Irritated Jesus

Yesterday, my friend James and I were discussing the various possibilities of Jesus' irritation at his disciples/religious leaders/fools, etc. Obviously, Jesus got LOADS of stones in his sandals...

Last night, I joined a church for the first time ever...

I've been a part of three churches in my life previously. Two were tagging along with my parents, and one I was paid to be at. But last night, of my own volition, I walked into a church (sunny), partook of the service (enjoyable), talked with people (pleasant) and drank orange squash (strong).

It was odd being at a church where I didn't know everyone. Where I didn't have to do anything, but sit and stand and worship and wonder. Where there was no pressure to do anything in particular, just be me, and allow God to influence the person that I am.

We were a rag tag bunch of followers last night. There were a couple of folks in wheelchairs. There were people who talked during some of the songs. There were a few music-based mishaps. There was me and my short attention span. But at the crux of it, we were church, all trying to follow Jesus in the best way we know how.

I'm glad I can be church with these people.

A Perfect Specimen

From Jesus Needs New PR.

Any thoughts?

Forgiveness And Random Acts of Kindness

I'm not sure whether it's because it's Good Friday, but the BBC decided to run with a great article about forgiveness today. It comes after the brother of a murdered schoolgirl in London has said he is willing to forgive: click.

I contemplated apologising for writing about forgiveness again, but as we can't seem to get enough of the stuff to go around the world, I think another mention or two doesn't go amiss.

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A friend posted a status yesterday about a random act of kindness, where a complete stranger paid the bus fare that she didn't have. The story cheered me, but I got to thinking - isn't it odd that we celebrate these events? In a normal/better/perfect world [delete as your worldview allows] wouldn't being human be defined by these acts? It wouldn't be out of the ordinary, but normal.

Jesus, teach us how to be human.

We Like Sheep

Today, via Jesus Needs New PR, I happened across We Like Sheep Comics. It's a weekly comic with a penchant for whimsy and pointing out the ridiculousness of the Bible. Thus, I love it.

Also, I've just discovered that the author/animator/genius behind We Like Sheep has also worked on Happy Tree Friends. He gets bonus Christian- and Man-points for doing so.

No, Alanis... THIS is ironic.

From Jesus Needs New PR.

The Digital Story of the Nativity

So, so, so clever. I love it. Hats off to whoever made it - some genii in Portugal apparently - and for Jesus Needs New PR for highlighting it. Phenomenal.

Worship

It's old hat in some ways, but amusing nonetheless.

7 Ways to Write An Awful Worship Song

Jesus had HIV, doncha know?

The news came to my attention today, that a South African pastor had opened a sermon with these words:

"Today I will start with a three-part sermon on: Jesus was HIV-positive."

Churches and religious leaders are up in arms that this pastor could be suggesting Jesus was sexually promiscuous. But this is the point. HIV doesn't definitely equal sexually promiscuous. What it does definitely equal is marginalised.

It's poor rhetoric, in the sense that people are going to focus on the problem of Jesus having HIV, and not to underlying point that the pastor was trying to make, and that is: Jesus identifies with the outcast. Those that society and the church don't want much to do with: tramps, gays, HIV sufferers, single mothers and gang-members - Jesus is right there in the middle.

Thankfully, not every religious leader in South Africa has dismissed it:

"Amid the controversy, Reverend Siyabulela Gidi, the director of South African Council of Churches in the Western Cape, has come out in support of Pastor Skosana, saying his standpoint is theologically correct.

"What Pastor Skosana is clearly saying is that Christ at this point in time would be on the side of the people who are HIV-positive - people who are being sidelined by the very church that is attacking him," the Anglican priest says.

"Pastor Skosana has fortunately got the country talking, he's got the world talking and that is what theology is all about."

Well put.

"My name is Glenn Beck, and I have never read the Bible..."

From Jesus Needs New PR. Ta.

The corporate face of worship in 50 years time

I've been asked to write about this by my friend Sam. I think it is quite apparent that this is a tough thing to write about, seeing as I considerably lack the skills to foresee the future (yet. I'm still holding out hope.) and Jesus may yet come back, which, obviously, would change 'worship' significantly. So if anyone has any of the former skill going spare, I might be able to tell you if the latter is going to happen, and nullify this blog, accordingly.

But presuming it is not rendered useless by the second coming, the first question one has to ask is what 'the corporate face of worship' actually means. If by it, we mean the coming together on a Sunday morning (or any other time of the week) of people endeavouring to be church together, and singing songs, then I would like to perhaps cynically suggest that it won't be much different from the process now. Songs will be sung and music will be played that is mostly a copy and a shadow of what is contemporary to the time.

But alternatively, if by it we mean the corporate life of the church as a worshiping community, I would dearly love to see that involving more social action, making the church go to the people, as opposed to the other way around, and letting people belong before making them subscribe to a set of beliefs. I think this could possibly be the most worshipful thing we could do.

As to whether that happens in a big way - no, I'm not sure it will. There will be pockets of it, but I can't see it being widespread.

The final option is the return of Jesus. I don't even for a moment want to try and presume what heaven will be like. Aside from noting that this will probably be the best possible outcome to it all.

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From the sublime to the ridiculous: just started watching The Big Bang Theory. Oh so enjoyable.