Al Gore is doubtless thrilled that this year’s ball is more environmentally friendly, sorry but does mine look like the face of someone who really cares?

Some good words here from T.D. Jakes for the end of the year -

There are people who can walk away from you.

And hear me when I tell you this!

When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don’t want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you.

When people can walk away from you let them walk.Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The Bible said that,”They came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us.” [1John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can’t make them stay. Let them go.

And it doesn’t mean that they are a bad person, it just means that their part in the story is over. And you’ve got to know when people’s part in your story is over so that you don’t keep trying to raise the dead.

You’ve got to know when it’s dead. You’ve got to know when it’s over.

Let me tell you something. I’ve got the gift of good-bye. It’s the tenth spiritual gift. I believe in “good-bye”. It’s not that I’m insenstive or uncaring, it’s that I trust. I know whatever and whomever God means for me to have and be a part of my life He will give.

And if a relationship takes too much sweat I don’t need it.

Stop begging people to stay.Let them go!!

+ Had a good time in church today. It’s always refreshing to get the chance to sit and listen to someone else teach, especially when it’s Lesaya’s father Ivan Vorster, who’s a guy with years of experience in ministry and in life and who always has something worthwhile to say.

+ Seems the cab of our truck was broken into during the week, so I guess we won’t be parking it beside the theater any more. Pity! Thankfully nothing significant was stolen.

+ Before service I chatted with a great couple who have been with us for several weeks now. Seems they’re visiting from another church and are not sure where they should be. I didn’t try to influence them, but I do understand their quandry as it seems the church they’ve been in for years is now in a building project and suddenly it’s all about the building. I’ll stay portable the rest of my life before I let bricks and mortar take priority over unchurched people.

+ Had a call after church to say someone who was with us for a number of years had died in very sad circumstances. I visited the family this afternoon and while I don’t intend to go into detail here, please pray for this grieving household.

+ Crazy lines in Kohls today. I visited three of their stores. There was a jacket I like on sale in the first store, but they didn’t have it in my size and neither did the other two branches. One store left to try – will hit that tomorrow.

+ It’s very quiet here – home alone. Sounds like the gang are having a good time down in Dallas, especially as it got into the 60’s there today.

+ Someone asked me if I had any thoughts of relocating to Texas. Good question! No chance! Here’s the deal – I reckon God got it dead right (He’s currently batting 1,000!) when he guided us to Long Island. I feel so at home here. I really do love this place. To my mind it’s a perfect fit – others may have different opinions!!!

+ Startes reading John Grisham’s Playing For Pizza on the way home here on Friday. It’s a good read.

+ Our attorneys have advised me that the new town board will definitely be reversing the iniquitous code changes enacted in 2005 to stop us building. The first meeting with the new board will be next week and I’ll be there. They know me up there now and I’ll be working hard to make sure they remember who I am and who I represent.

I go to bed early on Saturdays because I like to have a full night’s rest before a Sunday morning, which after all is the high point we are working towards every week. But of course there are unavoidable exceptions to that rule – like when the Giants are playing the Patriots and endeavoring to halt the New Englanders’ run towards a perfect season.

Now, I’m a former 49ers fan who switched to supporting the Colts two years ago. I’m no great fan of either of the so-called “New York” teams. Sorry, but I just can’t get my head round the fact that both the Giants and the Jets play in Jersey and have opted to continue that practice with the construction of a new stadium over there.

So whatever anyone else says, as far as I’s concerned they’re New Jersey teams.

Anyway, the Jets stink and I reckon the Giants are over-rated.

But this evening I’m willing to set all my bias aside and I hope against hope that Eli Manning and Co will continue to kick the Patriots’ butts and serve them a giant slice of humble pie.

Great first half – I can’t go to bed now at half time, can I?

This is a schizophrenic time of year when I find myself loooking in two totally different directions. With little more than 48 hours left in 2007, I have been reflecting on the year that has almost passed – and has done so incredibly quickly.

I want to take time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re at next Sunday morning, January 6th when we start our new series Getting In Shape. In order to move forward, we need to be pretty clear and honest about where we’re at and that’s how we’ll approach our review of the ups – and downs – of this year.

But before then. I’m glad to be able to spend the last Sunday of ‘07 with our church family tomorrow. It’s a great opportunity for us to express our gratitude to God for his goodness, protection and provision and to encourage one an other as we look to the future.

Our last service of the year – hope you’re planning to be there!

Arrived home from Little Elm, Texas about 20 minutes ago. It should have been quite a bit earlier, but the flight was two hours late taking off – what’s new???

It was tough to say goodbye to everyone today – especially as Gill is staying down there until Tuesday, but it is difficult to put into words how great it was to have all the family together under one roof for most of Christmas – priceless!

+ Had breakfast in McDonalds today with the grandchildren. McDonalds is a smart company. They cater for kids and all these adults inevitably show up too.

+ Jonathan and Donna’s church did a very good Christmas Eve service. We couldn’t get a seat at their 4.00pm service, so went back at 6.00.

+ Christmas Eve was the church’s first anniversary of being out of a movie theater and in their own building. It’s a great facility, but from what I hear it’s a cash monster. I wonder if buildings are over-rated?

+ We had our Christmas dinner one day late as we waited for Charlotte and Jace to be here too. Having family all together is not over-rated.

+ It was great to watch Ben and Emily’s faces as they came downstairs on Christmas nmorning and saw all the gifts under the tree.

+ It’s cold down here. I was hoping for something better than that. Not as cold as NY I guess!

+ I hear the Giants will field a pretty weak team against the Patriots on Saturday. That should hand New England an unbeaten season on a platter – darn!

+ I fly home tomorrow. The week has gone quickly – too quickly.

+ Got some good clothes for Christmas. It’s always safe when your kids pick your clothes for you.

+ I ordered coffee in McDonalds and the guy behind the counter asked, “Is that a senior’s coffee, sir?” I politely pointed out that would be a regular coffee. I’d rather pay 50c more and preserve my dignity than take a drink he thought I looked like I qualify for, but I maintain I don’t deserve for a few more years.

Got to Texas very late last night because of weather delays at LGA, but we got here and that’s the main thing

Thirty two years ago on Christmas Day I sat and watched The Wizard of Oz with a three year old daughter on my knee who was terrified by the wicked witch, but insisted on seeing the end of the movie.

This afternoon I just finished doing the same with a seven year old grandson holding on tight to me at certain points.

I wonder who it will be in 2039 or whether I will even be able to see the screen by then!!

Great morning! The place looked good, the music was outstanding, we had some very clever videos and I preached half decent in the second service (no mention of the first you will notice!).

It takes a monumental effort to pull of a Sunday service of the calibre we aim for while using a movie theater. But due to the efforts of scores of people, we had an excellent morning.

Heading to Dallas in an hour or so and then on to Little Elm, Texas – that sounds like a Texas name doesn’t it? Let’s face it, you could never have Little Elm, New York – it’s too pretty a name for around here!

Blogging may be sketchy over the next few days as I intend to enjoy being with my family to the full. But I will be here occasionally I’m sure.

Merry Christmas!

I was right!

I had more fun going out with our moboile soup kitchen this afternoon than I had sitting watching a very mediocre Christman presentation in Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

We served a hot dinner to almost 40 guys in five different locations in Patchogue, some in rooming houses and others in sober houses. We also gave them pantry bags with some delicious goodies and everyone got two personalized bags full of Christmas gifts.

The men were so appreciative and especially those for whom what we shared was going to be their total quota of Christmas presents as they receive nothing from anyone else.

What a privilege to be able to do that!