Bignorm.net » My Journey

A Wrap?

bignorm — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:43:03 +0000

Right.
This has been brewing for a looong time, and I’ve finally got the courage to face this giant – bignorm.net is changing. (maybe not a severe as what I done to facebook)

With the arrival of Elsie, and a surge in my ministerial servant-hood here in Skerries, AND, it being my final year at Bible college, something has to give. Sadly, after much thought and observation, bignorm.net will feel the pinch the most. You’ve probably notices — all 3 of you visitors — that my posts have became very irregular and pathetic – I know (I hear you musing that they always were).

Life right now is not permitting such narcissistic luxuries such as blogging. I’ve come to realise that in order for my to maintain and build upon the things in my life that really matter, blogging has to decrease. From time to time IF I have the time I MAY post a few thoughts or an odd random post. But I cannot promise anything any more.

I have also realised that all the humble men of God who I admire spend hours every day meditating on the scriptures, not social networking. In order for me to fulfill my calling in God, I must continue to submerge myself in that still rich world of Godly thought, prayer and meditation.

Bignorm.net has been a fun project. I’ve went too far some days and expressed things I should have kept. Yet I believe that it served a purpose for a time. Thank you for commenting and dropping by.

Pause for now,

Welcome Elsie

bignorm — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:21:07 +0000

Its hard to express how crazily happy Emily and are both are right now. We are ecstatic, proud, overwhelmed, and tired all at the same time. We love Elsie Grace McCorkell! Ain’t she cute? And can you believe we are parents?

So today, this week, this blog, our lives, are forever dedicated to Elsie.

You can check out or growing album of Elsie over on Flickr.

I got a late night text two days ago from a friend who summarised part of this new, and joyous chapter of our journey.

“..Norm, now you know what those verses really mean in scripture, the ones that talk about the heart of the Father.”

Talk about hitting the sweet spot in capturing the majority of my internal processes. If you are not a Dad, or even a parent, you’ll probably not truly “get it”. Maybe someday you will.

I’ll be back soon with more on “church” and Christian issues in contemporary Ireland v soon. Meanwhile, its undivided attention and love, cuddles, snuggles, and kisses for my girls.

A “buzzing” BN.

Open Fridge Policy

bignorm — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:24:18 +0000

Loving our neighbors as ourselves is easier said than done. Especially when they call at all the wrong times, begin to rummage freely amongst your belongings, even delving boldly into our new stocked refrigerators.

I remember Dave Gibbons Pastor of Newsong in California at the WCLS banging on about having real community; a place where we have more than an open-door policy for our homes; a more intimate stage of sharing life: an open fridge policy. As uncomfortable a thought as it may be, I believe this stage of intimacy and trust amongst those committed to living as part of a community, and particularly, those trying to live-out the Gospel, is healthy.

After moving into Skerries, we’ve already set a precedent within our community of an open-door policy; a ‘call anytime’ but take us as you find us type of thing. Our door has not stopped. I used to get really uncomfortable about people coming to my home at the wrong times, making the place untidy, even eating my precious food. How selfish was I? All we have is the Lord’s; we only have it to share and be a blessing to the rest of the word: the first Great Commission for us to obey as God’s people.(Genesis 12:3)

We’re inspired by the model of Pricilla and Aquila, who were renowned for their homely hospitality and house church in the NT (Acts 18:24-26; 1 Corinthians 16:19). It seems that although they had a nomadic lifestyle, partly due to fleeing from persecution (Acts 18:2), they managed to keep their home open and organised somewhat for the Lord’s service. I bet they had an open fridge policy.

Does the thought of an open fridge policy in your home (for your immediate community) make you thrive and dive?

House in a Box

bignorm — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:19:53 +0000

Just when I though i was going to blog again…

Due to moving home, I will be taking a short break from blogging. Next time I’m on it will be from my new location in Dublin – Skerries.

Thanks for droppin by.

The Wise Road of Uncertainty

bignorm — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:51:53 +0000

Another lazy blog during my prolonged season of healthy chaos. This image from Nakedpastor captures my journey perfectly right now.

Hurt

bignorm — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:21:27 +0000

As of 4am today I am ‘grandaless.’

My last living grandfather lost his brave fight against cancer this morning. I got the phone call ten minutes after. I fell back to sleep – strangely – with peace. Forgive me: my blogs have been less frequent recently. Maybe its because I have been gradually grieving this moment? I don’t know. Cancer allows you the (dare I say) ‘privilege’ of gradual mourning.

Almost all the people that I know over 80 years old have passed recently have been taken through cancer. Although, nowadays you’re lucky to get to 80 without even getting it. Cancer is awful; its effects are horrendous and destructive on the body – sure. BUT, it can ONLY kill the body. As a Christ-follower, my assurance is that my spirit is imperishable: I will live forever! As a vessel in which the very DNA of God resides, I, like Christ, have the same power that conquered the grave living in me. What hope!

I cannot fathom a life without hope now, I’ve went too far with Jesus. Or, better still, a life without faith or love, for that is all that remains in this life according to scripture: Faith, Hope and Love.

Life is for living. Embrace it.

Death is for Learning. Be challenged by it.

I’ll leave you with this song has been playing in my head recently. It’s obvious now why.

The Humiliation of Reconciliation

bignorm — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:14:59 +0000

Miroslav Volf’s Exclusion and Embrace may have just changed my life.

Outside of the Bible, its been one of the most riveting, truthful, and humiliating books that I have had the pleasure of reading.

The notes that I found within the book (below) capture the essence of his reconciliation arguments perfectly.

Click and relish.

Transcendent Breakfast of Prayer

bignorm — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:43:00 +0000

Forgive me for the lack of blogging lately, the Saint Patrick Foundation (SPF) has just swallowed both Emily’s and my time: it has been worth it though. Yesterday we launch the first Saint Patrick Prayer Breakfast in Maynooth, Kildare. It went brilliant. Over 100 people – from all sections of the community – praying for reconciliation in Ireland and across the world. There was an almost tangible presence of Almighty God there: people in tears, a spirit of worship, and undeniable unity and healthy ‘buzz’ amongst the crowd: real community.

Thank you to all who have encouraged and supported the launch of this incredible vision – a vision for a world in which every life matters.

Pause for just a minute and enjoy the SPF vision video.

The Emerged Church?

bignorm — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:09:24 +0000

Yes, you read right: The Emerged Church?

The obvious insinuation is the the Emerging brigade have finally emerged from their ‘conversation’. I suppose there is a tad of irony in this given that I like a lot of the questions that the ‘Emergers’ ask, though, I’m not so keen on their image of being evangelistically flimsy.

Jonathan Brinks article over on Emergentvillage.com suggests the end of the revolutionary church movement. Brink indicates that Driscoll was the first to flinch, followed by Kimball, with Tall Skinny Kiwi even talking of the end of the movement.

The Church in Ireland consumed a bit of their nonsense – but not much. Yet, positively, inherited some of their sharp awareness in regards the understanding a disconnected globalised generation of 18-35’s. The reality is that most Irish Christians still see the Emergents as American. Period. And with that, they see it as an acute response to a volatile church culture there, imploding into a kaleidoscope of toxic ideas: the epitome of the western Church.

Broadly speaking, the Irish Church can’t chuck anything from their glassy cathedrals; they have a plethora of their own in-house issues: pedophiles to megalomaniacs – I suppose like all sections of society, sadly. Working intensively with the Saint Patrick Foundation has afforded my hope for Christianity here again – the legacy of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint – a Holy Spirit driven legacy of reconciliation, redemption and restoration: the Gospel. My hope is that the Irish Church will quickly return to their vintage roots again and study how they can (again) become a land of ‘Saints and Scholars’, without waiting on the next ‘Transformational Church’ leadership book from the Amazon.com.

Disagreeing Badly

bignorm — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:12:32 +0000

George Barna’s latest post about Christians disagreeing is worth a read. The Ventura based Church statistician has profound awareness of one of the major dysfunctions within society today, particularly in the Christian world – disagreeing badly.

Since the inception of his successful company, the Barna Group, George has adhered to iron-clad rules, one of which applies here: “..we never say anything negative about those with whom we disagree.” He elaborates, “It is disheartening to witness (and experience) the hostility within the body of believers about differences in beliefs and practices. I know; some people believe they have figured it all out and feel they have been charged by God with making sure everyone sees things as they do… if the world is supposed to know us by our love, shouldn’t it begin with how we treat each other?”

Disagreeing well is not learned at college or by book, it is a realtime learned response that is forged through arduous conversation and conflict resolution. I’ve mishandled many disagreements, and sadly, I continue to do so in my human brokeness. The few people that I have observed handling disagreements well, both in conflict and enduring criticism have been through emotional wars that make me quake like a child. Those few stalwarts all have one strength, in particular, I think that we wish we had more off – humility.

Is the way we handle disagreements, conflict and criticism an accurate indicator of our humility, maturity, and perhaps are understanding of what it is to love unconditionally? I think so.