From Head to Heart

In small group this week we were looking at the idea of why we believe, what we believe. I think it's incredibly interesting how as people we make decisions about what we subscribe to.

I made a decision to follow Jesus 10 years ago (this makes we feel old) and as I prepared for group this week I thought about that decision. You see, I don't follow Jesus based on a theoretical argument. I didn't weigh up the evidence of every world religion and philosophy and go with the Jesus Factor; it wasn't and still isn't a head decision.

It's in my heart; I know that He is real because I see it in every area of my life and in the lives of the people around me. It's not something I'm going to be talked out of the next time I get a caller at my door from some new age following; I'm not going to run away the next time I hit a tough spot in life. I wasn't talked into Jesus and I won't be talked out of it.

My commitment to Jesus isn't a "head theology" it's a "heart commitment" and I will write about this again in another 10 years - see you then

Futures

I am really interested in the lost art of dreaming. As kids we loved to dream about anything and everything - it was second nature to us. We would dream of jobs, magical lands, friends, pets and lots of other wonderful things.

Then as we get older we begin to see dreams less and less. It's like we sucked into the world of responsibility; the world of no risk - the problem is; we were designed to dream. We were designed to think about how we could change things and improve this world and make a difference - that's why so many of us feel stuck at times - we have forgotten how to dream.

Why don't you take some time today and just dream. Dream about the things that you want to see happen in our world; dream about your contribution to it all.

Let's live the Dream folks

Sweet

Just got sent this by a mate and I thought it was worth sharing with the world; technically Reebok have already shared it with the world - I guess I'm just helping.

Bursting Bubbles - Building Bridges

I am taking a seminar in a couple of days at "the church has left the building" conference. I am talking about youth work in a missional context and how we can make a difference in the youth community around us.

I am really excited about getting to talk about this subject and am having to work hard in knowing what to include and what to leave out, it's one of those topics that could keep me up thinking about all night.

Well, if you are about and up for the conversation then pop along on Friday at 11.30. I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Learning

I think that one of the greatest advantages and disadvantages of working where I work is that you never seem to stop learning. Maybe it's the same with every job but this is the one that I know.

Every week I feel like I'm trying to grab hold of a new concept or idea; facing a new problem and trying to find a new solution. I feel like I'm treading on ground I have never walked on before. I have to say that I totally love the challenge but it is tiring and I am forever making mistakes.

I keep thinking that at some point in my life I will look back and think "now I've done it." It will be a time when I don't make mistakes, when I have learnt all that there is for me to learn.

Unfortunately it has dawned on me that this day will never come; I am going to spend my days thinking and facing up to new challenges whether I am working or not!

All I can say is

Live the Dream

Destination:Home Week 2

Here is what was been going on this week in Destination:Home

Fuse was absolutely pumping this week. 57 guys pitched up with 9 of them never being to Fuse before so that was really exciting.

We started a new series called Built to Last which focuses on looking at things we can do to sustain ourselves in life and life the best life ever. The first thing we looked at was Grace and how we need to live lives that are gracious to those around us.

One of our new guys decided he wanted to respond by giving his life to God for the first time which was wonderful. In the groups the guys were really open to talking about things they wanted prayer for and questions they have about grace in life. It really was a wonderful time.

Radiate was a little quieter this morning due to the baptisms so there were only 19 guys along. As Neil and Janet were in Germany Chuck, Zoe and Becci were on duty.

We finished the series on “Bad Wemen” (Northern Ireland Accent needed) with the story of the Woman caught in Adultery and looked at judgement. At the end 6 of the guys responded to being hurt by other judging them and also apologised to God for judging others.

Second week of Revolution and the guys had 13 people along, which is really exciting. They looked at Why we do what we do and talked about church and what makes church church!!

All the guys responded really well and one of the guys who already is a Christian decided that they wanted to walk a lot closer with God than he had been.

This week Colleen and Ali also looked why we do church and once again had a good time with the guys. Next week they look at healing which should be fun. There were 7 guys along this week.

Chuck lead Thursday group and there were 9 guys along and they discussed church together as well and compared their previous experience of church. Some of the guys are a little stressed about UCAS forms and stuff but apart from that life is rosy in Smallgroup.

No Entry had 39 guys along this week which is the most we have ever had along at No Entry, there wasn’t even any live music or anything. All the guys seem to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and this week Michael didn’t lose to any second year girls at Connect 4. There were some newcomers who came along after they had been invited on the street which is really cool.

Hamburg - Germany

Well, we arrived back from Hamburg on Sunday night after a wonderful weekend.

We were a part of a "Healing on the Streets" Conference where Mark Marx was training some churches on how to do this in Hamburg. Janet and myself were a part of the band for the worship night and other seminars. It was a great time hanging with the guys there and getting to pray with them.

We saw some awesome stuff happen; there were legs growing, frozen shoulders freeing up, people giving their lives to the Lord - it was wonderful to be a part of it.

It was a pretty tiring weekend though and we ate a lot. We got a little time out in town - I took this photo to prove I was in Germany!!

I look forward to hearing what the Lord does there in the future and I hope to hear lots of stories over the next while from what the Lord is doing in Hamburg.

Auf Wiedersen (haven't a clue if I spelt that correctly)

Destination:Home Week 1

You can tell by my creative title that we have just about finished the first week of Destination:Home and I have to say it was an absolute blast.

All in all we saw around 100 young people in one of our 6 main environments which is incredibly pleasing for our first week and we are going to be hitting the Streetz this afternoon (we havent even started schools yet!). It's not the numbers that count, its the heart behind the number so Im so delighted that we have been able to influence 100 hearts and we pray that that increases as the weeks go on.

All the rooms were introductory type things this week but we will kick in with some good topics next week. Revolution which is our newest room went down an absolute treat with the guys in it, so Michael and Anna - Well done.

The funniest story of the week occured last night when one guy turned up an hour and a half early for small group. I had made a mistake on the website so he got a lot of Neil and Janet time before his lift came at 8.30 (which is the time the group is supposed to start!) Ah well, you live you learn.......

Right gotta go, thanks for reading

Radiate - 13th September

Another great morning in Radiate. 32 kids were along this morning and they were really up for it this morning. We started with a bit of club singing which was very funny, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash was my personal favourite.

We then looked at the story of Samson and the importance of trust in our relationships - I think we upset animal lovers though - it's not our fault he ripped a lion apart and set foxes on fire!

The Radiate guys seemed to really enjoy it and we got to hear some more stories of how they were living lives bigger than themselves this week. One of our guys said he really appreciated it as he has having trouble with friends in school! Sweet

25 Things this guy hates about facebook!

I saw this video from Julian Smith about the 25 things he hates about Facebook. Check it out