Theology Recordings!
Here are the download links for the theology lecture recordings:-
They will always be added in THIS post...In the comments.
I will add them week by week so you just have to come back...Find this post and download that weeks comment. Make sense?
Sorry...Its the only way I can get them out to everyone who wants them.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
I was introduced to this video by my lovely housemate and i just thought I'd share it with you all. Let me know what you think!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2406460985877029386
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2406460985877029386
Saturday, October 28, 2006
War Child
Stands alone,
Cold and scared,
Hoping his mother and father will return,
Waiting, waiting,
But darkness comes,
No one is there.
Sits in the dark,
In the shell of her house,
Hoping her child will return,
Waiting, waiting,
But darkness comes,
No one is there.
The red sun rises,
The child walks alone,
Back to the shell of his home,
His mother is there,
Lying in the dust,
He is alone once more.
Copyright ©2006 Laura M Griffin
Friday, October 27, 2006
All Blogged out!!
I feel like blogging has become kinda like a part of my study here at chester and i think its going to be helpful for stuff like the big event next year....i'm really exited!!!....(anyway) but i'm not totally sure why i'm still blogging about random stuff but anyhow.....
let me know if i start rambling and i'll try to post something from someone else more inteligent!
today we had key issues and we talked about sex.
a little issue that christians seem to be just a tiny bit scared about. (agree??)
from my experience of youth work i've not really had to discuss this issue that much apart from when its february in coventry cathedral youth team.....when Keith has the tradition of talking about sex for a whole month in all the groups.
i do have to admit that the first year i lead groups in febuary i was very embarrassed about the subject just because its not something my family or home church really talked about that much (at all) but by the end of the month i realised how important it is not to shy away from the subject and to face it head on....young people are going to want to know about sex, young people are going to have sex.....no matter what the youth worker says (a lot of the time)....so we need to be prepared to deal with the issue sensitively and informatively.
i look forward to the day when christians are no longer afraid of sex but are able to talk about it as easilly as they can give talks on things like self-image (groan) or Jesus (yay!)....
Youth workers out there (and anyone else really).......what do you think??
I feel like blogging has become kinda like a part of my study here at chester and i think its going to be helpful for stuff like the big event next year....i'm really exited!!!....(anyway) but i'm not totally sure why i'm still blogging about random stuff but anyhow.....
let me know if i start rambling and i'll try to post something from someone else more inteligent!
today we had key issues and we talked about sex.
a little issue that christians seem to be just a tiny bit scared about. (agree??)
from my experience of youth work i've not really had to discuss this issue that much apart from when its february in coventry cathedral youth team.....when Keith has the tradition of talking about sex for a whole month in all the groups.
i do have to admit that the first year i lead groups in febuary i was very embarrassed about the subject just because its not something my family or home church really talked about that much (at all) but by the end of the month i realised how important it is not to shy away from the subject and to face it head on....young people are going to want to know about sex, young people are going to have sex.....no matter what the youth worker says (a lot of the time)....so we need to be prepared to deal with the issue sensitively and informatively.
i look forward to the day when christians are no longer afraid of sex but are able to talk about it as easilly as they can give talks on things like self-image (groan) or Jesus (yay!)....
Youth workers out there (and anyone else really).......what do you think??
Thursday, October 26, 2006
I've once again not posted for a week....But never mind.....
BIG NEWS:- (Best house on Campus!) 14 Church College Close now has internet!! So I am writing this from the relative comfort of my bean bag! Very exiting!
this week has been really good...Had my Personal academic Tutor (PAT) meeting today....Hey Dot!'....And in my true style I managed to get it to last a whole 3mins!.....Yeah I know some of you from back home are tutting to yourself because you think I should have had more to say but.....Sorry guys.....I'm just being me as usual....I don't like talking very much!
theology was again on creation so don't really have anything to add there.
Tutorial was good but no real controversial topics launched.....Did mention about the bar etc in St John fishers (my home church) and that got many a diaproving look....What do you think? Also I did start to explain a little about the Catholic Missal (thing with the order of mass and readings in) but I think it came across as that we don't use the bible....Sorry Aimee! Hopefully there will be more opportunity to talk about this and the other denominations of churches further.....It's kinda my favorite subject being a Roman Catholic Evangelical Baptist Anglican Christian that I am! Short definition being a Christian...As described in earlier blogs.
well all for now guys....Take care and thank you to everyone for their kind words and prayers over the past week....I really appreciate it!
BIG NEWS:- (Best house on Campus!) 14 Church College Close now has internet!! So I am writing this from the relative comfort of my bean bag! Very exiting!
this week has been really good...Had my Personal academic Tutor (PAT) meeting today....Hey Dot!'....And in my true style I managed to get it to last a whole 3mins!.....Yeah I know some of you from back home are tutting to yourself because you think I should have had more to say but.....Sorry guys.....I'm just being me as usual....I don't like talking very much!
theology was again on creation so don't really have anything to add there.
Tutorial was good but no real controversial topics launched.....Did mention about the bar etc in St John fishers (my home church) and that got many a diaproving look....What do you think? Also I did start to explain a little about the Catholic Missal (thing with the order of mass and readings in) but I think it came across as that we don't use the bible....Sorry Aimee! Hopefully there will be more opportunity to talk about this and the other denominations of churches further.....It's kinda my favorite subject being a Roman Catholic Evangelical Baptist Anglican Christian that I am! Short definition being a Christian...As described in earlier blogs.
well all for now guys....Take care and thank you to everyone for their kind words and prayers over the past week....I really appreciate it!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Back to what we were talking about the other day in Key issues....
we talked about where we get our spiritual development/fulfillment from...I firstly found this a really difficult question to answer but once I got thinking about it I realised that the way that I feel closer to God is usually when I'm on my own and I've been doing something that I don't have to think whilst doing...Like cycling long distance, swimming, walking etc and then I can use that time to think about God.
This weekend I went on a trip with the mountaineering club to snowdonia. On the Saturday we went walking in the Rhynogs (spelling?) and on Sunday we climbed snowdon. I had done this before but this time we took a different track and also the fog cleared just as we got to the top...It was spectacular! I could have sat there all day. But while I was sat there I got to thinking about this 'feeling closer to God thing' and well its been a long time. Lately I think ivy been so busy that I've not given God the time or space in my life that is deserved and I think that is probably why I've been feeling so far away from God...Because I haven't taken the time to be with Him.
This blog seems to be turning into some sort of story of my life, I'm not sure I want it to....I'm going to stop now....
in future I think I'm going to keep it more academic....That was the idea right?
Ok...Time to think of more controversial topics......
Lectures on Creation tomorrow.....Anyone want to start?
we talked about where we get our spiritual development/fulfillment from...I firstly found this a really difficult question to answer but once I got thinking about it I realised that the way that I feel closer to God is usually when I'm on my own and I've been doing something that I don't have to think whilst doing...Like cycling long distance, swimming, walking etc and then I can use that time to think about God.
This weekend I went on a trip with the mountaineering club to snowdonia. On the Saturday we went walking in the Rhynogs (spelling?) and on Sunday we climbed snowdon. I had done this before but this time we took a different track and also the fog cleared just as we got to the top...It was spectacular! I could have sat there all day. But while I was sat there I got to thinking about this 'feeling closer to God thing' and well its been a long time. Lately I think ivy been so busy that I've not given God the time or space in my life that is deserved and I think that is probably why I've been feeling so far away from God...Because I haven't taken the time to be with Him.
This blog seems to be turning into some sort of story of my life, I'm not sure I want it to....I'm going to stop now....
in future I think I'm going to keep it more academic....That was the idea right?
Ok...Time to think of more controversial topics......
Lectures on Creation tomorrow.....Anyone want to start?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Just a little distraction and a note to all those in my course....I have recordings of the theology lectures on mp3. Files if you want them send me an email at griffin_laura@hotmail.co.uk and I'll try and send them to you or give me a re/writable CD and I'll transfer them for you or bring a memory stick to lessons and I'll try and remember to bring my laptop to save them for you.other things....If you want to know how to add links and pictures etc to profile let me know and I'll do a step by step guide thing otherwise just ask me and I'll show you....But Dot said there might be a few people so I can make a guide at some point if people want it.
Thanks Guys.....
Youth Work Rules!!!
Muslim Youth Work At Chester
This post is designed to challenge you.....
designed to make you think.....
So even just for me
Could you try??
(only messing with you!)
Basically this has come out of our tutorial today about Muslim youth work. There is a degree course which is starting at Chester uni next September. One of the guys who will be teaching it is going to be coming into some of our lectures to see how the Christian youth work course is taught. This brought out some questions from the group and sparked off a discussion. Some of these questions were.....
should we be teaching Muslim youth workers how to work? Wont that just help them make converts to Islam? Shouldn't we be more concerned about our own youth workers? Why should we help another religion make converts? Why do we do youth work? Is there just one God who we all have different understandings off or is the Christian idea of God the only correct one and all other religions are just deluded and fooling themselves? If we don't teach Islamic youth workers who will? Do we have the rights to the knowledge of how to train youth workers?
Oh so many questions.....Take your pick...Answer what you will....The comments are up to you.
I will respond.
This post is designed to challenge you.....
designed to make you think.....
So even just for me
Could you try??
(only messing with you!)
Basically this has come out of our tutorial today about Muslim youth work. There is a degree course which is starting at Chester uni next September. One of the guys who will be teaching it is going to be coming into some of our lectures to see how the Christian youth work course is taught. This brought out some questions from the group and sparked off a discussion. Some of these questions were.....
should we be teaching Muslim youth workers how to work? Wont that just help them make converts to Islam? Shouldn't we be more concerned about our own youth workers? Why should we help another religion make converts? Why do we do youth work? Is there just one God who we all have different understandings off or is the Christian idea of God the only correct one and all other religions are just deluded and fooling themselves? If we don't teach Islamic youth workers who will? Do we have the rights to the knowledge of how to train youth workers?
Oh so many questions.....Take your pick...Answer what you will....The comments are up to you.
I will respond.
Wow....So much to write about....Firstly though to shorten this post I will just direct you to Hayley's website, like on the right hand side of my page, read the post about youth workers and theology and leave a comment about what you think.....I believe that what she's written is totally true and that I myself as a youth worker (in training) am fully committed to getting theology out into the lives of the young people I work with because it is so so important! Anyway...Go read the post!!!
First in study skills we looked at some of our learning styles and personalities. Just for your information I am a reflector and an idealist. (if that makes any sense to you!) Basically we did the test found on http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind (what am i like) if you want to have a look...Let me know what you are. I've done lots of these quizzes in the past and haven't actually found them that helpful...Interesting yes...But not very helpful so maybe after this module I'll finally understand why I learn the way I do (or don't learn, as the case may be). I'm looking forward to a deeper understanding and knowledge of different learning styles and skills so that I can use them to make my youth work practice more effective. In our tutorial with Rich we talked about the Muslim youth work course that is going to be started at Chester Uni next year...This was such a great discussion and so I'm going to pose some questions about it rather than just ramble about the time...Its about time you used your brains too!
Theology was not so interesting today but maybe that was because I had done the pre-reading etc and kind of found out all the stuff we were being told before we were taught it...Yes I know I need to stop being such a geek! The lecture today was about tradition and orthodoxy (Greek word for currently assumed correct belief) and was well explained and detailed in content but wasn't particularly interesting.....But it was important!! We need to learn about where the statements of faith (creeds) which we/the church say come from and how these things affect what we believe and do today.
First in study skills we looked at some of our learning styles and personalities. Just for your information I am a reflector and an idealist. (if that makes any sense to you!) Basically we did the test found on http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind (what am i like) if you want to have a look...Let me know what you are. I've done lots of these quizzes in the past and haven't actually found them that helpful...Interesting yes...But not very helpful so maybe after this module I'll finally understand why I learn the way I do (or don't learn, as the case may be). I'm looking forward to a deeper understanding and knowledge of different learning styles and skills so that I can use them to make my youth work practice more effective. In our tutorial with Rich we talked about the Muslim youth work course that is going to be started at Chester Uni next year...This was such a great discussion and so I'm going to pose some questions about it rather than just ramble about the time...Its about time you used your brains too!
Theology was not so interesting today but maybe that was because I had done the pre-reading etc and kind of found out all the stuff we were being told before we were taught it...Yes I know I need to stop being such a geek! The lecture today was about tradition and orthodoxy (Greek word for currently assumed correct belief) and was well explained and detailed in content but wasn't particularly interesting.....But it was important!! We need to learn about where the statements of faith (creeds) which we/the church say come from and how these things affect what we believe and do today.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
What is a Christian?
This was one of the main questions that we talked about today in key issues along with exploring how we judge others (especially youth) and how different churches do things differently.
To me, a Christian is someone who believes in God, Has a personal relationship with Jesus as their saviour, Knows that they will sin and fall down but more importantly knows that God forgives, Understands the reason Jesus went to the cross (to die for us-bring us into relationship with God). That basically sums it up for me. I used to think that a Christian was someone who went to church...That was that....But as I've grown up I've come to understand that Christianity isn't about appearance and attendance at a church but it is ultimately about relationship. Something which is also at the heart of Youth Work.
Today we also read a poem by Pip Wilson, written just before one of the Greenbelt festivals. It contained a lot of very important issues regarding judgments of people by appearance, competence andbehaviorr without getting to know them as real people. For me in particular I found parts of it very challenging and parts very saddening, I think this comes from personal circumstances I have experienced and I'm sure I will talk a bit more about these in the future. But I need to take time to 'get to know' my blog a little more before I tell my whole story. Give me time and I'm sure I will.
One thing I was reminded of during today's session was something A guy called Andrew Croft said at Soul Survivor this year. He said that before we speak we should make sure we T.H.I.N.K. Now think stood for
T. True
H. Helpful
I. Inspiring
N. Necessary
K. Kind
I believe that it is important for us to think before we speak but also before we majudgmentsnts about people.
Sorry for the long ramble..You'll'll just have to get used to it...
So
What is a Christian?
Do you have to go to church?
Discuss
This was one of the main questions that we talked about today in key issues along with exploring how we judge others (especially youth) and how different churches do things differently.
To me, a Christian is someone who believes in God, Has a personal relationship with Jesus as their saviour, Knows that they will sin and fall down but more importantly knows that God forgives, Understands the reason Jesus went to the cross (to die for us-bring us into relationship with God). That basically sums it up for me. I used to think that a Christian was someone who went to church...That was that....But as I've grown up I've come to understand that Christianity isn't about appearance and attendance at a church but it is ultimately about relationship. Something which is also at the heart of Youth Work.
Today we also read a poem by Pip Wilson, written just before one of the Greenbelt festivals. It contained a lot of very important issues regarding judgments of people by appearance, competence andbehaviorr without getting to know them as real people. For me in particular I found parts of it very challenging and parts very saddening, I think this comes from personal circumstances I have experienced and I'm sure I will talk a bit more about these in the future. But I need to take time to 'get to know' my blog a little more before I tell my whole story. Give me time and I'm sure I will.
One thing I was reminded of during today's session was something A guy called Andrew Croft said at Soul Survivor this year. He said that before we speak we should make sure we T.H.I.N.K. Now think stood for
T. True
H. Helpful
I. Inspiring
N. Necessary
K. Kind
I believe that it is important for us to think before we speak but also before we majudgmentsnts about people.
Sorry for the long ramble..You'll'll just have to get used to it...
So
What is a Christian?
Do you have to go to church?
Discuss
Thursday, October 05, 2006
This is a quote that an amazing friend of mine sent me today and I just wanted to post it on here so that mainly for my own benefit (and yours too, of course) so that I can read it and remember that God really is here for us and does want to heal us. If I put it here I'll see it regularly and remember...I think that it's important anyway. Feel free to comment on it.
"God went back and got the shaking little girl that was hiding under the bed and convinced her to some out. He unclenched her little fists and took her hand and placed it in his and answered her question. He held her and told her it was ok for her not to be tough. He would protect her. She didn't have to be strong. He told her she wasn't a rock but a child. An innocent child. His child. He didn't condemn her for anything but instead understood her and loved her! He old her she was special...Like no other and that she had special gifts like no other. She knew his voice and trusted him. She could hear the pleasure He had for her in his voice and felt His delight in her as he talked. He was so gentle and loving she couldn't help but melt in his arms."
This is available. This is the offer of our saviour- to heal our broken hearts. To come to the places within us and find us there, take us in his arms, bring us home. The time has come to let Jesus heal you.
"God went back and got the shaking little girl that was hiding under the bed and convinced her to some out. He unclenched her little fists and took her hand and placed it in his and answered her question. He held her and told her it was ok for her not to be tough. He would protect her. She didn't have to be strong. He told her she wasn't a rock but a child. An innocent child. His child. He didn't condemn her for anything but instead understood her and loved her! He old her she was special...Like no other and that she had special gifts like no other. She knew his voice and trusted him. She could hear the pleasure He had for her in his voice and felt His delight in her as he talked. He was so gentle and loving she couldn't help but melt in his arms."
This is available. This is the offer of our saviour- to heal our broken hearts. To come to the places within us and find us there, take us in his arms, bring us home. The time has come to let Jesus heal you.
(Captivating by Jon and Stasi Eldredge.)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Lecture One:- What is Theology?
Some little questions to get your brains working.
1) What does the word theology mean to you?
2) Can you study theology as an Atheist/Agnostic or do you have to be Christian?
3) Why should we even think about the subject of theology?
I will post my own responses to these questions in due course but for now it's all yours.
Discuss
Some little questions to get your brains working.
1) What does the word theology mean to you?
2) Can you study theology as an Atheist/Agnostic or do you have to be Christian?
3) Why should we even think about the subject of theology?
I will post my own responses to these questions in due course but for now it's all yours.
Discuss
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The whole process of blogging is pretty new to me but not as new as becoming a real live university student!
My first week here has been such an incredible experience and I have been blessed by the amazing people I have met in so many ways. Firstly just a little note about my housemates. You girls are sooo great!! Big Cheer for 14 CCC.....And Charlotte the Cow (pictures will be added). Its been so good to get to know such awesome people and to be living in the same house is great cause it feels like we're known each other for ages, not just a week!
I started lectures on my course (Christian Youth Work and Applied Theology) today and although there was a lot of information to take in all at once, I think I've got it all. Luckily I have tomorrow off so I can re-organise my stuff and make sure that everything is ready to go again on Thursday. I am really interested in the theology side of the course, not just because it will give me a good knowledge base to answer young people's questions {or facilitate their own discovery-see learning already!(don't look so shocked!)}. Personally for me I think its going to be such an opportunity for me to become strongly rooted in what I believe.
So basically now...I'll finish this post on this note...Dot said that some of us would love this Blogging thing, some hate it and some just get on with it...I'm not sure which category I fit into yet but one thing I am glad about is to be given a task to write....I've missed it so much. Hopefully this will be an opportunity for me to set time aside for some creative writing and reflection...I'm actually looking forward to that.
So that's that
First week over
First Blog over
Roll on the rest of term!
My first week here has been such an incredible experience and I have been blessed by the amazing people I have met in so many ways. Firstly just a little note about my housemates. You girls are sooo great!! Big Cheer for 14 CCC.....And Charlotte the Cow (pictures will be added). Its been so good to get to know such awesome people and to be living in the same house is great cause it feels like we're known each other for ages, not just a week!
I started lectures on my course (Christian Youth Work and Applied Theology) today and although there was a lot of information to take in all at once, I think I've got it all. Luckily I have tomorrow off so I can re-organise my stuff and make sure that everything is ready to go again on Thursday. I am really interested in the theology side of the course, not just because it will give me a good knowledge base to answer young people's questions {or facilitate their own discovery-see learning already!(don't look so shocked!)}. Personally for me I think its going to be such an opportunity for me to become strongly rooted in what I believe.
So basically now...I'll finish this post on this note...Dot said that some of us would love this Blogging thing, some hate it and some just get on with it...I'm not sure which category I fit into yet but one thing I am glad about is to be given a task to write....I've missed it so much. Hopefully this will be an opportunity for me to set time aside for some creative writing and reflection...I'm actually looking forward to that.
So that's that
First week over
First Blog over
Roll on the rest of term!
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