Life Audit

If you made a list of all of the things that you do in a week. Then marked each item with a plus if it brings you closer to God, and a minus if it takes you further away.

(I'm not sure if there should be a 'neither' or 'it's about equal' option so be ruthless.)

What would the split be?

50:50?

70:30?

or

97:3? As in 97:3 the wrong way?

Going to do anything about it?

Living What You Sing

"As for living what you sing, well I couldn't agree with you more, but if you like being challenged, try singing what you live. Then compare notes..."

I just left this as a comment on another blog.

I seem to be having a lot of conversations about authenticity at the moment. That and accountability.

Both are good things but both are also just means to an end. The end being a growing relationship with the living God.

That said, I like 'means'. A least I know I need some good ones. One in particular I have at the moment is that when I read a book that really captures me, or I think teaches me something about God's caracter, I make myself read it twice. Simple really but effective; it's why I am going through John Burke's 'No Perfect People Allowed' again and making notes as I go.

Disciplines like this work because, as John Ortberg taught me (indirectly), you indirectly practice the areas that you are weak in. The example above teaches me to dwell, and not rush on; to reflect

Another idea I like is taking a song, and re-writing it to match your own reality. Kind of like 'Men of Doubt' instead of 'Men of Faith' which Jonny Baker posted a copy of years ago. Then compare it to the original.

What do you see? Where are the differences? Where are the similarities? What can you celebrate? What do you need to take to God?

Try it and see? Especially if you lead musical worship.

Is Parkour the way of the future?

I keep seeing the same bunch of guys hanging around Norwich. They're young. They could look a bit dodgy, as they tend to be hanging around in the wrong kind of areas. The last time I saw them they were hanging around on the roof of a disused public toilet, see what I mean?

Yet, I wonder if they are the key to success in their generation. Seriously.

They may wear jeans and hoodies but they're no slackers, you see they're practicing 'Parkour'.

I saw one guy pop a handstand and just hold it. He had the sort of bodyline that Olympic gymnasts work hard for. Then, he just stayed there...

Another guy did a standing front flip, which he landed very cleanly. I've seen them make all kinds of jumps, spins and flips over various, rather solid objects.

I guess that's all very well, but the reason it all caught my eye so much is that I see those guys practicing one of my favourite, male spiritual disciplines. Not, I suspect, that they realise it.

You see, they are testing their strength. Testing it in a way that means taking risks that, if they succeed, will make the victory much more worthwhile. They're learning in a very real way how strong they are and where they are strong.

Do you think that would make a difference to how they approach life?

I certainly hope so.

Turn Your Phone Off

Such a simple idea, but to save energy, turn your mobile (cell phone) off over night.

Genius. You wouldn't leave your TV on standby anymore, would you? So why leave your phone on?

BUT

Before you do, have look at your stored numbers/contacts.

You see I guess that a large proportion of those contacts are people you care about (based on the assumption that you are at a wealth level to use the internet recreationally to read blogs and are therefore likely to have a mobile phone and be connected to similar people who also have mobiles...)

If that's true, then why not use that list as a prayer list?

Go through the list and pray for a few? or perhaps send them an encouraging text? or maybe, just maybe you could ring them......?!

(and I write that to myself as much as anyone else!)