This reminds me of when a lovely woman friend was going through a really crap time, I mean really crap. She is married to a clergyman so she has heard all the standard phrases a million times. Another friend, well meaning enough starts to come out with, “just lay it all at the foot of the cross” and that kind of stuff. Truly, I’m not demeaning the meaning of all that, it’s just the way it’s used. I’m not even having a go at the other woman - she didn’t really know how to deal with the situation, so she did what she could by hiding behind soundbites. My response? “God this is so crap. I wish I could do something to make you feel better but I feel so useless.” OK, not much better but it was my honest response. So we just hugged and we cried. Sometimes words just don’t cut the mustard.
I love this! A friend recently wrote his English Exam on Jesus, and justified it to his father (our pastor) by saying that ‘Jesus is always the answer’!!
You’ve probably all heard this one - visiting speaker does kids talk, knows the sort of church he’s in, so in attempt to liven things up, asks “Whats grey, furry, lives in a tree and eats nuts?” After a pause, a kid gets up and says, “Sir, I know the answer should be Jesus, but it sounds like a squirrel to me”
Carole’s right it’s all in how you relate with people.
I think our goal is to prize each of our brothers and sisters, and every human being, as unique, wonderful (even if they don’t always seem that way or we can’t deal!) individuals, made in Jesus’ image.
The more we practice love the better we’ll be. Lifetime’s work.
Love, Sas x
PS If this is anyone’s last log on before Christmas, Happy Christmas! God bless you and love you and make all your dreams come true x
hi laura and carole… it is indeed amazing how the brain fills in the gaps… i wish it did it in other areas of my life… but no, the gaps are still there.
The kids at school are always doing this - regardless of their faith background. How many pieces of homework will I receive next year with a cross on the front? Lots. What’s the topic? Hajj.
That’s right. It just finished 5 days ago. My year 8’s were doing a project about it - and I can guarantee at least 17 crosses will be drawn on them. The justification will be “It’s all ‘religious’ isn’t it?”
It doesn’t matter how many times that if a Maths teacher asked for 2+2 and they answered 17 it wouldn’t be the right answer!
yes i do. but then he is the best christian writer ever. ‘on being human’ is my favourite read ever. he completely engages my brain and then i can almost feel the goodness and wisdom of his words trickle down into my heart. i love that man.
When I first moved to France I discovered that there are two kinds of sliced sausage called “Jésus” - that’s right Jésus cru ou Jésus cuit
which can translate as raw Jesus or cooked Jesus.
I just love your work - wonderful, inspiring for many sermons.
Taking the communion prayers a bit too literally!
Comment by Ros — December 21, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
This reminds me of when a lovely woman friend was going through a really crap time, I mean really crap. She is married to a clergyman so she has heard all the standard phrases a million times. Another friend, well meaning enough starts to come out with, “just lay it all at the foot of the cross” and that kind of stuff. Truly, I’m not demeaning the meaning of all that, it’s just the way it’s used. I’m not even having a go at the other woman - she didn’t really know how to deal with the situation, so she did what she could by hiding behind soundbites. My response? “God this is so crap. I wish I could do something to make you feel better but I feel so useless.” OK, not much better but it was my honest response. So we just hugged and we cried. Sometimes words just don’t cut the mustard.
Comment by Carole — December 21, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
yeh… sometimes words fall so far short.
a bit like dogma… don’t say it, show it… and if it isn’t filled with love don’t even bother showing it.
Comment by jonbirch — December 21, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
I love this! A friend recently wrote his English Exam on Jesus, and justified it to his father (our pastor) by saying that ‘Jesus is always the answer’!!
Comment by Rachel — December 21, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
haha! brilliant!
Comment by jonbirch — December 21, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
You’ve probably all heard this one - visiting speaker does kids talk, knows the sort of church he’s in, so in attempt to liven things up, asks “Whats grey, furry, lives in a tree and eats nuts?” After a pause, a kid gets up and says, “Sir, I know the answer should be Jesus, but it sounds like a squirrel to me”
Comment by Chris F — December 21, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Carole’s right it’s all in how you relate with people.
I think our goal is to prize each of our brothers and sisters, and every human being, as unique, wonderful (even if they don’t always seem that way or we can’t deal!) individuals, made in Jesus’ image.
The more we practice love the better we’ll be. Lifetime’s work.
Love, Sas x
PS If this is anyone’s last log on before Christmas, Happy Christmas! God bless you and love you and make all your dreams come true x
Love to one and all.
Sas x
Comment by Sarah — December 21, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
i like very much the goal you’ve stated sas… nicely put… you are spot on.
Comment by jonbirch — December 21, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
I’ve just noticed a typo in the cartoon…. AAAAAAGH!
Comment by jonbirch — December 22, 2007 @ 12:07 am
I’m not sure what talking about. What typo did make? Surely, it’s just that are too hard on self. I think did it on purpose.
Comment by Laura — December 22, 2007 @ 5:46 am
oh, and no one would have noticed if hadn’t pointed it out.
Comment by Laura — December 22, 2007 @ 5:47 am
Now, Jon, if you hadn’t made me go back and read it I’d never have known. Isn’t it amazing how the brain just fills in the gaps for you?
Comment by Carole — December 22, 2007 @ 10:49 am
hi laura and carole… it is indeed amazing how the brain fills in the gaps… i wish it did it in other areas of my life… but no, the gaps are still there.
Comment by jonbirch — December 22, 2007 @ 10:57 am
The kids at school are always doing this - regardless of their faith background. How many pieces of homework will I receive next year with a cross on the front? Lots. What’s the topic? Hajj.
Do’h
Comment by Robb — December 22, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Remind me what hajj is Robb? It’s the pilgrimage isn’t it?
Sas x
Comment by Sarah — December 22, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
That’s right. It just finished 5 days ago. My year 8’s were doing a project about it - and I can guarantee at least 17 crosses will be drawn on them. The justification will be “It’s all ‘religious’ isn’t it?”
It doesn’t matter how many times that if a Maths teacher asked for 2+2 and they answered 17 it wouldn’t be the right answer!
Comment by Robb — December 25, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Ah well!
They might have a point, if you weren’t trying to teach them the distinctives…
All the best in your work Robb.
Happy Christmas,
Sarah x
Comment by sarah — December 25, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
oh boy, the frosty atmosphere in this cartoon - it’s too much like life.
Comment by subo — December 27, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
sorry, subo.
Comment by jonbirch — December 27, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Just as well there’s a few humour filled blogs, like …
Does anyone remember Calvin. S. in ‘Rainbows 4 a Fallen W.’ talking about the way people can loose their sense of play?
Comment by subo — December 28, 2007 @ 11:11 am
yes i do. but then he is the best christian writer ever. ‘on being human’ is my favourite read ever. he completely engages my brain and then i can almost feel the goodness and wisdom of his words trickle down into my heart. i love that man.
Comment by jonbirch — December 28, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
When I first moved to France I discovered that there are two kinds of sliced sausage called “Jésus” - that’s right Jésus cru ou Jésus cuit
which can translate as raw Jesus or cooked Jesus.
I just love your work - wonderful, inspiring for many sermons.
Comment by Jane — January 3, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
thank you very much, jane.
Comment by jonbirch — January 3, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
I love Calvin Seerveld too!
Cool!
Sas x
Comment by sarah — January 4, 2008 @ 12:54 am
hi jane, was the sausage any good?
yes, seerveld is the man.
Comment by jonbirch — January 4, 2008 @ 1:13 am
If French sausage is your thing I can recommend andouillette…not…
Comment by Carole — January 4, 2008 @ 12:13 pm