Today, Wembley Stadium hosts the 2012 FA Cup Final.
In fact, it’s now 20 minutes in and Chelsea are already 1-0 up, so I really need to ‘publish and go’.
Chelsea, who are undoubtedly favourites to win based on recent performance, face Liverpool, who under the leadership of the legendary Kenny Dalglish, are hoping to win their first Cup title since 2006.
The successful team will receive a staggering 1.8m from the FA’s Prize Fund. Prize money that will no doubt be used to pay off debts buy new players.
Truth be told though – I don’t give two hoots.
For unlike the average male, I don’t really follow football at all. In fact, I haven’t done for a number of years now, and to be completely honest – I haven’t felt deprived in the slightest, or any less of a man for that matter.
That said, I have remarkable admiration for the players and managers alike. I think they demonstrate significant discipline and courage to be able to play at the highest level of competitive sport, under the watchful and expectant eyes of millions.
Countless viewers, pundits, and fans will be assessing, evaluating, and commenting on their every move and decision.
That’s some pressure.
Yet, many of them will rise to the challenge of the occasion and leave the stadium as victors.
I don’t envy them in the slightest, especially the managers – not one bit! For earlier today I watched my sons play an enthralling Cup Final of their own for a local team they’ve played for this season.
It was end to end stuff, as these 10 year olds battled through into extra time in an attempt to take home the prized trophy, and more importantly, the right to be called ‘Champions’.
Despite playing the league winners, who had earlier in the season beaten them with a rather embarrassing score line (won’t say!), they won 5-4 to the adulation of some very proud parents, family members, friends and managers.
Though I’m not an avid football watcher, being on the sideline today (as with other weeks in fact) revealed something of the passion.
Passion, not necessarily for the ‘beautiful game’, but to see young people, especially my sons’, do well and experience success. To know the sweet taste of victory that will do their confidence a world of good!
It’s wonderful to see.
And by the way. One of my sons scored a hat-trick, including the winning goal. The other, having played a brilliant game, received the Man of the Match award.
Check out my guest blog on urban youth culture, and how it has influenced Newday; an event that gathers over 6000 young people each year.
I’ve had the privilege of being involved in Newday over recent years, so in light of the London riots of 2011 that spread across the nation, I was happy to share my thoughts on how it impacts young people from urban contexts.
You can read the full article here on the Newday website.
Following a fantastic week at Newday where we saw thousands of young people encountering God, and hundreds sharing testimony of healing and making decisions to give their lives to Jesus, it was with sadness that I returned home to witness the events of recent days.
The troubles started on Saturday after a family protest outside Tottenham police station, in response to the fatal shooting of alleged gang member Mark Duggan, quickly descended into violence.
What began as a peaceful protest in Tottenham has sparked into nationwide anarchy with groups numbering hundreds, descending onto city streets causing considerable damage to local businesses, and more significantly, any sense of security amongst locals who are demanding protection from the police.
Local MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, said that a night of rioting had ‘ripped the heart out of the community’, and Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg has condemned the actions of those who caused such damage as ‘opportunistic violence and theft’.
The result has been over 400 arrests in London, about 100 arrests in Birmingham following copycat incidents, and 3 people being questioned following the attempted murder of a policeman who was trying to stop looters. Others have also been arrested in Bristol, Liverpool and other cities.
Sadly, police have today confirmed the first fatality – a 26-year-old man who was found with gun shot wounds in Croydon.
Locals have been made homeless after homes were set ablaze and many shop owners are coming to terms with how best to recover from the damage caused by masked looters who have held citizens hostage whilst robbing stores and homes.
Though we would rightly empathise with those who live in conditions of deprivation and ‘hopelessness’, and would want to acknowledge the underlying issues of unemployment, among other social factors, we would in no way condone or justify the mindless violence of those who have chosen the path of destruction.
This amateur video shot in Ealing is just one example (warning: some bad language)
When we see footage of teenagers defying authorities, boasting of events and of being able to ‘show the police that they can do what they want’ we see quite clearly that we live in a society where respect for authority of any kind is scarce.
And when we witness others targeting vulnerable citizens for their gain, we cannot help but see that we have a segment of this generation that is rebellious, callous and totally wretched.
Unfortunately, these isolated incidents paint a sinister picture of the youth in our nation. But though we see in the footage that there are young people involved, we have also to recognise that it’s not just young people who wear hoodies!
But more importantly, we need to identify and praise young people who are keen to do good.
As we saw at Newday where thousands of young people descended onto the streets of Norwich to serve local communities. And in Clapham where hundreds arrived to help clear streets before being disappointed when turned away, it’s fair to say that there are unsung heroes amongst our youth, who sadly, don’t receive the press coverage that they deserve.
So what can our response be?
Here are some things to consider:
Encourage young people to stay at home so as to avoid getting caught up in any incidents
Make sure you know where you’re children, and/or family members are at all times, and invite family members or friends to stay with you if their parents/carers are away
Remember that it’s a small minority of people involved in the violence and that it’s not just young people who wear hoodies
Remember that there are young people who respect the communities in which they live and who are keen to do good
Remember other vulnerable people within your community, determine their wellbeing, and see if you can help them in any way (e.g. going to the newsagent for an elderly neighbour, person with a disability or a single parent)
Encourage people to avoid making unhelpful or enticing comments or status updates on Social Networking sites like Twitter and Facebook
Find and share good news stories, as we don’t want the mindless perpetrators to get all the headlines!
The police, to their credit, seem to be showing remarkable restraint, so we need the situation to be resolved quickly before it escalates to levels of increased violence and we hear of more fatalities. What other measures will need to be taken? – only time will tell!
But what about the church’s response?
As far as the Church is concerned, we need to:
Remember that ‘when it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down’ (Romans 5:20)
Remember that though we may not be able to make sense of the situation, God’s ways are above our own, and that nothing is happening that is outside of his will and purposes – for his glory!
Pray for community youth group leaders, church workers and for projects like XLP who are continuing their work on the front-line engaging young people and giving them positive opportunities
Pray for the leaders of the nation and for security and safety officers who are called upon to assist people
Pray and work towards peace, justice, repentance and salvation, and that through the darkness we will see the light of Christ shine!
I was reading Tim Challies‘ blog and came across this letter written by John Piper in response to a request for advice from a teenager.
In it he affirms the teen by sharing his own struggles of growing as an adolescent, likening it to how a frog develops.
He describes his teen years as being similar to that of a frog; awkward, messy looking, and on public display, in contrast to that of a butterfly which experiences metamorphosis in the luxury and safety of a private cocoon.
What helped him during this time of transition, he explains, were the lessons learnt from three significant men in his life – C.S. Lewis, the Apostle Paul, and his father.
Each of these, says Piper, taught him that his well-being came not from liking and being happy with himself, but from focusing his attention on every amazing thing other than himself.
He says,
Introspection must give way to amazement at glory. When it does, becoming happens. If there is any key to maturity it is that. Behold your God in Jesus Christ. Then you will make progress from tadpole to frog.
He goes on to explain how each taught him the importance of being amazed in the other, of being thankful, of not being self-absorbed, and of recognising that ‘self is simply too small to satisfy the exploding longings of the [my] heart.’
The tone of the letter suggests he’s writing to a young person familiar with church and Christianity, and I can’t help but wonder how he’d approach and make accessible a response to an unchurched young person.
In conclusion, Piper encourages the teen to come to terms with the reality that life change (sanctification) is an ongoing process to be embraced and enjoyed into eternity.
His response is thought provoking, affirming and creative, and would lose no power if it were to be called ‘A Letter to an Incomplete, Insecure You!’
This 10 minute video produced by CEOP is aimed at 14-18 year olds and highlights the risks to young people when texting and using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
A must watch for any parent/carer and those working with young people.
Having endured the winds and rain, the young people and leaders of King’s Church made it back from Norfolk Showground in one piece. It was a fantastic 6 days that saw relationships strengthened and new-found friendships developed with young people from other churches.
Good times
The programme for the week kept everyone engaged. From the cafés, sporting tournaments, social action projects, to the numerous workshops led by the very popular Rhythm Factory, our young people were well served, and understandably, exhausted on the coach journey home!
One memory would have to have been in our church marquee at meal time, when I almost caused a riot* by suggesting that the white folk get to dine before the black folk, in the distribution of the eagerly anticipated jollof rice and chicken; it was very funny!
God moved in power
God made himself present among us during the main meetings where we had great times of worship and fantastic preaching from speakers including Stef Liston, Joel Virgo, Stu Gibbs, Adrian Holloway and Julian Adams who each brought messages that stirred the hearts of many a listener. Andrew Wilson also served our 12-14s very well with his humor and exemplary teaching gift.
Among other great moments of God speaking and ministering to us by his Spirit, one night stood out – the evening when 305 young people made re-commitments, 374 were healed, and 334 made first time commitments! It was amazing!
God continues to use Newday
With 7 of our young people making first time commitments and a good number of others being filled with the Spirit, Newdaycontinues to be an event that serves to reach a generation and envision them towards their purpose in God.
Another year over and God has again proved himself willing to transform the lives of thousands.
Today, Wembley Stadium hosts the 2012 FA Cup Final.
