So many questions…

What Would Jesus Do?

Do you remember those WWJD bracelets?  They were supposed to remind us to always ask ourselves “What Would Jesus Do?” in any situation.

Come on, you know you had one.

Well, I always think this is a bit of a difficult question.  Firstly, because we often have no idea what he would do.  Some of the things that Jesus would do would surprise us.

Secondly, because…

Being able to answer the question of “What Would Jesus Do?” requires us to have a very clear idea of what Jesus did do, and a very clear understanding of who Jesus is.

I think a better question would be “What Would Jesus Say?”

Because we might not be able to be sure we can do the right thing… but if we are truly seeking to know who Jesus is, I think we can guess what he would say about what we are doing.

Would he approve?  Would he support us?  Or would he raise his eyebrow and give us a questioning look?

I think we probably know.

So maybe the question is not What Would Jesus Do? but What Would Jesus Want Us To Do?

What do you think?

Never touch a writer’s pen…

I do not know if it is just me, or if it is a writer thing, but I really love pens. 

And journals. 

And notepads.

And paper.

And…

Yeah…. so stationery is my friend.  What can I say?

So it was a really great Birthday present my wife gave me this year: A custom made pen made from Wild Olive Wood and 12C gold. 

I know for most people this is probably really boring; a pen.  But I really love me a pen I do.  And the fact that this is one-of-a-kind custom-made item is really cool. 

Yeah, I am easily amused. 

And the fact that it is engraved, means I can find it easily….

Happy Day...x2

In a couple of hours, I will be sitting on the beach at a dawn service, waiting for the sun to rise so we can declare together that glorious truth; that Christ is risen.

As I write this post, and as many of you read it, it is still Saturday the 19th. But if you are reading this post then that means it is 20 April where I live... which is also my Birthday.

Did they not learn their lesson from Susan Boyle?

I am not usually a great fan of watching these YouTube videos where the judges and audience on a Talent show are ‘wowed’ by a surprise contestant.  The videos are heavily edited, and I am sure most of the audience never actually rolled their eyes at that moment and…

And you know exactly what is going to happen next.

But nobody saw this one coming I don’t think.  Even without the judges reaction, this is one the most amazing things I have ever seen.

 

Short Story

Review : The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

Have you ever looked at a blissfully married couple and thought, I wish I could know their secret?
Now you can. After years of investigative research, Shaunti reveals twelve powerful habits that the happiest marriages have in common.
Best news of all? Anyone can learn the secrets of a highly happy marriage!
 

This was the first free book I received from WaterBrook Multnomah for  review in terms of their Blogging for Books Programme. It was also the first time I have ever ordered an e-book, because I prefer hardcover books that can look pretty on my shelf.

And I loved it.

The premise of the book, by Shaunti Feldhahn,  is that it is based on research into how happy couples answer certain questions about their marriages, and what makes them happy.  And the answers are often surprising in their simplicity.

What I liked about the book was that it was incredibly practical and down to earth.  It does not make vague suggestions about changing attitudes, it literally tells you what to think and what to say to start making these changes.  It also has a lot of advice that goes against what we are usually told.  I was particularly interested in the chapter in why it is sometimes more important to go to bed mad than to try and resolve your problems at night.  And many of the chapters I was able to point at small things and say “That is true, I like it when she does that,” or ask my wife “Do you like it when I do …xyz?  And do I do it enough?”

The chapters are short enough not to bog you down, and included interesting graphs at the end, where you can study them if you are like me, or ignore the if you are like most people.  These graphs show that often successful marriages are based on people doing the right things, even though they sometimes think it is the wrong thing.

“We know we are not supposed to <Go to bed mad etc.> but we do, and we are happy.”

I would highly recommend the book.  But don’t take my word for it, go check out the sample below. 

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