One day your life’s journey will be over, and you will enter eternity. But what kind of journey will it have been? At the end of your life, will you look back with sorrow and regret, realising too late that you have travelled the wrong road? Or perhaps that the road you travelled was the right one- but you had allowed the troubles and temptations of this world to hold you back and keep you from reaching your full potential?
Instead, my prayer is that you would have been on the right road in life- and not only that, but that you would have reached the end of your journey with joy. My prayer is that you would have known God’s presence the whole way, and that even in the midst of life’s deepest trials you would have found your strength in Him.
…Some day this life will be over. I look forward to that day, because I know that beyond it is heaven. I pray you do too.
Billy Graham, ‘The Journey’
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Focus and Purpose
Quote from Matthew Parris, Times 28th November:
….there’s a different question about Tony Blair’s role [in Iraq] that still remains open. Did he act heroically — in the sense of the moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels and, rather than let the flow carry him, swim against compelling circumstances, knowing that he takes a serious risk for himself or his career? A case, at least, can be made for Mr Blair as a hero in this sense.
I like people who are clear in their actions, clear in their beliefs. I may not always agree with them, but I prefer the straightforwardness of their approach. You know where they stand. That was said of Margaret Thatcher too… someone who I feel totally opposed to, even today. But you knew where you stood. Decisions, in that sense, were bold, clear, almost heroic.
I have struggled to like Gordon Brown. Having been a fan of Blair, I have not been able to make the jump to Brown. What is it that I don’t like? His politics are not that different…. But when you begin to look at his politics, there are different. Very different.
Gone is the clarity. Gone the principled approach. No longer the ‘moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels’. In its place, politics with a small ‘p’. Everything is calculated to win a vote, wound the other party, keep the dissident MP’s in place. Fear of failure has replaced focus and purpose.
….there’s a different question about Tony Blair’s role [in Iraq] that still remains open. Did he act heroically — in the sense of the moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels and, rather than let the flow carry him, swim against compelling circumstances, knowing that he takes a serious risk for himself or his career? A case, at least, can be made for Mr Blair as a hero in this sense.
I like people who are clear in their actions, clear in their beliefs. I may not always agree with them, but I prefer the straightforwardness of their approach. You know where they stand. That was said of Margaret Thatcher too… someone who I feel totally opposed to, even today. But you knew where you stood. Decisions, in that sense, were bold, clear, almost heroic.
I have struggled to like Gordon Brown. Having been a fan of Blair, I have not been able to make the jump to Brown. What is it that I don’t like? His politics are not that different…. But when you begin to look at his politics, there are different. Very different.
Gone is the clarity. Gone the principled approach. No longer the ‘moral courage that makes a man grip fate by the lapels’. In its place, politics with a small ‘p’. Everything is calculated to win a vote, wound the other party, keep the dissident MP’s in place. Fear of failure has replaced focus and purpose.
Will God Forgive?
I was privileged to speak at KingsGate church last week. Here's the talk:
http://www.kingsgateuk.com/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=37241&file_id=39977
http://www.kingsgateuk.com/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=37241&file_id=39977
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
A Result
I was in Liverpool the other week on business and was kindly taken out in the evening for a meal. We walked through the brand new shopping complex between the city and the docks. It's one of the largest in Europe and is called Liverpool One.
Everton football club have set up their souvenir shop in the Liverpool One complex. They have called the shop 'Everton Two'.
So the actual postal address is 'Everton Two, Liverpool One'. Wonderful!
Everton football club have set up their souvenir shop in the Liverpool One complex. They have called the shop 'Everton Two'.
So the actual postal address is 'Everton Two, Liverpool One'. Wonderful!
Sunday, 25 October 2009
I Will Not Be Analysed, I will Be Adored
These are the words theologian John Piper felt he heard God say to him at a key moment in his life. They are worthy of further consideration:
"I will not simply be analyzed, I will be adored. I will not simply be pondered, I will be proclaimed. My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized, it is to be heralded. It is not grist for the mill of controversy, it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will."
With thanks to adrianwarnock.com for the quote
"I will not simply be analyzed, I will be adored. I will not simply be pondered, I will be proclaimed. My sovereignty is not simply to be scrutinized, it is to be heralded. It is not grist for the mill of controversy, it is gospel for sinners who know that their only hope is the sovereign triumph of God’s grace over their rebellious will."
With thanks to adrianwarnock.com for the quote
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Amazing Grace
The ship was breaking up. It was all he could do to hold on. Huge waves were crashing in. Parts of the planking on the starboard side were already smashed beyond recognition. The pumps were working flat out. Rocks were ahead and the sun was going down. The year 1748 looked to be the last year this young man would see.
It’s then that he prayed. Here he was, a slave trader, murderer. An atheist, an unbeliever; worse, someone that had spoken openly of his hatred of Christians. And he was praying. ‘Lord God, save us. Have mercy’…..
Twenty years later, John Newton sat in his study, next to the fire. It was a cold night. The wind was blowing so strongly, he felt it through the window frame, bringing back vivid memories of that night so long ago. How God had answered that prayer. Amazing.
Slowly he got up and moved over to his desk. Picking up a pen, he dipped it in ink and began to write…
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.
John Newton’s incredible story can be read in ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Pollock.
It’s then that he prayed. Here he was, a slave trader, murderer. An atheist, an unbeliever; worse, someone that had spoken openly of his hatred of Christians. And he was praying. ‘Lord God, save us. Have mercy’…..
Twenty years later, John Newton sat in his study, next to the fire. It was a cold night. The wind was blowing so strongly, he felt it through the window frame, bringing back vivid memories of that night so long ago. How God had answered that prayer. Amazing.
Slowly he got up and moved over to his desk. Picking up a pen, he dipped it in ink and began to write…
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.
John Newton’s incredible story can be read in ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Pollock.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Feast
I’ve just been looking at a few of our photos from our September holiday in Wales. The sun shone- somewhat unusual for Wales!
One day we were out in the hills, when a lady walked past. As we were looking out on the beautiful landscape, she said: ‘Spiritual food for the soul. Feast.’ And then she was gone.
And it was. Spiritual food that is. So beautiful. We discovered a hidden lake, high up in the hills. And we had the most amazing views of Cadaer Idris.
So here’s the question. Are you feeding your soul with spiritual food? For those with a Christian faith, how much dust is on your bible? For those that don’t believe or are not sure, when was the last time you sat down and looked at the hills of Snowdonia? Or the Lakes? Or the Downs? Or the Peak District? Or maybe just a walk in the local park?
Feast.
One day we were out in the hills, when a lady walked past. As we were looking out on the beautiful landscape, she said: ‘Spiritual food for the soul. Feast.’ And then she was gone.
And it was. Spiritual food that is. So beautiful. We discovered a hidden lake, high up in the hills. And we had the most amazing views of Cadaer Idris.
So here’s the question. Are you feeding your soul with spiritual food? For those with a Christian faith, how much dust is on your bible? For those that don’t believe or are not sure, when was the last time you sat down and looked at the hills of Snowdonia? Or the Lakes? Or the Downs? Or the Peak District? Or maybe just a walk in the local park?
Feast.
Friday, 18 September 2009
History will be kind to me for I intend to write it
.... so said Winston Churchill. And he did write it too!
This weekend sees Josh going off to College. His twin, Lois, will be off on a gap year to Africa soon. Time goes so quickly. Children grow so fast. It seems like only yesterday they were learning to walk and talk.
So if I want to write history, it has to be today. To leave it until tomorrow means someone else gets the pen and paper.
This weekend sees Josh going off to College. His twin, Lois, will be off on a gap year to Africa soon. Time goes so quickly. Children grow so fast. It seems like only yesterday they were learning to walk and talk.
So if I want to write history, it has to be today. To leave it until tomorrow means someone else gets the pen and paper.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Always Looking Forward
"We are old when we begin to look back, rather than forward.... The world remains full of new fascinations waiting to be discovered and new pleasures to be enjoyed"
Roy Hattersley
Roy Hattersley
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Finishing Well
What if we learned we had only two years to live? What would we do? What would we say? How would we live? Would we finish well? Have a look at this amazing video......
Monday, 17 August 2009
Shine
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us....... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.'
Marianne Williamson (Quoted in the film Coach Carter)
Marianne Williamson (Quoted in the film Coach Carter)
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Stand By Me Around the World
Thanks to Chris Kelly for sending this my way.....
"No matter who you are, no matter where you go in your life, at some point you gonna need somebody to stand by you....."
"No matter who you are, no matter where you go in your life, at some point you gonna need somebody to stand by you....."
Friday, 31 July 2009
Who Draws The Lines?
Keir Starmer was born in 1962. He has just been asked to become God.
The Law Lords, in their final action before morphing into a supreme court (I suspect they wanted to go out with a bang- they did!) have ruled that The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) – the aforementioned Mr Starmer – must publish guidelines on prosecuting those who help others to die.
This has come about through the campaigning of Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer. She wanted to be sure her husband would not be prosecuted if he were to help her die when the disease got worse. The thing is, she knows he won’t….
The DPP have trodden a careful line on what they will and will not do as regards such prosecutions. Of the over 100 cases of British assisted suicides at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, no friend or family member has been prosecuted. This is sensible. There is no need to add pain to grief. But it doesn’t make it right, and that is why the DPP have been careful not to say anything either way- until now.
Much as everyone can sympathise with Debbie Purdy and the dreadful illness she has to carry, it’s important to note she is also a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, an organisation keen to promote euthanasia (dictionary definition: The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition). So what was the real motive in appealing to the Law Lords?
Keir Starmer has a problem. He is not God. The moment he responds to the Law Lords and sets out a practice to be followed, he either has to prosecute cases or open the door for what one newspaper described as ‘decriminalised suicide tourism’.
So who draws the lines? One woman’s freedom to choose the time of her death may be a future child’s moment of condemnation. Does a Downs Syndrome child not deserve to laugh? Does a paraplegic accident victim not deserve to love? Does a mentally disabled schoolboy not deserve to breathe? Who can possibly make these decisions?
In matters of life and death, only God can draw the lines.
The Law Lords, in their final action before morphing into a supreme court (I suspect they wanted to go out with a bang- they did!) have ruled that The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) – the aforementioned Mr Starmer – must publish guidelines on prosecuting those who help others to die.
This has come about through the campaigning of Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer. She wanted to be sure her husband would not be prosecuted if he were to help her die when the disease got worse. The thing is, she knows he won’t….
The DPP have trodden a careful line on what they will and will not do as regards such prosecutions. Of the over 100 cases of British assisted suicides at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, no friend or family member has been prosecuted. This is sensible. There is no need to add pain to grief. But it doesn’t make it right, and that is why the DPP have been careful not to say anything either way- until now.
Much as everyone can sympathise with Debbie Purdy and the dreadful illness she has to carry, it’s important to note she is also a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, an organisation keen to promote euthanasia (dictionary definition: The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition). So what was the real motive in appealing to the Law Lords?
Keir Starmer has a problem. He is not God. The moment he responds to the Law Lords and sets out a practice to be followed, he either has to prosecute cases or open the door for what one newspaper described as ‘decriminalised suicide tourism’.
So who draws the lines? One woman’s freedom to choose the time of her death may be a future child’s moment of condemnation. Does a Downs Syndrome child not deserve to laugh? Does a paraplegic accident victim not deserve to love? Does a mentally disabled schoolboy not deserve to breathe? Who can possibly make these decisions?
In matters of life and death, only God can draw the lines.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
The Customer Gets Even
British Gas owes me £186. They say it’s their service contractor Siemens that need to pay. Siemens say it’s British Gas. Over a year later, I am no nearer getting anywhere. For all those that feel they can never win against the big corporations, here’s a story to warm the heart….
Dave Carroll is a singer with the band Sons of Maxwell. He actually saw United Airlines employees throwing his guitar around. Needless to say, it was broken when he got to the other end of the flight. United Airlines refused to listen. A year later they still wouldn’t pay up. So Dave Carroll wrote a song and posted it on You Tube. To date it has had over four million hits. The story has featured in newspapers around the world and has headlined on tv news in the States. Rather late in the day, United Airlines decided to apologise….
Now, anyone want to write a song about British Gas?!
Here’s ‘United Breaks Guitars’ by Dave Carroll:
Dave Carroll is a singer with the band Sons of Maxwell. He actually saw United Airlines employees throwing his guitar around. Needless to say, it was broken when he got to the other end of the flight. United Airlines refused to listen. A year later they still wouldn’t pay up. So Dave Carroll wrote a song and posted it on You Tube. To date it has had over four million hits. The story has featured in newspapers around the world and has headlined on tv news in the States. Rather late in the day, United Airlines decided to apologise….
Now, anyone want to write a song about British Gas?!
Here’s ‘United Breaks Guitars’ by Dave Carroll:
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Summer classes for men
Thanks to Mark Griffiths for sending me this!
Summer Classes for Men at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTRE
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Monday August 10, 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays - Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll - Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is it Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between the Laundry Basket and The Floor
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes - Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity - Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things - Starting With Looking In The Right Places
And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch - Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost - Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations..
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live - Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy - Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries
and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven - What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Summer Classes for Men at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTRE
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Monday August 10, 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays - Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll - Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is it Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?
Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between the Laundry Basket and The Floor
Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes - Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity - Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things - Starting With Looking In The Right Places
And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch - Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost - Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations..
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live - Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy - Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries
and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven - What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Pure Heart, Clear Head, Steady Hand
'We stay at our posts, alertly, unswervingly… in hard times, tough times, bad times….. working hard, working late…. With pure heart, clear head, steady hand.'
Paul writing to the Corinthian Church (2 Corinthians 6: 4-5, Message Version)
Paul writing to the Corinthian Church (2 Corinthians 6: 4-5, Message Version)
Friday, 3 July 2009
In the Arena
"It is not the critic who counts. Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Friday, 12 June 2009
In Case You Missed It......
The live broadcast from BBC1 of KingsGate Church is now beginning to appear on You Tube. Here are a few excerpts for those of you that missed it.......
NOW REMOVED BY BBC, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE BEST WITH CHRIS MOYLES COMMENTS HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StEDAjhuiTo
NOW REMOVED BY BBC, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE BEST WITH CHRIS MOYLES COMMENTS HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StEDAjhuiTo
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Dear Gordon (2)
Well, for a while there, I thought you were going somewhere. You dealt with the worldwide aspects of the credit crunch admirably. But why, oh why, did you go and get all political again? Your last budget (I know you’ll say it was Alistair’s but it was you really wasn’t it?!) was entirely political. You abandoned long held New Labour policies and went vote catching.
Not that you caught any. Want to talk about the European election results? Thought not.
You allowed the other parties to outflank you on the expenses scandal, despite the fact it’s the Tories that have the moats and the duck islands. You played politics in your own cabinet, never actually saying you wanted rid of someone, but just failing to support them. Even your own Chancellor- and you know how hard that job is!
I work in the pensions industry. You’ve managed to mess that up good and proper haven’t you? (Even losing your pensions minister in the process). All those well thought out, long term reforms that you and Tony pushed through, abandoned for a few cheap votes at the next election so you can be seen to be bashing the rich. It’s the whole pensions system you’ve bashed.
Looks like my first letter to you was pretty accurate after all. (Well, I know it’s a blog and you’ll never read it, let alone pay any attention to the issues even if you did read it, but you know what I mean).
Not sure I can bring myself to vote Tory, but, sorry Gordon, spare us the agony of a dying government over the next year or so. Election time please.
Not that you caught any. Want to talk about the European election results? Thought not.
You allowed the other parties to outflank you on the expenses scandal, despite the fact it’s the Tories that have the moats and the duck islands. You played politics in your own cabinet, never actually saying you wanted rid of someone, but just failing to support them. Even your own Chancellor- and you know how hard that job is!
I work in the pensions industry. You’ve managed to mess that up good and proper haven’t you? (Even losing your pensions minister in the process). All those well thought out, long term reforms that you and Tony pushed through, abandoned for a few cheap votes at the next election so you can be seen to be bashing the rich. It’s the whole pensions system you’ve bashed.
Looks like my first letter to you was pretty accurate after all. (Well, I know it’s a blog and you’ll never read it, let alone pay any attention to the issues even if you did read it, but you know what I mean).
Not sure I can bring myself to vote Tory, but, sorry Gordon, spare us the agony of a dying government over the next year or so. Election time please.
Monday, 1 June 2009
KingsGate and the BBC
A big thank you to BBC1 for showing our church live on Sunday (if you missed it, it's on Iplayer at the moment- called 'That's the Spirit'.)
But what is even better is the reaction of Chris Moyles today on Radio 1. This is what he said about the programme:
'I've been to gigs with less atmosphere- it was amazing.'
'It was very uplifting.'
'I want to go!'
He said on air that he was brought up a catholic but that this was something completely different. He was particularly taken with the live baptisms we did.
Thanks to Ben Griffiths for putting the link up to Chris Moyles comments. Here it is:
http://bendigital.com/blog/2009/06/01/chris-moyles-comments-on-thats-the-spirit/
But what is even better is the reaction of Chris Moyles today on Radio 1. This is what he said about the programme:
'I've been to gigs with less atmosphere- it was amazing.'
'It was very uplifting.'
'I want to go!'
He said on air that he was brought up a catholic but that this was something completely different. He was particularly taken with the live baptisms we did.
Thanks to Ben Griffiths for putting the link up to Chris Moyles comments. Here it is:
http://bendigital.com/blog/2009/06/01/chris-moyles-comments-on-thats-the-spirit/
Friday, 29 May 2009
Friends, Family and Faith
What makes for a happy and fulfilled life?
Studies confirm it. In analyzing 30 years worth of data collected from a United States national social-survey database as well as other previous studies, researchers found that people who considered themselves unhappy tended to watch significantly more TV than those who said they were very happy.
'Higher-spirited folks' as the report calls them, spent more time on other types of hobbies, including mingling with friends and family members, reading newspapers, and attending 'religious services'.
So, a loose translation: plenty of friends, not too much tv, a good family and a strong faith leads to a fulfilled life.
Studies confirm it. In analyzing 30 years worth of data collected from a United States national social-survey database as well as other previous studies, researchers found that people who considered themselves unhappy tended to watch significantly more TV than those who said they were very happy.
'Higher-spirited folks' as the report calls them, spent more time on other types of hobbies, including mingling with friends and family members, reading newspapers, and attending 'religious services'.
So, a loose translation: plenty of friends, not too much tv, a good family and a strong faith leads to a fulfilled life.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Approaching 5000
As I write this, my blog is just two away from its 5000th visitor. Not a bad result considering when I set out, I wasn't sure anyone would read past the first week!
There are many blogs with thousands more visitors of course (though I keep mine honest, only recording separate visits, not separate page clicks as many do), but a modest celebration is due I'm sure. So three cheers and let's crack open half a shandy then, to the start of a blog the day after my daughter got married (and I felt old!) back in December 06.
And a little thank-you to those who have read this far. Copy my email down the page a bit, send me a 'well done on 5000' email and your address and if you are in the first five to do so you will get a free copy of the book 'God-Life'.
Cheers!
There are many blogs with thousands more visitors of course (though I keep mine honest, only recording separate visits, not separate page clicks as many do), but a modest celebration is due I'm sure. So three cheers and let's crack open half a shandy then, to the start of a blog the day after my daughter got married (and I felt old!) back in December 06.
And a little thank-you to those who have read this far. Copy my email down the page a bit, send me a 'well done on 5000' email and your address and if you are in the first five to do so you will get a free copy of the book 'God-Life'.
Cheers!
Monday, 25 May 2009
How Dare They!
I’ve just seen the UK Independence Party poster, walking back from town. It has a big photo of Winston Churchill with his iconic victory salute. How dare they try and co-opt Winston Churchill for their short sighted, head-in-the-sand anti European rhetoric!
Even if Churchill were not always pro-Europe, there is no way he would be supportive of such right wing propaganda as promulgated by UKIP. For the record, Churchill was a member of the Liberal party, then the Conservatives. He had a pragmatic view towards Europe, and after the war suggested a ‘United States of Europe’, albeit for reasons of peace. He was pro American and pro Commonwealth but it is a far fetched view indeed that aligns him with such insular political views as UKIP. It was such a poor view of Europe as held by Churchill’s predecessors that allowed Hitler to think we would turn a blind eye to the invasion of Poland. Churchill was not someone who was anti-European.
So how have UKIP got away with the implied claim that Winston Churchill is one of them? I trust their demise in the European elections will be swift and final. How dare they indeed!
Even if Churchill were not always pro-Europe, there is no way he would be supportive of such right wing propaganda as promulgated by UKIP. For the record, Churchill was a member of the Liberal party, then the Conservatives. He had a pragmatic view towards Europe, and after the war suggested a ‘United States of Europe’, albeit for reasons of peace. He was pro American and pro Commonwealth but it is a far fetched view indeed that aligns him with such insular political views as UKIP. It was such a poor view of Europe as held by Churchill’s predecessors that allowed Hitler to think we would turn a blind eye to the invasion of Poland. Churchill was not someone who was anti-European.
So how have UKIP got away with the implied claim that Winston Churchill is one of them? I trust their demise in the European elections will be swift and final. How dare they indeed!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Follow Your Heart
"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure; these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked.
There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent; it clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you. But someday not too long from now, you will gradually become old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic but it’s quite true.
Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped in dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice, and most important, have the courage to follow your heart."
Speech to Stanford College from Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Computer and Pixar Animation
Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked.
There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent; it clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you. But someday not too long from now, you will gradually become old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic but it’s quite true.
Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped in dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice, and most important, have the courage to follow your heart."
Speech to Stanford College from Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Computer and Pixar Animation
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Auntie Beeb's Visit
On Sunday 31st May at 10.00am, BBC1 are broadcasting live from our church at KingsGate. I’m in the choir and possibly doing one or two other things, so great anticipation at the moment.
We’ve been singled out for this ‘Pentecost Sunday’ live service due to our growth as a church I guess. When Roh and I first pitched up about 8 years ago, there were about 350 of us. Today it’s around 1,500 to 1,800 on an average Sunday.
Why is that? I know that many of my business and pension friends check in to these pages, so let me first of all say, I’m not intending to upset anyone- but maybe challenge you a bit! For me, the ‘why is that’ is all to do with the fact Jesus is real. He really did die on a cross, rise from the dead and is still changing lives today. Tune in to BBC1 on the 31st and see what I mean. So long as I don’t forget the words, trip up, do anything silly……
We’ve been singled out for this ‘Pentecost Sunday’ live service due to our growth as a church I guess. When Roh and I first pitched up about 8 years ago, there were about 350 of us. Today it’s around 1,500 to 1,800 on an average Sunday.
Why is that? I know that many of my business and pension friends check in to these pages, so let me first of all say, I’m not intending to upset anyone- but maybe challenge you a bit! For me, the ‘why is that’ is all to do with the fact Jesus is real. He really did die on a cross, rise from the dead and is still changing lives today. Tune in to BBC1 on the 31st and see what I mean. So long as I don’t forget the words, trip up, do anything silly……
Friday, 8 May 2009
Finding My Real Age
I couldn't resist. There it was. ‘Fill in this questionnaire and find out your REAL age'. So off I go. Blood pressure. Weight. Height. Exercise. Job profile. On and on it went.
I was hopeful. I think I’m fairly fit and I think I look okay for my age. The blurb on the web page showed someone who was sixty with a 'real age' of forty-five.
So here we go…. Press the button, let the software do its calculation…
My actual age is 54 years and one month. And what did this wonderful ‘real age’ programme calculate me as? 54 years and two months. Hmmm.
I was hopeful. I think I’m fairly fit and I think I look okay for my age. The blurb on the web page showed someone who was sixty with a 'real age' of forty-five.
So here we go…. Press the button, let the software do its calculation…
My actual age is 54 years and one month. And what did this wonderful ‘real age’ programme calculate me as? 54 years and two months. Hmmm.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Older than my parents?
A granddaughter giving birth to her aunt or uncle. A woman giving birth to her brother. Sound like science fiction? It’s not. This may become possible if the powers given to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority ("HFEA") are used. The HFEA has been given extraordinary and frightening powers in relation to the embryo and are currently consulting on a proposal to freeze an embryo or sperm for 55 years (extended from 10 years).
The background to this is not so far fetched. It is intended to meet the concern that someone may become infertile and may know of that risk (eg someone with cancer). So they can freeze eggs or sperm against that event. However, there are no rules preventing close relatives who would normally be forbidden to marry each other from donating sperm or embryos. This means that grandparents could donate embryos to their granddaughter for her IVF treatment if she becomes infertile. In this situation, the granddaughter would give birth to her mother's brother or sister-her aunt or uncle. The child could claim to be ‘older than my parents’.
This is a minefield. It needs careful thought and controls. The fear is that something that may be put in place to help infertility will result in unscrupulous practices and commercial exploitation for profit. Theoretically there would be nothing to stop a 35 year-old soon-to-be-infertile man from having his sperm stored until he was 90, or alternatively, from storing his parents' embryos and using them to have a child years later, after his (and the child's) biological parents had died. That child would be both his own brother and his own son.
A case of ethics being overtaken by science. Because we can doesn’t mean we should.
(More on this from lawyer Andrea Williams on CCFON: http://www.ccfon.org/)
The background to this is not so far fetched. It is intended to meet the concern that someone may become infertile and may know of that risk (eg someone with cancer). So they can freeze eggs or sperm against that event. However, there are no rules preventing close relatives who would normally be forbidden to marry each other from donating sperm or embryos. This means that grandparents could donate embryos to their granddaughter for her IVF treatment if she becomes infertile. In this situation, the granddaughter would give birth to her mother's brother or sister-her aunt or uncle. The child could claim to be ‘older than my parents’.
This is a minefield. It needs careful thought and controls. The fear is that something that may be put in place to help infertility will result in unscrupulous practices and commercial exploitation for profit. Theoretically there would be nothing to stop a 35 year-old soon-to-be-infertile man from having his sperm stored until he was 90, or alternatively, from storing his parents' embryos and using them to have a child years later, after his (and the child's) biological parents had died. That child would be both his own brother and his own son.
A case of ethics being overtaken by science. Because we can doesn’t mean we should.
(More on this from lawyer Andrea Williams on CCFON: http://www.ccfon.org/)
Thursday, 9 April 2009
It is well with my soul
With the death of an infant through fever followed by the Chicago fire in the late 1800’s, which destroyed their business, it is true to say Horatio Spafford and his wife were struggling. They got a message from their friend D L Moody, the famous evangelist. He invited them over to Europe to work with him and to take a well earned holiday. They took the advice.
Spafford had a few business deals to finish, so he sent his wife and four daughters ahead on a ship, intending to travel later. The ship sank. Although his wife survived, all four of Spafford’s daughters drowned. On hearing the news, Spafford took the next available ship.
As they travelled past where the first ship had gone down, the Captain pointed it out to Spafford. Quietly, Spafford left the Bridge, wend down to his cabin and picked up pen and paper. The result was the famous hymn ‘It is well With My Soul’. Here are some of the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The tune has not travelled so well down the years as the words have. Recently, Chris Tomlin wrote the song ‘I Will Rise’, with a direct link to the earlier hymn. Here it is:
This song and video (thanks to Tim Prentice for the video) were used by me in my talk at KingsGate Church on 28th December 08. You can listen to the talk by cut and pasting this link:
http://www.kingsgateuk.com/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=25647&file_id=27986
Spafford had a few business deals to finish, so he sent his wife and four daughters ahead on a ship, intending to travel later. The ship sank. Although his wife survived, all four of Spafford’s daughters drowned. On hearing the news, Spafford took the next available ship.
As they travelled past where the first ship had gone down, the Captain pointed it out to Spafford. Quietly, Spafford left the Bridge, wend down to his cabin and picked up pen and paper. The result was the famous hymn ‘It is well With My Soul’. Here are some of the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The tune has not travelled so well down the years as the words have. Recently, Chris Tomlin wrote the song ‘I Will Rise’, with a direct link to the earlier hymn. Here it is:
This song and video (thanks to Tim Prentice for the video) were used by me in my talk at KingsGate Church on 28th December 08. You can listen to the talk by cut and pasting this link:
http://www.kingsgateuk.com/Media/Player.aspx?media_id=25647&file_id=27986
Monday, 6 April 2009
Each day, every day
When Federico Macheda woke up on Sunday morning, did he know it was going to be his day? Manchester United had a number of suspensions and injuries which meant the 17 year old was promoted to the subs bench of the first team.
Things didn’t go well. Having lost the top spot in the Premiership to Liverpool the day before, United were losing at home 2-1 to Aston Villa. The manager decided on a radical change. On came Macheda. At 2-2 and in injury time, he took the ball in the area, turned and shot an exquisite goal into the top corner of the net.
That morning, it was just an ordinary day. By the end of Sunday, he was famous.
How do we treat each day? Just another day, or one that has the possibility of a moment in it to change a life?
The Psalmist says ‘Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life’. Surely goodness and mercy and opportunity and potential and excitement. Each day. Every day.
Things didn’t go well. Having lost the top spot in the Premiership to Liverpool the day before, United were losing at home 2-1 to Aston Villa. The manager decided on a radical change. On came Macheda. At 2-2 and in injury time, he took the ball in the area, turned and shot an exquisite goal into the top corner of the net.
That morning, it was just an ordinary day. By the end of Sunday, he was famous.
How do we treat each day? Just another day, or one that has the possibility of a moment in it to change a life?
The Psalmist says ‘Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life’. Surely goodness and mercy and opportunity and potential and excitement. Each day. Every day.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Slumdog Marley and Salmon in the Yemen
I’ve been travelling a lot recently. Both in the UK and to India, the States and the Netherlands. It’s a bit tiring and not as glamorous as it might sound. Airports and hotels begin to look much the same after a while!
But one of the advantages of travel is time to catch up on music, films and books. Slumdog Millionaire is a wonderful film. Its portrayal of the poor parts of India is very accurate. But most of all it’s simply a triumph of one poor boy against the system. And a great love story too.
‘Marley and me’ is a film we went to see as a family. I was a bit fearful that it would turn out to be a ‘Disney puppy story’ but the producer has been true to the original book (excellent too- by John Grogan) and it’s well acted. A bit near to the bone (excuse the pun!) as we lost our own Labrador just before Christmas.
You can see why Kate Winslet won the Oscar for ‘The Reader’. Beautifully acted. A fair bit of nudity though- you have been warned!
John Waller is a singer that my friends Holli and Andy introduced me to. Great lyrics. Sometimes you feel you are not where God would have you be. But what do you do with that time? Waller’s song ‘While I’m Waiting’ is a great response to such times:
I’m waiting on you Lord
And I’m hopeful
I’m waiting on you Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve you
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait.
John Maxwell writes great business books. His latest, ‘Leadership Gold – Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leadership’ is the best yet. He refused to write it until he reached age 60. Great wisdom.
And a wonderful first novel from Paul Torday. If you think Salmon in the Yemen are an impossibility, you have to read the book!
But one of the advantages of travel is time to catch up on music, films and books. Slumdog Millionaire is a wonderful film. Its portrayal of the poor parts of India is very accurate. But most of all it’s simply a triumph of one poor boy against the system. And a great love story too.
‘Marley and me’ is a film we went to see as a family. I was a bit fearful that it would turn out to be a ‘Disney puppy story’ but the producer has been true to the original book (excellent too- by John Grogan) and it’s well acted. A bit near to the bone (excuse the pun!) as we lost our own Labrador just before Christmas.
You can see why Kate Winslet won the Oscar for ‘The Reader’. Beautifully acted. A fair bit of nudity though- you have been warned!
John Waller is a singer that my friends Holli and Andy introduced me to. Great lyrics. Sometimes you feel you are not where God would have you be. But what do you do with that time? Waller’s song ‘While I’m Waiting’ is a great response to such times:
I’m waiting on you Lord
And I’m hopeful
I’m waiting on you Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve you
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait.
John Maxwell writes great business books. His latest, ‘Leadership Gold – Lessons I’ve Learned from a Lifetime of Leadership’ is the best yet. He refused to write it until he reached age 60. Great wisdom.
And a wonderful first novel from Paul Torday. If you think Salmon in the Yemen are an impossibility, you have to read the book!
Monday, 9 March 2009
Mountain Mover
I was privileged to witness an amazing story yesterday. Stuart Bell was the guest speaker at KingsGate church. His wife and son were there too. Together they told to story of David, Stuart and Irene’s son. Of how he was diagnosed with cancer behind the eye at age 16 and how together as a family and a church, they fought and prayed through the chemotherapy and radiotherapy, to the point that they felt God say the chemo had worked and David was clear.
Sure enough, later that week, they got the all-clear.
Seeing David there, hearing his side of the story, seeing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photo’s and knowing that in front of us was someone who medically speaking could be either dead or blind, was very moving.
As Stuart said on Sunday, we have a God who moves mountains.
‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’
Matthew 17:20
Sure enough, later that week, they got the all-clear.
Seeing David there, hearing his side of the story, seeing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photo’s and knowing that in front of us was someone who medically speaking could be either dead or blind, was very moving.
As Stuart said on Sunday, we have a God who moves mountains.
‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’
Matthew 17:20
Monday, 2 March 2009
God's amazing creation
I’ve just finished reading Bill Bryson’s ‘Down Under’. As always, an excellent read.
What captured me most was the amazing creation to be found in Australia. If these things were anywhere else in the world, they would be considered as ‘wonders of the world’. But because they are tucked away in the western outback and part of the country at the end of the world, they get overlooked.
Consider for example, the banded beehive rocks of the Bungle Bungles. A range of strangely shaped rocks, only discovered in the 1980s and thought to be 350 million years old. They look incredible.
That 50 square miles of a rocky mountain range was discovered after we brought back rocks from the moon and shows how little we really know of the world we live in.
Then there’s the Pinnacle Desert, thousands of limestone pillars - believed to be at least 6,000 years old - rising up to 12 feet tall from the shifting yellow sands.
And the Karri Trees, third tallest in the world, with their 50 foot girth, giant trees from an earlier age.
We live in a remarkable world.
What captured me most was the amazing creation to be found in Australia. If these things were anywhere else in the world, they would be considered as ‘wonders of the world’. But because they are tucked away in the western outback and part of the country at the end of the world, they get overlooked.
Consider for example, the banded beehive rocks of the Bungle Bungles. A range of strangely shaped rocks, only discovered in the 1980s and thought to be 350 million years old. They look incredible.
That 50 square miles of a rocky mountain range was discovered after we brought back rocks from the moon and shows how little we really know of the world we live in.
Then there’s the Pinnacle Desert, thousands of limestone pillars - believed to be at least 6,000 years old - rising up to 12 feet tall from the shifting yellow sands.
And the Karri Trees, third tallest in the world, with their 50 foot girth, giant trees from an earlier age.
We live in a remarkable world.
Monday, 23 February 2009
Lives to be changed
A little girl aged about five looks up at me. She’s one of the latest to arrive at the Esther Home, a place for girls rescued from the sex trade. There she will receive food, a bed, an education.
Just one life saved in a nation of over a billion. But I learned a long time ago I can’t change a nation. Lives I can change. One at a time.
My thanks to the team who went with me. We did Bible Weeks, Medical Missions and the Esther Home. Well done Jane, Slim, Jen, Becky, Gill and Chris. Of course it’s not just their lives that get changed. As a result of the India work, every one of us on the team will have a better handle on the crazy world we live in.
In parts of India, there is no credit to ‘crunch’. But there are always lives to be changed.
Just one life saved in a nation of over a billion. But I learned a long time ago I can’t change a nation. Lives I can change. One at a time.
My thanks to the team who went with me. We did Bible Weeks, Medical Missions and the Esther Home. Well done Jane, Slim, Jen, Becky, Gill and Chris. Of course it’s not just their lives that get changed. As a result of the India work, every one of us on the team will have a better handle on the crazy world we live in.
In parts of India, there is no credit to ‘crunch’. But there are always lives to be changed.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Another day, a different world.
It’s snowing again. Hopefully not enough to stop the flight tomorrow.
From snow to heat. Temperatures around 100F. Another day, but a very different world.
Tomorrow I take a team of 7 to Andhra Pradesh, India for 8 days of mission and charity work. I’ll be doing some teaching in the church, and as a team we will also be working in the villages, taking out medical supplies, and working with a local doctor. Many villagers are too poor to be able to get to a doctor, and sadly some who do go in for operations, come out of hospital without body parts, sold off through the black market.
One of the trip highlights will be working in the Esther homes. These are homes for rescued girls of sex workers. Their mothers have asked us to care for them, to give them a hope and a future different to the one the mothers have endured as temple prostitutes.
Through the local church we help the mothers too. Some want to get away from their current lifestyles. We offer them training as seamstresses. Once qualified, they get a sewing machine and an offer of help from a church somewhere else, away from the temptation to return to their old way of life.
Girls born to poor families in India sometimes face a bleak future. They may even be discarded at birth, due to the dowry system and the fact the parents would not be able to pay for a future marriage. We help in a small way, supporting local churches to care for unwanted children, rescuing them, giving them an education.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Another day. A different world.
From snow to heat. Temperatures around 100F. Another day, but a very different world.
Tomorrow I take a team of 7 to Andhra Pradesh, India for 8 days of mission and charity work. I’ll be doing some teaching in the church, and as a team we will also be working in the villages, taking out medical supplies, and working with a local doctor. Many villagers are too poor to be able to get to a doctor, and sadly some who do go in for operations, come out of hospital without body parts, sold off through the black market.
One of the trip highlights will be working in the Esther homes. These are homes for rescued girls of sex workers. Their mothers have asked us to care for them, to give them a hope and a future different to the one the mothers have endured as temple prostitutes.
Through the local church we help the mothers too. Some want to get away from their current lifestyles. We offer them training as seamstresses. Once qualified, they get a sewing machine and an offer of help from a church somewhere else, away from the temptation to return to their old way of life.
Girls born to poor families in India sometimes face a bleak future. They may even be discarded at birth, due to the dowry system and the fact the parents would not be able to pay for a future marriage. We help in a small way, supporting local churches to care for unwanted children, rescuing them, giving them an education.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
Another day. A different world.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Mr Darwin, Mr Attenborough and God
I love the BBC natural world documentaries, especially those fronted by David Attenborough. His series over the years such as Planet Earth, Life on Earth and the Life of Birds have been amazing. I see the incredible world we live in and just can’t stop thanking God for the wonder of it all.
David Attenborough takes a different stance though. That was clear from the first week of his new series ‘Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life’. I’m sure Darwin is right as regards animals adapting and evolving, but then to argue- as David Attenborough did in just a few links at the end of the programme- that man is evolved from apes, is quite a leap of faith!
Just because man and apes share some DNA doesn’t mean we come from them. There is a missing link between apes and the supposed evolving of man. That link will never be found, because it doesn’t exist.
Look around at the world. Re-live the world by watching the many excellent BBC documentaries. And allow it to form in you a wonder for this world we live in. From the beauty of a snowflake to the vastness of the oceans. From the speed of a cheetah to the sloth of a …. sloth! God has made an amazing world.
I don’t know whether David Attenborough would call himself an atheist or an agnostic. What I do know is it takes much more faith to believe there is not a God, that this world came into existence by chance molecules, than to believe in a Creator.
David Attenborough takes a different stance though. That was clear from the first week of his new series ‘Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life’. I’m sure Darwin is right as regards animals adapting and evolving, but then to argue- as David Attenborough did in just a few links at the end of the programme- that man is evolved from apes, is quite a leap of faith!
Just because man and apes share some DNA doesn’t mean we come from them. There is a missing link between apes and the supposed evolving of man. That link will never be found, because it doesn’t exist.
Look around at the world. Re-live the world by watching the many excellent BBC documentaries. And allow it to form in you a wonder for this world we live in. From the beauty of a snowflake to the vastness of the oceans. From the speed of a cheetah to the sloth of a …. sloth! God has made an amazing world.
I don’t know whether David Attenborough would call himself an atheist or an agnostic. What I do know is it takes much more faith to believe there is not a God, that this world came into existence by chance molecules, than to believe in a Creator.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Cluttered desks
I've had the computer guy in this week, so had to clear my home office desk. I'm not exactly tidy, so it took a while. What's that quote about cluttered desks and cluttered minds?
I prefer the one from Albert Einstein:
"If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"
I prefer the one from Albert Einstein:
"If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"
Sunday, 25 January 2009
The Presidents Pastor
I was delighted at President Obama's choice of the 'Presidents Pastor' - the person asked to pray at the inauguration and likely to be consulting the president in the future. Rick Warren is a great guy, and has written one of the best books ever- 'The Purpose Driven Life'. (If you've not read it, irrespective of your beliefs or lack of them, I recommend it!)
Here is a transcript of the prayer Rick Warren prayed at the inauguration of President Obama:
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone. It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Here is a transcript of the prayer Rick Warren prayed at the inauguration of President Obama:
Almighty God, our Father:
Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone. It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory.
History is your story.
The Scripture tells us, “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.
Now today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African-American president of the United States.
We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.
Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.
Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans—united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all.
When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you—forgive us.
When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone—forgive us.
When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve—forgive us.
And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.
Help us to share, to serve, and to seek the common good of all.
May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy, and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet.
And may we never forget that one day, all nations--and all people--will stand accountable before you.
We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.
I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, 'Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus—who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Obama's day
"Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly."
Jay Z
Jay Z
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Prayer resolution
It's that time of year. Resolutions are made. Fitness clubs and slimming programmes get oversubscribed. Then, for most, the promises are forgotten in the hurly burly of daily life.
My own resolve- which I hope I will be able to keep- is to pray more. I know prayer works. I've seen the results. But so often, it gets crowded out. A good example of the urgent replacing the important.
So this year, I will pray more. For my family, the city I live in, the nation I am part of, the world I can affect.
C H Spurgeon, the great 19th century preacher, said "prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint." I'm ready to shout.
My own resolve- which I hope I will be able to keep- is to pray more. I know prayer works. I've seen the results. But so often, it gets crowded out. A good example of the urgent replacing the important.
So this year, I will pray more. For my family, the city I live in, the nation I am part of, the world I can affect.
C H Spurgeon, the great 19th century preacher, said "prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint." I'm ready to shout.
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