Goodbye.

So, this is it. Had my last intern meeting today and am hereby no longer working part time for Hope Church Glasgow - consequently this is the final blog on this blog thing. I'm rather impressed with myself that I managed to pull this thing off from start to finish. Rather enjoyed this whole reflection thing.

First off, if you've read any of these, or dare I say even all of them, thank you very much for reading.

Secondly, I have thoroughly enjoyed my interning and thank Hope Church for the opportunity to learn and grow.

Thirdly, I like Fish and Chips. It's web official and there is no turning back now!

Fourthly, be blessed and may you, above all, experience the love of God.

Fifthly (is that even a word?), remember to brush your teeth everyday. It's very important.

And finally, goodbye.

It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

May I make so bold a claim that one of the fundamental aims of the Christian life is to have your sense of value come from who you are, rather than what you do.

Sin is doing something wrong which affects our person, affects our very identity. If Jesus is the second Adam then he is the Human Species 2.0, and as we seek a life of righteousness and intimacy with God we become more like Christ, more like the new species of human and we are now defined by who we are and not what we do. Identity, not action, becomes the ultimate question.

My final trip to Sheffield for the internship was last week. With that it's become quite apparent that I'm drawing towards the end of the internship with Hope Church itself, and I guess this blog. Try not to feel too sad. I have until the end of July where Sarah and I will be joining Andy to go to Clan Gathering, which should be fun.

There are quite a few different
theories out there...

The last topic was eschatology which is hauntingly appropriate. (And an amusing coincidence that this was so close to the whole 21st of May stuff) Fortunately, Jesus didn't show up at the end of the lecture and I can therefore write this little thing. Basically covered all the different opinions on how the world is going to end. I personally am starting to think it will be something majorly anti-climactic for the world and glorious for God. A strange combination of the Big Bang and a whimper. The greatest ending and the most disappointing any novel has seen. I'm undecided on a lot of the specifics but something I have left with at the end of this whole lecture thing, and I guess this whole intern year, is the question - who is God? And what do I have to do with it?

Your eschatological theology is coloured by who you understand God to be, rather than the other way round. It's such a ambiguous subject that there is little exegesis you can do and come up with a clear picture with. So rather than going through it and making an opinion out of it, you have to put your own preconceived opinion into it, and as such it reveals more of who you are and what you think rather than the bible itself. And that's why I find it a fascinating study, it's the bible reading you, rather than you reading the bible.

So, what does that do to you? Well, it makes you read the rest of the Bible, because you start to realise that some of your eschatology makes God look like a big ogre and that somehow doesn't fit in with the rest. If you want to test what you really think of God, look at what you think of your eschatology. It's the measuring tool that God has provided us with - and I believe he intentionally has made it so unclear, for that very reason. So, you then begin to read and read and read and find ask the question afresh, who is God? Who is this strange concept, this strange man, this strange thing in the sky that has done so much for me, who is he? or she?

So here I am, spent a year working for the church, got good solid theological teaching through it. Had and still having amazing experiences with God and just getting to know him better and better and funnily enough I am now facing this question - what do I think of God and myself?

And here we have it. Eschatological theology often brings you back to works. The sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, the investors and virgins and others. There is a lot of doing that's going on here. James would say that it's because only in works do you find the authenticity of ones faith. Well, I think God's grace is the most powerful force in the universe and the most fragile. It relentlessly saves, it furiously loves and it passionately redeems all things and nothing can stop it. But strangely enough grace can be stopped. The cross can be emptied of it's power, by something as simple as loose talk.  (1 Cor 1:17) Grace is the greatest paradox in all of creation. It produces enigmas such as the coexistence of predestination and free-will. It sustains all things, but not all things. It loves all things, but not all things. And the understanding of grace is what fundamentally colours your eschatology and therefore colours your view of God.

One of the greatest miracles that grace performs is the re-evaluation of identity. When grace is given, sin is dead. The rock and the hard place have been removed and leave you're in a place of absolute freedom. Your value is no longer determined by what you do, which has always been the case in the history of man, but you have become Human 2.0, in which who you are is paramount. Your identity has been redefined - and out of that your actions spring.

And as the internship draws to it's close I can happily say, here I am and God is good.

10,080 Minutes

24/7 Prayer has begun.

I am presently killing time which I would normally be spending preparing for the comforts of my bed - but today I shall be leaving my home to go to Whiteinch Church to be praying from midnight till 2 in the morning. Why?

Ah well, if you believe in God then you might as well go all out. As ridiculous as it may be, I do believe that the dude who made the whole earth came as a man to said earth and died for all it's human inhabitants - past, present and future - to be completely robbed of all their wrong doings at their bequest, to ensure that these inhabitants (of which I happen to be one, would you believe it) may have constant access to this God.

If you then believe that this God is still continuously looking for regular interaction between men and women and have these play a vital plan in any of his future endeavours for further restoration to their original purpose and ultimate fulfilment, then well, you would ask him quite regularly, wouldn't you?

So, for this week Hope Church will be praying every hour of the day for the following week. Sound silly?

Well, again, if you genuinely believe that this God is real, then wouldn't you live a life accordingly?

Exhibit A: A Present

And this God has on multiple occasions made a point of how perseverance, unity and patience in prayer reaps rewards. And rewards is what I'm after. I'm a greedy little kid and I want my presents! These include getting to know this God character a bit more, seeing him do his magic and freeing people of lifelong issues like depression or maybe a missing leg.(?)

So, there we have it. You can argue your way around God not existing, that's fine. But if you've decided on the fact that he does and that the way the Bible describes him is accurate, then well, you should follow it's advise on how to interact with this God fellow, one of which being - "pray without ceasing". Funny enough, that's a verse in itself (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

And now, I've successfully killed around 10 minutes writing this thing and I need to be off. Toodles.      

O Little Town of All Ye Faithful

Christmas carols are like Marmite. They both are made of yeast-extract and are a by product of beer. Or so the theory goes.

Whether you hate them or love them, Christmas carols are here to stay and you'll hear quite a bit of them in the coming month. Though amidst all the East 17, Wham! and The Darkness, a little Silent Night comes quite soothingly to the ears.

no comment

And here we are, 8th of December, major University CUs in Glasgow have arranged a Carol Service; main sermon by Hope Church's very own Philip Ford. And what a sermon! The crazy night of Jesus' birth from the perspective of the Shepherds summing up the Gospel - nicely done. And to top it off it was all being held at Glasgow Cathedral, which is amazing!

Looking around the only Cathedral in Scotland that survived the reformation, I was just struck by how awe inspiring it is to myself, whose read quite a few books and such. So, I can't imagine what it would be like for your medieval farmer to come and listen to a big booming voice up
front. All a bit too much for their poor souls, methinks.

It's an impressive building, no doubt and would be an astounding place to have a Church service but how little is a building if the people in it just walk in and walk out unchanged and ultimately under some misconceived concept of religious duty.

Maybe Wham! should perform there. Actually, please no!

Groove of the Day

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time to boogie.

According to Wikipedia - the source of all modern day, unattributed knowledge - boogie is a "repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm, groove or pattern used in blues which was originally played on the piano in boogie-woogie music."

And my personal opinion of the thing is that it can only be done properly when in a good mood - and therefore, I reiterate the point that we have come to a juncture in chronological causality that would promote the aforementioned action of boogie!

So, last Sheffield trip was good. Doctrine of the Church and all that. Very insightful and challenging. Are you church? If not, talk to me later.

The obligatory fast-passing-lights photo. 

So, last week was good. Went part-time and all that. Very useful and exciting. Are you part time? If not, you might not need to talk to me later.

So, last weekend was good. Student weekend away and all that. Very enjoyable and booming. Are you...? If not, well, I don't know.

Last week was the first week in which I've been able to do all intern work - only two months into it. Though I don't want to sound ungrateful, it's amazing I've got to this point in the first place. From nearly giving in my notice at work because they didn't have any hours available to now having those hours at the same job is quite remarkable. And even though this fixture is only temporary (for the next 2 months) it's a sign that someone upstairs likes me.

Consequently I was able to help out at our Eat Pray Go initiative, which involved the Eat and the Pray but less of the Go then hoped. All in good time though. If there is one thing I'm learning, it's not to give up hope too soon. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks we'll be able to get the treasure hunting on the go, and I'll not feel so uncomfortable with the prospect as I'll have read the necessary book - which is not always the best way to approach things, but it's the way I like to do it!

Followed by that landmark week, Hope Church's organised Student Weekend was an absolute blast. Lots of God, which is always key. He really did a lot in people and just was His general awesome self. Alongside that, was a great time to just get to know folk a bit better and enjoy the fantastic views of Cairngorms with snow peaks and nice walks around a Loch. Which naturally has a unpronounceable name, as per usual.

So, what more can one ask for? Perhaps a nice shower? Got that! A wee dram of whiskey? Got that!

All in all, ladies and gentlemen, it's time to boogie.

  

Television and Other Miracles

Hallo!

A lot to write about. While I'm listening to a Misty Edwards album, on a golden suggestion by Mr. Steve Perkins, I'm trying to figure out a way to communicate quite everything I want to say. I guess going with - this has been a mental week pour moi - is a good start.

Sunday, that being the 3rd of October, the 24/7 prayer week started at Hope. Had the opening service at 5pm and I got nicely walloped by the big boss upstairs. Spent an hour and a half laughing uncontrollably while praying with a Turner of the John variety. And basically getting a new (not renewed, but new) passion for God and to see him move in my life.

Ricky Gervais is a mean person...

Then I prayed from 3am till 6am on Monday morning but still amazingly managed to, not only stay awake for the working day, but did reasonably well. But crashed in the evening - going to sleep around 9 o'clock. Wednesday was back down to Sheffield for some Doctrine of Man and the Apostolic and Prophetic. All in all very insightful and feel challenged and have come home to see some amazing stuff happen. Along with the knowledge that An Idiot Abroad by Ricky Gervais is a bit painful to watch but quite funny.


Friday night it was all down to the hospitality of the Harrison's who let me crash at their place since the Merkland Street residence was used by Ignite. Saturday - a working day - then a ceilidh and then two hours of groaning.


"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26


I just asked God to lead me in prayer and I just could not stop groaning for two straight hours, just being in the prayer room in which the 24/7 prayer was being held - I just kept on going. Got home then and kept groaning. Did a bit more praying that morning and then at Church I just groaned away like crazy. I'm not really one to groan much, but hey, don't really have much to say in the matter. Keep it coming, God!


And now it's Monday. Apparently this is the day in which all big hype is squashed by the reality of yet another working week but something kind of help me out the slump. WITHIN THE NEXT 28 DAYS I WILL BE WORKING PART TIME - so I finally be able to do the hours I need to do the Internship and I can finally get started! Woopdidooda!

First Ramble Damble

So, I have made several attempts at these blogging things before, but never really had much use for them. So, as a means of processing this next year in which I will be working part time for Hope Church Glasgow, I figured I would simultaneously spill some lovely creative juices and throw a little something together, which will be fun enough for me and if any one reads this, perhaps for them too.

First picture if you type in Sheffield into Google.

To begin then, I've been made an official Intern today as Maddy, Johnny and the absent Phil got thanked and prayed for. So that's Sarah and I doing our thing for the Kingdom of God through Interning now. Just have to wait for a part time job to do it properly, as I do not have that as yet.

Well, if anybody is reading this and is wondering what it's all about. I'll be working closely with the Church on most initiatives they have in place, in particular student work, alongside theological/leadership training once a month in the famous metropolitan city of Sheffield.

So, here's to an exciting year in which God will test, try and make. Here's to finding a part time job that works with it. And here's to just not getting too bored with blogging too quick. Now I'm going to go and drink some robinson's squash and maybe squeeze a Will Smith film in there. Good day.