Happy New Year

Happy New year to any who pass the way of Graceland at this time of the year and we wish you God's blessing for 2008.

May things go well with you and yours.

PRAYER OF FRANCIS DRAKE

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves
When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

Foy's Noise

Despite the miserable November deluge, I found myself amongst the Belfast student scene on Saturday night savouring the delights of Foy Vance in concert.

It was a virtuoso performance by a man at the top of his musical & performance game.




Profound, soulful, witty, intelligent & immensley creative. Foy held the packed Mandela Hall in the palm of his hands as he sang, looped & played his way through most of his ever growing catalogue.

If you haven't had the Foy experience, you don't know what you're missing.

Remembrance

ANTHEM FOR A DOOMED YOUTH

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

God is not elsewhere

You might consider visiting Gareth Higgins blog at this link;

http://godisnotelsewhere.blogspot.com/

Always thought provoking and insightful. His most recent entry raises much needed questions about "rendition" which flow from the recent film of the same name.

Having viewed it, I am troubled and challenged by the issues it raises and its depiction of the everyday practice which the American Government advocates and endorses and UK Government seems to allow to go largely unchallenged. Gareths thoughts are:

"Some thoughts on the practice of extraordinary rendition - The fact that we know such practices are employed in our name should have been enough of a wake up call – but as yet, the groaning near-silence of free people whose leaders exercise injustice on our behalf continues. Are we prepared to do more than go to meetings, or to pray, or to write blog posts about what is happening in our world? What will a non-violent Reformation require of us? - if you want to read more of my thoughts on this, check out the God's Politics blog..."

What are we reading?

A generous soul recently gave me the gift of Brian McLaren's latest book, Everything Must Change.

As with most of McLaren's work, this is a provocative and challenging read and whilst I haven't read enough to give a full review, it may be something you may consider giving as a gift this Christmas.

A full review will follow later.

Made me wonder what others out there in cyberland may be reading?

Feel free to offer Graceland a recommendation.

MUD IN YOUR EYE

"Nothing makes one so dizzy as human reasoning, which sees everything from an earthly point of view, and does not allow illumination from above. Earthly reasoning is covered with mud. Therefore, we have need of streams from above, so that, when the mud has fallen away, whatever part of the reason is pure may be carried on high and may be thoroughly imbued with the lessons taught there. This takes place when we manifest both a well-disposed soul and an upright life."

St. John Chrysostom, Homily 24 (John 2:23-3:4), A.D. 390

What in God's name are we doing?

(CNN) -- A federal jury in Baltimore, Maryland, Wednesday awarded $10.9 million to a father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by members of a fundamentalist church carrying signs blaming soldiers' deaths on America's tolerance of homosexuals.
A member of Westboro Baptist Church protests outside a veteran's hospital in Maywood, Illinois, in April 2006.
The family of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder -- who was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq's Anbar province in 2006 -- sued the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, and its leaders for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Church members showed up at Snyder's funeral chanting derogatory slogans and holding picket signs with messages including "God Hates Fags."
They've picketed the funerals of dozens of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, claiming that God is punishing the United States because of its tolerance for homosexuality.

"It's hard enough burying a 20-year-old son, much less having to deal with something like this," he said, recalling that some of the other signs at the funeral included "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs."

Watch the fallen Marine's father describe his reaction »
"As far as their picketing goes, they want to do it in front of a courthouse, they want to do it in a public park, I could care less. But I couldn't let them get away with doing this to our military," Al Snyder said.

"Every day in court I would just think of Matt and have him on my mind and know that he was watching out for me."
Snyder's attorney told jurors to pick an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again," according to The Associated Press.

Church founder Fred Phelps said the church would appeal the decision, adding it would "take about five minutes to reverse that thing." Watch Phelps laugh at the people trying to silence him »
"This will elevate me to something important," Phelps told reporters. "This was an act of futility."
Later, Phelps said the case was about "putting a preacher on trial for what he preaches."
"All it was, was a protestation by the government of the United States against the word of God. They don't want me preaching that God is punishing the country by killing their servicemen." Watch Phelps say freedom of speech is under fire »
The judgment would not change the message the group was carrying, said another of Phelps' daughters, church attorney Shirley Phelps-Roper.
"It's going nowhere," she said of the jury's decision. "This is a nothing. God is not going to stop killing your soldiers. He's not going to stop pouring his wrath out on this nation. America is doomed."
Church members were persecuted for their teachings and the court "mocked and scoffed at our religious beliefs," she said.
The group plans to protest a Veterans Day rally in Washington, she said.
Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church -- which has no connections with any mainstream Baptist organizations -- are longtime anti-gay protesters.
Before launching their protests at the funerals of American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, they routinely picketed the funerals of gay people and those who died of AIDS.

Phelps and his followers also picketed the February 2006 funeral of Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., because of her support for gay rights.
Several states have implemented laws about funeral protests and Congress has passed a law barring protests at federal cemeteries. E-mail to a friend

MR JONNY

My friend Mr Jonny has some great Autumn pic's ( like this)posted at the following link. Well worth a look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterjonnywatson

If you've any stuff of your own you'd like to recommend, pictures, books, music etc, we'd love to hear from you.

West Wing Theology

WEST WING WISDOM

Currently revisiting Series 5 of the West Wing and enjoying some of the more subtle moments missed during the first viewing.

"Leo's" word to the President during a particularly difficult encounter with his rivals carry some timely wisdom.

"Mr President, sometimes its not enough to be right"

Reminded me of my favourite scene in an earlier series which can be viewed at this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWqgD7lGneU&mode=related&search=

THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU

My fellow Tramp Glenn at Crookedshore sent me this poem. It sort of sent me off on some lateral thinking about faith, providence & pre-destination (yes that!).

Have a read and feel free to share your perspective. Oh! Do visit the gang at crookedshore, well worth a visit.

http://crookedshore.typepad.com/crookedshore/

The God Who Loves You

It must be troubling for the god who loves you

To ponder how much happier you'd be today

Had you been able to glimpse your many futures.

It must be painful for him to watch you on Friday evenings

Driving home from the office, content with your week—

Three fine houses sold to deserving families—

Knowing as he does exactly what would have happened

Had you gone to your second choice for college,

Knowing the roommate you'd have been allotted

Whose ardent opinions on painting and music

Would have kindled in you a lifelong passion.

A life thirty points above the life you're living

On any scale of satisfaction.

And every point A thorn in the side of the god who loves you.

You don't want that, a large-souled man like you

Who tries to withhold from your wife the day's disappointments

So she can save her empathy for the children.

And would you want this god to compare your wife

With the woman you were destined to meet on the other campus?

It hurts you to think of him ranking the conversation

You'd have enjoyed over there higher in insight

Than the conversation you're used to.

And think how this loving god would feelKnowing that the man next in line for your wife

Would have pleased her more than you ever will

Even on your best days, when you really try.

Can you sleep at night believing a god like that

Is pacing his cloudy bedroom, harassed by alternatives

You're spared by ignorance? The difference between what is

And what could have been will remain alive for him

Even after you cease existing, after you catch a chill

Running out in the snow for the morning paper,

Losing eleven years that the god who loves you

Will feel compelled to imagine scene by scene

Unless you come to the rescue by imagining him

No wiser than you are, no god at all, only a friend

No closer than the actual friend you made at college,

The one you haven't written in months.

Sit down tonight And write him about the life you can talk about

With a claim to authority, the life you've witnessed,

Which for all you know is the life you've chosen.

Tribute to Woody Guthrie

Woody Guthrie Tribute

I had the privilege of attending a Tribute to Woody Guthrie Fundraising Event at Belfast’s Empire on Sunday night past. Fine local musicians including Juliet Turner, Bap Kennedy, The Delaware’s performed their creative adaptations of some of Woody Guthrie’s classics.

Despite his debilitating disease, Guthrie penned many prophetic and often scathing musical commentary’s on the American life, economy, justice system and political landscape.

My personal favourite? "This land is your land" which was written as a sort of antidote to Irving Berlin’s God Bless America.

AMAZING GRACE

HOW SWEET THE SOUND

I'm always playing catch up when it comes to movie releases so for those who've long ago seen this film, forgive me.

In the age of endless political spin, parliamentary bickering and "will he, won't he" election watching, this movie reminds us of what can be achieved when men and women choose to give their lives for what they believe in.

A fine cast, beautiful cinematography and inspiring script render this a must watch film.

Would to God that we have someone in Politics today with the same convictions to stand up for right instead of holding up a finger to see which way the votes are blowing!

Rebecca Rothbaum, writing in O MAGAZINE said, "An important story... sumptuously shot, and masterfully acted!"

MAN AND GOD

MAN AND GOD

Saw this quote from Dorothy Sayers and was re-awakened to the mysterious dimension of Jesus as fully God AND fully man.

In modern memoirs written by real people about another real person we would expect just that sort of diversity which we find in the Gospels. If it surprises us there, it is perhaps because we have fallen out of the habit of looking on Jesus and his disciples as really real people.

-Dorothy Sayers - Introduction to The Man Born to Be King

Seeing people as neither angels nor devils but as just human can prevent us from putting them on pedestals. More importantly it can also help us understand the frailty and failure which each carry within us.

Shane Claiborne

Shane Claiborne in Belfast

The author of Irresistible Revoloution will be sharing the story of "The Simple Way" in the Spires Centre on Tues 30th Oct at 7.30pm.

For more info on Shane and his community, the Simple Way, go to the following link.

http://www.thesimpleway.org

Springsteen "Magic"

SPRINGSTEEN MAGIC RETURNS

After a gap of 5 years since "The Rising", the Boss returns with the legendary E Street Band & delivers "Magic", A 12 track rock n roll commentary or as Mojo magazine described it, "Springsteen's State of the Union"

So grab yourself a copy & enjoy the Magic which is Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band!

Let us know what you think?

Graceland Returns

GRACELAND RETURNS

After a short "sabbatical", Graceland makes its comeback.

Our aim is to regularly post some articles of interest to those who land in our little corner of cyberspace.

Music, Faith, Politics, Literature or Art?

Please take a few minutes every once in a while to post your thoughts or comment on those of others.

All are welcome, the party wouldn't be the same without you!

LENT

Ideas for Lent.

Graceland will be hosting some reflections for the coming Lent season and would appreciate your thoughts/ideas.

Lent commences this year on 21st Feb.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, fasting & praying, preparing a mission, fighting temptation, working through his calling. Then in the early church, Lent was the time for new Christians to learn the faith, & for the rest to devote themselves to prayer & fasting, a spring cleaning of the soul in readiness for the journey to come.

Maybe you’ve spent some time in a spiritual desert & are looking to press through, maybe you’ve never “done” Lent but it can be the provison of some real “soulfood”.

Should we give something up for 40 days?
Should we give something different up each day?
Should we GIVE something for Lent?
How can this season inform & inspire us in our journey back to God?

Here are some starter ideas (COURTESY OF VARIOUS BLOGS) but Graceland would love your input so let us know what you think?

Go mobile-free for a day, or better a week & use the space to be still.
Give up caffeine for 40 days & detox your body and brain!
Recycle Something
Create a moan-free zone. Refuse to complain for a day or allow others to moan around you!
Research on the internet what Lent is. Understand better.

It would be great to have 40 different things we could try for each day of Lent so get your creative thinking cap on.

Poor mans proverbs!

Funny how in the midst of the poor mans proverbs of a “desk top calendar”, little diamonds can sometimes be mined.

I was challenged by these words:

“Cherish the past, adorn the present and create for the future.”

A life-giving perspective.

(image courtesy if Jonny Baker, thanks Jonny!)

Rock N' Roll, Rock N' Responsibility

During the past week, I’ve had the privilege & pleasure of enjoying two of contemporary music’s enduring performers.

CHUCK BERRY

Standing 10ft from one of Rock n Roll’s great legends is a memory that will stay with me a long time. Last Thursday at the Waterfront Hall Belfast, every rif, every line was pregnant with the power, majesty & ministry of Rock N Roll. The man showed that even at 80yrs old, he could capture his audience with a style & stage presence often sought but rarely found. Johnny B Goode, Memphis Tennessee, Little Queenie highlighted a musical canon that can rarely if ever be matched.

Hail Hail Rock N Roll!

Then last night at Belfast’s Empire Music Hall, one of Canada’s finest cast his spell of Rock N Responsibility. Bruce Cockburn’s poetic, prophetic yet humble muse reminded us that Rock N Roll not only entertains us, but also challenges us to think not just of ourselves, but of those at the bottom of the pile.

Merci Mon Ami!

David Ervine - A life well lived

David Ervine.

A man who lived what he believed, who learnt from what he believed, and who gave himself to teaching others what he had learned.

He will be greatly missed by those searching for a way ahead in a country which spends too much time looking back.

Connemara Sunsets

Connemara Sunsets

Check out these pics from Mr Jonny who shows some hidden talent behind the lens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/misterjonnywatson/

Make sure you feedback to him. The boy has talent.

Graceland

World Map

Linked to this site from my mates at Crookedstore (thanks Glenn)

I was astonished and challenged by seeing our world mapped in this format. What do ya think?

http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/

Infant mortality is babies who die during the first year of their life. In 2002 there were 7.2 million infant deaths worldwide; 5.4% of all babies born died within their first year, including 2.3% in their first week.
The territory with the most infant deaths was India, at 1.7 million, or 24% of the world total. In India, for every 100 babies born alive, almost 7 die in the following 12 months.
In 22 territories the rate is over 1 infant death for every 10 live births. All of these 22 territories are in Africa. The highest infant mortality rate is in Sierra Leone where 16.5 babies die, of every 100 born alive.

West Wing Theology?

West Wing

I came to the West Wing late via the recommendation of friends. Having fastracked my way via DVD, I've been amazed and encouraged at the wisdom which is contained within its scripts. Yes, yes I know its fictional, but like the Simpsons, there can be some great wisdom and Theology that leaks from its episodes.

For a glimpse of Jed Bartlett's theology, follow this link to the wonderful Youtube site and let Graceland know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHaVUjjH3EI

Mark