URBANarmy

Yearbook Yourself is a bit of mindless entertainment. Here's me with a great mullet in the 1980's! Off for a week on the Sunny Isle of Wight to make the most of this Barbeque summer!

I watched Entertaining Angels recently and enjoyed the story of Dorothy Day . In many ways the film is slightly twee, disturbing that Martin Sheen is no longer President in the West Wing but a French Canadian eccentric, however there are some great insights to the life of this highly influential woman. Well worth borrowing! What caught my attention was the opening quote: "I wanted the abundant life... I did not have the slightest idea how to find it." (Dorothy Day) Interesting to think how the concept of fullness of life drove this great woman of God, motivated her in an activism that made sense of her relationship with God. Tagged an anarchist and communist for living an alternative gospel life for the desperate, she seemingly pointed out what it was to live a life beyond self for others. A life of salt and light beyond handy little sermon heads for a Sunday. It made me think about the framework of 'abundant life' and how we try to grasp that for ourselves rather t...

It is always easier to find someone to blame than take a responsibility for yourself. Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict is a lovely book on the spirituality of St. Benedict that packs a punch! Here's one of them... "If you are not committed to your own adulthood, if you are just coming in and going out, letting others take care of all the ragged edges of your life together, then you will forever see the problem in someone else...If you want to know if you are committed to your own adulthood ask yourself, "in the last three things that bothered me in this community whom did I blame?" This is no more an no less than taking responsibility for myself. De Waal , E. (1999:61). Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict ... yeah but..!

"Paradox is held together as faith becomes a symbolic space where 'ambiguity, mystery, wonder and irrationality' become the story that shapes relationship with others and God." Fowler's fifth stage is known as the conjunctive or as Jamieson subtitles it 'The Seer'. Acknowledging that this a stage that is not as definable as previous stages, Jamieson points to the essence of contradiction that shapes thinking here. To this point the stages are well defined, visible, tangible, here however Jamieson points out that the firm boundaries become porous. The confidence of self takes on a different guise as it becomes 'humbly aware of the depth of the unconscious and the unknown' (pp118). Paradox is held together as faith becomes a symbolic space where 'ambiguity, mystery, wonder and irrationality' become the story that shapes relationship with others and God. Whereas the 'critic' looks for interpretation and sees mystery as the ultimate cop...

"Bedraggled, the guys looked on me with mild bemusement and compassion as the puddles gathered in and around by trainers where I stood." I'm beginning to enjoy getting around London on my bike. It usually feels great to get to Faith House having had the adventure of cycling from South London. I couldn't help but see the irony last week as I turned up dripping wet from the 6 mile cycle in torrential rain. Bedraggled, the guys looked on me with mild bemusement and compassion as the puddles gathered in and around by trainers where I stood. A couple of new guys looked with kindness and with a 'it's OK here' look as they began to make room for me to sit with them! I enjoyed that embrace. It comes to something when you have to ask if there are any spare trousers at a homeless drop in!! I had dried off by the time I shared a thought at the end of the evening. Derek was well stocked up on 'lucazade' and had his say. Pointing drunkenly in turn at each one o...

I like the LibraryThing resource - if you are sad enough to want to catalogue your books this is for you. Here is a catalogue of the books I have read since 2004 :o)

From time to time the international leaders of TSA meet, I guess in order to stimulate thought and deal with issues that face the contemporary international Salvation Army - no mean feat! The latest one concluded a couple of days ago culminating in the prayerful consideration of a 'spiritual statement' you can see the full statement here . Here is a snippet... STATEMENT WE have gathered in the sacred name of Jesus from every corner of the world. In a spirit of humility we have given time to waiting upon God for his guidance for our own individual and personal lives and also for our sacred responsibilities as Salvation Army leaders under God. We have spent time seeking the will of God in plenary sessions together, in small groups focused upon the Scriptures, and in solitary prayer and meditation. Our subject matter has included the following large themes and topical issues for the whole Army: a reaffirmation of the role of the Army, of all Salvationists , and not least of Salva...

"The stats speak for themselves...the problem is the bureaucracy, it is strangling the life out of us..." I caught the end of a radio programme and heard the all to familiar story of falling numbers, the challenge of encouraging people to attend, the problem of a loss of identity as people seek community and family elsewhere. I heard the history of a journey of popularity and social norm to modern day aversion and lack of popularity. I listened how once centre of communities were now being turned into flats, their cohesive influence in society lost to property developers and speculators. How people preferred really to spend time at home rather than frequent the once national institution. I listened to the sociologist lamenting the loss of 'community building' and social capital, pointing to the ramifications on an already fragmented and fractured society. A man interviewed was the grim reaper, painting a dark gloomy picture of near distinction of a fast disappeari...

Ringma urges us to learn the basic rhythm between contemplation and activism. "Action is charity looking outward to other men, and contemplation is charity drawn inward to its own divine source. Action is the stream and contemplation is the spring" Merton Ringma , C. R. (2003:122). Seek the Silences with Thomas Merton: Reflections on Identity, Community and Transformative Action . London: Spck Publishing.

The Witnesses came, saw and in their inimitable style conquered. It is the final ceremony today - the 'Flag Ceremony' the official goodbye. Two years with the Witnesses session have shown them to be a great group of individuals with an immense sense of fun, creativity and passion - but for all our sanity, and for what you were called to do, it is definitely time for you to go!! Goodbye ... 'it's been emotional!'

Thanks to Simon for pointing out this mixture of resources at Sites Unseen . Tucked away are some really resourceful spiritual formation sites. ted.com is a great site full of lectures and info - thanks to Geoff.

'There must be more than this...' shifts from a mantra of frustration and becomes a gateway of hope as faith opens up as a welcoming and lush plain. Rather than a series of unmet expectations, faith only expects surprise and is not let down as God feels so much more nuanced and colourful. 'The trouble is Gordon, you are different, you're not the same Gordon I once knew, you think different, your faith has a different shape..." He was right, I was different, I did think differently, my faith had taken on a different shape, I wasn't the same Gordon. It felt rough, I thought I was losing my faith, nothing made sense anymore. I was fed up of a faith based on the kind on song I sang. I was fed up of a faith where I felt guilty about asking questions. I was fed up of a faith where I stacked up off pat apologetics, where to fit with the prevalent culture I needed to keep my brain in neutral. I was fed up of a faith where truth seemed disembodied. Answers that once bro...