The other day I was thinking about some stuff and suddenly a friend popped into my head! A friend who passed away over a year ago. I realised that it was him that I went to talk to about this stuff, he would listen and then share his experiences, a truly great man!
What is it that people will miss about you, me, us? We give so much to each oterh that when it is taken away we realise how important it was.
What is it that we want to give to people? What is it that I want to pass to other people? Life is about sharing, sharing everything! Happiness, saddness, good times bad times, all that life holds. One questions is who do we want to share this with?
Think I am rambling now!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Up close and Personal
Seeing so many beautiful sights in New Zealand has really helped me see God's beauty! What he has created is so amazing! Everywhere I look I see such wander!
It is so good to have time to just sit and reflect on his creation and there is no better place than here!
It is so good to have time to just sit and reflect on his creation and there is no better place than here!
Monday, May 08, 2006
looking back/looking forward
I was talking to a friend the other night and they were asking about my job back at home, I reflected back and started to realise that I really miss it, I miss talking to people and trying to help them see past their troubles, I miss going into schools and finding out from the young people what they have been up to. I miss seeing them down town, meeting them for coffee, them popping round to see me. There is so much I miss.
I look back and I think what else would I do, than work with young people, what else could I do? I do not feel there is much else I would be able to do?
My friend said that I talk with such passion about the young people. I guess I do because I believe in them, I believe that they have something huge to offer us all right now, they help me more than I help them.
Also I started to look back upon my life over the last couple of year adn all it has been through and where it is now, some journey! The strengh I have gained the and insight, also the pain I have been through and put others through. It has been hard a lot of the time. It has been a rteal growing experience as well, but through all of it God has been there for me even when I feel I have turned away he ha still been there with me.
As I look forward I wander where I will end up upon my return to England, what I will do, all I now is that I want to make a difference to people in a positive way, how I'm not to sure but time will tell!
I look back and I think what else would I do, than work with young people, what else could I do? I do not feel there is much else I would be able to do?
My friend said that I talk with such passion about the young people. I guess I do because I believe in them, I believe that they have something huge to offer us all right now, they help me more than I help them.
Also I started to look back upon my life over the last couple of year adn all it has been through and where it is now, some journey! The strengh I have gained the and insight, also the pain I have been through and put others through. It has been hard a lot of the time. It has been a rteal growing experience as well, but through all of it God has been there for me even when I feel I have turned away he ha still been there with me.
As I look forward I wander where I will end up upon my return to England, what I will do, all I now is that I want to make a difference to people in a positive way, how I'm not to sure but time will tell!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Is life really Black and White?
So is life really back and white?
Recently some of the people I ave been talking to seem to have such black and white views on life! They seem to think that certain people in the world are causing al the trouble! I couldn't get them to understand that our own thoughts and view points can actually make things worse!
Where do we go from here? It just feels as if some much of the world has hate for so many people!
Our views points are like pictures, everybody sees something different!
It also seems that when we try to do the right thing we please some people and hurt others. Sometimes can be rather cruel. or at least seems to be.
Recently some of the people I ave been talking to seem to have such black and white views on life! They seem to think that certain people in the world are causing al the trouble! I couldn't get them to understand that our own thoughts and view points can actually make things worse!
Where do we go from here? It just feels as if some much of the world has hate for so many people!
Our views points are like pictures, everybody sees something different!
It also seems that when we try to do the right thing we please some people and hurt others. Sometimes can be rather cruel. or at least seems to be.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Point of View
It is funny how different points of view people can have, even when they have so much in common!
The words we use can have such tags and pre-conceptions attached to them. I was talking about Christians and how we put tags on who is and who is'nt! I was saying that we can not say who is and is'nt as it is their heart that confirms that. Also I said that as Christians we are so hypocrictical as we continually do things worng but then we just hide behind the grace given by God and say that the non-chritians as wosre than us because they do not know God!
Our words have been changed and have been made to be tags and a way for us to look down on other people. When we use them like this we do not show the love that God asks us to. Why have we got it so wrong?
I know that most of the time I am a bad example of what a Christian should be but I also want people to see that i am not perfect but that I get up and try again with God's love being my support.
What do you think?
The words we use can have such tags and pre-conceptions attached to them. I was talking about Christians and how we put tags on who is and who is'nt! I was saying that we can not say who is and is'nt as it is their heart that confirms that. Also I said that as Christians we are so hypocrictical as we continually do things worng but then we just hide behind the grace given by God and say that the non-chritians as wosre than us because they do not know God!
Our words have been changed and have been made to be tags and a way for us to look down on other people. When we use them like this we do not show the love that God asks us to. Why have we got it so wrong?
I know that most of the time I am a bad example of what a Christian should be but I also want people to see that i am not perfect but that I get up and try again with God's love being my support.
What do you think?
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Eternal Flame
After I had emailed home about what had happened to my passport a friend replied to me and really encouraged me with there words...
Sorry to hear your news about all the losses but glad to hear how philosophical you sounded as it became resolved - God places things in your path & helps you along the way as these little/big things go pearshaped - all part of the big picture & your life changing journey.....Glad you seem to be fitting into your new way of life & travels, & I always look forward to hearing from you - your chatter is so lively & full of fun - just like you - so the irrepressible young man seems to jump off the pages, larger than life. So keep up the good work, by filling up our boring days back home with the mundaneness of it all.
These words really gave me hope and ligth! It is nice to know that no matter where we are we are able to encourage each other however it maybe, words, a phone call, what ever!
God puts people in our paths as he knows what we need and he wants us to be encouraged and feel loved. I hope that I make people feel loved.
Sorry to hear your news about all the losses but glad to hear how philosophical you sounded as it became resolved - God places things in your path & helps you along the way as these little/big things go pearshaped - all part of the big picture & your life changing journey.....Glad you seem to be fitting into your new way of life & travels, & I always look forward to hearing from you - your chatter is so lively & full of fun - just like you - so the irrepressible young man seems to jump off the pages, larger than life. So keep up the good work, by filling up our boring days back home with the mundaneness of it all.
These words really gave me hope and ligth! It is nice to know that no matter where we are we are able to encourage each other however it maybe, words, a phone call, what ever!
God puts people in our paths as he knows what we need and he wants us to be encouraged and feel loved. I hope that I make people feel loved.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Time to reflect
While I was in Melbourne I took some time to go to the Rememberance Shrine. It was a great experience. It was quiet and gave me time to think.
I pondered about war and why there is so much. I read a fact the other day that said something along the lines that in the past 3500 years there have only been 267 of peace! That shocked me! I feel that the world wars were for peace but what about the Iraq war? Why is that going on? Time to think more I guess.
I think it is important for us to remember about all those who have given their lives for peace.
I pondered about war and why there is so much. I read a fact the other day that said something along the lines that in the past 3500 years there have only been 267 of peace! That shocked me! I feel that the world wars were for peace but what about the Iraq war? Why is that going on? Time to think more I guess.
I think it is important for us to remember about all those who have given their lives for peace.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Bookworm? Never!
When I'm at home I struggle to read anything apart from the Sun Newspaper (why would you read any other paper?).
Since I have been away I have read 4 books! That 1 more than I had to read for work!
I sat down by the cliffs yesterday after work and thought about this. My conclusion was that I have less to do here, less to do in the sense of people to see, sorting stuff out at home (I don't have a home!) just the day to day things that we usually do. My work now has no real meaning, once the clock hits 3:30pm I'm out of there nly leaving a cloud of dust behind (it's OK I will have to sweep it up in the morning anyway!).
It is quite a nice feeling not having to much to do, but then other days I miss it. I quite liked rushing around doing stuff. People here have said that I am not very good at relaxing, I always seem to be thinking about the next thing I have to do!
On a compleltly diferent note, I received an email form my Princess Leanne saying she had put more pictures on her site, so off I went to view them. It made me smile so much. I saw all three of my princesses and most fo my family, it was a little bit of heaven!
Since I have been away I have read 4 books! That 1 more than I had to read for work!
I sat down by the cliffs yesterday after work and thought about this. My conclusion was that I have less to do here, less to do in the sense of people to see, sorting stuff out at home (I don't have a home!) just the day to day things that we usually do. My work now has no real meaning, once the clock hits 3:30pm I'm out of there nly leaving a cloud of dust behind (it's OK I will have to sweep it up in the morning anyway!).
It is quite a nice feeling not having to much to do, but then other days I miss it. I quite liked rushing around doing stuff. People here have said that I am not very good at relaxing, I always seem to be thinking about the next thing I have to do!
On a compleltly diferent note, I received an email form my Princess Leanne saying she had put more pictures on her site, so off I went to view them. It made me smile so much. I saw all three of my princesses and most fo my family, it was a little bit of heaven!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
fish out of water
Well this is the first time that I have blogged in what seems like an eternity!
Having spent Christmas and New Year away from home and in a hot country I felt like a fish out of water! All the festivities were happening but it just did not seem right? Why was I wearing shorts and a vest to go to a beach on Christmas day? Where were my family adn friends? Why did I open my presents on my own sitting on a bed in a dorm with 5 people snoring? All these questions. Yet I still had fun!
It has been a real experience so far out here. I find that people will come and talk to me about what they are worried about or what happened. The strangest one being when I went ot buy some shorts form Footlocker and the 2 workers started to tell me about the manager that has been stealing and what do I think they should do? So I spent the next hour talking to them about the different optiona and possible outcomes! How mad! When I got back to the hostel, everyone just said it could only happen to you Kieran!
It hass been funny to see how people interact with each other, If you are quiet and shy then people tend to give you one chance, if you do not talk after that then sit back and enjoy the silence you will have from now on!
One guy that this has happened to I took for a coffee. after 10 minutes of feeling like I was trying to pull teeth when asking him anyhting, he just suddenly opened up! It was great, I got to find out about his family and his life, aspirations fears the lot! All because I gave him so time!
My New Years resolution; give people the time they deserve!
Having spent Christmas and New Year away from home and in a hot country I felt like a fish out of water! All the festivities were happening but it just did not seem right? Why was I wearing shorts and a vest to go to a beach on Christmas day? Where were my family adn friends? Why did I open my presents on my own sitting on a bed in a dorm with 5 people snoring? All these questions. Yet I still had fun!
It has been a real experience so far out here. I find that people will come and talk to me about what they are worried about or what happened. The strangest one being when I went ot buy some shorts form Footlocker and the 2 workers started to tell me about the manager that has been stealing and what do I think they should do? So I spent the next hour talking to them about the different optiona and possible outcomes! How mad! When I got back to the hostel, everyone just said it could only happen to you Kieran!
It hass been funny to see how people interact with each other, If you are quiet and shy then people tend to give you one chance, if you do not talk after that then sit back and enjoy the silence you will have from now on!
One guy that this has happened to I took for a coffee. after 10 minutes of feeling like I was trying to pull teeth when asking him anyhting, he just suddenly opened up! It was great, I got to find out about his family and his life, aspirations fears the lot! All because I gave him so time!
My New Years resolution; give people the time they deserve!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Highs and Lows
Well I have now been away for 11 days and Ihave had some highs and lows.
Most days have been good or even great. But sometimes in the day I just suddenly feel lonely! I do not have any of my friends or family around to share these experiences with, something that I love to do.
It has been a real test of myself so far, I am so used to havign people around me that not having them feels so alien. In some ways I do not feel myself. It is also good as I feel that you have to find your feet as your complete self, also it is helping me to share how I feel more when I speak to them, no that is really alien to me!
I just hope that the coming months become easier and that they help me to grow.
Most days have been good or even great. But sometimes in the day I just suddenly feel lonely! I do not have any of my friends or family around to share these experiences with, something that I love to do.
It has been a real test of myself so far, I am so used to havign people around me that not having them feels so alien. In some ways I do not feel myself. It is also good as I feel that you have to find your feet as your complete self, also it is helping me to share how I feel more when I speak to them, no that is really alien to me!
I just hope that the coming months become easier and that they help me to grow.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Some Good byes!
Let start by saying that I chose this picture just because it looks good! My blog, My choice!
Yesterday was really cool, I saw Gill in town with Tasha (chilled with the Gill!) we strolled around town for an hour trying to find a photo album. It was great just to spend time with them, and mock Gill for the whole time! Mentioned a name that made her go red!
After that it was off to Aroma for lunch with some of my 6th formers. I will miss them they are fantastic people. There are so many people that I will miss. It was lovely because they said that they want me to call them before I leave.
Also had my leaving service on Sunday, and that was wonderful, people were really encouraging and seemed quite sad that I am leaving. Secretly they are probably really happy!
Yesterday was really cool, I saw Gill in town with Tasha (chilled with the Gill!) we strolled around town for an hour trying to find a photo album. It was great just to spend time with them, and mock Gill for the whole time! Mentioned a name that made her go red!
After that it was off to Aroma for lunch with some of my 6th formers. I will miss them they are fantastic people. There are so many people that I will miss. It was lovely because they said that they want me to call them before I leave.
Also had my leaving service on Sunday, and that was wonderful, people were really encouraging and seemed quite sad that I am leaving. Secretly they are probably really happy!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Monks
I spent last night at Turvey Abbey, a wonderful place that i have been to many times with LCET. But last night I went on my own to seek some quiet time with God and spend a great evening with a good friend and monk Brother Tom. It was a fab time we chatted and we prayed, we drank wine and we laughed. It was just a great evening, we learnt so much about each other.
It is quiet surprising when you find out abot people, I am really looking forward to this year and meeting many different people for different walks of life and different world views.
We talked about the past and how hard it an be to move on from past hurts, this is very true, sometimes the pain seems just as real as it did when you first encountered it. We talked about the whole forgive and forget senerio, and we said that there is a lot of value on remembering; not holding it against or over people but lettign God work in you through what has happened. I pray that he does that in me
It is quiet surprising when you find out abot people, I am really looking forward to this year and meeting many different people for different walks of life and different world views.
We talked about the past and how hard it an be to move on from past hurts, this is very true, sometimes the pain seems just as real as it did when you first encountered it. We talked about the whole forgive and forget senerio, and we said that there is a lot of value on remembering; not holding it against or over people but lettign God work in you through what has happened. I pray that he does that in me
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
the big ear in the sky
Yesterday I met a good friend of mine and they shared what they are going through right now. It was good to be able to listen to them, from what they said everyone else just has advice for them and not the time to just listen.
We even talked about God and about when I just need time to be quiet and reflect where do I go? I told them I go to Turvey Abbey and just spend time with God, because he always wants to listen as he is so interested in us.
I left Sainsbury's coffee shop (they should give me some sort of discount there, the amount of time I spend there!) and took a slow walk home praying for them and the situation that they are going through. I pray that they meet God in such a real way.
Someone once said to me that peole share stuff with me that they may not tell others because 'Ihave the eyes'! Was not to sure what they meant but God has given me something as people do share with me and I am grateful that they trust me.
Had a teacher in school talk to me about there plans for the future, or lack of them! Praying for them too! Let's hope God answers some of these before I go.
We even talked about God and about when I just need time to be quiet and reflect where do I go? I told them I go to Turvey Abbey and just spend time with God, because he always wants to listen as he is so interested in us.
I left Sainsbury's coffee shop (they should give me some sort of discount there, the amount of time I spend there!) and took a slow walk home praying for them and the situation that they are going through. I pray that they meet God in such a real way.
Someone once said to me that peole share stuff with me that they may not tell others because 'Ihave the eyes'! Was not to sure what they meant but God has given me something as people do share with me and I am grateful that they trust me.
Had a teacher in school talk to me about there plans for the future, or lack of them! Praying for them too! Let's hope God answers some of these before I go.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Prison
Yesterday I helped take 13 year 10 and 11 pupils to a prison. It was a strange day for many reasons. Firstly I was quite looking forward to meeting real inmates and seeing inside a real working prison. Secondly and the rather scary reason was that these pupils had been hand picked because it seems that they are in risk of ending up in prison!
It was a very insightful day. We were taken on a tour, shown the shower block, a cell and the common room. We then went to the chapel and were shown what you would receive in prison i.e. clothes, bedding and your ration pack, either chocolate and sweets or a smokers pack. Next they talked to us about prison life, the violence, loneliness what it is really like. This was an eye opener, most trouble happens in prison because of debt, what ever you borrow you pay back double. We saw pictures of injuries received from violence in prison.
After this we saw a drama written and preformed by the inmates themselves. It depicted the life of one person and the choices they made along with what could have happened had they have chosen differently. It was interspersed with their stories. At the end we were able to ask them questions. It was something different, most of the 25 inmates we met had got to prison because of drugs.
I came away deeply affected by the whole day, these men knew that they had made bad choices in their lives, many of them had been dealt a bad hand in life but they said that it was still themselves who had made the choices to put them in jail. So often we pass blame to others for the reason why we are in the crap, but sometimes we put ourselves there.
I am not saying that they are innocent, as they would agree that they are not, but they say that they have seen the error of their ways and are hoping to help young people make better choices for their futures.
It also made me think about how they must get treated once they have left prison. WOuld I give them a job? Not sure? I would like to say yes, but in reality not sure I would.
Jesus was and is an amazing person, being able look past all this stuff, I know that in God's eyes I have sinned just as bad if not worse than those guys in that prison, but God still gives me chance after chance, shouldn't we do the same?
It was a very insightful day. We were taken on a tour, shown the shower block, a cell and the common room. We then went to the chapel and were shown what you would receive in prison i.e. clothes, bedding and your ration pack, either chocolate and sweets or a smokers pack. Next they talked to us about prison life, the violence, loneliness what it is really like. This was an eye opener, most trouble happens in prison because of debt, what ever you borrow you pay back double. We saw pictures of injuries received from violence in prison.
After this we saw a drama written and preformed by the inmates themselves. It depicted the life of one person and the choices they made along with what could have happened had they have chosen differently. It was interspersed with their stories. At the end we were able to ask them questions. It was something different, most of the 25 inmates we met had got to prison because of drugs.
I came away deeply affected by the whole day, these men knew that they had made bad choices in their lives, many of them had been dealt a bad hand in life but they said that it was still themselves who had made the choices to put them in jail. So often we pass blame to others for the reason why we are in the crap, but sometimes we put ourselves there.
I am not saying that they are innocent, as they would agree that they are not, but they say that they have seen the error of their ways and are hoping to help young people make better choices for their futures.
It also made me think about how they must get treated once they have left prison. WOuld I give them a job? Not sure? I would like to say yes, but in reality not sure I would.
Jesus was and is an amazing person, being able look past all this stuff, I know that in God's eyes I have sinned just as bad if not worse than those guys in that prison, but God still gives me chance after chance, shouldn't we do the same?
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Soul Survivor Pictures
I have just uploaded the pictures form Soul Survivor 2005. Hopefully this will keep Gill quiet for a bit as everytime I have seen her she has nagged me!
It was a great time as I have posted before. Hopefully now you will be able to see for yourself!
It was a great time as I have posted before. Hopefully now you will be able to see for yourself!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Horizon
Saw this picture this evening and it seemed to capture a lot that I have been thinking about.
The horizon! What is on the horizon? What does the future hold? Who knows? Well one person knows but as yet he has not told me.
It feels rather funny adn weird at the moment. So much is happening as I prepare to take my next venture. It feels strange preparing to leave LCET. That has been a place that means a lot to me, more the people than the place. Over the past 4 years I have grown and learnt so much. We have just been preparing some training days for YFC and it has been quite hard to put down what I have learnt. The 2 sessions that I am part of are 'Issuses in taking lessons' and , wait for it ....... 'Story Telling'!! Not sure I could have got a better 2! So all week I have been trying to work out about story telling. It is just something that I have always done. Joys of an over-active imagination!
At first I was thinking 'I am not sure if I have anything that i can teach anyone?' But as the planning time went on I realised how much I have learnt! It was really cool! So really all I have done this week is tell stories!
I will let you know how it goes!
The horizon! What is on the horizon? What does the future hold? Who knows? Well one person knows but as yet he has not told me.
It feels rather funny adn weird at the moment. So much is happening as I prepare to take my next venture. It feels strange preparing to leave LCET. That has been a place that means a lot to me, more the people than the place. Over the past 4 years I have grown and learnt so much. We have just been preparing some training days for YFC and it has been quite hard to put down what I have learnt. The 2 sessions that I am part of are 'Issuses in taking lessons' and , wait for it ....... 'Story Telling'!! Not sure I could have got a better 2! So all week I have been trying to work out about story telling. It is just something that I have always done. Joys of an over-active imagination!
At first I was thinking 'I am not sure if I have anything that i can teach anyone?' But as the planning time went on I realised how much I have learnt! It was really cool! So really all I have done this week is tell stories!
I will let you know how it goes!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Best Job Ever!
SOmething that I mean to write about recently and have only just got
round to is the fact of how privileged I feel to be able to work with
young people.
So much happened over the summer holidays to make me think how
grateful I am to do what I do! First of all there was Face the Fish,
which was awesome. The time I got to spend with different kids was
great, being able to run the Soul Cafe and see kids giving each other
chance when maybe usually they don't!
Then it was Soul Survivor, this was cool as I got to catch up with
some guys that i had not seen in a while, some of the first young
people I started to work with. Over the week we had great chats. By
the end of it all 3 of them had decided to get baptised!! This was
so cool, I was invited to the service, and as I listened to their
stories of how they came to know God 2 of them said that i had played
a huge part in their journey! I was amazed and so grateful to God
for where he has placed me and who he has made me to be, also just
felt humbled by the whole thing!
After this I had some other guys from Newman that I have done some
stuff with call me on the results day and asked if they could pop
round to share their results with me! This was 10 in the morning and
they woke me up calling me! Again I felt so privileged as they had
only just got them and then they wanted to come over and show me!
Also I drove some 6th formers to the back of beyond to go sky
diving. They were staying over and they wanted me to stay too! I
was gutted that I could not, I had to tell them that I would have to
ask them not to drink etc, so I thought it best I did not stop their
fun, but hey I went back the next day to collect them and it was great.
As I start to prepare to go, it is things like these that I will
really miss, the joy of the job I do is when I see something happen
in them or I see a real change in our relationship.
God has been so good to me and has let me see so many great things, I
pray that over the coming year and beyond that that I see even more.
Not sure what he has in store for me but I am sure that it will be
awesome!
Face the Fish
Just trying to upload photos via flickr! Hopefully this will work.
If it does then you should see a picture of Tim and I hard at work in the Soul Cafe! Well not quite hard at work as it had finished and this was us reviewing whay we had done. The funny thing is that we spent more time reviewing than we did planning! It was great to work with him, Tim is a top man with a great sense of humor and fantastic at performing skills. I will miss the fact of not being able to do this with him next year as I will be the other side of the globe! I am sure he will find a suitable replacement!
Photo uploading, here goes!
If it does then you should see a picture of Tim and I hard at work in the Soul Cafe! Well not quite hard at work as it had finished and this was us reviewing whay we had done. The funny thing is that we spent more time reviewing than we did planning! It was great to work with him, Tim is a top man with a great sense of humor and fantastic at performing skills. I will miss the fact of not being able to do this with him next year as I will be the other side of the globe! I am sure he will find a suitable replacement!
Photo uploading, here goes!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Soul Survivor
Got back form Soul Survivor yesterday after helping take a group of
young people from Luton, who were absolute pleasure to be with.
(Guess I should say hello to a few - Tom, Simon, Gill, Hannah, Dan, Gareth, Abby, Louanne)
It was an amazing week and God really moved in everyone including
myself! It was a privilege to see those young people move on in
their faith. I went away feeling slightly less passionate about the
year ahead and about the work I do and even low in my faith. I had
asked myself all the usual questions Am I in the right place? Am I
really called to this? And all that sort of stuff. But God really
spoke to me in lots of ways, I feel a real peace about the year ahead
now. I felt God say that He will not leave me and that He will let
me know what he has in store for me when it is time!
He also spoke to me through other people which really encouraged me,
people really believe in me! That to is a privilege!
I am looking forward to hooking up with some churches while I am away
to hopefully do some youth work of some sort! I got quite excited
about that while I was away. I think that because I had got restless
at work as well as everywhere else I had lost a some of the passion
that I had for the work that I do. After being away this week I feel
that I have got that passion back and with going away it gives me a
whole load of new challenges!
Repeated myself slightly, but hey it's my blog and I can write what I
like!
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