I want to live in an easy world
Where mistakes can't be made
Where hurt can't be caused -
Where I can't cause it.
I want to live in a place
Where I can't get it wrong,
And where everything I'm meant to do
Is spelled out in words I understand -
With big signs, and names in lights, and paths with sides to walk down.

I want to live in an easy world
Where I'm not tempted
Where I know what people mean
When they're looking at me.
I want to live in a place
Where there's no possibility
That I'll disappoint the ones I love
By choosing the wrong direction
Or by slipping or snoozing or dropping what I'm juggling

If I was perfect
Then life would be simple.
Surely there'd be purpose
And a clear path to follow -
Outlined by morals and principles and all that stuff
That I'd never compromise.

But I'm not.
And it seems that there are occasions
When even love is not enough to hold me
On this straight and narrow.
And things are too hard.
I wish with all my confused head and heart
That I wasn't as stupid as I am.

I saw this in a lecture last term, and now Piet has it on his blog, so I'm stealing it. Because I think it's brilliant. And because I know he won't mind really...I hope...umm...please don't be cross :-(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGdXBo-ukCk
Peta
xx ;-)

Ok, so over the last couple of days I managed to start a debate about e-mail forwards and fake films (which probably wasn't helpful to those trying to finish essays, but it wasn't on purpose!). I thought, seeing as it brought up some interesting points, I'd put the results on my blog for others to think about.
It all began when Vanessa sent me an e-mail petition about a film in which Jesus was portrayed as being gay:

"Subject: Jesus Film
Shocking info about Jesus - PLEASE SIGN before hitting the send button!
Hello All,
I have seen a poster at the Monte Casino this week-end advertising the movie Jesus Superstar due to be released this June to Aug. I totally agree with the message below. Lets stand for what we believe in and stop the mockery of Jesus Christ our Saviour. If the Muslims do what they do, where do we stand as Christians? At the risk of a bit of inconvenience, I'm forwarding this to all I think would appreciate it too. Please help us prevent such offences against our Lord. It will take you 4 minutes! If you are not interested, and do not have the 4 Minutes it will take to do this, please don't complain when God does not have time for you, because He is far busier than we are.
A disgusting film set to appear in America later this year depicts Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals! As a play, this has already been in theatres for a while. It's called " Corpus Christi " which means "The Christ Body." It's a revolting mockery of our Lord. But we can make a difference. That's why I am sending this e-mail to you. Will you please add your name to the bottom of the list at the end of this e-mail? If you do, we will be able to prevent this film from showing in America and South Africa . Hey, it's worth a shot! Apparently, some regions in Europe have already banned the film. All we need is a lot of signatures! Remember, Jesus said "Deny Me on earth and I'll deny you before my Father". Hit forward, and when it comes up, delete any e-mail addresses, fill in whom you want to send it to, scroll down to the last name and add yours to the list. When it reaches 500 please send to homasg@softhome.net"

I was in a very contemplative mood when I received the e-mail, and so I decided to ask the guys at college what they thought, as they're all very intelligent and wise people. In the interests of not confusing people, here's the e-mail I sent:

"Hi guys,
one of my young people sent this to me yesterday. Not knowing anything about the film (and seeming to remember something similar going round a few years ago) I don't know what to think. Obviously Jesus wasn't homosexual, but is there really any point in getting everyone all hett up about it? Maybe that sounds very apathetic and un-Christian, I don't know. I just wondered what everyone else thought. People kicked up a fuss about "The last temptation of Christ", but now we look at it in lectures as a way of seeing a different perspective....damn this course - it's made me think about things far too much!! ;-)
Anyway, I'm forwarding the petition to you, but I am in no way obligating you to forward it on to anyone else, I'm just at a loss as to where I should stand (and feeling guilty about even asking - rubbish!)
Take care everyone, and I hope essays are going well - you'll all do fine!Lots of love
Peta
xxx"

I got quite a few replies, which really helped me sort out my thoughts on the matter (thanks guys!), and so I'm going to post them as 'comments' on this blog. Feel free to add comment, whether you agree or disagree, or just want to carry on the debate.
Take care all
Peta
xxx

Following the post on war there was an article by Paddy Ashdown in The Observer today which I thought was quite interesting. The backlash from Iraq has tended to be the fear of getting involved in anything that is going on around the world. But Ashdown proposes that there are occasions and incidents where we have to intervene, what matters is how we do it (and how we treat those living in the country concerned). It's well worth reading, whether you agree or not.
Have a good Half Term people!
Peta
xx

So, yesterday Susan and I watched 'An inconvenient truth', a documentary in which Al Gore discusses the environment and the dangers of global warming. It scared me stiff. It is the most incredible film, with Gore providing clear, interesting (and humorous) narration. For most of the film, in between being shocked, I was thinking what the world would have been like if this intelligent, driven and ethical man had actually taken his deserved place in the White House in 2000.

I would recommend, ask, beg, plead that everyone watch this film. I'm going to buy it this month, and so my youth groups should prepare themselves to have me going on about it for ages. It really was eye-opening, and not in a way that was scare-mongering, or that verged on propaganda. It was a measured, scientific and honest portrayal of the damage that we have been and are doing to our planet and the devastation our actions are causing today. I found the photos of the disappearing ice really affecting.

So, read the book, watch the film, visit the website, and talk about it with your friends, your parents, your teachers, everybody. And use this blog as a forum to talk about it with each other. I really think that Christians need to step up to the responsible stewardship of this earth that God called us to in Genesis 2v15. We need to head up movements which are calling for change in policies and attitudes, not to lag behind them or stay silent.

Along these lines, on Monday night on Channel 4 at 8pm there is a documentary called 'God is Green'. It's definitely worth checking out (or taping if you're out), and could help start a debate about where Christianity (and other religions) stand in terms of our fragile planet.

So - in summary - WATCH 'AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH'!!!!!! ;-)
Peta
xxxx

Hi guys!
I know it's been a while, but January turned out to be the busiest month ever! Anyway, this is mainly for my YPF group, but others feel free to comment if you wish.
Leading on from looking at War the other day I was aware that some of you might have been nervous about expressing your views. And I'd love to know what you really think about the subject. So please let me know.

- Do you agree with the Iraq war?
- Do you think most of what we see and hear is propaganda?
- What do you think God has to say about all this?

Oh, and I found this passage in Isaiah which made me feel a little less hopeless about the whole thing: Isaiah 2v4-5

"They will beat their swords into ploughshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Come, house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord"

I await your insights with baited breath! ;-)

I know that this is possibly a controversial subject, but I wanted to comment a bit more on what I was talking about in my post on the 21st November. After going to college last Wednesday and talking to some of my fellow students I was struck by how many of them had been thinking about this subject recently. It seems that it's something God is putting on lots of people's hearts, I for one can't stop thinking about it. But I'm not sure what God wants me to do about it. Hopefully he'll clear that up soon.
It also seems that it's not just us trainee youth workers that are considering it either. I was reading Steve Chalke's new book "Intelligent Church" (which is well worth a read people - very challenging!), and I came across this paragraph on the subject of incarnational church, and I was wondering what other people were thinking - comments please!

"If God is incarnational, and the church's task is to be part of God's mission, this principle must be ours too. An inclusive church will be a congregation open to all - a community for those displaced. It will be an environment in which the unloved and the unlovely find refuge and belonging. It will be a refuge to the homeless, a family to the forgotten, a friend to the lonely and a place where the outcasts of society can enjoy life in all its fullness. An inclusive church will not be made up only of people who have life sorted. Instead it will almost certainly include drug-users, alcoholics, people with mental health problems, the homeless, the unemployed, single mothers, ex-convicts, prostitutes and so on. It will be a church where the imperfect are perfectly welcome. It will strive to ensure that it is accessible to those who can't walk, or hear, or see, or speak. In short, it will be a home for those who need one"