Who I am.

Okay, I realise that I have picked up a lot of new visitors recently so I want to do a bit of a recap of me and what we are about here on the island. I will introduce you to all my new friends tomorrow. The picture was supplied by Carlos from Mexico he’s a great guy visit his blog, he is one of the few people who blogs but doesn’t allow comments; I like his security in this.

You know my name, I have been married to Tracy for 15 years, I have two sons Ellis 11 and Daniel 9. I try to be a good husband but I have my moments, as a man I have to constantly remember that it’s not all about the sex, so occasionally I need to take my brain out of my Willy and remember a cuddle is enough. Nice gifts are good but time is more important, it’s good to listen without trying to solve the problem, talking is good and too much television is bad for a relationship. I also have to pull myself up on occasion and tell myself that the world doesn’t revolve around me.

As a dad I get scared that it all goes so quickly, I believe in hugging my children everyday, telling them I love them everyday, praying with them everyday, playing with them everyday and not going away for more than one weekend at a time. I can be intimidating when I am angry and need to remember they are small.

I have a dad (who reads this blog!!) 4 brothers (some of who read this blog) my mum died in 1981. I have a stepmother. I am originally from Belfast, N.Ireland. I am not English.

We live here on this island because we believe this is where God wants us to be, we are trying to establish a permanent missional community here, we work with 5 other adults but we need more people to join us, Could it be you?. This island is only 200 miles square has a permanent population 112,000, the area where work is San Antonio it has more bars pubs and clubs per square mile than anywhere else on the whole of the European continent. We have an intensive missions programme that we run in the summer, with 24-7missions teams, you are welcome to join one. To check out what we do look at my blogs for the summer months of 2006 and check out this video. We don’t get a salary and survive totally on the generosity of churches, friends and family. This is a very humbling and moving way to live.

I love church, I have gone from cynical and then tried to call that realistic but now am optimistic. Hope is a beautiful word, and I have hope for the church. There is more than one right answer.

My cynicism returns if I watch God Tv or think to long about older leaders who have forsaken the dream of the kingdom, for girls, gold or glory.

I speak in tongues, believe in the bible, think that prayer changes things, know that Jesus is the only way, and love to sing worship songs and enjoy a good preach, that’s because of my history. Our community meetings don’t look like a traditional protestant service. But does anyone’s these days?

I believe the key to growth is self awareness, so with that in mind: I am bio-energetically typed as a super hero, which means I want to be number one, like power and political affiliation, in my mind these aren’t bad things, I find myself saying things like “someone needs to be in control” I am also a good parent which means I am loyal, this can also lead to defensiveness. I think I am built for a fight and to break new ground. People think I am more blunt than I do! I love honesty and try to be honest, but hate people who use honesty as a way to shoot their mouth off and hurt people.

I got expelled from college so don’t have any qualifications, this occasionally stresses me, but someone once said “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called” obviously I like that statement.

I like cigars and sometimes smoke to many; I like a drink and sometimes drink too much. I am occasionally inappropriate with what I say but deep down I don’t care. However I do know that sorry is a powerful word and will use it often, not in a fake way, but genuinely I don’t like upsetting people.

I think I like people but can get wound up easy. This is wrong, but I am happier on a stage than in a small group. I don’t like parties or clubs preferring evenings in and beers with friends, my worst nightmare is going to places and no one talking to me, so I would rather avoid it.

I sleep well and eat well, occasionally I worry about my body shape and fitness levels but if I was truly concerned I would do something about it. I am happy in my skin most of the time but get jealous of men with muscles, and overcome with the vanity of wanting to look good on the beach.

I believe that God is more interested in who we are becoming than who we have been.

My favourite Bible character is Peter. Kindness is my favourite Christian concept.

So that’s enough, I am happy for questions if you think I have left stuff out or want to know more.

But what’s mad is that I am more than what I have written; I am complex just like you. I believe that in reality we are all impossible to define and that makes me curious.