk like this)

4. Planned parenthood a week on

5. I have been reading about Nagaland

6. Some thoughts on 'Being on the wrong side of history'

7. Dick Lucas has an ABCD

8. Does anyone think they pray enough?

9. This post is an interesting reflection on Perry Noble's thoughts on how to know when your church is in trouble.

10. Tim Farron awakens media scorn against Christians and may now be the best known Christian in the land.

Friday, July 17, 2015

What does it mean to be a disciple?

The vision of our church is to see disciples made and churches planted and I have recently been asking what it means to be a disciple. One of the places I turned to was the '21 Marks of a Disciple' outlined in David Watson's classic called 'Discipleship' if only for a audit on my own growth and discipleship. I also found these questions helpful when considering how we are doing as a local church on responding the command to 'go and make disciples':

'What are we aiming at, when we talk about making disciples? Let me mention a number of characteristics that I have observed over the years. I am not claiming that this list is complete, or that every disciple will display the full range of qualities; but at least we should know what we are hoping and praying to achieve. Let me put it in the form of questions that we need to ask; and although these questions are masculine in form, they refer to either male or female.

1. Is he willing to serve? This was a repeated lesson that Jesus had to teach his status-seeking disciples, especially when he humbled them dramatically by washing their feet. (John 13; cf. Mark 10:35-45)

2. Is he learning to listen? When Simon Peter was full of bright ideas on the Mount of Transfiguration, God told him to 'listen' to his Son. (Luke 9:35) When Martha was impatiently bustling around preparing a meal whilst Jesus was talking, she was
gently rebuked for not being like Mary who was sitting quietly listening to the Master. (Luke 10:41f)

3. Is he willing to learn? When Jesus spoke about his coming sufferings and death, Peter blurted out, 'God forbid. Lord! This shall never happen to you.' The stinging reply was something that Peter never forgot. (Matthew 16:22f)

4. Is he willing to be corrected? How well does he receive honest criticism, when others speak the truth in love? (Matthew 18:15)

5. How well does he submit to those who are over him? (1Thess. 5:12f; Hebrews 13:17) Is he willing to do this, even when he does not understand all the reasons why, or when he does not naturally enjoy what he is being asked to do?

6. Can he share his life with others, in open and honest fellowship? (1 John 1)

7. Is he learning humility? Can he rejoice with those who rejoice, and be genuinely glad when others are blessed in some way or other? (Phil. 2:3f)

8. Is he learning to examine his own life before criticising others? (Matthew 7:1-5)

9. Does he know his weaknesses? Is he learning to overcome them through the grace of God? (2 Cor. 12:9)

10. Is he a perfectionist? This will lead him into either self-righteousness, self-condemnation, self-pity, or a judgmental spirit. 'We all make many mistakes' (James 3:2; cf. 1 John 1:8-10). Is he learning to accept himself, as God accepts him in
Christ - just as he is?

11. Is he able to forgive? (Matthew 18:21f)

12. Has he stickability? Or does he give up easily? How does he handle discouragements? (Ephesians 6:10ff; cf. 2 Cor. 4:7ff)

13. Is he to be trusted? (1 Cor. 4:2) Is he reliable? Will he get on with a task without constant nagging? Is he willing to trust others, even when they have disappointed him and let him down?

14. Does he mind his own affairs? Or is he always wanting to pry into the lives of others, becoming a busybody or even a gossip? (John 21:2If; 1 Tim. 5:13)

15. Does he do little things well? (Colossians 3:17)

16. How does he use his leisure? Does he see that all his time is a gift of God to be used wisely? (Ephesians 5:15-17)

17. Does he aim first and foremost to please God? Or does he seek the praise of others, or gratify his own desires? (John 12:43; 2 Cor. 5:9)

18. Is he quick to obey when God speaks to him? When fisherman Peter obeyed instantly the instructions of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, however foolish those instructions may have seemed to him, there were astonishing results (Luke 5:4-9)
This proved a vital lesson (which had to be learned more than once!) in the years ahead.

19. Has he faith in God, especially when there may be no outward signs to encourage his faith? (Luke 18:1-8; Mark ll:12ff)

20. Where is his security? Is he willing to trust ultimately in the love and faithfulness of God, or does he look for more temporal and material securities first and foremost? (Matthew 6:19-34) Is he willing to move as the Spirit leads him on, to make
adjustments and changes, or does he resist change?

21.Has he a clear understanding of God's priorities for his life? (Acts 6:2-4)

Sunday, July 05, 2015

A song and a book

Since becoming a father books about fathers and sons have been catching my eye. Ann Voskamp has put me onto this book.

One of the blogs that has writing that often moves me is 'Echoes and Stars' and this post did just that. I read it and then sat alone listening to the song 'Heaven in my heart' reading the lyrics and felt something I can't quite put words to. Maybe you will experience the same.

A final thought from Andrew Wilson who drew my attention in BiOY to the fact that Revival happens in us first. This is something for us all to be praying as we step out to our churches this summers morn.

‏@AJWTheology

"Revive us, and we will call on your name!" Notice: "restore life to us", not "create life in them." Revival starts with God's people. #BiOY

Saturday, July 04, 2015

Saturday blog-sweep

We had a few days off and I grew a holiday goatee.....Mrs C is not as appalled as she thought she would be and has started calling me Rick. Facial hair is all very Vineyard :)

The difference between shyness and introversion

A primer on Apple Music

I am going to try and use 3 Circles on a napkin in the next week or two and I'll let you know how it goes.

Some good questions you should let someone ask you

Hoping for love

40 Questions for Christians now waving rainbow flags and James McGrath has collected together some responses to Kevin de Young's questions.

Can we do better than 'the Eucharistic prayer' and volunteer management?

Don't take down the fence until you know why it's there and 50 resources for equipping the church for same-sex marriage for lots of articles all gathered in the same place through the wonder of the internet.

I particularly enjoyed reading 'Some advice on Same-sex marriage from a Canadian'

I am reading 'The road to character' by David Brooks and here Brooks has some views on the culture wars which makes for an interesting read. Also in very interesting reflection on Russell More's piece on cultural Christianity.

Jon Acuff has read this book ten times which got me wondering about writing a 'read more than once' book list.

Petertide call to pray

And there is always an interesting bit and bob at 'Q marks the spot'

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

It's not about now

'Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.'

Reinhold Neibuhr, 1952

Quoted in 'The Road to Character by David Brooks, p 46-47

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Saturday blog-sweep

David Murray has collected together a load of articles on the same-sex Supreme Court decision and I am going to try and listen to Don Carson explain it all.

What does Jesus look like

How to lead a team of two to five

50 books recommended by 50 entrepreneurs

Why Taylor Swift won over Apple

37 Christian podcasts

5 ways reading makes you a better leader

Friday, June 26, 2015

One step at a time

Hudson Taylor and his rather eccentric English ways started a movement that is still moving 150 years later.

More about his life here which is worth a listen.

(h/t Justin Taylor)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Ten Thursday Thoughts

1. I am reading 'The Road to Character' and enjoying it. Lots of interesting thoughts. I underlined this quote:

"Thankfulness", the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, said," is a soil in which pride does not easily grow' p.8

You could also check out '15 history books for your summer reading'. Love a book list....

2. Matt Chandler has preached a repentant sermon that has been much talked about on the interweb after a church discipline controversy. I mused on this observation by Matt Redmond at Echoes and Stars.

'Be skeptical of repentance for which applause is given.'

3. Yesterday, a saint with four kids and eight grandchildren (and one on the way) said to Rachel and I while meeting John. 'Be sure you are investing in your marriage'. I then read this post which put some meat on that bone for me.

4. If you are part of things C of E you probably need to be following the Jeremy Pemberton tribunal. This is the best briefing I've read on it all.

5. Watched this and pondered it.

6. Robert Madu's words 'Stay in your lane' are one's my heart has needed to hear and preach a lot to itself recently. I need to listen to this talk regularly.

7. A book that is unread and not yet bought but is on my radar is 'Saturate' by Jeff Vandersvelt.

8. The man with the golden arm

9. The words of Acts 10:19 stopped me short the other morning....'The Spirit said to him'...... I've been chatting about these words to anyone who will listen since.

10. We have our Gift day on Sunday. Praying for the saints of Barnes to be 'richly generous'. One of our five causes is 'The Riverbank Trust' . They have a bold vision that needs £100k.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Saturday blog-sweep

An open letter to Britain

Which way now evangelicals? There is nowhere to hide

Ian Paul has a couple of good posts Tim Keller on Sexuality and Vines and Wilson respond to Tim Keller

Luther was right says the Pope's Preacher

Spiritual friendship

How to guard against mission drift

People who go to bed late worry more

The Spectators front cover '2067: The end of British Christianity' and How to survive a moral revolution

World Magazine's Books of the Year

And Don Miller's 'Five articles I sent my staff this week'.

h/t Ann Voskamp

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

Out of the limelight

'Who you are as a person when no one is looking is more important than the most public thing you will ever do'

The Longview, P.45

Saturday, June 06, 2015

Saturday blog-sweep

Six wrong reasons to check your phone in the morning

Tim Keller has written 'The Bible and Same-sex relationships: A Review Article'

Risk vs Comfort

Thou shalt not take Caitlin Jenner's name in vain and How would your church respond to Caitlin Jenner?

A delightful story of Grace from Yancey's blog via Mark Meynell

Al Mohler's summer reading list

Women and ministry: The argument 'For'

Are you hiding a tightrope walking dog?

The Franciscan Way

C of E in 'Serious decline'

Is this the secret to living longer?

The one thing sadder than an ex-MP

Evangelism: Knowledge and openness

Why Preach?

And Donald Miller's 'Five articles I sent my staff this week'

Thursday, June 04, 2015

How Great

John loves this song.....

Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Muslims, gloomy church stats and lots of hope for the future

1. I don't want to keep banging on about Mothercare but it is currently a feature of our new life. The other day, I had a long list on items written out for me by Mrs C one of which said '10 coloured muslims'. I now know the difference between a Muslim and a Muslin :)

2. According the Independent there are a million more muslims in the UK and the C of E is on 'the edge of extinction'.

3. I loved this little piece encouraging us to go off script

4. I am going to cook African peanut chicken stew today from 'Bird in the hand'. Tomorrow, I return to the coalface.

5. I went to my friend Matt's church and out side they had a sign welcome home. Here's an article about how church should feel like coming home.

6. Interesting piece at Church mag about learning from the rise and fall of MTV

7. I am sad to read news of Charles Kennedy's death and Alastair Cambell has written a wonderful tribute.

8. I read One Day in one sitting on a train from La Rochelle to Paris and it made me laugh out loud. I've just bought 'Us' which I probably won't read until 2019 but here's hoping.

9. This quote from Francis Chan in BiOY struck me and reminded me of reading Crazy love in holiday with friends in Majorca. If you haven't read 'Crazy love' you should.

‘The idea of Crazy Love has to do with our relationship with God. All my life I’ve heard people say, “God loves you.” It’s probably the most insane statement you could make to say that the eternal Creator of this universe is in love with me. There is a response that ought to take place in believers, a crazy reaction to that love. Do you really understand what God has done for you? If so, why is your response so lukewarm?’

10. Yesterday, I listened to John Peter's Pentecost sermon (One for the pod) and the story of his son being filled with the Spirit aged 7 was powerful. If you want to be reminded anew of all the Holy Spirit has for you then give this half an hour.

Monday, June 01, 2015

Storytelling trumps 'the insight of Bhudda'

'Given the choice between trivial material brilliantly told versus profound material badly told, an audience will always choose the trivial told brilliantly. Master storytellers know how to squeeze life out of the least of things; while poor storytellers reduce the profound to the banal. You may have the insight if Buddha, but if you cannot tell a story, your ideas turn dry as chalk'

Robert McKee quoted in 'Lessons from the top', Gavin Esler, p.22

Generally, in the leadership model of the C of E we go for 'the insight of Bhudda' option (a Phd) as the gateway to senior leadershi when, perhaps, what we actually need are better storytellers?

Sunday, May 31, 2015

If you watch one thing....

Mothercare is not a place you want to go at the best of times but when the tills have broken it is a truly horrifying experience :(

My pick of the moment from LC15 was the interview with Raniero Cantalamesa and more specifically at the end the incredible testimony of Paul, a Zambian convict on death row, who became a Christian on Alpha. His smile when he speaks of Jesus was my moment of the week. You should show it in your churches and send it to friends. Amazing story.

If you like leadership and churchy links then Brandon Cox who works for Rick Warren has '177 links for Leaders, Readers and Creatives'. Maybe there is something among them with your name in on it for your church, your ministry or your devotional life that might be an encouragement or a blessing. Unsurprisingly, I haven't had a chance to read any of them....

Mrs C gave me this for my birthday and it's brilliant. A whole cookery book full of chicken recipes and I have remarkably managed to cook the Parsee Chicken from it which was easy and is spectacular. We had supper at 11.30pm which is presumably a normal eating time for parents of babies. This quote from Michael Hyatt's excellent blog has stuck with me....

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Saturday blog-sweep

Nine things we're glad we've learnt in marriage

Leadership and disappointment

Al Mohler's 10 Books from 2014 every preacher should read

Vicar refuses to baptise child because parents are not married

51 things I've learned in 51 years

The 7 Characteristics of Servant Leadership

You may not read journals but you should read this

20 lessons from 20 Years

The Top 18 things I've learned on the way to 44

10 books to read this summer

Reality check for Irish churches to read in tandem with Matthew Parris's piece in the Spectator and a statement from the Anglican Church of Ireland

3 reasons pastors should read leadership books

3 reasons pastors should reject leadership books

Friday, May 29, 2015

New life and other bits and bobs

Readers of the blog visit for a link or two and a bit and a bob that I post about. It seems appropriate to let you all know John William Cooke was born on May 14th 2015. After a very challenging start everyone is now doing well.

Chasing Francis will always have a place in my heart because it was the book I read when the well-being of our son lay in the unknown for a couple of days.

The LC15 talks an now up and lots to check out and download. Nicky Gumbel's talk on unity is an important listen and click about on the others that strike you. Joyce Meyer's interview and story is powerful and I enjoyed Robert Madu's word about the futility of comparison.

After all the words written about Ireland and gay marriage it was interesting to read 'As a gay atheist, I want to see the church oppose same-sex marriage'

We missed our own church weekend at which Ele Mumford spoke and the talks are really worth listening to, as is the excellent word from Adam Rylett (now AV here in Barnes) on 1 Cor 13. Challenging, winsome and true. Preaching that blesses.

I've started reading Gavin Esler's book 'Lessons from the top' which ia friend in our church lent me. It's a book about the link between leading and the stories we tell.

I have also been reading A Grief Sanctified.

Books about babies are full of largely unsubstantiated theories and are bought entirely by the desperate (us). I have read three in the last week and they all say different and contradictory things. Babies basically poo, sleep and cry and working out the relationship between the three is what's called parenthood:) Mrs C is doing a truly amazing job. We have found First Time Parent to be a good general read with an author who seems to be rooted in practical common sense. When I am done with this phase I might add to the canon of baby literature! Many say I have a book in me.

John cries marginally less when we play him this but my singing along is less appreciated.

R T Kendall has written 'A letter to the UK church'

This article caught my eye 'Why do people hate Jews and Judiasm'

I enjoyed this post of Dallas Willard quotes and particularly liked this one:

……...'the aim is not to be Right:

That’s why so many churches have “Grace” in their name. Not many people want to go to “Right Church,” but we’ll gladly go to “Grace Church.” I’ve been to Right Church you may have been there too—it’s a tough place. There are a lot of dead people at Right Church, because life comes by grace

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Italians, Tortilla and being One

It does rather annoy me when I go to a conference and then it take ages to put the media up or, even worse, they charge you to have it or simply forget. The reason this annoys me is that I am, as you may have gathered, a resource investigator and love passing stuff on to others. A 'Resource investigator' is a Belbin descriptor that is something like this:

'Resource Investigators are innovative and curious. They explore available options, develop contacts, and negotiate for resources on behalf of the team. They are enthusiastic team members, who identify and work with external stakeholders to help the team accomplish its objective. They are outgoing and are often extroverted, meaning that others are often receptive to them and their ideas.

On the downside, they may lose enthusiasm quickly, and are often overly optimistic'

I am wondering if I am both an enthusiasm vacuum and/ or 'often overly optimistic'? Probably guilty as charged, but others will tell you better than I :)

The theme of LC15 was unity and ever since I have been wondering what unity is supposed to look like (at this point I would have linked to Nicky's excellent talk and will do when it's up). I was asking the lovely bunch of pastors I pray with every Wednesday this question only this morning.

A good example of some thing we Christians are apt to get in 'two and eight' about is women preaching/leading/being Bishops. Andrew Wilson has responded to Tom Schreiner on this subject which makes for an interesting and detailed debate between some very clever theology wonks.

With the timely help of 'Chasing Francis' I have also been exploring more what Catholics believe. Just as I am reflecting on Vincent Nichols and Justin Welby having their mutual appreciation moment in the Albert Hall along comes a book that challenges, pokes, softens and awakens me to lots of my own prejudices and questions about Roman Catholicism. It's a great read.

When I've not been reading this I've been reading Giorgio Locatelli's wonderful cookbook called Made in Italy:Food and Stories. For lunch, I cooked a Pea and Mint tortilla from here which, whilst not in Locatelli, was inspired by the delicious looking tortilla in our local Italian deli which I sat working in this morning.

Talking of getting talks up pronto, my Vicar pal Matt has got the excellent Holy Spirit and the Local church talk Mike P gave on Monday up that I took a few folk to. It's well worth a listen-especially what Mike says right at the start about the local church. It's all very encouraging.

St Alban's Fulham is such a wonderful local church and you should recommend it to friends who are not yet Christians and live in that neck of the woods so they can check it out.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

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