Virtual Methodist

I don't often remember my dreams... and talk/write/blog about them even less. But last night is an exception. My sleep last night was filled with anxiety dreams about technological fails... Attempting to do various things online but failing... and the failure was not due to the technology each time but me... This was clearly my (not far below the surface) sub-conscious, trying to process a major gaff yesterday, where we were launching a new online midday prayer based on the Methodist Daily Office, and I (as the host) managed to click on the wrong link and effectively shut everyone else out of the event.  I didn't realise this until I had spent 5 minutes feeling somewhat dejected that no-one had taken us up on this offer, and a further 15 minutes going through the liturgy on my own... Getting a certain level of spiritual sustenance from it, but wrestling with a level of resentment that I had given up my "day off" to start this and no-one else could be bo...

In response to my little rant about the Guide promise last week, one friend, and former Guide leader suggested that the quote at the top of my blog sums it up... I was just about to change that quote, and now have, so for those who (like me) had forgotten it was there, is was "You become like what you worship." Tom Wright: "Simply Christian" It chimes well with something else I read today by Kate Muir, in the late Dennis Lennon's book "Fuelling the Fire" (which was also the source of the new quote at the head of the blog - good book, worth reading). I don't often reproduce huge chunks of text on this blog, but this struck a chord with me... It describes her experience in an Argos store... They have changed a bit since this was written, but I am sure anyone who has experienced the joys of shopping in such a store will know what she is saying: "I was there again last week, on another errand in the hellish glare of the store, its So...

I've been back from my summer travels for a wee while now and back at work for a few days, but I've had a lot to clear up both personally (I'll rant about that in due course) and in terms of the usual backlog of emails and paper, so I have hardly looked at the blog in ages... So I thought I would dip my foot in the water by sharing a few interesting links that I've come across in recent days... Some I've already posted on FB, but most of them demand more attention than I ever give to something over there. Most are of a theological bent, but some touch on my other diverse interests. On the theological front, Patrick Mitchel picks up on Ben Myers thoughts regarding theology in the blogosphere and applies them to denominational theology in Ireland. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Meanwhile, Karen Spears Zacharias (don't know if she's a relation of Ravi) has written an interesting piece on the hoary old subject of militarism and nationalism in A...

I'm not strong on personal discipline. Indeed, in many ways my personal life (including my spiritual discipline) is a shambling mess. Some people may be shocked at a Methodist minister saying that (indeed I AM a disgrace to the memory of our methodical founder John Wesley)... others who know me personally will know that I am merely being honest. The chaos of my life is a relatively creative chaos (most of the time), but it is also exhausting and and unhealthy, physically, mentally and spiritually. So I continually aspire to some sort of order in the midst of chaos... I've given up on those who offer quick-fix, self-help solutions, but am increasingly inspired by those who advocate a re-examination of ancient spiritual practices as a means of bringing order out of chaos, including Brian McLaren in his recent book "Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practice" (the first in a whole series I am led to believe). As I have said in the review of this book in th...

Another bit of sign-posting. Patrick Comerford, who wears more hats than is humanly practical, has just posted an interesting (if huge) piece on Methodist Spirituality from the perspective of a Church of Ireland cleric... Worth a look whatever religious tradition you hale from. Blessings