Song for Today #13

14th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

Talk about Suffering

When I started on thinking about suffering, this song came to mind. As far as I can tell it’s origins are ‘traditional’

It sounds like a song written out of real experience – like so many of the spirituals yearning for a more just life. My guess is that the sufferings come from injustice and poverty.

For the person of faith that yearning has often been expressed as hope in life after death. Heaven, Paradise, Shangri La, Elysium etc. That may be because there doesn’t seem to be any real possibility for this life getting any better, so our only hope is in heaven.

Cries such as this however must lead in the direction of change here and now.

I like to find a live version which is here, showcasing Phil Keaggy’s amazing guitar work. Talk about Suffering – Phil Keaggy

but this is Phil Keaggy’s recorded version. Talk about Suffering

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Talking About Suffering

13th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

I’m still engrossed in the book Shantaram – today reading a discussion about suffering that takes place among 9 guests of Khaderbai. What is suffering ? (Shantaram p. 293)

For one of the guests suffering is weakness, and must be overcome by strength.

For another it is the result of our sin and wrong doing. By living by right (koranic) principles, we will banish suffering from our lives.

Then Khaderbai talks about pain and suffering being connected, but that pain can be experienced without suffering – and suffering without pain. What we learn from pain is for oursevles alone, but what we learn from suffering unites us as one human people.

For Lin, the main character in the book suffering is understood differently as we grow older. When we are young it is about bad things done to us. As we grow in understanding, we realise that suffering happens when something is taken from us.

Reading all of this made me think of the song ‘Talk about Suffering’ – see the next post.

It also reminds of this story, which I came across in ‘The Ragamuffin Gospel’ by Brennan Manning.

The Kiss

I stand by the bed where a young woman lies, her face post-operative, her mouth twisted in palsy; clownish. A tiny twig of the facial nerve, the one to the muscles of her mouth, has been severed. She will be thus from now on. The surgeon had followed with religious fervor the curve of her flesh; I promise you that. Nevertheless, to remove the tumor from her cheek, I had to cut the little nerve. Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed, and together they seem to dwell in the evening lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they, I ask myself, he and this wry-mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so generously, greedily?

“Will my mouth always be like this?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say, “it will be. It is because the nerve was cut.”

She nods and is silent. But the young man smiles. “I like it,” he says. “It is kind of cute.”

All at once I know who he is. I understand, and I lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with a god. Unmindful, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I am so close I can see how he twists his own lips to accommodate her, to show her that their kiss still works.

Richard Selzer

Stories for the Heart compiled by Alice Gray (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1996), p. 53.

Which takes me to the cross on which Jesus is crucified. It is as if, in his willing suffering, he is twisting his own life to the marks of suffering in the totality of all our lives. The cross is a holy moment in which Christ kisses the world with love.

Which brings me to a difficult moment, when I wonder if we have got something really wrong ?

Christian art has, in most of the Christian era, allowed the depiction of Christ on the cross. From about the 10th century on, the image that came to be prominent was the crucifixion.

By contrast, some interpretations of Islam prohibit the depiction of living beings maybe partly to do with idolatry. I now wonder if that might have been a better route ?

Might there be something profoundly dangerous in trying to convey this holy moment in paintings, sculptures, poems, theological reflection, hymn writing etc.

Perhaps we don’t go as far as disallowing it, but rather say that it must not be undertaken lightly, but reverently and with deep respect.

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Nine Beats

12th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

A few years ago, at the Greenbelt Festival, I came across a group called the Nine Beats Collective

who were running some sessions based around the ancient wisdom of nine sayings of Jesus.

These sayings of Jesus all start with the word blessed – blessed are you when …

So I went to the sessions, and I bought a little book – The Ninefold Path – that contained some reflections and spiritual exercises, but it stayed on my bookshelf – that is until this week.

I had actually been thinking about the book last week sometime, and on Monday I decided to have a look at in my daily prayer time. So I took the book, along with my Bible and my notebook and sat down to read. First, I looked to see what my daily reading from the Bible was, and could hardly believe it when I saw that it was those exact same sayings of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel!

I just love it when that happens. Call it synchronicity if you like. It’s when God says something through the daily events of life. It happens a lot actually if you look out for it.

That encouraged me to take The Ninefold Path book and look at it seriously. So this week, I have been focusing on Beatitude no. 1 – Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Essentially this is saying that the most important thing that God is looking for in us is a willingness to let go of the idea that it’s all about our own efforts. All that God has for us is gift. We simply have to see our poverty and need, and receive.

So each day this week, among other things, I’ve been asking myself:

What am I thankful for today ?

What do I need today ?

One of the the things I love about these sayings of Jesus is that they are so accessible. You don’t need to be a religious (as in Churchy) person to benefit from them. You don’t need a degree in theology. You don’t even need to have much in the way of believing in God actually, just an openness to learn and receive. There’s wisdom here to help anyone in daily life.

You’re blessed when you’ve come to the end of your own resources. With less of you there is more of God and his way of living.

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Song for Today #12

11th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

Just been listening to this … version released in 2016 … always has a message, but seems especially powerful now.

“#WHERESTHELOVE” is a modern transformation of The Black Eyed Peas’ 2003 hit “Where’s The Love?” The 2016 update addresses various social justice issues such as the protest of unnecessary violence, police brutality, and discrimination based on race (including refugee and immigration issues), gender and religious beliefs across the world. The original version addressed many issues following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, including terrorism, racism, war, and intolerance.

[will.i.am]
People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurtin’, I hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preachin’?
Would you turn the other cheek again?

Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin’ on
Can we all just get along?
Father, Father, Father, help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questioning

(Where’s the love?)
Yo, what’s going on with the world, momma?
(Where’s the love?)
Yo, people living like they ain’t got no mommas
(Where’s the love?)
I think they all distracted by the drama
And attracted to the trauma, mama
(Where’s the love?)
I think they don’t understand the concept
Or the meaning of karma
(Where’s the love?)

[Diddy]
Overseas, yeah, they trying to stop terrorism
(Where’s the love?)
Over here on the streets, the police shoot the people
Put the bullets in ’em
(Where’s the love?)
But if you only got love for your own race
(Where’s the love?)
Then you’re gonna leave space for others to discriminate
(Where’s the love?)

[will.i.am]
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate, then you’re bound to get irate
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that’s exactly how hate works and operates

Man, we gotta set it straight
Take control of your mind, just meditate
And let your soul just gravitate to the love
So the whole world celebrate it

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurtin’, I hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preachin’?
Would you turn the other cheek again?

Mama, mama, mama, tell us what the hell is goin’ on
Can’t we all just get along?
Father, Father, Father, help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questioning

[Taboo]
(Where’s the love?)
It just ain’t the same, always in change
(Where’s the love?)
New days are strange, is the world insane?
(Where’s the love?)
Nation droppin’ bombs, killing our little ones
(Where’s the love?)
Ongoing suffering as the youth die young
(Where’s the love?)

[The Game]
Where’s the love when a child gets murdered
Or a cop gets knocked down?
Black lives, not now, everybody matter to me
All races, y’all don’t like what I’m sayin’? Haterade, tall cases
Everybody hate somebody, guess we all racist
Black Eyed Peas do a song about love and y’all hate this
All these protest with different colored faces
We was all born with a heart, why we gotta chase it?
And every time I look around

[Taboo & Ty Dolla $ign]
Every time I look up, every time I look down
No one’s on a common ground
(Where’s the love?)
And if you never speak truth
Then you never know how love sounds
(Where’s the love?)
And if you never know love
Then you never know God, wow
(Where’s the love?)
Where’s the love, y’all? (I don’t, I don’t know)
Where’s the truth, y’all? (I don’t know)

[Justin Timberlake]
People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurtin’, I hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach?
Would you turn the other cheek?

Father, Father, Father, help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questioning
(Where’s the love?)
(Where’s the love?)

[DJ Khaled]
Love is the key
(Where’s the love)
Love is the answer
(Where’s the love)
Love is the solution
(Where’s the love)

(Where’s the love)
They don’t want us to love
(Where’s the love)
Love is powerful
(Where’s the love)
(Where’s the love)

[A$AP Rocky & Jaden Smith]
My mama asked me why I never vote (never vote)
‘Cause police men want me dead and gone (dead and gone)
That election looking like a joke (such a joke)
And the weed man still sellin’ dope (oh, no)
Somebody gotta give these niggas hope (give us hope)
All he ever wanted was a smoke (my gosh)
Said he can’t breathe with his hands in the air
Layin’ on the ground, died from a choke
(Where’s the love?)

[apl.de.ap & Fergie]
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders
As I’m gettin’ older y’all people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ the wrong direction
Wrong information I was shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinemas

What happened to the love
And the values of humanity?
(Where’s the love?)
What happened to the love
And the fairness and equality?
(Where’s the love?)
Instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity
(Where’s the love?)
Lack of understanding leading us away from unity
(Where’s the love?)

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Speaking Up

11th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

Like so many others, I’ve been thinking in recent weeks about the particular injustices that continue to be the experience of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups.

I need to know how to speak and act with integrity.

Last year I read the book ‘Just Mercy’ about a miscarriage of justice in 1980’s Alabama. I wrote a song about it – ‘Just Mercy’

I did wonder at the time about whether it’s OK for someone to write about a situation/experience about which you know nothing ? How acceptable is it to create something – book, song, film, picture – about subject matter that relates to a marginalised person or group without some kind of permission ?

It almost seems arrogant.

So what do I, as a white, privileged male, need to keep in mind when I am talking, or writing about the Black Lives Matter issue ?

I had a conversation with a teacher yesterday who has been looking at the English curriculum in her secondary school, and being shocked about the almost zero representation of BAME writers.

(So much of the time we/I can be simply blind to what is out there, plain to see if only we would take the time to look).

The teacher above is now trying to raise awareness of this lack in the English curriculum, in the hope that syllabuses will work towards a more just representation of the diversity of authors.

So it’s not just about what goes on inside our heads – having the right attitudes towards the race issue, but about looking for ways to speak and act to address injustice.

The recent protests have thrown this into sharp focus. For example, we watched as the statue of Edward Colston (English merchant involved in the slave trade), was torn down this week and thrown into Bristol harbour.

The response in Bristol seems to be a way forward – the statue was taken from the water, and as Ray Barnett, head of collections and archives at Bristol City Council explained:

“The ropes that were tied around him, the spray paint added to him, is still there so we’ll keep him like that, preserving him as he was tipped into the dock, while the decision is made how to move on'”

The statue was then transported to the city’s M-Shed museum where it will be exhibited alongside placards from the Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday.

There are those who say the statue should not have been treated in this way. It represents a different time in our history and should not be removed. Yet history is being made every moment, and the spray painted statue will hopefully now be linked forever with the abomination that was the slave trade, and our complicity whenever we allow injustice to go unchallenged.

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Knowing God

10th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

I’m reading a book called Shantaram, about Lin, an Australian living in Bombay. It’s a long story how he got there, but this takes place in a club, where he has been taken by Khaderbai,

one of the local underworld bosses.

They have just been watching a group of gazal singers, and Lin says: “That was amazing. I’ve never heard anything like it. So much sadness and yet so much power. Are they singing love songs ?”

The answer came from Kahderbai: “Yes, they are singing love songs, but the best and truest of all love songs. They are love songs to God. These men are singing about loving God.”

Lin nodded, but said nothing. The silence prompted a question:

Kahderbai: “You are a Christian fellow ?”

Lin: “No, I don’t believe in God.”

Kahderbai: “There is no believing in God. We either know God, or we do not.”

I ike that. Faith is not so much about a head belief, but about something much deeper, a knowing, a trust.

This prompts two questions:

Can you truly say that you believe in God without knowing God ?

and

Is it possible to know God without believing in God ?

Answers on a postcard please, or send me a reply in the usual way.

Grace and peace.

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Song for Today #11

10th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

One of my all time favourites. Written by Chester (Chet) Powers. This version by the Youngbloods

Only audio – No live Youtube version I’m afraid. It’s from another time before all this technology wizardry.

Chester Powers also went by Dino Valente and was a key member of Quicksilver Messenger Service, one of the ground breaking bands in the San Francisco psychedelic era of the mid-late sixties.

Get Together

Love is but a song we sing

Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why

Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

Some may come and some may go
He will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass

If you hear the song I sing
You will understand, listen
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command

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Who not How ?

9th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

I was in a conversation yesterday about what the church might look like after lockdown. There was a bit of a presentation, and then some questions. Most of the questions seemed to be asking ‘how’ and ‘what’ questions.

How will be be able to worship with social distancing ?

How can we use what we have learned in lockdown ?

What new expressions of church might there be in the light of church on zoom, facebook and Youtube etc?

I remember a few years ago, preparing to lead some sessions on working with difference and conflict in our church.

We had some questions to think about. When would be the best time to do the sessions ? Where would we hold them – in our own church, or at a neutral venue ? How many sessions would we run ? How would we decide which of the material to use ?

All necessary questions relating to the practical delivery of the material.

However …. before we considered any of those questions, it would be more important to ask – Who would we like to be there ?

Since we had a maximum number of 24 places so that we could do some group work, we decided that rather than open it up to anyone, we would focus on who we really wanted to be there. Having key leaders there meant that we would stand a better chance of the learning being spread through the congregation, so we invited the church council to be there, as well as leaders in different areas of church life. This would just about fill our 24 places. We made sure that personal invitations were sent, and on the day we had pretty much all the people we had hoped for.

So I am trying to transfer that thinking to aspects of ‘Church after Lockdown.’ One thought is to try and find out how lockdown has affected not only the church community, but our parish generally. So forgetting the ‘what,’ and the ‘how,’ and the ‘when,’ for a moment, I started thinking about the ‘who.’

The outcome of this might be to invite a cross section of key people in our community. Not too many to make a conversation difficult, and bearing in mind the precautions that would be necessary. So for example, a doctor, a nurse, a leader from another faith, a city councillor, another church leader from a different denomination, a business owner, a teacher, a supermarket worker, etc etc, as well as from our own community a church council member, a member of the congregation ….

I just get the sense that this exercise in focused listening would stand a chance of helping us understand our community better, and how as a Christian community we can serve our neighbourhood.

Grace and peace to all of you who are doing exactly that.

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Black Man in a White World

8th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

Thinking about the Black Lives Matter reminded me of this song by Michael Kiwanuka – Black Man in a White World

We saw him just before lockdown. What an amazing night. He is a such a powerful performer, singing important and wise words.

I’ve been low, I’ve been high
I’ve been told all my lies
I’ve got nothing left to pray
I’ve got nothing left to say

I’m a black man in a white world

I’m a black man in a white world
I’m a black man in a white…

I’m in love but I’m still sad
I’ve found peace but I’m not glad
All my nights and all my days
I’ve been trying the wrong way

I feel like I’ve been here before
I feel that knocking on my door
I feel like I’ve been here before
I feel that knocking on my door
And I’ve lost everything I had
And I’m not angry and I’m not mad

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The Johari Window

8th Jun 2020 Jonnyfun.ELeave a comment

Years ago, a retired vicar told me about this.

It’s a way of thinking about who you are … using a diagram with four sections

It’s all about self awareness. The window is divided into four quadrants, with each quadrant having to do with feelings. or information, or motivation

Things I am aware of about myself that I am prepared to reveal to others

Things I am aware of about myself that I keep hidden

Things I am not aware of about myself that others see

Things I am not aware of about myself that no one sees.

Have a look here if you want to explore more