Church is a family I am part of, not a meeting I go to

‘Church is a family I am part of, not a meeting I go to’. If there is one phrase I will remember Richard Bartrop for, it is that phrase. I had the privilege of working alongside Richard for a time in the late 1990’s and he would repeat the phrase on any and every occasion. Those of us that shared with Richard membership of King’s Church Peterborough are not likely to forget it!

Richard died on Christmas Eve after a long fight with cancer. I remember the first time Roh and I met Richard and Janet. Coming out of a poor church experience, we pitched up as a family at Peterborough Christian Fellowship (later renamed King’s Church) and loved it from that first meeting at South Grove Community Centre. We grew and we shrank (shrinking mainly as a result of Richard following the primary calling of his life and going off to serve the churches in Africa) and we loved it.

I learned a lot from him and it was a privilege to serve alongside him for a while. He lived his life to the max. Incredibly focussed, a great organiser with a truly pastoral heart. He showed, of course, that church is a family I am part of, not a meeting I go to.

...And a Roh moment

Each year we get a calendar from Oxfam- it's a bit of a tradition. As Roh walked into the shop this year, she noticed it had changed quite a lot. They had started selling clothes for a start. The books were on the other side of the room and the CD's weren't quite as good a selection as she remembered.

Undeterred, Roh asked the shop assistant where the calendars were. 'We don't sell calendars' said the shop assistant. 'Yes you do' said Roh. 'I buy one each year at this time.' 'Hold on' said the shop assistant, 'I'll ask the manager'.

The manager also advised that they don't stock calendars. 'But you do!' said Roh. 'Big ones with beautiful scenes from around the world. I get one from you every year'. 'Ah' said the manager. 'I think you want the Oxfam shop next door'. Roh slipped out of the British Heart Foundation shop as unobtrusively as possible.

Another 'train moment'

The franchise for the East Coast Line changed at the weekend, so I had the pleasure of travelling on a National Express train on Monday (RIP GNER). Same train, same seats, same crew.....

But travelling back in the evening brought about one of those many odd 'train moments'. We had just pulled out of Kings Cross when the guard came on the speakers to apologise for a lack of catering crew. It seems they had left them behind at Kings Cross! To give them their due, they were able to pick up a relief crew at the first stop, but it was a fun moment for all!

New moon?

I was amused by a BBC headline on their web pages back in 2000. It announced that Jupiter had a new moon. Not new at all! It’s been there all the while. It’s just that we hadn’t seen it before! The Psalmist says ‘when I consider the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, what is man that you are mindful of him?’ It can certainly make you feel like that. Just the vastness of God’s creation, the bigness of God.

Politics (2)

There was a really interesting programme on TV on Tony Blair this last weekend. His press secretary at the time he was Prime Minister admitted he wanted to keep Blair's faith private in order to avoid press comment. He also said Blair took a Bible with him whenever he travelled and always read it before going to bed.

The Bible encourages us to pray for our leaders- here's one that prayed too!

Mary Magdalene

I've come across a really interesting poem by John Piper called 'Mary Magdalene'. We know from the bible that Mary Magdalene was delivered of seven demons by Jesus and became a follower. We know that she knew Joanna, from Herods court. And we know- or can guess- she came from Magdala, hence her name. Magdala was the centre of a cult that worshipped Astarte or Astoreth, a fertility goddess. Piper has woven a story from this. It can't be proved to be true, but it's a fascinating poem. You can find it here:

www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Poems/ByDate/1411_Mary_Magdalene_Part_1/

And here is the final verse:

And so, sweet fire of candle three,
That burns so bright and painfully,
Come, light the midnight of our days,
And strike the towers of our ways.
And when we think our chains are strong,
And slavery has been too long,
And wicked ropes are bound too tight,
And demons lurk beneath our sight,
Think not that we are too unclean:
Remember Mary Magdalene.
Come sweetly, painful flame, and be
The fire that sets the captives free

Politics

Interesting result just in from the Australia elections. Kevin Rudd, the Labor candidate, is the new Prime Minister. He is a committed Christian, something he has constantly made clear throughout his campaign.

If we add to that the clear Christian faith that President Bush has (I don't like his politics but the faith is clear enough) and the apparent Christian faith of Gordon Brown (and Blair before him) we are seeing some key Christians in key world positions. And I've not even started to talk of the faith of many African leaders.

I don't expect any of these men will make all the right decisions. But I'm grateful that they pray and believe - and are in a position to influence this world for good.

Wolf Whistle Sunday

My thanks to Sue O'Dell who greeted me with a wolf whistle when I arrived for the church meeting on Sunday. Thanks for reading the page Sue! Tim Hunt, are you reading this?!

Forest Gump

Looking at that last blog entry reminds me of a story from a few years ago. I used to do more running than I do now, as did Tim Hunt, a friend of mine.

Tim called over one night with a big grin on his face, full of what had just happened. He'd been out running and had run past a group of girls- and one of them 'wolf whistled' him. Well, Tim was full of it! He dined off that story for a good while afterwards!

I went running myself a few days later in Yaxley, where we lived at the time, and sure enough, up in front of me were a group of girls. Recalling Tim's often told story, I pushed my shoulders back, increased my pace and ran past them looking as cool as possible. I waited for the wolf whistle. Nothing. Then, just as I passed them, one of the girls called out 'Run Forest Run!'

Tim dined out on that story too!

Finishing the race

I managed to go out running first thing this morning, just round the rowing lake and back. The fact I'm recording it reflects how little running I’ve been doing lately!

I used to do a lot of running and even completed the London Marathon a few years back. My main memory of the race is finishing. As I ran up The Mall, people were cheering me on, calling out to me by name (Tip #1: always put your name on your running vest- people calling out your name after 26 miles is a real energy boost!)

I remember crossing the line. Such a feeling of accomplishment. All the training, pain, hitting the 'wall', running on the cobbles near the Tower of London, nerves and everything else that preceded it (even being overtaken by a 20 foot caterpillar- it was a group of army cadets after all) seemed insignificant compared to finishing. (Tip #2: keep your thoughts on the finish line when it gets tough)

With my friend John dying a couple of weeks back, I’ve been thinking quite a lot about crossing the finishing line. Hopefully I still have a good race to run, but I want to finish well. I want to be able to deal with the tiredness, the pain, the pressures and to finish well. I look forward to thousands cheering me over the line, and to God’s voice saying ‘well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord’. (Tip #3: be sure as to what and who you are running for)

Disappointment, defeat and victory

What a difference a week makes. A week ago, I had the privilege of going to the new Wembley (magnificent) to see England (average to good) beat Estonia 3-0. I got back home in time to see England (brilliant) beat France in the rugby world cup and reach the final- against the odds.

And then England (average to poor) lost to Russia in the football. Followed by the rugby with England (still brilliant) losing to South Africa in the world cup final. We have quite a number of South Africans at our church- and of course, they were all wearing their rugby shirts yesterday. I tried not to let them in…..

Finally, even Lewis Hamilton (dead cert) couldn’t beat Raikkonen for the Formula 1 championship.

John didn’t live to see it. He fought Motor Neurone disease for over 2 years, but died last week. A friend from my days working at Emap, I saw him grow in his Christian faith- so to put it bluntly, I know where he is! Disappointment and defeat in the sports arena, but triumphant victory for John.

Uncomplicating Life

One of the advantages of long haul flying is that you get time to read. I read a whole book in almost one sitting on my last business trip. It was called 'Wigglesworth- The Complete Story' (by Julian Wilson). It's a biography of a remarkable man. With little education, Smith Wigglesworth overcame his poor background to be one of the most well know 'faith healers' of his day. A bluff Yorkshireman, he would simply go up to someone in a meeting and say 'What's up?'. He'd then pray and miracles would follow. Blind eyes opened, the deaf could hear, and people were even raised from the dead. Such was the impact, he made it to the front pages of the newspapers of the day.

What was his secret? The book hints at a couple of them. Firstly he always gave aknowledgement that it could only be Jesus who heals, not him. Secondly, he was just uncomplicated. If it said it in the Bible, and it happened then, it could happen now.

Smith Wigglesworth lived simply, with a clear and simple faith. He died in his 80's in the 1940's after a worldwide ministry and with hardly a day going by when he didn't lead someone to his saviour Jesus. Simple faith. Extraordinary results.

Still He bends to hear us sing

Around 300 years ago, the saintly Madame Guyon was imprisoned in the Bastille for her faith. For seven years, she was in a cell lying below the surface of the ground, with no light other than candle light. While imprisoned, she wrote the poem ‘A Prisoners Song’. Here are the first two verses;

A little bird I am,
Shut from the fields of air;
And in my cage I sit and sing
To Him Who placed me there;
Well pleased a prisoner to be,
Because, my God, it pleases Thee.

Naught have I else to do:
I sing the whole day long;
And He Whom I most love to please
Doth listen to my song:
He caught and bound my wandering wing;
But still He bends to hear me sing.

Whatever we face, wherever we are, still He bends to hear us sing.

Awe and sobriety in London

I was in the City side of London for meetings today. I had some time to spare between meetings, so called in on the London Museum. As you might expect, it's all about London through the ages. I left in awe and somewhat sobered.

Awe: That thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, have walked the streets of London before me. Traded, worked, loved and lived here. Died here. Awe over such an amazing city. Aware of my smallness. My small part in this history. Moments in this office or that. Jobs here and there. A few years living in South London. Moments in history. I met the early settlers today. The Romans, invaders, Medieval Londoners... the vastness of history.

Sobriety: As you go out of the museum, there is a book of remembrance for the 52 people killed in the atrocities of 7/7. Right at the front of the book is James Adams. Pictures, letters from friends. Words of remembrance from those who knew him. He lived in Peterborough, where I live. I knew many of the names of his friends. Some of them are my friends too. I never met James, but his Christian faith stands out through the pages of remembrance. He lived life as an adventure. He loved his Lord. Blown away in a second. But what a sound to greet him as the words 'well done good and faithful servant' ring through eternity.

Awe and sobriety. O my God, may I live every moment of my life as an adventure. Small in the picture of history, but significant in the book of life.

The Human Spirit

The TV news carried two main stories last night. Both are to do with who we are and what God has made us.

The first story was to do with the death of Jane Tomlinson from breast cancer. Jane was diagnosed with the condition 7 years ago. She was told she had 6 months to live. Jane decided to fight. She competed in triathlons and ran the London Marathon a number of times, cycled across America, from Rome to Leeds and from John O’Groats to Lands End. Over the 7 years, she raised over £1.5m for cancer charities.

What a fighter. What spirit she had to keep going against the odds. I don’t know if she had a faith in God, but there was such Godly determination on display.

The second story from last nights news was the Government decision to allow Human-Animal embryo’s for experimentation. Again, there is a determination to fight disease. Again human spirit, human ingenuity is on display. But this time, the cost is high. To quote the Christian Institute: “Manufacturing new creatures out of humans and animals is deeply repugnant. It offends against the principle that human life is uniquely made in the image of God. It offends against the created order that humans and animals are of different kinds. Mixing them has rightly been called ‘in-vitro bestiality’.”

A human is a human from conception. To treat that human embryo as a test tube specimen, to mix that human with animal parts… God forgive us. We are spiritual beings. As Jane showed, we can show extraordinary courage against the odds. Sadly those of us who remain embryos for experimentation never get that chance.

Odd Moment (2)

I travel to and from London regularly, and use the Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) to do so. Their announcements as you get on the train at Kings Cross are about the most unwelcome ever invented. Below is the announcement as I remember it, and I've put in brackets what I think they are saying.....

"This is the 6.20 to Leeds, calling at Peterborough, Newark, .... If you have a Hull Trains or First Capital Connect ticket, they are not valid on this train (Get off my train!). If you have a Saver Return or outward portion of a Business Return, they are not valid on this train. (Get off my train, really!). If you have an Apex, Daypex (Any other Pex!) these tickets are only valid for the train as printed on your ticket. (I don't want anyone on this train!).

If you have not got the right ticket, you should leave the train now or you will be charged the standard open single fare (This is how we make our money). "

Really, that's just how it comes across! You are made to feel so unwelcome! You would have thought that in our age of communication, someone would have taught them how to treat their customers. Anyway; odd.... and slightly annoying!

Odd Moment

I called into Dollond and Aitchisons in town the other day to buy some eye drops. Imagine my surprise when I was told 'I'm sorry sir, we don't sell eye drops, we're an opticians'...

Hmmm. That's a bit like Waterstones saying they don't sell 'Lord of the Rings' because they are a bookshop. Odd.

Bigger than you think

In 24 hours you or I could travel from the UK to New Zealand, just about the furthest country from our shores. Bearing in mind it took Captain Cook, the discoverer, about 2 years to get there, that’s improvement! With my work, I have travelled to most continents and many financial centres around the world. So it could be argued that the world is ‘smaller’ than it used to be.

Right and wrong. We only know a small amount about the world we live in. For example, a couple of years ago, a whole new species of mammal was discovered in Borneo. As this thing was quite a lot bigger than a cat, it really does show how little we know about our world.

When I was in Shanghai, I met some students from Beijing. They told me that they could immediately tell the difference between people from both cities- mainly to do with the size of the nose! (Incidentally, Westerners are all ‘big noses’ to them!) There are so many different tribal groups in China, but to most of us, they are just Chinese.

The same with Asians. This is a quote from AA Gill in the Times: “Almost every Asian you see on TV is an Indian, whereas almost all the Asians you’re likely to come across in real life are Pakistani. Television’s sympathy has always been with India. It has the romance, the colour, the western values, Goa and your bank details.” India also has my wife’s ancestry, so guilty as charged! (I quite liked the comedy in the film ‘East is East’ where the Pakistani in hospital turns the thing around and objects with horror that he is being treated by an Indian!)

194 nations. Thousands of tribes and sub-nations. 6.6 billion people. Plants and animals still to be discovered. The world is still a big place.

Famous for a minute, known for a lifetime

"In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes". So said Andy Warhol. And it's becoming true before our eyes- Big Brother, X Factor, Apprentice (I like that one!), House Swap, Stars in their eyes, Fat Club, thin club, slim club, cook club, Beenthereseenitdoneit club... Fame for everyone. A fleeting glance at celebrity. But it is so fleeting. I remember who won the first Pop Idol and even who came second and third (shame on me), but who was it who came fourth, fifth etc? Fame for a moment. Not really fame at all.

The Bible tells us God has a design for our lives, planned before we were born. In fact before the world was made. (Check it out: Ephesians 1: 11). We read that God has planned our days, written them down (Psalm 139: 16). Finding out why I'm here gives the best purpose of all. The fact that God thinks I'm 'famous' is better than Any Warhol's 15 minutes could ever be.

Mountain Climbing Quotes

Here's a couple of excellent mountain climbing quotes:

'Youth is not a period of time. It is a state of mind, a result of the will, a quality of the imagination, a victory of courage over timidity, of the taste for adventure over the love of comfort. A man doesn't grow old because he has lived a certain number of years. A man grows old when he deserts his ideal. The years may wrinkle his skin, but deserting his ideal wrinkles his soul. Preoccupations, fears, doubts, and despair are the enemies which slowly bow us toward earth and turn us into dust before death. You will remain young as long as you are open to what is beautiful, good, and great; receptive to the message of other men and women, of nature and of God.'

General Douglas MacArthur

'Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.'

Sir Winston Churchill

Lois in Japan and other stories....

I've just met our younger daughter Lois. Or at least a Japanese version.

Having had a week and a half of Dim Sum and Tofu, I decided a real meal was needed and called in at the Tokyo branch of TGI Fridays. (I know, it's a soft choice- just think how naff it will look on my expenses!). And there at the door was Lois Japanese style. She looked the same in a Japanese kind of way. Dangling earrings, wavy arms, big smile, bouncing steps. I was sort of shown to my place and sort of gave an order. Others in the restaurant then did the work while Lois v2 hung around the door, chatting away, being incredibly charming and doing little or no actual work. If ever TGI Fridays opens in Peterborough, our daughter is guaranteed a job!

Funny thing is, Lois actually has been to Japan, on a school exchange trip a couple of years ago. Maybe she gave some lessons....

Went on to find the best jacket ever. It was a denim but so light to the touch, with a wonderful lining and looked fantastic. It was from Paris and was retailing at around £600 original Yen price. It was reduced to £200. And allowing for the strength of the pound right now, the original price was nearer £700. I was spared the agony of purchase, thank goodness; it was too small! Close call that one- nearly spent some real money on clothes. Bought a lightweight shirt for £2 instead and felt much better after the fright.

The Japanese are soooo organised. If you get a train ticket with a reserved seat, you WILL sit in that place. There is no argument about it. That's what you do. You are organised. And if you are not organised, someone organises you. It's actually a great country character trait- though a part of me just wants to sit in the wrong seat for the sake of it! Life would be a bit boring without a bit of disorganisation....

Bryson and Shanghai

I enjoy reading. In fact I get through quite a few books in an average year, with usually 3 or 4 on the go at the same time. A lot of them are Christian books, in hope of understanding at least something more of the amazing God who created me. There are a few novels as well. And I've just started reading my first Bill Bryson book- 'Notes from a small island.' I know- I'm a bit late in getting to Bryson. He's been around for years. But I've only just discovered him- and may not have done that had not Roh (or was it the twins?) bought it for my birthday.

Bryson can be a bit rude, but oh so funny. I found I was laughing out loud, which was rather embarrasing as I was on a flight to Shanghai at the time. Never mind, the guy next to me probably won't see me again. Probably wont want to!

Here's a classic bit of Bryson on age: 'I used to think sex was something more than a welcome chance for a lie down'. Trouble is, I'm not sure I'm laughing at the joke or laughing with the joke! And his chapter on travelling through Oxford is just hilarious. Anyway, I'm now in a hotel in Shanghai. I hope the walls screen out the laughter....

Interesting: Shanghai is so big and new. Hardly an old building in sight. The airport has only been open 7 years and already they are building more terminals and runways.

Dissapointing: Singapore Airlines is a good carrier but have gone a bit far with advertising. I enjoy looking at the air map as we travel, to see what countries and cities we are going over. But Singapore Air have taken to inserting adverts every few minutes for worthy institutions like HSBC. I'm sure they are getting paid well for it, but it's an advertising intrusion too far. Maybe they break in to their films in the same way?!

The night before the day

Ever stayed up, knowing the next day that something significant is going to happen? That's me right now. Tomorrow I fly out to the Far East for 2 weeks. I've been to Singapore before but my trips to Shanghai and Tokyo will be new territory. It's business of course, so mainly flights and hotels, but I hope to see a bit of the cities.

So it's the night before being away for 2 weeks. Roh and the twins have gone to bed, but I don't feel tired. Never do when there's a big adventure the next day.

But why not live like that every day? Why not get excited about tomorrow, whatever it may bring? Even on a Monday! We only have one life- let's enjoy it day by day.

In between the rain and the clouds

What amazing weather we've been having in the UK. Our two older children who live in Sheffield have nearly been washed away. And wherever you go, you are in between the rain and the clouds. This is June and the sun has taken a holiday.

I don't know if it's global warming or God shouting at us, but the weather is certainly different. Maybe it will make some of us think. Maybe we need to consider that there is something more than work, home, holidays, tv.... Maybe we need to think about the 'what if'...

Hello Gordon Brown

Yesterday, Gordon Brown became leader of the Labour Party. In two days time he will be Prime Minister. In some ways he is similar to Tony Blair, in other ways very different.

Whereas Tony Blair was very much a head and heart politician, Brown seems to be much more cerebral. He will lead with his head. So we are probably in for a less interesting time, but maybe more manegable, with a reasoned, logical approach.

I expect there will be a lessening of ties with the United States, especially while Bush is still in office. But perhaps not much warmth towards Europe either- Brown is instinctively less trusting of Europe than Blair.

The son of a Scottish pastor, he shares a Christian faith with Blair, though his expression of it seems somehow more solid and measured. And also not as noticeable. I hope it is real. He will need that faith in God for what is the most difficult job in the UK.

20 Quadrillion Years

How big is God?

Is He able to meet my needs?

Consider the universe. I travel to the States a lot. It takes about 6 to 7 hours on a 747 at about 500 mph to get there. If I travelled at the same speed, nonstop to the moon, it would take 3 weeks to arrive. The Sun? 21 years of constant travel. The edge of our solar system? 900 years!

And if we were to travel on a 747 jet at 500 miles per hour to the farthest star discovered by our telescopes, it would take 20 Quadrillion years. That's a 20 with 15 noughts after it!

Is God big enough to meet my needs? The Bible says he made the stars. The God of 20 quadrillion years worth of stars is the God who cares for me.

The sea and the mountains

There is something about sitting by the sea. Preferably on rocks, watching the waves crash in. Or on hills and mountains, watching the sun set on God's creation.

I'm just back from treating Roh to a week in Wales, visiting some of our favourite locations. It was a bit of a surprise for Roh, to celebrate her birthday, and included some friends joining us for the weekend in Dolgellau. Roh had no idea they were coming! Kevin & Kate and Colin & Carolyn are 'old' friends from our days in Crawley. Zan & Annelle are 'new' friends from Peterborough. It was a great time. The look on Roh's face as all these people turned up unexpectedly!

There will be lots of memories of good times, meals together, walking in the hills, sitting on the beach....

And as for the sea and the mountains.... Every wave is different. Every view changes the landscape in front of you. How can you not praise God for such amazing creation?

Friends

On Saturday, Roh and I drove down to see a couple of friends. We didn't think it strange that they asked us to call them about 5 minutes before we were expecting to arrive. We assumed it was something to do with the meal they were preparing.

James was actually outside the house when we arrived, walking one of the dogs- we didn't think that was strange either. We parked the car and were invited in.

We were met by the sound of party poppers and cheering with confetti and streamers being thrown as about 40 or so friends cheered us in to the house, to celebrate a surprise birthday party for Roh.

I thought I was king of the surprises, but I was well and truly beaten this time! Neither of us had any idea.

Thank you James and Pauline, Liz and Rob, and all our friends for such a great surprise. It's so good to have friends.

Goodbye Tony Blair

Yesterday, after over 10 years as Prime Minister, Tony Blair announced he was stepping down. The short-term headlines will be full of the disastrous decision to invade Iraq being his epitaph. However, history will be kinder and in 100 years from now, people will look back on one of the most successful Premierships in modern British history.

10 years has seen promises kept and many of the early aims and aspirations fulfilled. People are better off today than they were 10 years ago. Although we have yet to see the full effect, there are many new schools and hospitals, with significant amounts of money poured into both.

Northern Ireland has peace. Kosovo was not a blood bath because of Blair’s intervention. He caught the mood of the nation as it mourned for the ‘people’s princess’. He stood with dignity and determination against the atrocities of 7/11 and 7/7. His diplomatic skills achieved the London Olympics.

Our economy has remained stable and has grown faster than most in Europe. Despite the headlines, our relationship with the United States has ensured we have constantly punched above our weight in world affairs. We have successfully influenced the First World to give more to the Third World. Tony Blair has campaigned for Africa, ensuring debts have been removed and government giving increased. Because of the close relationship, Blair has been able to bring the United Sates to the discussion table on global warming- something that may well not have happened without that relationship with Clinton and Bush.

Tony Blair has been a conviction politician. He has led with his heart. Not always getting it right, he has maintained an integrity and a comparatively sleaze free government. His Christian convictions have brought substance to his political convictions- unlike many politicians, he believes what he says. We are better for his leadership.

America again

Just back from another US visit. One of the better things about travelling with my company is the ability to travel business class with Virgin Atlantic.

On the way back, I decided to sleep, so the whole chair then turns into a flat bed. A pillow and duvet are provided and the best bit- I got a mug of cocoa and was tucked in by one of the stewardesses! I suggested to my wife she should do the same each night. I won't tell you what she said!

33 and 1

I flew in to Boston on business last Monday to the tragic news that 33 people had died at a college in Virginia when a gunman killed students and lecturers, ending with taking his own life. My American colleagues were in shock and the TV channels seemed to show nothing else all the while I was there.

Aside from again asking questions about America's ridiculous gun laws, I'm not sure asking questions about why it happened will get us very far. A twisted mind has led to many innocent victims and grieving families.

I got back to the UK to the news that an old friend had died. Ian Wilkie was only 62 and died of a brain tumor. He was the pastor that had married me and Roh years earlier. Always full of life, with a real energy, he will be missed.

33 and 1. Many more of course, every moment of the day. We all of us face death. For some there will be some warning, for others, it will be sudden. We pray for those who grieve, and we prepare ourselves for that journey as best we can.

Henry Venn, an Anglican minister in the 1700's, was told by his doctor that he was going to die and had only a few days to live. He was so excited at the prospect of going to be with his Lord, that the adrenalin that pumped around his system kept him alive for another three months! May we all be able to anticipate that day and say with St Paul 'death where is your sting?'

We grieve with the families of the 33 and the 1. And we look forward to a day where there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more needless killing.

7 - 1

It was my birthday yesterday and my football team decided to lay on a treat for me....

For United to win 7-1 against Roma in the quarter finals of the European Cup was quite something. Some of their play was breathtaking. The 6 'one-touch' passes that led to Alan Smith's goal were so good I don't have the right superlative for them!

Not a bad way to start another year. I hope and pray my own approach to each day this year will be the same as the Manchester United players last night- committed, purposeful, full of energy, and successful.

Mountains and valleys

One of my favourite films is ‘Chariots of Fire’, the story of the 1920 Olympics in Paris, and of two runners in particular- Harold Abrahams and Eric Lidell. Lidell’s story revolves around his refusal to run on a Sunday and then going on to win gold in another event.

Abrahams story is one of a struggle within himself, overcoming many obstacles and winning the gold in the sprint. One of the most poignant moments is when the athletes return home to London off the boat train. There’s a great celebration at the station, but Abrahams waits on the train. Only when the crowd is gone does he come out onto the platform and into the arms of his waiting girlfriend.

It’s often the way, that when we have been on the mountaintop, a valley follows. That was Abrahams experience, and possibly ours too. So we need to be prepared for ‘lows’ as well as ‘highs’. The most prepared of us will be ready, having enjoyed the mountain, being prepared for the ‘real world’ we must live in.

No one could take Abrahams medal away from him. He won it. Let’s hold on to our mountaintop moments and use them to live our daily lives, whatever height we may seem to be at, at the time.

Another stone

I have another stone. It sits on a shelf near my bed. At first it was a reminder for prayer. Now it is a reminder to thank God.

The stone was taken from a muddy site on the edge of Parnwell in Peterborough. Today that site houses a building with an auditorium for 1800 people and numerous additional rooms.

When I took the stone, it was in prayer that the building would be built, that there would be enough finance for it. Now, whenever I look at it, it is with thanks to God for a miracle.

The building is KingsGate, belonging to Peterborough Community Church. You can see the pictures on

www.pcc-uk.org

Stones and mountains

We've just had the patio done at the back of the house. Before the guys came to lay the new paving, I took out four stones that I'd placed near the back door, so they wouldn't be lost. Each of them hold a story.

One is a stone from the top of Cadair Idris in Wales. I climbed it with our twins and my brother in law. What an achievement it was, and what an amazing view from the top!

The second looks just like a broken heart. It was taken from a beach in Wales where I was having a bit of a chat with God, after quite a hard time. I felt the stone summed up how I was feeling and I left the broken heart with God that day. The other two stones are from South Africa and Australia, from business visits to those countries. Each represents a stone 'placed' before God. A physical reminder of prayers prayed, issues fought for.

Samuel does something similar when Israel beat the Philistines in a battle described in the Bible:

"Samuel took a single rock and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it 'Ebenezer' (Rock of Help), saying, 'This marks the place where God helped us.' "

Each of my stones marks a special moment, a moment where God helped me. A physical reminder of a battle fought in prayer, of a mountain climbed.

Different worlds

I've been out to India about 8 times now over the last 10 years or so. Despite getting used to the different culture to an extent, it is still a struggle to come to terms with such a different world.

I remember the first time I went, one of my work colleagues commented that I was no use back at work for a month or so! It really is that different. I take a team with me each time I go, knowing it will affect each one greatly. They really will not be the same again, such is the culture shock.

So even after all these years, I come back to a well paid job in the business world and wonder whether I should even be doing this sort of work when there is such need elsewhere.

I'm grateful for my job, my family, the relative affluence of the country I live in. But I can't forget the needs I see in India. And while I may not be able to change the whole world, I aim to keep changing India one life at a time.

What time is it in your world?

On getting back from India last weekend, I let my watch adjust itself. You see, I have one of these rather clever watches- it has a link to a Satellite signal so it will always go back to the right time in the UK after a trip away. Or so I thought.

My watch is also an alarm clock. I set it as normal on Sunday for a 6.00am Monday wake up in order to get the 7.00 train to London. Sure enough, the alarm went off, I got up washed, dressed and headed out to the station.

I thought it was a bit funny that our neighbours Chris and Marion were not awake as the light is usually on as I pass their house. And there seemed to be a lot less cars on the road too. And where were all the passengers at the station?! It was at this point I looked at the station clock. Five to six in the morning! But my watch showed five to seven!

Needless to say, I was in rather early to work and had a bit of a long day. My watch is still adjusting an hour ahead. I've had to turn off the satalite link bit. Maybe the Satellite has been blown up or something?! Conspiracy theory time!

This is what the Bible says:

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life."

So fleeting in fact that I'm an hour ahead of myself!

India 2

It's not so much jet lag as culture shock, returning from a week in India. We have been working in one of the poorest areas of Andhra Pradesh with the most remarkable people.

They have nothing, yet they give everything. Such generosity of spirit. Such a willingness to give. It's not what you own, it's what you are......

India

It's snowing as I write this. A good couple of inches I think. Amazing that in just over 24 hours, I will be on a plane for India. The weather contrast will be quite something.

The other contrast is the poverty. India attacks your senses- blaring car horns, 'interesting' smells and everywhere, poverty in front of your eyes. Compared to what I have seen in the villages of Andhra Pradesh, every single person in the UK has more than them.

I'm out there doing some church and charity work, taking a team with me. For those that have not been before, it will be a life-changing moment. We know we live in the richest 10% or so of the world here in the UK, but until we experience what the majority of the world is like, it is hard to comprehend the difference.

There aren't any mountains in the area of India that I visit, but I will be climbing quite a few.

Interesting times

'May you live in interesting times' is supposed to be an old Chinese curse (it isn't but most people think it is!). But we certainly do live in interesting times here in the UK.....

I have a Christian faith. As such, it's been sad to observe the recent Government ruling on adoption, effectively forcing Catholic adoption agencies to compromise their faith by recognising gay couples. It seems to me that when we look back on this decision, it will be seen as something of a watershed. In recent years, we have moved from being a Christian country to being a multi-faith country. (I welcome multi-cultural but regret the crumbling of the Christian foundations our society was built on).

With this latest Government ruling, I wonder if we have now moved a step closer to being an anti-Christian country?

It's a hard one for the Government. They have some outspoken ministers on this (Peter Hain in particular). But they also have a number who hold a Christian faith. Blair appears to, as does Brown, Straw, Kelly. Sadly, their efforts to bring in non-discrimination legislation (a welcome move)is forcing a compromise on those with a Christian faith. For the church, it is not an issue of discrimination, it is an issue of what the Bible says is unnatural.

So, intersting times. Christians have dealt with 'persecution' before of course. It's just sad it is happening here at home.

Barefoot on the grass

A friend has just asked me to pray for his mum who has been diagnosed with cancer. That's what my mum died of a few years back. So I'll pray- and I know.

We only have one life. And we just don't know how long that life will be. It's the age old question of course, but if you were to die tonight, would you be able to look back on your life with satisfaction? Or maybe with a sense there could have been more?

An old monk was once asked on his deathbed what he would have done differently with his life. Bear in mind he had lived a simple, God loving, life. But he said he would have done something- he would have walked barefoot on the grass more often. Even for him, there were simple things he would have liked to have enjoyed.

Simple things. Family things. Holidays we meant to take. Presents we meant to give. People we meant to call.

So I'm not being morbid, but we only have one life. Don't forget to walk barefoot on the grass.

Lists part 2

Hey, maybe I'm not so sad after all. Having been at church on Sunday, we are starting down a list called God's Top Ten. It's the ten commandments presented rather differently. And the first preach arrived along with Top of the Pops theme music(.....you had to be there....).

Come to think of it, God makes lots of lists in the Bible. Lists of families, lists of churches, lists of heroes, lists of kings.... So maybe I'm not quite so sad....?

Lists

Have you ever noticed how much men like lists? And it really does seem to be a man thing. Maybe they are out there, but I have yet to meet a woman who loves making lists. They may have to, but they don't want to. Men on the other hand, have a fascination with the top ten of everything. A whole magazine industry has been born off the back of it- your top ten women, top ten holiday resorts, worst pop records of all time, ten things to do before you die.... and so on.

I have to admit I'm one of them. A man yes, but also a list maker. I was making lists while I was still in shorts! I had my own alternative top 20 to the one on Radio 1. And I used to keep up the revised list on a weekly basis. OK, so maybe I'm a bit sad....

One list I still keep, at least in my head, is things I'd like to treat my wife to. The problem is, the list remains a list most of the time. So tonight I did something about it. We're off to see a play in the West End next month that has been on my to-do list for too long.

Go on. Make a list. And then cross something off it. It won't get done otherwise.

Where's your aim?

One of my favourite quotes is from the American author Mark Twain. He says 'Aim at nothing and you'll be sure to hit it'!

So true. It's just so easy to take each day as it comes, giving it little thought and little planning. We drive to the same old job, laugh at the boss's same old jokes, come back to the same old wife(!), watch the same old tv, go to the same old bed, and get up again the same old way..... Before we know it, another week is over, another month, another year. Aim at nothing and you'll be sure to hit it.

I'm not great on New Year resolutions, but how about a simple one- as you get out of bed each day, thank God it's a new day and really not the same old world.

Fear

Have you noticed that so many issues and conflicts are as a result of fear? The whole cold war was the States fearing Russia and Russia fearing the States. The same is true today with the West and Moslem countries. On a micro scale, how about us? A fear of open spaces, for example, leads to staying inside. A fear of the unknown leads to sleepless nights.

The new job has gone well. 3 days in, and i'm still there! Whats more, the fear of the unknown is no longer present. I can sleep at night.

Stepping off mountains

I don't know if you remember the old Indiana Jones movie where he's on a mountain side and has to step off into thin air? That's how I feel right now... In a few hours I start a new job. It's the middle of the night, I can't sleep and it seems to me that I'm about to step off a mountain into thin air.

But if you remember the movie, it's as he takes this step of faith, that a whole new path opens up in front of him. The Bible talks about God giving us a hope and a future. So as I step out in a few hours time, I'm trusting there's a whole new path to step on to. A hope and a future.

In the meantime, if I could just get some sleep....