Oct 16
Oct 15
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This Sunday…
…we will be continuing our series entitled ‘hope’ as we examine how our hope is based in the past which makes all the difference
Oct 11
Oct 06
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Beauty…
While watching Jeremy Paxman’s interview with Russell Brand last Friday, I was challenged by something Russell said. Towards the end of the interview he stated,“…we need to try to aspire to something more beautiful…perhaps if we were more in tune with more beautiful things we wouldn’t prioritise such peculiar notions”. As I listened I realised, I too often settle for ‘peculiar notions’ rather than beauty.
The deal is at the centre of my faith in God is beauty…
…a beauty that started through something that seemed so ugly, Jesus’ death on a cross, yet through His resurrection reveals such beauty. As what appears so ugly was needed in order that God could bring about restoration to everything including me that is broken…and that is beautiful.
…a beauty that is revealed in a future hope when God will ultimately restores everything and the world will be how it was always designed to be. A place where there is no more pain, suffering death and where God is visibly known and present.
I therefore want to be one who does look to what is of true beauty. In order to inspire me to see it realised in more ways everyday through…
…the hungry being fed
…the homeless being housed
…the distressed being comforted
…seeking peace where there is conflict
...justice being sought where there is exploitation
…ultimately through people knowing restored relationship with God.
I want to live to celebrate, reveal and enjoy true beauty.
How about you?
Oct 06
0
Past the Feeling: How Arcade Fire stole 2010
With festival-stealing headline performances at Reading and Leeds and a critically-acclaimed third album charting Number 1 in the UK, Canadian indie band Arcade Fire have emerged in 2010 as genuine mainstream contenders.
The band’s third album The Suburbs is a searching, aching record that documents a loss of identity amid the pace of the modern world. It articulates a deep desire to return to a feeling that can’t be retrieved; to a time when we took time for granted.
‘When all of the houses they built in the 70’s finally fall,’ sings Win Butler on the title track, ‘[It] meant nothing at all, it meant nothing’.
So what is it about this record that has connected with the public imagination? Apart from the exceptional attention to detail (the album was 3 years in the making), the feeling of uncertainty about who we are and how we fit in is a sentiment that many people identify with. We’re scared of losing ourselves and yet scared of being left behind.
Talking about the album in June this year, lead singer Win Butler said: ‘I think in life in general you want to understand where you came from and where you are. I think that’s where people start to feel schizophrenic about their own life – when where you came from and where you are don’t make sense.’ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqEDSVUvJ7A&feature=related)
We’re all searching for answers. Where are you looking?
Arcade Fire play Birmingham LG Arena on 08 December 2010.
Download: We Used to Wait
Oct 05
0
The Amateurs set to headline Impact
Prize-winning indie-pop group The Amateurs will headline Impact on Friday 15 October at O’Neills, Broad Street.
The Birmingham-based band have played support slots for UK chart-toppers Athlete and in June this year won a competition to have their song featured on an advert for electronics giant Wacom.
Kerrang! Radio describe the four-piece as, ‘easily one of the most talented bands that we’ve supported,’ predicting: ‘The Amateurs are surely now set to move it on to the next level’.
The band will be supported by The Broken, a simmering, energetic rock outfit fronted by local legend Andrew Gordon, who make their full live debut at the event.
Organiser Mike Blaber enthuses, ‘Impact is back with a huge set that promises to be the best so far.
‘The Amateurs’ indie-rock headline set will blow you away. And with Andrew Gordon’s The Broken supporting, this night is truly not to be missed!’
Impact’s reputation as one of the premier nights for promoting local music talent has been gathering pace since it started in 2009. Previous headline acts have included This Beautiful Thief and The Black & Reds.
Entry is free. Doors open at 8pm. For further details and information log on to www.theoasischurch.com/impact.
Oct 05
0
Visiting speakers…
…this coming Sunday we have the privilege of welcoming two visiting speakers continuing our hope theme. Steve Hurd will be speaking on hope in suffering in the am and Terry Hotchkiss will be speakingt on hope in healing in the evening.
Sep 29
Sep 15
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Birmingham day…
…on Sunday 31st October. This is a day being run in partnership with the other newfrontiers churches in Birmingham designed to raise the profile of Birmingham, in order to strengthen the existing churches and look at the potential of planting new churches in the Greater Birmingham area.
The event will run from 1.30pm-5pm at Handsworth King Edward School with lunch included. The event is open to anyone who would like to get involved in planting churches in the future.
To register your interest please use the email address listed below…
