A question...

I recently read somewhere that 'in 2006 the seas of the world will rise 2mm'. Knowing how much 2 millimetres are and having a vague notion of how deep the 'seas of the world' must be I'm left wondering how on earth anyone can measure such a seismic change?!

Wisdom and a 3,000 mile endurance race

I've recently been reading about two men paddling across the Atlantic in a 24ft boat. An insane thing to do, but I've been amazed and inspired by Ben Fogle and James Cracknell's bizarre feat of endurance. Perhaps not surprisingly a large part of my fascination has been - how and why? I mean how and why do you decide to row two hours on, two hours off, for 7 weeks straight? How and why can you carry on when your boat has capsized, your maps are overboard, and your GPS, de-salination system, and radio stops working? How and why do I find such madness inspiring?

Whatever the reason, I might not be alone...

'Wisdom may be admired, but what really inspires mankind, what quickens the pulse and lifts the spirits, is the opposite: a display of magnificent, reckless impetuosity. It's not wisdom that wins the Victoria Cross. It's the insane dash against impossible odds. It's not wisdom that paints the Mona Lisa. Wise people wouldn't go to the arts in the first place. It's not wisdom that compels people to push themselves to the limits of endurance in order to realise some mad dream. It's a glorious perversity deep in their souls. And it's not wisdom that inspires people to risk everything in pursuit of a seemingly hoepless love affair. It's uncontrollable passion, and the existential urge to taste danger before they die.' (Richard Morrison in the Times)

Or is that just the world's wisdom? After all, there might not have been any medals given out, but for nearly two millenia art has been inspired by the epic, love-fuelled path of endurance that led Jesus to the Cross.

Wisdom? Madness? It probably depends on where your standing because while the 'message of the cross is foolishness' to some, to others it's the 'power of God'.

Even 'the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.' (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Food for thought?

According to Charles Ringma ‘the kingdom of God is both a creative and destructive force. It creates the new, which usually in time will nee to be replaced because we have made it rigid, legalistic, and idolatrous.’

Discuss!

All you need to know about everything that matters – ‘The Week’

2006 – a year of discovery! Amongst other things I’m ‘discovering’ magazines. After all there are millions of them out there – some of them have got to be worth reading!

My brother recently put me on to 'The Week'. Offering the best of the British and Foreign media ‘The Week’ boldly claims to provide ‘all you need to know about everything that matters’. A heady claim indeed, but it certainly gives an useful alternative summary of what’s going on around the world. It’s worth a read.

After all, who doesn’t want to know that ‘if all the Lego in the world was divided out equally we’d all have 30 pieces’?!

Desperately seeking?

I recently read somewhere that ‘the self-satisfied rarely receive the good things God wishes to give. The seekers, however, are candidates for God’s surprises’.
I’m desperate(?) to be a candidate for God’s surprises.

[Actually that would make a pretty good Sessional name, ‘Candidates for God’s Surprises’ – I must mention it to Mr Clifton!]

Recent inspiration...

About a thousand years ago, a guy called William who apparently came from Malmesbury (William of Malmesbury – how original!) reckoned that ‘no task could be more agreeable than to tell of the benefits conferred on us by our ancestors, so that you may get to know the achievements of those from whom you have received both the basis of your beliefs, and the inspiration to conduct your life properly?'

Although not exactly our ancestors, in seeking to create 'a human context, a space,which people can enter and explore together the connections that exist between them' (Andrew Mawson Community Regeneration) we’ve recently had our beliefs shaped and gained inspiration from the following…


Café Forever

Bonnydowns

Community Links

‘Many thanks for the benefits conferred’ - Nick of Stratford 2006 A.D.

The last month...

… has indeed been a little quiet in blogland, but recent highlights have included returning to the ‘Paradise Zone’ youth club team; establishing links with and considering how best to support marginalized groups such as Sex Addicts and Autism Family Support; meeting some mission-fuelled young people at Anglia's youth councils; starting to freshen up our building (thanks to SureStart’s money) and make it a little more ‘welcoming’ (it’s nice to have a tangible, visible sign of progress!); surviving another kids party!; and our relationship with the local primary school developing, allowing Lisa to begin to provide reading support in the classroom.

Oh, getting a new TV was quite nice too!

Rich indeed!

Not because of Working and Child Tax Credit(?!), but rather, as Shakespeare once declared, because ‘I am rich in friends’. Friends who listen, support, inspire, challenge, and one or two who’ve hassled (encouraged!) me to get blogging again!