VOX Magazine

Time to look over the fence

2010-12-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

I've heard that 1 Chronicles 12:32 was regularly quoted throughout the Lausanne Congress in Cape Town: "And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs." (Amplified)

I wonder... what does it mean to "understand the times"?

As a journalist, I've always had an interest in what is happening in the world around me. It comes with the territory - a natural curiosity (or maybe just nosiness?) and a desire to keep up to date. Knowing is not synonymous with understanding, of course, but it is a good start.

But what about church leaders and Christians across Ireland? What about you?

A Time Magazine piece on theologian Karl Barth published on Friday, May 31, 1963 said: "[Barth] recalls that 40 years ago he advised young theologians 'to take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.'"

I think that is a brilliant description of what it means to understand the times. We need to know the scriptures. We need to know what is happening in our local community, our counties, our nation and around the world. Understanding comes when we allow the scriptures to help us make sense of what we see!

The problem, especially for church leaders, is that many are so caught up with their own parish, their own denomination, their own programmes and issues, that little time is spent on looking over the fence.

Don't get me wrong... there are some tremendous "Issachar-like" leaders out there who have their finger on the pulse. But there are also leaders who are head-in-the-sand ignorant of issues beyond their borders.

It is understandable when you know the workload many are facing but even so, I find it worrying. How about you?

After Cape Town

2010-11-25T01:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a few of us gathered in Dublin to hear some initial reflections from the Irish team that attended the Lausanne congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Cape Town 2010 gathered over 4,000 Christian leaders from some 200 countries around the world.

The team of nine people from Ireland represented a wide cross-section of denominations, ages and backgrounds. Their blog is well worth a visit.

Several things stood out for me during yesterday's feedback time. First of all, I was struck by how few people attended the event, although many had been invited. Does this show a lack of interest for the international scene or no desire to consider the big picture? Or is it merely because people are too caught up in the day to day realities of life here in Ireland that there is no time for extra meetings?

The feedback itself showed one short meeting is insufficient to do justice to the vast wealth of information, thought-provoking discussions and moving testimonies that emerged from the congress. Even in a short meeting, there were a number of major challenges for us in Ireland.

"If there is any country in the world that needs the church to be challenged about living out the truth of the gospel, it is Ireland," shared Bishop Ken Clarke, one of the Irish delegates.

There were challenges to unity and partnership, to a deeper understanding of integral mission, to show greater concern for the persecuted church, to respect and value the church in the global south and to rediscover the irresistible mystery and wonder of Jesus.

But there were also serious questions and concerns about issues of inequality, corruption, greed, western-domination and the dangers of prosperity. An interesting follow-up blog by Dr Vinoth Ramachandra from Sri Lanka is well worth a visit to understand some of the issues from a non-Western perspective.

Watch out for more in the next edition of VOX magazine out in January. If you have not yet subscribed, why not take advantage of our special Christmas offer... just 10 Euro for THREE subscriptions!... Don't miss out on the chance to engage with other Christians in Ireland on issues of faith, life and reality for the 21st Century.

Taking a fresh look

2010-06-23T01:20:00.001-07:00

Patrick Mitchell's excellent blog "Faith in Ireland" is well worth a visit. Along with Ken Gibson's Just Blogging it's one of my regular 'stop off points' when I'm on my daily trawl through the internet news and views (searching for interesting snippets for VOX Magazine...).

Patrick's recent series about the visit of Scot McKnight to the Irish Bible Institute's summer school has been a thought-provoking read. (The link is to the first of six blog entries... read them all if you can!).

You've all heard the saying familiarity breeds contempt. While I'm sure Christians in Ireland don't feel contempt for the Gospel, I do sometimes feel it has become 'stale' or even an embarrassment. Reduced to a formula (the 'plan of salvation') that is used by die-hard evangelists, the Gospel ceases to thrill ordinary church goers because they have boxed it and set it aside ("That's what I needed before I became a Christian").

A challenging series which takes a fresh look at the Gospel is most welcome. Patrick's lively re-telling of Scot McKnight's teaching opens new vistas of possibility, challenges our thinking and inspires excitement. It reminds us that the Gospel is wider, deeper, more encompassing than those faltering first steps of belief. It prompts us to a renewed passion and commitment to the Gospel - lived, breathed, taught, explained, demonstrated and completed in the person of Jesus Christ.

After all... when Paul wrote Romans he was writing to believers! Is it time for us to look again?

Black Ice

2010-01-07T05:55:00.001-08:00

"Hindsight is 20/20"

Yesterday I drove my daughter back to Dublin to start the new term at college. The four-hour trek from Donegal took almost five hours yesterday morning. With snow still lying on many major routes, that seemed fair enough. I didn't mind taking things a bit easy.

What I hadn't counted on was fresh snow falls in Dublin followed by an instant freeze.

When I left Dublin at 5pm the five-minute drive to the motorway turned into a nightmarish 30-minutes skating on black ice. The ususal 30-minutes on the M50 strecthed to 1 1/2 hours.

The rest of the journey wasn't quite so bad... just long, dark, exhausting... I arrived home at 11.45 after driving for more than 6 1/2 hours with a brief stop for a coffee and a can of Red Bull (horrible brew but it did help to keep me awake).

I doubt I would have even started out on the journey if I knew what was in store, although I'm glad to be snowed in at home rather than stuck in Dublin.

Life has a habit of serving up the unexpected! The temptation is to abort, give up, abandon ship... Caution can save lives in the face of treacherous driving conditions, of course. But I wonder... how many of us give up what is good because we are faced with 'black ice' at the first junction?

Standing against gang violence

2009-05-11T03:15:00.000-07:00

An estimated 5,000 people marched through the streets of Limerick yesterday (Sunday 10 May) to take a stand against gang violence. The family of murder victim Ray Collins was among those sending a strong message to the gangs.

As well as demonstrating their opposition to violence, the marchers were also calling for the government and An Garda Siochana to do more to combat the gang culture.

Sadly, though, many more stayed away - too afraid of reprisals to join the demonstration.

It is all too easy to give in to fear and despair, to hope that others will fight for what is right and to make excuses for not getting involved.

A drug dealer in Dublin recently boasted that he was 'untouchable' and that he would take on the garda or even the army in order to keep his 'territory'. Is this true? Will we sit back and allow people to lay claim to this country? Or will we stand together to fight evil and violence?

These are serious issues. I believe it is important that Christians in Ireland do not put our head in the sand and ignore the problem. Neither should we simply shake our heads and condemn those who do wrong.

The Christian message of redemption gives hope for change... for wrong to be put right and for good to triumph over evil.

There are battles to be fought at every level: spiritual, social, physical. How will we respond?

Join the conversation...

2009-04-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

This month we have launched "The Conversation" - a new blog which allows you to have your say and share your opinion about articles in VOX magazine.

Go to: http://voxconversation.blogspot.com/ to join in.

Pancakes and syrup

2009-03-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

I was 18 years old and sitting with a group of friends in the home of a Belgian pastor. There were stacks of Dutch-style pancakes (much like crepes but thicker) and tubs of apple and pear "stroop" (syrup) on the wide dining table. We dug in with all the enthusiasm of hungry teens but just as avidly drank in the pastor's wisdom.

Describing the many challenges of leading a church, the man shared one particularly painful season in his life when he had been falsely accused by certain people in his church.

What struck me most was this man's gracious response to his 'enemies'. Rather than hitting back or going on the defensive, he made the choice to wait patiently, silently, for vindication. He showed grace and love in the face of stinging criticism.

When someone hurts or angers us, offends or opposes us, our instincts scream for blood. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - the desire for revenge and counter-offensive are as common today as they were 2000 years ago. Sadly, they are also common within the Christian community too.

For some reason, we seem to find it easier to criticise and accuse, than to encourage and bless, to hit back rather than to turn the other cheek.

It makes me wonder... how can people who talk about God's grace, be ungracious? Can I learn to meet criticism with kindness? How will I repay those who offend me - with revenge or with the currency of love?

Tough questions!!

2009-02-27T02:20:00.000-08:00

Someone has asked me: how can you still believe in a good and loving God when you see all the suffering and evil in the world? How can God allow the things that have happened to me, or to the ones I love or to others in the world?

People have written whole books on the subject and I’m no academic. There is no trite answer and I don’t think logic and reason are enough on their own – for me the subjective experience of God comforting me and giving me strength through times of pain has played a significant role.

But we must not ignore reason either. I don’t want to bury my head in the sand when it comes to difficult questions about faith. Nor do I believe that Christians should be immune to criticism, question or challenge! (That means I won’t be offended if you criticise this blog).

So here’s an insight into my thought process as I’ve wrestled with the problem over the course of 20+ years. (It’s rather long so feel free to skip this one if you don’t have time... or come back to it when you are thinking about this issue).

I started by asking: If I were a good and loving God what would I do about evil and suffering? I could think of several possible answers:

1) Ignore the problem and hope it goes away by itself
2) Let people off
3) Wipe out everyone who does wrong.
4) Force everyone to do right
5) Make laws and rules so people know how they should live their lives

Ignore it? We feel outraged when we hear that someone has ‘turned a blind eye’ to something terrible that was going on under their noses. If God is good and loving, he cannot ignore the problem!!

Let them off? This might seem loving but it is not good. My sense of justice screams out ‘foul’. Sadly injustice is part of life on earth – many criminals still get off scot free. But if God is holy, there is no way he can allow that! It’s just not fair.

Wipe out everyone who does wrong? Now we are talking – especially when we hear of another life cut short or a child’s innocence destroyed by abuse! This sounds like justice. The problem here is deciding where to draw the line. What constitutes an offence that deserves instant death?

Consider this: Who should be punished?
* The perpetrators of genocide or those who through apathy or self-interest turn a blind eye to massacre?
* Human traffickers or those who ‘visit’ women and children who have been trafficked into the sex trade?
* Sweat shop owners using slave labour or those who buy cheap goods in the west, more interested in the tag price than the human cost?
* The murderer or the lawyer who makes sure he escapes justice on a ‘technicality’?
* And what price greed? Big business directors raking in massive bonuses while ordinary people lose their jobs and homes and millions more are starving to death?
* What about those who contributes to pollution and climate change? (After all thousands have lost their lives as a result of drought, flooding and toxic waste dumping)
* Somebody who just thought something evil about another or only those who acted on the thought?

The list goes on. None of us is perfect! All of us have done things that are cruel and selfish, whether knowingly or unknowingly, whether in actual deed or just in thought. Where do you draw the line? How can God be loving and start wiping out thousands, millions, maybe billions of people?

So why not force everyone to do right? In the film Minority Report, there are no murders because people are stopped before they can commit a crime. The problem is this takes away choice. The ability to choose; to determine our own actions, beliefs, etc. is at the very core of what it means to be free. If God forced us to act in a particular way, we would be slaves or robots.

Forced obedience is ugly! Watch a child forced to behave by their parents and you will often see resentment. Neither does this satisfy the parent, who longs for the child to comply out of love and not just because they are duty bound. God can’t do that if he really loves us nor would he want it if he desires relationship with us.

Okay, so make laws so people know how they should live their lives… but if I believe in the God of the Bible, he has already done that. It didn’t work. The laws themselves set a good standard (few people would argue with these - do not kill, do not steal, do not lie, take one day of rest each week, love your neighbour as you love yourself etc.). But murder and greed and violence and cruelty and selfishness still exist. People simply haven’t kept God’s laws. If God is good and loving he can’t just write the laws, sit back and do nothing. A law is not worth anything if there are no consequences when it is broken. And then you end up back with the third option (wipe out).

This is great… so I’ve just reasoned my way out of every one of my options… if I was God (good thing I’m not!)

What’s left?
* Either God doesn’t exist.
* Or God is evil
* Or God is powerless to control evil
* Or God, being holy and loving, found another way

If God doesn’t exist the dilemma is more to do with the existence of evil; the injustice and meaningless of life in which people can do evil things and get off scot free, never facing the consequences for what they have done. In this case, what is the basis for a fair moral code when people all have their own agendas and prejudices?

If God is evil it would be logical to assume that he created evil beings and wanted people to be evil. If so, where did good come from? What about all the incredible examples of human love, compassion, self-sacrifice, creativity, beauty, courage, etc.?

If God is powerless then can how he be God? There might as well be no God at all (see option 1).

If God is good and loving, what is his solution? It’s not something I would come up with logically but here’s how I understand it.

God’s way must satisfy the demands of both justice and love. It must provide a means for those who have been hurt to receive healing; for those who hurt others to face up to what they have done and find real power and motivation to change and make reparation; for the possibility of reconciliation without further revenge and hurt; and for those who are suffering to find strength to face and deal with their experiences. God’s solution must also provide the option of punishment for those without remorse or any willingness to change.

So what did God do? (Remember, this is based on the assumption that a good and loving God exists).

God becomes man (Jesus) – stepping right into the problem rather than watching it from a distance.

He lives on earth and experiences grief and pain, temptation, suffering and rejection

He lives a perfect life, according to his own rules (showing how it’s done).

He loves people, heals people, stands up against corruption and injustice, teaches people to ‘love their neighbours’, opposes religious bigotry and hypocrisy, overturns the cultural norms of racism and sexism, hangs out with the outcasts of society,… (and so on…)

Then he suffers – arrest, trial (on the charge of claiming to be the Son of God), violent beatings and humiliation (Roman prisoners didn’t keep their dignity – there would be no modest loin cloth), execution by crucifixion (nails in hands and feet; an agonising death from slow suffocation) and forgives those who kill him… and to complete the picture he conquers death from the inside and comes alive again (yeah… I know… pretty hard to comprehend but IF he is God it makes sense).

God faces the problem of evil and suffering head on. He doesn’t ignore it.

Justice demands punishment. Jesus didn’t shrink away from this. He says “punish me instead, let me bear the consequences”. And the consequences were extreme, violent, painful... God doesn’t take evil lightly. I’m glad – I wouldn’t respect a tolerant, wishy-washy God.

On the other hand, love demands mercy and forgiveness and this also becomes a real option, along with the chance for restoration, transformation and healing. The alternative is vengeance, bitterness and hatred.

Jesus example on the cross calls me to face the reality of suffering and injustice; to share in and be a part of a world that is suffering (no fluffy cotton wool insurance policy against pain and suffering for believers); and to oppose the evil which causes pain and suffering (first in my own life but also by speaking out for justice in society). He offers me the chance to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Suffering seems to either draw people to God or turn them against God. There are times when personal and global issues of suffering become overwhelming and my resources of faith are stretched. In this, I am learning to look to God, sometimes screaming in frustration or desperately asking “why?” but knowing that even though I don’t understand, I haven’t found a better answer anywhere else and other alternatives just don’t make sense to me!!

This is already way too long… and there are so many other reasons I have considered and that influence my belief… but for now, I must stop. What do YOU think?

RGW (aka The Editor)

Black and white and shades of grey

2009-02-23T07:20:00.000-08:00

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as ithers see us!” Robert Burns

I’ve just had a scout around an atheists' / agnostics' discussion forum online. One discussion caught my eye. A group of members were looking at the issue of “black and white” vs “shades of grey”.

It was interesting to note how most allied themselves with ‘shades’ while pointing to Christians as ‘black and white’ thinkers. One perceptive writer explored the concept that black and white, and shades of grey are not necessarily incompatible (after all, shades of grey are made up of different mixtures of black and white).

While I will state unashamedly that I believe there are absolute truths which underpin our universe (for example the existence of God), I’m also convinced that so-called “black and white” thinking can, at times, cause damage to the kingdom of God.

The danger comes when we consider our own interpretation of God’s Word to be as infallible as God’s Word and God Himself. We become the judge of what is black and what is white!

If we are convinced we are right, then this means everyone else must be wrong. This kind of inflexibility is at the source of disunity at every level of society. Think about an argument between husband and wife, parent and child or work colleagues. In most arguments, both sides contribute in some way through wrong assumptions, wrong attitudes, wrong words or wrong behaviour.

Black and white thinking tends to preclude the possibility of learning and growing in our understanding; of listening carefully to other viewpoints and respecting other opinions even when we disagree.

From outside, it is perceived as ‘narrow minded’ because there is no willingness to consider any alternative. This type of thinking can appear arrogant in its condemnation of others.

I believe ‘black and white’ thinking can be dangerous both to Christian unity (if we condemn as wrong anyone who interprets scripture in a different way) and to our interaction with those outside the church (if our lack of humility, gentleness and respect portrays a wrong picture of Christ).

There have been times in my life when I was absolutely convinced that I had an issue sorted into black and white until I listened to someone and realised it wasn’t quite so clear cut. At these times, my black and white combined leaving me with grey!

Interestingly enough, some of the agnostics / atheists were pretty black and white in their condemnation of Christians.

How do we respond? By pointing the finger back and being rude?

I prefer to say that I have chosen to follow Jesus because I am convinced that He is the source of all truth. I’m basing my life on scripture but I’m still learning and growing in my understanding. I don't have all the answers and sometimes I get it wrong. In my life, there are blacks and whites and shades of grey.

Do I shock you?

RGW (aka The Editor)

Butcher or artist?

2009-02-19T04:03:00.000-08:00

Editing can be a vicious business. An editor has the power to take out the knife (aka the delete button) and slice or even hack away at the precious musings of a budding writer.

It can be agonising to have your work butchered. As an editor and a writer, I have been on both ends of the scale. I have watched my 'babies' mutilated. I've also been accused of ruthless butchering! (pun intended)

At times the accusation is probably justified... it is possible to get over-enthusiastic and cut out perfectly good meat along with the unwanted fat!!

More and more, though, I want to look at the editing process as one of refinement rather than massacre. A sculptor takes a piece of clay. He or she molds and shapes it. Once the basic shape is achieved the art work is not complete. The final stages of careful smoothing, carving and shaping are vital to the finished product.

It is hugely satisfying to edit an article and discover that the original master-piece is more beautiful, vibrant and effective thanks to a careful snip or a slight rearrangement of words.

There are obvious comparisons. If God is the potter and I am the clay, am I willing to submit to the process of refinement in my life? Will I allow the masterpiece to be 'edited'? Or am I fighting back ("no, no... don't take that away... don't do that it hurts... I'm fine just the way I am")?

Fortunately, the Great Editor does not need a warning against ruthlessness! He doesn't make mistakes.

Trying to follow His example I still need to learn to be truly 'ruth-full' :)

RGW (aka The Editor)

A la carte

2009-02-10T04:44:00.000-08:00

One of my great pleasures in life is going out for a first-class meal in a good restaurant.

In the days of high salaries and no kids (I'm horrified to admit I'm now talking about the late 80s / early 90s) eating out was a weekly event. Nowadays, it is a rare treat and all-too-often involves selecting the cheapest item on the menu, rather than opting for a delicious first-choice.

A la carte menus are part of our life and culture. Increasingly, we expect a high level of choice and personalisation in almost every sphere.

This morning, I read a thought-provoking article today evaluating Contemporary Catholicism in Ireland (http://www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=198&art=2042) and in the process spotted this desciption:

"A-la-carte Catholics" - those who choose whichever doctrines and moral guidelines suit themselves, while ignoring the remainder

At the same time I received an email from someone highlighting the trend of DIY spirituality.

How much do Christians pick and choose their beliefs? Are we in danger of making our own religion, based on the doctrines and practices that suit us?

I've come across a number of people recently who, in strongly advocating a particular belief or practice, ignore Bible references that contradict their viewpoint. These include people from reformed backgrounds as well as those from emergent thinking. It made me wonder.

Is my faith a-la-carte? Do I conveniently ignore any scripture reference that might challenge my 'pet' theories or opinions? Does selective amnesia kick in when a Bible truth threatens to get in the way of my chosen behaviour?

Food for thought!
RGW
(aka The Editor)

Out Now

2009-01-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

The publishing business is a funny thing... for months we have breathed, dreamt, wrestled, wept and celebrated the first edition of VOX magazine within our small team - revelling in shared secrets and fragile hopes.

Suddenly, the landscape has changed. VOX is "out now"... it's a paper-and-ink reality and no longer our private domain.

Taking that first copy in my hands was a special experience. But then came a weird reaction. Not disappointment, it's still pretty exciting actually, but an odd, what-do-I-do-now feeling. After all, I've read ever word, agonised over every page, watched as the magazine took shape from blank screen to full-colour final proof. There is nothing left to read that I don't know, if not by heart then close to it.

Other memebers of the team shared a similar feeling. It's a good thing too. Now I'm totally motivated for edition two while the rest of you (hopefully) enjoy digesting the first.

And so it begins again. This time the blank screen is filling rapidly. Ideas take shape. New contributors are lining up. Watch this space... edition two will be "Out Now" on April 6. Bring it on!

RGW (aka The Editor)

Proof Reading

2009-01-09T01:39:00.000-08:00

VOX magazine finally goes to print this weekend after weeks of tweaking the design and the painful process of proof-reading.

I'm always amazed (and a little horrified) by the number of mistakes that slip through the cracks. Thankfully, we have a great team of proof readers - so if one person misses a mistake, another one is sure to pick it up.

I've been intrigued by the difference between proof readers. Some people always spot problems with punctuation (missing commas or rogue apostrophes). Others notice a typing error or grammatical mistake. Still others are concerned about design issues and images.

Those same people can be blind to the other mistakes. How can one person spot a missing comma but miss a misspelt word?

(I onced worked for a newspaper that ended up with a mistake in the banner headline on the front page!!)

Anyway, all this proof reading (nit picking?) has got me thinking. What would happen if I began proof reading my life? What mistakes or problems would I notice? What would I miss?

Would I ever dare asking anyone else to evaluate my life? The thought it pretty scary because the chances are they would spot something I missed.

How's this for an invitation from Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message)?

"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life."

RGW (aka The Editor)

The last full stop

2008-12-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

I have just finished writing my very first Editorial for the very first edition of VOX magazine. Phew!

For those not in the business, an editorial is the last thing to be written. Once I add the final full stop and press save, that's it. Apart from the fine-tuning of graphic design and the endless nit-picking of proof-reading, VOX magazine is ready to go.

I'm still reeling from the experience. Did I get it right? Are we on the right track? Will anyone like what we've done? Will anyone even read it?

The feeling is akin to the moment when a roller coaster reaches its highest point and pauses for a fraction of a second before a stomach-eliminating plunge.

This evening, I was surfing my favourite website www.despair.com (Yes, I know. It says a lot for my rather warped sense of humour.)

I discovered a new Demotivator®. (If I've lost you at this point, I suggest you visit the site for enlightenment. You will understand better if you see it for yourself).

This latest Demotivator® reads: "Blogging - Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few."

Help! Can that be said of this blog? Could that be said of VOX magazine? I sincerely hope not.

RGW (aka The Editor)

Watchmen

2008-11-19T01:54:00.000-08:00

In ancient times watchmen were posted at high points on the city walls. Their task was to look out and alert people to impending danger. Keeping watch was an awesome responsibility. If a watchman fell asleep and failed to warn the city of an enemy attack, people could die.

These days, our cities no longer have walls and there are few watchment except in the world's warzones.

As we prepared to launch VOX magazine, I began to think about watchmen. I hope we can revive this key role by looking out across this nation: investigating, researching and inspecting what is happening and then sharing these insights with our readers.

It's a role we can all play. What are the trends in society? Where can we see dangers and pitfalls? Where can we see life and truth?

It is easy to feel safe and comfortable behind our invisible 'walls'. It is easy to turn off the news and shut out the intrusion of society. Yet when we fail as watchmen, people are put at risk.

I like the description of the men of Issachar (one of the 12 tribes of Israel) who served under King David. They "understood the times and knew what Israel should do" (1 Chron. 12:32).

I'm looking out. Will you watch with me? Contact me: editor@voxmagazine.ie

RGW (aka The Editor)

No labels please!

2008-11-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

The world is obsessed with labels - designer tags, fancy-sounding job titles, social groups, personality types, even denominations... It's so easy to put someone in a box marked "geek", "old person", "drunk" or "delinquent".

Listen carefully and you will hear people handing out labels every time they describe someone. "She's a (fill in the blank)" etc. It certainly makes things simple. The label conjures up a picture and helps us find the right mental file for that person.

Those of us who follow Jesus are just as bad. We glibly label things "Christian" and somehow that makes them good??! Stop and think - you can probably recall a dozen other labels you've heard, or even used yourself to describe people.

I do it too. But the more I think about it, the more I want to rebel.

Labels lead to assumptions. We add two and two and we're sure we know the answer. That person must be successful. This person can't be trusted... and so on. We stop trying to understand because we are convinced we already know.

Labels lead to divisions. People in one group are "in"; others are "out". One group won't talk to another group because they bear a different label.

Even Jesus resisted being labelled. When the rich man called Him "Good Teacher", Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."

So in VOX magazine we're going to resist simplistic labels. We recognise that life is complex - and people are more so. We won't always be able to pin everything down. And we don't want to file people away in boxes.

It might make things difficult, but at least we'll be dealing in three dimensions!

What do you want...?

2008-11-03T03:20:00.000-08:00

The British writer and actor, Rob Lacey has had a profound impact on my thinking. In his book "Are we getting through?" Lacey challenges communicators to make the time to communicate creatively and effectively.

He asks a question which has remained with me... "Which do you want more - people to think, or people to know what you think?"

As a communicator, I believe my challenge is to go beyond presenting an arguement or sharing an opinion. I want people to question, to ponder, to reflect... ultimately to come to their own conclusions.

This is risky. It is easier to tell people what we want them to think. The Pharisees were past masters at that - this is wrong, you must do this, you must not do that...

In contrast, Jesus asked questions and told stories. He spoke for "those who have ears to hear" and challenged people's thinking by doing the unexpected (e.g. speaking to a Samaritan woman, touching the leper, etc.)

VOX magazine will not have all the answers neatly packaged and tied with a bow. But I hope we can make people think... and even, perhaps, think again...?

Six words

2008-10-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

How would you describe yourself? You may have heard of the six-word memoirs (http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords).

Hundreds of people have grappled with describing themselves and their lives in just six words. It is the ultimate in summary, creativity and precision.

So how would I describe VOX magazine in six words? In two separate 'Dream Days', people of different ages, different backgrounds and different parts of the country joined us to dream dreams about our new magazine.

Here are the six most popular words they used to describe what VOX should be...

Real, Inspiring, Relevant, Inclusive, Challenging, Surprising

We're going for it. Will you join us for the ride?

RGW (aka The Editor)

A heaven-moment

2008-10-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt as if you saw the skies open and caught a glimpse of heaven?

It happened to me several years ago when a friend of mine was preaching on a city street. My friend is an entertaining speaker, down-to-earth, funny and real. He quickly attracted a crowd.

After a while, a homeless man wandered up. He was extremely drunk and his stench made people recoil. He was causing problems, heckling the preacher and generally annoying people. Eventually he sat down on a bench.

That was when I saw him. I never knew his name. He was nothing to look at - weedy, middle-aged, balding. Few would look twice at him. He walked up to the bench and sat down next to the drunk guy who was close to passing out by this time.

Something happened then that took my breath away. The weedy-looking man put an arm round the drunk (bear in mind that awful smell!!). The homeless man collapsed against him and slept on his shoulder. For over half an hour, that ordinary man sat with his arm around someone most people shunned.

It was heaven on earth. Light in a dark place. I left with tears in my eyes.

Have you experienced something like that? Have you been inspired by a simple act of compassion, kindness or courage? Tell us about it. Write to me (ruth@voxmagazine.ie).

We hope VOX magazine will be a place of inspiration - a place where we can share stories of the 'miniature' heros of God's kingdom.

RGW (aka The Editor)

Get Real

2008-10-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

After a few minutes watching a famous preacher on TV, I found myself desperate to see any sign of weakness, humanity or reality. From the plastic-surgery-assisted face and immaculate suit to the polished one-liners and slick presentation, the preacher was effortless.

Yet the message, well sprinkled with random verses from the Bible, left me feeling completely empty. This all-too-positive picture of life and faith just didn't ring true for me.

I'm wrestling with my daily reality of life that is painful and confusing, ugly and yet sometimes breath-takingly beautiful, miserable and funny and exhilarating... and more, much more... and this message of positive thinking and self-help was simply not enough.

I couldn't relate to that perfect "Christianity" because I'm so far from perfect, I'm off the scale.

I believe that the Jesus of the Bible understands the failure, the mess, the brokeness, the I-simply-don't-know-what's-going-on moments of life and He doesn't offer me a crossword to keep my mind active.

I believe that God is way bigger than I can grasp or box or pin down or even imagine and that I will never have everything neatly sown up - or else He wouldn't be God.

And then again... sometimes I don't believe and sometimes, I'm not even sure that I want to...

Vulnerability is a painful business. It might be safer to opt for the God-show; the simple formula that answers all life's questions in the very latest seven steps to success.

I hope VOX will never do that. We want to explore faith, life and REALITY. And that means getting real, being honest, taking the risk, admitting the truth - that we don't know all the answers. It means longing to know God who is infinitely greater, mysterious, powerful, surprising and... well... more!

RGW (aka The Editor)

Uncomfortable

2008-10-16T01:49:00.000-07:00

Thankfully, it was only for two hours and 20 minutes - although it felt more like a week! I was flying from Atlanta to Houston for some meetings when I found myself sitting next to a LARGE man.

This guy had no qualms about taking up the majority of two plane seats (one of those seats being mine)! My flight proved extremely uncomfortable as I tried to squeeze myself (long legs included) into the smallest space possible.

As I was spending the flight doing research for VOX, the experience got me thinking. It is easy to settle for comfort and complacency; all too easy in 21st Century Ireland (financial crisis not withstanding).

If VOX turns into a comfortable, cosy magazine that simply makes our readers feel better about themselves and their lives, I believe we will have failed. Jesus didn't live a comfortable life. And He often made those around Him feel decidedly uncomfortable.

I hope that we make people think, and think again, as we wrestle with real life and real issues. I'd like VOX to be a great read - but not a comfortable one!

RGW (aka The Editor)

What's in a name? (or Why VOX?)

2008-10-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

We spent several months talking about our 'new magazine' before we finally agreed a name. (Thanks to Shane Tucker for the idea).

We'd brainstormed ideas and searched through a list of suggestions without hitting on a single "aha" moment.

VOX (a Latin word meaning voice) was the first suggestion that made us sit up and take notice. We'd already considered (and quickly rejected) the idea of calling our magazine "The Voice". The concept seemed great, but...

Then came "VOX" and the longer we thought about it, the better it became.

It was an invitation from “Vox Hiberniae” (The voice of the Irish) that prompted Patrick to leave his homeland and spend the rest of his life in Ireland.

Strangely enough, in Patrick's dream, he never read that letter from the Irish people. I've always wished he had... just so I could find out what the letter contained.

If Patrick were reading a letter from the Irish people today, what would it say? Our hope and dream is for VOX to answer that question.

We want to provide a voice for people who want to grapple with issues of faith, life and reality in 21st Century Ireland.

Bring it on!
RGW (aka The Editor)

Overwhelmed but not drowning - yet!

2008-10-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

This is it! VOX magazine is officially "coming soon" to a coffee table near you.

Suddenly the dream starts to take shape, the ideas come thick and fast and the blood starts pumping a little faster through our veins.

My name is Ruth Garvey-Williams. I enthusiastically (recklessly) jumped at the chance to edit a new magazine for Ireland. I guess living up in beautiful Donegal I know the value of something good to read on those long bus rides down to... well everywhere!

Of course the moment that "Yes" slipped over my lips, I felt that sudden sinking feeling. It's scary, even overwhelming as we wrestle with brainstorming our philosophies, pounding on the door (figuratively) of potential contributors and experimenting with layouts.

Going on 20 years (help... is it really that long?) as a journalist still doesn't prepare you for something that is way, WAY, outside your comfort zone.

But then who wants a comfortable life?
RGW aka The Editor

Welcome to the VOX Magazine Blog!

2008-10-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, here, finally is the first bit of web presence concerning our exciting new project - launching a spanking new magazine! I'm just going to pop this message up to get the ball rolling, as Ruth (our trusty editor) will be doing most of the writing here.

My name's Jonny Lindsay and I handle all of the operations and design side of the project - and so I was commissioned to set up this blog.

God bless,

Jonny