GRACELAND

John O'Donohue

2008-01-10T15:23:00.000Z

I like many are deeply saddened by the news of John O'Donohue's sudden death while on holiday in France. John was a giant of a man in so many ways, yet I have never met anyone more gentle of heart and spirit.

I remember fondly that when he spoke to me just after the death of my Mum, his gentleness and creative genius touched my griefing soul.

Whilst he is no doubt just about now bending Yahweh's ear about something or other, his God-filled soul and kind spirit are at peace.

These words are from John's own hand and minister to us even though his journey is complete.

On the death of the Beloved

Though we need to weep your loss, You dwell in that safe place in our hearts, Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawnBrightening over our livesAwakening beneath the darkA further adventure of colour.
The sound of your voiceFound for usA new musicThat brightened everything.
Whatever you enfolded in your gazeQuickened in the joy of its being; You placed smiles like flowersOn the altar of the heart. Your mind always sparkled With wonder at things.
Though your days here were brief, Your spirit was live, awake, complete.
We look towards each other no longerFrom the old distance of our names; Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath, As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes, We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face, Smiling back at us from within everythingTo which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory, Where we would grow lonely without you. You would want us to find you in presence, Beside us when beauty brightens, When kindness glowsAnd music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth, Darkest winter has turned to spring; May this dark grief flower with hopeIn every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart. To serve the call of courage and loveUntil we see your beautiful face againIn that land where there is no more separation, Where all tears will be wiped from our mind, And where we will never lose you again.

-- John O’Donohue

Happy New Year

2007-12-31T12:54:00.000Z

Happy New year to any who pass the way of Graceland at this time of the year and we wish you God's blessing for 2008.

May things go well with you and yours.

PRAYER OF FRANCIS DRAKE

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves
When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Foy's Noise

2007-11-19T13:45:00.000Z

Despite the miserable November deluge, I found myself amongst the Belfast student scene on Saturday night savouring the delights of Foy Vance in concert.

It was a virtuoso performance by a man at the top of his musical & performance game.

Profound, soulful, witty, intelligent & immensley creative. Foy held the packed Mandela Hall in the palm of his hands as he sang, looped & played his way through most of his ever growing catalogue.

If you haven't had the Foy experience, you don't know what you're missing.

Remembrance

2007-11-11T19:13:00.001Z

ANTHEM FOR A DOOMED YOUTH

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

God is not elsewhere

2007-11-10T20:28:00.000Z

You might consider visiting Gareth Higgins blog at this link;

http://godisnotelsewhere.blogspot.com/

Always thought provoking and insightful. His most recent entry raises much needed questions about "rendition" which flow from the recent film of the same name.

Having viewed it, I am troubled and challenged by the issues it raises and its depiction of the everyday practice which the American Government advocates and endorses and UK Government seems to allow to go largely unchallenged. Gareths thoughts are:

"Some thoughts on the practice of extraordinary rendition - The fact that we know such practices are employed in our name should have been enough of a wake up call – but as yet, the groaning near-silence of free people whose leaders exercise injustice on our behalf continues. Are we prepared to do more than go to meetings, or to pray, or to write blog posts about what is happening in our world? What will a non-violent Reformation require of us? - if you want to read more of my thoughts on this, check out the God's Politics blog..."

What are we reading?

2007-11-09T15:03:00.001Z

A generous soul recently gave me the gift of Brian McLaren's latest book, Everything Must Change.

As with most of McLaren's work, this is a provocative and challenging read and whilst I haven't read enough to give a full review, it may be something you may consider giving as a gift this Christmas.

A full review will follow later.

Made me wonder what others out there in cyberland may be reading?

Feel free to offer Graceland a recommendation.

MUD IN YOUR EYE

2007-11-07T15:49:00.000Z

"Nothing makes one so dizzy as human reasoning, which sees everything from an earthly point of view, and does not allow illumination from above. Earthly reasoning is covered with mud. Therefore, we have need of streams from above, so that, when the mud has fallen away, whatever part of the reason is pure may be carried on high and may be thoroughly imbued with the lessons taught there. This takes place when we manifest both a well-disposed soul and an upright life."

St. John Chrysostom, Homily 24 (John 2:23-3:4), A.D. 390

What in God's name are we doing?

2007-11-03T19:47:00.000Z

(CNN) -- A federal jury in Baltimore, Maryland, Wednesday awarded $10.9 million to a father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by members of a fundamentalist church carrying signs blaming soldiers' deaths on America's tolerance of homosexuals.
A member of Westboro Baptist Church protests outside a veteran's hospital in Maywood, Illinois, in April 2006.
The family of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder -- who was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq's Anbar province in 2006 -- sued the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, and its leaders for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Church members showed up at Snyder's funeral chanting derogatory slogans and holding picket signs with messages including "God Hates Fags."
They've picketed the funerals of dozens of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming that God is punishing the United States because of its tolerance for homosexuality.

"It's hard enough burying a 20-year-old son, much less having to deal with something like this," he said, recalling that some of the other signs at the funeral included "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs."

Watch the fallen Marine's father describe his reaction »
"As far as their picketing goes, they want to do it in front of a courthouse, they want to do it in a public park, I could care less. But I couldn't let them get away with doing this to our military," Al Snyder said.

"Every day in court I would just think of Matt and have him on my mind and know that he was watching out for me."
Snyder's attorney told jurors to pick an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again," according to The Associated Press.

Church founder Fred Phelps said the church would appeal the decision, adding it would "take about five minutes to reverse that thing." Watch Phelps laugh at the people trying to silence him »
"This will elevate me to something important," Phelps told reporters. "This was an act of futility."
Later, Phelps said the case was about "putting a preacher on trial for what he preaches."
"All it was, was a protestation by the government of the United States against the word of God. They don't want me preaching that God is punishing the country by killing their servicemen." Watch Phelps say freedom of speech is under fire »
The judgment would not change the message the group was carrying, said another of Phelps' daughters, church attorney Shirley Phelps-Roper.
"It's going nowhere," she said of the jury's decision. "This is a nothing. God is not going to stop killing your soldiers. He's not going to stop pouring his wrath out on this nation. America is doomed."
Church members were persecuted for their teachings and the court "mocked and scoffed at our religious beliefs," she said.
The group plans to protest a Veterans Day rally in Washington, she said.
Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church -- which has no connections with any mainstream Baptist organizations -- are longtime anti-gay protesters.
Before launching their protests at the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, they routinely picketed the funerals of gay people and those who died of AIDS.

Phelps and his followers also picketed the February 2006 funeral of Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., because of her support for gay rights.
Several states have implemented laws about funeral protests and Congress has passed a law barring protests at federal cemeteries. E-mail to a friend

MR JONNY

2007-10-17T14:25:00.000+01:00

My friend Mr Jonny has some great Autumn pic's ( like this)posted at the following link. Well worth a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterjonnywatson

If you've any stuff of your own you'd like to recommend, pictures, books, music etc, we'd love to hear from you.

West Wing Theology

2007-10-15T21:44:00.000+01:00

WEST WING WISDOM

Currently revisiting Series 5 of the West Wing and enjoying some of the more subtle moments missed during the first viewing.

"Leo's" word to the President during a particularly difficult encounter with his rivals carry some timely wisdom.

"Mr President, sometimes its not enough to be right"

Reminded me of my favourite scene in an earlier series which can be viewed at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWqgD7lGneU&mode=related&search=

THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU

2007-10-12T13:19:00.001+01:00

My fellow Tramp Glenn at Crookedshore sent me this poem. It sort of sent me off on some lateral thinking about faith, providence & pre-destination (yes that!).

Have a read and feel free to share your perspective. Oh! Do visit the gang at crookedshore, well worth a visit.

http://crookedshore.typepad.com/crookedshore/

The God Who Loves You

It must be troubling for the god who loves you

To ponder how much happier you'd be today

Had you been able to glimpse your many futures.

It must be painful for him to watch you on Friday evenings

Driving home from the office, content with your week—

Three fine houses sold to deserving families—

Knowing as he does exactly what would have happened

Had you gone to your second choice for college,

Knowing the roommate you'd have been allotted

Whose ardent opinions on painting and music

Would have kindled in you a lifelong passion.

A life thirty points above the life you're living

On any scale of satisfaction.

And every point A thorn in the side of the god who loves you.

You don't want that, a large-souled man like you

Who tries to withhold from your wife the day's disappointments

So she can save her empathy for the children.

And would you want this god to compare your wife

With the woman you were destined to meet on the other campus?

It hurts you to think of him ranking the conversation

You'd have enjoyed over there higher in insight

Than the conversation you're used to.

And think how this loving god would feelKnowing that the man next in line for your wife

Would have pleased her more than you ever will

Even on your best days, when you really try.

Can you sleep at night believing a god like that

Is pacing his cloudy bedroom, harassed by alternatives

You're spared by ignorance? The difference between what is

And what could have been will remain alive for him

Even after you cease existing, after you catch a chill

Running out in the snow for the morning paper,

Losing eleven years that the god who loves you

Will feel compelled to imagine scene by scene

Unless you come to the rescue by imagining him

No wiser than you are, no god at all, only a friend

No closer than the actual friend you made at college,

The one you haven't written in months.

Sit down tonight And write him about the life you can talk about

With a claim to authority, the life you've witnessed,

Which for all you know is the life you've chosen.

Tribute to Woody Guthrie

2007-10-10T14:46:00.000+01:00

Woody Guthrie Tribute

I had the privilege of attending a Tribute to Woody Guthrie Fundraising Event at Belfast’s Empire on Sunday night past. Fine local musicians including Juliet Turner, Bap Kennedy, The Delaware’s performed their creative adaptations of some of Woody Guthrie’s classics.

Despite his debilitating disease, Guthrie penned many prophetic and often scathing musical commentary’s on the American life, economy, justice system and political landscape.

My personal favourite? "This land is your land" which was written as a sort of antidote to Irving Berlin’s God Bless America.

AMAZING GRACE

2007-10-08T09:37:00.000+01:00

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

I'm always playing catch up when it comes to movie releases so for those who've long ago seen this film, forgive me.

In the age of endless political spin, parliamentary bickering and "will he, won't he" election watching, this movie reminds us of what can be achieved when men and women choose to give their lives for what they believe in.

A fine cast, beautiful cinematography and inspiring script render this a must watch film.

Would to God that we have someone in Politics today with the same convictions to stand up for right instead of holding up a finger to see which way the votes are blowing!

Rebecca Rothbaum, writing in O MAGAZINE said, "An important story... sumptuously shot, and masterfully acted!"

MAN AND GOD

2007-10-05T13:30:00.000+01:00

MAN AND GOD

Saw this quote from Dorothy Sayers and was re-awakened to the mysterious dimension of Jesus as fully God AND fully man.

In modern memoirs written by real people about another real person we would expect just that sort of diversity which we find in the Gospels. If it surprises us there, it is perhaps because we have fallen out of the habit of looking on Jesus and his disciples as really real people.

-Dorothy Sayers - Introduction to The Man Born to Be King

Seeing people as neither angels nor devils but as just human can prevent us from putting them on pedestals. More importantly it can also help us understand the frailty and failure which each carry within us.

Shane Claiborne

2007-10-04T14:19:00.001+01:00

Shane Claiborne in Belfast

The author of Irresistible Revoloution will be sharing the story of "The Simple Way" in the Spires Centre on Tues 30th Oct at 7.30pm.

For more info on Shane and his community, the Simple Way, go to the following link.

http://www.thesimpleway.org

Springsteen "Magic"

2007-10-02T10:11:00.001+01:00

SPRINGSTEEN MAGIC RETURNS

After a gap of 5 years since "The Rising", the Boss returns with the legendary E Street Band & delivers "Magic", A 12 track rock n roll commentary or as Mojo magazine described it, "Springsteen's State of the Union"

So grab yourself a copy & enjoy the Magic which is Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band!

Let us know what you think?

Graceland Returns

2007-10-02T09:41:00.000+01:00

GRACELAND RETURNS

After a short "sabbatical", Graceland makes its comeback.

Our aim is to regularly post some articles of interest to those who land in our little corner of cyberspace.

Music, Faith, Politics, Literature or Art?

Please take a few minutes every once in a while to post your thoughts or comment on those of others.

All are welcome, the party wouldn't be the same without you!

LENT

2007-01-25T15:30:00.000Z

Ideas for Lent.

Graceland will be hosting some reflections for the coming Lent season and would appreciate your thoughts/ideas.

Lent commences this year on 21st Feb.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, fasting & praying, preparing a mission, fighting temptation, working through his calling. Then in the early church, Lent was the time for new Christians to learn the faith, & for the rest to devote themselves to prayer & fasting, a spring cleaning of the soul in readiness for the journey to come.

Maybe you’ve spent some time in a spiritual desert & are looking to press through, maybe you’ve never “done” Lent but it can be the provison of some real “soulfood”.

Should we give something up for 40 days?
Should we give something different up each day?
Should we GIVE something for Lent?
How can this season inform & inspire us in our journey back to God?

Here are some starter ideas (COURTESY OF VARIOUS BLOGS) but Graceland would love your input so let us know what you think?

Go mobile-free for a day, or better a week & use the space to be still.
Give up caffeine for 40 days & detox your body and brain!
Recycle Something
Create a moan-free zone. Refuse to complain for a day or allow others to moan around you!
Research on the internet what Lent is. Understand better.

It would be great to have 40 different things we could try for each day of Lent so get your creative thinking cap on.

2007-01-23T07:45:00.000Z

Poor mans proverbs!

Funny how in the midst of the poor mans proverbs of a “desk top calendar”, little diamonds can sometimes be mined.

I was challenged by these words:

“Cherish the past, adorn the present and create for the future.”

A life-giving perspective.

(image courtesy if Jonny Baker, thanks Jonny!)

2007-01-22T13:45:00.000Z

Rock N' Roll, Rock N' Responsibility

During the past week, I’ve had the privilege & pleasure of enjoying two of contemporary music’s enduring performers.

CHUCK BERRY

Standing 10ft from one of Rock n Roll’s great legends is a memory that will stay with me a long time. Last Thursday at the Waterfront Hall Belfast, every rif, every line was pregnant with the power, majesty & ministry of Rock N Roll. The man showed that even at 80yrs old, he could capture his audience with a style & stage presence often sought but rarely found. Johnny B Goode, Memphis Tennessee, Little Queenie highlighted a musical canon that can rarely if ever be matched.

Hail Hail Rock N Roll!

Then last night at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall, one of Canada’s finest cast his spell of Rock N Responsibility. Bruce Cockburn’s poetic, prophetic yet humble muse reminded us that Rock N Roll not only entertains us, but also challenges us to think not just of ourselves, but of those at the bottom of the pile.

Merci Mon Ami!

David Ervine - A life well lived

2007-01-11T19:57:00.000Z

David Ervine.

A man who lived what he believed, who learnt from what he believed, and who gave himself to teaching others what he had learned.

He will be greatly missed by those searching for a way ahead in a country which spends too much time looking back.

Connemara Sunsets

2007-01-03T22:38:00.000Z

Connemara Sunsets

Check out these pics from Mr Jonny who shows some hidden talent behind the lens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterjonnywatson/

Make sure you feedback to him. The boy has talent.

Graceland

World Map

2007-01-03T22:15:00.000Z

Linked to this site from my mates at Crookedstore (thanks Glenn)

I was astonished and challenged by seeing our world mapped in this format. What do ya think?

http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/

Infant mortality is babies who die during the first year of their life. In 2002 there were 7.2 million infant deaths worldwide; 5.4% of all babies born died within their first year, including 2.3% in their first week.
The territory with the most infant deaths was India, at 1.7 million, or 24% of the world total. In India, for every 100 babies born alive, almost 7 die in the following 12 months.
In 22 territories the rate is over 1 infant death for every 10 live births. All of these 22 territories are in Africa. The highest infant mortality rate is in Sierra Leone where 16.5 babies die, of every 100 born alive.

West Wing Theology?

2007-01-01T12:05:00.000Z

West Wing

I came to the West Wing late via the recommendation of friends. Having fastracked my way via DVD, I've been amazed and encouraged at the wisdom which is contained within its scripts. Yes, yes I know its fictional, but like the Simpsons, there can be some great wisdom and Theology that leaks from its episodes.

For a glimpse of Jed Bartlett's theology, follow this link to the wonderful Youtube site and let Graceland know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHaVUjjH3EI

Mark

2007

2006-12-30T13:21:00.000Z

So Christmas passes and we turn to face the year to come. What will the 2007 bring to our physical, emotional and spiritual lives?

The details are not ours to know but we can be confident that the seasons although slightly confused, will come and go.

Long nights of Winter will pass, and Spring will emerge fresh and alive. Summer days will again warm our faces and our evenings will be graced with the familiar scent of cool Chardonnay!

Things we’ve long been sure of, may change. Feelings, faith, friendships and family will undergo their own transitions and our world whether political, economical or environmental will not stand still.

Standing at the centre though is a God whose ways may vary, whose depth cannot be fathomed, but whose grace and love are outrageous and constant.

I’m reminded of a quotation whose origin I can’t remember which says,

“God is bigger than the future, because He is already in the future, waiting for the future to catch up"

God is bigger than the boxes we build around Him, so surely we should not spend too much time maintaining them?

When we take time to ponder who and what He is, we are eventually led to a place of awe and wonder, a place where it seems the only appropriate response is worship.

In this place, we become aware of His extravagant love, we become aware that despite His power, His methodology is thankfully forgiveness, grace and love.

We are reminded that it is this road we are called to follow Him on.

This road presents immense challenges and often does not sit well with our human leaning towards the black and white of right and wrong.

Yet, this is the call on our lives and as we enter this New Year, the only measure we truly have is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

This is the true evidence of a life turned towards God.

What we speak may be forgotten, what we build may not last, but the fruit of the Spirit in our lives will leave its own flavour in the world we inhabit.

Resist the temptation to box the fruit of the Spirit, there are many ways to be kind, patient, gentle and good.
To live this way is not easy. To choose this way is to swim against the tide and can leave us tired at times, but it is the way of Christ and it is the way of an obedient heart.

In each circumstance we find ourselves, maybe we can ask of ourselves whether our choices and voices carry evidence of the fruit of the Spirit?

This is no fool-proof method, but it may provide useful in our journey back to God?

WORLD AIDS DAY

2006-12-01T18:43:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

'In honor of World AIDS Day on December 1st, Bristol-Myers Squibb, the pharmaceutical monolith (that charges nearly $1000 for a 30 day supply of one of its HIV/AIDS medications), is donating $1 to the National AIDS Fund for each person who simply visits their website and "virtually lights a candle."

Please, please take a minute to "light a candle":

https://www.lighttounite.org/

It's completely free, quick, and [almost] painless. Then, after you light your candle, "pass it on" to your friends.'

BRIAN HOUSTON LIVE @ the EMPIRE

2006-11-23T19:20:00.000Z

RECENTLY RETURNED FROM HIS UK TOUR.

DON'T MISS BRIAN & HIS BAND LIVE THIS SUNDAY NIGHT @ the EMPIRE, BELFAST @ 7.45PM.

Tickets available from www.Ticketmaster.ie

Doin my head in!

2006-11-05T12:37:00.000Z

SADDAM HUSSAIN TO HANG?

I've tapped in from time to time to this trial and have struggled to hold a Christ-like view.

I have no doubt that this dictator ruthlessly oppressed the very people he claimed to serve.
I have no doubt that he was behind the genocide and I have no doubt that many will be happy to see him "removed".
I have no doubt that Iraq as a nation deserved better leadership than they had under Saddam. (Its highly questionable if they have that just now)

But I am disturbed by the obvious political puppeteering in which the Bush Whitehouse are the major string-pullers. I am disturbed that this trial appears to have been anything but open and just, and I'm concerned that the verdict, although understandably welcomed by many, may well be unreliable if not unjust.

Maybe this is ok when the one on trial is an obvious despot?
Maybe this is ok when his death may be a catalyst for a more lasting peace?
Maybe this is ok when his "removal" serves the Anglo/American political and economical agenda?

Maybe?, but I remain disturbed and concerned especially as I try to walk in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace, Man of sorrows, Son of Man, who called us to "follow Him".

As usual we're left with more questions than answers but we must consider these difficult questions of faith, politics and ethics.

FEAR

2006-11-05T12:17:00.000Z

FEAR

Our Deepest Fear
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?!!
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear; our presence automatically liberates others

(c) Marianne Williiamson, 1992

GOD

2006-10-27T22:31:00.000+01:00

“God is bigger than the future, because He is already in the future, waiting for the future to catch up"

Seasons

2006-10-10T09:20:00.000+01:00

Seasons

Sunshine, warm on my face
Reminds me of all that you are
A cool breeze, dancing in the trees
Whispering ways that you move
Hard rain, beats on the window
Tears stream and begin to fall
Dark clouds, menace my soul
The yearning to hear someone call

This is my season of surrender
My spirit lies wasted on the floor
These are the days of my deliverance
I bow at the altar of all, all that you are

Gold leaves, in September falling
Remind me of how you died
Tall trees, rise from the valley
Shouting that you are alive
Strong winds, driving me down
Forcing my face to the floor
I’m tired now, of trying to find you
Door after door, after door

This is my season of surrender
My spirit lies wasted on the floor
These are the days of my deliverance
I bow at the altar of all, all that you are.

Springtime emerging, fresh and alive
Brings the promise of better days
Life comes, lengthening daylight
Chasing the darkness away.

This is my season of surrender…

Calling?

2006-10-07T12:15:00.000+01:00

My good friend Davey brought me a book from his recent journey to the Catskill Mountains, New York State. (Welcome home brotherman!)

"Everything Belongs" is by Franciscan Priest, Richard Rohr and it's a timely and challenging piece of writing.

One example so far which connected says, ""We must go inside the belly of the whale for a while. Then and only then will we be spit upon a new shore and understand our call."

There will be more to follow I think!

The Amish Community

2006-10-05T17:28:00.000+01:00

This faith filled community has had a terrible evil visited on them this week. No matter who we are, or what we believe, there can surely be no greater act of terror, than the killing or wounding of our children? This is an assault not only on the present, but also threatens the future, as our children are the only future we have.

The world will move on quite quickly. Fresh news will unfold and as with many tragedies, we will forget. For now however, lets pray for these peace loving people in their time of deep sorrow, shock and lament.

The Amish are a Protestant group who fled Religious persecution in Europe in the 18th Century. They subsequently settled in the US and some 200,000 Amish people now live in around twenty states across America in self-sufficient farming communities. Each group is generally small and self contained but all share a common belief in living their lives strictly in accordance with the Bible.

Amish children are educated in small, single room schoolhouses, illustrated by the school at the centre of yesterday’s tragic events. Despite their best efforts to live outside of it, the violent forces of the Modern world have been visited upon the small Amish community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Bruce Springsteen

2006-10-04T17:02:00.000+01:00

Check out the new tracks, additional video's and live performances on the updated "American Land" edition of Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band.

This is an album full of history, hope, lament and love, played by men and women whose "playful" passion, causes even the casual listeners feet to dance and heart to soar.

It is folk, fun, rock n roll, gospel and the Psalms all rolled into one.

For the fan its a must have.
For the Philistines, worship your own giants!
For the uninitiated, check out the power, the passion, the majesty and the ministry of the greatest live performer on the planet!

The Boss himself brings the Seeger Sessions show LIVE to Belfast on 21st November 2006 at the Odyssey.

Reborn?

2006-10-04T16:50:00.000+01:00

"Borrowed" this image of a wall poster in Belfast (thanks Grand Opera House!) but it made me think and it made me smile.

What does it conjure up for you?

Kyle's Song

2006-10-02T10:52:00.000+01:00

Kyle’s Song

Kyle was a young American pastor who died very suddenly in the spring. He was supposed to preach the Sunday after he died, and his family found these words at the end of his sermon notes.

Live and live well
Breathe, – breathe in and breathe deeply
Be present, do not be past, do not be future
Be now!

On a crystal clear 70 degree day
Roll down the windows and feel the air against your skin, wind in your hair and warmth of the sun on your face.

If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool autumn day, to freeze your lungs.
Do not be alarmed –but be alive.

Get knee deep in a novel and lose track of time.

If you bike, pedal hard and if you crash, crash well

Feel the satisfaction of a job well done, a paper well written, a song well sung, a play well performed
a project thoroughly completed.

If you must wipe the snot from your 3 yr olds nose, don’t be disgusted if the Kleenex didn’t catch it all, cause soon he’ll be wiping his or her own nose.

If you’ve recently experienced loss, then grieve and grieve well.

At the table with friends and family, laugh.
If you’re eating and laughing at the same time, then laugh until you puke!

If you eat, then smell. The aromas are not impediments to your day.

Steak on the bar-b-que, coffee freshly ground, bread in the oven.

Taste. Taste every ounce of flavour, taste every ounce of friendship, taste every ounce of life,
because life is most definitely a gift.

Baker, Brewin & Pope Benedict

2006-09-19T10:14:00.000+01:00

Followed Jonny Baker's link to Kester Brewin's blog concerning Pope Benedict's current "conversations" with some of the Muslim faith community.

http://thecomplexchrist.typepad.com/the_complex_christ/

Well worth a look, well worth a thought, well worth a prayer.

Shane Claiborne

2006-09-18T20:47:00.000+01:00

Reading Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution (thanx Mr Johnny!)

Anything that has the endorsements of Tony Campolo, Brian McClaren, Ron Sider, Tom Sine & forward by Jim Wallis, has to be a dangerous read.

This from the introduction;

"Most Christian artists & preachers have remained strangely distant from human suffering, offering the world eternal assurance over prophetic imagination. Perhaps it should not surprise us that Jesus says that if the Christians remain silent, then the rocks, or rock stars will cry out!"

I turn each new page with the mixed emotions of excitement & trepidation!

Watch out for further extracts, reflections etc or better still get yourself a copy. (don't ask Mr Johnny as I have his well thumbed copy!)

He moves in mysterious ways

2006-09-18T12:59:00.000+01:00

I heard some life-stories at our gathering yesterday which reminded me that despite my doubts, fears, questions & tendency to be pessimistic,
"God still moves stones". (Thanx Max!)

These tales told openly, tearfully, honestly & laughingly caused my often sceptical heart to sing.
Girl saved from Ghanian waves by "Antoine the six-pack"
Street people give girls money to take to church!
A street corner named "laughter"
Croatian poems about Belfast City.
Student takes open heart & willing spirit to serve in Africa.
Tales of Tigers, cliff's & strawberries.

Yes we know only too well that for each of these, there are other stories of heartbreak & sorrow.
It is our willingness to walk with these tensions, that demands real courage, real community & real faith.

We will not know the times or seasons, if we did, we'd have enough knowledge to screw it up!

We are, most of the time, a people who live in the now & not yet mysteries of God.

We re grateful that every now & again, "heaven comes down".

Leadership

2006-09-14T18:53:00.000+01:00

Our Leaders

We may or may not be fans of Tony Blair's politics but surely we should be disturbed & dismayed by the way he has been treated by his own party, press & public over the past few months.

Yes our leaders must be accountable.

Yes our leaders must be communicating clearly.

Yes our leaders are to be public servants, but they should also be afforded respect & gratitude, & dare I say it, honoured.

We in the faith community, whatever faith that may be, should surely be praying for our political leaders much more than vilifying them?

Yes we are free to question them, disagree with them, not vote for them again, but surely we can do this in a faith-filled & Christlike fashion?

Gods Ipod

2006-09-13T12:37:00.000+01:00

How about a little detour from the serious (though valuable) discussions of life & faith?

If you had the chance to sneak a peak at Gods Ipod (without his omnipresence of course), what do you think would be on there?

What would be recently played?
What would be playlisted?
What Podcasts would he subscribe to?
Would anything ever sound new to him?
Could he stand Bono? (Would he get a word in edgeways?)

Serious, sarcastic or sublime, give Graceland your suggestions for the GodPod & we may try putting the compilation CD together!

Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

2006-09-13T09:55:00.000+01:00

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life, We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Searching for God Knows what

2006-09-12T14:23:00.000+01:00

Just finished what I think was a very important piece of work from Donald "Blue like Jazz" Miller. Asked about "Searching for God knows what", Miller writes,

Essentially, I had begun to wonder if had misunderstood the gospel of Jesus, thinking of it in propositional terms rather than relational dynamics. The latter seemed too poetic to be true, but the former had been killing my soul for years and was simply illogical.
If we hold that Jesus wanted us to "believe" certain ideas or "do" certain things in order to be a Christian, we are holding to heresy., I finished the last paragraph and felt a kind of sickness at the thought of whether or not I was telling the truth. But after further consideration, and after rewriting the book, I realized the formulaic version of Christianity was irrational, and for that matter, unbiblical.

Try it for yourself and let Graceland know what you think?

Modern times

2006-09-12T13:01:00.000+01:00

Dylan praises Springsteen

In an interview covering his new Modern times album, Bob Dylan gives Bruce Springsteen some praise .

The USA Today newspaper published yesterday an interview with Bob Dylan. The artist talks about his new and excellent new album Modern Times, comments on the current state of pop music and has time to praise Bruce with these words:

"The performers who changed my life were individuals," he says. "They didn't conform to any sense of reality but their own. The last performer who stood up to be counted as an original is Bruce Springsteen, I think. Individuals move me, not mobs. People with originality, whether it's Hector, Achilles, Ted Turner or Jerry Lee Lewis or Hank Williams."

Images of worship?

2006-09-10T17:15:00.000+01:00

"Images of worship" Each of us wil hold in our minds, hearts and computers some images of worship which speak to us. If you have any that you'd wish to share, post them here along with why they connect with you.

Riding in to Graceland!

2006-09-06T19:54:00.000+01:00

As close as I get to the King , unfortunately he'd left the building!