Thinking About Youth Work

Anyone who knows me will know this is something that I'm thinking about...

I think this article is really helpful and worth a read.

http://www.ninethirtyeight.org/articles/newsletter/Article1/

Not Only The Gospel But Our Whole Lives

A Verse For Life

1 Thessalonians 2 v 8

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

This is an incredible verse from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. For me it has been really wonderful to see the gospel of Jesus transforming people’s lives to clearly be living out the practical life this verse speak of.
I won’t name names on this blog but certain individuals throughout my Christian life have not only shared this verse with me but practically lived this verse out – they know who they are!

They have loved me so much that not only have they shared the gospel with me (which in itself is the most loving thing they perhaps could ever do) but they have also endeavored to share their whole lives with me.
Friendship, time, love, care, attention, laughs, tears, money, family, house, food, prayer, bible study, chill-axing etc.
The list literally could go on and on.

Whether these people are youth workers, student workers, co-workers in the gospel or just brilliant friends, these are the people who have helped steer me to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and godly examples that I aspire to imitate.
These are people who that the reason these perhaps I will not remember exactly what they said to me but more who they were and how they shared ‘the gospel’ and ‘their lives’ with me.
A thought that has occurred to me is peoples lives have effected me, encouraged me and helped keep me running the race of testifying to the gospel of grace is that their lives are all about the gospel!
They are people who never leave the foot of the cross.
They seem to never forget the grace and love Jesus has shown to us.
They let Jesus transform them to become more like him.

They are people who are being constantly transformed by the gospel. As their lives are transformed by the gospel, the love of Jesus can be seen through them.

I hope and pray that my life would in some way reflect 1 Thessalonians 2 v 8 – that by the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life to transform me to be more like Christ, something which God promises will happen – that I may be one who not only seeks to share the gospel but also my whole life!

Certainly this is one of a few verses that I am currently praying my life to be based upon!

The Opposite of Friday?

The first thing that I would like to share with you is some thoughts and research which I have been thinking upon for some time.

Friday is perhaps our most enjoyed day of the week – perhaps this is open to further debate in a later blog however – this has led me to ask the question ‘What is the opposite of Friday?’

Despite comments such as ‘Friday is chronologically irrelevant’ (Potts, J, 2009) I have endeavored to answer the question.
After much deliberation, thought and consultation with others concern with the question ‘What is the opposite of Friday?’ it has become apparent that there are a few different theories as to the true answer to this much contested question.

Firstly, there are those who hold strongly to the belief that Friday is mostly spoken of in reference to Thursday.
One example may include - ‘I can’t do Thursday, but I can do Friday’ – although this example implies that Friday is somehow opposite to Friday I think that it would be quite reasonable to assume that any day could be used rather than Thursday.
For example – ‘I can’t do Wednesday, but I can do Friday’ – by no means would any one suggest that Wednesday is the opposite to Friday – therefore I think that Thursday is not the opposite to Friday.

Secondly, and more convincingly there are others who are very aware of the history of our 7-day week.
They argue that Sunday is the beginning of the week deeming Saturday the opposite of it as it marks the end. This would leave Monday and Friday as opposites within the week, alongside Thursday and Tuesday.

Monday would also appear the opposite to Friday if we think about more contemporary ideas about how our 7-day week is structured.
Monday is generally assumed to be the beginning of the working week with Friday as the end. We may therefore conclude that Monday is in fact the most widely held day in answer to the question ‘What is the Opposite of Friday?’

The statistics speak for themselves as 79 per cent of the 42 people I have spoken to today held to the arguments which led to Monday being the opposite to Friday.
14 per cent did however hold to Thursday being the opposite to Friday.



The question though now appears to be if Monday is the opposite of Friday, Tuesday the clear opposite of Thursday, leaving Saturday and Sunday the most probable opposite days of each other who will partner Wednesday?

It is the solitary day of Wednesday that is left with no counter part opposite day to both compete with and enjoy company with.

I would like to quote my sister at this point.

‘It is clear that Wednesday is a prime day.’ (Eley, S, 2009)

Quite simply it would appear that Wednesday, the cornerstone of our 7 – day week is a prime day. It can only be divided by one and itself. It essentially has no opposite unlike other days but is still an intrinsically important part of our week.

I hope this somehow may have lightened up your day!

It has certainly highlighted my need to stop worrying so much about such questions but rather concentrate on a Sustainable Development Essay due in on - yes you've guessed it - Friday!

Perhaps concentrating on that essay may well be more Sustainable for my future than spending so much time thinking about the question 'What is the Opposite of Friday?'

Welcome to Will's Blog

Just a quick little message to let people know that if you are interested in following what I'm up to then this is one of the places you can find me now.
I'll be adding the considered thoughts of yours truly every now and then as well as filling you on any recent news.

I hope you enjoy.

Will