So, looking at the community that we’ll spend most time with:
The Ugandan village of Ogongora is a perfect example of what happens when a church is mobilised to care for the the physical and spiritual needs of those around it. In 2003 the community fled the village – as the rebels advanced. In 2005, after two years in camps, the residents returned. With they had nothing. Houses were burnt and destroyed. Crops, cattle and all livestock gone. All appeared lost.
What was left – by the grace of God – was hope, and the raw potential in the people to improve their own lives.
It sounds like Pastor Joseph will be one of the key people we’ll meet:
and look out for the stories of others: Grace, Elizabeth, Richard and Moses… and who will we meet during our time there? Apparently the second language in the country is English (although we’ll have a translator) so it’ll be great to hear stories of lives transformed directly from the people – and it will be interesting to see whether it will be relentlessly upbeat, or what challenges have been faced – even if not yet overcome…
I wanted to wish a Happy Christmas to everyone (as you may know, I only send Christmas cards to older relatives!), and as per usual, have been looking out for bits and pieces online to brighten up people’s Christmas! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year… I will be enjoying myself in Egypt (and yes, trying not to get eaten by sharks!)… having a ‘digital break’ for 2.5 weeks!! BTW, don’t you just love this shadow pic by 12baskets!!
The Birth of Jesus: Social Media Style
This year, it’s all about the Nativity, so here’s a great video (if you’re into social media, you’ll love it… if you speak Portuguese you’ll love it even more, but I think you’ll get it anyway edit: or we’ve now found an English version!)
Have you come across Natwivity yet?
Meet Joseph, he’s an ordinary guy with a pretty ordinary life. He’s in a relationship with Mary and works as a carpenter in Galilee. This young couple are about to receive some very un-ordinary news and begin an extraordinary journey – One that will change the world forever… (Join 1000s of others on Twitter, Facebook, Website)
Through the eyes of a child…
Cute kids acting out the story more your thing? This one’s very cute!!
Happy New Year and look forward to an excellent 2011…
2011 is the 400th anniversary since the publication of the King James Version of the Bible. Biblefresh is a movement of hundreds of churches, agencies, organisations, colleges and festivals which has a vision to reignite and re-enthuse the church in its passion for the Bible. For many in our churches the Bible has become tedious and toxic rather than treasured, trusted and true. The aim of the Biblefresh initiative is to encourage a greater confidence and passion for Scripture across the Church.
Biblefresh is asking churches to agree to raise the level of biblical understanding amongst their members by taking practical steps in four areas: Reading, Training, Translation and Experience, providing resources through the Biblefresh website, book, leaders guide and e-letters which will provide you with ideas as to how to fulfil development in all four areas.
The Big Read 2011
Alongside other projects, I am working on The Big Bible Project, which includes “The #BigRead2011″, part of Biblefresh. The Big Read involves meeting together in housegroups to read the Bible, making use of Tom Wright’s Lent for Everyone: Matthew (December 2010) with opportunities to go much bigger and much more creative and join in online (inter)nationally. From quiet sitting rooms with Bibles and books, to coffee shops and Internet chatrooms across the world…. Get involved!
The site ‘The Oatmeal‘ is awesome – a complete timesuck, but nearly every one makes me laugh! I think this set is so appropriate for students, I have decided to buy, and think will put up for students to look at in the first session of teaching…
speaking of Amazing Grace… (Tamara Lowe at Christ Fellowship). Loudly touted as the ’1 minute sermon’ – well, you know, don’t like to mislead people, so it’s the ’1 minute 42 seconds’ sermon – awesome!
What do I need to say – the link to this was triggered off by watching ‘Saved‘ earlier this evening, which is a comedy written by a non-Christian, which shows us FAR too much about Christian fundamentalism. Very cringy because it’s recognisable, but kinda so bad it’s funny!
Awesome video challenging us to think about the use of bottled water… I buy a couple of bottles each month to refill, maybe I should invest in a couple of refillables and some Milton
‘Let’s eat Grandma!’ or, ‘Let’s eat, Grandma!’ Punctuation saves lives is the name of this awesome group on Facebook – if you can’t see the difference between the 2 statements, then you seriously need to undertake some study skills sessions! There’s of course ‘Eat Shoots and Leaves‘, but I find the more amusing touch appropriate too, including the ‘Bad Grammar – The Way I Are‘ parody appearing above, and this one has also been highlighted.
Aside from the voices were a little deeper when I watched “the real thing” seems pretty accurate (thanks to @James McKenna for pointing this one out!).
A great video from “The Skits”, which we viewed as part of team training for Oak Hall this weekend. Find more of their videos on YouTube (and then buy some on DVDs for sharing within your communities!), check out their website.
I love watching the company “Cows“, who are based on Prince Edward Island (ringing any bells for you Anne of Green Gables lovers out there?), which started out as an ice cream shop, but so many people loved the subverted designs that the staff were wearing, that people kept asking to buy their t-shirts – so Cows now produces many clever designs. As I’ve been updating my Wishlist, these fit 2 of my current interests: Twitter and YouTube, and I think these would be awesome t-shirts to have! I ordered a skiing (tongue stuck to the pole) t-shirt many years ago, but it was always that bit too big… International postage wasn’t too bad.
Students at the University of Montreal prepared for a month for this dubbed version of the Black Eyed Peas ‘I Gotta Feeling’, had 2 rehearsals, 2 takes, and above is the 2nd take, done ALL the way through! CNN even picked it up!
I’ve just enjoyed watching this video on Sadler’s Wells Global Dance Contest, as a couple of my friends (Karen & Vicky) are in it. I think it’s a well thought out piece, and much better to see on video, than the various Facebook stills I’d seen! Clever!
Last Tweets
