Water carriers

I hears this story recently:

There was a water collector from a small village who had two clay pots for collecting the water. Each day he would pick up his pots, put the carry bar on his shoulders and go to the water hole and collect the water for his village. Now, one of the pot was fine and in good condition and spilt little if any water, and the other was a little old and a bit cracked and leaked some water. For many days on the way back the good pot said to the other old pot, you are useless, "you cant do anything right, you spill and leak more water than you deliver". Each day the good pot would have a go and complain about the old pot. One day the old pot had had enough and said to his owner, "Look, I'm old and cracked and dont do my job properly and spill more water than I deliver, why don't you get rid of me and get a new pot for your water?" But the water collector said to the pot, when we come back from the water hole, have a look at the path. So, the following day the old pot looked at the path on the way back. Along the path, one side was dry and dusty, but on the side of the old pot was lush with grasses and beautiful flowers. "See", said the boy, "you bring beauty to this path, without you this path would be dry and dusty, I wouldn't get rid of you, you do a job no one else can do".

Technorati Tags: life

The weekend

What a wonderful weekend. I spent Saturday afternoon and evening with my wife. Cooked us a meal and watched When Harry met Sally. A really good time. On Sunday at the church meeting, another person gave their life to Christ. What a wonderful day!
Adrian Warnock (Doctor) gave a really good sermon on Jacob. Talked about his (Jacobs) life and his attitude, always grabbing and cheating others wealth and processions from them. Buying his wife, then ending up with two because his was cheated. After he fought with an angel (or God) he ended up with a sore hip for the rest of his life as a reminder of his battle, and that God was sovereign and still is. But at the end of it all, God was graceful, and forgave and blessed Jacob, and we are here, able to tell this truthful story because Jacob was humbled by God, gave over to Him and became obedient to God. Is there something you are battling with God about? You should know that God always wins. What He has planned for you is better than you could do, why? Because He loves you.

Have a good week.

Exam results trrough

No, not mine, I haven't taken any exams recently. I talking about the release of the 'A' level results. I was amazed but not surprised that one in four students received an 'A' grade. This has again raised the same old questions of just how hard are the exams and how relevant are the results? Well, I would suggest from the evidence I've seen, which hasn't been much, but I think its possibly enough, that the value of 'A' levels has reduced. I don't doubt the hard work put in by students to pass the exams. My questions are just how valid are the results? Can the students use the information they've learnt? Or were they just taught how to pass an exam? (so the school can remain or raise in the league tables etc). I saw a program a little while ago which caught my eye because it involved modern day students being taught and taking the old 'O' level. The majority of the students didn't do well at all. Admittedly the students had to 'live' the time as well, with the discipline and food and life style of the time. What was interesting was that some of the students enjoyed some of the subjects because they could see what was going on, especially in chemistry and physics.
With the 'O' level the student were taught subjects in a way that they could be taught. I was taught how to learn at a young age which I have found invaluable. Now though I think students are taught how to pass an exam, with defeats the object.

Technorati Tags: life, work

A change of direction

I have been thinking for a while about a new career. So i had a good long hard look at what I've done and what I'd like to do and where I' like my career to go. I applied for more info on wed design courses. Over the last few days I've been chatting with the reps of three. Last night I met with one, for the Home Learning College. A pleasant lady with a rumbustious and lively personality. Very helpful. And what she told us was also backed-up by a quick search on the internet, which is something that I'd failed to do and should of done earlier. Done some more research on forums and review sites which again I should of done earlier and found a lot of information which I am still going through.... a decision will be made soon.... watch this space....

The Silly Season

The holiday season is upon us. I also consider it to be the silly season too, and possibly the dangerous season. I was driving to work this morning and the M25 had less traffic on it. "Wonderful" I thought "I'll be able to get to work in good time and with a slightly more relaxed drive". How wrong could I be. I did get to work in good time, but slightly more relaxed... no way. Other drivers decided to take advantage of this situation by driving at break-neck speed. Dangerous would be an under-statement. If a policeman had been there with a speed camera, he'd have had a field day. It makes me wonder that when a opportunity arises to take things easy people don't, they speed up! Myself, if it come to it, I'd prefer to be 10 minutes late in this life than 10 minutes early in the next. But then I have this thing about leaving early so I don't have to rush. Everyone seems to be in a rush so they can stop. Rush, rush, rush, stop. Rush rush, rush, stop. Relentless. Pointless. Do they actually enjoy rushing to a stop, or it a compulsion?

The passing of a friend

It was with sadness I heard that a friend, Pauline Spencer, who had been battling with cancer had died on Monday. She was a wonderful God fearing lady, mother and wife and friend to many. She will be missed. What is our loss is the Lords gain.

The Purpose Driven Life

What a good book. Anyway, previously I mentioned I would be setting up a blog to write my journey through this book. This is now at planning stage and although a start time hasn't been set, it will be soon. It will also be longer than the 40 days recommended because I intend to do a summary after the 6 main sections Rick Warren mentions.

This weekend

What a lovely weekend. Started with the Saturday morning prayer meeting. How wonderful to be in Gods presence with others and to see and hear of his faithfulness and grace and love abounding. He really is a truly wonderful awesome God. After some shopping, the rest of the day was spent with Jules, just being together, watching some Battlestar Galactica series one, chatting and eating together. Quality time. So good. I feel really blessed.
Sunday was similar. Church in the morning, and what a wonderful time that was. After some inspiring worship, we welcome some twenty odd into membership, which we consider be welcoming into our family, Gods family, the church. The rest of Sunday was spent with Jules. We went over to the sports centre to see if we could find someone to talk to about a diving course, but alas, no-one was available.

The interview

The interview went well, Chris was friendly and direct. After a brief overview of the company, I gave a brief overview of my history work wise. Chris then gave an overview of the job and said that he thought I would be suitable for this job and with a little training and experience to go further. The hours are 6am to 6pm (12 hours shift) 4 days on and 4 days off. Sound not too bad. But... it seems to work out that for 3 weeks running you wouldn't a weekend off. Overall if I was single I would probably jump at this opportunity but I'm not and have therefore decided (after a chat with my wife) not to take this any further, but to continue to pray and to look. I have a good job and therefore I can take my time to find the right job close to home.

On a different note, I've been looking at other blogs and websites and have decided that this one needs a revamp. I have been trying out different options and will decide soon. The only thing I'm not too sure about at the moment is whether to go for 2 or 3 columns. I'd prefer 2 columns but apparently 3 columns is best. Thing is this is a blog, not and advertising website. So may be i'll go with 2 columns, looks cleaner, less cluttered and easier to read IMHO.

Job Interview

Sa some of you know, I live just north of London and work in North Watford. A round trip of 52 miles (approx 83 Kms) where in the morning I leave the house at 6:20am arriving at the work place at 7am ish. I leave work at 3:30pm and arrive home at 4:45 most days. I am grateful for this work, and I believe it is God give and I know of others who travel further then me each day to and from work. There are some differences, they love their work, mime is a job with no prospects. I enjoy it to a certain degree, had worse jobs, but, now that I'm newly married, I would like to spend quality time with my wife, not being half a sleep. I would also like to have life outside of work and do other things like a diving course, which isn't really possible at the mo. Also its difficult to invite friend home from work of dinner of even just a cuppa and a chat. Anyway, I saw this job advert and prayed about it, and applied. I hand a phone message so called back. Chris wanted to meet as soon as possible. I asked if the job was shift work, he informed me it was, to which I said that I wasn't looking for shift work as I've just got married and want to spend time with my wife and not be like passing ships in the night, to which he replied that there are other jobs and that he still wanted to meet. This will be today, Thursday and I have no idea as to what the job will be.... watch this space....

Technorati Tags: life, work

Brighton

Jules and I arrived in Brighton for the Leaders Conference on Monday afternoon about 4pm. We booked into our hotel. The Paskins Town House is a delightful place on Charlotte Street.
The conference opened on Tuesday morning. The worship and teaching has been wonderful. Even better than last year, which was good.
The conference opened with Stephen Van Rhyn from Cape Town, South Africa, followed by Rob Rufus from Hong Kong and then Terry Virgo. Three great speakers. The talks where amazing and drenched with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Glory of God. Truly awesome. A wonderful way to open a conference, and the rest of the days there continued in the same vain. God was in the house, as some would say.
I'm not going to write about the talks, Adrian Warnock is doing that (it takes a while for his blog to load... ). You can also down load the talks for free from the New Frontiers website. Enjoy, be enriched, be blessed.

Technorati Tags: Brighton, Church, Teachings of God

King Edward VIII

The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.

- King Edward VIII

What a wonderful quote...
And another...

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.

- Soren Kierkegaard

Makes you think, n'est pas?

Anguish

This morning on the radio I heard that the was going to be about 2000 prisoners released early to relieve the overcrowding. The conservatives are saying this is typical of a government who can't manage anything.
My view is that the prisons are so full because there are 400 plus more laws to break (since Labour came to be government). This government has got into the habit of "if we can't control it, we'll legislate for it". So, if you are doing something that there isn't a law letting do it or a law not letting you do it, then if the government doesn't like what you are doing, they will legislate against it so there will be a law for you to break (and you'll go to prison), and if they do like what you are doing they will legislate so you can only do it their way, which is often not the way you were doing it in the first place and so you'll break the law and go to prison. Either way, you can on doing it your way, you are likely to end up in prison.
This may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but take motorcycle helmets for example. Back in 19?? it was fine to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or with a helmet, the choice was yours. Then because there were a few bad accidents, the government decided that the motorcyclist should ALWAYS wear a helmet, now no choice. They decided from a study done in the USA which showed that a motorcyclist involved in an accident had a better chance of survival if he/she was wearing a helmet. The problem comes when the accidents in the test study doesn't really happen in the UK. Don't get me wrong, the study was good, just its application to create legislation I find abhorrent. In small incidents and accidents, the helmet itself can cause more injury. Consider the average helmet weighs about 5kgs. Thats an extra 5kgs the neck has to deal with in keeping the head attached to the body. In some accidents the neck has been snapped because the rider was wearing a helmet. Now I could go on and debate the reason for and against wearing helmets on motorcycles, but this isn't the time or place. What I am trying to put across is the fact that these people that the minority of the population elect to govern us don't really know what they are doing.... surprised?
I feel strongly that if people are educated or informed of the relavent facts about whatever they are interested in, so they can make an informed choice. The leaders and politicians harp on about choice, but then dont give us any! Another example. There has been a steady increase in accident of motorcycles. Solution, make the test harder to create a better motorcyclist. But, the over accident rate has been going up. Why not educate drivers of all vehicles how other road users use the road. How many car driver know that a lorry or bus will pull over to the left to turn right, at a roundabout for example? How many road users know that motorcyclist are allowed by law to go down the outside of a traffic cue, if the way is clear? I was taught these when I took a motorcycle training course, but wasn't taught these for driving my car. Need I say more...

Marriage

What a wonderful weekend. Most of this weekend was spent celebrating the 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary of Mike and Daphne Taverner. I first met Mike and Daphne in 2001 when I came from Kent to Enfield/ Chingford to do a "Year Team" with Jubilee Church. They very kindly and graciously put me up for the year. They looked after me (and still do) with God given humble hearts. It was a joy and a privilege to stay with them and still is to know them.
They are a testimony and an inspiration to all marriages.

PICTURE

The heart of mission - Compassion

On Sunday Tope preached on mission and compassion. An inspirational talk, which can be downloaded here. The compassion of God is shown to good effect in the book of Jonah. Although this is a short book of only 4 chapters, there is a lot in it. In chapter 4, God demonstrates his compassion for the lost, the gentiles even, to Jonah, by sparing them, and although God isn't accountable, He showed Jonah the reason why through the use of a plant and a worm! Why? because Jonah was angry that God hadn't punished the people of Nineveh for being wicked, but gave them the option of repenting and turning away from the evil ways.

Bringing this to today, Jesus demonstrated a compassion for the lost all through his ministry (????? ), and as Jesus said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20) we are to follow in similar ways...
Biblical Missions: The starting point is a heart of compassion, compassion for the lost.
Rewards: 1. Co-labourers with God (1Cor 3:9) 2. Peace from God as you go (Matt 28:20) 3. Cultivate a heart for people, loving like Jesus 4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude.

A gecko

Just a little picture of a gecko when we were in South Africa.

Technorati Tags: wildlife

The Purpose Driven Life

By Rick Warren.
A great book, worth reading more then once. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyon once a year as it reminded him of the Christian life. Although I am no Charles Spurgeon, I do have on thing in common with the great preacher, we both welcome guidance to remain on the path. And I would consider this book to be in that category of "to be read often".

At the outset, Rick makes no apologies for stating that this book will guide you on a spiritual journey, where by the end you will now Gods purpose for your life, and you'll understand the big picture - how it all fits together.

In a short time from now I will be going through A Purpose Driven Life. I have set up a blog so I can publish my thoughts and consequences of this book. You can follow my journey HERE and I would welcome your comments (so long as they are publishable!).

UPDATE
It will now be slightly longer than a short while due to other commitments....
Watch this space....

Technorati Tags: life, Purpose driven life, Rick Warren

A New Job

Since we were married, Jules and I have been praying for a baby... no, no, sorry, that's for later, we've been praying that Jules would find a day job to replace the shift work she's doing now. Over the last couple of days, the place where she works has come up trumps and offered her a job in a different section in the same department, and on days, sort of 9-5.
Gods provision for us has been beyond what we deserve. How richly we feel blessed. God deserves all the praise for this. This has come so quickly, and everyone at Jules work are happy with it. Totally out of the blue. As a friend recently reminded us, this is a situation of "God suddenly..." Amen.
Jules also passed her approval assessment.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is in Kent, just outside Maidstone. It is a beautiful place. Here are some photos for you to view:

Technorati Tags: Leeds Castle

Ashburnham Place (the weekend away)

What a weekend. Jules and I went to Ashburnham Place with Jubilee church for the weekend. This was a weekend organised and (gratefully) subsidised by the church for the purpose of getting to know each other. I think it was a great success. Jules and I had time not only to meet new poeple and friends, but also to have "time out" because both of us felt that we hadn't stopped since before we were married 80 days ago (as of 29th May). Ashburnham Place is a wonderful place. Situated near Battle in East sussex in 200 acres of beautiful open and wooded land.

We set off on Friday morning and negotiated the QE2 bridge (traffic) and went on to Leeds Castle for lunch. I had lived near the castle for a year some time ago but never visited, so this was new for me and Jules. We didn't have too much time, but enough to have a brief look round the grounds, have some lunch and take a few pictures. It is a beautiful place to visit and we will be returning. We had lunch on a lawn overlooking the moat and the castle. Chocolate box picture! Then onto Battle where we wondered round the Battlefield where Harold and William fought with their troops, Harold was killed and William became king. The rest is as they say is history... On the site William had built a large church with the alter stone positioned where Harold fell, and in commemoration of those who fell at the battle. An interesting place. There is now a school on the site, but you can still walk round.

Ashburnham Place is a stunning place. The drive seems to go on for ages through woodland and then over an old stone bridge spanning a narrow section of the lake, up to the house. A large impressive building. One of the buildings was built by Capability Brown. The time there was wonderful. Jules and I had a comfortable room with basin and shared shower/bath/toilet and tea/coffee making facilities. The staff there went the extra mile to welcome us all and to make our stay wonderful and being in the background was just perfect.

Our time there was spent making new friends, and getting to know old friends better. Having this amount of time and knowing you didn't have to rush off somewhere was really helpful. Time is one of those valuable commodities that here had no real value because the pressures of the world were no-where to be seen. Wonderful. The times of worship and prayer was stunning. There was also time for fun games and football, crafts for the kids (and parents) or just "time out" to reflect on "life" or whatever. Saturday evening consisted of a quiz. Great fun.

The church is growing at such a rate (praise God) that another weekend like this is unlikely as there doesn't seem to be anywhere that could accommodate such numbers in such a setting. Shame. Maybe we should all go camping! or do a small "Stoneleigh"?

Technorati Tags: Ashburnham, Church, life