Iceland baby, yeah!

Hello folks,
I type this on a mac in Jon and Marisa´s appartment. Yup, in Iceland. That´s where I am right now, in Iceland. With Jon and Marisa. In Iceland. Yup.

Lindsey and I arrived here yesterday at 2.30pm into an airport that looks like Pizza Hut. Iceland is on the same time as Britain so it meant jet lag wasn´t an issue, was just good to be here after being up from 4.30am so I could fly from Belfast International to London Stansted then Stansted on to Reykjavik.

This country is beautiful, very beautiful. The mountains are covered with snow right now but it´s not totally freezing. Yesterday when we landed it was 7-8 oC so that wasn´t cold at all. Today there is some frost and ice on the ground and it´s nearer 0 oC so it is cold today.

We´ve already been to a big church this afternoon, the biggest building in Iceland. We spent like 30 mins taking pictures, it was so much fun. Of course, pictures will follow , probably when I´m back home. I´m sure that Marisa one will have pictures on her blog too at some point.

Tonight is of course New Year´s Eve and after we go to church at 6pm we´re having something to eat with Jon´s family and some others then we´ll watch the fireworks, yippee! Should be a good night!

Well, I shall sign off for now, I´m being distracted by ´America´s Next Top Model´ on the TV with Icelandic subtitles.
Happy New Year everybody! Hope you enjoy your evening of staying up late and see you guys next year!

Ho ho ho! Merry pictures!

It's December 21st and I go home for Christmas on December 23rd.
That's 2 days time.
I am so excited.
I know that just by blogging this, you are feeling rather excited too. I can tell. Sit down before you hurt yourself or someone else.

When I fly out of Manchester on Saturday morning at 7am, that is my time at St. Andrews over. I feel it's time for me to move on and so when I return to the country of England in mid January it's for an interview for a different job but still in the same area I have been living.
If I get the job, I will hopefully be living in the same house which is great.
If I don't get the job, I guess I'll return home for a bit and see what happens next.
To be honest with you all, I have a great peace about this. I know that God will put the right person in this job and if it's me, great! If not, God's work in this area will continue but with a different person. No one is indispensible to God, no one.

I have been so blessed in my time at St. Andrews to have reached so many kids and teens. The two big things I am focusing on at the minute is the fact that I have so much more patience from being here and so that is a huge postive to take away from my time here. The second one is this - if I have impacted one kid or teenagers life, job done. If I have brought one kid or young person closer to God by me being then honestly, I am very happy. It's not about preaching to 1000 people, it's about reaching that one.

Guys, I would love to hear from you. Please leave me comments, please e-mail, please leave messages on myspace, bebo, facebook, MSN etc. I would love to hear how you are doing. I would love to hear where you are geographically and spiritually at the minute.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Up next for me is a flight home, a flight to Iceland, a flight home and then a flight back to Manchester for an interview. That's how the next 3 weeks or so looks for me. Plenty of fun, plenty of friends and plenty of f-relaxing (I could have alliterated with, 'free time' but that isn't really true and relaxing is a more appropriate word I feel. If you do know another word for 'relaxing' that beings with an 'f', feel free to comment).

All that's left for me to say is that I genuinely wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. I hope you see the baby Jesus at this time of year and realise for yourselves that this baby grew up to die and rise from death because He loves you. Happy Christmas.

The Circle of Life

I know a thing or two about sheep

Well hello friends,
Long time, no post.

Anyone know anything about this new blogger and it's brand spanking new features? I'm a bit wary of it as it took me long enough to figure out how to work blogger the first time round.

That's pretty incidental really.

I just want to tell you guys that God is still good. I think it's a great thing to be reminded of. In His own timing, He will bring you His encouragement. In His own way, He will give you His joy. In His own person, He will give you His right people at His right time. I cannot complain about Him.

I did the story at the last Contact service yesterday. It was a service at 9.30am designed to get non-church families in but it wasn't meeting it's aim so yesterday morning was the last one. I spoke on how Jesus, in John 10 v 11 said, "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
We are the sheep. It's a clear parallel. We get easily frightened like sheep, whether that be from seeing a tiny spider or walking home alone in the dark. We hang out in flocks, he hate to be on our own, why do we always have people round or why are we always on the phone? We have natural predators, those people who pick on us for being different, those people, for whatever reason, don't treat us like real human beings with feelings.

I'm so glad that Jesus is the good Shepherd. I know no-one else who would die for me. I know no-one else who would want to save me from my natural predators, from my loneliness and from my fears. But not only that, I know no-one else who would save me from torture in Hell for ever and ever.

A List

These are always great fun, aren't they? Just making a list -

These are things that are on my mind right now -
1. Writing to Evonne and thanking her for her continuous encouragement despite me sucking at keeping in touch

2. Wanting to ring Marisa as we've not spoken in weeks now and I really want to speak to her again. Part of that is, I also want to wind Jon up about Liverpool's rubbishy season so far as Chelsea sit in second place in the table. Haaaa haaa!

3. I want to watch more 'Lost' as I borrowed season 1 and have only watched like 7/8 episodes of it so far and am hooked

4. I am very pleased with my new Starbucks loyalty type card thing that they've just brought out in the UK

5. I got a good wee bit of Christmas shopping done today which made me happy

6. I know I need to catch up on a load of e-mails

7. I'm going to Iceland next month!

8. I've had quite a good day off today so far, had a lie in and then went into Manchester

9. I'm very thankful for the friends God has given me, I truly am

10. I can't wait to see my family again at Christmas and to hang out with my wee bro again who I've not seen in months due to him being at Bible school in Germany and me being here in Manchester

Just some pictures

Just some pictures for your viewing pleasure that span the years. Well...months...

Jack Attack!

Hello friends!
This past Sunday I had a wee visit from Jack! I only found out a couple of days previously that she was even in the country and so not only did she visit but so did Becky. It was a great day! Was so good to see her again and to hang out with her and Becky.
We had a lovely curry at Sarah's house for tea and so the 4 of us had a mini reunion. Was splendid! It really was a great afternoon. It was a fantastic encouragement and joy to see Jack again and just hang out and laugh. Ohh, how we laughed!
Thanx for coming Jack :)

It's not too late but God is great

Just a wee update people,
I left that last blog up a quare (that's a N.Irish term for, well, not too sure really. I guess it can be roughly translated as, "quite") wee while as I really wanted people to read it. I guess I've never concentrated my thoughts and feelings regarding God's Word quite like that before.

I still think God is great and so is His Word.

I think even more so after the past couple of days.

On Monday things were getting to me a bit and the thought of the dentist today was making things worse. I had been to this dentist once on Friday when my toothache got so bad I couldn't take it anymore. But on the way there we got lost a couple of times and so I wasn't sure where exactly it was. So how was I meant to get back there today?! I was worrying about that.

I also wasn't sure what they'd do to me and was a bit worried I'd come out, after having some sleepy gas and not have anyone with me to guide me home. So that was a concern.

I've also found work tough going at the minute too and increasingly feel isolated and alone. That was playing on my mind.

You see, all of this just builds up to an amazing climax which results in the best possible outcome - All glory going to God.

You see tomorrow at CHS (one of the schools I go into to do the Christian Union)we are going to be looking at the third I am of Jesus - I am the gate.
When you think about it, why wouldn't you enter somewhere by the gate? Well, you wouldn't enter somewhere by the gate if you were a thief, as Jesus also explains in the verses previous. You are seeking another way of getting into the sheep pen if you can't just walk in through the gate. Your motives are not pure. Your goal is not wholesome. Many people try and get into the sheep pen by jumping a fence or trying to get underneath it. You will only damage yourself and the other sheep. People try different methods of getting what Jesus promises He would give - pasture. Peace. Assurance. Comfort. Support. Strength.
I decided to climb in the pen by worrying. By deciding Jesus wasn't big enough to help me. I decided to cast all my worries on me. Not on Him.

Jesus said that once you enter through the gate, He will give you pasture. He will give you peace, assurance, comfort, support and strength. He did this for me today. He provided me with fences that weren't there to hold me in but to show me that He was enough. That He cared. That He was there. And that, quite frankly, is all I need.

I realised as I went through today how much of a peace He gave me about going to the dentist and about work. He dealt with both. He can do that.

People were praying for me and He brought about incredible circumstances that meant so much to me. Today, I felt His peace. Today I felt His assurance. Today I felt His comfort. Today I felt His support. Today I felt His strength.

It is incredible how something you go to teach at school or a youth group can be seen as almost like just producing a lesson for kids. The fact of the matter is, if what you are preaching and teaching is not affecting you personally first and foremost then how can you teach it to someone else.
I will never be able to teach hang-gliding to someone as I don't know how to do it myself. I cannot teach Jesus as being the Good Shepherd, as being the gate and as offering pasture unless it has affected me personally first and foremost.

All the glory and honour and praise goes directly to God today for how He comforted, assured, supported, strengthened and gave me peace. Don't climb in over the back of the fence, go in through the gate and know what it's like to rest in His pastures.

Again, it's late and God's Word is great

Hey guys,
Spurred on by Marisa's recent post - www.iconformed.blogspot.com
I wanted to write on why I firmly, 150%, whole-hearted believe that the only thing and the best thing we need to teach our young people in church and in youth groups is the Bible.

We see it all over, not just Iceland, that for too long, people have underestimated and de-valued the power and authority of the Bible. God's Word. I know we throw that around a lot, "God's Word", but have you ever stopped and looked at those two words sat next to each other in a sentence? God's Word. The Word of God. Word's from God's heart and mouth. God communicating to us humans. God wanting to speak to us. God wanting to speak to me. God wanting to speak to you.

Over the past year I have realised how much I love God's Word and how much I love teaching God's Word. I cannot escape it, God has gifted me with a love for His Word and for teaching it. I love it! And I thank Him for gifting me in this way.
I have also realised that for every program we design, for every new booklet and prayer diary we come up with, the best and most important thing in it all and at the end of the day is the Bible. God's Word.

God's Word is amazing. Not only do we get comforting, correcting and confrontational verses but most importantly of all, in every book of the Bible, we see a picture of Jesus and see how every book points to Him. Up until about a year ago, I never fully realised that Jesus was not restricted to the Gospels. We have a book that was written by the Creator of the universe and as He wrote it, He took care to include, on every page, a sign of what was to come. He took the time to make sure that Jesus, the Saviour of the World, could be seen wherever you read in the Bible.

Is that not amazing or is that not amazing?!

God has revealed Himself to us through creation and so on but the greatest and most clearest ways of seeing Him is through His Word and His Son. Combined. Not seperate. Not as different identities or different options, but together. We cannot know Jesus without the Bible and what it says about Him and we cannot understand the Bible without realising it's all about Jesus! They go hand in hand.

So we cannot teach our young people just about how great God is through looking at the mountains or a waterfall or a snowflake or a flower. We cannot teach our young people about Jesus just from our experience. We cannot teach our young people the Bible without showing them Jesus on every page. We cannot teach our young people anything but Jesus Christ and what the Bible says about Him.

Let's get it out of our heads that the latest Christian book, idea, theory, speaker, program, website or jewellery is what we push or teach in our youth groups. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. What we teach them is the Bible. From start to finish. What IT says about Jesus. What IT says about God. What IT says about the Holy Spirit. What IT says about homosexuality. What IT says about sex before marriage. What IT says about how to treat each other. What IT says about love. What IT says about your parents. What IT says about life after death.

Get my point?

If we are someone who claims to love Jesus and does not teach the truths and realities of the Bible as God has written it, then we are doing Satan's work for him.

Anybody ever seen a dead cow?

This is another photo I have with memories from last summer at Capernwray. Right at the end of the summer Ray was seen with this cow, stone dead, in the front of his digger, driving round the loop while a family walk for the guests was happening. Classic.
So that evening, Andrew Wallace, Grace and a couple others went up to see this cow. I've never seen a dead cow before but it stunk! Andrew had to peel the plastic back, I couldn't go near it. We had a laugh, took some pictures and basically dishonoured the poor dead cow by having a laugh and taking photographs.



PS-Andrew Wallace is from Northern Ireland (like me!) and one of the funniest guys I know. Grace is pretty funny too. Funny looking that is! Ohhh! I'm so funny too.

I heart music

This is a post about music.

I want to recommend some artists to you and also, give you some tour dates for some of these artists and others so you may inquire into the availability of tickets and possiblty attend one of their gigs. Let me commence.

First up - The Feeling
They are a recent addition to the British bands with "The" in their name. They have three superb songs circulating at the minute - "Sewn", "Never Be Lonely", "Fill my little world right up". They are just a fantastic band with happy, pleasant music. Listen to them. Their album is, "12 Stops and Home"

Secondly - Keane
They have their second album out now, "Under the Iron Sea" and takes a different approach from their largely instrumental first album. Two songs from their new album that have been released are, "Crystal Ball" and "Is it any wonder?"

Thirdly - Badly Drawn Boy
This guy is just amazing. Not only has he been around for quite some time as the music industry goes, not only did he do the entire, superb, soundtrack for "About a Boy" but he has yet another new album out next month. This guy is just so fantastically talented.

Some tour dates -

The Feeling -
North America
Oct 8 2006 8:00P Crocodile Cafe Seattle
Oct 9 2006 8:00P Berbatis Pan Portland
Oct 11 2006 8:00P Café Du Nord San Francisco
Oct 16 2006 8:00P Varsity Theatre Minneapolis
Oct 17 2006 8:00P Aragon Ballroom Chicago
Oct 21 2006 8:00P Kool Haus Toronto
Oct 22 2006 8:00P Le Spectrum Montreal

UK
Nov 15 2006 8:00A Academy Manchester
Nov 16 2006 8:00A Rock City Nottingham
Nov 17 2006 8:00A Academy Liverpool
Nov 21 2006 8:00A Academy (upgraded from ABC) Glasgow
Nov 22 2006 8:00A University Leeds
Nov 24 2006 8:00A Mandela Hall Belfast
Nov 25 2006 8:00A Ambassador Dublin

Red Hot Chili Peppers -
North America
Sep 14 2006 8:00P GM Place Vancouver, BC
Sep 16 2006 8:00P Pengrowth Saddledome Calgary, AB
Sep 17 2006 8:00P Rexall Place Edmonton
Sep 19 2006 8:00P Saskatchewan Credit Union Center Saskatoon
Sep 20 2006 8:00P MTS Centre Winnipeg
Sep 23 2006 8:00P Pimlico Race Course Baltimore, MD
Sep 25 2006 8:00P Air Canada Center Toronto
Sep 25 2006 8:00P Air Canada Center Toronto
Sep 26 2006 8:00P Air Canada Center Toronto
Sep 28 2006 8:00P Bell Centre Montreal
Oct 28 2006 8:00P Voodoo Music Experience New Orleans, LA

Keane -
North America
Unfortunately, Keane's North American tour seems to have been cancelled which included gigs in Seattle, Vancouver, Portland and LA
UK
Oct 18 2006 8:00P Apollo Manchester
Oct 19 2006 8:00P Press and Journal Arena Aberdeen
Oct 26 2006 8:00P Alexandra Palace London
Oct 27 2006 8:00P Alexandra Palace London

Badly Drawn Boy -
North America
Oct 14 2006 8:00P Mod Club Toronto
Oct 16 2006 8:00P Great American Music Hall San Francisco
Oct 18 2006 8:00P Troubadour Los Angeles
Oct 19 2006 8:00P Troubadour Los Angeles

UK
Sep 23 2006 12:00A Cohesion Festival (with Elbow, Graham Coxon & More) Manchester

So there you have it, some gigs for you to check out. I just love music and am quite surprised I haven't posted more on just music. I think it's a topic I could come back to.
You can of course look all these guys up on myspace and check tour dates yourself from their official sites or on their myspaces'
Enjoy!

Pictures and memories

These are some photos of when some crazy North Americans invaded my beautiful, peaceful country in search of new land, new scenery, new experiences and new people to annoy. Let me just explain each picture briefly -
1. This was all of us in Bewley's in Belfast getting something to eat
2. That was the Giant's Causeway
3. Caleb took this great picture of me clicking my heals in Dublin train station
4. Adrian and Joy had us to stay the night of Caleb's birthday
5. Caleb and Jeff were just messing around in Belfast
Good times, good times

God, friends and family

You know,
Although it is 1am, I felt the urge, while on the computer to write a wee blog on God, friends and family as the title suggests.

I do not mean to offend anyone by leaving people out as I type this but I just wanted to blog and really thank God for friends He has quite clearly given me.

My friend Alec for example. We met at Capernwray waaayyyy back over 10 years ago and he has been a loyal friend ever since. Over the years, we've never really seen each other more than once a year and as it stands at the moment, I haven't seen him in almost a year. We talk on the phone though and each time we do, it's a good time. He lives up in Scotland, in Aberdeen, where he is at uni. He originates from Scotland and has lived on the isle of Skye and in Campbeltown. Thank you God for Alec.

I just got off the phone today with another good friend, Marisa. She was just great at Capernwray but to think I have now known her over 2 and a half years, ever since we started talking via the Capernwray forum. I feel so blessed to have known her so long and to have had the privilege of getting to know her before Capernwray as well as during and of course after. To think she is now only an hour behind me in the whole time zone thing and that she is only a couple of hours away by plane makes me so excited! Thank you God for Marisa.

Jeff. Wow. That guy is just fantastic. In many ways, he has actually been a sensible and clear head to have around. He is kind, he is sensible and he does have an amazing sense of humour. Anytime we talk, it's just honest. We can be real with each other. That guy is a joy to be around and to talk to. What a champion. Thank you God for Jeff.

There is no way I can overlook my friend Caleb. When I was out in Bellingham, it just really strengthened our friendship and to know he wants me to be involved in his wedding next year means so much to me. He has been one of very few people I can just be completely myself with and just talk about anything and everything with. I love him to bits. What a guy. Thank you God for Caleb.

Matthias is another guy who has been outstanding. We get on so well and the times we have spent talking about God and to God have both encouraged and challenged me. His English is not perfect and my Spanish, is well, non-existent and yet we can communicate perfectly well to each other, it's amazing! All it would take is a look or a word and we know exactly what each other is thinking. We connected in an amazing way and our friendship has been encouragement for us both. Thank you God for Matthias.

Of late, I have found another friend in Matt. To have someone living close by, sharing similar passions, going to the same church and being a guy has been exactly what I have needed. I think that our real desire to build each other up and encourage each other over this next year has just fired me up and revitalised me. I cannot deny that this is from God. Thank you God for Matt.

One person who has really been there for me over the past year too has been Sarah. I think I could class her as one of about 3 friends I have within a 40 mile radius of where I live now. Her willingness to take me to get shopping, to hang out, to give me lifts elsewhere, to want to meet up has been such a blessing to me. Having her around, having someone who knows me and understands me way before I became the 'happy','friendly','childrens and youth worker' at my church has just been amazing. Thank you God for Sarah.

There are so many people who are a friend to me. You know who you are. They have been Jesus to me when I've needed it, they have listened to me ramble on endlessly, they have taken me out places, they have prayed for me, they have enjoyed my company and I their's, they have corrected me, they have prayed with me, they have travelled miles to visit me, they have brought me presents and they have loved me.

Without a shadow of a doubt, I think my biggest thanx to God goes to my family. They have always been at the end of a phone, they have always listened to me, they have always listened to my tears, they have always been ready and willing to help me out in any way they possibly can and they have always loved me. They support me 150% over here and yet they are always there with a big hug when I come home. My time in England would have been so much harder if it hadn't have been for them.

Above all, I cannot stop praising God. I can thank each person, I can thank God for each person but all I want to do is thank God. His provision and presence in the past couple of years has never, ever, ever, ever, failed to blow me away. He gives me friends. He gives me the food I need. He gives me the sleep I need. He nourishes my soul. He encourages me. He comforts me. He improves me. He challenges me. He loves me. He died for me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me.

God first. Everything else and everybody else second. My thanks for everything and for everyone goes straight to God.

Myspace, whoo hhaaaa haaa haaaaaa!

So it would seem that myspace is taking over.

I agree with Lesbo, more freedom to choose style, layouts etc and you get to know more of people at first glance. I do agree Lesbo.

It's kind of like e-mailing but with more colours and personality to it. You can of course message each other on myspace, leave a comment or, like with my myspace, leave a message on my fridge with magnetic letters. Fun, fun, fun.

I am scrumpy_jon at myspace. www.myspace.com/scrumpy_jon

You know, a good friend of mine, John Allan, you might have heard of him (John, if by some chance you are reading this, I thought you were a great lecturer at Bible school but you don't know me from Adam so don't fret), wrote a superb article in August's edition of 'Youthwork' magazine here in the UK. He wrote about the potential for myspace if you're a youth worker or work with young people in any capacity. You can advertise events at your church by looking up those young people in your area and start up or join groups that have online Bible studies and discussion forums to talk about God and so on.
It was a great article and John Allan writes each month for Youthwork magazine on websites that are useful for youth work and for young people.

I do think myspace is helpful. It is addictive though isn't it?! You find yourself getting sucked into a fake world where you have 100s of 'friends' and all you know about them is what information they provide for you on their profile and what kind of music they listen to.

It is enjoyable and good fun to be on but it becomes unhelpful and unnatural when you spend more time looking for 'friends' than you do communicating with what friends you really do have from the real world and from before myspace even existed.

So yeah...

Hey guys!
I haven't properly posted in over a month now I think. I want to update you on a few things and maybe have a wee rank too. So sit back and enjoy the fright (to quote a stupid tagline from what looks like an even stupider movie).

So I was working at Capernwray for a couple of weeks there. That was just fantastic, absolutely brilliant. I got to work with a number of students from this past year's Bible school. Erynne, Ian, Jo, Kylie and Emily who all did Winter and Spring school and Russell who did Spring school and who is going to be doing Winter school this year. I also worked with a number of other people, many of which I have known for years and are always a pleasure and encouragement to work with.
These were the guys we were praying for all year long. At least, I hope we all were praying for.
I also worked with a number of other people, many of which I have known for years and are always a pleasure and encouragement to work with.
It was an amazing time and I got to see guests those two weeks that I have been building up relationships with over the past 3 summers working or even longer when I was still a guest myself. I was there for international youth week 3 (the last one of the summer) and family week 3 directly after youth week 3. In the youth week I got to lead a meeting which was great and during the family week I got to do all 4 stories each morning with the kids, fantastic.

I was so encouraged by the guests and by the team. Some of the guests I have joked with for years but never seriously spoken to them before but this summer I spoke seriously with them, prayed with them, it was fantastic. I owe a huge thank you to them for their open-ness and also for straight-up, flat-out, encouraging me.

The team, wow, I owe a huge thank you to them too. I think they encouraged me in ways I wasn't encouraged over my past year here in Cheadle Hulme. They were superb to work with. I really prayed for that situation before I went as I was like, "What am I going to do for two weeks God? I mean, they have been working together for weeks now, who am I to just turn up?!" I was worried about that before I went.
And to be honest, it wasn't as soon as I walked in the door that we all bonded and clicked but it was literally a matter of days before we really started getting on well. I am so thankful to God for just taking care of that situation. He was amazing for two weeks, He really was. The thing with God is that He never changes so I've come to realise that even though God was amazing to me for two weeks, He's also amazing to me the rest of the time, I just don't see it or try and look for it.

I am back in Cheadle Hulme now and it's been our holiday klub all week in church. It's basically a big evangelistic event for kids. It's on their level, doing kids stuff. It's been a fantastic week so far but very, very tiring. Kids all morning and then young people in the evening or all afternoon. I am tired as I write this.

I am gutted, like Caleb, that I missed Jon and Marisa's wedding, I really am. Thank you to everybody who posted pictures though as I have been able to see a wee bit of what went on that day. Thank you for those.

Marisa's friend Lindsey is now living in Morley, in Leeds! I write that because over the past few months, as she was doing Bible school, I became friends with her once Marisa told me her friend Lindsey was in Bible school! I met her at Manchester airport last week and helped her with her stuff over to Morley. I am so excited to have another friend only an hour or so away. It's been lonely over this past year with only having my housemate Chris, Sarah and Becky up in Bolton as friends relitively close by so that's what makes Lindsey's move even more exciting!

Is myspace the new blogger by the way? I'm thinking of just transfering everything over to the mothership (myspace I mean). It does seem to have the upper hand.

You know, and with this I finish, I am sick to death of seeing on people's myspace or blogs or whatever, a picture of them and a friend, with this caption, or a similar one, underneath, "I was so drunk and don't remember this photo at all, but it was a GREAT night". SHUT UP! How was it great?! You don't remember it?! You were too drunk! You just drank £60 and that is a great night?! What?!

Disclaimer: I have not directed the last paragraph at anyone I know, but as you browse other people's myspaces/blogs, you see those comments all the time. It makes me just a wee bit mad. The end.

Just to keep you ticking over...

I have not posted in quite some time my friends,
But I hope to post this movie poster to keep things ticking over. I have been back at Capernwray working for a couple of weeks and I will update you all on that soon I hope.
But until then, I saw this funny movie about Mexicans. I liked it and laughed a lot.
If anyone else has seen it, tell me what you think. You can do that by leaving a comment.
Enjoy!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever - Hebrews 13 v 8

You know, I love that verse. Just fantastic, isn't it?!

I want to share a couple more pictures with you.

The picture of a cloud is just great. So often we do say these are "God clouds" or something like that. I think they just look great, enjoy this picture.

The one of a heron is special to me. God has often, strangely enough, used a heron to speak to me. They have become my favourite animal. They are so large and majestic but yet are usually on their own. When you see one you sometimes think, "Is it a seagull up close?" but no, it's a heron.
When I've been praying and feeling so alone, so down, so confused, so frustrated, God has often had a heron sitting close enough for me to see it or had one flying by. I know some people think this might sound crazy, but it's true. I find it hard to accept it as a coincidence. When I have opened my eyes after praying or while sitting on a train praying, I have passed by a heron, a heron has been sitting there or one has flown by. God uses herons in my life. I like that and think thats pretty amazing.

PS-These pictures are off a great website-trekearth. Check it out.

Jenna and I

I said agggeeeessss ago I'd post a picture or two of Jenna and I from when she visited me for the afternoon so here they are! The first one is a bit blurry but you get the point

PS-Yes, that is my humble abode in the background, pretty sweet, ey?!

New Look

Ok, so I've had a haircut and a new pair of glasses. Call me vain, call me whatever, I just thought I'd post a picture of my new look on me blog because some of you guys reading this haven't seen me in a while or haven't seen me in like over a year. So things change. My hairdresser changed. My prescription changed. So now there's a photo to prove it.

The Greatest Band on the Planet...

So I saw the greatest band on the planet on Tuesday night...

Yeah, that's right, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They were amazing. I've been trying to think of other words to use to describe them and the whole experience and all I can come up with is amazing. I mean, there are other words but they just don't touch it or sum it up quite like, "amazing". They were just, amazing.

They did an amazing set for like 2 hours. I won't even talk about the support band, "!!!" pronounced, "Chuh, chuh, chuh". They were just awful. That's it. That's all you get on them. Who cares really when the Chilis were just amazing!

2 hours was not long enough. They did quite a few from the new album - Tell Me Baby, Dani California, Snow (Hey Oh), Strip My Mind, Warlocks, Charlie, think that might have been it. They did Nobody Weird Like Me from their 4th album, Mother's Milk. I did not expect anything from before Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik but as Anthony put it, "Let's go way back, way back, back". Yeah, it's an old one really!
They did I Could Have Lied off Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik too, that was superb. They even did Soul To Squeeze which I didn't know they actually do live. For years it was only on the Coneheads soundtrack until it was released on their Greatest Hit album a couple of years ago. So that was a treat really.

They opened with Can't Stop, which they opened with last time I saw them, still great! What an opening! They also did Californication, Throw Away Your Television, Scar Tissue, By The Way, a superb version of Fortune Faded and finished with Give It Away. I think that Give It Away is my favourite ever Chili's song. It used to be Californication but I think it's now Give It Away.
They didn't do Under The Bridge which I expected as they do at most shows from what I know but hey, we still had a great set and I'm not complaining!

John had his now regular solo. Not sure what song it was but it's always funny seeing him on his own doing a wee 2 minute bit.

The whole show was amazing. I hope you can see from the pictures that on the back of the stage there was a huge panel of lights that were also on the roof of the arena which made for mad lights and effects! They even had 4 video screens that moved along the back wall, amazing. I think for me one of the most exciting aspects of the show was the fact that in Chad's kick-bass was a light that lit up everytime he kicked the bass! His snare drums also had lights in them that lit up when hit. Amazing!

The whole show finished at the end of their encore with John and Flea doing a 10 minute instrumental, 5 minutes of which they had Chad with them. Flea then proceeded to walk towards the steps, once finished, on his hands with his legs straight up in the air! Fantastic! What a night. What a band.

PS-They play Portland on August 11th as well as other American and Canadian dates. Check their site for more dates

PPS-Struggling with pictures at the moment so will try again. If you have a myspace, check them on my myspace page

PPPS-Ok, so I think the pictures are too big, bare with me while I try to post them on here or on myspace

Happy Canada day/4th July people!

Happy 4th July!
Well everybody, happy 4th July!

I am writing, realising only a few people will be reading this and out of those few people maybe one, or one and a half, will actually be American. Well, for you and that other half person, I salute you. I hope you have a fantastic day celebrating the fact that you are American and proud of it (not that you really need one specific day to do that!)

I am also writing of course for those Canadians reading. Possibly only Jeff. Well Jeff, I hope you had a fantastic Canada day, my apologises that it is so belated, it wasn't that I ignored Canada, I just decided to post today, realising it was 4th July but also realising you'd come all the way from Canada and roast me slowly on a spit if I didn't mention Canada day. So hope you had a great Canada day my friend. Feel free to post and tell us alllll about it.

Also, just while I'm on here, the World Cup.
So my 3 teams were out long ago - The USA finishing with one point in their group and going no further, South Korea coming so close to going through to the next round and Ecuador who actually got through to the next round but then lost to England. David Beckham scored the only goal of that game, from a free-kick and he was physically sick straight after celebrating the goal. What a footballing moment.

The first semi-final is tonight - Germany vs. Italy and tomorrow it is France vs. Portugal (who knocked out England on penalties on Saturday, ooooohhhhh what a glorious day!)

I also had my hair cut. It's a lot shorter than it was before and completely re-styled. I'm sure you all care deeply about my hair. I might be getting new glasses soon so a photo of my new hair and glasses will come at some point.

Ohhhh aye! Myspace! It's great! I'm having a load of fun with it. If anyone wants to look me up, do it! It's great fun.

Ok, adios, salut and bon appetite

The USA and team talks

Ok, time for a new post.

I have a couple of things to blog about really. One thing I need your opinion on.

The first one -
Well done to the USA on getting a draw against a tough Italian team in the World Cup on Saturday night. To be fair, I think it should be well done on the Italians for getting a draw against the States. The US should have won it! I was so impressed with the USA's style of play on Saturday night and the fact that they looked a completely different side to the one that played the Czech Republic in their first game. Just good stuff.

Also, the other two teams I'm keeping an eye on are going great guns! Ecuador have played 2, won 2 and conceded 0. South Korea have played 2, won 1, drawn 1. Ecuador are already through to the next phase and South Korea look good to go through! Good on em! Especially Ecuador who no-one, absolutely no-one, gave a hope to getting out of their group. Go on Ecuador!

Secondly -
This is still kind of football but I need your opinion on my team talk on Saturday.
So, 9 of our young people from church played in a church football tournament on Saturday. I gave them a wee team talk before their final game and it went a little something like this-

"All my life, I've been searching for something, something never comes, never leads to nothing, nothing satisfies but I'm getting close, closer to the prize at the end of the road. We are the Champions, my friends. We're simply the best, better than all the rest. All right, let's go team!"
Then I forgot to tell them who was playing and in what positions. I got a bit carried away.

So how does that sound for a team talk?

It has begun...

Well folks,
It is World Cup time.

As I post this, 3 games have been played -
The opening game - Germany 4 - 2 Costa Rica
A great win for wee Ecuador - Poland 0 - 2 Ecuador
And of course - England 1 - 0 Paraguay

The game being played now is Sweden vs. Trinidad and Tobago
This evening's game, 8pm kick-off (12pm west coast), is Argentina vs. Ivory Coast

What a feast!

We are showing, hopefully, 20 games at church and I really feel this is a huge opportunity to reach out the people through football. Please, can you pray for this please? We had 16 people today, including Daniel and myself. He brought some friends along who are working on the same year out as him but we also had 4 young people from Nxt_Stop our 11-14 year olds group, that was great!

Yeah, using football to speak about God is such a massive way to get the Word out there.

Please, also remember the Christian footballers in the World Cup. I'm not sure how many there are but I know some of the Brazilian team like Lucio and I think Kaka are Christians along with at least one guy from South Korea who is only 20 - Park Chu Young (that's him in the picture above). Pray for those guys. Please pray that they can share their faith on the biggest stage for football and their fellow pros would see a difference in their lives both on and off the pitch.

God bless the World Cup!

Welcome, enjoy, stay a while...

...If you've just joined us, let me tell you what's been happening...

I thought that I'd post a wee comment for anyone who might be new to my blog. You know the way if you join a radio station half way through and they say,"if you've just joined us..." or if you're watching some kind of sports and they say,"if you're just joining us..." well this is me saying that, kind of, for anyone who has never viewed my blog before.

I am of course writing this in the hope that new people are reading my blog!

You can see my pictures of America or previous posts by looking in the archieves on the right of the screen ------->
Hope that's helpful!

Welcome, feel free to browse around, take a post and just read it with a cup of tea or coffee and put it back when you're finished with it. I hope you're sitting comfortably. Do feel free to get up, walk around, choose whatever post you like and just enjoy. Put your feet up. Do stay a while. Relax. Enjoy. Welcome.

I like these pictures...

I like these pictures, maybe you can use them for a talk like I did. I used both these when illustrating "perseverance" but I guess the first one could also apply to "faith". Even if you don't use them for a talk, they are brilliant pictures, I really like them.

mr bramhall

Saturday night:
The eligable Mr Bramhall
Spectacular Scenery
Ben and Jerrys

Oh n Sarah n Becky, bet you wish you were here!

X Men: The Last Stand

The Last Stand? I don't think so...

What a movie! What a movie! Tons better than the first two, just fantastic.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it but this one is a cracker, just brilliant. Wee tip for you - stay until the credits are over, you get a wee insight into what is to come...

I aint going to say much more on it all. I don't want to ruin it, take away from anyone's experience, build it up too much but please just go and see it, what a film.

I also saw trailers for "Superman Returns" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and both look like they could be good films. I was surprised to see Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther in "Superman Returns" so I'm looking forward to seeing that unfold.

I've not read much more of the Da Vinci Code. As I am a wee bit behind in my Bible readings, I figure thats more important than some lies written by a mere human. So the Bible it is then.

Check out Chris' blog too. We updated his profile and so on tonight so there's a bit more about him on there and a wee picture too. Enjoy!

Chris has a blog!

Ok, so the excitement is in the title.

Just so you can get a bit more of an insight into the world and house in which I live, my housemate Chris (yes, the white/jive speaking/wive-beater wearing/'sup yo' one, not the Mexican one or the who who works in the pub) has a blog. Here is the link and free advert I promised him -
www.mmmdanone.blogspot.com

Please post, just for his sake. I don't know when he'll check it. I don't know who will read it. I don't know who will post (except you guys) as he's not really on the internet except to watch videos on youtube.com. Just give the guy some support. If you can't pay by cheque, just, ehh, post a comment instead.

In other news...
I got a new pair of shorts today. They are a lovely shade of blue and are saltrock. Really nice. It was Chris' birthday present for me for last month. You guys can always get your belated birthday presents in to if you want...if you can't pay by cheque...you can...post a comment...I guess...thanx in advance.

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More like a finger bouffet this time...

I liked that last post of mine so here goes another...

First point - I have just listened to Natasha Bedingfield's album - Unwritten and it's quite good. Chris had it on his laptop so I just put it onto my ipod a few weeks ago but never listened to it. It's good though, check it out.

Second point - It's my day off today and I spent like an hour and a half just sat in Starbucks reading my Bible and the Da Vinci Code (I know, contradiction or what?!) but it was just nice. The only Starbucks close by is in Borders, a bookshop, but it's above the bookshop so you can sit and drink your drink and look down on everyone below, pretty sweet.

Third Point - It's been raining for like 10 days straight now, that sux. I'm not joking, 10 days, not one completely dry. I know, I know, "But that's Britain" and yes it is, but I mean, for crying out loud, winter was drier! That's when it's meant to rain, not when we're almost into summer. Steve McQueen.

Point four - I have just past the bit in the Da Vinci code where it is down right blasphemy and lies. My Mexican housemate Daniel wants to read the book when I'm done with it but I don't know how he's going to get past all my writing and doodling on those pages where it talks crap about Mary Magdalene and how Peter was jealous and Jesus told Mary Magdalene to build His church. But who was the one preaching to thousands on Pentecost? Mary? Nope! Peter's story in Acts rubber stamps his transformation throughout the Gospels from idiot, not-thinking-before-he-speaks, eejit to being used in powerful ways by God, evident at Pentecost. Jesus even told him he'd be a rock upon which His church would be built. Not Mary Magdalene. Sorry Dan, but you're just an eejit. You aint going to topple the church with a made-up fictious story. If the Devil can't defeat Jesus, nor can you sunshine.

So yeah, a wee rant towards the end there as my anger at the Da Vinci Code is clear!

I'm now listening to a song I got off Sarah's computer - Starship - We Built This City. All is well in the world.

Read this (I think there's something in it for all the family) (It's like a boufet, pick and choose what you want, you don't have to have it all)

Ok, I really am just going to ramble and see what happens.

You know what I found really strange when I was in America? When Caleb, Hannah and I went to Starbucks before church to get coffee. Not only that, it was a Starbucks drive-thru! What the!? Crazy! Then we drank it in church. Madness I tell you, madness.

There is a funny British comedian I found on YouTube.com
His name is Tim Vine and I think he is a Christian, don't quote me on that one (right now I see people copying and pasting,"His name is Tim Vine and...he is a Christian") and his stuff is just hilarious! The clip on YouTube is about 6 and a half minutes and it's brilliant! It's just pun, after pun, after pun and all clean! It's superb, please do check him out.

What else...

Ohh aye! I started reading "The Da Vinci Code" on Monday there. I'm quite hooked. It's a good book (don't worry, I have also heard outcry from people that it's a terrible book, but I'm gripped!) and am about 1/3 of the way through already. I think I might be going to see the film on Monday so I want to finish the book before I see the film.

My mum and dad are visiting for a few days at the start of June and then on the 23rd-25th June my sister and mum are visiting as there's a thanksgiving day at Capernwray on 24th for the new dining room so they're staying here and going to Capernwray for the day on Saturday.

Lindsey, Marisa's friend, who is at Bible school now is coming to visit and staying over until the Saturday. It's all go go go!

Oooohhh boy! How can I not mention the fact that the World Cup, the greatest spectical on earth, starts on 9th June. Bring it on! I am torn between a few countries though. Just because I have a South Korean and Ecuadorian shirt, I'm not sure who to support. Yet because of you guys in America, I also want to support the States in the World Cup (yes, that's right, you guys ARE in the FOOTBALL World Cup) (oops, I mean, SOCCER World Cup). Saying that, so are Australia. Go figure.

I like these big, literally random, blogs. What else can I harp on about.

Ohh, I'll make this the last thing. No, wait, second last thing. The Chili's new album is just amazing. Let me highlight some tracks for you - 'Tell me Baby', 'Wet Sand', 'Readymade', 'Hard to Concentrate', '21st Century', 'Hump de Bump','Snow ((Hey Oh))' along with the single, 'Dani California'. Just superb.

Last thing - I bought Family Guy season one and two on DVD the other day. Do I need them? No, not really but they were in the sale.

Ok, really last thing - on www.adifferentdirection.com I found a Christian t-shirt. I know how much you all probably hate them, but this one was frickin awesome! In the style of the Napoleon Dynamite, "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt (I actually bought one from Fred Meyer when I was in America) there was a t-shirt saying, "Jesus Died For Pedro"! Fantastic! Check it out on the website along with Tim Vine on YouTube.
Peace out yo.
(Sorry about the 'peace out' thing, my housemate does it, he thinks he's black and speaks jive. He doesn't. He's white. He does wear vest/wife beaters though. That doesn't make him black though, or help him speak jive. He just wears them. Have you met him? His name is Chris)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium

It's out!
The Red Hot Chili Peppers new double album 'Stadium Arcadium'. I thought I'd post this today as North America had to wait until today to get it. Us Europeans had it yesterday.

Infact, I had my copy, technically on Saturday. I had preordered it months ago at Sarah's house, with Sarah's account so when I was on the weekend away with our youth people, it arrived at Sarah's house! I know, 2 days early! Insane!
So I got it Sunday night from Sarah and have been listening to it ever since. Two albums is a lot to get through though, 28 songs in total, so I've only listened to each CD once. I've got it on me ipod now so that should help.

One track that stood out for me straight away was on the first CD, which I think, is called 'Mars' but correct me if I'm wrong. The track on the 'Mars' CD is called 'Hump de bump'. It's so funky, I love it! Track 2 on the 'Mars' CD as well is great, 'Snow ((Hey oh))', it's super. I'm impressed. I need to listen to it more though.

Hope you're enjoying the pictures of America, see anyone you know?! Like yourself?...

I've got to run though, I have a talk on Genesis 30 v 25 - 31 v 55 to do for Thursday and it's doing me head in. Any ideas anyone!?

Don't forget about the caption competition below with the fish!

Photos from America

My good friend Caleb and I

Sharon and I thought the shadow was funny!

Sharon and I at Caleb's house

Brittani, Caleb, Kellyn and I at Caleb's house

Dana, Brittani, Kellyn and I at their school

Sylvester and I at the 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe'

Dana and I at 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe' in Seattle

Brittani and I

Aly and I

This guy was on a big mad bike near Pike's Place market, Seattle

Emm, Kellyn and I in Seattle

This is in response to Jeff's infamous leaning tower of Pisa picture during Tyler's and his travels!

Kellyn and I

Kellyn and I