A new review of IH DNK

I stopped this blog a while ago when my old domain name (wilsonswords.co.uk) ended and switched over to my new blog at ChristopherJWilson.com to have a fresh start. However, people do still stumble upon this old blog from time to time looking for different things.

Most commonly a review of IH DNK.

As such, I decided to update my own review of IH DNK on the page linked to this blog and write a post telling people about this to avoid any confusion.

If you have any more questions then feel free to ask them.

A confession and plan of action

Over on ChristopherJwilson.com I've just published a post with a confession and a plan of action to repair it.

To find out more click here.

Chris J Wilson Discipleship

Get yourself over to Chris J Wilson as I've done the first post on Discipleship today. [Click here to read more]

I've been excited about writing this series for a while and been trying to get the start right. As usually it's not perfect but it's better to actually do something good than nothing perfect. So, go over, leave a comment and let me know what you think.

In fact, Jesus last instructions to the disciples was to "Go make disciples all across the earth, starting in Jerusalem, then  Judea and Samaria and finally to the ends of the earth." [taken from the Chris Standard Version and mixing Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28: 19] So, I think we can agree that Jesus thought Disciple making was a good thing and there was a reason they were called Disciples instead of something else.

No preview picture today. You have to go over and find out what I used!

The day of the Dnipro bombing

It's taken me a while to actually put this up. I wrote it soon after the inital events but I didn't want my first article on the new blog to be about the Dnipro bombings so I held on to it. Almost two weeks ago it happened.
Feel free to go check it out. Click here.

By the way, I'm going to continue to cross post for another week. After that I'm going to start stripping this blog down to the best articles deleting a load of the old ones.

If you haven't subscribed to the new blog, go ahead and sign up for RSS or Email updates.

Computer idolatry

Yesterday I posted a blog post with the same title as this on my new blog. [Click here to read more]

Here is a little extract for you:

For many of my generation, we use computers foe everything. We communicate, write, entertain ourselves and others, work, learn, research, read and even blog on them. All our music, films and games are on them and if they break, you bet it makes a difference.

When something like this covers so much of our lives there is  one likely outcome. Idolatry.

Go over to the blog, check it out and let me know what you think.

Reposting on the new blog

Over on my new blog (click here to check it out) I've started to post some of my favourite old posts here, especially ones that fit in with the new goals of the blog.

I'm not just going to post the original post tho, I'll add some new details or thoughts that have arisen since I originally posted the blog post.

The first one I've crossed over is my Review of Jeff Goins book.
Why did I choose this one? 

• It's one of the last posts I wrote on here so I don't need to do much to improve it. 
• It encourages creativity and being a producer not just a consumer (just like the aims of my blog).
• Jeff is trying to publicise it (as it is a new release) so this is my attempt to help that publicity. 

I'm planning to put up some of my other reviews and adding some more in but I'd love to know 

what other posts you've enjoyed and would like to see reposted? (perhaps with an update.) 

Leave a comment bellow...or on the new blog!

Where was God today?

I've put a new post up on my new blog.

Where was God today?

Here is a little extract from it.

I don't know about you but sometimes I can go through a whole day without noticing God. In fact, I sometimes forget to even pray, read my bible and, at best, speak about him not to him... But then things started to change. 

Click this link to read the test of the article.

New blog launched christopherjwilson.com

I've finally launched my new blog www.ChristopherJWilson.com

I've committed to 4 aims with my new blog

• To encourage discipleship
• To provide a place of hospitality and rest
• To encourage creativity 
• To collaborate with others. 

The design still isn't quite finished (I don't have a header or anything) but why not come over and check it out. The first post is up and there is an about page with a video :)

I'll continue to post some updates on this site but all my posts will be on the new blog. Hope to see you over there. 

Book review: You are a writer (so start acting like one)

You may have seen me review a previous book by Jeff Goins…well he’s back and now he’s got a new book “You are a writer, so start acting like one.


Jeff’s book follows his own adventure of achieving his dream of becoming a writer and he tells us how to do the same.

So why should I read it?

Well maybe your someone who’s always wanted to be a writer, but never really started. Or perhaps you’ve got a blog but want to start getting paid for writing, perhaps you’ve even had a few articles published but it’s not go beyond that. Jeff’s book is for everyone of these people and more.

So what’s in it?

Jeff starts with his story of going from being almost ashamed to talk about his journey, then spends some time dealing with the first steps of becoming a writing. Saying you are one.
After this Jeff gives you some of the essential tools you’ll need to become a writer. 

• A platform, 
• A brand
• Getting connected. 

Jeff adds more of his own story to the picture to help you see how he did it, but he also includes other examples. 


Finally, there is a section on how to pitch a writing idea to a magazine or as a guest post with some general guidelines, attitudes and advice on how to get published and how to deal with rejection. Jeff also includes some very handy sample pitching letters that can be adapted.

The last word

All in all I think it's a great book for a writer, who's never had the guts to go for it. Or for the occasional writer who's never really gone all out for it. It's not a get rich quick or instant success book and it probably won't turn you into the next jk Rowling or other sudden success story. But it will turn you into a writer. 

Coming to a computer near you, SOON!

So I have the new blog and I am preparing some posts to put on it. But I'd love your input on:

• How I should launch it? 
• What would you like to see on it? 
• What new things would you like?

Here are a few of my current ideas.

• More videos
• A series on Discipleship
• More pictures from Ukraine (while I remain here) 
• Encouraging people.
• More prayers

There is also one last question. What to do with this blog? 

Do I leave it here as a monument to all those post I wrote? Do I pick and choose and get rid of the ones I don't like. Do I delete the whole thing? My preference at the moment is the second option as that would mean I can still refer people from this blog (I do get lot of search landing due to how many posts I've written) and the process of selecting my posts will be a nice experience.

(I still need to make a little logo, set up some of the background elements of the site as well as having a few posts ready for launch. If you like the ideas and would like to post something on these themes then please do send me a message or leave a comment bellow.)

What's a good definition of discipleship?

You may remember a few months back I did some posts on Discipleship. Well I want to do some more.

A while back I shared a verse and some thoughts on what Discipleship was. Today I want to revist that question again. What is discipleship?

The word for Disciple comes from the same rout as learner or perhaps better apprentise.
Apprentises learn in many different ways but basically they want to copy and mimic their master who they are learning from. They won't look the exact same. They might do things differently and in their own way but they want to take the essence and import features from their teacher.

Eventually, disciples may even start training other people and in fact it is usually a mark of having graduated. Think about the Jedi in Star Wars, as soon as Obi wan is a Jedi in the first film (which should never be mentioned again) he is assigned a padawan to train.

So, Discipleship is about becoming more like Jesus and also the daily process of following him.

Too many blogs

Just before Christmas I had one blog which I posted my random assortment of interests and thoughts.

However, I decided to change and set up a second blog which I would use to prompt teaching development. It turned out quite well and although I started it on Blogger I decided to take the plunge and move it to a self hosted wordpress site .

Soon after that I started a project to assist my students via blogs. Using blogs to store record of lesson work, set extra work and hopefully for them to do extra out of class work and take more responsibility for their own learning. [mixed success so far.] In addition to this I also have a blog which all the students can see and access ideas for extra work. 

In this case I used posterous as it would be easier for my students to use and collaborate on. 

So I've gone from one blog on one platform to 2 blogs for myself on two platforms and a whole host of student blogs which I curate on a different platform. (And now a self guided Russian study blog)

This makes managing all these different blogs a lot harder and as you may have noticed I have neglected this blog a bit recently (there are other reasons for that) I want to simplify things and so I'm looking at reducing the blog platforms that I am using so that it will be easier for me to post.

EDIT: Since writing the post I have won a competition with freewebhosting for a year. As such I am going to move my personal blog onto a self hosted wordpress platform. Now I just need to choose a name for it! Any suggestion would be appriciated :) Chris

Aim for the week: 17/04/2012

Okay I know this is being posted on Tuesday but Yesterday was a day off for me!

My aim for this week is to spend less time thinking about God and more time talking to God.

Easter in Ukraine

Today is Orthadox Easter.

It has been a strange year for Easter for me as last year the Orthadox and Western/Roman Catholic Easters landed on the same day. Where as, this year they were a week apart. As such last week felt like Easter, but didn't. And this week really feels like Easter...and yet my mind thinks it isn't.

The most incredible thing about being in Ukraine for Easter is how everyone greats each other with the traditional greating of "Christ is risen", "He is risen indeed." Even on the Marshootka back from Church I heard a woman on the radio great the host with it and he responded in kind.

This is despite the fact that under the Soviet Union religion was at best ridiculed publicly by the government and also for periods completely outlawed. Yet despite this, this tradition exists.

But still many people don't even think about what they are saying or why. Easter eggs (not chocolate but painted) are sold. As is traditional Easter cake (paskha) and yet the reason for celebrating; the sacrifice, and resurection, are passed by.

Make us aware

Make us aware of your presence today.
Open our eyes to you with us today.
Let us see your footprints before us.
And help us to do the work, you've prepared for us.

5 Do's of being missional

This is an idea that I've had for a while but not really finalised what the crux is. I could probably write a 30 point list on it but 6 seams good for now.
These are my reflections since being in Ukraine.

1. Use your gifts and your talents: Be true to yourself. There is a reason God gave you these skills and abilities and he wants you to use them. 
2. Be around other Christians and non Christians. Both of these are good and neither is wrong. Spending time with other Christians recharges us, helps raise awareness to other ideas (and our faults) and provides a second model of what it is to be a Christian to people (there's a reason Paul always goes with someone else). Spending time with non Christians is the most likely way they will come to know Christ.
3. Be intentional. Although we can be true to ourselves and our callings we still need to have purposeful desire and actions to see God's kingdom come. There's no use just expecting it to happen as a side effect. 
4. Pray: It's so simple. So obvious but so vital. Prayer powers us. A big lesson as well, prayer is more about listening than speaking. Something I still struggle with. 
5. Invite people to join in. Getting other people involved is great. They may discover a passion they didn't know or they may teach you a thing or two. Even if neither of these happen then still you can do tasks more effectively, show people a second example of Christ or let them examine your life close up (if they aren't a Christian) What's more so many people are waiting for someone to lead them. If you do then people will follow (which means responsibility)
6. Join in with what other people are passionate about: If you find someone's passion then help them release it. Join in with things they do. This means giving up time. Time is valuable in fact it's probably the most precious thing we've got (hence why getting money for a charity is easier than volunteers) but other people need help to see their visions and dreams realised. Just like you do.

What would you add to this list?

Shall we look at some of these a bit deeper?

Ukrainian song writers

One of the nice comforting things about coming into Church here in Ukraine was that I recognised lots of the songs from their English translations. It also has become very useful for learning Russian of late, although of course they aren't direct translated it can show how ideas are expressed differently. So from that aspect it has been great.

I guess the thing is...where are all the songs coming from Ukraine? There are some, don't get me wrong. However, the most popular and most common seam to be the translated songs. 

Some of these songs really are great, after all we do have a lot of song writers across, America, Australia, Britain and other English speaking countries so it's not surprising that we get some very good songs being produced. However, these songs are written by Western writers writing for a western context (all be it with the same unchanging God).

Of course this isn't just true of Christian music. Most of the popular Music in Ukraine is in English. I just hope that Ukraine will have more of it's own songs, about it's own situations, written by it's own songwriters. Rather than just rip off's. 

James 4: Plans

I've been thinking about creating a study on James for a while. It is one of my favourite books and one that I have read over and over again. I'd love your help.
I'm going to post some questions about different sections and I'd love you to treat it like a bible study. Hopefully in a few months it can be turned into a resource for other people to use. If not then hopefully you'll get something out of it anyway.

This section of James is one that really impacted me when I was doing my CELTA course and considering whether or not to go to Ukraine (or even carry on) It is also one that I've been thinking about recently. Hopefully you'll find it useful too.

1. When you need to make a decision what is your thought process? 
2. What do you think about first? 
3. Where do you get advice? 
4. Do you make plans for the future?

James 4: 13 - 17 [the passage bellow is in white text, highlight it to reveal the verse]

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them 

What does this verse tell us about plans? What is different between the two approaches? Which sounds most like you out of these two quotes? 


How does this section fit into the larger passage of verse 4? 


What do you think is the best course of action to take after reading this verse?

My thoughts:
So often I like to have my plans for the next year or two laid out: 

"I will work in this city as an English teacher and try to set up X or Y and hopefully be discipled and disciple someone. If it is God's will" 

Doesn't it sound like the foolish people in the first verses?

Every time I find myself laying out detailed plans like this something comes along and ruins them! 

The amazing difference of putting God's will first and asking him rather that deciding our plans and adding as an after thought "If it is God's will" (which really means, don't get in my way God!) is a completely different way of thinking. How Often do you spend time asking God (before you have a pressing decision to make) show me your will, tell me what to do? I have to confess I frequently try to tune into God's will only when things are going "badly" and by that I mean against my will.

So take some time to ask God "What is your will? Show me what to do, guide me everyday" and then follow. 

Choose yourself

Recently at work I've been having a lot of ideas and starting to do some very exciting projects.

The first is my project of getting my students to use blogs (or at least present them with that option) it has been great to see their reactions and involvement (though they certainly aren't being used to their full potential...yet) In addition I have also started to create a much more present social media profile for the school by

• Creating a facebook group for the conversation club
• Creating a facebook page for the group
• Taking over the old twitter account

And a couple of other ideas I have buzzing around my head. 

In the past I might have had the idea, asked someone and then waited for their reply. And doing this may have lead to things happening. 

However, I didn't do it that way.

Instead, I went full steam ahead and carried out these tasks to show that I could do them and they would ad value to the company (even the blog I set up with out final approval). As such they were approved and used straight away, no one stole my idea and there wasn't a long process of consultation. 

So the result has been that these ideas are being implemented and I haven't had a chance to get bogged down in my worries about doing something. 

Obviously, there are some occasions when you need to wait to be picked, especially if your using someone else's money or it will harm their reputation. However, if it is a no (or insignificantly small) loss then go for it! It is much more likely to happen.

(At this point I'd love to thank Andrew Brims, Nat Gillet and everyone else at The Well for encouraging me to be an aggressive initiator.)

Digging a well

A few years back (it seams very strange to write a few years ago but it has actually been that long) I was involved with a group called "The Well" In Sutton. [I know it sounds very much like one of these hipster christian groups (and maybe it was a bit) but please forgive that.]

I left almost 2 years ago to start teaching English in a foreign country and hopefully continue in the apostolic vibe of the group. Perhaps either setting up a "Well", finding a similar group, or something else.

It was great to see that Nat Gillet put up this picture about the values of the Well and it made me reflect on my time here in Dnipropetrovsk

I was thinking that it is such a shame that I haven't found a group like the well or set one up. But it's not actually true.

I have been translated and told my testimony at events, I have been with groups of people and told my testimony, I have gone to orphanages with other people and played guitar and played with the kids, I've hosted regular meals with people and had unexpected guests stay over, I've prayed: in churches, in my flat, with people and on my own, for God's kingdom in my school and in Dnipropetrovsk. 

I am part of a community of Christians who want to see God's kingdom come. It may not have an official name, website, meeting or even notice sheet (the way you signify that it is an official Christian group of course) but it is a community and it is a well. 

I don't want this to appear as though it is a "look at how great I am." I certainly could have done much more in every area of this chart, but rather just that if we do view the church as the people and not the building then I have been part of a well and not even realised it. 

How do we judge spirituality in the Church?

I heard an interesting quote at church yesterday morning. 

In America they judge someone's spirituality by their education. If you want to be a pastor of a church you have to go to this seminary or that one. In China they judge your spirituality, do you know how? By how much you pray. If you pray a lot you're spiritual. What about Ukraine [some people say a few things] That's right, How many years have you been a believer..."

The pastor then went on to look at Matthew 6: 1-24 and how the Jewish nation judged people by their spirituality and then how Jesus says that these are hypocritical and won't save you. It was an interesting sermon and lead me to wonder.

How do Christians judge spirituality in Britain? 

• I wonder if it's by being paid to do a service?
• Also what about society as a whole?

Sometimes you should take things to the extreme!

One of the ideas I've had for a while is that sometimes it can be a really good idea to take ideas/actions etc to the extreme level.

For example, if you have an issue saying no to things then for a period of time (a week) say no to everything. Or perhaps you think there is a problem with the current model of church. Why not try the extreme opposite?

There are a few reason I think this is a good idea.

1. If we can do the extreme, we certainly can do the more moderate option
2. It can bring to light the advantages or disadvantages that stay hidden from view normally. 
3. It can be easier to implement an extreme version then moderate it rather than introduce moderate changes to make a more extreme version (these moderate changes are usually relapsed on)
4. Lots of people go for the moderate version. By trying the extreme version we set ourselves apart and may: learn something new, meet someone different, gain a unique opportunity that we wouldn't otherwise. 

Here are some personal experiences that I have found made a difference for me.

• Saying yes to every request for a week
• Saying no to every request for a week
• Spending a day completely alone
• Making a mistake on purpose during a talk
• Publishing a blog post once a day
• Publishing a blog post only when I felt like it.
• Taking cold showers for a week

These have all produced interesting results and in almost all cases I have not settled in that extreme but moved back to a happy medium. 

So I encourage you. Try doing something in an extreme way.

eBooks tablets free buying

On Sunday morning I had a very productive time. This was a great juxtaposition on my previous two days of general laziness, games, and great holiday time.

Don't get me wrong I love relaxing and playing games (and I think there is a time and place for both) but I generally relax by doing a side project, and similar. In fact my main project for the weekend was to switch my teaching blog over to a self hosted wordpress platform...something which has cause more problems than I anticipated and has taught me a great lesson in patience. 

Anyway, back to the point!

This morning I managed to actually blits through a load of work I was planning to do and a lot of the reading I had been wanting to do as well. In fact I read a great book on Dogme teaching which I got free online and a book with ideas on being missional in your community which was also free [both of which I recommend. However, the second is the best!] 

What struck me was the difference in my reading habits this year since last year. 

What's different?

This year I bought a HP touchpad with kindle app and PDF reader built in and it has really had an impact on the way I read. Although I read one free ebook last year, this year I have read many and even written a review on one. In addition I've actually found that I've bought more books this year and spent more money on books than I did in previous years. 

What has the impact been?

In fact I have bought more books from people who have given me books than fro people who have never given a book away. So I guess, for me at least, this proves how effective this new style of marketing is. 

Reflective practices in discipleship

This year the way I have grown most as a teacher is via reflective practices. They way this works is

• Teach a lesson
• Record notes on what worked/didn't.
• Look at them again later, compare with previous problems (are they reoccurring)
• Analyse the cause of good things/bad things
• Research solutions to issues
• Test solutions, do things improve?
• Go back to the beginning and begin again.

However, there is a second circle which comes from outside input.

• Discuss issues with other teachers (their issues as well as yours), read a book, watch a video, read a blog etc
• Consider if this applies to you too.
• Act (try the idea out)
• Analyse, did it work why/not?
• Repeat

This process has really helped me with teaching. However, I realise that I don't really use the first aspect to discipleship. Sure I do plenty of reading/ talking about issues and thinking about applying them (and sometimes I even do record how these changes are going. However, it is a rare process.)

So this is my new goal for the month. My experiment.

• Record my experiences of discipleship for the day, 
• What was good/what was bad?
• Analyse,
• Then try and improve.

I'll report back the results at the end of march.

Fans

powered by Fotopedia

When I was young I loved Formula one.

I used to get up early to watch qualifyings and races all over the world, thought I didn't always stay up for the whole event!

Anyway I knew that Damon Hill was the best driver, he probably wasn't actually the best but he was British so that was good enough for me. And one day I met him.





Well I say I met him, I went to the British Moto show and he was there! I remember getting all excited, getting an autograph on a picture of him with his car. I don't think I can remember everything I said to him, as I was very young, but I hope that I encouraged him for the coming season.

Fans are great, they can really encourage you on, give you new ideas, or even point out where you've been going wrong. They are a great remedy for trolls, of whom there are numerous.

In fact there is a great piece of writing advice to work out your writing voice. Imagine the person you're writing for, your fan, and write just for them. Write what they're interested in, what they need to hear, what will change them.

This has been one of the exercises I've been going through recently. Imagining "the fan" I want to write to but I realised...I've actually met some fans.

• When I was writing a political blog I met people and had people contact me who had read my political ramblings writings.
• During the recent conference in Prague I met some people who were familiar with my teaching blog and had even downloaded my handout before I gave my presentation.
• Even from my personal writings I've had friends comment on stories, events, and reflections they've read and enjoyed [the most revealing fact about my writing is how episodic this feedback is. When I read something great on a blog I always try to comment, or speak to the person, it certainly let's you know you're on the right track]

I guess really my dream fan is someone like this

• Doers and not just readers or speakers. In fact they have a wealth of scars from getting things...not quite right
• Sceptical but optimistic, They see potential flaws in plans or arguments but get excited about things anyway
• Creative and expressive, They love to make new things and not just consume things.
• Encouraging, No matter how off track/bad you get they always spur you on. 
• New things Excite them, and yet they know the value of the tried and tested.

I wonder how like you these ideas are? 

Jeff Goins book review

I can't quite remember how I first heard about Jeff Goins but I remember very quickly getting hold of a copy of his E manifesto "The Writer's Manifesto."

It immediately had an impact on me and caused me to take some risks, write for myself more, not publish something, publish others and generally shook me up, pushed me around and left me facing a very different direction.

When Jeff put out a request for people to write a review of his new eBook I jumped at the chance!

Before your first book and Every writer's Dream are two books about getting published and yet they are very different.

Before your first book 

Focuses on the first stages of getting published. Pitching and idea to a magazine or blog.  Having read a lot of Jeff's stuff before and, to some degree or other, thinking that I knew everything about getting published I found this book a great joy and surprise.

It was a very practical, step by step guide that looked at some common errors and mistakes people make when trying to get their first articles published. What's more, it even included some sample pitch letters to pepper publishers with.

I have no doubt that Jeff learned many of these mistakes the hard way and so it is great that we don't have to.

Although I had no extreme desire to have a magazine or guest blog article published prior to reading the book, I've decided to really test Jeff's advice and see what I can get published.

Every Writer's Dream.

I wonder if this book really should be called, Every artist's dream as it really can apply to more than just writer's and I am sure many other creative people could take practical applications from the book.

Every Writer's dream looks at the goal of getting published in full book form. That's not just a blog post, magazine article or chapter in a book but your own book. And best of all, this can all be done without having to make the pitch that takes up the attention of Before your first book.

In all honesty getting published is a thought that I had dwelt on at various times and I even completely failed attempted to write a novel during November last year.

In addition, I have been working on a couple of book ideas for the year and reading through Every writer's dream helped me both gain practical insights into book publishing and in inspiring me to push on with the hard task ahead.

That's not to say it's all good news. Jeff certainly warns about the hard time to come.

All in all both books really gave me a stronger desire to write, encouraged me to push on in hard times and gave me a lot better guidance and direction as to how to go about it.

All in all I would certainly recommend them even if you have no desire to get a piece of writing published but just want to carry on writing you day to day blog. 


They cost $4.99 and you can buy them here.

What are the unintended consequences?

"The best things in life are free."

Over on Andrew Brims's blog he has decided this motto is worth following and is giving away an eBook for free. Completely Free! No if's, No but's, No whatevers.

It's very appropriate considering the content of the book.

Unintended consequences.

It challenges Christians to think about our cultural model of "doing" church and ask the question "What are some of the side affects". (both good and bad) Such as charging for resources and materials.

It isn't just negative though, there are some alternative suggestions that maybe great for some churches to be doing some of the time. 

If you want to check out Brims book, then head over to his blog here and download it there. It is free...Completely free, no sign ups, no email lists, no personal details, just download.

Discipleship and the busy life

It is very easy to get busy in this modern world
(though I suspect it was pretty easy to do the same as a farm owner back in the middle ages) and this can have an impact on discipleship.

Sometimes it can be easy to concentrate on doing things (for God) that we can forget about doing things with God, or even just spending time with him.

This has been true of me lately as I've found myself busy, even busy for god, that I have let go of spending the with him.

Discipleship is about learning to doing everything with God,

Be that "spiritual" things or "non-spiritual"


It's about bring God into the ordinary and bringing the ordinary to God.

January's aims 2012

Many factors lead to this delay in publishing my January review.

1. Changing the branding on the blog
2. Moving flats
3. Preparing a talk for a conference
4. Working on two international house courses
5. Considering what to do as the aim for the next 30 days.

All these factors lead to this massive delay in writing my up date but at last it is here.

1. Write an ebook

The writing process is coming a long and I have written a mini introduction and done a lot of research for the main content of it. However I need to push on with some more writing if I want to get this done and have a better idea of how it will be structured.

2. Write 2 songs a month for an album

This was very easy last month but having started to share a flat with someone else I have noticed it is increasingly hard especially with such different timetables. I think I may have to use the morning instead of the evenings as a chance to write songs. 

3. Complete a half marathon 

Training has been minimal with the snow, ice and minus 20C temperatures. However, I have managed to go for a few runs that have reminded me of how hard the task shall be. 

4. Change job

Not much progress here. My thoughts have seamed to become stuck in a ditch with little direction as to how to get out and make progress in this area. Unfortunately every time I think about it the options become more numerous and there are more pro's and con's. 

5. Buy only 10 things this year.

Well I have bought a book this month but other than that I haven't bought anything else. Although thinking about it just now I have realised that I didn't include such things as going bowling or similar activities which perhaps I should have. 

I think this has made me appreciate things as treats more, especially within the perspective that whatever I get will reduce my options later. I do however have a request here.

If you would like to help with this aim then you could offer to buy me a book/music and I would happily do the same in return. You might say this would be getting off on a technicality but I think promoting giving is always good.   

• My Russian work has been limitted but I did do a church announcement in russian.
• My teaching development is going well as seen by signing up for this conference talk, taking part in eltchat and other avenues.
• I think my writing has improved this year ironically by not sticking to a writing rota. [what do you think?]
• I have started fasting this year.
• I am behind with my bible reading schedule [due to travelling mainly] and now I'm trying to catch up.
• I have hosted a couple of parties which have gone down well. 

My extra aim for February

To do the talk in Prague in March [I know it's a bit of a get out clause but I don't really have time for anything else.]

So that was January!

Things that are worth fighting for

I've been reading a great book by Julien Smith called The Flinch which is about taking opportunities, learning to fail well and doing things that you can't do.

One of the points that came up was about fights worth fighting for.

Julien talked about how there are loads of fights going on everyday, the fight against AIDS, the fight against cancer, the fight for a better life for your family, the fight for peace, and many more. However, very few people are actually taking part in these fights.

It's true that we don't actually have to be on the front line to be in the fight, though someone does (so why not you or I?) but there are plenty of people who sit by and don't even know the fight is going on. There are even some people who are spectators with ringside seats who cheer on the home side but have never done anything to help.

So there is a challenge in the book, What is worth fighting for, get in the ring and fight for it.

This got me thinking about what I think is worth fighting for? What AM I already fighting for? What should I be fighting for?

Let's start with the first one. What is worth fighting for?

The kingdom of heaven

• Good news of the poor
• Support for depressed and lonely people
• Help for those with addictions
• Support for ex criminals/
• Support for people who suffer loses
• Giving people a reason to rejoice

I bought a book

If you have seen my aims for the year you will know that one of them is to only buy 10 new things this year. (there are some exemptions such as disposable items and replacing old things which make it easier) and as such  I have only just bought my first new item.

52 by the round.

It is a book of subversive ideas for English language teaching.

I have written a review on my other blog and will do a give away very soon as part of my post 500 posts celebration!

Jacob blessing to other nations

I love this moment in Genesis 30: 25-30

Here we can see that Jacob has been fulfilling the Abrahams promise of being a blessing to other people. He has worked hard, Laban has noticed this and acknowledges God because of it.

It makes me think about my work. Am I being being a blessing to those around me through my work, is their livestock increasing? Are they seeing god in what I do? Are they praising him for it?

I can't say for certain but I suspect in some areas I am failing, I guess it's another log to deal with.

500 blog post later

Well I hit the mark! 500 is a pretty good number. That's more than one a day for a whole year.

Admittedly some are better than others in fact some are awful! However, there are some that I am very happy with.

• I've Been mentioned on Lib Dem Voice. TWICE
• I've stopped blogging about politics
• I've changed country that I live in.
• I've started a second blog (with a teaching reflection focus)
• I've set some challenge
• I've track my new years aims for a year
• I've shown you Ukraine as I've seen it.
• I've shared some fears and faults
• I've improved as a writer and explored my creativity. The origins, purpose of this blog.
• I've become hooked on blogging (sometimes at the sloth too of missing the moment) but I am going to continue, don't worry.

You may have noticed that I have been blogging less frequently and more erratically recently. Partially this was a deliberate slow Down in the lead up to the 500 post and also as I was trying to follow Jeff Goins and found lead and write only great posts when I felt inspired rather than half hearted attempts. I think it's been pretty good but do feel free to suggest more regular posts.

The Cost of Discipleship

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of my heroes, he didn't just write about living a sacrificial life, he did it. He didn't talk about following Jesus, he did it. He didn't compromise what he though, he stood up and defended truth (though it was costly), and yet he still was a professor, father and church leader.

His book "the cost of discipleship" is what I nicked this blog title from.

However, he wasn't the first person to talk about the cost of discipleship.

 ¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” ²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” ²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
 ²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

[Matthew 8:19-22]

Here two people want to follow Jesus and he warns them of the cost. The price of finding the kingdom of heaven.

It may seam at this point so costly that there could be no reason to follow the path of discipleship but there is still more.

 ⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.   ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

[Matthew 13: 44-45]

Discipleship involves following Jesus, following his steps and his path really did cost him everything. However, in return we gain everything. To buy the field the man had to first sell everything, to buy the greatest pearl he had to first sell all the lesser pearls.

Discipleship costs.

The Start of Discipleship

Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men

[Matthew 4:19]


Jesus is a great model for discipleship, after all he picked 12 guys got to work on and the end result was not only were they changed but so was the whole world.

Two simple steps.

1. Follow me, imitate me, become like me.
2. Go and do the same.

Seeing as he was talking to fisher men he talked about fishing, if he were talking to me he'd talk in teaching terms, in music terms, or anything to get the point across.

Listen and repeat, Follow the beat, play it for others.

There is one last problem. Following someone means not going your own way, instead you have to go where they go.

or Perhaps a better way of saying it....

What is Discipleship?

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

[Matthew 28:18-20]

I've been thinking about what it means to be/to make disciples recently or, as it is sometimes known, Discipleship.

I guess the first clues are even in the passage. Baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Let's look at each part a bit closer

Baptised: This is a public confession of faith, coming to a point where they want to be part of THE and A church.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: This isn't some wishy washy theist belief that there may be some far of God who never interacts with people and doesn't care about us. This is a belief in the Father and creator of the Earth from Genesis, Belief in the Son who came into our midst, was like us, face our problems, took on our sin and Conquered death. The Holy Spirit who is our helper, who was sent and gives us the power to carry out this commission, he washes us clean, is the sign that we have been saved and the assurance of the life to come.

Teaching them: It isn't about converting and that's it, we still need to learn more about God, his ways, his words through out history.

Obeying everything: As Francis Chan once said, when he tells his daughter to tidy her room, he doesn't want her to come back an hour later and tell him that she remembered what he said and can even say it in Greek, He wants her to tidy her room. Discipleship is about not just learning but obeying.

This isn't a conclusive post on Discipleship [many books have been published on this subject]

What do you think of this check list? How are far are you along it?

What Ministries are you doing that aren't sexy

When I was a teenager I wanted to be in the youth group worship band. Every week I would come, listen to other people play and imagine what I would do differently when if I was playing. Being in the worship band was sexy [and being the worship leader was the sexiest position of all]. In fact many people seam to enjoy being in "the band" and it does seam like one of the ministries within a traditional church that there is never a problem filling.

For other people Sexy ministries may be Preaching,  running a traditional EC model service, and certain positions in youthwork [usually the same as mentioned above] pretty much any that make you famous, give you power or influence or put you anywhere near money.

Now there is nothing wrong with Sexy positions, it's just everyone wants them...and that's the problem.

In my parents church the 14-18 year olds has plenty of volunteers, but the more difficult 11-14 has far too few. Many people state why they want to volunteer for 14-18 as that is the age that you can really see the difference being made in the lives of young people.

You can see what they are getting out of it, Its sexier. [my paraphrase]

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners,t2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 

What sort of ministries in churches really look like these ideas?

I don't know about you but the kingdom of heaven doesn't look very sexy to me. Comforting mourners get's pretty messy and usually there is a lot of snot.
Going into prisons for prisoner reform schemes can look very sexy if it makes the front page of the church bulletin [once a year] but for the 364 days is just hard work, which few people see and even fewer volunteer for.
Good news for the poor may have become more popular in the post live aid celebraty charity culture but the biggest issues for charities isn't giving money, [giving loads of money can even make Bill Gates super nerd extrawdinar sexy] but giving time isn't sexy at all.

• It's not sexy to sit at a desk and stuff envelopes
• It's not sexy to call people to ask if you can do something [it's even less sexy when they say no]
• it's not sexy to meet up with a loser, talk about things you don't like and make them happy.

no one notices these things and yet these things are so important.

So I ask you...what unsexy things are you doing?

Maturity

"Being mature isn't about doing the right thing not wrong thing, it's about doing the hard not easy thing."

I don't know if anyone has said this before (probably seeing as there is no new idea under the sun) however it is a thought I have been mulling for a while.

Most immature actions come from people asking other people to do something they could/should be able to do, or avoiding doing something tough because they don't feel like it.

On top of this what is right and wrong is so hotly debated that really there are many mature people who do evil thing and immature people who do good things.

Being mature is about doing something not nothing and being the person who stands up and says "it was me" when it all goes wrong.

 Being mature is about doing the hard thing, not the easy one.

[This is one of my logs]

Alphabet pics

Yesterday I spent the day in London with my girlfriend and we set ourselves the challenge of finding a letter in different natural shapes. There were a few letters that we didn't manage to get but I've put the ones we did find on flickr and you can see them bellow.



If you happen to see the few we didn't get. Why not add them on our collection?

5 tips for how to keep your bromance alive, when one of you gets engaged

There comes a moment in every bromance where one member gets an "other half" and this can lead to hard times. It's at moments like this that you have to decided to fight for your bromance. I have special interest in this topic as one of my good friends has just got engaged.

1. Get to know the girl: An essential step, you need to get to know the girl if you want your bromance to continue. 
2. Arrange date nights: It's important to have shared experiences to keep the bromance alive, if there are some activities that his partner downs't enjoy then arrange to do them together (another reason why it's so important to know the girl).
3. Give you bro space: I know you want to see them all the time, but your bro needs space, and you need to keep the partner happy too (making it easier to arrange date nights).
4. Share the good and the bad: It's easy to focus on just sharing the good things when you meet up. However, it is important to share bad things too, hard experiences, things your struggling with. 
5. Arrange double dates: Of course you may need a partner (or stand in partner for this) However it is a great way to see your Bro and not take him away from his partner. Everyone wins!

So there you go, some tips for keeping a Bromance alive. Can you think of any other tips?