trunk monkey

I love them… watch and enjoy

 

before half time

and we’re 3-0 down to playoff rivals Southampton.

Bennett if you’re reading this watch for the comeback…

Rave 92

Does anyone know where I can get this from as a LEGAL download? Sadly Itunes has taste and therefore doesn’t have it. Brings back memories…

zimbabwe

This guy is a man of courage.

It’s these kind of issues that I feel so challenged about – firstly feeling that there’s nothing I can do. Secondly realised that there’s plenty but (delete as appropriate) I am busy/lazy/uncaring. Might be an idea to work on the 3rd one…

The Departed

Got this out on Saturday and have to say that I thought it was a good film… if you like your gangster films full on and intense. I’ve never seen any of the Godfather films or Goodfellas (which apparently are better than this one). The story is good, fast paced and the characters are superb. 7/10 from me. Just a warning though – it has an “18″ certificate for a reason… check out the trailer below. C

 

xcite next week

For those who love to show off… XCITE event next Sunday (1st) is all about the X Factor. If you have talent or just no sense of shame then sign up. Everyone will be relieved to know that I won’t be taking part or judging. Prize for the winner. And the knowledge that you have no shame. 430pm next Sunday at Trinity Church Hall.

the worst shop in the world

I know this post is going to get me in trouble with my beautiful wife… but I felt that it had to be said. I suffer from an illness – headaches, pains, tiredness etc as soon as I enter the shop (unless I’m buying crispy duck or another nice food product). Today I lasted 15 minutes – which I thought was pretty good – until I was able to leg it to Virgin. Does anyone else suffer from this disease? C

the best thing on tv at the moment

Having lost interest in Lost as I don’t (and won’t) own Sky (and the episodes I saw in series 3 just didn’t grab me enough)… tonight sees the return of the best series on TV – House. The acting is superb, characters have depth, the humour is good, the stories are original etc. And some people think Casualty is good…

Hugh Lawrie is superb, Omar Epps is good… and it’s got Billy Kennedy from Neighbours in it. Anyway, I’m hooked. If anyone has any other good TV recommendations that I can find on Freeview (I’ve seen all the Cribs on TMF) then let me know. Good night. C

Blog Roll

As I added another person to my blogroll I realised that I’ve linked to blogs I’ve discovered either because they are friends or through other peoples blogsites so would encourage you to check them out.

I hope they don’t mind being linked to from me – its only because I think they are worth looking at! C 

American elections

I have to confess a real interest in American politics… and I found this article by Gordon McDonald on the questions that Americans should be asking of their potential candidates. To be honest McDonald talks a whole lot of sense and this makes really interesting reading.

For those who don’t care about what happens across the pond then just remember that they have the power, money and ability to destroy poverty, significantly influence the environmental crisis we are facing, tackle AIDS, malaria, and 3rd world debt.

Here’s a couple of thoughts to leave you with (Rob Bell)…

1. Clean water for the whole world = $12billion

2. Money spent by Americans the day after Thanksgiving on gifts = $12billion

Proper community

I was listening to a podcast a couple of days ago by Rob Bell. He was encouraging his church to look at the areas that God wants to set them free from e.g. addictions and damaging habits. He just told the story of a lady that had given up smoking and how 2 days in she was really struggling to keep going so she called up her friends and they got stuck in with helping her. They prayed and walked with her through it. Here’s what struck me… how natural it was for a group of people to just get stuck in and pull their friend through. Isn’t that all it takes sometimes to see radical transformation in the lives of those we live with in our churches and families etc? Just getting stuck in and doing what it takes.

Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Borat

Well… to be brief – didn’t make me laugh as much as I thought it would to be honest. I wasn’t as shocked as I thought I would be afterwards but that’s probably because the whole film has been scrutinized by everyone else and I knew what was coming. I think part of the genius of this film is that you really don’t know what the point of it is – is it supposed to just be there to make you laugh? Or is it a very pointed jab at American culture (well extreme parts of it)? Answers on a postcard… If any of my friends read this (unlikely) then if you really liked Ali G or other Sacha Baron Cohen creations then get this out. If you are curious then get it out. If you are neither of the previous 2… I’ve heard that Casino Royal is OK. C

XCITE – todays celebration

Just back from the celebration… as a youth pastor I love our little youth congregation. There were about 35 of us there this afternoon – young people from all walks of life and Christian experience. It was great tonight to have one of the young people speak on why we should share our faith. She was superb – well done mate!

Having led a small youth congregation for nearly 5 years now I often think about how it should look – i.e. large and successful (whatever that is)? The things about XCITE that I love the most are the fun we have, the informality, the involvement, the imperfection, and especially the holy moments that we have. Here are some from this afternoon. 3 new guys came – one is on our youth alpha course but he brought his brother and cousin from South Africa. I got to chat with a young girl who had recently given her life to Christ. Seeing our new preacher start to go for it and be passionate about mission… I think that these are the things we should remember but so often forget, spending our time counting numbers and other rubbish measures that either feed or destroy our egos. I will be remembering the holy moments. C

XCITE

If anyone actually has checked out the XCITE website… it is more than a year out of date at the moment but it WILL be back on line soon hopefully. Meanwhile, I’m going to keep everyone informed of what’s going on with XCITE and other bits on this blog so keep in touch for more info. This Sunday is the next XCITE celebration – 430 at Holy Trinity Church Hall. See you there.

Jay Bothroyd is useless

Saw this on the Molineux Mix website…

Still under construction

Not that I think anyone is reading this but I’m working on it… was inspired today by a friend who has a great blog – Steve Clarke - who had heard of my previous attempts at blogging which were shocking to say the least. However, when this one gets going… it probably won’t be much better!

Not being able to sleep

Having had a week of not sleeping I thought that this would be a good time to add something to this blog which is very much under development. Not being the most computer savvy person it will probably take me a while to get used to it…