Creating wealth for all!

The European Union (EU) is currently discussing trade agreements with some of the world’s poorest countries. It's vital they get them right, because the livelihoods of millions depend on the outcome.
Economic Partnership Agreements (or EPAs) are being negotiated between the EU and 75 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (known as the ACP).
Negotiations have reached a crucial point - they need to be completed by the end of 2007.
Tearfund is joining with other members of the Trade Justice Movement and campaigners across the world to speak out and ensure EPAs work for the world's poorest.
Under existing arrangements ACP countries have preferential access to European markets without having to provide the same access to their markets.
The EU wants to put an end to this and is asking ACP countries to open up their markets to producers from Europe. This could mean forcing small producers to compete directly with some of the world’s most wealthy producers long before they're in a position to.

Working for the poorest
We believe that EPAs have the potential to lift millions out of poverty but only if they are re-written to work in favour of the poorest.
We're calling on our government representatives to use their influence at the EU to:
Stop EPAs going ahead in their current form.
Work with poor countries to develop alternative deals which bring about trade justice.
Send the following letter to your EU Trade Comissioner. (For those from the UK click here: www.tearfund.org/Campaigning/Trade/Introducing+EPAs.htm

Last year our goverment pledged to do all it could to make poverty history
and help deliver promises of more aid and debt cancellation. However, as you
have acknowledged, there has been little progress on the most important
issue - trade.
With the collapse of negotiations at the World Trade Organisation it is now
more important than ever that Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
currently being negotiated between the European Union (EU) and Africa,
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries make trade work for poor people.
Trade agreements are needed which give the world’s poorest countries the
flexibility to use the most appropriate economic policies to work their way
out of poverty. EPAs in their current form will require poor countries to
further open up their markets exposing vulnerable producers and farmers to
unfair competition. The EU is also using EPA negotiations to re-introduce
issues which have already been rejected by developing countries at the WTO.
Governments from across the ACP have expressed concerns about the impact
that EPAs could have on development. But despite this the EU continues to
negotiate deals which threaten to undermine progress towards reaching the
Millennium Development Goals.
As Secretary of State for International Development, ahead of the
forthcoming review of negotiations, I call on you to ensure that poverty
reduction is placed at the core of the negotiations by:
- Ensuring the concerns of ACP countries are properly represented in the
review, and making a public statement calling for major changes to the EPAs
process.
- Calling on the European Commission to propose alternatives to EPAs as
requested by ACP ministers.

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Ryder Cup Fury.

Yes I confess. I was one of those who having waited hours for the American Team to show up for practice at the Ryder Cup yesterday, booed them. Why? They didn't tee off at the first as we expected and just did nine holes of mucking about. Disgraceful, outrageous, disgusting, rude discourteous, crass, arrogant..I could go on and I did until Priscilla said "get over it!"
The things we get upset about. I had to wait for an hour [I know I said hours but it feels like that when you are waiting.] AAAhhhh waiting. How we hate waiting for anything especially when we are waiting for God to come through.
You know it wasn't that bad. I spent the time talking one of our new Youth Pastors, Colin. What a star. The ideas and dreams he has to see young people touched by God. He inspired me. And we enjoyed the fresh air and the beautiful Kildare countryside. I had a double sausage and bacon butty. You know it was a great time of waiting! I'm sounding like those two old guys on the Muppets who used to shout insults at the show.
But when we finally get it, that waiting is part of God working in our lives to produce something beautiful and it can be enjoyable, you relax and it feels good.
Isaiah 41:31 They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength...
Come on Europe and bless our wee Darren Clarke.

Michael Angelo

I went to Rome a few years ago. What a magnificent city. Florence is beautiful but Rome is spectacular. We went to the Vatican and into the Cistine Chapel. Technically speaking it's the Pope's private chapel and the place where the Cardinals elect the Pope. It's smaller than you would think but when you look at the ceiling it's a Wow!
It took Michael Angelo years to paint it, all the time lying on his back. It's an incredible painting of men and women going to Heaven or Hell . It is typically Medieval in its graphic and at times horrific portrayal of the eternal destiny of mankind.
I bought a print of it and it hangs in my office to remind me every day of the importance of telling men and women about Jesus. It is there to remind ME.
When Jesus spoke about Hell, it was never to those who did not believe but rather to those who did: the disciples. Our job is to proclaim the Good News to men and women. Hell should be a motivation to us, a reminder of what is at stake when we grow careless in sharing Christ with others;their Eternal Destiny is at stake. Have a nice day.

On being sick.

Until recently I haven't had much illness apart from the usual minor things...except when I had denque fever but that's another story. So when recently I developed something more potentially serious [I'm fine honest!] I was shookup. Actually I was more upset about how I've been towards others who have been ill down the years. I suppose I've been, at the least, unsympathetic and at worst uncaring. Maybe I subconsciously thought that if they really wanted to they could snap out of it. How crazy is that? I've come to realize that when you're ill it really affects you not just physically but mentally as well.
So when I saw someone bear her illness with calmness, fortitude, good humour, patience and a genuine concern for others I knew I'd known someone special. Rosemary Skinner went to be with Jesus on Sunday last. She has left a deposit in all of our lives. Our prayers are with Brian, Mairie and Callum and her mother Sylvia.

I feel sorry for the Pope...

Little did the Pope realize what a can of worms he was openning when he quoted a 14C Emperor on Islam. He wasn't endorsing the quote, he simply used it. But what does the violent reaction across the Moslem world tell us? That when Islam is in the minority it is accomodating and flexible but when it is in the majority it is hard and unyielding.
It seems that anything goes as far as christianity in concerned but make any critiscism of Islam and you're in big trouble.
I actually support free speech. God can take care of Himself and if there is anything negative about christianity said, it might keep us christians on our toes.
Thank God we live in a country where it's legal to be a Muslim. Try sharing your faith in Saudi Arabia!
We need to pray for the 60 million Arab believers who live in the Middle East and North Africa. Things like this only make life more difficult for them.

Living the Dream.

Just started a new series entitled Living the Dream based on the life of Joseph. It's really about us tapping into God's dreams for our lives. But there is a world of difference between a biblical deam and a western dream. Often people confuse the two...even in the church. One is about owning more, moving up,driving the Rolls, power and wealth. The other is about catching God's heart for people, His Church and for changing soceity. Now God gave Joseph power and money but it was because he would use these things to live the biblical dream.
The biblical dream looks like Jesus...don't confuse the two.

Top signs 40 Days of Purpose is almost over.

We did the Purpose Driven Life recently in CFC. Good stuff but long. The following is what happens on DAY32;
You can't wait for the sequel, 40 Days of Holiday.
You've heard that The Song of Solomon is being re-released as The Purpose Driven Sex Life.
You're congregation start calling you Pastor Rick.
You're convinced you'll find your S.H.A.P.E. in the gym.
You're still on DAY 11.
You'll be glad you can get back to having no idea what your purpose is-and just watch TV.
You're wondering could you write a best seller that involves 40 Days on MI3.