Monday, April 30, 2007

Melted into the background ..


Just lately time constraints and a lack of blogging zeal have meant that posts are a little less frequent ...It would appear that I have disappeared . But I am still very much alive and kicking just not on the computer as often ...

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Contrasting Attitudes

Been in to two schools this morning to do assemblies . One primary and one secondary . It's interesting to note the contrasting attitudes of those who are listening .

There were the yr 11 students ( 15/16 yr olds ). Some of them had that look on their faces ,the one that says "This is the last place I would like to be , listening to you rabbitin on about God stuff!"

And then by contrast, the primary school kids, all with eager faces wanting to learn more about Jesus ...they still have an innocent childlike faith ..

The sad thing is that between primary and secondary school that childlike faith ebbs away ...Jesus knew that, thats why he wrote these words .. Matthew 18 :2-4

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Have you lost your childlike faith ??? then you better go and find it again says Jesus .

Feeling tired today


I empathise with the polar bear ...Chester our dog decided to start barking in the middle of the night last night and muggins here was the one who had to go and sort it out :-)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

A day in London ..tonic in the turmoil

Coffee Harrod's Style
The ice cream was tasty too..
Outside the Queens crib ...
handsome bloke !!

Last Thursday we as a family managed to free up some time to spend a day in London together . It was great .Walked for miles , watched a show , whirled around on the London Eye and caught a very efficient Virgin train home ... A real tonic for us all .

Monday, April 16, 2007

Difficult Times

The last three to four weeks and particularly this last week have been some of the most difficult weeks that I have lived through in my 43 years on the planet . A very close friend( Paul) and my dad have both been very ill .

In those times both these men have been sustained by the prayers prayed by folk who often don't even know them . I would like to thank you if you read this blog and have been praying ,your prayers are being answered daily ...Keep praying ...pray for my dad that he will come to know the Lord through this and pray for Paul that he will continue to make progress and gain strength and return home to his family as soon as he is able ..

One hymn that has been a tremendous comfort to me through all of this is


Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

It's been a while ..

Sorry for the lack of postings recently . I have been very busy with preaching and visiting folk who are quite ill . Anyway I hope to resume normal service as soon as possible ..


Last night Liverpool FC managed to do it in Europe again ..Look out Athens here we come ...