Muslim-Episcopal priest

Posted on June 24, 2007
Filed Under current affairs, faith | 4 Comments

Whilst reading Scot McKnight’s blog yesterday, I came across a link to an article about a Episcopal priest who has said she is a muslim as well.  You can read the article, from the Seattle Times, here.  I’m not really sure what I make of this at all to be honest.  In fact, I don’t really get it.

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Be still and know that I am God

Posted on June 22, 2007
Filed Under God, Prayer, family news | 4 Comments


Psalm 46

A Song of the Sons of Korah

1-3 God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
the tremors that shift mountains.   Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
but Earth does anything he says.

7 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything.”

11 Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. (The Message)

The NIV version says in verse 10 - “Be still and know that I am God.”  We’ve got a lot going on with our son right now.  We see his Paediatrician on Wednesday, we’d really value your prayers.

Paul Potts

Posted on June 21, 2007
Filed Under current affairs | 3 Comments

Cindy posted today about Paul Potts, who is an opera singer taking part in a show here called Britains Got Talent.  The show is one of Simon Cowell’s productions.  I have to admit that I didn’t even know this show was airing here - I don’t watch much TV!  Anyway, follow the link to Cindy’s blog above, and view the you tube video’s.  This guy is absolutely awesome.

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Blog reader

Posted on June 21, 2007
Filed Under blog | 7 Comments

I’m really behind with my blog reading this week, as bloglines does not seem to be working properly.  Anyone else had any problems with it?  I’m thinking about trying Google reader.  What blog reader do you use?  Would you recommend it?

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Liturgy

Posted on June 20, 2007
Filed Under church, worship | 6 Comments

I’ve been thinking today about liturgy and whether it is over used in some churches, and not used enough in other churches? This year we returned to the Anglican church, having been away from it for over seven years. Jonathan and I are not denominational, we just go where God wants us. However over the past seven years I did miss not having liturgy present within our church service. In saying that, though, I wonder whether liturgy is used too much within the Anglican church? Liturgy is obviously part of our Christian heritage, and I believe it has an important place within new forms of church. Sometimes during a Sunday service though, liturgy seems to roll off peoples tongues, and I wonder if they are really thinking about what they are saying? I have to hold my hands up, I am guilty of this too, as you become so used to what is about to come in the Sunday service format.

I wonder if liturgy was only said every three or four weeks whether it would have more affect on peoples thoughts? Or, if it was said every week, then if it was not done in the same format week after week? Here’s the issue though, liturgy very much forms the communion service within the Anglican church, so I guess it would be hard for them to break the mold. I’ve copied below The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed and The Collect for Purity, for those who are interested to read them. Northumbria Community have daily offices which involve liturgy for those of you interested.

How do you use, or how would you use, liturgy within the emerging-missional (whatever your term is!) church?

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Collect for Purity
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

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