Seeking His face

The real reason the rapture didn't happen??

2011-05-22T23:54:00.001+01:00

Sufjan Stevens, May 18th 2011, Olympia Theatre, Dublin

2011-05-19T15:25:00.007+01:00

I genuinely can't put in to words how incredible the show was. Any gig that doesn't play many of your favourite songs and in fact only plays 13 songs and yet leaves you completely mesmerized has to be a good show. Sufjan manages to tap into a creative realm that most of us can hardly understand never mind tap into ourselves. It was a privilege to watch a genius perform to that level, complete with ridiculous costumes, fluorescent lights, synchronised eurovision type dancing, mental art work, balloons, streamers and all the while it made total sense in the very most non sensical manner. Jane over heard a bouncer on the way out saying to his fellow bouncer "That was fu*ked up!". Yes mr bouncer it was; in the most heavenly way.
Here's the setlist and some photo's I took...

Seven Swans
Too Much
Age of Adz
Heirloom
I Walked
Vesuvius
Get Real Get Right
All For Myself
I Want To Be Well
Futile Devices
Impossible Soul
--------------
John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
Chicago

It's Friday; Robert Smith, he he so not amused

2011-05-14T21:42:00.001+01:00

Farther up and further in

2011-05-14T15:24:00.003+01:00

“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited".

– CS Lewis, 1942, ‘The Weight of Glory’

Supposed Martin Luther King Quote...

2011-05-05T19:41:00.004+01:00

By now I'm sure most people reading this have seen a quote purportedly to be from Martin Luther King in relation to Osama Bin Ladens killing. The quote reads...

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that."

It's been quoted on the radio here in Ireland, been posted on a million facebook pages and tweeted a few million times and was published in the letters page of the Irish Independent yesterday.
For the bant I wrote into the Indo and for the double bant they decided to publish it. It was fun to see it there this morning.

Making theologies out of our disappointments

2011-04-12T15:06:00.003+01:00

I have a memory stuck in my head. I was at a youth event and a member of the prayer team came up to me to share a story of what had just happened to him. He told me how some kid had really hurt his leg and he had heard that God healed people. He then said 'Imagine; he came to me to pray about it before even going to the doctor! I told him to go to the doctor to sort it out'.
I'm not sure what response he was expecting from me, maybe something along the lines of 'Yeah imagine someone going to the prayer team for prayer about a sore leg when they can just go to the doctor like everyone else.'
I didn't argue with him, I think I was just saddened in my heart. What has happened that people have so little expectation of God intervening in their lives? I think one of the main reasons is people making theologies out of their disappointments. If we believe God is who he says He is and part of his nature is being a healer and we pray for someone and they don't get healed well we need a reason to explain it. More often than not the reason we give is that for some reason it wasn't God's will to heal or even worse that God has given us all our crosses to bear and actually this is a lesson that we must learn from. Sure after all isn't God is in control! There are a couple of examples in scripture of that happening but when we look at the life of Jesus who was the full representation of the Father we see nothing like that. We never see Jesus say to anyone 'Sorry buddy, my Dad is teaching you a lesson so I can't heal you. You gotta suck it up'. Even the example of the blindman in John 9 where through bad translation it alludes to the mans blindness coming from God the man is still healed. That's right, Jesus didn't say 'this is to teach him a lesson so we gotta leave him in his blindness'. No, he heals him. Always healed people. Sometimes it was their faith, sometimes it was a friends faith sometimes even it was a shadow of his disciple that healed someone but people got healed.
Of course there are always questions about why we don't get healed and the reality is that sometimes we can pray earnestly for years for people and they die disappointed. The reason why they weren't healed I don't think lies at the door of God. It lies in the mysteries of this free will laden universe with humanity and demonic angelic beings having free will to bring sin into the world (see Daniel 10 for a mental story about angelic free will and prayer). Amongst other things too lofty for us to grasp.
But what I do know is that Jesus came to redeem us and release us from the curse of sin and if I don't see answers to prayer I'm not gonna blame him for it. I know with all my heart that God is good. Actually good, not good in a sense that we can't really understand cause while he's comforting us with one arm he's actually inflicting pain with the other. No, he's good. He's a good daddy who loves His kids and if ever there is an example of that it's the cross. Jesus dying and ripping the keys of sin and death out of the hands of Satan, bursting forth from the grave and allowing us to enter into an amazing reality of the presence of Father, Son and Spirit.
We've all been disappointed but don't let the enemy lie to you that that means God isn't good or that he's holding out on you. The metanarrative of His word shows that he is a good God who is deeply in love with his creation and would go to the ultimate lengths to win them back. His grace is mind boggling. If you see someone else who has an answer to the very prayer you've been praying unanswered for years, celebrate in it. Let their victory become yours. Allow the testimony of Jesus to be a prophecy over your life and allow the Father to minister to you in the desert place trusting and knowing that he is good and makes all things new.
My sadness for that guy on the prayer team is that a day will come when his only hope for himself or his family is a miracle from the Lord and he will have no well of faith or testimony to draw from. On the flip side though I'm so thankful that God isn't spiteful and will gladly lend him some faith if he comes looking for it.
I should probably add that I've no problem with going to the doctor for sore legs. The medical profession in and of itself is a blessing. But lets remember that our God is the ultimate healer and physician so take his advice before you see someone else!

Asbo Jesus 1000th post

2011-04-11T17:48:00.004+01:00

You can check out his site here (don't hold me responsible if you're offended!)

Brooke Fraser, April 9th, Sugar Club, Dublin

2011-04-10T11:40:00.004+01:00

I was slightly nervous about going to see Brooke Fraser, especially after such a cracking night with Bell x1 on Thursday. I wasn't sure whether it would be a little intense and if I would be the only guy there and if people would be shouting for her to sing Hosanna or the Desert Song or something Hillsong esque (there was a little bit of that).
All my apprehension went straight out the window the moment she stepped on stage. If Paul Noonan charmed my wife, then Brooke Fraser definitely charmed me. She started with the beautiful 'Theif' and you could hear a pin drop. She was then joined by Michael Guy Chislet supreme guitar player with Hillsong United and the greasiest looking American Italian ever to grace the shores of Ireland to play drums and percussion. Can't remember his name, Flavio Roberto Donnadoni or something to that effect. He was a solid drummer.
There was a mutual affection tangible in the air between Brooke and her Leprechaun friends as she liked to call us. She charmingly rambled inbetween songs about various things from eating her scabs, to wanting a pet lion called Glen Hansard to the names of her guitars; Paul, Rosie and Eric if I recall correctly.
She played a great selection of songs; 1 from her first album, the beautiful Arithmetic which closed the show, 4 from her second album, 8 from her new album and one cover (Coldplays Violet Hill). She is an excellent performer with an incredible voice and cracking melodies. I hope this little eurpoean tour gets her some attention that she thoroughly deserves. I'm sure playing with Hillsong is a monkey on her back with the media. That seems to me to be unfair as she is in the truest sense a christian artist, playing excellent songs that aren't confined to the walls of a church. The typical 'if you're a christian you need to sing songs that only overtly mention the cross in them' needs to be banished. If you're a christian you need to write amazing artistic songs that reflect an amazingly artistic God who is not one dimensional. Whether it's about Jesus, Glen Hansard being a lion or the Coachella music festival, just write good songs.
I should also mention her support act Liz Lawrence who was very good. A less angry, sweeter version of Kate Nash who seemed very grateful for the support on her first ever gig outside of England.
Two amazing gigs in the space of three days makes me very grateful, especially as Brooke was only 15euro. I probably haven't played that little for a gig in 15 years! Next up is Sufjan in may. That should be a belter. Here's the setlist and some photo's...

The Theif
Orphans, Kingdoms
Betty
Deciphering Me
CS Lewis Song
Who Are We Fooling?
Flags
Albertine
Crows + Locusts
Violet Hill (Coldplay cover)
Something In The Water
---------------
Sailboats
Coachella
Arithmetic

Bell x1, April 7th, Vicar Street, Dublin

2011-04-08T16:36:00.003+01:00

I Love Bell x1. My wife loves them even more, this may have something to do with Paul Noonans witty and sometimes heartfelt lyrics as well as his attractive charm. She says it's just cause of the music though. I remember seeing Bell x1 as their former guise 'Juniper' back in my teens. I thought I was so cool as I stood in Norris' pub in Celbridge as my mate Bago sang along to all the words and particularly emphasising the movement of his mouth, presumably to let everyone know he knew them. He infact did know them, especially their lead singer Damien. His Dad even got a mention in their ep Manna which I thought was so cool at the time. I still do; his dad was always good to me. I also think that lad Damien is still wearing the same jumper he used to wear back then. They used to sing this song called 'Insane'; I thought it was one of the best songs ever written!
For some reason my liking of them wore off a little when Juniper broke up and I wasn't too enamored with the newly formed Bell x1. 'Neither am I' disappointed me when it came out, but I didn't infact listen to it. I can't make sense of that one. How can you not like an album you haven't listened to? (Mind you I haven't listened to Pinks new album and I'm fairly sure I dislike it). I'm not entirely sure where my love rejuvenated for them. It did though, and it's been solid ever since.
Myself and Jane have been to a few Bell x1 concerts since we met. I think going to gigs with Jane is one of my favourite things. When Jane willingly came to Manchester and London to see Pearl Jam a couple of years ago I knew we'd last forever! Last nights show was a great one. Their new album is only out a week but it didn't quench the enjoyment whatsoever that we weren't as familiar with the new songs as we are with their staples. Infact some of their new tunes where my favourite's of the night.
They started off with the slow brooding Hey Anna Lena and the token witty first single 'Velcro' written about getting stuck in a field after playing Austin City Limits festival. My First Born For a Song next, a good tune, one that I would have swopped for perhaps 'How Your Heart Is Wired' but I don't make the setlist.
'Bad Skin Day' brought a huge cheer from the crowd followed by the 10 seconds of 'shhh', 'shhh'. It was a lovely rendition to a cracking tune. 'Built to Last' is a song that could have nestled well on a Dave Geraghty solo album but I'm glad it's on the new Bell x1 album; hopefully it'll remind people that he is a fantastic artist in his own right. A cracking tune. The one two punch of 'Rocky' and 'Alphabet Soup' were great singalongs. Especially Rocky. It got slightly overplayed at the time but it's still one of their best tunes. That change where it enters 'The sun gives light, and it takes it away, and like all the greats we'll burn out someday. I want to be that star'; is one of their very finer moments.
'I'll see Your Heart' made all the ladies swoon, including my feminine side, another great tune followed by possibly my favourite of their new album so far; 'Nightwatchmen'. 'The Great Defector' was another great singalong, followed by the crunching 'Tongue' which for some reason despite my inner love of rock I can take or leave. The funky '4 minute mile' which Paul said they decided should actually be called 'I believe I can't fly' closed the first set before they presumably got a cup of tea for five minutes and a fig roll before coming back for the encore.
The first song was just the three lads and they played the heartbreaking 'Trailing Skirts of God' a song about leaving faith behind. It got a couple of muppets cheering at the parts about leaving faith but I think most of the crowd realised that it's a huge statement to make that you're bidding adieu to God. Mind you, I'd probably say goodbye to the God he was presented with. Nothing like the God I know! Flame was another crowd favourite with great audience participation, followed by the Fianna Fail bashing 'Sugar Rush' another belter from the new album. The show finished with some heartfelt thanks from Paul and one of their finest moments; 'Eve, the apple of my eye'.
Another great show, helped by our cracking seats front row on the balcony. If you don't have their new album it's well worth getting, and they're an independent Irish band which is always good to support! Here's the setlist...

Hey Anna Lena
Velcro
My First Born For A Song
Bad Skin Day
Built to Last
Rocky Took a Lover
Alphabet Soup
I'll See Your Heart and I Raise You Mine
Nightwatchman
The Great Defector
Tongue
4 Minute Mile
—
Trailing Skirts of God
Flame
Sugar High
Eve, the Apple of My Eye

Those pesky emergents...

2010-07-01T14:01:00.005+01:00

I still have no idea what the emerging church is. All I know is it's apparently emerging, Rob Bell has something to do with it as does his arch nemesis Mark Driscoll although he has tried to distance himself from it now; he would refer to himself as 'emerging reformed'. One of the reasons he has done this is so he will not be associated with the heathen that is Brian McLaren and his friends. I also get the impression that it elevates social justice and likes to do church in different ways to the opening song, welcome, opening prayer, 3 songs, prayer, bible reading, sermon, closing hymn, closing prayer way of doing church. I also know Steve Chalke is involved somehow and made a lot of people very very angry with comments he made about the atonement.
What I do know is that many a person in bible college and those interested in theological academia are trying to figure out exactly what it is. I also know that most people in the reformed camp are very unhappy with the emerging church, especially Don Carson, Albert Mohler, John McArthur amongst many others. Apparently the emerging church is quite dangerous to these folk.
It seems like lot of times church people try to understand a different belief or expression of christianity is so they can find it's faults and inform them of the right way of doing things, rather than finding the gold in it and applauding it for the same. That goes for most theological camps I should add, apart from the anabaptists of course; they just want some peace!
Anyways, all this to say I read Don Millers blog the other day. Apparently he's another advocate of the emerging church and his books can dangerous to read depending on what side of the spectrum you're on. I for one would recommend 'Blue Like Jazz', it's a great book and you can get it here. Here's what he has to say about the whole thing; it's an interesting read and I should add he didn't mean any insult to catholics.

A Leader in the Emerging Church?

For the past few years, I’ve been considered a leader in the emerging church. I’ve read as much in articles, mostly attacking the theology of the emerging church. I’ve even sat in a room where they talked about me being a leader in this church. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to embarrass them. There were only about ten people at the panel discussion, in a room without more than 500 chairs. I’ve normally laughed, because whoever wrote these articles clearly didn’t do their research (and by the way, they have never called to verify their facts) because I don’t attend an emerging church, and for that matter have never used the phrase in any of my books. So I am not sure how you lead something without talking about it, but this doesn’t seem to matter to the critics!

But my question is this: Why don’t these people go after the Pope? Whatever the emerging church is (and I’m not pretending not to know. I really don’t know, because conversations about it bore me and I’ve never read a single book on the subject).

Do they agree with the theology of the Catholic church? If not, why don’t they ever attack it? Aren’t they leading billions astray, when the emerging church is only leading a few? Are they scared of the Catholic church?

I’m not asking the question to be sarcastic. I’ve actually been curious. It’s kind of like pulling a guy over for running a stop sign when there’s a holdup at a bank happening a few yards away. At least that’s the case in my understanding of theology.

My only thought is that this attack community is a small, insular community that really doesn’t know about “the world” outside the more conservative evangelical church. This is their fort, and they have an entire ecosystem wtihin it that is the world God created, and everything else is Mars (God didn’t create Mars, science created Mars, and science is outside the fort.)

Another thought is that the Catholic church tends to agree with the Evangelical church on political issues, so who really cares about their theology, right? The theological attack may really be about something else, the threat of the loss of power in another sphere, an earthly sphere.

Is this a fair assessment? Is it too critical? I am wondering why the leaders of fundamentalist evangelical Christianity don’t attack Catholics. Thoughts?

What if we took all the energy we spent faking and used that energy to enjoy the Lord instead?

2010-06-29T11:50:00.004+01:00

"I want to write...dangerous songs that give you permission to wear your heart on your sleeve before Jesus, unencumbered by the grave cloths of mindless tradition."

I'm a big fan of John Mark McMillan, as much as it pains me to say it, it's very rare to come across an artist who loves Jesus who actually writes great songs and crosses genres. His music has a strong southern feel to it and his raspy voice perfectly accompanies it. It's strange to have an album where the same song can play after Kings of Leon or Jesus Culture and not sound out of place.
He's re-releasing his last album 'The Medicine' next week, you can read the reason why here.
Below you can see a cool video about his upcoming release, an album I would highly recommend. 'How He Loves' was originally on his 'The song inside the sound of breaking down' album, but he's tagging on a radio version of it to 'The Medicine'. Notice here on Amazon it has an explicit lyric warning beside the album? How funny is that. I guess some conservative type reported him for the 'sloppy wet kiss' lyric, amazing! Actually while on the subject, not sure if I posted it before but here's a quote from him about that line...

The idea behind the lyric is that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth converge in a way that is both beautiful and awkwardly messy. Think about the birth of a child, or even the death of Jesus himself. These miracles are both incredibly beautiful and incredibly sloppy ("gory" may be more realistic, but “Heaven meets earth like a gory mess” didn’t seem to have the same ring). Why does the church have such a problem with things being sloppy? Do we really think we’re fooling anyone on Sunday morning, especially God? Are we going to offend him? I mean, he’s seen us naked in the shower all week and knows our worst thoughts, and still thinks we’re awesome. What if we took all the energy we spent faking and used that energy to enjoy the Lord instead? That could be revolutionary!

Enjoy the video, it's short and enjoy the album if you get it, it's awesome.

Pearl Jam June 23rd, Belfast, Ireland

2010-06-27T12:17:00.003+01:00

I always get strange looks from people when they realise I've seen Pearl Jam two nights in a row. "Belfast?, are you not going to see them in Dublin?" I always feel the need to justify my decision, my reason for people this time around is "well they played 15 different songs in Belfast, it's not like U2 who will play one different song if you're lucky, two if you've hit the jackpot". But frankly I'd see them in Belfast if I knew ahead of time that they were going to play the same setlist. They're my favourite band, they don't play here very often so why not? They have set the bar pretty high for themselves though with their always varied setlist (in 2003 they played 3 shows in Boston playing 82 different songs as well as 11 covers, immense), so I knew I was in for a treat.
When we arrived into the Odyssey I was stoked to see that we had cracking seats, even happier when no one sat infront of us. Ben Harper played the same set as the night before but it was again very enjoyable. His new band is tight and as much as I'd have loved to have seen him with the Innocent Criminals these new guys are excellent.
Pearl Jam opened with Sometimes, a song I was disappointed to hear them open with in 2000 but was delighted to hear this time, a great little song which I've come to appreciate with time. Do the Evolution came next followed by a favourite of mine Animal. Always intense and always rockin. As there was a notable absence of any songs from 'vs' in Dublin it was nice to have 4 songs from it in the set. The Fixer had me realise that the Belfast crowd was great and just as up for it as the Dublin crowd as they sang along with the many 'yeah, yeah yeah's'.
Next up was a real treat for me 'Tremor Christ', man I was so excited to hear that song, not one I was expecting. Eddie said it was a request and my respect goes out to whoever asked for it. Such a great tune. Low Light a sweet tune from No Code was next. The 1-2 Even Flow and Unthough Known from the night before was next, Mike McCready again tearing up the solo in Even Flow and Unthought Known reminding me of why it's in my top 3 favourites off Backspacer. Love that tune.
Another super rare treat came next, 'No Way' a song only played 9 times in it's 12 year existence. It sounded so good live. Eddie's chat with the crowd was well enough received however it was interesting to see the difference between a Dublin crowd and a Belfast crowd in response to banter about 'Irish' things. A joke about Michael flatley and a reference to his girlfriend being a 'McCormick' amongst other banterings, weren't as well received as he thought they might be (he stated this). I guess the mix of Irishness, Britishness and Northern Irishness in the venue make for slight awkwardness at those moments. Eddie didn't understand it and I'm not quite sure if any of us understand at the moment what the true identity of Northern Irish folk is, but as this is not a political review I'll move along swiftly.
Eddie did mention politics himself in introducing Insignificance as a song conveying his upset that his tax money helped build planes in Boeing in Seattle to drop bombs on kids in foreign countries, whether one agrees with his politics or not it was interesting to hear his thoughts about the song. Present tense a great slow burner from the much underrated 'No Code' was next, followed by a quick 1-2 of 'Got Some' and 'Save You', a welcomed 'Riot Act' song.
Eddie dedicated the next song to someone as Stone began the chords to 'Blac'k but Eddie said 'we can't dedicate a depressing song to them' so Mike kicked in quickly with 'Given to Fly'. The crowd loved it, an amazing staple song live. Black came next with the crowd singing an extended 'do do do do do do do....', it sounded great. The set closed with an ever excellent rearviewmirror.
The first encore started as the night before, with 'Just Breathe', by now the three empty seats infront of us where filled with 3 absolute planks, but I was just about able to ignore them. Following 'Just Breathe' Eddie said he had gotten a message from a very brave man who had gotten married that day and took his guests to the show so he and his now wife could say Pearl Jam where their wedding band (I found out later there where only 24 of them at the small wedding). He mentioned their names and dedicated the next song 'Amongst the Waves' to them and asked the crowd to clear a space so they could have their first dance. Sweet.
Another favourite of mine 'State of Love and Trust' was next, what a song. Eddie then told a little tale about the lady in his life and his two kids and how much he missed them as Boom played 'Wasted Reprise' in the background, 'Betterman' then followed which predictably send the crowd into a tizzy.
The second encore began in a very unique way. Eddie explained that a very good friend of theirs Brendan O'Brien (record producer) was 50 in three days time and he's a hard guy to please to they wanted to do something special. We were asked to stay quiet as they spoke to a camera infront of a black sheet and when they sheet dropped we were all to cheer and sing happy birthday. It actually looked and sounded pretty cool. The 12 string bassed intro to Jeremy came next and brought the house down. It was a fun song and the crowd loved it, as did I. Next was another song with a bass intro; 'Leash'. So fun to hear live and a fan request for many a year, noted for it's absence for 12 years until it was played in 2006.
A cover was next, whats a Pearl Jam show without a cover? Crazy Mary, this song used to be quite the rarity but not so much anymore. It's a great song, although one of the very few songs that I prefer the studio version to the live one. The set finished in the same fashion as Dublin with the lights on and 'Alive' and 'Yellow Ledbetter' played. It was great fun and the crowd was so into it as apparently where the band. Mike McCready teased 'I Will Follow' by U2 at the end of Yellow Ledbetter. A great end to an amazing two nights.
It was a stellar show, and I think it may have just topped Dublin. Hopefully they'll be back soon!

Sometimes
Do The Evolution
Animal
The Fixer
Tremor Christ
Low Light
Even Flow
Unthought Known
No Way
Insignificance
Present Tense
Daughter/The Real Me (The Who)
Got Some
Save You
Given To Fly
Black
Rearviewmirror

1st encore:
Just Breathe
Amongst The Waves
State Of Love And Trust
Wasted Reprise
Better Man/Save It For Later

2nd encore:
Happy Birthday Brendan O’Brien
Jeremy
Leash
Crazy Mary (Victoria Williams)
Alive
Yellow Ledbetter/I Will Follow (U2)

Pearl Jam June 22nd, Dublin, Ireland

2010-06-23T00:32:00.002+01:00

Driving in to the show I was reminiscing with Jane that it's been 14 years since I first saw Pearl Jam live, scary! Last night was pretty amazing and particularly rockin. Only real let up in the first set from the second tune on was Nothingman, apart from that they pretty much tore it up. They opened with the slow burner 'Long Road' which isn't a regular opener although it's opened three shows I've been to now. From there they just went into overdrive. Loved hearing the opening riff of once, I had a fleeting thought that they might play ten from start to finish but that's a ridiculous thought, although they did do it with the avocado album so maybe someday. 4 singalongs followed, the 'yeah, yeah yeah's' from The Fixer, 'why go home' from eh.. Why Go, pretty much all of what is decipherable from Corduroy and more 'yeah's' from Severed Hand. Two of my top three from the new album came next sandwiched with Even Flow as the filling, Amongst the Waves an absolutely stellar song which sounds fantastic live and Unthought Known an amazing song with a fantastic melody. Even Flow was as always a chance for Mike McCready to show off with a trademark solo and the crowd to go even more mental.
A note on the crowd, I wonder does it happen to everyone or is it just me but I seem to always get surrounded by the same group of cliches. The token shirtless American high fiving those around him when they play his favourite songs, the token shirtless guy showing off his pearl jam stickman tattoo, the long haired Portuguese guy who head bangs his hair into my face (it strangely smelled quite nice actually), the annoying guy who appears out of nowhere and stands right infront of me, the beer spiller on his way past, the tone deaf guy behind me singing in my ear and the token guy who brings his completely disinterested girlfriend. I guess it wouldn't be the same without them.
Anyways, back to the show. Nothingman was a real treat. I was delighted to hear that song, one of my favourites and it sounds just gorgeous live. Was also a nice breather. The breather didn't last long though as they scorched through Lukin seguing into Not For You. Another treat, the b-side Down followed before another song from the new album 'Got Some'. I wonder how drummers have the stamina to take on all those songs, Got Some has alot of drumming going on in it. Comatose went by with a frenzy, before Ed told a story about hearing about the death of Joe Strummer on his birthday December 23 and they launched into a song of his which they've never played before called 'Arms Aloft in Aberdeen'. Some pretty profound lyrics in it. The set closed with the ever enjoyable 'Do The Evolution'.
1st encore began with the absolutely gorgeous 'Just Breathe' a member of my top three from the new album. Having a wife and two kids has definitely rubbed off on Mr. Vedder. Following this was another crowd favourite 'Given To Fly'. They then played another song they've never played before this time it wasn't a cover though. Ed said it was so new it's not even a song yet. Although Jeff mentioned the song a while ago in an interview as an outtake from the Avocado sessions. It's a strange mix of jazz, punk and Peter Gabriel, has some great bits to it. A bangin Porch closed the set, always great to hear a favourite from 'Ten'.
The second encore was another sing along fest. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In a Small Town, was great with everyone singing their hearts out, as they did in the next song Betterman. Ed pleased the crowd with letting us sing the first verse and chorus on our own. Another cover followed, 'Kick out the Jams', not one of my favourites. The set closed with 'Alive' and 'Yellow Ledbetter'.
Overall an absolutely cracking show; added to it by having Ben Harper and Relentless 7 support. A real treat. looking forward to Belfast tonight!

Long Road
Once
The Fixer
Why Go
Corduroy
Severed Hand
Amongst The Waves
Even Flow
Unthought Known
Nothing Man
Lukin
Not For You
Down
Got Some
Comatose
Arms Aloft (Joe Strummer)
Do The Evolution

1st encore:
Just Breathe
Given To Fly
Of The Earth
Porch

2nd encore:
Small Town
Better Man/Save It For Later
Kick Out The Jams (MC5)
Alive
Yellow Ledbetter/Cowboy Song

----------------------------------------

Ben Harper & Relentless 7

Better Way
I Will Not Be Broken
Number With No Name
Lay There & Hate Me
Feel Love
Keep It Together (So I Can Fall Apart)
Up To You Now

We've only glimpsed his vast affection

2010-06-19T20:31:00.004+01:00

I heard this song the night of it's début when we were in Bethel church a few weeks ago and I can't get it out of my head. Thought I'd share it here. It's not the best recording, but you'll get the gist of it. Hoping it gets on a proper cd recording soon. It's by Jeremy Riddle who is a very anointed worship leader and gifted song writer. I just love the overarching theme that we have absolutely no idea just how much God loves us, but he's on a mission to let us know. His love being furious reminds me of when you're a kid and you believe that your Dad is stronger than anyone elses Dad. Even though my Dad had a dodgy leg and didn't stand much taller than 5 feet I was still convinced that he'd beat the head of anyone else cause he was so strong. I needed to believe that, I needed to believe that my Dad would always keep me safe. Well I think that what it means for God to be jealous or of him being furious as described in this song is that sense of God being bigger than any of our enemies and his being furious against sin and death and the enemy on our behalf. He is determined to reveal his love to us, bring us into his family and keep us there!

Nothing can tear us from
The grip of his mighty love
We’ve only glimpsed his vast affection
Heard whispers of His heart and passion
It’s pouring down

His love is deep, His love is wide and it covers us

His love is fierce, His love is strong, it is furious

His love is sweet, His love is wild and it’s waking hearts to life

The Father loves and sends His Son
The Son lays down His life for all
He lavishes His love upon us
He calls us now His sons and daughters
He’s reaching out

Go Spain...

2010-06-15T11:55:00.003+01:00

I love World Cup time. Even though I'm still extremely disappointed about the fact that we're not there cause of that muppet on the right. At least I know who I will definitely not be supporting. The most entertaining thing about the handball injustice apart from our government making a fool of themselves was Patrice Evra the Man Utd and French full back making the following statement; 'The replay, I'll do it when you want on a PlayStation.' Amusing, although he did also state that they should make a statue of Henry for getting them to the World Cup and anyone who says what he did was wrong is a traitor to their country. Tulip.
Anyways, about the world cup. I want Spain to win and I think they will. I'm also hoping England do well. I don't buy into the crap that because I'm Irish I can't support England. If we support their club teams it's a bit hypocritical to then want their national team to do terribly. Although the media and the rubbish tv pundits do make it harder to want them to succeed.
I think my favourite thing about the world cup, even moreso than the football sometimes is Dunphy, Giles, Sounness, Brady and O'Herlihey. What absolute legends. They really make the bbc and utv look so boring and polished with their constant bickering and being painfully honest. I genuinely think they're the best panel tv have to offer even if they get their predictions wrong half the time, at least they don't tell the viewer what they want to hear all the time. Dunphy is a hero.
Last but not least, God bless the usa media. They really haven't got a clue about 'soccer'. Have you ever listened to commentary from a us commentator? It's spectacular. We watched some games from the confederations cup last year when we were in the states and oh dear me, it was hilarious. This sums it up beautifully...

Easter Raw Camp 2010

2010-04-06T15:30:00.003+01:00

Myself and Jane got home yesterday from a cracking 4 days at RAW camp in Avoca. It's such an honour and a privilege to be able to brag about how awesome and loving God is for 4 days straight. We looked at who we are because of Christ. So many of us Christians walk around miserable, condemned in our sin at the foot of the cross. The cross is the crux of forgiveness but the resurrection is the crux of life and we are to life a life not gritting our teeth waiting for heaven but with a joy in the knowledge that we have a Father who adores us, we are forgiven, he has our backs and in this joy we seek to bring heaven to earth.
We used the life of David and what was it that made him a man after God's own heart. Why was it that when he was in the pit of despair that he still fully knew that his God was with him and mighty to save.
We looked at so much more and a couple of talks had to go out the window cause God had something different on the agenda than what I had prepared. That's always so fun for me, allowing God to be God and to speak what he wants to speak. It made all the difference having some awesome friends come down to just pray for the campers. And the leaders who gave up their time as well were a brilliant bunch.
While I was doing the speaking and some worship, Jane was just loving over the teens, praying for them and encouraging them in their own unique gifts. I love nothing better than seeing Jane bringing the heart of God to people and telling them who they are and what the Father thinks of them.
There was a marker about 3 years ago we look back to for Jane when our friend Roly pushed her on and encouraged her in her prophetic gifting and it was so amazing to now see Jane doing that to some of the young people. One girl I know Jane was encouraging is going to be a world changer!
In the midst of God pouring his loving kindness and words of affirmation all over these guys and girls they went out for two afternoons and did some community service. Nothing glamorous, just cleaning streets and fixing gardens in a nursing home but thats the cool thing about it. There was absolutely no reward in it for them, except the knowledge that God loved what they were doing and our goal in life should be to make our God smile in how we live our lives.
We need to stop pursing the great commission before we obey the great commandment. If we do the stuff without truly loving our Father we can't really know why we're doing it and we don't know what God we're presenting to those we're serving. We need to transform the love of God from a knowledge in our heads to a burning in our hearts. Loving him with all our hearts, souls and minds and knowing what he thinks of us so we can love our neighbours as we love ourselves. We Christians are always putting ourselves down, oh we're such horrible sinners when actually we are called to value ourselves and know the resurrected power of Christ in our lives. Believe what he says about us so we can love ourselves and in turn love our neighbours and testify to them about how the Father has changed us. If being a Christian hasn't changed our hearts then we don't know the love of the Father.
We've never been so excited about this life in the love of the Trinity than we are now, even in the midst of some lovely times; it's so worth it. He's so good, so so good and I'm so thankful I got to share about his goodness with those guys.

Mumford & Sons March 18th 2010, The Acadamy, Dublin Review

2010-03-20T19:50:00.005Z

Love it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be

There is a design, an alignment, a cry
Of my heart to see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be

All too seldom I hear a band that resonates with my heart and I know I've just listened to something special. The most recent band to do that to me has been Mumford & Sons. Their album Sigh No More is a perfect album from start to finish, I don't say that lightly. I find it seamless and one of the rare albums one can listen to from start to finish and it seems over far too quickly. They have recently been getting a lot of airplay and for some reason it's annoyed me. I'm not sure if it's a human thing or an Irish thing, but I'd rather keep Mumford & Sons to myself and a select few than share them with others. The thoughts of screaming 18 year old girls at their gigs is not a pleasant one but a nightmare that is rapidly becoming a reality. They have cracking music, they're humble, endearing, have accents and are good looking lads. A recipe to delight the ladies.
This gig went on sale 4 months ago and the tickets sold out in a flash. If they were organising a gig today they would have to play a much bigger venue so we definitely felt privileged to catch them in a relatively small venue. There was a buzz outside the venue filled with different emotions. Excitement of those attending, desperation of those looking for tickets and disappointment of those looking for tickets but realising the horrible touts where going to royally rip off the aforementioned desperate people, turning both sets of people into desperately disappointed people. Hopefully some of them got lucky. We managed to perch ourselves in some nice seats on the balcony overlooking the stage.

And I will hold on hope

They started with the sublime 'Sigh No More', a song which also opens their album in a perfect tone. It's a slow burner full of melody and emotion with truly amazing lyrics.

I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be

They followed it up with the breezy 'Winter Winds', Jane's first favourite song on the album. She has since changed her favourite song on the album about 6 times. A compliment to the album, not a slight on her decision making.

It seems that all my bridges have been burned
But you say 'That's exactly how this grace thing works’
It's not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start

Roll Away Your Stone came next, a song which starts making you wonder how it will continue. A little lick which turns into a great big ho-down. Cracking song which I'm sure made everyone want to put some straw in their mouth, put on some cowboy boots, find a barn and start dancing. It made me want to do that anyway.

can you kneel before the king
And say I’m clean?

Another melodious wonder, White Blank Page followed. One of the strangely endearing things about Mumford is how they sometimes don't quite seem to be in time, and how Mumfords voice occasionally cracks and near constantly seems on the bring of being radically out of tune. It keeps you involved and somehow it adds to the emotion that you know he's conveying as he sings from his gut.

You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's hand

They then played a new song which is as yet untitled. It made me realise that they might not have quite the difficult time making their second album as so many bands have. This song perfectly followed their formula and sounded great.

Where you invest your love, you invest your life

The beautifully chilling Awake my Soul came before the giant sing along that is Little Lion Man. It was awesome to see everyone sing along at the top of their lungs. Even though it's a 'radio song' you know the guys where delighted to have everyone singing along to something they created.

But hold on to what you believe in the light
When the darkness has robbed you of all your sight

Another new song Lover of the Light had Mr. Mumford play the drums and sing, an art that must be hard to master but he did it easily. It's a powerful song that has a huge punch to it and looks like it's a fun song to play live.

And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again

There was plenty of chat from the guys who seemed genuinely thankful and grateful to those of us in attendance and they also seemed to be really enjoying themselves on stage. Thistle and Weeds and the gorgeous Timshell were a great one two combo before another great singalong The Cave. Did I mention how amazing their lyrics are? I love the rawness and honesty of how he write and like I said, something about it resonates with my heart.

I can see widows and orphans through my tears
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears

They closed the set with Dust Bowl Dance, probably their most rocking tune. You can tell they enjoy playing this song, a good set closer even if it's probably my least favourite song on their album.

You were made to meet your maker

The encore was an old song and a new song. If I recall correctly they were 'To Darkness' and 'Restless Heart', another cracking new song that makes me look forward to their second album. An album I hope they release very soon.
I left the acadamy truly satisfied knowing I had witnessed something special and was able to appreciate every second of it. As much as I don't want you to listen to them as I want to keep them to myself; it's too late now so I tell you...buy the album. It's called Sigh No More, it's only 12euro and I guarantee you'll love it.

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.

Here's the setlist

Sigh No More
Winter Winds
Roll Away Your Stone
White Blank Page
Untitled New Song
I Gave You All
Awake My Soul
Little Lion Man
Lover Of The Light
Thistle And Weeds
Timshell
The Cave
Dust Bowl Dance
----------------
To Darkness
Restless Heart

Dave Matthews Band March 9, 2010 The O2, Dublin, IRL Review

2010-03-11T11:38:00.004Z

Bam! Tuesday night I took my Dad to see Dave Matthews Band with my brother. That morning I got word that I had won two tickets so Jane got to go as well which was awesome. She brought her sister. It was a cracking gig, the guys seemed to be in much better form than the last time they played here which was in May 2007. Dave especially appeared to be having mighty banter on stage, full of strange musings and geeky dances which makes us Irish laugh at him all the while glad he's in a good mood!
They opened with the superb Bartender. Starting with the haunting violin and ending with a beautiful penny whistle solo with 15 minutes of a song in between. Sometimes they can frustrate me when they drag songs out to the death, but not this one, it was a great way to start the show. The sweet little Stay or Leave came next. A great song from Dave's solo album. It works really well with the full band. Next were 4 in a row from their latest album 'Big Whiskey...'. All short, snappy and great songs. Lying the in the hands of God was an exception as it had a 5 minute instrumental section added on at the end with some nice work from Jeff Coffin and Tim Reynolds.
One of my brothers favourites Gravedigger was next. It started with a minute long drum solo echoing 'Say Goodbye'. As with Stay or Leave this is a song from Daves solo album and is usually played acoustic so it was great to hear the full band play it.
Anyone seen the bridge into a Too Much fake and Ants Marching was a highlight. Loved it. Full of energy and Carter giving it socks on his ginormous drum kit.
#27 was introduced as 'Arms of a Woman' and was another sweet song for the ladies. It's a great song and a surprise it didn't make the cut for Big Whiskey, it did however make it onto a bonus cd that came with the deluxe edition. Seven from the new album was excellent followed by another huge highlight which was 'The Stone'. I was stoked to hear that one live. It sounded great. The ladies all melted with the next three songs; 'Crush', 'Crash into Me' and 'Where are You Going?'. Crush had the usual gazillion minutes interlude in the middle. It was fun to watch though as we had good seats, not sure how much I would have enjoyed it if I was standing. They did all sound great and I enjoyed Crash more than I expected. It's normally one I'll skip on the quadrillion live albums I have of theirs.
Their Leroi Moore tribute song 'Why I Am' which is the first song I connected with on Big Whiskey, was awesome. You & Me, a song which is destined to be played at many a wedding was next, it's a better song than I initially thought, perhaps having a wife makes me appreciate his songs for the ladies! 'You Might Die Trying' a song I can take or leave again was better than I would have anticipated, perhaps I was just having such a good time enjoying one of my favourite bands playing live. It's a treat to get to see them outside of the states. They finished the main set with a thumping version of 'All Along the Watchtower', not exactly a surprise to hear it as they've played it over 600 times!
The encore in terms of what we could have gotten was pretty poor. Baby Blue is another song for the ladies, it was just Dave and sounded great. They finished with Cornbread. A song that has grown on me, still I wouldn't have picked it for the setlist, never mind to finish the show with. However, I didn't mind what they finished with as I'd enjoyed the whole show so much anyway.
There were only 2 repeats between the show in 2007 and this one. Gravedigger and Ants Marching, 3 if you include Anyone Seen The Bridge?. All in all it was a fantastic show, they played for near three hours and appeared to nearly run themselves out of an encore. I'm sure, even though the setlist was fairly predictable the show kept the seasoned Dave Matthews fan happy, and hopefully won a few converts aswell. Hopefully they'll come here again sooner rather than later. Till then we'll have to wait for the release of their 49th live album!!
Here's the setlist

Bartender
Stay or Leave
Funny the Way It Is
Squirm
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Lying in the Hands of God
Gravedigger
Anyone Seen the Bridge »
Too Much [fake] »
Ants Marching
#27 (Arms of a Woman)
Seven
The Stone
Crash Into Me
Crush
Where Are You Going
Why I Am
You & Me
You Might Die Trying
Stefan solo »
All Along the Watchtower
-----------------------------------
Baby Blue
Corn Bread

I was ashamed You call me beautiful

2010-02-22T17:15:00.003Z

I love this guy (Anthony Skinner). His album 'Forever and a Day' is an awesome worship album. It has some of my favourite songs at the moment on it. I was having a flick through youtube and came across him doing a live version of the title track. I love the start when he gives a testimony of God healing him of a heart defect. Check it out.

I was afraid, your love set me free
I was in debt, you paid the price for me
I was hurt, you took away my pain
I was alone, till you called my name

I was broken, you mended me
Before I was, you loved me
You healed my body and you made me whole
No matter what I do, you don’t let go

I will sing to the king, I am the ransomed one
How I love your holy name,
Holy to the lamb who was slain
When I laugh, when I cry,
You are the reason why
How I want, to be with you, forever and a day

When I go to bed, you are near
When I wake up, you are there
When I play guitar, you are here
When I walk in faith, you’re everywhere

You catch and save every tear I cry
You journal everyday, all about my life
Your love for me, reaches to the sky
I am yours and you are mine

I was ashamed you called me beautiful (2x)
I was a thief you said I stole your heart (2x)

Striving is overrated...

2010-02-15T21:36:00.002Z

Last week myself and Jane had the awesome pleasure of helping out at a weekend away for students. I love nothing more than talking about how good God is, facilitating worship and praying for people with my wife.
I'm more and more convinced that God wants to encounter every single person on the planet in a unique and tangible way. It was so fun and mind blowing to see God speak so specifically to people in a way that only he can, getting right to the core of them and telling them who they are.
I think the reason so many christians feel like they're in a desert with no water most of the time is because they've never heard from the Father what he thinks of them, and if they have; they don't believe it.
Why is it that we find it easier to tell God the things we aren't than thank him for the things we are?
As Christians it seems that we're subliminally (or sometimes blatantly) taught to think that we're worthless pieces of crap who continually annoy God by screwing up all the time. We're just gritting our teeth trying to be good moral people, waiting for heaven maybe telling a few people how crap they are and in need of saving from a loving God along the way all the while feeling that that same loving God may save us but doesn't really like us.
Lies. The bibles whole message is about a God desperate for his children to come back to Him. We need to stop being afraid that people will think God is too good and realise that he is, and always will be better than we can possibly imagine.
A whisper in our ear from the Father will let us know how good he is. We need to start hearing from God for ourselves. We need to allow the Father sing over us, rejoice over us and brag over us to all of the heavens. We need to hear from God. I'm so sick of the statement 'it's all about the word'. It's a cop out. A cop out for Christians who are too proud to allow God to be their Daddy, to allow their Father to wreck them with His love. We need to learn to be sons and daughters, sons and daughters who are doted on by their Father. We can preach till the cows come home, but if the message is not giving us an encounter with God it's just information and information never leads to transformation it just leads to striving. The word needs to be embraced with an encounter. How can we preach about the love, joy, peace of God when we've never felt it for ourselves. Let's this week hang out with God, not for information or theology but to just know him and know what makes him happy. I know one thing that makes him happy; when his kids believe Him when he tells us he loves us.

Our ongoing adventures with God.

2010-01-28T11:37:00.004Z

So we've been away for the last 2 and a half weeks and as always we had an awesome time. We went to sunny California except they forget about the sun part so it was just California. There was plenty of rain though which made us feel slightly at home.
Our reason for going away was two fold, 1. it's always good to just get away and 2. we were going to a conference in Bethel Church in Redding and catching up with some friends there, and making new ones!
We had a thought before we traveled which went something like "who said going away with your parents couldn't be fun?" so we brought my parents with us to the conference. It was awesome to have them around. The conference itself was exceptional. It was on healing and how God actually operates today. What is his character like? Does he still heal today or did he stop healing years ago like is taught in many churches? A big part of the conference was actually encountering God, there was plenty of worship where God could encounter us and there was plenty of healing. That part is always fun, watching people's faces when they are genuinely healed of pain, or deafness or blindness and so on.
I'm generally reticent to write about a lot of our experiences because I'm painfully aware that so many Christians don't believe in healing, deliverance, or even having genuine encounters with God. It seems like a huge percentage of Christians have more faith in their unbelief than in the power of God.

Many people stop short of a divine encounter because they are happy with good theology.Bill Johnson

Being in a culture where the presence of God is so tangible makes the statement "we will reflect the world we are most aware of" so true. Are we more aware of the presence of God or the presence of our enemies? By enemies I don't mean people, I mean things Satan throws at us like fear, unbelief, negative thoughts about ourselves, afflictions and loads more. Fear is a big one by the way. As I read yesterday in a Graham Cooke book "One with God is always in the majority". We just forget that and can let everything around us drag us down. We need to be constantly aware of His presence and we are to be the ones who change the atmospheres of wherever we go.
I'll reflect more on what we learned in the weeks to come. Let's just say I'm becoming more and more convinced that the Father is desperate to reveal himself to and encounter his children. We as believers in Him have to be the ones who facilitate that. To be able to release the power of Jesus in us we need to know who our God truly is, his character and to be fully able to embrace his goodness. We owe the world an encounter with God. An encounter forces people into a decision. It's not about just being nice moral people, it's about his world invading ours with power.
Whether people believe it or not, everyone wants a King like Jesus, a Daddy like the Father, and a comforter and guide like the Holy Spirit.

God is in control....are we sure about that?

2009-12-07T19:35:00.006Z

This could be a long post but I'll try to keep it short. I haven't been able to bring myself to read too much about the Murphy report. The report in a nutshell exposed the extreme lack on the part of the Catholic Church to deal with reports of children being abused in the Dublin diocese. It concluded that the main priority in dealing with child abuse within the church was to maintain secrecy in order to protect the reputation of the church and it's assets and to avoid scandal.
One of the testimonies that came out of the report was of a lady recalling her experience of being abused as a 10 year old girl by a priest. During the abuse he told her to be a good girl as he was "doing God's will". It made me sick to my stomach and I'm sure it does yours. The thoughts of a man of influence representing Father God abusing a little girl in his name is repugnant.
However the thing that pains me and confuses me is that behind a lot of Christians theology is that what happened is in fact God's will. All the time I hear "God is in control', 'It's all part of his perfect plan' and so on. I wonder do people really realise what is loaded behind these statements? If God is truly fully in control, that means all things are attributed to him. That in turn means that somehow our loving heavenly Father thought it would be a good idea as part of his good and perfect plan to have a 10 year old girl abused. How can people reconcile this with a Father who is to be trusted and a Daddy who has the best for his kids?
Now I know many Godly men have brought forward great and compelling theological arguments for why God is truly in control and why they cannot conceive a world where anything happens that God does not decree. The problem for me is when this theology becomes practical. What does the Pastor who firmly believes God is in control say to a woman who was abused as a little girl when asked why did it happen? Of course they will probably say it was a horrible thing to happen and God is there to comfort you. If being honest they will have to say actually God was pleased according to his perfect will to ordain that you be abused for his greater glory.
I'm learning and could be wrong but I really cannot ever imagine my Father in heaven ordaining something so heinous and nauseating upon a child. This world is messed up, hence the call to pray that God's kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. I touched on that a couple of posts ago about the floods in Ireland. I could launch into a biblical defence of my thoughts but I'll save that for another time. It's the thoughts on our theology (we all have theology some of us just don't call it that, it's just our way of thinking about God) and how that influences how we live our lives and how we pastor and care for the broken around us and how we view our Father that I'm thinking about.
God the Father weeps with those kids and all of us who are suffering. He's not ordaining our suffering and then asking us to find comfort in him. He has given us and angels free will, therefore we suffer and in the midst of it he comforts us. He can and does bring good out of evil things, but he doesn't cause them. It's a scary thought to think that God is not controlling everything but it makes the beauty of his giving us, in his sovereignty, free will all the more beautiful knowing he wants a genuine love relationship with us. We're not just robots who he controls for his own pleasure.
God is good, is in love with us and can genuinely be trusted.

Bell x1, Olympia Theatre, Dublin, November 27th 2009

2009-11-30T17:18:00.005Z

Friday night myself and Jane saw the ever wonderful Bell x1 at the olympia. It was a surprise for Jane, no reason except she's awesome and she loves Bell x1. We went for something to eat before hand and as we were sitting there Jane looked bemused for a second and then said "That looks like Paul Noonan from Bell x1". Turns out it was the whole band having pre gig dinner. I wrestled with the idea of going over and having a chat but us Irish don't like to disturb people when they're having their dinner.
The gig itself was so good. Starting perfectly with an extended la la la, la la la....from 'The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella' the first song off their new record. Following up with the punchy 'Reacharound' and the melodic beat laden 'How Your Heart Is Wired'. The whole first set was fantastic, not a bad song amongst them. I was surprised that 'The Great Defector' got such a big reaction, possibly the biggest of the night. 'Bad Skin Day' and 'Next To You' where a perfect sweet combo followed by 'My First Born For A Song' before, as Paul Noonan said, 'Eve The Apple Of My Eye' "done proper" as some fans had requested. Interesting to hear him say they had changed it around a little bit because they can get bored of playing it so much; they played the original radio edit. Tongue a song in which I'm not crazy about preceeded the crowd singalongs of 'Flame' and 'Rocky' which was dedicated to the Simon Community and Focus Ireland agencies who help look after homeless people. The song is written about a homeless man who lived near Paul Noonans apartment in Smithfield. Apparently he was always on his own until one morning he had a lady with him in his sleeping bag, the song is pretty much an imaginary conversation between the two. A cracking tune.
The encore started with 'Slowset', my favourite song off their first album. They had a poll on their website as to what song they rarely play would fans like to hear. 'Slowset' won and was played acoustic with just Paul and David. Dominic joined them for the acoustic rendition of 'Just Like Mr. Benn' which again was wonderfully played. Another old school song Alphabet Soup was played with plenty of cowbell. Will Ferrell would have been very proud. 'A Better Band', a stomping tune from the new album came before the last song of the night 'I'll See Your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine' a fittingly gorgeous way to end a cracking gig. Here's the setlist.

The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella
Reacharound
How Your Heart Is Wired
Bad Skin Day
Next To You (The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson snippet)
My First Born For A Song
Eve, the Apple of My Eye
The Great Defector
Tongue
Flame
Rocky Took A Lover
---
Slowset
Just Like Mister Benn
Alphabet Soup (Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads snippet)
A Better Band
I'll See Your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine --->Do You Realize?(Flaming Lips(

Act of God

2009-11-27T13:34:00.003Z

If God was one of us (just a slob like one of us, la la la) I think he'd sue for defamation of character. Parts of Ireland have been hit with dreadful flooding this past week. In one interview I was listening to a man was describing how his insurance company might not pay out as the destruction to his property was an "act of God".
It seems like a logical conclusion to think that of course God is in control of the weather, sitting up there with his buttons controlling lightning and waves and wind and snow and so on. He's all powerful so of course he controls everything. The problem with this line of thinking if taken to it's logical conclusion is that God is arbitrarily controlling the weather to the huge detriment of his children and also to those who don't want to be his kids. From Hurricane Ike to the Tsunami on stevens day in the Indian Ocean that killed over 300,000 people. The argument of whether God controls the weather leads to a deeper discussion about the problem of evil which I won't go fully in to on this blog. It's something I think about often as I'm sure do most of us.

Lately a prominent american pastor John Piper blogged out about a tornado that hit his town. He believed that it was a specific sign to make people turn from certain sins, he also believed his prostate cancer was a gentle reminder from God for him to turn from sin. Big statements to make about God. If we use every disaster as a sign from God to be explained then we've got a pretty harsh God. Millions of babies aborted to teach us what? Children abused and raped to teach us what? Churches abusing their flock to teach us what? I could go on but I'm meant to be talking about the weather.
Everytime I think about things like this I always come back to Jesus. God looks like Jesus as Hebrews 1:3 tells us. What would Jesus say? Simply put we know that things aren't as they are supposed to be, hence the announcement of the coming kingdom. In fact at one stage in Jesus ministry he rebuked the wind and the waves to make them still. They obeyed. If God was controlling the wind and the waves why would Jesus rebuke them? I don't think Jesus and his Father where at odds in that situation. Jesus knew that there was a natural element to the wind and waves stirring due to the fallen nature of the world and he rebuked the rebelliousness of nature and brought his kingdom authority to that situation.
In another situation in Luke 13 Jesus talks about how easy it is for us to think disaster falls on certain people because it is the judgement of God or somehow they deserve it due to some sin in their life. Jesus says nothing of the sort and says pretty much that we need to not analyse these situations but to focus on our own relationship with God and know that we are all in need of a saviour. Unless we repent we too will perish. Simple as that.
When we pray for Jesus kingdom to come we are praying just for that, for his kingdom to come. It's not already here meaning there is conflict between the will of God for the earth and what actually happens here on earth, hence the statement "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Why would we pray for God's will to be done on earth if this was infact already true? Evil happens because there are other wills at work apart from Gods. He's that good and sovereign that he has chosen to give us free will to allow us to enter into a genuine love relationship with Him.
When floods hit certain places let's not think God is teaching the people who live there a lesson. All we know is that floods happen, nature can be cruel but God is good, the perfect Father and can be trusted. He'll be there in the midst of evil working to bring about good but he never needs to cause it or bring it about to do that.

The gospel only makes sense in the midst of chaos where God isn’t always getting his way – even with nature. And so we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We don’t pray for the things that are already true, we pray for the things that we hope will become true.

To strike or not to strike?

2009-11-18T16:35:00.002Z

Next Tuesday our country faces shut down as the public sector has decided to go on strike. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly the strike is about. I keep hearing people tell me they don't want to loose their benefits and don't want their wages cut and so on, however no one has given me a definitive statement on why they are striking. None of us know what the government are going to decide in the budget. They have stated that they need 4 billion and they will take it out of public sector pay amongst other things but nothing is in stone. Right or wrong, the government are being very clever in keeping their cards close to their chest so we have nothing specific to go on.

I totally understand that the current crisis has plunged people into huge financial difficulties and the government appears to not be helping out much especially when we focus some of our anger on the banks and their lack of sympathy for home owners in difficulty. (We need to remember that if they didn't bail the banks out we'd have NO economy). However, I can't help but ask, why are we the public sector who's jobs are permanently safe not willing to give up 2% of our pay? Especially as we are among the most overpaid public workers in the world. After returning from traveling I lost a significant amount of money through being demoted by proxy and having a wage cut, however I'm so thankful I'm in the public sector because I have a job and it's very secure.

Coming back from being away we've noticed a significant difference in our outgoings on things like groceries etc. Those of us in the public sector have benefited from the downturn when we consider how much most shops and businesses have dropped their prices making for a cheaper way of life. Granted we don't eat out nearly as much as we used to, but when we do treat ourselves to a luxury like that it costs a lot less than it did a year ago.

The strike will not affect the government in any way, all it will do is cause a bigger divide between the private sector and public sector. Our jobs are safe; the private sector have been hammered, absolutely hammered and I'd be pretty annoyed if I was living in fear of my job every day and the public sector were going on strike.
If the budget is harrowing, then maybe then, a strike might have some benefit. However, at this point in time I think a strike is embarrassing and short sighted. I won't even talk about how little respect I have for the unions, especially the 172,000 euro a year earning leaders of them.

Some of us in the public sector genuinely earn our wages with difficult jobs, I include teachers nurses and all frontline staff in this. My job is not easy, I got punched in the head on Monday night however that's my job. Just as teachers have to deal with difficult kids and nurses deal with difficult patients. That's why it's called the caring profession. That is also why we get very good holidays. 27 days a year holidays is excellent for me, compare that to the private sector or our cousins across the water in America. Never mind our sick pay which public sector workers unfortunately abuse and cost the government millions. Teachers get Autumn breaks, christmas breaks, spring breaks and at least 2 months off in the summer; I don't think they like to be reminded of that at the moment. They think it's a right, it's a benefit.

I also don't know if my God conscience would let me hold my country to ransom when I don't specifically know the injustice I'm fighting against. I'm all about standing up for injustice but I'm not sure if us public sector workers with relatively big salaries loosing 2% is an injustice. There comes a point when we have to think of the greater good of our country and maybe those of us with secure jobs can help give back to things like health care, welfare benefits etc. I'm willing to give up a small bit of my salary, be it on the governments head if they choose to use it unwisely.

Will I strike on Tuesday? No. Will I cross the picket line? Absolutely. I've swopped my shift from Monday to Tuesday so I can look after kids I'm paid to look after even if others choose not to.

A promise to blog more could be futile, but I'd like to...

2009-11-05T19:53:00.002Z

It's been way too long. Nearly every day I have a thought I want to blog about but I never formulate it into a post. My thoughts have been as varied as how awesome the debut album from Mumford & Sons is, how thoroughly disappointed I am in Rafa Benitez and the complete lack of hope I have for any meaningful silverware this season for Liverpool, how ridiculous Prof. Drumm's 70,000e bonus is when the hse is continually falling apart, how much I enjoyed Face to Face with God by Bill Johnson and am currently enjoying 'Jesus Culture' by Banning Liebscher, how strange it is that in my wife's sickly snotty state that she seems even cuter than ever, how David McWilliams drives me mad, how much I want to go visit Bethel Church again and countless more random thoughts.
I've been back to work a month now and I've surprisingly really enjoyed it. Enjoyed could be a deceptive word to use, I'll change that sentence to "I've been surprisingly fulfilled by it". It's strange being on the floor again and not in management but I've loved it. I've always wanted to be in this line of work to work with young people and not necessarily the adults who look after them! I loved the challenge of management but for this season I'm enjoying the lack of wider responsibility, knowing I just have to focus on the young people. It's hugely challenging and I'm completely cabbaged when I'm finished my 25hr shifts but it's been awesome building relationships with them and knowing that somehow you're bringing hope and safety and stability into such hugely fractured lives. I read through our youngest lads files and shed a few sneaky tears; knowing what he's been through in his short 9 years is heartbreaking. God has so much more for this kids life than he can possibly imagine.
During mid-term myself and Jane helped out with a camp held down in Avoca in Wicklow. Apart from the atrocious sleeping conditions we had a cracking time. It was so awesome to catch up with some guys from the youth group we helped out in. I loved doing the worship music for the week and listening to my brother preach the good word. He was awesome. It was great to see someone taking the teens seriously and really challenging them on what it is to live a life for Jesus.
I loved some of the questions the teens had to ask, they're so much more honest than grown ups! It's always good to question aspects of our faith and to want to get to know more of who God is.
I might talk about some of those questions here, there where great food for thought.

Disintegration

2009-10-08T21:36:00.003+01:00

The Cure are one of my favourite bands. The re-issue's of their first 7 albums were a real treat especially 'head on the door', 'seventeen seconds' and 'kiss me, kiss me' kiss me'.
Robert Smith just announced today on their website that 'Disintegration' is to be re-issued next spring, coinciding with the albums 21st anniversary. There is no weak song on the album and it is definitely an album that makes sense to listen to from start to finish. It's a masterpiece. I've always been slightly disappointed with the mastering of the album; it's quite low in the mix (they say it was mixed to be played loud) and it's not as clear as it should be. I don't know if this will be corrected in the re-mastering but I hope so. I generally listen to my cd version of the Live Trilogy dvd where they played disintegration in full if I want to listen to the album. The bass and synths and symbols are so much clearer.
The remastered album comes in three different versions, a single cd of the album, a double vinyl of the album and a 3 cd deluxe edition which looks awesome. Disc 1 is the album remixed/mastered. Disc 2 is rarities which is in keeping with the previous 7 re-releases, some of which make fascniating listening. Disc 3 is the Entreat concert from Wembley 1989 which was released as a promo cd in France and a limited run in Europe (you can find it easily on ebay - I did!). It contains 4 more tracks than the original release. Here's the tracklisting of the 3 disc version:

Disc 1: Disintegration

1. “Plainsong”
2. “Pictures Of You”
3. “Closedown”
4. “Lovesong”
5. “Last Dance”
6. “Lullaby”
7. “Fascination Street”
8. “Prayers For Rain”
9. “The Same Deep Water As You”
10. “Disintegration”
11. “Homesick”
12. “Untitled”

Disc 2: Rarities (1988-1989)

1. “Prayers For Rain” rs Home Demo (instrumental) 04/88
2. “Pictures Of You” rs Home Demo (instrumental) 04/88
3. “Fascination Street” rs Home Demo (instrumental) 04/88
4. “Homesick” band Rehearsal (instrumental) 06/88
5. “Fear Of Ghosts” band Rehearsal (instrumental) 06/88
6. “Noheart” band Rehearsal (instrumental) 06/88*
7. “Esten” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88*
8. “Closedown” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88
9. “Lovesong” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88
10. “2late (alt Version)” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88
11. “The Same Deep Water As You” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88
12. “Disintegration” band Demo (instrumental) 09/88
13. “Untitled (alt Version)” studio Rough (instrumental) 11/88
14. “Babble (alt Version)” studio Rough (instrumental) 11/88
15. “Plainsong” studio Rough (guide Vocal) 11/88
16. “Last Dance” studio Rough (guide Vocal) 11/88
17. “Lullaby” studio Rough (guide Vocal) 11/88
18. “Out Of Mind” studio Rough (guide Vocal) 11/88
19. “Delirious Night” rough Mix (vocal) 12/88*
20. “Pirate Ships” (rs Solo) Rough Mix (vocal) 12/89*

All previously unreleased versions
(*Previously unreleased song)

Disc 3: Entreat Plus

1. “Plainsong”*
2. “Pictures Of You”
3. “Closedown”
4. “Lovesong”*
5. “Last Dance”
6. “Lullaby”*
7. “Fascination Street”
8. “Prayers For Rain”
9. “The Same Deep Water As You”*
10. “Disintegration”
11. “Homesick”
12. “Untitled”

Recorded live at Wembley Arena July, 1989; remixed by Rs 2009
(*Previously unreleased performance)

Unthought Known

2009-10-02T14:42:00.002+01:00

The last weekend of our 9 months off has arrived. I can't believe it has gone so quickly. I start back to work on Monday, something in which I'm not particularly looking forward too. Who does look forward to work though? Unless you're one of those super fortunate people who are doing what you've always dreamed of.
Although maybe Bono wishes he didn't have to play a stupid gig tonight in Raleigh, NC in front of 60,000 screaming fans and Fernando Torres probably isn't too keen on having to silence 40,000 Chelsea fans this Sunday by scoring 2 in a 2-1 win for Liverpool.
It'll be all change when I go back to work, a new house to work in with different staff and different kids. A change is as good as a rest they say, although I've had plenty of rest. Still a change in our line of work is generally always a good thing. Nothing worse than dead wood or people getting stuck in their ways and subsequently failing to focus on how to help the kids we work with. That is the reason we're there in the first place but for some reason it can be very easy for people to take the focus off the young people and place it solely upon themselves. I pray that never happens to me, or if it does that someone slaps me back in to focus. I'll really have to have my attitude in shape on Monday morning, ready to go back full of enthusiasm and wanting to make a difference in the lives of the kids and perhaps some co-workers. Nothings worse than being with people in work and you know they hate being there, especially when the kids pick up on it more than anyone else. I'm determined to make a difference.
A couple of weeks ago we had to follow through on a decision we felt God had called us to make and tell our Pastor we were leaving the church we go to. To say that was hard would be a massive understatement. No need to go in to much detail but we know God has taken us on a journey and has been revealing certain gifts that both of us have and we want to be able to use them to their full potential. The church we were in can't facilitate that so we knew it was time to leave. The Pastor was so incredibly gracious and understanding. It was very humbling for him to be so kind and understanding in what must be a very difficult thing for him to hear. We don't leave with any sense of condemnation, we just know God is taking us on a journey that can't be facilitated where we were going to church. We completely respect how things are done there and that is another reason why we had to leave, we're not called to rebel against a churches way of functioning so it was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye. Of all the stuff that makes up a church it's the people we'll dearly miss. Especially the young one's we did youth group with. They're awesome and we wish we could still spend some time with them. But alas, things change and we want to follow where we feel God is calling us.
Our hearts are pretty tender at the moment!
We decided to head to Wexford for the week as it was my last week off. We had a great time. We got a super awesome deal with tasty breakfast and full use of the spa. Who would have though I'd be loving taking advantage of a spa in a hotel?! Plenty of beach walks and chilling out made for a lovely few days.
So a season is closing as a new one begins. We're ready for whatever God has for us and looking forward to the journey ahead. I can hear the sound of a new song coming from heaven...

More sloppy wet kisses!!

2009-09-20T12:06:00.003+01:00

I wrote about the line 'a sloppy wet kiss' a while ago here. Well John Mark McMillan has written his own take on the issue. He's the author of the song so he has a bit more authority to talk about it than me. Although he'd actually probably disagree with me there

it honestly doesn’t really belong to me, or Kim Walker, or David Crowder. It belongs to them (the listeners)

You can read what he has to say here. It's a great read and I'm glad he wrote about it. If you don't want to read the whole blog, his final words are:

I applaud David for changing the line to serve his people, and at the same time I boo the machinery that would cause him to have to do so.

I still have my own convictions and think if you're going to sing the song, sing the whole song and allow the true meaning of it to saturate you. What are we so afraid of??

"Polarize people. If you create something great you will create controversy. Better for people to love or hate your product than be indifferent to it."

Morning songs...

2009-09-08T12:44:00.009+01:00

I don't care what the world may say, I believe. I believe that you're more real than what my eyes, they can see.

Click here to listen to God of the Angel Armies

There are two songs that I put on first thing in the morning. 'You are Faithful' and 'God of the Angel Armies'. Particularly the latter which has has been my (our) soundtrack for the last few months. I can't get enough of the song. The only problem is it wrecks me. The raw honesty of Jonathan David Helser and his wife Melissa is heart wrenching in the best possible sense. When she sings "you didn't have to come, but you did and I'm thankful Lord" from the depths of her heart it gets mine everytime. The song is full of awesome truths about who our God is.
Don't listen to the song in the background, plug your headphones in click on the link to hear the full song and let it minister to you. Believe the truths of what he sings about, all 15 minutes worth of it!!

The other song that's getting me at the moment is 'You Are Faithful' which is on the new Jesus Culture album 'Consumed', it's sung by Kim Walker-Smith. Check out the clip on youtube (click here if you're reading this on facebook). It needs no explanation.

I'll keep trusting you...for I know You are faithful, my God.

Have you met Him?

2009-08-30T12:09:00.002+01:00

while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him

This is possibly the one verse in scripture that most encapsulates the Father Heart of God. Jesus is telling a story that we now call the prodigal son. It should be called the rejoicing Father. The story has somewhat to do with the Son but everything to do with a Fathers heart for his boy.
So often Christians preach about a God who loves conditionally. He only loves us when we have it all together, when we are fulfilling our religious duties or when we are on our knees full of shame at what horrible wretches we are. Here Jesus turns that up on it's head. He paints a picture of a Father standing on the balcony of heaven peering down waiting, yearning for his kids to come home. Waiting for his kids to realise he is the source of all love, joy, peace and hope.
It must drive Jesus nuts at how wrong we get his Father. Consistently one of my favourite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17-19.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Jesus came to reconcile man to God, not God to man. God didn't have to have his mind changed about us. He didn't have to be convinced to love us. Jesus came to point us to the Father he talks about in this parable. A Father who loves us unconditionally. A Father yearning for his kids to turn to him.
We often think, and tragically are often taught that God has one hand on the smite button, waiting to gladly send us to the pit of hell. Just waiting for us to screw up so he can say 'See, I told you they deserve my wrath!". The son thought this and was coming back to his Father with a nicely rehearsed religious prayer. He thinks his sorrow and repentance will open the door to his Fathers heart. Maybe a huge dose of humility and a lot of repenting and weeping and wailing will maybe, just maybe get him a job with the servants and a bed in the stable. He comes back to his Father with his nice religious prayer

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

What happens next is astounding. The message translation says

But the Father wasn't listening

It's not about us, it's not about what we do. It's about the Father. It's about the Father who didn't want to hear his kids religious prayer, he just wanted him home. It's about a Father who ran to his boy, threw his arms around him and kissed him. It's about a Father who shouts

"MY SON'S COME HOME, LET'S THROW A PARTY FOR HIM!!!"

That's who God is. Yes sin is drastic and can keep us away from the Father but guess what? He's peering down from heaven waiting and longing for his kids to come home. Staying away from God because of our sin means we don't know the heart of our Father. While we were still sinners Christ died for us, we don't have to have it all together. In fact he know's we won't but again, guess what? He loves us anyway. He loves us. We don't come to the Father to escape the fiery pit of hell, we come to the Father because he's our Father, because he's jealous for us, because he's mad about us and we make his heart leap when we think about Him and it does the same when he thinks about us. He really is that good.

Teenstreet

2009-08-25T21:24:00.004+01:00

It's pretty hard to cram two weeks of awesomeness into one blog, nevermind the fact that it's been two weeks since we got home from the aforementioned two weeks.
What is teenstreet you may ask? First of all it's the worst possible name for a christian conference ever, especially if you need to find information on it and you type 'teen street' into google; never a good idea.
What it actually is is a conference for teenagers across Europe to come and hang out with 3,500 other teenagers who share their faith in Jesus. It's purpose is to equip them to run the race of faith and also to impact those around them when they go home. It's not just a case of 'fill us up' but it's a case of 'fill us up; send us out'.
Myself and Jane went a week early with about 15 or so others to pray, worship and prepare for the main week. When I say 15 others, that was just the program team. There were probably a few hundred others there preparing and setting up for the week. It's a big set up preparing for the invasion of 3,500 teenagers!
It was such a huge blessing to be able to spend time with such awesome people seeking the heart of God for what he wanted to share with the teenagers. God being the amazing Father that he is poured his heart out on us incredibly during that first week. Speaking words of truth to us and reminding us what he thinks of us. I just wanted to pour my heart out to him for who he is, what he's done and what he will do, yet time and time again he just blesses us. He loves to bless his kids. It had been a while since I'd been able to be the lead worshipper for a group of people so it was a real precious time for me to be in the presence of God surrounded by people who are chasing after Him too.
Usually the week itself takes lumps out of us; it's nonstop and can be a tough time serving at such a high pace. Yet, this year there was a different atmosphere. Peace reigned. The team having such incredible hearts was a huge factor in this, but also God answered our prayers and made it easier than it's ever been, for me and Jane anyway. It wasn't without it's difficulties, yet they paled into insignificance when we saw what God was doing in the lives of the teens.
The speaking was off the charts. Josh & Deb did a truly incredible job of sharing God's heart with the teens, as did Luke, Aimee and Dan. I had the awesome privilege of leading the worship on the Wednesday and Thursday nights. It was an honour to be able to facilitate that many people coming into the presence of God. He was so present and I know he was pleased with our worship.
During the week we also had the opportunity to facilitate chat rooms. They're a time when the teens can come and chat about certain topics. It's not a seminar as the aim is to give the teens a chance to input and to have their say and also ask questions. I love them. The ones I did where ones very close to my heart. They were 'Worship', 'How to hear from God' and 'Where's God when it hurts'. They were great times.
From the chat rooms to the times of prayer I had with the teens to the chats with other program team members, for me it seemed like the overarching theme through everything was God revealing his Father heart to his kids. Revealing who he truly is and what he thinks of us and these kids who are cherished in his sight. It was amazing to hear God speak so clearly to some of the kids (and also to some of our team!), things that only he could know and it was a real honour that he used amongst others, Jane and I to speak into their lives. God also healed people of various afflictions and it was so awesome to witness and be apart of that too. I think it rocked a few people but I'm learning more and more that the more you experience God the more he rocks your theology and the more you know Him the more there is to know! He's that big, awesome and good!

Pearl Jam, o2 London, August 18th 2009

2009-08-20T01:21:00.002+01:00

The morning after the Manchester show we got the train to London and had the awesome pleasure of hanging out with our friends Roly & Paula and Meg. We sat and chatted over a tasty coffee. It was such a treat to get to see them and we were stoked they made the effort to come hang with us for a couple of hours.

The show itself was a notch up from the night before. They were so tight and on form. Any show that starts with 'Release' is going to be a good one! Never mind following 'Release' with 'Animal', 'Corduroy', 'Why Go', 'Small Town' and 'Immortality'. Yowza. The crowd was quite different than the night before. In Manchester it seemed like everyone had grown up, gotten married and where content to chill out, sing out and enjoy the show. The London crowd where a little younger and a little more boisterous. Not necessarily a bad thing as the band seemed to get a buzz out of it and made sure that everyone was ok, even getting everyone to take three steps back at one stage to make sure everyone was good at the front. They seemed to play forever, going over curfew by 20 minutes which was sweet. The only thing missing from the show was my mate Hoey. Highlights were the opening 5 songs. 'I Got I.D' (love that song), 'Rats' so good to hear that song. He dedicated it to "someone who was going to be playing here" which is Micheal Jackson due to the 'Ben' reference at the end of the song. 'Whipping', 'Light Years' dedicated to a friend who passed away the day before, 'Insignificance', 'Blood'; that was raucous. 'Hail, Hail' in the encore, awesome. 'Footsteps', 'Leaving Here', 'Porch', a bangin version' and 'Yellow Ledbetter'. Man, pretty much the whole gig was a highlight. 28 awesome songs. 47 different songs between both nights makes the trip more than worth it. Here's the setlist.

Release
Animal
Corduroy
Why Go
Small Town
Immortality
The Fixer
Even Flow
I Got I.D.
Rats
Got Some
Whipping
Light Years
Insignificance
Black
Life Wasted
Blood/Atomic Dog
-----------------
Supersonic
Hail Hail
Footsteps
Love, Reign O'er Me
Do The Evolution
Alive
-----------------
Better Man/(Save It For Later)
Crazy Mary
Leaving Here
Porch
Yellow Ledbetter

Pearl Jam, Manchester, August 17th 2009

2009-08-19T18:35:00.010+01:00

Pearl Jam have consistently held the crown of being my favourite band ever since my friends in school Aido and Bago introduced them to me when I was a 13 year old with the dodgiest undercut known to man. They didn't grace Ireland on their short European tour so I got tickets to see them across the water. Mind you I probably would have done that if they were playing Ireland anyway. The thing that's so great about a Pearl Jam show is that you have no idea what they're going to play. Gone are the days when I wanted them to play the rarest song ever at the show I was at, purely so I could say I was there. I just want them to play an awesome setlist and rock my face off. They duly obliged. Jane, who wouldn't be as enamored with all things Pearl Jam as I am came with me, mainly due to her awesomeness in wanting to share something that was a big deal for me. She gained a new appreciated for how good they are. The night was mildly marred by sound problems with vocals and guitars but Pearl Jam aren't exactly known for hitting every note right and for some reason that definitely endeared them to Jane. Eddie Vedder has a tendency to forget lyrics and the band managed to screw up the end of 'Go', a song which they've played over 250 times.
Highlights for me where 'Last Exit', 'Why Go', 'All Night', 'In Hiding', 'Sleight Of Hand', 'Given To Fly', 'Go', 'Smile' and 'Leash'. All of it was awesome really. It was fun to see Eddie interact so much with the crowd, chatting to the front row and dedicating 'Smile' to a girl who had been to 70 shows and giving her his harmonica afterwards. Super glad we went.
Here's the setlist...

Long Road
Last Exit
Why Go
All Night
The Fixer
Low Light
In Hiding
World Wide Suicide
Not For You
Evenflow
Present Tense
Save You
Grievance
Sleight Of Hand
Got Some
Given To Fly
Rearviewmirror
----------------
Go
Daughter
Do The Evolution
Alive
----------------
Smile
Black
Leash
The Real Me
Indifference

U2 Croke Park, Dublin, 25 July 2009.

2009-07-26T19:00:00.003+01:00

2nd night of U2's 3 night stand in Dublin was a very different experience to the first night. Jane & I and Alan & Ruth (brother & sister in-law) went and as the ladies where with us we had seated tickets. It's interesting how different it is. Being in the pit feels like you're part of the whole experience and your focus is completely on the band and even if they play a dud song (like Desire or Angel of Harlem) you feel caught up in the moment. However when you're siting it's more like watching a show. An amazing show at that but you're more of a spectator than a participant I felt. Things I couldn't take in the first night like the pure spectacle that the show really is, from the lights, to the stage, to the mirror balls and the 79,999 other people in the stadium that you could see rockin it out. It was awesome watching the whole pitch jump up and down to Beautiful Day and Vertigo. It was so cool to be there with our ladies and to be able to see the show in a whole different way to the Friday show. I also got to see a girl from work Eithne before the show who I hadn't seen in 7 months which was great. Nice to have someone from home tell me they like my beard for a change!!
The setlist on Friday was definitely better for me due to them playing Until the End of the World and Bad, but hearing 80,000 people sing the first verse and chorus of I Still Haven't Found... without help from the band was awesome and In a Little While is a cracking little tune. I was stoked to hear Unknown Caller which is an outstanding track from the new album.
One last thing, Moment of Surrender is the best song on the new album and is one of their finest but for some reason it doesn't work as a closer. Also interesting that the encore is nearly the same as a whole stretch of the Zoo TV tour 17 years ago, which had Ultra Violet, With Or Without You and Love Is Blindness.
Mondays show will be awesome. Hope everyone who's going loves it. Here's the setlist from Saturday.

1. Breathe
2. No Line On The Horizon
3. Get On Your Boots
4. Magnificent
5. Beautiful Day / Here Comes The Sun (Snippet)
6. Mysterious Ways
7. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (Snippet)
8. Angel Of Harlem / Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (Snippet)
9. In A Little While
10. Unknown Caller
11. Unforgettable Fire
12. City of Blinding Lights / Rain (Snippet)
13. Vertigo / Thunderstruck (Snippet)
14. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (Remix) / Come All Ye Faithful (Snippet)
15. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (Snippet)
16. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
17. MLK
18. Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (Snippet)
19. Where The Streets Have No Name
20. One

Encore:
21. Ultraviolet
22. With Or Without You
23. Moment of Surrender

U2 Croke Park, Dublin, 24 July 2009.

2009-07-25T09:59:00.003+01:00

Amazing show last night. Never thought I'd say it was worth queuing up at 3:30 to get in to a concert but as we got into the pit it was definitely well worth it. We had an amazing view and the whole set up has to be seen to really get what a spectacle it is. The stage is awesome. Highlights for me where No Line..., Until The End Of The World, City Of Blinding Lights, Streets, 40/Bad and Ultra Violet. Will be sitting tonight which will be a whole different experience. Can't wait.

1. Breathe
2. No Line on the Horizon
3. Get On Your Boots
4. Magnificent
5. Beautiful Day/Blackbird (snippet)
6. Elevation
7. Desire
8. Stuck In A Moment
9. The Auld Triangle (cover)
10. One / Do You Hear Us Coming Lord (probably)
11. Until The End of the World
12. The Unforgettable Fire
13. City of Blinding Lights
14. Vertigo
15. Crazy remix
16. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rocking the Casbah (snippet)
17. Pride (In the Name of Love)
18. MLK
19. Walk On/ You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
20. Where the Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet)
21. 40 (snippet)/ Bad / 40 (snippet)

22. Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
23. With or Without You
24. Moment of Surrender

U2 360 dream setlist

2009-07-20T09:18:00.003+01:00

This weekend the U2 spaceship rolls into town. I used to have a love hate relationship with them until they broke my pride on the Vertigo tour when I saw them live for the first time. Now it's just pure love, much to the amusement of my brother who was trying to convince me for years to give them a chance. I'll be going to the gigs on Friday and Saturday with him, it'll be fun for me to watch him wet his pants watching his favourite band. I asked him to post his dream setlist which is here. Below is mine, in order and ready to blow my face off.

Zoo Station
Magnificent
City Of Blinding Lights
Mofo
I Will Follow
Vertigo
Do You Feel Loved
A Day Without Me
The Unforgettable Fire
The First Time
Grace
Red Hill Mining Town
If God Will Send His Angels
Running To Stand Still
Stay (Faraway, So Close)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Walk On
The Moment Of Surrender

Ultra Violet (light my way)
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Bad
With Or Without You

Where The Streets Have No Name
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me
Until The End Of The World
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Yahweh
‘40'

Home

2009-07-17T15:14:00.001+01:00

We're home! The morning after we arrived home when we awoke Jane turned to me and said 'feels like it was a dream doesn't it?'. It did as I can't believe 6 months went by so quickly and that our time away far surpassed anything we could possibly have imagined.
It's strange being home, in so many ways it seems like nothing has changed while at the same time so much in us has changed.
We spent the last week of our trip in Houston, Texas with awesome friends. It was so great to see what God is doing through them and the impact they're having for the sake of his Kingdom. One of the ministries they are involved in is rescuing kids from extremely unhealthy (in all sense of the word) situations whether that is working alongside the mothers and empowering them to be better parents or prayerfully taking them and placing them in either temporary or full time foster placements. While we were there we got to see God rescue two kids from a truly awful situation and place them in a foster home that will nurture them and love them. It was amazing to see God's hand in it all and how our friends are being so evidently used and self sacrificial. We also got to do planning meetings for Teen Street the conference myself and Jane help out with in Germany. It was so great to see what God has been speaking to Josh and Debs about what he wants them to say to the teenagers. We're looking forward to being a part of what He wants to do and hopefully to impact some lives!
Apart from all our friends in North Houston we also got to catch up with Hoey and Kara in downtown Houston. It was more than awesome to get to spend time with them. Hoey was my housemate for a few years until we both got married! He's now living in the states so it was great to get to spend time with him and his lovely wife. Mighty banter and precious times. His mom and dad where visiting as well so we got to party on the 4th of July with them which was great.
Being home and getting to see family again has been wonderful. We feel like we could have stayed away for plenty more time but we did miss seeing our families and close friends so that's been a great thing about coming home. We're also making sure we don't see this as the end of a season but as the beginning of a new one. We know for sure that God is stirring something here and we're excited to be a part of what He's going to do. What exactly that is we don't know, but we do know we're hungry for His presence and that He's going to do more than we could possibly imagine.

Kingdom Culture

2009-06-29T06:21:00.002+01:00

It is so difficult to put into words the experience of this past week. I'll try but I won't capture what it truly meant to us in a blog.
We spent the first part of the week chilling out in the super cheap but super awesome hotel we stayed in. It was so relaxing, despite the fact that it was 110f, that's 43 celsius. The main reason we went to Redding for a week was to get to go to Bethel (church) for a weekend to get a real picture of the church and then to attend the 'Kingdom Culture' conference from the Wednesday to the Friday.
Bill Johnson, Kris Vallatton, Danny Silk and Steve Thompson spoke and worship was led by Kim Walker, Chris Quilala, Kristene Mueller and Brian & Jen Johnson. Could you get a better line up? The main focus of the conference was understanding the nature of God which will help us be a people who live with a kingdom mindset 24/7. Bill, Kris and Danny are incredibly gifted communicators and blew me away with their hearts, their love for Jesus and their honesty. Those guys were raw. I've never heard anyone be as raw and real from the pulpit as Kris Vallotton. Telling us the most intimate heartbreaking story about his family to help us get a picture of what it truly is to be a people who love like Jesus.
Danny Silk spoke about who our Father in heaven really is and how our relationship with our earthly Fathers effect how we view our Father in heaven. We think it doesn't but it does. I've heard this before but he explained it in such a fresh way and it was so refreshing to hear someone talk about my Dad in heaven and for me to be able to amen it all the way through. Knowing what our Father God is truly like can help us know his heart for people and to strip ourselves of judgement and to love unrelenting. He is good and the perfect picture of love.
Bill Johnson took the Thursday and it was definitely a heaven on earth moment. In a nutshell God told him very specifically about an illness someone had and he had people pray for them. They got healed and then all these other people around the room started getting healed. Like proper healed. Deaf people being able to hear, blind people seeing, club feet healed, ligaments restored, tumours gone. It was amazing. Overwhelming to see the power of God on display like that.
Myself and Jane were able to get in on the act too!! He called out infertility and both of us heard very clearly from the holy spirit that people near us had this issue so we asked them was it true. They said yes which confirmed for us that 1. We actually do hear the voice of God and 2. He wanted to heal her. We had the most awesome prayer time and we know without a doubt that she was healed. It was outrageous. Have I said before that never again will I entertain someone tell me that God doesn't heal these days?! There is power in the testimony and I'll be using mine!
Friday night's worship was like a symphony of heaven. At one stage the band stopped playing and there was a sound around the room that was no doubt angels singing with us. It was mind blowing. I was just singing my own thing to God and he told me to stop singing and take in the moment. The same happened to Jane. I can't describe what it was like to know that we were literally joining with heaven singing praise to God.
It was so encouraging to be immersed in a culture for a week where it seemed like all the stuff we've been learning and all the experiences we've been having made sense. God is that good, real and alive and wanting to truly impact peoples lives in a tangible supernatural way.
What made the conference even more special was having the awesome pleasure of getting to hang out with two friends Dave and Emily from home who came by for the Thursday and Friday. They were traveling up the west coast and figured Bethel would be a good pit stop. I'm fairly certain they enjoyed it as much as we did and we were hugely blessed to meet like minded people from home and to get to chat and hang out together. The banter was mighty. Also got to meet a guy called Wes who is coming to Ireland to pray. No reason, except that God told him to. We had great fun with him and are looking forward to having the banter when he comes to Ireland in August. We also got to be reunited with some great folks we met in Wanaka Jeanie and Alistair.
There is so much more I could write about but I think you get the jist that it was truly an amazing time. So often we get the impression that churches like Bethel are crazy and weird but in some ways it was the most normal church atmosphere I've ever been in. All they want to do is allow God to move and invite people to experience Him in an atmosphere of absolute awe and worship of who God really is.
The last two days we've spent driving 10 hours each day on our way to Houston. Currently we're staying overnight in El Paso while the biggest electrical storm I've ever seen is going on outside. It's awesome in the true sense of the word.
We're so excited to be able to get to spend time with our friends in Houston. It'll be well worth the 1,500 mile drive.

A sloppy wet kiss??

2009-06-24T19:37:00.003+01:00

So I'm not sure if you've all heard the song 'How He Loves' by John Mark McMillan. It has been made famous by Jesus Culture from Bethel Church in Redding; I posted about it here and here. The lyrics are below. I love the song, it carries such weight and is definitely being used by God to bring people into an encounter with his heart. We listen to it all the time, switching between Jesus Culture version and John Mark McMillan's version. I prefer the former, Jane prefers the later.
Anyways, the reason I write this is the line in the song 'heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss'. I'll be facilitating worship at a conference for teenagers in a few weeks and I definitely want to sing this song and I've been talking to Jane about whether to sing that line or change it or skip the verse or what to do.
I know some churches skip the second verse, but that's not an option for me. Way too powerful to leave out and dilutes the song for me. The second option is to change the lyric. I know one church sings 'heaven meets earth with a passionate kiss' which is a relatively good compromise and one in which I was considering, THEN I heard David Crowder Bands version of the song and they changed the lyric to 'heaven meets earth with an unforeseen kiss' and it killed me. I was so disappointed that they would take the song and change the lyrics and release it to the general public. It's like a slap in the face to John Mark McMillan. Hey we dig your song but your theology is a little off so we're gonna change the lyrics and release it ourselves. Maybe I'm reading too much into it and maybe I was just annoyed because they did such a terrible version of the song. Seriously, they butcher it in my opinion. You can hear it here. I should add that I'm a big fan of David Crowder Band so I was really hoping I'd love it.
Hearing their version made me want to never change the words. I love the imagery, the poetry of a Father embracing a child. The image of my brother picking up his son and giving him this big huge kiss that affirms his son and it's nearly like nothing Andrew can do can get him out of it. He thinks he doesn't want it but it's so overwhelming and full of love and sincerity that he can't but rest and let his daddy kiss him and love him. That's what our daddy in heaven wants to do with us, overwhelm us with his love and passionately embrace us.
As a worship leader my roll is to lead people into the presence of God and I don't want anything to get in the way of people encountering their saviour hence my seeking wisdom on what to do with this song. I also think that maybe half the leaders at the conference will take issue with the lyric so there's also that to deal with as I'm not one to rebel for rebellion sake. I may end up changing it so as to make it easier for people to agree with/sing with but it will pain my heart that I have to dumb down such a beautiful image.

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That He loves us,
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves us
Woah, how He loves

Encountering the Father

2009-06-21T02:56:00.002+01:00

Mammoth was such a rich part of our journey so far. God's hand was so evidently upon us in bringing us to that place. Mike and Karen who we stayed with are such kingdom people. We loved staying with them and I hope we can return the favour when they hit Ireland one day. Or else we'll just have to go back for a snowboarding holiday. We had some great conversations and it was so encouraging to talk to older wiser people in the faith. We had a great night with Dave and Stevie the pastors of the church, on Thursday night. Their heart for people is so tangible and their wisdom and intimacy with God is wonderful.
We had a great chat about how it seems like so much of the church is chasing after knowing about God and studying Him and defining Him when in fact life is about knowing and encountering Him. Of course studying about him and so on can be extremely beneficial but information will never lead to transformation. That's why so many Christians constantly struggle with their walks. They haven't gotten the fact that Jesus has saved them from their heads into their hearts. They are still repenting for sins they did 10 years ago because they don't really know in their hearts that they have been forgiven. They think that God wants them to be good when in fact Jesus paid the price to make us glorious. God is a relational God who is so much more than a book.
We've been really enjoying using cataphatic prayer lately, engaging with Jesus in our imaginations as Paul encourages us to do in scripture. I struggled with prayer for so long because I felt like I was praying to a wall and an empty space whereas now I sit and picture Jesus and actually talk to Him, and guess what? He talks back. He has been saying the most incredible stuff to myself and Jane lately, one thing that also sticks out is he is a funny man!! Greg Boyd's book Seeing Is Believing and his latest 'Animate' series that he has preached on has really helped me develop a desire to allow Jesus move the things I know about Him from my head to my heart so I can actually experience those things. It's very hard to act like Jesus when we haven't experienced his acts in our lives.

Currently we're in Bethel Church, Redding and we are loving it. We were so excited about going to church to encounter Jesus and we did. It was awesome. In the morning Brian and Jen Johnson led the worship which was fantastic. Bill Johnson preached and it was exceptional. Man that guy knows the heart of God and communicates it so well. He spoke about the difference between walking in the ways of God and walking in the acts of God. Seeing the acts of God is amazing, exciting and a huge testimony, however sometimes these can take away our focus from the ways of God. Actually just focusing on who he is, because of who he is. Life is all about intimacy with our Father in Heaven, from that place of course he will act but that is not why we surrender to Him, we do it because he is God and he deserves everything we have.
The evening worship was led by Chris Quilala and Kristene Meuller and again it was exceptional and Ray Hughes spoke. He was so funny and his message was fantastic. He spoke about revival and how it is so misunderstood. It is not about trying to recreate a movement but is about letting God be God and a group of passionate warriors seeking his face in the quiet place which will lead to a quiet rising of an army that will war in the heavens to see his will done on earth as it is in heaven.
During the service some two different randomers came up to Jane and gave her the same word straight from the heart of God as well as after the service another randomer came up to Jane and gave her the very same word. It was so encouraging for her and awesome to see how God speaks so very very clearly. Incredibly prophetic words were said to me aswell that could only have been from God. It's so cool being in an atmosphere where God speaks so clearly.
We have a couple of days to chill out here before the conference starts on Wednesday. I'm expecting a cracking time with God and to see some more miracles to take back home with us.

yo-yosemite

2009-06-18T23:00:00.005+01:00

We've had a great couple of days. The couple we are staying with are the nicest people and we've had some really great chats with them. Hospitality is definitely one of the best kingdom things we can do. They are people who dearly love Jesus and it resonates. Their daughter even had words for us over dinner straight from the Fathers heart. It's been great here!
Tuesday we had a lovely day. We drove up to the lakes to spend time with Jesus and he showed up in a very real and tangible way separately to us. The stuff he said is for us to hold on to but we were so encouraged and I was so overwhelmed and still am at how Jesus keeps speaking to us in such concrete ways. He also made me laugh so hard, he has an amazing sense of humour!

Tuesday evening we went to the churches prayer & worship meeting and it was so cool. Turns out that part of what Jesus said to me earlier that day was an interpretation of a ladies dream in the church. We were both asked in the middle of worship to pray for the church. Both myself and Jane turned to each other and said 'Do you have anything to say?, cause I don't!" God then spoke very directly to Jane about what she was to say and then right before we were to pray he did the same to me. It was super exciting to see Jane continually being used in a prophetic way to speak very directly into peoples lives and in this case a church. A couple who are leaving the states to move to Hawaii were prayed for and God spoke outrageously clearly into their live and also used us to do so, things in which we could have never known, God said through us. It was so humbling and encouraging. It breaks my heart that people are so afraid of God speaking today, limiting his voice only to the scriptures. He's so much bigger than that, and more importantly he's so much more relational than that.
Yesterday we went to Yosemite National Park which is just astounding. It's 1,200 square miles of wonder. Waterfalls, granite cliffs, meadows, streams, bears, mountain lions; you get the picture. We just walked around and drove around for the day marveling at God's creation. It was spectacular. Apparently it's also a rock climbers dream - those guys are crazy. We got to chat to one of them and look through his telescope at his friends who where on their third day of a five day climb to the top of 'El Capitan'. Rather them than me!
Tonight we're going to the Pastors of the church for dinner which we're really looking forward to and then on to Bethel tomorrow, sweet!!!

Mammoth Lighthouse

2009-06-15T08:28:00.005+01:00

After we left Vegas we figured we'd go one better than there and hit Death Valley. It's pretty much exactly what it says. A valley of death. Barren desert type land with scorching heat. It was cool enough to drive through but we've definitely seen better. Good to see the dry and arid places demons go to when they're cast out of people! It's not a place you'd want to run out of petrol in.

We had organised a place to stay in a town near enough to Death Valley which looked cool but for some reason when we turned to go towards that town Jane told me that we were not to go there. My tiredness from driving wasn't exactly enamored with her direction but as I know God speaks to her I figured I'd listen so we drove on for another two hours and ended up in a place called Lone Pine. While there we figured out that a town we had really wanted to visit but thought was all the way up in north california was only an hour and a half away. It's a place called Mammoth Lakes and is the original plant of the Lighthouse church we visited in New Zealand. We were so amazed at God's hand in leading us there despite google maps telling us it was near Oregon. Turns out there's a Mammoth and a Mammoth lakes, we had been searching for the former.

We stayed a night in Lone Pine and then drove to Mammoth which is a cute little skiing/snowboarding town with happens to have a great coffee shop! It's surprisingly high up and surprisingly cold. It had been 110 in Death Valley and today it was 50 degrees in Mammoth, that's a big difference. We booked into the cheapest place we coould find which happened to be a motel. First night Jane was pretty freaked so we prayed for God's protection and BAM I totally know he sent an angel to stand guard at our door. A big ass angel with pythons of steal and a sword that would take down anything that came at him!! I had a vision of all these demons that had been allowed into the room before rushing towards the door but as soon as they caught sight of the angel they fled. Jane went straight to sleep. It was cool. Weird but cool.

Today we drove to the lakes and walked around, it was so nice and peaceful to be out of a city. Tonight we had the awesome pleasure of going to the Lighthouse church. It was so great to be around people who dearly love Jesus. It was so encouraging to hear testimonies of miracles God has done and is doing and to hear people have words for each other. You can tell that the Pastors have such wonderful hearts for people and just want people to encounter Jesus. Not to just know about Him but to actually experience Him and know Him and to feel his love and hear his voice. We got to share briefly who we are. God gave me a word for the evening which I wasn't going to share until Jane turned to me and said 'do you have a word to share?'. I figured as I was a visitor it could have been inappropriate or whatever but I guess God told Jane to tell me to stop being self-conscious and to actually speak what he was telling me to say. It was exciting to again hear God's voice, act on it (with Janes prompting - she's good at that and especially good at hearing God's voice and knowing it's Him) and know it was actually the God of the universe speaking and using us to do it. Awesome.
It was great to chat to people after and really encouraging. One lady super generously asked us to come stay with her and her family for a few days. That's what kingdom people do! We felt so welcomed. Unfortunately we won't be staying at this lighthouse for 7 weeks, but we'll stay till Thursday, then hit Yosemite National Park and then up to Bethel Church in Redding. Good good times.

God Bless America

2009-06-13T04:00:00.005+01:00

It's always a great Friday at TGI Fridays, would you like a margarita for the lady and a 20oz Guinness to start for yourself sir?

It was 10am on a Wednesday morning and we were getting breakfast.

Two words...stranger. danger.

I was browsing through cd's while Jane was window shopping when I saw a kid looking for a specific song by a band. He picked up the wrong cd and told his friend it was the one they were looking for. I turned to them and said it wasn't the cd they were looking for and I found the proper one and handed it to them. I've never been looked at like I was a pedophile before and I don't want to experience it again! The irony is, they were delighted I found them the real cd. punks.

Blind man: "I'll have the burger please"

Waiter: "Sure. You must have sat too close to the tv as a kid!"

Blind man: "I didn't have a tv".

Waiter: 'ok'.

Lovely couple across from us in a restaurant. Did the waiter not realise that asking a blind man who was about 70 did he sit too close to the tv to bring on his blindness would be highly inappropriate.
I nearly spat out my diet coke and Jane nearly choked on her baked potato. Outstanding.

Irate Customer to waitress talking about the manager: She's lucky I know Jesus because I'd go right over there and tell her what a b***h she was!

That just made us plain angry. If you knew Jesus you wouldn't talk like that and you'd realise that maybe the manager has stuff going on for her which should make you try to love her even more. They refused to tip the manager who was their waitress and tipped the other girl who didn't serve them at all. This makes me never want to call myself a Christian. There are way too many bad representations of Christ around. It was slightly amusing to see the woman have to come back in to retrieve her phone she left behind from the manager. The manager was nice to her.

Waitress: "So where are you guys from?"

Us: "Ireland"

Waitress: "Oh I knew it was Australia or England. It's the same island anyway".

Same island? I ignored the fact that Australia and England are on two completely different continents and just thought about the fact that somehow Ireland and England are on the same island? If only she knew our history!

Information person on Las Vegas Boulevard "Where are you guys staying?"

Me: "Sam's Town Hotel. Where all the weird locals seem to hang out!".

Lady: "My sister lives near there, are you saying she's weird?"

Me: "Eh...they're not all weird!?"

They are in fact ALL weird. Bless their cotton socks, but they were the definition of carney folk.

English man at a bar: "You're from Ireland? Do an Irish dance"

Jane: "ha, ha (awkward) eh...didle de dee potatoes!"

English man: "ha ha you didn't have any potatoes during the famine did you?"

awkward silence...Me: "that's offensive, and you're English so you need to back off when talking about our tragic history when you caused most of it".

I think I was more offensive! I guess Irish Blood runs thick in me. Both my grand fathers would have been proud of me. Not sure if that's a good thing though! Makes me order baked potatoes instead of chips out of solidarity now. Nice to see those beautiful creations in their full glory.

Pastor in church in Las Vegas "if you tithe to us you'll prosper financially"

Us: "huh?"

That one always amuses me. Takes some amazing hermeneutics to come up with that one.

Me after opening the door for the millionth time for someone and them ignoring me as they walk past "YOU'RE WELCOME, you ignorant yolk". (capitals said out loud, lower caps whispered to myself).

I know calling them an ignorant yolk under my breath is not a very kingdom act. I'm in constant repentance for that one, but it is one of my irks - at least say thanks, or tell me you didn't want me to open the door for you, just don't ignore me. Jane sometimes forgets to whisper her annoyance.

homeless man "Your beard is awesome"

Me: "Thanks dude and yes it is. Real men grow beards. I hope to have one like yours someday."

Homeless man: "Maybe someday".

That someday is arriving sooner than I thought. This is not an invitation for comments about my beard. You say you don't like my beard, I say I don't like your face. That dude's beard was awesome. In fact, he was a cool guy. Jane agrees with me that real men grow beards. Sweet.

Denny's waitress: "How do you like your eggs?"

Jane: "huh?"

Denny's waitress: "sunny side, scrambled, over easy, poached, hard boiled (I'm sure there were more I can't think of right now).

Jane: "I'd just like an egg please"

That needs no explanation. She got a scrambled one.

Starbucks barista: "What can I get you?"

Jane: "tea please"

Starbucks barista: "green, black, herbal infusion..."

Jane: "I'll have a normal tea please"

"Starbucks barista: "They're all normal"

Jane: "black?"

Starbucks barista: "Hot or cold"

Jane: "hot"

Starbucks barista: "room for cream"

Jane: "cream? Who puts cream in tea? If you mean milk, then yeah"

Starbucks barista: "What size?"

Jane: "small"

Starbucks barista: "You mean tall?"

Jane: "Yeah. I'd just like a tall black tea with room for milk please.

Starbucks: "No problem. You can collect it at the counter. Have a nice day"

Jane to me: "Can it be that difficult to order a tea?"

Me: "I didn't think so".

The next customer accustomed to the elite starbucks ordering club asked for the following drink or something very similar to it:

"Can I have a Decaf, Triple shot, Grande, Sugar free vanilla, 2% milk, Extra white mocha, Extra hot, No whip, No foam, Extra drizzle (chocolate), Marble mocha macchiato please?"

Starbucks barista: "Sure, no problem!"

It put it all in context and made us realise that yes it can be that difficult to articulate you drink order at starbucks!

Liva, Vas Legas

2009-06-12T05:57:00.009+01:00

Our Vegas experience is over. All glitz but we didn’t find any glam. Actually to say it’s all glitz is a gross exaggeration, there’s a bit of glitz but it’s moniker really should be ‘Las Vegas: All hopelessness and despair, with deviance and infirmity thrown in for good measure!”.

If we though last week in Santa Barbara was a slight culture shock, this week has been like a punch in the face. Las Vegas is all the worst things America has to offer all thrown in together with huge spiritual oppression hanging over the whole city. Every day we’ve really had a sense of sadness that has been all over this city, especially Jane. So many people overweight, in wheelchairs, unkempt, rude, obnoxious and with sadness in their eyes. We got a sense that God really has a heart for this place but it’s really going to take spiritual warriors to rise up and take authority in the heavenly realms to break strongholds and open up the heavens so that the living waters of Jesus can rush through this place and wash it clean. Practically people just so desperately need to be treated like they have worth, like they actually matter to God and to his children. And also that gambling isn’t going to solve any of their inner issues. Even if they hit the biggest jackpot in town, it’s not going to help. As cliche as it sounds, they need Jesus and not just the golden ticket to heaven Jesus, they need holistic healing Jesus who cares more for them than they can possibly imagine. Our hearts broke for this place.

Having said that, we did have fun in the midst of it. Fun in our usual way, finding somewhere to have a coffee and chat! I also got to play my guitar which has been great. The place we stayed in was super low budget but actually great. A hotel with a giant casino, a cinema, bowling alley, mcdonalds, dunkin donuts, subway, tgi fridays and plenty more for 20 euro a night is definitely a one of a kind experience! Under my encouragement Jane put a dollar in a machine and won 18 dollars - very entertaining. The next time she put a dollar in of course she won nothing but the third time, she won 24 dollars.

We took a walk down the length of the strip on our second to last night so we could take plenty of photo’s. Some of the casino’s where nice but really once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all. No one is really dressed up that well, mostly shorts. All the way down the strip are guys giving out cards for ladies of the night. So disturbing that guys walking with their girlfriends/wives take the cards and put them in their pockets. Hello!!!? Your wife is worth so much more than that. The guys had no shame trying to give me a card with Jane right beside me. Mingers.

On Sunday we got to go to a local church here. I think they had possibly the best communion I have had at church. Not the taste of it - no one can get the juice right and they had mingin wafers but that’s probably one of those things christians never discuss: how communion elements usually taste awful (Grosvenors bread is usually pretty nice though!). There was real victory to the taking of communion rather than the usual downcast feeling there is to communion. Not that there isn’t a place for reflection in communion, however it was a nice refreshing way to celebrate it. My friend Hoey would have loved it as he talks well about how communion doesn’t always have to be a ‘sad’ moment. The service was great until an hour and 15 minutes into it when the assistant pastor got up to speak. He finished 45 minutes later. He was great for the first 3 minutes, he then proceeded to repeat himself for the next 42 minutes and I really wanted to get up and say “yeah we get it, wait on the Lord, he’ll come through for us”. I didn’t, much to Jane’s dismay; it would have made for good lunch conversation. It put a dampner on what was a good service up to then.

It was definitely an experience doing Vegas and in a weird way I'm glad we went, but I don't think we'll ever go again. We leave Vegas and head to Death Valley, yes I do see the irony in that.

hee, hee, ooohh....sha mon

2009-06-05T19:45:00.002+01:00

So here we are on the last leg of our trip. We flew into LAX last week after a shocking flight (turbulence was awful, thank God for the angels on the wings!), picked up a car and headed straight for Santa Barbara. We stayed with Jane’s cousin and his family for a week and had a great time. They’re the loveliest family and it was great to spend time with their kids and to chat with them.
America has been a big shock to the system. I love spending time here but it is a million miles away from New Zealand. It’s hard to describe the subtle differences but the main differences are pretty easy to see and imagine. Two completely different worlds. I didn’t think I’d find it as hard as I have but I guess it’s the fact that New Zealand was too good. However, we know that we’re here and this is also a part of our journey so of course we’re choosing to enjoy ourselves and embrace the fact that we’re here. Having people to hang out with and chat with for our first week was great.
At the end of last week I got myself a new guitar. Very exciting. The guitar I have is nice but I knew a new one was a wise move. It has been so great to be able to play again. It had been far too long and I was yearning to be able to pick up my guitar and play some tunes. It made its debut with a little worship session for the kids in the family we were with; cute. I’m really praying for songs straight from the heart of God to come out through the guitar.
Speaking of music, I finally got Bell x1’s new ablum. It’s brilliant, also got Dave Matthews Band’s new album. I hope it grows on me, not quite sure how I feel about it yet. Twice while we were listening to it Jane wondered had they been listening to Metallica’s album with the symphony orchestra. I never thought she would be able to reference Metallica!! Why I Am is my favourite so far, killer riff.
We’re still loving Jesus Culture and Misty Edwards. I also got a guy called Jonathan David Helser, if you want to hear super raw worship music from a man who is obviously in love with Jesus I highly recommend it. Listen to ‘God of the Angel Armies’. Amazing amazing song.
We left Santa Barbara two days ago to hit Vegas. We thought Santa Barbara was a million miles from New Zealand, Vegas is a whole other world. It's definitely an experience, I'll tell more later.

New Zealand; till we meet again...

2009-05-25T09:51:00.005+01:00

Our last night in New Zealand. Can't believe our time here has finished. It's been our home away from home and we're really sad to leave here. Of course looking forward to the next part of the journey, but this part has been so incredibly significant for us. Specifically for our individual walks with Jesus, our walk together with Him and also myself and Jane as a couple. God has been more gracious and near than we could have possibly imagined. He is constantly reminding us that he's so much more gracious, loving, merciful and kind than we can fathom.
We're currently in Auckland. Yesterday we had the awesome pleasure of meeting up with a couple of very good friends (Jay & Erin) of our very good friends (Ferg and Sarah-Jane). So lovely to chat with people who get it. Their love for Jesus is so tangible and resultantly so is their want to bring Jesus to those around them. All aspects of the saving power of Jesus, not just a golden ticket to heaven. It was humbling and inspiring to hear their hearts. I hope we meet again.
At church we had another randomer come up to us with a word from God! It's nearly funny at this stage how much God is speaking to us. He came over to us at the end of church last night and said he had seen us at the earlier service and God told him very clearly to tell us something. He was bang on and it was really encouraging.
Today we had another amazing opportunity to meet a friend of Ferg & Sarah-Jane's called Judith. The love of Jesus is all over that woman and we had such a cool time chatting with her. We could have talked all day. It didn't harm that the coffee and chocolate cake in the coffee shop we were in were exceptionally tasty! It was so great to talk to someone across the other side of the world who has a huge heart for Ireland. We're excited about the possibility that we can be involved in some way with what God is doing at home. He's on the move and we want to be a part of what he's doing in bringing his kingdom to our land.
I've no doubt we're going to have an amazing time in the States and it'll be so different to here because God is a God of new things and continued adventure. Bring it...

from the inside out...

2009-05-21T11:59:00.003+01:00

Tuesday we left Wanaka, but not before we had to do something very significant. It’s been on Jane’s heart for a long time and especially lately the importance of baptism. Jane was baptised as a baby but God has been gently leading her to a place where she felt it was right to be baptised as a believing adult. As she has been a testimony for so long now in her walk with God it wasn’t so much for this reason that she decided to do it but more in obedience to God and as a declaration to the heavens that she is a child of the King.
We really wanted to do it in Wanaka as it holds a special place in our hearts so we went down to the lake very early on our second to last morning there. It was freezing. It had snowed hard the night before and we were like ice. Poor Jane! And me I may add as I had to do the dunking!! It was an awesome experience. I was so proud of her taking that step. It can seem insignificant but the symbolism and declaration of baptism has such power. It was a fitting way to end our time in Wanaka, and also pretty funny as we looked like two lunatics and probably sounded like them too with our yelping from the cold! We actually had been thinking of using the jacuzzi that was in our caravan park, but there was something about that that didn’t quite sit right!
We met our friends later for coffee which was great. Better than great actually, they are such an amazing encouragement and so real. The coffee place closed, but they decided we hadn’t finished talking yet so we went to the place where one of the guys works to keep chatting. The chatting turned into praying as he told us we had words for them from God. Turned out we did even though we didn’t know it. When we rid ourselves of our pride and being self-conscious it’s amazing what God can say through us. We also had a chat about church and realised that what we were doing right there was church. Praying, encouraging, giving testimonies, laughing, near crying, being raw and honest, and having good coffee - that’s church! It doesn’t have to be enclosed in four walls with a 30 minute talk and 3 songs. That’s a meeting. Church is community and people being real and themselves. Hopefully we can get it right and incorporate our Sunday morning meetings into church!
The last word Darren had for us was to go out and just do it. Heal the sick, cast out demons, words of knowledge for people, and love all over people like only Jesus can. It’s about being obedient to God and being up for bringing the kingdom wherever we go. We can get so caught up in theologising everything and putting things in formula’s and boxes that we forget that God is outrageously bigger and better than we ever give him credit for and for some reason he wants to use us to do his will. What’s his will?
On earth as it is in heaven....

I don't want to talk about Him like He's not in the room

2009-05-18T00:08:00.002+01:00

I can't believe our time in Wanaka is near over. We've been here 6 weeks today and it has by far been the highlight of our time away. We've been blessed this past week with being able to stay in a house with a friend from church although she's been away for most of the time. It's been great to have a bit of space. It'll be strange getting back in the van tomorrow morning to live in for another week.
We know God is taking us on a journey and has been speaking to us constantly. One of our prayers has been to see a miracle and for God to open our eyes to the supernatural. A couple of weeks ago we both saw an angel at church. Just sitting there down the back. It was one of those moments were I thought I was making it up until afterwards I said to Jane 'I think I saw an angel at church tonight' and she said 'Down the back on the left?'. 'eh...yep!'.
Friday night we were over with friends having an extremely tasty dinner and great chats. Hearing some of their stories was so encouraging. Having words for strangers they meet in shops and on the street. I love that kindof stuff. Not just 'Jesus loves you' words (Which can be awesome) but significant specific words. Such as Darren in a petrol station and God told him the guy behind the counter had just tried to commit suicide a few days previous and cried out to God 'if you're there, show me'. So Darren, freaked told his wife and of course had that feeling of 'man, I can't say that to this kid'. He obeyed and said it. He said to the kid 'God told me you tried to end your life and you wanted a sign from God. Well I'm it and we should talk'. How cool is that. That is what God is all about. Reaching into the depths of our pain and telling us he loves us. The kid left the counter crying his eyes out and Darren got to tell him about the amazing love and salvation he can have in Jesus.
In the conversation it came up that my back hurts, especially when I walk. Usually I hear from behind me 'Hey 2pac!' from Jane as I have this strange little limp bounce thing going on cause my left leg is shorter than the other. She says I look like a homie when I walk! All my jeans have these annoying rips on my left leg. Anyways, the guys we were with just said 'lets pray for it'. So I lay flat against the wall, put my legs side by side and my left was maybe a half inch shorter. We started praying and BAM my leg moves; half way there. We were all laughing so hard. We kept praying and Jane's reaction when it moved again was the best. Herself and Darren both said 'Did you see that?' and broke their hearts laughing. So my leg grew out and I felt the difference all day yesterday as I was walking.
You know the only sad thing about it though? I didn't want to write about it because I know that so many reading will think 'yeah whatever, a leg growing out; you're such a sucker'. Well, I don't care because I know it was the healing power of God. We then prayed for Jane's belly. She's had this pain every single night for the past 6 months. It can get real bad and very frustrating. We prayed for it and the presence of God was so tangible and God healed it. One girl definitely had the gift of healing as everytime she prayed or touched Jane her belly went crazy!
So God answered our prayers! We thought the miracle would be for someone else, we didn't realise it would be for us! We just want to walk in faith now and be able to bring Jesus into all situations that we're in.
Wanaka has been such an amazing experience and we're so excited for the next part of the journey.

Slumdog Millionaire

2009-05-15T02:44:00.004+01:00

The feel good movie of the year

Am I the only person who thinks that the above quote is a complete lie. How was I meant to feel good watching that movie? I had waited a while to see it and we eventually watched it a couple of nights ago and man we felt like the life had been sucked out of us. I won't go into details of the movie in case someone reading hasn't seen it but there is so much in that movie to not feel good about, a boy winning "who wants to be a millionaire" didn't trump any of the depressing scenes we had to sit through to get to it. And right before the final question is a dreadful scene and then we see everyone dancing around in a train station. It just gave me a really uneasy feeling in my stomach.
Apologies to all who 'loved' it. I really liked it until I actually saw it! I had read reviews and it seemed so great and such a cool story line but I was thoroughly disappointed. Wolverine on the other hand was awesome!!!

Hebrews 11

2009-05-13T07:57:00.003+01:00

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

I love Hebrews 11. An amazing chapter about the hero's of the faith. Faith not just being belief, but faith being action. Realising that God is real and that he is more than worth living for and giving up everything for.
I love thinking upon and talking about the Old Testament characters. Myself and Jane have been doing a lot of Old Testament reading. However I've been struck by something. When I think about David I always think of him dancing like crazy for God, slaying lions and bears with his bare hands, defeating Goliath, being so raw and honest with God and so much more about this man after God's own heart BUT I always think about his failings too. Especially at the forefront of my thinking is his adultery and subsequent killing of an innocent man. When I think of Noah of course I think of the ark but I also think of him naked and drunk in a tent and his son Ham's discovery of him shamed. Moses missed out on the promised land, Sarah laughed at God, Jephtah made a stupid promise to God and had his daughter killed and so on and on and on.
The thing that is so remarkable about Hebrews 11 is that there is NO mention of the sins of these men and women. They are hailed for their faith. Infact it says in verse 39 that

the world was not worthy of them

Do you see how outrageous God is that He looks upon the faith of these people. Not the mistakes not the foolish things they did that grieved his heart. He's far above our human ways of looking at people. Like a Father with a child he thinks upon all the things that made him proud. That is how God is with us when we live a life of faith, earnestly chasing after Him for His glory and fame.

"I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more."
Isaiah 43:25

Will we be commended by Jesus for our faith? Is our Father proud of us? Is the Spirit empowering us? All we can do is fix our eyes on Jesus, know that all of heaven is cheering us on and remember that God is much better than we can possibly imagine and that faith in Him is so worth it.

grace makes beauty out of ugly things

2009-05-11T05:14:00.005+01:00

Another week flies by. I think this past week was the quickest ever, seemed like 3 days and not 7! We had such a great time pretty much doing the same thing everyday. Reading, lunch, coffee, reading, dinner, reading, west wing, bed.
We're loving being blessed with having so much time. I don't think we've ever been so relaxed and just enjoying chilling out. God is still speaking to us so much and we're learning more and more every day. We've learned so much it's hard to keep up.
I had the privilege of speaking at church last night. I was asked to speak on what God has been teaching us. I feared I could have spoken all night so I narrowed it down to 3 things. Our identity in Christ, obedience to God/being the kingdom, and resting with the Father. Three things that have been key for us to learn while we've been away. We're just praying that we can apply them at home when we get back into the busyness of life.
We have a week left in Wanaka and then we drive to the north island and fly out to LA on May 26th. We will definitely be leaving here with a sadness in our hearts but we're looking forward to another adventure in the states. The weather has turned so well definitely be looking forward to some sun. It's pretty cold sleeping in a van when it's snowing outside.
We drove up to the top of one of the ski mountains to check it out. I don't think Jane actually thought I'd throw a snowball at her while she was taking a photo, her reaction was very entertaining. Wish I had a photo of that instead of my laughter...

Jane wasn't laughing as hard as I was!!

If you are...

2009-05-05T10:22:00.003+01:00

I was blown away yesterday when reading Luke 4. There is so much to that passage that I could blog on it for days. From identity, to abandon for God, to compassion for people, to healing and deliverance, to fasting and also Jesus needing a rest. So rich.
One of the main things that jumped out at me was at the start of chapter 4 when Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit was led to the desert when the devil tempted him for 40 days (40 days!) and he was fasting. What struck me was what Satan said to him first.

"If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread"

I have always thought and heard of this temptation as being focused on the food and our sustenance . Of course this is true as Jesus reply states that "Man does not live on bread alone" but what really struck me was the first word

"IF"

IF you are the Son of God. Satan is so clever. Trying to put doubt in Jesus mind. Mary and Joseph would have told Jesus the stories of his birth, Satan was nudging "Are you sure it happened that way?" "Maybe your parents exaggerated the events". Jesus knew there was a call on his life "Are you sure your ministry will work, are people really going to be saved this way?". Jesus had just been told by his Father that he is pleased with Him, Satan was prying "Is your Father really pleased with you?". Jesus knew his call to die, Satan was saying "When you die, is your Father really going to raise you from the dead?"

Now of course these aren't the exact thoughts of Jesus but they are what Satan wanted Jesus to think. He wanted him to doubt his identity. That is exactly what he wants to do to us. How often do we doubt who we are in Christ. How often do we say "I'm such a filthy sinner" thinking that this kind of self-depreciation is pleasing to a Holy God. How often do we doubt the call on our life. "There's no way I could do that, God couldn't use me. I'm not worthy." And how often do we doubt that God even likes us. We're told we're so rotten and horrible in the sight of God by Christians (shame on them) that we feel that we cannot even come to Him even though Jesus has made the way. There's still that lingering bit of shame, or that sin we did a few years ago, or even yesterday. The doubt that God has spoken words of love over us. The first thing Satan said in the garden was "Did God really say...?"

Lies lies lies. We need to stop doubting who we are. Doubt is the forerunner to unbelief which is the opposite of faith and Paul says in Romans 14:23 "whatever is not from faith is sin". It's time for us to believe who we are in Christ and run with it. We can't run the race by constantly doubting ourselves and therefore denying the truth of what God has said about us in scripture. Last night while this was fresh in my mind I was remembering a blog I wrote here centered around this theme. It contains a list Greg Boyd wrote in his book Seeing Is Believing about who we are in Christ. Currently he is doing a series related to this called 'Animate' and he has updated the list of who we are in Christ. Take a read, believe it and let your mind be transformed (Romans 12:2).

∙ God’s beloved child (Jn 1:12/ Eph 1:5)
∙ Christ’s dear friend (Jn 15:5)
∙ Declared perfectly righteous (“justified”) (Rom 5:1)
∙ Free from condemnation (Rom 8:1)
∙ United with Christ, “one spirit” with Christ (I Cor 6:17;Eph5:31)
∙ A member of Christ’s body (I Cor 6:15/ 12:27)
∙ The Temple of God (I Cor 6:19)
∙ Filled with the “fullness of God” (Eph 3:19)
∙ A “holy one” [saint] (Eph 1:1)
∙ Blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)
∙ Holy and blameless (Eph 1:4)
∙ Bought with an infinite price and forgiven (I Cor 6: 20; Eph 1:7; Col.1:14)
∙ Bathed with wisdom and understanding (Eph 1:8)
∙ Possessed with the mind of Christ (I Cor 2:16)
∙ Inseparable from God’s love (Rom 8:35‐39)
∙ One who will NEVER be abandoned (Mt 28:20)
∙ The beautiful bride of Christ who “ravishes” the heart of God (Song of Songs, 4:1ff; 6:4ff).
∙ One over whom the Lord rejoices, sings and claps (Zeph 3:17)
∙ One for whom the Lord throws a party (Zeph 3:17; Lk 15:7‐10)
∙ A recipient of God’s own peace (Jn 14:27)
∙ Filled with the peace and joy of God (Rom 14:17)
∙ One in whom Christ’s joy is fulfilled (Jn 15:11)
∙ Given direct access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)
∙ Seated with Christ in heavenly realms (Eph 2:6)
∙ Hid in Christ in heavenly realms (Col 3:1‐5)
∙ Crucified, buried and raised with Christ (Rom 6:1‐11;)
∙ Made perfect forever (Heb 10:14)
∙ Made complete in Christ (Col 2:10)
∙ Indwelled by a fearless Spirit (2 Tim 1:7)
∙ One of God’s precious works of art (Eph 2:10)
∙ Indwelt by a spirit of power, love and stability (2 Tim 1:7)
∙ A citizen of heaven (Phil 3:20)
∙ Predestined to look like Jesus and see him in his glory (Rom 8:29; I Jn 3:1‐5)
∙ God is working to bring good out of evil (Rom 8:28)
∙ Salt of the earth (Mt 5:13)
∙ A branch chosen to bear fruit (Jn 15:16)
∙ A co‐worker with God (I Cor 3:9)
∙ An ambassador of Christ and minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:17‐20)
∙ A priest of the most high God ( I Pet 2:5‐9)
∙ More than a conqueror in all things (Rom 8:37);
∙ One who can do all things in Christ (Phil 4:13)

The Great Commission

2009-04-30T09:22:00.003+01:00

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Myself and Jane have been wondering why we never hear the Great Commission preached from the book of Mark. Yes some say the end of Mark is perhaps unreliable but if it's that unreliable why is it still in our Bibles? If we believe it's the words of Jesus why is it that we never hear these words spoken to us?
Is it perhaps that the church is too religious? Too afraid to tackle the idea that we are to cast out demons, speak in new tongues, lay hands on the sick and maybe even get up of the pews and start loving people and showing them and telling them the gospel?
By religion I mean talking up a storm but not actually doing anything about it. Paul warns Timothy about this attitude in 2 Tim 3:5

having a form of godliness but denying its power

.
Paul also says in 1 Cor 4:18-20 that the kingdom of God doesn't consist of just words, but of power.

Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

As Kris Vallotton says

"Words are the invitation to an experience but they are not the experience itself."

The Bible is our foundation and the Word of God but even Satan can quote the Bible and some of the biggest atheists in the world know the Bible better than I do. It's not just about the Word, it's about putting the Word into action and doing something with our faith. All for the glory of Jesus. All the above mentioned in Mark and Paul speaking about moving in power is not for our fame or so we feel great ministering to people it's to further the kingdom. To bring people to a REAL relationship with Jesus where they know and experience His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and healing. Think about what we would be like as a people if we actually moved in the power of the Spirit and didn't just talk about stories of old as if they have no relevance for today. God is willing to take you on an adventure if you're humbly up for it.

it's nothing as it seems...

2009-04-28T08:00:00.005+01:00

This morning I woke up and went on line to see did Newcastle loose. They drew, it made me happy because I want them to go down. They deserve to go down. Anyways in my inbox is a message from Pearl Jam telling me they're coming to Europe. Hooray I thought until I saw it was a rubbish 4 dates. Holland, Germany and England twice. Still England is only a Ryanair flight away so I darted to the website and good good times I got tickets to both shows. Tres exciting.
The first show happens to be Jane's birthday. The hero that she is, she said she'd love to go to Pearl Jam on her birthday. Her wish will be granted. U2 for my birthday, Pearl Jam for Jane's.
Ryanair also provided flights for 20 euro for both of us to manchester and aer lingus was 30 euro for both of us back from London. Both including taxes and charges. I've no idea how it was so cheap either! It's like it was made to be.
Just thought I'd share that I'm going to see my favourite band twice this summer and I'm stoked.

If you want to kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel

2009-04-27T08:58:00.002+01:00

Today it rained for the second time on our trip to New Zealand. Well, it’s been raining since last night. We don’t mind really. Although I’ve discovered three things that are very annoying as a result of the rain when in a campervan
1. Needing to go to the toilet in the middle of the night but knowing if you go
outside to the toilet you’ll have to run and you’ll get very wet. I didn’t go.
2. The windows were wet for most of the morning. Inside. Not cool.
3. Bottom of jeans being wet, that one reminded me of home.

I had a brief moment of wanting to be at home in our cosy house but it didn’t last long when Jane reminded me that I’ll be home and wishing I was here!
Our brains have been on overload the past couple of weeks. God has continually been talking to us and teaching us more about what it means to follow him and it’s been very exciting knowing more and more that life with Jesus will be an adventure. We did get to the point yesterday of information overload in terms of our reading and podcast listening. Only so much you can take in. I think God is reminding us to reflect on what he’s being saying rather than rush on for more info on certain things.

Went for a coffee today and ended up meeting some people from church who joined us for some banter. Was great. We went out for banter last night and Jane was out the other night with some girlie friends. Strange that it’s starting to feel like home here. Waking up at 2am to watch Liverpool vs Hull via Spanish commentary was a quick reminder on Saturday night that it’s definitely not home! At least we won and it wasn’t another 4-4 draw. I wish my grandad was around to see Liverpool having even a slight chance of winning the premiership. He’s been waiting for years to be able to join me in having one up on my brothers supporting of Man Utd. I’m still hoping...

How He Loves Us

2009-04-25T01:29:00.003+01:00

A couple of posts ago I said how thankful I was that I came across the song 'How He Loves Us'. I posted a version by Kim Walker of Jesus Culture singing it as that is the first version I heard. However, the song is written by a guy called John Mark McMillan and if you're interested his website is here and you can buy the song on itunes. Both versions (Jesus Culture & John Mark) are very different and both worth the listen. The original version is very raw and if you don't shed a tear while listening to it, I would think there may be something wrong with your emotions! It's about him losing his best friend Stephen in a car crash and despite the pain he knows the Father's affection for Him. God meets us in our deepest pain and reveals himself to be so much more real to us than we could have ever imagined. As Kim Walker said in the version I posted, God's love is to be experienced not just read about.

Well, I thought about You the day Stephen died and You met me between my breaking
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony
...they want to tell me You're cruel
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause......

He loves us

Clair...

2009-04-23T11:44:00.003+01:00

Above is one of the sweetest, kindest, sensitive, honest, hard working, resilient, and most beautiful girl's I know. She also happens to be my sister (& an amazing mother) and it's her birthday today. Happy Birthday sister! I love you.

Top 10 Favourite Things of the past few days...

2009-04-21T02:02:00.003+01:00

1. Remembering and being overawed that God actually speaks to us. Not just through his 'word' but through other people and through the still small voice and in worship.

2. Hearing truths from God through others that only he could know. That alone makes me fall flat on my face in worship.

3. Waking up in the morning and having nothing to do but spend time with my wife and God.

4. Hearing testimonies of miracles. Real miracles.

5. My faith growing in huge leaps and being expectant of Jesus; all for his glory.

6. Hanging out with people who dearly love Jesus and are passionate about his name and fame.

7. Listening to people talk about how amazing my wife is.

8. Being so grateful that my Dad always told me it's ok to show emotion. It's been overwhelming this week cause at least once a day I've been in tears and overwhelmed at Jesus. He is as amazing and far beyond what we can possibly imagine.

9. Having faint hope that Liverpool might actually win the league & Paul O'Connell being made captain of the British and Irish Lions.

10. Hearing this song...

(if you're reading this on facebook click on 'view original post underneath this line to see the video)

The Kindness of God

2009-04-17T23:57:00.003+01:00

I've been overwhelmed with the kindness of God this week. In every aspect of life, from my tasty weetabix in the morning to the fact that for some reason he gave me the most incredible wife a man could wish for.
I remember talking to a guy a few months back about the book The Shack and he was disgusted about the portrayal of God in the book. God is a God of vengence and justice and retribution and holiness and righteousness and so on and so on. Why is is that so many need to continue to portray God as this distant 'holy' being who is only interested in His own glory. We are but filthy retched horrible cretins here for His pleasure we are told. God is so so much greater, loving, kind and compassionate than a machievelian archetype.
Romans 2:4 is such a wonderful scripture. So often we are told that we need to preach a gospel of fire and brimstone to bring people to God. Well what does Paul say leads us to repentance...

God's kindness leads you toward repentance

Joel 2:13 tells us

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

Isaiah 54:8 tells us

...with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the LORD your Redeemer.

We need to remember this more and more. We've been learning so much about how our understand of God influences how we act to those around us. When we realise the loving kindness of our Father we will be a people who will refrain from judgement and will endeavour to overcome evil with love. Bringing the love of Jesus into every aspect of our lives and to the lives of those around us.

The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"
2 Samuel 9:3

Chance Encounters

2009-04-15T08:33:00.003+01:00

We woke up very early this morning to that view outside our van. I was waiting for the trumpet to sound and Jesus to come storming through on his horse, but alas we live to fight another day! No photoshop was used in the editing of the picture.
I watched a mix of iraqi, German and Australian video streaming of the Liverpool Chelsea game this morning. What a downer. Yeah it was an amazing game of football, but it doesn't matter when the outcome is that you're a loser!
We spent most of the morning infact all of it, reading. 2 Corinthians 5 about a million times, as well as Hebrews 11 and Matthew 5 & 6. Shivers. Jane's reading a cracking book called "Developing a Supernatural Lifestyle" and I'm reading a book called "Extravagant Worship", perhaps I'll review them properly another time. The book I'm reading is great but I can't wait for Jane to finish hers cause it's sounds awesome. Mind you I pretty much have all the info cause every page Jane turns she says "can I just read this little bit too...".
After a tasty lunch of leftover bolognese from last night on some tasty bread (nicer than it sounds when you live in a hiace!) we went on a mission to get Jane a haircut. I think it's lovely how it is but Jane had the urge. No where would take her so we figured we'd just go for coffee. We walked past a place we'd never been to before and a woman from the church we were at on Sunday came out calling my name. Fay is her name and her and her husband Dave were in having coffee with a Pastor friend of theirs called Danny. Danny Steel I may add - what a name! We had such a wonderful time. So encouraging to hear some of their stories about what Jesus has done in their lifes. This lady who met us once made the effort to get out of her seat, call us and invite us into the coffee shop for a chat (and some tasty coffee I may add). It's the small kingdom acts that can make such a difference. I love talking to older wiser people in the faith who are still so boldly pushing on to make His name known and to encounter Him in a real way. They seemed well on to it.
I love moments like that. It's like God arranges for the hairdressers to tell us to go away and us to walk down a random street and Fay to be obedient to the push in her heart to run out to say hi. We loved it.
If there's someone you think you should mail, or that person you haven't gone for coffee with that you know you should. Ring, e-mail, text them. Today. It could seem like a small thing to you but a big kingdom act to them.
Peace...

Wanaka Lighthouse

2009-04-14T09:47:00.002+01:00

Sunday night myself and Jane went to a church here in the town we're staying in.
What a beautiful bunch of people! We LOVED it. So relaxed and fresh and warm and loving and full of the spirit of God.
A very simple service; worship followed by a talk. But man did they worship God. If I didn't believe in God and I walked into that place I would have been convinced that He is real. The joy in their hearts, the singing inspite of pain, the declarations of who He is. What He has done, what He is doing and what He will do. Again we knew no songs bar one (There is nothing like by Hillsong United a WINNER song) but it didn't matter. It was so easy to sing out to God. Just a guitar, two gorgeous voices and drums. Simple, but highly effective.
The message was pretty much one guys story of the last year and half of his time in Wanaka. Filled with God's provision, teaching, humbling and blessings all over this guy. Jesus was so real to him and his humility in wanting to bring kingdom principles into every area of his life was inspiring and so great to see. Love with no agenda.

After the service we were talking to some really lovely people and BAM one of them starts to prophesy over us. He was so on the mark that it was so obviously straight from the heart of God. No ambiguity just God speaking very very clearly through an obedient vessel. It was so exciting to have God speak directly to us. It's been a while since that's happened and I miss it. This is not the place to speak about what he said as I think somethings are best kept in the secret place between ourselves and God.
I'm astounded at how people can doubt the reality of God speaking to his children. I read once (from Bryan L I think) that most people are one experience away from being a charismatic. We could argue all day what a charismatic is but the point is; we hear all the time that the gifts are not for today and God doesn't speak to us through any other vessel but the Bible. If the people saying this were willing to step out of a comfort zone and ask for a direct encounter with God, they'd get it and man they'd never be the same again. We CANNOT be the same again after God speaks to us. After we encounter the TRUE and living God we cannot remain the same. It spurs us to action and it reminds us that God is a personal, relational God who is way more loving that we can possibly imagine.

We're not leaving this town for another while yet!

He's Alive

2009-04-13T09:25:00.004+01:00

It's Easter, well a day after easter but I couldn't help ponder all weekend that God the Father get's a bad rap at this time of year.
If I were to ask you who did Jesus come to die for, whether you believe he is the truth or not you would most likely say "us, or humanity or 'the world'". If I were to ask you who did he save us from, if we thought long and hard at an answer to this I don't know if a lot of people can say what he saved us from. Perhaps some would say sin but also I think a lot of people would say he came to save us from the wrath and anger of God. This will have been taught a lot yesterday.
A leading preacher in the states puts it this way

Satan’s work is not the chief peril dealt with in the death of Christ. God’s wrath is. God is opposed to us in his righteous wrath, and he is for us in his love.

The gospel summed up for a lot of people around the world is that;
1. God made you but you're a filthy rotten sinner and he's VERY angry at you.
2. God who made you is going to pour his wrath on you and throw you into the fiery pit of hell because of this.
3. If you say a prayer to Jesus and live a 'good' life Jesus will get you off the hook with his Father and you'll live with them in heaven (with the holy spirit as well).

Now something in the midst of that sounds messed up to me. Yes we have absolutely turned away from God through making ourselves number one and breaking his heart everyday with decisions that go against how he would want us to live (for our own good, not because he's a tyrant). Sin is real and I give it to it far more than I should. However JESUS is the answer to everything and his reasons for coming are far beyond anything we could possibly imagine.

1 John 3:8 tells us

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Hebrews 2:14 also tells us that

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil

Jesus came to defeat evil, moreso to overcome evil with love. The gospel is pretty clear that it was us who despised and rejected him. We mocked him, spat at him and drove the final nail into his hand.

This didn't take the Trinity by surprise. They knew we didn't get it. They knew we had the Father all wrong. That's why Jesus came. The cross cannot be separated from his ministry; everything he did was to overcome evil with love.

This brings me to one of my most favourite sections in scripture

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

It is often alluded to as I said previously that Jesus came to convince the Father not to pour his wrath on us. That Jesus saves us from his Father.

The above verses tell us how misguided this thinking is. Jesus infact came to reconcile us to God NOT God to us. He didn't have to convince God the Father of anything. WE needed the convincing. We needed to realise who the Father really is. Everything about Jesus ministry was like a big proclamation "This is what my Father is like", this is what his heart is". It is for humanity. It is for the sinner.
If the cross teaches us anything it is the lengths a Father would go to for his children. The lengths the trinity went to to convince us that they actually love us UNCONDITIONALLY. We just need to acknowledge it and see the Father and Jesus and the Spirit for who they really are. The fact that Jesus even became a man shows how much the Trinitarian God wants to share their unfathomable love relationship with us. He descended into our darkness to reconcile us to his Father.
The fact that Jesus came to defeat the enemy and he rose from the dead (can I get a hallelujah from the back!) means that infact victory is won. Sin has lost it's power, death has lost it's sting, from the grave he's risen; victoriously!

What are we to do with this amazing truth that Jesus died for us, he took our place (I do not deny for a second the seriousness of our sin or our deserving of death for it) and that he came to set the captives free?

Well it leads me back to those verses in 2 Corinthians

he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We are to be Christ to those around us. We are to convince them of the Fathers love. We are infact called to love as Christ did. We are called to lay down our rights and pick up the cross and pursue relationships and view people as God views them. Give, love, sacrifice; BE Jesus to people till it hurts. No point in talking about Jesus unless you act like him. I read the following somewhere and I pray I will be a bringer of the kingdom of God to all those I meet.

“When you realize sin doesn’t make you worthless it just makes you lost, you will know God’s compassion for people caught in sin, not contempt for them.”

Wanaka

2009-04-10T00:11:00.009+01:00

Monday we left the serenity of Lake Tekapo to erm more serenity in a place called Wanaka. The drive down as with every other bit of driving we've done here was spectacular. Plenty of opportunities to stop along the way for photo op's and the marvel at the beauty of the scenery.

The weather turned pretty much as we turned the corner into Wanaka. our first day was greated with miserable rain. Reminded us of home. The temperature has rapidly dropped as well so we've spent the last few days trying to find super cheap thermals. Wednesday it snowed. It didn't last long and as I write this the rain has subsided since yesterday morning and it's that nice crisp cold but sunny weather you get in Ireland in September.

Wanaka is a pretty small town and you can tell it's geared towards the snow and ski season. Everything is way too expensive. There is a local supermarket which is well priced so we're enjoying plenty of home cooked meals. Well, van cooked meals. The people are as friendly as everywhere else in New Zealand and the campsite we're in is fantastic.

We've taken a few drives as you could pretty much drive all day past the same scenery and still be mesmerised. As the weather has been fluctuating so has the scenery, snow capped mountains one day, clear the next.

There are a few walks that now the weather has cleared we're gonna take. My ankles still have shocking blisters on them from the last bit of mountain climbing I did but it was and will be well worth the pain.
Of for a drive now to hit a mountain to spend time with the one who created it.

Lake Tekapo

2009-04-08T00:53:00.008+01:00

It's extremely difficult to put into words the beauty we saw while driving down to Lake Tekapo from Christchurch and at the Lake itself. The intense turquoise colour in the lake is amazing. It's caused by 'rock flour' which is created when the glaciers in the headwaters grind the rock into fine dust. Jane is my resident geography teacher.
The town of Lake tekapo is lovely. Small and quaint with a population of just under 400.

The Lake is right beside Mt. John which has an observatory at the top of it run by the University of Canterbury. "Tekapo" is a Maori word meaning night sleeping place (Taka is "sleeping mat" and Po is "night") and Lake Tekapo has the clearest, darkest and most spectacular night sky in New Zealand. Our first night there we realised that this was no exaggeration. The night sky is spectacular.

We decided to climb Mt. John to check out the view and enquire about the tour of the observatory. It took about an hour to reach the summit, it's only about 300 metres above the Lake (1031 metres above sea level). The views were incredible and the coffee was very tasty aswell! It really was a reminder of the majesty and splendour of God. His works displayed for all to see; we had a great time talking about how awesome (in the real sense of the word) He is.

As it's the 'Year of Astronomy' the Mt. Jon Observatory were having a free tour of everything involved in their research. All the head astronomers would be there as well as having the use of the gigamongous telescopes. we figured it'd be an experience we couldn't miss. We set off at dusk and spent a few hours in the dark at the top of the mountain looking through telescopes and wondering how could anyone not believe in a Creator God. I asked the head astronomer did his work lead him to the belief in a creator or the belief in randomness. He said he has been an atheist for 20 years and this hasn't changed his mind. He was amazed at creation and how such order can come from chaos. I was tempted to ask him did he realise he used order and creation in the very sentence after he said he was an atheist. I figured that would be rude.

Some of the views through the telescopes were magnificent. For those interested you can see some info on the telescopes here. Like looking at diamonds in the sky; although we figured that we enjoyed looking at the stars through the naked eye more. Not sure why. A bit more awe inspiring perhaps.

The town also has a lovely little church called the church of the Good Shepherd. Very small and cute with fantastic views but strange that so many tourists are enamored by it. Perhaps it's the good photo ops.

I can now understand why people say New Zealand is the prettiest most spectacular country in the world. I'm sure we'll have plenty more cracking photo's to post in the weeks to come.

Christchurch, NZ

2009-04-07T22:12:00.002+01:00

We left Sydney on Monday 30th March due to fly out at 9:!5am. At 9am just as we were about to board, Qantas decided to go on strike; well done union. I hate unions. Strike lasted for four hours. Missed our van pick up time and our campsite accommodation, however this did mean that we had to stay in a hotel for the night which was so nice. I think my new favourite food is lamb. That hotel did tasty lamb. Poor little fella.
We landed in Christchurch so figured we'd stay there for a few days. It's a great little city. A lot smaller than Dublin and extremely chilled out. Our campsite was about a 3 minute walk from the main square which was fantastic. We wandered the city and enjoyed the coffee. Our campervan is so much nicer than the last one. It's got a hi-top which means we can stand up and the layout is much better. We'll need more comfort here as the weather won't be as nice as Australia.
Christchurch has one of the nicest Indian take aways I've ever had. 10$ for a meal with rice and naan. That's less than 5 euro, so tasty. Christchurch also has a second hand Christian bookstore with over 60,000 books. My head nearly blew off. That was until I realised that they didn't have any books published after the eighties. If only I had a portable book reviewer with me to assess some of the books; I'm sure there were some winners there but I left empty handed. The second hand cd store on the other hand, I could have left there with the whole shop. Cracking selection and prices. I guess I'm a changed man though as out of 25 Pearl Jam bootlegs at a cost of 7 euro each I bought none.
While walking through the square one afternoon we saw what looked like a familiar face. I denied the fact but Jane insisted. She was right, it was a friend from church Lucinda. It was awesome. We got to have a coffee with her a couple of days later. So nice to see a friend from home.
From Christchurch we went to a place called Lake Tekapo, that needs a whole seperate post. Breathtaking.

Hillsong Live album recording

2009-04-01T23:01:00.004+01:00

Sunday night we went to the Hillsong Live cd recording. Loved it. For those of you who have been to teenstreet, waiting outside and getting into the arena was pretty much the same. It was mental.
We found some seats and while I was out getting some diet coke and some chocolate I got chatting to many a person. Such incredibly nice people. One lady even had a great word from God for me. Super encouraging. When I came back inside someone was chatting to Jane, really nice girl who is studying at the college in Hillsong.
The night started with Joel Houston the Creative Director of Hillsong and the leader of United live and also the writer of some incredible songs singing a beautiful song that he had just written. Obviously not meant to be a part of the set but I loved that that was how they started the evening; with a humble heart and a song to encourage perhaps even one person there.
The night was led by five different singers; Joel Houston, Brooke Fraser, Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech and Ben Fielding who sang two songs each. It wasn't straight through music. They had different readings and small talks. The visual and audio production was excellent. I wouldn't have expected anything less from them as they were recording a cd and dvd but still it was very impressive. There were a lot of musicians on stage who swapped a couple of times. As in there were two different drummers, two different bass players etc. On stage were drums, bass, 3 electric guitars, 1 acoustic, 3 keyboards, violin, cello and numerous singers. That makes for some cracking music.
The cd should be out in July and has a number of amazing songs on it. Jane has become a big Brooke Fraser fan (as have I) and her songs, focused on the cross where beautiful. Her 2nd album called 'Albertine' is excellent and if anyone reading this likes her tunes in Hillsong I'd encourage you to get it. The only slight downer was the song we heard last week which blew my head off, sang by Matt Crocker, at the live recording it was sung by Darlene which to me didn't pack the same punch! Still the song itself is amazing, no idea what it's called, probably 'Sing out to God'.
Can I say one more time that I'm sure they have many a problem but those who constantly put them down yet sing their songs most Sundays really need to stop judging and thank God for their incredible ministry. Last but not least we felt more welcome there than any other church we've visited.

Sydney

2009-04-01T10:20:00.005+01:00

Last week we stayed with Jane's relations in Sydney. They are the loveliest family, 12 year old Sean, 16 year old Sophie and parents Glenn and Kate. It was so lovely to have proper home made dinners and to have good conversation around a dining room table. As you can see from the photo's we got to do plenty of tourist things around Sydney. It really is a beautiful city. Quite surreal standing outside the Opera house, an iconic building I've seen many a time on tv especially at 2pm on New Years Eve watching those killer fire works on sky news.

That's a big gigamongous cruise ship at the bottom left of the photo. It's so cool to see a big monster ship right at the city. There were a couple of different one's there during our stay. We took a trip out to Manley beach one day on a boat, really nice cruising with a lovely view. I was hoping to see a shark attack but that didn't happen. Shame. I was going to delete that line but I may as well leave it in to give you an insight into the sordid working's of my brain. The main reason I wanted to see one was so we can say our only line that works with our shockingly bad australian accents "Get outta the water (pronounced wawtta), shark attack". Jane is particularly good at it.

One day as we were walking to the Opera house I heard a northern irish accent behind me asking his friend when was he going for a swim, I turned to see who had the familiar accent. Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol it was. I was going to stop him for a chat but you know the Irish way. Leave him to it.

That evening we met Glenn for drinks on a rooftop bar over looking the city. Really nice. We then walked Sydney harbour bridge which is where the photo from the top of the blog comes from. Amazing views. We met the rest of the family for take out at a park on the opposite side of the opera house with a great view of the city. The only two missing were the two dogs, Tilly and Matt. I strangely got to like them.

It was a really nice week to finish off our time in Australia which we still can't believe is over. It went so quick. Our last night was spent at the live Hillsong recording, I'll write about that in my next post.

Hillsong experience...

2009-03-23T01:07:00.001Z

Saturday evening myself and Jane had the immense pleasure of going to Hillsong church in Sydney. They have two main service venues and about 30 other networks. The main place is in a suburb called the Hills (now I get why it’s called Hillsong!) and the other place is relatively close to the city and I think that’s were it originally started. We went to the one near the city. What a blessing and well worth the 5k walk! I think there’s probably a capacity of 400 people as opposed to about 10,000 in the hills. The place was packed and you could sense that most people who where there were excited about worshipping Jesus. Old and young gathered together as well as many different nationalities (translation was provided for a couple of different languages and sign language for the deaf).
The worship was outstanding. We didn’t know any of the songs but it didn’t matter. When you’re in a room with 400 people singing their hearts out and the guys on stage are obviously loving worshipping Jesus it’s very easy to enjoy the presence of God. Room to breathe, room to sing (shout) out your own praises to God, room to dance. Loved it. I also loved that the musicianship was excellent. Those guys and girls can play and sing.
The whole production was excellent. A lot of people moan that it’s too exuberant and elaborate but I love when things are done well and when you have people in your church who are creative and can give glory to Jesus through the arts and doing things excellently; let them do it.
The preaching was excellent. It definitely wasn’t just life coaching as a lot of naysayers say hillsong is all about. Full of scripture and extremely practical.
It really seems like these guys are reaching out to the local community and doing so much for the poor and broken hearted of Sydney and much farther afield. Faith without deeds is dead and these guys appear to really have that approach.
I’m sure there’s plenty of mistakes these guys make but I’m not called to judge them. My only experience of them is that their music has richly blessed me and my time fellowshipping with them was wonderful. It was hugely refreshing and we really can’t wait for church next Saturday and also very much looking forward to next Sunday as they are recording a live album which will be wonderful to be a part of.

If you’re not familiar with their tunes here’s my top ten according to my play count on itunes...
From the Inside out; More than Life; Came To The Rescue; Saviour King; Fire Fall Down; The Stand; Hosanna; Mighty to Save; Devotion; Salvation is Here.

Grand Slam

2009-03-23T01:00:00.002Z

What can I say?
Myself and Jane got up at 4:15am to go to possibly the most degenerate bar in Sydney; the only one that seemed to be showing the Irish game and it just so happened to be around the corner from our hotel, nice one. It was packed so for the first 10 minutes or so we had to stand outside the window looking in like muppets until the bouncer came to his senses and let us in.
I’m sure all those reading this who watched the match can attest to it’s intensity. There were a few times I just wished it was over because it was so hard to cope watching a game that was so close and with so much at stake. 61 years waiting for a moment of history that this team has so richly deserved is pretty hard to watch when you know it could be snatched away from you with one kick of a ball. It so very nearly happened and all of us thought the ball was going over with the last kick until we saw the touch judge flags remain down and geordan murphy touch the ball down. To say the place went mental is understatement of the year. Very entertaining. A genuinely emotional moment.
The street was full of dancing Irish people at 6:30am which was a site to see.
Definitely memories to last a lifetime.

It can be hard to think of titles for posts.

2009-03-21T02:00:00.003Z

Greetings from Sydney. It's been nearly 2 weeks I think since we last conversed. Again I will blame Australia and it's severe lack of good broadband at campsites!
The past two weeks have been great. After our turnaround and the turn in the weather we decided to stay in one site for a few days. Weather all along the east coast was pretty bad so we figured a place with good coffee and a good bookshop would do us well. It did.
The weather didn't really bother us that much. We've been really enjoying our theologically challenging books so it gave us plenty of time to do some reading and also enjoy the very tasty coffee nearby. As my mind is being stirred a lot (Jane's too) a few musings on Jesus and perhaps theology may be on the way.
We found a church that we got to go to on the Sunday which was great. Not the greatest message I've ever heard but still, always good to fellowship.
The lack of football/rugby viewing over here has been a slight frustration for me. Especially last weekend, Ireland setting themselves up for a first grandslam in 60 years and Liverpool doing Man United in 4-1 (what a beautiful scoreline) at Old Trafford. I walked the streets of the town we were in in search of somewhere to watch the games to no avail. Although I was updated throughout via text from my brother which meant a very late night. It was gracious of him to let me know the United Liverpool score through his tears.
Patricks day was unfortunately a non runner for us. We were in a town which one might call hicksville so there was no chance of a bit of banter. The more we're away from home the more we appreciate it. Not that I particularly appreciate Dublin on Patricks night as it turns into a complete cess pitt but we miss most things Irish. I do have to say that over here at least Australians call it St. Patricks day or St. Paddy's day. Americans call it St. Patty's day. Someone needs to tell them that it wasn't Patricia, it was Patrick. I hope you all had good Patricks day banter.
The weather picked up at the start of last week so we decided to do a 600k drive to a really nice place we'd been to before called Hawk's Nest so we could chill out for a few days and enjoy the amazing beach and weather there. We slept under a canopy of stars. The sky was incredible at night as we were so far from a city so there were no lights to take away from it's glory.
We dropped our little campervan back yesterday in Sydney. A shame to part from it; but we'll be getting another one in New Zealand. Sleeping in a big bed again is so nice. We're staying in the midst of Sydney for a couple of days and then staying with relations of Jane who I think are pretty close to Sydney as well. First impressions are a gorgeous city. And two extremely tasty steaks last night for 5 euro each, one can't complain about that!
Tonight we're off to Hillsong. We're really looking forward to that. Mega churches are not to everyones taste and I definitely don't think I'd attend one as church is all about community; Sunday mornings are more like seminars on how to be the church. However, I'm really looking forward to going to a church who's music has richly blessed me and most believers around the world. I'll let you know how it was.
I'll finish with two things that made me happy yesterday; 1. I found a place that will be showing the Ireland rugby game tonight. Hooray. Yes it's on at 4:30am over here but I don't care, I need to see it. And 2. My brother came up trumps with U2 tickets. Good times.
Till next time...

700km u-turn...

2009-03-09T13:33:00.002Z

The last couple of days have been pretty eventful due to a cyclone called ‘Hamish’. I used to like the scottish! As I said in my previous post we were pretty much evacuated from a wonderful place called Kinka Beech. The poor owners were freaked that the storm was gonna come their way. Interesting as we were leaving the office she said ‘I was thinking about offering a prayer up to the good Lord but he can’t save everybody’; I told her he actually can and wants to and might surprise her. She looked bemused. It’s true though. Literally in every sense of the word.

We travelled about 500k south to a place called Hervey Bay. Something stupid and miraculous happened on the way there both through the same occurrence. We passed through a town and we noticed my petrol was at the empty end of the gauge, I figured there’d be a station very soon. How wrong was I. 30km up the road was a sign that the next town was 60k away and our petrol light had already been on for 15k. Oops. For those who know my story about running out of petrol in Paris on my own on my motorbike will appreciate my sense of deja vu. Although at least Jane is much better company and prettier than my motorbike and my attitude to asking God to hook us up was much different than it was then. Short story, God kept us going the 85k with our petrol gone. Seemingly small and insignificant I may hear some say but I love that God is in the small things and he works today as much as he ever has. Why he does stuff like that and doesn’t do other things I don’t know, but he’s good and for us and I’m forever grateful for that.

We have been thinking and talking a lot about suffering after hearing some stuff about what’s happening back home and also with the bushfires here and now a cyclone on the way and where is God in the midst of them. This post is not the place for theological musings but God is so much better than we think he is; we’re not going to get to heaven and say ‘Sorry Jesus for overestimating your love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness and justice’. We’re going to realise that we radically underestimated him. He weeps with us, comforts us, and gives us more hope than we can possible imagine or understand. Life can truly bite because evil exists as a result of Lucifers pride and our sinfulness but God always responds with goodness. Always. It’s in his nature. I could go on forever but just know that truth. God is love and he is especially fond of you.

Hervey Bay isn’t the nicest place but the campsite was fantastic. Probably due to the fact that there were only 4 of us there and it was super clean. Everyone had cleared out the day before due to the storm warning. We found out that there was an evacuation procedure taking place in the very nearby Fraser Island as a result of the storm heading our way. We had a chillin evening and it was so nice that the temperature was fairly reasonable. We actually slept the whole night through without waking up countless times due to being outrageously hot and scratching! Jane scratching her bites and me scratching my still lingering eczema. Charming. Being super hot in a glorified hiace van and not being able to open the windows due to mosquito’s is no fun. Last night’s sleep was great though.

I couldn’t believe that the past week I haven’t been able to get to a music store. Not one in any town we’ve visited. Finally two days ago I got to one and was able to get U2’s new album. Liked it on first listen. Moment of Surrender is definitely the best song on the album. When I put it on though I though I had bought Kings Of Leon’s new album! Jane commented on the same. Anyone else get that? Anyways, I’m looking forward to listening to it some more. Although we’re enjoying Eoghan Heaslip, Hillsong United and Tim Hughes at the moment. Nothing better than a bit of worship tunes while driving. Good for the soul.

We're now back on the sunshine coast. Not very sunny at the moment but there's a great coffee shop here so we can chill out there and bring our books to read. The van can sometimes get a little claustrophobic. I forgot to mention that u2 are playing on my birthday in Croke Park, if anyone wants to get me a ticket as a present please feel free. Oh and they have a new album coming out on November 18th called 'Songs of Ascent'. You heard it here first.

2,800 km's and counting...

2009-03-08T10:49:00.006Z

Onward we go. Currently we’re being evacuated from the nicest place we’ve been to yet. The forecast doesn't look good, especially as it contains a cyclone that is category 5. I'll fill you in on what we've been up to so far. It’s a place called Kinka Bay somewhere on the East coast probably 900 or so k north of Brisbane. It’s a gorgeous park, super cheap and really lovely beaches. It also has a pool which is sweet. Glorious sunshine on Thursday and Friday. Still plenty of mosquito’s, lizards, bugs and many other strange things to deal with but we’re starting to get used to them. They’re still mingers and I should leave the mozzies out of the ‘we’re getting used to them’ phrase but we’re doing a relatively good job of ignoring the other strange creatures.
On the way up here we stopped at Byron Bay. I can see why people are so enamored by it. It’s gorgeous. The views are pretty spectacular. I wish I was a surfer cause the waves were monstrous but I’m not that cool. We only paid it a fleeting visit though as it was pretty touristy and we’re getting used to the quiet places. The irony that we’re tourists isn’t lost on me.
After our pit stop in Byron Bay we stayed for a couple of nights on the sunshine coast in a place called Mooloolaba. Again, our park was right by the beach and we had a really nice time there. We came across a christian book store at last; well we came across one in Melbourne but it was full of self help books which isn’t really my scene. This one was great though. We stocked up on some books and cd’s that were on sale. One recently disgraced man of God’s books were on sale for $5. I didn’t know whether to be slightly amused by the fickleness and judgement of some christians or saddened. Either way I bought the books. Just cause a man has fallen doesn’t mean he didn’t have good things to say when he was walking with Jesus.
I’ve had enough of crappy crime novels so I’m looking forward to delving into the books we got. I finished one this morning. Pretty much disagreed with all of the guys main premise but it’s good to think upon things that you disagree with. It can give you more respect for the other guys argument even if you think it's flawed and reading their reasoning can sometimes show errors in your own ways our pre-judgements you've had about theirs. Anyways, most don't care, however I like to think upon these things so it's fun to have some good stuff to read.

An amusing piece of information for you all. We ran three days on the wrong time. Yes, THREE whole days thinking it was a certain time when actually it was an hour earlier. We were wondering why people where looking at us funny for getting up at 7:30 in the morning and clanging our cereal bowls and so on. I soon found out why. Actually that's a lie. It wasn't soon. It was three days later. Jane was giving out about the clock in hungry jacks (australian burger king; forgive us) being the wrong time. I feigned interest and nodded, too interested in the fact that my burger was a bit on the thin side. We drove all day from Mooloolaba to a place called 1770 and arrived just in time at 6pm. When the girl hadn't closed the shop as I was leaving I had a strange feeling and asked her what time it was. She said 5. I said I thought it was 6. She looked at me strange. I asked her when the time changed. She said 'never!'/ I said "no, but when did the time change on the east coast?'. She said, actually she said nothing, just gave me a blank stare. Jane was hiding in the van. I figured that was the best place to be. I left with whatever dignity I had left and informed Jane of our 'misjudgment'. However, we have decided we are working on a better time cause it gets darker earlier being an hour behind so we're still cruising an hour ahead of everyone.

If there's wi-fi in the place we get to tonight I'll fill you in some more. For now we gotta pack up and sing some more Ronald Stein; he wrote 'On the Road Again'; Jane's favourite she says. I disagree that it's her favourite. It's one of her favourites at the moment amongst 'tie my kangaroo down sport' (she bursts into song whenever she see's the kangaroo sign on the road - they're more frequent than you think!); 'kookaburra sits in the old gum tree' and the theme to the Golden Girls. Thank you for being a friend....

On the road again....

2009-03-02T11:38:00.004Z

Some form of civilization at last. Not that that’s necessarily a good thing, but at least we have wi-fi for an hour. My communication with the outside world has been texts from my brother giving me the more than good news that Ireland beat England in the six nations; preceded by a mixed bag of Liverpool results which I don’t care to talk about. I’m determined to find a place that will show the last two six nations games wherever we may be. I can’t miss out seeing us do something we haven’t done in 60 odd years in winning the grand slam. Bring it.
So our travels have been so much fun. We picked up our ridiculous looking van just over a week ago and so far have done just under 2500km. That’s a lot of driving, taking in some cracking places along the way. Australia has surprised me in more ways than one. I guess the main thing that has surprised us is how many yokels there are. America is known for it’s many rednecks in the south and I’ve certainly met a few in my time but Australia is full of their own special breed of them, in pretty much every place we’ve been to since we left Melbourne.
Last night was a particularly good example of what we’ve found on our travels. We went out to get something to eat, pretty hungry after our 30 cent noodles for lunch; so we went to the only place open which was a local bowls club. In it was a chinese restaurant so as I have a penchant for Asian food I figured we’d check it out. Not that we had a choice but it’s always good to pretend you have. We walked in to a glorified game of bingo with 50 or so people who honestly looked liked they’d just come from a mullet convention. That was the ladies; the guys looked liked they’d come from a dodgy tash / worst clothes ever convention. It was outstanding citizenship. What was actually taking place was a ‘trivia night with added bonus of bingo night’. Clever slogan. The winners got to pick meat out of the fridge to take home with them. I’m telling the truth. When I went to get drinks at the bar I had to become a temporary member and receive a special card; something which I will treasure always. Food was actually pretty tasty.
After Jane had her dinner and we left the Mosquito’s then had their dinner which was Jane. They like her for some reason. They like me too, but not as much. And as I’ve unfortunately become used to trying not to scratch due to my being stricken with near on leprosy in December I’m used to it but poor Jane has some serious bites. Stinger; literally and metaphorically. Jane has found a new profession; ‘the mosquito hunter’. She’s like a ninja. We’ll be sitting outside the van drinking our cheap ribena and all of a sudden ‘BAM’ on some area of my body and clung to me will be the remnants of a mosquito. Ming. Although I’d rather a dead mosquito on me than a live one.
I wonder what stance animal lovers take on mosquito’s. Do they pet them? Do they let them eat them for lunch of do they secretly kill them and lament for days on the loss of a soul? They most definitely do not have souls. It baffles me that Jesus through whom all things were made thought it was a good idea to make mosquito’s. Perhaps they are the missing link in a devious form of evolution. Not like primordial soup to man, that’s just plain ridiculous but a nice little fly to an evil mosquito. s.i.n. as I’ve heard it called before, sin in nature.
I think the nicest place we’ve stayed in so far has been a place called Hawk’s nest. A great caravan park right beside the beach which it turned out we pretty much had to ourselves. So nice. It’s definitely times like those when I wish I had some of my new theology books that are sitting on my shelf at home waiting to be read and digested.
There’s a lot to be said for the simple life. No t.v., no newspapers, no internet. All we have is a bit of music and also 40 mins of west wing before we go to bed. I’m surprisingly really enjoying it. Although sometimes the lack of friends on the road can be a bit weird. Also no guitar is a huge shame but such is life.
I should probably stop here because most people don’t read blogs that are long so I’ll bid you farewell. I’ll try upload some photo’s when I get some batteries for my camera.

Au Revoir Melbourne...

2009-02-23T00:26:00.007Z

So our last morning in Melbourne. We leave in an hour to pick up our little campervan
We've had a fantastic time in Melbourne with our superstar friend Meg. She lives pretty much downtown so we've had easy access to everything.
We got to catch up with our friends Gary and Yvonne from Dublin last week which was awesome. I think the phrase 'salt of the earth' would describe them best. So great to spend time with them, even if it was only an evening.
The last few days we spent with her sister in a quaint town called Warnambol, It's really gorgeous, right beside the coast about a four hour drive from Melbourne.
The wonderful thing about staying there apart from the company - she's really lovely as is her husband, is that we got to go driving on the Great Ocean Road. Amazing. The most beautiful views of the Ocean and the cliff formations and so on. It was a pretty cold and windy day which made for better viewing as the ocean was quite choppy with some great waves. Great Ocean Road, not just a clever name.
Saturday we went walking in the bush, loved that. Got to see some Koala's, Emu's, Lizards and a snake. Yep, a snake. A red bellied black snake to be precise; quite poisonous I later found out on wikipedia which is the source of all known knowledge. My brother probably would have ran away screaming into the forest to then actually be eaten by one but for some reason I was quite mesmorised by the evil little thing and was trying to get closer to it when I was advised that it would be a bad idea.

The koala was asking to be pushed out of the tree; I wasn't quite so tempted to do that. Apparently there is a near mild sedative in eucalyptus leaves that make them sleep a lot and also when they walk they look like there are stoned off their heads. That would have been amusing to see but they were asleep the whole time. The Emu's were entertaining in that they just kindof skulk past eyeing you as they go. It's like they're on rollerskates going very slowly as they glide on by. I was waiting for Rod Hull to pass by as well but he was no where to be seen. I think I saw Grottbags somewhere in the distance but I'm not sure.

I'm not sure how much time I'll get on the net when we're traveling in our little van, hopefully we'll be able to keep you as updated as often as I'd like to. I'm also hoping to get to see the Ireland England game this weekend. Should be a cracker. I'm now not so keen on catching up with the premiership after staying up on Saturday to watch matches that all had disappointing results and also to be dismayed this morning as I got up at 7 to see that Liverpool had failed me yet again. Muppets. Anyways, till we meet again; and thanks for all the nice comments. It's really nice to see that people are reading about our travels. Blessings...

Struth a snake...

Gotta love church signs in America

2009-02-21T09:03:00.001Z

Incase any of you have had your head in the sand for the last couple of months it's a sign in response to Katie Perry's song of the same name as the first line in the above sign. (Rhyming was unintentional)

Struth...

2009-02-21T05:02:00.006Z

Have been in Australia just over a week and a half now. Thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We flew into Sydney but we heard our friend Meg calling from the distance in Melbourne so we jumped on a plane straight away and headed to see her. Good times.
We stayed in a little hostel in a place called south yarra, a really nice part of town. Quite bohemian and you can tell that people try way to hard to look like they just rolled out of bed, but cool nonetheless.
Melbourne is a really nice city. Although we kindof realise that a lot of cities look the same. Purely cause they're full of people and the same shops that most other cities have. Good coffee is hard to find which is a shame and wireless even harder to find. Starbucks and McDonalds charge for wireless; pesky capitalist pigs. Mind you, some of the coffee we've gotten should have been given away for free; dreadful stuff.
We've frequented a nice town called St. Kilda which is beside the sea and is full of nice places to eat. The tastiest garlic bread lives in a pub there.
We stayed in the hostel about a week and sine then we've been staying with Meg which has been exceptionally generous of her and her parents. A great place to stay with a bonus of free wi-fi. sweet. Meg has been our superstar tour guide and has been so much fun to hang out with. She has a wealth of knowledge of all things and a vast array of very nice friends. We gatecrashed one of her friends engagement parties. This guy is pretty big in Australia, he has written and is currently starring in a musical about the life of Mr. Cricket; Shane Warne. He is a pretty talented musician and he had possibly the coolest band playing at his party. They were all professional musicians and they pretty much played their favourite cover songs and mezmerised us all till the wee hours of the morning. I loved it, as did Jane. Check out the get up on the guitarist. It was a flamingo night so I actually got to wear that pink shirt I bought in Thailand. Not such a sucker after all!!
One of the highlights so far was getting to go to church after two weeks of not getting to go. We did a double whammy last Sunday, going to one church in the morning and another church in the evening. It was interesting especially at the the Sunday morning service as in some way it felt like we were eaves dropping on a whole community grieving. As most of you know the bushfires have devastated the surrounding areas of Melbourne with about 300 people dying and thousands left homeless. The service was a special service about the bushfires and the guy preached a sermon on hope in the midst of despair. He was good, although it was difficult to take in a lot of what he was saying as he was of the view point that these fires were the will of God, yet he is there to comfort those affected. I won't go into a theological muse here but let's just say it got me thinking again, as I usually do about the practical implications of peoples theology. Some of the stories that have come out of what people suffered in the fires is awful. Hopefully they do find genuine comfort in the only one who can genuinely bring it to them.
It was nice to chat to people after the evening service; we're looking forward to wherever we end up in church the next few weeks. It's interesting how people do things differently to worship the same God.
I'll post some more photo's and other musings tomorrow, time to put some shrimps on the barbie and open a few tinies after a days hard yaka....

Ko Phi Phi

2009-02-17T23:23:00.011Z

As to have a bit of continuity I figure I'll do this chronologically. Despite being in Melbourne for a week now it's probably best if I tell you about our last week in Thailand before I fill you in on Australia.
After the ming of Patong, we were looking forward to the bliss of Ko Phi Phi. A former Muslim island of fishermen and coconut farmers; it was 'discovered' by tourists about 20 years ago. 9 years ago the film 'the beech' was recorded in the smaller of the Ko Phi Phi islands, this has led to an invasion of tourists to the small island.
It was devestated by the Tsunami on Stephens Day 2004 and the entire island had to be evacuated. Over 2000 people died and 70 percent of the islands buildings where destroyed. If you do some google-ing on the Tsunami it's a devastating read. Leviathan unleashed.
There aren't many reminders of the Tsunami, infact in only two places did I see any mention of it. One restaurant has a thank you to a Swedish company for the financial help and one newsagent has pictures of when it struck. I have read though that a lot of the original Phi Phi people have left the island never to come back and a lot of the businesses are run by Thai people from the mainland. It is still quite Muslim and you have to take your shoes off in a lot of places, but it is becoming increasingly Buddhist. I wonder do the Buddhists on the island believe that the Tsunami was Karma? I won't theologically muse on that here; I'm doing enough musing about the current bushfires in Australia. Anyways...
The first thing that struck me when on the island was how many young people there were. 18-23 year olds weighed down with giganormous backpacks, or walking through the streets with a beer in hand or hobbling on a crutch due to some adventure sport accident. It was like another scary movie called 'Revenge of the Backpackers'. The only problem is, we also had a lead role. It seems like the island has lost it's innocence and has now prostituted itself out at a great expense to itself.
Myself and Jane wondered a lot whether tourism was good or bad for the island. If anyone has some good social/economic insights, I'd love to know. We wondered would the people be happier out fishing away as they used to or however they kept themselves going with a much simpler life than there is now. Seven-11's, ATM's, internet cafe's and an Irish Bar jump out at you on the streets, even if there are only about 5 streets, if they can be called that. Things I'm sure are much more expensive for locals and it seems like money definitely talks in Phi Phi. They want it and we bring it.

Having said that, the island is truly beautiful and the beach is amazing. It is a cliche holiday postcard paradise. The ride over on the boat is fantastic. We were greated by a nice kid who put our bags in a glorified wheel barrow and led us on our way to our accommodation. What a place. Possibly the worst living arrangements known to man. I won't go in to too many details for fear of boring you. But lets just say an obnoxious rude manager, a 200 meter climb up steps to our 'cottage', ming ming ming bathroom with cold water, dirty sheets and frogs, geckos and other creatures in our room. Not cool. We made it our goal to not let it ruin anything. We pretty much succeeded, apart from the severe lack of sleep due to the creatures exploring our room, and eating my Galaxy bar. Yes, they ate my last galaxy bar; how infuriating.
Anyways, we had a chilling time. I read a few Kellerman books and we chilled on the beach. Coffee was nice and there was good food. There were plenty of tours to do to such things as 'James Bond Island' and 'Monkey Island'; apparently monkey island has no inhabitants, but it when you go to visit it you see about 8 monkeys and 500 tourists. We left that option out.
On the Monday I got to see the Superbowl which was sweet. The only good purpose the Irish bar served us. Those pesky Steelers. Most nights we went to a wonderful bar that was on the beach with room for only about 14 people. It was really lovely just chilling on the beach.
We pretty stayed out from dawn till dusk as the place we were staying in was so horrible we just kicked it in the village. We enjoyed our time in Phi Phi, and like I said it is an incredibly beautiful island however it does feel a bit tainted and I fear for it's identity.
One thing I have to add is the music. Oh dear. First day on the beach I heard Oasis, U2 and Bob Marley. U2 I can definitely cope with but Oasis on a tropical island? and Bob Marley, talk about riding the cliche. I walked past a bar the second night there and turned to Jane and said 'What is the deal with all the Oasis on the island?"; a thick Irish brogue replied to me "Sorry buddy, my playlist - it'll be over soon". Most places abused our ears with James Blunt; is he the worst of our time? Quite possibly. The rest was a best of Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Chaka Demus and Pliers and that awful 'a la la la la long' song by inner circle. Seriously, the music was so awful everywhere we went. The only solus was Dire Straits and U2, doesn't say much does it!
We went back to Phuket and had an amazing time in the North of the island for an all too short one day. So beautiful, no tourists and possibly the nicest people who ran the cottage we stayed in. The nicest food of our time in Thailand was kept for the last two days, in north Phuket and also the last night in Bangkok. Nicest accommodation was most definitely North Phuket, check out the little bungalow we had.
A week ago we left Thailand to go to Australia where we currently are. I'll fill you in on Oz next time.

Patong, Phuket

2009-02-16T00:41:00.008Z

It's been too long my friends. Who would have thought broadband would be easier/cheaper to source in Thailand than Australia. We have left the fair land on Thailand and are now in Australia but we'll get to that later. For now I'll continue where I left off which was Phuket.
Patong, Phuket; otherwise known as Thailands Ibiza/Costa Del Sleeze or perhaps more simply 'cess pit central' (more 'cess pit south west' but you get my drift. Phuket is a lovely island with about 50 million mopeds per capita and great weather. We landed and went straight to our very lovely hotel, great first impressions. Then we went to the beach and realised that pretty much every person in the world who was on holidays at the very same time as us thought 'ooh let's go to a nice island off Thailand called Phuket and go to the beach that was recommended to us by our travel agent called Patong (the beach, not the agent)'.
The town of Patong is genuinely a den of iniquity! During the day it's not too bad, just full of McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks all those places that make you feel at home when you don't particularly want to feel at home cause you're half way round the world. At night it's just horrible, a gazillion people snaking through the streets looking for snake like things to do. We slid away to some quiet places which was quite nice. We came across a bar that was actually a tree house with what seemed to be just a family inside so we though we'd do the authentic Thai experience and join them. It was awesome. Really nice people playing really bad Thai music and strange cover versions of normal songs (I though copyright didn't apply in Thailand!) through a horrendous cd player. The owner caught site of me messing with Jane playing the air drums to 'Sweet Child O Mine' (I'm the best air drummer ever - seriously), he then brought me over a small bongo and encouraged me to play. I did, he loved it and then got be a big massive bongo or djemba or whatever those big drum things are called and handed it to me. Highly entertaining. So entertained was the owner in fact that he gave us free shots of Whiskey, which would be great if we were that way inclined, but we're not. Not to offend we took them and threw them over our shoulders as we all toasted each other and they necked them. I think we got away with it.
Most of our time in Phuket consisted of going to the beach, hiding form the midday sun in Starbuck, eh I mean some very authentic Thai place for coffee. more beach, sunning for Jane, reading for me. Then tasty food in the evening away from the main strip.
On the Sunday night the hotel allowed me to sit at their closed bar till 2am to watch the Liverpool Chelsea game, sweet times. Jane even joined me from the second half on, what a hero.
Overall in Patong we had great fun and the hotel was fantastic but the place itself is dreadful. Anyone reading this who is tempted to go, don't. After 4 nights in Patong we went to Ko Phi Phi an apparent 'paradise'; I'll write about that next.
Peace out blog friends...

Mein Eik Mahine Se Urdu Seekh Raha Hoon

2009-01-30T17:55:00.004Z

Wednesday started with a tasty Mr. Donut (Strawberry for me as always), we didn't fancy the curry on offer in our hotel for breakfast - seriously! We then walked around a bit and then got a tuk tuk to the biggest store in Thailand MBK. Or so we thought. Mr. tuk tuk was lovely and to all his sentences we just nodded and smiled graciously as he mentioned things like 'sponsors' and 'you like me, yeah?'. Suddenly he pulls over to a shop that's definitely not MBK, he asked us to tell those inside how great he was - seriously! We did just that and 45 minutes later, I was the proud owner of two handmade shirts, and Jane one. As we walked out we saw two pasty white people walk up the stairs past us and we said to each other 'suckers!!'....the irony!!! Jane turned to me and said 'wait a minute, we're the scukers!'. Suckers, we are, but that night the shirts arrived and they're awesome and even better when we got back in the tuk tuk and told the driver we had bought 3 shirts, he nearly lost his life, told us he'd get 50 free litres of petrol and told us he'd take us around the city for the day - we thought he was using hyperbole, he wasn't! We told him MBK would do just fine. In the small talk that followed as we were on our way we told him we where going to Phuket, he was concerned that we had no accommodation - 10 minutes later we'r at a travel agent and he said he'd wait outside. What a great bloke. Another 45 mins later we get back in the tuk tuk, he wanted to take us for lunch but I was loosing the will for want of food I figured if we stayed in the tuk tuk any longer we'd end up in singapore so we finally arrived at MBK after a quick tour of the city!
On Wednesday night we went to a very strange back street Indian for dinner; food was fantastic although I think Jane was afraid she was going to be stoned to death. Place seemed to be men only and of the kind who worship Allah. Mickey Walker would have loved to stop and chat but let's just say we didn't stop for dessert.
Afterwards we figured we'd go the tourist route and headed for the tallest building in Bangkok. What a view. I loved it. You can go to the 83rd floor for a drink by the window which we did and it was fantastic and you can also go to the top floor and step outside to a revolving platform, freaky, but for some reason my juvenile fear of heights didn't creap up on me and it was a wonderful view. Loved it.
Next morning Jane woke up to two ants crawling up her arm, I'm sure they're nice guys but she didn't appreciate it. There where plenty more in her bed, none in mine. God bless the reception girl for messing up and giving us a twin room instead of a double!! Again, no curry for breakfast, so we waited for Mr. Donut man to open and got more tasty donuts and coffee, no strawberry for me which made me momentarily sad (jane would say grumpy - I'd disagree) but the chocolate twisty donut was extremely tasty.
Currently we're in Phuket. Finally a place where Jane can hit the beach. Great weather and great accommodation. Unfortunately I think we where spoiled on our honeymoon - no beach will ever compare to having your own palm tree, waiter and only sharing it with about 14 other people.
Here, you share with about 14,000 other people, it's mental and if I get asked one more time on the strip....
1. Would you like to buy a suit?
2. Would you like a tuk tuk?
3. Are you from Pakistan? (yes, twice now!)
The above cracks Jane up every time!!
4. Would you like a massage?
5. Would you like to buy this piece of fake rubbish that I am selling? May I remind you that it is completely fake and I still have the cheek to overcharge?

The answer to all the above questions is NO!!! I've done all the above in Bangkok thank you.
I've 3 shirts I can't fit in my suitcase, spent 3 hours in a tuk tuk for a 3 minute journey, had a crackin massage and bought 4 dvd's that don't work.
Oh, and Pakistan? Excuse me??? Why does no one here believe us when we say we're Irish? I won't even ask why they think I'm from Pakistan.

The place is unfortunately a bit of a cess pit caused by us tourists. Still we're having great fun, the food is wonderful, accommation is great, and of course the company is first class.
We hope to hit a Thai church on Sunday, or maybe I'll feel more at home in a Pakistani one, we'll see.
Good times.

Bangkok...

2009-01-28T12:06:00.004Z

Welcome new readers to tales of our travels. I'll try to keep posts relatively short and as frequent as I can get to an internet cafe, or more preferably to a hotel with wi-fi but I doubt our budget will stretch that far.
We love Bangkok. We arrived after a very smooth but long flight, straight to the hotel and then out to the madness that's pretty much outside the door. Markets as far as the eye can see. They sell everything. I mean everything. If we were here to shop we'd have full suitcases by now. The food is exceptional, as I was hoping it would be. Not as spicy as I thought though, although maybe we're eating in the wrong places! It's so cheap, you nearly feel bad. We got the tastiest lunch today for less than 4 euro. We travelled around the city in a tuk tuk, that's the picture above. It was a mix between the scariest and most exciting ride of our lives. We've done a few of them now, so cheap, fun and a great way to get around.
The city is full of strange temple monuments. I had a massage yesterday, Jane had a pedicure/manicure thing (a total of 6 euro for an hour of amazing relaxation) and in the place I noticed a strange fat statue at the window with a drink in front of him, we then noticed them in a lot of places. There are a lot of temples and I think the country is about 90% buddhist. The rest are christian, islamic and hindu.
The thai people are exceptionally friendly, although the haggling can become a bit of a pain. I think we might hit some random backstreet place for tasty food this evening and then to the top of the sky tower for a drink as the views are meant to be pretty amazing.
Off to Phuket tomorrow, not sure what to expect; I just know that Jane wants some sun as do I. More tasty food will be appreciated aswell!

oh yeah....the renewed mind.

2008-12-26T13:36:00.000Z

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T12:40:00.001Z

Offending Homosexuals..

2008-12-23T16:58:00.002Z

I always find it disturbing and strange when people get so offended by what the pope says. He is the head of the catholic church; a church which believes that homosexuality is a sin. Therefore, why would people get offended when he re-iterates that point of view?
Should a Christian be offended if a Muslim tells them their faith is wrong? I shouldn't think so. A Christian should know a Muslim believes very different things to him/her and vice versa.
The same for a homosexual hearing the Pope condemn their behaviour. Whether it's good or bad, it should be expected as it's what he believes. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it's what I think when I read the above article on the bbc website. You can read it all here.

pesky atheists...

2008-12-22T21:07:00.001Z

a draw??

2008-12-21T15:53:00.001Z

Saw this today on BBC's website. A 2-1 draw, that's a pretty exceptional result!

dmblive.com

2008-12-21T15:31:00.003Z

Following my post on Dave Matthews new live album, I just found out that they have now decided to join the likes of Pearl Jam, Metallica, Counting Crows and release shows via download on their new www.dmblive.com website.

The first three shows to be released are

4.22.93 (Dave and Tim) - Prism Coffeehouse - Charlottesville, VA
10.24.02 (Dave solo) - Benaroya Hall - Seattle, WA
3.29.03 (Dave and Tim) - Appalachian State University - Boone, NC

They cost between ¢12 and ¢16 dollars depending on what quality you want, ranging from mp3 256kbps and flac lossless.
It's a great new move from them, saves on silly postage costs and will hopefully lead to a big catalogue where one can pick and choose the best setlists from the shows available to own.
I'm not sure if they will take the route of Pearl Jam and Metallica where each new show is available for download a few days after the show. Perhaps they won't go down that road but hopefully they release plenty of old shows and a few from new tours to give us a nice big choice. The great thing about Dave Matthews Band and especially bands like Pearl Jam is that there setlists change every show which leads to the customer genuinely being spoilt for choice.
I guess that's one reason why u2 will never go down the same route as their setlists are unfortunately very static. I'm still very surprised that apart from 'Under a Blood Red Sky' they have never released an official live album to buy.

No Line on the Horizon

2008-12-21T00:28:00.005Z

Details for U2's new album have been officially released. It's out on Monday, March 2nd, that'll mean in Ireland and Britain it'll most likely be released the previous Friday. No details on tracklisting yet, however amazon.com have it available for pre-order already.
There are 4 (yes, FOUR) different editions available. The most extravagant which is worth a hundred dollars is

...a deluxe limited-edition-collectors item: packaged in a special box, album CD in a cardboard folded sleeve w/ 36 page color booklet and fold out poster. Box also includes 60-page hard cover book plus an additional fold-out poster and a DVD of the new film from Anton Corbijn featuring the music of U2 in a slip case cover.

The amazon link is here; check out the right hand side of the page for the different versions of the album.
I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Here's the official blurb from U2.com.

No Line On The Horizon, the new studio album from U2, will be released on Monday 2nd March 2009.

Written and recorded in various locations, No Line On The Horizon is the group’s 12th studio album and is their first release since the 9 million selling album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, released in late 2004.

Sessions for No Line On The Horizon began last year in Fez, Morocco, continued in the band’s own studio in Dublin, before moving to New York’s Platinum Sound Recording Studios, and finally being completed at Olympic Studios in London.

The album calls on the production talents of long-time collaborators Brian Eno and Danny Lanois, with additional production by Steve Lillywhite.

Kings of Leon: The o2 Dublin December 19th 2008

2008-12-20T17:44:00.003Z

First gig for me (& Jane) in the new Point Depot, now called the o2. It still looks like a home depot from the outside, however it's very impressive on the inside. It appears to be much bigger than the old venue, it now holds 13,000 people and despite the fact that we were pretty much in the rafters (the photo attests to that) our view was very very good and the seats were really comfortable.
On to the more important information; the gig. It was excellent. A really enjoyable gig with a very solid setlist. When you look at the list of songs and realise how good they all are it makes for impressive reading and even more impressive listening. They are a very tight band who pretty play song after song without much crowd interaction. I don't mind that so much, especially as all the songs were winners.
Highlights were opener 'crawl', 'king of the rodeo', listening to 13,000 irish people sing that strange accent that Mr. Followill has along to 'milk', actually I'll end up listing most of the songs if I list the highlights. I should add that the light show was extremely impressive.
Let me add two lowlights, 1. no arizona, it's been on the setlist for the whole tour until the last 3 weeks, oh well. and 2. Mr. Followill telling us that we were the best crowd of the tour. Does he really think we fall for that one? 'seriously you guys, it's been a really hard tour (he had previously told us it was the best year of their lives!?) and we have wondered sometimes how we'll keep doing it and keep going through the motions, but then we come to a place like this and well....we wish this was the last night of the tour. This has been the best show and you've been the best crowd'.
Us Irish suckers lapped it up and applauded our greatness. Perhaps I'm too cynical so maybe it was a highlight for them, I hope so. I know that I loved it and was thoroughly impressed.

1. Closer
2. Crawl
3. My Party
4. Razz
5. Molly's Chambers
6. King of the Rodeo
7. Joe's Head
8. Fans
9. Revelry
10. Milk
11. Four Kicks
12. Pistol Of Fire
13. Wasted Time
14. Sex On Fire
15. The Bucket
16. Notion
17. Use Somebody
18. On Call
19. Cold Desert
20. Trani

------------------------
21. Knocked Up
22. Charmer
23. Slow Night, So long
24. Black Thumbnail

Dave Matthews Band Live at Mile High Music Festival

2008-12-18T16:43:00.003Z

Dave Matthews Band just released their 27th official live album. Yep, that's 27. Not as bad as Pearl Jam's 290 official live shows, but for some reason there's a difference. Pearl Jam's are so much cheaper and easier to obtain from Ireland than the Dave Matthews Band releases.
For some reason I always get suckered in to buying the live Dave Matthews Band shows. This new one is without the sax player LeRoi Moore who was injured at the time, he has since passed away. The excellent Jeff Coffin from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones stood in for him and he makes a difference. It's not better or worse, it's just a different style of playing. Rashawn Ross guests on the trumpet, I don't care for him playing along. He ruined the Dreaming Tree in the 'Live at Piedmont Park" release and I'm not a huge fan of the trumpet anyway. Tim Reynolds also plays with the band on electric guitar. He's just exceptional. He adds so much, especially when he's relatively discreetly like on songs such as 'Don't Drink the Water'. The show doesn't have Butch Taylor who has played regularly since he joined the band in the studio to play on a few tracks on 'Before these Crowded Streets'. He played every show from summer 01 until April 08 when for some unknown reason he quit (ironic his last song to play with the band was 'stay'). A lot of fans are relatively glad he left as they weren't too enamored with him. However, I think his absence is a loss.
This cd repeats a lot of the songs from the previous live release; eight in total. It has one unreleased song, an incredible cover of 'Sledgehammer' by Peter Gabriel.
It's not the best Dave Matthews Band live release (perhaps I'll do a top ten some day) but it's very good nonetheless and if you're someone who doesn't have any live Dave Matthews Band cd's it's definitely a very good place to start.

Disc one:
"Don't Drink the Water"
"You Might Die Trying"
"Eh Hee"
"Two Step"
"Proudest Monkey"-->
"Satellite"
"Cornbread"

Disc two:
"Sledgehammer"
"Stay (Wasting Time)"
"Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back)"
"Jimi Thing"
"#41"
"Tripping Billies"
"So Damn Lucky"

Disc three:
"So Much To Say"-->
"Anyone Seen the Bridge?"-->
"Too Much"-->
"Ants Marching"
"Gravedigger"
"Louisiana Bayou"
"Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)"

Electric Six - The Acadamy, Dublin. Saturday 13th December

2008-12-15T13:49:00.009Z

I bought tickets for this gig back in July, but it was touch and go as to whether we'd be able to go. As I've been super sick and Jane was starting to come down with the flu we weren't going to go but we decided at 7pm that we'd regret not going so we'd drive in so we could leave if we needed to.
When we got to the venue Jane asked one of the staff could we sit upstairs in the vip section; for some bizarre unknown reason he said yes. Sweet. I would say that God has our backs cause we were sick but I don't know if he's particularly an Electric Six fan.
The gig itself was fantastic. As rediculous and entertaining as one would except from E6. I saw them last year in Maynooth College and was so impressed. This one was just as good. Dick Valentine is an exceptional front man and kept us fully entertained. They played a great setlist; more songs from their first album that their latest album which is pretty impressive. Some of his banter in between songs is so ludicrous it's amazing that people believe it and clap for it. Such as informing us that the drummer is Larry Mullin Jnr the third and that Ireland should be so proud that we helped elect America's first Irish American President. It was amusing watching the band trying not to laugh as he talked rubbish to us. The setlist isn't in order, but it's all the 18 songs they played. The picture isn't from the gig on Saturday it's from the last time I saw them. He's doing push ups during one of the songs!

Dance Commander
Naked Pictures
Danger! High Voltage!
Improper Dancing
Gay Bar
Synthesiser
Rock N Roll Evacuation
Dance Epidemic
I Buy The Drugs
Night Vision
Germans In Mexico
Showtime
Down At McDonnelzz
Gay Bar pt. 2
Formula 409
We Were Witchy Witchy White Women
Dirty Ball
Your Heat Is Rising

crch-chrch-chrch

2008-12-15T13:06:00.003Z

These past few weeks I've had a nasty skin condition called Eczema. Anyone who's had it will testify to it's nastiness. I used to get it as a kid but never as bad as the last while. It flared up exceptionally badly over a week ago and I've been off work since. I hope to go back on Wednesday. I'm off to see a skin specialist today.
The thing I have found so hard to deal with over the past few weeks, especially the last two weeks is that I know if I stop scratching I'll get better. Pretty much simple as. The trouble is, I can't stop. Well, I find it very difficult to. I've had some good days of not scratching but at night time it just gets ridiculous. It's like my body goes on auto-scratch-pilot. I then get in a tizzy of "Oh, man I can't be doing this cause I'll get worse" and then I scratch more. I even then get stressed thinking God is disappointed in me for scratching when I know not scratching will make me better.
My only sanity the past couple of weeks has been my wife. She is so much more patient, gracious and kind than I had dreamed of. Applying cream to a crying from pain/frustration 29 year old husband is not something she had thought she'd signed up for 7 months ago! Not one word of complaint has she uttered from her mouth. I just thought everyone should know how wonderful she is.

Oh, the subject title is my attempt at spelling what a scratch may sound like!

One million trees for Israel...

2008-12-08T15:10:00.004Z

Ever since Mr. Bentley graced our screens I've flicked on to God tv to check it out. Please don't judge me on that fact. Sometimes there can be some pretty good messages, but lately I've been seeing quite a lot of talks that have caused me great concern. Perhaps the Lord is opening my eyes to what has always been there or else it's getting worse.
They have just finished their 'missions week'. What would one think a missions week would consist of? Raising money to help child soldiers in Uganda, helping women and children in the 'worst place to live'the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, helping street kids in Sao Paulo? i could go on. The answer is none of the above. What missions week is about is planting 1,000,000 trees in Israel to prepare for Jesus to return. Yep, thats the plan.

Saints, the time is now to petition the Father for breakthrough in your own life… in your families’ lives… in your neighbors’ lives… in the lives and ministries of the GOD TV family around the globe. As the world faces grave financial crisis, the Father has promised to keep us from the eye of the storm, but we need to trust and set our hearts upon Him.

So how do we get this breakthrough?

1. Pray fervently that the Father would bring breakthrough in these coming 40 days.
2. Give generously as Missions Week continues, we are ready to plant trees across
Israel in your honor as you strengthen GOD TV with your generous gift and ensure
the Gospel is taken into more homes, in more cities, in more nations.
3. Wait expectantly… for the breakthrough that we together are trusting the Father
for!

Now I understand that God tv needs money and that people can be blessed by it. But planting a tree in my honour when I pledge money so we can welcome Jesus with a pretty garden? It boggles my mind, that is unless I'm missing something key about the significance of planting trees with some of the money instead of actually helping people. Apparently it's a prophetic display to welcome the king.

I believe that when your tree is planted, you will see multiplied blessings as your tree grows to maturity.

What kind of blessings? I've been seeing a lot lately on God tv about blessings being financial. One preacher stated proudly "Do you think I flew here in Delta Airlines? No, I flew here on my own jet, cause the Lord has blessed me!". Ridiculous. What about the man who doesn't own a private jet, or a car, or even a house; is the Lords favour not upon them? A young orphan taken captive by the LRA in Uganda is that punishment from God? If he comes to know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour will he become materially rich? I think the miracle of being rich in hope is enough, and maybe some of that preachers money that went towards his private jet could help put some food in that kids belly and clothes on his back.

Whether it is legit or not, I know I have been challenged, and that is the challenge to not sit and be satisfied with sending some tv station money so they can get their hands dirty in the mission field. I have to take part somehow and perhaps the biggest thing I can give is my time. Sometimes it can be easier to reach into our wallets and give money rather than reach into our schedules and actually spend time with the broken around us. I do pray God's blessing and wisdom upon God tv and what they do however I'll be giving my money and time to things I feel are more kingdom like.

What comes out when you're squeezed?!

2008-12-01T21:07:00.003Z

It's been a while.
The last few weeks have been tough. Work has been really hard as well as a schedule that has been filled to the brim. And I'm covered in the most horribly itchy and dreadful scabs and sores! yep, a break out of eczema. enough to send me insane trying to not scratch. Still I have never felt closer to Jesus and for that I'm so incredibly thankful.
Two things I've been really thinking about.
1. It's times like this when most of who I am is exposed. I've been squeezed a lot (metaphorically that is!) and I keep praying that Jesus will come out - not me. When people reject me will pride come out, or humility. When I'm extra tired will I get grumpy or will patience ooze out. You see where I'm going with this. Think about it for yourself. Is Jesus all over you in ever season or just in certain areas at certain times?
2. It's times like these when I realise that it's not a matter of having to love people, it's a matter of getting to love people. Because of what Jesus has done I need to have the attitude that it is more than a privilege to serve and love people. It's not just a command, it's something that brings delight to our Father when we treat his children as he wants them treated by us.

I'm trying.

Bell x1 Vicar Street, Dublin November 11th 2008

2008-11-12T00:15:00.006Z

Vicar Street is a great venue, especially for seated gigs. The only slight problem is you sit at a small table with three other people. I was with Jane so we were wondering who the two strangers would be that would sit strangely close to us. We were sitting there having a lovely time with our drinks when behind us I hear a familiar voice say “I think this is table 26”; we both turn around and there’s two friends, Ross & Lucy who we haven’t seen in ages. It was such a wonderful surprise. We had a great time catching up and being encouraged hearing their story of their journey with God over the last while. Good times.
The gig itself was absolutely brilliant. We loved it. The first 3 songs nearly sent us over the edge. A lovely way to start a show. They played 7 new songs, they’re the ones with a star beside them in the setlist I have written below. Mr. Noonan was playing a strange little guitar called a casio dg20 for a few of the new ones, the only other time I’ve seen one was on flight of the conchords! It’s a computerised guitar is the only way I can describe it.
Standout new tracks were 'blowins', 'one stringed harp', amelia' and 'is that all there is?'. All the familiar tracks were stellar.
If you don’t know Bell x1, get to know them. They are a cracking band and it’s great to hear their new material and like it. It’s got a familiar yet different feel to it, which is positive to know they’re progressing and not just sticking to the same old formula.

Pinball Machine
Just Like Mr. Benn
Rocky Took a Lover
How Your Heart is Wired*
The Great Defector*
My First Born For a Song
Blowins*
Bad Skin Day
One Stringed Harp*
The Ribs of A Broken Umbrella*
Flame
Amelia*
Eve, The Apple of my Eye
-----------------------
Next to You
Is That All There Is?*
I'll See Your Heart and I'll Raise You Mine

The Cardinals - Dublin, November 8th 2008

2008-11-08T23:58:00.004Z

I love Ryan Adams. He has only disappointed me once, a gig a few years ago that was horrendous, but I blame that on his album 'Rock n Roll' which is equally horrendous so I shouldn't have expected anything else. 1 bad album out of 10 (13 if you include whiskeytown) isn't a bad return.
Another time I saw him was without doubt one of my favourite gigs of all time. Tonight, while it was not as good as that, it didn't disappoint. It was a very solid performance from a band that has obviously gelled very well and has written some killer tunes together. A great sound, pretty honky tonk but one can't really go wrong with that as we all love a bit of twang now and then! Highlights for me were reworked versions of please do not let me go, desire, wonderwall, come pick me up, and i see monsters. A few more older solo songs and maybe a Whiskeytown song would have made this a truly stellar performance. My wife loved it, I'm starting to wonder has she more honky tonk in her than she's letting on! Here's the setlist. 27 songs is good going for a gig.

1. Cobwebs
2. Everybody Knows
3. Born into a Light
4. Please do not Let Me Go
5. Fix It
6. Natural Ghost
7. Goodnight Rose
8. Off Broadway
9. Wonderwall
10. I Taught Myself how to Grow Old
11. Sun Also Sets
12. Come Pick Me Up
13. Grand Island
14. Go Easy
15. Sink Ships
16. Crossed Out Name
17. Stars Go Blue
18. Let it Ride
19. Desire
20. Evergreen
21. Cold Roses
-------------------------
22. Freeway to the Canyon
23. Like Yesterday
24. La Cienega
25. Stop
26. Two
27. I See Monsters

God loves you...

2008-11-08T13:17:00.002Z

I've been wondering lately about the sincerity of this statement. When I say it, I mean it. I know that God loves everyone, God wants everyone to come in to relationship with him and his Son and the Spirit.
However, I've been wondering can a calvinist truly tell someone that God loves them?. Now, I've been told that God has a general love for people such that he causes his rain to fall on the just and unjust and his word is available for all which is a sign of his love. But does he actually love everyone?
To a Calvinist God loves the elect (when they turn to him), while as John Piper would say about the non-elect "I think we need to go the full Biblical length and say that God hates unrepentant sinners". As Mark Driscoll says in this video "God Hates us".
I wonder then when a Calvinist looks upon his/her theology can they with integrity tell someone that God wants them to come in to relationship with him when in fact, God may not because he has decreed from the very start that he will eternally hate them, crush them and pour his wrath out upon them.
I for one find it a very depressing outlook on who our Father in heaven is and a reminder of a complete distortion of what the holiness of God truly is. It's like holiness and love are seperate in God when in fact they are not.
Sometimes it feels like some think that God was reconciled to man on the cross such that God had to be changed from being against us to for us when Jesus died for us. It says in 2 Corinthians 5:19 that in fact we were reconciled to God. our view of God had changed. God despises our sin and yes we don't deserve anything good from him but what is so amazing and miraculous about him is that He does love us and pursue us and implore us to come in to relationship with him.

McCain in PA

2008-11-02T22:06:00.004Z

I flicker between being intrigued by the US Election and being completely bored of it. One of my favourite clips I've seen is this one.

I couldn't agree more with how much McCain messes up.