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The Parish church of St Michael's, Coventry Catheral, stands in ruins after the terrible bombings during the Blitz in November 1940

The magnicient rebuilt Coventry Cathedral

For the second successive Sunday Annie and I went to the evening service at the magnificent Coventry Cathedral. We live 6 miles from Coventry City Centre and as relative newcomers to the area we are still finding out about our locality. When I got home this evening I decided to do a bit of research about the dreadful bombing raids of Coventry by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War.

During the war 1236 civilians of Coventry were killed in the bombing raids. It is believed the City was bombed in direct retaliation of the Allies bombing Munich – the birthplace of the Nazi Party and Adolph Hitler swore revenge on Britain. Coventry was the City that felt the wrath of the evil German leader. It is when reading stories like this about the suffering of innocent people like those in Coventry between 1939 and 1945 that the futility of war really hits home.

I am not a pacifist and sadly there are evil people in the world like Hitler and conflict is probably inevitable with people like that. I believe we should exhaust every last ounce of diplomacy and talking before resorting to a declaration of war to resolve differences. The website links below explain more about the almost total destruction of Coventry Cathedral and its magnificent rebuilding. The links also describe the wider story of the bombings in and around the City of Coventry.

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/History.html
http://www.cwn.org.uk/heritage/blitz/

This stuff is very humbling

Keep up the good work!

I’m sure, like me, you’ve been in departments, organisations or even a club where it seems a few people do the work and an awful lot of people appear to be happy by not putting much in. Someone used this wonderful metaphor to describe the concept.

‘It’s like a football (soccer) match. 30,000 people desperately in need of exercise watching 22 people desperately in need of a rest’

I heard recently of a light hearted letter about this scenario in respect of a Church and as a bit of light relief I thought I would publish this today. Enjoy!

Dear Minister

There are 566 members in our church, but 100 are frail and elderly. That leaves 466 to do all the work.

However, 80 are young people away at college. That leaves 386 to do all the work.

However, 150 of them are tired businessmen, so that leaves 236 to do all the work.

150 are housewives with children. That leaves 86 to do all the work.

There are 46 members who have other important interests. Which leaves 40 to do all the work, but 15 live too far away to come regularly. So that leaves 25 to do all the work.

And 23 of them say they've done their part.

So, Minister, that leaves YOU and ME and, frankly, I'm exhausted.

Good luck to you.

A. Parishioner

And now for something completely different ...

I hope readers of Simplicity Blog enjoy this wonderful Alan Jackson version of one of my favorite hymns 'How Great Thou Art' - it is beautiful - and it reminds me of the wonder of God.

Sound advice

Three simple bits of advice from the sermon today in our local church. I suggest this could be the mission statement of all managers and leaders in business:

Quick to Listen

Slow to Speak

Slow to Anger

Irate mother punishes 61-year-old son

One of the funniest stories from Nicky Gumbel last Sunday was about how we all need to 'grow up' spiritually. He related this wonderful story from Italy. You can see the original story by clicking here

An irate mother took the house keys and allowance away from her 61-year-old son because he did not come home when he was supposed to and did not tell her where he was going when he went out.

According to the La Sicilia daily, the 81-year-old mother even went to the police in her home town of Caltagirone to ask them to convince her “hard-headed” son to “behave correctly with his mamma”.

The son replied that it was his mother who behaved badly and added that “my weekly allowance isn’t enough… and she doesn’t even cook well”.

After locking her son out of their home, the mother told police that “my son doesn’t respect me, he never tells me where he goes at night and comes home at all hours”.

“I was forced to punish him by taking away his keys and locking him out after he yet again came home late at night. He always complains about my cooking and this just couldn’t go on,” she added.

According to the son, “it’s not my fault. She always treats me badly. I’m unemployed and the allowance she gives me isn’t enough. And her cooking is really awful!”.

A policeman was able to convince the mother and son to reconcile and they returned home together, where the son was given back his keys and allowance.

Wonderful - thank you Nicky!

Gordon Brown, Nicky Gumbel and The Proms - all in four days!

Apologies for lack of posting – It's been very hectic for a few days

Brilliant weekend – Annie and I went to Hyde Park, London to see the BBC Proms in the Park on Saturday evening and then saw Nicky Gumbel speak at Holy Trinity, Brompton on Sunday morning.

Also heard this great quote form Prime Minister Gordon Brown who I had the immense pleasure of meeting last Thursday.

"Children may only be 20% of our population but they are 100% of our future"

I like that.

This says it all don't you think?

Listen to Nicky Gumbel

We had the immense pleasure recently of listening live to Nicky Gumbel the Minister of Holy Trinity Brompton in London.

Nicky is an inspiring speaker and whether or not you are a Christian his gift of oratory is well worth listening to.

You can listen to a number of Nicky’s talks at the HTB website at this link

http://www.htb.org.uk/downloads?page=1

The talk entitled Engage by Nicky Gumbel is one I would strongly recommend.

There is much within Nicky’s talk about management, leadership and change and whether or not you are a Christian I’m confident you will learn something.

I hope regular Simplicity readers will take the opportunity to listen, free of charge – to a gifted speaker – one of the best I have come across.

I would love to hear your comments.

A Bug's (After) Life

Something completely different this week for the Audio Blog. Annie and I are performing a short drama sketch at Church on Easter Sunday and you can here it in this Audio Blog. The sketch is called 'A Bug's (After) Life' and it lasts 3 minutes and 7 seconds. I hope our American friends don’t get too thrown by the Cockney accents!! We did the same sketch last year and the picture is from Easter 2006 performance. Enjoy.



MP3 File

The Desert

One of the best things that has happened to me since I left the corporate world of healthcare and became independent is that I have made many 'virtual friends' all over the world.

One such person from the United States is Dan Ward with whom I regularly exchange thoughts on all matters!

Dan and I share a passion for simplicity.

He has written a number of short books in the last couple of years.

Dan recently sent me the manuscript of his latest book The Desert which is a great read. I read it on a train journey so in an afternoon you can sit and read this little masterpiece while enjoying a glass (or two) of wine sitting in the sun in the garden.

I hope Simplicity readers will take a look and maybe consider buying it - you will not be disappointed and I’m sure you will enjoy Dan’s engaging writing style.

This what Dan says:

‘I just wanted to let you know that my latest book The Desert is finished. It is a happy little collection of stories and reflections about grace, difficulty, faith, joy and love. It offers an optimistic perspective of life, based on the reality of God's goodness. You can read more about it at by clicking here'

What if?

What if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we travelled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we upgraded to include 24/7 tech service from the Holy Spirit?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phones, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

The David Greeff Beatitudes 2007!

My friend David Greeff has posted such a wonderful comment to the post about the Beatitudes I wanted to publish it as a posting in its own right.

David has produced a 21st Century adaptation of the Beatitudes that we might want to apply in business and work.

As far as I am concerned they are brilliant and I would love to have your comments.

It would make sense to read the original Beatitudes first followed by what I will call from now on the David Greeff Beatitudes 2007!

Fulfilled are those who are not ambitious,
For they will have ultimate success.
Fulfilled are those who admit their wrongs and make amends,
For they shall be forgiven.
Fulfilled are those on the lowest rung,
For they shall have recompense from God.
Fulfilled are those who strive to do the right thing,
Right will indeed come to them.
Fulfilled are those who are fair,
For they shall be treated justly.
Fulfilled are those with clean consciences,
For they shall receive what they deserve.
Fulfilled are the catalysts of harmony,
For they shall be called God’s people.
Fulfilled are those who suffer because they have done the right thing,
For theirs is an unspeakable reward.
Fulfilled are you when you are insulted and mocked, because of association with me (Jesus) and this teaching.
Be deeply and inwardly at peace, for life is infinitely more than the world and work, and everyone who has lived like this for God has experienced the very same.

The Beatitudes

My good friend Troy Worman from the US published the Beatitudes on his excellent Blog Orbit Now at this link http://troyworman.com/wordpress/

It reminds me how much we can still draw from the greatest book ever written

How wonderful in the modern world we still see this as perhaps the greatest wisdom even though it was preached over 2000 years ago.

The message is as true in business as in our lives – please think about it whether you are or not a Christian.

The Beatitudes

1And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.
2Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Nicky Gumbel on William Wilberforce

Nicky Gumbel - Minister of Holy Trinity, Brompton, London

William Wilberforce (1759 - 1833) - died 3 days after Slavery was finally abolished in Parliament.

We arrived back home in Solihull tonight (Thursday) after a short break in Devon and Cornwall.

It was great to have a bit of a rest and to see friends and family in a lovely part of England. Shame the weather was typically English (much water from the heavens) apart from one day when the sun shone in Plymouth.

Last Sunday Annie and I visited Holy Trinity Brompton in London to hear a wonderful sermon from Nicky Gumbel.

Nicky told us that 2007 is the 200th anniversary of the abolition (1807) of Slave Trade which was largely achieved through the life long and tireless work of a great Briton - William Wilberforce.

Nicky opened his talk with a story that puts the importance of William Wilberforce into perspective. The Archbishop of Canterbury was asked who he felt was the greatest British person of the last one thousand years and the Archbishop replied without hesitating – William Wilberforce

Hearing Nicky talk about Wilberforce made me look up more information about Wilberforce and it seems he was indeed a great man who dedicated his life to abolition of slavery. It seems he could have been Prime Minister but Wilberforce refused to consider that because he wanted to continue the fight for the abolition of slavery.

We have much to thank Wilberforce for as we have moved from that barbaric practice to a modern life. It was therefore surprising to learn from Nicky that slavery is still very much a problem in the year 2007.

Where does FAIRNESS end and JUSTICE begin?

Recently I’ve got myself involved in lively discussions about enormous pay-offs for Chief Executives and massive earnings for celebrities in sport and entertainment. I have called for more ‘radical giving’ as described by Nicky Gumbel.

Today at Church as we marked World Leprosy Day we heard that £350 is enough to buy building materials in Africa to build one brick house. Yes £350.

Consider this against the pay-off to a Chief Executive last week of £63 million.

I repeat I am not against people getting what they deserve but come on, no one individual NEEDS a lump sum of £63 million.

Some outstanding words during today’s service that I ask you to read and consider.


Firstly ……A verse from a Hymn by F Pratt Green

‘He reminds us every sunrise that the world is ours on lease,
For the sake of life tomorrow may our love for it increase,
May all races live together, share its riches, be at peace,
May the living God be praised!’


Secondly …….A prayer for World Leprosy Day

We pray for leprosy patients around the world. Please reach out your hand to heal them. Help people with leprosy to receive treatment early so that they don’t develop injuries and disabilities. Surround those who have been rejected by their families and communities with your Love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for The Leprosy Mission. Help them find effective solutions to the poverty and stigma associated with leprosy. Let their voices be heard as they call for change and speak out against the injustices which keep people poor. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for ourselves. Help us to look at our own lifestyles, and to make the world a better place by learning to share what we have. Help us to worship you in the way you have chosen, by setting the oppressed free. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer

We pray for world leaders and for those in positions of responsibility and authority. Help them recognise and actively seek opportunities to tackle poverty and bring about justice, so that all may live life to the full. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The "Three 'Cs" of Team Selection

One of the most important skills of a leader is the selection of the right people in the team they lead.

In my career as a manager in health care the times I felt most comfortable with my team was when I was allowed the freedom to select the people in my team rather than 'inheriting' people already there. In the NHS it is often not possible to have that 'blank piece of paper' because managers move into jobs where the team is already in place and well established.

I am reading a great book at the moment called Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels

Bill has been the leader of a team for thirty years and over these years he has come up with - through practical experience of recruiting team members and developing teams - his own his own model called The "Three 'Cs" of Team Selection.

I love Bill's model and recommend it for many reasons not least its simplicity.

Bill says he looks for the following in the order shown when recruiting team members:

Character - integrity, honesty, sincerity, professionalism and values

Competence - can this person actually do the job?

Chemistry - will this person fit in with leader and with team members?

Obviously I have summarised for the sake of brevity but I endorse this method as a rule of thumb for any leader recruiting a team member.

For anyone interested in leadership I also highly recommend Courageous Leadership as a 'must read' for 2007!

This is purely in the interests of Christmas research!!

Intrigued?? .......

For more pictures and explanation click here

Interview With God

This was sent to me by my friend Keith Ready in Australia - it is beautiful.

Click Here

When you reach the Web Page click on 'View Presentation'

Enjoy!

Visit Keith Ready's Website A Gift of Inspiration by clicking here