ministry - jesus built my hotrod and pastor tl barrett and the youth for christ choir - like a ship (without a sail)

Today, l'll start with something rowdy and probably sacrilegious.
Ministry - Jesus Built My Hotrod.



But to head to the other side, here's Pastor T.L Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir -  Like a Ship (Without a Sail). A righteous bit of gospel that could easily be a Primal Scream song.



Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition.

toodle pip

praying for tubbs

After the rather sad recent death of Tubbs, my old (and ancient) rabbit, l was reminded of this.
I'd like to think that he is now skipping around in rabbit heaven with his long deceased brother Sid, but unfortunately, l very much doubt it.

Tubbs refusing to move from the living room rug

Tubbs' hair on my crotch after lying on me

toodle pip

the ken livingstone interview - antisemitic?

Interested in what Ken Livingstone actually said?
Here goes...(Taken from here)

Feltz/Livingstone Transcript

Vanessa Feltz:
Do you still maintain that they [Shah’s remarks] were not [antisemitic]?

Ken Livingstone:
 No. She’s a deep critic of Israel and its policies. Her remarks were over the top. But she’s not antisemitic. And I’ve been in the Labour party for 47 years. I’ve never heard anyone say anything antisemitic. I’ve heard a lot of criticism of Israel and its abuse of the Palestinians, but I’ve never heard someone be antisemitic.

Feltz: She [Shah] talked about relocating Israel to America. She talked about what Hitler did being legal. And she talked about the Jews rallying. And she used the words Jews, not Israelis or Israel. You didn’t find that to be antisemitic?

Livingstone: No. It’s completely over the top [but] it’s not antisemitic. Let’s remember, when Hitler won his election in 1932 his policy then was that Jews should be moved to Israel. He was supporting Zionism. [He then] went mad and ending up killing 6 million Jews. But the simple fact in all of this is that Naz made these comments at a time when there was another brutal Israeli attack on the Palestinians. And there is one stark fact that virtually no one in the British media ever reports: in almost all these conflicts the death toll is usually between 60 and 100 Palestinians killed for every Israeli. Now any other country doing that would be accused of war crimes, but it’s like we have a double standard about the policies of the Israeli government.

Feltz: You see some people will say there is a double standard operating in the Labour party. That’s that, really, a flagrant antisemitism, a deeply embedded systemic antisemitism, is hidden behind a mask of anti-Zionism or criticism of Israeli foreign policy. But that’s not what it really is. It is really, as John Rentoul, the political commentator said ... ‘These are long-term Jew haters, and they can use criticism of Israel as a cloak behind which to mask that sentiment?’

Livingstone: He’s lying. As I’ve said I’ve never heard anyone say anything antisemitic. But there has been a very well orchestrated campaign by the Israel lobby to smear anybody who criticises Israeli policy as antisemitic. I had to put up with 35 years of this, and then being denounced because back in 1981 we were campaigning to say the Labour party should recognise the Palestine Liberation Organisation. We were accused of antisemitism but then 12 years later the leader of the PLO is on the White House lawn, shaking hands with the prime minister of Israel.

Feltz: How could it be then that you would think that it is alright for Naz Shah to mention Hitler at all? If her comments were anti-Zionist, or anti-Israeli foreign policy, why would that be part of the argument? Why would Hitler’s name even come into it.

Livingstone: I don’t think she should have done that. As I said, she was over the top. But we need to step back and look at the anger there is at the sort of double standards. We have just had a decade of painful standards against Iran. We invaded Iraq because we thought they were going to get nuclear weapons, but Israel has had nuclear weapons for 40 years at least and there’s never any sanctions, never any complaint from anyone in the west. And it is these double standards that make people angry.

Feltz: What do you think over the top means? Over the top of what?

Livingstone: Basically to think of antisemitism and racism as exactly the same thing. And criticising the government of South Africa, which is pretty unpleasant and corrupt, doesn’t make me a racist, and it doesn’t make me antisemitic when I criticise the brutal mistreatment by the Israeli government. And let’s look at what someone who is Jewish actually said, something almost very similar to something Naz has just said: Albert Einstein. When the first leader of Likud, the governing party now in Israel, came to America he [Einstein] warned American politicians: “Don’t talk to this man, because he’s too similar to the fascists who fought in the second world war”. Now if Naz or myself had said that today we would be denounced as antisemitic, but that was Albert Einstein.

Feltz: Lord Levy says that Ken Livingstone, in saying that those things are not antisemitic, and I quote “must be living on another planet. Vanessa, will you ask him is he living on another planet and which one is it?”

Livingstone: After Jeremy [Corbyn] became leader I was having a chat with Michael [Lord Levy] and he said he’s very worried because one of his friends, who is Jewish, had come to him and said the election of Jeremy Corbyn is exactly the same to the rise in power of Adolf Hitler. So, frankly, there has been an attempt to smear Jeremy Corbyn, and his associates, as antisemitic from the moment he became leader. But the simple fact is we have the right to criticise what is one of the most brutal regimes that’s going in the way it treats its Palestinians.

The Nazis sending Jews to Israel?
Have a look here

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jesus speaks

If only he had started with this.  It would have stopped some arguments straight away.
Then again, there are plenty more to be had.

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marc bolan, t.rextacy and boy george - beltane walk

Any excuse for a bit of Marc Bolan and T.Rex around these parts, and as today is Beltane, let's add in some T.Rextasy and Boy George from the 35th Bolan anniversary bash at Shepherds Bush.





And if Bolan had lived....

Can't remember the guys name, but he was at a Bolan convention in Bradford a few years ago.
A fine old time was had by all.

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the secret homosexual handshake

Praise the Good Lord that we have people such as Mike Huckabee to prevent us all turning (he would probably say backsliding) and batting for the other side.
No wonder l have ended up in the past performing unnatural acts with gay men in toilets, and have seriously been thinking about changing my sexuality to full on homo.
Maybe there is a God after all - Hallelujah! I am now saved!!.

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faith through a lens

 

                            

Photographs to do with faith, submitted for the 'Faith through a Lens' competition.  The winner was the bottom one, 'Circle of Faith' by Merryn Fawsett, although l preferred the ring one myself (and the story that goes with it).
If I'd have known about the competition earlier, l'd have entered my own attempt taken at Holy Island. 'The fruitless search for God in a brutal and Godless universe' (below).

toodle pip

knowledge of angels - jill paton walsh

'Knowledge of Angels' was recommended and loaned to me by a fellow worker, who thought l might be interested in the philosophical arguments for and against God that lay within.  They were correct, and l did enjoy the story, although l found some of Jill Paton Walsh's writing a bit too floral, even though l understand when she was rabbiting on about the plants, weather and landscape of Grandinsula, (the Island setting of the novel), it was to highlight what a medieval paradise it was, compared to the horror that was being perpetrated on it.
The story concerns a young girl who was raised by wolves, (based on The Maid of Chalons), plus the tale of  a stranger from another land who swims ashore, and declares himself an atheist when questioned about his beliefs and his land of origin.  There are then arguments aplenty between various believers, including the dreaded inquisition (who weren't expected).
The main philosophical argument centered around St Thomas Aquinas' 5 proofs of Gods Existence, and the responses to them by Palinurus (the swimming stranger), plus the argument of whether knowledge of God is inborn, as if it is proven not to be so, Palinurus cannot be a heretic.
I felt as though the sex scene had been put in to appeal to female readers, although it could be argued that it was to emphasise the strangers free loving and guilt free ways, but apart from that, an enjoyable and interesting read in yesterdays sunshine, alternating between hammock, swing, and rug on the floor.
It's a hard life, God or no God.

toodle pip

depressed? cheeky sod!

When l was out and about yesterday at work, the person l was supporting was given this leaflet by a passing member of the public (female).
What on Earth was she trying to hint at?
It's about finding a way out of depression by following the path of the Lord, but was she assuming the person l was supporting looked depressed?
Needed assistance from a higher power??
With me supporting them???
I'll have you know l am fantastic at my job thank you very much.
How very dare they (as Edith used to say)

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mister lonely ( 2007) - harmony korine

This was a strange film whichever way you look at it, which l am all in favour of, but ultimately, at the end, l felt as though there was something missing.  It looked great, and the storylines were certainly surreal enough for my tastes, but it was just a bit flat and unfulfilling.
There is a slim chance that is how the film is supposed to make you feel at the end, as it concerns stories about faith, hope, and aspiration, that all ultimately turn out to be worthless, but l very much doubt it.
Mister Lonely has two stories running concurrently.
The first concerns a Michael Jackson impersonator, who is living and working in Paris.  He meets a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, who he then follows to Scotland, to live as part of a commune in a Scottish castle, help build a theatre, and put on 'The Greatest Show on Earth' in it. Did l mention the commune houses other impersonators only, and the Charlie Chaplin one is Marilyn Monroe's partner?  All is sweet and hunky dory at the commune, until Chaplin's dark side presents itself, and the sheep have to put down due to disease.
Is that surreal and dark enough for you?
What about the second story, in which a nun accidentally tumbles from a small aeroplane, and survives the fall, supposedly due to her faith in God while falling.  This leads to other nuns testing and confirming their faith by also leaping out of the plane.  News of this reaches Rome and The Vatican, and the nuns are invited to meet The Pope, but while flying there, the plane crashes into the sea and kills them all.
Did l also mention that there are roles for Samantha Morton, Anita Pallenberg, Richard Strange, James Fox and Werner Herzog (amongst others)? Plus the soundtrack features Jason Pierce from Spiritualized?
That, to me, sounds like one hell of a magnificent movie, but as stated above, something is not right about it, and despite the stupendous ideas behind it, plus some worthwhile performances, it ended up being just a little bit............................well, boring actually.
What a shame.

toodle pip

the retarded and god

I was at a training course on Monday morning, so l had to drag myself out of my pit early for a change, and try to stay focused while l was there.  As it was a refresher, l remembered most of the stuff from the last time, so l can't really say it was that exciting.  One the other hand, times have certainly moved on for the better.  I would not like to pass too much judgement on this book, 'Helping the retarded to know God', as l am guessing there will be plenty of judgement contained within, but l can't imagine the contents to be level headed, or something that l would like to practise. I could be wrong, but somehow, l doubt it.

toodle pip

jesus use me - the faith tones

Deart God - Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!
'Jesus Use Me' by The Faith Tones.  A record l will not be buying in the near future.

toodle pip

walking around jervaulx abbey

I haven't seen the model of Jervaulx Abbey, even though l have parked next to the Tea Rooms where it is kept  (I might go and see it next week).  I did however, walk all around the abbey itself last week, as these photographs will testify.  As you can see, it was quiet - very quiet. I didn't see anyone else at all while l was wandering around.
The things you do when there is spare time from work to kill.

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jervaulx abbey model

Derek Shaw spent two and a half years making a 1:72 scale model of Jervaulx Abbey, by East Witton, not far from Masham, North Yorkshire, as it would have looked in about 1530.  I certainly wouldn't want to undertake such a task myself, but l'll be the first to agree that he has made a pretty good fist of it.  The official site is here, and the model is in the back of the tea rooms.

the rained off football game

I switched on the TV last night to catch the end of the Poland v England game, only to find it had been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch in Warsaw.
Now l may well be an idiot, and there might be an easy explanation for this, but why didn't they close the roof of the stadium if they were expecting so much rain?  Otherwise, what's the point?
You know who l blame?  The foreign betting syndicates for it not closing, and God himself for the downpour.  Maybe he just didn't fancy England's chances on the night (It's been re-arranged for this afternoon).
Maybe it's true.  God is an Englishman (or doesn't like football)!

toodle pip

the trial - franz kafta

I'd only ever read (but enjoyed) 'Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafta, so while l have got time on my hands due to being off work, l got stuck into 'The Trial', one of his uncompleted novels.  I'd heard a lot about it and knew the basic premise of the story, but it did surprise me.  Joseph K is arrested on his 30th birthday, but not charged.  He then spends the rest of the novel trying to find out what his charges are, how to get help, and what is the best way of bringing it to a conclusion.  Along the way he meets lawyers, painters, girls and priests, but is still non the wiser when he is taken out again on the eve of his 31st birthday.
There was some repetition about the trial that l found boring, and the end of the book was a bit sudden, but there was plenty of other stuff contained within to keep me interested and occupied.  At one stage l thought it all may be in K's imagination, and he was just going mad and fantasizing some events, as they were certainly illusory and semiotic.  Other parts certainly seemed to be religious (and confusing) metaphor's, (especially the part in the cathedral), but more than likely it (to me) represents guilt about past actions, how to acknowledge and deal with  it, and how to repent or pay for it ("Like a dog").
Then again, what the hell do l know?  I'm just a drunken opinionated fool.


toodle pip

the last exorcism (2010) - daniel stamm

Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) is a jaded preacher who agrees to do a documentary exposing the sham that is exorcisms, and is asked to perform one on a religious and isolated young girl who's father thinks is possessed.  He acquiesces as he intends it to be his last one (hence 'The Last Exorcism' of the title), and demonstrates to the camera crew how it is faked.  After leaving the girl, she then turns up unexpectedly in his hotel, starts being sick, and is taken by the crew to hospital.  Marcus and the crew eventually go back to the girls house, and is persuaded (at gunpoint by the father) to perform another exorcism.  Strange things happen..........A pregnancy is discovered............Ablam (the demon) speaks!...........Odd shapes are thrown........There are witchcraft goings on, killings and birth, and a rediscovery of faith.  Pretty good actually.  Not as impressive (impossible) as 'The Exorcist' (a gold standard of possession movies), but better than expected.  It made the FPO jump, but then again, what doesn't?

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