Sermon Update

Thanks to everyone who posted encouraging comments or who e-mailed or spoke to me last week.

Somehow a sermon(ette) came together (the first three words survived, but not at the start), and despite a few little complicaions on the day, everything seemed to go well.

Thank you.

Tomorrow's sermon

I'm supposed to be preaching tomorrow- it's the first time I've done that in year. Here's the problem. I'm having difficulty preparing. I'm not able to get into my old routines, I'm not in touch with any of the issues in the church...

But to make it worse, this hasn't been a good week. I've been struggling to concentrate, I have been getting headaches, etc... so at the moment I have an order of service, a title, and the first 3 words...

To make matter worse, my mind isn't working so well and I can't trust my memory, so I need to have it all written out...

This is not looking good.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Yesterday the Muslim Council Of Britian voted to abandon its boycott of Holocaust memorial day. It had previously argued that the focous should be wider, the day should not just focous on the holocaust but also on other acts of genocide (such as Darfur). However, this position has been misinterpreted as anti-semitism so they have decided to support the day.

Interstingly, on the same day the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust released some results of a survey. It says that although 53% of Britons know that genocide is taking place in Darfur, only 17% will do anything about it...

Maybe the Muslim Council of Britian had a point...

(Christ/X)mas

A few stories in the press have got me thinking about christmas/securalism/”christianophobia”.

The first was a story in the “torygraph” which was picked up by the BBC. It claimed that in a survey of 100 schools, only 1 in 5 was having a nativity play. This was, it was claimed (with no quotes from the schools/local authorities/etc to back their propaganda up), “because schools don’t want to upset non-christians” and held up as an example of political correctness gone wrong.

Sorry but the rag has got it wrong.

Thinking back to my primary school days (over 20 years ago) even then we only had 1 nativity play in 4 years. The rest of the time it was plays based on fairy tales, or classic children's stories. This wasn’t due to political correctness either (the only non white was a Sikh classmate of mine...) no it was because school found it boring to produce the same play every year and wanted to mix it up a bit...

next...

Tory MP Mark Pritchard is calling for a parliamentary debate on what he is calling ”christianophobia”. He wants the country’s “Christian tradition” protected (oh yes he quoted the bogus nativity play “research” as evidence...). He went on to say "It's gone far enough. If there are those who want to see the Christian church reduced to the margins in this nation they should have the courage to say so, rather than using the rights of other religions as an excuse."
Well maybe he should check out the facts... less than 6% of this country goes to church on a regular basis... the church IS on the margins... and whilst I’m not happy about this I don’t think attacking multiculturalism is the answer (unless you’re a tory who is frightened that the BNP are getting your votes...)

But (before you write me off...) I was saddened on sunday to go to a christmas shop. There were over 20 different snowy town scene you could buy, but only one crib set... yep, we’ve forgotten the origin of christmas...

Music of the day

Another 90's indie (I think I still have the single somewhere...)

I think I'll have a break and post something a little more up to date next,

but first here is 3 Colours Red and Beautiful Day

Music of the day

As part of my ongoing campaign to get 90's indie the respect it deserves I'm highlighting another classic today...

So here is Monaco and What do you want from me

Swedish Word of the day...

I've been having fun watching a goat being built on a webcam...

OK, I know that doesn't sound too savory, but over the past few days the Gävle Goat has been built in the centre of Gävle. Its been quite entertaining. Last year was the first time the unofficial tradition of burning the goat failed due to the fact the straw was treated with special fire retardant chemicals...

If you want to watch the fun you can view the live feed here (don't forget to call the fire brigade if you see anyone trying to set it on fire!

So today's SWOTD is Julebock or "Christmas Goat"

Music of the day

Time for some real old fashioned indie...

So here is Mansun and Wide Open Space

Swedish Word of the day...

Because I seem to be catching any bug going around (the CFS seems to lower my immunity), and because these bugs tend to exaggerate my CFS symptoms, I got a flue jab from the doctor when I had my monthly check-up on Tuesday. Which means that instead of a week, I just get a few days feeling rough!

Anyway I seem to be getting over it and back to (for me) normal (thankfully the sinus problems have gone too!)

So today's SWOTD is vaccinera or "vaccinate".

(family friendly) Music of the day

(to make up for the adult rated song I posted earrlier, here is Mitch Benn & The Distractions and Everything sounds like Coldplay Now)

Oh, the irony...!

This is Edinburgh's farmer's market, set up, like other farmers market's to supply local (low food miles), in season, fresh produce to the public at a fair price to the farmer (by cutting out the middle man- often a supermarket which depresses the price a farmer receives).

So why does Heinz insist on calling one of its new soup ranges "farmers market", when it goes against all the ideals of a real farmers market?

Swedish Word of the day...

I was sitting in the lobby/cafe of an expensive hotel yesterday waiting for a meeting. At the next table, a group of "businessmen" (with what I can only think to be lawyers or accountants) were discussing how they could "collapse" a company so avoid paying any tax on it. Honestly. They were going through all the "mistakes" that they knew others had made which made them liable for taxation...

I'm sorry but I see taxes as the subscription fee for belonging to a civilised society.

Which brings me to another interesting point. In the UK the torries have floated the idea that we should copy some aspect of the Swedish school system, but unlike Sweden they don't want the taxes to pay for it... nice try Dave the Chameleon.

So today's SWOTD is Skatt or "tax".

Music of the day

Time to get political...

It might lack the class and sophistication of the old protest songs...

If you are offended by strong language, best not play it (honestly, I'm not just saying it)...

So here is Jarvis and Running the world

Car (still) for sale

I put this advert up when I thought I was going to Denmark, however as I haven't driven the car since June, and I can't really afford to run it, Its still up for sale

03 SmartCar

68,400 Miles. Full service history, Taxed (only £35/year) until May 2008, 50-60 mpg (depending on how heavy your right foot is!), easy to park! low insurance group (group 1a)...

£1000 (minus the cost of an MOT)

(Sorry this is the only picture of the car I could find & I'm too lazy to take another one now...)

Reality Check (update)

A week ago I saw specialist in Edinburgh. It was good- he clearly knew his stuff and was sympathetic to the problem. He wants some more tests done and wants to chase up some of the previous tests, but was hopefully that my improvement should continue. On the plus side I had some blood taken and for the first time in ages it went OK (no collapsed veins, no standing with my hands in a basin of water trying to get veins on the back of my hand, etc).

However, for a week I've had a really bad problem with my sinuses (which doesn't help my condition at the moment). I saw the doctor on Monday (it seems as they take me seriously now) who decided that as I've had it over a week and because it is making my CFS symptoms worse, that I should get some medicine for it. Yesterday was better, however today is really bad. I'm in pain, my head aches and I really feel bad...

hopefully the meds will kick in soon.

Music of the day

I feel like getting political so for the next few days I'll post some more radical songs.

So here is Gene and This is as good as it gets

Music of the day

Another of the oldie but goodie indie’s...

Catatonia

The problem is finding videos...

My favourite song- Strange Glue is only available as a video for another film which I don’t liket... (if you close your eyes you can listen to it here)

My second fav- Londinium is available as a bad live show... here

So it has to be...
So here is Catatonia and Mulder and Scully

And you wondreed why people don't go to church anymore...

I laughed... untill I remembered a few ministers who make this guy look like a red cross volunteer...

Music of the day

Time for another goose bump producing song from the Manics ...

If this doesn’t make you come out in bumps or want to jump up and down then you’re not alive...

(and these guys are great live...)

Wiki has the story behind the song
So here is The Manic Street Preachers and A design for life

Tech support

At least the tech support wasn't a guy on a mobile on a train...

Music of the day

I decided it was time for some more classic indie ...

So here is James and She’s a Star




(If you want more, why not try his old classic sit down or a his newer Just like Fred Astaire)

Music of the day

Another more recent one (but hopefully off the radar for most of you)

Its time for some more british indie

So here is British Sea Power and It Ended on an Oily Stage

Remembrance Day Reflections...

Remembrance Day Reflections...

As I watched the Cenotaph Ceremony on TV yesterday I was struck by my mixed emotions and reminded that I’m not sure what to think about Remembrance Day.

Firstly, I can’t help but think of those in the forces, those who died and those who returned, some whole and some broken. My family has strong ties to the forces with members of both my immediate and extended family having served. So I feel the burden of the “covenant” the country has with those who risk their lives for us, and yet I struggle with the idea of war and violence.

I suppose this is reflected by my understanding of war- I am torn between espousing the peaceful non cooperation of Gandhi on one hand, and the desire to fight for justice of Camilo Torres on the other... complicated.

So here are some of my random thoughts...

Although a staunch republican, I do respect the fact that members of the royal family have themselves served in the front line.

I do believe that many have made sacrifices, I do believe that the struggle against Nazism for example was necessary- but why don’t we remember those who volunteered to fight against the other fascist dictator- Franco?

How do I respond to the fact that soldiers are dying in a war I did not support...

What about those who did in the struggles against injustice but who didn’t wear a uniform?

Where is the place for remembering the conscientious objectors (there wasn’t always the option for them to serve in a non-combatant role like stretcher bearing)? There were those who were incarcerated in the most notorious prisons.

Do the politicians who place their wreaths actually realise the gravity of their decisions to send their countries to war?

So as you can probably tell, I’m a little uncertain how I feel.
If any question why they died

Tell them because our fathers lied
Rudyard Kipling

The hand that signed the paper

The hand that signed the paper felled a city;
Five sovereign fingers taxed the breath,
Doubled the globe of dead and halved a country;
These five kings did a king to death.

The mighty hand leads to a sloping shoulder,
The fingers' joints are cramped with chalk;
A goose's quill has put an end to murder
That put an end to talk.

The hand that signed the treaty bred a fever,
And famine grew, and locusts came;
Great is the hand that holds dominion over
Man by a scribbled name.

The five kings count the dead but do not soften
The crusted wound nor stroke the brow;
A hand rules pity as a hand rules heaven;
Hands have no tears to flow.
Dylan Thomas

[Sorry about the formatting... blogger just can't get it right. grrr...]

Music of the day

If I had to choose the best group in recent history The Verve would have to be up there. Their Album Urban Hymns could even be one of the best of the last century (well its my blog I get to choose!)

What song to showcase?

Everyone has heard bittersweet symphony and whilst it is good, I think its over exposed.

The drugs don’t work (video/(live)- class!

I like “space and time” and “velvet morning”... but as I couldn’t get a video, my next favourite will have to do.

So here is the verve and sonnet

Music of the (Remembrance Sun)day

The Manics are one of my favourite bands...

I’ll come back to them again, but this one is here because today is Remembrance Sunday.

This song is about the Spanish Civil War, so I thought (along with the other posts today) I’d highlight a less commonly remembered conflict.

So here is The Manic Street Preachers and If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (their first UK No.1 Single)

Remembrance Sunday

If you have enjoyed walking, climbing or simply visiting the Lake District, you have been part of a memorial to the members of the Fell and Rock Climbers Club who died in the Great War.

In 1923 the Lingmell, Great End, Allan Crags, Green Gable, Great Gable, Kirkfell and some other peaks were bought in memory of the fallen walkers and climbers and handed over to the National Trust.


Afar in foreign graves they lie,
Not here where they could wish to be,
"Under the wide and starry sky,"
Upheld by British crag and scree.
And yet we felt their spirits dwell
Amidst the circumambient air,
Above the heights they loved so well,
Austere, enchanting, cloud-capped, bare.
For those who bravely die, 'twas said,
Their tomb is the wide earth's extent,
And Gable is for these, our dead,
Their playground, and their monument.

You can read more about that day here

Swedish Word of the (Remembrance Sun)day...

Today's SWOTD is vapenstilleståndsdagen or "Remembrance Day".

Music of the day

Ok, so it gets a bit personal here...

If anyone tells you that being a minister is easy they are lying.

I’m not a big fan of “contemporary Christian music” mostly because it (in my opinion) isn’t usually contemporary, and usually isn’t that good. I also don’t particularly like “worship” music (buts probably down to my worship hang-ups...), So I normally found my “inspiration’, etc in “regular music”.

However this song cuts through that... I times when I put this on in the car on repeat as I drove to church, or as I sat outside trying to psyche myself up to walk through the doors...

So here is David Crowder Band and Deliver Me (the music is their's, the picture's are someone elses)

Requiescat in Pace: Rev Dr Chad Varah (founder of the Samaritans)

You can read an obituary about this man who made a difference to many thousands of lives here.

Swedish Word of the day...

Today I posted about the Swedish band kent and posted some music videos. Sadly their most recent single is only in swedish... I can’t translate the song, but here’s the title...

So today's SWOTD is ingenting or "nothing".