Observations

This isn't a fully formed thought, but I thought that I'd try and verbalise how I'm thinking.

I was in church this morning and one of the girls was looking into a mirror during the worship time. The first thought that popped into my head wasn't one of annoyance or anything like that, but it was an obvious way to show how I sometimes come to church, to worship.

I can only speak from how I personally feel because I don't want to make assumptions of everyone around me. But do I sometimes go to church just to look at myself in a shiny bit of glass, examining how beautiful/ugly I look, depending on the mood I'm in or the week I've had?

It's not always the way I come to worship, and there is nothing wrong with a self-examination, that's what the Confession is about. We have to look at ourselves and see the flaws and imperfections, but not to be consumed totally by them.

God works in amazing ways and He's the one who makes us clean and whole. We can't do that under our own strength. We can have a really clean mirror, however it doesn't affect the object that is reflected.

Eventually I have to put the mirror down and focus on the cross. What is worship for, to glorify God? to get my vocal chords stretched so I can lead children's church better? to spend my entire time wondering how I sound or look?

I know it's the first one and I'm also aware that it's the last two more often than not. It's easy to say that worship is about God and for God, not so easy to do.

Bank Holiday

Had a fantastic long weekend... started with school on Friday being fun. Saturday was a bit here-and-there, but I ended up in town at a party. Sunday was groups in church, Jeff helped out, and we were singing Joseph in GLP. Evening was spent at St Mary's... was brill.

Monday morning was an early start for breakfast at Joe and Jess's, then we all walked to The Green Man. Had some lunch and on the way back walked passed the bluebells.

Then I headed to Essex to make a purchase. I'll tell you more on Thursday...

Lyrically speaking

Had quite an anglican weekend... St Hughs held it's APCM (Thats Annual Parochial Church Meeting aka AGM aka health check), was a bit full on for a Sunday morning. It would have been quite short if someone hadn't have asked 'whats the relationship between the school and the church?' Which of course sparked a few people into action.

I was way down the queue to have my say... but that's such a good sign. So many people are ready to help out and they know so much more than I do at the moment.

We had news this week that the young people had raised £1000 for WorldVision! I'm so impressed with them. The certificate will be proudly displayed on our new fundraising board. We had started to pull ideas together for Soul Survivor (and Resonate), so look out for pictures!

Had Tim Hughes' new album on repeat lately, he's gone a bit grassroots with his lyrics. 'Clinging to the cross' is my favourite. I'm already having fun adding other lyrics to the songs though. One goes 'the sun, the moon, the stars, the heavens' but could easily be changed to 'the sun, the moon, the stars, whatever!'. Ok I found it funny, stop laughing at me.

Back to work I suppose.

Maundy Thursday

Yes, I am anglican, yes I am a little bit weird.

Those of you who know me will understand a little bit about why I love tradition so much.

We come to Easter, and a chance to meet with the church family at least once a day for 4 days. How exciting! The next four days are intense and busier than the other christian (nicked from the pagans) festival that we don't mention til november.

Tonight is the last supper. Tomorrow is the walk of witness, which takes place between three churches hopefully there will be lots of people. Saturday is youth night, pizza and sweets all round. Sunday sees the dawn service and breakfast for anyone who can brave it.

Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy your Easter long weekend, wherever in the world you are.