“Our world is a digital one – and today’s children are consummate consumers! In this area particularly our children need our wisdom, guidance and – sometimes – protection. Care for the Family and the Romance Academy have teamed up to bring you this seminar full of top tips and practical advice: cutting edge information – and biblical wisdom.”
I was interviewed at the start of this seminar, having had a chance to meet Katharine the day before. I had that she’d been recommending my book to anyone who will listen in seminars over the previous couple of weeks, and a lot of the session is built around my book – so download and enjoy!
Last night I put together a simple online service for Easter Sunday afternoon (join us 1pm) – I was tempted to add this – my favourite song from Spring Harvest this year, but there’s already quite a lot of song, so… :
Today’s poem focuses upon the Cross, and the complacency that so many of us of us have towards it because of its familiarity – and an encouragement to re-engage with its mystery:
Mysterious cross,
you hold my stare, reflect it back.
your unfathomable eyes, like the blackest
of holes,
draw me in, draw me deep.
As we were preparing the video material for this, Stephen drew our attention to a small/quiet Cross in Durham Cathedral, that many don’t notice – the sabachthani cross… see him in front of it in this video, and earlier in the series, he reflected that there are also many people that we don’t notice… (again, this was done in front of the cross).
At Spring Harvest final Big Top celebration this morning – the Cross that had been there all week, appeared to come more sharply into focus as we prepared for communion …
and I still remember the beginning of the week, when a cross covered in denim jeans pockets was placed, and people encouraged to place the things that got in the way of their confidence into the pockets – literally on the cross…
#Do1NiceThing: Put spare change in a charity box // still remembering my Tearfund charity box..
Maggi Dawn
Maggi (in Giving it Up) encourages us to spend time at the Cross … there’s a time for mourning (which are today/tomorrow), and then Sunday we celebrate the resurrection. A powerful discussion of religious art, and the way that it encourages us not to engage with the true pain of the crucifixion, and what a torturous method of death it was [I’m thinking of Mel Gibson’s The Passion].. and to check out the work of Brazilian Sculptor Guido Rocha ‘The Tortured Christ‘.
Christianity is not comfortable, conventional or respectable – and can be painful – are we prepared to take this on?
Twice this week, I’ve partaken in a mini-‘drama’ in which we hold our arms out in a Christlike pose, and look down at the crowds below, to the left/right to see the other’s hanging there, then up to God, then down with ‘It is Finished’ – powerful – and surprisingly painful to hold your arms up – so the thought of how powerful that would be with no chance to put arms down with nails driven through… that’s still resonating with me as I approach home via a long train journey…
#EasterMeans
There’s a number of people posting what #eastermeans to them on Twitter over this weekend – I’d encourage you to join in, and share ..
Today’s lecture “There’s no place for faith in our public life” at Spring Harvest (Minehead 3), around 100 people attended, and got some good engagement going (I missed out the middle discussion). The abstract said
Some people now argue that, because we’re living a post-Christian secular culture, Christians shouldn’t be allowed a voice in discussions on public policy issues. This lecture looks at our Christian heritage, the way society now views the Christian faith, and what the Church has to say in the realm of politics, the law, and debate on the big ethical issues.
