A lot of rain

Anyone still out there?  The blog has been sadly neglected for three months.  Okay, nearly four.  Will catch up and post some short, regular things to catch up a bit.

Had a great time at the rather marvellous Kassam Stadium in Oxford last night.  Having got my Football League media accreditation for the season I made the most of it by sitting in the rain and photographing a goalless draw.   Yes, that's rain rather than a grainy effect on the camera.  Both teams played reasonable football without ever threatening much in the way of a goal but a good evening none the less.

Exeter City v QPR ~ pre-season friendly

And so, back to photographing football.  Bizarrely, on a day for cricket, and having watched and listened to the second day of the first Ashes Test before driving down - before schools even break up for summer - we are already in pre-season. The visitors this evening were Queens Park Rangers, who would have attracted more to St James Park if we hadn't drawn them at home in the Capitol Cup in a couple of weeks time as well.  


As is the way of these things, it was a fairly gentle run out for all concerned.  Two different elevens for each half, which had the advantage of meaning people got to see all the QPR stars on display.  Two Korean internationals in the side meant that the game was (slightly surreal this) being shown live in South Korea.  

The game was goal less and it lacked a competitive edge but it was good to see some of Exeter's longer term injured players of last year on the park again.  Another highlight was Paul Tisdale's attire, the Football League's second longest serving manager seemed to have borrowed a jacket from the circus.  

Photographing Tennis

Been a great few days of it in terms of being able to take some sports pictures.  On Saturday I popped to the local cricket ground in order to try out a 50-500mm lens a friend lent me and then yesterday to Wimbledon for the first time, with the trusty Canon 70-200mm f2.8.  Wimbledon has a relaxed attitude to photography so long as you don't use them commercially so there was no problem taking pictures.



Some months back my son excitedly told me he had won tickets for Centre Court.  What he had actually won was the chance to buy them but it was great all the same.  His friend and his Dad had similar tickets for Court 1, so we were able to swap around and see both courts.

Centre Court was amazing and the first match terrific.  Lisicki pulled off the defeat of Serena Williams bringing to an end her 34 match unbeaten run.  She was just fantastic and, who knows, might just go all the way.  Loved her fearless brand of tennis, a real star.

Followed this with the first set of Murray's match before changing with the boys and looking in on an outside court where we were very close to the action for a bit of a mixed doubles game.

Finally to Court 1, where Berdych and Tomic really went at it with Berdych just having too much for him in the end.  A really good day out, I'd definitely do it again.   

                           

Photographing Speedway

Had a great night last night with the Camera Club photographing the Somerset Rebel's meeting with Newcastle Diamonds.  The local promoters allowed to to take pictures and we were also able to take advantage of a promotion that got us in for £10.

                             

I went to speedway quite a bit as a teenager but this was only the second time since then.  It was definitely my first time photographing the sport but a great challenge.  Light was poor for most of the night, despite choosing a date as close to mid-summer as possible.  You can never predict the weather, can you?

Didn't get anything spectacular but did okay.  Would like to try it again sometime in better light. 

For the record, we beat Newcastle 51-39.  I think.  

A couple of shots

Camera Club was good to me last night, I came third in our monthly competition with this shot of 'phone boxes in Broadway on the theme, 'Windows'.  I took this on the first day of my Cotswold Way walk last year, just as it was starting to rain.

Afterwards I popped down to the beach as the sunset coincided with high tide.  Watching the sun go down, a nice way to end the day.

 

The Joy (and Pain) of Christian Community

Been enjoying the excellent 'A Meal With Jesus' by Tim Chester and could identify with this quote, as I am sure could anyone pursuing Christian community... 

"This is my experience:  the Christian community often wears me out, winds me up and drives me crazy.  But I also have moments when I look at my brothers and sisters and know the presence of the risen Christ.  It’s not that my community is anything special.  Yet there are moments when I see Christ incognito among the ragtag people sitting in my front room - and then it seems he’s gone again.  You see it in our diversity - a diversity that has no explanation except the work of God.  You see it when people’s hearts burn as God’s Word is interpreted.  You see it in the love people show to one another."

Tim Chester, p.147, A Meal With Jesus

Mark Stanton

I woke this morning to the awful news that Mark Stanton died last night after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

I was blessed to be in the same church as Mark back in Canterbury days and heard all about him before we even met.  He was a semi-pro footballer and lightening quick, scoring two goals against Fulham one year in the FA Cup.  He was a talented musician, playing his guitar in the church band and leading worship.  He was great fun to be with as well, full of life and he did a lot of laughing.

Some of my best memories of him were playing cricket with him.  I started a church team to get the guys together and somehow we got to have some amazing victories.  There were a lot of jokes on the minibus as we traveled up and down after entering a national competition for churches and much astonishment when we won the first year we entered.  It was in no small part down to Mark that we won that game, he scored a brilliant 70 odd not out in 40 odd balls in one of the best batting displays I ever saw to steal the game from under the noses of the opposition.  We managed to win the trophy for the next three years after that as well and in our fifth year of entering, were runners up.  Not bad for a team of occasional cricketers.  I have especially fond memories of batting in one final with him with the opposition sensing victory, the pressure on and the verbals in full flow.  We both relished it and I was disappointed to be out with about ten needed.  I needn't have worried, he saw us home.  

He loved games and anything sport related but he was also passionate about God.  We had a few lunchtimes together where I'd drive over to where he worked and we'd grab lunch in a pub and pray together afterwards.  He was serious about his commitment to Christ, would be the first to admit he made a few mistakes, but that honesty was part of what made him such a positive advert for his faith.  Until recently he worked for Missions Aviation Fellowship and they were great employers to him; he only stopped work a month ago.

In Fiona, he married a diamond, a fellow musician, and Gooner (no-one's perfect), who shared his commitment and passion for God.  My prayers are with Fiona, their two children, his folks and family, and all those who mourn this evening.

Mark is now with the Lord that he was committed to.  Enjoying the party and renewed joy of swallowing a pint of blackcurrent and lemonade.  It was a privilege to have known him.  Thank you Mark.

Myers-Briggs Personality Types in the Bible

A friend shared this on his Facebook page and I am reposting it here for fun and so that I can find it if ever I want it.  Thanks to Tony Watkins for reposting it.  Clever. 

What's the opposite of happy-clappy?

I only ask because there was a story in the paper at the weekend about a vicar who has resigned due to pressure from a minority of parishioners who objected to the style of some of his services.

You can read it here but be warned of the side-bar of shame as it's from the Mail Online.  Vicar encourages clapping in services is how the Mail on Sunday reported it and further reading reveals that the last straw for some seemed to be clapping in family services to "Shine Jesus Shine" and "He's got the whole world in his hands" (Modern?!  When was the last time you sang that!)  Despite him laying on traditional services as well, people decided this was not the done thing in 'their' church and the choir is reported to have walked out of a Wedding Service in a terribly misguided protest.

The Comments section is quite illuminating and includes a lot of his ex-pupils (he taught RE in a Secondary School) giving him glowing references, as well as a lot of the general readership being supportive, and a few being glad he has left.

My instinct is to side with the vicar, but then I would say that, wouldn't I?  I offer four pieces of supporting evidence.

1)  This man annoyed some by preaching that they should give their life to Christ.  He did this on a regular basis.

2)  In a village of 900 people he was reported to be getting 50-60 kids coming to services.  This is incredible!

3)  He refused to comment when approached by the press, which suggests to great integrity.

4)  Some have commented that there must have been something going on if the choir walked out.  Such people don't know human nature so well.  There's the adaptable joke - "What's the difference between an organist / worship band / choir and a terrorist?  You can negotiate with a terrorist."   And before anyone adds it, I dare say you could add vicar / church official / person of your choice in the place

Stuart Townend

A great night had by all at 'An Evening with Stuart Townend' last weekend.  The church took a (fairly safe) punt and booked him and we were chuffed to sell out the 300 odd tickets in a local school hall.  Stuart was so easy to work with and the performance was brilliant.  In reviewing the evening we really don't think it could have gone any better.  The only thing we got wrong was to order too many biscuits and that's a very solvable problem!

I enjoyed the opportunity to photograph him while he did his thing and as well as these pictures, there are more (including some terrific shots taken by my friend Mark) here.   If you ever get the opportunity to go to one of these evenings, take it!

Oh dear....

One point out of a possible 18 is not promotion form.  In the end the injuries did for Exeter City and they ran out of steam, the 1-0 home defeat to Cheltenham Town being the final straw.  Given that at the start of the season we were tipped as mid-table it wasn't so bad.  Frustrating to be seemingly nailed on for a play-off place and then to fade away at the end though.

I missed the final home game of the season due to an exciting gig at church (see next post) but it has been good to see most of the home games this year - probably 20 games in all.  It has been a privilege to be taking photographs at the them and whilst it's a stiff learning curve, I have definitely learnt through the year.

Now for a summer of (hopefully) slightly more creative work as I take non-football pictures for a while.  Of course, there's always the cricket...    

Exeter City v Dagenham & Redbridge

Different day, different weather, same result.

Exeter had the chance to put things right yesterday against a struggling Dagenham and Redbridge team but they lost 1-0 at home.  From an injury in the first minute to Kevin Amankwaah, it was clearly not going to be our day.  We conceded very early and despite pressing hard, didn't create the opportunities.  It was at least warm and I didn't need a coat.  The bright sunshine made for some better photos too.

With five games left, we are still in the play-off places, chiefly because all our rivals lost too yesterday. We won't stay there playing like this though.  It's been a bad week.  We should easily have won two of the three games and if we had we'd be in an automatic  promotion place.  The eternal "if" of the football supporter.  (Another) key game coming up - away to Rotherham on Tuesday.

Exeter City 1 Rochdale 2

Lots of reasons to leave St James Park on Monday feeling gloomy.  Exeter followed their Saturday defeat at Plymouth with a 2-1 reverse to Rochdale, conceding in the 87th and 90th minutes.   As Paul Tisdale admitted afterwards, they were very poor.  Still, in the play off places - just.  It'll be a key game on Saturday when we welcome Dagenham and Redbridge.

In addition it was freezing cold - five layers were not enough - and the gloom meant I didn't get much in terms of photos either.

All this is thrown into perspective with the sad news that Angela, one of the ladies who welcomes us into the stadium when we go to sign in, passed away the night before after a long battle with illness.  She was a friendly face when I turned up as a rookie and always kind and helpful.

A bright ray on a cold day, my favourite parishioner (in particular) is delighted to get her picture taken with Brendan Rodgers after the game.  His lad is on loan to us until the end of the season and Brendan took time out from managing Liverpool to visit.  He was a gent, very patient and generous with his time, given that it must have been a day off for him.  It had to be, there was no way he'd have come away with the names of anyone to buy after that display!  

I read it in the Daily Mail

I realise that as a Baptist minister I have no right to comment on this.... but here goes anyway.

George Carey was probably a very good AB of C back in the day and probably did a lot of good.  However, I can't help thinking that if I was Justin Welby (and I'm sure I'm not the only one thanking the good Lord that I'm not) I'd be a bit miffed if I had Georgie boy in the background.  Imagine, your first Easter message; the chance to talk of new life, hope, resurrection.  But what are the headlines? George Carey has written an article for the Daily Mail on how Christians are being persecuted under the current government.

He (or the Daily Mail?) chose to use Good Friday to air these issues when I suspect that most Christians would rather be talking about Easter.  I don't think it was a great decision.  It's not as if I disagree with him particularly, it's just that the headlines suggest a church that is up in arms about being allowed to wear crosses to work and are opposing same sex marriage.  It is as if we are defined by what we stand against rather than what happened at Easter.  We seem to be characterised by complaining when our rights are infringed instead of sucking it up and proclaiming good news for the poor.

As an evangelical Christian, I want to be known for what I am in favour of - grace, mercy, peace, love, forgiveness - rather than for what I oppose.  I'm not sure how we turn that around, but I can't help thinking that it doesn't look right at the moment.

My views are my own, might well be wrong, and are probably not shared by my church.  The value of blog posts can go down as well as up.  Terms and conditions apply.

Blog post title courtesy of the wonderful "Dinner Ladies".

The Hundred Year Old Man...

Looking for a good read over the holidays?  Take a look at "Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann" - that's "The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared", to you guv.  

It's the debut novel of Jonas Jonasson, a Swedish writer and, is a wonderful and surreal novel which combines the account of a man's life with the adventure that he gets himself into once he has escaped from the old folks home he is living in.  Beautiful written - presumably, it's certainly a brilliant piece of translation - blurring the boundaries between everyday life and fantasy, it's a great read, in my top ten already, I think.  Give it a go!    

Breaking the silence

A very long time (the longest?) between blog posts - sorry.

How to break the duck?  Update you on the adventures of Exeter City?  The new albums by They Might Be Giants or David Bowie?  The slightly bizarre Bowie weekend that is happening on British radio over Easter - (the leper Messiah)?  Continue the Everyday Church series that boasts just the one post so far?   Share some photos or mention the irony of being at a Churches Together Study Day where the theme was every member ministry and all the sessions were led by ordained clergy?

Maybe some of those will be future subjects.  Just wanted to explain  the silence.  It's been hard to keep blogging because we've been through some tough times over the last few months.  A number of people have decided that they needed  to leave the church and it's always painful when families split.  Some have handled it very graciously, others will, I think, look back and think, "I made a bit of a mess of that".  The reason for the lack of blogging is because the blog was being read by people who were looking for evidence of whatever it was they thought I was up to.  Two and two have frequently made for some odd algebra.

Still, the people concerned have left to start their own church.  So I feel that I can blog again.  My sincere hope is that we will all be able to look back on the last year and, one day, say like Joseph, "God meant it for good."  There are far more important things to be doing than raking over old hurts.  So, sorry again for the silence, stay tuned folks...

Thank God For Parking Tickets

Just finished John Lanchester's book, a very readable and intelligent book - to my mind.  I liked this passage seen from the viewpoint of a woman who is working as a traffic warden:

"When you gave people a ticket they were angry, always and inevitably.  And the anger could spread, and become catching, as it had with this plainly mad woman, crazed with resentments.  There were times when she wanted to say: Get down on your knees! Be grateful! A billion people living on a dollar a day, as many who can't find clean drinking water, you live in a country where there is a promise to feed, clothe, shelter and doctor you, from the moment of your birth to the moment of your death, for free, where the state won't come  and beat or imprison you or conscript you, where the life expectancy is one of the longest in the world, where the government does not lie to you about Aids, where the music is not bad, and the only bad thing is the climate, and you find it in yourself to complain about parking?  Woe, woe!  Down on your knees in gratitude that  you can even notice this minor irritation!  Praise God for the fact that you resent getting this ticket, instead of rending your clothes with grief because you lost another child to dysentery or malaria!  Sing hosannas when you fill out the little green form in the envelope stuck to your windshield! For you, you of the deservedly punished five-minute overstay, you of the misinterpreted residents' bay area, you of the ignored Loading Only sign, are of all people who have lived the most fortunate!"  
                                                                                                                                                (p.212-3)

A great reminder about perspective and being grateful for all the things we rarely think about.

A walk in the woods

A grand day out yesterday.  Very cold up on Exmoor but bright enough to tempt me down with camera in hand to visit Snowdrop Valley near Wheddon Cross.  By the time I'd traveled down the sun had pretty much disappeared but it was still worth it.  I enjoyed the rare delight of playing my choice of music loud (Scritti Politti's Anomie and Bonhomie, completests) without disparaging comment from family members on the way down and the two or three mile walk was good for me.

Topped off with a great curry, a dreadful film (Knowing) and a couple of glasses of red wine, it was good to take the day off - the first for over a week.  Even then it was tempting to just do a few odds and ends; work is unending and not without it's challenges.  But we are not machines - even church ministers are subject to the laws of work and rest. 

Then this morning read this - 

Sabbath is not dependent upon our readiness to stop.  We do not stop when we are finished.  We do not stop when we complete our phone calls, finish our project, get through this stack of messages, or get out this report that is due tomorrow.  We stop because it is time to stop.

Sabbath requires surrender.  If we only stop when we are finished with all out work, we will never stop - because our work is never completely done.  With every accomplishment there arises a new responsibility.  If we refuse rest until we are finished, we will never rest until we die.  Sabbath dissolves the artificial urgency of our days, because it liberates us from the need to be finished. 

We stop because there are forces larger than we that take care of the universe, and while our efforts are important, necessary, and useful, they are not (we are not) indispensable.  The galaxy will somehow manage without us for this hour, this day, and so we are invited - nay, commanded - to relax, and enjoy our relative unimportance, our humble place at the table in a very large world.  

Do not be anxious about tomorrow, Jesus said again and again.  Let the work of this day be sufficient.

Sabbath says, be still.  Stop.  There is no rush to get to the end, because we are never finished.

Wayne Mueller - quoted in Peter Scazzero, Daily Office, p. 107-8.

Seems I did the right thing.

Consider the flowers of the field...

10,000 Reasons

Amazing news this morning - Matt Redman has gone and won two Grammys for his worship song, "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)".  This is a great new song that we were introduced to by Stuart Townend (along with several thousand others at New Word Alive) and have since been singing in church.  It's been a special song for me in that time and it seems slightly surreal that it has won Grammys.  But 'Yay' for Matt!  Take a listen... 

"Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes"

Disagreeing Gracefully

Stumbled across Malcolm Duncan's blog this morning.  Malcolm is the Pastor at Gold Hill Baptist Church and in this particular blog post he is commenting on the vexed issue of same-sex marriages.  I don't pretend to quite understand everything he writes but I do recognize grace when I see it.  He commends Steve Chalke in a number of ways and also is unafraid to call him out where he feels that is right too.  He commends Steve for the grace that he has exhibited thus far and Malcolm displays it himself in his reply.  

This paragraph is pretty secondary to the whole main thrust of the article but generally very useful, I feel.      

"Why do we persistently look for men and women to be heroes in the church and take our lead from them? The best of men are men at best. Steve is a wonderful brother whom I am grateful for, but he is nothing more than a man. The best of us are people at best. Broken, flawed and in need of grace. Our words do not bring life. Our plans do not change the world. We are only under shepherds of the Great Shepherd. The impact of Steve’s article tells me that we must determine to move away from the celebrity driven culture that has invaded the church and we must each learn the art of wrestling with Scripture and seeking to live under is authority and power."

Malcolm Duncan's article  is quite long and complex but full of good and gracious comment.  It makes me feel hopeful for the church.