Famously Free n Almost Always Radically Ridiculous
The blog of a 20 year old Christ-Follower from Glasgow, Scotland!
Monday, February 26, 2007
St Silas vs Dumbarton
Sorry again for not getting a match report on my blog! For those who don't look regularly: St Silas Church has a football team (soccer if your from the US) and we play in the Churches league (link can be found on the left hand tab) and since I play in the team I like to write reports! Sadly it seems they haven't updated the league etc. for this weeks results! So onto the, short, report!
Top of the league St Silas were put under pressure early in the first half with Dumbarton's ability to keep the ball. The first three goals though where scored by Silas, slightly against the run of play. More surprising was that they where quite "ugly": two long throw in which where flicked on by Ali Morrow for Gordon Comrie to head home. I cannot for life of me remember who scored the 3rd (sorry to that person).
At 3-0 St Silas started to play a little bit better though Dumbartons quick passing and moving gave them a well earned goal towards the end of the half. The number 10 (who started move) was left in space by the centre midfielders near the edge of the box took full advantage and finished brilliantly into the top corner!
As second half progressed St Silas started to play better football and after a lot of huffing and puffing got a forth. Then came my moment of glory: as my shot from about 20 yards rolled towards the keeper he must have taken his eye off the ball and it went through his legs and across the line, 5-1!!!
Athletes.... My weekend, as usual, was one filled with sport and included some athletic people playing!
On Friday night some of the St Silas football team met for dinner and had a chat bout tactics. The food was wonderfully cooked and it was an evening ful-o-banter. Strangely after food the management suggested we went to the pub for a drink! Thankfully this didn't seem to effect our result the next morning when we took on Parkhead: The game finished 6-1! With a slightly depleted side we still won with John Wood and Alan Dock both got two and (if memory serves) Gordon and Ali Morrow getting one each also. Ali also claimed the MOM award which is the least he deserved!
In the afternoon a few of us went to watch the Glasgow Hawks, and more importantly Nick, take on Ayr. They are trialling new rules which are designed to speed the game up. It certainly worked as the game was a lot faster moving! Sadly though it took our lil gang the best part of 70 Do watch to the end! My goodness they are skillful, woah!!!
The end is nigh It's in the news all the time and my lectures keep telling me that we are all going to die!! If it's not global warming it's Bird flu or another disease or a lack of water or lack of food or insects or a meteor or the old favourite of nuclear war. Looking at the evidence it's all rather damning: the end is nigh; life as we know it is coming to an end....
The other day I was talking to my mate about a program which was looking at a Religions response (or the lack of it) to global warming. Although I didn't see it he mentioned his surprise, and that of the program makers, that "Religion" hasn't jumped on the Global Warming bandwagon saying " Look the earth is coming to an end, repent and be saved". I agreed with him, it seems strange that the more outspoken people, both Christians and those from other religions, haven't mentioned anything about it; seems to go against the stereotype.
Its a subject which I haven't really thought about before: are all these problems pointing towards Jesus second coming? After thinking about it I have to conclude that, since God controls the weather and is all powerful, then, this must be part of his plan. Therefore, yes, if the world is going to change as dramatically as scientists suggest then all these environmental problems could very much tie into Jesus' return! We do though need to remember that through history people have been claiming Jesus is coming "soon" yet God says that we won't know until it happens! Thankfully it's not something which I worry about :) Anyone got any views?
On a different note, I think the fact people haven't mentioned global warming as a sign of the end is a clear indication that Christianity is now so scared to mention what we believe (that those who don't follow have Jesus as there saviour will live eternity without him, hell). Whereas in past centuries an answer was found from the bible and published for the whole world to see! In the 21st century it's politically incorrect to say such things and it seems religion is too worried to mention "Maybe this is God"let alone "Jesus is coming", it breaks my heart and while of course I don't mean people should go about scare mongering about Global Warming and start breaking the law this is just one example of a general trend not to stand up for things.
When the Life of Brian came out 30-40 years ago there was a massive fuss kicked up. That was over a film (which personally I have no problem with) yet now when it comes to much more important issues; like religious freedoms, gay rights and blasphemy (lyrics in songs, for examples) we seem scared even to use our right of free speech to oppose such things!
I've just started reading Acts (a book from the bible) and the difference between the Church then and now is amazing. While of course there any many fearless men and woman in the Christian Church today people like Stephen, John and Peter (just for starters) really show many of us up. I'm just as bad as anyone else and I think that it's because I'm too worried about what other people think. This feeling, though, isn't something which I alone suffer from; do we worry that that if we annoy people God's message won't get through? or is that just an excuse not to talk about our faith? If we take a look at almost all biblical character then we would see how it should be done: Do what God says and not to worry if what you do annoys people because we are here to please God, not others (That doesn't mean going out of our way to annoy others because we are called to love others as ourselves yet).
Christianity needs people to start standing up and proclaiming God "in the temple" like the early church or else we will fall!
On a lighter note I hope you'll enjoy this clip from Mock The Week (episode 2 series 4). A couple of the things this blog is about are loosely related to some of their jokes. BE WARNED this show is on after the watershed; there is a little bit of none politically correct jokes and language:
Mock The Week is fast becoming one of my favourite shows on TV. Please follow this let alone link to see the rest of the episode
Football My goodness this blog is so behind on St Silas football team news!
St Silas Church football team, on the 3rd of Feb, won 4-1 over EK Baptist. Then last weekend the team won 4-2 against EK Claremont! If you follow the links they will take you to Darren Darlow's (team manager) blogs about the games for a in depth, insightful and all round good match report. Though for those who are a little lazier a brief report: The team did well in both games, scoring 8 goals against some stiff opposition! On a personally note the last three games have been quite frustrating. Its almost in my families bloody that we are defenders so scoring goals is always something of a challenge for me. Though this seasons though I've only hit the net once and in the last three games my attacking play has been rather poor i.e. my passes not finding my team and missing loads of half chances. Despite this I've still been given MOM in the games?! Oh well what do I know bout footy?!
Tuesday night gave me the opportunity to try out the latest in gaming marvel, the Nintendo Wii.
The console uses wireless controller which are sensitive to movement, in all three dimensions, it's really great fun!
Wii Sports come with all the consoles!! It includes: tennis, bowling, golf, baseball and our favourite boxing!!! All are 2-4 players, very good for gatherings!
Although the controllers aren't fantastically responsive it is very challenging to win. You can duck, punch, hook go for the ribs etc etc. At a price of £180 (for the basic console) it is very reasonable compared to the PS3, I would recommend all to get one or at least have a go!
I'm told games like Zelda are really good for the one player and there is also some stranger games like WarioWare:
"WarioWare: Smooth Moves is a collection of "microgames" based on simple actions which usually last fewer than five seconds each. The microgames are delivered in rapid succession, presenting the player with the game play screen and a short instruction hinting at the action that must be accomplished. If a player makes four mistakes over the course of one set of microgames, they must start over from the beginning of the set"
The comment from my friend was: "It's an elephant on speed man"...... when you play you'll see what that means!!!
Anyway, I do believe that the Uni, Church and my home should all invest in one! It's good for keeping fit and will make us more competitive!!!
Crusaders Tomorrow I'm speaking at Crusaders about "How do I become a Christian" (Salvation) which is the final one of four talks which I've done this term. This is a bumper sticker which the teaching guide suggested, rather funny if you ask me:
Joking aside, its a serious point and Salvation is a hard subject to talk about, well I find anyway. Been getting my thoughts together so I don't say something which miss leads people but it's so hard!!!! Also, trying to get the balance of making sure bits are not left out but not labouring it so much that it sounds like rules.
Probably, I just feel such a burden to deliver Jesus' message properly because it's an opportunity to let more people hear about Jesus. Despite God only asking me to be a servant and deliver the message it sometimes feels like it's my job to save people! Need to learn to leave it to the Holy Spirit: Your prayers would be much appreciated!!!
Also, can you praying people pray for the kids. That they would first of all come along and have a good time but the Holy Spirit would prepare their hearts and work in them!
Hey, I'm Graham Cuthbert. I live in Glasgow which is in Scotland and am currently studying in 2nd year Civil Engineering at Strathclyde University. I'm a Christian and attend St Silas Church!
