Just back from the conference in London I wrote about the other day: all about 'Incarnational' mission. It was good stuff. It challenged my thinking, gave me some answers and, as I suspected, left some questions unresolved. But that's ok becauase it means that the conference carries on in my head!
A few things stood out for me.
First, things haven't changed regarding the coffee machines since I was there last. Fortunately there was a coffee stand in the train station across the road and a Starbucks just down the hill. It soon became obvious that I wasn't the only one desperate for a decent cup of coffee. (Caffine - the drug of choice for Christians, right?)
One of the best things was that my sister was presenting a paper. It was excellent. It was based around the ministry that her and her husband have created in the multi-cultural/multi-faith society in the eastend of London. You can find out more about them here.
I was also good to catch up with people I know and meet new friends from around the world trying to work out what it means to be a church in the city today. If you get a chance, check out one Salvation Army area of ministry in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Toronto.
It was a great couple of days talking, laughing, staying up late, agreeing, disagreeing, worshipping and learning.
(Big thanks to my wife who stayed at home with the kids. J, you're great!)
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Waiting...
My internet connection has been really slow tonight. (Broadband with speeds up to 4mbps - yeah right!)
I noticed at the bottom of my web browser that it advises me what is currently happening with my requests to flit form one page to another. Because it's been slow tonight it has read, 'Waiting for..' and then lists the web address I had clicked on.
I smiled when I clicked on my own blog. It said: Waiting for...regularlatte
- and I felt myself standing in a line with others waiting for the barista to do what she does best.
Hmm, the internet. A possible metaphor for my life.
I noticed at the bottom of my web browser that it advises me what is currently happening with my requests to flit form one page to another. Because it's been slow tonight it has read, 'Waiting for..' and then lists the web address I had clicked on.
I smiled when I clicked on my own blog. It said: Waiting for...regularlatte
- and I felt myself standing in a line with others waiting for the barista to do what she does best.
Hmm, the internet. A possible metaphor for my life.
Monday, 21 January 2008
Crossing Cultures
Isn't it funny how relatively trivial thoughts can lead you into deeper areas of thinking...or is it just me?
For instance...
I ran into my local supermarket to get a couple of things. As I was checking-out there was a small group of 20-somethings in front of me speaking to the cashier in an other language. I'm pretty sure it was Polish. Now this isn't an uncommon experience. Encountering the "new Irish" in this way is a daily occurrence. Nothing particularly unusual. But I came away asking this question:
How do people of the same culture wind up finding each other when they live in another country? Am I just not very good at that or are other cultures more inclined to mono-cultural attraction?
As an Englishman living in Ireland for almost five years there aren't very many other Brits that I know really well despite the fact that the British are still the highest population of immigrants in Ireland. (Maybe it has something to do with not going to very many pubs?!)
Then I started going deeper in my thinking. If my purpose in life is to embody something of the person of Jesus and present him as the benefit for not only the life-to-come, but the life-right-now, then how do I do that with people from vastly different backgrounds to my own? How do I "incarnate the gospel"? Is it even possible to incarnate the gospel in an urban, multicultural, pluralistic society?
Let me put it this way: How would I, as a middle-class, 21st century Englishman living in Ireland, talk to a newly immigrated Nigerian woman in a relevant and understandable way about a Jewish man who lived in first century Palestine? I only ask because, living in the city, there is every chance that she will be behind me at the supermarket checkout.
I'm attending a conference next week that might help shed some light on this subject. However, I think it may just bring up more questions!
So where would you start? Perhaps you start with common ground. Perhaps you start with coffee.
For instance...
I ran into my local supermarket to get a couple of things. As I was checking-out there was a small group of 20-somethings in front of me speaking to the cashier in an other language. I'm pretty sure it was Polish. Now this isn't an uncommon experience. Encountering the "new Irish" in this way is a daily occurrence. Nothing particularly unusual. But I came away asking this question:
How do people of the same culture wind up finding each other when they live in another country? Am I just not very good at that or are other cultures more inclined to mono-cultural attraction?
As an Englishman living in Ireland for almost five years there aren't very many other Brits that I know really well despite the fact that the British are still the highest population of immigrants in Ireland. (Maybe it has something to do with not going to very many pubs?!)
Then I started going deeper in my thinking. If my purpose in life is to embody something of the person of Jesus and present him as the benefit for not only the life-to-come, but the life-right-now, then how do I do that with people from vastly different backgrounds to my own? How do I "incarnate the gospel"? Is it even possible to incarnate the gospel in an urban, multicultural, pluralistic society?
Let me put it this way: How would I, as a middle-class, 21st century Englishman living in Ireland, talk to a newly immigrated Nigerian woman in a relevant and understandable way about a Jewish man who lived in first century Palestine? I only ask because, living in the city, there is every chance that she will be behind me at the supermarket checkout.
I'm attending a conference next week that might help shed some light on this subject. However, I think it may just bring up more questions!
So where would you start? Perhaps you start with common ground. Perhaps you start with coffee.
Friday, 4 January 2008
Not much effort, really
Happy New Year to you all!
I'm not really one for new year's resolutions. I mean, really, what's the point? It only seems to lead to failure and a sense of guilt. I once thought (as a kind of anti-resolution) that I would endeavour to start smoking. My plan was to begin with the patches and work my way up to 40 cigs a day, plus the occasional cigar. And a pipe. Needless to say that due to a lack of real (or sensible) motivation, plus my inauguration into the 'No Smoking Club' at age seven I have yet to even taste a stick of nicotine gum.
However!
One resolution we can all make, regardless of the time of year, is furthering our efforts to just generally be nice to people. May I make a practical suggestion?
This evening, in order to somehow prepare me for grocery shopping, I stopped for a coffee. It still being the Christmas season, I opted for a large latte. My eyes were naturally drawn towards the comfy seats - swiftly followed by my legs - only to find half a dozen empty cups on the table and a couple of smoothies next to the chair.
In fairness it wasn't all that long before a staff member cleared the mess, but it caused me to resolve that I would clear my mess up as best I can when leaving a coffee shop thereby making life a little easier for the staff and a little more comfortable for the next customer.
Perhaps you will be inspired to similar acts of niceness in the weeks and months ahead!
I'm not really one for new year's resolutions. I mean, really, what's the point? It only seems to lead to failure and a sense of guilt. I once thought (as a kind of anti-resolution) that I would endeavour to start smoking. My plan was to begin with the patches and work my way up to 40 cigs a day, plus the occasional cigar. And a pipe. Needless to say that due to a lack of real (or sensible) motivation, plus my inauguration into the 'No Smoking Club' at age seven I have yet to even taste a stick of nicotine gum.
However!
One resolution we can all make, regardless of the time of year, is furthering our efforts to just generally be nice to people. May I make a practical suggestion?
This evening, in order to somehow prepare me for grocery shopping, I stopped for a coffee. It still being the Christmas season, I opted for a large latte. My eyes were naturally drawn towards the comfy seats - swiftly followed by my legs - only to find half a dozen empty cups on the table and a couple of smoothies next to the chair.
In fairness it wasn't all that long before a staff member cleared the mess, but it caused me to resolve that I would clear my mess up as best I can when leaving a coffee shop thereby making life a little easier for the staff and a little more comfortable for the next customer.
Perhaps you will be inspired to similar acts of niceness in the weeks and months ahead!
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
100 Views
Happy Christmas Everyone!
It is with great joy that today I celebrate not just the reminder that God is here, but also the fact that this is my 100th blog post. Now I know in the great scheme of all things blog that isn't really much of an achievement, but it is a milestone for me nontheless!
Here's how it all started:
Views from a Coffeehouse
And just to give you a little taste of what you might have missed, here are 5% of the postings that have various levels of meaning to me:
Seeing a Bigger Picture
Postmodern Vampirism
Cafe 101
Keep Left
Wanting to be Celtic
Please also check out the blogs of friends who stop by for coffee in the links over on the right.
"God saw all that he had made [including the coffee bean] and it was very good."
Genesis 1:31
It is with great joy that today I celebrate not just the reminder that God is here, but also the fact that this is my 100th blog post. Now I know in the great scheme of all things blog that isn't really much of an achievement, but it is a milestone for me nontheless!
Here's how it all started:
Views from a Coffeehouse
And just to give you a little taste of what you might have missed, here are 5% of the postings that have various levels of meaning to me:
Seeing a Bigger Picture
Postmodern Vampirism
Cafe 101
Keep Left
Wanting to be Celtic
Please also check out the blogs of friends who stop by for coffee in the links over on the right.
"God saw all that he had made [including the coffee bean] and it was very good."
Genesis 1:31
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Coffee and Porridge
Yesterday I visited The High School (where I regularly lead morning assemblies) to look around their Fairtrade Fair. It was brilliant! I must also admit that I really liked the fact that so many of the students said hello to me - "Hey look! It's the Salvation Army man" - which is a great ego boost that makes you feel good.
As a supporter of the movement for Fairtrade, I was really pleased to see the school so well involved in setting up stands selling Fairtrade goods - and it wasn't just tea, coffee and bananas! The was a great range of different foods - biscuits, cereal, juices, pasta, jams, Christmas cake - all ensuring that the producers got paid a fair and livable wage which can transform a community. (Can you think of an easier way to make a difference in the world? It's literally a piece of cake!) There was also loads of gifts, toys and craft items. If you didn't make it to the fair you can find them at Oxfam.
Of course, there was plenty of coffee for sale!
One table that caught my eye was selling bowls of uncooked porridge. I soon learned that it was fundraising for an HIV/AIDS related scheme in Zimbabwe called the Matilda Project. This project provides home based care for sufferers of this dreadful disease, but it also raises money for work with AIDS orphans and provides a nutritional breakfast for these children. I was only too happy to buy a bowl of porridge which I will later cook and serve to my family as we pray for those who suffer.
I discovered two bonuses from stopping at the porridge table. One was that N. who served me said she reads my blog (Hello, N.!) And the other is that one of the recipients of the money raised in this project is an orphanage run by The Salvation Army.
So well done to The High School for an excellent initiative. Although not all of you may realize, I believe that in highlighting the need for justice and promoting compassion you connected yourself with the mission of God.
As a supporter of the movement for Fairtrade, I was really pleased to see the school so well involved in setting up stands selling Fairtrade goods - and it wasn't just tea, coffee and bananas! The was a great range of different foods - biscuits, cereal, juices, pasta, jams, Christmas cake - all ensuring that the producers got paid a fair and livable wage which can transform a community. (Can you think of an easier way to make a difference in the world? It's literally a piece of cake!) There was also loads of gifts, toys and craft items. If you didn't make it to the fair you can find them at Oxfam.
Of course, there was plenty of coffee for sale!
One table that caught my eye was selling bowls of uncooked porridge. I soon learned that it was fundraising for an HIV/AIDS related scheme in Zimbabwe called the Matilda Project. This project provides home based care for sufferers of this dreadful disease, but it also raises money for work with AIDS orphans and provides a nutritional breakfast for these children. I was only too happy to buy a bowl of porridge which I will later cook and serve to my family as we pray for those who suffer.
I discovered two bonuses from stopping at the porridge table. One was that N. who served me said she reads my blog (Hello, N.!) And the other is that one of the recipients of the money raised in this project is an orphanage run by The Salvation Army.
So well done to The High School for an excellent initiative. Although not all of you may realize, I believe that in highlighting the need for justice and promoting compassion you connected yourself with the mission of God.
Monday, 26 November 2007
Garibaldi
I needed to go into the city centre of Dublin to pick up a few things so I took my three year old daughter along with me. For the most part she was very good and I really enjoyed the time with her. However, there was one small incident where she broke a toy and refused to say sorry to the sales person - despite my threat that there would be no snack if she didn't apologise. She held her ground.
Fortunately we were in a Christian bookshop and the sales person said that my daughter was forgiven.
Walking down the street form the bookshop I noticed a small coffee bar that seemed quite new. A couple of things struck me about the place. It was called Garibaldi which may have been in reference to the Italian military hero who was influential in bringing about a unified Italy. However it made my think of a favourite biscuit (cookie) of mine when I was young - also called Garibaldi and voted Biscuit of the Week in February 2002(!)
The other thing that struck me was seeing a fresh cream cake in the window and an almost desperate need for a cup of coffee. I quickly reneged on my threat about a snack and enjoyed a latte and cake sitting on a stool with my daughter enjoying her juice and dotty cookie.
I may in the future pay for such slap-dash parenting standards as this. But for today, I'm OK with it.
Fortunately we were in a Christian bookshop and the sales person said that my daughter was forgiven.
Walking down the street form the bookshop I noticed a small coffee bar that seemed quite new. A couple of things struck me about the place. It was called Garibaldi which may have been in reference to the Italian military hero who was influential in bringing about a unified Italy. However it made my think of a favourite biscuit (cookie) of mine when I was young - also called Garibaldi and voted Biscuit of the Week in February 2002(!)
The other thing that struck me was seeing a fresh cream cake in the window and an almost desperate need for a cup of coffee. I quickly reneged on my threat about a snack and enjoyed a latte and cake sitting on a stool with my daughter enjoying her juice and dotty cookie.
I may in the future pay for such slap-dash parenting standards as this. But for today, I'm OK with it.
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Creme Bruleé
Purely for the sake of my blog I picked up a Creme Bruleé latte from Starbucks tonight.
Just as expected:
Yuck!
I didn't even drink a quarter of it as it got progressively sweeter and more sickly with every sip. Don't let me put you off though.
Actually, do. I've been writing about Starbucks too much lately and need to stop giving them so much free ad space.
However, you may want to experiment with the phrase 'creme bruleé', said in its intended french accent. For years this has proved a sufficient form of expletive or statement of shock with a slightly sophisticated edge to it. Try it.
Creme bruleé!
Hey, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Our dessert of choice is going to be my wife's homemade pecan pie. Now that will go great with a regular latte.
Creme bruleé!
Just as expected:
Yuck!
I didn't even drink a quarter of it as it got progressively sweeter and more sickly with every sip. Don't let me put you off though.
Actually, do. I've been writing about Starbucks too much lately and need to stop giving them so much free ad space.
However, you may want to experiment with the phrase 'creme bruleé', said in its intended french accent. For years this has proved a sufficient form of expletive or statement of shock with a slightly sophisticated edge to it. Try it.
Creme bruleé!
Hey, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Our dessert of choice is going to be my wife's homemade pecan pie. Now that will go great with a regular latte.
Creme bruleé!
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Spirit of Christmas
One of the girls in our teen group mentioned on Sunday how she likes the red mugs that Starbucks bring out for Christmas. I agree.
Fairplay to the design and marketing team of the coffee chain, they do choose good colours. The promotional boards in the store, the cups for sale, the menu board and the paper cups have a red quality to them which just seems very Christmasy - even in early November. I think I would describe the colour as a deep, warm cranberry hue. The cups for take-out also come with a cardboard sleeve in a complementary mint green colour. Add to that the white lettering and I think I can hear jolly old St Nick on his way for a double espresso pick-me-up.
And along with colour change are a few changes to the menu. On offer this time of year is the return of old favourites: Gingerbread latte, Toffee nut latte, and the Eggnog latte which I experienced last year. New this year is the bizarre Creme Bruleé latte - we all know the dangers of the hot coffee lurking under the milky foam of a latte so I sure hope they don't also take a mini blowtorch to the top of this creation. I'll give it a try anyway and report back.
However, one change I noticed was decidedly against the Christmas spirit. More like Scrooge in fact. The price of drinks have gone up!! (Do red cups really cost that much more?)
As I have some readers from different parts of the world I'd like to do a quick comparison to see if this is another case of Rip Off Ireland. My tall latte cost 3 euro. I make the approximate equivalent to be:
US $4.38
UK £2.12
Forget rising oil prices. I can walk to the coffeehouse. But will I be able to afford a drink when I get there?
Please use this little experiment as an excuse to stop what you are doing right now and go out to Starbucks, bask in its redness and attempt to drink a foul sounding coffee - just make a note of the price of a tall latte while you are there, please.
Fairplay to the design and marketing team of the coffee chain, they do choose good colours. The promotional boards in the store, the cups for sale, the menu board and the paper cups have a red quality to them which just seems very Christmasy - even in early November. I think I would describe the colour as a deep, warm cranberry hue. The cups for take-out also come with a cardboard sleeve in a complementary mint green colour. Add to that the white lettering and I think I can hear jolly old St Nick on his way for a double espresso pick-me-up.
And along with colour change are a few changes to the menu. On offer this time of year is the return of old favourites: Gingerbread latte, Toffee nut latte, and the Eggnog latte which I experienced last year. New this year is the bizarre Creme Bruleé latte - we all know the dangers of the hot coffee lurking under the milky foam of a latte so I sure hope they don't also take a mini blowtorch to the top of this creation. I'll give it a try anyway and report back.
However, one change I noticed was decidedly against the Christmas spirit. More like Scrooge in fact. The price of drinks have gone up!! (Do red cups really cost that much more?)
As I have some readers from different parts of the world I'd like to do a quick comparison to see if this is another case of Rip Off Ireland. My tall latte cost 3 euro. I make the approximate equivalent to be:
US $4.38
UK £2.12
Forget rising oil prices. I can walk to the coffeehouse. But will I be able to afford a drink when I get there?
Please use this little experiment as an excuse to stop what you are doing right now and go out to Starbucks, bask in its redness and attempt to drink a foul sounding coffee - just make a note of the price of a tall latte while you are there, please.
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Where's the Passion?
I don't want you to think that I spend all day, everyday sitting in cafes listening to people's conversations, but...
What I overheard this evening grabbed my attention and for a moment - just long enough to draw in a deep breath - I felt as if God was saying, "I'm talking to you."
I started reading an excellent book by Michael Frost entitled Exiles: Living missionally in a post-Christian culture. I'm sure I will share some of the thoughts with you at some point. The author presents challenges to the reader in the context of societies that have lost connection with the Christian story (predominantly through a disconnection with Church and Christendom structures - hence the feeling of Christians living in exile). The challenge is a return to living out the radical, dangerous, loving, generous, subversive, compassionate life of Jesus.
And so this is what I overheard coming from the table across from me where four men, in their early thirties, sat talking:
"Jesus Christ....something something something....Jesus....murmur....Jesus Christ....mumble mumble....Christ."
It's funny how your ears re-tune to a particular direction when you hear the name of someone you love. I soon discovered that these guys were talking about Mel Gibson films and happened to briefly discuss his film from a couple of years ago, The Passion of the Christ. It was just after one of them gave his critique of the film that I had my moment:
"I just found it dull"
(!)
"Don't get me wrong. It wasn't the subject matter. It was the way it was portrayed."
(Deep breath)
As a follower of Jesus, what is my portrayal of the subject matter I have dared to dedicate my whole being to?
Moments later, as I thought about that question, the next track of a George Michael album played in the background - a love song dedicated to a deceased lover of the musician that echoed a tender (and yet, I suppose, still radical) nature of Jesus.
What I overheard this evening grabbed my attention and for a moment - just long enough to draw in a deep breath - I felt as if God was saying, "I'm talking to you."
I started reading an excellent book by Michael Frost entitled Exiles: Living missionally in a post-Christian culture. I'm sure I will share some of the thoughts with you at some point. The author presents challenges to the reader in the context of societies that have lost connection with the Christian story (predominantly through a disconnection with Church and Christendom structures - hence the feeling of Christians living in exile). The challenge is a return to living out the radical, dangerous, loving, generous, subversive, compassionate life of Jesus.
And so this is what I overheard coming from the table across from me where four men, in their early thirties, sat talking:
"Jesus Christ....something something something....Jesus....murmur....Jesus Christ....mumble mumble....Christ."
It's funny how your ears re-tune to a particular direction when you hear the name of someone you love. I soon discovered that these guys were talking about Mel Gibson films and happened to briefly discuss his film from a couple of years ago, The Passion of the Christ. It was just after one of them gave his critique of the film that I had my moment:
"I just found it dull"
(!)
"Don't get me wrong. It wasn't the subject matter. It was the way it was portrayed."
(Deep breath)
As a follower of Jesus, what is my portrayal of the subject matter I have dared to dedicate my whole being to?
Moments later, as I thought about that question, the next track of a George Michael album played in the background - a love song dedicated to a deceased lover of the musician that echoed a tender (and yet, I suppose, still radical) nature of Jesus.
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