What a crazy couple of weeks we've had... Freezing snow... possibly 50cm of snow at regular intervals … at last the sun has shone a little today... but it also snowed!.

We arrived in Albania on the 3^rd February, we were fortunate to arrive en-schedule as there was already snow around, even in Thessaloniki. Once we arrived into Shkoder the snow came with a vengeance and we found ourselves pretty much stuck here. Ironically 10 miles down the road there was none and in Tirana 70 miles away they were enjoying a balmy 8 or 9 degrees...So for most of the past 2 weeks we have been in Shkoder.

The headlines are dominated with news of the Greek crisis. As you watch and listen you can't help feeling you are only getting part of the story, much more is going on behind closed doors. I received a communication today saying that this is actually a huge banking crisis, that this is where the real power lies, this has created the political and national crises.

Some of the things written about Greece are true of course but they must be held in perspective... Capitalism & Socialism are as spiritually bankrupt as Communism was in the 80's. These “ism's” do things to their disciples, all of which seek to control… we are not required to defend these man made systems which are past their sell by date, just recognise they are sadly lacking.

It is amusing / tragic to watch as the politicians try to convince us that they have a solution... I think this is where I agree with most of the Greek people… the politicians are full of empty promises.

At a recent event I was speaking about things that have power in our lives... whilst there was a list, I was interested that debt was one of the greatest powers that undermined believers.

There is much teaching on the subject of money, yet little about living within your means and even less about the evil of debt. Those who are faithful with small things will be given much. I believe that in the new age we are entering into it will be those Kingdom people who have been faithful in the small things that the Lord will entrust to be wise and generous managers of plentiful resources.

The current crisis that could so easily engulf us all is something of the pains of childbirth as a new age is born... it will provide an opportunity for the faithful Kingdom people to shine like stars in a dark place. 

So let us operate out of the wisdom of the Kingdom and avoid the pitfalls of worldly behaviour...

Finally, many of our good friends are struggling with the situation in Greece, we are not exempt from the trials ourselves, Living there has become extremely costly... however many are facing great hardship and we seek to remain supportive...