foolish network

As a University student, which is fast becoming some time ago, I was quite involved with establishing a Christian Union (CU). I went to a small art college in what I would call a small, remote, ostracised city, others call it Carlisle. Finding other christians was tricky but eventually a group of about 5 got together, assisted by a gentleman called Tim from an organisation called Operation Mobilisation.

There was some debate as what the group would be like, some thinking a social get together for like minded religious folk and others a more conventional CU with meetings, cell groups etc. Eventually we asked a larger christian students organisation to get involved and we met our local workers. It was great to get some support but we had a meeting and the conversation will stick with me forever. At the time the organisation’s values were promoted as Mission and Maturity and we were challenged on how we went about these, particularly mission. As I understand it from friends who studied elsewhere the traditional campus mission goes a little like this. A week long series of events that are mainly social and fun, building to an evangelical meeting where the gospel is preached or even a series of fun events with a ‘God-spot’ or epilogue tagged on the end.

The new CU didn’t have the resources or people to put on a week long series of events like larger campuses but our real difficulty was this concept of what constitutes mission. (more…)

As an Englishman living in Canada, I sometimes come across different areas of culture that I find difficult to adapt to. One of these areas has been the television.

Now don’t get me wrong, television over here is great. I don’t get time to watch too much right now, however do get the opportunity to watch some of my favourite American shows (24, Lost, Simpsons) without having to wait for them to air on Sky One. (By which time the story has been ruined for you by either the internet or some blabbing plot spoiler friend )

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…but not everything is beneficial 1 Cor 10:23
This weekend I just had an idea shoot in to the forefront of my mind that actually occured a while ago. It seems that those looking in on our faith are often preoccupied with the rules. Christians can’t drink, can’t smoke, can’t have sex before marriage, can’t have fun and so on.
Chatting to some of the young people in church and at some wider church events I’ve noticed we actually get a version of this same type of thing. ‘Is it ok for us to drink? ‘Can I watch 18 Certficate films?’ ‘What can I do with my girlfriend?’ ‘Can I date a non-christian?’
It strikes me that the real question is often ‘what can I get away with?’
I don’t believe this is unique to teenagers, I think our approach to church is similar, what is the minimum requirement? 2hrs on a Sunday morning? mid-week homegroup?

Imagine if you fell in love with someone, got married had an awesome honeymoon and the week you got back and settled in you approached the marriage by thinking, what’s the minimum housework I can do that will keep the wife off my back, or the what’s the maximum amount of time I can spend with my mates before she starts to complain … doesn’t really strike you as an the most loving of relationships.
Why are we like this with God and how can we change that?

If we picture God as this keeper of scores then we will always be focused on what the rules are, learning to play the game, fighting our case, finding the get out clause. If we see our relationship with God as a contract then we are stuffed because we would never have the ability to keep the terms. I would love to hear some suggestions but the one solution I see is that we need to see God as our Maker, the One who knows what is best for us, who knows what is beneficial. We need to see ourselves as the bridegroom, perhaps then we will focus on becoming the most beautiful wife in the world.

Here’s a brief story behind the songs from the ep.

Mindful of Me

“Mindful of Me” is a song that I’d been wanting to write for a while. I’d wanted to write something with some kind of steady, straight rock feel to allow some room for some nice warm guitars with a big chorus.

The premise of the song is taken from Psalm 8, one of my favorite passages of scripture. I love the way David focuses on Gods majesty, glory and creativity and then responds by humbly asking the question, “What is man that you are mindful of him?”
For me, that’s the most phenomenal thing to try and comprehend. That the God who created the universe, who crafted this world and all that is within it into existence, should still be mindful of me and care about the details of my life.
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