More Than Brothers

The Inner Net

2012-02-07T13:33:00.007Z

Our new world is a small one. The internet is a crazy current of communiucation channels that connect us like never before.

David Bowden's slam poem explores our need for the deep heart connections that create community, a communion deeper than those found in superficial communication. It's a good one.

Monday Morning Miracle

2012-01-23T09:11:00.006Z

There's nothing like a Monday morning miracle to start the week.

A friend of mine called Tom Mullins was met on the streets of London just over a year ago, and was offered a stay at one of our houses, New Creation Farm (one of three shared Christian Community 'Farm' houses within a few hundred yards). He was bowled over by Jesus and the love he found amongst us, and was very quickly baptised and committed to live his whole life for Jesus with us.

Six months ago someone gave Tom a word from God that he'd lose vision for a time but through it the guys around him would pull together and learn to support one another. Of course, we all expected 'vision' to mean 'a positive outlook', but then tragedy struck and he lost sight in one eye. A couple of weeks later the other eye went too, and he could only make out vague blobby shapes. Light hurt his eyes. It was painful to see a friend go through, and needless to say tragic for Tom too.

Tom went through some really tough times. One Sunday night at the end of summer last year he was very down and doubting everything he was living for, feeling very negative. Fred and Andy, the guys who took him home from the evening meeting were adament that he should stay positive, and that he knew deep down that what he was living for was real, was true.

That night Tom had a dream that he was walking down Northampton's high street with his white stick and dark glasses when a white dove landed in his hands, which he could see. In the morning Fred got a call from Tom who'd just woken up, and he told him about the dream, quite extroardinary in itself. Tom told Fred that he thought there was a bird on his bedroom windowsill, probably a dove. Could he come and check for him?

Really reluctant to shatter Tom's newfound shred of hope Fred cautiously made his way around the outside of the house to look for this crow or whatever he thought it would be, and there was a white bird, perched on Tom's windowsill. They edged their way slowly over to it and it even allowed Tom to stroke it.

Breakfast

On many occasions people prayed for Tom's eyes. Life continued.

Last night Tom re-dedicated his life to Jesus.

At 5am this morning Tom ran into our room and woke us all up, saying "I can see!"

While it was still dark he'd gone to the loo and realised he could see the roll of tissue. I mean, it's a wonderful miracle but if I'd been blind for six months I could think of better things to see first than a bog roll!

In the two hours that followed our kitchen was filled with twenty of us from various houses, all come to celebrate, and we saw our second miracle that morning - someone got out the bacon and eggs.

Tom making drinks in my kitchen this morning

You are amazing, so overwhelming,
Totally beyond comparison,
Higher than anything else.
You are amazing, majestically reigning
Full of such wisdom and glory
Authority flows from Your hand
You are amazing
Listen to the song

God's doing new stuff amongst us. Thank you Jesus.

-- Read more on Nathan's blog --

Seasons - Life in Community

2012-01-16T15:39:00.001Z

Life has seasons. Joy follows pain just as spring succeeds the waning winter.

This uplifting video featured at our recent End of Year Celebration, celebrating and remembering the life of the New Creation Christian Community, a deeply shared lifestyle.

We've decided to give away some seasonal wallpapers to remind us all of the message of the video - that throughout the best and the worst, living to be a people of one heart for Jesus is worth the cost. God is faithful whatever the weather.

Click the pictures above to download them for a widescreen monitor or for standard aspect monitors click the links below:
Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter

Orange Candles

2012-01-10T14:33:00.001Z

This is cool. You can make a candle out of an orange and some cooking oil.

All you have to do is cut the fruit in half and remove the segments, leaving the central stem for a wick. Top up the skin with oil, leaving a bit of wick free for you to light. You can also use a grapefruit or a lemon, but here's one I made out of a tangerine-

Scoop out the other half to make a glowing lantern

It smells nice too.
Thanks to Lifehacker.

Leadership and Creative Autonomy

2012-01-05T13:00:00.003Z

I'm pondering leadership. 'Task' oriented delegation can stifle the creativity that would otherwise come from 'objective' delegation.

Maybe that's confused you. In much more eloquent words Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the French aviator and author of “The Little Prince”, wrote,

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

Of course, a leader needs to give orders, but more importantly he or she should enthuse the team with the vision and give them creative sway in it's fulfilment. Ownership is loyalty.

Here's a looong but fascinating video from RSA with insight on what motivates and engages us - RSA Animate - Drive.

Roses, Thorns & Snoozes

2011-12-29T02:42:00.001Z

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity."

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is to snooze on the shoulder of a friend", I'd like to add.

Yesterday was tiring but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Folks from the particular collection of Church house groups that I belong to (about 100 of us) made the best of the Christmas Bank Holiday by trekking off to the precipitous hills of Dovedale.

Two routes were offered - a gentle riverside stroll for families with little ones and for those less able but possibly wiser, and an up-and-over route for us more adventurous souls.

Well boys will be boys, and our boys are particularly boyish ones. Take us for a day out anywhere and we'll instigate some dangerous sport. This year it was cheese-rolling (with a ball) and grass skiing, throwing ourselves wildly down the slope. Miraculously (and unusually) no one was injured.

I was musing on the way back down the motorway in the minibus, head lolling (I wasn't driving!) how incredible it is to be part of such a group. I felt completely at ease in such a crowd and felt that I could have walked and talked with many there & connected in conversation. My head lolled on my friend's shoulder. Aaah.

However, looking back on those thoughts now, the warm fuzzy moments aren't what really make it for me. That's one side of Jesus brotherhood, but of course, familiarity also breeds contempt. The closer someone is the easier it is for them to hurt you, and for you to hurt them. Living in community makes love real. Love doesn't get more real than in saying sorry and in still being gracious when others don't. Love is made real in remembering your own faults when faced with someone else's, and in treading the second mile with someone in need.

The moments that really make Community for me (and I mean 'community' in a broad sense, not just the intentional Christian Community that I'm a part of) are the moments when hearts meet.Tears of reconciliation and laughter together at old grievances, now made to look ridiculously silly. Being told a few home truths. Finally getting out a confession that's been weighing heavily on your shoulders, and the relief afterwards of still being friends.

Living in Community is a bed of roses, with the thorns. The pain of love makes it real.

And now as I'm writing this sitting up late waiting for some video work to complete I can add one more proverb-

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when a brother stays up late just to keep you company.

Walk in the Chilterns

2011-11-21T14:29:00.001Z

Yesterday 8 of us lads went on a walk through the Chilterns - a long loop through the Ashridge Estate, up Ivinghoe Beacon for lunch then back through the Ashridge forest to fall tiredly into the minibus and nurse our sore feet.

7:30am Full English

Lunch on top of Ivinghoe Beacon

Love spelt S I N

2011-11-15T15:46:00.002Z

A friend of mine, Mark, works in a prison where he teaches inmates arty carpentry.

He told us recently how one bloke under his tuition had made three wooden hearts, and he asked Mark to help him write three letters on the hearts, the letters 'S', 'I' and 'N'. "Why sin?" asked Mark, and he explained that that's what love had always been to him, he'd never known unselfish love from anyone. That's tragic.

Sin = Selfishness
Love = Giving, so is therefore the opposite of sin.

When love and sin, two polar opposites, get twisted together the human heart is muddied and maimed, not only in conscience but also in hope, security and the openness to love. No wonder he was in prison if life had taught him the lie that love = sin.

God = love
Sin = whatever separates us from God

So. What does God say about it all? In the language of The Good Book there's three words for love, none of which begin with S, I or N.

Éros - intimate physical love, primarily of the body. Eros says "I want".
Philia - affectionate friendship and companionship, showing loyalty to friends, family and community. Of the soul. Philia says "Let's share".
Agápe - God's love, a deeper, unconditional, sacrificial love, primarily of the spirit. Agápe gives.

Love is essentially unselfish and good, but I see this as a scale of greatness, where agápe is the greatest and most selfless of these three loves, it's the pinnacle of goodness.

When God created all these forms of love they were perfect. However love gets twisted when it becomes selfish, when Eros rules over Philia, and Philia rules over Agápe.

God started to straighten out the twist in the universe that selfishness (sin) had wrought when he gave Himself sacrificially, unconditionally, deeply in Jesus' sacrificial death.

As we've explored the love triplet here's the threefold strategy that God's given us to spread His justice, to end the reign of selfishness:

The Great Commandment

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and love your neighbour as yourself

God = Love but Love ≠ God. When The Beatles sang 'All you need is love' they made love their god in all it's selfish forms. God's love is not selfish, so put Him first and all else will be made right.

The New Commandment

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

This is the new society, the agápe society of Jesus, where each person builds others up in love.

The Great Commission

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you

Spread the love.

So there you go. That wasn't much of a personal diary entry, but it's what I've been pondering over the last few weeks.

G.O.S.P.E.L

2011-10-17T22:11:00.000+01:00

Ok, enough about me and my folk, here's what it's really about.

G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

Rebelligous

2011-10-12T13:19:00.000+01:00

I've had a thought.

When we grow up we get taller. It's an intrinsic part of growing up, and it's pretty much unstoppable!

Another part of growing up is finding one's independence, and it's just as crucial and unstoppable as growing physically taller. In fact, if a child didn't eventually grow into independence from his or her parents they'd always seem childish no matter how old they became.

Another name for suppressed independence is rebellion.

I'm grateful that my parents always stuck to their word as I grew up, instilling good discipline early on. I'm also grateful that they took the 'risk' of giving me more and more freedom throughout my teenage years, letting me manage my budget, decide what time I had to be home by, who my friends were etc. I guess they wanted me to learn responsibility for myself regardless of the mistakes I'd make in the process.

On Wednesday nights I co-lead a Christian group for teenage lads. I'm so glad to be able to join these lads every week, whether that's haystack-tag, a BBQ, sharing communion in an old church with candles, making dens or mucking about with cushions! Sometimes it goes really deep, it's often hectic and it's always worth it!

Quite a few of the lads are part of the group because their mum or dad asked us if we could take them on. We're part of their growing up. It's a positive independence.

Out the back door into Eden...

2011-09-28T15:10:00.004+01:00

The sight that greeted me this morning

We belong in Eden. Sounds funny doesn't it?

The thing is, I know the scene in this picture. The apple trees are oversized and under-picked, consequently rotting fruit litters the floor, which attracts wasps. And the bench? I think it may still be sittable. I've got so used to the scene that until this morning I had forgotten what a beautiful place our garden can be. The garden in my memory wasn't as pretty as the real garden was this morning, soaked in misty sunrise.

The grind of life wears our eyes thin and the 'realities' of Earth become more real to us than the Realities of eternity. Working out living the Kingdom of Heaven often feels less like 'heaven on earth' and more like all-out warfare! Loving people is tough when our old selfish nature finds it so hard to concede defeat. This quote puts it better than I can:

To be above with the saints we love, oh that will be such glory.
But to be below with the saints we know, now that's a different story!

But every so often something comes along and wipes a little of the mist off the dim glasses we wear that are sometimes called 'reality' or 'cynicism'. Every so often we see life for what it is- a fleeting opportunity to serve and love before real life begins, on the other side of eternity, in Eden's garden city.

Don't forget. It makes it all worthwhile.

So Long, Crown

2011-09-23T13:46:00.000+01:00

On Monday night we had a late night farewell bonfire and munch for Richard King. He's leaving us to support a smaller Jesus Fellowship household, House of Miracles in the the eastern district of Northampton. Friends, a bonfire, Doritos and DrPepper. Times like these are always opportunities to ponder life.

This year's been a bit of a tumultuous one for us. After moving home last November (it's nearly been a year!) we've met a few big bumps along the road. Some of us have 'been through the mill', and it's been a battle for all of us.

Sometimes I look back and wonder if I would have started on this road if I knew how hard it was going to be. I've often thought the words of one Coldplay song "Nobody said it was easy/No one ever said it would be this hard."

God requires so much of us, much more than we thought it would be possible to give. The cross we carry sometimes seems to weigh more than we can lift.

However, whatever happens I know that God is faithful, and God doesn't do half measures. God's promised us it's more than worthwhile, and God's promises are more rock-solid than the laws of gravity.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

And what is our crown of life? We'll have to keep hanging on until we see the indescribable riches on the other side of Eternity.

And yet... although the Kingdom of Heaven is not yet, it's pushing itself into the here-and-now of everyone who's face is toward God.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?

Richard King is one such brother.

Fighting Fury Through Piccadilly Circus

2011-09-14T15:57:00.004+01:00

On the 25th of June about 1300 of us in the Jesus Army converged on London for a colourful Jesus carnival across the capital culminating in a gospel demo event on Trafalgar square.

Together with about 50 others I was asked to be on the dance team at the front of the lively procession to lead the way and set the tone- energetic, full on and passionate for Jesus.

We were enjoying it. The fun dances we'd practiced for a few songs had gone well and there was the occasional Mexican wave and a "cheer for Jesus!", but then something different came through the speakers.

This was the only bit of the event that wasn't live. It was a rap, and it made me angry. This genre is infamous because of how it's often used to express the aggressive anger of young wounded men. This was a different kind of anger.

As the lyrics blared I started to rage at injustice. I was no longer dancing to show the world what a lively bunch we are, not dancing to put on a show. A slow fury rose, I no longer cared what people thought. I was praying.

Everybody with your fists raised high
Let me hear your battle-cry tonight
Stand beside or step aside
We're on the front line

For those who are sorted, settled and sound
For those who are broken, rejected and bound
For those who are lost, crying out to be found
We raise a battle cry and claim back the ground
And together we stand and represent
That God's love and power is relevant
Transforming our lives from the remnants
We'll take back the ground with confidence
So be free again, free at last
Find your freedom from the past
Stand together, lift your hands and grasp a second chance
So we throw our hands up with our fists raised high
Come on London join us in our battle cry

Everybody with your fists raised high
Let me hear your battle-cry tonight
Stand beside or step aside
We're on the front line

While men's souls rot in the prison blocks we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While women are beaten and weeping in secret we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While there's one broken heart, families torn apart we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While there's hearts with holes, sex shops and Sohos we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While one man's greed puts a nation in need we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While there's one young girl still sold for sex we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
While there's discrimination, hatred in the nation we'll fight,
WE'LL FIGHT!
We'll fight, to the bitter end, to see a better end
When every tear will be wiped dry
And death gives way to the Most High
Never never lose hope, hold on
Don't give an inch to the enemy
Come on London raise your fists high!

Everybody with your fists raised high
Let me hear your battle-cry tonight
Stand beside or step aside
We're on the front line

I'm so thankful to be part of a Church with a heart burdened to fight for the lost.

Lord may it be more than words. Take us to the darkest places.

Lyrics inspired by William Booth and Pillar

Marquee Festival Aug 2011 - A Photojournal

2011-08-31T18:54:00.008+01:00

I've just got back to work after a busy week at our Church's marquee. It was the last of our thrice yearly Festival weekends - three days of heaven on earth (plus mud, wasps and a little stress).

I took a week off to help set up & de-rig the tent, which this time was a particular challenge for the team as the tent's been widened, so the goalposts have moved a bit and everything is heavier.

The theme this weekend was 'the brotherhood Church', and for me, the tent team was my brotherhood. I enjoyed being with so many friends and came away from last weekend's event very encouraged, and glad to be able to serve & worship such a God as we have.

Stitching complete, last adjustments made before pull-up

Our marquee reminds me of a ship, with masts, rigging & sails.
A ship sailing for a phosphorescent future.

Up go the flagpoles

Courtesy of Julie Doyle

Courtesy of Fabio Cunha

The lightning-fast derig begins

Just skin and bones, the tent finally awaits dismantling

You should join us sometime for a Jesus Army marquee festival.

Reasons For Loving Christian Community

2011-08-16T14:53:00.002+01:00

Five people moved into our house on Saturday.

We spent the morning moving furniture by lorry for four of the five (a family) and after unloading and moving their furniture into their new rooms we sat down for a lazy tea break just before lunch. Picture the scene- about 12 guys (mostly young, but of various ages & backgrounds) sitting around on the back garden steps, having a laugh over a cuppa.

Then up pulled a car into our carpark and one of us twigged that it's the mum and dad of the family moving in. Someone suggested we 'do a tunnel'. So we spontaneously rushed through the house to the main door to meet them in two facing lines, trying our hardest to put on solemn faces.

They turned the corner and paused. We started cheering. And laughing. They walked the tunnel, and everyone was laughing. It felt so wholesome to welcome our new house family members with such an honouring.

So now I'd like to conclude with reasons #203 - #212 for loving Christian Community in the Jesus Army, with contributions from a few friends of mine:

Reason #203
Jesus shared his purse with his disciples. He was modelling His 'new creation' society.

Reason #204
It's knowing I'm not alone in the struggles and highlights of my path to heaven.

Reason #205
In 2005, the average CEO in the US earned more in a day than the average worker earned in a year (according to the Economic Policy Institute). In Community owned businesses everyone earns the same wage, CEO to floor-scrubber. Actually, in principle the CEO shouldn't shirk scrubbing the floor when it's needed. Equality that works.

Reason #206
You get to live with great guys like these (well I have done anyway) :

Reason #207
You get to know who you really are and get to know others for who they really are.

Reason #208
Washing up (no, really!) Serving the brotherhood makes love real. Bigger hearts = better togetherness.

Reason #209
People give purpose to live for.

Reason #210
Community makes it possible to live for what's lasting in this short-term consumerist world.

Reason #211
The Church door is always open.

Reason #212
After a good evening with friends, you don't have to go home.

Socks

2011-07-12T13:14:00.010+01:00

Created for Faithworks as part of the 'Stories of Hope' series.

Church or Sofa? Yes!

2011-07-08T11:17:00.005+01:00

Church or Sofa? Where would you like to be? goes the question put to me by The Church Sofa Blog.

My Church is on my sofa. My church has gone sofar.

I believe that the original Church in Jerusalem is our best model for a Kingdom of Heaven shaped society, the most direct demonstration of the body of Christ, because it's the one that the Holy Spirit initiated at Pentecost before anyone had any idea of what Church was supposed to be like; it's where it's at! The first 3120-ish men and women were filled with the Holy Spirit with Jesus' words and life still in their heads, in their hearts. The core 120 of them knew him as man to man. They knew his heart for humanity and his intention for his people, and from that sprang the community that we call Church.

So what was the early Church like? We're told the early Church was "of one heart and soul", so much so, they made a thing of selling their valuable assets (Tithing? So Old Testament. Chuck it all in!) They put the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles for them to distribute to the poor. This was so successful that it was said "there were no needy people among them"! Talk about Christian praxism & charity, eh!

Another thing I've noticed from reading Acts is that the Church would regularly meet in the homes of it's members. In fact, it seems that the extended families common to that culture each became 'Churches' in the City. There's fifteen direct references to the church in the home in the NT, from:

"Likewise greet the church that is in their house"

and also:

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts"

Up until persecution broke out after Steven's stoning public spaces were important gathering points for Jerusalem's household-Churches, so we do see a good case for mass fellowship gatherings. However, Churches were primarily house-based, as they shared their most important meal together, the agape communion meal, in their houses.

My third thought on the example we have of Church is that Jesus himself said that when a couple of people are gathered in his name, he's there too. So according to Jesus, a bunch of Jesus-people together is all it takes to be a Church. No bells & whistles, no incense or lecterns, no big screens, fancy lights or drumkits. Though all of these can be useful, like the temple courts they're not what the Church is made up of, they're just useful.

Forgive me if I go on but I'm getting inspired now! In Luke 10 Jesus sent out his 72 closest followers and disciples, and gave a few simple instructions:

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you."

Jesus was teaching these guys how to build Church; make a friend, invite yourself to a meal around their house (like he did with Levi & Zacchaeus), stay there, show God's power & tell them all about it. That's it. Church.

So yes, I do prefer my sofa. That's because my sofa is my Church as it's shared between about 550 of us (we don't sit on it all at once!) We're a group of household-churches up & down the UK who share everything- money, cars, dinner, responsibilities... though not toothbrushes or stuff like that.

In 1973 God gave my Church a vision to share 'all things in common' like the early Church. We were a traditional sleepy village baptist Church until the baptism of the Holy Spirit hit us, and the old baptist chapel soon became packed with radical former bikers, hippies, and a few 'straight' (educated) folk too.

Practically, it started with the chapel noticeboard being filled with 'givings' and 'needs' notices (often more of the givings). Then people started moving in with each other, sharing cars and selling houses to give money to the poorest and to fund our first communal house, an old rectory on the edge of the village. People recklessly jacked in high paid jobs to start communally owned businesses together, and houses started popping up all around the country right up to today, when we now have about 40 shared homes across the UK.

Personally, I share my life & stuff with a household of two families and ten other singles. I seek to pour my time, energy and love into this community of friends. It's my lifestyle and I recommend it with the whole of my heart, not because it's easy, but because it is radical, devoted and it's the way that Jesus lived and taught.

Sofa now I'd say in conclusion that Jesus probably loves the sofa, as well as his Church.

---
Read more:
Acts today - Sam Hailes spent a day at London Jesus Centre. He described what he found there as “like the early Christians”.
Fire In Our Hearts - The story of the Jesus Fellowship (complete free online book)

It's Worth The Mess

2011-07-04T14:03:00.002+01:00

From jesus.org.uk

The Only Just War

2011-06-29T15:28:00.010+01:00

Listen to the audio piece that inspired this Blog post, by the Psalters:

War is evil, and injustice fuels every war. There's never a fair, just or 'holy' war between anyone- from a rowing couple to the battle of the Somme.

Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

However, war can be crucial to the welfare of governments and nations. A world leader or alliance of nations must sometimes engage his nation in war to protect the interests of his electorate. In an Earthly sense it can be 'right' (in a very funny sense of the word) for one people group to fight another's evil. I'm glad Britain fought against Nazism, both for the sake of Britain and for all those that Hitler trampled- Jews, blacks and the mentally disabled. This is not to comment on the possible good or bad motives for recent wars but sometimes a horrible war is all that will stop an even worse flood of evil. War, although inherently evil, is needed to uphold Earthly governmental stability.

But war is evil. And so is this whole world's corrupt system.

Here's the sticking point. Jesus told us to love our enemies. He also said that:

My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place. (John 18:36 NIV)

The world's principalities and powers are incompatible with the Kingdom of God, whether those powers are America, Britain, Sudan, Japan, Libya or Sweden, it's all one fallen old-world system. The leader of any Earthly nation cannot both be a real Christian and also fully uphold the interests of his nation, as God's interests are not this world's interests.

I support the government of the UK and see it as part of God's grace to us. However I'm formerly a citizen of another Kingdom, the only one which makes war on evil by turning the other cheek.

I will fight only one war, the war to see love trample hate. This is the only just war. This is why I'm proud to be a part of the Jesus Army.

What do you think?

---
For further reading see 'Jesus Army. Bin Laden & the bad news' & Bin Laden - The Bad News.

Christian Community - Church At 1:33am

2011-06-15T14:14:00.005+01:00

Christian community, 1:33am. He's bricklaying, and he's playing guitar. He's cooking burgers and I'm drawing. Oh & he's asleep.
(@honestjames, Sat 11 Jun)

Let me assure you, this is by no means a typical night in New Creation Christian Community, but it demonstrates a point.

I'd just got back from our Church's video studio (see last post) and was about to head off up the wooden hill to Bedford when I noticed the lights were still on in the big lounge downstairs. On investigating I encountered a little circle of guys sitting around chatting. One of them was strumming a guitar softly while another friend of mine worked artistic wonders with a pencil. A few guys chilling out together, nothing incredibly unusual.

However, my amusement turned to slightly blutterbunged wonderment when I spotted the floodlights outside. We're building a BBQ which we hope to commission later this summer, and a couple of the guys had set up lights to keep laying bricks through the small hours. That's not actually surprising in itself as we're kinda known for our late night projects, but what gloppened me was the fact that there was a total of nine guys who had decided to stay up and hang around together. We weren't all doing incredibly important things, it's just that when brotherhood's happening, sleep can wait!

This is why I love living in residential Christian Community; we love being together. Our friendships with each other and our friendship with God meet in the most practical way possible. We live our lives for God, therefore we live our lives for each other too. Yeah I know there's other admirable ways to love your neighbour, but this lifestyle beats 'em all!

So, to finish: firstly, fortunately everyone was considerately quiet enough to not wake those who'd gone to bed at a reasonable time (life in Christian Community's no utopia, we always have to consider one another).
And secondly, after I went to bed the lads finally turned in for the night at 3am, having made some decent progress on the (soon to be) magnificent BBQ.

Peace.

The Power of Socks

2011-06-10T23:01:00.003+01:00

We were up at 5:30am last Saturday morning to film a friend of ours, Sid, on the streets of Northampton. What were we doing up at that so-unsociable hour on a lie-in day?

We're making a short film. It tells Sid's story, his journey from a well-off deputy head of a private school and devout atheist, through alcohol induced messy homlessness and into faith and freedom.

Anyway, the film's called 'Socks', and that's the interesting part. The video starts with Sid's intro: "Hi, I'm Sid, and this is how socks changed my life!"

The story centres around how little acts of kindness at the Northampton Jesus Centre impressed Sid and gave him hope, and made him want to get out of his desperate situation. It was some of the most 'unamazing' day to day charitable services that he received at the Jesus Centre that spoke the most to him. In particular, one time Sid says he was almost moved to tears because of the way that someone who handed him a pair of socks which he'd asked for had so carefully folded them! Strange but true.

We're excited about this project as it's a bit of a blank canvas. We've been inspired by the relaxed, interesting style of Rob Bell's Nooma videos, and we're getting plenty of inspiration from calm atmospheric music videos. Watch this space.

Read Sid's story as it appeared in Jesus Life (free magazine).

P.S - you may have noticed this Blog's been strangely silent for a while. A month ago I decided to find some silence by cutting out online entertainment and social networking, which of course included posting to this Blog. Cutting back on helped me to really enjoy friendships & get perspective. It's been good to be away, and it's good to be back.

Grill me, please!

2011-04-13T12:30:00.069+01:00

On Monday night I witnessed something quite eye-opening.

After tea we had our Church DGBs, or ‘Disciple Grow Bands’ (see an old post about this). We get together in these small groups a few times a year, meeting with others in similar situations (single blokes met with single blokes, married women with other married women etc). It’s a great opportunity for heart talk, to get a perspective on life and feel supported by others of one’s own ilk.

This was the first time I've led one myself, so I was a little nervous but also inspired. I made a list of eight questions and topics that the seven of us guys could talk about or do. I told them to pick two each. Stuff like:

What are you passionate about? What's your dream? What moves you?
Have you ever been frustrated with God?
Who would you be without any fears/ self limitations?
If you were the devil how would you destroy your faith?
Tell us three of your own weaknesses, and we'll each tell you one of your strengths.

One of the items on the list was a little idea a friend of mine told me. It surprised me how this one turned out.

It's called 'Grill a brother' (not 'Gorilla Brother', as I had to point out!) The volunteer sits in the centre, and everyone else takes it in turn to ask one question about them each, anything they like. The candidate has to answer each question, and has to be honest, but he can answer in any way he likes- vaguely or explicitly.

What surprised me was that every guy there volunteered to be grilled. They could have talked about something easier, but instead they all decided to be interrogated, to be honest, whatever was asked of them.

It was pretty no-holds-barred stuff, as questions from all corners dug deeper into motives and some of the guys ended sharing stuff they probably hardly ever talk about. But after the first one sat in the grilling chair, so did the second, so did the third and so on until we all ended up in the hot seat. I wouldn't say it was trampoline-bouncing fun, but we loved it!

Deep down we all long for reality. Deep down we're dissatisfied with the pressure to always put on a brave face, to keep up appearances. We all long to be known for who we are, to be able to be ourselves, to be understood and loved and looked out for despite our weaknesses, fears and worries.

Let's build a culture of trust, of vulnerable strength.

Church Within A Church

2011-03-24T08:26:00.002Z

I enjoyed last night.

Nine of us young lads (I'm the oldest of the mostly teenage crew) went for a long walk last night through the fields and roads near our house. We stopped on several occasions.

Our first stop was to gaze at the stars.
Our second stop was for our traditional nocturnal prank- making random statues on the side of the road as cars passed, laughing, baffled or alarmed!
We stopped at the top of a hill to pray for our friends.
Half of us stopped, hiding behind or climbing trees to ambush the other half of the group.
Finally, with piggybacks back up the hill to the house, we walked out through the garden to light a Chinese lantern.

This is my cell group. We're a group of lads, inept explorers of our phosphorescent future. We're finding out what it means to love God and to love one another. Rephrase: We're finding out what it means to love God by loving one another.

This is my Church within a Church. I love it.

Teamwork Wins!

2011-03-09T14:33:00.002Z

Ok, I've had quite a run of serious posts recently, but today I'd like to give a little space to a hilarious comical duo. Here's Johnnie & Chachi with their message about teamwork.
I dare you to try not to smile.

Teamwork from Catholic Media House on Vimeo.

Winning A Younger Generation's Hearts

2011-03-04T17:08:00.005Z

I've just been asked by an older friend (a leader in our Church) for three things that today's 15-30 year-olds need to find if Church is to work for them. I've been leading a teenagers cell group (with others) since I was in my mid teens, and I thought it may be worth sharing my thoughts.

Love
Cell groups. It's so important to have something that people feel part of- more than friendship, but still relaxed.
Young men need a challenge. Make them dizzy with all the trust you show them. I can't stress this one enough.
They don't need older folk to get all 'youfy'- baseball caps & skateboards, they need the security of older friends. Love is relevant.

That sums up what won my heart.

Emerging Or Rooting?

2011-02-09T15:27:00.009Z

There's a debate in Christianity today, in fact it's a movement of debate, a conversation, and it has been called the emerging Church.

This isn't about one particular denomination or theological emphasis, this is a conversation, seeking to grapple with what we believe and why. It's a groundswell of Christian individuals and groups who are disillusioned with organized and institutional Church and long to divorce faith and a love for Jesus from what are perceived as the obsolete traditions of human institutions. They long for faith to be less of a cold in-or-out belief club and more about Jesus.

However, there's been quite a kickback from some at what they see as a dangerous doctrinal carelessness in the proponents of this movement which stems from their perceived failure to use Scripture as the normative standard of truth. They say (probably rightly) that the act of questioning why, which is necessarily close to doubting, may detract from the potency of what we believe. Basically, they're concerned that questioning the very core beliefs and fundamental values of Christianity with such vigour may allow heresies to spring up. Also, because the emerging Church conversation is about finding fresh expressions of church in cafes etc it can be very nebulous.

I see there's a balance to be struck. The more I read about the emerging Church conversation the more I think Christianity in general (that's a huge generalisation!) must have lost the vision somewhere. For sure, loads of unhelpful liturgy and man-made religious baggage has masqueraded The Way, that's why Jesus railed so fiercely against the religious establishment of his day while he walked these trails. I understand that this same Spirit lives inside us, the Spirit that longs to smash institutional unbelief which only dampens God's work. Yes, we must declare the timeless truths of our fallen state and of God's transformational love to today's culture, not yesterday's.

However, what the Holy Spirit initiated in the early Church is our best model for a Kingdom of Heaven shaped society, the most direct demonstration of the body of Christ, a pure picture of Christian praxism; it's where it's at! The first 120 men and women were filled with the Holy Spirit with Jesus' words and life still in their heads, in their hearts. They knew him as man to man. I am convinced that it is vital that we renew Acts 2 & Acts 4 sharing of goods and possessions if Christianity is to overcome the obstacles that the emerging Church conversation sees, and indeed, it is the most logical lifestyle for every born again Christian.

I belong to a Church group and particularly share my life, money and possessions (except my toothbrush, that sort of thing) with a household of two families and nine other singles. I seek to pour my time, energy and love into this community of friends. It's my lifestyle and I recommend it with the whole of my heart, not because it's easy, but because it is radical, devoted and it's the way that Jesus lived and taught. We stand for the beauty and strength of the gathered body, the new society, the Kingdom church.

Please don't mistake me, I full-well know my Church is not the final answer, it's certainly not the defining incarnation of the Kingdom of God; we have far to go, and I long to get there. But in conclusion, if the emerging Church is about slashing and burning the truth that martyrs died to make known, especially biblical truth, then count me out. However, if the emerging Church conversation is about how we can best love God, the poor, our neighbours and our enemies, then let's acknowledge that path's only trod as we get back to the pure work of the Holy Spirit- the Kingdom koinonia sharing of our whole lives. If that happens, count me in. Both feet.

Welcome To Eternity

2011-02-02T12:24:00.005Z

Courtesy of David Thunander

Oh we sat around and talked for hours
About our dreams and the future in our power
Oh such fools we were
To ever think that this was it
To think ourselves as permanent
And forget the immanent

And inside the tears roll
As I pray for your soul
Oh what can I say
To make sure you believe
On the day you receive
Your welcome to eternity?

Oh and death was never such an issue
Yeah we'd cross that bridge when we had to
Oh but please, please look a little more
Don't just ignore the knocking at your door

And inside the tears roll
As I pray for your soul
Oh what can I say
To make sure you believe
On the day you receive
Your welcome to eternity?

'Cause life is more than what you see
There's more to it all and what you breathe
Oh it's the start of what's to come
Yeah, we've only just begun to see

So inside the tears roll
As I pray for your soul
Oh what can I say
To make sure you believe
On the day you receive
Your welcome to eternity?
© Revive

Creative Coracled Celtic Zeal

2011-01-25T13:51:00.018Z

St.Columba back in the day
"The Irish Celts had an incredible zeal for spreading their faith in dangerous circumstances and with little resources. One account mentions men setting sail without oars in a small coracle with only enough food and water for seven days. On the seventh day they arrived on the coast of northern England and commenced their mission work. They literally threw themselves in faith upon the mercy of God."
From imagesofthelight.org

The wildness of the Celtic way of life compels me. Their radically reckless abandonment to God's call challenges me to the core. They lived enslaved by love for God, creation and humanity. We read of how these small bands of men and women, scant on resources but loaded with fervour gave everything they had to the mystical and missional way of life we know something of today.

Later this year we will be sending out a couple of 'raiding parties' in the old Celtic fashion. These small groups will be setting sail in their little coracle (one of these actually) with nearly enough money and food, to a God-directed City to share the good news. The culmination of their aim will be to bring one or more people back to our houses to share an experience of our new society kingdom culture.

I imagine on these trips we'll be sleeping rough, seeing a few miracles of provision, getting tired out but thoroughly blessed by the sense of brotherhood. All good manly stuff. I don't know if I'll be on one of these trips myself but I'm well excited.

I'll hand over to Jesus for the final words of this post:

"These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them."
Mark 6:8-13 (NIV)

A perspective of intentional Christian community & Jesus Army

2011-01-12T08:57:00.001Z

Friday 31st Dec

Been working on the business website all day (small Church owned business HDA architecture). Interesting technical stuff but all a bit samey to be honest.
I feel rough with the remains of a cough and was shattered by the time I get home. After tea while the other guys drive into Northampton to offer prayer and a listening ear on the streets I crawl into bed for a couple of hours.
Get up to see the new year in once everyone's back home. Twenty friends in lounge sharing hearts and plates. Beautiful.
Around the room we're sharing creative inspirations and discussing what we'd like to leave behind from 2010, and move into in 2011.
Then hot choc around a bonfire, and washing up. The considerable downside of a midnight feast is finally finishing washing up at 2am!

Saturday 1st Jan 2011

National Jesus Army Celebration event all day, with a theme of 'fresh faith, new anointing', it's been inspiring. I still feel under the weather (the cough has dragged on for two weeks) but push through somehow.
While lying in bed trying to sleep I can't help rhymes tumbling through my mind. I'm restless so I note some down on my phone- lines like "let's let heaven schism our cynicism prison", "let's not drag down and domesticate the dream dreamed, the vision seen, the heartfelt longing for movement's being". Yeah the day's been well inspiring!

Sunday 2nd Jan

Today is Heart 600! Heart 600 is one of our special big Sunday night 'Heart' gospel events in Northampton town centre, and I've got lots of costumes to sort, people to organise and a drama practice to arrange. My cough is wearing off.
First up - stage performance of a song we jammed late one Saturday night. We've brought the djembe, a nylon guitar and a band of friends for backup (most of whom don't know the tune!). It's about brotherhood, with a famous line- "how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity". I'm not sure how the song sounded but I'm assured it was ok.
Although we had one technical hiccup with the music in one item the night went well. The best events are the ones with the most responsive audience, and tonight there was a warm atmosphere.

Monday 3rd Jan

I look at the noticeboard again. "We're leaving at 8:15am prompt" it screams. It's 11:30 and still we're waiting to leave in the minibus for some unknown moor for a day of brotherhood, frisbee and warm tea.
Eventually we get organised enough to leave home, changing our intended destination of the Peak District for Stckgrove, Milton Keynes (below). It's a good trip, but as I say the tea wasn't up to scratch! (partly my fault).

View Larger Map

Back at home after dinner a couple of the guys found a little groove on the guitar, and a couple of lyrics started to flow. I think the song's forming into something that could be used at this year's youth event - Real And Wild. Smile-inducing creativity ensuing, watch this space!

The Feast of Love

2011-01-04T23:47:00.001Z

Battered and beaten body
Torn apart by lashing whip
A silent scream, a tear and gasps
Are seen through eyes tired and filled
With blood –
Drip and flood
The messy stone beneath
“39 lashes for the King” they scream as the mob stands round
40 would kill any man
And unrecognisable he, the man, stands.
He can’t stand so he falls
Held up by the cruel who love to see the popular fall.
Jealously they call for this man to be finished off once and for all
ONCE and FOR ALL!
Nail Him,
Crucify this King.
How can a saviour die – he can’t even save himself?
Let alone you and let alone I.
On the road now to the hill,
Supported by shrill cries and mockery.

Yet not one word from this man
Is he powerless to curse?
Is his heart not filled with every bitterness the mind conceives?
Able to raise the dead but on a cross is raised instead?
His body torn, disfigured,
Like Broken Bread.
Blood pours out like party wine,
And a feast of love is what we find.

photo by Heo2035

How to eat doughnuts for the sake of the gospel

2010-12-17T16:41:00.013Z

Aaj took me out for lunch the other day.

He's one of the most open hearted people I know and he and his wife are famous for their extravagant generosity towards everyone they know.

We chatted over curry and a steak and kidney pie in a chippie down the road from my workplace, and on the subject of his generosity he told me a story. It goes a little something like this:

Photo by striatic

He has a friend who took the train home from up North down to London after a hard day's work. Just before he boarded the train this friend bought a bag of 5 doughnuts.

On boarding the train our friend sat at a desk opposite a stranger. To his shocked bewilderment the stranger then opened his bag of doughnuts and proceeded to nibble his way through one, right in front of him! Our friend then took the second doughnut.

This pattern went on for the whole train journey, with our simmering friend slowly boiling from shocked bewilderment to a seething but silent outrage at the audacity of his neighbour.

Finally, just before getting off the train the stranger took the last doughnut, broke it in half, ate it, smiled, and stepped off the train onto the platform.

You can probably guess the punchline

When our friend finally reached his stop, on leaving his seat he looked down beside him, and saw his own bag of doughnuts! He'd been eating the stranger's doughnuts all along.

So there you have it

The story was such a cracker that we decided to make it into a sketch and perform it at Heart, our relaxed Sunday evening gospel event. We set out a few chairs and tables on stage, projected some carriage scenery behind the set, got some live train sound effects going and enlisted a horde of extras. Scott Watson excelled in the part of our offended friend, while I enjoyed scoffing doughnuts as the generous stranger.

Photo by Josh and Drew

I spoke briefly afterwards about how life ain't fair, how humanity is entrenched in thousands of hostilities, unfair walls that separate, just like the misunderstanding of the mis-owned doughnuts. However, God experienced the 'ultimate unfairness' in Jesus' crucifixion, by which He rights all the unfairness done to and by us.

So, like my friend Aaj, let's overcome hostility with generosity, and let's open ourselves to the God who breaks down walls of hostility with His extravagant generosity.

-- See the full script of the 'doughnuts' sketch here --

House Move - Day 3 (Friday)

2010-11-09T08:56:00.003Z

The sign's nearly ready to be installed

Lounge now kitted with our old furniture

Plasterers rest for a takeaway of chip butties as the kitchen wasn't yet running

Our old bedrooms cleared. The empty sound of the rooms was strange!

Kitchen contents loaded onto lorry...

...and delivered ready for use!

Evening ended with supper around open fire.

Rear garden (click for larger view)

House Move - Day 2 (Thursday)

2010-11-05T09:28:00.002Z

The grounds, yesterday morning

The meeting room cleared, an ad-hoc lounge was set up for meals and breaks

Taking beds upstairs proved a challenge

Winding down in the kitchen after tea

House Move - Day 1 (Wednesday Night)

2010-11-04T08:22:00.003Z

Mess mess mess

Little bit of repair work before the furnishing

Winning Sir's Heart

2010-10-18T13:35:00.005+01:00

Let me tell you a true story. All names of people involved have been changed.

For many years we've been meeting on Sunday mornings in a run-down estate in Northampton's eastern district. We've got to know many characters, and a few have crossed the line into faith in Jesus and become a part of us.

One man of the estate in particular (who we'll call 'Sir') has become a staunch friend of ours. We first met him as a young teenager when he made a hobby of repeatedly wheelying his bmx through our meeting room in the middle of worship time. He lives in the thick of a crazy, hedonistic and generally effed-up life, and he takes no beef from any man. He's the local 'pharmacist' of illegal substances, and also a prize fighter. Just say the words "I know Sir" to anyone on that estate and they'll immediately adopt hushed tones and let you pass unmugged! Get the picture?

It was Sir's 21st birthday on Saturday night. Two friends of mine (let's call them James and John) rang him up and announced they were popping round to see him. They turned up at Sir's house, and he got into the car, joined by a couple of friends, and my friends James and John took them all to a Chinese restaurant.

In the car John complimented Sir on his shiny Nike Airmax trainers, to which Sir offered "I've got five pairs of these back at home, I can give you a pair init?"

Soon after their spring rolls they left in the car to meet up with some more of Sir's friends back in the estate. Stopping in a cul-de sac a crowd gathered around the car, all congratulating Sir for his 21st birthday. One older and slightly drunk chap, however, started jeering. "Sir" he whined, "what are you doing sitting in a Jesus Army car?" A verbal tussle ensued.

Sir: "So what if I am?"
Friend: "It's just that surely you should have grown out of that ten years ago!"
Sir: "So what? So what if my friend's in the Jesus Army?"
'Sir' was getting quite agitated by now. One of 'his' crew was dissing the Jesus Army.
Friend: "Erm, well if you're in the Jesus Army, aren't you supposed to be calming down right now?!"
Sir: "Somebody take him away, somebody take him away, I swear down I'll do him!"

So there you go. James told me the story late last night, enthusing about how this feared and despised man has warmed to us, and in turn, is warming to Jesus. I reckon he's just the sort of person Jesus spent his time with. Makes it all worthwhile, don't you think?

Fireside Epitaph Talk

2010-10-07T13:48:00.002+01:00

The bonfire took a long time to catch last night in the woods. Once we got it going and were cotched around it on the floor we started discussing epitaphs - what we'd like ours to be, what we'd like to be remembered and loved for. In short- what we want to do with our lives.

Responses ranged from "much loved" and "a father to many", to things like "helped people break fears" or "a zealous servant and lover of brotherhood". Undeniably though, the overriding theme of all our suggestions was love.

We easily lose sight of the important things in life, and our hearts can easily get stretched and sidetracked in any multiplcity of directions away from the centre, stretched like blutack away from our calling, to love. It's good to remember what we're here for- to love God and love people.

"If we ain't got love, we ain't got nuffin!"

It's true.

Friends, Food and Finality

2010-10-01T08:52:00.002+01:00

So, that was it. Last night we had our last large monthly friendship buffet at home, all 15 of us who live in the house, plus about 50 friends and family. We're moving in a fortnight or so just up the road (see my old post) so the evening felt historical, and closing.

As well as a home, River Farm has been my spiritual birthplace, I have become a man here. In sharing my life and house with friends here I have learnt the beauty of living for others, the power of togetherness in Jesus and simply been blessed a stupid amount through it all. Looking back over these last four years the tears (friend's struggles, friends dying, laughter, leavers) have drawn us together. Not perfect, but together.

And so, into the future. We're renaming our new house 'Anthem'. The name wasn't my first choice but it's grown on us all. 'Anthem' has guts. Anthem speaks of the victory of Jesus through life's choppy waters. We're a ship sailing for a phosphorescent future. Fantastic!

Go And Sell

2010-09-20T17:03:00.008+01:00

These are the words of an atheist:

...there is one other maxim of Christ’s teaching which I think has a great deal of good in it, but I do not find that it is very popular among some of our Christian friends. He says, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor.” That is a very excellent maxim, but, as I say, it is not much practised. All these, I think, are good maxims, although they are a little difficult to live up to. I do not profess to live up to them myself; but then, after all, it is not quite the same thing as for a Christian.
Bertrand Russell, March 6, 1927

Togetherness

2010-09-13T14:05:00.004+01:00

Two experiences to share with you:

This picture's not at all relevant,
it's just cool...

Last Saturday we had a work day together at home. Some old barns needed clearing out ready for our house move, so we hired a skip and lobbed away a lot of clutter. We also took the opportunity to do the odd jobs around the house that have been overdue for years, like painting the garden fence, fixing cupboard shelves, that sorta ting. I particularly enjoyed clearing the gutters on stilts! I wish I had a picture.

The experience is noteworthy because I was inspired by the wholesomeness of our togetherness, grafting for one another. We'll be moving house in a few weeks, so it felt good to serve those who will inherit our house (another smaller Christian Community).

The second thing, well this is the main thing, really. A lad from Switzerland who's been staying with us for a month (son of a friend's mother's cousin, or something) asked for prayer on Sunday night. He's from a pretty quiet Church and didn't really know much about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. On the way home in the car after receiving prayer he was crying softly to himself.

...this one's a little more relevant

Once we arrived home one of my friends sat with him in his bedroom, listening to him, and he started crying too.

Moments like these are life affirming. If there's any 'proof' of God's existence it lies in this- that we can be changed, past our insecurities, fears and worse nature to love one another. It's simply beautiful. Although my tears aren't always tears of joy, I'm thankful.

Lucky Are The Unlucky

2010-09-08T17:24:00.006+01:00

...and unlucky are the seemingly lucky. Ok, today's a difficult one.

Photo by Izla Kaya Bardavid

I wrote this poem nearly two years ago, inspired directly by the words of Jesus. These words are so stark and sharp that they made me cringe when I read them again today. They totally ride against the grain of this world's thinking, they sound incredibly damning and, quite frankly, seem simply impossible to live up to.

Then I remembered they're the words of Jesus, and that changed it all. He's not like my fears and doubts. He slowly and persistently makes the changes in us which he demands. He has already started changing my self-centered cold heart around, turning my face outwards and towards the pain of building relationships.

The scripture this poem is modelled on (Luke 6:20-26) starts with the words "Looking at his disciples, he said..." so this is definitely talking about us, not just those we meet.

Blesséd you poor, who can't pay the rent
Blesséd you mourners, who weep and repent
Blesséd you meek, lowly of heart
Blesséd those hungry to be set apart
Blesséd you with mercy, compassion and grace
Blesséd you pure, for you'll see His face
Blesséd the ones who pass on their peace
Blesséd those hated, they'll join in the feast

For you will rise up as kings in His hand
You will inherit the promised new land

But woe to you rich, in comfort, in warmth
Woe to the full with bellies a-paunch
Woe to you laughing in the joy of your bounty
Woe to you lauded all over the county

For you've had your comfort, you've lived your life well
Be broken to shame, and languish in Hell
(from The Beatitudes)

The Paradox of a Plentiful Poverty

2010-08-27T12:35:00.006+01:00

"There are two ways to be rich: One is to have much, the other is to want little."
St. John Chrysostom, 4th century

We're moving house. It wouldn't be much of a deal as our new house is only 560 yards down the road, were it not for the fact that there's 15 of us.

I live in a christian community, a brotherhood, a family of like-hearted friends. We worship and eat together, we go places together, and we annoy, forgive, and put up with each other, but essentially, we're a family.

Home

Anyway, back to the quote

Jesus' upside-down kingdom is full of paradoxes. One of these is how the relative poverty of the lifestyle we have chosen is married to the way we've been so richly blessed by God.

A few of us guys are taking our house move as an opportunity to declutter. We've challenged each other to be able to carry all our personal belongings to our new house on foot, in only one trip. We're also allowing each other the 'indulgence' of one black bin liner over the shoulder! Needless to say, this is apart from the shared household stuff we'll be taking with us (a sofa or two, a couple of hoovers, maybe the piano...).

Here's the paradox

We're incredibly honoured by how God's blessed us with the new house, which is pretty large.
Jesus' way was one of poverty. He didn't even have a sofa, let alone a piano.
We leave all and travel light, and we end up gaining all, never in need.

Jesus described the paradox with this promise:

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."
Mark 10:29-30 (NIV)

Are You Me? A Strange & Sublime Happening...

2010-08-19T11:38:00.007+01:00

I had a strange and sublime experience on Sunday night. At one point near the end of our evening service my friend (one of those whom I live with) put his hands on my shoulders and looked at me intently, smiling broadly.

"You ok?" He asked.
"Probably." I lied.
"You looked left!" He shot back, smiling more at this subconscious signal of fabrication.
It was true, I was kinda ok, but sort of wasn't really all ok. A bit of a mix.

Anyway, we got chatting that night in the kitchen after supper back at home, once everyone else had gone to bed. It was late, but I shared what I needed to and he unloaded a bit to me too. We laughed at embarrassing childhood memories, we enthused together about the future, about our passions and hopes, about where we find God leading us right now.

And the sublime experience? I didn't expect it, but at one point, half way through talking I momentarily forgot there was anyone other than me in the room.

"Hang on a second," I said to him, "I just forgot you were a different person!" In my mind, for a few seconds, I was so at ease and felt so known by him I may as well just have been chatting away to myself in the kitchen. It's like we were one person.

Didn't Jesus talk about oneness? Koinonia is one of the original Greek words that expresses this; it means 'communion by intimate participation'. I've found this 'New Testament Church' style sharing of lives to be most potently expressed in the residential Christian Community I'm part of. This is brotherhood.

However, it is very often a scary undertaking, because it means opening ourselves up to being let down. But it's worth it. Every penny.

Real And Wild - Gulping Down The Thunder

2010-08-12T16:07:00.028+01:00

So. That's it.

I've just started reabsorbing what it means to live in real life again after rolling around in the thunder of a generation gaining momentum. This was RAW, or 'Real And Wild', where 500 young folk got together to get wildly passionate about Jesus.

This is the first year we've taken the event outside of the midlands (Northants, UK), and this time we set up camp just outside of Birmingham, sharing little 'villages' of tents, festival style.

The mornings typically consisted of some pretty energetic and 'nitty gritty Christian living' workshops in our event marquee, the afternoons were an opportunity for us to run around Brum City serving the locals (painting fences/murals/faces) or simply sharing the gospel, while the evenings consisted of all 500 of us in the big tent, screamin our little heads off for Jesus, amongst other things.

I'm undecided on my personal highlight. My first one would be the simple 'brotherhood' supper scene back at Cornerstone house (where all the guys camped), sharing rice pud in the great hall, with hearty laughs and warm, honest conversation. My second highlight was hearing about 'the spirit of Uriah', a man who was passionately loyal to his comrades, his men stuck out in the battle. I want to be like that.

I've included below a snippet of the Friday evening's action in the RAW marquee. This was a 'spoken word' poem, and it challenged me to the core. Worthy of John Newton's pen, it's the call to leave all for Jesus:

Still we love to call ‘passion,’
What produces nothing lasting.
Only short-term feel good now transactions.
And the enemy was laughing.
Because no investments were happening.
Just good clean, fun, middle-class distractions.
But who will sever their attachments
To the thrills they hold so dear?
Find on earth no satisfaction
Unfilled by her affairs?
For it seems, only a fraction,
Flee ambition’s subtle snare.
And it seems only a fraction
Put a sword to their careers.
- “Peace! Peace!” You hear them cry,
(When peace, of course, was nowhere near).
“Don’t sing your songs of revolution!
Don’t sing of war and violence here!
Just lift your hands and close your eyes,
And dance your dance and love your lives,
Let gentle breeze and compromise
Replace the need for sacrifice.”
-But “War! War!” Is passion’s cry
When fire burns up every fear,
We sing the song of sacrifice,
We sing of death to old life here.

“Chill, Chill,”
The cowards cry,
(At threat of battle, soldiers ran)
The rest amused themselves to death
On DVD’s and Christian bands.
Where are the youth with martyr spirits,
Who bid their God to ruin plans?
Who scorn the good to gain what’s higher,
With broken wills and emptied hands,
Who stand against their own desires,
And do not dream the dreams of man,
Who put an end to their agendas
At the sound of His command.
When there’s no call to kneel and pray allured
By sweet and gentle song,
No friendly arm to soothe and sway
They still maintain the fear of God.
And ruthless love for Jesus’ Cause
Makes passion real and wild and deep.
Each to his sword, to put to death
All inward rivals that compete.
Because ….you are what you eat.
And you become what you feed.
So brethren, learn to shut doors,
Endure and, learn to delete
Those numbers from your phone
Because he’d love to keep you home,
In silence and in comfort
At ease and alone
But “War! War!” Our passion’s cry,
Let fire burn up every fear
We lay our lives down for tomorrow,
At the cost of all that’s dear.

Here's a couple of other blog reports from folk that were there:

Live at “Real and Wild” (Jots & Tittles)
Real And Wild behind the scenes (Raecheybaby's Blog)

I Refuse

2010-07-27T13:03:00.001+01:00

I refuse to believe
I am but the sum of my genes
Although that be millions

I refuse to believe
Love is just a chemical assault
On mushy grey matter

I refuse to believe
Wholeness is abstract, perfection imperfect
For why do we strive?

I refuse to believe
Chance created simplicity
Of infinite complexity

I refuse to believe
Man ever was original and that God,
Pure perfection, is dead

Jesus Army's Big London Stomp

2010-07-21T14:56:00.003+01:00

1100 of us went stomping in London last Saturday. This was the Jesus Army's annual noisy, colourful 'London Day', when we took our passion to the streets of the Capital. It's one of our major opportunities in the year to demonstrate that God is alive today, and so is His Church.

Here's a snippet of the passion:

More photos on Flickr here.

Personally, these days for me create that rare mixture of thrill and downright tiredness! It's the thrill at being part of such an amazing calling, part of such an amazing people that reach out to such a lost world, and it's the tiredness at being on my feet, setting up props and dancing for several hours! I'm rarely as tired as at the end of one of these days, but boy, as the song goes, 'I wouldn't have it any other way'!

A Solid Hope

2010-07-13T10:00:00.006+01:00

These heavy eyes seem dazed
And in this seeming haze I see a day
On the distant horizon
When tears will be joy not pain
These eyes will learn to see again
And as we live in shaky days we realise
On the Jesus path truth pays
Cos we live for eternity
And on that great day we'll turn and see
Throughout our history and our present mysteries
God's held us strong
Be not cast down with misery!
Pressing times will come down the line
But together we'll move on,
Things turn around.
This crown of covenant holds us
And though the sea's divided
We've decided with Jesus
That through loss or pain we'll remain
And be the Kingdom He died to gain

Life is full of sorrows and tears, it appears
That we don't know what tomorrow will bring
But as we push though our sin
The imperfections within begin to dim
And in His Name we conquer and win
So easy to get disheartened, down
Not wearing His victor's crown
Who holds us bound?
And the devilish doubts resound.
But God's got bigger plans;
As we stand a flame is fanned
Fertilising what we thought was barren land
So all is not lost but comes at a cost
To which we must move on through the son
Who began it at the cross.

A year or so ago a dear friend, who'd lived and worked with us had to leave us for his homeland. As a farewell gift we wrote, recorded and mixed a rap for him, and shipped it over the seas to Malaysia on a CD. We're no gangstaz, but he appreciated the novel and heartfelt gift.

Above is a snippet of that hope-filled poem (not my own writing). It speaks to me of the overruling hope of God, right in the middle of our deepest losses and doubts.

Let's beat up a lion, yeah!

2010-07-07T16:32:00.001+01:00

Photo from the walk

We went gamboling in the woods on Monday night. Six of us chaps chipped off in a car to our (secret) wooded valley and set about collecting firewood. Sprinting down the winding leafy path over bridges and under vines I felt like some jungle warrior, hunting lions or bears, or something. Grrr. On my way back, victoriously lugging my quarry (a log seat) through the woods to our bracken-cushioned spot, we were audaciously ambushed by another squadron of friends who’d come to join us to steal our burgers! Well, actually they joined us for fellowship, but that’s how it started when we met.

We call these our DGBs, or ‘Disciple Grow Bands’. We get together in these small groups a few times a year, meeting with others in similar situations (single blokes met with single blokes, married women with other married women etc). It’s a spiffing opportunity for heart talk, to get a perspective on life and feel supported by others of one’s own ilk.

Anyway, sitting on the aforementioned log with a couple of my closest ‘bros’, gazing into the crackling flames, Andy sitting next to me mused “this is what it’s all about, isn’t it?” This is what it’s all about, I agreed. This is Church! This is it. Friends, relaxed with one another and with God, sharing together and asking the difficult (and needful) questions, and praying for one another with genuine, unhidden concern & love. It's also about a good burger.
Ok, that bit's not theologically correct, but hey!

This is pretty much the core of what we’re about; as we call ourselves the Jesus Fellowship. It’s so good to be part of a brotherhood. I have ‘brothers’ who I know would walk the length of the country for me; I’d do the same for them. That’s rare. That's the Kingdom.

Everyone wants a revolution?

2010-07-02T11:35:00.003+01:00

To follow on from my Conformist Revolutionary? post a few weeks ago, I thought I'd share this.

Celebration of v2.0

2010-06-25T13:55:00.003+01:00

English countryside. A hill. Orchards, cows and a canal running in the valley below. Top of the hill, farm buildings. Tall pine trees, a farmhouse. A victorian red bricked farmhouse, a long treelined driveway up the hill. The lights are on, people on the grass outside. Lots of people. Let's go inside.
A racket fills the air! What's this? They're singing! Drums, guitars, and happy faces. Sixty, no, eighty happy faces. People sitting, standing around, empty dinner plates. What a party! And we do it every week.

This is our weekly friendship meal, and it's not always as raucus as I've described. Last night, we met in this fashion, and Simeon and I (who led the evening mealtime) both felt that a "new creation celebration" was God's intended theme for the night.

After the meal I spoke about birthdays. The first man to be born, Adam, the original human, was the pinnacle of creation, the father of humanity. Of course he and his Misses mucked up; that's simply 'free-will' in action. In stepped Jesus, as a "new Adam". Jesus is God. He is also human v2.0. He's the new example to live up to, and in him, a whole new family was born, a new culture. That's what we celebrated last night, the birth of a new, different culture. We celebrated that we don't have to aspire to the damagingly selfish norms of lifestyle we see all around us, but rather be made into v2.0 humans.

Jesus said anyone could join in, anyone could find freedom. Jump in.

Thank God; they nearly died

2010-06-15T13:07:00.004+01:00

Shock. Do you know the feeling? The cold shiver down the spine when you hear the sudden bad news, the chilling stillness, an empty, quiet hole waiting to be filled with grief...

An email popped into my inbox on Friday:

Danny Driscoll and Ian Jolly involved in car crash on A5. Ian is walking. Danny being cut out of the car.
No more info yet since 8.54am.

I know both these chaps. A dog stepped out into the road, and Danny swerved at 60mph and hit Ian, travelling in his van in the opposite direction at 50mph. That's a combined speed of 110mph! Miraculously after prayers from most of the Church, Ian walked out of his van, and once Danny was cut out and taken to hospital (the car was a mangled wreck, seatbelt snapped, both vehicles written off), the hospital reported no broken bones! They're both recovering well, but they nearly died.

Listening to Bebo Norman's 'One Bright Hour'(click to listen) about God's hope in our sorrow inspired me to write my own poem:

I heard the news the other day
Your only Son was swept away
He drained the dirt of death from broken Earth.
The beautiful catastrophe
Your bleeding heart hooked on a tree
Your bitter wrath was melt to molten love

I heard the news the other day
My brother nearly rent away
Did you require our hearts to break so suddenly?
Our silent prayers of grief turned to
A thankfulness and trust in You
Again we see your Father's love for sons.

Thankyou, Father, for the power of brotherhood.

Conformist Revolutionaries? Sitting Rats?

2010-06-14T09:18:00.006+01:00

I rant against poxy revolutionaries. My remonstration’s rising.

Almost all revolutions have been militarily orientated:

The repressed rise up against their repressors, become the new repressors in a new order and in turn end up repressing. The old world system of death, poverty and the inequality of filthy riches can’t be overcome by a mere shuffling of the social cards.

The basic values of communism, of defying the West’s self centered lifestyle by sharing as a ‘commune’ for the common good was a great idea, but the human heart remained the same. Selfishness set in, millions died for and because of the cause though only a few really gained. Not good for the people, or the cause; a complete massacre. People ended up rebelling against the horrors of communism, hence another revolt.
Rats in the ratrace stopped running. But they were still rats.

So, what’s needed? In steps Jesus.

In steps Jesus into our heart, turning it one hundred and eighty degrees, a total turn around from our nature to his, changed from the core outwards. Firstly, this is a revolution of the heart, and irrepressibly springing from that is a revolution of lifestyle. This Jesus Revolution is a revolutionary revolution in that it’s completely different to any other. Gain by giving. Lower yourself, learn to walk humbly with others, preferring other people to yourself, and others will do the same for you. Leaders serve, wash their follower’s feet. This is a revolution that wins by the love of the changed hearts it is carried in. Therefore, death for this cause is of value because it is a potently altruistic love that completely gives up itself for others- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends (words of Jesus)”. Altruism beats egotism.

However, so many Christians who claim to walk this path, who would sincerely say they live for Jesus, are mere 'hobbyist revolutionaries', to whom the health of their local church is not an issue of life or death to them but merely a decent idea. Fight the evil one by living completely outside of his dominion, and live wholly for God: in lifestyle, with all your money and in every spare minute of the day. Calling others out into Gods’ counter-culture where it’s not ‘me’ but ‘us’, not ‘mine’ but ‘ours’, not ‘my life to live’ but Christ’s. This is called the revolutionary Jesus brotherhood culture, and it goes deeper than any other bonds of friendship.

You’ll settle with a new year’s resolution, a little bettering of yourself? Something to make you feel nice?

Sorry we only do revolutions.

All or nothing.

So, who pays for all this?

2010-06-07T08:55:00.004+01:00

"If we really loved like Jesus does, capitalism would be impossible and Marxism would be unnecessary."
Shane Claiborne

So, who pays for all this? That was the question I was asked recently. I've been asked that a few times.

I'll explain. A friend, visiting from Nigeria for the annual Multiply Leader's Conference, asked this about our shared lifestyle, namely New Creation Chrisitan Community.

Sitting around after Thursday night's BBQ at my house, with 50 or so friends and family milling around in the cool of the evening, he asked the question. "Who pays for all this?". The Multiply delegates had been touring around some of our Church-run businesses, and staying with us in our houses for a few days. "Well, we do!" was the simple reply.

Visiting one of the Jesus Fellowship's businesses, TBS.

Sometimes, it takes an outsider's perspective to bring home to us again just how amazing this 'Acts 2' based lifestyle is, sharing our houses and meals, our friendship and money, our joys and our tears. So easily we lose sight of the preciousness of what we daily demonstrate in a selfish world.

I love it!

Cool air, warm heart

2010-05-31T20:24:00.004+01:00

Tonight, the air is cool. I've eked out a little niche in the bustle of life, simply to sit, and listen. I'm sat in the office of the countryside Christian Community house where I live (River Farm), with the glowing, fading, washed blue light of dusk. It's time to reflect.

Photo courtesy of the earth says hello

This weekend's Jesus Army big bash, a marquee based festival, has been full on.

For me the weekend's highlights included co-running our 13s-19s youth group, 'JA Youth', in which we made bread and soup, made tables (we actually made them, didn't just lay cutlery), and shared a communion meal together. A food fight was narrowly avoided. Such is our youth!
The worship in the events was raucously sublime (seriously, I still think I'm under-exaggerating), with a few new, catchy, passionate songs, reflecting on God's wonderfulness in the face of our weakness.
The most encouraging aspect of all, though, was the air of unity, the sense of a shared purpose amongst us all in that marquee.

So, this may be the last happy-tiredness I feel before properly commencing the frenzied preparations for Real And Wild (our proper big youth event in August), and I'd just like to say I'm overwhelmed to be living this life for Jesus, amongst the company of such close friends, brothers.

By the way, my first blog post on this blog, from March, featured in the latest edition of Jesus Life, the Jesus Army's mag! See it here (near the back).

Join in.

Well done, faithful servant

2010-05-20T12:09:00.013+01:00

In Noel's passing we're immensely honoured to be led by him first-hand, and though we’ve lost a stalwart friend we’re glad at his present peace. There have been some good things happening amongst the pain, the Spirit is at work in the lives of some of our future men and women of God and we are gaining momentum in our hearts.

I wrote these words as part of a newsletter report from the Church household Noel Stanton was a part of. Noel was the senior pastor of our Church, the Jesus Army. Today, I seek to explore who he was. Possibly the best way of doing this is to look at what his life produced.

For some forty years, after powerfully receiving the Holy Spirit, he tirelessly led the work of God in turning a tired, reserved, small baptist congregation into a national, colourful (otherwise known as 'brash'!), and fairly lively brotherhood Church. This brotherhood-sharing aspect (or 'koinonia' in the NT Greek) led us out of a new-found love for one another to embark on a shared lifestyle, obeying Jesus' call to "go, sell all you have" (Mk 10:21-30). Many of us (though not all) live together in houses around the UK. Many also work together, earning money to advance the work we do.

His repeated emphasis on the gospel was that it is especially for 'the humble poor'. To this end Jesus Centres have been appearing in several cities and towns throughout the UK. These charitable centres daily serve those who've seen the worst of life.

Noel was a leader of the rarest kind- a fiery yet compassionate man, enduring grief and success with the same tenacity of vision. He spent his life well.

Speaking to a new friend recently about what we've become, I decided we're a bit like a cross between the Salvation Army, a Charismatic church, and a monastery! What would that be called- 'The Army of Charismatic Monks'?!

And the photo? That was taken in the back garden of NC Farm, the community house where Noel lived. We were practising for our annual 'London Day' gospel event on Trafalgar Square, London. I remember seeing Noel looking out of his window, beaming, glad at the strength of the young men of this Church, brought together and shaped by the Holy Spirit, through him and many others over the years.

More? Check out our website or read our story- Fire In Our Hearts.

RAW (Real And Wild) wallpaper

2010-05-13T17:01:00.008+01:00

I just thought I'd share something I've made, a little fruit of the creative twig of my personality.

Click for full size 1280x1024 wallpaper.

It's my version of the Real And Wild wallpaper. See the official RAW wallpapers here.

Jesus Ran Away - a provocative poem

2010-05-11T17:13:00.012+01:00

I wrote this late last year in response to Derek Webb's 'Rich Young Ruler' song. It's a call to love, in response to Jesu's words in Matthew 25:33-46.

He rose from dead, ascended high,
And then he ran away;
He's gone to live with those who die,
With those who've lost their way.
He's hid down streets, he's hid in squats,
The red lights chief locale,
He's hid amongst the poor have-nots,
Refuse of Shopping Mall.
He smells of puke and stale beer,
Behind every broken door
He's in the pub, he's lost in care
Go touch him among the poor

And every day he’s begging us
“Come to my poor district;
My council soon will repossess;
My life’s in deficit.
I should be in hospital,
I've got a dirty gash.
I’m in the tip; I'm in the gaol;
I’m rooting through your trash.
I work all night and hide all day,
I’m a mum who’s been through hell.
I’ve been abused; a rejected gay;
My people – make me well.”

Whate'r you do to the least of these,
Sons, daughters, loved by me
I take it done to me, the Lord
So set my children free.

Our Mini RAW (Real And Wild) event

2010-05-04T14:22:00.011+01:00

A couple of weekends ago, roughly 40 of us young lads held our own mini-RAW.
(For details on the big Jesus Army Real And Wild event, click here)

Here's a few of the photos:

Friday afternoon - setting up
By camping together at NC Farm (one of our largest residential community houses), we got a taste of what it's gonna be like in the big RAW event in Birmingham.

Friday 10pm-3am
On Friday night we kicked things off by heading off into London's Leicester Square for a spot of street outreach. We gave out hot choc & cake, prayed for people, handed out red crosses (surprisingly popular) and sang request songs to passers-by!

Saturday all day
The weekend combined physical challenge (lads love letting out the 'RAAARGH'!) with some spiritually strengthening stuff, including workshops in the morning.

Sunday 7:30am
Jesus' call to the cross was made central to the weekend, as we took turns to carry a heavy, rough wooden cross a couple of miles to...

...an over-water assault course!

...which we had to complete (successfully or wetfully) to get our breakfast.

So, all in all, a well worthwhile weekend. The morale was upbeat, the challenge was stark and the fun was fantastic. Tired but inspired, as they say.

So, roll on Real And Wild 2010.

I salute you, Michael Gilbert

2010-04-26T22:49:00.007+01:00

This will break your heart.

My distressed response to the shocking news about the repeated torture and murder of the vulnerable 26 year old Michael Gilbert turned to utter amazement and respect when I read what his abusers said about him.

Read the full BBC article here

He'd met one of his captors at the age of 15 in a children's home, and after moving in with that 'friend', he was kept as a domestic slave by the family and tortured for his benefit payments. This led to him being made to stand in boiling water, dropped on his head, forced to drink his own urine and handcuffed to his bed at night to prevent his escape. His headless, dismembered body was found in a Bedfordshire lake in May 2009.

The thing that got me between the eyes, though, was what one of his abusers, Richard Watt (who pleaded guilty) said of their victim, Michael:

One day I said to him 'why are you putting up with it?' and he said to me 'I love you lot, you are my family'

That's stunning.

That's exactly the kind of person who Jesus said would inherit the Kingdom.
Although coming from a vulnerable person, that's exactly the kind of searingly pure love that mirrors, and breaks God's heart.
That response to our depravity is exactly the kind of heart that Jesus had.
That's exactly what compels me to live for the lost, those without a chance, those who, like Michael, are in need and know it.
That's exactly who the Jesus Army fight for.

And I salute you, Michael Gilbert.

Rich pauper

2010-04-20T12:49:00.019+01:00

The Kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town

And the kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?
Jon Foreman - Your Love Is Strong - listen to it now.

This is a beautiful song based on Jesus' prayer, his words on not fretting about our earthly needs but rather trusting the Father, and on giving our all for the Kingdom. (See refs here and here).

View Larger Map

I live on a large farm (about 120 acres, above), owned by the Jesus Army's New Creation Christian Community I'm part of. Last summer, walking through the grounds towards the large Victorian farmhouse, between a field of poplar saplings on one side and a dense apple orchard on the other, on my way to meet some good friends (I think of my friends as brothers or sisters) I realised again what immense richness we've found together from losing everything for Jesus.

I've grown up knowing the words of Jesus, things like "seek first the Kingdom, and everything will be added to you", and "don't worry about what you're going to wear or eat", but in that moment, I relaised that I could never have studied and worked hard enough to buy for myself the incredible richness of relationships, and all the lands, houses, businesses, and more, that we corporately own as a Community Church. It's only come about because I and others with me have given up our lives for Jesus, seeking to live in relative simplicity to the world around us, and he's proven doubly faithful in his promise to look after us.

And the bit about not worrying what you're going to wear? I needed some new jeans a few months ago, so I prayed for some and thought nothing more of it. On a whim one evening I asked a friend if he had any spare jeans, and he said he was trying to give away a pair, which were exactly my size! Thanks Jesus.

Legally, I own nothing myself (well, maybe my toothbrush), yet I feel like the richest man on the planet!

Final words from Jesus:

²⁸And Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed you." ²⁹And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.
(Luke 18 - ESV)

Brotherhood? Què?

2010-04-19T16:56:00.012+01:00

A Christian brother is...

Someone to set my moral standard by
A character to aspire to
No personal preferential treatment- my brother is as important as me
Someone you can shout at in frustration, and still be friends
Someone you can't help being yourself with
Co-worker
Shoulder for strength, a leaning post
Someone worth living and enduring for
And fighting for
And worth making a bed for at 3 in the morning after a long, hard day, when they visit
Someone to laugh with round simmering bonfire embers until dawn
Someone worth spending everything on, including energy and time

Being part of the Jesus-family, living for others is the most fulfilling life. There's no Brotherhood like the Jesus Brotherhood.

Jesu' calls

2010-04-12T12:23:00.015+01:00

...Jesus' original followers were a ragged crowd – illiterate bumpkins mainly. Life’s rejects; the wrong sort of people.
(from the Jesus Army Blog)

So here's a poem.

   Simon you Zealot,
   You Nationalist bigot
   You burn with a passion
   To kick out the foreign.
   "Come" Jesu' calls
   A look of confusion
   Then sudden amazement
   "I'll follow you"

   Matthew, you swindler
   You trickster and traitor
   Your trade is to cheat
   Soaked in deceit.
   "Come" Jesu' calls
   A look of confusion
   Then sudden amazement
   "I'll follow you"

   You, young rich ruler
   Morally superior
   You're honest and eager
   To inherit the Kingdom
   "Sell" Jesu' calls
   A look of confusion
   Then suddenly downcast
   You walk away

   Lazarus you friend
   Tragically entombed
   Your sisters are grieving
   "If only Jesu'd come soon!"
   "Live" Jesu' calls
   Looks of confusion
   Then sudden amazement
   You walk into the open

   And me?
   "Come, sell, live" You call
   My look of perplexion
   Then sudden amazement
   Me? I'll follow You.

Mud and canvas

2010-03-30T23:59:00.014+01:00

I've been getting muddy all this week. It's in preperation for our Church's thrice-yearly Bank holiday bash in our 'goldern' marquee. Well, the canvas is up, the carpets are nailed down, the chairs are all in and mud kept at bay (hopefully).

There's something special about being part of a team of guys who are all part of a cause they're passionate about enough to be working their socks off for. We don't get paid for this (except teabreaks!). It's something rare, and is often only found (in a fleeting, lesser form) in the army, football terraces etc. It's unity, the kind Jesus prayed for.

So we're nearly ready to receive the swarm of techies on Tuesday and Friday, then a thousand or so people for a celebratory, potent, modern Jesus Army style weekend together!

Will I be seeing you there? It's gonna be good.

Rising Generation

2010-03-26T15:52:00.018Z

Although a particular man-made doctrinal construction may have been considered as 'orthodox' by one generation, it will need to be reestablished by the next if it is to regain and maintain credibility and usage.
From the Tallskinnikiwi blog, defending the emerging church

Recently, after leaving a youth gathering with the Jesus Army, I tweeted "Phenomenal! Just left a gatherin of 80 on-fire-4-Jesus youth. God's presence powerful, we took ground in faith 4 #realandwild".

We'd been worshipping, battle-praying, and generally getting fired up for a summer jam-packed with our flavour of gospel, multimedia, evangelistic events. The atmosphere? I'd describe it as the roar of a train through a tunnel, God's presence was so with us, and we all felt it.

Which brings me back to my first quote by Tinysmallkiwi, above. The first generations of our Church gave a phenomenal amount for an amazing vision, particularly for residential christian community, our all-things-in-common lifestyle.

The culture is now in place, but the cogs seem to be running maybe too smoothly these days. To us in the third generation of this Church movement, it can seem that maintenance is our only objective. More and more, we're seeing the need to give ourselves wholeheartedly to wherever our God-pointed feet take us.

God is taking this generation forward. He's challenging us to have a faith with which we will invest all our substance in His Kingdom.

Exciting times.