Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Tricked not treated!


Why are people suckers for tacky fads? Halloween is becoming so commercialised. We all complain about this. So is it who buys the tat? I saw a garden tonight with plastic lit up gravestones and skeleton hands reaching out the ground. This was in a wealthy suburb. Funnily enough they glowed RIP! Why let yourself be ripped off? Apparently manufacturers of this tat says its getting as good as Christmas;


Halloween used to be a bit of spooky fun. The kids would make a costume (yes, even in the 70's and 80's) and go round the neighbours, tell rubbish jokes and wail tuneless songs. You would get monkey nuts in your poly bag. These are now replaced by glow in the dark witches cauldrons or jack- o-lantern pumpkin pots. There are face paints, pull-over latex masks, ready made costumes galore. Every 'guiser' looks perfect now. No-one needs to ask; 'so what are you then?'

We've fully embraced the Americanism of 'trick or treat' something earlier generations would have been too embarrassed to shout on strangers doorsteps. Of course the evangelicals decry it as a pagan, satanist thing that will harm our children. Hand me the face paint, think I'll go and get myself treated.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Emerging interest


Really enjoying this site for stimulating ideas about new ways of doing church;
http://www.emergingchurch.info/stories/prayerfeeder/abstract.jpg

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Burma talk



Today I did a talk on Burma for church. It was a prayer focus service. This slightly annoyed me as Burma needs more than prayer. Burma needs us active, conscienciatised and lobbying government and corporate powers.
I picked up a few stories of the 1m+ displaced people that where truly horrifying. Its not difficult to find information for a country so closed off. Many exiles are working hard to keep up profile and video clips abound. Its a kingdom thats beautific and horrific. There are many many unsung heroes, and many hidden atrocities. Blood soaked oil.

I have a distant affinity with Burma. My grandfather Captian Archibald McLellan died there in 1942. One of 27,000 souls with no known grave.