Wheels Of Steele

2003-04-08T23:05:00.000Z

I deleted a post I had here, saying that I was kinda against war. To be honest I kinda put that up to fit in with the majority of my blog peers in their anti-war stance, because I could see their point of view, but didn't neccesarily agree. Didn't want to seem like some war-hungry, blood-thirsty heathen. I think that the scenes in Baghdad speak for themselves.

2003-04-08T22:49:00.000Z

Congrats to Dave and Glen on the arrival of their new sprog. Kirsten Zoe, nice name. However I can't help but feel a little bit sorry for Dave who still has yet to obtain a little Dave Jnr to take to the footy. Never mind, eh Dave? And just think of all those weddings you'll have to fork out for!!!! Seriously though, all the best to the Dunlops and congrats again...

2003-04-07T20:12:00.000Z

I'm just throwing out an invitation to anyone who fancies getting a wee group together to head down to a club called Skye in Belfast some saturday night. You can check out a wee review here. It'll be funky house all night, so if you like the music off that lynx ad with the guy dancing (and who doesn't???) by Room 5 then you should have no reservations about the tunes @ Skye. I've never been so it'll be a new experience for me as well.....

I'm not expecting a big response but thought I'd give it a bash

2003-04-07T19:57:00.000Z

Sorry folks that I've neglected the old blog recently. We had a wee fight but now we've kissed and made up......

So I thought since Bush moved in just down the road today, I thought I'd better throw my 2p in (is that the correct phrase??) about this whole war....Forgive me if I offend you but I'm entitled to my opinion....Can open, worms everyhere......

Basically I'm really pissed that these anti-war protests are still going on....Like fair enough if you're anti-war, but like the things started so give it a rest. Believe me, Bush and Blair know that some people are super - pissed; they've got the message. They aren't gonna pull out of Iraq. I doubt if the content of the meeting will run along the lines of 'Well I think after spending all this money on sending weapons and troops out there that we should bring them all back. Especially since we're getting a bit close to Baghdad, maybe we should leave them alone after all.......' NO!! It's not gonna happen. Also I seen a protester on the news tonight with a sign saying 'Bomb Bush' What the hell is that about!!!! 'Peace on earth man.....but land a scud on George's head first' What are these people actually against???

I watched 'We Were Soldiers' th'other night. If you've seen it before, you'll know what an absolutely heart-wrenching movie it is. So I'm watching this movie and in total shock at what these men did in Vietnam. Then at the end it gives the names of all the soldiers who died in this particular battle the film focuses on. These people died for their country. Sons, Brothers, Fathers were taken away because they believed in something so much that they gave their lives for it. And that's what our boys are doing out there. They are putting themselves at risk so that we can live in a world that is free of an evil and oppressive dictator like Saddam. So whether you're anti or pro-war, lets support the soldiers that our away from their loved ones fighting for our country, and remember them and their families in our prayers...

2003-02-25T14:36:00.000Z

I was walking thru uni today on the way to a lecture after grabbing some lunch. As I passed by people, I wondered what was going thru their minds? What were they thinking about? Maybe thay had just failed an exam? Did they hate their course? Maybe some had just broken up with a boyfriend or girlfriend? Maybe last night they met the girl of their dreams.....Had they woke up in their own bed or in the bed of some random who they might not see again? Maybe they were thinking about that relative who had been diagnosed with cancer? Or maybe they had just been told they themselves had two years to live? Maybe they've just found out they're pregnant? Maybe they know God.....maybe they dont.....

It hit me like a ton of bricks that we don't have a clue what goes on in the mind of people.....We don't know what their circumstances are......so even if you only speak to somebody for five minutes, show them God's love. It might just make a difference.....

2003-02-17T22:36:00.000Z

Evening all.....

Just back from a great weekend @ Cultural Shift in Southampton with Rice, Ruth and Rach ( and Claire and Graham). Great craic as well as a real feeling of God's presence during the whole conference. Thanks to God also for keeping us safe and sane during the bus journeys! There were four 'seminars' in total and some things really struck me and I'd just like to share them, and you can let me know what you think.....

Firstly something Pete Greig said about teams and mission, particularly ones that are far away, and as we all know cost a lot of cash. Basically he was saying that we shouldn't let money get in the way of following God's call to go to places. Sometimes we say stuff like 'Yeah I'm just praying that God will give me the money to go' while we listen to our minidisc players and enjoy all the other expensive gizmos and stuff that we have but could really do without. He challenged us not to wait for God to just drop a wad of cash into our hands, but to sell stuff we don't need if we really feel led to go somewhere. It's a small sacrifice to make when we consider what God has done. I'm not having a go at anyone but I thought it was very interesting....

On the Saturday Carl Trinion was giving us a good ol' kick up the arse by asking us how serious are we about our sins? Are we gutted when we sin? Or do we just think 'Oh well God is gracious and he will forgive me, so it doesn't matter what I do'. Personally, the latter applies to my own life and that is something that I have to change. He gave us the example of water. He was saying how much he loved water, and would jump into a lake or river whenever he could. But he also knew that he could drown and that water could take his life. That's the same with God and we can't take him for granted. It's so hard to do though and how many times do we know we're gonna commit sin before we do it...God's grace is a precious gift and I can't abuse in the way I currently am...

Later kids

2003-02-10T22:51:00.000Z

Check out the ECCO website. They're a couple of guys who run this organisation basically providing a support group and community for christians and clubbers. As well as focusing on what exactly it means to be a christian in the club culture, they organise alternative worship services on thursday nights. It's a great idea (in my opinion) so do keep these guys in your prayer as they try to figure out where God is leading them and how they can make God a real influence in this culture....

2003-02-03T23:00:00.000Z

Did anyone see the program tonight about Michael Jackson? If so then please gimme your comments. Is he the world's most understood man, or the world's biggest wack job? I dunno, but let me know what you think....

2003-02-03T22:59:00.000Z

Well the snow finally came. Hurrah!! cried the children!!! Alas all is not well when the white stuff falls. Indeed this morning was a prime example. In fact today was in general pretty crappy. First of all my journey into uni this morning, instead of taking the customary 45 minutes took a ridiculous three hours!!! I dunno what the craic was, musta been an accident near belfast but the road into carryduff was (to be said in a jamaican accent) total gridlock man!! Patience was indeed tested. I'll still go out and make a snowman though!!! Hee-Hee!!! I also got my exams results and failed one so it means I'll have to repeat in the summer so that could blow some plans out of the water. Hopefully not though.

2003-01-28T15:46:00.000Z

To try and spruce up the old blogger I've stuck a games room which you can get at the bottom of the page. I know it looks outta place but I don't know enough html to get it in the correct position. If anybody does then please spread the wealth (of knowlege) so that I make it look semi-professional instead of the botched operation which has happened.
Anyway the games are provided by miniclip.com and there's some quality games and features to waste away the hours with. You will need flash and shockwave to get all the games but these will download automatically if you don't have them.

Enjoy anyway.....

2003-01-23T00:03:00.000Z

From the January edition of BBM Magazine:

House of God

The Church of England has formally endorsed using dance music as a method of recruiting young people in a strategy they're labelling 'raves in the nave'...
The concept has just won backing from the Church's organising body, the General Synod and could see chaplains appointed to clubs. The idea first emerged in the mid 90's through groups like the World Wide Message Tribe (now known as the Tribe) who spoke in 1996 about their clubber - friendly approach. 'Dance Music is the music of the kids of Manchester,' the Tribe's then chief Andy Hawthorne said. 'We think of ourselves as missionaries. Most kids in Manchester are pagans because they don't know the basic information about the Christian faith.' Also appearing in the same article was another evangelical dance producer, whose uncompromising views on religion and wholesome living made him one of club culture's most mocked individuals at the time. 'I was talking to someone and we were having a conversation , then someone mentioned about me being a Christian and this guy wouldn't talk to me anymore,' said Moby. 'I don't understand why seemingly open - minded, tolerant people become facist bigots when they find out you're a Christian. It seems Christianity is the one topic people feel comfortable being bigoted about.'

Indeed it does my skinny, bald American friend........

2003-01-22T01:33:00.000Z

Two more albums to bring to your attention kids......

First is Danny Rampling's latest compilation 'Turntable Symphony' is first up. Probably most of you won't have heard of Danny Rampling, but he's one of the greats of house music. He's one of the greats of British dance music and used to have a show on Radio 1 on a friday night called the Love Groove Dance Party until Fergie took over last year. This album is some of his favourite tracks of last year and before everybody starts going 'I bet it just goes boom-boom-boom' let me say that you couldn't be farther from the truth. This CD is a mix of some of the most soulful, upbeat inspiring music, with more than just a touch of gospel influence in there. Which for me personally makes it great for worship and prayer. It's really good and it is such a change from some of the stuff I listen to. Trust me on this one. Amazon have it for £11.99 which is pretty good, or you can buy it from HMV.

Second album is The Flaming Lips 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots'. Yeah I know - strange title.....But honestly this is quality music......It's really laid back acousticy rock with a bit of electronica and odd samples thrown in. It's really tremendous stuff. The lead singer Wayne Coyne's voice is really nice and the music is so varied and unpredictable - I just think it's superb but hey what do I know. Some of the lyrics are as erratic as the music and in some places quite depressing but it's still worth checking the album out. They've released two songs off it I think - 'Do you realise' and the album's title track which charted last week at number 14. You can find out more about the guys on their official website and buy the album at all good record stores and some crap ones as well.

2003-01-22T01:16:00.000Z

It's like 1 o'clock in the morning and I have no hope of getting any sleep.....Can anyone recommend any remedies for getting to sleep. I'm sure there's a word for that but it evades me right now....home remedies that your granny might have are also welcome....as long as they don't contain ass of rat or anything bizarre like that...

At the minute I'm (slowly) working my way thru cover to cover. I reckon I'm about 6 weeks behind which is just silly but I'm not too stressed about it. I've just finished off Isaiah in the last couple of days. I must confess that some of it scared me a little. If you've never dabbled in the prophetic word of Isaiah, he basically prophesies God's vengeance on those who have turned from him - some of it's pretty graphic stuff - as well as the triumphant return of Jerusalem and Jesus' birth. Amongst other things.With every reading there is a little thought for the day and one of the last ones said how our desire to see God's return is a reflection on how God features in our lives and how close he is to us personally. I thought that was really thought - provoking. Earlier, Selwyn Hughes had asked if some of God's future actions scared us? At the time I must confess yes which meant that perhaps I wasn't experiencing God as much as I should. Any thoughts? How much do you desire God's return?

2003-01-08T12:26:00.000Z

I seen two things yesterday which both scared the crap outta and pissed me off....

First Sky Sports were running a story about the 'Hand of God' Church. This is a church of around 150 Argentinians who worship Maradona. They say they are now living in the year 42 AD (After Diego) and hold a guy who has taken drugs, involved in prostitution and has a willy the size of a cocktail sausage as their messiah.(Sorry if that seemed really judgemental but it's fact). You can see a story BBC done on it by clicking here. What scares me is that a) the church is growing and b) everyone seems to think it's harmless. This is what's happening in the world. I think it's a challenge to all of us to really start making some waves because people are really genuinely looking to anything to fill the void in their lives. Any opinions on this leave a wee comment.....

Also then was Hollyoaks. Those familiar with this soap will know exactly what I'm talking about. Cameron was having a debate with Brian (a goth Christian type guy) about the feeding the five thousand miracle. Cameron was going on about how it was just a rumour that got spread around, each time geting more and more exaggerated, and riduculing Brian's arguements, which were pretty lame in the first place. Cameron then started a rumour Brian had won 100 quid on the lottery, which only a few hours later was turned into 500 notes by rumour. I just thought that if they ae gonna start having a go at the Bible they could at least make the Christian's point of view truthful and more...I dunno....forceful. Brian just seemed to have no reply when there clearly was.....he just seemed scared to say it. Really the writers need to sort these out as it's just another example of Christian on TV made out to be spineless wonders.

2003-01-08T12:13:00.000Z

So boxing day I shifted me arse down to the Kings Hall for another Godskitchen event. Slightly more banging and trancey than Shine but a really good (day and) night nonetheless. It was however another insight into the drugs problem which I think has got worse in the last few months. It's really tearing this generation apart. It's why I think more than ever people need to hear about God and why they need to see God moving in club culture. You know things are serious when you see people already hammered coming up and asking 'any E's mate?' People are looking for more and more crap to make them have a good night - they never seem satisfied. And so they need the peace and contentment of God. Sorry if this seems really irrelevant but it's on my mind at the mo so sorry to get all heavy on you.

2003-01-08T12:07:00.000Z

Saturday 21st December I headed down to Shine's Christmas Party. In tow were a few mates from school and Ruth Murphy as well. What a cracker night!!! Carl Cox (no.4 dj in the world) was playing in the main room, but what really got me going was the quality house being turned out by Mr Tim Deluxe and Lottie. I'm sure these names mean nothing but you have to understand that these guys rocked the place!! Shamon!! The music ws so easy to worship to...fantastic. For a while now I've been having ideas about getting a group of guys from the youth to go out clubbing to take God into the darkest places. If you don't believe just how uplifting dance music can be, then ask Murphy- she flipping loved it!!!! It's really great to just be dancing and singing (if you know the words!) in praise and thankfulness to God. It's immense. if you think you'd be up for that then gimme a shout.

2002-12-09T21:43:00.000Z

Hey peeps.........

What a fine, fine day. Just back from queens after coming out victorious in the chemical engineering society 5-a-side footy tournament at the PEC. What make it hilarious is that none of our triumphant team do chemical engineering........MUAHAHAHA!!!! It really was a Hollywood story. First the girl who was meant to be playing for us (having a female in the team was compulsory but each female goal counted as 3!) suffered a bizarre injury and so she brought one of her mates down, who also plays for J'Town ladies footy team. So with that hurdle successfully negotiated we went down to the PEC only to be given the heartbreaking news that our team had not been entered!!! Apparently we had registered too late tho we were told at the time we were OK. However we were reinstated in the tournament after one of the teams didn't show up in time. So after thumping out opponents 4-0 and 11-0 in the group we then moved on the semi final where my mate Will won the game with a ferocious left foot drive into the bottom corner. In the final we went a goal down early before Will equalised. Then Yours Truly claimed his fourth goal of the tournament to put us 2-1 up. Another equaliser from them set my heart into a panic however Janice spanked a left foot shot into the top corner of the net from all of 12 yards to put us 5-2 up. Janice extended our lead to 8-2 before our worthy opponents clambered it back to 8-3. Will again fired home with 4 minutes to go to seal the victory, but there was still time for the opposition to get a late consolation. To the victor go the spoils and £20 each which is a fine prize for a bit of footy. Although I can't help but feel that the chemical engineers' will be pissed due to the fact that their money is going to civil students!

Remeber Formal money please this week and I'll see you all later.......

David

2002-12-02T12:14:00.000Z

As well as putting up random crap on my website, I'll also be sharing with you some of the music I've been listening to. First up is Lemon Jelly's album called Lost Horizons. If you like your chillout music then this album really is a must for Chrimbo. Lemon Jelly have been making quality music for ages and this is one of the best albums of the year. It's a exceptional blend of just about every musical instrument and some of the most bizarre spoken word samples I've heard. It's very hard not to smile when you hear this pompous English guy singing 'All the ducks are swimming in the water...Fa La La La La La'. It's a very different sound than the Cafe del Mar stuff which some of you have heard, but it's just brilliant. Pick of the songs from the album is Nice Weather for Ducks which is a track filled with strings, synth and a superb trumpet melody which makes you jump up and shake yo' ass!!. With the weather being so crap outside buy this album, stick it on and imagine your miles away. Great for relieving stress!!! Click here to buy online from CD - WOW for £8.99! What a gift!!!

2002-12-02T12:00:00.000Z

Greetings...........

And may I add seasons to that. For surely the celebrations of our Saviour's birth are but a matter of weeks away. And it's hard isn't it not to get caught up in the general hype of Christmas, even tho it is the start of December. The decorations were up in Tesco about 4 weeks ago which is ridiculous. Halloween had just finished and up comes the flippin' holly et al. I wonder if the fact that everybody thinks about Christmas earlier makes it a bit easier on Santa. Think about it....Kids are seeing the toys they want earlier and so they're sending their letters to Santa away earlier, which gives him more time to get it sorted. Probably puts a lot less strain on the marriage as he can have more free time over the next couple of weeks to spend with Mrs. Claus........Just a thought....

2002-11-26T19:58:00.000Z

Evening Everyone.....

So after the horrible start to the week that was yesterday's accident, things took a turn for the better today...Hazzah!!!
Fair bit of damage it turns out but it'll no doubt get sorted.......It's funny how God answers prayer. I had prayed Monday morning that God would kep me awake and fill me with energy and......well I didn't feel tired the rest of the day!!!!!

Good to see Kirk back in town. Only 3 more weeks and we'll have her for a bit longer!!!!

Remeber the Formal please. Prob most of you got my text message so if you start coughing up the dough shortly that would be really great...

Thanks guys....See you soon....

David

2002-11-20T20:23:00.000Z

Hey all!!!

This is a little website I've took 2 minutes to set up (no expense spared as well!!)
I'll just put some crap up here and hopefully somebody'll read it.

Anything to add just knock yourself out!!!
Cheers....
David