And here they are!

I thought to myself, how could I tell you about the wedding without letting you see a picture of the happy couple? So, here they are, pictured at yesterday's Blessing Service and looking very good indeed. Not only do they look great, but they are two of the nicest people that you could wish to meet as well.

We had a buffet in the evening and enjoyed the eats that were arrayed for our delight! All in all, a great day for us all.

A change from last week!

Yesterday afternoon I conducted a wedding in my church. Well, to be exact, it was in the vestry rather than the main Sanctuary, but as God is everywhere then the actual section of floor is not that relevant. Let me explain. The last wedding that I conducted in the church was in September 2003. Just a few months later the Sanctuary was closed due to the threat of the ceiling collapsing, and so no further weddings could take place in it. I actually had to cancel several weddings that were booked for the following eighteen months, as there was no knowing when the repairs would take place, or even what work might be undertaken.

Three-and-a-half years later, many committee meetings and deliberations having passed, and we now have finalised and approved plans for the complete refurbishment of the church, a job costing just over £400,000. All it waits for now is the final approval from the denominational Head Office. The fantastic news is that the only cost to the church is the cost of the Architect's fees which represent 9.5% of the total. The whole job is to be part of a partnership deal with the developer, with our input being a parcel of land on which the developer will build mews houses on. What a fantastic deal! Isn't God GREAT!!!

Last Friday, if you remember, I had the task of conducting the funeral of a 6-year old child, and so yesterday was a fantastic change in the opposite direction. It was also the oldest couple that I've ever been asked to marry, the groom being 72 and the bride 69. Believe you me, the look on their faces was all that I could wish for. Today I will be conducting a Blessing Service for them in a nearby church, loaned to us for the occasion, and that will be the Service which family and friends will be able to attend.

Life is full of opportunities, challenges and brickbats! So often we feel down when the brickbats come along, but what we should concentrate on are the wonderful opportunities that God blesses us with to celebrate His love for us. I always think that when we celebrate our love for one another, then it's also an opportunity to celebrate the source and creator of that love.

So, think of us at 4.00pm (GMT) this afternoon, and offer up a prayer of thanks for Ken and Margaret, asking God to shower their relationship with His blessings.

A GREAT read if you have any TEENAGERS!

TEENAGERS
by Rob Parsons
Published by Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN:
978-0340-86276-6
Price: £7.99 in UK

If you have any teenagers in the home --- and I know what that can be like 'cos I've got two --- then this book by Christian author Rob Parsons, (who is involved with Care for the Family), really is a must read.

I've reviewed it in the new issue of The Voice magazine, and this is what it says:

'If you either haven’t got one or had one, then you’ve certainly been one. A teenager, that is! Not only that, but you can’t help finding them in your lives somewhere along the line, even if they belong to someone else, and that alone is reason enough for you to read this book.

If the thought of parenting a teenager is a frightening thought, then just think what a terrifying pace the world of the teenager is to themselves. They don’t really understand what’s going on in their lives as they try to come to grips with growing up and changing from a child into an adult.
As the parent of a teenager you are suddenly faced with the problem of a non-communicative child, one who firmly believes that rather than bother them you should (a) know in advance of your question what the answer will be and act/supply accordingly, and (b) respect their right to decide whether or not they really want to speak to you anyway.

In this book, best-selling author Rob Parsons helps you through the minefield that represents the teenage years, and includes sections on all the problems that your teenager faces. Subjects such as dealing with bullying, self-esteem, drugs, internet chat-rooms and undesirable websites, plus the age-old problem of talking about sex, are all dealt with in an informative, easily absorbed way.
Learn how to reassure your teenage son or daughter ― or teenage grandchild ― and how to help them survive the problems and pressures of everything that life is determined to throw at them, helping to make your own life a little saner in the process. Rob Parsons offers practical strategies and solutions to help tame your particular teenage bundle of joy, helping them to survive peer pressure and the various pitfalls of life.

Of course, not every teenager faces a life of problems, only yours! For that reason alone, this is a book which is a must-read for everyone involved with teenagers. In helping you to understand them and deal with their mood-swings it will also go a long way in helping them to understand you and deal with your frustrations as well.'

Bed-time reading? Of course! And the rest of the time too!

Number 6 is HERE . . .!!!

Continuing on with our TOP TEN CRAZEE Hobbies and Interests, here's a suggestion for NUMBER 6:

Collecting Car Registration Numbers

After all, what do you do with them once you've collected them? You cannot use them for anything as far as I know. OK, so someone who collects them will probably tell me different, but that's not going to start me off on collecting them!

Scan & Fix!

One of the first jobs of the day when I turn on my computer is to run a scan for problems which, once it has completed the action, just needs one touch of a button to 'fix & repair'. It got me thinking. Wouldn't it be great if we could be plugged into something and scanned for problems? Then, once our scan was complete, just press a button to fix and repair us, making us as good as new once again.

Well, impossible as it may seem to some people, that's exactly what we can do! How? Well, when something you own, that has lots of moving parts, goes wrong, the best course of action is to go to the maker and get them to put it right. In some cases you'll find that there are things that you can do along the way to help ensure that minor problems get fixed without too much trouble. So, as human beings, when something goes wrong the best thing is to consult the Maker who always knows exactly how to fix the problem.

Of course, in our spiritual lives as in all others aspects, there is often the temptation to go for a quick fix that's being offered by some glitzy showman! The problem with this is the old story, If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is too good to be true! However impressed you are by the TV Evangelist and his/her team, (it's usually a 'him'!), when you search below the slick advertising, coloured lights and inevitable smokescreen, then all you find is someone who is in business for themselves.

One place you will always find the answers is down on your knees as you talk to and listen to your Maker. The pattern is simplicity itself. You need no flashing lights, no dry-ice, no slick suit, just a repentant attitude and a sincere request for forgiveness for a broken soul. I find that one of the things that demonstrates real repentance is the opening up of the heart's floodgates, and, as tears course down your cheeks, they seem to be washing away the dross that clogging up your works, opening up the channel between you and your Maker that's so important.

So often in this life we're led to seek physical wholeness and perfection, but whilst that might be a great thing, the thing that is really important in kingdom terms is attaining spiritual wholeness and perfection. Once our time on earth is over and we move on, then the thing that counts is our spiritual well-being. Neglect that in peril, for whilst earthly things are very transient, all that matters to us in spiritual terms is everlasting.

Make sure that you plug into your Maker on a daily basis for a scan. You can guarantee that He will always 'fix & repair' you as necessary!

Holy Cows and all that

As a minister, one of the things that I ponder upon and pray about, is the problem that faces so many churches, especially here in the UK, that of falling numbers. The situation is so desperate in many churches that there is a real danger of the church closing down.

It's a strange situation to be in, isn't it? We live in an Age where there is so much conflict in the world, where real world-threatening situations are occurring all the time, and yet it's also an Age where so many people reject the church, reject Christ and reject God. I think one of the prime causes of this is the problem created by wealth, and believe me, it is a very real problem. The world that so many of us live in has become so materialistic, nurtured by politicians who pander to the whims of people and their own selfish ambition rather than any genuine interest in their country. We read of footballers being paid millions of pounds for their skill at kicking a ball about; of city high-flyers who are paid millions of pounds in bonuses; of Chief Executives who are given millions of pounds in severance when they have run their company down and the Shareholders vote them out of office. In the UK certainly, the Government has created a Them & Us policy when it comes to matters like pensions, so that whilst the majority will look forward to struggling on their state pensions, this will not be the case if you are an MP, for their pensions are gilt-edged!

All these problems and yet, it seems, no answers. Yet if only we could live according to God's design, under His laws, we would live a much more Utopian ideal. As a Christian, I'm reliant on God every day of my life. Each day I give myself to Him anew, knowing that He will watch over me and guide me through everything that lies ahead in it. In the Bible we are taught that there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3). Without doubt, it's beyond question that NOW is the time for us all to be turning to God. NOW is the time to banish the Holy Cows that distract us from our worship. NOW is the time for us all to seek the Lord in repentance for all that is wrong in our nations, our towns, our homes and our lives.

The Value of Time...
To realize the value of one year:

Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of one month:

Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:

Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour:

Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute:

Ask the person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one second:

Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond:

Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you share it with someone special.

(author unknown)

I recently was sent a copy of the 'politically incorrect' prayer which Minister Joe Wright of Central Christian Church opened the recent session of the Kansas Senate with. Apart from applauding him for his courage to speak boldly for the Lord, there is nothing meaningful that I can add, save that it is a prayer that we could each pray, relating it to our own countries and situations.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good,,"

but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We confess:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography

and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers

and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today;

cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us

to the center of your will.

I ask it in the Name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Sam & the Fireworks

Sam definitely does not like the sound of fireworks! In fact, he doesn't really like any sudden noises and so barks when someone shouts or runs past our window or if a car-door suddenly slams shut too near to the house. So you can imagine the way he would be with the constant bans and whizzes of fireworks! Of course, as I wrote on Monday, November 5th was Bonfire Night, and so that meant that there was going to be a few HOURS of noises. This was definitely not the best thing for a peaceful evening for us, but then a friend told us about his dog, which sounded as though they faced the same problem. But he had a solution! He recommended some doggie tranquilisers, so we bought some and HEY PRESTO! we had a peaceful evening. Not that Sam was zonked out, just calmed down, and so although he barked a couple of times, in the main he ignored the bangs, whizzes and whirls.

He suffered no after effects, and didn't sulk about it (He's prone to sulk if he doesn't get his own way, or if we do something he doesn't like).

I like this!

How about you?

Why not take a look at the book for a bit of fun!

Just imagine . . .!

Just imagine if your keyboard lost the letter 'i' or 'I' and had to use an asterisk instead. You wouldn't even be able to write to complain about it, because your letter would have to be something like the following:

Dear S*r or Madam,
* have a problem w*th my keyboard. *t won't pr*nt out the letter *, and so *t *s *mposs*ble for me to wr*te any mean*ngful letters. * wonder whether you have any spare letter *'s that could be used to f*x the problem. *f you have, please send *t to me at the address you have on f*le for me.
Yours etc.

Just an idle thought . . .

No Man is an Island

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind...

This quotation from John Donne (1572-1631) appears in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII:
"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Using imagery that people can easily identify with, John Donne affirms that no man can exist on his own, without the benefits accrued from being part of society in general. Once isolated from others, human beings no longer thrive. There are no human islands, for we all have need of others at varying points in our lives, no matter how reclusive an individual may appear to the outside world. John Donne was a Christian, although this concept of the gregarious nature of human beings is ahared by other religions, and is found principally in Buddhism.

So, what has made me think about this quotation today? I was thinking mostly about how easily the word 'I' can dominate in thought, conversation and communication. How easy it is for 'I' to take over, ultimately, as far as the ear of the listener or the eye of the reader is concerned, reducing every achievement to symbolic ashes by claiming to have created or improved almost everything.

One important lesson that I learned a long time ago was that love is the glue that holds society together in one form or another. Whether love for one's country, one's family or for another, the thing that makes the difference is love. LOVE. Note that there's no 'I' in it! Those who put an 'I' into love are the ones who become boring through their egotistical attitudes. They promote self beyond all, peppering their conversations with their sentences being prefixed by the words 'I think . . .', 'I did . . .', 'I know . . .', and so on. They become so self-centred that there is no room for anyone else. In a sense they have made themselves into islands of self, yet in such isolation they will ultimately die.

The real truth is that we have been created by God; that our lives are fuller and richer because of the blessings we receive from God; that the greatest love ever shown has been demonstrated by God through Jesus Christ. Once we see and understand God's love for what it is then we begin to absorb it and to reflect it through our own lives. I guess that John 3:16 says it all!

Remember, remember, the 5th of November!

Thinking about bonfire night in the UK, which is tonight, I found this wonderful picture by the Wirral artist Jim Fleming. Jim kindly gave me permission to post the image on my blog today so that I could share it with you, dear reader.

Of course, even if I didn't know it at the time, my finding the image was all part of God's plan for my life today! I telephoned Jim to ask for permission, and discovered that he had a great love for the Lord, and so what could have been just a simple relatively anonymous phone call, turned out to be the beginning of a new friendship based on a mutual love of God. I look forward to meeting him before too long, which won't be too difficult as he only lives about 45 minutes or so from me.

We discussed the way that God blesses us with gifts that we can then use to His glory. I never cease to be amazed at the way God works to bring people together. I'm sure that Jim and I will be blessed by a good friendship because the foundation is strong, but I'm equally certain that it will be to God's benefit in kingdom terms, for I believe that He has a part for each of us to play when we turn our lives over to Him. Isn't God GREAT!

Anyway, back to Bonfire Night. It will probably rain at some point because it always seems to, but that will not be able to dampen people's enthusiasm too much. Nowadays the sale of fireworks is more carefully regulated and more people go to organised displays. This means that the maximum pleasure can be obtained in comparative safety, which ticks a couple of boxes as far as I'm concerned. As for Gill and I, we shall watch the display across the River Mersey from our bedroom window, so not only do we have the safety factor, but we'll also be snug in our own home too.

I've just been handed NUMBER 5!

Natalie, from Koinonia Community, writes about one collecting craze that went way OTT! She writes:

My husband is a hog farmer. So for years family and friends worked hard to establish a 'pig' collection for him. We had pigs everywhere! Pig Statues, pig pictures, pig pot holders, pig clothes - you name it, we had it. They grew tired of it though. Now we choose only to collect blessings.

I know what you mean, Natalie! A friend of mine has hundreds of 'piggy' things. A while ago I sent her a set of slat & pepper shakers shaped like pigs. She has wallpaper, towels, writing paper, plates, figurines, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!

I also knew someone who had loads of soft-toy type owls, owl plates, owl models, and so on in her house. "Oh", I said, "I didn't know you collected owls." Her reply was swift, "I don't! If only people realised that, then perhaps they would stop giving them to me!!!"

So I have decided that NUMBER 5 on my list of CRAZEE HOBBIES is:

Collecting things with animals, birds or fish on to a crazy degree.

What will number 6 be? You decide!

More CRAZEE Hobbies (Tongue-in-Cheek!)

4. I think that Commemorative Plate Collecting should be in our list because the variety of plates that are around seems to be absolutely ENDLESS! Of course, some people confine their collection to a particular theme such as horses or famous paintings, so that would limit the amount of wall/cabinet space needed to display them. I know that many of the plates are really beautiful, but the problem is that once you start on this hobby people never seem to realise that a gift can be anything else but another plate!


I once knew someone who collected tiny milk-jugs, and whose house eventually had them absolutely everywhere! Some of them were beautiful, but it was the sheer volume of them that hit you in the face when you entered the house! They were on every available ledge, on the fire-mantle, hanging down the side of the staircase, hanging from the walls, --- in fact, you name the place and there was probably a jug hanging there. Definitely OTT!!! Anyway, what do you do with them once you have them?


Of course the manufacturer's LOVE collectors, who, after all, keep them in business!

An IMPORTANT Note

I hope you realise that my list of CRAZEE Hobbies is very much a 'Fun List',

compiled somewhat tongue-in-cheek!

In other words:

Please don't be offended if your hobby is on the list!

Less TALKING means better SINGING!

This morning I need to keep quiet --- not always an easy thing for me! Why? Well, this afternoon we have a rehearsal for tonight's concert, at which the choir I belong to (Frodsham & District Choral Society), will be singing three works:

Benjamin Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb

Vivaldi's Gloria

Zoltan Koda'ly's Missa Brevis

I'm still sore after my operation last week, so I hope that the standing doesn't aggravate matters. I just love to sing, and don't like to miss a concert if I can help it. So, dear reader, a few arrow prayers would be appreciated. I shall say Thank you in advance!

I wonder what the top non-sporting hobbies and interests are. Singing must be quite high up on the list, whether it's singing in a choir, barber-shop, duo or solo. Certainly, in terms of group activity, it must rank high. Yes, even solo singing, as long as there's an audience to hear it! What comes in the top ten? What do you enjoy? Let me know, I'm interested!

Of course many hobbies are solo and that can often mean that they are introspective as well. Some are quite crazy! What do you think would be the craziest ideas for a hobby or interest? We could try to make up a Top Ten List. I'll start it off and hope that you, dear reader, will help to extend it!

1. Watching paint dry

2. Collecting & cataloguing brown paper bags

3. Photographing aeroplane sky-trails


4. . . .

Hard Tasks

There are some tasks in the life of a minister that are particularly hard to do. Today I face one such task as I conduct the funeral of 6 year old Guy, who was killed last week as he crossed a motorway in the dark with his 7-year old friend. There is little that can make the task easier, save the knowledge that I am in God's hands and that He will be with me. Please send up a prayer that the words that I'm given to share will be words that bear witness to His love at the same time as bringing some measure of comfort to Guy's family, especially his mum Deborah who is pregnant.

I found the following poem. The words are great, so I'm sharing it with you so that in some small measure you might share my day with me.

God’s Lent Child

“I’ll lend you for a little while
A child of mine” God said –
For you to love the while he lives
and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years
or forty two or three
but will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you
and, should his stay be brief,
you’ll have his nicest memories
as solace for his grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return
but, there are lessons taught below,
I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the whole world over,
in my search for teachers true,
and from the things that crowd life’s lane
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love,
nor think the labour vain,
nor hate me when I come to take
this lent child back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
“Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done”
for all the joys thy child will bring
the risk of grief will run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness,
we’ll love him while we may,
and for the happiness we’ve known
forever grateful stay.

But, should thy Angels call for him
much sooner than we planned,
we’ll brave the grief that comes
and try to understand.
Anon/author unknown

Anyone But . . .

Take a look at Enjoy the Journey's site and check out the bumper sticker! What a great idea! If you follow this link it will take you to the store to see the other items. Worth a visit. Ok! I know that my UK readers won't necessarily get excited, BUT it does give you ideas to use over here, doesn't it!

A Pinch & A Punch

Today we celebrate the 1st of November! It will be a day that we can be especially thankful for. Why? Because every day that we have is a gift from God, and we should accept each day with shouts of joy for the blessing!

When I was a child at school it was a favourite thing to say the expression, A pinch and a punch, the first of the month! accompanied by a pinch and a punch which you had to be quick to avoid! I wondered what the origin of the expression was, and so I looked it up and found the following explanation: This saying originated from old England times when people thought that witches existed. People thought that salt would make a witch weak, so the pinch part is pinching of the salt, and the punch part was to banish the witch. The witch would be weak from the salt so the punch was to banish her. I don't know whether the origin is factual or whether anyone has a better one for it. I wonder what sayings you might know for the first day of a new month.

All-Hallowes Eve. . . and all that!

This is the last day of October, and tonight is

All Halloes Eve.

BOO!

Well, Did I scare you?

There will be the usual discussions about the Halloween parties and kids dressing up, but what do you think about it? Some argue that Halloween, which originated as a pagan harvest festival and perpetuates themes of witchcraft, black magic and pranksterism, is a Satanic holiday. Others disagree, martialling an array of historical facts to contend that the holiday itself has been unfairly demonized by religious groups. What do you think? Is celebrating Hallowe'en tantamount to devil-worship?

One suggestion is that for those who believe that celebrating Hallowe'en amounts to devil worship, then for them it is devil worship, and if they truly believe this to be the case, then there's no way they can ever celebrate Hallowe'en without it being such. However, if others see it as harmless fun or silly custom then that's all it is for them. It does not make us devil worshippers.

Two sides of the same coin, or something more sinister? You decide.

Certainly, here in the UK, there are many instances of Hallowe'en being used as an excuse to extort 'goodies' or cash from the vulnerable, and damaging their property when the demands are not met. Equally, there are many more examples of children being taken around by caring parents, thereby ensuring the safety of both children and 'victims'. But does any of this make it right or wrong?

Like so much in our lives, the potential is there in Hallowe'en for evil, and so it might be argued that for that reason it's best not to involve ourselves in it. Yet equally, is it not true that there is a potential for evil in almost everything that we do? One thing is for sure, the arguments will rage once again, many getting heated and causing mayhem in people's lives. Is this good?

So, where, you might ask, do I stand? Well, personally, for one thing I'm against the whole idea on the basis that I have seen too many instances of people being frightened and threatened. But far more importantly, I'm against it because I do not believe that the concept would have been celebrated by my Lord, and if it ain't good enough for Him then it ain't good enough for me!

What you do is up to you. Only you can make your own decisions in this matter, as in all things, so if you want to take the kids out and enjoy what you believe is just a bit of harmless fun, then who am I --- or indeed anyone else --- to stop you. Just enjoy the moment! Light the candle in the pumpkin, dress the kids up in their costumes and ENJOY!

Time for a quick smile!

I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colours yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what colour it was. She would tell me, and she was always correct. But it was fun for me, so I continued.

At last she headed for the door, saying with the wisdom of childhood, "Taid (Welsh for Grandad), I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"

Who Can't Read!!!

Home-Schooling parents take heart! According to a recent survey in the UK, an average of TWENTY PERCENT of children leave infant school and progress up to Primary School without being able to read. At Primary School some children as much as 9 or 10 years old will be placed in classes with children two or even three years younger in order to help them become literate.

Even without any survey figures I am happy to hazard a guess that this would never apply to children who are home-schooled!

What a sad reflection on the education methods that are used now in comparison to when I was a child. And how sad to think of children growing up without experiencing the wonderful benefits of reading.