Digital Ethnography: Wow!

Wow, this is really interesting!

Cricket: 20-20 at the Hampshire Rose Bowl

I've never been to a cricket match before, although I played once at school (I scored a six, got one run, and was then out!), read the full match report. Hampshire Hawks, 183; Middlesex Panthers 155! Woo... (and we had a very nice picnic!)

Wonder where the ball went?!

Brian Draper: Spiritual Intelligence: Book Launch

Sir John Whitmore endorses Brian Draper's new book "Spiritual Intelligence", launched at P&G Wells last night. Great speeches by both, great event, well hosted, well-attended (we were spilling out onto the streets).

• Read more about Brian on Echosounder
• Follow Brian Draper on Twitter: @echosounda
• Read a sample (PDF) chapter at Lion Hudson
• [edit 20th July] Launch Speech

Back Cover Info:

According to the author, Danah Zohar, we live in a 'spiritually dumb' culture - alienated from each other, too busy to take time to reflect, and trying desperately to juggle the myriad pulls and pushes of life without cracking up. How can we find meaning within the madness, hope within the hopelessness, reconciliation within ourselves and with our neighbour? In this book, Brian Draper asks how ordinary people, whether religious or not, can live on a daily basis with increasing wholeness and well-being - by using their spiritual intelligence.

First, we must 'awaken' to new possibilies so we can 'see the world afresh'. Next, we 'live the change', before we can finally 'pass it on'. Brian Draper's unique 'iconic' journey of transformation - through four stages, and four levels of depth will help you to find yourself with a whole, new way of being.

Endorsements: Douglas Coupland, Oliver James, The Bookseller, J.John, Sir John Whitmore, Dr Mark Stibbe, Peter S. Heslam.

Chris Moyles Talks Up Church

There's been several mentions of Chris Moyle's show the other day, where he was absolutely amazed to see people ENJOYING being Christians - clearly been going to the wrong churches!

Week 9: Know God

Do Christians Think?

"I can't believe in anything I can't understand" says one student to J John. On discovering that he studied agriculture, J John asked: "So, explain to me, how a black cow eats green grass and produces white milk"...

Many people think that Christians don't think because we don't think the way they expect us to think... [but we truly question what we believe, what's the point in believing in something if it won't stand up to scrutiny? Not that I have all the answers.. daily questions, and just being open to the possibilities]

Video

Who's your hero?

Why do we need heroes?

What would God look like to you?

Personal image (heavily marketed) makes or breaks "idols"

Yes, this week is a focus on Exodus 20: 4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Interview with Sam Blakey

Sam has been looking after the Press & Publicity for Just10, and often has letters published in The Times and local newspapers.

Sam had an understanding of God as a child, but once she got to university, she created a new life where she actively ignored God. Attending the funeral of a close friend at Christ Church she could feel God's hope and present, and over the next 24 hours decided to just "trust God and go with it".

Sam used the word 'amazing' quite a lot, which as she said, is what you tend to do when God is in your life. A year after she became a Christian, her husband, having watched The Passion of the Christ attended an Alpha course, and mid-way through, became a Christian.

Earlier this year, Sam's son was assualted in an unprovoked attack. Sam was so angry about this that she set out on a "journey of vengeance", and then realised (especially with the example of her son who was demonstrating forgiveness) that this was not how she, with God in her life, wanted to behave, and decided to forgive, at which she felt a burden lift.

Launches
The song "The Faltering Child" (re making choices), beautifully sung, written by Chris, head pianist! Brian Draper's book Spiritual Intelligence was launched, officially released this Friday... J John said the manuscript arrived on a day when he didn't really have time, started with a quick look, then read the whole thing in one sitting! [There was certainly a long queue for signed copies of the book at the end of the evening, I suspect Brian may have run out of copies!] The idea was created by Danah Zohar in Re-Wiring the Corporate Brain, and Brian wanted to build upon that with ideas from Ecclesiastes.

Back to J John
"If I had a photo of another woman in my wallet, should my wife just say, oh, that's OK, or should she be angry and demand to know who it is... if I was turning to that woman for advice, would my wife believe me when I said "I love you". "No, I would expect her to be hurt/angry - she has every right to demand that I keep myself for her. I want to, I love her, I made vows to her."

How does this relate to "no idols"
Idolatry = adultery to God, it's unfaithfulness, we have prostituted ourselves by bowing to idols.

We have a jealous God, he doesn't share his affection!

Capture God?
A child asked whether God was in the house (yes), in the kitchen (yes), in the marmalade jar (yes), and then clapped the lid on and said "Got Him". If we think we've "Got Him" in our hands, then we've lost touch with him... God can't easily be captured.

We can't chisel, paint or any other sensory form... all will depict Him as less than He truly is.

Some argue that such things are aids to worship, but such aids tend to become the objects of worship themselves.

So what is idolatry?

Any value, activity or idea that you place above God. In the modern world we are focused upon such things as physical beauty, sex, power, etc.

We should be reminded, as the Greeks were "Do not make of yourself an idol", when it was all about perfection of the human form... we now have Barbie and Ken (and Barbie's proportions are impossible for a woman to achieve!).

Every morning, some people "bow down" to peer at the weight on their scales... which determines what we will feel like today! (If so, he recommends Deborah Lovell: Lives in the Balance), and quoted a poem she'd written (see something similar).

YES, it is right to care for our God-given bodies through cleanliness, good nutrition and exercise, but don't idolise one of those (which tends to lead to anorexia or plastic surgery).

Superstitions
Superstitions are a form of idolatry, usually coming from habits (e.g. not walking under a ladder [although I always think that's more about a paint pot not landing on my head!]) or a belief in protection. Phrases such as "Touch Wood" (and removing 13th floor from hotels and 13th row from airplanes) acknowledge that there are other powers at work.

In the morning, many people check their "Horror-scopes", explicitly spoken out against by God in Deuteronomy 18:9-12.

Freemasonry
J John appears to know a lot about the Freemasons... the Church of England Synod did a study into whether Freemasonry was compatible with Christianity - with an answer of a resounding NO!

• Freemasonry is characterised by deception, and lower level members don't really know what is going until they reach at least Level 4.
• It is often seen as a charitable organisation, good for networking, job opportunities, social status, etc., therefore often seen as harmless.
• Freemasons meet in Lodges which contain temples, where they kneel at at altar, swear oaths to sacred laws, and at the 4th level, start to worship specific Gods.
• Curses are prolific, and level 4 and above pledge lifelong silence BEFORE hearing material... and curse themselves to death if they reveal secrets.
• At the 30th level, Freemasons declare that Lucifer is God (i.e. the Devil, the complete antithesis of God!)

Cultural Climate

Our current culture emphasises "whatever works for you". However, if you don't know what you stand for, you'll fall for anything!

Best Description of God?
Jesus himself, who came to make God visible, made in God's image (as are we).

If we're listening to the radio, there are different frequencies assigned, and we need to tune into God's frequency. Images of the world are bankrupt, and if you focus on them you'll end up deceived and disappointed!

God Offers Us Forgiveness
Before Jesus, John the Baptist was a great preacher (and if you think that J John is aggressive, you should have heard him... calling people snakes and vipers!).

J John gave a great illustration of where John the Baptist could have taken a management approach to baptising people.... lining people up, asking them "Name, worst sin", writing that on a sticker, slapping it on their chest, and then John would know what to free/baptise them from/for! As each person lines up, we got through the ten commandments, and there's Jesus "none", but then takes everyone else's stickers, and then is ready to be baptised in freedom from all those sins [which I assume will wash away in the water, if the stickers I have are anything to go by, and seems to complete the analogy!]. Jesus wants to liberate us from all that weighs us down!

Know me --> Know the Truth --> the Truth shall set you free.

We know Jesus embodies the truth, so we will not be disappointed!

What shape is your God?
The only image on your heart/mind shoudl be Jesus, replacing the focus on all those other things.

All those things that God says have nothing to do with we go and see in museums, or use as art decorations. J John asks that last week if we have statues of Buddhas, ouija boards, etc. that we place them in the Amnesty Bins [I don't believe that I do!]

Note, whenever you visit a castle and see the throne room, thrones are always for ONE, there's no throne pews! So, have Jesus on the throne of your life, as, as J John only has space for one woman in his wallet, he only has room for one God in his life.

Just 10

Just 1!! Just one more week of Just10 left, which will be on "Living by Priorities", and then check partner churches for follow-up courses. All these commandments have serious messages, but these last few are the REALLY SERIOUS ones!

Press-Packer: Open Farm Sunday

LEAF: 'Linking The Environment And Farming'
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) was set up in 1991. At that time, the gap between consumers and farmers was getting wider and the need to meet and understand both sides of the debate was essential. For the first time a group of farmers, environmentalists, food and agricultural organisations, consumers, government and academics got together to do something positive for the farming industry.

They were motivated by a common concern for the future of farming and keen to develop a system of farming which was realistic and achievable for the majority of farmers. Based on work in Germany that had been carried out since 1986, LEAF was established to develop and promote Integrated Farm Management.

Open Farm Sunday (Next Date: 13th June 2010)
Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. Take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce. So come and feed your senses on Open Farm Sunday.

Each event will be unique with its own activities - based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor & trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics.

Read more (including my niece's Press Pack report)

Week 8: Take God Seriously

What does your name mean?

It's your identity!

What do people think of when they say your name?

Names are often trademarked, and there are laws regarding defamation, where it's illegal to attack someone's reputation.

How would you like to be remembered?

Will Lunn-Rockliffe

David Williams had a great interview with Will, who is a bit of an adventurer - he doesn't sit around thinking about things, he does them!

God meets us where we're at, but sometimes we need to be taken away from our culture/comfort zone to meet God in a new way (as Will did), and it's great to listen to other's stories and see where God is in their live.

EVERY DAY (i.e. a daily battle): it's important to wake up and make sense of life!

Back to J John

Knowing someone by name is the first step to knowing a person - if you remember their name, it shows you care, and people can be hurt if you forget [and I truly know how much difference it makes to students to be known by name, and how frustrated I get when the timetable is so tight it's difficult to know everyone... although after travelling, I have reached a point where I will ask people several times, and say I don't mind how many times you ask me].

Names have associations with them - e.g. what do you think of when the names Adolf Hitler or Mother Theresa come up?

God in Biblical Times

The Israelites believed that the name of God was so sacred that they threw away the quill each time they wrote God [wow, how many computers would I get through if I did that?]

Reputation in our Culture

We're always very concerned about the reputation for our name.

Football clubs tend to disassociate themselves from football hooligans, saying that they can't be genuine fans if they cause damage, but along for the ride/rumpus!

Think how schools emphasise good behaviour when on school trips, so as not to bring the name of the school into disrepute.

Are we serious about God?

If we are, then think about how we mis-use his name, we:

1. Use it to insult
   In the dictionary, Jesus is 1) An exclamation of surprise 2) The founder of Christianity
   When swearing, we are treating something sacred with abuse
   The media uses Goddamit, Jesus Christ, etc, but says that they are merely reflecting society
   Film Classification: PG) Blasphemy 15) Sexual Swear Words
   Don't de-sensitise the name of God - why do we say "Jesus" and not "Buddha"?
   Why are we blaming God for something he didn't cause? If something good happens we tend to say, "aren't I lucky?" , but if something bad happens we say "Why did God allow this?"
   Talking about coincidences (the flying kitten): are these God's way of remaining anonymous?
2. Use it to exult/indulge ourselves
   How often do we feel that we are doing God a favour?
   What motivates non-Christian parents to have their child baptised, when most are making promises that they have absolutely no intention of keeping?
   What about Christmas Christians, who take communication: 1 Corinthians 11:27? God hates hypocrisy, so do it because you believe in the death/resurrection of Jesus, otherwise don't bother!
3. Use to intimidate
   How often to Christians 'Play the God Card'? This was used to sanction the Crusades, slavery, wars, football, etc. as well as much smalled ways.
   Believe that God speaks to us as individuals, but don't misuse the "God told me" [Heard about a few guys doing that: "God has chosen you for my wife"... yeah right has been the general reaction!]
   Beware of "spiritual forgery". Don't twist the Bible to fit your own ideas, ideals and lifestyle!

So what's can we do positively in using God's name?

1. I need to be selective with my words
   Watch slang - which is often a shorthand for swearing (e.g. Damn, is a shorthand for Damnation: condemning someone to an evil fate)
   By Golly, Gosh, For crying out loud, all refer back to God/Jesus
   Often we say we don't mean anything like that, but God's name is a holy name, and shouldn't "not mean anything".
   We are bombarded with profanity on all sides, and unintentionally it becomes a part of our vocabulary!
   If we become too compromising it may not bother us, but it bothers God. In the Bible, misusing God's name was worthy of the death penalty.
   Make a decision not to use God's name irreverantly and ask colleagues to desist.
2. I need to be sincere in my actions
   Ensure our life matches what we say we believe: Ensure your walk is consistent with your talk.
   Many people attend church only when they are hatched, matched and despatched, and with that, the first time you're carried in, the last carried out, so only once by choice!

Whose name do we use so glibly?
God can

• Cleanse our souls, heal our deepest hurts (putting hands out, palms up, is a sign of vulnerability and that we are prepared to receive healing)
• Restore humanity/dignity
• Saviour = name of power, some people are healed in God's name, and delivered from evil spirits.
• Jesus spent 3 years discussing who, where, why, how, etc... and told many parables, at least one of which will connect with where we are NOW!

God Is...

So many different things, so that he appeals to all of us, e.g.

• Teacher: Educators
• The Way: Traffic Wardens
• The Truth: Politicians
• The Vine: Horticulturalists, etc

Why Christianity?

Why not? Essentially J John is presenting God's challenge - you've now reached a fork in the road, where you can go on of two ways. Assuming that there's 2 men at that crossroads, which would you ask, the one who is dead, or the one who has been brought back to life and is more able to give you answers!

You can be very sincere in your beliefs, but very sincerely wrong!

That Wedding Invitation

Last week J John talked about a wedding invitation... God/Jesus are offering a conditional promise - to rescue YOU if "you believe in my name".

It's not just to know about him, but to know HIM... and like pianos, we need frequent tuning!

Just 10: 2 weeks left:

Tonight: Know God

Next Week: Live by Priorities

Various local churches are also planning follow-up activities, so please contact the various churches for more information, or check the Just10 website, for information on churches near you.