Aftermath

We finished off the Supersize Me series with the final serving: Holiness or Happy Meal? It really reminded me of the significance of Jesus 30 odd years on earth. Its true Jesus died for us - but he also lived for us. The holiness of the "I AM" of the OT, unapproachable in his "otherness", incarnate in human flesh. Holiness with skin on. Those years in human flesh were a big part of what God did for us in Jesus.

Anyways, you get the full sermon at bjonline.com...actually, thats just not true, but its my blog and I will mislead if I want to...

I got to pray with a new guy who turned up and gave his life to Christ. Pretty cool.

Saturday was the funeral for my cousin. It seemed like the whole town turned up. A sobering time. He was 40. Bizarre moment of the day was the woman who was taking the Taikwando class with him, sharing about the actual moment of his death, including the whole CPR thing. You could sense everyone willing her to shut up. Anyway, the moment was saved by the posthumous awarding of his black belt, which was, strangely, the most poignant moment of the service.

A "day off" today with it being Labour Day. I think that means "hard labour" day! We've got to start packing this house up. Still the sun is shining and there will no doubt be a time to rest...

Rhys is finally well, so am looking for some quality play time!

Jonesboy

Bothered

Its been a strange week. Lots of good things but as the week winds down it is the negatives playing on my mind. Maybe its the tail end of 'flu and associated exhaustion!

So my cousin's husband drops dead on Tuesday night. 40 years old and no history. Funeral is Saturday. Definitely one of the toughies to understand. Looking for the redemptive lining to the tragedy cloud.

Had a difficult conflict situation land on me this afternoon. Not from within the church, but one of those external relationships where people treat the church in an unjust way and you have to walk the truth v grace line. I'm sure they would have preferred we just buckle, but when people are abusing a relationship with mutual obligations I do feel compelled to "tell the truth". We'll see what happens next. Personally, i just hate that stuff: the whole situation could have been avoided with proper communication.

Then there is the Methodist Church's continuing flirtation with radical liberal theology. Actually its worse than that: I think its been long consumated. But with the prospect of a lesbian President being appointed to lead the church in 2007, there are the inevitable echoes back to 2000 and our "involuntary church plant" out of the Methodist Church. Of course we get asked to comment and thats another linewalking exercise.

Anyway, I'm just bleating. Tomorrow is a sleep in.

Jonesbleat

You Want Fries With That?

So, this is like a peer-pressure blog. Cos Rhett asked me if I had updated at church tonight. And so I'm feeling the pressure. This is the same Rhett who told me that my preaching tonight and last week was like watching paint dry...he was being droll: there has been an artist painting an aspect of the Holy Spirit while I preach.

Tonight it was the Holy Spirit as oil...so it was kind of appropriate in a deep fried kind of way that topic was: You Want Fries With That? This week was all about the Holy Spirit as giver of gifts and so we wandered through 1 Corinthians 12. Actually, it was pretty cool - we had a number of people respond afterwards who came forward to be anointed with oil for healing. There were also a good number of "personal impact" comments afterwards.

The irony was that I have the 'flu. So thank you Holy Spirit for energy and empowering.

Which is the real reason I am blogging: I am home early to rest and recuperate, while the faithful Powell's lock down the PAC. Nice.

This weekend has been significant for the interviews we've been doing with nominees to our Oversight Group. Very awesome people we've been meeting with. I'm sitting there thinking: how cool I get these people to lead me and lead with me. I like the church a lot.

Jonesboogie

Makeover

So I'm trying to get this new template organised...I like the colours and stuff but all my links are at the bottom. This is annoying because when I preview the template, while editing, it all looks fine. Then there's the annoying fact that my comment facility only seems to show if I actually access the post itself as a single page. Unless it shows the enabled comments with this new post which is possible. Annoying. Anyone got any ideas?

Supersized

Sunday night was another cool time with the people of the cessioncommunity. Personally, I felt somewhat dazed after the energy-sapping preparation and execution that goes into a funeral (the day before). But God was good and people seemed to get touched. Had a number of conversations afterwards that left me in no doubt that God was doing what he does. I even got an email the next day which was so encouraging after the week that was:

"Just felt to let you know what a wonderful job you are doing. Last night was incredible and really impacted me with the worship and the message. I just wanted to encourage you by sharing how great last night was."

Six months ago I didn't even know this person and they were not connected to a church community.

There were 2 dramas that just left me gasping for air - one right before the message - it was so well performed and hilarious, I really didn't know what I was going to say - and what's more the guy, who'd been doing this monolgue, just stayed sitting at the table he was at drinking coffee - so I'm like if I pray maybe he'll be gone by the time I finish?! It was cool to have Dave paint a picture during my message - fire - reflecting the Supersize Me series on the Holy Spirit that we're doing.

The funeral. This was one of those mixed experiences. I have never conducted a funeral and so was pleased to be sharing it with the Anglican pastor. But in having to do the message and the committal at the crematorium, I felt that I had the most impacting roles to play. The church was full. People from all kinds of backgrounds. Even some friends of mine from school days who were somewhat taken aback by my role in the occasion. I preached a short, but what I felt was prompted, message on the juxtaposition of Psalms 22 and 23 and the twin poles of hope and despair around which we humans live our lives. And the amazing thing was: many people seemed to be touched by God in this most unlikely of places. Actually, I was overwhelmed at the response. Much to pray about as I continue to journey with these people - old and new relationships with the opportunity to be a part of what God has planned for their lives.

Jonesboy

Blogging Slump

I seem to be in a blogging slump! Actually, I think its just a general slump. Feeling a bit listless and lacking. A few early nights may be in order.

Am in the middle of planning a funeral for a family friend. The big "C". I'm tag teaming with the local Anglican minister. Actually, I'm more than happy for him to carry it, but somehow I've ended up with the message...he's an experienced pastor! It will make for an interesting (read: I'm not sure what to expect) day - this is the church that Claire's funeral took place in. Here's something even spookier - he died in the same room as Claire did at the hospice.

I had the privilege of sharing with the man during his illness. According to his wife it helped him make his peace with God. I hope so.

Today was the day off - spent with Claire's sisters kids - my nieces and nephew. A monster game of Monopoly was the main attraction. They are sharp Monopoly players those kids!

So tonight was to be date night but my wife is sharing it with another woman - our friend is in labour...

A strangely poignant day of life and death. And Rockstar INXS. Yes I know who won but it doesn't stop me supporting the other guy...