Out of the storm

I recently read this book by Derek Wilson, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wilson presents Luther as a passionate individual, who sometimes finds trouble by sticking rigidly to his position. (Naturally, this appeals to me.)

It’s over 20 years since I read Bainton’s ‘Here I stand’, so comparisons are difficult. But my impression from reading Wilson is that there is less of a heroic emphasis on Luther. While Wilson clearly admires him, he does show Luther in unfavourable light at certain times.

“We must feel the force of his passion because, if we do not, we have not got close to the real man.”

For me, it felt like Wilson was close to capturing the real man.

I particularly enjoyed the final section of the book when the author assesses the impact of Luther over the intervening centuries, up to our times. It is a fascinating analysis and well worth reading.

Reflecting on the book – from a personal perspective – maybe I need to be more aware of the possible consequences of ‘taking a stand’, and learn to pick my battles more carefully. It’s not about avoiding defeat, so much as being sure that winning is worth the cost.

Garden visitor

We had a visitor to our garden today. I think it's a hawker of some sort. We haven't seen any here (Perth, Scotland) before. All the more surprising since we had a sharp frost the other night.

Looking at it up close (the pink background is a towel that it landed on), it was truly amazing. It makes me realise how wonderful God's creation is - and therefore the responsibility placed on us to look after it.

If anyone knows anything about this amazing insect, I'd love to know more (but please remember that I'm not at all scientific).

If a picture paints 1,000 words ...

I received a newsletter from a guy called Kevin Eikenberry (management type of stuff). I've deleted the e-mail, so I'm working from memory here!

Anyway, he's inviting people to send him photos/ pictures, which he will post on his site without much - if any - comment. Well, I liked the idea, so here are a couple to start things off.

Feel the vibe

This marks a half-century - my 50th blog entry. Not overly impressive, but worth noting in a minor sort of way.

Dolly Daydream (my teenage daughter) introduced me to Netvibes recently. What a cool thing! You can organise most (though not all) of the websites, blogs etc that you visit. You can get news updates and any other RSS type feeds from the Net. Maybe I'm the last person on the InterWeb to catch on to this (which wouldn't come as a surprise to Dolly D!). But if you haven't come across it yet - have a look.

Normal blogging service will resume shortly (when I have more than 5 minutes to spare!).

Anyone for integrity?

I've been thinking a bit about integrity lately - troubled by a colleague's apparent inability to grasp the concept and their willingness to exploit every opportunity for the benefit of their department, whatever the greater good might demand.

If this sounds sanctimonious, then maybe it is! I know that I sometimes cross the boundary between being right and being righteous.

Anyway, a couple of articles on this topic caught my attention, over at Mark Sanborn and Harvard Business Online.

So, I've been thinking: 'Is there a distinction between public and private integrity?'

Now when phrased like that the answer seems obvious (it's NO for the avoidance of doubt). But if you re-phrase (as my colleague might), along the lines of remaining true to yourself, being pragmatic in public, avoiding discord, or recognising the realpolitik in any given situation, you can begin to see how people justify their actions to themselves.

Nevertheless - leading with my chin as usual - public and private integrity are indivisible, they always will be, wherever that leads me. And I know that it will lead me into further conflict with my colleague.

How else can we be light in this (sometimes) dark world?

sportsmanship par excellence

I used to play football with a guy who occasionally infuriated my team-mates, but always made me smile. He never claimed a corner if he knew it wasn't, he frequently conceded debatable throw-ins to the opposition - not out of generosity but out of honesty. But he never shirked a tackle or played 'soft' - he was just principled and honest. (He was - and as far as I know is - a Christian who went into chaplaincy, I think.)

Anyway I was reminded of Honest Ewan's sportsmanship - and integrity - when I heard about a football match played last night.

Short version of long story - the match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester was abandoned (voluntarily by Forest) when one of the Leicester players had a heart attack. Forest were leading 1-0 at the time.

The re-arranged match was played last night - and Leicester allowed the Forest goalie to score straight from the kick-off, to restore the 1-0 lead. I think that this is a brilliant display of sportsmanship, and it fair warmed the cockles of my heart.

Check out the story over at the BBC website.

contemplative activists

Intelligent church, intelligent book.

The sub-title (A Journey Towards Christ-Centred Community) describes what the book is about – and what our churches should be about.

Chalke quotes Phil Wall stating that we are ‘called to be contemplative activists’. I suspect that most Christian churches in the UK are likely to be comfortable with either half of that description, but bringing them together? If we’re honest that’s very uncomfortable.

Whatever situation your church is in I’d be astonished if you didn’t find something in this book that makes you wince. The ‘ouch’ factor is high.

The chapter headings alone will serve to identify gaps in our mission – intelligent, inclusive, messy, honest, purposeful, generous, vulnerable, political, diverse, dependent, transforming church. If you think that your church is able to model Christ in each of these areas, don’t bother to read this book – although you might want to have a look at the chapter on honest church!

It’s well worth reading – although expect to be challenged. Whether you change – is up to you.

“The shape of the way we do church – our traditions, our meetings, our buildings, our liturgies, our governance, our dress and countless more of our cultural preferences – can no longer be allowed to determine the shape and style of our mission and so limit what our communities and our society as a whole can see or know of Christ. It is time to do church differently.”