Here I am again
In this raging sea
On my knees again
Deep calls to deep
I feel I’m drowning
My arms are
Just too tired to swim
I feel I’m sinking
On my knees again
In the roar of Your waterfall
In the storm of You
May You find me holding on
May You find me true
Chorus:
And I put my hope
And I put my trust
And I put myself in You
In You, Lord [2x]
Bridge:
Wash me clean
Set me free
Hold me close
And cover me
[My Hope – David Crowder Band]
I cleared off to the beach this afternoon for a while. The weather has been beautiful the last while, so I took the opportunity to have some time out on my own beside the sea, took the train up to West Kilbride.
I’ve been wrestling a bit with God the last few days especially. I seem to go through seaons when it feels like I’ve no idea what God is up to and it hurts more than I’d like to to. Equally, it also seems to be in the midst of those seasons when I get more opportunities to share Jesus with those around me. Maybe its like Goethe said, where there is a great deal of light, the shadows are deepest.
Today I needed some time out to just relax, not feel under pressure, and refocus on God. Being by the ocean (or water in general) always helps me do that. I spent a good hour walking waist-deep through the ocean, admiring the world around me, breathing deeply of the sea air and pouring my heart to God. I love how Spurgeon said it:
“The best style of prayer is that which cant be called anything else but a cry.”
On the reading front, I just finished off Jim Cymbala’s book. This month has been quite light on the recreational reading so far as I was doing a lot of reading for my essay on John’s gospel.* Now that it’s handed in I’m looking forward to some more books.
* Bibliography for essay, “Jesus Christ the Logos”
Käsemann, E. 1957 The Structure and Purpose of the Prologue to John’s Gospel.
Kelber, W.H. 1990 The Birth of a Beginning.
Martyn, J.L. 1979 History & Theology in the Fourth Gospel.
Peterson, E. 2006 Eat This Book.
Peterson, E. 2003 The Message Remix.
Stibbe, M.W.G. 1992 John as Storyteller.
Tasker, R.V.G. 1960 John.
I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind last night, was the first time I’ve seen right to the end of the film… I would add, it helps a lot! I love the film, it’s such a superbly crafted story. Gives Jim Carrey a chance to shine outside of his usual goof-ball type-comedy, which he does. And of course, the quote from which it takes it’s title is one of my favourites.
How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d;
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Working on an essay (i love the topic but actually writting them does my head in). My essay is on unique theological and literary features in John’s Gospel. Pretty interesting stuff!
Had an immense Easter celebratory meal at Reubens on Sunday night (thanks!).
Yesterday I went to Kelvingrove Art Gallery with the legend that is Aly. Really enjoyed seeing some cool art, though it was incredibly busy due to it being Easter Monday (which we’d kinda forgotten about!). I saw some images by a photographer called Joseph McKenzie, which are incredible. I love his style… although I can’t seem to find anything online to show you. Also discovered an artist called J.P. Pringle, whom I really like now too. I plan to go back some day when it’s not crazy busy, because I only saw a little bit of the museum (it’s deceptively large!) and also because it’s such a beautiful building, want to take some photographs.
Technorati tags: Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Joseph McKenzie
He is Risen!
To celebrate Easter, Glasgow has a sponsored motorcylce run which raises funds for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital. The run goes right around the city and finishes up at the hospital, where Easter Eggs are presented to the kids and the money raised handed over to the hospital. A lot of people in our church are involved/support this initiative. I took the above pictures on my phone on the way back from church this morning – there were a lot of bikes!
I love seeing the church in action like this… Easter Sunday is about resurrection and life and hope… Yorkhill plays a large part in giving hope to kids who are sick.
Click here for more info.
Technorati tags: Easter, Motorcycle Action Group
Today is “Good Friday”… I am in mourning today. I was introduced to the concept of “Bad Friday” a number of months ago, and have decided to adopt it.
“The true horror of the cross allows no such shelter, for if considered in itself, it signals the seeming abandonment of God by God… forcing the viewer [of the Passion of the Christ] to think about their response to Christ amidst his absence and in the seeming face of his abandonment by God.”
[Peter Rollins]
Instead of having a Good Friday service, where we celebrate Jesus resurrection, Mars Hill Church had a ‘Bad Friday’ service – a day of mourning, real sadness and rawness and emotion, leaving the tension unresolved until the Easter Sunday service, when they blow the roof off with praise! How much more powerful would it make Easter feel to me or you?
“This is the horror of the cross, not the blood and suffering of an innocent, but the removal of God.”
[Peter Rollins]
I like crookedshores’ thoughts on the subject.
Technorati tags: Easter, Good Friday, Rob Bell, Peter Rollins,
How (Not) To Speak Of God
The People formerly known as The Congregation
HT: Jonny
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.
Chase the lion.
[The lion chaser’s manifesto – Mark Batterson]
Technorati tags: Mark Batterson, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, Chase The Lion
I have momentarily disappeared off the face of the blogosphere. It’s kinda nice!
I had to post this when I read it, so so true…
there is such a gulf between what we need to express and what we actually say. a dual language of the (un)spoken. to step back into the real world after journeying with the Fishers was like walking out of therapy. i need you is masked by i hate that i need you is masked by i don’t need you is masked by i hate you is masked by… and so on. we are layers of meaning and feelings…
[From a post on LoserBaby’s blog]
Recent Comments