You don't need permission to do great things!

One of my favorite podcasts is 'Back to work' with Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin.  Merlin has one of the most creative (and distracted) minds I have ever encountered!  I am inspired and challenged by how he things about creativity, productivity and the courage to do things!

I have been asked a few times over the years how I've managed to publish books, or speak at certain events, or have an input into certain processes.  The simple answer is that at times I have just chosen to act!  You've heard me say it before "the difference between people who write and those who don't is that people who write, well, they just write".  The same goes for studies, action, and just about every other thing I've done.  I choose to act.  I act in spite of fears of failure, I act in spite of fearing that I may be missunderstood.  I act in spite of feeling tired, or overworked, or not adequite.  I just act...  It makes a difference.

Here is a video podcast I did reflecting on this process... I am of the mind that far too many great things don't happen because good people are waiting for 'permission' form someone else to do them!

Let me just say that I often fail.  I make more mistakes than getting things right!  But, every now and then, on that rare occassion when things just fall into place, I am so glad that I've chosen to act rather than waiting for the permission of others.

I'd love to hear your thoughts

A visual illustration of transformation

I am often asked if it is possible for an individual to truly make a difference in the face of the massive needs and problems that we face in the world? The answer is, yes!  Of course you can make a difference - you may be surprised how just a few small choices, acts of mercy, and choices for ethics, justice and peace could transform the world!

This wonderful little video shows how something small can make a massive change.  I often use this video in my talks to illustrate that when one does good and it reaches a tipping point it can change the world.

Isn't this an awesome visual illustration of how small actions of courage can have massive effects on the world?

An overview of Christian History and the Church (video) from the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town

On the opening evening of the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization a superb video overview of the History of Christianity and the shifts of the Christian Church was shown.  It is about 30 minutes in length (if I recall).  This great video from Cape Town was posted on the Global Conversation in two parts.

Here's part 1 (please see the brief description below):

Turning Points, Part 1: After a glimpse of the opening of the Congress, this video traces in two segments the growth of the church from Pentecost to the present in the face of many obstacles. Key movements, nations and figures are presented in this sweeping review of the expansion of Christianity up to the taking of the gospel to China.

Cape Town 2010 Opening Session - Turning Points, Part 1 from Lausanne Movement on Vimeo.

Here is part 2 (see the description below)

Turning Points, Part 2: This video picks up the history with Boniface taking the gospel to Germany and extends to the present time and the Cape Town Conference

Cape Town 2010 Opening Session - Turning Points, Part 2 from Lausanne Movement on Vimeo.

I'd love to hear your feedback on this great video! Please would you also consider leaving some comments on the Lausanne Global Conversation site? 

First official video from the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town goes live

The first official highlights videos from the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town are going live on Vimeo, YouTube and Facebook - simply follow this link for more. But, the official videos will be posted at http://www.lausanne.org/conversation as soon as we get the front page of the conversation up.

Here is one of the first videos to be realeased -a brief 1 minute highlight of the opening celebration.  What a wonderful event!

Check the link above for more videos from the Congress - soon we'll have the sessions, speakers presentations and other videos up for review. 

So, just a reminder, all of the videos can be directly linked form the Global Conversation site at http://www.lausanne.org/conversation - please share this link widely!!!

Gigapixel image of Newlands Rugby stadium 22 May 2010

This is an incredible technology! I had heard about the Gigapixel technology, but hadn't realised how impressive it truly is!

Gigapixel image of Newlands Rugby stadium 22 May 2010 from Dion Forster on Vimeo.

In this video you'll see an image of the WHOLE of the Newlands Rugby stadium on the 22nd of May at the Stormers semi final match. It opens on our company's Box, I then zoom back and go to the half way line and zoom in to a picture of myself (just above the flag in a blue Rugby shirt). Incredible! 

Here is the URL for the image.

Liam the Great and Mertyl my Vespa!

Ah yes, I love Liam! Today we got the 'all clear' from the specialist.
There was a concern that he may have cancer or possibly TB because of
a problem with his lymph node. But, we thank God that he is well! The
swelling is as a result of a prolonged chest infection, and that we
can continue to treat!

Here is part of a video with Liam the Great and Mertyl my Vespa!

Liam loves Mertyl, and I love Liam!!!

Please join us in giving thanks for his life!

Mertyl is back in action! The most beautiful Vespa in the world is back on the road!

Today I rode my Vespa for the first time since the accident! I can't kick start it, but as you can see I have plenty of slopes on which to push start it in second gear. Wow! It sure feels great to have just this little ride on the paving outside our house! When I get back from Israel in two weeks I hope to be strong enough on my leg to ride the Vespa and the BMW! By the way, the leg you can see here was the one which was broken in the accident, and the panel just in front of
it was the one that was smashed. Doesn't the Vespa look fantastic!?

A video of me taking my Vespa for a little ride in the country ;-) [Vid]

Yup, those lazy Sunday mornings... Nothing better to do than take my Vespa for a gentle spin the country.

Thankfully someone was on hand with a camera to catch the leisurely event!

PS. You'll notice that's not me (sure, my style is the same... But this is small frame Vespa - probably a 50cc, perphaps a 125cc!)

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