Mission accomplished. Welcome to my blog v2.00

I was sat in a lecture on postmodernism of all things. Foucalt was the subject and his ideas about Madness and how in the modern world we confine the mad to institutions. He referred back to a time when the insane were part of society and were respected and sometimes seen as gates of knowledge. Now we lock them away in ‘more humane’ conditions where they can’t bother us.

I started to wonder what Jesus’ approach to these people would be…I realised that some of the behaviour described in the scriptures (e.g. a man cutting himself with stones) is exactly the kind of thing we lock people up for. But Jesus didn’t lock them up, he cast out their demons, he set them free.

In the modern world where we don’t see madmen (apart from news forecasts about leaders of various seperatist groups (e.g. America! hee hee)) there’s less of a call for those following Jesus to set people free – “the state handles that problem” is a phrase you might hear. So from there I began wondering if we should make time to visit those considered insane in those institutions to which our society confines them with the hope dishing out some Jesus-love? Who knows, we may even learn to cast out demons!

It’s funny how things happen. Tonight we had Elizabeth from the homeless project around to talk to our housechurch. We had a lovely time, she shared her story and then a bit about her vision and I really felt God saying how proud he is of her simple obedience. Anyhow she was saying “you have a lovely group here” and I suppose it really reminded me of the fact that God has changed us from being a random assortment of individuals to being a community that has actually started loving one another. Even though we go through stuff we know we’re together…and now I’m rambling – it’s late, I should sleep.

Goodnight.

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I’ve had a few days out from blogging. Have been chilling with some friends, watching movies, figuring out some new webdesign packages – wondering if we should make our own, softcore version of Jackass. You know the kind of stuff – going down the stairs on your butt – a kind of ironic take on the whole idea: where jackass involves danger ours won’t and yet we’ll get just as excited about it.

I think PJ will one day realise his desire to dangle Oscar, our Yorkshire Terrier with “little guy” syndrome, from his fingers. Just you wait…

I’ve had to face a few things – firstly I went against my feelings and shared with the guys that I was feeling lonely at the moment. I knew this was right because if I can’t share how I really feel, why should I expect anyone else in the group that I’m leading to bare their souls? Anyhow I did it and while I felt stupid, it’s made me realise how important it is to be yourself as a leader.

I had these preconceptions of the leader as this lone wolf. As this guy who ensures his people get fed and yet has to look else where to grow himself. I’ve changed my mind on that one. If we’re a family we’re all responsible for one another and each can build up all. No more lone wolf for me!