I attended a conference this weekend, where the speaker - an outstanding man called Terry Hoggard - quoting another said this, 'why does the church learn through tribulation what God already shows through revelation.'

In other words, why do churches always seem to learn the hard way?

But this of course applies to us as individuals too. How many parents have kids who go their own way only to learn the suggestions from a parent proved to be the right course to take after all.

I've learned a lot in life through tribulation but I wonder what might have been avoided if I'd followed the corrective suggestions from a loving Parent earlier in the process.

So from now on where there is a choice to make, a path to follow or decision to arrive at, rather than learning the hard way, I think I'l take the hint from heaven and go his way.

QD

Should differing cultures, communities and groupings find a way to recognise the individual nuances of their own identity AND those of others rather than trying to change all cultures, communities or groups to be the same?

This has been the real trouble in our troubles: each side wants to win; each side wants the power; each side wants the majority. If anything the past 10 years have shown that each 'side' can have their cultural identity cake and eat it too, without all the bloodshed. Here is where recognition works better than reconciliation. (Reconciliation in these terms is where two opposing sides lay down their differences and morph into something acceptable to both)

Whilst each side has had to give up certain demands, both sides have been able to retain their culture, community and identity by recognising the validity of the other.

How well does church and it's outreach initiatives fair?

Typically, the church's mission has been to make as many people become like them as possible - 'you too can live my life, if you follow my God' or worse: 'if you believe what I believe, then you too can look/act/be me!  It may not be a conscious thought, but churchy people are more comfortable with new Christians who conform to their own protocol of Christian observance and type of holiness.

What if churchy people could recognise the culture, community and groupings of new believers without feeling the need to reconcile each young Christian into their preconceived pattern of Godly living; that is accepting anothers faith as genuine on the grounds of their own standards or experience?

What if churchy people could allow God to do the sanctification thing in His own time, recognise that differences will arise, cultural reference points are going to be very different and that a new generation of 21st century believers have something to give?

God is the God of reconciliation: His type of reconciliation makes it easier for humans to become who they were destined to be; our type of reconciliation, I wonder, might make human destiny that little bit harder as we try to make everybody be us, instead of allowing God allowing His creation to become itself.

The next time I'm tempted to try and encourage a new believer to be like me instead of being more like Jesus, I hope to recognise their differences and celebrate them.

The kids will be four on Tuesday.

We are now a family of two birthday parties - one for the adoring aunties and grandparents, the other for their friends.

The former took place yesterday and they each received a scooter as presents.

Peter takes his out and within minutes has a collision with an older boy mid flight on his bike! Blood, knees, forehead, scratched nose; you can picture the scene.

I'm making their breakfast this morning and as the sun is shining - so far - I suggest that when they come home from nursery school, they should go outside and play on their scooters.

Peter disagreed. He says he won't ride his scooter because he fell off yesterday and he doesn't want to hurt himself again.

You don't have to be four years old for this thinking  to apply to you. Can you think of a few occasions in your life where you have 'fallen off your scooter' and have been afraid to climb back on?

For some it will be the fear of being left alone again, for others it's the fear of trying to pick up the pieces of a broken career dream, perhaps a trust has been broken or a promise remains unfulfilled.

Whatever it is for you, why not try again today. Your life is too precious to be limited by the failings of circumstance, others and perhaps the mistakes you have made yourself.

John Maxwell talks about failing forward. It's a great concept. If at first you fail, then fail forward. In other words, think about what can you learn - apply it and begin to move forward. I read this week that half of all great leaders are great losers!

Today, get up off the ground, dust yourself off and get back on your scooter. You'll be stronger, wiser, fitter and you'll know the value of experience.

So here's the final part of our 'call recognition system' via Nehemiah.

Firstly, the hurt (the cause) touches your heart; then the hurt touches your head; finally your hurt touches your hands.

You remain unsatisfied to the point of action; simply to stand by and do nothing seems like an insane idea. Where a year ago doing anything about your hurt seemed unlikely and unrealistic NOW seems to be the most natural course of action.

The move from brain activity to hand activity takes a long time. Yet when you step up and step out, your life fills with 'fresh air.'

The king was onto Nehemiah. He knew his cupbearer well and noticed a change in Nehemiahs mood. He enquired as to why and bravely Nehemiah told him.

The interesting thing is that Nehemiah had a plan in his mind, even though the opportunity to go to Jerusalem seemed a long way off. So, when the opportunity came to openly share his feelings, he could immediately put into action a well thought through plan.

Often you know what you have to do and how to do it but you need to wait for the right time. It's here were most are tempted to make the wrong move and go early.

The Bible says a mans gift makes room for him; so does his calling. Allow God to touch your heart, your head but be patient for God to engage your hands. When he creates the space, you will 'pick up' the pace!