Monthly Archives: July 2013

Grover at the Rijksmuseum

We haven’t had a Grover picture for a while. Currently he is travelling around Europe without me. Recently he was at the refurbished Rijksmusem in Amsterdam. Grover was particularly taken by Rembrandt’s masterpiece the “The Night Watch” or more correctly, “The Shooting Company of Frans Banning Cocq”. One lady commented that it wasn’t nice to take a photo of a work of art with that thing. Grover didn’t think it was polite to call “The Night Watch” a “thing”.

Grover at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Grover at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Categories: Grover, Photo, Toys, Travel | Tags: , , , , | 4 Comments

The Vulnerable

They are open
and innocent,
eager to please,
the vulnerable.

They have no muscles
or wiles
to parry attacks,
the vulnerable.

They listen
and imbibe our words
ideas and values,
the vulnerable.

They mirror
our thoughts,
play act our actions,
the vulnerable.

They grow up
and shape, mould
and, too often, warp
the next generation of
the vulnerable.

Categories: Children, christian, Christianity, Faith, Family, Poem, poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adding to the Broken Bread

There are times
when we think the
broken bread
and wine
are not enough.

In the body we
break each other
with words and venom,
attitudes and stares.

As if
the world,
its sin
and ours
does not inflict
enough pain
and mutilations.

The cross
was complete
perfect
and eternal.

So when we eat
and drink
the bread and wine
and remember the
body and blood
of Him
who died and rose

We can put aside
our desires
to add our punishment
and judgment.

It has all been completed

… for us too.

Categories: christian, Christianity, Poem, poetry | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Therapeutic Photo

While my better half is visiting family in the warmth of the northern Summer, I am tempering my jealousy by remembering our trip early last year.

Church Graveyard in Norway

A Beautiful Church Graveyard at Vartdal, south of Alesund, Norway

Categories: Church, Photo, Travel | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Children and Church – Thank You, but More Please!

Statue in StockholmI must extend a big thank you to all of you who have responded to my request for childhood memories of church. (The original post here which includes an email address). One thing your responses have already done is widen my thinking and planning. I have received some emails regarding various kinds abuse upon which I have to reflect deeply. Some of you have commented on excitement and others sheer boredom. Overall, however, I get the strong impression that for many, if not most, children were incidental to church life. This collection has only just begun so I continue to encourage readers to comment and to ask friends to comment

Please keep your memories and reflections coming.

Categories: Bible, Child Theology, Children, christian, Church, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

Your Experience of Church as a Child

I need your feedback!20130425-165731.jpg

I am asking readers to recall their experience of church and worship as a child. What did you connect with, what alienated you, what activities enabled you to enjoy the community of church – in all I want to hear about the good, bad and ugly. Your memories and experiences, anecdotes and stories is what I am after.

Currently I am researching material for a book I hope to write on “children and church” and your experiences will help fill out the picture

Please email me at pstok@iinet.net.au or add your comments below.

Fellow bloggers may I please encourage you to reblog this request so that your blog readers have an opportunity to respond as well. The greater the cultural variety the better the picture I can gather.

Thank you in anticipation.

Pieter

Categories: Child Theology, Children, Church, community, Faith, Family | Tags: , , , , , | 20 Comments

Two Quotes

This weekend I attended a conference on “Is the Church Past her Use-by (Sell by) Date? The Keynote speaker was Dr. Derek Thomas. I want to reflect on these lectures later. However, for the time being I just want to highlight two quotes that struck me:

“If you bear the cross willingly, it will bear you …” Thomas A’Kempis (1380 – 1471)

This quote is a most telling message for the western of our age.

“If you want to humble Christians ask about their prayer lives.” Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1842)

Mea Culpa!

Categories: Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A Picture for a Cold Damp Monday Morning

Picture 757

Peniscola Spain

Categories: Photo, Travel | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

“Let the little children … “

But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16

holding handsIt strikes me me time and again how worship, that is, the average worship service, is largely an adult activity. There maybe a children’s talk, which in my experience is usually too abstract or allegorical for younger children to grasp and there maybe a children’s song, but for 95% of the service, or more, children are ignored or excluded.

To solve this problem churches often hive the children off to a separate room at some point. This usually comes as relief to both child and parent.

My question: What are some of the success stories out there where children have been  genuinely incorporated into all age worship? That is, where has the family of God been truly visible in worship – and not just the older members?

If you have witnessed Biblical, successful strategies I would love to hear about them. Jesus’ injunction above is far too important to ignore.

Categories: Child Theology, Children, christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, Family | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

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