Redeeming Ruth with Mars Hill Church

If you get a chance have a listen to Pastor Mark Driscoll's latest sermon series from the book of Ruth ...Click here for the link ...watch the video intro to the series , its very good .

I am also impressed with the way they are presenting this series on their website ....Ben if you are reading this then ..take a look at how Mars Hill Church presents their Sermons on their site ...it's excellent

Food and Fellowship

Sarah and Richard (still in his pyjamas :-))


Having folk round for a meal is a wonderful way to spend time just chatting . As we talk we encourage and are encouraged by those we share a table with .

This weekend we shared a few chickens ( poor old chickens) with a couple of families . We had the curried chicken with " the Foulkes' of Wheelock" ...Danny , Julie , Jacob, Naomi and Chloe ..Josh was missing from the tribe on this occasion (click this link for the standard blog photo on Danny's blog ...when he gets round to uploading it that is !!)

Then on Sunday we had the traditional roast with the "Lords' of Shawbury" ...Richard , Sarah , Amy and Ella ...Alice would have been there but was on Birthday party duty ..

Great weekend , Good food , Good fellowship and distraught chickens ...never mind we have the nut roast next time ...

Dinner with the Ainscough's

Dave, Deb , Becki, Abi & John shared a chicken and a bit of beef with us on Sunday ...It was great to see them again ...

Gill & Dave at one point became so underwhelmed by the Sunday afternoon conversation that they both dropped off for a few ZZZZ's on the sofa ....now that kind of thing normally happens when I'm preaching.... not in the living room ... I would have had a photo of them both snoring away but Gill nobbled the camera before I could upload it !!

Slow start to blogdom

It's been a slow start as far as blog posts are concerned so far this year but I will endeavour to put things right this week .

Steve Jones ( click here for his brand new blog) is joining Phil and I for three weeks as part of his theological training ...So welcome to Steve ...He may well need some counseling by the end of his three weeks :-)

28th Dec ..Nana /Pops and the go-lightlies came for Dinner ..

My Sister ...My big big sister & Nick have been eating all the pies this year ...I'm dead when she reads this :-)

Boxing day with our Bezzy mates ...

There was no snow this year ( check out last year click here ) ...but it was great to chill out with our oldest friends ...Alli this year is about to become a member of the 40 + club :-) ...so she will officially join the wrinklies ...

We had a very healthy breakfast the next day ....after all they were organic sausages :-)

Christmas Day ...Family gathering

Grannie and Gramps came over for the day ...we had the traditional ceremony of the Christmas pud ...this year Gramps poured nearly half a bottle of Brandy over it ...it gave rise to a big blue flame ... It's not like a Yorkshireman to be so lavish :-)

Christmas Eve ... Getting ready for Santa

He drinks Port you know ...he has gone off the milk ... must be the stress of having to deliver all those pressy's in one night ...poor old Santa

Christmas in pics Becca came to stay ..

She had a touch of constipation :-) the figs worked a treat ...sorry Beccs ..I know I have a terrible sense of humour ....

Becca came to stay just before Christmas ..it was brilliant to see her again

Buried in the ground but not in the memory ...

" Well done ,good and faithful servant. You have been trustworthy with what I gave you . Come now and share in your master's happiness" Matthew 25:31


Yesterday, as a fellowship we commited our beloved brother Williams earthly remains into the ground .

The memorial services were a fitting tribute to this man of faith . Hundreds of folk from all over the country made the journey, all gathered together to remember this lovely, remarkable man .

He will be missed .

Sorrow & Joy

A sad day at church yesterday without William . I really missed him in the vestry praying before the service . Many tears were shed by Gods people in the fellowship, tears of sadness mixed with tears of joy because we all know that Will is now with his beloved saviour ..

On Saturday about 35 of the youth went over to see the Panto at Crewe " Cinderella" ...it was good fun and put a smile back on my face ...if you get a chance go and see it

William Towers a man who will be missed by many ...

Last night a great friend and spiritual mentor passed from this life into the presence of Jesus .

William Towers was the most faithful man I have ever met. Many tears will be shed over his departure . A fellow elder and friend that I will miss immensely .

Now though ,he is in Glory Land in the presence of The Lamb . Eternity is his and he no longer lives by faith but by sight .

Until we meet again my friend ...

The exams are over ...life returns !!

Just a quick note to say that I have finished my exams for this year ...yes yes yes

So life returns ...for me and the family that was in the form of Christmas shopping in Ikea and Marks& Spencers last night ...oh the Joys of the festive season :-)

Anyway normal postings should now resume ....

Yet another Christmas Dinner

I was the guest speaker over at Bradley Road Evangelical Church in Wrexham this afternoon , they had their ladies Christmas Dinner ...yet another turkey dinner & mince pies .... Now I know why Santa is so fat ;-)

First Turkey of the Season

Last night we held our annual Christmas meal at the Hawkstone Hall hotel .Great company and great dinner ...turkey , Christmas pud followed by mince pies . You can't get more traditional than that !

Paul Hinton was the after dinner speaker . He proclaimed the good news of Christ's birth in a way that people can relate to . All 113 guests ,I am sure, went away with food in their bellies and food for their minds ..

Still swatting for exams in between speaking engagements ...normal postings will resume next week after my exams ...roll on next week.

The Truck Stop ....

The Midway Truckstop Cafe on the A49 near Prees Heath


Have you ever been to a traditional English Cafe and had the all day breakfast ...fantastic .

Today was a treat as Phil and I along with another pastor Alistair did just that . We had much to discuss between us, so why not discuss it over bacon, eggs, beans, sausages and fried bread, swilled down with all the tea you can drink ...unbeatable .

At this particular truckers cafe they have a breakfast on the menu called the "Desperate Dan" ...now this breakfast is a challenge to even the hardened eaters and comes with a government health warning .... so I have started training and will one day rise to the challenge :-)

A blast from the past

Yesterday we had dinner with "The Fraser" family who live on the Wirral . It turns out that Andrew ( the dad) went to school with me , or rather he was a year below me . Our conversation was very nostalgic. He knew some of my first girlfriends !!! you see your past does come back to haunt you sometimes :-) We had a great time with the family and have pledged a reunion at Starbucks in the near future .

I have exams looming , which is why posts have been a little less frequent and this trend is set to continue for at least a couple of weeks .... I'm too old to be doing exams !!

Tight Spot ...

Sometimes in life you find yourself really up against it ( Like the seal in the photo) .

Driven by fear, anxiety , burdens, overcome by hopelessness . Then in those times it's vital that you turn as a Christian to the One who is in control and on Him cast all your cares ...Read this written by the Apostle Peter to Christian men and women who were suffering at the hands of their persecutors ( The sharks )...

My Head Hurts!!

Phil and I spent 6hrs planning for next year today ...strategy for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom ....We have started the first draft of a battle plan. One that I am sure will have a couple of Dunkirks in it but one that will ultimately always win because with Christ you cannot lose .

I love being on the winning team .....

A Better Bond

A few of us went to See " Casino Royale " on Saturday night . Good ,rugged bloke film... :-) .
For the ladies there was the inevitable love interest and the sight of James in his Boxer shorts !!!

Anyway go and see it , lots of twists and turns and very different from your regular Bond movie ..Its a shame that they apparently wrote off three perfectly good Aston Martin DBS's in the making of the movie ..Shocking

Riding with Giants ....

Over tha last two Friday mornings we have hosted at the church a big RE lesson called "Riding with Giants" ...telling the story of the Giants of the Bible

Over three hundred primary school kids ( yrs 3& 4) attended from 6 local schools ..

It was great fun and the Gospel was preached loud and clear...

Brave Boy meets His match !!!

Thought this was very funny

Getting Old

Twas my Birthday yesterday ...1963 was a vintage year ...My mum says I was 10lb 3 oz when I was born so I have always been overweight for may age ;-)

Anyway we celebrated with a curry and a packet of Midget Gems ..Two of my favourite things ..

So my time is moving on.... into the 44th year .... the grave is fast approaching and still much to do . Like two sermons before Sunday ..

Should I get a tatoo?

I sometimes get asked this question .......listen to this sermon(click here) by Mark Driscoll from the States ...best I have heard on what the Bible says we should and shouldn't do ...this one is two cups of coffee worth ..60 minutes long ...but worth it

The Dreaded Common Cold!!!

Well it's the annual season of the common cold and yet again I am a victim ...so you all have to feel sympathy for me ...after all I am a bloke ..and blokes don't do colds very well :-)

Where is the Lemsip ........

Visitors .....Lots of them

It was great to have friends old and new round for a meal today ....

Here goes the list fromthe bottom up ...1st stair ...Josh , Naomi& Laura

Second stair ..Libby, Luke ( after having eaten a green egg!) &Katie

Third stair.. Tia & Anna

Fourth stair..Liz & Hannah

Fifth Stair .. Ben & Kathryn.

Six stair... Simon

Seventh Stair ..Stephen , Lou & Ben ....

The aftermath ...Frisky our wooden cat found a new home in our bed & Below Laura's room resembled a nuclear blast :-)

It was a great afternoon folks ... Despite Ben wearing his Arsenal top ..

How would you answer his questions?

John Humphry's of Radio 4 fame is currently broadcasting a series of programmes entitled " In Search of God"

Over a three week period he is interviewing the Archbishop of Canterbury , a senior Muslim cleric and then a Rabbi. You can check it out by clicking here ... Take a listen and if you are a Christian ask yourself the question ; "How would I answer him? " and if you are not a Christian and you have the same questions as John that remain unanswered, then send me an e-mail and I will have a go at helping you in your search for God .

Busy Days

In between a School assembly and the Answering the Big Questions course yesterday I was trying to write an essay for a Friday deadline ....the title I have been given is " Discuss the claim that the sinlessness of Christ's human nature renders him a less than sympathetic High Priest "

So go on have a go and send me your answers before Friday :-)

Pyrotechnic mania

Well it's that time of year again.The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder. Fireworks everywhere . Personally I love them , probably a throw back to my early days in Liverpool when as lads we used to buy "bangers" by the bucketful and make our neighbours lives a misery ... I don't think you are allowed to buy bangers nowadays . Sensible decision because in the wrong hands they can be lethal.

Anyway over the last couple of nights we have celebrated bonfire night with a YPF ( Young Peoples Fellowship ) bonfire courtesy of the Dakin family and £35 worth of Lidl fireworks ( which were a very good buy ). Then last night we had our family gathering . A small box of fireworks, a few sparklers , some marsh mallows to roast on the chimenea along with some toasted tea cakes ...fantastic . We have a lot to thank Guy Fawkes for :-)

Day In Bangor Wales

Bangor Bay ...view from the car whilst I was writing an essay ... This fella was keeping an eye on me

I spent the day in Bangor yesterday as a guest of the Christian Union . It was a great day. The weather was much better than last year although it was a little cold . It was good to renew fellowship with folk there and to be given the opportunity to preach the gospel .

I also managed to spend some time in the library at Bangor finishing off one of my essays ...the deadline is 1pm today so I better get cracking ....