URBANarmy

George needed to talk. His "good morning..." seemed to have weight to it; his "good morning..." seemed to be loaded with need; his "good morning..." seemed to say I need to talk. George is a street cleaner who keeps our market clean. He comes into our Community Cafe that is open everyday. A regular. We chat. He is open about his worries, his concerns and largely I listen and when appropriate he hears about my life. George is being brave - there's been a bereavement in the family and he feels he needs to stand firm. He is the one that people depend on. He is the one that can't buckle, can't show any emotion. Well today George is fed up of standing firm; fed up of being depended on; fed up of not being able to show any emotion. Today he is affected. Today he has big questions of life and death. Today he wants to talk. Today he wants to talk with me. I grab a cup of tea "heh George - you want a chat...?"

Reflecting on Jacques Ellul's irony of the crushed poor by the egalitarian west Charles Ringma calls us to practice the transformational message of the gospel. "Do justice - it is closer to the heart of God than our practice of worship..." (Ringma) And here's me thinking tweaking our worship; getting all seeker sensitive; going purpose driven; singing the latest songs; getting better AV equipment; perhaps going dot. abbreviation; getting a brand; chasing relevance; giving trendy names to programmes of evangelism that have no context of authenticity; was the answer. ...and all the time it was there in the life of Jesus. Do Justice, freedom, hope, grace, love, mercy...! How far in the chase for relevance have we robbed mission of it's true meaning...? "I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects,your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick ...

This picture of St Nicholas' called 'Church in the Shadows' triggered a thought process a couple of years ago. Today isn't the day to revisit the thoughts but it is the day to revisit the picture - and remember.

I was now looking at death. Seconds before life – now death. Stood at Denmark Hill train station I was early for my train. I had a book open but was more interested in the drama that was unfolding before me. The freight train was hurtling towards the station 60, 70 mph who knows – an aggressive pull on the whistle announcing it’s imminent presence. One or two people took a step back as the train loomed ever larger. I see the pigeon - seemingly unaware. Happily pecking away at the remains of a discarded sandwich. It’ll be alright…it’s going to be tight…it’s now or… – the pigeon seemed to time its escape to perfection. Clap clap clap of its wings signalled its flight. The Drama goes ‘Matrix – esque’ slo mo. Yes it’s going to make it. Suddenly the drama is back to real time – no it’s not. The corner of the train frontage catches the pigeon that for the last few seconds was a part of my life. 0-70mph in a second. A vanguard explosion of feathers heralded the danger. Suddenly ...

"Beslan's Grief" More pictures amoung at bbc.co.uk . Sunday to meditate an pray we used a loop of these kind of pictures with Stings "Fragile..." - Fragile - If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one Drying in the colour of the evening sun Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away But something in our minds will always stay Perhaps this final act was meant To clinch a lifetime's argument That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could For all those born beneath an angry star Lest we forget how fragile we are On and on the rain will fall Like tears from a star like tears from a star On and on the rain will say How fragile we are how fragile we are On and on the rain will fall Like tears from a star like tears from a star On and on the rain will say How fragile we are how fragile we are How fragile we are how fragile we are Sting

"Injured Child Carrying a Cross" This picture amoung others at bbc.co.uk has affected me. How provocative within the whole context of yesterday's events is that?

It seems there are sold out churches and then there are sold out churches - which are you comfortable being part of? "...there are pastors and churches that have ignored the counter-cultural value system of the Christian faith...churches should promote an alternative way of thinking and being in order to 'achieve' in a radically different way, with values based on the model that Jesus lays down for believers. When a church is sold out, it has no viable alternatives to offer. It becomes just another 'gang' competing for turf and resources in the community…" Beckford, R. (2004). God and the Gangs: An Urban Toolkit for Those Who Won't Be Sold Out, Bought Out or Scared Out. Sold out...? No viable alternative...? Just another gang...? It comes to something when our evangelism more resembles a 'slick-back-haired' encyclopaedia sales rep than the gospel. It comes to something when our churches are seen as offering no viable alternative. It ...