small things with great love

"...amid all the supersizing, many of us feel God doing something new, something small and subtle. This thing Jesus called the kingdom of God is emerging across the globe in the most unexpected of places, a gentle whisper amid the chaos. Little movements of communities of ordinary radicals are committed to doing small things with great love."

Shane Claibourne - The Irresistible Revolution (p25)

Technorati Tags: emerging, church

Philly... Day 2

Saw this house and car on the way to the office today... took a wrong turning but got there in the end. Like Bob Ross always said... "There are no such thing as mistakes... only happy accidents!!!" and this was sweet.

The office is big... and new... and impressive. We have a conference room to work in and a pretty full schedule.

Went out for lunch at a local bar called Baxters near the office. I chose the house special sandwich :: The Baxter :: and need to tell you about it... this is a sandwich made of French toast or as they call it here TEXAS toast - why? I have no idea! but then again this is the country who renamed French fries as Freedom fries as a result of the French Government's lack of support for the war.

I digress... you have ham... you have turkey... you have grilled cheese. So far so good. You then have fries that appear to have been super fried... and maple syrup... yes, that's right SYRUP!!! - OMGoodness, no wonder obesity is a problem here... food like this and a hatred for walking...

Oh and yes, that is 1 quarter of a whole gerkin as garnish. It was a tasty sandwich... but I crave fruit... and green leafy things... and tomatoes. I miss my wife's cooking!

Thanksgiving is coming... loved this decoration in the office.

Took this pic while trying to walk off the lunch... Its seems having police with guns is OK here but don't dare skateboard... or bike. Shame really... as the street furniture and sweet curbs were crying out to be used in new and innovative ways.

After work I just crashed out... got lost on the way home... and it was nearly 1900hrs by the time we got to the hotel. My body needed sleep... although I did get to see Olly via iChat which was great.

I was invited to hang out at a Philly Emergent gathering (Thanks Bob!) but couldn't make it. Weather is awful... very strong winds and torrential rain... and I have reading for tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to catch up with someone from Philly Emergent at the weekend to find out what's happening for the Lord in this fair city.

Later on I hooked up with the team and had a few root beers with them followed by a lovely pepperoni pizza in the hotel bar. I have developed a fondness for root beer... reminds me of mouthwash that you can swallow! The root beer of choice is BARQ'S :: it is owned by Coke... which kind of killed the romantic notion of it being a long, lost drink made by some small, local, independent producer. Its lovely!

Good Times!

Philly... Day 1 (continued)

Another observation about being over here is that its murder if you are a pedestrian. Trying to get from our hotel across to Tower Records and Acme was nigh on suicidal... but we did it!!!

Picked up some fab tunes and mags to keep me entertained while out here...

King Britt presents Sylk 130 for some Philly disco funk vibes.

The 3 cd compilation of OM's best bits :: Om:10 a decade of future music :: which is mighty sweet collection of fab house and downtempo beats and voices.

Couldn't resist this... its my fav album by the Dead Kennedys - extremely controversial (for content not part of the CD) but part of my youth... and I love it.

I also went to pick up some refreshments... Was going to buy some Mountain Dew to toast Studgie but found...

SNAPPLE!!! - My beverage of choice... I have 12 bottles in my fridge and am smiling.

Had a lovely salad in the bar here at 0130hrs GMT... and collapsed on my bed... but I think I am now acclimatised to the time.

Lastly... got up at 0300hrs local time to video iChat with Olly and the girls... Great to see you girls - love you!

Work happens today... and I'm up for it.

Technorati Tags: philly

Philly... Day 1

Thats me here... in Philly... or at least in the suburbs.

Business Class was pretty special - loads of space... was able to watch Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest which was great! although a wee bit Empire Strikes Back... in that it doesn't end right... but you know there is a 3rd episode. I was also able to dig some Loscil and King Britt on the ol' 2nd gen iPod... and get into the irresistible revolution.

What have I seen so far? Industrial space - landed in Newark, NJ airport... Big, huge cars and lorries (we have this massive 7 seater Dodge people carrier to travel about in)... No paths aka sidewalks... We are very close to the King of Prussia Mall which...

...offers the most discriminating shopper an endless selection of luxury department stores, exclusive shops and sophisticated dining experiences-over 400 stores and restaurants in all.

It has a Tower Records ((who have a huge closing down sale on))... an urban outfitters... and an Apple store. Going to check it out later tonight.

I've been on some interstate roads... and the New Jersey Turnpike... and am glad to chill with FREE wi-fi!!! Already video iChatted with Olly... Janey and Claire... which was special. Don't feel too lonely.

In fact, the team I am with are all pretty cool... and there is a JAPANESE restaurant in the hotel - Sushi on expenses...its gonna be good!!!

Technorati Tags: philly

Off to Philly

Friends... I'm off tomorrow, very early, to the city of brotherly love... Thanks to everyone who has wished me well... I'm still contactable... just 5 hours behind GMT.

I'm going to do my best to find the best that Philly has to offer :: Dig out the finest sneaks at Ubiq like the thanksgiving AF1 (above)... find some obscure beats at [::Cue Records::]... and eat some good food at Gianna's Grill... I am also going to worship in the Norristown Salvation Army... and take time out in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Keep an eye on Olly and my girls for me, please... and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. Remember ALPHA - its the Holy Spirit day on Saturday... and they need your support.

I'll blog as much as I can... and I intend to hook up with Roy when I am over there... which will be good.

Shalom, my friends... will post soon.

Technorati Tags: philly

The Irresistible Revolution

I received a book a couple of days ago from my dear friend Andy W :: we were chatting on iChat and he mentioned about a chap called Shane Claiborne and the book about his journey called the irresistible revolution :: Andy was so eager for me to read this book (its based in Philadelphia) that he sent me his copy... with some of his personal notes and a word of encouragement in the inside...

"Yes indeed, it won't be long now." God's Decree.

"Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won't be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I'll make everything right again for my people Israel:

"They'll rebuild their ruined cities.
They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.
They'll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.
And I'll plant them, plant them on their own land.
They'll never again be uprooted from the land I've given them."

Amos 9:13-15 (The Message)

He then added...

It's coming, the day the poor, the dispossessed, the despised and the rejected regain all that God has in store for them. And YOU will be right in the thick of it.

Wow! Thank you Andy for your kind words of encouragement and for the wonderful book. Will read it on the plane... and yes, I will be in the thick of it... wherever it is!

Philly :: World Cafe & Jamie Lidell

Been searching for things to do and see while in Philly... and the World Cafe Live caught my attention as a sweet venue.

It looks like a pretty chilled place to hang and enjoy some sweet tunes... which will be provided on Sunday night by...

Jamie Lidell - I love his album :: Multiply :: and would love to check him out. Need to suss out directions etc... but the tickets aren't too expensive and I have a very small entertainment allowance (at least I think so...)

Could happen.

Oh and support is by Kid Koala which will make for an interesting evening. Would prefer some authentic Philly soul... so I am going to keep diggin'... but I am hopeful I will experience some sweet tunage!

Technorati Tags: philly, music

For Philly :: iPod subway map

Downloaded the Philly subway map for my iPod from iSubwayMaps.com... figure my iPod will be with my constantly... and I will need to refer to the map now and again.

Check them out... They have a ton of maps... and the creator needs your help to replace his iPod - he got his pinched recently.

Technorati Tags: iPod, maps

Chris

Let me introduce to you Chris... he is one half of the officers at Glenrothes Corps (along with his lovely wife Dawn) and is the chap responsible for the fab Salvation Army resource site / blog / podcasts etc :: Council of War.

I just want to publicly thank Chris for hosting the Bellshill Salvation Army podcasts and for being an all-round good bloke!

Check out his blog here :: Chris' blog :: and hassle him for not blogging in ages.

Technorati Tags: salvation army, blogs

Jon & Lorna's Wedding

Lorna (2nd on left) & Jon (2nd on right) are getting married today at the Salvation Army in Rutherglen! and Mr & Mrs Headphonaught have been invited to the whole day's fun and games.

Olly is singing a couple of songs and Chris from Glenrothes is Jon's best man... Will post my photos later on Flickr - my ol' man has given me a loan of his Canon EOS 350 digital - cheers dad!

Good times ahead!

U*P*D*A*T*E

Good times were had! It was a lovely... although slightly unorthodox ceremony...

with Olly singing a couple of songs: King of Kings, Majesty and How Beautiful.

We then had a lovely meal... with mackerel as a starter choice (I love mackerel)... followed by a fab ceilidh. All in... great time!

Check out the pics on my flickr :: link

Technorati Tags: wedding, salvation army