Great Vid - the final chapter

Merry Christmas!

Great Vid 2

So here is part two of three, three is worth the wait!

Great video

This makes me chuckle, not sure what that says about me!

There are three, watch this space over the next few days or check out on you tube if you cannot wait!

A must view!!!

Just found this on Terry Virgo's blog - thought it was brilliant - link below

http://www.janga.biz/terryvirgoblog/?p=379

What will your response be when you are not getting drunk at the office party or any other festive event?

Team fun

Proverbs 17:22 says:

''A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.''

Harold Myra says in The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham:

''When one hears laughter in the halls of an organisation, when humour and good spirits enliven the breaks, when serious discussions are broken up by humour, it's a very good sign the enterprise is healthy. Teams that emphasise fun and good spirits lift effectiveness.''

I can say that this is true. This last year has seen the largest team working for the church on a full time basis. We have all worked hard to strengthen the church in the various areas that we are responsible for. We have worked hard at communicating with each other and keeping an air of openness. We have shared difficult times together, standing alongside each other in prayer.

One of the things we have done really well is we have found the time to laugh together. There have been lunchtimes when I have literally had tears of laughter rolling down my face. I believe that this sense of fun mixed with the seriousness of seeing the gospel advance has made for a team that has proved to be greatly effective.

Myra goes on to say: ''Although extremely serious about their mission and the eternal stakes, the team could laugh together and play together." That's the sort of team I want to be part of.

Friends: Old and New

It's so important to have friends.

Today I joined 11 others for breakfast to celebrate the birthday of my good friend Craig. It was a fantastic morning: large quantities of cooked breakfast; cereal; fruit (yes fruit!); pastries; coffee, tea and juice. However more importantly the company was great. I had the privilege of sitting with Roy, a guy older than myself but with such a zest for life that it is always a pleasure to spend time with him. There was plenty of friendly, manly banter around the table none of which was derogatory but was fun. The overall feeling of the morning was that of camaraderie and warmth. I look forward to more mornings like this one.

This afternoon was spent at Windsor race course at James' stag do. Wonderful weather and a very tasty steak sandwich were the highlights of the place. What was interesting was that only a couple of the people that went actually put any bets on once our two free £2 bets had been placed, it seemed that we were more interested in getting to know each other than trying to win money! There were several people that I didn't know, but it wasn't long before conversation was freely flowing. I couldn't tell you what happened with the horses, but I could tell you what some of the guys do for a living and the names of their children. The day culminated with a Chinese meal in Windsor town - once again enjoyed due to the friendships.

I have been left after today reflecting on the fact that friends are so important. People that you enjoy being with and can relax around. Jesus didn't just have disciples he had friends, people he ate with, guys he enjoyed chatting with. Jesus showed us that we cannot live life in isolation, that we need to have people around us whom we love and trust. Today I have seen people I have known for years and would trust with my life. Others I know not so well, but the relationships are growing. Others I may not see again but I really enjoyed their company.

All in all, a very enjoyable day and one I will remember.