Twitterature

On the weekend, Mel & I killed some time in Berkaelouw Books. It’s really impressive, and I know one of the guys working there (so I’m hoping mates rates still apply in shwanky book shops). I stumbled upon this book there…

I flicked through it, largely unfamiliar with the titles, but impressed by the concept. I handed it to Mel to flick through the twittered Jane Austen. She giggled, said it did a good job, so I assumed likewise for the other titles.
“Here you will find over sixty of the greatest works of western literature – from Beowulf to Bronte, from Kafka to Kerouac, and from Dostoevsky to Dickens– each distilled through the voice of Twitter to its purest, pithiest essence.” (Publisher’s website)
Whilst I didn’t buy it, I think I shall. It would at least be a good Christmas present, but for who? A lover of literature, or a Twitter fan? They almost seem mutually exclusive (which, perhaps, is the point).
This also got me thinking about new additions to the series. I’ll let the author do the hard work, but they’re welcome to steal my idea…
Twittertestament?
Twitterspeare? (they’ve already done Hamlet, so they’re halfway there…)
Twitterpotter?

Things I’m thinking about

With U2’s first-ever live YouTubed concert on behind me, I thought I’d throw up some stuff which I’m currently thinking about – nothing to form 1 whole post yet.

Leaving North Rocks/farewell service
Starting at Balgowlah – I was asked what my objectives were?? How do we join a community and journey beside?
Becoming a pastor/”religious practitioner” – this calling thing just got serious ;-p
Moving communities/churches in the age of Facebook
Transport/community/Mel/home…
Oh, and I had a holiday too!

Thanksgiving

I’m preparing for my week of ‘lasts’ at North Rocks. I’ve got scripture, a talk at Muirfield, FUEL 9(youth leaders training), meetings, youth groups, Young Adults & a big farewell service. Throw in my assessment for Ministry of Pastor on the Saturday, and I’m not sure I’ll sleep much.
I’ve asked to preach my last service, which happens to fall on Thanksgiving Sunday at North Rocks, and so I’ve started pondering a message. I’m sure something will come, but in the meantime, I’ll post a video which I’d love to include, but just not sure I’d get away with it. But heck, they can only fire me!

A Thanksgiving prayer

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (church council edit)

I’m attending my last Church Council meeting at North Rocks tonight, and Phil’s asked me to prepare devotions. Whilst I’m sure it’s been done before, here’s my reflections on 1 Corinthains 13 for tonight. I hope they laugh…

If I know all the words to the Uniting Church Constitution, Regulations and the Manual for Meetings, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong, clanging and clanging and clanging, filling the meeting with noise.

If I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, such as how we are going to afford the heaters, renovations and other budgetary questions, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, trusting that the monies will be there to cover the budget as well as unexpected expenditures, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I tithe 20% of my income, and volunteer my time at Parramatta Mission, if I volunteer to lead the youth, delivering my body to be eaten alive by mosquitoes at Black Stump, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind even when you prepare the most exciting council report, email it to the secretary on time, who passes it to all council members, none of whom read it.

Love is not jealous or boastful even when you sneak a peak in the offering bag and see that you are amongst the top (only) 10 givers in the congregation.

Love is not arrogant or rude; it keeps no record of wrongs even when you have a particularly crazy month with 16 different meetings at church, you are an welcomer at both services for the whole month and you also have to offer the instant coffee at morning tea (even when everyone asks for a cappuccino). Oh, did I mention we need you to call people for Thanksgiving Sunday?

Love does not rejoice when Phil is called away for emergencies on Sunday morning, Bradon’s slept in, Lorraine’s over at Denistone East and the baptism family is looking worried… but rejoices that we have an student minister to cover.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, even hastily prepared, tongue in cheek devotions.

Love never ends, but as for members of the congregation, they will go home. As for hymns and songs of praise, they will cease. As for our music, our projectors, our soft-fall, our chairs, our building, they will pass away. For our church is imperfect. And when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.

Armor of God message

Here’s the message I shared at our family congregation on Sunday. Got mixed reviews… I had fun with it.

Armour of God

Armour of God

So I’m preparing a message on Ephesians 6:10-18, the armour of God. I’ve heard it used (over and over again) to talk about spiritual warfare, however I’m convinced there’s more to it than that. After all, the spirit world only takes up 1/4 of the list of things we’re up against (v.12). Anyway, I think I’ve found my angle – Paul mentions time and time again that the armour is to equip us once we’ve ‘taken our stand’. It’s not some namby-pamby hide away thing, rather it’s to strengthen our defence and active resistance against the dodgier aspects of our reality. But more on that when I’ve finished the message…
What I have found while I have been researching this stuff is some ‘interesting’ takes on the same passage. I’ll be opening with these images, but I thought it would be worth it to get them out here, together, in my pocket of cyberspace, for my 4 faithful viewers.

#1 – Armour of God as protection of sexual purity. It’s true! Belt of truth over our privates, breastplate over our heart… makes me wonder about the sword and helmet though…

#2 – The Armour of God pyjamas! Check out http://www.armorofgodpjs.com - this website not only sells the highly fashionable, salvation guaranteed pjs, but it also has an easy ABC for salvation, not to mention the smoke billowing over the title.

#3 – Jackie Chan’s 1986 film ‘Armor of God’ – a Indiana Jones-esque movie.

#4 – The Modern Soldier’s Armour of God – “Stand therefore, having your waist girded about with the cartridge belt of truth, and having on the flak-jacket of righteousness: and your feet shod with the combat boots of the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the air-cover of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery incoming missiles of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the automatic rifle of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: maintaining constant contact with Command Central by praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all your fellow soldiers…”
I love how it picks up Jesus’ teaching of non-violence…

That’s all for now. Come Sunday, there’ll be pictures to accompany each of these. Oh, and a sermon.

Youth MiniSTARZ

So I’m not the first to post this video, but perhaps the 3 people who read this blog will giggle.
Throughout the past 5 years, I’ve dabbled with various events/images/attitudes mentioned in this video, which makes the experience richer and perhaps more painful. I do believe I’ve come through with a broader understanding (if not a stronger desire for corporate youth group T-shirts).
And yes, I do have a very attractive wife.

Search Institute Report – Teen Voice 2009

A few colleagues have been exploring these latest reports, so I determined there must be something in them. I encourage you to flick through the report, or if you’ve got limited time/downloads, check the summary.

Full report here
Summary here
Some interesting implications for parents, carers, teachers, youth workers, siblings, oldies & anyone else here

Practicing Passion at Nite Rocks

Over the past month at Nite Rocks, Phil & I have shared a sermon series based on Kenda Creasy Dean’s book ‘Practicing Passions.’ It’s been a great opportunity to reflect on someone’s thoughts, integrate them with my own ideas, and try to present a polished message to a diverse audience.

“The uniqueness of Practicing Passion lies in its relocating youth ministry in practical theology rather than in educational theory or psychological or social development. While youth ministry has routinely capitalized on the passions of adolescents, little attention has been given to the theological mooring that youth need to connect with the church and hold firm amid the growing demands of popular culture. Focusing on the theological resonance between the Passion of Christ and adolescents’ experience of passion, Dean develops a framework for youth ministry that draws on the historic practices of the Christian community as a “curriculum of passion.”

Anyway, although I am a little hesitant, I’ve decided to publish my two messages from the series below. Imagine, if you can, a certain level of humour (sophisticated humour, of course) and passion, whilst you read them. And above all, enjoy! Let me know what you think.

Practicing Passion – Transcendence

Practicing Passion – Communion

Home and Away

This week is Refugee Week, and at Nite Rocks this Sunday we’re hoping to stop, acnkowledge and ponder the situation confronting millions of displaced people. We’ll be reading John Marsden’s ‘Home and Away.’ Salesi Faupula will also be sharing his wisdom regarding issues facing 2nd-Gen Australians. Should be a cracker!