Beyond traditional perspectives to explore radical discipleship for ordinary people.

Ever thought about…

Published by
Tim
at 26 June, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

You probably haven’t, but, have you ever thought about setting up a residents association? Before you get bored, bear with me for a minute.

If you’re like me, you’re frustrated about the lack of community life in your neighbourhood. You’d like to get to know some people better, get more plugged in with whats going on locally and help to improve things a big.

If you’re feeling these things too, then trust me, residents associations are a great way to go. I’ve been working on setting one up in my block (a large tower block on an estate in London). Just getting people together, talking about how we can make a difference creates a really good buzz. What’s more, it breaks down barriers, empowers people to change their own situation, and forces us to engage more with those who live near us.

Interested? Then why don’t you contact your local council and ask for more info.

Can you carry the can, with me?

Published by
Tim
at 19 June, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

So, an interesting opportunity has come about. Let me fill you in on the background first…

I consider myself to possess reasonable levels of both strength and fitness. Confronted with a strength and stamina test a faction of that completed by a 13 year old girl made me ooze with confidence. Lifting the 20 kg weight above my head was a breeze - I lift more than that in the gym. Sticking it on top of my head was uncomfortable, straining the neck slightly. Walking up the stairs of my 10 storey tower block began reasonably comfortably, but nearing the top I began to demonstrate the early signs of exhaustion.

So, having completed my 3 min task, I pondered… ‘How is it that Stidia, a 13 year old girl in rural Uganda, can walk down a mountain side, collect 20 litres of dirty water, and walk back up, taking 90 mins, without energy drinks or shoes, and then get on with her day? She’s 13 for goodness sake! (I’d highly recommend you watch this clip - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNlGZydBGno&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etearfund%2Eorg%2Fmake%2Blife%2Bflow%2F&feature=player_embedded - you’ll be amazed and disturbed)

So what is the opportunity you mentioned at the start, I hear you ask? Well, I feel inspired to do something, in my own small way, to help bring about a change. A group of us have decided, by way of prophetic action, to meet at Westminster Bridge on the Thames on 2 July at 8.30am, each fill a 20 litre jerry can like Stidia’s with dirty Thames water, and carry it on our heads through Westminster to Gordon Brown. About 900 million people, out of our sight, collect dirty water and carry it long distances everyday. Imagine, in the height of rush hour, those ‘out of sight’ millions being made visible in central London!

What’s more, Gordon Brown has agreed to allow a few people in to Downing Street to personally hand in Tearfund’s campaigns cards urging the government to take action for people like Stidia.

I would love for a big group of us to take part in this prophetic action. Would you come and join us?

ACTION POINTS:

1. If you are yet to be convinced, or your passion not yet stirred, watch this short film about Stidia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCM4PSayzrs&feature=channel

2. Come and join me on 2 July 2009 at 8.30am outside St Thomas Hospital by Westminster Bridge, walk in Stidia’s shoes, and help to represent the millions who do this out of sight everyday. We’ll be done by 10am. For more info, email hello@journeybeyond.org

3. If you can’t join us, then add your voice by campaigning online - http://www.tearfund.org/Make+Life+Flow/Be+a+sanitation+and+water+champion.htm

Are you struggling with power? I am.

Published by
Tim
at 7 May, 2009 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Power is an interesting thing. To have power correlates, in my mind anyway, with being in control, having mastery over something and expecting due homage to be paid to your ability (I want to distinguish power from responsibility). I hate to think of myself as someone who enjoys power - it’s not something Christians really admit, thought most of us, pleading bliss ignorance, pursue it nonetheless, however unintentionally. I may as well acknowledge that I enjoy a bit of power. It makes me feel good.

Question: At what cost does power come?

This question was provoked as I was trying to keep apace with the ‘Bible in a Year’ readings (www.communityofreadings.com) where I read this;

They (John the Baptists Disciples) came to him and said, ‘Rabbi, that man (Jesus) who was with you on the other side of the Jordan - the one you testified about - well, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’ To this, John the Baptist replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven… He must become greater: I must become less.’ (John 3: 26, 27, 30)

I find this extraordinary. John the Baptist was a ‘powerful’ man. He had disciples, baptized a lot of people and was hugely popular amongst the common people. In the days of Messiah spotting, John was likely a strong candidate for nomination. So, how does he manage to let go of his power and ‘become less,’ allowing Jesus to ‘become greater?’

In my mind, John understood two things I struggle to accept deep down. Firstly, that power does not do us any good (note: responsibility is different). So easily it allows us to take the place of God (which we are not created to do and cannot cope with), creates false security, and prevents Jesus from doing his work. Secondly, John was content. ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven…’ He felt no need to strive beyond that to which God had called him.

Question: What effect is power having in your life? Is there a need to come to terms with what John seemed to have done?

ACTION POINTS:

1. Spend a moment identifying areas in your life where you enjoy that sense of power I’ve spoken about.

2. Discuss: What does ‘He must become greater; I must become less’ mean in your context?