One of the problems I face with my recent health problems is that I rarely have any energy (and I mean any!) or concentration.  This means that I [...]]]> This morning, while going through all my Twitter updates, I came across a short article by John Piper on why he doesn’t own a television or go to movies.

One of the problems I face with my recent health problems is that I rarely have any energy (and I mean any!) or concentration.  This means that I frequently spend my evening watching DVDs;  simply because they require very little of me and provide an entertaining pastime.

I really don’t, however, want to waste my life in this way.  What I want to do is spend time with my wife & kids, read books that will envision and inspire me, watch videos of excellent sermons and, above all, I want to pray and seek to enjoy the prescence of God.  The problem is that all of these thing require more energy and commitment than I have available for the most part.

I have decided to try and take a slowly slowly catchee monkey approach.  Although my energy levels may still cause me to waste an unfortunate amount of time, I’m going to try and make sure that I read a page or two of a good book most days.  I’m going to commit to talking/playing with my children – even briefly, every day.  I’m also going to try and seek the Lord as much as I am able – especially on my days off.

The sivler lining to our situation is that it often drives Kirstine & I together to simply chat and share the burden together.  I am appreciating my wonderful wife more than ever these days.

I can’t pretend that I’m going to improve much in any of these areas but, perhaps, I’ll be able to use what little energy I do have in a constructive way before I lose it and crash out in front of the telly…

There are also good things that I do occasionally find that I have the time inclination for.  Writing a short blog post for example.  Being creative  – writing music etc. – is a good use of time.  These things relax me and, on my days off, provide something useful to do. I also refuse to accept that watching rugby is anything other than a glorious use of my time!

I can’t contribute enourmous things to the the Kingdom of God but, perhaps, I can move forward, albeit slowly.  In that way I will try to not waste my life.

Watching the Lions of Saturday gave me an unpleasant sense of Déjà vu.  There have been so many times in the last season watching Bath (or listening on the radio) when they squandered a strong lead.  When the Lions were 20 – 0 up, I thought that this was going [...]]]> Final Score: Cheetahs 24 – 26 Lions

Watching the Lions of Saturday gave me an unpleasant sense of Déjà vu.  There have been so many times in the last season watching Bath (or listening on the radio) when they squandered a strong lead.  When the Lions were 20 – 0 up, I thought that this was going to be another convincing victory.  Somehow, however, they managed to get themselves turned over at the breakdown far too often and only won the game by the width of a goal post. With only minutes to go, the Cheetahs fly half attempted a drop goal which would have won them the game.  It missed, but only narrowly, and the Lions were saved their blushes…

We must now rethink the possible cause of saturday’s weak performance. Perhaps it was the altitude or maybe it was simply that the combinations didn’t work. What is much harder, in the light of last night’s Lions game, is too suggest it was simply lack of cohesion or ‘gelling’ [...]]]> Final Score: Golden Lions 10-74 Lions

We must now rethink the possible cause of saturday’s weak performance. Perhaps it was the altitude or maybe it was simply that the combinations didn’t work. What is much harder, in the light of last night’s Lions game, is too suggest it was simply lack of cohesion or ‘gelling’ that would come with time.

The British & Irish Lions team that played last night, and thumped a poor Golden Lions side, had little or no more reason to ‘gel’ than the team who played on Saturday.  But they were superb. Some will suggest that the opponents were too weak to expect anything – but you can only play what is in front of you and the Lions played well for 80 minutes.  They even finished the game with 14 men after Ugo Monye (who had a, largely, suberb game) went of injured at 70 minutes.

It certainly is true that the Golden Lions didn’t really offer very much; as it is also true that the Royal XV played with a lot of heart. But the Lions (B & I) linked extremely well, offloaded well, tackled well and simply dominated in very way.

It’s far from a reason to think we’ll win the test series, but it may mean we get a clearer idea of the test side a bit earlier than expected.  That can only help.

Many will claim that the Lions were lucky to have won their first match, but that’s not the way  I saw it.  The first 30 minutes aside, I thought the Lions were clearly the better team.  The problem was that their accuracy was poor – which isn’t entirely a [...]]]> Final Score Royal XV 25 – 37 Lions

Many will claim that the Lions were lucky to have won their first match, but that’s not the way  I saw it.  The first 30 minutes aside, I thought the Lions were clearly the better team.  The problem was that their accuracy was poor – which isn’t entirely a shock for the first  game of the tour.  Some of these players haven’t played for a little while and most of the combinations were brand new.

The first half was dissapointing and the Royal XV deserved to go in at the break with an 18-10 lead.  The Lions did rally at the end of the half, however, to secure a well finished try through Irishman Tommy Bowe.  In the second half the Lions scored three excellent tries; although they would have been dissapointed not to have scored at least two more.  There were plenty of opportunities, which displayed their ascendancy, but the accuracy was simply not there and cost them the chance of finishing those chances.  Lee Byrne came out with his reputation in tact – possibly even enhanced after a suberb solo effort try.  Jamie Roberts also did well, and I was pleased to see Riki Flutey looking dangerous.

Plenty to improve on, but not as bad as many will suggest.  The rest of this tour is starting look very tasty…

It was also a delight to see a return to the much missed maul.

Lions team v Royal XV:

Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland – captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Andy Powell [...]]]> It begins!

Lions team v Royal XV:

Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland – captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues/Wales).
Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Ferris (Ulster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England).

Courtesy of BBC Rugby Union.

Looking forward to a first tour win!