Really?

I read a whole host of blogs and sometimes they are deep and meaningful and others deep, meaningful and funny.  There are the occasional silly posts too - just funny, nothing wrong with that.


Glen, posted a link to a blog analyzer - one that produces a report on which Myers/Briggs personality the writing is most atuned to.  I was fairly suprised to discover that mine is ESTP whereas when I've taken such tests in the past I've come out ENFP.  Hey - it's an internet analysis based on key words, I'm not going to dive into deep introspection over it (maybe that makes me ESTP after all!)

ESTP: The Doers.

The active and play-ful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities. The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

What amused me was it also generates a picture of a brain and a chart - thought I'd share that with you.  I've (unsurprisingly) been learning a lot about the brain in the last 6 months.

My brain is healing from the bruising- in fact the bruising is now completely gone.  It has left behind some symptoms which can best be described in terms of tiring quickly (mentally not physically), attention deficit and slowed thinking/perception (which is why I've been ordered not to drive).  I've also had a headache which has lasted 6months (so far!) but has been reduced recently in answer to prayer and in response to some new drugs.  I'm thankful for all I've learned and am learning in this time of healing and waiting.


God's Word teaches us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139.14).  Life is fragile in its wonder.  A good friend commented recently that the accident back in May could have ended my life if it had been any more serious.  We may look well, be at the height of our powers or (like me back in May) unfit, hurried and careless but our life is but a breath, a short span in the face of eternity.


If you've reached this point in reading. Take a moment*.  Take a couple of moments. Be thankful for the good in your life. Be sorrowful over your selfishness and sin.  Be realistic that without Jesus Christ we would have no appeal before God that could help us.  Talk to God - even if you haven't for a long time, even if you've never spoken to him before now.  Be thankful. Be sorrowful. Be real.


*You might be reading this and thinking "does he really expect me to do this?"  The answer is "YES - REALLY!"

Summing Up the Last 3 Years.

I began a blog post the other day - it was full of self-pity dressed up in self-reflection.  Thankfully it didn't get past a draft version.  Also thankfully I have had the opportunity to be thankful for the last wee while, as well as the last few years.

One of the greatest things I've been involved in over the last three years is encouraging Elliot Ng, a leader among the Christian students at Auckland University of Technology.  We've studied, travelled, laughed, thought, cried, laughed, encouraged, prayed, laughed, cried and walked alongside each other through the highs and lows of students ministry in AUT and TSCF National student conferences.

I'm HUGELY thankful that walking alongside Elliot has been a gift from God.  Over the last 6 months since I came off the bike (yes, it really has been that long) Elliot has made the time to come over most weeks and chat, tell me the news, encourage and be a friend.  He has continued to lead in word, deed and example to those around him.  He carries the respect of Christian and non-Christian students on campus.

He's coming to the end of his time as a student leader - his study has been in the Communications department at AUT.  He has sought to bring the power of the gospel into his work, to engage his tutors and lecturers with thoughtful truth.  It has been a delight to see him persevere even when his gospel perspective was not shared or respected.

One of the major things he's had to do at the end of his course is a work in Photography.  He's posted it to YouTube so I can share it with you here.  It reveals much of what he values and reflects the work of God in people's lives as well as across the AUT campus over the three years since the group was established.

For those of you who pray and/or give to the work that I'm involved in here in NZ - I hope you are as moved, encouraged and provoked as I was watching it.