Election Fever?

So elections are coming on us again in 6 weeks, but with Northern Ireland having the lowest turnout of 18-35s at around 33% it seems our generation have given up on politics. To be honest its not hard to see why: politicians more interested in point scoring than doing anything, arguing over minutiae while Peter Hain forces through all sorts of stuff our politicians wouldn't allow if they were in power. The death of David Ervine was a further blow depriving us of someone who despite his past was trying to look forward and show some leadership.

We look around waiting for leadership and there doesn't seem to be any on show that's too appealing. 80 year old Big Ian with Martin as his deputy doesn't exactly promise solid long term leadership in many peoples eyes. We need a restoration of hope, we need people of vision to step up to the mark and paint a picture of the future as opposed to the past that makes us say 'yes'. But maybe we also need to step up to the mark and make our voices count. If that other 60 odd percent of the 18-35's out there voted - it can and will make a difference. In fact if all the middle of the road voters who keep complaining about the extremism of politics voiced their opinion at the ballot box and not just over dinner - who knows what the political landscape could be? A Green Party First Minister? A friend recently commented that election day is the day when the people are sovereign - not the government. Its the day when we can make our voice count positively and be a part of creating a hopeful future for this beautiful yet scarred corner of Ireland. (And if when they are elected you badger them with a few letters you'll be surprised just what they will do!)

What is your vision of the future for Northern Ireland? What are the big issues for you?

Glory

Chelsea winning three titles in a row with players that weren't £30m flops, lifting that trophy to the adulation of thousands...

glory. One of those words that's used in lots of different ways. Growing up in a christian environment its one i heard a lot of but never really understood what it was.

Christians talk a lot about glory, but sometimes I wonder if we really know what were talking about (like a lot of things). If you checked out the dictionary link there you'll see how the dictionary doesn't seem to be sure what it means either with 14 defintions.
Some people use it to mean heaven, but mostly we refer to God’s glory. It’s an idea the bible is full of. Jesus is the revelation of God’s glory. John in his gospel talks about how we have seen his glory. But what does that mean? So often God’s glory seems to be an ereathral concept. It seems to me that God gets glory when we recognise his greatness, goodness, mercy, justice, compassion – when we begin to recognise God for who he is, he is ‘glorified’. God's glory seems to involve recognising his character and his character being displayed. So it seems to me that when we talk about wanting to see Gods glory, or for his glory to fill the earth, instead of looking for some weird shining light to eminate from everything maybe we need to not miss the ways God's glory is already present. In small acts of kindness and compassion. In fighting for justice for the oppressed. In giving hope. In freeing people from guilt and duty to embrace the life and potential God gives. In a smile.
Is it possible that when we reflect God’s character – especially in ways so often we don’t notice, God’s glory is present?

Tom Cruise Scares Me

Heard this on The radio last night. You can listen to the complete version here

"Every generation tries to put its doctrine on a high shelf where the children cannot reach"

the lonely prophet speaks again... listen well

thoughts from a lonely prophet part one...

Walter Rauschenbusch (once referred to as a lonely prophet) is certainly not a name that trips off the tongue but this theologian was an important voice in the beginning of the 20th century. Several years pastoring a church beside the infamous 'Hell's Kitchen' area of New York (Gangs of New York territory) left an indelible mark on him and moved him to consider the social implications of the gospel. His book 'Christianity and the Social Crisis' is fascinating reading.


"The salt of the earth will do its work best if not stored in casks by itself but rubbed in evenly and generously where needed. "

This is obvious that grace must permeate society not be stored up.
So often people express a frustration of mine more succinctly than I ever could.

"The wiser leaders of Christianity do not desire to monopolise the services of Christian people for the churches, but rejoice in seeing the power of religion flow out in the service of justice and mercy. Religion is less an institution and more a diffused force than ever before..."

So often it seems our churches are geared towards maintaining their own programmes and getting people involved in those. You feel guilty if you're not committed to church stuff outside Sunday, yet often pastors and ministers forget that the job of the church is to release people to impact the world around us. To inspire us with faith, to get us believing the gospel again and to send us out to rub that salt in generously where it is needed, not in keeping it in countless 'church' activities. Now don't get me wrong. I passionately believe that the local church is the hope of the world, however we need to recognise with Mark Greene that the places we spend most of our time are the places that need our Christian service most...

"Services rendered to church get a higher religious rating than services rendered to the community, thus the religious value is taken out of the activities of the common man and the prophetic services to society"

The world is your oyster?

It frightening to think that in the 10 years since I have left school I have travelled more than my grandparents did in their entire lifetime. Nicked a cool site off Neil's blog where you can paint the parts of the world red that you've been to (great for all those members of the socialist workers party out there). Here's mine. Make your own here


Of course you may not know where half those places are but best way to learn is via competition, and here I unashamedly steal from zoomtard. See how many countries you can name - great way to while away the hours when you're supposed to be trying to understand John Hick's influence on religious pluralism. I have a high of 69 (after starting on 34) and obviously have no clue about asia, lets get some competition going...

While we're on the subject of maps, always good to check out the Peters Projection for a less Europe/America-centric and more accurate view of the world.