The Shack

I'm not blogging much at the moment but having just read The Shack by William Paul Young I felt that I should. I'm not big on fiction books about God (though I did enjoy the Left Behind series) but this one was recommended and put into my hand by a good friend so I figured why not? Besides, it's not incredibly long and the chapters are short...so I went for it. And you know what? I really enjoyed it. Not only was it entertaining and interesting but I was fascinated by how each person of what I know as the Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) was represented, and how they interacted with the protagonist and each other. A lot of it got me thinking about my own relationship with God, and I was able to relate to a fair bit of it but also look at some things in a new light. For a work of fiction the book really (for me) has a great understanding of God, how He works, even how He feels, in as much as we can probably understand. There were several points where I cried and had to stop reading to ensure my tears weren't marking my glasses. It wasn't because it was so badly written that I wanted to cry, but that I was overwhelmed, both by the presence and the love of God. I've experienced God's love in works of fiction before, and in fact the Left Behind series played a role in my coming to know Him personally, but The Shack is something else.

Whether you believe in God or not, why not give this book a read. Chances are you'll enjoy it. Plus it may just change your life!

http://theshackbook.com/aimages/theshackad.jpg

:)

Disney and the Early Church

Here are some lyrics from a Phil Collins song called 'Welcome' from the classic Disney movie Brother Bear:

Everyone's invited, this is how we live

We're all here for each other happy to give

All we have we share

And all of us we care, so come on...

Welcome to our family time

Welcome to our brotherly time

We're happy giving and taking

To the friends we're making
There's nothing we won't do...

And here are some words from Acts 4:32-35 about how Jesus's followers were living after he ascended:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Look familiar? It appears that a Disney movie knows more about how church should be than most churches I've ever been to, where things like money and possessions have become more important than serving God and each other! What can Brother Bear teach the 21st century Church? Discuss...;)

Christmas Day 2008

It's been almost a couple of months since my last post. In that time (and I'm very surprised I haven't blogged on this until now) my comedy heroes, the Chuckle Brothers, have won a BAFTA. It's a lifetime achievement award, and though many months ago I blogged in a campaign to get them knighted, I'll settle for this. Just like if Villa would like to win the Premier league this season but instead finish third or fourth, that'll do too. Anyway, well done to Barry and Paul. Love them or not like them, they still have a wide-ranging appeal, with the popularity for their show 'Chucklevision' to still be on TV after twenty-one years and for their ability to still sell out their live shows. I'd take my hat off to both of you chaps, if I was wearing one. Is now the time for revealing that I've met them twice, got their autographs on both occasions, and was bapstised in my Chuckle Brothers t-shirt? Maybe not. But if you go to the awesome Mike's Bites cafe in Bangor, Gwynedd, you'll probably see a picture on the wall of the Chuckle Brothers with a cheesy-grinned, bespectaled, big-haired me standing behind them. And if that's not a claim to fame I don't know what is, quite frankly.

Also, by the grace of God and the food of my wife (as a good friend would say), I've almost finished my dissertation. Thanks if you have supported that in any way.

I was at a Christingle service yesterday. Do you know the song, 'Little Drummer Boy'? I'm well aware there's a humorous Peter Griffin version on Family Guy, but the original song itself has very powerful lyrics, which I hadn't realised until yesterday. A little boy goes to play his drum for the baby Jesus, and there's the line 'I played my best for him (parapapumpum)'. It made me think: Am I giving Jesus my best? Christmas is the time of year when I as a Christian remember his birth, and why he came-to set me free from sin and through his sacrifice and resurrection bring my back into the relationship with God I was created to be in, which I am unalbe to do myself. So if he has given me his everything, am I doing my best for him? Am I, like the little drummer boy, 'playing my best for him' in all aspects of life? Are you?

Merry CHRISTmas and God bless. It's not too late to change!:)

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Going away...

I Got Stripes will be back in the not-too-distant future, but for now I must really write my dissertation. I appreciate you viewing this blog, and also your prayers regarding my work!

Jesus loves you. If you don't believe me, I can't make you believe it but why not try reading the book of Luke in the Bible or some of my earlier blog posts.

Hope to see you soon.

God bless,

Matt:)
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The Impersonator

Click on this link if you want to see arguably the best footballer and manager impersonations that aren't on your television screen (especially if your name is Graham):

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=C2QEm028lKA

;)

What goes in...must come out.

Matthew 12:34 says Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

In other words, what goes into us is going to come out.

Maybe this is why I feel happier and much more upbeat singing along to worship music in my car. Instead of Meat Loaf.

ACTS new date

Apologies for any inconvenience but due to unforeseen circumstances, ACTS Open Mic Church will next happen on Monday 3rd November and NOT 27th October as scheduled.

Time and venue remain as the below post.

It will also feature Eddie the Zebra.

Hope to see you there.

ACTS Open Mic Church. Because church SHOULD be fun!:)