Prodigal/Lost

The parable of the prodigal son (also known as the lost son) is a famous story. A father left his inheritance to two sons. The younger of the sons was itching to go out and use it, to spend it: so he went abroad, and wasted his money on whores and fast living. Meanwhile the older son cautiously bade his time and tended to his father’s land. Eventually, of course the younger son ran out of money, so he took on back-breaking work. But the pay was barely enough to live off. He was starving, and eventually came to the realization that if he were to survive, he would have to return and repent to his father.

So he came home. And rather than facing the wrath of a very angry man, his father was overjoyed and held a massive celebration for the returning son. But his brother was less pleased by his reappearance. “You never allowed me a calf so I could celebrate with my friends. What gives?” To which the father replied, “I always have you around. But we had to celebrate: your brother was lost and now is found.”

Remembering 2011

As we come to a close at the end of the year, I find it helpful to think over all the huge things that have happened. What I really wanted was to find a good recap of the major headlines of the year, but unfortunately none of my usual news sources provided any.

The First Noel

This will be, in a sense, my first Christmas. In the whole year since December 25th 2010, a whole lot has happened in my life and I now see the world very differently. But perhaps the most important thing that has happened – perhaps the most important thing in my entire life – was when I met Jesus, who reached into my life and resurrected my spirit. I will, for the first time, be celebrating the birth of Christ as my saviour, not just as the prophet of Christianity or the preacher of ‘good moral values’. The story of the cross has roots: a man was killed that day. A man has a story. So understanding the significance of the cross has caused me to reflect most seriously on the birth of Jesus.

I have never given much thought to Mary’s postpartum visit from a group of shepherds. But this verse stood out to me as I was writing, and I think we might learn from it:

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. — Luke 2:15-19

So I think now might be a good time to return to the idea of the incarnation.

Naked Pastor: Gay Toast

NakedPastor is one of my favourite sources of online funny. His cartoons wonderfully present some of the paradoxes of modern Christianity, even if they are a little heavy on the resentment. 

Here is his excellent cartoon from December 10th:

We are Connected

I had an excellent conversation with a wonderful Christian friend yesterday. Talking to him reminded me of a very important part of the experience of being born again that I had forgotten. It means so much to me that I can’t believe I had ever forgotten it – especially having received communion (mostly) every week for the past few months in remembrance of this very moment.

8 Great Indie Running Tracks

Here is a 35 minute workout playlist of (mostly) alternative music. I went for a run today to this and it works pretty well as a motivator!

The Wanting Lens

Urban dictionary defines gaydar thus:

The ability/gift of being able to detect homosexuality in other people.

When I was coming out to myself, I would notice gay people in the street or on the train sometimes. I was scared of becoming like them: effeminate, fashionable, and… there was something else. An odd something I couldn’t quite put my finger on that I knew I didn’t want to embody and somehow associated with gayness. I now, however, have a name for it. It is The Wanting Lens. The funny thing is, I assumed that everyone with The Wanting Lens was gay, and did not even consider the multitude of gay men (closeted or otherwise) that passed under the radar completely.

White Blank Page

You desired my attention

But denied my affections

I find this song chastening, mostly because much of the time I do desire people’s attention and do my best to deny their affections. Not that I’m sleeping around or anything, but to a certain extent Jesus had a good point when he said that a man who even looks at a woman in lust commits adultery in his heart. It’s a good reminder that we must consider people, and relationships, whole, and not superficially.