my new year’s resolution… December 31, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: listening more, new years resolutions, talking less
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too much negativity surrounds the joy of the new year resolution. too many ‘i don’t keep them anyway’ statements. too few changes in attitudes or lifestyle.
decided last night that my new year’s resolution for 09 will be to talk less and listen more. am truly determined to discover the joy and the art of listening…and enjoy the beauty of other people’s story. for me, learning comes from listening.
i’d give it about a week!!
what’s your resolution?
my psalm December 27, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: psalms, writing
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recently i was part of a session where i was challenged to write my own psalm. something i really enjoyed actually. here’s one of the ones i wrote…
__
Grab me from the shallow world of I, me, us and we.
Enlarge this fragile and distorted image of you.
I want to find You on every page.
I need to hear You in the midst of each whisper.
I want to see You within every person.
I long to discover You in all encounters.
Because I am smaller than I’ve ever realized,
yet more significant than I could even dream.
And You are bigger than I’ve ever imagined,
yet closer than my breath and skin
Wake me.
ethical, pioneering and servant hearted… December 25, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: acts of random kindness, ARK, practical help, servanthood
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Buff highlighted this at our event on monday night and i want to do the same now. for me, this is just the perfect christmas day post, especially in light of the challenge of advent conspiracy and all that brings!
so check out this website which highlights an amazing project called ARK. it’s all about reaching out with what we have in our hands. its all about looking out for the needs of those around us. it’s about being pioneers and launching new initiatives of service and practical love. it’s about ethical business. it’s about excellence in product.
i really like this and want to keep track of ARK.
…oh, and Merry Christmas…whatever that really means!! may you know Him near today and beyond…
a snapshot of 08 December 23, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: calender, highlights, looking back on 08, memories
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it’s that time of year when i look back and share my top 10 moments of the year with the rest of blogworld. maybe this might start something…who knows!
anyway…here goes…
1. getting engaged in october to the amazing sarah and beginning wedding plans. no matter what anyone says, this has been so exciting and i look forward to august 09 and beyond!
2. a fantastic week long holiday in july to portugal with 2 great mates. golf, food, football and banter was roughly how each day went!!
3. leading a brand new mission in enniskillen in the summer called Enniskillen 360. new team. new style. a good start…but just a start. loved it though.
4. a weekend in slovakia watching norn iron in september. bad result but it didn’t spoil a great few days.
5. getting to spend a few days as part of the youth team at spring harvest. it really stretched me and i learned loads from the experience. good times.
6. recording a new christmas album with some amazing friends who i’ve worked alongside now for a few years. weird singing carols in september but top fun!
7. joining the dundrod old boys football team. i’ve re-discovered my love for playing the game and has improved my fitness. a great laugh along the way too as well as a nice way to switch off from a week at work!
8. getting more stuck into my church this year, especially youth wise. really challenging to do this on a regular basis but rewarding to invest in young people’s lives.
9. golf in donegal at easter time. just beautiful scenery, amazing courses and the company wasn’t bad either! must do again next year!!
10. getting time off for christmas and all that means for this year. time with family and friends and a bit of space for some me time too.
what were your highlights of 08?
monday night December 21, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: ballymena, christmas worship, while earth slept
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a bleak view of Christmas… December 18, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: christmas quotes
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“There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.”
~Erma Bombeck, I Lost Everything in the Post-Natal Depression
personally, i’m excited about it!! what about you?!
4 great christmas words… December 17, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.add a comment
…’God is with us’
love the truth of that at Christmas time. and at every time really.
the first Christmas meant that God came here. He came near. He was now with us.
and the truth remains today. with us in everything. every place. every moment. every situation.
may you and me both know the truth of that in this next season…
should i be…? December 16, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: investing, questions, relationships, soul searching
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should i be…
:: planning a youth ministry programme or spending more time with young people?
:: investing more of my time in a small group of people rather than less time with the multitudes?
:: cutting corners on my wedding day financially to bless the lives of others?
:: talking less and listening more?
:: eating with my family more?
:: think about a wedding less and a marriage more?
:: pausing more and rushing less?
doing a lot of soul searching at the minute on a number of ways. mainly in thinking through what is it Jesus calls us to do and requires of us? trying to cut through the cliches and tradition to discover what He was actually all about. the passages i’m reading are unsettling me but i’ve still more searching to do so for now, questions abound while answers are hard to come by.
advent conspiracy December 15, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: advent conspiracy, christmas media, imago dei church, inspirational
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i know it’s not great blogging to put up 2 videos in a row but watched this last week and i had no words after it. prepare to be challenged…
sneak preview… December 12, 2008
Posted by rickhill in Thoughts.Tags: ballymena baptist, christmas worship, the stables enniskillen, while earth slept cd
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wanted to share a sneak preview from a few songs of the ‘while earth slept’ cd which were releasing at jordanstown cu carol service tonight.
but don’t look at the visuals for this too much video!! i’m not a pro on iMovie like others around me so just gave it a shot.
anyway, hope you enjoy the music and the dodgy transitions into other songs…!
