CLARE SHORT (GREENBELT)

please take a look at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptm8uAx-DT4

Clare Short (brummy MP) talks about the Palestine situation on Greenbelt TV...

she also praises Greenbelt and its ethos as a 'broad non-dogmatic religious commitment that quests for a moral order beyond individual selfishness, greed and self-promotion; that believes in caring for the needy and looking for social justice'.

EAPPI

last night went to an evening organised by our 'house group'...

Hannah Benkemoun spoke about the organisation that she'd worked with

in Palestine - The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine & Israel (EAPPI).

We learnt of the injustices that the Palestinian population are suffering; mainly due

to the Israeli policy of encouraging Israeli 'Colonies' to be built in Palestine.

And as a consequence the Palestinians are losing their land (little by little...)

Another injustice is the illegal construction of a 750KM long/sometimes 10 metres high wall encroaching on Palestinian property and splitting communities...

The check points are yet another tool used by the Israelis to make life difficult for Palestinians...

One particular check point is opened at 5.30am - Palestinians cue up from 4am in order to cross over to go to work....

What can we do to help?

It was suggested that we boycott Israeli products (many produced in the 'Colonies'...to denounce the unjust & illegal policies practiced by the Israeli government.

Here's a brief Statement from EAPPI:

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through an end to the occupation, respect for international law and implementation of UN resolutions.

HEREAFTER

Hereafter is the recent film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood starring Matt Damon and Céline de France. The story is centered round three people who have been personally effected by death.

So the film covers two important questions; where do we go when we die? Can we contact those who have passed on?

Matt Damon (George) has a special gift (which he sees as a curse) of connecting to the dead; Céline de France (Marie) plays a french TV journalist who survives a tsunami but in doing so experiences her own death experience...the third is a small boy who had lost his twin brother...

The film portrays people as needing to be reassured about the whereabouts of their departed loved ones.

The film demonstrates through testimony and research that the 'death' experiences of people who have 'come back' are very similar; a great light, peace and a lightness...

Clint Eastwood is 80 and towards the end of his earthly life; so it's not surprising that he has been preoccupied with such a mysterious subject.

I think that to be ready for the hereafter one needs to be prepared now...

in fact i'd prefer to focus on LIFE and the Source of life...

to connect to that Source and to journey with Him through this life...

and into the next...

to return to the Source...

THE WILDERNESS AND THE DESERT OF THE REAL

Geoff Hall, a geordie mate of mine from Bristol has just published a book entitled:

The Wilderness and the Desert of the Real;

here's what he says about it:

Some of the greatest detractors from our work as artists are those who share redemption’s story. “You should quit and get a proper job!” is my favourite. However, between the calling and our release into the public domain comes The Wilderness! It is a journey marked by attrition and disorientation as we struggle to make sense of our calling in a dry and weary land. This is not the end of it, but preparation for the public, cultural domain. The good news is there are guides who can help us navigate the terrain.

The Artist and the Theologian:

The artist wants to get to the marketplace to participate in the conversation. The theologian wants to control the conversation. The artist wants a free-forming discourse on the plastic horizon. The theologian wants to measure the distance to the horizon and make sure nobody goes beyond it.

Geoff Hall

All the best Geoff!

(looking forward to reading it, I just ordered it)

here's a link so that you can check it out:

http://upptacka.com/publications/the-wilderness-and-the-desert-of-the-real

GOD IS NOT OUT THERE ANYMORE !

here's a (long) thought provokingly profound quote from Richard Rohr:

Paul’s conversion was a classic and authentic religious conversion. It was an inner and authoritative experience, not just an idea, not hearsay, not textbook knowledge nor some secondhand information given to him. Afterwards, he knew. God has no grandchildren, only children.

Every person has to come to the God experience on their own. Conversion is a foundational change in life position and perspective and, finally, one’s very identity. After the transformation God is not out there any more. You don’t look at God as a separate identity; you look out from God who lives in you and through you and with you. That is a major shift, probably the most major shift possible for humans.

Like Paul, a converted person becomes convinced that they are participating in something bigger than themselves. After conversion you know you are being used, you know you are being led, and above all you realize your life is not all about you! You are about life! It is happening inside of you and all God needs is your “yes” and your participation. It is likely the hardest yes you will ever utter, because your years of habit will all shout “not possible,” “not me,” and “not worthy.”

HEAVEN BREAKING THROUGH THE VEIL

here's a wonderful quote that i found from an 18th century english cleric called William Law:

All that is sweet, delightful and amiable in this world, in the serenity of the air, the fineness of seasons, the joy of light, the melody of sounds, the beauty of colours, the fragrancy of smells, the spendor of precious stones, is nothing else but Heaven breaking through the veil of this world.

May God open our senses to the beauty of His Heaven on Earth...

BRASSERIE DU PAYS FLAMAND

yesterday went to french flanders to visit a small brasserie (Brewery) that's owned by two young guys one of them being a nephew of a friend. They started brewing about 3 years ago using tradition trappest methods. Yes we can thank our monastic friends for this heavenly substance.

in fact beer is a natural product; made up of about 90% water, malt, yeast and hops...

the brewery has a capacity of producing about 5000 litres a week which is small compared with large industrial breweries. It only uses local suppliers and there is no additives in their beers.

after the visit we had an appératif/tasting of 2 of the several beers offered. (Antosteké & Triple)...

the Antosteké ("see you soon" in Flemish) is a bitter tasting beer (8° Alc.) and my favorite is the Bracine Triple; a strong bodied beer with a 'honey' taste (9° Alc.)...pure nectar.

needless to say I brought a few bottles of the triple home with me (for private dégustation with friends) - so if you're visiting please don't hesitate to remind me and we'll share a glass together!

After the visit we (28 of us) went to eat in a cosy Estaminet...

an excellent evening :-)

SNOW PATROL

i saw an ad on the tv the other day and the music was familiar, i asked my son who the artist was; it was none other than Snow Patrol the track 'Chasing Cars' - i can't remember the ad but the music inspired me to order Snow Patrol's compilation 'Up to Now'...

I appreciate their beautifully crafted songs...

in fact i remember seeing them live supporting U2 a few years ago (they were unfortunately eclipsed by my favorite band)...

i'm listening to 'Up to Now' (en boucle)...it's totally enchanting...

Snow Patrol, another magnificent irish band !

PRAYER NEEDS NO SPEECH

I'm reading Gandhi's autobiography (the story of my experiments with truth) - here's his thoughts on prayer:

"Prayer needs no speech. It is in itself independent of any sensual effort. I have not the slightest doubt that prayer is an unfailing means of cleansing the heart of passions. But it must be combined with the utmost humility".

I agree that prayer does not necessary need speech...prayer is essentially communion with God...St Paul said something to the effect that we don't always know what to say and the Spirit within us 'groans'...

this communion with the Most High is a type of cleansing...

this may not be my last post concerning Gandhi...a man who was constantly in search of truth

Praise, Respect, Serve

Ignatius of Loyola summed up our raision d' être in three words:

Praise, Respect, Serve...

God has created us to praise, respect and to serve Him...God cares for us and he wants us to live a real life. A life that matters, a life that counts and a life that is filled with joy and satisfaction. For us to obtain such a fruitful existence praise, respect and serve are essential:

Praise; being grateful to God for what He has given us...I believe it's all about having a good attitude, having a heart full of thanks for the little things that come our way. God has given us so much to be grateful for...life, health, breath...it's important for our health to take time to expression our gratitude to such a loving God.

Respect; God is God, He is 'Other'...Jesus taught us to pray 'Hallowed be Your name...' having a reverence for Him, the Creator...God has a great respect towards us, He will not force us to do anything, He is not a dictator but our Father who wants the best for His children.

Serve; We are called to serve God with all our heart. Not as a slave in servitude, but as His children, we are called to collaborate with Him in bringing in a better world...

This is our vocation

Praise, Respect and Serve...

FAILURE

I came across an excellent definition of failure the other day; failure is simply not having the courage to try. It's so true that often we lack the courage needed to step out and attempt new ventures because we are afraid; frightened by a multitude of ghosts that come swirling into our consciousness or subconsciousness whispering thoughts suggesting that we are not good enough, or what will others think?, you'll make a fool of yourself etc...

We need to stop listening to the discouragements around us and simply take a small step of courage...

failure can then become our teacher, who is there to test us, to allow us to grow in the path of faith that God has called us to take.

Lets be courageous and step out and attempt the new ventures that are before us...

Le manoir de Phalempin

took a walk in the forest of Phalempin on sunday and came across this scene...

i adore the way the Manor and the trees reflect in the lake...

a kind of psychedelic effect...

THE SILK ROAD

there's an interesting exhibition at the Tri Postal Lille called La Route de la Soie (The Silk Road) featuring artworks from the Saatchi Gallery London. The exhibition holds more than sixty works from several oriental artists from the Mediterranean world to China.

i was particularly impressed by the social comments through the art concerning the treatment of women and minority groups.

Also there's a sculpure relief map - a vision of a city - made of dog chews!

(see photo)...old persons home featuring 10 wheelchair bound old people... hanging immigrant workers in China...unusual veiled women...

and more...

Passion Found - Julie & Julia

I've just watched the film Julie & Julia (Meryl Streep & Amy Adams) - based on 2 true stories of love & found passion.

In my last post I spoke about the importance of finding that spark, that God given passion and then following it. This film perfectly illustrates this. Both characters (Julie & Julia) find their passion, their gift, which in this case is cooking and they 'go for it'...they found their 'bonheur' (happiness) in their passion...with the idea of making the world a better place.

They both radiate a passion and an enthusiasm for life ...

a great film!

The Fire's Gone Out

Over the xmas holiday period we've been lighting our log fire. It doesn't give off much heat but it provides a warm cosy atmosphere. The problem is that the logs are too large and it tends to go out quite easily (if I don't tend to it).

I wrote on my facebook wall. 'The Fire's Gone Out' - this was of course in the literal sense, but it could also be interpreted as metaphoric (which was not intended).

It's the first day of the new year and there have been times when the fire has gone out...

St Paul wrote to young Tim and told him to fan into flames the gift/passion that he had originally received.

Possibly a fire may go out (that fire has served its purpose) and it's time to light a new fire...

i suppose i'm at a stage where there are certain fires that have gone out and i'm searching for the small sparks...that will be fanned into a flame.

Here's a (wise) quote

The secret of happiness is simple: find out what you truly love to do and then direct all your energy towards doing it. Once you do this, abundance flows into your life and all your desires are filled with ease and grace.

(Robin Sharma - the monk who sold his ferrari)

May God help us this year to find the spark of what we truly love (those God given passions & desires) - and fan them into flame...