Borrowed again...

Once again, I didn't write this. But I read it. And it's something that has come up a bit lately, so wanted to share...

Dirt Under the Fingernails

By Eric Hurtgen

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"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
 John 15:12-13 TNIV

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THE STORY OF JESUS CHRIST is the true story of a love unlike any other. It is the story of a love immense and immeasurable, yet not afraid of coming down and getting messy, of getting a little dirt under the fingernails. The love we see in Jesus is a love that waits years for a broken friendship to be mended, saves the last bite for someone else and dances with the girl no one else would choose, the kind that smiles when spat upon. This love of Jesus is real and risky.

Unfortunately, the supposed love most of us experience is far from this radical, Jesus brand, rarely real, almost never risky. Usually, what we see passed off as love is either too abstract to be of help to anybody, or too selfish to be even remotely mistaken for the real thing. It often seems idle talk, more an ideal than a reality.

This risky love floods the stories of Jesus. It is the kind of love He lived out, the kind of love that risked insult and injury. If we want to really give and receive this Jesus kind of love, we must refuse to play it safe.

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Temple Grandin

What an incredible movie! Claire Danes did an excellent job portraying this amazing woman. I saw so many people I know in the character of Temple and those around her. In fact, I've come to believe that everyone sits somewhere on the autism spectrum, so I even saw myself in there sometimes! Temple's story is one of frustration, sadness and struggle, but also one of hope, possibility and encouragement for those with ASD, their families and those who work with them.

Here's just a little portion of dialogue I quite liked...

Temple: I hate parties! There are too many people and no one listens to me. They keep giving each other looks and I don't know what they mean.

Mother: They're just uncomfortable. People don't wanna hear all those... - details about cattle.

Temple: Well, I do. I wanna be with cattle. 

Mother: Sweetheart...I don't want you to avoid people.

Temple: They make me feel bad.

Mother: Then ignore them!

Altar calls

So, I don't usually like to pick at church services, because I know each one is different and no one is perfect, but one thing I've never really understood is altar calls. I'd love to know where this tradition came from and why. I mean, it's totally great for someone to step out of their comfort zone and make a statement about their desire to turn their life over to Jesus, but why should it happen in a setting where the pastor is talking over some emotional music after the sermon, almost guilting people into coming up the front. I guess some people need this encouragement to actually make the decision and get someone to pray with them, but I'm sure a number of people must go up because they feel obligated to.
Don't even get me started on being asked to raise your hand if "you're making this decision today and want to be prayed for". I definitely don't get the point in that one. It always makes me think that speakers who do this must, in some way, gauge the success of their sermon by how many hands are raised. And they always say "thank-you" to the people that do. Why?
Anyway, that's just what I think. And I welcome any input or opinion. I definitely think having people come forward for prayer has a valuable place in church services, especially because it may be the only opportunity they have to get someone to pray with/for them, and often making that move out of your seat in front of everyone is powerful for people and I'm sure God honours it... but I just don't think there needs to be all the hype and emotional triggers that often surrounds it.
There you go.

Random

So, ever since I've had this blog, I've had many an occasion when I hear something in a lecture, or come across something fascinating, or even think up something myself (shock, horror!), and I decide that I need to blog about that. But it doesn't often happen. It would be so much easier if I could just capture that moment and instantly upload it. Maybe one day technology will be this advanced... In the meantime, I'll probably go on thinking about it and not doing a lot about it.
I have just spent over an hour in the library achieving nothing in the way of the uni work I was here to do, but have done a few other things I've been meaning to do. So, it hasn't been a total waste of time. Have to be somewhere soon, so may as well post a pointless blog entry rather than attempting to start any work now, right? Right. Judging by these comments, you would have no idea that I'm currently feeling rather stressed about uni work. But now you know. I am.
And believe it or not, that's all I have to say.
Time to take in a few minutes of sunshine.
Love to all.

Donald Miller is so wise...

You should read this... http://donmilleris.com/2010/08/03/let-story-guide-you-pt-1-would-the-hero-say-that/
And most anything else written by Donald Miller.
What a dude.