Simon Says ...

Back from Greenbelt, if not recovered from the sleep deprivation. (The great thing about going without the youth group is that this year I was one of those getting told to shut up at 2.30am!.) Having resisted the urge to blog at Greenbelt ( four times, Paul? What else did you do? :) ), I'll try to get my reflections in now. Some highlights (in no particular order): David Ford and Micheal O'Siadhail ( pronounced Mee-Hawl O-Sheel ) - superb pair of talks from a theologian and a poet, which restored some of my vision. Well worth downloading from the Greenbelt website ! Holy Ground - a fantastic piece of art . Shoes and stories from around the world. Apparently I am a 'hard Christian' because I wear DMs! New Forms 2 - installation worship that has given me ideas. I particularly enjoyed the gazebo hung with pictures and quotations about Jesus. The Organic Beer Tent - words cannot express... Cricket - What a fantastic test match. A cheer went up around Greenbelt...

Now with this wonderful guide from the Cartoon Blog ! See you there?

No, not science fiction, but an offering from The Onion (an online magazine that proves some Americans, at least, get irony). Thanks to Tim for this story, which is that Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity With New 'Intelligent Falling' Theory . For all those who've ever met with willful ignorance ...

Last night the Bluffer's Guide did the end of the world. And in putting it together I had a close look at the theology of the Rapture - the belief that when Jesus returns Christians will be taken up into heaven and spared the messy business of God's judgement. If you want to find out what I think of that, then look at the virtual theology site which should have the sixth talk up soon(ish). But in looking at that, I started to come up with a different take on it. Most proponents of the Rapture are American, and have a very America-centered view of the world. Take, for instance, the Rapture Index . This site is dedicated to working out how close we are to the Rapture, but looking at world affairs and putting them in Biblical categories. The role America plays in this is very odd. when talking about 'moral standards' it is very focussed on America. So the site suggests that since 'gay marry [ sic .] supporters lose every major political vote', this categor...

For those who like brief summaries of Biblical teaching, here is St Paul's letter to the Romans in one sentence: We're all in the same boat, but it's a Jewish boat. Funny what comes to me in Bible studies.

The latest Bluffer's Guide (Why bother with the church?) is now up on the virtualtheology site. It features one of the least effective wayside pulpits ever, a Bible study on Ephesians, and a risk to my marriage. Check it out (it's a large mp3 file, so you'll need broadband).

Let it never be said that I don't do requests. I have been tagged by a very old friend who gives her reason for including me 'so that he can be frivolous on his blog'. As if Thought for the Day on Radio Bristol wasn't enough! I don't normally do these things, so for the first (and probably last time) bring on the stupid questions. Three things you like about yourself My hair My patience My hairy toes Three physical things you don’t like about yourself The effects of beer and chocolate on my waistline The soles of my feet er, that's it Three things that scare you Newcastle United The Church of England Cybermen Three of your everyday essentials Books My wife Boots Three things you are wearing now A clerical shirt (I'm going visiting later) Boots Trousers Three of your favorite bands or musical artists U2 JS Bach Marillion Things you want in a relationship Equality Loyalty Dinner Two truths and a lie At some point in the next year I have to find a new job In...