I got really upset this morning.  Despondent, almost.

Why?

Because I found out that someone who I have come to respect over the last year or so has blocked me on Twitter.  I don't know why he blocked me.  I don't think I could have done anything to offend him.

But this got me thinking.  Why am I getting upset?  Why am I getting so emotionally cut up about somebody not wanting to see my Twitter feed or wanting me to see theirs?

To be honest, I don't even know him.

I met him over the internet, have posted comments on his blog a few times, friended him on Facebook and Twitter, but I've never met him in person and would probably walk right past him in the street.

And yet I feel strangely offended and rejected.

How about that for an instant commentary on contemporary culture!

We think we know people because we correspond with them occasionally through the use of social media.  But we don't know them, we just think we do.  The relationships are shallow, the connections are transitory.  And yet we suffer loss when the relationships come to an end, when we are rejected as easily and as simply as we were accepted.

Why?

Because we are hardwired for community.  We find purpose and value through relationship.  We look to make connections and networks with others who are like us.

The result is that we feel close to someone even though we are not and never will be.

But when we form a relationship we become vulnerable.  No matter if that relationship is deep or shallow, if value and friendship and affection are involved then we will be hurt when it finishes or breaks down in some way.

It just happens more often when you have hundreds of 'friends' with whom you invest little time or effort, who have no real necessity in maintaining a close and deep relationship with you. 

Consumer culture makes all things disposable, so why should friendship be any different.

Upset is inevitable.  Maybe I just need to learn not to make a big thing of it.

But it still hurts....

Some interesting thoughts from Tom Wright - wonder if this is the subject of his next book?

Here is an interesting infographic that will get you thinking....

HT: Tim Challies

Actually, give Tim Challies his due, this is a pretty cool infographic:

Looking forward to Tom's new book coming out in March 2012.  Have a look at this preview video to whet your appetite.....

I am really pleased to tell you that the third 'Communitas' day conference will be taking place on Saturday 17 March 2012, and want to invite you to come along.

The stated purpose of 'Communitas' is to question the status quo and explore what church could and maybe needs to look like in the future in order to survive and thrive, and transform our communities for Jesus. 

This time we want to ask "What now for church?"

The writer Henri Nouwen once wrote, "I am afraid that in a few decades time the church will be accused of having failed at its most basic task, offering people creative ways to communicate with the source of life".

How prophetic are these words?

Maybe it's time to take a fresh look at what it means to be church in twenty first century Britain; to consider again how to be a witness for Jesus in a culture that increasingly considers our faith irrelevant.

Interested?

Then come and join the conversation.

The speakers on the day will be Mark Elder (Heaton Baptist Church, Newcastle) and Toby White (Dayspring Church, Leeds).

Invites are by word of mouth.  If you are interested then come along.  If you know someone who you think would want to come with you then invite them as well.

Everything kicks off at 10 AM - finishing by 5 PM latest.  The venue is the Holy Biscuit, Clarence Street, Newcastle.  Bring something for lunch that you can share.

Unfortunately, space restrictions at the venue mean that we are not able to provide child care.

The cost for attending the event will be £15 per person, but if you book places before 1 March 2012 using the attached form below then the cost is reduced to £10 per person. 

Please send your completed form with a cheque for the payment amount to the address shown on the form:

Click here to download:

Communitas_March_2012_Booking_Form.pdf (72 KB)

We hope to see you there.

Post a comment if you want to know more details.

The Northern Lights have been able to be seen in Northumberland this week...how about this for a spectacular local picture taken from the Nastro facebook page....

I thought this was brilliant....especially Grandpa Elliott, what a fabulous voice!

HT: Elaine Luff

This is a good summary put in visual form.....

The Kingdom of God is not just about the future - somewhere to go when we die - it's about now.  Jesus came, died and rose again so that God's justice, mercy and forgiveness could be freely offered to all of creation.  Heaven and earth becoming one with Jesus as King.  A close God not a distant one...a personally involved God not an indifferent one.  Freedom for the captive, healing for the broken, comfort for the lonely....and dignity for all!!

Now that's good news and something worth shouting about!!

HT: Mission Britain

Have you ever read one of those really annoying 'management' books that try to brainwash you into the false hope and blind belief that positive thinking alone will solve all your life problems and help you find success and riches beyond your wildest dreams?

If you have, and, like me, you find them shallow and unrealistic, then you might want to put 'Jolt' by Phil Cooke on your 'best to avoid' list.

But if you did, then you would miss out on a well written book, which, against my better judgement, I must admit I found challenging at times, that is, when I wasn't cringing at Cooke's sometimes sickly 'you-can-have-it-all-like-me' confidence.

The basic premise behind the book is that we all need a kick up the backside, a jolt, to shake us up, realign our thinking and make us realise that the world is changing around us whether we like it or not. Media and technology are taking over our lives, and we need to take back control and 'adapt to the turmoil' or get washed away by the tidal wave of emails, updates and constant streamed information.

The secret, he feels, is to understand and harness the power of change. As he writes, "We don't have to trade our freedom for connectivity, our values for financial success, or our devotion to God for our commitment to technology. Perhaps more important, we can actually embrace the radical disruption and make it work for us."

How? By 'jolting' specific areas of your life, waking you up to the destructive effects of bad habits and practices that dampen your motivation to change, and ultimately hold you back from being a success.

What I did find refreshing was that Cooke was clear and upfront about his faith as a Christian, not in a preachy or pushy way, but with sincerity and honesty, acknowledging his spiritual walk as an important contributor to his success in business and life.

If you want a motivational book that will challenge your thinking, then this is a book for you. However, I found it disappointing, because I was hoping that, as a Christian, Cooke would bring a different perspective, one in which embracing change leads us to appreciate and value what we have rather than just feed our desire for more.

But he didn't, which, for me, is a shame.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the US Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”