Castlemaine 4X

Remember these???

 

What makes me tick…

Partly inspired by my friend David and also by the fact that I’m leaving my current job, church and spiritual home in a couple of months I want to spell out some of the things that make me tick… so over the next while I’ll punctuate the usual rubbish with something a bit more interesting (well interesting to me anyway). I’m not starting now because I’ve just been to the gym and I need a shower.

Shipwrecked

Ok… rant on

I’m sat here watching shipwrecked and yet again bored brainless by the “this is the most important decision of my life”, “I’ve never felt so stressed” etc

Are the conditions of taking part that you are public school educated, student, white, “up for a party”, and willing to pout a lot?

All the girls are pushing out their chests begging for a contract with Zoo and Nuts.

E4 (in the words of Mark Kermode) should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves…

The third island is the most interesting bit

My preach part 3

It IS on the website… here’s where you can get it

 

My preach today part 2

Trouble with the PA desk so no recording… the other sermons on the website are worth listening to though.

Preaching this morning

I preached this morning on “Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He do?”… I’ve done this talk as part of the Alpha course loads of times before but this one was a bit different. I have thought more and prayed more about this talk than almost any other that I’ve ever given… whether or not you can tell is another issue!

If you want to listen to it then click on this link a bit later in the week when its up.

Just one thought from today…

God breathes life into dry bones

Fished Pinvin Lake

Had 3 Carp – biggest about 10lb. The carp were spawing as well which meant for lots of crashing about and jumping out of the water…

First time I’ve been since the end of the river season… out again this Friday with a friend’s brother.

New Fishing Venue

I’ve not posted enough about fishing on this blog but that will change (cue many never reading again)…

I’ve joined a new small club for the next season with a nice stretch of the Lower Severn. Have walked it once already and its looks really good. Can’t wait to fish it. The glorious 16th is nearly here…

I’m going to be fishing that stretch and the River Teme this year before I move… then its on to find some good spots on the Brizzle Avon in the Autumn.

Oh, my lovely wife is going to join me fishing for the first month of the year… she’ll be converted by the end!

God is not…

Saw this post on Michael’s blog:

GOD IS NOT…

unfaithful impatient dishonest unjust inactive dispassionate foolish spiteful deceitful insensitive uncontrolled unstable distant disrespectful unreliable untrustworthy chaotic remote vindictive aloof unmerciful unforgiving arrogant hateful unreasonable regretful ashamed unattached malicious unresponsive anxious bitter violent weak reckless perverse ignorant unrecognizable definable obtainable unbelievable stationary unproductive conceited fearful dishonourable negligent sinkable threatened unconstructive wasteful tempted distasteful cheatable uncompassionate deceivable inaccessible pompous replaceable ignorable deficient cynical lifeless unknowable defeated sceptical calculable pessimistic unknowable passive perishable fragile

Good day today

1. Productive meetings with great youth leaders who’ve agreed to get/stay involved!

2. Steak and chips for tea

3. 3 birdies in 3 holes playing golf (on the Wii)

Only downer was that I’ve pulled a muscle doing the 10 pin bowling on the Wii… 

Potter Village Team Video

This is the “official” team film from our trip to Uganda. I had NOTHING to do with the editing, and it is my annoying commentary that you can hear!

 

Official half marathon time

I came in 719th at 2:04:48.

Not bad considering the heat.

Had my first ever (!) cans of Red Bull after the race. Never again. Tastes like cough medicine thats been through a soda stream (remember those?).

HOPE on the Streets

Meant to post this yesterday…

On Saturday more than 100 people from different churches around Tewkesbury came together to getstuckin to different practical action projects. I donned my chest waders and walked along the Swilgate River (from the Youth centre to the Vineyards). I picked up 13 bikes, 4 trolleys, road signs, fencing and more… great fun!

We gathered about 40 bags of litter, cleared stacks of flood debris that was still lying around, and rebuilt a fence near some sheltered accomodation.

It was a fantastic day… I was amazed how many people came, and how much we achieved…

Here’s to the next one!

Tewkesbury Half Marathon

Today was hot hot hot…

Terrible organisation meant a late start but I got off well – the heat was always going to make things really difficult, but I started to really struggle at about the 8 mile mark. By the 11 mile mark I was really hurting, 12 miles I had lost the will to ever run anywhere ever again, and at the finish I collapsed over the line and didn’t get up for 15 mins.

Time… nowhere near my pb of 1:45 – I think I came in around the 2 hour mark, but I’ll get the exact time later this week. I’ll post some photos when they get passed on to me.

Worst moment… walking past a photographer at about 11miles who gave me a cheeky grin and took a photo. Hopefully I won’t be the “tired runner” in the Echo tomorrow…

Pudding night

Fantastic evening last night – our cell group invited the whole street to come over for puddings (my idea as I wanted the leftovers). We had nearly 30 people plus kids come around. I managed to eat plum crumble, trifle, croissant bread and butter pudding, chocolate bread and butter pudding and eton mess.

I didn’t manage to get to the pineapple upside down cake or chocolate and lime cheesecake.

Thanks to all who brought the puddings and wine and beer!

Grand Theft Auto 4

This game appears to be stirring some debate amongst Christians (well they need something REALLY important to write articles about) as to what the church response to the game should be. I can’t critique the game because I’ve not played it… I’ll leave it to the several million others to do that.

Read this article on Our of Ur (blog from the States) for some of the details about the debate that seems to be taking off there…

Here’s my slant on the whole thing:

I’ve never played GTA and probably never will, but I played some really grim games when I was a kid, and I have been playing some of the Tom Clancy stuff quite recently (not the Vegas one because I can’t afford it!). I’ve shot, punched and blown people up on screen (including playing lots of James Bond with other vicars on a leadership course!) without much thought. Is that as bad as playing GTA? Is it fine for me to buy and play the game?

Firstly, what we put in our heads (and hearts) will influence us. TV, films, video games, magazines can all have an effect on us. If I’m honest, I don’t think that there is a line that defines “good” from “evil” (i.e. that game is fine, but that isn’t) but what is good for me. There are plenty of people who have an unhealthy addiction to video games – be it GTA, World of Warcraft etc etc etc. Their only friends are online, they spend hours and lots of money on this habit and it does nothing to improve their life. Some of us might be more susceptible to this addiction than others - I know that Championship Manager has an addictive draw to some of us…

Also the content of the games we play says something about us – is it good and healthy to fill our minds with extreme violence and gore, sexually explicit scenes, and abusive language (GTA has this warning by the 18 certificate on the back – I know, I’ve looked). I suspect not. Am I judging those that do play it? I guess so… does that make me better than them… nope.

So what advice might I offer to people (not that they’ll probably ask but that’s what a blog is for - giving advice when no-one wants it!)

The Bible encourages us to fill ourselves with good things and to guard ourselves against things that might cause us or others harm (too many references to quote but Prov 4:23 is a good start). Also, what kind of fruit is our life bearing – good or bad? Are growing in our love for God, others and a lost world, or are we becoming more self centred, withdrawn etc? Is our character more Christlike?

When it comes to GTA, what kind of worldview and entertainment do we want to support and endorse? I honestly can’t believe its a healthy way of entertaining yourself and I can’t see any benefit to anyone in playing the game (other than the company that made it).

People in my youth group and church will be playing it… my friends and family probably are too… I’ll be told how out of touch I am, and how it’s only harmless fun. I’m happy to disagree.

The Apprentice part 3

Back to my favourite rant at the moment… the Apprentice last night.

Getting rid of both the Jennys was excellent.

I can’t understand why they thought that attacking others and being really bitchy makes an appealing apprentice.

To be honest, I’d have sacked the big mouth Lee as well…

 

I’m getting too excited about TV again.

 

Nintendo Wii

Got me one of those…

Very exciting. Had my folks over for the Bank Holiday – have photos of my Dad on the ten pin bowling…

I managed to use the “useful for ministry” excuse. Can’t believe that it worked! Any recommendations for good games very welcome.

End of season

To finish 7th on goal difference (1 worse than Watford) is galling.

The fact that the Baggies finished top makes it worse.

But worst of all… I’m struggling to beat Charlton on Pro Evolution.

Half marathon again

Did my last long run today before next Sunday’s marathon… I ran the whole course in just under 2 hours, which I was well pleased with. I’ll run loads faster next Sunday I reckon…

Don’t forget to give me some money… all cash raised goes to the Potters Village