Who really has the 'X Factor'

So you may or may not know I love 'Glee'. I am not ashamed of this and actually think this it is rather cool (This sentence probably ruins any degree of coolness I may have, if not, then the word coolness certainly does). What I am rather embarrassed about however is a secret love of the 'X Factor'. Sure it's produced and manipulated, I'm not stupid enough to believe they filmed them in their bedrooms getting ready BEFORE the auditions. But I think it's great TV, great singers, terrible singers with drama and rudeness as the filling. TV Gold I say as do millions of viewers. Now I recognise that you may be ready to press that little cross in the corner of your window right now so I'll try to save it.....

This Saturday just gone, a young lady, sporting some leggings, an Adidas plain tracksuit top and from Fife took to the stage. Her name was Jade and she was not one of the glammed up models who 'think' they can sing, nor was she a total sob story. She was normal, she had a past (We all do) and she was looking to the future. She had a normal loving family and friends back stage and a normal persona (none of this wacky in your face stuff). And she sang, and man did she sing. The song was the emotive 'someone like you' by Adele, but it wasn't the song that was the deal breaker but her voice, the emotion and connection the voice made. The room exploded with feeling and applause. As I sat their on my corner sofa watching trashy TV, Gary Barlow opened his lips and God spoke....

Woahhh lets be clear here I am not saying Gary Barlow is God, put away the pitchforks and flaming torches and let me explain. Mr Barlow uttered the words "...that is a God given Talent, you were born to sing...". Immediately I heard something different to probably many in the UK. This throwaway comment that is said to countless people without really thinking about what is being said became a weight on me and got me thinking. The programme asks 'Have you got the X Factor?' My question became 'Who gave her the X Factor?'. If there are people who were born to sing, who have natural talent, whether on the football pitch, on the stage or in the church where does that come from?

I got a sense, as I watched this normal girl that seemingly deserved a break, that God was smiling, that God was enjoying the moment as much as we were. I was not filled with a distaste that Jade was not using her voice for worship but an appreciation that this gift of music given to Jade was being enjoyed and shared. This, if I'm honest, is a difficult one for me. I believe in Spiritual Gifts given to those who follow Christ, I believe God wants to see us use our gifts to further his Kingdom and I'm not sure whether the X Factor qualifies as extending God's Kingdom. But I cannot shake this sense that in the room after Jade had sung, and in millions of homes around the UK, there was something good, something great and that that something came from God.

I believe every person is given gifts (not spiritual gifts necessarily), that we are all bestowed with things to bless and make this world a better place, a more enjoyable, joyful, amazing place. Whether that be Rooney's right peg, John Mayers awesome guitar fingers, Eisnstein's brains or a young ladies voice from Fife. You get the gist of what I'm saying so tell me what do you think? Who really has the X factor??

What's God's view of Amy Winehouse???

So this weekend was a little crazy. Dreadfully tragic events in Norway, Liverpool got hammered by Hull City 3-0, I had a weekend off and the musical genius Amy Winehouse was found dead at her home after a suspected drug overdose. Only two of the above were news worthy, thankfully Liverpool's poor showing was nowhere in sight and will be confined to the folder 'one of those days' for the boys in red. The events in Norway and the demise of Ms Winehouse however were, and still are, very much in our headlines.

Much has been made of the comparison of the two already. How news of the death of a drug addict and out of control singer knocked the tragedy of nearly 100 innocent people losing their lives from the main news story stage. I have even heard many Christians comment negatively on the demise of Ms Winehouse whilst speaking of God's obvious heartbreak to the tragedy in Norway. As myself and Sara reflected on the crazy goings on this weekend we asked the question. What's God's view of Ms Winehouse?

Whilst we read all sorts of stuff on facebook, twitter and the uncontrollable 'free speech' world of the Web, I was struck that the overarching opinion was one of 'well what do you expect?' towards Amy Winehouse, most of which came from my Christian friends. So that spun me thinking, 'Is that really what God thinks?'. No christian, or possibly person, would deny God's breaking heart at the tragedy that unfolded on a small island in Norway, but does God's breaking heart not extend to a drug addict who had lost her way? And therefore should our hearts as Christians also not do the same?

To be honest I was appalled at those believers who had so quickly forgotten of the grace afforded to them, the forgiveness the Father had showered on them in their times of weakness and need, of addiction and lack of self control. Scripture tells me that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23). ALL!!!!! that's you, me, Rob Bell, Nicky Gumbel, Tim Hughes, David Cameron, Dr Rowan Williams, the Pope and Amy Winehouse. All have fallen short, all are in need. As followers of Christ, we are not above others, we are not morally appropriate and able to cast down judgments to those who aren't. We are loved, we are forgiven, we are to forgive and lift others up and we are about loving those who are in need.

So what does God think of Amy Winehouse? My opinion is that as Amy died God wept and whispered over her the things she could have been, that God loved Amy as much as he does you and me and that if she had / has accepted his grace he would have welcomed her with a loving fathers embrace (Luke 15). So today I again recognise and accept God's grace in my life and weep with him for those killed in Norway and for a Lady, a little younger than me, that gave the world great music but could have given so much more.

Enjoy being enjoyed

If you're not aware yet I have a Son called Malachi. He's 2 1/2 years old and swings quite easily from adorable toddler to unbearable child. Currently he's going through a bit of a boundary pushing stage and I now know why my parents used to go mad when I said "don't know" to everything they asked. "Would you like to get out of bed?", "don't know!". How can you not know if you want to get up or not? You either do or you don't. As a parent I also see myself dwelling in two camps, one of the loving parent who looks on with pride and joy and then the other parent who is constantly telling his children off or feeling embarrassed by them.

I have to admit however, the thing that sustains me and makes me realise that this journey of parenthood is worthwhile is in the joy moments. In the moments of Malachi giving a cheeky grin to try and get out of eating his dinner, or the times in which he kicks a football and pretends to fall over as if he's been fouled. Those moments that make me laugh and fall in love with my Son all over again far outweigh the moments of frustration and discipline.

Couple of weeks ago we were attending a wedding of a family member. Malachi was dressed in his waist coat and tie and was pretty much perfect all day. His excitement boiled over into the evening party when the music started playing and dancing was on the menu. Malachi loves dancing and was on the dance floor at every song, not caring what people thought of him, he simply enjoyed being. Jumping, running and wiggling his arms in a fashion you could only get away with as a toddler. Malachi was in his world, enjoying the things laid before him. I was looking on from the crowd and found myself enjoying watching Malachi enjoying. As a father watching his child enjoy the life he has was deeply fulfilling. And at this wedding, in this loud music and crazy 2 year old dance moves, God spoke.

I suddenly got a glimpse of our Father who enjoys when we enjoy. Who sometimes looks on without us knowing, when we've forgotten to pray, or not called in on him in a while he looks on as a Father and enjoys as we live our lives. As we dance to the beat of life, as we enjoy the food he's provided or spend time with the people he created, God looks on and enjoys our life with us. Too often as Christians we are serious, we frown at those that enjoy life, who enjoy spontaneity and don't attend church every week, who are friends with all sorts of party goers and clubbers whilst eating banquets, but who also love God profoundly and see the gift of life he has given us.

Jesus himself was the sort of guy we, struggle with, as did the pharisee's. His life consisted of parties, people, spontaneity and an understanding from his father, and in himself as God, that life is a gift. Jesus states:

The thief [Pharisees/ Religious Leaders]comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

This isn't only spiritual fullness but an enjoyment of all that has been given to us, that in that enjoyment we grow closer to God and recognise all we have. True enjoyment blesses others and invites everyone to the party. True enjoyment is not gluttony, greed and lust but blessings, sharing and love. As I looked on at my son doing moves not seen since Boy George in the 80's I realised that often I don't think or see God, but he is always looking on at me smiling and enjoying the life I enjoy from him. In them moments we grow closer and more in love.

Don't be scared to enjoy life, just recognise who this life you enjoy comes from...

Simplicity - Stop getting so complicated!!

Spoke to a friend of mine the other day who has been keeping tabs on my blogs and musings. I'm always keen to hear what people are thinking and to enter into a conversation about stuff that matters rather than the redundant "how are you (although I don't really care)?" sentiments. So when we got onto my blog and if he had any thoughts he gave me some incredible feedback. He told me that my thoughts and blogs were great but often he found them a too long.

After I got over my immeadiate rage and thoughts of "how dare you!!" I began to reflect on my sometimes wordy, long over complicated thoughts. Yes I believe it is important stuff I want to dialogue about, the gospels are about life and death after all, but, was I over complicating a simple God?

A scripture immeadiately came to mind and it is this scripture that all of our questions, answers, complicated theologies and intrisic philosophical frameworks need to be born out of. It is this scripture that all of life, justice, hope and faith comes from. It is this scripture that all our understandings, whether they be grand or more impressively childlike, about God need to flow from. And this scripture??

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" 1 John 4:8

I desire so much to get into the compexities of God being love and what that means but i'm not going to. Instead I'm going to choose to know him and therefore know love. We all crave simplicity in our lives and we have a God who is simply LOVE. God bless you all.