Saturday, 19 January 2013
Friday, 18 January 2013
LOUD FRIDAY RESURGENT
Like audible smelling salts this will unblock your lugholes, kick you out of your work induced stupour and get you all set for a riotous weekend.
Gangster Funk - Crime
Why I Try To Look So Bad - Comet Gain
Bruce Lee - Indian Handcrafts
Marks On My Map - The Launderettes (pictured below for JCF)
Sharpshooter - Mary Timony Band
Man And Man's Ruin - Cult Of Youth
Death Of A Vampire - The Waves Of Fury
The Light Behind Your Light Is Changing - Wires Under Tension
PREPARE YOURSELF FOR
ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT
Colin Coward has just posted the following on the Changing Attitude Facebook wall.
I've not reported on the meetings with James Jones, (+Liverpool) and Sir Tony Baldry, because a lot of information was exchanged, much of it sensitive and helpful for Changing Attitude. Tony Baldry was very positive and optimistic about the reforming effect Justin Welby will have on the Church. James Jones was more sober.
What follows is my comment on the post.
James Jones is a man whose judgement can be trusted. He is also the bishop of the diocese in which the new ABC was once dean. At the end of the day Justin Welby is about evangelism. He eschews the pastoral and is not an imaginative thinker. You say something nice to him and he thinks you are "being manipulative." He trusts no one except his wife, probably due to being sent off to boarding school as a child and even farmed out to relatives during the Summer holidays. We may get some calls from him for economic justice but that may well be all. He does not change his mind easily. He is a stubborn as a pig, has been imbued with the conceit that it's his genetic destiny to rule and has to win at all costs. His politeness and self control is very much on the surface.
When Justin Welby arrived in Durham Diocese barely over a year ago now I had very high hopes that here was a good evangelical along the lines of Bishop James Jones. Sadly, I was soon disappointed. The man is paranoid and if riled, deeply offensive.
A few months ago I asked him to help me level the playing field in respect of a vacancy I was applying for in the diocese. He didn't like the idea of that, which is okay. But at the end of my email I wrote the following.
One thing I am certain of is that you are part of my story and that if you clear off to Canterbury in the next few months I very much doubt that my story will have a happy ending in the foreseeable future. There are things about the timing of all this which lead me to tentatively believe that God has a hand in it.
It took a lot for me to write that as I'm not a very touchy feely person. So, to say that I was gutted when I read the following comment on his reply would be a vast understatement.
The paragraph about clearing off to Canterbury is frankly manipulative, as I am sure you will see if you read it again, and I will ignore it.
So I replied, protesting my innocent from deceit.
I am not being manipulative. I was telling the truth. I am extremely worried about you disappearing so soon after you have arrived. I would have to wait another year before a new bishop was appointed. That is a very frightening and depressing prospect as far as I'm concerned. From my point of view I was paying you a compliment, saying I wanted you to stay. I did it in a light hearted way. How you can turn that into some sort of Machiavellian insult I just don't know.
He ignored me. So later that night I sent him another email.
Dear Justin.
I am really extremely cross and upset about your accusations. I am not one to open up to people. But I wanted to tell you that I trusted you and that I thought you were part of my story. I wanted to tell you that I would be sorry if you left so soon. I thought it would make you happy to know you had won my trust. But you fling that all in my face with the accusation that I am trying to manipulate you. What sort of a world do you come from in which every request for help or attempt to reach out to someone is regarded as some sort devious attempt at mind control?
Why can't Christians ask each other for help?
Why can't Christians offer to help each other as readily as they offer to help people outside of the church?
What is the point in your evangelism if there is no love in the Church?
To which I received the following reply.
Dear Jonathan,
I am sorry that you are upset. However, I spent a week looking at your email, and pondering over it, and the fact is that it comes across as manipulative, I am sure unintentionally. So do your more recent emails.
Active ministry in a local community is very demanding indeed, I think the most stressful thing I have ever done. As I say I do not interfere in appointments at the first stage, and you are welcome to apply, but I think that if this email exchange is so difficult for you how will you manage to deal with its pressures?
I tetchily replied.
Perhaps if you didn't spend a week anaylising every email and just took them at face value you wouldn't discover so many "unintentional" sub-texts in them and would be able to converse with people normally instead of viewing every discourse as a game of wits. I have absolutely no idea what the point of being unintentionally manipulative would be. It seems to me that the whole point of being manipulative is to have a conscious outcome in mind.
To which I received the following classic "ruling class" put down.
I spent a week thinking about yours because it is important. I am surprised that you would prefer to have it treated as less than that. I am now going to concentrate on other matters,
Yours sincerely
Justin
There is a postscript.
At the beginning of December a parish priest in Durham Diocese wrote to Justin Welby (who, at that time, was still Bishop of Durham) to enquire about the possibility of my attachment to that priest's congregation. For various reasons, not least my great respect for the priest concerned, it may well have been a good placement. However, he has not replied and is from this week no longer effectively the bishop of Durham. This means that I will not have another chance of getting my priesthood reinstated until the next bishop is appointed which will, no doubt, take at least a year.
It does seem grossly unjust that an ordained priest can be effectively defrocked without any disciplinary action. It's like a doctor being barred from practicing anywhere for no other reason than the area health chief doesn't like him.
It also doesn't seem fair that, once again, those who hunger for a "nice" Archbishop of Canterbury who will love them and smooth troubled waters, will be greatly disappointed.
I've not reported on the meetings with James Jones, (+Liverpool) and Sir Tony Baldry, because a lot of information was exchanged, much of it sensitive and helpful for Changing Attitude. Tony Baldry was very positive and optimistic about the reforming effect Justin Welby will have on the Church. James Jones was more sober.
What follows is my comment on the post.
James Jones is a man whose judgement can be trusted. He is also the bishop of the diocese in which the new ABC was once dean. At the end of the day Justin Welby is about evangelism. He eschews the pastoral and is not an imaginative thinker. You say something nice to him and he thinks you are "being manipulative." He trusts no one except his wife, probably due to being sent off to boarding school as a child and even farmed out to relatives during the Summer holidays. We may get some calls from him for economic justice but that may well be all. He does not change his mind easily. He is a stubborn as a pig, has been imbued with the conceit that it's his genetic destiny to rule and has to win at all costs. His politeness and self control is very much on the surface.
When Justin Welby arrived in Durham Diocese barely over a year ago now I had very high hopes that here was a good evangelical along the lines of Bishop James Jones. Sadly, I was soon disappointed. The man is paranoid and if riled, deeply offensive.
A few months ago I asked him to help me level the playing field in respect of a vacancy I was applying for in the diocese. He didn't like the idea of that, which is okay. But at the end of my email I wrote the following.
One thing I am certain of is that you are part of my story and that if you clear off to Canterbury in the next few months I very much doubt that my story will have a happy ending in the foreseeable future. There are things about the timing of all this which lead me to tentatively believe that God has a hand in it.
It took a lot for me to write that as I'm not a very touchy feely person. So, to say that I was gutted when I read the following comment on his reply would be a vast understatement.
The paragraph about clearing off to Canterbury is frankly manipulative, as I am sure you will see if you read it again, and I will ignore it.
So I replied, protesting my innocent from deceit.
I am not being manipulative. I was telling the truth. I am extremely worried about you disappearing so soon after you have arrived. I would have to wait another year before a new bishop was appointed. That is a very frightening and depressing prospect as far as I'm concerned. From my point of view I was paying you a compliment, saying I wanted you to stay. I did it in a light hearted way. How you can turn that into some sort of Machiavellian insult I just don't know.
He ignored me. So later that night I sent him another email.
Dear Justin.
I am really extremely cross and upset about your accusations. I am not one to open up to people. But I wanted to tell you that I trusted you and that I thought you were part of my story. I wanted to tell you that I would be sorry if you left so soon. I thought it would make you happy to know you had won my trust. But you fling that all in my face with the accusation that I am trying to manipulate you. What sort of a world do you come from in which every request for help or attempt to reach out to someone is regarded as some sort devious attempt at mind control?
Why can't Christians ask each other for help?
Why can't Christians offer to help each other as readily as they offer to help people outside of the church?
What is the point in your evangelism if there is no love in the Church?
To which I received the following reply.
Dear Jonathan,
I am sorry that you are upset. However, I spent a week looking at your email, and pondering over it, and the fact is that it comes across as manipulative, I am sure unintentionally. So do your more recent emails.
Active ministry in a local community is very demanding indeed, I think the most stressful thing I have ever done. As I say I do not interfere in appointments at the first stage, and you are welcome to apply, but I think that if this email exchange is so difficult for you how will you manage to deal with its pressures?
I tetchily replied.
Perhaps if you didn't spend a week anaylising every email and just took them at face value you wouldn't discover so many "unintentional" sub-texts in them and would be able to converse with people normally instead of viewing every discourse as a game of wits. I have absolutely no idea what the point of being unintentionally manipulative would be. It seems to me that the whole point of being manipulative is to have a conscious outcome in mind.
To which I received the following classic "ruling class" put down.
I spent a week thinking about yours because it is important. I am surprised that you would prefer to have it treated as less than that. I am now going to concentrate on other matters,
Yours sincerely
Justin
There is a postscript.
At the beginning of December a parish priest in Durham Diocese wrote to Justin Welby (who, at that time, was still Bishop of Durham) to enquire about the possibility of my attachment to that priest's congregation. For various reasons, not least my great respect for the priest concerned, it may well have been a good placement. However, he has not replied and is from this week no longer effectively the bishop of Durham. This means that I will not have another chance of getting my priesthood reinstated until the next bishop is appointed which will, no doubt, take at least a year.
It does seem grossly unjust that an ordained priest can be effectively defrocked without any disciplinary action. It's like a doctor being barred from practicing anywhere for no other reason than the area health chief doesn't like him.
It also doesn't seem fair that, once again, those who hunger for a "nice" Archbishop of Canterbury who will love them and smooth troubled waters, will be greatly disappointed.
WHY THE REST OF THE WORLD FEARS AMERICA
From SEATTLE PI:
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas once proclaimed “Days of Prayer for Rain” in the Lone Star State, and is now arguing that prayer would be a stronger force against gun violence than President Obama’s package of proposed restrictions on firearms.
“Guns require finger to pull the trigger: The sad young man who did that in Newtown was clearly haunted by demons and no gun law could have saved the children in Sandy Hook Elementary School. There is evil prowling the world. It shows up in our movies, video games and online fascinations, and finds its way into vulnerable hearts and minds. As a free people, let us choose what kind of people we will be. Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help,” Perry told a news conference on Thursday.
Well, it might just work. Let's give it a go.
Dear God, who desires the wellbeing and safety of all your creatures but most especially those who are still young and innocent, make this world a safer place where children can play in the streets and study at school without being shot to pieces by psychopaths who have somehow managed to get their hands on enough weaponry to keep an East African civil war going for a year. Far be it from us, your humble servants, to suggest how you may achieve such a peaceable kingdom on earth but a good start might be the turning of the hearts of your people in Texas to vote Rick Perry out of office at the earliest opportunity or, even better, to impeach him now for gross stupidity, extreme crassness and not having the common sense of a dead house fly from Arkansas. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who told his disciple to put down his sword. Amen.
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas once proclaimed “Days of Prayer for Rain” in the Lone Star State, and is now arguing that prayer would be a stronger force against gun violence than President Obama’s package of proposed restrictions on firearms.
“Guns require finger to pull the trigger: The sad young man who did that in Newtown was clearly haunted by demons and no gun law could have saved the children in Sandy Hook Elementary School. There is evil prowling the world. It shows up in our movies, video games and online fascinations, and finds its way into vulnerable hearts and minds. As a free people, let us choose what kind of people we will be. Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help,” Perry told a news conference on Thursday.
Well, it might just work. Let's give it a go.
Dear God, who desires the wellbeing and safety of all your creatures but most especially those who are still young and innocent, make this world a safer place where children can play in the streets and study at school without being shot to pieces by psychopaths who have somehow managed to get their hands on enough weaponry to keep an East African civil war going for a year. Far be it from us, your humble servants, to suggest how you may achieve such a peaceable kingdom on earth but a good start might be the turning of the hearts of your people in Texas to vote Rick Perry out of office at the earliest opportunity or, even better, to impeach him now for gross stupidity, extreme crassness and not having the common sense of a dead house fly from Arkansas. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who told his disciple to put down his sword. Amen.
GRAVEN IMAGES
From THIS IS SOMERSET:
The Reverend Richard Lee, of Weston-super-Mare, has been suspended by the Diocese of Bath and Wells following his arrest. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a 49-year-old man has been charged with eight voyeurism offences and 18 offences of making indecent images. He is due to appear at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on 11 February.
The Reverend Richard Lee, of Weston-super-Mare, has been suspended by the Diocese of Bath and Wells following his arrest. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a 49-year-old man has been charged with eight voyeurism offences and 18 offences of making indecent images. He is due to appear at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on 11 February.
PRIEST DOES THE METH
From THE NEW YORK POST:
A Connecticut priest — who once was a top aide to Edward Cardinal Egan — was busted for selling ultra-pure crystal meth shipped to him by California co-conspirators, law-enforcement officials said yesterday. Monsignor Kevin Wallin, 61, faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.
Wallin was likely slinging meth to help fund his purchase of a shop selling drug paraphernalia, adult movies and toys, authorities said.
A Connecticut priest — who once was a top aide to Edward Cardinal Egan — was busted for selling ultra-pure crystal meth shipped to him by California co-conspirators, law-enforcement officials said yesterday. Monsignor Kevin Wallin, 61, faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.
Wallin was likely slinging meth to help fund his purchase of a shop selling drug paraphernalia, adult movies and toys, authorities said.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
Oh, I don't know. I think the Roman Catholic hierarchy will continue to oppress gay people, women and, well, anyone who doesn't do what the pope tells them to do, with or without same gender marriage.
NEW AGE LUNACY
From THE CHRISTIAN POST:
A recent study found that those who identify as spiritual but not religious are more likely to develop a mental disorder. They are also more likely to be dependent on drugs and have abnormal eating attitudes, according to a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Results were based on data from interviews with 7,403 people who participated in the third National Psychiatric Morbidity Study in England.
Well, that would explain my good friend, the naughty nun. She's a very spiritual person. But it doesn't explain me. I'm about as spiritual as a house brick and as nutty as a box of chocolate brazils.
A recent study found that those who identify as spiritual but not religious are more likely to develop a mental disorder. They are also more likely to be dependent on drugs and have abnormal eating attitudes, according to a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Results were based on data from interviews with 7,403 people who participated in the third National Psychiatric Morbidity Study in England.
Well, that would explain my good friend, the naughty nun. She's a very spiritual person. But it doesn't explain me. I'm about as spiritual as a house brick and as nutty as a box of chocolate brazils.
EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE?
Former bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, who is always going on about how we all should behave ourselves, is in serious danger of being accused of gross hypocrisy following his (what could easily be construed as) pulling of strings to get his own way concerning a property dispute with his neighbour (who, he doesn't appear to love in the slightest).
From KENT ONLINE:
A couple have been ordered to take down a decked balcony after a former Bishop of Rochester complained. Jamie Beadle spent more than £5,000 putting up the 10ft-high wooden decking at the home he shares with his wife Nicola and three children in The Ridgeway, Chatham. But it sparked the ire of next-door neighbour Dr Michael Nazir-Ali. When the Beadles were told to apply for retrospective planning permission, the Nazir-Alis lodged the only formal complaint.
Councillors unanimously denied planning permission for the decking, which was recommended for approval by their own planning officers. The officers would have had the final say, but the decision was taken out of their hands after ward councillor Trevor Clarke escalated the issue to the planning committee. Cllr Clarke, a Churches Together in Medway columnist who has publicly supported the bishop on other issues, referred the application as part of standard planning rules. None of the 15 committee members declared an interest at the meeting.
Jamie, who spent months building the decking, said he had been in contact with the council throughout the scheme. He said: “When the planning officer came round I said ‘is this going to be a problem?’ and they said it would probably be more of a box-ticking exercise. That was six months ago and it’s dragged on since then. I feel quite strongly that every citizen has an equal right to fair treatment, and in this case I feel I have not been treated equally.”
Property disputes and fundamentalist Christians seem to go together like a Tesco beef burger and carriage.
From KENT ONLINE:
A couple have been ordered to take down a decked balcony after a former Bishop of Rochester complained. Jamie Beadle spent more than £5,000 putting up the 10ft-high wooden decking at the home he shares with his wife Nicola and three children in The Ridgeway, Chatham. But it sparked the ire of next-door neighbour Dr Michael Nazir-Ali. When the Beadles were told to apply for retrospective planning permission, the Nazir-Alis lodged the only formal complaint.
Councillors unanimously denied planning permission for the decking, which was recommended for approval by their own planning officers. The officers would have had the final say, but the decision was taken out of their hands after ward councillor Trevor Clarke escalated the issue to the planning committee. Cllr Clarke, a Churches Together in Medway columnist who has publicly supported the bishop on other issues, referred the application as part of standard planning rules. None of the 15 committee members declared an interest at the meeting.
Jamie, who spent months building the decking, said he had been in contact with the council throughout the scheme. He said: “When the planning officer came round I said ‘is this going to be a problem?’ and they said it would probably be more of a box-ticking exercise. That was six months ago and it’s dragged on since then. I feel quite strongly that every citizen has an equal right to fair treatment, and in this case I feel I have not been treated equally.”
Property disputes and fundamentalist Christians seem to go together like a Tesco beef burger and carriage.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
DON'T BLAME ME, BLAME MRS MP
I went into the cafe at my local Tesco superstore today and asked for beef burger and chips. They asked me if I wanted anything on the burger. I said, "Yes, please. A fiver each way."
DON'T BLAME ME, BLAME MY MAD SISTER IN LAW
Why Men Don't Write Advice Columns
Dear Walter,
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbour's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbour's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counselling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely,
Sheila
******************************
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps,
Walter
Dear Walter,
I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't driven more than a mile down the road when the engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbour's daughter. I am 41, my husband is 44, and the neighbour's daughter is 22.
We have been married for ten years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counselling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore.
Can you please help?
Sincerely,
Sheila
******************************
Dear Sheila:
A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.
I hope this helps,
Walter
WAITING AT THE DOOR TO BE LET IN
From YAHOO NEWS:
Tommy, a 7-year-old German shepherd, used to accompany his owner, Maria Margherita Lochi, to services at Santa Maria Assunta church in San Donaci, Italy, and was allowed to sit at her feet. After she died, the dog "joined mourners at her funeral service" according to locals and "followed after Maria's coffin" as it was carried into the church. Ever since, Tommy, a stray who was adopted by Lochi, has been showing up "when the bell rings out to mark the beginning of services."
Father Donato Panna told the press, "He's there every time I celebrate mass and is very well behaved. He doesn't make a sound. He waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn't have the heart to throw him out. I've just recently lost my own dog. So I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out."
None of the other parishioners has complained, Panna said, and villagers give the dog food and water and allow him to sleep nearby.
For such devotion, Tommy is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
... and for earning such devotion, Maria Margherita Lochi is also our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
Oh, I do love a faithful dog story.
They are real life parables of the Kingdom.
Thanks to IT for sending the link into OCICBW....
Tommy, a 7-year-old German shepherd, used to accompany his owner, Maria Margherita Lochi, to services at Santa Maria Assunta church in San Donaci, Italy, and was allowed to sit at her feet. After she died, the dog "joined mourners at her funeral service" according to locals and "followed after Maria's coffin" as it was carried into the church. Ever since, Tommy, a stray who was adopted by Lochi, has been showing up "when the bell rings out to mark the beginning of services."
Father Donato Panna told the press, "He's there every time I celebrate mass and is very well behaved. He doesn't make a sound. He waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn't have the heart to throw him out. I've just recently lost my own dog. So I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out."
None of the other parishioners has complained, Panna said, and villagers give the dog food and water and allow him to sleep nearby.
For such devotion, Tommy is our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
... and for earning such devotion, Maria Margherita Lochi is also our...
BRICK OF THE DAY
Oh, I do love a faithful dog story.
They are real life parables of the Kingdom.
Thanks to IT for sending the link into OCICBW....
ALL IS VANITY
From REUTERS:
Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Pope Benedict's private secretary, who has been dubbed "Gorgeous George" by the Italian media, is now a real-life cover boy. The prelate has landed on the cover of Vanity Fair. The cover on the Italian edition of the magazine shows the 56-year-old archbishop smiling, his blue eyes beaming, above a headline that reads "Father Georg - It's not a sin to be beautiful." The magazine calls Ganswein "The George Clooney of St Peter's" and says it dedicated a cover story to honor his recent promotion to the rank of archbishop and as recognition of his growing power in the Roman Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, back in the original Vanity Fair...
From THE BBC:
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has joined the House of Lords as a life peer with a title inspired by a village where he grew up. He was officially introduced to the chamber as Baron Williams of Oystermouth on Tuesday.
The Oxford University Press has announced that it will be including the word "oystermouth" in the next edition of its world famous dictionary alongside the definition: "A person who says one thing before getting the job and the exact opposite afterwards.
Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Pope Benedict's private secretary, who has been dubbed "Gorgeous George" by the Italian media, is now a real-life cover boy. The prelate has landed on the cover of Vanity Fair. The cover on the Italian edition of the magazine shows the 56-year-old archbishop smiling, his blue eyes beaming, above a headline that reads "Father Georg - It's not a sin to be beautiful." The magazine calls Ganswein "The George Clooney of St Peter's" and says it dedicated a cover story to honor his recent promotion to the rank of archbishop and as recognition of his growing power in the Roman Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, back in the original Vanity Fair...
From THE BBC:
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has joined the House of Lords as a life peer with a title inspired by a village where he grew up. He was officially introduced to the chamber as Baron Williams of Oystermouth on Tuesday.
The Oxford University Press has announced that it will be including the word "oystermouth" in the next edition of its world famous dictionary alongside the definition: "A person who says one thing before getting the job and the exact opposite afterwards.
I GIVE MYSELF AWAY
From THE DETROIT NEWS:
Detroit cleric, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson (not a real bishop) said he's under attack because a video of an August consecration ceremony went viral. It shows him praying and lying atop new bishops as they lie on the floor, shrouded in white cloths, during their ordination at his church, Impact Ministries International on Grand River. Jackson said the ceremony is similar to the ordination of Catholic priests. The practice of "lying prostrate before the Lord" is a common biblical reference.
Bishop Junaldo Lee, one of the men ordained during the ceremony, said "people are taking something holy and trying to make it perversive." He said people are being ignorant with their comments about the religious rite because they don't understand it.
"If I were Wayne T. Jackson, I would find another way to ordain bishops in the future," the Rev. Horace Sheffield III of New Destiny Baptist Church in Detroit said this week during his radio show on WCHB-1200 AM.
If his church ever allows the ordination of women, Bishop Jackson is going to end up with a whole load of sexual harassment claims being filed against him. Of course, it is very probable that the Holy Spirit will tell him that God doesn't want him getting on top of the female of the species and wriggling around.
Detroit cleric, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson (not a real bishop) said he's under attack because a video of an August consecration ceremony went viral. It shows him praying and lying atop new bishops as they lie on the floor, shrouded in white cloths, during their ordination at his church, Impact Ministries International on Grand River. Jackson said the ceremony is similar to the ordination of Catholic priests. The practice of "lying prostrate before the Lord" is a common biblical reference.
Bishop Junaldo Lee, one of the men ordained during the ceremony, said "people are taking something holy and trying to make it perversive." He said people are being ignorant with their comments about the religious rite because they don't understand it.
"If I were Wayne T. Jackson, I would find another way to ordain bishops in the future," the Rev. Horace Sheffield III of New Destiny Baptist Church in Detroit said this week during his radio show on WCHB-1200 AM.
If his church ever allows the ordination of women, Bishop Jackson is going to end up with a whole load of sexual harassment claims being filed against him. Of course, it is very probable that the Holy Spirit will tell him that God doesn't want him getting on top of the female of the species and wriggling around.
JESUS CHECKS IN
From 7 SAN DIEGO:
A man traveling through the streets of Downtown San Diego says he found Jesus etched into the window of a famous Gaslamp hotel. The image appeared in a seemingly steamed-up window of the Hard Rock Hotel, according to Rana Kay, the director of PR at the hotel. On the left side, if the viewer looks close enough, is the profile of a bearded man in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Some have commented, though, that it could also be Jerry Garcia or Frank Zappa. Chuck Rickman, a retired 911 dispatcher, first noticed the picture as he was walking through Downtown San Diego. Rickman said he usually takes a six mile walk every day, but this one was unusual. When he saw the image, he took a picture and showed it to his friends. They all agreed with him that it looked like Jesus.
Sir, we want to see Jesus but, to be honest,
we can't even see Jerry Garcia.
A man traveling through the streets of Downtown San Diego says he found Jesus etched into the window of a famous Gaslamp hotel. The image appeared in a seemingly steamed-up window of the Hard Rock Hotel, according to Rana Kay, the director of PR at the hotel. On the left side, if the viewer looks close enough, is the profile of a bearded man in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Some have commented, though, that it could also be Jerry Garcia or Frank Zappa. Chuck Rickman, a retired 911 dispatcher, first noticed the picture as he was walking through Downtown San Diego. Rickman said he usually takes a six mile walk every day, but this one was unusual. When he saw the image, he took a picture and showed it to his friends. They all agreed with him that it looked like Jesus.
Sir, we want to see Jesus but, to be honest,
we can't even see Jerry Garcia.
RUNNING A STRAIGHT RACE
From NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER:
In an effort to flex its moral muscle in the professional sports arena, the Vatican has invited top-tier Christian athletes Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin to help bring ethical values back to a scandal-ridden world of sports. The Pontifical Council for Culture is planning to host an international conference on re-instilling values in sports this spring, inviting representatives from top world governing bodies like FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), the International Cycling Union and the Italian National Olympic Committee.
Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the council's "Culture and Sport" section, told Catholic News Service on Wednesday that pro sports "have become a commodity that is subordinate to the free market and, therefore, to profit." Instead of sports being an activity that builds important values, respects human dignity and helps shape the whole human person, "it has reduced people to merchandise."
Well, the monsignor has certainly hit the nail on the head there and this sounds like a fine initiative. However, I am more than a bit worried that it will just result in a return of gay-bashing to English football and the banning of sportswomen from becoming team captains.
In an effort to flex its moral muscle in the professional sports arena, the Vatican has invited top-tier Christian athletes Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin to help bring ethical values back to a scandal-ridden world of sports. The Pontifical Council for Culture is planning to host an international conference on re-instilling values in sports this spring, inviting representatives from top world governing bodies like FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), the International Cycling Union and the Italian National Olympic Committee.
Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the council's "Culture and Sport" section, told Catholic News Service on Wednesday that pro sports "have become a commodity that is subordinate to the free market and, therefore, to profit." Instead of sports being an activity that builds important values, respects human dignity and helps shape the whole human person, "it has reduced people to merchandise."
Well, the monsignor has certainly hit the nail on the head there and this sounds like a fine initiative. However, I am more than a bit worried that it will just result in a return of gay-bashing to English football and the banning of sportswomen from becoming team captains.
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
DON'T BLAME ME, BLAME MADDAD
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers. One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who had moved to Florida.
The first said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "And I had a large theatre built in the house."
The third said, "And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It had taken ten preachers almost 8 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theatre with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious Thank you so much."
The first said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "And I had a large theatre built in the house."
The third said, "And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It had taken ten preachers almost 8 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank You" notes.
She wrote: "Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theatre with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious Thank you so much."
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
DON'T BLAME ME, BLAME CHICAGO DEAN MARTIN
A woman awakes during the night to find that her husband was not in their bed. She puts on her robe and goes down stairs to look for him. She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front him. He appears deep in thought, just staring at the wall. She watches as he wipes a tear from his eye and takes a sip of coffee.
"What's the matter, dear?" she whispers as she steps into the room. "Why are you down here at this time of night?"
The husband looks up, "Do you remember 20 years ago when we were dating, and you were only 17?" he asks solemnly.
The wife is touched thinking her husband is so caring and sensitive.
"Yes, I do," she replies.
The husband pauses. The words are not coming easily. "Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?"
"Yes, I remember," says the wife, lowering herself into a chair beside him.
The husband continues..."Do you remember when he shoved a shotgun in my face and said, "Either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years".
"I remember that too", she replies softly.
He wipes another tear from his cheek and says "I would have gotten out today!"
"What's the matter, dear?" she whispers as she steps into the room. "Why are you down here at this time of night?"
The husband looks up, "Do you remember 20 years ago when we were dating, and you were only 17?" he asks solemnly.
The wife is touched thinking her husband is so caring and sensitive.
"Yes, I do," she replies.
The husband pauses. The words are not coming easily. "Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?"
"Yes, I remember," says the wife, lowering herself into a chair beside him.
The husband continues..."Do you remember when he shoved a shotgun in my face and said, "Either you marry my daughter, or I will send you to jail for 20 years".
"I remember that too", she replies softly.
He wipes another tear from his cheek and says "I would have gotten out today!"
DURHAM DIOCESE EXCLUDES UNEMPLOYED PRIESTS FROM APPLYING FOR JOBS
Durham Diocese in the Church of England have long insisted that only priests already in the diocese will be considered for posts that become vacant in the diocese, unless the posts cannot be filled internally. Personally, I think this attitude is disgusting enough, especially as other dioceses don't operate such a system. However, being resident in the diocese I had thought that I would be regarded as a priest of the diocese. In fact, I unsuccessfully applied for a post recently.
However, a new vacancy posted on the Diocesan website shows that they have tightened the closed shop even further and I will no longer be able to apply for posts within my own diocese.
This is exactly the same cavalier attitude towards English employment law that the archdeacons and bishop of Newcastle displayed when they removed me from my post for having suffered in the past from depression (an act of brutality that is not allowed under English secular law). That the present Bishop of Durham will soon be running the whole shebang is extremely worrying. Will the Church of England as a whole now refuse to adhere to the basic moral principles that guide our society?
Perhaps the UK government would have more sympathy for the human rights of Christians if Christian leaders were more keen to uphold the human rights of those supposedly in their care.
However, a new vacancy posted on the Diocesan website shows that they have tightened the closed shop even further and I will no longer be able to apply for posts within my own diocese.
This is exactly the same cavalier attitude towards English employment law that the archdeacons and bishop of Newcastle displayed when they removed me from my post for having suffered in the past from depression (an act of brutality that is not allowed under English secular law). That the present Bishop of Durham will soon be running the whole shebang is extremely worrying. Will the Church of England as a whole now refuse to adhere to the basic moral principles that guide our society?
Perhaps the UK government would have more sympathy for the human rights of Christians if Christian leaders were more keen to uphold the human rights of those supposedly in their care.
THE RIGHT TO BEAR ONE'S CROSS
From THE BBC:
A British Airways employee, Nadia Eweida, suffered discrimination at work over her Christian beliefs, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. The Coptic Christian took her case to the European Court of Human Rights after BA made her stop wearing her white gold cross visibly.
Following the rulings, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" that the "principle of wearing religious symbols at work has been upheld", adding that people "shouldn't suffer discrimination due to religious beliefs."
Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, told the BBC that the government will seek to change the law if necessary in order that Christians in the workplace are not treated differently to adherents of other religions.
Although it is not trendy to agree with such reactionaries as Bishop George Carey and the Archbishop of York, I actually do agree with them that Christianity is being systematically marginalised in my country. I believe there has been an ad hoc campaign waged against Christianity by militant atheists who have sought to wipe as many expressions of it as possible from the public sphere. They have cynically used invented offence against people of other faiths (who, in reality, fully support Christians advertising their religion as they want to be allowed to do so openly themselves) in order to embarrass Christians into silence. Those in authority who are easily scared into being "politically correct" have been successfully co-opted into this campaign and have have acted with draconian ferocity to enforce the new order's new order on those Christians within their spheres of influence.
It is a shame that the fight back against this oppression has been mostly by fundamentalist evangelicals as this plays into the hands of the trendy elite who want to Dawkinise the UK. It's about time that politically left wing Christians started insisting on a level playing field when it comes to the individual's right to express their ownership of their Christian faith in public.
A British Airways employee, Nadia Eweida, suffered discrimination at work over her Christian beliefs, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. The Coptic Christian took her case to the European Court of Human Rights after BA made her stop wearing her white gold cross visibly.
Following the rulings, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" that the "principle of wearing religious symbols at work has been upheld", adding that people "shouldn't suffer discrimination due to religious beliefs."
Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, told the BBC that the government will seek to change the law if necessary in order that Christians in the workplace are not treated differently to adherents of other religions.
Although it is not trendy to agree with such reactionaries as Bishop George Carey and the Archbishop of York, I actually do agree with them that Christianity is being systematically marginalised in my country. I believe there has been an ad hoc campaign waged against Christianity by militant atheists who have sought to wipe as many expressions of it as possible from the public sphere. They have cynically used invented offence against people of other faiths (who, in reality, fully support Christians advertising their religion as they want to be allowed to do so openly themselves) in order to embarrass Christians into silence. Those in authority who are easily scared into being "politically correct" have been successfully co-opted into this campaign and have have acted with draconian ferocity to enforce the new order's new order on those Christians within their spheres of influence.
It is a shame that the fight back against this oppression has been mostly by fundamentalist evangelicals as this plays into the hands of the trendy elite who want to Dawkinise the UK. It's about time that politically left wing Christians started insisting on a level playing field when it comes to the individual's right to express their ownership of their Christian faith in public.
MADPRIEST'S THOUGH FOR THE DAY
I think authentic Christianity is fundamentally liberal in its ethics. However, in England, the word "liberal" when linked to doctrinal matters tends to imply a non-realist position whilst authentic Christianity is fundamentally realist. This deliberately engineered (by Biblical fundamentalists) common misunderstanding of the word "liberal" has led to a situation where those who have the most orthodox understanding of the person of Christ and his teachings are automatically assumed to have no belief in the reality of his divinity and historical existence. The irony is that the word "evangelical" has now become synonymous with bigoted, patriarchal fundamentalism and the word "catholic" just conjures up the immediate image of the child molesting priest and a gay-bashing gay hierarchy. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword as they say.
CHALKIE GETS IT
From THE HUFFINGTON POST:
The Rev Steve Chalke, a Baptist minister who founded the evangelical, Christian charity Oasis, says he has become increasingly aware of the suffering of homosexual people within the church and has called on the church to re-examine its attitude towards homosexuals, saying negative attitudes can have a negative impact on people's mental and physical health. He has now called for further debate on same-sex relationships, and has launched an ONLINE SUPPORT SERVICE to offer help to gay people who have been hurt by practices and teachings of some parts of the church.
In an article for "Christianity Magazine," Chalke uses examples of his own ministry to illustrate how he has become increasingly aware of the suffering of homosexual people within the church, but also puts it down to his growing understanding of the Christian Bible. He questions why so many Christians are prepared to dismiss biblical suppression of women in leadership, or the scriptural endorsements of the slave trade as "cultural", but not of negative references to homosexuality.
He said: "It is my duty to ensure that everyone - gay or straight - knows that I believe God is for them. This commitment to inclusion is not just necessary in order to play a role in today's society; it is, in my view, the most biblical way of mirroring the life of Jesus Christ."
Of course, the Reverend Chalke is now being accused of being a liberal, even by those who are themselves often accused of being liberal or who call themselves liberal. However, we are in danger of using the corrupted language promoted by partisans to insult the other when we ask ourselves if Steve Chalke is a liberal? Just because he no longer aligns himself with fundamentalism doesn't mean he is not an orthodox, Bible-believing, bog-standard Christian. In fact, his obvious understanding of the core teachings of Jesus Christ show that he must spend more time studying the Gospels and accepting them literally than those who get all their Biblical knowledge from the party line.
I must say that it's great to see the Inclusive Church ethos spreading out of liberal catholic circles into the wider church. If this continues inclusivity will be truly inclusive.
The Rev Steve Chalke, a Baptist minister who founded the evangelical, Christian charity Oasis, says he has become increasingly aware of the suffering of homosexual people within the church and has called on the church to re-examine its attitude towards homosexuals, saying negative attitudes can have a negative impact on people's mental and physical health. He has now called for further debate on same-sex relationships, and has launched an ONLINE SUPPORT SERVICE to offer help to gay people who have been hurt by practices and teachings of some parts of the church.
In an article for "Christianity Magazine," Chalke uses examples of his own ministry to illustrate how he has become increasingly aware of the suffering of homosexual people within the church, but also puts it down to his growing understanding of the Christian Bible. He questions why so many Christians are prepared to dismiss biblical suppression of women in leadership, or the scriptural endorsements of the slave trade as "cultural", but not of negative references to homosexuality.
He said: "It is my duty to ensure that everyone - gay or straight - knows that I believe God is for them. This commitment to inclusion is not just necessary in order to play a role in today's society; it is, in my view, the most biblical way of mirroring the life of Jesus Christ."Of course, the Reverend Chalke is now being accused of being a liberal, even by those who are themselves often accused of being liberal or who call themselves liberal. However, we are in danger of using the corrupted language promoted by partisans to insult the other when we ask ourselves if Steve Chalke is a liberal? Just because he no longer aligns himself with fundamentalism doesn't mean he is not an orthodox, Bible-believing, bog-standard Christian. In fact, his obvious understanding of the core teachings of Jesus Christ show that he must spend more time studying the Gospels and accepting them literally than those who get all their Biblical knowledge from the party line.
I must say that it's great to see the Inclusive Church ethos spreading out of liberal catholic circles into the wider church. If this continues inclusivity will be truly inclusive.
MORE MONKY BUSINESS
From THE BANGKOK POST:
An intoxicated Buddhist monk drove off in a public bus parked at a depot in Samut Prakan province early Tuesday morning.The bus's regular driver Kamolsak Maneechansuk, followed the bus on a motorcycle. He told police that he left the bus motor running at the depot, never thinking it would be stolen, when he got out briefly to pick up something. When he returned the bus had already disappeared. The bus was later found abandoned about five kilometres away. Police later found 37-year-old Phra Yotpetch Khunwanchum strolling nearby. He was wearing only the lower half of his robe and was incoherent when spoken to. Police took him to the station. After he sobered up, the monk admitted he drank an alcoholic beverage to help with indigestion.
Those crazy Buddhists, they have all the fun. Ever since the pope murdered all the Knights templar to get his hands on the holy grail, Christian monks have been so boring.
Those crazy Buddhists, they have all the fun. Ever since the pope murdered all the Knights templar to get his hands on the holy grail, Christian monks have been so boring.
Monday, 14 January 2013
RECORD SLEEVES WITH DOGS ON (16)
One for the ageing hippies among you which, I guess, is most of the Episcopalians and quite a few more. Great record, by the way.
A REAL DAPPER, SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Seventy five years old today
Not just a national treasure but a treasure of the world
Seventy five years old today
Not just a national treasure but a treasure of the world
Sunday, 13 January 2013
WORSHIP AT SAINT LAIKA'S
A SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.
If you want to physically partake of communion you will require a small piece of bread and a small amount of drink (preferably made from grapes and containing alcohol). How you view the nature of this part of the service is completely up to you.
The order of service is posted beneath the audio file so that you can join in with the service. The words in bold type are the ones we say together.
Click on the arrow on the player to stream.
Download via the MP3 icon below the player.
Download podcast via iTUNES.MP3 File
CLICK HERE for order of service and credits
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