Paul Coles, Youthworkerish type guy. Present location: Targu Mures, Romania. Married to an amazing girl named Fiona. I'm on a JOURNEY and have no idea where I'll end up other than in the hands of God.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Prophesy?

“When a candidate faces the votes he does not face men of sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is the fact that they are incapable of weighing ideas – men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion, and whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand. The odds are on the man who is the most devious and the most mediocre; the man who can most apply disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. As democracy is perfected, the presidency represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some glorious day the plain folks of our land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”

H.L. Mencken, writing in 1920

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Sting

I went to see Sting last night at the Odyssey with Mike Patterson. He had a couple of free tickets that someone else won form Cool fm but they don't like the stingmister so we got the prize.

It was a fantastic night. He has quite a talented backing band and he's not so rubbish himself. It was great to hear all the classics. In fact I even loved all songs that I'd never heard before.

One funny thing though. I think he has a thing for scantily clad women. He really needs to see someone about this. He had these huge TV screens behind him with different images on them the whole night but about 75% of the images were ladies dancing (like the ones at the start of James Bind films). The thing I found the weirdest however was his song Sacred Love. When he introduced it I was expecting a fairly profound song, but I was slightly dissappointed. Instead, behind him during the entire song there were two girls on the big screens sort of doing a strip tease thing. Of course they never got naked or anything, but it was that idea. I think he maybe got his wires crossed and should have called the song, extreemly cheap way overdone obscenely common love, but no, he stuck with sacred love. Oh well.

Very good show over all though. It wet my apatite to see U2 this summer. That is, if I can get tickets?


Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Running ... well sort of

Yes that gay old sport of kings. A great way to clear your head, see the world, gain some fittness as well as getting a few prayers in while your at it. (I tell you there is nothing like running for a bit of time with the BIG MAN.

A problem has caught my attention lately however. It seams that the less you do it, the slower you get. And I think this degeneration is unavoidable unless you keep it going. Funny that.

I say this because yesterday, for the first time in a few weeks, I went for a run... And lets face it, since the half marathon in Lisburn last June, you could call my running habit sporadic at best... But any way, like I said, I went for a run yesterday. Not a big one by any stretch of the imagination. Just 3 1/2 miles. I timed my self just to see where my fittness was at. I didn't try to kill my self or anything, but when the clock had stopped, I had punched in at a pavement blistering 9 min /mile. That is slightly sad considering in the last year I alegedly ran a marathon and two half marathos.

I was hopeing that the fittness I had gained from that training would carry me for at least the next couple of years. Sadly this is not the case.

I think now it is time for me to take some drastic action and join Oakridge Clinic's speed walking team to give me some motivation to get that fittness back on track.



Monday, November 15, 2004

Balls ... Basketballs that is

This weekend I attended a level 1 Basketball coaching course put on by Basketball Ireland. It was actually a great two days and was fun to finally play a little ball for the first time since leaving my long lost homeland.

The guy who led the course was really quite good. A great communicator, and motivator and an all round positive guy. But the best part about him was his name, Barney Ball.

He really had the whole package: He looked the part: fairly tall, big belly, deep voice, the wistle, the whole nine yards. But more than that, with a name like his, he was born for the roll. Coach Ball

Friday, November 12, 2004

Something interesting to read this morning.....


The Muslim religion in the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States, especially in the minority races!!! Allah or Jesus?
by Rick Mathes


Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:
"Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!" I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that Correct?" The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes." I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!" The Imam was speechless. I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs. I think everyone in the US should be required to read this, but with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized. Please pass this on to all your e-mail contacts.


This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known leader in prison ministry.