SPIN LIKE THE WIND-the blog of Nigel James.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES.

Earlier this week, for an interview that eventually didn't happen, I was asked to consider what personal character defects or challenges I had needed to overcome in order to get from where I was to where I am now in ministry. A very interesting question! And one that after reflecting on I was able to answer with the following 5 words:

FEAR-fear of what other people think of me has often been a challenge in the past, and also fear of failure has been difficult to cope with. Similarly, I still have to try hard to overcome fears about the future and sometimes find myself racked with gloom and almost despair.

FAILURE-actually failing occasionally has always bought with it self-doubt, anger and disappointment. Whether it's been losing playing cricket, doing badly in an exam or a test, or seeing a project not work.

FAMILY-now I need to say very forcefully that I don't mean anybody in my family, but rather that I fight hard to avoid demonstrating the same character defaults and damaging behavior that my natural father displayed. He left my mother when I was 4 or 5 by the way. Also, two of my biggest ministry challenges in life have been in trying to to be  good husband and a good father myself.

FOOLISHNESS-I have countless times been the victim of my own rash behavior, anger, loose tongue, selfishness and general stupidity!

FRUSTRATION-most often displayed when things don't go as planned, when things don't happen quickly enough, when people don't do what they said they would do. Selfishly manifested for a time when I thought I deserved more ministry profile and opportunity than I was getting.

THERE!- They say confession is good for the soul. Praise God that he's given me a new heart and a new spirit to conquer these obstacles!

INDIA-NA!

At IPFW last night, the students who had been with me to India earlier in the year wanted me to feel like I was speaking in an Indian church. Typically, a welcome in an Indian church would include a massive banner, a garland of flowers and a cold bottle of lemonade. The Indiana students welcomed me to their meeting with all three! Here's the banner-

SPEAKING AT IPFW.

Taking a few days off between Third Day concerts, I flew to Indianapolis to meet up with Russ Pawlowski and then we drove to Fort Wayne where I have been staying with Ben Gates and his family, and doing some speaking for Ben on the IPFW campus. Last night I spoke on the Campus Ministry Leadership Academy, which is modeled on the Ignite Leadership Academy back in Cardiff. I used one of our new modules-Communication- and it seemed to go down well with the students. Tonight I speak to the main Campus Ministry student meeting, and I'm using the same theme I shared at the City Temple youth service a few weeks ago- If the Son sets you free you are free indeed!- 3 traps that students need to escape from.

The three traps are:

* being caught up by what other people think of you or expect of you. Living to please people rather than God.

*living a double life-being a Christian in church on Sunday and Wednesday night, but living a worldly life the rest of the week. Having a faith that isn't robust enough to be effective whatever the situation.

*believing that you are the centre of the universe, and living your life with you at the centre rather than trying to position yourself in the centre of God's plans. The choice between being a big part in a small story or a small part in the greatest story ever told.

THIRD DAY LIVE.

Two thirds of the way through our short 12 concert tour, I'm taking the opportunity to list some of my personal highlights;

*Speaking each night about the Gateway School in India, and seeing loads of people sponsor children in India through the work of World Vision.

*Meeting with the pastors and leaders of the churches we have been playing in, and sharing with them about the ministry of Third Day.

*Going to see the Coldplay Viva La Vida tour in Atlanta- in a party suite organized by Third Day.

*Seeing Third Day immediately imitate Coldplay's 'in the middle of the audience' acoustic set- imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

*Hearing Third Day's hillbilly version of Consuming Fire in the aforementioned acoustic set.

*Hanging out in Cincinnati with my friend Russ Pawlowski, and speaking at Eastgate Vineyard church which is led by Russ's father in law John Sinclair.

UnitED.

Having arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan last Thursday, via Chicago on United Airlines, for the first night of the latest Third Day tour, I was sitting at the lunch table with a bunch of Third Day's crew whilst waiting for the band to arrive on their tour bus. Suddenly a crew radio burst into life asking where I was situated. 'Your friend from Grand Rapids is here to see you' said one of the crew. Now I've got friends in many cities all over the USA after touring here for so many years- but Grand Rapids isn't one of those cities, or so I thought. Making my way tentatively to the door of catering, I was pleasantly surprised to see none other than Ed Lumley there. The Third Day crew apparently didn't understand a word of our very British greeting to each other!  Ed is originally from Cardiff, studying medicine in Bristol, England, but currently in Grand Rapids for a year at Bible college. Ed has been involved with Ignite for ages-was on our very first Leadership Academy and on our Flames of Fire teams for years and years in a duo with Craig Wakeling hosting the breakfast show. Ed was a local volunteer at the concert-selling Third Day merchandise and even clearing up leaves from outside the church where the concert was held. I was sharing a little bit from stage, encouraging people to sponsor World Vision children in India and by that supporting our Gateway School project-so Ed was able to pray for me just before I went on.

He'd never managed to see Third Day when they've played in Cardiff, so he was thrilled to be able to see them last night, and I was thrilled at the surprise of being able to spend some time with Ed in an unexpected setting.