Apocalipstick

THE DAILY SPICE - INDIA LOVES BIKES

2012-01-21T17:26:00.000Z

One of the things you notice first is the amount of bikes..everywhere...flying past you, behind you, in front of you...in fact there are few rules of the road here...it's a case of "If there is a space, drive into it"....which makes for an interesting journey!
The main bikes are ROYAL ENFIELD.. first built and designed in England but now owned by India...and new models are coming out all the time. Their website is announcing a Thunderbird 500 coming soon, a Classic Chrome, a Desert Storm...the list goes on...

All these bikes add to the frenzy of the streets...so many people...about 1.22billion, making it the 2nd most populous country in the world. Indiarepresents almost 17.31% of the world's population, which means one out of sixpeople on this planet live in India and by 2050 it's expected to be top with 1.7 billion. Even more interesting is that over 50% of the current population are under 25 years!!

These statistics are challenging for a country so rapidly changing with the influx of technology and consumerism but also in a country full of stark contrasts...from bollywood splendour to slum tragedy and from media momentum to poverty traps...and yet each person is unique and equally loved by their designer - God.

Each day my head and my heart is spinning...

THE DAILY SPICE - COFFEE- Friday 20 Jan

2012-01-20T15:43:00.000Z

Have had a day of preparing for the next lot of events...training with the music track - 9 students - for the next 4 days and then the Arts Gathering...more on that later...but today a coffee miracle happened. I can cope without a lot of my usual things here...and I love Indian food...BUT I have been craving good coffee...and so today a Norwegian friend of mine answered my plea and brought with him some good ole Starbucks...

Big delights can come in small packages...

THE DAILY SPICE - People & Bikes

2012-01-19T15:40:00.000Z

Today I went for coffee in Lonavala...and it really is a visual overload! People, bikes, rickshaw taxis and loads of wild dogs...I have never seen so many dogs...walking around, lying down by the roadside...Oh and cows...many cows...
The colors, the smells, the traffic noise, the rubbish, the slums...the market stalls...it all activates your eyes and your heart...take a look at this Flip video I shot to give a tiny taste of Lonavala...

Go to video

THE DAILY SPICE - MONDAY 16

2012-01-16T13:11:00.005Z

SUNSHINE !!

So nice to step outside and feel the sun jamming down through the blue sky...Had a great day today getting to know the students..leading worship and beginning to teach about Creativity...Always amazes me , that you can cross cultures and experience the diversity of influence and tradition...but the human heart stays the same wherever you are born..fragile yet strong...seeking purpose, navigating the life-maze and loving the truth of being valued...

Unity and Diversity...it goes together like Rice and Dhal!!

All Things Spice

2012-01-15T17:00:00.004Z

Here I am at the start of my second trip to India..in a place close to Mumbai called Lonavala. I am teaching at a Creative Arts School DTS and a contributor to an Arts Gathering at the end of January which is 'gathering' artists from all over India. Occasional stand alone worship events in Pune plus a Hotel concert await me...my time is FULL..and I shall keep you informed of the varied happenings that will surely come my way.

My travel day yesterday was eventful with police helicopters on Heathrow runway and roadworks on Mumbai runway...causing delays on the ground both ways...and then a Conveyor Belt breakdown made my luggage wait very intrepid...late night/early morning hour...hundreds of people and thousands of bags...and apparently the closer you stand to the conveyor belt, the quicker the bag arrives!!!! What is that about??

Tomorrow starts early...and if you know anything about me, it's that I do not like mornings!! But it's going to be exciting seeing what will happen here amongst artists who love God..within an amazing and challenging country.

I LOVE Indian food and my first rice and dhal was quite delicious..the same awaits me tomorrow...and the day after...but thankfully the crisp manufacturers will provide in a very India-tastic kind of way!! As you can see...no Salt & Vinegar here!!

THE AIR THAT I BREATHE

2010-04-20T14:42:00.003+01:00

Apparently we are not breathing deep enough! Yes it took a 30 year study to confirm something we already know. Singers are aware that to sing well you need to breathe well. Also as a leader of sung worship, reflections and meditations, there is often an emphasis on 'breathing in' as a way of feeling enlarged and rejuvenated....aka the breath of life!

Trendhunter.com, a great resource for catching the trend waves and observing future patterns, reveals that breathing is the focus of a current trend and an indicator of that trend is found in popular music. An examination of all popular songs over the last 30+ years entitled Breathe reveals that over 70 percent of those songs have been released in the last 10 years.

This is "indicative of feeling a type of communal suffocation. The 21st century has brought an increase in pressures on people and when there are increased pressures on us, physical and mental, we don’t breathe as we should. We use shallow breathing and when we do that we don’t relieve stress. Bottom line: If we don’t take time to breathe, we can’t be creative, we can’t solve problems, and we can’t be truly innovative".

Great how God is originally revealed as the breath of life and as we see in Genesis, 'cosmically creative' PLUS the Hebrew word behind Spirit is Ruach which means 'air in motion' or 'breath'!

So, breathe deep and know where that breath began and that creativity and innovation are by-products of breathing. I love it when futuristic messengers tell the old, old story!!

JUST SAY 'NOT NOW'

2010-04-11T11:00:00.003+01:00

Ever felt caught...ensnared...trapped? Have you ever said 'Yes' and within a minute of putting the phone down you wished you hadn't have felt so pressurised into making a decision?

Recently a phone saleswomen did just that to me...and I said Yes. The Carphone Warehouse lady was trying to get me to upgrade my iphone and she was so insistent that even I, usually so questioning and cautious, gave in!! However the phone did not arrive on the day they promised and I cancelled after 4 lengthy calls to customer services, a day of re-arranged appointments in order to be there for the door, a 25 pound taxi bill and quantifiable frustration...

So Carphone Warehouse became Nophone Warehouse...

Note to self...always say "Let me think about it and I will call you back" rather than YES to a persistent seller! Also what a comment on our fast paced NOW culture...I do not need to do things NOW!! Some things can wait...I guess wisdom shows us what things can wait and what things can't!!

APRIL ALREADY!

2010-04-07T10:57:00.013+01:00

Can you believe how fast time is going this year...?
I have just come back from a great trip in Canada...leading worship, training musicians and singers and teaching on creativity and songwriting. First stop Orillia with Marc DuPont, then Brampton, then Niagara and then Ajax and Toronto...
The Orillia conference was wonderful - great people, great weather and great divine happenings...but 2 other moments stand out to me...

I stayed one night in Niagara Falls and was upgraded to a room overlooking the Falls...it was my personal IMAX. I could not take my eyes off the beauty and marvel of the waterfall...I remember this place as the birthplace of my song CREATION PRAISE - recorded on Personal Worship 3 - and my next blog will feature a link to a spontaneous reflection I videoed whilst staying there this time.

Also special was my time spent with a tamil church in Scarborough, near Toronto - New Strong Tower Church. Once Hindu, now Christian and finding ways to worship and live out their faith with the complexities of mixed cultural perspectives...a YOUNG church, the band and singers were skilled and I had some great spicy food!!! It was great 2 be with them and challenging.

So 2 outstanding memories and both point to a God bigger than I, a God bigger than any celebrity and a God whom creation praises. There are still many unanswered questions.....but this walk of faith is a journey!! Right?

TIME RACES BY

2009-06-13T15:45:00.005+01:00

Well spotted...some of you are saying that I am in blog neglect!! Yes...simply due to the fact that the days are just not long enough...

Well..a quick update...

Been involved in lots of worship events which have been good. Last week near Fleet in a designer village called Elvetham Heath, 40 people turned up for a creativity/music seminar WITH instruments!! That was a challenge... finding something that would allow all 40 to be involved...it was a great time. And those that came were keen for some more consistent training and opportunities to simply TRY...

How true it is that our worship team rehearsals and music practices often attend to learning songs and practicing in order to produce. We are not good at allowing time for the creative energy of collaboration and experimentation to happen... we become producers rather than adventurers and risk takers...Does that sound familiar???

Also.been involved in the live album of the Spring Harvest event this easter. I was A&R for the double album which meant song selection and contributing to the mixes and mastering...and bringing it all together with the artwork...Its sounding GREAT...and I will tell u when it is released..

Enough for now...

The B Tour

2009-03-19T09:52:00.002Z

Funny how sequences appear! Recent trip destinations have begun with the letter B. Belfast , Bookham, Budapest and Birmingham. Had great moments of fellowship and friendship. Now an L destination has elevated me up the alphabet a bit - Lancaster!

So what's next in this letter adventure. Oh yes S for Surbiton and Skegness! There we go again!

EUROVISION TIME

2009-02-03T18:07:00.001Z

Much to the amusement of my friends, I have always been a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest. I try and watch it live BUT if I am busy travelling and working, I faithfully record it and watch it later.

Now, I expected great things this year with Lloyd Webber teaming up with the amazing songwriter Diane Warren. However I am sad...very sad. My heart has not gone 'boom bang a bang' at all. In fact quite the opposite! Is it only me who thinks it is a very lacklustre and clumsy, irritating tune with uninspired lyrics?

I am glad Jade is representing us though. She has the full quota of talent to be a star...but has she got enough to make this song fly??
I am relieved the UK voters saw sense and that we didn't end up with the creatively titled 'TheTwins'
What do you all think??

SINCE WHEN DID COOKING BECOME SO MALE?

2008-09-07T20:52:00.004+01:00

I have just finished watching the quarter finals of 'Professional Masterchef'...and the irony of it all is boiling over!!!

Cooking and 'being in the kitchen' has always been seen to be the domestic domain of the wife, the mother, the daughter....actually anyone who is a woman! Whether you wanted to cook or not...whether you were a cuisine terrorist or not, it really didn't matter. If you were female, you were cooking! And yet - with the current Masterchef series, every finalist so far is male, every judge is male and so far every restaurant taster is, yes you guessed it, male!!

So.. when did testosterone decide who wears the apron??

SCREENAGERS !

2008-07-27T20:07:00.010+01:00

Have you noticed how people prefer relating to screens than to faces? All kinds of screens; on laptop's, iphone's, nintendo dslite's, ipod's, television's, psp 2's - and all kinds of people; young AND not so young!

Even I have a confession here! The more time I spend on my beautiful, gorgeous, clever MAC, the less inclined I feel to talk to real people! It kind of numbs me a little. Anyone relate to that?

And how about those people who randomly flick through TV channels, watching nothing in particular, and yet get annoyed when you try and talk to them! Not to mention the times when a game on the screen is considered more exciting than an encounter with another human being! At the touch of a button we can be wildly entertained at any time of any day. It's the era of the non- stop! And is it just me that enjoys online buying so that I don't need to leave my house??? Are we getting lazy?

Now as I say, I am not faultless in this..but it seems more and more the screen is winning and humanity is losing!

Maybe we need to exercise more self-discipline to drag our eyes away from the beloved screen, or maybe we need to nurture a greater sense of respect and interest in others...but something needs to shift before we become even more relationally dysfunctional.

The screenager is alive and well on planet earth...and that's why I am posting my thoughts on a blog rather than actually talking to you!!

Back Soon 2 Blogland

2008-06-25T17:29:00.002+01:00

Sitting in Denver airport waiting for my next plane to Bakersfield, California and aware I haven't written here for a LONG time! Many reasons including travel, work and writing projects...but I will get back on track soon. and tell you all about France and my current USA trip.

Already driving some large and wonderful vehicles...so continuing my USA thing of having a variety of different cars 2 drive! So see you soon!

U2 in 3D

2008-05-07T17:29:00.006+01:00

What an amazing experience! Once you get past wearing those ridiculous glasses, you are virtually on stage with Bono and the boys - feeling the energy and enjoying the glow of the live performance filmed in Beunos Aires, Argentina. You strut the stage, glare at the wood finish of the guitars and almost sit at the drums with Larry! It's incredible!

This 3d thing is close up stuff! Trailers for the upcoming 'Dinosaurs' and 'Sea Monsters' movies were exhilarating! But watching U2 in concert made my heart jump! I was struck again by the simplicity of their music and how brilliantly that works for them. And I was impacted on many levels at the way a message can be communicated so effortlessly but so poignantly! Bono, of course, is a champion communicator! You only have to read his book 'Bono on Bono' to see how he breathes in the importance of justice and breathes out action and change! Throughout the concert he cleverly informs - for example about Martin Luther King - and then melodically inspires a change of heart. Love not hate, generosity not greed, peaceful co-existence not war.

If he can stir up a crowd to sing a rock anthem, maybe he can stir up a crowd to make poverty history! To me he symbolises a leather clad messenger of the cross with shades on!

WARSAW

2008-04-20T23:27:00.002+01:00

How great it was to actually sing tonight! Thankfully my voice is coming back and I can't tell you what a relief and pleasure that is!! About 200 people gathered in the large church and listened to over 1 hour of music. People seemed touched by the songs stories and observations on life, and I spent a lot of time signing Cd's and trying to spell their names!

On a more practical note, take a look at my bathroom bliss

POLAND continued

2008-04-18T20:15:00.004+01:00

Well...this is another Polish adventure. I took an evening of rest last night and didn't do the concert that was planned. The hard working team I am with covered it! But today has been full. Spoke to over 1000 teenagers this morning and tonight I SANG in the 500 year old cathedral in Lomza! The Church was beautiful with very natural acoustics, and I was careful not to push voice...but people appreciated the evening. And it was great to be able to sing!!!
Next stop - Warsaw!

THE POLISH WAY

2008-04-17T14:12:00.006+01:00

Still driving round Poland, performing concerts in schools, culture centres and cathedrals.
Unfortunately, I am struggling with a throat and middle ear infection and so have seen 3 doctors so far and been prescribed LOADS of pills and anti-biotics. We have had to rearrange the content of the concerts and today I cancelled tonight's concert in order to give me time to get my strength! And to improve the voice! Keeping going has weakened me, and yesterday after a bumpy 10 hours drive from Barlinek to Lomsa, I felt 'on the edge'!
Anyhow, the concerts have touched people and the performances to the schools have been well received. Here is a map of the route plus the last tour! The stars indicate places I have visited here in other years!!

SKEGNESS TO POLAND

2008-04-14T16:04:00.006+01:00

Take a look at this video...I recorded an intro here in Poland for a song we HAD to do at Spring Harvest for the morning all age event! I recorded it to remind myself that we actually did do this!!! Not just once but FOUR times!!

LINK

SPRING HARVEST

2008-04-14T15:48:00.003+01:00

What a great time! 2 weeks in Skegness! The first week I was co-leading a Worship Masterclass alongside Chris Bowater, Dave Bilbrough and Ben Cantelon. The day consisted of teaching, skills workshops and question times. It all went brilliantly. In the second week I was leading worship in the Big Top.

There were long days and snow and sleet but it was a great experience...and the musicians with me in the Big Top were wonderful! My friend Andy Booth co-led with me. From there I went to Poland for a 2 week tour but have picked up a viral infection which is pretty bad. Got the doctor in to give me huge antibiotics and medical attention and I am hoping not to cancel too much!

Right now in Nowa Sol and travel to Barlinek tomorrow! Internet access is patchy but I will try to update you.
Every time I come to Poland, I have an adventure!!!

HAPPY S.A.D

2008-02-16T13:52:00.003Z

Being spasmodically outspoken!!!!! - at recent events when interviewed about 'single living' and the make-up of this rising population plus the pressures and opportunities etc...I wondered out loud why there was not a day for the celebration or recognition of being single! Especially poignant as Valentines Day was fast approaching.....

Well, little did I know (did u know?) that such a day has been introduced and gaining momentum! It's called 'SINGLES AWARENESS DAY' and the website says,"The goal of Singles Awareness Day is to let singles have celebrations, get-togethers, etc. and to exchange gifts with their single friends. The awareness day was established by single people who were just sick of feeling left out on Valentine's Day, and support of the day is growing every year." (www.singlesawareness.com)

A typical greeting for this occasion is 'Happy SAD day"

Thing is...we just missed it. It's the 15th Feb..the day after Valentines! So another year to wait.....unless!!!!!?????

COLD TANGERINES

2008-02-15T19:29:00.003Z

I was sent a book by a magazine for review. I so loved the book I thought I'd include the review in my blog!

"Crying, laughing, smiling and whispering to myself in public places are not usually my style! But this book swept me right out of my comfort zone into spontaneous and visible displays of appreciation!

Cold Tangerines is simply and profoundly about life. The sweet and sour, the truth and lies, the divine and human, the momentous and minor are all seen through the eyes and heart of Shauna Niequist who unravels her experiences and hopes through a collection of short stories.

Her journey becomes your journey as you resonate with tales of friendship and family, weddings and funerals, visions and secrets. Along the way you learn about her struggle to lose weight, her memories of a close friend who was accidentally killed, her love for celebration and her awakening as a Mother. But what makes this book so glorious is that you also learn a lot about yourself and about God.

Yes, it's Loaded with honesty, humour and vulnerability. Easy to read and re-read. Written with people in mind!"

GOLF or GYM

2008-02-15T19:14:00.002Z

What a choice? So I chose the gym! I have always liked the idea..but never been able to turn virtual into reality! Until this month! And I guess it's something I can do as I travel...so... as well as good coffee and wi-fi, finding a gym may become essential requirement number 3!!

Lets see how it goes......!!

I must admit, today I felt slightly intimidated as I gingerly sped up on my tredmill.....only to find that next to me was someone bearing very close resemblance to Wonderwoman!

DRIVE ON

2007-11-22T20:44:00.001Z

Well its been a LONG time since my last post..I am going to remedy that soon. But first I want to show how flexible I am when it comes to being in the driving seat. My recent trip to the USA provided me with some great cars to drive...and here they are.
Guess which one I loved the best????

FILKA

2007-10-15T12:07:00.000+01:00

I have learnt that Filka is incredibly important to the Swedish people. Its a time for community, coffee and cake! I have just been teaching at a YWAM base in Restenas, Sweden on Worship, and Filka appeared very often in the timetable!!

Inbetween Filka, I had a great time with about 25 students, looking at worship and creative worship environments! Saturday was an open day for a workshop plus evening event and together we created and immersed ourselves within a multi-sensory environment for worship. It was deep, colorful, enjoyable and enlightening as we looked at various characteristics of God. I will try and post some pictures here!

Now I am back in the UK and missing...Filka!

I DO

2007-08-05T23:40:00.000+01:00

Just back from a very special day. A good friend of mine..Gabs.....got married to Jon. I remember going to EuroDisney with Gabs and her family...she was about 8 years old, wore pink ear muffs and made me go on 'It's A small, small world' so many times I nearly jumped ship!! And now, look at her!!! Anyhow..it was a great day, the sun shone and the bride smiled constantly!!!

THANKU BERROW

2007-07-31T08:37:00.000+01:00

Just returned from an incredibly enthusiastic crowd who gathered at a 13th Century Anglican Church in Berrow, Somerset. As part of their church celebrations, they invited me with my band to provide an evening of songs and worship. It was wonderful. They listened, sang, laughed and reflected on thoughts of life and God. Thanku to all who came...and made it a memorable evening. They even requested 'Carry The Fire' - a song I haven't sung for well over 10 years..it was very moving as they joined in and seemed to know the tune better than me!!
They were amazed we said yes to a tiny place called Berrow...but I have noticed the appreciation from places that are not saturated with events and concerts to be overwhelmingly wonderful! They really value the visit!

On a different note, the journey home reinforced my dislike of motorway services...after paying a ridiculous amount of money for a hot chocolate...only to be given a cup of hot...still wondering where the chocolate went!

FIRST IMMERSION

2007-07-03T17:11:00.000+01:00

Just back from Nottingham where I have been leading worship at 2 events with writer Liz Babbs providing selected meditations. She released an album called Immerse on the Kingsway label, which blends meditation with music...and she used a couple of my tracks...so we thought we would turn the recording into a LIVE experience...and it worked really well!

Liz has written books on varous topics including stress and has a lot of gifts...including the gift of 'funny things happening at inopportune moments'..anyone who knows her will agree. Never a dull moment! So working with her was a possible risk to my safety!...but I survived, even though...I had to call the AA out en-route for a broken bonnett, rescue a burning pizza, witness the smashing of a crystal glass, and almost get arrested by the Police for driving off from the petrol station without paying!!!

BUT..overall it was a good debut for Immerse Live...And possibly..the first of many.....
More importantly...I became an ambassador for Ryvita...!!!!

Moving onto the letter N

2007-06-28T16:11:00.000+01:00

Well..the time in Geneva and Glasgow went really well. Lots of live music/worship and lots of rehearsing with different musicians...kept me on my toes!! I did the whole trip on Easyjet...and I must confess...the whole system seems to turn people of ALL ages into EASYYOBS...pushing, shoving, queueing....what is it about human beings??? We even gather around the luggage carousal when our luggage isn't coming..blocking everyone else's view!!! I kept wondering how we have all gotten so IMPATIENT.

Today I am off to Nottingham to lead worship at 2 events plus a radio interview, alongside a friend called Liz Babbs, who will provide reflective meditations...

Just heard Annie Lennox is about 2 bring out a new CD...about time!!! She is a very thoughtful lady!!! I like that.

G Force

2007-06-14T15:51:00.000+01:00

I'm just about to embark on a G adventure. Today I was filmed for God Tv, on Saturday I fly to Geneva for worship and teaching events and then straight onto Glasgow to lead worship at a conference...so God, Geneva, Glasgow...a trinity in G.

Had a fun time today recording an interview for the Rob Frost Show which is a series of chat shows aired on God Tv. The main topic was Image and Identity. Other guests included a magician/comedian, an actor, and a jewellry maker. Very eclectic! I will let you all know when the series starts.

Maybe more G's will turn up...like a holiday in Greece...or a surprise Gift?

Where Did The Sun Go?

2007-06-07T18:42:00.000+01:00

Just returned from leading worship at the Spring Harvest site in France. Beautiful location, great beaches, and a very nice campsite. Had a great team to work alongside...met some good people, helpful teaching, inspiring meetings...wonderful table tennis games......but the only thing missing was the SUN?

Most days we had rain...lots of it....plus it was quite cold! I remember being here last September, the weather was amazing...and so the difference was quite hard to adjust to.

Anyhow...we made the most of it...still went out and explored, spent time reading, eating french pastries..and my friend Steph took these pictures of my fight with the umbrella during a heavy downpour on top of the dunes!!

Presence

2007-05-17T23:22:00.000+01:00

Had a great time in Fort Wayne, Indiana, teaching a module called 'Creativity, Worship and PostModernity' as part of a contemporary worship course called Presence. The course consisted of 4 separate modules and attracted about 50 students each time.

My title sounds pretty heavyweight, but I loved researching and adding to my understanding about creative / immersive worship expressions and relevant cultural indicators affecting and challenging us today and for the future. We spent a good amount of time constructing a worship experience which was multi sensory and communal. I think it opened the eyes of the students to a wider understanding of corporate worship and areas of creativity and contemplation.

Then I came back to the Uk to teach on a YWAM School of Worship about songwriting. That was fun too...and the students ended up writing some pretty good songs! They were all better than the UK Eurovison song contest entry!!

Thoughts

2007-04-27T08:48:00.000+01:00

I have learnt so much on this trip, having stayed with Marian Fathers, plain clothed Nuns and Sisters in Kielce! I have sung in a variety of churches (mostly under freezing temperatures) and schools or culture centres! We have covered a lot of Poland and played to around 3,000 people. And a lot of those have been young people!

The Polish web site for the tour has received many emails saying very nice things about the concerts, but especially commenting on how they have been prompted to think again about their faith and committment to God! Many things are changing here in Poland. Increasing travel, flourishing european involvement, strengthening economy, wider consumer choice, greater media influence, it could be that in a few years time, church attendance and loyalty to catholic values will decrease amongst the younger generations! It's already happening, where the values their parents held are not so important or relevant! Like the UK, the younger generations may get dis-enchanted with 'organised religion'.

So..the challenge looks lively! The Church may need to adjust, change shape, find other ways to communicate, yet still retain it's depth of faith with so many riches. The Catholic system is pretty well organised here, very traditional too. My prayer is that there will be a new wave of radical revolutionaries (of all ages and vocations) who sense the signs of the times and become salt and light to Poland! Not entrenched behind church buildings, but out where the people are!! and for 'Emerging Churches'...fresh expressions to grow.

That will be exciting...and challenging...and country changing!

Day 12/13

2007-04-27T08:30:00.000+01:00

The final concert in Kielce was in a school based at a convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. A very new, clean building with around 400 students. We performed concerts all morning to cover the whole school. The older age group was especially attentive,but overall, another great opportunity. The Sister Direktor had her 'Names day' - so it was an extra special occasion for everyone! Lots of sponge cake!

Day 9/10/11

2007-04-25T11:24:00.000+01:00

We have travelled hundreds of kilometres these past few days. From Warsaw we headed up to Gdansk to the seaside, and played in Sopot which is renowned for its very long pier! Yes you learnt it here first!!

Warsaw on Sunday was busy! I didn't know, but the city is divided in 2 by a river and so we played in the east which is called Praga in a small chapel of a BIG church! It was great. The ambience cool (in the best sense of the word) and the people very, very warm and touched by the concert. I was given flowers!! We packed down amazingly quickly and sped over to the west to set up and play in another church! This was the least attended concert, maybe due to the saturation of big cities or the organisation...but those that came enjoyed it!

Then to Gdansk, to play in a large church in Sopot. Again an amazing building with stained glass windows that added to the evening aura. About 300 attended and it was a great night. Many young people came and joined in with enthusiasm especially the songs that have travelled, like 'Open The Eyes' and 'I Could Sing Of Your Love'. Some shared afterwards that they have been feeling far away from God, but tonight really spoke to them and helped them. We have also had many emails giving positive feedback from varous concerts on the tour.

So. Onwards to Kielce today, for 2 more concerts for teenagers. The first one at 9am in the morning! Who organised that?????

The climate here in Poland is changing...economically, spiritually...and I will write my thoughts later tomorrow. So tune in...

Day 6/7/8

2007-04-22T10:23:00.000+01:00

A little bit of time to write before heading to Warsaw. Had a good time in PUSZCZA MARIANSKA...2 concerts for school students and an evening concert. A small village, so it feels good to input into a location not saturated with visiting singers, especially english ones! Then onto GORA KALWARI ( and yes I can pronounce both places perfectly!). The small church, (which houses the founding Bishop in the crypt) was a great venue, atmospheric and great for our lights and video screen. The church seemed pretty packed and the people receptive.

I have noticed an increasing number of young people at these events...which is exciting. Now onto Warsaw. for a concert pre-mass, and then post-mass in another venue! So this is really the mass and monastry tour!!! Will post some pictures later.

Day 3/4/5

2007-04-19T09:05:00.000+01:00

Back in Czeschohowa, which is where I am based for this tour and waiting to drive to a place near Warsaw. Have had a day free and went to see 'Miss Potter' - a great and charming movie - and had 2 concerts in a school for English - and today I am working on an article and driving to Puszcza Marianska! Pronounce that!!
Tomorrow I am setting up in a culture centre with concerts for schools during the day, and an open concert in the evening!
There is a lot of interest from the young people, who are very open to 'english' people - the Poles are apparently the 3rd largest minority in the UK!

DAY 2 - NOWA SOL

2007-04-16T22:56:00.000+01:00

Concerts en masse...in fact, concerts after Mass.
Had a great evening concert in a large church last night. Many were there, young and old. Usually we set up before mass, then move everything out of their way for evening mass, and then we hurry like mad to set it all up again as people watch in silence!! Always a little embarassing, but even more so for me yesterday, as I tripped very athletically off stage after getting caught up in some of my leads...I managed very daintily to NOT fall over as people watched in hushed tones. Realising the drama of the situation, I simply bowed and said thankyou, to a still silent audience! Good start eh?
This morning I gave 3 consecutive 45 minute concerts to teenagers, as schools sent them over to my place (the church)...It was a great morning...what opportunity to sing and speak about life and God to about 1500 teenagers! Even though Poland is a Catholic country, a lot is changing, and perhaps with each generation the reality of Jesus is diminishing...and distance and rejection to church is increasing..
And...here's a picture of me with a Capuchin Monk...they hosted the concerts....(I'm the one on the left!!!) We spent the night in the Monastry...don't think they usually have many girls stay over...It was a really interesting time...and the concerts were very well received...
and I learnt that the cappuchino connection is in the colour of the habits only...

Poland 2007 Day 1

2007-04-15T07:33:00.000+01:00

This is the first day of a 13 day tour in Poland...and my 8th time visiting this country. The weather is great, the schedule is busy! Today we travel to the west of Poland to Nowa Sol (New Salt)..named as such because of the salt mines..and I perform a concert in a church run by Capuchin Monks. They are a reformed order of Franciscan monks...and practice austerity, simplicity, poverty and a contemplative lifestyle!!

So I will be staying overnight in a very old monastry and am preparing myself for....simplicity!! Rumour has it that the Capuchin monks invented capucchino! I am holding onto that thought and hoping!!! Then tomorrow, I do a concert for a local school...in Nowa Sol.

Always many adventures, so I will keep u updated. Maybe a few pictures too...But it's an interesting country to visit, especially as it finds its feet in the EU and faces the usual consumer and societal trends and challenges amidst a changing catholic culture.

THE BEAUTY MYTH

2007-03-04T19:22:00.000Z

Bobbi Brown, the queen of cosmetics, has some wise words to throw into the beauty debate. She is about to turn 50 and says " I accept the ageing process and don't understand what some women out there are doing to themselves. Have surgery or collagen injected into my lips? I'd end up looking like a 50 year old who's had some weird stuff done to herself".

Sounding a little like Anita Roddick she continues, "Who say's it's not beautiful to have thinner lips or lines around the eyes or to be a healthy weight? It incenses me the way some celebs think it's cool to be cadever-like, encouraging other people to feel bad about themselves. Making the natural best of yourself is what my beauty philosophy is all about." Even her ads make a similar point when they encourage us to discover surgery-free ways to look fresher and better...

Now, some people may feel she is simply choosing a clever marketing angle in order to cash in on the opposition to cosmetic alteration and the glorification of size zero, but how refreshing to hear someone speak in favour of the natural enhancing that the ageing process brings...and to celebrate healthy body shape.

Does this wisdom come with age? Do we need to reach 50 in order to become enlightened? Who are the messengers of true beauty for the teens, 20's and 30's? When will we realise that inner beauty is far more precious and that laughter lines are to be celebrated rather than exterminated?

I DON'T BELIEVE IT

2007-01-24T21:48:00.000Z

Found myself on a slippery slope the other day, heading towards winning the trophy for being Victoria Mildew - grumpy girl from surrey - getting irritated by all kinds of people and incidents... fast drivers, call centres that lose your call, printer jams that leave ink all over your hands....... Even considered starting a website where people can let off steam and get help on issues like overcoming stress and how to complain with dignity. (Watch this space)
Ever felt like this? It's easy to get into the grumpy groove and stay firmly lodged there...Do you think this is a common problem? How do people jog themselves out of it?
You will be pleased to hear I took a deep breath....painted myself with the kindness brush, mashed some potato into a pulp, read the sermon on the mount..and put flowers in my hair!!! Well...maybe not the flowers!!!

5 MINUTES ON....

2006-12-20T09:45:00.000Z

I am posting on my website (www.suerinaldi.net) a new series of semi-edited teachings from my visit this autumn to a great church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The various talks have been condensed into individual 5 minute soundbites and are in essence, short ventures into creative spaces.
The first in the series is based on a quote by the French painter and artist, Henri Matisse.
“An artist must never be a prisoner. An artist should never be a prisoner of himself, prisoner of style, prisoner of reputation, prisoner of success"
So, if you have a spare five minutes, take a listen...I hope they will provoke and inspire. The first is looking at 'Boxes' and features voices from some of the artists at the creative gathering in Fort Wayne.

SACRED RHETORIC 1

2006-12-10T08:26:00.000Z

I was involved in a songwriters consultation this week. We had some great teaching on Psalms and were taken on a journey through the 3 types of Psalms - 'Orientation' (well being, praise), 'Dis-orientation' (lament,confusion,dismay), and 'Re-orientation' (a new perspective).

"The spirituality of the psalms is a spirituality of embrace. An embrace that holds onto God and the world with equal dedication".

Psalms are entrances into another world, portals into reality, revealing God's view of the world. When approaching Psalms we were encouraged to process the following questions. 1.What is our experience? 2. What interpretation does Psalm give to our experience? 3. What is Gods view? 4. What do we need to do to step into new reality?
Sounds very matrix!! But my eyes have been opened. I will write some more later!!

TAKE A LOOK

2006-12-03T17:39:00.000Z

ON UK GROUND

2006-11-11T06:48:00.000Z

Back home now in the UK after a great trip to Oz. The final week in Canberra was interesting and incredibly busy. The picture shows some of the colourful characters I was working with.......The city of Canberra was built to function as the capital and a way to stop Sydney and Melbourne squabbling over the title. It feels a very sterile and functional place, with such a different atmosphere to other cities, such as Melbourne. Our conference was simply to gather christians from all walks of church and pray and see what God is saying over this strategic place. It was good to go there and make some valuable connections.

There seems a lot of talk and diagnostic meditation over the issue of the template of church in Australia at the moment, especially amongst some of the people I am connecting with. Many questions about church system and structures and a huge desire to see the life of Christ flood out and not be contained by the structure.....A friend of mine David Orton is making some waves, especially after writing his book 'Snakes In The Temple' which " casts a biblical vision of an awesome future for the church and speaks to the hindrances to that future". Looks like my next book to read.......

OFF 2 CANBERRA

2006-10-31T11:41:00.000Z

It's been great here in Melbourne. I have been inputting into some churches through worship and teaching plus enjoying the pre summer sunshine and a dog called Xena!!! Many here are talking about new ways of 'doing' church and deconstructing the system in order to find and live out the reality of following Christ. I was involved in a forum of 20 influential people from different states here in Australia wrestling with new thoughts of repainting and reworking church. Interesting and thought provoking!
Tomorrow I go to Canberra to lead worship in a conference that lasts for 3 days. The capital city lacks character and feels quite sterile and the churches seem dissasociated from one another..so this should be an adventure!! More to follow..........

YES, I ORDERED FISH

2006-10-26T01:23:00.000+01:00

I am endeavouring to break new ground! First of all I embraced the open seas during August and September and sailed in Samos and France, and now I am confronting another area of resistance whilst here in Australia, I have actually ordered and eaten fish!!!
I thought this country would be a good place to break my fishphobia, which is well known around the world by friends and organisers of events I have attended!! So in a great restaurant yesterday, I asked for a fish that was white, without bones and with a light flavour!! What a task. And they cooked up such a fish and I ate it!!! And...I actually enjoyed it!!! So a brand new world is opening up to me! Bring on the Omega 3's .......

THE OTHER SIDE

2006-10-23T07:05:00.000+01:00

Writing this from Melbourne, Australia. I have been here for 5 days so far and it's a great country. Always liked it! This is my 8th or 9th trip to this far away land and I am here for 3 weeks in Melbourne and Canberra leading worship at conferences, taking creative workshops, speaking at churches and catching up with friends over food and drink!!! Always a good place for that!!

So far I have been leading worship at a conference held in the heart of melbourne town in a 10th storey building overlooking the river..a great view...and a stimulating conference. Tomorrow I take part in Leadershift..a network group of influencers and leaders around this area. So, I am keeping busy whilst fighting off jetlag, swopping marmite for vegemite and enjoying the sun!!G'day.

GIRLY MUSIC SCIENTIST

2006-10-12T21:35:00.000+01:00

It's always good to get the creative juices stirred up by watching someone else in concert or by going to an art exhibition. Last night I ventured to Brighton to hear the unique Imogen Heap. Only recently has she invaded my space but it was an amazingly refreshing experience. She is a girl with gadgets, building up tracks as she plays and handling vocoders and samplers as if they were child's toys. She has an eccentric simplicity and a huge capacity for making music that leaves you shouting for more. She is definitely one artist to look out for. Her concerts are a work of wonder. Long live the spirit of originality!!

I was recently asked a question about how we can stay 'out of the box'. As I was considering my reply, a friend remarked that it's probably best not to get in the box in the first place!!! There were no boxes on stage last night!!

THIS IS AFRICA!!!

2006-09-18T00:54:00.000+01:00

Back in the UK after an amazing few weeks. 16 days in Uganda leading worship and speaking at a youth conference and then 1 week leading worship in France at Spring Harvest.
I will write more about Uganda shortly...but it was quite an adventure! The people are rich in beauty and courage and the youth at the conference were hungry for God! The Christians we met place so much value on gathering and praying and worshipping!! And the children were glowingly cute and lovely!! The challenges they all face are many! 2 things we take for granted - water and power - are unpredictable and polluted and the need for education and training is overwhelming! But it was an amzing trip, and I can still smell the chipati's at the market!
The french week was a God send...especially after 16 days of washing in bowls of water and wondering when the power would return!! Not to mention the chaotic time structures of the meetings!! But the Spring harvest houseparty was a delight and the weather and the beaches were incredible!! I even went canoeing...extending my water skills after samos!!
I will post pictures soon of the Uganda trip!

SAIL ON

2006-08-13T22:06:00.000+01:00

My week in Samos as a ministry leader for Mastersun reminded me that you are never too old to face your fears!!

I am not a water baby and being so close to the sea has never really enthralled me into freestyle swimming and underwater snorkelling. However, after a lot of encouragement and hot weather, I ventured onto a catermaran and a small yacht. (On separate ocassions of course!)

The yacht was a particular challenge as it required me to 'ready about' and 'leo' - sailing lingo for important manoeveres! Not only did we go too near Turkey requiring a rescue boat to come and herd us back, but we also had spinnaker issues! But I live to tell the tale, and some of me enjoyed the experience. I had a great crew!!!!

As you can see by the picture, my presence on the catermaran was too dangerous for Sam the waterfront man....I got on, he jumped off!!!

BERLIN SHOUTS

2006-07-24T11:09:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin opened its gates to approximately 22,000 people from over 30 nations. Centre stage was not given to the sport of football or the music of rock n roll, but to the Global God who scored the greatest victory through Jesus Christ! Thousands gathered there to worship and pray and make their voices heard within a city that was already crowded with worshippers of a different kind who were simultaneously celebrating at the famous Love Parade.

But what a different sound filled the air above the olympic-ringed temple. Worship leaders, musicians and pastors - known and unknown, german and english, american and hungarian, korean and brazillian - played their part as the programme rolled on throughout the day. They may have been leading the songs which became the prayers of the people; their faces may have been the focus of eyes on the huge video screens, they may have been the industry saints of the contemporary church...but all of that found its rightful place within a much larger symphony.

It was the sound of the people, the street saints of God, encircling the stadium with the passionate notes of salvation that made the ground shake with the promise of Who is to come!

Saturday July 15th 2006 was not really about Saturday July 15th 2006. Most of the faces and features will fade away. But it was a timely moment for people from all over the world to proclaim the ageless message of a Saviour who truly is the only way.

It was great to be a part of it.

FOREVER LEARNING

2006-06-27T22:53:00.000+01:00

I have often been challenged about never losing the spirit of a learner. It's so easy to be stuffed so full of information and knowledge that we fool ourselves into imagining we have an elevated position. Yet one of the highest places to be is on mount humility, always looking, always open, always ready to learn.

Leonard Sweet - a great observer and writer - has a wonderful litany of transformation posted on his web site....from learned to learner.... he writes...

I used to be a learned professor. Now I'm a learner.
When I was learned, life was a quiz show. Now that I'm a learner, life is a discovery channel.
When I was learned, it was a question of how much I knew. Now that I'm a learner, it's a question of how much I'm being stretched.
When I was learned, knowledge was everything. Now that I'm a learner, kindness is everything.

COAST LINE

2006-05-10T18:10:00.000+01:00

Spent a few days in Aberystwyth with a YWAM DTS speaking about Worship. Had a good time with the hills and the sea and the students and the rain!! Then I drove down to Cardiff to spend some time shaking ideas around with Care For The Family. This has sent my mind reeling into hyperspace wondering about young adults and the issues and challenges they face. Also, how old or young are 'young adults'? Is there another name we can call them? What's the most effective way of communicating with and to them? Answers on a postcard please. ( How very retro )

POLISH ROAD TRIP

2006-04-25T12:25:00.000+01:00

Being here in POLAND is certainly testing my Vanaphobia (fear of long hours in vans). Already we have covered a lot of miles and my observation has always been that the roads here are incredibly bumpy and the drivers are all fast, overtaking monsters!! (Exagerrate..me??) Still, it all helps with my fear of flying. Whenvr I am on a plane about to panic I simply remember how scared I have felt on the Polish roads and suddenly being 39,000 feet up in the air pales into insignificance!!
This is my 5th year visiting Poland and playing concerts in large cathedrals, churches, schools and town halls. It is always interesting being here, partly because of the history and link between the culture and the Catholic religion - it's very different from being in the UK. So tomorrow I visit Plock to sing to a Catholic seminary ( training school for priests) and then onto perform a concert in the evening!! So more bumpy roads, speedy cars and yet another opportunity to triumph over my vanaphobic tendancies!

BARBIE BLUES

2006-04-21T21:55:00.000+01:00

Flying over to Poland I was reading an article about Barbie being brought to life for a stage show!! Suddenly all my doll rage came to the surface!! I know she has undergone many transformations since birth, but I still choke at the sub text of the stereotype!! Anyhow I will spare you my rant about her exaggerated proportions, and give you a few statistics that may interest or shock!!

1. Barbie doll has had more than 95 careers - from rock star to presidential candidate
2. Placed head to toe, Barbie dolls and family members sold in 150 countries since 1959 would circle the earth more than 7 times.
3. Every second, 3 barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.
4. Barbie's full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts.

Enough!! But one fact that has shadowed me since the moment of revelation....is that apparently barbie and I were born a month apart from each other - so that means we almost share the same birthday! And that is all i do share!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie makes a fascinating read.

TROLLEY RAGE

2006-04-07T22:24:00.000+01:00

It used to be the car parks that were the most dangerous places in supermarkets due to dodgy parking and over-zealous speeding drivers making a hasty exit - but now a new trend is emerging - awkward moments with older people trying to link trolleys together and get their pound coin out!!!! 3 times now I have been involved in difficult and perplexing situations and I am planning on holding workshops to explain the fundamental trolley positions that will aid easy coin access and successful trolley closure.

HELLO SPRING HARVEST

2006-04-07T19:39:00.000+01:00

SH is an interdenominational Christian festival with seminars, gatherings and events and is held each year in Skegness and Minehead Butlins resort!! I had a wonderful time at Minehead leading worship in the Big Top with my international band. The days were long and exhausting but very fulfilling.... even the weather was good...with sunshine...The whole week felt real with speakers talking honestly about life and faith and the people seemed to enjoy the musical expression of worship that my band and I provided. The chalet we stayed in even had a shower this time!! I really did appreciate my musicians who learnt so many new songs and managed to follow my song leading, and even the mistakes didn't throw them off course!!

THE MUSIC OF POETRY

2006-04-07T19:00:00.000+01:00

I had an inspirational evening watching JANE SIBERRY in concert in London. She delivers her songs with an honesty that unearths a fresh appreciation for melody and awakens a thirst for the story behind the lady who paints a picture book of observations and experiences. In a world that manufactures on a mass scale, she appeared original and unique...gliding from song to story...and I loved it.

THE GREAT AUNT FACTOR

2006-03-27T13:13:00.000+01:00

I am amazed at the title of great aunt...sounds like I must be 104. But I guess I am an aunt...and actually I have been described as great!! So...put the 2 together and I am pleased to be that for Jack!!! He's 3 now. And definitely has the Rinaldi frown!!!