The Other Dean of St Albans

Musings of the DYO of St Albans of Faith, Life and work with young people within the Diocese and beyond. Views are my own unless stated otherwise.

[stalbansdyo]

Black Panther Initial Thoughts

This film has captured, my attention and imagination like no other film has in my life to date and may be hard to top. So much so that I have seen this 3 times so far and with a couple more viewings yet to come. This is a film that in my TV and Cinematic memory stretching over 4 decades stirred up feelings in me profoundly. 

The 4 viewing experiences that brought feelings out like this for me has been Roots, The Colour Purple , Boyz in the Hood and Malcolm X prior. This was was an amalgamation of all three, set into the Marvel Universe Canon brilliantly directed by Ryan Coogler and a strong ensemble cast to bring Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s 1966 Marvel comic book The Black Panther character creation to life. The memorable lines and quips from this film can be found here

The film is one that I believe could be a really good discussion amongst young people and not just *BAME* young people (though a critical place to start), but all young people, in fact all adults about so many aspects, touching on Identity, Gender, Loss, Parenting, Mentoring, Intergenerational Dialogue, Mental Health & Well Being, Choices to name but a few but also Justice, Politics and Racism and its effects (colonialism) and the geopolitical context we find ourselves in today and historical effects. There are big questions that are asked individually, within communities and globally and they are valid and relevant.

The things that I have seen in this film may not necessarily be seen through a lens of youth work colleagues who are of a different ethnicity to myself or even those of the same ethnicity, but there are nuances that are important in the discourse that I have with colleagues that asks how youth ministry in an Anglo-Saxon framework will need to reassess its own assumptions and so-called ‘cultural norms’ that is seen as a given. 

In exploring terms like *Blackness* by its very definition asks questions of *Whiteness* or even basically about being ‘white’ and what is associated with both those terms, which I believe is a valid question to explore especially in these times.

The questions that I am asking for starters

What did you see in this film? 

Which character did you most identify with and why?

The references to Spirituality in this film are profoundly deep on many levels and I am not going to spell those out here, but seek and you shall find. This film is unashamedly *Theist* where even with Vibranium, God is the source of life, strength, and power.

Yes, Black Panther was absolutely a cultural event, but not only that, a world event where black people were not only seeing themselves in the story, leading in the story, but telling their own stories, referencing the past, present and a future in which they will take a part in life and faith on this planet in significant ways from that lens rather than being an add-on They were also inviting the world to share an encounter together. 

The question is, can we all go beyond our imaginations, preferences, and prejudices to see these in our own contexts and speak with and to one another these things that we have seen and witnessed and be the beloved human tribe of God?

More to come from me on this.... Let’s talk.

Wakanda Forever!

[stalbansdyo]

I speak therefore I write...?

This was written last Friday as part of my writing course day.

Today, I am on a Grove writing course day. I feel pretty tired because it has been a pretty busy week and a drive from St. Albans to Birmingham after doing a confirmation class was challenging to the body.

As I walked through the city which holds many memories for me over 40 years and the challenge of negotiating the regenerated streets from where I stayed to the Diocesan office in the city center, I really did not know what to expect around the outline of the day and the emotions that it would begin in me. I write very periodically and gave done a few blogs, been in print for a chapter and have done a couple magazine articles. I would not call myself a writer.

The day has been facilitated by Liz Dumain and Sally Nash and I was provoked by the initial conversation about Why Write? It caused many feelings to emerge about personal and historical things. Writing has not always been a happy place but one of constant struggle and challenge. This came from school days and a teacher who thought they were being helpful, managed to shut down part of my expressiveness, rather than having the time to encourage me be the best writer I could be for me.

For me, writing was always a commentary about me or people like me, who were not always in the room and a way that has been weaponised to diminish the ability to speak in ones own words. This privilege and power of negotiating in a culture based upon, I write, therefore I am, sometimes being asked ‘what do you mean but never having the response to be able to ask back, because of the power dynamic that I found myself, has been a difficult place for me.

Emotionally, I wanted to leave the room because I did not feel that I belonged in a room that I was ‘other’ but had something to say and often wished to say it! I wrestled with this and was planning my escape roots. A colleague gently heard my concerns and although mindful, I raised my concerns about where I was coming from in this journey of ‘writing’.

I am writing this as part of the next exercise time. Writing costs minorities of various descriptions. I would love for more of people who look like me to inhabit the rooms and spaces that I walk into. The developing narrative for me beyond the dominant oral tradition that has been part of my life, needs to develop my speech into text that can be held and engaged with, in the broader community. However, there needs to be an understanding too of the historical and sociological contexts that we find ourselves. I am grateful to be in Birmingham today reminded of Benjamin Zephaniah and how he developed his speech to text, the artists who developed song to text like UB40, or Jamelia or Beverley Knight.

Maybe, I have written but just not in the way some people wish me to. I just need to cool about this and let the Spirit in me drop my own lyrics as I see life and faith.

Peace

[stalbansdyo]

Kenosistic Ministry?

The has been much in the news about *power* especially its misuse. Who does what to whom, when, how and why? I have listened to commentators of faith and none, commentate about who we are and what we have become. Bubbles have been burst and the more cynical have known these forms of behaviour have existed. Some who share deep personal experiences we need to listen to and learn from and transform behaviours and communities. What do we have to say with/to young people about the chatter but sometimes the real issues this has especially for young people?

All of this has led me again to a small letter written to a bunch of Christians on mainland Greece in the 1st century. A bunch of people who lived under a regime that depending on where you were or what you experienced was power of oppression, tyranny and privilege. Or those who lived with the privilege of peace, law and order and prosperity through commerce and trade. In the midst of this came a message that in the form of one person, asked searching questions about who they are, whom they serve, who were they to become.

Philippians 2:1-11 brings us to a new understanding of *power* and *privilege* in the example of Christ Jesus. The key word for me is *kenosis* - emptying or divesting of true power and privilege.

Imagine having all of heaven and the universe at your disposal, divesting yourself of privilege and power to be with the powerless and underprivileged to be put to death by the same ones that you came to be with. All because of selfless love.

Not a love that says worship me because I am lovely, or you can be somebody from a nobody. Just because Christ is the embodiment of love. Irrespective of who or what you are. This privilege cannot be given by any person except the one who knows true lasting power and privilege.

Yet, in our fractured fragmentation of this life, we grasp at power, privilege and patronage and when it comes crashing at various moments in history and our lives, cause consternation and further conflict. This is what I see currently and so need to begin to understand power and privilege and where we have it as recipients or needs divesting.

In the 'youth ministry world' of which I partly inhabit, I wonder whether going back to these lyrics of love, in what was seen as the first hymn for Christians, for the One who is the human embodiment of love, is an antidote to the power, privilege and patronage that has grown amongst us so easily in Church life which has had consequences of division and pain. Where who we know, what we have, acceptable faces and places of being seen and commodifying our 'stock' to keep a status quo that masquerades as change, but can be seen by those within and outside especially as more of the same.

To empty ourselves and reboot our understandings of the Christ who invites us to kenosis, will develop the well-being that we wish for both internally within Church and also outside, so all can be a truly beloved community where, *kenosistic* ministry is the norm rather than exception. This is most needed in our time of celebrity, Brexit and Trump which seems the opposite and one of accumulation of power.

Kenosis, I suggest is true inclusion and can be a way to develop models that are enabling and developing healthy communities. It costs because the rewards are not defined in the way we want or wish in which current culture seems to define.

Our journey can never be fully about me, or those who look like me, and think what I think, as comforting as this might be. What is it that I may not know? or people that I have not shared space with? or young people's voices who I have long represented to speak for, but have never truly allowed them to speak because of my own fears and limitations in being somebody to another somebody. Liberation through kenosis the One who made us all called by name and nature.

So my journey of kenosis continues as I engage power, privilege and patronage. What about yours...?

Christ being our helper.

[stalbansdyo]

Perspectives

I found myself reflecting on this verse by St Paul today.

‘Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial’ 1 Cor 6:12

Our perspectives are developed by our vantage or dis-advantage points. This morning on my Twitter timeline sees a storm around a famous brand fizzy drink advert. These are the things that are important when we discuss ethics with ourselves and young people. 

Now remember what I said about vantage and dis-advantage.

Now take a look at this photo

As the old exam question goes....

Compare & Contrast

Also context is *everything* and who benefits?

Which is really ‘Living Bolder?’

Might be a good exercise to do with young people or anybody.

Peace

[stalbansdyo]

‘I will not let you go, until you bless me’

So the synodistas gathered and they broke bread and discussed wrestling through the issues of the document below.

https://www.churchofengland.org/media/3863472/gs-2055-marriage-and-same-sex-relationships-after-the-shared-conversations-report-from-the-house-of-bishops.pdf. 

I listened all this afternoon to the personal stories and lived with experiences that could not be ignored. Those who stood for what they believed in on either side of the debate. I was trying to multi-task looking at the twitter timeline, particularly to those under the age of 35! I also took note of others too.

The speech that arrested me in my listening was by Rev Canon Simon Butler from Southwark Diocese notwithstanding an excerpt of his story of where he got to to this moment. I sense that his powerful speech in 3mins was one that had a deep resonance using a verse from Genesis 32:6 when Jacob was wrestling with God. It was a powerful use of the hermeneutic of this verse and the whole segment needs to be read of that experience in scripture.

We wrestle with life which is part of the human experience some of it can be very hard and seem a little easier for others. It requires prayer, fellowship and engagement with word, Sacrament and Spirit. There is rightly an impatience to see the Kingdom of God realised here, but the challenge for all of us to be like Christ. 

However, being a disciple of Christ costs either because we feel strong, privileged or mighty, or exactly the opposite. On a human level we need empathy and compassion, to notice people and allow them to be heard.

All of us cry to God as Jacob did

‘I will not let you go, until you bless me.’

This was a tough ask for Jacob in the midst of a dark night of struggle, and will continue to be of us through this life, but blessings do come, but not always in the way we might think.

Peace

[stalbansdyo]

Sacramental Youth Ministry

This afternoon, I was with a few clergy from our Diocese and we were talking sacramental youth ministry. Over the years I have been on a journey to recognize the richness of the stream of those Anglo-Catholic anglicans. I can say a respect has grown and I am grateful for the generosity and friendships that have developed. I have wanted these to be part of the whole of the Youth Service offerings to the Diocese. The focus being best practice and resources.

Our conversations began from respect, listening, journeying and learning. This has been a 4 year journey which have begun to produce fruit in various places.

We have journeyed together in various ways through doing faith and life together through our work with young people. Asking questions of ourselves, each other and with the young people who we accompany.

Some key words you will hear in these gatherings that are of note are

Priest, Eucharist, Mass, Communion, Invitation, Fun, Choir, Servers, Confirmation, Walsingham, Taize.

Today I was encouraged by the Priests, residentials, events, choirs, confirmation classes, establishment of youth groups, collaborations.

Yes and there were mentions of Jesus, Evangelism and Disciples that did not come from me!!

Thank you friends and I look forward to developing the work in the coming months and seeing how the adventure develops.

All of this cemented by prayer with the Saints!

Peace

Dean

[stalbansdyo]

Youth Evangelism: Can I get a Witness?

I remember as a kid going to QPR stadium at Loftus Road when they had astroturf, many moons ago as a teenager to Mission to London when Luis Palau came. It was an event that was great but also strange. I remember the stuff even now - ‘Tell London What God Has Done’ book - And the various venues dotted around London - Blackheath and Clapham Common come to mind as venues I visited, in a large marquee on those green spaces. This was not a nostalgia moment but got me asking questions about what has really changed in relation to young people and the models presented. 

Why am I saying this, well today there was the Southern Gathering of Youth Workers to talk ‘youth’ evangelism. I am still processing this as I type. What I do know is that the events of the 80s and dare I say it the 50s & 60s with Billy Graham are still in the missional psyche of the Church when it comes to Evangelism. Maybe it is our missional heritage of the mid to late 20th century but is it the 21st even?

The work of friends at Soul Survivor has been one of huge encouragement and blessing, but is it the only show in town when it comes to young people and evangelism and an invitation to respond to Christ, and if it is, then why?

The most telling moment as part of the many aspects of conversation for me today was when a colleague said that they have an 18 year old who is on fire who shares Christ with their friends, but not quite sure what to do with them...

This moment then asked the question whether our vocational quest is still too narrow for a comment like this to be made and how we develop and form those with the gift of evangelism in the 21st Century and how we might nurture these?

We also identified that adult discipleship was a huge issue as the confidence in adults had a real bearing on the development and nurture of Christian faith with young people today. What or who are our models and where do we place ourselves in the mix?

My concerns for ‘success’ criteria with a Church that probably has not yet got to grips beyond a ‘parent-child’ relationship concerning Evangelism but needs to move to a ‘peer to peer’ approach on all levels, Displaying overwhelming anxiety asks wider questions that cannot be solved by a bunch of youth workers who are struggling even to be recognised by a Church (CofE) that does not know what to do in nurturing the gift and vocational development of youth ministry in a way that is fully part of the team, and struggles to develop the evangelistic gifts that are there if we equip wider those who can discern.

Evangelism for me, is the confidence to make friends, develop these and introduce those friends to the Ultimate friend who is constant and transformative, Jesus Christ. Face to Face is great but the potential of other forms also need to be imagined especially in the world of social media and the way of connecting with people.

Problem is, do we just know of Him, rather than know him and are willing to follow in a way that lives can be transformed, starting with ours. St Andrew is the best example in doing non cringey stuff especially for self conscious teenagers! (and adults even more so!)

Does our Evangelism do what it says on the tin? Or is it something else?

This is not about being ‘evangelical’ and should not be mistaken as such, but how we proclaim the Good News of Christ within us and the process this brings as we share the Adventure of God’s love to us through the amazing life of Jesus Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a huge part of this. The Thy Kingdom Come Initiative may be a way of developing this confidence between Ascension and Pentecost 2017. The 5@5 (praying for five people at 5pm during that time) initiative is one that is doable and if nothing else to pray for 5 people to encounter Christ is not a bad place to start! Boldness in prayer is a good place to start. 

These are questions around Evangelism are a whole Church intergenerational issue that need many more around the table and some leaders that will listen and discern the signs of the times beyond the usual suspects.

Peace

[stalbansdyo]

The Guiding Principles

Worth a read

There has been much comment about yesterday and the various marches across the world and what this signifies or does not signify. Claim and counter-claim around numbers, who was there and wasn’t. What cannot be disputed was there was a moment of mass movement that has been going on for many generations and gave expression in the form we witnessed yesterday. There was good reason why people took time out to do this sacrificing time and resources. Noticing is very important, as we see and therefore need to process.

The catalyst of a new President of the US and comments about women and others seen as different in a disparaging way has been a lightning rod. The moral challenges of this presidency is there for all to see and what the guiding principles are going to be in the coming weeks, months and years.

How do we explain this to young people both women and men? What could be transformative in our communities and what does this mean for the Churches and communities that young people inhabit and we alongside as adults who journey with them. How might we listen and talk together about what was witnessed on different platforms.

My reading of texts as a male in scripture is a different lense therefore, all the more reason to hear my sisters views of what they see and experience. Jesus in his encounters with women were radical, affirming, life enhancing and life changing in those moments of encounter with women in the texts of the Gospels.

The sisters continue to send a message and we would be wise to take heed and engage these issues with young people with care and challenge. Anti-discriminatory practice is not being PC but a way of life that notices people and esteems them in the best way we can in acknowledging that the image of God belongs also to those who are not like us.

Life is not about winning and losing but being able to flourish the potential within that life so it has value and meaning. 

Peace.

[stalbansdyo]

Worth a listen on this day. Speaks for itself.

#inauguration #usa #200117

[stalbansdyo]

There is a tinge of sadness in my heart this week and have to mark this with a few paltry words. I am really sorry to see POTUS, Barack Hussein Obama leave the White House with his family. Yes, I was one who dared to believe and saw that audacity of hope as he launched himself towards the Office. There were so many twists and turns that were to be contended with initially even to get the nomination in 2006, the to win the presidential race in 2008 which was no mean feat. Then to hold down the office with the challenges of War & Peace simultaneously on his table. The last eight years were big which has brought us to this end of a political destination for the 1st African American President.

We have engaged with and feel we have gotten to know an intelligent, African American who gave us a wider definition of ‘black’ culture and access to this, but also competency, which has always been there but was formed from a community that many saw as problematic. His faith was nurtured in the Black Church and we have seen glimpses of this which has been challenged with Rev Jeremiah Wright through to the South Carolina Church Shooting and his response in engaging grief and trying to mark this in a way that was unique to this POTUS.

We have seen the ability of POTUS to lead a team of leaders. The recent comments by the Vice President Joe Biden needs to be heard carefully. I was glad that VP Biden came out and said publicly who this POTUS really is as a man, colleague, friend and for him ‘brother’.

The moral consistency of him as Husband, Dad, Son-in-law, Leader has been there for all to see and he has modelled this. His fun and intelligence have been supported by his amazing wife, Michelle who has developed the definition of FLOTUS and raised the bar to another level. His kids through the teenage years of turbulence have endured us when and where they can. Added to this, the model of extended family with Marion Robinson as First Grandmother was brought kinship and that extended family as something that is enhancing and one that many could identify with. He has been honest with his shortcomings and naval vocabulary! Yes, he could cuss!

Politically, Barack Obama was not perfect and nor would he or should he be as he is part of a party system that had an agenda to put and sometimes push through. However, he tried to offer generosity and grace, where sometimes it was never afforded him. To be called ‘liar’ at a State of the Union address and the fact that this undertone was there throughout his presidency, we may not see this again too soon, but negotiating the undercurrents of the history and the live nature of race in America, with blatant racism and the history of chattel slavery and the effects, with Jim Crow and continued voter suppression were huge stormy waters that would have sunk many a political leader, let alone the first African-American POTUS.

His last press conference (presser) was thoughtful as ever and instructive. Yes he was professor O and used not so much as a bully pulpit but the lectern as a lecture theatre, his ‘Good to see ya’ greeting, his general optimism of a nation that currently see things another way through their recent choice, his humanity in shedding tears over bullets from guns that have slain children and adults alike trying to offer a common sense rather than just emotional perspective has been always moments to engage and listen.

For me, he has been someone who has been an inspiration. Someone that looks like me, loves Stevie Wonder and soul Music, able to draw on a rich heritage and tapestry but also knows God in Christ in a way that instructs but allows to make choices within that definition.

I am grateful to God for allowing my family to witness what we thought could not be. Like Sarah, Abraham’s wife, we were weary of one definition, ‘How could this be?’ Yet it came to pass and we lived the experience and now we need to tell the story.

Thank you Obamas, we should never forget you and all you have sacrificed to offer hope and wider definition of humanity.

What a time to have been alive.

[stalbansdyo]

A powerful speech. Worth listening to if you have power & privelege and sharing with young people in your groups as a talking point. This could be an Epiphany moment for many. Thank you Ms Streep for a Monday Morning Motivation.

[stalbansdyo]

Movies are an important part of storytelling and also I believe our work with young people. These are fantastic ways to explore themes, issues and reflecting on the art that is cinematography and how these stories are conveyed

The above was how I spent part of my weekend. I am a great fan of @wittertainment but missed their comments on this movie. It is one that most of our young people would be able to see as it is a 12A.

There were many things that challenged me about this film (the plot more so), getting beyond the stereotypes and the nods to other fragments of the vast sci-fi genre. This film I believe does prompt viewers ask about questions of morality, but does not give answers and rightly so. 

Mark Kermode in reviewing this film rightly uses the word ‘tussle’ See the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6kK8Q4rweY . 

The root of this particular film for me is about quest, loneliness, purpose & relationships to name a few. The biggest for me was around choices, implications of these and timing.

This threw me immediately back to the Genesis story of God creating humanity after all other things and the implications of aloneness for man, and a woman to share life with. The middle part of life is about making the choices for the now and taking risks or not and living with the consequences of these. As for endings, it is how you handle the middle aspect that is the most challenging. Living life.

Passengers is a film that could be used to get young people talking even if you have issues around the plot!

[stalbansdyo]

Epiphany 2017 ‘The Quest has just begun....’

I have decided to share a few thoughts on here not because I had nothing to say, but maybe this was more the time to say stuff beyond the twittersphere. So I start 2017 on a quest for better & best. Epiphany has always got the ‘quest’ thing going in my mind. Recently, I have been listening again to Nina Simone, an amazing artist throughout the 1960s civil rights era and beyond. She wrote a profound song about being ‘Young, Gifted & Black’ which is featured at the end of this piece. The story behind this song is one that is worth a read. A line from the song is ‘The Quest has just begun’. It is with every New Year that the quest begins to find the better and best within ourselves. What is challenging is when we do not live up to this part of the quest...

In our work with young people, we are accompaniers on a quest of life and hopefully faith with them. It is a quest that does have a destination. Our internal GPS or MPS (Moral Positioning System) drives us on in how we interact with ourselves and each other. The Magi or those persons of wisdom who were on a quest for the Christ child as recorded in Matthew Chapter 2, had much to contend with on the journey. We only know that they came from afar, we do not know what perils or issues they had and even modes of transportation but we can only summize this was a form of migration by seeking something better in life. However, in entering into the story, they were looking in the suspected places of where power should reside and this brought even more danger and death from an insecure Head of State who was threatened by a child and the potential within. Seems that some things do not change with time when it comes to human nature. There are still adults who for various reasons are threatened by young people and their potential.

So in our quest during 2017, it would be worthwhile in our reflection to evaluate how our spiritual quest is for ourselves and those whom we journey with the following;

Who are we searching for? 

Who are we journeying with? 

What might we find together? 

How might we share the person for whom we seek or have found?

Be good to check in what this looks like over the coming months for us.

My God in Christ be revealed to us in this season of Epiphany.

[stalbansdyo]

Alienation, Allegiance & Accountability - Paris - Nous sommes

I was moved by the mass peace March in Paris yesterday. The crowds were said to be more than the liberation of the city some 70 years before. I am sure that those who were they will say were you there on the 11/1/15.

I saw a diverse intergenerational movement that got themselves behind #Jesuis..... and the three French pillars of la Republique; Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Bonnie Evans-Hills who is our interfaith adviser writes a really helpful piece as have others across the blogosphere.

https://bonnieevanshills.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/jesuis/

As a person who works with young people in the arena of Christian Faith. I am asking a number of questions that need pondering at the very least.

Who are the invisible ones? The challenge of alienation asks questions. The narrative of alienation and one not feeling a part of one's home/community/nation is something I can relate to.

Where the intersection of Poverty, Education, Faith and Well-Being intersect is one that leads to a potent challenge. Not insurmountable but a challenge.

Any one of these issues takes us into uncomfortable territory where issues around identity and power come into the mix. Go there, we may be compelled to in the light of current contexts affecting us and our perceptions.

A faith that is confident not strident, part of a process of various forms of access to understanding and the checks and balances in safe and accountable settings with positive and authentic role models who are in close proximity beyond a screen, speaks... Our understanding of our own faith and how it is passed down seems to be a memory already for some in our communities. I wonder whether our learning communities locally engage us around prayer, scriptural understanding and study, and sharing in more public arenas beyond private piety.

Christ when asked a question in the backdrop of the same issues came with the challenging practice of civic and faith negotiation.

'Give to Caesar what is Caesar and God what is God's'

Finding what is 'Caesars' and what is 'God's is a discernment challenge.

This conversation needs to be as wide as it is deep for such a time as this. Especially for those of us making sense of the world with young people within the Christian Faith context and maybe others also.

So Nous Sommes...............?

Oui!

[stalbansdyo]

JE SUIS CHARLIE

What a sad day it has been. Haven't really been able to concentrate on much beyond the shocking attack on the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. My thoughts are with all affect...

Yes Indeed a challenging day and continues.

Thanks Dave for articulating this with your gift which is even more poigniant for the cartoonists who died. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword.

[stalbansdyo]

Did You Pray Today?

The day started with 3 ordinary people in an ordinary church, in an ordinary parish. However, we were learning about an extraordinary God with all the complexities around this. Praying on your own is good, praying with people helps when life gets tough and others pray for/with you when you are just not feeling it. Our just for other like minded souls.

Psalm 72 and I John 3:1-10 were the readings and we discussed what the text message meant to us and shared it.

I was reminded of songs about prayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mye1aCskFcM

And this... my personal fave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-x29o7Z4MY

Whatever method of prayer you are into or whether just silent reflection/contemplation it is one of those things that for one's spiritual life it is one that is integral to growth & development, but needs exercising. It is a discipline and a hallmark of being a follower of Jesus in the Christian journey.

The prayer Jesus taught his disciples might be the only one that is needed but our conversations of a God who wishes to be in relationship with us through our joys and pains of this life when you think of it is mind-blowing!

However the conversation involves listening which is the hardest part and being open to hear. It is about God, Ourselves, Others then living out a God-bearing life.

"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as in heaven Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom,  the power and the glory are yours.  Now and for ever."

Amen.

Did you pray today? There is still much of the day left so have a little talk with God as Stevie Wonder sung about!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbzcdG5FK3c

[stalbansdyo]

Epiphany Vibe

Greetings for 2015!

I did not want to start with the Happy New Year tote, as for some this year may already feel like the last and overlaps and overhangs of the ghost of the year past are still present. This year I will see where I go with this blog using the Christian Calendar as a marker.

I have started this year with no real hyped up expectations. For me a healthy, productive and incident free year would be more than one could ask. However in the shadow of the Nativity story and all the grit and grime of this, my focus is once again on the journey of the Magi.

When I was young the part of Joseph was not afforded to kids like me, but I was cast as a King (Is it because I was black!) That said when I went back to the text message of that scene in Matt 2v1-12 with a few years added and a faith that journeys through ebbs and flows of life, I focussed again on the journey to the Christ Child. I try somehow to see myself and where I can connect as part of this.

Perspectives will always be different as we are all unique and formed differently by culture and experience. However, like those who search for the Christ journeying, we are put together, an unlikely group of travellers searching for that place called 'Home' with Christ.

The star as God's GPS (Global Positioning System) which is still used by us today leads us on and those things which draw us into the journey might well be different. I often see the three gifts; Gold, Incense and Myrrh as gifts that guide like traffic lights (not necessarily the colours). Gold being moments of Joy, Success and fulfillment. When we feel on top and our well being is good all round. The Incense draws me to a place of choosing and discerning in how to live this life with all it's to-ing and fro-ing. Incense is something you either like or can dislike. We can either choose to worship or set up our own idols or cults of 'celebrity'. The Myrrh which is for the dead, asks again, what must die in order for one to be fully alive in all senses?

So this year, will have its Golden Moments I hope, but challenging ones which cause us to make choices that are not necessarily clear or easy and moments where life is not always present. Things and persons may die.

The journey of the Magi sums up life pretty well and may be something that you might be able to relate to. I have just thought about a few in this musing.

I guess I was glad to be a king in the nativity after all!

Peace

D