Do you remember the pain of having your love rejected by another? I sure had my fair share of failed romances as a young man!! Indeed, I'm pleased to say (at this stage of life) that my heart was broken quite often!
Thankfully I have found love with my wonderful wife Megan!
However, a recent study has shown that the same neurological functions as those activated by cocaine addition are active in the human brain when love is lost. Goal orientated behavior dominates one's thoughts. You become directed towards finding satisfaction for your desire to love and be loved, pretty much in the same way that an addict seeks a 'fix'. You are willing to make sacrifices, you set aside basic needs (such as sleep, proper nutrition) and become overtaken by the emotion of your desire.
To find out more about this groundbreaking research please follow the links from boingboing below. By the way, I'd love to hear any stories you may have of love driven obsession! No, I don't want to hear the scary stuff, I'd rather prefer to hear some of the funnier things you did for love.
A study published in the July issue of the Journal of Neurophysiology found that romantic break-ups activate parts of the brain that are associated with addiction cravings:
"This brain imaging study of individuals who were still 'in love' with their rejecter supplies further evidence that the passion of 'romantic love' is a goal-oriented motivation state rather than a specific emotion" the researchers concluded, noting that brain imaging showed some similarities between romantic rejection and cocaine craving. "The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that romantic love is a specific form of addiction."
The study also helps to explain "why feelings and behaviors related to romantic rejection are difficult to control" and why extreme behaviors associated with romantic rejection such as stalking, homicide, suicide, and clinical depression occur in cultures all over the world, the researchers wrote.
I think most of us have experienced this feeling at one point in our lives, but it's interesting to know it can be backed up by science.
I am always honoured, and humbled, to be invited to address Churches or groups. Tonight I had the privelage of sharing with a group of men at the Protea AFM Church in Main road Paarl thanks to my friend Nic Slabber who invited me. I first met Nic at the Global Day of Prayer conference in May.
At that conference I did my talk on social media (twitter, facebook, blogs etc.) and how these technologies are changing the global landscape. The premise is simple - Christianity has shifted its location throughout history. It started in the Middle East, moved to Europe, form there is went to North America, and then on to the developing world. Next, however, Christianity is moving on to the internet! I used Philip Yancey's great quote to illustrate this shift:
As I travel, I have observed a pattern, a strange historical phenomenon of God “moving” geographically from the Middle East, to Europe to North America to the developing world. My theory is this: God goes where he’s wanted.
If facebook were a country, it would be the third most populace country on earth (third only to China and India). At the time of writing this post facebook had more than 500 million registered users - that means that 1 in every 14 living persons is on facebook!
The question is - where is the Church?
What struck me this evening was the simple truth: If the Church's primary means of evangelism is its Sunday service, then the Christian faith is in for some serious challenges!
There are two basic problems with Sunday services. First, a Sunday service does not serve the real needs of a community in a tangible and practical way! It doesn't feed people, it doesn't help people to face hardship, conflict or some of the most basic needs in life (this may be a general statement. I'll concede that there are some Churches that do these things in addition to the regular 'Sunday service' activities. But, on the whole most Churches do not). I'm not saying that a Sunday service is not valuable or necessary - it is! It is an act of worship! But, I AM saying that it is a VERY innefective tool for evangelism.
The second reason why it is not effective as a tool for evangelism (in the sense of bringing the Good news to bear upon the world) is because it is framed around propositional evangelism i.e., the preacher will make claims and statements about God and the Christian faith that his or her congregation will have to make a decision about. Most of the claims (e.g., God loves you, Jesus died to set you free form Sin, God wants to meet your physical, emotional and spiritual needs etc.) cannot be substantiated by an experience or encounter in the service. So, if we say that God loves us, how will we facilitate an authentic encounter with that love in a synthetic environment? The problem of propositions is compounded in a world of competing truths! The Church will have to move beyond the Sunday service if it wants to move from the pew onto the pavement with the Gospel!
The act of worship should be the catalyst for evangelism and mission! If you want to see how Monday can become an extension of Sunday then please see the incredible work of my friend John van de Laar at www.sacredise.com. John is doing some amazing things to extend worship into the world of work (and general life), and bring the world of work (and general life) meaningfully into worship! Please keep an eye on John's site for his new book which is sure to give some fantastic practical insights into this topic.
So, my presentation suggests 5 mind shifts, paradigm shifts if you will, that we shall need to go through if we wish to live for legacy, impact our community for the Gospel and not just out Church. In other words, these are things that we shall need to do in order to shorten the distance between the pew and the pavement!
Thank you to the men for their hearty engagement, the great coffee, and most of all to Nick for the exceptional worship! Nic is truly a gifted worship leader!
Please feel free to use them! The video that I used, called 'Shift happens' is one of the most asked for clips when I speak publicly. Here's a copy of the video:
Lastly, if you would like a more detailed discussion of the 5 paradigms please see these tags - There is even an audio recording from a Radio Pulpit show on the 5 paradigms after the jump. And I wrote a chapter about this in my new book 'Transform your work life' (Chapter 3 entitled 'Big plans, big purpose). It has both the content and some useful references and illustrations to help one practically consider the implications of such mind shifts.
How many Churches do you think have understood the relationship between the pew and the pavement? Can you give any creative examples of how the Church can shorten the distance between the pew and the pavement? I'd love to hear from you!
I read the Bible - it is a valuable and helpful discipline. I find courage, challenge, comfort and insight within its pages. I have a copy of the Bible on my iPhone (in fact I have three copies; the NRSV, NIV and Greek New Testament). I follow the discipline of taking time for daily devotions (prayer, reading scripture and quiet mediation upon scripture). But, I also try to read the Bible during the day when I can find the time.
The quote below challenged me! I need to spend much more time being challenged and changed as I wrestle with the grace filled teaching of the Bible. Here's what Thomas Merton said:
"There is, in a word, nothing comfortable about the Bible -- until we manage to get so used to it that we make it comfortable for ourselves. But then we are perhaps too used to it and too at home in it. Let us not be too sure we know the Bible ... just because we have learned not to have problems with it. Have we perhaps learned ... not to really pay attention to it? Have we ceased to question the book and be questioned by it?"
- Thomas Merton from his book 'Opening the Bible'
I'm afraid that sometimes I become too familiar with this sacred text. How do you use the Bible? What do you use it for? I'd love to hear your feedback and thoughts!
On Monday Megie, Courts, Liam and I drove out to Mosselbay to spend a few days with our great friends, Cois and Corne and their kids, in Mosselbay. For those who don't know where that is, Mosselbay is about 3 hours drive outside of Cape Town. Cois and Corne have a beautiful flat in an area called Diaz beach.
Yesterday was a cold, wet day. Late in the afternoon I decided to go for a ride. It wasn't very long, about 22km, but it was great! I rode from where we are staying to 'the point' and then went looking for the Methodist Church (tip of the hat to the good 'Methodist people'). I found the Church and added it on Gowalla and while I was there a neighbour of the Church told me about a place called 'Die Wandelpad'.
So, I went up Church street, past the golf course and onto the cliffs around the point. It was an awesome piece of single track! Some great technical riding over rocks with a sheer drop on the side. There were a few moments where I was laughing out loud as I rode! I loved it! Just take a look at this view towards the lighthouse.
Here's a little piece of single track pointing out towards the sea. Here you can get some idea of the terrain - rocky and quite close to the edge! It is actually a walking trail, but one can ride most of it. There were a few places where I had to climb off my bike because the corners were too steep, or there were large (or sharp) rocks obstructing the walking path. Then of course there were the steps at the end. But on the whole most of it was rideable in a lower gear (both up and down). As long as I kept my weight back and my centre of gravity low I could climb and descend the paths. I will confess that riding single track is what makes mountainbiking so appealing!
This was the last picture I took below the lighthouse before hiking my bike down the stairs to the point. I had to pick up my bike and carry it down to the parking lot. I passed a few tourists along the way who clearly thought that i was crazy coming down the walkway with my bike on my back!
If you're interested in seeing the track and the change in altitude, here's the info from my Garmin Forerunner 305 watch. It is an older watch, but it works for me. It handles GPS coordinates, keeps track of my speed, distance, heart rate etc. And what is best is that I can connect it to my Apple Mac via USB and download both the tracks and the riding data using a piece of software I purchased called 'Ascent'. The little graphic below comes from a screen shot in Ascent. It helps me to keep track of my rides, the distances and also to know how my training is going - I am preparing for a three day stage race later in the year called Wines2Whales.
On a Wednesday morning we have a prayer group that meets from 6h30-7h30 at our company. It is a wonderful gathering that fills me with hope, connects me with my faith, and offers support and encouragement for the week. But, it also allows me to see many of our staff arriving at work to start the day.
It is pretty sobering to see people arriving for work, knowing that they have 9 hours ahead of them, and many of them don't look energised, let alone blessed, by the prospect of being at work. I can understand some of the practical considerations that make going to work difficult - the mother of a newly born baby who longs to be with her child. That father of a sick wife who arrives at work worried about how his wife is feeling. The person who has to face a difficult boss, and those who don't particularly enjoy the tasks they are to do in order to earn an income and survive.
Indeed, work can be difficult - but, the good news is that there is MORE to work than just working! There is an immeasurable opportunity to find blessing at work by allowing God to use you to BECOME a blessing at work. And, it may be much simpler and easier to do than you think!
Listen to this interview between Particia McNaught Davis from Radio Helderberg and Dion Forster (broadcast on the 15th of June 2010 - 8mb MP3) and you may just get a few insights to help you to discover that your work life can be transformed into an extraordinary calling. Something that you look forward to, because there is a sense of incredible significance and purpose in what you're doing there - you are sent by God to achieve His will in that place, among those people, and within those systems! Indeed, 'work can be worship' (Col 3.23-24).
You can purchase copies of the book (with a free leather journal) for on R88 (just over US$10) at ChristianRepublic. Or if you're in South Africa you can pick up copies at Wordsworth books, Exclusive Books, CUM books etc.
Indeed, there is proof! For the record, I am NOT platform agnostic!
I wonder if we'll be using iChat in heaven!? Thanks to Kevin for sending this through! He knows that I am both passionate about Christ, and quite passionate about Apple Macs!
Yesterday my friends Greg (@gregbeliever) and Ruan (not on twitter!) and I (@digitaldion) did an EPIC mountainbike ride from Somerset West to Stellebosch (on the mountains), and back.
Ruan had to turn back a bit early (I think at about 30km's), but Greg and I did 60km's in total, mostly on the mountains above Somerset West and Stellenbosch. It was great fun! There were many parts where we had no roads or tracks to ride - we simply road through the bushes, and at times pushed our bikes, and even had to 'hike' them over our shoulders. Yes, there were one or two spots where we had to jump a boundary fence!
We left at 13.30 and eventually got back home in Somerset West at 19.30 - 60km's in 6 hours! Not exactly a world record for speed, but definitely a ride of a lifetime.
It was great to share the experience with Greg - he and I are both deeply committed Christians. So, we had lots of time to talk, pray and give thanks, and just celebrate being healthy, alive, and riding in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
It is a great varied ride; some tar, some good jeep track (with lots of climbing), some technical single track, some VERY technical single track (in Eden and Paradyskloof - hectic, steep, rocky downhill!), and some bush with no road in sight! So cool!
Well, if you're interested in following the route in Google earth you can download the file here (right click and save it if you're on windows, control click it if you're on a mac). Firefox seems think it is a text file and open it in the browser instead of saving it to open in Google Earth. Not sure why.
There was some spectacular scenery along the way! My goodness! At one point we ended up on this farm (I'm still not entirely sure where it is - somewhere behind Avontuur farm). Isn't this view amazing?
If you're interested in the 'inner workings' of my heart this image below shows my heartrate throughout the ride - I snapped this one at my highest point (166bpm - not too bad for such a long ride!)
A friend asked 'Why would you do this!?' - well, first it is GREAT fun! But, we're also training for the wines2whales race later this year that will be between 80-100km a day for three days.
Have you got any 'fun' activities for which you'll endure strain and discomfort!?
Follow the link at the end of this post for some great advice from one of the great public speakers in South Africa - @MikeStopforth
Have you got anything to add?
In my experience the larger the crowd the more challenging it is to engage them.
I often speak to groups of 50-80 people. No problems, a bit of audience participation, some great narrative (stories!), humour, fast pace, powerpoint slides with NO text (just pictures) and it works. But when the group is much larger (I recently spoke at a conference with 900 people) it is a little more challenging...
Having an understanding of how the brain works also helps. I've figured out that certain types of visual and auditory stimuli are far more effective than others... I confess that I use some of that to get my message across. If you want to know my 'secrets' drop me a line @digitaldion! I'm happy to share!
I heard this morning that the iOS4 upgrades are starting… The new features look FANTASTIC!
Here’s my dilema.
I have an iPhone 3GS that is unlocked so that I can use it with my MTN sim card (I have my Vodcaom sim card - a work contract that does not have a data bundle loaded) in my Motorola Milestone (a Droid for the rest of the world).
The reason for doing this is simple, I don’t want to use my work’s phone for personal browsing, facebook, twitter etc., I’d rather pay for that usage myself. Hence the decision to put my personal sim card with a data bundle into the iPhone (browsing and social networking are superb on the iPhone)!
I also tether my iPhone to my Macbook in order to access my personal email, blogs, tumblr, twitter and facebook…
If I upgrade my iPhone 3GS to iOS4 will I loose the ability to tether?
Any advice is appreciated! Remember, I am in South Africa and use my iPhone on the MTN network.
Well, thanks for the feedback (thanks Rowan and a few others who sent me links via twitter, facebook messages and emails). Much appreciated!
I took the plunge and updated my iPhone 3GS to iOS 4.0 - it was quite easy! So, here's the verdict, it WORKS and it is great!
I had to jailbreak my phone using redsn0w, and then having installed Cydia I loaded the UltraSn0w repository and within minutes my phone was up and running on MTN in South Africa, with tethering enabled!
Amazingly after I had done the first install and jailbreak (which didn't allow me to unlock the phone to use on the MTN network (in fact I had to put my old AT&T sim card into the phone to activate it - the sim came with my original iPhone 1G!) So, what I did was to restore the phone to the standard Apple firmware and then used my last backup to restore the content of my phone via iTunes (I created a backup by right clicking on the phone and selecting backup before I did the first firmware update). That backup took about 30 minutes on the standard iPhone Apple firmware. Once the restore was done Cydia appeared! I couldn't believe it. So, I looked up the UltraSn0w repository and then then installed UltraSn0w from there which unlocked the phone).
I love my iPhone! By the way, it also works on Vodacom - I tried it with my other sim card. Just as an aside when I put the Vodacom sim card in iTunes wanted to update my carrier settings. I'm not sure if that is safe or not, so I just cancelled it (I would hate to update the modem baseband and so disable the ability to use it on MTN)!
Standard disclaimer applies! Try this at your own risk - if you get it wrong you may be left with a very sophisticated iPod Touch ;-)
Struik Christian Books have very kindly put together an Adobe PDF document that contains the introduction and the first two chapters of 'Transform your work life: Turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary calling'!
The account of Graham Power's conversion and discovery of his ministry role in the marketplace is extremely encouraging and makes for wonderful reading!
You'll also get to hear about Dion's journey with this successful businessman, and how he came to discover his role as a minister in the corporate environment.
Please click here to download and read the first few chapters of this new book by Graham Power and Dion Forster.
Please repost, email, print out, and distribute this preview as widely as you would like. If it can encourage a friend or family member please send it along to them.
Even if you don't want to buy a copy of the book please consider joining our 'Transform your work life' facebook page to engage with other Christians in the work place.
'Transform your work life' can be purchased online internationally at and in South Africa from Christian Republic. In South Africa the book is also available in most book stores (Exclusive books, Wordsworth Books, CUM Books etc. if they do not have a copy in stock they can order it for you from Struik).
We'd love to hear your feedback! Your perspective and testimony are important as we join together in raising up thousands of Christians to be God's instruments of healing and transformation in the marketplace!
This post comes from my favorite blog of interesting facts - boingboing. For a different perspective please see the video from my friend @nicpaton at the bottom of the post!
Some people who attend the World Cup games enjoy blowing plastic horns called vuvuzelas, which are loud and make an ugly sound. Trevor Cox, president of the UK Institute of Acoustics explained to New Scientist why they sound so awful.
The vuvuzela is like a straightened trumpet and is played by blowing a raspberry into the mouthpiece. The player's lips open and close about 235 times a second, sending puffs of air down the tube, which excite resonance of the air in the conical bore. A single vuvuzela played by a decent trumpeter is reminiscent of a hunting horn – but the sound is less pleasing when played by the average football fan, as the note is imperfect and fluctuates in frequency. It sounds more like an elephant trumpeting. This happens because the player does not keep the airflow and motion of the lips consistent.
Now, please take a look at a different perspective from Nic Paton (aka ZuD)! Heck, I think the vuvuzela should be officially adopted as the national musical instrument of South Africa! ha ha! Just make sure you have your earplugs handy! I made sure that I had mine with me when I went to the Uruguay versus France match at Cape Town stadium in Greenpoint.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 9:19PM 
