johnnylaird

Mumbo Jumbo…and none the worse for that*

2009-11-12T17:39:00.002Z

It is a good thing when you do things on the spur of the moment or at least within a day of finding out about them.

I’d stumbled on this blog post on the Moot blog on Tuesday, and by Wednesday evening I found myself at the The London Centre for Spirituality to hear Dave Tomlinson talk and unpack some of the ideas in his new book re-enchanting Christianity

Now, I have to admit Dave Tomlinson was a new name to me, although I did know a little about his previous hang out Holy Joe’s, and as ever did a bit of web trawling to see what I could find out. Dave is currently Vicar of St Luke’s in Holloway.

Having now met him, found out a little bit of his story and connected a few of the threads of that story together I now realise I should have been paying more attention!

Dave’s clearly a guy worth listening to on all kinds of subjects. Last night ideas were fizzing on Church and culture.…Scripture, spirituality, sexuality, snot, social networking and social justice …but most of all grace

I’ve added Dave’s book to the wish list that I’m carrying around in my head. I’m sure it’ll be a good read.

Big thanks to Moot’s Ian Mobsby getting the word out, and encouraging me to get there.

* Mumbo Jumbo…and none the worse for that

- a strange name for a blog post. It’s just alludes to one of Dave’s stories on the night that made me laugh out loud.

HT to Dave for the pic

Sally Hoodie

2009-11-09T16:13:00.000Z

Gotta love those crazy West Coast Sally Army kidz!

Not for the first time, they’re coming up with creative little bundles of goodness

NEW :: Salvation Hoodie from SayTV on Vimeo.

For more vids, check here

DigiMission

2009-11-09T13:16:00.002Z

…looking forward to checking out the EA’s DigiMission event in London early in December.

Some really good guests as well as a live video link up with Shane Hipps of Flickering Pixels fame.

Ed’s story: More from Ed Dobson…still Living Jesusly

2009-11-06T16:00:00.002Z

Can I encourage you to check this site – Ed’s Story – and particularly to watch the short movie.

I’ve blogged several times about the inspirational Ed Dobson and am keen more people hear about his story.

Ed’s Story
Living Jesusly

Travelling Jonesberries

2009-11-05T13:34:00.004Z

Having regularly read Andrew Jones’ blog for years now, I don’t know how I missed this other great site - Jonesberries - from the Tall Skinny Kiwi giving the full low down on the adventures of TSK and his family as they criss cross Europe in Maggie the Motorhome.

This is the stuff of dreams – amazing bravery. I’m impressed and ever so slightly envious.

I wonder if the Jones family will ever bump into Croydonite Andy Pag of Biotruck fame?

They seem like kindred spirits.

Still my rock

2009-11-03T16:41:00.001Z

It’s been a while since I put a picture of Janet on my blog, so I’m remedying that today.

She’s still my rock
Still my better half by a country mile
Still my inspiration
Still my love

…a gift from God

TransFORM

2009-11-03T13:02:00.001Z

I kinda already heard a little bit of a buzz about these guys on the web, and Chris’ post at This Fragile Tent drew my attention to them with a little more fine focus.

TransFORM: Missional Community Formation from TransFORM on Vimeo.

There are some good people here, and I like what they are saying…

A prayer for the earth

2009-11-02T09:06:00.002Z

It's not for me to be preachy about this, but I'm also checking out Hopengagen right now. You may want to too

Is it a time to dream?

2009-10-31T23:02:00.001Z

Watch and listen to these wise words from Erwin McManus

Awaken.org Thoughts on the Theme: DREAM from Awaken on Vimeo.

Aaron Neville steps up to help

2009-10-27T16:39:00.003Z

There are a few musicians who really move me almost every time I hear them, and Aaron Neville has to be one of that select group. I don’t know whether it’s a Neville thing, or a New Orleans thing, but Aaron just hits the sweet spot.

So, it’s good to discover that the big man made a special visit to the Salvation Army Center for Hope in New Orleans last week ahead of the release of new recordings towards the end of the year, round about Christmas.

A portion of the proceeds of this new music will be donated to The Salvation Army's Annual Red Kettle Christmas Campaign, which is such a feature of America’s Christmas landscape.

Driftwood

2009-10-26T12:07:00.003Z

I have to give a little shout out to the Driftwood Hotel in Rosevine, Cornwall.

We’ve just spent an idyllic restful family weekend in this fabulously chic yet chilled haven tucked away on the Cornish coast.

For me, the Driftwood was as near as perfect as I could have hoped, from the kindness of the owners, Paul & Fiona and their staff, to the welcoming rooms with the gentle classical burr of the Roberts radio and the wonderful food.

Hopefully we can get back there before too long…it was bliss, and just the top up shot of relaxation we so needed.

Highly recommended!

HT to Mrs and Mrs Smith for the pic.

One Day and Two Futures

2009-10-22T11:35:00.001Z

I kinda stumbled across a couple of important initiatives this week that I wanted to share.

Now, each site is quite dense – beautifully put together and full of information - so there’s a lot to take on board, but I think they’re going to chime with the way I see the world. It may be the same for you… so I’d encourage you to have a look as well.

First up is One Day’s Wages, founded by Eugene Cho and his wife, and launched in full effect this week as part of the global fight against extreme poverty.

The Movement of One Day's Wages from One Day's Wages on Vimeo.

The other one that caught my attention after hearing about them on a Mars Hill podcast this week was the Two Futures Project which addresses the pressing threat of nuclear weapon proliferation

Missio...

2009-10-15T12:43:00.003Z

The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus strike a home run once again!

Taking Heat

2009-10-14T12:22:00.005Z

Thanks to Scott Mocha of CrazyDisciple for bring this great post - Taking Heat - by Erwin McManus to my attention.

One of the phrases that hit me right between the eyes was this one, where Erwin is talking about their community of faith, Mosaic:

“We have a zero tolerance policy for religious jargon or Christianese. We have little room for traditions that mean something to us but nothing to a person searching for God. We will not forsake the Word of God for the traditions of men. We are committed to removing every non-essential barrier between God and humanity. We refuse to allow the Gospel to become lost in our nostalgia or to appear irrelevant because we are.”

It’s a brave stance, and one that often results in them and others like them “taking the heat”.

For me, it’s a lesson to be learned, and one that has increasing resonance for me.

I did it!

2009-10-13T11:56:00.002Z

I managed to complete my first half marathon..

It was hard, but I didn't stop!

HT to Andy for the pic

Half Marathon almost here

2009-10-09T12:17:00.002Z

In May I blogged that I had agreed to run a half marathon, and on Sunday I have to make true on that promise.

I’m actually looking forward to it…big time.

I’ve really enjoyed the preparation and the trailing. It’s given me a new thang that I’ve become interested in, and I guess this run won’t be my last.

There can be no better reason that to run for a friend, so I’m doing it for Andy, and will run as part of Andy’s Angels

We’d really appreciate your support.

Tattoo you

2009-10-01T16:06:00.002Z

HT to Danielle Strickland for pointing me in the direction of this amazing poster for an upcoming Salvation Army youth event in Canada

Inspired, Thomas?

Smile!

2009-09-29T13:13:00.001Z

I'm gonna nail my colo(u)rs to the mast.

I like Barack Obama!

Barack Obama's amazingly consistent smile from Eric Spiegelman on Vimeo.

CNNGO

2009-09-28T16:25:00.002Z

I just stumbled on this fascinating brand new site from CCN.

I’ve only had a quick scan so far - so this is no definitive summary - but CCNGO seems at first sight to be a entertainment-weighted online crossroads focussed on the amazing cities of Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

The world continues to shrink and bump together.

It’ll be interesting to see how this shapes up.

Grim

2009-09-28T16:00:00.002Z

I’m being encouraged to take up the Grim Challenge…

I’m close to making a decision

This is our earth

2009-09-25T16:26:00.001Z

Angular, funky and fireproof

2009-09-25T13:17:00.001Z

I kinda like this weekend home in Malibu, featured in today’s LA Times.

Angular, funky and fireproof.

There’s a nice slideshow of shots from around the house that’s worth checking out.

HT Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times for the pics

This is our world…

2009-09-24T16:43:00.000Z

This is our world…

HT to Jason Salamun for pointing me in the direction of this fascinating vid.

Paper Birds

2009-09-24T12:30:00.004Z

Croydon Community Against Trafficking is presenting The Paper Birds Theatre Company performing ‘In a Thousand Pieces‘in the town in November, examining the truth about sex trafficking in the UK.

It’s said to be a hard hitting and troubling piece about the illegal trafficking trade, following the story of a young woman sucked into the whole nightmare.

Get there, and get informed.

This is all too real

Fairtrade Dairy Milk

2009-09-18T17:11:00.002Z

...now here's a way to celebrate...