Why, as churches, are we not out in the community? Why are we travelling to our church services on sunday and bible studies during the week, sitting indoors for an hour or so, and then going home again? Where does it say Jesus did that? Why aren't we talking to people like he did? Why aren't we helping them in their need like he did? Why aren't we reaching out to them with God's love like he did?
It frustrates me that the church (generally, and mine) is quite happy to sit in their pews and take take take from the service and the experience (often going away feeling very good about themselves), without giving a thought to those in the houses around them who might be crying out for someone to show that they care for and about them.
Every week it seems people are praying for God to send us 'young professionals' with the pre-requisite young children, well-paid jobs, and ability to play the piano and/or run the Sunday School. And every week God sends us the drug addicts, the alcoholics, those with mental and emotional problems. And people turn them away, or are unwelcoming because they either don't know how to cope with them or think they'll upset things.
So what are we missing?
We're being Pharisees. They thought Jesus should be spending time with the 'pure and upstanding' members of the Jewish community. But he wanted to hang out with the outcasts - the prostitutes, the tax collectors (!), the exiles, the lepers, those shunned by those 'pure and upstanding' people. Those are the people Jesus wanted to spend his time with, those are the people he ministered to. So why aren't we? How can we read our Bible and claim to live by it and not see that we've got the wrong idea?
Church is there to meet people's needs (and to worship God through this - "Whatever you do for one of these you do for me"). So why aren't we?

Back again! In the spirit of empowerment, equality of opportunity and caring about young people check this out - http://www.guardian.co.uk/slideshow/page/0,,1946775,00.html
It's a bit worrying the stereotypes people have of young people, and makes you wonder whether it's worth young people trying to push against them, and wether they'd get anywhere if they tried.....

Never knowing what's around the corner -
But you do.
Never understanding what the point is -
But you do.
Never seeing past my own confusion -
But you do.
Never grasping the direction we're heading -
But you do.

The past is spread out behind me
Its snakes and ladders and swirling labyrinths available for contemplation,
But I can't make head nor tail of even this.
I know me less than when we began this journey,
But I trust you more.
Because you understand my past, my future, and the confusion and mess that is my present.

Untravelled paths lay ahead for miles and years,
I could go anywhere.
But planned from the moment time began is the road you laid out for me,
And I can see the one step ahead of me through bleary eyes,
But no more.
The days when I feel your push are the good ones
Though they seem few and far between.

I yearn to know your mind more and where I'm headed.
I hate to feel as lost as I am now.
And I'd give almost anything to inject some clarity into the murky paintwater my life appears to be,
To place some peace into the darkest part of the jar,
And to enjoy the brighter without regret.

29th July 2006

So, it's been a while hasn't it?
After a conversation with a college friend I've decided that, in the name of communication and moving with the times, it was about time I grasped modern technology properly and got back to blogging! Not that I promise there will be much coherent communication in this blog, but I'll have fun writing it, and those who know me will have fun laughing at what I write in it.

I can't believe it's been over 2 years since my last entry! I guess things have been a bit crazy since then - what with my final year at university, starting my new course in youth work, moving back to Weston (into my nan's spare room), meeting Mark and falling in love, leaving Bath (my favourite city in the world, and a place I really grew to love), dealing with my parents' divorce and the aftermath, coping with running the youth work in two churches, and other more mundane things like learning how to cope without my partner in crime Becky being in the country. Wow - there has been a lot of stuff going on hasn't there?! I'm never going to be able to catch you all up with everything, but most of you who'll be reading this have had to put up with me moaning in their ears about it all anyway!

But I shouldn't complain as I've learnt a lot. As a very wise person said to me recently:
"This is how I look at it; there are two choices basically, do something easy or do something hard. Easy routes are everywhere, you don't get challenged, you run less risk of making mistakes, and you get mediocre payback with little satisfaction. The hard route involves pushing your abilities, stretching your capabilities to find the boundaries of what is possible, then push a bit more! If something is difficult for you, then it is generally worth doing. overcoming obstacles and exploring our skills to the full is what defines us. There is no such thing as 'I can't', it is more like 'I can't be bothered'".
I know i'm easily inspired - show me a advert for persil and I can find some way to make it speak into the situation I'm in - but that really got me thinking. It made me think of all the times in the past I've put something off because it was just too hard. I'll never know what I could have learnt through that experience because I missed the chance through fear and indecision. It's all too easy, and all too common, for us to go with the route of least resistance because we're too busy, or too scared, or we've had a bad day already and why make it worse. But we're not missing out on effort, we're missing out on broadening our horizons, stepping out of the boat, and going somewhere we've not been before. No matter how hard a situation is, there is always something we can learn from it, there is always something we can take away for our future, and for the future of others that we know. We should never waste what we've been given, and we should make the most of what we have now. I just wanted to put that in, because some things are worth sharing with others in order that they can benefit from the wisdom of an individual.

Ok, so in summary tonight - things haven't gone the way I expected them to in the past two years. I've made decisions that have taken me down roads where I never thought I'd go. And it's hard being where I am now (I'm sure I'll mention how hard from time to time). But I wouldn't be anywhere else for the world. I have ahead of me so much opportunity and so many experiences that will continue to shape me into the person I'm meant to be. And I welcome them, with all their joy and all their pain, because I know that there are many things to learn, and that there are those around me who love me and who watch over me.

Sleep tight all
Peta
xxxx