HNY!

This time last year Sara and I were on the other side of the world elbowing our way through a million sweaty Sydneyites for a front row seat at one of the world's best fireworks displays at the infamous Circular Quay. This year the experience was about 4o degrees cooler and a whole lot whiter as we joined the Uppsala crowd for New Years Eve Swedish style. Can't say I don't miss a 30 degree Christmas, but the Scandinavians do have a way with the winter, and the candles and carols and meatballs and mulled wine have a charm of their own, and it's been great to experience it all again.

Tomorrow we head back to Birmingham to embark on a new year, and I have to say that I'm expectant. I've got a feeling it's going to be a year of action and adventure...a year of unprecedented communion, cooperation and mobilisation for the body of Christ...a year of massive challenges the world over that will be met with courage, creativity and paradigm shifts; not least from God's church. I'm expectant, and I'm eager to be part of it. 09 here we come!