Bono on God, Michael on Catholicism

Bruce from Manna In Christchurch just sent me Bono's "book" that contains a speech he made to a prayer breakfast in Washington. It's great, should be on the required reading for any one. While there were many things that struck me I think the following lines echoed my story, with the parenting roles changed;

"I remember how my mother would bring us to chapel on Sundays… and my father used to wait outside. One of the things that I picked up from my father and my mother was the sense that religion often gets in the way of God.
For me, at least, it got in the way. Seeing what religious people, in the name of God, did to my native land… and in this country, seeing God’s second-hand car salesmen on the cable TV channels, offering indulgences for cash… in fact, all over the world, seeing the self-righteousness roll down like a mighty stream from certain corners of the religious establishment…
I must confess, I changed the channel. I wanted my MTV.
Even though I was a believer.
Perhaps because I was a believer.
I was cynical… not about God, but about God’s politics."

For me growing up the son of an Irish Catholic father and an English Salvation Army Mother caused much confusion. I always felt that my mother was never accepted by our local Catholic Church, the priest was great he knew that my parents believed in the same God, but many of the congregation were not so accepting. I guess that shaped my decision to wander away from church as a teen (only to eventualy return), but it has also shaped my faith now, I am not so interested in denomination as people's heart commitments, in the words of Bono I am still cynical... "not about God, but about God's politics."

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the tents of the wicked

At last the most powerful job in the Anglican Church has become available, no it's not the Archbishop Canterbury's job, but his gatekeeper....

Church of England/P/T Gatekeeper
Job Type:
Situations Vacant
Job Location:
Lambeth Palace
Job Title:
P/T Gatekeeper

Job description:
With its network of parishes covering the country, the Church of England plays an active role in national life, bringing an important Christian dimension to the nation as well as strengthening community life. The National Church Institutions (NCI's) support and promote the aims of the Church.
£18,110 - £18,590 p.a. pro rata
You will control access of personnel and vehicles entering and leaving Lambeth Palace' playing a key role within the team responsible for the security and safety of the Palace. In addition, you will process telephone calls received outside office hours, as well as informing residents of the arrival of guests.
You should appreciate the need for discretion and tactfulness in handling confidential matters. An aptitude to work unsupervised is important, and you should be flexible and reliable, with the ability to relate to people at all levels.

For further information about Lambeth Palace, visit www.archbishopofcanterbury.org.uk
To apply, please visit Prospect-Us website or call quoting Ref: C2216-65-1/R

On Prayer

Just come across a great article on Christianity Today about prayer by Tony Jones. Well worth a read

Nelson United (3rd team) 1 - Nelson Boys College (1st 11) 3

I had my first serious football game in about 5 years on Saturday. I put myself into football exile when I was Youth Pastor at Avonhead Baptist, where I played for a church team - after some really stupid decisions and comments, that hurt some people I was responsible for - I took the game far too serious. Not playing for such a long time was a hard decision but I decided I would give it another shot this year.
8 weeks ago I began training twice a week with the intention of pushing my self. My skill is not what it once was and my confidence is low - I am constantly checking myself in tackles - for fear of doing damage. But I have made it to a stage where I think i something to offer again.
So on Saturday morning I started at Centre Back against the Boys College 1st 11, now the centre back position is very similar to the keepers in many ways, they hold the defence together, and are normally the last man before the keeper, this position is about shutting down the attacks down the middle and fowling up the crosses from the wing. It's not an easy position to play for that reason but also because it requires skill in both feet for clearing the ball (something which i have developed in training Jr soccer) and an ability to read the attack. The average age on our team was probably about 34 and we were playing against a much younger fitter, better skilled team. I was expecting too be run at and having to do a fare amount of chasing - which i did, but was surprised with the result. I went off with an injury (sob, sob) but had managed to keep the attack out enough to keep the score line 1-1. They scored when me and the sweeper were caught out of position, and ran straight down the middle.

All in all it was a good game, I think we even had them worried at one stage (for about 5 minutes), but boy am I saw today...