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Published on 14 Comments on You Last
You Last
Girl praying in orphanage. New York, 1947

 

Earlier today Derren Brown retweeted this photo with the comment "Oh Lord." It's had 85 retweets and counting. Here are some of the comments in replies:

The list is backwards

'You last'. What a heart-breaker

So sad, make them feel guilty, bad and no self worth...sorry no religious belief from me!

On the original Classic Pic tweet were the following comments (swearing coming...)

disgusting crap message on the wall. abandoned child must focus on invisible Jesus rather than own needs

that is the saddest thing I have seen in days. *sob*

fuck that, fuck the message on the wall

This is a desperately sad photo. Not just the message, but the stark walls and the bleak, loveless room.

Interesting photo. Revolting story told in the photo.

Everything that's wrong with religion

"Dear Lord. i thanks you for giving me no parents and a shitty start in life."

Torn between sorrow and rage.

This is all sorts of horrible. Poor kid.

Horrible, horrible child abuse. Disgusting.

I grew up with "Jesus, Others, Yourself" - JOY comes by putting yourself last, right? If you grew up in a Christian home I'd be surprised if you've never come across the acronym. I mention this so that no-one thinks this is the orphanage's way of putting the children in their place. This is not a power-play, it's the opposite. This is the essence of the way of Jesus: self-giving sacrifice as the way to fullness of life.

But what's fascinating to me is that in 1947 'Self Last' would have been roundly endorsed as the moral position. Today 'Self Last' is not just strange or inadvisable, it's immoral. It's disgusting crap. It's everything that's wrong with religion, etc, etc.

But what do we have in this photo? We see a little girl in need. She's an orphan and our hearts go out to her. But who is actually caring for her? Answer: the people who believe in "Self Last", that's who.  And which body of people have had the longest and most impressive history of caring for orphans? Christians - i.e. those who believe in 'Self Last'.

What's the alternative? Shall we declare 'Self Last' as an abusive sentiment? Shall we endorse 'Me First' instead? How many orphanages could be built on that foundation?

But, some will say, this girl is at the bottom of the heap already. How crushing for her to be told to pray this hierarchy into her heart every day! Isn't that abusive?

Ah but, here's the thing. All Christians pray 'Self Last.'  I'll bet the Queen herself was taught this acronym. Everyone is called to the selfless life of Jesus. Christ's kingdom inverts all our 'Me First' values. As Mary's Christmas song (the Magnificat) reminds us:

He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:52-53)

'Self Last' is a philosophy that humbles the highest and lifts up the poorest. In the kingdom of 'Self Last' it's the lowliest who are greatest. As this little girl prays, she is in touch with the Lord of the universe - the Lord who stoops, serves, suffers and dies.

Just practically speaking, her greatest hope is the 'Self Last' people. They are the ones who care for orphans. And spiritually and existentially speaking, her greatest hope is the Lord who put Himself last. In His kingdom she is the greatest:

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’  (Luke 9:46-48)

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Published on 3 Comments on Top 13 for 2013

top13This year I've switched blogs. Unfortunately I'm not sure any of my readers have. The old site still has 300 subscribers and more join every week (in spite of the fact I don't post there anymore). Never mind, at this new site I have 2 subscribers. And you're both very welcome indeed.

My blogging output hasn't quite been what it was in previous years. But there are still some posts that got my blood pumping in 2013. If you missed them first time around, here they are again.

13. Emma's epic 4Thought went out and, inexplicably, received a record number of thumbs downs (as well as a record number of thumbs up). We responded...

 

12. An Imaginary Correspondence About Truth, Faith, Food (and, mainly, Sexuality)

Also on the issue of sex and sexuality:
Is God homophobic?
Sex / Love / God – An Evangelistic Talk
Behind Closed Doors: On God and Porn
Resource for Addressing Pornography in Church / Youth Group

 

11. Are you sitting comfortably? Then Let’s Do Science

Also on the topic: Hasn’t science disproved God?

 

10. Our Podcast has been a fun new resource. We're getting lots of downloads which is great - why not subscribe?

Most Downloads: What Atheists Get Right
Interview with Tim Chester
Interview with Gavin Tyte

 

9. Four Thoughts on Grace for Reformation Day

see also 10 misconceptions about grace
Law-Gospel: Not a Procrustean Bed
Law-Gospel in Isaiah

 

8. The Monstrous Evil of Balance: Or Why Nuance Is Always Always Wrong

 

7.  Not Nature and Super-Nature – Old Creation and New Creation

 

6. Ten Thoughts On Salvation

 

5.  Mission is NOT 'God's work and our work': Mission in 2 Corinthians

see also Evangelism, Proclamation and Treasure Hunts

 

4. Why be good? Part one

Part two, three, four, five

 

3.   Eating Disorders – A Carer’s Perspective

 

2.  Halloween: Trick or Treat?

see also Putting Halloween in Context
Santa vs Jesus
Christmas in Dark Places

 

1.  He shines in the dark

Published on Leave a comment on Happy Friday

Anything Van Damme can do, Chuck can do better.

http://youtu.be/9W82sMSMJJg

Don't be shy now...

The kingdom of earth is like...

Brett Lee vs Piers Morgan

Perfect Timing  (no photoshop, honest)

When getting it wrong is oh so right.

20 Abandoned Places

Published on Leave a comment on More Tweets Compendified

"The whole order of things is as outrageous as any miracle which could presume to violate it." GK Chesterton

Sinners are strangers to God in the far country.
Slaves are strangers to God in the field.
Sons are sinners in the Father’s arms.
#Luke15

Sinners are wretched in their rebellion.
Slaves are wretched in their righteousness.
Sons are wretches, wrapped in His robes.
#Luke15

What to have with my bacon sandwich: Ketchup or HP? #crowdsaucing

What's your favourite method of resolving an argument? Hit me

Before Scripture becomes the norming norm it strikes us as the weirding weird

Actually all norms are norming norms. A norm that norms is normal. Really we mean 'a norm-norming norm' right? Anyone hungry?

The trick with the problem of evil & suffering is to make sure it's a problem. Thankfully the Christian finds it the biggest problem of all

If God is God then He is the certainty, we are the ones in doubt. Therefore *from the outset* skepticism refuses to consider God as God

#John12 God speaks and folks hear a thunderstorm but when Jesus is lifted up they will believe #theologyofthecross

#Isaiah25 Salvation = shame removed, death swallowed up, tears wiped away & global feasting with Christ #EnjoyYourDay

Evangelism is easy. Once you accept that it's mortifying.

 

Again and again we're told that God's Face shines on us. (Eg Num6; Ps80) In Jesus, God beams at you. #EnjoyYourDay

It's the week for coming out I guess. John Piper finally pins his colours to the mast- he's a Calvinist http://www.desiringgod.org/calvinist 

You don't have to wait to be welcomed into the kingdom. Thru the gospel Christ *has* welcomed u with open arms (Rom15:7) #EnjoyYourDay

Jesus doesn't merely outshine, He also kindles. His glory is an outgoing brilliance.

The Light of the world does not shine merely to attract & dazzle but, more, to enlighten & share. (Jn17:22!) #EnjoyYourDay

 

 

'In the shadow of your wings I take refuge til the storm has passed.' (Ps57) The storm will pass and the refuge is secure. #EnjoyYourDay

1) Pray. 2) Open Bible. 3) Point to Jesus. 4) Say "Look!". 5) Repeat #EnjoyYourMinistry

What were we thinking... Next Christmas video we'll just give some comfortable westerners free tvs and such. #WestJetChristmas

Don't worry, there'll be sleighbells too, so you know it'll be #Christmassy. #WestJetChristmas

Cos nothing says #SpiritofChristmas like a company's publicity stunt playing on our aspirations for luxury goods. #WestjetChristmas

"True God and true Man" is not a box to tick in order to affirm our orthodoxy. It's the heart of the good news.

I'm always reminded with the #Ashes how the English and the Australians are both proud but in ways they themselves are blind to.

<< Every Aussie thinks the Poms are proud. And every Englishman thinks Australians are arrogant. They're both right of course!

Which led to this conversation

Prayer is an articulation of union with Christ. We shouldn't be able to talk about one without the other.

Isaiah confronted idolatry with poetry

Idea for website - http://unknow-unfollowers.com  Once u've discovered who's unfollowed u, the site wipes yr memory & delivers a mild electric shock

Carols services are a conspiracy to make us all post-millennial #Isaiah9 #Psalm72 #Micah5 #JoyToTheWorld.

"To us the Son is given" (Isaiah 9:6) #Amazing

 

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Published on 4 Comments on Santa vs Jesus (with words)

Please feel free to download and use the video wherever you like (but don't charge for it!). Remember, there's also Christmas in Dark Places - our 3 minute spoken word video from last week.

Be aware that there's also a great kinetic typography version of Santa vs Jesus produced by 10ofthose - that might be more appropriate for your context.

And the words to the poem are below. Feel free to quote the poem if you want, just don't  change it. If you feel like changing it, that means you're a poet and should write your own. Go to it!

They say there’s a big man who lives far away,
Supposedly jolly but it’s hard to say.
I’ve never seen him, and neither have you.
But the children believe, whether or not it's true.

He’s known as a loner, with many a quirk
No time for a chat, he’s embroiled in his work
He keeps to himself, for most of the year,
I reckon we’re grateful he doesn’t appear.

We send him requests, for particular needs,
But we never hear back, who knows if he heeds?
We try to be good, give his arm a twist,
To merit our place on his blessed little list.

And maybe one day if we do what we should,
He’ll give us our things, so long as we’re good.
I’ve had it to here, I’m calling his bluff:
He’s a weird moralistic dispenser of stuff!

Granted, this rant is a strange one to pick
But listen I’m not really after St Nick
As strange as he is, and Santa is odd,
I’m really addressing most folks’ view of God.

It’s God who we see as a distant Big Guy –
An ancient, invisible, St Nick in the Sky.
“He’s sees you asleep, He knows when you wake
He’s watching and waiting to spot your mistake.”

And just like with Santa, requests we hand in,
We want all his things but we don’t want him.
That’s our connection with old Father Christmas.
We might dress it up, it’s essentially business.

Throughout the year, good behaviour’s our onus
When Christmas rolls round we’re expecting our bonus.
“Just leave us the gifts Nick, we’ve been good enough!
And then please push on, now we’ve got all your stuff!”

I mean Santa is interesting, curious, quirky
But no-one wants him to share their Turkey!
I’m sure his “ho, ho, hos” are sublime,
But I fear what he’ll say once he’s drunk our mulled wine.

That’s old St Nick, but the picture rings true,
It’s how we imagine what God is like too.
But Christmas resounds with a stunning “Not so!”
The One from on high was born down below.

To a world in need He did not send another.
God the Son became God our Brother.
He drew alongside, forever to dwell,
Our God in the flesh, Immanuel.

This God in the Manger uproots all our notions:
A heavenly stooping, divine demotion.
Born in a stable, wriggling on straw,
Fully committed to life in the raw.

Santa gives things and then goes away.
Jesus shows up, to befriend and to stay.
Santa rewards those with good behaviour.
Jesus comes near to the broken as Saviour.

If you don’t like God, I think I know why…
You probably think He’s St Nick in the Sky.
You’re right to reject that far-away stranger!
This Christmas look down to the God in the manger.

Published on Leave a comment on Podcast: Interview with ITV’s Nativity Factor Winners

Dai Woolridge and Andy Toovey are worthy winners of this year's Nativity Factor.

They won with the excellent, "Joseph"

And here's last year's epic: "Christmas Chord"

In this episode Andy and I talk to Dai and Andrew about the what, the why and the how of spoken word videos...

NB: The reason the first couple of minutes of the interview are spent talking about our video is because I didn't really think the interview had begun :)  We were just chewing the fat. Consider the proper interview to begin at 7:29.

 

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2

Published on 2 Comments on Carols Sermon John 1:10-14

christmas-in-dark-placesHere's my sermon from Sunday night.

Just before I preached they showed our video: Christmas in Dark Places. That's essentially the theme of the sermon - Christ joins us in our darkness, to bring us His light. He joins our family to bring us into His.

At one point I also refer to WestJet's Christmas video which raises questions about the real spirit of Christmas (and the spirit of consumerism). Listen to hear more...

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