IFES Ireland: The Christian Unions 2010/11 in photos

Marathon Highlights

So, after all the training, after all the chat and hype, the big day had finally arrived! The 30th Anniversary of the Belfast Marathon and I was due to run.

After feeling my feet rub at 9 miles and getting cramp down the back of both legs after 17 miles-i have to say it was mentally and physically the toughest thing I think I have done! At one point I didn't know if I would make it but remembering all the kind donations and having loved ones there to cheer me on made it a memorable day!

I have been overwhelmed by the support, both financially and just from people's encouraging words, texts, emails etc. OVERWHELMED! The money raised to date (Tuesday 3rd May 2011 at 10.24 am) is a whopping £2,031.20, or £2,268.46 including gift aid! Unbelievable!!!!

Before you ask, my time was ' 5.13.39', room for improvement but I can now officially say I have completed a marathon-what's next triathalon-who knows but for now, sit back, relax and watch this short video of the my marathon highlights!

THANK YOU

Bin Laden Confusion

After hearing the news yesterday and hearing of Osama Bin Laden's death and the announcement made by President Obama, I kept making a massive confusion, so hopefully this helpful video will help everyone out, the way it helped me out!

Tricks and Skills

This is in tribute of the All Blacks amazing tricks and skills videos, so a few of my friends and I decided to record this-check it out!

Derren Brown-Faith Healer

A brilliant mind, intriguing shows and all round entertainer... Derren Brown was on last night with his latest 'miracles for sale'

He started this show by stating that hope is the greatest gift of all, and as a Christian I totally believe this-Jesus gives hope!

But as a Christian, some people could say that we have to take everything that has a Jesus sticker on it and believe it to be true. But the bible tells us there will be false teachers and many frauds out there.

What Derren does so brilliantly is to take a 'normal' guy and turn him into a faith healer to show 'the industry' of faith healing for what it really is-fraud, deception, a trick!

The background is not to have a go at religion or God, but at the scam that is faith healing-taking money from people seeking hope and wrapping it up in religion.

For me, it is Derren Brown who is the real 'faith-healer' as hopefully it will show false teachers for what they are. Fascinating show, well worth a watch;
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derren-brown-the-specials/4od#3182173

Marathon Update

On Monday 2nd May 2011 I will be partaking in (what apparently is) the toughest marathon course in Europe-but I will believe anything that makes this challenge sound better

Proper training commenced at the start of January; four months, over 285 miles ran (more precisely jogged), over 36,000 calories burned and a mental toughness developed, that i will need to finish this race.

As regards the support raising; taking all the money into consideration, there is £1,375.00 (this is including gift aid) which is 27% of the potential target!

You have no idea how thankful I am for all the finance, prayers, emails, messages, toots of your horn if you have driven past me while I'm out training, just genuine interest. I couldn't do it without, so THANK YOU.

If you would like to give there is still time, just check out;

www.justgiving.com/Philip-Howe

The influence of one!

People's upbringing! Life! Experiences! Family! This sort of thing really interests me in the human race, and as a fan of watching movies, I combined the love of these two interests and came out of the video shop with W (the story of George W Bush) and Notorious (the story of Biggy Smalls aka Notorious B.I.G.)

Both films are worlds apart in the direction they take-w. takes us from the 'present day' situation and fills us in as we go, with this, sort of, to-ing and fro-ing. Notorious on the other hand just takes us chronologically through his life from a little boy right up until his death.

Now if you can't handle much swearing or the stereotype that all rappers are into is money and 'hoes' (not garden hoes, the other kind), then Notorious might get a bit monotonous.

But as I reflected on these two films, it really struck me that every person has an influence!

We all do... whether we like it or not. Like Ricky Gervais says in the office 'A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. One, a meaningful relationship, two, a decent job of work, and three, to make a difference. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do. Every day, we all do. It's how we interact, with our fellow man'

(also, this is why the blog has the heading 'forgone conclusion'-from the office)

The bible tells us we are made in the image of God..this should give us so much dignity, value and worth!!! but not only that, you have an influence!

So whether you are the only Christian in your workplace, university or school! Or the only one with a positive attitude in a crummy work situation or whatever it is-remember-you have an influence!

Look at George W. Bush-people may call him stupid (and at times rightfully so), but he became President of the United States of America. Notorious B.I.G. became one of the world's greatest rappers. Look at Jesus-the son of God-still being talked about today (I guess you would be if you had said and done all the things he had!)

So don't devalue yourself, remember the influence of one can bring about an influence to many!

Royalist tribute

as a tribute to the royal wedding, check this clever advert composed by T-mobile!

The idea, I believe, is taken from another wedding video that is from America where a couple actual did something to this effect, to the song by Chris Brown called 'forever' (if you haven't seen it, have a watch)

Truth?

This is the good news about Jesus Christ-as a Christian, this is what I believe! This is truth and like that great film 'The Shawshank Redemption' says "the truth can set you free!"

check it out

Russell Brand's Booky Wook 2!

Marmite

that is the best way to describe this man-you either love him or you hate him!

and after telling my dad I read this book, it's safe to say, he is of the latter category aforementioned!

But it was the newsnight interview I got the opportunity to watch that really made me want to know more about the enigma that is Russell Brand!

if you haven't watched the interview, take a look;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/9053238.stm

After the interest for his autobiography, this interview hastened upon me, the book did not disappoint. From his reputation, you would perceive that he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man, but from the book...you see he is a crazy, sex-mad yet eloquent man.

You can tell it is an autobiography as you can hear him speak as you read (not actually, it isn't like he is sitting next to you or that you get a free audio headset for him to read it to you!) But you can hear how he would say the lines, and as you read you are indulged in a smorgasbord of literary brilliance! (he mentions the word smorgasbord-and what a good word it is too-underused me thinks)

At times, however, it does read as a poor man's mills and boon novel, yet he lets you in! With lines like-'death' and 'saviour' It seems like an honest portrayal from a man who seems to have found the answer to his quest in the name of a person-as a Christian, I would like to say Jesus, but no, we find in the end it is the love of his life-Katy Perry aka Mrs Brand!

What I love about the book apart from the well-versed use of the English language, is the sheer honesty he gives on people, on events, on...well, his life! Great read, so I say well played Mr Brand, my interest was quelled and as I have done it the wrong way round-it makes me want to read 'My Booky Wook'...but this time I may bring my dictionary!