reminder to join the muckamore pulse conspiracy over here

“To really get it, I think you need to experience the whole story. Enter the darkened theatre, take your seat, and watch the tale unfold.

Because the empty tomb doesn’t make sense without the cross, the cross doesn’t make sense without the manger in Bethlehem, and the manger doesn’t make sense without the Garden of Eden.

It’s all one story. And only when you finally untangle it, see its scope, and enter it for yourself do you realise that the story has finally entered and at last untangled you.”

excerpt from ‘Story’ by Steven James

enjoying the views during a weekend spent in donegal in november. loved speaking at the youth convention during the weekend, catching up with old friends and spending time in this amazing part of the world. sarah and i had a blast!

at our friend stewarts 21st birthday party. the theme was Noah’s Ark Fancy Dress so we decided to go dressed as Noah’s son and his wife. His name, Shem, seemed to fit the Ballymena location well!

loved sharing the day with Pamela and Gareth as they got married. such a special time in so many ways.

and lastly, a snap of some of the SU Schools Team during our Staff Christmas Dinner. awesome grub and an amazing team to be a part of.

okay, so be honest here. what thoughts go through your head when you see this photo? or when you see someone from an arabic background? or a turban?

i think for the first time ever the reality of the ‘wise men from the east’ has struck me. fortune tellers from the middle east. most likely arabs with turbans. those who read the stars for signs. it was these guys who were among the first worshippers of Jesus.

and then there’s the shepherds. outcasts of their day. mistrusted. treated with suspicion. those on the fringes of society. these were the first people on earth to discover that God had stepped into time.

no celebrities. no royalty. no westerners.

and what does this tell us about the heart of God? for me its a reminder of his heart for the outcast. for the misunderstood. for those on the fringes. for all the world.

“There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries.” – W.J. Cameron

i’m excited that this time has rolled around again. i guess it’s a season with so many dimensions so thought i’d share a few reasons why i find it so special. in no particular order…

:: family catch ups
:: shloer is always in a cupboard somewhere
:: getting to sing o come all ye faithful
:: lie ins
:: lots of football on
:: time to be still
:: christmas morning service at our church
:: turkey, stuffing, gravy and cadburys roses (not all together!)
:: christmas day top of the pops!
:: remembering the one who refused to remain distant and stepped into our world

so the x factor is all done. joe has just won and already we see how quick we are to tear people down. maybe it’s just the nature of our society but perhaps we just struggle with seeing other people realise their dreams.

“joe has no personality”….oh, so you’ve met him have you?!
“joe’s gay”….maybe, but does that change anything
“where will he be in 12 months”…probably singing his latest single to 20 million on next years x factor final
“he’ll never do anything in pop music”…i’ve heard that before
“joe just does covers”…have you heard any songs he has written?
“he can’t dance”…and leona can?

personally i think joe has an incredible voice and is a special talent. and while i’m not sure it’s the best way to enter the music industry, there’s every chance he’ll succeed and be an international superstar. but it’s too early to judge that i guess.

best to wait and see…

wanted to give a wee plug to a new devotional book that has hit the shelves over the last few weeks. it’s called ‘faith undiluted’ and is 50 days of devotions to help inspire and encourage young people in their spiritual journey.

i’ve had the privilege of being a small part of the process of this over the past year and it’s just brilliant to see things at this stage. its written by a friend from the fermanagh area called connie barrett, who has a huge heart for seeing young people grow in their faith. really hope this can get into the hands of lots of teenagers who will be encouraged by what they find within.

check out connie’s blog here where i’m sure she could guide you how you could pick one up for the bargain price of £7!!

surprising.
controversial.
scandalous story.
almost secret.
painful.
dirty.
unlikely.
not the normal script.
without fanfare.
ordinary yet heavenly.
not the way i would have done it.
unique.
special.
beautiful.
simple.