There’s a house that I regularly drive past that has John 3:3 on a big sign on the wall at the end of their drive. There’s a box next to it offering free bibles. The heart is there, but I would need to sit opposite and see what effect it actually has as an evangelistic endeavour. That said, it had an impact on me.

The verse is in the context of the story of Nicodemus, a religious man who is willing to ask questions of Jesus. He does it quietly and discerningly in the night, and Jesus invests the time in hearing what he’s saying, hearing what he perhaps isn’t saying, and helping him re-frame what is being asked.

Nicodemus wants to know about the Kingdom of God. And here are a couple of key verses that Jesus comes back at him with, including the verse on the wall…

That would be nice...
I often feel like there's an almighty downpour inside my head, as I try and work out the mess of thoughts that spiral around!

Some of those thoughts are trying to unpack faith and theology...

"World in Union", with lyrics by Charlie Skarbek, is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup that attempts to capture the spirit of international friendship which pervades rugby union culture the world over.
The melody is "Thaxted" — the stately theme from the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Gustav Holst’s "The Planets". (from Wikipedia)

There's something special about Rugby. I love it. I'm far more familiar with the international game than club rugby, but I really don't think there is another sport quite like it: the brutality, physicality, fitness, and skill; the passion, ambition, blood, sweat and tears; the inherent respect for the referee, the sight of people working together in such tight units... I could go on!

And then there's the fan culture, more akin to crickets than football, with the conflict staying on the pitch, pints being consumed alongside rival fans, and the love for the game triumphing over anything else.

The other factor that comes into play in the international scene is the pride for country, the tribal dances, and the national anthems.

"World in Union" is a fitting anthem for bringing it all together