Heaven

I've realised that I've started to long for heaven.

Not in a morbid, depressed way, but just in a realisation that it is going to be the most incredible place. No more pain, fear, sorrow, broken relationships or bad decisions - just an atmosphere of total joy and completeness.

I've always just accepted that heaven will be great beyond comprehension, but not really given it a second thought - however I guess as life trundles on in a more-often-than-not frustrating way, what a joy it is to know that there is an incredibly beautiful new world waiting for us. I'm not in any hurry to get there, but take solace in the fact that one day I will.

In a very glib way, I saw Coldplay at the weekend and feel like it was a tiny, tiny glimpse of eternity. Thousands singing in unison, praising the works of Chris Martin, and the feeling that no one would rather be anywhere else. I've been lucky enough to go to a lot of gigs but the atmosphere at this one was really unique - really celebratory. And then the heavens opened and we all got soaked.

August

I haven't blogged for over two months! That's terrible. I imagine the main reason for this has been the imminent house move and all that brings. I'm currently half packed and in a constant state of  appaul-ment (not a word) by how I've spent my money over the last 26 years. 

Anyway - fresh start, new beginnings, all that jazz. It'll be good for me. 

In other news, I have been to some great gigs (stand up Blur), been on camp (brilliant, very encouraging and deserves its own post, although it feels like far too long ago now), written some bible notes, applied for a job in New York, bought a jumpsuit (see paragraph above), developed an unhealthy obsession for spaced, had lots of conversations about whether I relocate to Manchester (current thought: yes) and become almost surgically attached to my new baby iphone. It's been a strange summer. 

Way behind the curve, but if you haven't already listened to this, you should. 

Harry Patch (In Memory Of)

Worry

Phillipians 1 v 21 says "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." 

That's a statement. Theolologically, it's brilliant and amazing, but do I really believe it? Being a massive worrier and hypochondriac, I always find something dangerous to be fearful of. Generally, it's that what I'm eating will have a pesky peanut in it ready to pounce on me and cause me misery. 

When I was in India, and scared of pretty much everything, this verse was in the forefront of my mind most of the time. If Jesus knows the future, and is sovereign over all, then why do we fear so much about the things that threaten our earthly lives, rather than those that threaten eternal life? Today my fear is swine flu, having spoken to too many doctors and hearing scary, but possibly quite accurate predictions. But, and thank God for this, my worry won't cure or stop anything as he's in control. Phew. 

On a less serious note, I nearly had a barney with a chef today about whether a coconut was a seed or a nut (it's a seed, obviously). That's three almost-barneys in a fortnight.  I either need a holiday or anger management. 

anger

This has got a lot of people fired up this weekend - are atheists motivated by anger more than rationality?  

Jam Cary's blog linked to this article recently, which touches on how atheists can argue that Christians are unthinking, unscientific,  non-intellectuals who are duped into belief without questioning. Which, when thinking of of the likes of C.S. Lewis and Wilberforce, doesn't seem to be the case of old. 

It makes me wonder whether christians are engaging with atheists in the right way - are we arguing about the approach of the argument, rather than the truth of the gospel? 

Work

I made a film today that was on BBC 1.  It only lasted for three minutes and isn't going to get me any silver, but I haven't directed anything for TV in ages, so it was great to get back in to it. Hurrah. I'm a lucky lady. 

Catch Up

I shouldn't be blogging. I've got to go and meet my friend S for lunch. But I haven't been here for ages so now is as good as time as any. Here's the round up of the last month and 16 days. I've...

• been to a tractor themed wedding
• went to Edinburgh and dropped a baby. The baby is fine, the mum still isn't too pleased.
• joined twitter under a pseudonym, then found out it shows your email address to everyone, so the anonymity I hoped for failed miserably. bum. 
• went to a bar where you have to walk through a wardrobe in order to get to a hidden bar. kind of like Narnia, but with booze. 
• met a band whose entire album sounds like Foux de Fa Fa (in a good way)
  
• watched some ace films - Afghan Star, In the Loop and Star Trek
  

So it's been fun. Topic this week seems to be the employment of a Muslim to head up the BBC religion and ethics department. In response,  the BBC complaints department has gone crazy. However, I can't help but think it's a good thing. He is the best man for the job, with some brilliant programmes to his name. Plus, he may help to stop the 'status quo' nature of British Christian programming (Songs of Praise I'm talking to you) and maybe cause some people to take this whole God thing a bit more seriously. As always, here is someone who can speak much more eloquently on the matter, my lovely friend David at Bite my Bible.

found it!

The Guardian's April Fool. Notice anything funny about the guy who wrote it?

I love today.