‘How can you sell empty boxes?’
‘Because they want what’s inside them. We all do’

This statement has been going through my head throughout the day. It’s from The Traveller, which is an excellent book – it’s taking me a while to read it due to workload, but I am having more time to read as things move on.

I won’t give too much of the story away, but two brothers (interestingly called Michael and Gabriel) are two travelers. Travelers can journey to different realms, other worlds. One of these worlds, where Michael and Gabriel are at the moment is called The Second Realm of Empty Ghosts. A realm of lost spirits desperately searching for something, anything, to fill their emptiness.

The ghosts buy empty boxes because they are so desperate for the what the contents should be, for what it says on the packet, even though they know it is empty and it won’t satisfy. It does not do what it says on the tin, and yet they want to buy it. They buy an illusion. They want it so bad, that a mirage is better than nothing ghosts knowingly take a false image of what they want even though they know it’s not going to help. I guess, taking something is better than having nothing.

It’s caused me to reflect.
Do I buy empty boxes?
Rather than wait for the real thing, do I sell out (or is that buy out?) too early?
Or do I collect empty boxes to look good.
I know the boxes are empty, but it looks impressive to others.
Maybe language is my empty box?
I can talk the talk, but do I walk the walk?
I can talk missio dei, but do I believe it? Do I live it?
I talk of priesthood of all believers; but does my ministry play that out in reality?

I think I do collect empty boxes for a number of reasons; through a fear of having nothing, to look good, to have some form of protection, to maintain control, and maybe other reasons I have not fully acknowledged.

The ghosts are stuck where they are because of their desire for what is not available, what is not there, what is from another world, another age. They need to move on, they need to break out of the realm that they are trapped in. They won’t, however, because they do not realise they are trapped. They are empty, but there is security in their emptiness.

Their world is an illusion. In some ways it does not sound too different to the world of some that I know!

This is a good interesting read with some interesting spiritual overtones / undertones.

but it is not often that we see justice where referees are concerned.
I have lost count of the number of games I have watched with have been spoilt by the ref.
I have bad memories of disallowed goals,ridiculous sending offs, blind decisions.
Never, though, is the ref held accountable. Players and managers are not allowed to criticise for fear of ban and fines – we are seeing the emergence a referee state dictatorship in football!!!
I have not seen any decisions as mad as Poll’s though with his 3 yella’s.
I admit it – I’m gloating; it’s so good to see him sent home!
I just bet we see his incompetence at Priestfield this season.

Met up with some of the trustees of Peninsula YFC tonight. This is an emerging centre which will be launching on July 20th.

I’m quite excited – this will be the first centre I have launched where I have started involvement with them from scratch.

PYFC are currently advertising for their first worker – you can find the info on their website. If you live in the area and could get involved, or give money to PYFC, I’m sure they’d love to hear from you.

Emerging Churches by Bolger and Gibbs.

This was an excellent book, well researched and a good compilation of experiences from a good range of people that are out there doing it and reflecting, rather than just thoughts from people who are wondering what we ought to do, or what might work.

I was already looking forward to the Blah tour with Ryan Bolger and Karen Ward; I am even more so now that I have read this book. I am booked into the London day on July 15th.

The gathering looks like a great day – you can still book a cheaper ticket if you do so before the end of the month.

I just love this – very funny and genius!
Amazing what you can do with a fe bottles of diet coke and a few mints!
Well… 200 litres of coke and 500 mints!
More details can be found at Eepybird.com
Click play to err play!

http://media.revver.com/broadcast/27335/video.mov/13970

I was asked recently what my dream for where I would work in the future would be.
Wesley sums up my response and I wished I’d had this quote at hand when asked:

Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I want to run a mission a yard from the gates of hell.

thanks Kev

‘Tell me why I don’t like Mondays…’
The words of this song today just been going through my head over and over again.
What is it about Mondays that makes us not like them?
Today was an interesting day with a drive to Tunbridge Wells to chat with a guy about my future.
I drove away wondering if we really understood each other?
I hope so.
Two good friends encouraged me today – one with a card and pressie, another through a phonecall. Thanks – you know who you both are!
Also got some excellent news from a good YFC friend – so not all of Monday was bad!
but … bring on Tuesday … well Saturday!

We come from church to a horrible sight today.
Next doors cat had broken into the gerbil cage.
(see here for a very early pot on this cat!)
Minnie the gerbil was dead in the front garden with 2 deep teeth marks.
Left in our garden like the cat had a sick sense of humour!
Joe’s brave coment was ‘I know how to cope; I’ve been here before.’
We searched the house for Daisy, the sister gerbil.
We found her cowering under the bed but she is now safe in her cage.
This week I have chased the cat out of the house 3 times.
I obviously have not put her off coming in.
From now on I will be chasing it with the aim of instilling a fear so she does not return!
Any suggestions for keeping cats out in the comments section please!

1-0 to England.
Some of us were panicing.
Others were wondering about the performance.
I still feel it is good not peak too early.#
Beckham again.
Quarter finals.
Could this be our year.
The screen looked good this afternoon.
Great to be able to watch with friends.
Looks like the boys enjoyed it too!