Jude Smith

I'm hesitant to write this post as it is very early days in the aftermath of Norway's tragic 24 hours. Anders Behring Breivik has apparently identified himself to be a conservative Christian. I have watched twitter and facebook in the last few hours as believers have mainly distanced themselves from this man's horrible crimes. Others, mainly from without the church have been more critical: urging Christianity to get its house in order. Still others have used this horror to launch random attacks on faith. I am torn. Whilst the actions of this man simply bear no resemblance to the actions of Jesus, or to how most of us would live as Christians, we have to acknowledge that we have failed as the church. I think we have failed because Anders Behring Breivik could have been in one of our churches. The man allegedly identifies as Christian. To my mind one can only really be a Christian in a community. And so where was that community? This is not an attack on the Norwegia

Some days I find that I spend a normal day in my life; get to the end of it and realise that perhaps it wasn't that normal. Today was one of those days. In the last hour I caught up with the local school at a community meeting. They had a break-in on Thursday night. People went into the nursery, smoked a lot of weed and defacated in the sandpit and wendy house. They left threats against the school. When I left the school one of the mums stopped me to ask if I could warn the young people I work with about who they accept as friends on facebook. Young people in this estate are being befriended by older people who are manufacturing indecent images of children. Literally thirty seconds later as I walked home, three children were 'playing' on some land out of sight of their homes. Playing looked like simulating sex. They were about six years old. I am determined that we can change this rubbish. Yesterday I made a tiny baby step in the right direction. I posted a job ad on

Well today is a bright and sunny morning! Both internally and externally.. Whats on my mind: Well I am struggling to wind down from a big ole work week already. I actually feel like I've gotten quite a bit done. Still LOTS to get done tomorrow.. Anyway, this week I am quite buzzed by it all. Thats a good turn around after a few bleak weeks. I am also excited by- tennis. This morning I play, this afternoon I watch. I'm excited by thinking about holidays! I'm excited about thinking about future possibilities.. I'm also intrigued by strikes/ pensions/ what is fair? I might blog more on that later when I have had proper processing time. And finally I am excited again about exercising and goal setting. Happy days!