Monday, December 12, 2005

It's really good to see you rocking out and having fun

Well, its been an eventful few weeks since my last post and if it were not for my own incompetence I would have some entertaining and amusing pictures to post. However I have not yet managed to get them from my camara to the computer so todays post will be "text-only"

As the title may suggest not only am I having a great time at the moment I'm now even enjoying seeing other people having fun. Recent events including an open mic night, carol service and international christmas events have given me that feeling inside usually only read about in books. I've sort of had the time to take a step back and watch everyone else and think, isn't life great?

And then following on from that observation I've had the chance in my quiet times to relect on who makes life so great. If it wasn't for God's amazing gifts to us we wouldn't even be alive, never mind enjoying singing, playing football, dancing and all the other great things we do! With the situations in other countries and regions of the world at the moment it makes me realise just how priveledged I am to live where I do and I hope that I never take that for granted.

Anyway, future events for my 3 readers to note!

Mossley Hill carol service, tonight, 7:30pm

Is the Bible Valid? - Lunchbar, Mountford Hall, Thursday, 1pm

and for all those who I don't see again before the big day (though I suspect there may be an early morning post on the 25th)

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

I'm oh so happy, so glad to be alive

I nearly killed a small child today.

Having told this story to KC I was told I had to begin my blog with that opening.
Well I have to say that since returning from house party I am in a remarkably relaxed happy feeling. I was challenged along with many others to review my priorities and more importantly God’s priorities and I feel that I am getting a clearer understanding of what God wants me to be doing. I thought I was passionate about evangelism before but now I know I am. I will finish by saying that yesterday was our halls “go-week” event and at about twenty after nine, Rick and I went to talk to a guy. We were cautiously worried having been warned that he may throw a buddha at us, but he was actually a nice guy! He was open and actually interested in what we were saying and despite an obvious desire not to be converted by what we were saying it was good to talk to him for a while. And when I say a while, by the time we got done talking it was about eleven and I was feeling very tired, but very happy.

p.s. I didn’t kill the child – she ran in front of my bike but I managed to stop without hitting it!

Thursday, November 24, 2005

This is Captain America Calling




Well finally the day of thanksgiving is upon us and in my quest to avoid becoming Americanised I am failing miserably. I have therefore decided, in a true British way, to pretend it isn't happening and hope that i'm not too Americanised when i go home at christmas. Try as I might to be British and Ignorant of thanksgiving I took the suggested quiz by KC and well see my score below, but I swear I guessed at some of them!


And so today I stand, a former typically awkward Englishman who is celebrating Thanksgiving, knows the words to "star spangled banner" and can recite the "Pledge of Allegiance" (anybody remember July 4th in Russia?)

Friday, November 04, 2005

Because the summer's all gone

No todays title is not in reference to the recent weather, although having been thoroughly soaked several times over the last few days i was seriously tempted to post critising the weather of this country.

Though the summer may be gone for this year there is always next year and with summer there is also . . .summer project!!! Yes these exciting evangelical extravaganza's will be back so i will take this opportunity to encourage everybody who is . . .actually no just everbody to consider going on a project. They are absolutely amazing times when you can learn so much about yourself and about God and his will for your life.

Failing that you can always get to know the Agape team in Liverpool and evangelise here in this very city!

"Students have begun to catch the vision for reaching their campus with the gospel and a desire to multiply their lives" say Ryan Hawkins, who has stepped up to lead this years team. "The most exciting thing has been seeing believers get to grips with what making disciples really means"

In other news, summer projects 05 beloved football team Zenit St Petersburg lost 1-0 to Bolton last night. Hopefully though we will all still be wearing those shirts with pride (we paid at least 4 pounds for them!!)

And finally, having gone to the doctors for about the zillienth time in recent months i was told they had screwed up my appointment and couldn't change my dressing, despite the fact that they also told me it needed changing. As a nurse (who couldn't help me, but could apparantly spend 10 minutes telling me why she couldnt help me without an appointment) explained that it needed doing, but they couldn't do it, i decided to make my point by saying "oh give me the dressing, i'll do it myself!"

And so i now find myself sitting here, with a dressing on the desk next to me wondering why oh why i made such a foolish offer? fortunately living opposite a staff nurse and church worker has its advantages! Thanks Kath (in advance)

Monday, October 31, 2005

Everone's got different views

I have to apologise profusely to all those people who said "I can't leave feedback on your blog because i don't have a blog and can't leave comments anonymously"
It turns out you were right . . . you couldn't leave comments!
but hopefully now that has been resolved so i hope to hear the views of "non-bloggers" on a regular basis.

And rest assured despite my hectic timetable, there will be something new to comment on in the next few days

As they say . . . .watch this space . . . . . . .

Friday, October 21, 2005

'Cause we're all Gods children

The titles are getting even more strained now, but this is still a song lyric so I'm not doing too badly.

I was walking down Smithdown Road the other day and passed one of those church billboards that display various gospel messages against a lurid fluorescent background. This one was different though, and despite the fact that I was too far away to know what the writing said I was strangely drawn to it and crossed the road to investigate further.

on it was the opening of Psalm 19 and for some reason, in a very cheesy cliche Christian sense, it just seemed really true. So I decided to share it with anyone who happens to read my blog.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands"

Wouldn't it be great to remember this passage next time we look out of the window and complain that its raining and cold and miserable. It's an amazing blessing from God that we're here at all so lets rejoice and give him the praise he deserves!

And now for the shameless plug now that I have everyones attention.

"24/7 Prayer!"

I can't help feeling that there is a lack of prayer around at the moment. I know everyone has work to do and even within Christian circles we have meetings to plan and events to co-ordinate and run but - in a similar theme to the verse above - its only by God's grace and blessing that any of these things can happen, let alone be a success.

So, please consider calling in a the Anglican Chaplaincy for this week of God centered prayer and I pray that we all come out of it with a renewed enthusiasm and passion for prayer.

Monday, October 17, 2005

When he feels down he puts some rock and roll on . . .

Apologies for the strained title of todays Blog but I decided that all my titles would be borrowed from song lyrics and that was the most appropriate I could think of!

After a hard day yesterday I realised that I retreat into a musical haven by playing certain songs or bands that somehow just make me feel relaxed and put me in a good mood.

Do other people do the same? and if so, what is your music of choice? Do you have that song or maybe that band that puts you in a better frame of mind?

As a starting point I'll tell you that I listened to a relatively unknown band called The Kinks who I'm sure people are fed up of me talking about - they were big in the sixties but then transformed into a stadium rock act in america in the 70's - 80's.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Disillusioned by the promises they made?

Good Morning, despite much advise not to begin debate on this subject the topic of blog today will be "who should be the next leader of the conservative party . . . .place bet now!"
It doesn't matter whether you are a political genius or you just like the name of one of the candidates, whoever you are and whatever your reasons i'd like to know your choice as leader. I'll also add now that i'll try to be objective in my comments and that i'm not trying to support or decry the conservatives and do not want a debate about how good or bad they are compared to other parties etc etc. The question is love them or hate them, who should be the next leader?

The Candidates

David Cameron - At 39 a young pretender to the throne and a very accomplished speaker and politician but can he lead the party with policy decisions?
Liam Fox - Frankly, doesnt stand much chance. campaigning for the same supporters a david davis, and there aren't too many of them
David Davis - Has proved he could do the job but is unknown. Could he hold the party together?
Ken Clarke - A bruiser from the Thatcher years he has the populist appeal, the experience and could certainly take on Blair, Brown et al. At 65 may be considered to old and his previous Europhile views will haunt him for a while

There you go, thats them all . . . . doesnt look too good does it! Feel free to include your own suggestions although i have already checked and Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street will not be entering the race!

For what its worth my backing goes to the Big Beast, Ken Clarke, anyone else?

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Hello, Good Afternoon and Welcome

This is my inaugural posting on my very own blog. I don't intend to write much but heres a question. . . .where does the term "blog" originate from?