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Rewarding Discovery

Since starting my job with the Church of Ireland Youth Department just over a year ago, I have made a most rewarding discovery - Erdinger beer. I have never been overly excited about beer itself ( it is an acquired taste ), but since I've happened upon Erdinger I now have a preferred beer. It's brilliant! If you have the occasional drink ( and are of age and responsible! ) . . try it. If you are a non-drinker, you may avoid it altogether or they now brew Erdinger non-alcoholic (most things are worth trying once!).
Recent posts

Make shift Drive-In Theatre

I had it on my mind for months. I wanted to fully take advantage of the summer months here in Ireland and do something the local young people would enjoy . . a make shift drive-in theatre. I had to wait until the timing was right for weather, holidays ( vacations ), work schedule and family schedule before I could proceed. I thought I had planned it on a good night ( although Christy says otherwise! ). The weather had been perfect - sunny, very warm and no gale-force winds. So in my back garden ( yard ), I used a bed sheet, some dynamic hiking cord, my laptop, projector and a borrowed portable stereo - it was amazing. The night was clear and starry, the wind was minimal and more importantly - it was dry. I had so much fun! From the printing of the invitations to the set-up . . how great! We showed The Incredibles ( for free of course! ) and it was well worth it. I'll defintely do it again, although next time it'll have to be in County Tipperary .

A Friend to Artists

For the last two years I have had the privilege of getting to know a man called Michael Guido. 'Guido' as he's better known, has been a friend to those in the Arts & Entertainment industry for over 20+ years. He's a pastor of sorts and a spiritual companion. Guido is a pioneer in the 'road pastor' tradition - supporting groups like Jars of Clay , dc Talk , POD , Michael W. Smith , Switchfoot and others. He, his wife Celeste and indeed his entire family have given so much for the calling on their lives to support, challenge and encourage artists and their families in their relationship with Christ. Please pray for the Guidos if you're the praying type. Pray for protection, financial support, joy and an overriding sense of God's clear calling on their ministry - PR Ministries . The PR stands for 'Persuing Relationships'. Every time we speak, Guido challenges me with his intense love for God and his knowledge of the Scriptures. H

Travels across the Emerald Isle

Hello to anyone who may be reading this! I thought it might be 'schwing' to put Ireland up on the blog show you where my travels take me. Here's the key: Green house - where we currently live in N. Ireland / Red house - where we hope to move to in Co. Tipperary in January '06 / Yellow asterix - places I'll be making stops for work or play / Red line - my route on the way (note: houses not shown to scale). This weekend (in fact, in 30 minutes!) I'm heading to the town of Portlaoise in Co. Laois ( 1st asterix ) for a get-together with the area Youth Council tonight. Tomorrow morning CIYD is hosting a training session for all those who wish to attend Anois as a youth leader. Later tomorrow night I'll be delivering a training session in Fermoy, Co. Cork ( 2nd asterix) for a group of leaders who are planning on running the Quest course to reach teens in the diocese. I'll leave the Cork area on Sunday morning and make my way home to my

Away we go!

Well, we're away for some very needed time with family and friends in America. Not sure how much I'll be posting in the days ahead. I plan on being more intentional in spending quality time with my family . God's riches blessings on you all! Labels: America , holidays , vacation

Wondrous Oxford - THREE

Here are a few images from Magdalen College , Oxford where C.S. Lewis taught as a fellow for a greater share of his life. The first few images are of the church on site of the college - it was ornate and very beautiful - complete with a scene of Christ's triumphant return in the sepia window. The sticky note is just one prayer among many that was left on a bulletin board inside the door. The last three images are of the New Buildings where Lewis taught, the deer park behind it and finally Addison's Walk along the river - where the now famous discussion between C.S.Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien occurred that Lewis later credited with being significant in his journey from atheism to Christianity. Labels: atheism , C.S. Lewis , celtic christianity , J.R.R. Tolkien. Magdalen College , Oxford , prayer

Wondrous Oxford - FOUR

Well, one of my favourite places we visited in Oxford was The Eagle and Child pub - the place where the Inklings met for 23 years to enjoy one another's company, read and critique one another's works and drink beer. The Inklings included a number of notable people as shown in the sign above including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien . The ripples of their friendship and collaborative endeavours are still running across the surface of the cultural pond worldwide. Those only familiar with Lewis and his works believe him to be English as he spent the majority of his life in England. Those more intimate with his story will understand his origin to be Irish - Belfast in fact - where he often loved to visit and roam the County Down landscape. The privilege has been mine to work in the house his clergyman grandfather once inhabited and in which he played as a child at St. Mark's, Dundela, Belfast . I blogged about the interesting lion head door handle at