What is the best way of coming up with an idea? I mean a big idea?
How do scientists think up new theories, like Big Bang, Multiverse, Eternal Inflation (I'm assured that this is a scientific idea not a nightmare for the Chancellor of the Exchequer)? What about the great inventions? How did the idea for a computer start or for the electric light bulb or for the game of cricket? There seems to be a restlessness in the human spirit that is always looking for the next big idea. Perhaps David Cameron's Big Society or Ed Miliband's New Generation or Nick Clegg's...what was he thinking of! Or is it simply that we are wired up to always explore and never to be satisfied. Perhaps it is that which feeds our desire for new things, new ways, new experiences, to never give up until the problem is solved, that drives the desire to be famous, even if it is for 10 minutes, or even infamous, that provokes us to great things, good things, selfless acts of kindness.
Watching a little of the wall to wall coverage of the Chilean Miners story and their rescue and the continuing and unfolding story, how did the idea for the rescue come together, the plan to build the Fenix 2 rescue cage. That is some idea!
I watched an interview between Jeremy Paxman and Russell Brand recently - you can find it at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-NCDovAWB8
and Part 2 at
www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_726079&v=08zNQ_wO0D8&feature=iv
It is a fascinating discussion between two big personalities (and egos) that covers a lot of ground. Part 2 is particularly interesting when Brand talks about his idea to do something significant, lasting and meaningful with the rest of his life. This could simply be his next big idea that he hopes will lead him towards redemption for his BBC 'sins'. But maybe it is a genuine desire to change his future. He seems to be reflecting on life in general and as he does he is coming up with new ideas that seem better than some of the ideas he has had so far. He even talks about his belief in God and how he is trying to connect to the source of all Big Ideas.
That is the Biggest Idea of all. Not just for Russell Brand but for all of us. But of course it is also the oldest Big Idea that God has wired into our lives from the very beginning. We have been searching for the best way to live, we have been looking for the best person to base our lives on, we've always been looking for ideas? Of course, how we work it all out is up to us, but somewhere in us all is the idea that we can make a difference without it being selfish, destructive or pointless.
Next time you have a moment, grab a coffee, sit down somewhere quiet and spend time having a think. What is the brightest idea you can think of? And then go and make it happen.
Now there is a bright idea.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
I SAW A MOUSE - WHERE?
It always surprises me how much we have in common with people, how we can share such seemingly uncommon experiences with people and we never knew until something happens. Take mice for instance.
We had mice in the kitchen last year but through the careful deployment of mousetraps with a covering of peanut butter we thought we had won the ensuing battle. But they are back! Only this time, not in the kitchen but in the loft!
I was sitting in the lounge watching the TV a week ago when out of the corner of my eye I noticed something climbing up the outside wall by the front window. I went outside to investigate and much to my amazement, I saw a mouse! Where? Not on the stairs but climbing, yes, climbing up the outside wall. I couldn't believe it! As I watched Supermouse scale the brickwork - I really should have stopped it, but I was very impressed by its daring, skill and sheer cheek - it got onto the low level sloping roof above the front door and crawled under the lead flashing.
Given my success last year I decided to put my two faithful mouse traps with peanut butter up in the loft, assuming that is where he was heading, and sure enough, when I went back up a few days later, I had killed two of them. When I say I killed them, actually the traps killed them. (Is that okay or have I violated the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill'? Does it apply to mice?) I reset them and sure enough the next day, two more! How many more wall climbing mice can there be?
Anyway, I don't tell you this story to impress you or to offer my services or start a new career, but to try to understand what begins to happen once I start telling other people about my experiences. You see, it seems that lots of people have had mice in their house as well, they have just never talked about it. But as soon as I had the courage to share my experiences I find out that I am not alone, many other people have had trouble with a mouse in their house. Then they start telling me their stories, offer advice about how they coped and suddenly I didn't feel alone, unique or a failure.
It happens so often. You are going through a particular period of ill health and you get a diagnosis and suddenly there are people all around you who have had it themselves or know someone else who has been through it. What you thought was just you has actually happened to someone else.
My mum has Dementia and when I talk to other people about it, they have experienced the same thing. People I thought I knew open up and tell me their story. Suddenly I realise I am not alone.
A number of years ago Kerry and I suffered the disappointment, pain and frustration of a miscarriage. As we tried to cope with it (actually I didn't do too well) and started to talk about it, suddenly people we knew told us of their miscarriages. It helped so much to know that we weren't on our own that other people really understood, that we hadn't done something wrong or failed in some way. It was still painful and difficult, but we weren't alone, it was okay.
Too often I am afraid to talk about what I am going through, what has happened to me and what is happening to me because I think it is just me. But I'm learning to talk about it and I find that other people are learning to talk as well.
I recommend peanut butter for catching mice, but I also recommend learning to talk about some of the really tough things you're been through or are going through. I am sure that you'll find other people who know exactly how you feel and I know that the Holy Spirit will use every experience you've had to help others to realise that they are not alone. Perhaps it will start with mice in the loft!
We had mice in the kitchen last year but through the careful deployment of mousetraps with a covering of peanut butter we thought we had won the ensuing battle. But they are back! Only this time, not in the kitchen but in the loft!
I was sitting in the lounge watching the TV a week ago when out of the corner of my eye I noticed something climbing up the outside wall by the front window. I went outside to investigate and much to my amazement, I saw a mouse! Where? Not on the stairs but climbing, yes, climbing up the outside wall. I couldn't believe it! As I watched Supermouse scale the brickwork - I really should have stopped it, but I was very impressed by its daring, skill and sheer cheek - it got onto the low level sloping roof above the front door and crawled under the lead flashing.
Given my success last year I decided to put my two faithful mouse traps with peanut butter up in the loft, assuming that is where he was heading, and sure enough, when I went back up a few days later, I had killed two of them. When I say I killed them, actually the traps killed them. (Is that okay or have I violated the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill'? Does it apply to mice?) I reset them and sure enough the next day, two more! How many more wall climbing mice can there be?
Anyway, I don't tell you this story to impress you or to offer my services or start a new career, but to try to understand what begins to happen once I start telling other people about my experiences. You see, it seems that lots of people have had mice in their house as well, they have just never talked about it. But as soon as I had the courage to share my experiences I find out that I am not alone, many other people have had trouble with a mouse in their house. Then they start telling me their stories, offer advice about how they coped and suddenly I didn't feel alone, unique or a failure.
It happens so often. You are going through a particular period of ill health and you get a diagnosis and suddenly there are people all around you who have had it themselves or know someone else who has been through it. What you thought was just you has actually happened to someone else.
My mum has Dementia and when I talk to other people about it, they have experienced the same thing. People I thought I knew open up and tell me their story. Suddenly I realise I am not alone.
A number of years ago Kerry and I suffered the disappointment, pain and frustration of a miscarriage. As we tried to cope with it (actually I didn't do too well) and started to talk about it, suddenly people we knew told us of their miscarriages. It helped so much to know that we weren't on our own that other people really understood, that we hadn't done something wrong or failed in some way. It was still painful and difficult, but we weren't alone, it was okay.
Too often I am afraid to talk about what I am going through, what has happened to me and what is happening to me because I think it is just me. But I'm learning to talk about it and I find that other people are learning to talk as well.
I recommend peanut butter for catching mice, but I also recommend learning to talk about some of the really tough things you're been through or are going through. I am sure that you'll find other people who know exactly how you feel and I know that the Holy Spirit will use every experience you've had to help others to realise that they are not alone. Perhaps it will start with mice in the loft!
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
POWER UNLEASHED
Yesterday I was present at two events that will have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved.
Firstly, I was at the launch of the Extra-Time Reading scheme that is a partnership between LHFC, St John's School and Faith and Football. It was exhilarating to hear the excitable voices of the 10 Year 2 children who are taking part in the programme which links a reading mentor (a volunteer from LHFC) with the child for 1 hour a week for the whole school year. That's 30 hours of contact time between people of totally different generations, that is a beautiful picture. And even more than that, they will be reading Bible stories together! That is a powerful picture and that is why I think it will have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved. This is truly a picture of the Kingdom right in the heart of our community. God's written word set free for a new generation by an older generation - power unleashed!
Secondly, I was at a prayer meeting for the next Alpha course here at LHFC - which, by the way, starts next Tuesday 12th October at 7.00pm. As I joined the rest of the team I was so thankful to God for the people in the room who have had their lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some of us had been followers for many, many years, others were less than 1 year old as followers, but the praying was faith-filled, powerful and passionate. It was exhilarating to hear the excitable voices of the 9 people in the room. Everyone is longing to see power unleashed into the lives of many other people as God's Word, Jesus, is shared and as the team serve, care for and listen to those who will come as guests next Tuesday. It will have far reaching consequences, it always has, the proof was in the room last night.
Both events were a reminder to me that we can do nothing on our own, nothing without Jesus Christ and when we speak the living word together and when we announce the Living Word together then power is unleashed, lives are turned around and futures are changed.
The power of God's living, powerful word and the power of God's Living, Powerful Word unleashed. I love being involved in the activity of the Spirit.
Firstly, I was at the launch of the Extra-Time Reading scheme that is a partnership between LHFC, St John's School and Faith and Football. It was exhilarating to hear the excitable voices of the 10 Year 2 children who are taking part in the programme which links a reading mentor (a volunteer from LHFC) with the child for 1 hour a week for the whole school year. That's 30 hours of contact time between people of totally different generations, that is a beautiful picture. And even more than that, they will be reading Bible stories together! That is a powerful picture and that is why I think it will have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved. This is truly a picture of the Kingdom right in the heart of our community. God's written word set free for a new generation by an older generation - power unleashed!
Secondly, I was at a prayer meeting for the next Alpha course here at LHFC - which, by the way, starts next Tuesday 12th October at 7.00pm. As I joined the rest of the team I was so thankful to God for the people in the room who have had their lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some of us had been followers for many, many years, others were less than 1 year old as followers, but the praying was faith-filled, powerful and passionate. It was exhilarating to hear the excitable voices of the 9 people in the room. Everyone is longing to see power unleashed into the lives of many other people as God's Word, Jesus, is shared and as the team serve, care for and listen to those who will come as guests next Tuesday. It will have far reaching consequences, it always has, the proof was in the room last night.
Both events were a reminder to me that we can do nothing on our own, nothing without Jesus Christ and when we speak the living word together and when we announce the Living Word together then power is unleashed, lives are turned around and futures are changed.
The power of God's living, powerful word and the power of God's Living, Powerful Word unleashed. I love being involved in the activity of the Spirit.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
The final day of my Sabbatical today! Ninety-one days all different, all challenging, all amazing. What a privilege to have been given this opportunity. But what of tomorrow?
I'm guessing it'll feel a bit like going back to school after the summer holidays. That slightly strange feeling in the stomach, a mixture of excitement and nervousness, glad to be back, slightly daunted by what I've missed, wondering if I'll remember everyones name, trying to catch up with what has happened during that time, a sense of anticipation as I see what God is going to do and the opportunities He will bring. The next Faith and Football season starts tomorrow - there are over 60 children signed up, Blue Moon event on Saturday, Alpha starts next Tuesday, it is all exciting to be involved in. Lives will be changed. I can't think of anything more worthwhile for my life than that.
But instead of just doing activities, ticking off the 'to-do' list, organising events, trying to be more creative and relevant, the key thing for me is that in everything I am involved in I make sure that I am pointing people towards Jesus Christ.
Earlier this week I was listening to the Radio 4 Today programme and an item came on that made me dash to look at the calendar. As I listened to the report I was convinced that I had just woken up from a deep sleep and it was 1st April, April Fool's Day. But the calendar assured me that it was still September 2010. The report was exploring the question, 'If an alien landed on earth and they asked, 'Take me to your leader', who would you take them to?' Apparently this has been a significant question in the science community - have they nothing better to do - and a recent conference has decided who that leader will be!
The answer they have come up with is not the President of the United States or the European Union Commissioner or the Pope but a lady by the name of Mazlan Othman, Malaysia's best astrophysicist. It's a long way to go if the alien lands in Fareham and to be honest, I have no idea how I would direct the alien spaceship to Malaysia anyway - other than to log on to Google maps and print them off for them! But now you know! Actually I think I would say that they have already found the leader - me!
But, more importantly, what is my answer when terrestial people ask me - 'Take me to your leader'? Who leads my life, will I be bold enough to lead them to Jesus Christ, to point to Him in everything I do and say and make Him the point person. I don't want to water my faith down, duck the crucial issue, make Him the last thing I talk about, I want to take people to Him.
Paul wrote, 'When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.' (1 Corinthians 2:1-4)
It seems to me that Jesus is the only person to take people to. That's my resolve as I go back to work having been reminded of His power to change lives. Will you join me in taking people to the Leader of all things?
I'm guessing it'll feel a bit like going back to school after the summer holidays. That slightly strange feeling in the stomach, a mixture of excitement and nervousness, glad to be back, slightly daunted by what I've missed, wondering if I'll remember everyones name, trying to catch up with what has happened during that time, a sense of anticipation as I see what God is going to do and the opportunities He will bring. The next Faith and Football season starts tomorrow - there are over 60 children signed up, Blue Moon event on Saturday, Alpha starts next Tuesday, it is all exciting to be involved in. Lives will be changed. I can't think of anything more worthwhile for my life than that.
But instead of just doing activities, ticking off the 'to-do' list, organising events, trying to be more creative and relevant, the key thing for me is that in everything I am involved in I make sure that I am pointing people towards Jesus Christ.
Earlier this week I was listening to the Radio 4 Today programme and an item came on that made me dash to look at the calendar. As I listened to the report I was convinced that I had just woken up from a deep sleep and it was 1st April, April Fool's Day. But the calendar assured me that it was still September 2010. The report was exploring the question, 'If an alien landed on earth and they asked, 'Take me to your leader', who would you take them to?' Apparently this has been a significant question in the science community - have they nothing better to do - and a recent conference has decided who that leader will be!
The answer they have come up with is not the President of the United States or the European Union Commissioner or the Pope but a lady by the name of Mazlan Othman, Malaysia's best astrophysicist. It's a long way to go if the alien lands in Fareham and to be honest, I have no idea how I would direct the alien spaceship to Malaysia anyway - other than to log on to Google maps and print them off for them! But now you know! Actually I think I would say that they have already found the leader - me!
But, more importantly, what is my answer when terrestial people ask me - 'Take me to your leader'? Who leads my life, will I be bold enough to lead them to Jesus Christ, to point to Him in everything I do and say and make Him the point person. I don't want to water my faith down, duck the crucial issue, make Him the last thing I talk about, I want to take people to Him.
Paul wrote, 'When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.' (1 Corinthians 2:1-4)
It seems to me that Jesus is the only person to take people to. That's my resolve as I go back to work having been reminded of His power to change lives. Will you join me in taking people to the Leader of all things?
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