WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?

No days off purgatory for getting through this slab of Christian subculture twaddle. The worst thing about it comes at the end when you find out that you are not on the beach to ogle the crumpet but to praise God. Which I think is a bit bad mannered. I mean what we would we think if a coach load of children suddenly turned up in church on Sunday morning and started building sandcastles in the middle of the sanctuary. Although a couple of hunky lifeguards in speedos making an appearance would probably go down quite well in certain Episcopal places of worship.

HEADLINE OF THE DAY

From THE COURIER POST:

WITH ALL YOUR SOUL - THE PODCAST (12)

Here it is at long last - Number Twelve. I apologise for the delay but you know how things have been with me.

Double click, or whatever, on MP3 File below to download audio file or click on the play arrow to stream.

This podcast can be downloaded from iTunes by clicking HERE and then clicking on "View In iTunes."

MP3 File

In The Bottle - Gil Scott-Heron And Brian Jackson
Could Heaven Ever Be Like This - Idris Muhammad
25 Miles - Edwin Starr
You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies - Dana Valery
Groovin' At The Go-Go - The Four Larks
Walk Da Walk - Antoine Knight
Make It Up - 3rd Scenario
Horse Of Passion - The Doron Raphaeli Trio
Wait Until Dark - Jeff Martini And The One Two Soul Revue
How Sweet It Is - Gardier Donna
Ten Miles High - David And The Giants
It's Too Late - Bobby Goldsboro
On A Magic Carpet Ride - Kiki Dee
Are You Putting Me On The Shelf? - Don And Juan
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - The Orioles
Cucaraca Macara - The Barrio Band
Condiciones Que Existen - Eddie Palmieri
No Condition Is Permanent - Marijata
I Can't Let Him Go - Yvonne Fair
When Something Is Wrong With My Baby - Z. Z. Hill
He'll Take Care Of Me - The Sensational Harmony Kings
Calling Today - The True Tones
Juicy Fruit - Mtume
Gotta Get You Home Tonight - Eugene Wilde
Rat Race - The Righteous Brothers Band
Afternoon Of The Rhino - Mike Post Coalition
Theme From "Hawaii Five-0" - The Whodads
Feel Like I Want To Holler - Frank Armstrong And The Stingers
Gristle - Clarence Hollimon
Love Come Down Evelyn "Champagne" King
Middle Of The Night - King Kelly

LOOK YOU LOT, DON'T BLAME MEBLAME THAT WICKED, WICKED ELLIE

Who most certainly didn't get raptured last weekend.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WITH NAKED WOMEN

This week the best jokes are posted at BAILEY'S BUDDY. But Tenon Saw at IT'S ALL A BIT POOR has posted three non-PC one liners that made me giggle.

Typo of the week is posted at THE HEATHEN HUB.

One of my absolute favourite blogs that I check out regularly is THE PAGAN SPHINX. It's an art blog compiled by a woman who has immaculate taste. I particularly like her occasional series featuring the female nude. There is a certain sexual element to my appreciation but mainly I have always found paintings of any living form fascinating from an aesthetic point of view. I love paintings of animals almost as much as I love paintings of the human body.

I am also a fan of art photography which means that I found PS's selection this week particularly interesting as she features the work of the photographer Edward Steichen. Taken around the turn of the century these monochrome pieces are most definitely art in my book. They are also truly gorgeous to look at. Anyone interested in the art of the nude should check them out. As a taster and to persuade you to do just that here is a photograph by Steichen where you can actually see the woman's pussy.

MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Rowan Williams' statement that being gay does not bar gay people from holy orders but having a sexual relationship outside of marriage does only has integrity if he campaigns vigorously for the complete legalisation of same sex marriages within both church and state. Which he doesn't. In fact, he appears to be doing the exact opposite.

ROWAN WILLIAMS CALLS FOR EVEN MORE SECRECY

From THE TELEGRAPH:

The Archbishop of Canterbury has voiced sympathy for public figures who take out super-injunctions, defending their right to privacy and attacking the “miasma of gossip and prurience” that surrounds them. He said that very few people lead blameless lives and celebrities were not alone in wishing to hide from “ceaseless scrutiny” by the media.

Dr Williams told The Daily Telegraph: “Of course, if people behaved morally there would be no need for super-injunctions. But how many of us actually would be comfortable about the ceaseless scrutiny of every aspect of ourselves? This is a culture so obsessed with transparency that it can confuse that, I think, with this universal miasma of gossip and prurience.”

COMMENT: Well, well, well. I wonder what rattled his cage.

THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX

As I blasted your eardrums with Loud Friday earlier today I thought you might appreciate something a little quieter this evening. So, here are a few late night, smoochy tracks from Carlo Fava's new album to put you in the mood for luuurve or to send you to sleep, depending on what sort of mood you're in.



CARLO'S MYSPACE PAGE

PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

HEADLINE OF THE DAY

I didn't realise condoms had flaps.
Surely this somewhat defeats the object.

MADPRIEST'S (SCURRILOUS) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I notice that Rowan Williams is one of the main attractions at the Hay on Wye Book Festival this week. I suspect that this year he is not being honoured for being a poet or even for being a writer of theological books. Rather, it is as a creator of fiction that he is being hailed. And, surely there are few who can surpass him in the art.

LOUD FRIDAY

Oh, my. Fans of Loud Friday are sure going to love this one.



BAND'S MYSPACE PAGE

PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD

An old guy (not in the best of shape) was working out in the gym when he spotted a gorgeous young woman nearby.

He asked his trainer, "What machine in here should I use to impress that sweet thing over there?"

The trainer looked him up and down and said "I would try the ATM in the lobby"

SINGAPORE - AN INCONVENIENT, CONVENIENT ALLY

From AFP:

Singapore's highest court on Friday ordered a defiant 76-year-old British author, Alan Shadrake, to serve six weeks in jail for contempt after he published a book denouncing judicial hangings in the city-state.

"I expected the decision. I am very sorry for Singapore. I'm not sorry for myself," he said.

He will serve an extra two weeks in jail because he cannot afford to pay a Sg$20,000 ($16,150) fine imposed on top of the prison term.

Shadrake's jail term was the stiffest sentence ever imposed in Singapore for contempt and was denounced by international human rights groups campaigning for an end to executions and urging greater freedom of expression in the country.

There was no immediate comment from the British embassy.

COMMENT: Of course there has been no immediate comment from the British embassy. Along with the United States and other democratic nations, we conveniently turn a blind eye to the abuse of freedom that has been the embarrassing hallmark of Singapore's successive governments since it gained its independence. Only our "friendship" with the police state of Egypt outranks Singapore on the list of barbaric nations that we will let get away with anything because it suits our political, military and commercial agendas.

ANIMALS ARE BETTER PEOPLE THAN PEOPLE

THE SOPPY GINNY SELECTION

This is Riley.
Catch up with how he's getting on at BLOGULA RASA.

THE PRAYER LIST - 27TH. MAY 2011

From Tracy at REV RUNS!:

Please pray for my Uncle Linwood who had a stroke last week.

***

From Margaret:

Please include me on the Prayer List as I have a complete workup at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. No life threatening things anticipated, just lots of painful things that make life less enjoyable.

***

From JCF:

There's a young man, whom w/ his wife is soon expecting his first child/ren: twins. He was terribly injured last night (I saw it happen), and facing a long rehabilitation. Please pray for him and his family. His name is Buster Posey, and he's the star rookie catcher for my San Francisco Giants (injured in the game: collision at the plate.)

***

Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:

Murdered this week in the New Orleans area:

5/18 Harold Augustus 31
5/19 Yancey Young 31
5/24 identity withheld 25
5/25 identity withheld 51

Please pray for the victims, their murderers, and their families.

***

From THE ASSOCIATED PRESS:

Eight U.S. troops who died in the latest attack in southern Afghanistan were hit by two different blasts while they were on foot patrol. NATO says the explosions in Kandahar province happened as the troops began to investigate a suspicious object they found on Thursday. The first explosion happened immediately, wounding some of the troops. A second explosion came as others rushed in to help the wounded.

***

From THE BBC:

The Georgian capital Tbilisi is tense after an overnight crackdown on anti-government protesters, during which a policeman and one other person died. Nearly 40 people were also injured as riot police cleared protesters ahead of independence day events.

***

From AFP:

Security forces killed at least three people in Syria on Friday as the country braced for more protests after the weekly Muslim prayers, with pro-reform activists reaching out to the army to join their 10-week uprising.

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHINGA LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT

From top left: Peter Pears, Edith Sitwell,
Anthony Collins (Conductor), William Walton

TOO MUCH OF A BAD THING

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME OUR TRACE

ROWAN WILLIAMS - THE MOVIE

I've made this more obvious so that everyone who has read the Andrew Brown article about the Coln Slee leak can get the joke.

FRIENDS IN NEED

I'm feeling a bit tender today. Within minutes of the posting of Andrew Brown's exposure of the nasty side of Rowan Williams, Americans on facebook started with their isolationist rants again. I pointed out on one of the threads that some of us in England have sacrificed pretty much everything by our unflinching support of our American brothers and sisters against the hierarchy of our own church. The response was "You haven't suffered like we've suffered you whinging pom."

Here is my photoshopic representation of what I think about the United States this afternoon. But it will pass.

THE STRANGE CASE OFTHE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

THE PRAYER LIST - 26TH. MAY 2011

Posted by Denny at BRIEF NOTES DOT COM (25th. May):

I just received word that Fr. Frank Loughran died today. Frank was a Montfort priest who gave over 65 years of his life to our friends in Malawi,. He was 93 years old when he finally was no longer able to minister every day.

***

Posted by Kirstin at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING:

All this... and bone mets too. Now I know why my knee hurts.

I’m sad that the cancer has spread. But I watch myself sprout new soft-tissue tumors all the time. And after invading my brain, it’s honestly hard to see how it can hurt me. I miss walking, and I don’t know whether I’ll get to do it again. I’m in physical pain. But psychologically and spiritually? After awhile, it’s just like, “fuck it.” I can deal with this too.

***

From Jay:

Prayers for my best friend from college days Tom. He had surgery for an abdominal problem a couple weeks ago and has been re-admitted with an infection. He is one of the Truly Good sort and his wife and daughters are very concerned.

***

From THE BBC:

At least 64 children are sexually abused every day in England and Wales, figures obtained by the NSPCC suggest. More than 23,000 offences - including rape, incest and gross indecency - were recorded by police in 2009-10, an 8% increase on 2008-9. For the first time, its research also looked at the age of abusers and found a quarter were aged under 18. One in four victims was aged 11 or under.

***

Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:

Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie, 37, of Medical Lake, Washington
Spc. Brandon M. Kirton, 25, of Centennial, Colorado
Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Missouri
Pfc. Ramon Mora Jr., 19, of Ontario, California
Pvt. Cheizray Pressley, 21, of North Charleston, South Carolina
Staff Sgt. David D. Self, 29, of Pearl, Mississippi
Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker, 26, of Gainesville, Florida

Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.

***

From CNN:

A small bomb attached to a bicycle exploded near an overpass in Istanbul's busy Etiler district Thursday morning, injuring at least seven people.

***

From THE TELEGRAPH:

Three Chinese government buildings have been bombed in the southern city of Fuzhou, in Jiangxi province, killing two and injuring six.

***

From ABC NEWS:

In what may be yet another setback, the operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant says radioactive water may now be leaking from a wastewater storage facility on site. Nearly 60 tons of radioactive water may have spilled out.

***

From THE TELEGRAPH:

Demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili have come under attack from Georgian riot police.

Opposition leader Nino Burjanadze condemned the government's response: “There are a lot of injured people because the authorities conducted, how to say it... a punitive operation.”

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?

And remember, he's still on the throne!

500 days off purgatory for getting through the whole song. An extra 500 days off purgatory if you can bring yourself to look at the album cover for more than 10 seconds.

NOT SUCH A CUDDLY ROADSAFETY SQUIRREL AFTER ALL

The true nature of the Grand Tufti that his spin doctors keep safely hidden behind the facade of academic gentleness has been exposed. The final act of the wonderful Colin Slee shortly before his death was to document the bigotry and viciousness of Williams and Sentamu, especially Williams.

From THE GUARDIAN:

A meeting of Church of England bishops in York this week has broken up without agreement on whether gay clergy should ever be allowed to be chosen for promotion to bishoprics. Church lawyers have told the bishops that while they cannot take into account that someone is homosexual in considering them for preferment, they also cannot put forward clergy in active same-sex relationships and, even if they are celibate, must consider whether they can "act as a focus for unity" to their flocks if appointed to a diocese.

The fraught divisions have been laid bare in the leak of an anguished and devastating memorandum written by the Very Rev Colin Slee, the former dean of Southwark Cathedral, shortly before his death from pancreatic cancer last November. Dr Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, and John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, vetoed candidates from becoming bishops of the south London diocese.

The document reveals shouting matches and arm-twisting by the archbishops to keep out the diocese's preferred choices as bishop: Jeffrey John, the gay dean of St Albans, and Nicholas Holtam, rector of St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London, whose wife was divorced many years ago.

Slee described Williams shouting and losing his temper in last year's Southwark meeting, which left several members of the crown nomination committee, responsible for the selection of bishops, in tears.

Slee also in effect charges the church with hypocrisy, stating that there are several gay bishops "who have been less than candid about their domestic arrangements and who, in a conspiracy of silence, have been appointed to senior positions". The memo warns: "This situation cannot endure. Exposure of the reality would be nuclear."

Slee said of the meeting: "We had two very horrible days in which I would say both archbishops behaved very badly. The meeting was not a fair consideration at all; they were intent on wrecking both Jeffrey John and Nick Holtam equally, despite the fact that their CVs were startlingly in an entirely different and better league than the other two candidates …

"The archbishop of Canterbury was bad tempered throughout.

In a covering letter seen by the Guardian, Slee's eldest daughter, Ruth, says: "Both my mother and I feel [his] hurt and anger were contributory to the cancer from which he died … this association is borne out by the medical timescale of his illness, but will never be known."

THE FASHION COLUMN - A MAN LACE SPECIAL

This is Cardinal Richard Cushing who was the Vatican's man in Boston between 1944 and 1970.

To be fair he seems to have been a reasonably decent bloke. He was one of the prime movers for reform in Vatican II and played a vital role in drafting Nostra Aetate, the document that officially absolved the Jews of deicide charge. The final version of the document reflects his passion and words during the debates that preceded its publication.

We must cast the Declaration on the Jews in a much more positive form, one not so timid, but much more loving ... For the sake of our common heritage we, the children of Abraham according to the spirit, must foster a special reverence and love for the children of Abraham according to the flesh. As children of Adam, they are our kin, as children of Abraham they are Christ's blood relatives. 2. So far as the guilt of Jews in the death of our Saviour is concerned, the rejection of the Messiah by His own, is according to Scripture, a mystery—a mystery given us for our instruction, not for our self-exaltation ... We cannot sit in judgement on the onetime leaders of Israel—God alone is their judge. Much less can we burden later generations of Jews with any burden of guilt for the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, for the death of the Saviour of the world, except that universal guilt in which we all have a part ... In clear and unmistakable language, we must deny, therefore, that the Jews are guilty of our Saviour's death. We must condemn especially those who seek to justify, as Christian deeds, discrimination, hatred and even persecution of Jews ... 3. I ask myself, Venerable Brothers, whether we should not humbly acknowledge before the whole world that, toward their Jewish brethren, Christians have all too often not shown themselves as true Christians, as faithful followers of Christ. How many [Jews] have suffered in our own time? How many died because Christians were indifferent and kept silent? ... If in recent years, not many Christian voices were raised against those injustices, at least let ours now be heard in humility.

He also had far more sympathy with ecumenism than is currently "allowed" in his denomination. He even encouraged Catholics to attend Billy Graham's crusades.

OCICBW... CALLS FOR BOYCOTT ON DANISH BACON

From ITN:

The Danish government cannot decide whether they love or hate Marmite. The British spread contains fortified vitamins and minerals which means the product cannot be marketed in Denmark by any company until it has been approved. The country was accused of banning the sale of Marmite which has since been denied. In a statement the Danish Food and Veterinary Administration said it had "not received an application for marketing in Denmark of Marmite or similar products with added vitamins or minerals."

Nutritionist Dr Carina Norris said: "Marmite contains vitamin B12, which is needed for healthy blood and nervous system. It's a difficult vitamin for vegetarians and especially vegans, since you get it from animal products."

Dr Norris said she would not ban the product adding: "A serving of marmite provides almost half of an adult's daily B12 requirement."

COMMENT: The bastards! And after all the nice things we said about "The Killing."

WARNING: Marmite is not the same as the Australian product Vegemite, which is shite and should be banned by every nation that considers itself civilised.

CIRCUMCISION CHALLENGED INSANTA MONICA AND SAN FRANCISCO

From THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:

Performing a circumcision on a boy under age 18 — even for religious reasons — would be illegal under a measure that a San Diego group hopes to place on Santa Monica's November 2012 ballot. A similar initiative this month garnered enough signatures in San Francisco to place it on that city's November ballot.

Matthew Hess, the group's founder and president, said that California law prohibits female genital mutilation and that boys should get the same protection. Circumcision, he said, removes "thousands of nerve endings" and is a painful and unnecessary procedure.

COMMENT: I must admit that their argument appears logical. In some European nations at this moment in time it is illegal to smack your own child or dock a puppy's tail but perfectly fine to mutilate a boy's wotsit as long as you believe God wants you to do it.

BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS' BRAINS ARE SHRINKING

From USA TODAY:

A new study from Duke University Medical Center, which examined the hippocampus region of the brain, found that Protestants who did not have a "born again" experience had significantly more gray matter than either those who reported a life-changing religious experience, Catholics, or unaffiliated older adults.

When OCICBW... asked 100 evangelicals if they knew what a hippocampus was all of them thought of this first.

YOLK ON FACE LEADS TO EGGSTRAVAGANT FINE

From THE LOCAL (Sweden):

Halloween celebrations in Gothenburg got out of hand last year when a group of trick-or-treating kids decided to throw eggs at a house in a residential area of Lerum. The house owner, a 35-year old man, had had enough of the pranks and was none too pleased over the rough treatment of his property. So when his patience finally broke he pursued the pranksters, and after getting hold of one of the boys’ rucksacks, snatched his eggs from him and smeared crushed egg all over his face. The man, who has admitted to the deed, now stands charged with harassment, and will be forced to pay a fine of 11,400 kronor ($1,800).

“To make it worse the youth was allergic to eggs and got very red eyes,“ said Gothenburg prosecutor Per Lind.

COMMENT: On the one hand this must be galling for the have a go hero but on the other hand it's probably worth the fine to have seen the look on the little yob's face and become a local hero. It's a shame he didn't live in the US. He could have just shot him.

AMAZON HAVE ONLY GOT ONE THING ON THEIR MIND

WORSHIP AT ST. LAIKA'S

Here is a service of evensong for the feast day of the Venerable Bede. Words and credits can be found at ST. LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

Over at THE ANCHORHOLD Ellie has posted a short meditation entitled "Something About Healing."

BABELICIOUS BISHOPS CAMPAIGN VINDICATED

I have taken a lot of flak over the years in respect of OCICBW...'s trailblazing campaign to get boring old Anglican codgers to accept the ordination of female bishops by putting forward drop dead gorgeous candidates. I have even been accused of sexism on occasion.

However, conclusive proof has now come in that shows that I, far from being a retro chauvinist pig, was once again ahead of the rest of the pack. So let's have no more politically correct squeamishness ladies and please refrain from looking dowdy in public. Remember, an attractive booty is worth a million words.

From CHRISTIAN POST:

And they say looks don’t matter. Well, that’s the theory anyway, and it’s being debunked by one church in England that has seen its congregation size double since appointing a pretty young blonde as its new curate.

St Mary The Virgin in leafy Caterham, Surrey, had been experiencing a decline in attendance over the years but the arrival of Stephanie ‘Steph’ Nadarajah has heralded the start of a boom time for the church. Just six months ago, the church’s attendance stood at around 75. But, in the last six months, attendance has soared and there are now around 150 people showing up each Sunday to hear the 29-year-old preach.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Vist KARL'S COMMENTS for the JOKE OF THE DAY.

WE ARE BEING LOOKING DOWN UPON

Thanks to Ellie for sending this reminder
of our inferiority into MadPriest Towers.

THE PRAYER LIST - 25TH. MAY 2011

Posted by PamBG at PAMBG'S BLOG:

Robert A. Berardinelli (Bob), long-term resident of Waite Hill, Ohio and more recently of Hudson, Ohio he entered into rest May 21, 2011. Beloved husband of Ursula (Sandi) Berardinelli (nee Kohls), married for 55 years. Dear father of Pamela Garrud (Trevor), Christina and Raf (Roxanne); cherished grandfather of Rina.

I think Bob is Pam's father.

***

From Ellie (9 hours ago):

Tornadoes are now raging through Oklahoma. So far nothing has hit Tulsa but it could happen, of course. I'm hunkered down with the TV on, I have fresh batteries in my camping lamp and my emergency radio tuned. No basement in this house but I'll dive into the bath tub and pull sofa cushions over my head if we're told to take cover. The weather guys are calling this "the big one" - not a garden variety storm system.

From REUTERS:

The death toll from a tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on Sunday has climbed to 123, with 750 people injured and many more missing, the authorities said on Tuesday.

***

THANKSGIVING

From MaryBeth:

"Thanksgiving for the ordination to the transitional diaconate of Amy Haynie in Diocese of Fort Worth tonight...God willing!"

***

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

NEW FRIENDS

I don't know what most of these poor unfortunates did to deserve the ignominy of ending up on the OCICBW... blogroll (THE NEIGHBOURHOOD). They were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. So do check their blogs out just to give this awful cloud now hanging over them a bit of a silver lining.

FROM HERE TO ISTANBUL: Friends of Ann Fontaine who we have prayed for on various occasions.

THE PINK SHEEP: Baaings on the highs and lows of being a lesbian Christian. And from the East Midlands - hurrah!!

PEACEFUL TURMOIL: God is ((in))(the) here and now. Religion is either a reminder of this or a distraction.

ALWAYS HOPE: Life, faith (and hope) in Cornwall
Is there life in Cornwall? If there is it's not as we know it.

MIKE RAYNER SERMONS: Ooh, clever stuff. And a lot of it is eminently nickable.

THE JOURNEY OF A CONVERT: Ha'ger Avram is a 35 year old, father of one, living in the south of England. For a while he was training to be an Anglican Vicar, but is currently in the process of converting to Judaism. This blog is a description of his life, and the process of converting to Judaism as he encounters it.

DAYDREAMER: Ray Barnes' blog. Don't get caught out like I did - Ray is of the female gender, or so she insists. This confusing situation is evidently down to the fact that she is Welsh. They are a strange people to say the least.

FAITH, FOLK AND CHARITY: This is my old sparring partner, Tim Chesterton's current blog. Mind you he'll probably go and move it again once he finds out I've linked to it.

THE PRAYERFUL SKEPTIC: Michel (from Bavaria - Beer!!!) is a contemplative religious seeker, rooted in the liberal Anglo-Catholic tradition as well as Unitarianism; as such, he is a baptized Episcopalian, a lay associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich, as well as a member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, the online congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In other words, a right mongrel like most of the rest of you.

THE FASHION COLUMN - MAN LACE SPECIAL

This is a photo of George Mundelein who was the Vatican's man in Chicago between 1915 and 1939. To be honest he looks like a gangster in drag.

You can read loads more about him at PATHEOS.

MADPRIEST DIGS . . .THE BLUES CAME OUT OF MALI

Now this is really classy.

Put on your kaftan. Burn some of Viv's aromatic herbs. Send
your camel to bed. Lay back, chill out, press play and enjoy!



BAND'S WEBSITE

PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

THE HORRIBLE SOCIAL STIGMA OF PRATT'S DISEASE

FOR SALE OR FOR FREEA VERY SMELLY OFFER FROM OUR FRIEND VIV

Posted by Viv at ZEN AND THE ART OF TIGHTROPE WALKING:

Over the last year I have published a number of meditations that use fragrance as a starting point and the intention has been to write an entire book of them. After much thought I decided that I would start by making the meditations available during the process of writing the book and publishing it in stages.

There’s a few good reasons for this. The first is that it gives me a greater incentive to write them. The second is subtler. Making a book available during its creation rather than when it is a finished product would normally be the very last thing I’d ever do but this is different.

It’s different because I want the readers to be involved in the creation. How often have you read a book and wished to ask the writer to do something different? Ask for instructions to be clearer or more detailed? Or make a personal request? This time you can.

Meditating with Aromatics is a work in progress that you can help shape as it is written. You can request that I write a meditation for a fragrant substance that has special power for you. You can suggest scents I may not have considered. You can try them out and let me know what would work better for you.

I have made the booklet free to download from Lulu, but as they have no stats counter for free downloads, all I ask is that if you do download it, you let me know that you have done so, and that if you pass the link to others, they let me know if they have. That way I have a good idea of the scale of my readers and their reach. I’d also be delighted if people bought the paper copy. I am actually very proud of how it looks and feels. Each time I update it, a new revision will be created until the final product is completed but it’s not going to break the bank at this stage to buy a copy. I am smugly delighted with my cover design showing a beautiful English garden in full summer glory.

So buy or download, pass it on to anyone who meditates, and let me know what YOU want. There aren’t many books that are truly written for the reader’s benefit, so take advantage of this and get involved. I’d also be immensely grateful if you would repost, Facebook, blog, tweet and retweet and mention whenever you feel it’s appropriate because reaching the people who might benefit from this project is going to be as interactive as the writing of the book itself. Thank you all in advance.

CLICK HERE FOR FREEBIE OR TO BUY

WARNING: Viv was the organiser of the witches' coven at my theological seminary so OCICBW... cannot be held liable if any of her spells backfire and turn you into something repulsive (although, knowing Viv, they would be far more likely to turn you into something tall, dark and handsome or a cat). I'm just saying.

THE CAT CAME BACK

Thanks to Paul(A) and Ellie for the link to this story.

ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE

Here is a very traditional service of evensong (B.C.P. 1662) that I've cobbled together for the feast day of John and Charles Wesley. There's loads of great Wesleyan hymns and music plus a couple of old Anglican settings of the canticles. Join in the worship or just enjoy listening to it. The words and credits can be found at ST. LAIKA'S.


MP3 File

THE ANCHORHOLD @ OCICBW... "The Paradox Of Prayer"

CHIT CHAT: Our weekly open thread. This week's topic is 
THE END OF THE WORLD

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THE SOPPY LISBETH SELECTIONTHE SOPPY JAY SIMSER SELECTION

At TELLING SECRETS, Elizabeth has posted a thorough update on Theo aka "Mr Wonderful" (which is a bit unimaginative as she already calls me "Her Mr Wonderful").

And at BAILEY'S BUDDY, Jay has posted some lovely pics of Miles and Bailey taken after they had both returned from a visit to the doggie beauty parlour.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Derek Olsen has posted a learned and fascinating article at HALIGWEORC about why Christians believe they should not work on Sundays. It includes details about a letter posted by Jesus from heaven to earth and all sorts of interesting stuff I'd not come across before.

J. Michael Povey wants advice regarding what books he should read to the animals he shares his house with. If you have any ideas then do pop over to POVEY PRATTLE and pass them on to Michael.

THE PRAYER LIST - 24TH. MAY 2011

From Ann Fontaine:

Prayers for Frannie's family. She died yesterday. Her pain was too great.

It is our younger son's family. Frannie has been with them since he and his wife married.

Leaves Brutus and Buddy (their other 2 dogs who don't know who is boss now) and 2 kids.

***

Posted by Kathy at KNITTING WITH MY SHOES OFF:

Today wasn't one of my better days. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever have a good one again, but I'm not going to despair just yet. I've been hurting a lot lately, during the day which I don't normally do so much. But today was one in which I didn't want to get out of bed. Plus the depression dropped in on me like an anvil so I did pretty much stay in bed most of the day.

***

Posted by Kirstin at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING:

I’m not a mutant. The doctor at UCSF called about an hour ago. If I’d had the mutation, there was a study done that said the drug they’re testing had an effect on 10 out of 10 patients with brain mets. That’s why this is so crushing.

Not quite sure what happens next. UCSF will take my scans to their neurologists on Thursday, and they’ll say whether or not I’m eligible for gamma-knife. If I am, we do it, and cytotoxic chemo. (I don’t expect to be eligible; I’ve been told I have too many tumors.) If I’m not, he says ipiluminab is the best bet.

The doctor was really concerned about response time, and what I have time to try. That tells me all I need to know.

How am I? Resigned. Sad. Not scared at all; way out beyond fear. There’s a little bit of hope seeping sideways, but it’s a rope thrown in darkness, not a solution found.

A held me for an hour while I cried. That’s how I know I still want to live.

***

Posted by Lesley at LESLEY'S BLOG:

My mum called yesterday to say that the nice lady curate had just been to see my dad and was shocked and horrified (not the poker-faced type of curate then!). Furthermore, the curate had said that she was on a placement for two months and didn't expect dad to still be alive when she returned.

***

From Maria:

Please pray for the people of Joplin, Missouri, who got hit by a devastating tornado.

***

From THE GUARDIAN:

Nato warplanes bombarded targets in Tripoli with more than 20 air strikes early on Tuesday, striking the area around Muammar Gaddafi's residential compound in what appeared to be the heaviest night of bombing of the Libyan capital since the western alliance launched its air campaign in March. The rapid succession of strikes, all within less than half an hour, rattled windows and sent heavy, acrid-smelling plumes of smoke over the city, including from close to Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound.

Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said at least three people were killed and dozens wounded in Nato strikes.

***

From ALJAZEERA:

Syrian security forces have killed at least 34 people, including an 11-year-old boy in the latest crackdown on anti-government protests.

Twelve people were killed in the central city of Homs, while 15 died in the town of Maaret al-Naaman, located near the western city of Idlib, activists said. Two protesters were shot in the southern region of Deraa, one person was shot in the Damascus suburb of Daraya and one in the port city of Latakia. Two more died in the eastern town of Deir Ezzor and one person killed in the central town of Hama. The dead in Homs included two boys, named as Aiham al-Ahmad, 11, and 16-year-old Ahmad Bakr.

***

From CNN:

Nuclear fuel rods in two more reactors at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan are believed to have melted during the first week of the nuclear crisis. Tokyo Electric Power Co. said a "major part" of the fuel rods in reactor No. 2 may have melted and fallen to the bottom of the pressure vessel 101 hours after the earthquake and tsunami that crippled the plant. The same thing happened within the first 60 hours at reactor No. 3, the company said, releasing a worst-case scenario analysis. The fuel is believed to be sitting at the bottom of the pressure vessel in each reactor building.

***

THANKSGIVING

From Liz at FINDING LIFE HARD?:

I have finished the novel!!!

Sort of. First draft anyway. I know there are changes and additions I need to make to it but the base is there now on which I can work.

***

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THE FASHION COLUMNBY THEMETHATISME

Available from SHOTDEADINTHEHEAD.

NIXON IS A LOSER

A CLEAN, INOFFENSIVE JOKE FROM ELLIE!!!(WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RAPTUREDBUT OBVIOUSLY MIRACLES DO HAPPEN)

A man joined a big Multi National Company as a trainee.

On his first day, he dialed the kitchen and shouted into the phone "Get me a cup of coffee, quickly!"

The voice from the other side responded "You fool, you've dialed the wrong extension! Do you know whom you're talking to?"

"No" replied the trainee..

"It's the Managing Director of the company, you idiot!"

The trainee shouted back "And do you know whom YOU are talking to, you IDIOT?"

"No!" replied the Managing Director angrily.

"Thank God....!!" replied the trainee and put down the phone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA CURRY!

Happy Birthday to longstanding friend of OCICBW..., Lisa.

A couple of years or so back we went through hell with Lisa but there is always resurrection. It's great to see her older, wiser, sadder but still very much alive.

Today the OCICBW... Jukebox plays for you, Lisa.
This'll bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.

TIGER ESCAPED FROM TOYSЯUSRECAPTURED BY BRAVE HAMPSHIRE BOBBIES

From THE BBC:

Police are trying to trace the owner of a life-sized tiger toy which sparked a major police alert in Hampshire over fears a real animal was on the loose. Officers were deployed and a helicopter was scrambled with specialist thermal imaging cameras over the field, near Hedge End, on Saturday afternoon.

Animal specialists at nearby Marwell Zoo were enlisted by police to offer advice and were prepared to send a team with tranquiliser darts to overcome the tiger.

Golfers at County Golf Club were escorted from the course and Saturday's cricket game between Hamsphire Academy and South Wilts was suspended for about half an hour.

Officers discovered it to be a stuffed toy after it rolled over in the down draft from the police helicopter.

COMMENT: I am sure that the reason why so many of our sitcoms are such crap is because our comedy writers just can't compete with real life in England.

WOMEN DRIVERS - NOT A PROBLEMDOGMATIC MISOGYNY IN SAUDI ARABIA

From THE TELEGRAPH:

Saudi authorities have arrested a female activist who launched a campaign to challenge a ban on women driving in the conservative kingdom. Manal al-Sharif, who learnt to drive in the US, was arrested one day after she posted footage on the video-sharing website YouTube showing her driving in the Eastern Province city of Al-Khobar. She was released after a few hours, but later she was taken back into custody.

"She was detained for hours at a police station until her brother came to secure her release," said an activist, who added that the notorious religious police were called by traffic police to help in arresting Ms Sharif.

The Twitter page for Women2Drive, managed by women calling for a driving protest in June, said police arrested Ms Sharif at her home, and that she had been taken to a correctional prison, usually used for women, after a brief detention at Al-Khobar police station. It was not clear if she was charged with any offence.

COMMENT: This is further proof that statements such as those claiming that the wearing of the burka liberates muslim women are lies invented by muslim men. These misogynist regulations turn women into nothing more than the property of men. In other words they are slaves. And just as civilisation campaigned, and still campaigns, for the abolition of slavery so it should also campaign against the theologically incorrect enslavement of women in Islamic culture.

Ban the burka?

Too damn right, we should.

CONSPIRACY THEORY OF THE DAYINCORPORATING "THE CRACKPOT HALL OF FAME"

From THE TELEGRAPH:

"Western countries have designed plans to cause drought in certain areas of the world, including Iran," Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said in the city of Arak in Markazi province.

"According to reports on climate, whose accuracy has been verified, European countries are using special equipment to force clouds to dump" their water on their continent, he said.

By doing so, "they prevent rain clouds from reaching regional countries, including Iran."

COMMENT: Well, we're not doing a very good job of it then. Spring crops in England have been devastated by a lack of rainfall this year.

However, Western countries probably are responsible for droughts in the Middle East. But we have achieved this without any need for secret technology. We just used car emissions, carbon burning power stations and farting cows. I think we are calling it "global warming."