Moving on...

After 82 posts and about 3 years of blogging I am moving on.

I have been courted, attracted and now converted by tumblr.

From now on my rambles will be at hopefaithandlove (which is quite a cool name).

I will still ramble, and I may still not make sense, but there you go.

Now you can follow my RSS feed...

How did Jesus...?

Spread his word?

The term that we have come to know as 'evangelise'. My definition of evangelise is to spread the good news, 'share the gospel', tell people about Jesus, bring people to Christ.

Jesus lived these things.

The bible doesn't necessarily just share about Jesus' sermons (we have lots of those), it doesn't stop at what Jesus said to people, but it shows that every single thing he did was part of his 'Evangelism'. It shows him going to individuals and caring not preaching.

Have we got stuff to learn from Jesus' example?

Surely not.

Presbos

On my most recent trip to Northern Ireland I was privileged enough to go to an evening of presbyterian event called 'New Horizon'. It was great. Worshipping with a few thousand christians from N. Ireland and hearing a sweet message with some quality sound bites (like "you serve the Lord in your way, I'll serve him in his" when talking about differing church theology... funny!).

I am not sure I can really remember what the message said ... but ... I think it had a bit of an impact on me. Stephen Gaukroger was talking about a lot of things, but what I remember was a message about getting over differences in different churches or denominations and coming together to work on what Jesus asked us to - making disciples, healing sick, serving poor...

I was excited and challenged by his message - I wrote this is my phone "Shouldn't church on a Sunday morning be low down on the list of priorities? After looking out. Reaching out. Being Community?" and "Lets move on from the issues of differing doctrine in theology to maturity in the love and hope in Christ. Taking his message and call seriously. To love neighbour. Serve poor."

Melissa and I then talked about what this meant. What we wanted church to be like.

I love the idea of church at the centre of community, a place where people can come, where anyone can come (of different background, personality, sexuality, status), and feel safe. Where alcoholics turn to prayer, where children get off the streets and learn, where single mums get support, where peace is found, where friendship is formed, where business is started, where songs, poetry, art, talents are developed, where homeless can live (?), and where Jesus is made known, glorified and worshipped.

This is not a place or a group of people whose sole purpose is a sunday morning, to hear God's word and worship him, but the beating heart of people's lives.

The phrase no longer could be or should be "I go to church" but "I am church" or "I live church".

A place where a businessman can rest with a former homeless recovering alcoholic. A place where a young person (a hoodie if you like) can play cops and robbers with a 6 year old. A place where a pregnant teenager can get realistic, helpful support and family.

A church that doesn't need to attract the local community to it.

Because it is the local community.

Shamelessly graceful, accepting and peaceful.

Jesus-ful.

Red Moon Rising - Yes.

I have just finished reading Red Moon Rising, the book by Pete Greig and Dave Roberts. A book about the adventure that was and is 24-7 prayer. Such a challenging, rewarding and exciting book that I could barely put down.

24-7 prayer is pretty simple; groups of people congregating for one purpose - to spend time with God in prayer. The book walks through how that came to be; showing the amazing coincidences that helped make it happen and painting a picture of God's hand at work.

This movement, 24-7 prayer, has become more than just a holy prayer huddle, it never was that, but it has begun to effect community, sparking life wherever people pray. It makes the verse "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" come to life with truth. Groups of people, large or small, giving up sleep and mediocre lives in pursuit of God through the humbling of themselves and through patience and persistence of prayer. And through this they find an exciting example of God's grace. I love it.

Some of these groups of people have become something new and fresh, where they can no longer just meet together on a sunday to meet with God but their lives become reliant on God, prayer and each other.

I remember Shane Claibourne saying something about mega churches, about how often churches get bigger and bigger, taking over large buildings to get as many people as possible through the door, when in fact he thinks that God works in the little things that infiltrate every part of society, little groups of people meeting with God and that in fact, this is where God brings life and revival (or something like that). I think 24-7 prayer is like this.

The model of 24-7 boiler rooms is brilliant. These are places (tagged "third-millenium monasteries") that are open for creativity and prayer 24-7. Where people come together and meet God, where community is formed and lives changed.

"The boiler room was as much about mission and serving others as non-stop prayer. One couldn't be separated from the other"

"We find ourselves dreaming about some kind of crazy network... around the world, praying like mad, ministering to the poor, sending out missionaries and producing amazing works of art inspired in places of prayer. We see many plans, many dreams, masses of potential."

I am struggling to put into words what this means to me - isn't this just church? Or how church should be? People living together, praying without ceasing (on shifts), serving the poor and needy, sharing the gospel, starting fires, impacting lives, worshipping Jesus.

I love everything about 24-7 prayer - the diversity, the commitment, the challenge.

I hope I take something from it, when we pray, God moves. When will I learn?

Writing

I would love to write a book. I already have a title. I know what I want to say. I know why I want to do it. I probably even have an idea of how I want it to look.

I just sat down and said to myself 'lets start writing'.

HA.

As if.

How the heck do you start writing?! Where do you find those interesting little stories (you know them you find in books and that)? How do you explain what you are trying to achieve?

Maybe, when I thought I could do this, I didn't really think.

One day.

One day there might be a book on a shelf somewhere called 'Love thy neighbour, as thyself' by an author called T.B.Bray about how we love each other, how we start with God, how we learn to accept (if not love) who we are and how we act in community, in love, in life.

Doesn't it sound good?!

Or am I in a dream world again.......?!

June Project

June Project is a mission week set up by Kings Church Durham that I have had the pleasure of being involved with this last two years. It is fantastic - 100+ students serving God, loving the city, seeing restoration for 5 days in June. A time where I have met new people, made new friends, and become closer to old friends; real fellowship, real family.

My week can be summed up with the phrase 'God loves you' and the idea of people surprised by kindness, surprised by service, for free, surprised by students serving the Lord.

I was on the 'Healing on the Streets' (HOTS) team. This meant we spent a couple of days gardening, painting, litter picking, flyering and talking to people before saturday when we went out to pray. The week leading up to going out.

It was lovely.

To go out and pray on the streets we went through training of the HOTS model; why we pray and how we pray. The model is simple - chairs set out on the street, a big banner that pronounces 'HEALING', a team of churches from around the city, and faith.

We go out and ask if people would like prayer, some people say yes.

The first thing we say to the people on the street (after introductions) is 'God loves you, he cares for you, and wants to know you' - this blows me away. It comes out of the fact that we don't want to see people healed to build up our faith, so we can brag about a miracle, but simply because God loves that individual person, and loves them so much.

So we had the chance to tell a person, face to face, that they are loved - and God's love then gets to work in their life. It is beautiful.

We then pray for their healing; from pain, illness, disease, aches, depression, anxiety, or something they are worried about. Each are rebuked in Jesus name.

On saturday a young man had his back healed, a boy - his foot, a woman brought peace and blessed - feeling God's presence; each of them told that God Loves You. Bring on next saturday.

The rest of the teams had testimony of how God had used them in individuals lives to restore his glory. A man with Alzheimer's disease was cared for, listened to, prayed with and loved. Lonely people across Durham were served and loved, through gardening, free events, listening and caring.

I love to see the face of someone who has seen their garden completely transformed, to hear of an elderly lady talking about her life, to hear students who sing for groups of very elderly people, who begin to join in, and to hear of lives changed and brought into the kingdom, because of our kindness.

I want to carry on being kind, carry on surprising people, carry on loving.

Come on Lord.

Something I love to do

Is to look through the internet at churches around the country, at movements of God, at groups reaching out to communities with God's love and passion.

I love to read about how they started. What their priorities are. What they are doing next.

I love to hope and dream.

Today (procrastinating from revision with Coffee and Bourbons) I have looked at loveyouruni, the bless network, Trent Vineyard, my church Emmanuel and some facebook groups like 'Make Jesus Famous' which lead me to their website and in turn to a love letter from Jesus.

I love it.

It makes me excited.

What would Jesus do?

I have just spent some time thinking about the contrast in these questions....

What would Jesus do?

What would Christians do?

I feel like there is a massive gap. A gap that needs to be closed.

I think it was sparked by seeing a trailer for a short film called We Will Make You Whole Again. It gave me the image that Jesus is in the business of making people whole again. Restoration is an important and obvious doctrine in the bible. What are we doing to heal the broken in today society? What am I doing on the 22nd of April 2010, sat in Durham University Library that is reconciling broken lives? What can I do? What can I change?

I remember a Mother Theresa quote that I read earlier today....

"Let us thus praise you in the way you love best,

by shining on those around us.

Let us preach you without preaching,

not by words but by our example,

by the catching force,

the sympathetic influence of what we do.

The evident fullness of the love our hearts bear to you.

Amen"

"the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do."

I need to start opening my eyes, looking around for broken lives and I need to preach by my example, because of the love of my heart for Jesus.

I yearn for the day when I can ask What would Jesus do? and look around and see what my Christian brothers are doing.

What was important to Jesus?

When the rich young man rocked up to Jesus and asked him "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus answered with a question about goodness, proclaiming that "no-one is good except God alone", and then told the man to follow the commandments.

But that still wasn't enough for Jesus.

Jesus then asks him to give up his life. The rich young man couldn't do it.

What do I learn from this? Jesus tells the man he is not good because he is not God. He then asks the man to get up and follow him. The man does not want to do this.

We are not good. We are not God. Jesus accepts this, and is tolerant of this through his grace over us. He simply asks us to follow him, through the laying down of our lives. He doesn't care who we are, what we have done, where we have come from, he just asks for some obedience and then he will sort out the rest.

Too long have we thought, believed and preached that Christians need to be good to follow Jesus. Christians can be whatever they want to be, and then he will transform them into his likeness so they actually are truly good.

Only in him, through him and filled by him can we be good, can we meet God.

Less talking. More praying

“We are daring to believe that an entire campus can turn back to the Lord. We no longer want to just talk about renewal and revival; we are praying for it.”

A quote from a student at St.Andrews university from a 24-7 prayer newsletter.

I love it.

I love that passion.

I want to pray those prayers.

I want to 'dare to believe'.

I don't want to just talk about renewal and revival.

I want to see it.

I want to see transformation of student communities.

I want to see transformation of resident communities.

I want to see life.

I want to see Jesus.

Hamsterjam

- Bikes, Canals, Art, Anne Frank, Drugs and Prostitution. Shocked by tolerance.

I have just been blessed by a wonderful couple of days in the city of Amsterdam, what an amazing place. I feel that it was so amazing I should write a review, so here goes.

I went there with my girlfriend Melissa, we had two nights visiting a new place, an interesting city. I think we both had an idea about what Amsterdam was famous for; something about Red lights, coffee shops and tulips, but didn't really have any idea what to expect.

The first night we saw a man playing double bass and singing some blues, it was beautiful.

The next morning we walked to the Annefrankhuis, the place where Anne Frank, her family and some friends hid during Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. It is now an amazing museum, with quite an emotional journey into the history of a little, talented, young lady. I was really hit by a book, a list, of all the jews taken from Amsterdam, that was several inches thick and was written in very small type. A list of the 100,000 people taken and killed. I didn't really understand how big the holocaust actually could have been.

We then moved on, quite stirred but excited to see the rest of the city.

It was lovely. Bicycles and canals, everywhere was beautiful.

We decided to go on a free tour, to see the city and hear some history. It was taken by an enthusiastic Aussie bloke who seemed to love Amsterdam and know about it's history.

The first stop was the red light district.

We wandered into it, a clear boundary with sex shops appearing everywhere, it was about 2pm. I tried to keep my eyes directly ahead, on the tour guide or on the floor, but still I caught glimpses of women in windows, under-dressed, waiting, I saw men walking into a 'live porn show' and I saw dark alleys. The tour guide explained what was happening, how over the years this district had been tied to parts of the church who also profited through it, and how the industry was legal and taxable; encouraged by the government.

We found this heartbreaking and shocking. Men finding joy and fulfilment in sex and lust, women finding hope in selling themselves, all the while losing self-worth. I have an image of one woman sat in a window that I doubt I will forget. It was so sad.

Sad that women can feel they need to work like this, that they want to work like this and that men can treat women in this way. I really didn't understand how people would live like that. It gave me a new shocking insight into the world of the sex industry, that includes prostitution, pornography, trafficking and addiction. I want to stay away. Would Jesus stay away?

The next part of the tour took us to see the fabled 'coffee shops' of Amsterdam, something I have heard more about from stories at home. Places where you can go and smoke cannabis across the city. The smell walking past the shops was not subtle, showing young tourists (mostly) sitting and enjoying the high. I think we also found this quite sad. More people finding peace, hope, joy in something that is in fact very empty and unfulfilling.

The tour went on to show us other parts of the city, like the Jewish quarter where Rembrandt lived, old buildings that were the gates to the city and Napolean's little brother's pad. It is a beautiful city and I would have loved to see more of the Art that it had to offer. However we left a little shocked and sad.

I was most shocked by the pride of all this tolerance. The encouraging of prostitution and drug use.

It was very sad, pretty shocking and seemingly hopeless.

And sad that people our age go to Amsterdam for all it has to offer.

When I got home, I met a woman at church who was from Amsterdam, apparently Christians from all over Holland had met in Amsterdam during March and prayed that Jesus would come back to Amsterdam and make it his home.

That is my prayer.

I thought you get Tulips from Hamsterjam.

This is very beautiful

Simon Guillebaud is a pretty amazing guy.

He has recorded this pretty amazing challenge about sacrifice.

It is pretty amazing.

Anger

How can I love but be angry? How can I hate injustice but still be polite, civil, loving kind? How can I purvey anger so it is useful and good?

How did Jesus?

How can I/should I react when someone I love is being treated like dirt in the very place that they live? When they are being shown no respect, when they are shouted at, when they are called horrible names?

How can I/should I react when people go out (and profess to this) to annoy someone I love on purpose? When people turn on pornography in front of young women and play it at maximum volume to annoy these women, because it is funny.

I think I am realising that bullying does not stop when we get out of high school, when we 'grow up' but that little, nasty people get a kick out of picking on others.

It is not acceptable. It is not the norm. You are childish.

Grow up. It is not all about you.

Perspective

I have been meaning to write about perspective for AGES. Especially after reading something by a friend of a friend's (Linton) blog in september last year.

I just stood on my bed and saw everything from half a meter higher than usual.

It was pretty lovely.

I could see out of my window into the garden. I could see my pictures on my shelves. I could see notes from last year than I have tried to hide away. My room looked SWEET.

How we see things depends on where we stand.

Come to where I am, up on my bed, and look at Jesus... I expect you will see something you haven't seen before.

Imagine looking from where God is at the world, and how different everything would seem then. I don't think it would be like google maps... but an emotional journey through people's lives, of joy, great sadness and a need for love.

I would love to look through his eyes.

Several people have said this in better ways many times before. That was a bit lame. It's nice to have it out of the system though....

Discipline (will I ever learn)

God has a plan in my life.

I am learning I need to be disciplined in my study, in my prayer, in my faith, in my relationships, in my learning, in everything... to start to work towards what God has planned for me.

For far too long I have shown apathy. When will I grow up? When will I learn?

Today

I cried

I haven't cried for a long time, I don't really remember when but I think it might be after losing a table-tennis match as a teenager or breaking up with a childhood sweetheart (I am a little embarrassed by this...), where has my soul gone?!!

Well this weekend, I was blessed to spend time with David Campbell (the founder of our church) and other fantastic guys. On Saturday night David prophesied into my life and 3 other great mates' lives (Dave, Daley, Stew) about how we would go into full time ministry in the future (something I had been thinking about for aaagggeesss...).

It was a lovely time where we prayed over each other and then spoke words from God into each others lives. I went last.

For the first time in too long I cried. I wept. I sobbed.

It was amazing.

The lord answering the prayers of my heart with words from my friends. The Lord giving me hope, excitement and challenge through my friends. The Lord humbling me through his plan.

I was at first overcome with a desire to be looked after, comforted (Isaiah 66:13), a friend immediately brought a word about how the Lord recognised my need and hunger.

The guys brought pictures about Band of Brothers (Hebrews 12:1 - "Weapons and ammo only"), a fruit tree (the only provision I need coming from God, and God alone), dropped tools and some others I won't share.

I was overcome with a feeling of unworthiness. Why me? Who even am I? Why do I deserve this plan? These blessings? These friends? How can I even serve God? What can I even bring?

This is what God was comforting me with.

I cried.

I hugged my friends.

I cried.

I laughed.

Thank you Lord.

Significance

I have just returned from an exciting weekend with other Students from Emmanuel. A weekend of excellent teaching, joyful fellowship and a God speaking to some little students.

We were blessed.

David Campbell (founder of Emmanuel 30 years ago, now in Canada) spoke at each session. Again, he blew us away.

One of the messages that got my attention was about Church... I love church.

All that church needs to be and how it needs to be it. Check out my summary of the church here, summary is a bit lacking but it makes some points...

The big point was about how Jesus brought significance and value to people (Woman at the well, Zacheus, disciples, me), people have worth, a purpose - because of Jesus.

How did he do this? Talking to them, bringing words from God, devoting time to them, teaching them loving them. This is an example for us, when we hear from God (which may be more than we think) we need to be faithful, brave and confident in sharing God's word. A specific word from God for me makes me step back, a word that speaks directly to my life, encouraging or admonishing, amazes me and challenges me. But also gives me value, significance and love. God cares, so much so he is willing to speak directly into my life.

This is what Jesus did so well, what David did with us students by caring, being interested and by speaking powerful words directly to many of us.

Value is found in God, in Church, in Love, not anywhere else.

Horrific

I follow John Piper on twitter, he just posted a link about persecution in India.

I watched the first video, and was sickened at the short clips of brothers being beaten for their faith.

It is pretty emotional.

I couldn't watch the second one.

How can this happen in the real world?!

Why am I bothered about little things in my life, when Christians today are being treated like that for believing what I do...?!!

We are so blessed to live in this country, safe.

There is so much to do.

Song that reminds me of Dad, and childhood.

Martyn Joseph - He never said

It is beautiful

Addiction

I just sat next to a guy in the library who spent about 45minutes on betting websites, putting bets on who would win the first set of a tennis match, what the score would be at half-time of a football match or who would win the world match play golf. I have seen him before, always on betting websites.

It made me pretty sad.

But also reminded me of addictions that I have had and do have.
There is freedom from addiction in Christ. That is part of his hope on the cross. We no longer need to live lives of the flesh, but lives of the spirit, in tune to his work and his ways.
I hope that one day I can tell others that when they are sat next to me in the library and it will change their lives.
Being a Christian isn't simple about growth, and works, it is about complete transformation.

YES PLEASE

Brothers in Christ

I am convinced that members of the Roman Catholic church are my brothers in Christ.

The pope is visiting the Uk in 2010, I find this quite exciting, and maybe a little worrying (not sure I agree with some of Catholic ideas on certain topics... (Could I get more vague)).

But in an article about the visit I read this ...
"Deacon Jack Sullivan, who is to visit Britain in November, said he became completely free of pain after praying to Cardinal Newman in 2001. "

This is odd. The person that heals is not Cardinal Newman, the pope, or any other 'saint'. The person that heals is our risen saviour, our Lord and his Spirit performing miracles in and through us.

Not sure someone who lived, then died, and went to heaven, can hear our prayers and answer them (I don't think there is any biblical precident for this), and I don't think they would have the time to, or would be that bothered...!

I am interested to see what the Pope's visit will spark up in terms of debate... (I already have seen a friend who is going to march against his visit in protest against his views on homosexuality, I don't know what his views are, but I think I can guess...)

He is a top man, so I look forward to hearing what he has to say...

Hope for the future

A friend of mine posted this on his Facebook, I find it really quite powerful, beautiful and challenging.

It's all about hope.

The gospel for EVERYONE

I have been taken aback a little recently by people's reaction to Jesus, as if the gospel 'was not for them'.
'Sorry mate, I don't want to talk about faith it's not for me'
'Sorry, I wish I had your faith, but I just don't'
'Go away, what you believe is weird. Do you believe in fairies?'
Are possibly some reactions to me talking about Jesus.
I am convinced that it is not my faith, life is an opportunity for all people. The gospel is not just right for me. It is right for all people. I do not have a special knowledge that makes everything work out, I just have faith in Jesus, which all people can have.

Just please come and find him. Don't miss a chance. Don't have ideas about Jesus before you have looked at his face...

The truth

'I simply am a sinner, failing in becoming more like Jesus...'

I had this sentance as the start of the description on this blog. This is a lie that Christians around the world have been taught and believe about their everyday life, and one that I haven't trusted and have meant to change for some time.
The gospel is clear
-We are dead to our old lives and alive in Jesus.
-We are no longer sinners, but saints.
-We no longer live in sin, but the spirit.
The devil lies to us by helping us label ourselves as 'sinners' when we haven't been since we recognised Jesus on the cross.
We are not ugly, unrighteous men of this world, we are beautiful, exciting, clean men of God's kingdom, with him being made perfect in our weekness.
We need to stop claiming sin in our lives and start living freedom. Stop looking back and feeling sorry and start inheriting God's life, love and legacy (3 L's, quality!).
We are co-heirs with Christ. His death made sure of that.
We are white as snow. His death made sure of that.
And we can live in Jesus Christ, no longer under condemnation because 'there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus'. His death made sure of that.
This is the gospel.

'God Bless Barack Obama?'

The bbc have just had a documentary about Barack Obama's faith and the impact it has on his politics. It was excellent.

A biography on the president, looking back at his heritage, his early work, his conversion, his campaign and his first year in charge.

I remember hearing about his 'mad pastor', who was quoted as saying "God damn America", during the election campaigns; the conservative Republicans making a big thing about how anti american (and on the documentary one republican says blasphemous...!) this pastor was. It appears Rev Wright was quoted out of context, and was in fact preaching a message of freedom, equality, and Jesus. He seems like a good, biblically correct guy.

Watching this program I could not help but think the makers were anti-conservative, anti-republican but still pro christianity. I am not sure whether this is truth, but the truth about 'bible belt' Christianity they portrayed was a frightening one; of subtle racism, of the importance of a feotus' life when millions lie and die in poverty around the world, of the hatred of homosexuality rather than the love of Jesus, of misinterpretation of Jesus' teaching, not of love, acceptance and equality. This is scary.

This viewpoint was portrayed by a representative of southern baptists, who are 'evangelical conservative' Christians (where have I heard that before), who seem to be evangelical in the parts of the bible they want to be and blind in the important bits. I am not sure who they worship and follow; American tradition, or Jesus.

I am convinced that political stance of the bible is that of liberalism; Jesus loved, Jesus accepted, Jesus showed equality, the Christian message (should be) is for all, not just Jews, but gentiles, not just white men, but men of all races, not just the poor, but the rich as well, not just the educated, but the working class as well, not just the poverty stricken single parent, but the spoilt public school student. All inclusive; background, race, class, education, sexual orientation (yes I said it, Jesus loves homosexuals as well), ability, beauty, past, future...

I am realising my faith is more and more liberal, but not because I don't understand judgement, hell and sin, because I think Jesus came to bring freedom from judgement, hell and sin.

I am convinced (not just opinion) that Jesus was and is liberal.

I loved the message that the black civil rights representatives brought.

I loved seeing Jesse Jackson cry at Obama's inauguration because of his and martin luther king's dream of black equality coming into fruition.

I love the idea of equality.

I love the idea of love.

(I fear I am on an American watch list now... the 'evangelical conservative Christians' are coming to get me.........)

8 years later...

a US military generally says there has been 'enough fighting', and that now it is time to 'talk to the militants' (full story here).

Shouldn't we have been talking from day one?

When has bullying with force ever been acceptable?

Nicene Creed

This is my faith.... "We believe in one God, the father, the almighty maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen" Summed up in Liturgy. There is a lot there.

Friends

Tonight we had our last time meeting as a group with an elder of our church, it has been such a nice time of growth in friendships, growth in faith and a growth of challenge.

I am sad we won't be meeting together more. Woods said we should do Come Dine with Me. YES PLEASE.

I am really blessed in Durham. I have several more years of 'planned' studying here, there is so much to do, so much that could be done, I want to be challenged more, I want to be changed, and I want to make a difference.

I have a feeling this group, these friends and these past weeks have sparked something up, a passion in love, that will encourage me to go...

Because I give a damn.