Reverend Bananaman July 6, 2009
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The Stourbridge Carnival rolled into town yesterday. The theme was ‘Food’ and the Hanbury Hill Baptist Church entry into the procession was ‘top banana’ as it is every year. In fact even the Minister was called upon to partake. A little arm twisting and cajouling and he soon agreed to join in the fun. What he hadn’t predicted was the sound of about 10 cars beeping and hooting their horns along the ring road as Reverend Bananaman raced to catch the start of the procession. “When Andy eats a banana, an amazing transformation occurs… Ever alert for the call to action!!”
If you want to see the real Bananaman in action try this:
Dream dreams, pursue visions May 30, 2009
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Here’s my Pentecost Sunday closing benediction for tomorrow. Cannot remember where I found it, but I quite like it:
Go out into the world, and labour to bring forth new life. Dream dreams, pursue visions and speak of God’s goodness in the words of those who would hear. And may the God who breathed life into creation be your delight. May Christ Jesus give hope to your dreaming, and may the Holy Spirit, your advocate and supporter, set your hearts ablaze with a passion for peace. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Stretch and grow tall May 30, 2009
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The family sunflower competition has now begun in earnest. Who will win the coveted prize for tallest plant by the end of the summer? I have the disadvantage of having the smallest pot with less soil (the green one on the left). I have the double disadvantage that one of my dear girls (was it Emilia?) managed to drop my seeds out of the pot a few days ago. If you read this don’t tell my lovely girls that I’ve just read a good tip from a gardening website. Apparently if you use a nitrogen-based fertiliser followed by potash (tomato food) when the buds begin to appear then the sunflower will reach an even greater height. Oooo, I feel the urge! May the best flower win! We’ve all got a tough challenge ahead if we want to beat our joint effort last year (below).
Esther should meet Larry Mullen May 14, 2009
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Conversation at dinner time tonight…
Daddy: “Emilia, what instrument would you like to learn to play when you are a bit older?”
Emilia (in quiet, reflective mode): “Mmmm, I like the piano”
Daddy: “And what about you Esther?”
Esther (with all the audacity and supreme confidence a little 2 year old could ever muster): “THE DRUMS!!!!!!!”
—
Suppose I’ll have to introduce her to Larry Mullen, the drummer from U2, one day. He plays with finesse and poise, although you wouldn’t have guessed from his recent description of drumming:
Drumming is a visceral, violent discipline and for those who are not specialized in the field, like me (I am a street drummer, I have had a few lessons here and there), there is nothing romantic about this relationship. It is pure violence and that is the way I like to have it!
“The system is in crisis” May 14, 2009
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I’ve just watched a fascinating 20 minute documentary called The Story of Stuff. It goes through the life span of a product and calls upon our world to become less consumeristic and more content with what we have. That way, we are better stewards of the earth and better companions for each other.
Watch and be inspired: The Story of Stuff
Easter timeout April 21, 2009
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A good time had by the Scotties during our Easter timeout last week. Visited the city of Salisbury and found a good campsite nestled at the foot of what used to be the old city back in the C12th. The ruins of the old castle and cathedral are still there. We also took a walk along the river and visited the Cathedral. Soon after Esther had toddled over Sir Edward Heath’s tomb (near the pulpit), I was perplexed when I found this:
Bono bares his soul April 21, 2009
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An interesting article from the U2 frontman, written for the New York Times recently. He says that Christianity crescendos at this time of year in this season of Easter. He refers to Easter as a ‘transcendent time – a rebirth I always seem to need’. The full article is here.
My favourite line in it is this:
I come to lowly church halls and lofty cathedrals for what purpose? I search the Scriptures to what end? To check my head? My heart? No, my soul. For me these meditations are like a plumb line dropped by a master builder — to see if the walls are straight or crooked. I check my emotional life with music, my intellectual life with writing, but religion is where I soul-search.
Run with the Horses March 19, 2009
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It’s been my turn to contribute to the Hopeful Imagination Lent project. I decided to write about a book called Run with the Horses by Eugene Peterson. It focuses on the prophet Jeremiah and I picked out some passages on the themes of exile, hope and imagination.
The Scott residence (for a while…) February 28, 2009
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Some much needed rest and relaxation looms large on the horizon. But will anyone dare me to go for a swim before breakfast?
No line on the horizon February 26, 2009
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So, the wait is over. The anticipation has been swallowed up. U2’s eagerly awaited new album, No line on the Horizon, hits the shelves next Monday. But it’s already on the Internet via myspace. I’ve played it through a few times and my first impression is that it’s a bold departure from their last two albums but there is a fresh, daring, ‘experimental’ aura about it.
The spiritual subtleties are there for those with ears to hear and the best theological review I’ve found so far is here.
Magnificent seems to be an infectious stadium anthem, including the words:
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice
But to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry
It was a joyful noise
Oh, ohOnly love
Only love can leave such a mark
But only love
Only love can heal such a scarJustified till we die
You and I will magnify
Oh, the magnificent
Magnificent
Stand Up Comedy includes the intriguing lines:
I can stand up for hope, faith, love
But while I’m getting over certainty
Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady
During White as Snow, there is a melody that sounds very much like the Advent hymn ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’. Bono sings:
Once I knew there was a love divine
Then came a time I thought it knew me not
Who can forgive forgiveness where forgiveness is not
Only the lamb as white as snow.
