Last night I watched the BBC BAFTA tribute to Bruce Forsyth. Sad, I know, but he is a celebrity of my era. I had a think and I cannot remember a time in my life when ‘Brucie’ has not been on TV.
A particular theme came out again and again in each of the tributes. Brucie was an all round talented man who had the respect of his colleagues. He was looked up to by all and others wanted to emulate his good practice, but could not. He was/is a natural who can sing, dance, compare, tell jokes and so on.
As I watched I asked the question- where is the next Bruce Forsyth? There is no other similar person ‘in the pipeline’, no other all rounder who people can look up to.
My thinking went wider as I think this is not only true of the entertainment world. I think, generally, my world, our world is getting poorer.
Where are the heroes of today in all fields?
Where are the next TV personality heroes to follow on from Brucie?
Where are the real musical heroes of today that will still be here in 20 years time like Elvis?
Where are the political heroes of today who campaign to make a difference since the likes of JFK or Churchill?
Where are the sports heroes of today who we are happy for our children to aspire to, such as Linekar, Redgrave or Holmes?
Where are our theological thinking heroes after the likes of Nouwen?
Where are our evangelistic heroes after the like of Billy Graham or David Watson?
The Stranglers asked the question many years ago – I just pogoed along and gave the lyrical question very little thought. If you forgot the track words I print them below to remind or educate you
Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky?
He got an ice pick
That made his ears burnWhatever happened to dear old Lenny?
The great Elmyra, and Sancho Panza?
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?No more heroes any more
No more heroes any moreWhatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn
Whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more
The world is getting poorer for the lack of heroes to inspire us, people who will challenge us, individuals who will commit to the graft that it takes to make a difference in their chosen field.
Has our complacency and comfortable lives resulted in the death of the hero?
In the 21st Century western world I can see we need heroes to inspire more than ever.
We had a white Sunday with some good sledging experience down the banks and then miniture snowman building.
Sarah went to church – the children and I went up the road to play in the snow.
The funniest bit of the morning was Joe (6) deciding he could not be bothered to wait for the 15 year old ‘big boys’ to get off the sledge slope ny longer so he sledged through them! It was very funny to see. It’s great when children just get on with it. The task was clear, the snow was melting, people were holding him up unnecessarily – should I wait or should I go was never a question that entered his mind!
… to Terry and Jo on the arrival of Conner John at 4 am on Saturday morning. Not seen him yet but hope to do so over the next few days – the miracle of a new life is always cool.
It’s happened at last – a decent victory, and against top of the table Wigan.
C’mon Gills we don’t deserve to go down after playing like that! Here’s hoping this is the confidence boost that the team badly needs.
I saw, sadly, on Dave’s MSN tht he has his pic on Hot or Not.
Well … I was sent this alternative a while ago and it makes me laugh!
On Wednesday night I attended what was, I think, one of the most potentially community changing events that I have ever been to in Gillingham.
Love Gillingham is a vision from Landmark and Sarah who returned last year from Soul in the City and asked the question, ‘Why can’t we do this in Gillingham?’ The plan is that the church will in August. People from the church will show the community that they ‘love Gillingham’ by doing things that will help or improve the community.
We worshipped God with incense (thanks GYFC) and then walkd bits of the half square mile patch askig God to show us where to work in the community. We think we got some guidance from God – watch this space!
I watched this program tonight on Channel 4. There has been, unsurprisingly, a lot of controversy over this and so I thought I would watch the program for myself.
Essentially this was an experiment, a bit of a combination of science and God I guess with the person’s brain being studied as he is prayed for.
The program started with 2 fairly solid interviews, one from an Anglican priest, and then a bit of history, with good reference to the fact that Jesus cast out demons. It is made clear that exorcism/deliverance is part of mainstream Christianity. The research into the program struck me as being very professional and balanced. I think I was expecting a mickey take – but I am glad to say this was a serious investigation.
The deliverance (as I don’t think this was an exorcism) itself on ‘Colin’ was very undramatic. There was no shouting pastor as I feared with lots of sensation – in fact the pastor, Trevor Newport, treated Colin with dignity and respect throughout and the whole event lasted for about 2 minutes. In that short time, Trevor prayed in the name of Jesus and kept asking and checking that Colin was ok. If anyone who watched this had suggested to them they needed deliverance and so should be prayed for, there would have been nothing here to put them off.
Colin was interviewed afterwards and explained what he felt had happened. A very peaceful process was how he described it although he could not identify a definite time when the spirits left.
From the brain scanning it was reported nothing extraordinary happened was recorded. They could, however, identify a point of deliverance in the brain activity patterns.
The best comment from a professor when asked for a comment: ‘What we have seen here is someone prayed for in the name of Jesus Christ who now feels better. I can’t comment any more than that”
There will undoubtedly be more opposition to C4 for showing this. I think, though, that the program was one that was well thought out and planned with an atmosphere of dignity and respect. It was great to see different wings of the church agreeing and disagreeing without losing the plot.
The most amazing thing that struck me about tonight – virtually no one disputed the possibility that God was involved.
You can read a further BBC report on Trevor Newport and his church, Life Changing ministries, here.
I have kept quiet on the issue of Charles and Camilla because, in all honesty, I feel the monarchy are unimportant and need to be left to get on with their lives.
I find it intriguing that the Queen is not going to be going to her son’s wedding. Surely this will set tongues wagging and the press will love it.
If the queen is not happy, in one way I am incredibly impressed by her decision to stay away. On the other hand, her decision is surelygoing to hurt Charles.
I ask myself, what would Jesus do, and I honestly do not know! He would show compassion as he is the loving father. He would also speak his mind as he did to the rich young ruler. I end to think, however, that as a loving father he would be there ad I do ask myself how a parent can stay away from a child’s (even if he is an old one!) wedding.
For the record – I have no problem with Charles and Camilla marrying; what real right do any of us have to say who he can and can’t marry? Anyone who looks to commit their lives together need all the support they can get. I think, however, relationships have a cost. Marriage ulimately is a compromise of 2 people who are in love and want the best for each other. It was not that long ago that King Edward had to choose between love and the throne and I guess I think Charles has the same choice here. Marry Camilla – but let Harry take the throne …. if we have to keep a monarchy of course! I really don’t think we need to.
That’s now two political posts (I needed to get them off my chest I guess!)- normal service will be resumed tomorrow with my next post on Nouwens/Rembrandts Prodigal; that is if I return through the snow from Swindon, home of David Brent, but more importantly Simon Halls, Director of Swindon YFC!
It will be no surprise to many to hear that I am a bit of a Ken Livingstone fan. I have been for many years and I like his political persuasion which is not too different to mine in many ways.
It is disappointing to see how things are rolling out with these comments that he made to a reporter. Sadly, I think Ken needs to learn a lesson which many of us, as Christians need to learn and, I think adhere to, as well.
Ken does not think he has done anything wrong and so he s using this as a basis for a refusal to apologise for comments that have hurt others. How often we see the church acting like this – or rather some individuals in the church. Comments made against those who happen to be of a different sex, or a different sexuality, or of preference for a different style of worship, or of a different viewpoint or churchmanship. The harshness of the comments are justified by the words ‘I am right and they are wrong’.
It is ok, of course, to have our personal opinions and to speak our mind. We live in a democracy and it is very right to have our freedom of speech. I do believe, though, that where there is a freedom of speech we also need to keep a certain dignity and respect for others. Jesus clearly asks us to put the needs of others before our own. I assume that stretches to our ‘need’ to be right all the time!
If our comments have hurt someone, whether we are right or not is unimportant; surely the situation necessitates an apology. I might not actually disagree with what I have said, or feel that I have done anything wrongat all; but if I can see I have upset someone I hope I can make the apology.
Ken may be happy with what he has said – but he has upset a massive number of people from the Jewish community and so he should be apologising for the upset he has caused.
As Christians, as the church, we can take a lead in this. It’s a big lesson to learn, and often a hard one to carry out, but keeping that compassion and dignity of concern for the feelings of others above our sense of personal justice is surely the correct way to go.
The Shiny Headed Prophet 