Over the last few years I have got to know the band Third Day through all the work that we have done with them on Europe and the fact that my buddy Nigel is their road pastor. We were sad to hear that their long time guitarist, Brad Avery has left the band.

The official press release reads as follows:

<strong>Third Day and Brad Avery have made the very difficult decision to part ways.

He has been an important part of Third Day for the last 13 years as we've traveled the world together and performed over 1,000 concerts. We will miss him as a band member but he will always remain our brother and our friend. Brad is a wonderful person, gifted songwriter and talented musician. We trust that God has amazing plans for his future.

Already there are comments on our unoffical website www.thirdday.co.uk

The shock announcement comes shortly after a USO tour of Iraq and immediately before the bands spring tour

Err...that's it!

Err that's it!

Days like today make me realise I am truly blessed. To be honest nothing spectacular happened, it was just a normal day...and it was great!

Leaving my kids in bed, I went into work and cleared up a ton of emails and met with some of the team at Ignite individually before I leading the weekly team meeting. I began to share with them from the book of Nehemiah. Read it, it's inspirational!

Heading home at lunchtime, I prepared a snack for the kids and then we headed out to The Natural History Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans. It was just fun, hnaging out together. The kids ate "cheesy bread" and we looked around some of the dozens of buildings that have been brought from all over Wales and rebuilt on this rural site.

The evening consisted of me heading out to pay the caterer for the wedding reception (ouch!) before visiting one of my favourite shops in the whole world; Borders Books
I love browsing around bookshops and borders is amongst my favourite. The person who decided to combine books and Starbucks, is a genius!

I found a great book, God is my CEO and found a comfortable chair, sipped my coffee and read...a foretaste of heaven.

It is slightly unusual in that just about every Tuesday, I see Lesley
(what a beauty!) but we are rationing ourselves until Valentines night. It was good to talk on the phone but still strange not to see her. Anyway, it has given me chance to start to write my speech. Did I mention I am getting married in 4 days!

I love that God equips us to take pleasure in the small things, He is good, all the time

"sow a thought and you reap an act; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny." Charles Reade. English Novelist and Dramatist. 1814-1888.

Another 6 Nations win by Wales. Although the victory over England was fantastic, todays win against Scotland in a scrappy game, bring Wales nearer to the Grand Slam. This they last won in 2005 and prior to that 1978! (The Grand Slam is when you win all 5 matches in the championship)

I had a great time last night. Chris Cartwright called me a glory hunter because I started supporting Wales a a kid in the 1970's. An unusual stag night in the fact that everyone there was a Christian. Out of the 9 of us are in paid Christian ministry (I refuse to use the phrase full-time Christian ministry because all Christians should be in that!). Nevertheless, a few drinks and a great Indian meal made for a really enjoyable time.

So when Wales play Italy, two weeks today, I will have been married a whole week!

Life is gathering pace! Today started with a mentoring breakfast with one of the young guys on our team. It was a precious time as he shared on some of the challenges he is facing in order to become the man of God he aspires to be. Wisdom often reveals its self in dialogue and often I hope the guys get as much out of the meetings as I do!

A meeting about IgniteHope (www.igniteme.org/hope) with a couple of the team from Woody Baptist church. A great encouragement to us all as we bring on board another key partner. The post brings a cheque from another partner church (hurrah!). A bunch of emails, telephone calls and logistical challenges to deal with regarding the gaither concerts we are assisting with. Then I slipped round to see Nigel James. He is still poorly and it is good to catch up with him, bring him up to speed on what is happening.

On my return, I approved the copy for the online booking form for IgniteHope. Confirmed 29th Chapter and Y Friday for the programme
.

I then began to pray, study and craft my sermon for Sunday. My preaching does not stray far away from my passion at the moment and so you will not be surprised to know that my theme will be Hope! I was challenged to read the book of Nehemiah again and as so often happens the inspiration is self-evident in the word! Check it out. A city in ruins and an army lead to rebuild it. Come on!! Not only a piece of history but a great example of spiritual renewal!

Tonight I am having my stag do! I am not expected to be stripped, get stinking drunk or have my eyebrows shaved! If this happens, there are big issues because most of those going are church leaders!!

We have just launched a new website www.thirdday.co.uk Basically it is a fan site for everyone in Europe. Our intention is to keep people updated on plans for dates this side of the pond, especially the UK. With a shop with official merch and fan forums, it is our hope that this becomes the place for fans (Gomers) to meet. Check it out!!!

I have a new feature on this site that allows me to see where people readers are who log onto my site and what they read. I must admit to being impressed with this. In looking at what a reader from the USA was looking at I was reminded of my New year resolutions 2007. They were to lose 2 stones and to fit my faith seamlessly into my relationship with the beautiful Lesley. I ended by saying that my success would be evident by 2008. Well I have lost over 2 stones and I get married on February 16th 2008!! So yes I am feeling a little smug!

Currently reading Roger McGough's autobiography has made me think more about poetry. Here is one my favourite poems by him. Written about the time of the troubles in Northern Ireland. It is a poignant piece

Roger McGough