:: Chasing Daylight ::

I'VE MOVED!

2009-08-18T15:22:00.001+01:00

Love Your Neighbour...part II :: UPR

2009-05-08T21:24:00.007+01:00

This is post is the second of a series. I posted 'Love Your Nieghbour: Naked', after remembering some insight I received at a Youth Assembly. But this post came about after a conversation where I was giving a friend advice. I write it to encourage, and to teach. In some way I write to voice my thoughts, into a structure which I can read back on.

So Love Your Neighbour has no conditions on it. In the two greatest commandments, Jesus simply puts it in those three words. Nothing added, no extra bits to make us feel more motivated. We are to do it because he says so.

Loving your neighbour. It's easy to do that with somebody you've never met. A person who you've never had contact with. But what about somebody you know?
How hard is it to do with somebody who has hurt you? Somebody who has insulted you? Somebody you feel negatively towards? Then it get's hard.

Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR) is a theory in counselling, but used in Youth Work. It suggests that the Youth Worker should separate the deed from the young person.

[1]"Unconditional positive regard, a term coined by the humanist Carl Rogers, is blanket acceptance and support of a person regardless of what the person says or does. Rogers believes that unconditional positive regard is essential to healthy development. People who have not experienced it may come to see themselves in the negative ways that others have made them feel. By providing unconditional positive regard, humanist therapists seek to help their clients accept and take responsibility for themselves. Humanist psychologists believe that by showing the client unconditional positive regard and acceptance, the therapist is providing the best possible conditions for personal growth to the client."

So where does this theory fit in to loving a closer neighbour? Well, if we look at this attitude for one second... Separating the deed from the neighbour.

What does this look like? It looks like Jesus. What better example? Jesus, the purest, cleanest, most sinless being who was nailed to a cross for us. Our sin was the deed. We sinned against him, yet he separated this and loved us the same. He died there, so that we may have the right to be called Children of God.

Whenever a friend from the past talks behind your back, you separate this deed from the person and continue to love them. How much easier would it be to forgive them without the deed coming into play?

Just like we should love our neighbour without good conditions added, we should love our neighbour without bad conditions added.

Whenever we walk and live in an attitude where we love our neighbour without the need to have an incentive we can serve fully and in full satisfaction. In the same breath, whenever we walk and live in an attitude where we love our neighbour even though they've hurt us, we can love like Jesus did.

Without events, church outreach, new churches, new pastors, big worship bands and cash, if we love like this... unconditionally, faithfully, radically... how much change can we bring to the people around us, our families, and yes... our town.
In such a dark place, people need light. If love is God, God is Jesus, and Jesus is the radiant light... loving your neighbour can bring this light.

Jesus: "Love your
neighbour." Without fail.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_positive_regard

The Student's Nightmare

2009-04-29T14:15:00.005+01:00

Procrastination:

"the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time."
"dilatoriness: slowness as a consequence of not getting around to it."

As I type I procrastinate. Tomorrow I am to hand in a 3000 word essay, 10 weeks of recordings, facilitators evaluation and self-assessments, all as a part of my placement. I have had a month to do it all, yet I have left it to this last week and cramming it all into late nights.

Motivation? None.

John Piper: 'Finally Alive'

2009-04-27T00:33:00.003+01:00

I've started reading John Piper's Finally Alive. From the introductory section, before the first chapter, I was engrossed. The book talks about the 'New Birth'.

I'm on the 4th chapter and I started reading it two days ago. This is the first John Piper book I have read, and surprised by my own intellect I was able to understand it... so far.

He talks about what the 'New Birth' is: death to the old self, and new birth in the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus.
He will go on to talk about how it happens and what that means to our Journey and how we relate to others.

It's a pretty small book, so I'd definitely recommend it. I'll keep an update on my progress as I read it. Pray that God speaks to me as I read it.

Love Your Neighbour...part I :: naked

2009-04-20T18:40:00.004+01:00

Two greatest commandments:

Love your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength :: Ok, fair enough. I can see that is a pretty simple commandment to understand.
Love your neighbour as yourself :: Wait, that's it? Just do that? Why? What for?

Thinking about this a bit more, and based on something I heard previously, I came to a conclusion which revolutionized how I thought about outreach, mission and ultimately the whole Christian life.

Jesus' reply couldn't have been more simple, yet more profound.

Love your neighbour. That's it, nothing more, nothing added. Today it's hard for Christians not to add anything onto that. For example we add:

Love your neighbour... so you have a bigger reward in Heaven.
Love your neighbour... so they become a Christian.
Love your neighbour... so they think of Christians differently.

Now I know from first-hand experience how hard it is to love your neighbour without thinkning of the future consequences, or the possible good that would come out of it. Also, these reasons can be a great motivation in getting stuck in with the whole neighbour love too.

BUT... whenever we put reasons, conditions or consequences onto this statement, we give ourselves a measure as to whether we fulfill this commandment. In other words, we measure the people by the chances of the reason being fulfilled; and if they don't meet up to a high probability then we often say, "there's no point".

For example:

Two people with similar circumstance who are on the same level of relationship with you. One used to go to Church and is more open-minded. The other had bad experiences with a Christian and has totally closed themselves off to God.

Which one would you make more of an effort to show love. It's easy to love them, but showing it is another matter. Perhaps it's the more open-minded neihbour since there's the possibility that they become a Christian...

Whatever the case, we shouldn't think about reasons or future probabilities of coming to faith with that person. Jesus said love your neighbour. Love them and show it. If we are to show love by baking them a cake, cutting their grass, helping them out with next month's bill... then Jesus will worry about the future. He's got the plan worked out, he'll soften their heart and he'll do the business.

It's simple a change of mindset, that can really change how we relate to people. Church is about people. Loving them. Showing them love in a world that lacks it.

Jesus: "So here it is guys,
love your neighbour." Stripped

Our Deepest Fear

2009-02-16T16:50:00.002Z

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be, brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us: it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Nelson Mandela

2009-01-23T13:41:00.003Z

What if...

What if it could actually happen?
I mean Ballysillan has 'BlueHouses'. Why can't an estate in Antrim like Ballycraigy have 'RedHouses'?
What if RISE Project was behind it?

What if I was one of the full-time Youth Workers there? I mean it'd be another 2 years anyway before I graduated. What if RISE raised enough money to buy two houses to renovate, painted them red, and did proper Community Youth Work?

That is the Church. That's the vision. Back in the day of sandals, people like Paul, Peter, and John probably thought it would be like this anyway in the future. It's expected. Imagine...

Imagine the community was behind us.
Supported what we were doing.
Was happy to see young people have an outlet.

We gave them fun activities, which were in a safe and warm environment.
We ran programs on anti-social behavior, homework help, give them help with driving theory tests, created a safe environment for their bonfire celebrations. We supported their development, while they supported our growth in the community.

What if volunteers came and helped out regularly. They built relationships with the young people, and they came to the realization that they'd rather have an education then have drugs and alcohol.

What if...

...you never know

Passion

2009-01-12T03:37:00.002Z

I met with Steve this week to talk about RISE, and what could happen, or what is already happening in Antrim through it. He gave me Louie Giglio's passion talk 'Designer Jeans'. He talked about our jobs, what we do, our careers and the purpose behind them and how we can use our passion for God.

Then it made me think about me.

I believe that RISE is the beginning. The beginning of something big in Antrim. I believe that RISE will change the lives of people who live here.
I have a passion for RISE.
I have a passion to see people's lives change.
I have a passion for Antrim.
I have a passion for young people, and so I'm studying Community Youth Work at UUJ.
I have a passion.

How can these passions be used for God? Am I called to full-time ministry? I originally applied for a secular Youth Work course in order to achieve a secular Youth Work job. Though maybe that's not how God wants me to be.

Recently, I've been thinking and wondering whether God is speaking to me, and telling me to think about full-time ministry. Could Theology education be something for me in the future.

Maybe RISE could be where I use my passion. Maybe that's my full-time ministry. Maybe that's what I'll do for the rest of my life. Maybe not. But to think that the passion I have is actually being used right now, at 18? To think that at the age of 18 I am part of the main team of a potentially history changing project in Antrim?

It is unbelieveable. Seriously. Unbelievable.

Update...

2008-12-29T01:08:00.003Z

I recorded today a rough acoustic of 'Get Back Up' by WallsNeedGates. It was good craig. It was more a wee rough version to get an idea of the process. But a free download is available ok http://www.myspace.com/wallsneedgates

Looking forward to recording the new EP aswell.

WallsNeedGates

2008-12-27T18:43:00.002Z

So I'm part this band called WallsNeedGates. It started for the RISE Youth Event a month ago, but now the future looks good.

I'm getting myself Roland td 9 -vx electric drums, and Jonny (vocals/rhythm guitar) has got himself a multi-track recorder. So it looks like we'll be able to record in the new year.
We're gonna sell a 5-track EP for £5. And get a 1o-track album up on iTunes etc.

We're trying to sort out album cover artwork, title, jewel case price etc.

But the plans are good! I'm looking forward to recording my first song!

RISE - The Vision

2008-11-11T09:02:00.002Z

The vision is a radical and irresistible revolution in Antrim
It is contagious and catches like a fire.

Young people have experienced the division between denominations and different churches. Clashing theologies and styles of worship.
We want to unite.

The church is a body not a building. It’s the people not the organisations. Sons and daughters brought together through him.

You see bones. I see an army.

The name of ‘Jesus’ will be a whisper which sounds through every estate, street and home in Antrim.

The very name will send shivers down the spine of those who hear it, and their very being will yearn to know Him.

The people of Antrim won’t see the buildings. They see Jesus.

Passion. Enthusiasm. Energy. This is the fuel generated by young people which powers this movement.

They are as radical on Monday morning as on Sunday night.
Righteousness is sought out in every move they make.
Every turn prompted by their clear conscience.
Darkness hides from the light they shine.
And this light does not burn out.

They don’t live within the sound of church bells. They run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell.
They move with the tide of the world but don’t get swept up in it.

When mothers weep. They wipe tears.
When walls divide. They build gates.
When sadness pulls them down. They laugh it off.
When they fall for the eighth time. They pick themselves a ninth.
When there is still one drunk left, when there is one still lost soul in Antrim they will fight to the very end.

But this is just a mere vision. It is far away from what is here now. But it is still a hope. And Jesus can make it happen. The vision is simple. Antrim will rise.

2008-11-08T23:01:00.003Z

I'm part of starting this project called RISE. I was asked to play drums for a Youth Event in Antrim Baptist Church, but I've got more and more involved and I'm excited to be part of this movement in Antrim.

RISE is a Youth Event which we hope to potentially do monthly in the future... but for the meantime it is a one-off at Antrim Baptist Church. Check out the ads...

Testimony

2008-08-13T22:49:00.003+01:00

So here goes...

I grew up in a normal family, in a typical home. Mum, Dad and younger brother. For 16/17 years of my life I lived in Garden Village, a small estate next to Ballycraigy. Ballycraigy is a loyalist estate and in the past was known for paramilitary activities and such, but less now. So, I got into a couple of scraps, but nothing big. Just typical childish fights over football or something. I went to Antrim Primary School, then went to Antrim Grammar. I didn't do drugs, sleep around, drink, party, fight... so my testimony has lost its interest already then? Though my family, and extended family and all my friends I knew didn't know God, and nor did I.

But, I started to go to First Antrim Youth Club. From the outset I loved it. And it was there I met class people, the leaders and new mates who I grew to be really close with. I then ended up goin to the Youth Club Camp at Kinsale, I loved it too. I hated to talks and God stuff that they did. It was all really boring to me. The rest of my mates became 'Christians' but I didn't fall for it all. None of which are Christians now, but I pray that that seed will grow!

Then I went to Camp again, this time in Torquay. I was in a tent with the assistant minister, Michael Davidson, who once again did boring talks (well to me anyway, at that time). But on the last night he gave wee leaflets to the rest of the guys in the tent but to me I was given a brand new youth bible. I was surprised and thankful that I got this gift. I think it was because I had a King James Bible with me which smelt like my attic.

The next year at Camp I went again to Kinsale. This time Victor Cort (R.E. teacher at AGS) was the speaker. He opened up Christianity in a really new way which I had never seen. He was great craic and I really got on well with him. Christianity was really opened up to me then.

I continued to go to Camp every year and still go to this day. Every year the seed grew and grew. But it was after one camp that I became a Christian. I don't actually know what year it was. May have been my 4th or 5th year. I think it was th 5th, but I do remember saying to my friends I was a Christian. So I said I was a Christian but didn't really take it seriously until about one to two years ago. From then on my life has never been the same.

Through the same Youth Club which planted the seeds I found my calling and purpose. And now I hope to a degree in Youth Work at Jordanstown. Through the same Youth Club I attended the church, and as of February this year I've layed drums in the praise band every Sunday night. God has provided me with a class girlfriend and amazing friends. Both hold me accountable, encourage me, help me, make time for me, care for me and give me a glimpse of God in everything they do. Without them I probably would have given up on God.
God has also given me a future, a purpose, he's provided for me financially and has loved me and guided me since my mum and dad got it on!

I have given him my life, but it never seems to be enough. I wish I could give him something more. I'd give him the best Fathers Day present I could get my hands on. But God doesn't need a mug or slippers.

He's my everything, my joy, the source of my happiness. And now I write this with a smile on my face I look back on an amazing Summer. I sit on a mountain top, and it's because of Jesus. And I know I'll soon lay down in the valley where I may feel distant from the one I feel so close too. But I know in those moments Jesus will walk beside me there too.

It really is kinda crazy.... but then again, it just might work.

I reall

:: Passion08WorldTour :: London

2008-06-09T20:29:00.003+01:00

Thursday Morning we embarked on a trip like no other... We were going to London to the Apollo Theatre, to be part of the PassionWorldTour08. Buff, Mark H, Mark E, Scott, Clarke, Ruth, Dave and I were the crazy people who had decided to go...

After a couple of hours at Emirates and banter elsewhere we queued up outside the Apollo Theatre, for what would be the best gig I've been to!

After a quality introduction (below) using The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony into, Chris Tomlin started the night off....

after the expected (yet immense) God Of This City, Louie Giglio spoke then let Matt Redman take the reigns....
He played some of his classics, but Mighty To Save was the best by far. It sent sivers down my spine and goosebumps all over my body as I saw hundreds of students raising their hands for Jesus. It was such a sight to see so many people up for such an event, and singing at the top of their lungs to make sure that God could hear their praises!

Louie Giglio then came on and did his talk. Although it didn't have any central theme like 'Indescribeable' or 'How Great Is Our God', it spoke about the 268Generation which Passion is all about, and the implications it could have on the people around us.... and it was very inspiring to see some of the things God is doing all over the world.

David Crowder*Band was next.... nothing could be said to describe his set.... It was so good. He played 'O Praise Him' and 'No One Like You' then the theater was turned into a Barn when he played Hank Williams 'I Saw The Light'. The Banjo and bluegrass music definately helped us all to stamp our feet, clap our hands and swing arms together! Below is 'You Are My Joy'.

All in all......Passion-London.................AMAZING.

The Troubles Are Over

2008-05-01T17:19:00.007+01:00

I've recently been struck by the Johnny Parks Band song 'The Troubles Are Over'. It speaks of the victory over the conflict in Northern Ireland through God. It's an amazing song, and Matty Weirs marching drum rhythm, adds to the Irish folk style music. Some of the words which stand out to me...

" With every rising sun,
Every evenings fall,
We have prevailed,
You've been our hope,

And through the darkest day
Through the spillin' of blood you heard our prayers
And the troubles are o'er. "

" Let the prince of peace,
Reign in our Land,
North and South,
East and West,.

When the King dom comes,
Free we will stand,
Then we'll declare,
Our troubles are o'er, and our troubles are o'er. "

It doesn't matter how old you are, how much or little you've been impacted by the conflict, and how much you try to ignore it. I still think that every Northern Irish person has a core being which is influenced in some way by the Troubles. If you look at a piece of footage of riots, walk down through your local Loyalist/Republican estate and notice the murals, or if you open your newspaper it is hard not to be affected.

Nobody outside of Northern Ireland really knows what happened in the Troubles and what continues to happen in our land. It's only those who were born into it and have lived through stories and experience who can really know.
And for me and many others who live here and have our own experiences, we can be so thankful, so filled with awe, so relieved and so amazed at what God has done since it all began.

Conflict still exists here, but conflict exists in every country...

The Troubles are over, the victory has been won.

Let the Prince of PEACE, reign in OUR land.

18 Years Old

2008-05-01T16:20:00.002+01:00

As of yesterday (30th April 2008) I am now 18 years old....

I don't feel any wiser, any different, and older but I do feel a sense of achievement.

I came a Christian when I was 15. So that means that for 3 years I've been a Christian and I have survived peer pressure, pressure from the world and pressure from the Devil. In all of this God has been there and this is obvious as I look back on these 3 years...

But yet, it's obvious see God has been there through every year out of the 18. My family made me a photo album with captions and comments of various moments in these past 18 years. As I looked through the album it reminded me of moments where God has been visible, yet I couldn't see him.

I'm so glad that he is faithful when I haven't been.

The Formal

2008-03-15T16:23:00.006Z

Thursday night was my school formal. As part of the formal committee it was the cause of much stress, and anxiety as we were to see 5 months of previous planning be put into practice. We got out of school early at about 1.30, and once home I had a shower. That left me 3 hours or so to kill. It made me think, why do girls stress so much about the lack of time they have to get ready? Controversial comment, I know. So until it was time to put my suit on, I read. Such a simple thing to do on what was expected a crazy time. 5pm came and it was ready to get my suit on. That meant that the next thing would be photos. Photos, photos and more photos. I know parents want to capture the moment with their son, but do they know the awkward position that puts me in? Having to stand next to your mum, while your dad takes a picture and brother looks on (hurling insults I may add).#

Nicole arrived, looking beautiful as ever. It made me so thankful that I have such a gorgeous girlfriend who, even though sick and tired, would still make such an effort for my formal. Once again, photos.

Then came the rest of the crew. 6 other couples and their parents were to arrive to get their limos. Two were to come. An 8 seater Chrysler Voyager, and a Mystery Machine. Yes, a Mystery Machine, the replica of that seen in the Scooby-Doo cartoon. Legendary I know. And yes, photos.

As I arrived at Europa I felt anxious, as I was uncertain whether the nomination and year video would work....but it would be later that night that I would find out that it did. During the course of the evening, photos.

All in all, it was a good night, with friends I have spent 7 years of my life with. Good times...

Legend of the Day

2008-01-31T18:02:00.001Z

So I've decided to do a new blog....

This blog will be running, however posts run dry...as you can probably see.

But the new blog is titled:

LEGEND OF THE DAY

Every day I'll add a post about a person who has been decribed 'legendary' by yours truly.

Famous or un-famous,
Young and Old,
Male and female.....

Check it out and see who's today's legend!

ASBO Jesus

2007-11-24T23:40:00.000Z

Carlsberg don't do friends; but if they did.....

2007-11-19T21:45:00.000Z

Chippys at the top of a slide
Night time football in the rain
Party boy
Halo 3 for nine hours
Pimp My Snack
Cloudy sunsets at 5am
"Beyyeennn!"
Comeback hockey matches against Sullivan Upper
Trips to Emirates
Red Bull causing deprived sleep
Strawberries and cream
Limericks at dinner
Cutting grass and moving trampolines
Proving logic wrong with a projector screen and a lorry
"I'll tell you the truth later."
Snow Patrol gigs
Long goodbyes
Back of the forum football
"Who all's goin?"
Youth Club all nighters
Seven years of Youth Club
Friday night table-tennis
Puttocks
"It's Rick's fault."
Getting lost and crazy golf
I can sing a rainbow
Competitive fantasy leagues
Bluegrass to Eniskillen
Awkward MSN conversations
Vapo powder in eyes
Paul's Riot Squad
"There ain't no flies on us."
"My phone fell down my phone."
Spot squeezing at New Vision
MAD Weekends
6 years of Camp
Falling in love
Getting beat up by a ginger dwarf
"And I'm not jokin'."
Getting excited over Voddie Baucham
Going through the ups and downs
The craic and the banter
The moments to live on
These are the moments I live for.

Reality

2007-11-03T15:15:00.000Z

1. Manchester UTD
2. Arsenal

I'm glad to say that this is NOT reality. Please pray for these people:

Gavin Mould
Junior Ashe
Haseeb Gulzar
Maurice Stewart
Connor Donnelly
Bacon
Michael Donnelly
Gregg Shirley
Gary McMeekin
Scott Mitchell
Michael Clarke
Mikey Arthurs
Aaron Mitchell
Stefan Getty
Jamie Leetch
Ian Elliot
Dean Kelly

These are UTD fans...

Evolution - What a silly idea

2007-10-28T23:22:00.000Z

The theory of evolution depends, in part, on new features arising through beneficial gene mutations. It's assumed that biological activity and changes within genetic material occurred, with ultimately positive outcomes. For evolutionists, much depends on the possbility of beneficial, upward change within the chromosomal material of living things.

But for positive changes to be introduced into living forms-and certainly for entirely new species to emerge- additional genetic information is necessary. The same genetic information repeated (even repeated millions of times) would simple yield the same physiological result. Mere change doesn't mean an increase in genetic information.

This fact has been yet another thorn in the side of evolution, especially when considering the colossal amount of time in which they admit this change would need to take place. Doctor and author Geoffrey Simmons explains:

Once in every 10 million cell divisions, a cell makes a mistake. The chance of the mistake passing into the next geration is one in two. The odds are six to one that it will disappear by the tenth generation, and 50 to one that it will be gone by the hundredth generation. According to [anthropologist] F.B. Livingston, it would take approximately20,000 generations or 400,000, for an advantageous gene to spread among the homid populations of the Pleistocene Era. If we are descendants of the famous Lucy, the australopithecine skull found in Ethiopia in 1974, and thought to be 3 million years old, then there would have been time for only seven advantageous genes to have changed. That's barely enough of a change to tell a difference, let alone make a monkey into a person.

Evolutionists may hopefully appeal to "beneficial mutations" for support, but the fact is, new genetic information or new life by mutation has never been observed.

taken from "The 10 most common objections to Christianity" by Lee Strobel

A Multi-Generational Promise - A radical view on a well-known verse

2007-10-23T23:38:00.000+01:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 (TNIV)

For so many people that verse has remained their favorite ever since becoming a Christian and hearing it for the first time. Often their views on the verse are as such:

God has plans for me and only wants the best for me
God will never do anything to harm me
God will prosper me in the future

Also, often, when something goes wrong in their walk of faith they go to that verse and say to God, "Here, you said you wouldn't harm me! Why did you do this!"

So, that's the background introduction. Once again The Message prevails, with this version, which truly gets the context of the the 29th Chapter in Jeremiah.

"This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Ok, so your sitting there thinking, that must be a incorrect translation because it's not talking about me, it's talking about Babylon...what the flip?

You are correct in your thinking, most of the Bible was not written for you. It was written to a church, is a historical account or is prophetic. This is from the prophetic group of books in The Old Testament.

Jeremiah, spoke to the people who were exiled and that is what he said. This was a promise that God made to the EXILED PEOPLE....NOT YOU!

When God uses YOU in the verse he doesn't mean 'you' as a specific person He means 'you' as a plural. (In other words if God was Norn Irish he would have said YOUS to make it plural).

MORE....

Some people think God will never harm me because He has plans for me and wants to prosper me....WRONG. I know, surprised me too! God inflicting that harm, punishment and hard-ship on the exiled people of Israel, because of the sins they had been committing and the silly ungodly 'prophets' they had been listening to.

So God does cause HARM! However, HARM will bring BEAUTY, and GROWTH. As with Israel and as with us.

EVEN MORE....

In the verse it says that God will save Babylon after 70 years. Through Historical account in the Bible it wasn't until 150 years before the promise had been fulfilled and the exile had ended. So that means that NOBODY who heard this promise from Jeremiah actually were alive to see it fulfilled! That makes this a multi-generational promise.

Ok, so what does that mean for us?
Well, it means when we look at that verse we shouldn't think that it is ME specifically. It means we should look at it as US, as the SAVED PEOPLE over decades and centuries.

As I have learned there are three words that are essential when reading the Bible....

CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT

Pegg's Joke

2007-10-23T23:08:00.000+01:00

"Ok, Paddy Italian man, Paddy Irish man, and Paddy Japanese man are in a plane. But they crash, in the middle of a desert. They are the only survivors, and have no way home. So this man walks past and says, "Here, I'll give yous a lift home if yous build my a sand house." So they agreed it was a good deal, and the man delegated roles. To the Paddy Italian man he said, "You are in charge of the sand." To the Paddy Irish man he said, "You are in charge of the shovel." To the Paddy Japanese man he said, "You are in charge of supplies."

So he comes back a month later, only to see no sand house! So he says to the Paddy Italian man, "Here, there's no sand house, or no digging!" Paddy Italian man said, "Don't blame me! I didn't have a shovel!" So he goes to Paddy Irish man and says, "Why didn't you give a shovel to Paddy Italian man?" Paddy Irish man says, "Here, don't blame me! Paddy Japanese man didn't give me one and he's in charge of the supplies!"

So the man goes looking for Paddy Japanese Man, but can't find him. But all of a sudden he pops out of the sand and shouts, 'SUPPLIES'"

Stuart Pegg, 2007

God > Us

2007-10-18T23:28:00.000+01:00

Ask yourself, "Is God greater than myself?" or is He just greater AND equal to myself?

I find myself wondering which one is true for me. It's something to challenge us. Do we only expect Him to be greater than us when we want Him, through all the 'tough' stuff and be equal to us when we think we can handle things by ourselves? I know loads of times I have said, "God I really need you right now," and other, "You know what God, this isn't that major, so I'll think I'll handle it myself," and I push Him into the scenery of my life.

Even if we are doing things for God do we believe we need Him every second of the way?
Even if we do find ourselves working in the church, youth group or outreach if there is no real dependence of God, then these things we do are void of His strength, His patience and His power, and the Godly works lack his presence and more often than notwill dissolve into nothingness.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

It seems the more and more 'Christian' things we do or attend, the more and more we think we don't need God to help us. Sure, we go depending on God to teach us something etc. but do we depend on Him to help us carry out these new revelations?

Many times I have read books, listened to podcasts etc. to try and help me when I struggle, but that's just trying to do it by ourselves again, unless we are dependent on God through it.

Once I found out that it doesn't work to try and fix it ourselves, even if we are using 'Christian' resources to help, I came to God in prayer seeking desperately for Him to do it all and fix it for me. At that time I was FULLY dependent that God would get me through it, and as true as His word it worked. After realizing this simple idea, I came to the conclusion:

"I DON'T WANT A GOD I DON'T NEED!"

God is GREATER than us! We may think that we don't need Him in every part of our lives, but that is wrong. It is God that doesn't NEED us! Not the other way around, silly!

:: Don't believe all this? Read the evidence ::

"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 1:3-5

Look at this, Jesus COMMANDS His disciples to wait for the Father. It was God that told them what they were going to do. He is preparing them for their dependance of God.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8

Jesus then goes on to say DON'T MOVE UNTIL GOD MOVES. So the disciples stayed in Jerusalem, and a week and a half later (on the day of Pentecost) the Holy Spirit moves upon them, without them knowing! They did not ask for God here, they were dependent on God and trusted Jesus and what he had previously said, so they waited patientally and this happened. When the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 people in the small upper room where it happened, they all sang, danced, and shouted with joy! And on that day 3000 tourists decided to stay DEPENDING on God's plan for them. They totally forgot or deemed it insignificant to do anything other than what God wanted them to do. (from the 100,000 residents of Jerusalem, it increased to 500,000 at the time of Pentecost)

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47

So, they did not decide by themselves, they waited depending on God, God came when in His time, and amazing things happened!

Depending on God through everything doesn't mean waking up in the morning to ask God, "Father, what jeans should I wear today?" It means waking up with dependence and expectancy, only wanting to do what He wants.

One morning wake up and ask God:

"God I will depend on you today, surprise me."

Unsubscribe

2007-10-16T22:05:00.000+01:00

After watching this shocking video, I immediately went on to the website and UNSUBSCRIBED myself from the a huge list of subscribed names. We don't subscribe to anything, we simply unsubscribe from any support on human rights abuse on 'the War on terror'. Please watch the video, and visit the link:

UNSUBSCRIBE ME

Dirt Off Your Shoulder

2007-10-15T22:12:00.000+01:00

Once again the little phase of regular posts has run dry, however a little dampness from this point may keep the dryness.....less.....dry...?

I've been thinking about a lot of things recently which have a category, though I have not named it yet so it shall be known as - 'Category-Unknown'. But the topics which fall into this category entail:

:: How even though God forgives us we don't forgive ourselves
:: How we should think more of ourselves!

So here goes:

:: Even though God forgives us why don't we forgive ourselves? ::

Recent listenings to the fantastic 'Downhere' album and the song, 'Forgive Yourself' has steered me towards the following lyrics:

Forgive yourself, forgive yourself
Anyone who bears a scar wants to forget it
Forgive yourself, forgive yourself
Nothing ever frees you more than just believing
That you've been forgiven, come out of the prison

Can you tell me how you spend every day
Looking in the mirror of your shame
And staring like a judge, you are ruling for yourself
You tied a stone around your neck
You're drowning in a past regret

I think the song kind of explains itself, though I'll add a wee bit. I think that as Christians we strive for success, through trying to cut the bad things out of our lives; no doubt falling along the way. Whenever we do fall, we feel so guilty that even though we had been going so well for so long, we managed to slip along the way. Also, making it worse, I think that when during a period of guilt other Christians 'look' like there always on the straight and narrow but most often than not they are not.
As a John Ashe would say, "Put it like this", how many times have you changed the topic, or lied about your private shame and guilt and nobody has noticed it? So don't you think others are doing it too? I know we should share our walk, though not everybody wants their sins to be hung on the line for everybody in the neighborhood to see.

So, do not think that you are on your own. Everybody has their own struggles, so keep going bashing your way through the gauntlet of life and never give up, for it's the ones that give up that do not find that sense of achievement and pat on the back from our Dad, that makes everything worth while.

Whenever anybody comes to me feeling guilty, ashamed or feel they have disappointed God, I always point to them to the verse a class mate once showed me when I was in the same situation:

Don't, enemy, crow over me.
I'm down, but I'm not out.
I'm sitting in the dark right now,
but God is my light.
I can take God's punishing rage.
I deserve it—I sinned.
But it's not forever. He's on my side
and is going to get me out of this.
He'll turn on the lights and show me his ways.
I'll see the whole picture and how right he is.
And my enemy will see it, too,
and be discredited—yes, disgraced!
This enemy who kept taunting,
"So where is this God of yours?"
I'm going to see it with these, my own eyes—
my enemy disgraced, trash in the gutter.
Micah 7:8-10

Love the Message's version!

:: We should think more of ourselves! ::

Just before writing this point I had begun reading 1 Peter, and these words jumped out at me (some would say God wanted me to read this book to read that verse to write this post so that everybody who read this would be saved, though I'm not 'some')

You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him-with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation
1 Peter 1:8-9

Leading on from the previous topic, I think that because we put ourselves down so much we feel so unworthy, so dirty, so unlovable, and just not within the grasp of God. This leads us to doubt our actions, or maybe ask questions about things:

:: I mustn't love God otherwise I wouldn't want to do this
:: How come everybody else has it together? God wouldn't want me and my problems
:: I used to be better than this, why now, after all the good times, have I fallen?

Though these questions lead me to ask you some of my own questions:

:: How come you believed in something you have never seen with your own eyes?
:: How come you loved this invisible being?
:: How come you believed the words of a book?
:: Do you really think God can think of you any less or more than he already does?

So, instead of putting ourselves down after each fall we should dust off the dirt and keep walking, rather, running into the arms of our Dad.

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
Phil 3:11-13

Even Paul, an apostle, stumbled. Though it's his determination we need as inspiration to keep going. This verse is a quality motivator.

Cheers, Paul!

Choose life

2007-08-17T19:22:00.000+01:00

Choose drugs. Choose sex. Choose alcohol. Choose wasting your life. Choose not knowing. Choose mind over heart. Choose sin. Choose clubs. Choose your own choices. Choose your own way. Choose this world. Choose waking up Sunday morning with a headache. Choose the vomit. Choose crap on TV. Choose watching life slip through your hands. Choose lonely nights wandering what's next. Choose the crowd. Choose leading. Choose death.......But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose something else; I chose life.....and to the fullest. And the reason? The reason is beautiful.

Ben C

CAMP 07 - Day 1

2007-07-03T17:39:00.000+01:00

An early morning start (5 am) seen happy campers from all ages and intelligence, arrive at a busy airport to embark on what can only be referred to as.....'an experience'. All but a Mr. Craig Evans, who, seemed to forget his passport and arrive late, then was probed at the security gate by a hand in rubber glove. But nonetheless he is still here, against everybody else's expectations.

Torbay campsite with it's stunning views of the sea.....and dark clouds created the perfect venue for the first day's football match, but twas called off due to weather conditions.....it seemed God did not wish we played football. His wrath was shown in the form of thunder....or heard more-like.

Much has not be done, many people have done nothing, yet tis only the beginning. The best is still yet to come....hopefully.

Beauty

2007-06-29T01:17:00.001+01:00

Beauty is all around us. And yes, we notice it and observe it but do we really look?

It is only now in my walk with Christ that I notice this beauty, or instance -

the beauty in my newly born baby cousin,
the beauty that I'm attracted to do in my girlfriend,
the beauty of the sky and how the clouds are formed in layers to create so many shapes, the beauty of how a flower will lean into the sun to get the most sunlight,
but most of the beauty of the human body.

Here's some amazing facts about your body -

You use an average of 43 muscles for a frown.
You use an average of 17 muscles for a smile.
Every person has a unique tongue print.
Our bodies are recreating themselves constantly - we ,make a skeleton every 3 months, new skin every month.
Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell.

Everything that happens in your body, the 43 muscles for a frown and the various cells with each having a unique job, all of this, was built by God. Everything in your body works together in sequence without you even realizing about the stuff that goes on in there! It's mind boggling!
Some people praise me on my paintings or drawings, but God creates all this without any inspiration or influence. It's just there in His head! I have to research for inspiration or copy from photos yet God is just...there! The great I AM, creator of the universe. All that was created by God, He just said lets invent the sky, and it was!
It's just so amazing to realize that every little thing in the world runs in clockwork and it is because of God. He started it all and keeps it running, and has promised to until the end. If this is what this world is like, the same world which we must not love, what will Heaven be like? It has to be far better than this, and it is. It's been promised. Just like the promises God made to Israel, it was stated and then made true through God's action.
So we should take the time to chew it. There's so much to take, but just soak it up and remember it was God that made it so.

People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecc 3:11

Insomnia

2007-06-12T01:29:00.000+01:00

Why can't I get to sleep?!

I have an exam tomorrow, yet I am online at 1:30 writing this...

It seems as though I have problems falling asleep. It's only the falling cos' It's hard for me to get up in the morning and I don't wake up during the night, unless for a wee.

I always thought that because I had asked God to help me read and enjoy the bible more, that was the reason I wouldn't sleep - he wouldn't let me fall asleep unless I read the bible. Though does that inflict with freewill?

So I pray to fall asleep, and yet nothing. I really need sleep! It's so annoying.

SUMMER IS HERE

2007-06-11T19:35:00.000+01:00

This ain't no lie.

Some people seem to think Summer begins after exams or on the 1st July, yet my Summer madness began last night.

I don't know what it was which made me feel this way...maybe I was high over the smell of sun lotion....or maybe it was real!

Yesterday Nicole came to sunbathe. She is clearly very white and needs to brown up quite a lot before she goes on holiday or she will look like a milky fool in comparison to those who have been staying at the hotel for a while, and are a contrasting black. Love hanging out with her, doing the whole typical boyfriend girlfriend things. I kinda am crazy about her to be honest, and it's great because THIS TIME it is god-centered and we know our limits etc. We've been through a lot before me met each other, and I think it was God's preparation for each other so that we had it sorted for this relationship.

After she left for YF, I continued to revise and had a bit o prayer and reading time while listening to High Street worship in the wrong key...it was em....good.

Then after their YF, Badge and Smiddy invited me for a chippy, had a bit of i laugh before we met up with Nicole, Kattie and Kara in Castle Grounds. It kinda was like Grease, where the two genders were doin their thing met up, and got to lovin' (well just me and Nicole).

After leaving the ladies home the guys walked home. We kicked this coke bottle from St.Comgalls to my house. The skill was quality. And the bottle lies in my memory box.

Seems like the start of Summer, don't ya think?

This picture has no relevance to what happened last night, but it was at the beach and the beach is summery.

If I could be a super hero...

2007-04-22T15:13:00.000+01:00

Your results:
You are The Flash

The Flash		90%
Spider-Man		80%
Robin		70%
Iron Man		40%
Superman		40%
Hulk		40%
Green Lantern		40%
Wonder Woman		35%
Supergirl		35%
Catwoman		20%
Batman		20%

Fast, athletic and flirtatious.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Voiced thoughts

2007-04-08T00:38:00.000+01:00

Hey, I signed in and came online, to filter my disappointment, anger and frustration through typing it out.

Though while doing this I realised that spreading my negative feelings towards a person online would not show Jesus in his perfect light. So, I will bring the burden to him....

I went on to bible gateway to search for a verse to try and just some up some of the things that's been happening....

PSA 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in
unity!

If only....

PimpMySnack - Giant Flake Dipped

2007-04-07T20:04:00.000+01:00

Here's your very own instructional video to make a Giant Flake Dipped!

Watch More Bebo Tv Uploaded by lil-BennyC.bebo.com

James 5:16

2007-03-17T15:27:00.000Z

Hey, what up!

Something has been set on my heart recently and I think it is my will, no my duty, no my calling, no my will.....wait I already said that...scratch that.

Well just some of the stuff I've watched and listened to has just pushed me to give ye a wee gem.

A problem that I've found, as that we, as Christians bottle up things that we go through each week, and just contain every sin within us.
Often we try to deal with it ourselves, and often we try to deal with it just with God, and not share our struggles with our fellow struggle-ees. I mean, sometimes you just read what God's tellin' you wrong, and you go on your own tangent thinkin' that God has told you, "hey, it's ok, this is from me." This is why I think it is a good idea to share with others, and confirm what you think God is tellin' you.

"If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot." James 5:16

This leads me to somethin' else which has been set upon me - Christian conflicts. I know that this title doesn't mean anything, but I thought it was a good use of alliteration!
I don't know about you, but sometimes it seems that Christians put each other down, to try and lift themselves up. For instance if somebody is talkin' about their own walk with God, somebody else could say that's wrong or just be a bit patronizing. Then again, some people are genuinely tryin' to help but just goin' the wrong way about it. Maybe it's just me....
Also, on the topic of 'Christian Conflict' (alliteration again, nice work) I have found that people (Saved and Not-Saved) seem to pick out every small bad point and every small crack....which leads to the person in question focusing on the problem, to rectify it rather than focus on God, and their purity. God says that if you focus on him, the rest will come.

"Abide in me, and the fruit will come."

So rather than lookin' at each other as broken pieces, shouldn't we look upon each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, whose broken pieces have been put together through our redeemer.

I'm not sure the structure is clear on this, my essay writing has lacked since the dropping of English, but hey if you were meant to get it, I'm sure God will use the spell check upon you to make it readable!

Listen Up

2007-02-21T17:58:00.000Z

I recently found an immense song

WHY by NICOLE NORDEMAN.

It talks about Jesus' crucifixion, in three perspectives. It's really cool, and makes you realise how much He went through for us, and the song is obviously successful in this objective when you hear it. Please take a look

Happy Downloading

2007-02-19T13:00:00.000Z

Well, I have compiled a list of songs that you may not have heard of, but
are quality, and are must for you to look up.

Snow Patrol - 'Some Surprise' (yeah I know I go on about Snow Patrol constantly, but this song is class. It's from the album, 'The Cake Sale')
Duke Special - 'Portrait', 'Brixton Leaves' and 'Scarlatt' (I seen this band live at Vital in August 06, and I love them straight from the off. They're are starting to get big all of a sudden with, 'Freewheel')
Good Charlotte - 'Footloose' (This is a quality version of the classic)

Yeah, that's it. To be fair there's an album called, 'PunkSka covers', and it's got all covers like FOOTLOOSE......so check it out.

Happy downloading

MY vision

2007-02-13T21:05:00.000Z

I had the urge to write this one day......

I dream that one day, every young christian in this country will yearn to know Jesus more. I dream that whatever class, background, protestant or catholic, these young people will come to church willingly and set an example to the older generation, who once looked at them with false thoughts and a judgemental heart.

I dream that older, church goers lacking passion will look at these young people and feel lifted to tag along at the back of the lines, with a bible for a shield and God's love for a sword.

This small Northern Irish unit of God's army will wear dog tags with no name, just inscribed - JESUS LIVES

They won't preach, or force God into a sinner's heart. But their life will be a living sermon to those around them.

They move with the times of the world, and yet aren't caught up with it. They know every tactic on the battle field, and aren't afraid to enter 'no-mans-land' for they know their collateral is a life beyond this.

You could pick one of these soldiers out of a crowd of a thousand non-believers, not because they wear eye liner, piercings or wave a bible, but because the wear a smile. This smile isn't priceless, it was paid for by the blood of Jesus.They smile not because of the pain but because of the reason for the cross.

But for me this is only a dream.The bubble burst's every day, by others and by myself. I am no preacher, for this is what every 'soldier' has dreamt.

I believe it will happen, one day.

All christians that sin and think to themselves, "sorry God for what I'm about to do." Wait, it won't be a problem....

Because they just wont do it! They wont need to, because they are busy reading the bible, being a 24 hour sermon, or in a continuous prayer with God, praying for strangers like - the guy walking up the street with a carry-out, the girl who wears a mini-skirt and a make-up mask going out, aged just 14 or their fellow christian whp goes to church, prays and sings at worship events yet not growing as a 'christian'; they know they sin but everybody around them is blind to help.

Like I said, I am no preacher, I sin, I fall from God's grasp, the Devil has succeeded in his temptation. But I refuse to quit, I fall seven times and pick myself up eight. Others are still moaning about the sin I committed a week ago, and I have jumped a million hurdles after that.

I change in my heart, but because I don't publicise it, the negative perception some people have sticks. But I don't care, for these people live like me, I am in a ship which holds millions of christians just alike, who get shot down but wear a bullet proof vest (brand:Jesus, size:Medium Mens). We know we don't need to publicise it for it is advertised automatically to the only guy who truly needs to know.

Some people dream, some people have visions, some people write it down......I might just try to live it.

Aye your ma....

2007-02-12T23:58:00.000Z

What a trip!

On the 11th Feb Gorman, Sandy and I embarked on a two day trip to see the Arsenal at their new stadium, Emirates.
When we got there, it was immense! It was so big and modern and it was so different to Highbury, not better, just different. Inside was class too, we were 4 rows from the front and about 10 seats away from the Wigan fans! It was great match mainly because of the slaggin battle between 3 young Northern Irish Arsenal fans and one block of Wigan fans.

On the 12th Feb we went to Big Ben, London Eye, and Madame Tussauds. MT's was good as we got loads of photos with class poses....but the highlight had to be the LIVE Chamber of Horrors where you walk around this jail cell thingy in the dark and these actors with creepy clothing and face paints TRY and scare you......though they do SUCCEED. We were crappin it, but apparently Gorman wasn't scared at all......the wannabe hoker himself.

All in all it was a good trip, with many laughs and many - "Aye your Ma's..." for good measure.

Hey Stranger

2007-02-10T16:45:00.000Z

Looks like a lot have things have changed since my last post. Let me fill you in...

I am now single, she broke up with me.
Have no computer which is broke, just a class laptop.
1st XI Boys for school have reached round two of school cup and now one of the top 16 in the country.
Got a new mate in the form of Buff, he's really cool, and helps me out in my walk with Christ. Thinks he can play the bass.
Now on a new journey - after lowsy christian relationships which involved nothing to do with God, I decided that I was goin to lay off the girls till the end of the summer or so. This way I can concentrate on focusing on God with some of the mission teams I am involved with during this year.

Basically that's it, oh, but I am going to London tomorrow with Gorman and Sandy, to watch The Arsenal. They're both dead on, although Gorman think's he has enough of a fashion sense to criticise my gear. How wrong he is.

Just to fill you in. I have grown so much in my relationship with God. I read the bible and more and just focus on him in everything I do. But there was one thing that was botherin me....I have had bad relationships which didn't circle around God, but more US. We did things that I knew were wrong, physical things ya know. So I decided that until the end of Summer (atleast) I would stay off girls, no girlfriends, no dates, no kissing. The reason I decided this was so that I could focus fully on God through my summer mission teams, and there was no risk of doin STUFF. Also, if the girl's not the right kinda girl she can distract from your christian relationship.................But, I kinda broke this a week later when I went with somebody after the Pre-formal. I totally am disappointed with myself, but I am goin strong since then.

I just came back from Jeff's church who had a worship weekend - Salt and Light. It was really good, and it was like God was speaking directly to me with the speaker when he talked about how nightclubs can get you into trouble, at one point when saying that it looked that he was looking exactly at me! It may actually have been. Especially after what happened before.

What a melodrama!

2006-10-18T13:49:00.000+01:00

Well since Friday my week hasn't been going the best. I shall give you a list of the bad happenings:

Friday Night- Youth Club not on at halls, stayed in.
Friday Night - Computer broke, Marky was coming over though to fix it.
Saturday Morning - Football cancelled, but hockey was still on.
Saturday Afternoon - Marky came over to fix the computer, it is still broke.
Saturday Afternoon - Hockey cancelled.
Saturday Night - Nothing to do, stayed in again.
Sunday - Worked in new house, still like it was when we first bought it.
Monday - Hockey match, got hit in the head with a hockey ball, sliced skin. Went to hospital, have paper stiches on until Monday.
Tuesday - Had major headache, had to stay off school. Gemma couldn't come over as she had to iron.

Once again, I am complaining. But I couldn't think of anything else to write, and I thought I was neglecting this page. Although some good things are happening:

Gemma is allowed to come over to the partay at Halloween.
Youth Club is back on
I'm going to a fancy dress party at the start of November, I shall go be going as a sexy fireman, of course. Best news is Gemma is going as a SEXY NURSE! GET IN!
Football match is still on, but hockey match is cancelled.
Gemma might be coming over on Saturday for the day.
I am able to go the worship event in Mossley on Sunday night.
The computer will be fixed soon, for free.

So I am pretty even, but as my favourite verse says, "I can do anything through Him who gives me strength." It inda reminds me that no matter how big or small the trial you can still get through it with help from my homeslice JC.

Oh and a very profound and in-depth quote by Gemma Weir, "You still have me."

Later

Hundreds of screaming girls didn't seem the same as what I dreamt

2006-10-11T21:57:00.001+01:00

Last night, we went to see McFly! Woo Hoo! Well, Gemma had spare tickets cos her dad and mum didn't go. So Andy and I were second option. We did still go knowing we would get loads of stick, but as I am used to it I didn't care.All in all it was a good night. They play very well live and it was great craic with the chick and friends.They were nowhere near as good as Snow Patol, but then again that is a hard feat to live up to. I have devised a diagram to show the comparison between all the people I have seen live:

Snow Patrol
The Editors
Chris Tomlin
Matt Redman
Duke Special
Robin Mark
Ed Harcourt
Director
Last but by all means LEAST - McFly

Didn't know I had seen that many, but anywho. Well I'd like to give a shout out to Gemma and Anna-Claire for letting me and Andy be the second choice!

The GB Formal

2006-10-06T13:47:00.000+01:00

I will make this yesterday's as I didn't have enough time to fill you in on the details of last night, last night. That doesn't make sense.
Anywho, last night was the GB formal. The girls has to organise a charity event or something to get a certain award in the DOE. They raised over 1K! That's very good! And overall it was a good night, check it, yo yo yo, listen up:
Gemma looked fantastic, she always does like, but she really did look well in the dress and fancy get up. Come to think of it, all of the GB girls looked well. Of course, Andy and I raised the bar with are fine suits, worn with a certain degree of refiness and swankiness.
The dinner was good too, however I couldn't eat it all. There was so much on the plate! It was a farm, in the form of food. What spoilt it was the damn Polish guy! Foreigners! He couldn't serve the food with the spoons. It was so funny! And Andy got gravy or some sort of liquid on his shirt. I didn't, the food mustn't have been reflected away with the white shirt and tie I was wearing.
When it came to the auction, AC was quite the del boy. She got loads of money out of the money bags at their tables, and Gemma, gotta love her, said toilet fragrances. I think it was instead of eau de toliette or somethin'. I wouldn't mind aftershave that smelt like my toilet!.....
Well I know, yous are all wondering, "Did Ben dance?" Well the answer is yes! I may have been a bit awkard at the start but I did get into it, and I was fine at the end dancin with Gemma to the most cheesiest last song, that has to be played after every function. Yep you've guessed it - the Dirty Dancing soundtrack - "I had the time of my life, and I never felt this way before. Yes I swear it's the truth and I owe it all to you, la la la la la........" You know that one. I liked it, it's a good song where ya can get upclose and personal with your partner. Hehe.
Well all in all it was a very good night, and in the end I am very glad I went. Kinda miss it though. But I'm sure they'll be some other sort of thing like this comin up soon.
As the great DJ Casper said in his song, "The Cha Cha Slide," I will leave you with his fine words - "I'm outta here ya'll, PEACE!"

Winning isn't evrything

2006-10-04T22:31:00.000+01:00

I shall make this post short. As I am annoyed with a virus. Do not click the link which asks you are you in a photo! Bad idea!
Anyway we won today at Hockey against Ballyclare High. They took a hell of a beating 10 nil. Also, I will add the fact that I scored! Atleast there is one team in AGS capable of winning somehting!

P.S. look up '6 Days Later. Great Band

A Tuesday without European football

2006-10-03T22:28:00.000+01:00

Today was quite a lazy day. After school I went into town with Steven and we had a very profound conversation about God, the Bible and creation. Well of course I was right! Haha! I tried to bring me point across the best I could, but it is very hard without appearing overbearing or forcing anything on him, like a lot of other chirstians I know may do.
I think he believes in the big bang theory. I tried to tell him about Revelations and what will happen when the world ends, but he kept bringing everything back to time, for instance - "How could Noah get ALL the animals into the ark in such a short period of time." I tried to convince him that God defies time, and that he is so great and amazing he can do ANYTHING.
It was very difficult too when he said it was impossible, but he kept bringing it back to what we humans can or cannot do. And I kinda kept repeating myself but I said how God was a supernatural being that is just there and can do anything like all those miracles in the Bible for example or the disasters which happen today.
Well after that in-depth experience I just went home and did freak-all. There wasn't even any European football to look forward too! Outragious!
I looked up this extract from the movie 'Dogma'. I liked it, try and take the meaning from it thoug and don't focus on any curse words or anything!

"Wake up! These humans have besmirched everything He's bestowed upon them. They were given Paradise - they threw it away. They were given this planet - they destroyed it. They were favored best among all His endeavors, and some of them don't even believe he exists. And in spite of it all... He hath shown them infinite fucking patience at every turn. What about us? I asked you... Once, to lay down the sword, because I felt sorry for them. What was the result? Our expulsion from Paradise! Where was his infinite fucking patience then? It's not right! It's not fair! We've paid our debt. Don't you think it's time... Don't you think it's time we went home? And to do that... I... I think we may have to dispatch our-our would be dispatchers. " Bartleby

Well yeah that's it. But I shall leave you with some profound, deep and thoughtful words-

"Really?.........Sweet."

The Beginning of the End

2006-10-02T20:33:00.000+01:00

Well I thought I might aswell share my inner most thoughts and the happenings of my life with all you people in internet world.
Today I was at school, obviously, but that's beside the point. I got cufflinks today! You see, I have been roped into going to my girlfriend's GB Formal. When I say roped, I do really want to go but I'll use her as an exscuse not to look like a loser! Well anyway, I have bought a suit, shirt and tie, which all look very swanky but I had to get these cufflinks - they are football boots! They must have been made for me!
Although I want to go to the formal for the craic, I can't dance to save Thierry Henry's life! I can't even slow dance! I kinda just rock from side to side which looks kinda weird. I feel sorry for Gemma, the girlfriend, having to try and get me up to dance when deep inside she knows I will make a fool of her, aswell as myself!
Well anyway after I got the cufflinks sorted out, I deciced to read Revelations. I heard a lot about it, and had loads of mixed reactions about it being scary and stuff but I thought I would find out for myself. By the way, don't read Revelations! It will scare the be-jeebies out of you! It talks about how locusts with breastplates and scorpion tails will come down and give immense pain to all those marked with the beast for 42 days or something! Yes, also, if you haven't figured out by now it's very confusing. I think I may read it again and try and get my head around it.
I think I should leave it like that for now, I'll try and keep this up to date but never-the-less I doubt I will achieve this.