When the world closed its eyes, he opened his arms.

This is the tagline to the film Hotel Rwanda that I went to see on Wednesday night, the most compelling film I have seen in quite a while. It was one of those films where after the final credits had been shown, everyone in the cinema remained in their seats, numbed from the story they has just watched, not really knowing what to say or do.
Reflecting now on the film i'm still gripped by many of the same emotions of shame and disgust at the attitudes of the affluent west (and I include myself in this), as we sit by and allowed this mass genocide massacre to happen without really giving it a fleeting thought.
This film focusses on the story of one man Paul Rusesabagina, who turned the hotel he managed into a sanctuary to save over 1,000 Tutsi's from the genocide against their people. Similarities and parallels struck me throughout of the Good Samaritan passage in the bible, and the compassion shown by Christ in his life and ministry. It also underlined for me the sheer depravity of mankind in war-like situations to massacre thousands of people simply because they were of a different religious/political/ethnic/social/racial background.
This film underlined for me the difference between compassion and pity - pity is feeling sorry for hurting people in their time of need, compassion is actually doing something constructive to help alleviate their pain and suffering in whatever form that may take.
Theres an interesting article in The Guardian this week reminding us of the current attrocities in Darfur which are verging on genocide extremes.

24 today : another year older, another year wiser, getting to that stage of life where you should be settling down, starting a family and all that scary stuff.
To be honest it's a day just the same as any other - work as usual, youth leaders meeting tonight, nothing out of the ordinary.
Had a look at this site to see who I share a birthday with, and what items of interest occured on this day throughout history. The conclusion - well not a lot really. But for me it signifies the passing of another year in my life : yesterday i was 23, today i'm 24.
And as I sit and reflect on my life thus far, praise God I can see how his hand has been in it through the years, and will be for its duration. I can see the words of the apostle Paul ring true in my life that "in everything God works for the good of those who love him." Romans 8vs.28. What an assuring thought, what an awesome promise from a loving father, what a fantastic message to take into my 24th year

Some stats worth thinking about :

• The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the poorest 48 nations (i.e. a quarter of the world's countries) is less than the wealth of the world's three richest people combined.
• 20% of the population in the developed nations, consume 86% of the worlds goods.

Just a couple of stats that struck home with me, for more check out this link.

How do we as Christians react to these injustices in the world, what is our response : do we even care as we sit in the luxuries of western civilisation?

Working through Frustrations

This past week has been an interesting one, lots on as always, but a week where I found myself really struggling with issues regarding church, and as a result struggling to connect with God. Church are always interesting places, and this past week has been fun from what i've heard from a number of people. It all stems from the realm of worship, more specifically how we do it on a practical level ( church choir, organist etc. etc.). I wasn't at the meeting myself because I don't see worship as my role in the church, but it seems to be adversely affecting the work we are doing with the youth. This is my main point of struggle : how do we overcome the obstacles and barriers placed in our way in engaging our youth within the formal body we call church. All-age, inter-generational, corporate family based worship : how does that look and work.
I feel sometimes that no matter what we do with the youth, engaging with them on a relational basis, sharing the love of Christ with them in a practical and relevant format : if we cannot bridge the divide that brings them into the corporate body we call church, then where does that leave us.........
As I have struggled through things in my head, chatting through it with friends and family, I find myself coming to the only place I know will be of help, and thats to my knees crying out to my Heavenly Father who knows exactly how these issues that seem like obstacles to me can be smoothed out and overcome.