I was just thinking...

gatecrashing

2009-02-25T08:47:00.003Z

For the last few days I have been in Nantwich on a programme called Emerging leaders in whicg we get to hear from some great leaders. Yesterday we had Malcolm Duncan speak to the group. After the evening meeting I gatecrashed a curry with him on the invitation of a friend in which they were due to talk about social issues and Elim's engagement them. It was a priviledge to be able to spend a bit of time listening to someone who is doing the business.

vision sunday video

2009-02-07T16:12:00.000Z

vision

2009-01-09T16:04:00.002Z

Sunday gone saw us launch the vision for the church along with a 5yr plan as to how we think that the vision will be worked out what do we want to see happen at WBCC "Christ-shaped lives transforming our town". This is our vision statement and we have a 10 page document that sets out the things that we see as enabling this to happen.

Its foundation however is based upon what God does in the life of his people to transform our lives so that it may be work out in the world in which we live. This is effectively to create a missional community (buzz word I know but it best describes what the church is meant to be - missionaries) which seeks to impact our town with the dynamic and powerful demonstration of the Spirits power to heal and mend that which is broken - our humanity in relation to our creator.

I'm excited about what will happen in the years ahead as we gear all that we do to creating and empowering disciples of Jesus to be effective missionaries to West Bromwich!

Till next time...

some recent rusty footage

2008-12-15T21:39:00.005Z

celebration of discipline

2008-12-15T20:21:00.003Z

I have had this book sat on my bookshelf for several years, it is on that I inherited from my Dad when he cleared out some of his books. As the title of this blog it is called "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster. I guess I have been drawn to it because of a personal desire to simply be a better at my job but owing to a pursuit of wanting to know a deepening of relationship with God. This is an extract from the opening chapter...

"Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but but for deep people. The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm...We must not be led to believe that the spiritual disciplines are for spiritual giants and hence beyond our reach, or for contemplatives who devotes all there time to prayer and meditation. Far from it. God intends the Disciplines of the spiritual life to be for ordinary human beings: people who have jobs, who care for children, who must wash dishes and mow lawns. In fact, the Disciplines are best exercised in the midst of our normal daily activities, If they are to have any transforming effect, the effect must be found in the ordinary junctures of human life: in our relationships with our husband or wife, our brothers and sisters, our friends and neighbours." ( R. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1984, pg 13-14)

This is really encouraging as I don't consider myself to be a spiritual giant nor a contemplative! I do know however that the transforming grace of Jesus must work out in our normal pattern and rythmn's of life and that is why I'm looking forward to the challenge of this book.

discipline

2008-11-28T14:07:00.004Z

It has been a while since my last blog which has been for no other reason than I have had nothing to say. In the last month Rachel and I have been setting about training Rusty how to behave well. Now he is still only a puppy but if we do not start with good practice now it will be to late later on. But this has got me thinking about the role of discipline in our lives and sometimes the lack of it.

We see that lack of discipline everywhere. Some say that supposed rising gang culture and violence amongst young people (I say supposed not because I do not believe it, I think that that actually incidents involving youth violence just get more exposure than they once did) is a result of a lack of discipline in the home and in schools. There is probably some truth in that although if truth be told nobody really likes being disciplined.

Now the kind of discipline that I talk of is not self-discipline but the discipline that is carried out by another person who has responsibility for you. This could be a parent, guardian, boss, elders/pastor, teacher etc.

Now I am learning a lot about discipline in the training of Rusty. You see if he is to be trained well he needs consistent training and discipline. Now that is not easy on our part as those big brown eyes are a killer, but Rachel and I must be consistent for his benefit. We get it wrong - a lot! But I guess those of you are parents know that children also must be disciplined and taught so as to learn how to behave in appropriate ways.

This has got me thinking about how our Heavenly Father disciplines us. Hebrews 12 (read it here) gives us valuable insight into how God deals with His children, these being anyone who has believed in Jesus and is following him as prime example of how to live life. Our place in his family was bought with the cross of Jesus and anyone who places their trust in him and his work on the cross he give them rights to be called the children of God (John 1:12).

How does God discipline us and teach us endurance in the faith? It is through the hard times. Then what about our failures? Does God ever expect us not to fail? Absolutely not they are an opportunity for God to teach us and discipline us so that we learn and grow in his grace love. This does not mean that we carry on deliberately sinning but our hearts should be longing to please the Father, but the reality is in the trying we will get it wrong sometimes. One thing we can be sure of our Heavenly Father is always consistent and always just in what he does as that is his character and he cannot deviate from it!

I have endured the discipline of the Father and I'm sure you have also if you are a child of God, as what loving Father would not bring discipline to a child he loves? The thing is I know I will endure it again. The question is not how can I get round it (I couldn't even if i wanted too) but how quickly do I learn and and change because of it. If undergoing the Father's discipline it is a sure sign that he loves us and is working for our good to bring a greater degree of holiness and Christ-likeness in us. Let's not fool ourselves that being disciplined is pleasant or easy but the fruits and the benefits of it are eternal not just temporal for those in Christ Jesus.

some more video

2008-11-03T21:20:00.003Z

Rusty not quite getting the hang of his collar and lead or is that me not knowing what to do?

new video

2008-10-25T18:31:00.004+01:00

For those of you not the least bit interested in dogs these post are going to be dull for you but for friends and family I'm sure you will enjoy seeing Rusty grow from a distance.

For those of you who want something "spiritual" then it is a joy, frustration, fantastic and demanding to see Rusty grow and learn. If you have had or have young children then you will probably know what I mean (although I'm sure raising children is far more demanding!). But imagine the joy and pleasure that God gets from seeing us grow and mature in a Christ-likeness. Dare I say he may even get frustrated with us when we miss the mark. He works in our lives to bring Christ-likeness for his glory, that the world may know his fame and grace and disciplines those he loves.

learning...

2008-10-22T20:10:00.003+01:00

Well as you will see below Rachel and I have a new addition to the family a beagle puppy. Now I knew that life would change, but what a change it is! It is so every different from just living with the two of you in the house. You can do and go where you like when you like, you can be out every night all night, visit friend on the spur of the moment. Now we have to give thought to someone who relies on us for food, exercise, love/affection & play all to aid growth and a healthy dog.

I actually don't think that this is a bad thing but in fact a very good thing. We can still see friends etc it is just it will take more planning from now on. It has given me a valuable insight into the lives of those who have to care for other who are dependant on them, whether it is children, elderly parents/relatives, the disabled etc...

I always thought that I was good at trying to understand the way that such people had to juggle life but now I'm not so sure. It was always a frustration as a pastor who is trying to motivate the church to think bigger and reach wider in our town when people were late for meeting or cancelled due to the need of other. I think from now on I will see with different eyes and empathy when "things happen" that don't go to plan. I still think we need to be on time and plan but not everything can be planned for!

Having Rusty will also provide a great opportunity for me and Rachel to meet people who do not yet know Jesus as we walk the dog around the parks. It will be our aim over time to build up sufficient relational bridges with the dog owners world of West Bromwich to see people enter the kingdom of God. Walking Rusty will give me time to think and pray that I would not otherwise get because I would fill my time with being busy. This life change is not going to cause me to work any less hard but it is going to force me to work smarter and more strategically - which will not only be good for me and Rachel in strengthening our marriage further which I value more than anything but ultimately the church that I lead under the guiding and leading of the Holy Spirit.

This is not going to be easy but it is going to be worth it!

till next time...

One day has arrived

2008-10-19T21:51:00.002+01:00

After many years fo trying to persuade Rachel that having a dog would be a great idea and her always telling me "one day" which i thought would never come. Well on my birthday rachel surprised me in a very big way and said that we could get a dog. In my previous posts you can see our new additon Rusty who we collected today and "one day" has finally arrived. He is great fun, full of energy and any tips on training a puppy would be greatly appreciated :)

till next time

our new addition 2

2008-10-19T21:19:00.002+01:00

our new addition...

2008-10-19T21:04:00.002+01:00

cardboard stories

2008-10-14T13:53:00.003+01:00

I have just been sent this via facebook and I was really moved by it. The stories of God's amazing grace are so powerful well worth a watch!

driscoll on propitiation

2008-10-08T15:48:00.000+01:00

reflections on the last few days...

2008-10-01T20:17:00.002+01:00

Over the last few weeks life has been particularly busy with one thing or another. This weekend saw us (WBCC with a team of students) put on a fun day for the local community which was well received. It was a completely free day for all who came, the bouncy castles, the skittle alley, the games, the BBQ, everything! I have to say I was amazed by the number of people who came through the doors. I have given a conservative guess of around 200 but it could well have been more - I don't know why I was amazed, it was a free day for all the family! This was the first of what we plan to be a annual event that we put on for the people of West Bromwich. Make no mistake, we are about mission to see people connect with Jesus and receive fullness of life only found in Him but a fun filled afternoon cannot hurt to soften peoples hearts.

The short conversations that I held with several people revealed the surprise that there was no hidden agenda or requirement that they had to meet to receive food. We did hold a short church outside presentation of which some did stay and we were able to pray for some because of their invitation to do so. Who knows what will happen because of it but our Father in heaven, we just pray that it will bear fruit for his glory.

The students from Regents Theological College & School of Ministry both based in Nantwich did a great job and made the day possible. I'm sure they learnt a lot through the process of the day and the street work they got involved in for the build up to the fun day on Saturday. Through their help hopefully it has inspired the people if WBCC to see that this is something that we can do and make it happen and deliver an excellent day.

My last couple of days have been spent in Nantwich at an Emerging Leaders conference/course for Elim pastors. I have to say that they were a great couple of days away. I was not looking forward to spend another three days away from Rachel, however it has been most beneficial. I have been challenged and inspired both personally and in terms of ministry.

We had Phil Collins the CEO of Saltmine, not the drummer/singer of Genesis! It was the first time that I had ever heard anyone speak on being a goal/target orientated person yet also speak from a deep sense of connectedness with God in a truly spiritual way and still hold to a charismatic theology and practice which very inspiring and refreshing. I have come away with some tools in my hand and ideas to put into practice. I have realised the necessity to make some changes to the pattern and rhythm of my life and to address some imbalances that are not to late to correct. I'm not going to speak of them to soon but once I have put them into practice and lived them out for a while I'll let you know about them.

Till next time...

whole-life discipleship

2008-09-24T17:23:00.002+01:00

I have just got in from a very interesting day with leaders from two other churches, Neil Hudson and Tracy Cotterell of Licc. The day centred around asking questions that simply put were based around - how well do our churches do in making disciples (lives that are transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus) not just church attenders and helpers in the church. This is something that I have been preaching and conversing about over the last couple of years (well its actually long but particularly in West Bromwich) to varying degrees with various success.

The idea behind it is that there are not some things more important to God than others. So for instance we have in the past elevated the place of Christian service to the point that people thought that to be a proper Christian and to serve God you had to be in full time ministry! How ridiculous is that?! The thought that God is actually interested in in the small details and can actually use it for our transformation is not new but it is foreign to much of our experience. So for instance how do we learn forgiveness? It in taught in church as something that we should live out and practice but how do we do that just in church; as there is surely not forgiveness needed in church right? Forgiveness has to be worked out with people that are not easy to forgive. So the colleague who has stabbed you in the back and made your life difficult and made you look bad so that they get the promotion over you, what do you do? A discipleship/learning opportunity; I think so. But maybe it is more that, maybe it is an opportunity to demonstrate an expression of the real Jesus to a world who has a warped view of him and Christians. Who can blame them as it is a picture that the church has painted for them and it is what they see and interpret, albeit sometimes wrongly.

One of the statistics that was given was that Christians spend on average (and I think this is generous) 10 hours a week in church based activity and 110 hours a week doing other non-church based stuff. It is amazing to think that we have missed the point for so long in that we have equipped people to do "spiritual" stuff, like do small groups, be in the worship group, youth, welcome team and the rest, but failed to equip the church to engage the world they inhabit for the bulk of the week as an authentic Christ-shaped, transformed follower of Christ. Equipping them to live counter-culturally in the other 6 days that they are not in church.

I was really encouraged, challenged and inspired by the things we discussed and the people involved. I'm going to be working hard to find out the stories of what God is already doing in the day to day stuff of life in the people who make up WBCC, to find out what people are learning and how God is using the people of WBCC Monday to Saturday. It is important that we hear the stories and are told of the way that God is using his people and not just in church. If you are a member of WBCC, I would love to hear your story of what God is doing in you and how he is using your life outside of church stuff. So be brave, be observant and share your story of what God is doing because he is we just need to change the lens through which we look.

till next time...

made for community...

2008-09-09T15:20:00.003+01:00

Rachel and I were in Northern Ireland over the weekend for a friends wedding. It was a great day and it was evident that there was a lot of thought and planning had gone into the day. Marriage is easily sidelined as an institution or something for the old school withing the society that we live. There have been comments made that to cohabit is of the same standing as marriage and that it carries same level of commitment that there is as in marriage. However I'm not so sure it does and I will seek to explain briefly why I think marriage is vital to life and community. For Christians marriage is God's way.

Now I'm not wishing to say that cohabiting couples do not share deep love and commitment, as mostly they do. But as a Christian, one who wishes to live by the commands of Jesus, I believe that marriage between male and female was God's intended plan for family and the raising of children and an expression of the mysterious relationship/covenant between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25-32).

I believe that marriage forms a fundamental part and basis for community. You may ask what is the difference between marriage and cohabiting, is it not essentially the same things? To this I would have to say no. A marriage is witnessed by community and is a public declaration, cohabitation is not. Cohabitation is something that just happens and does not involve public declaration of commitment and love. With a Christian wedding as was this that we attended it takes on a added dimension as it is an acknowledgment of a covenant commitment between two people before the community which the two people belong to, but importantly before our Heavenly Father who joins the couple together(Matt 19:6). So it is also an acknowledgement that God had joined them together not just something that they have chosen to do.

Marriage should be and is a signal of a binding commitment, security and the correct place for intimacy. For the Christian community there has to be love, commitment to each other and it has to be a safe and open place where others can encounter the love of God expressed through his people.

Through the bible we see how marriage was always witnessed and celebrated in community often as a town wide event. The wedding we witnessed on Saturday I believe was an expression of such an act where the community of friends, family and fellow believers witness a sacred union between to people declaring their commitment to one another for life.

Marriage is something clearly between two people but its implication and impact is far wider reaching. Community, where life is shared together, is so very important. I know that for the most part I have talked about marriage but the Christian community should be the kind of place where people whether married, single, divorced, bruised or broken etc can find a place of belonging and security where lives are shared whether successes or failures, highs or lows. people need people there really is not getting away from it...

Sorry if this has been a bit disjointed but hopefully you get the general gist of my trail of thought (if you do that will be a first :)]

Till next time...

out the box

2008-09-03T08:52:00.002+01:00

Last week Rachel and I got back from a missions trip to Thonon in France (beautiful region of France - we will definitely be going back on holiday at some point). It was a fantastic 6 six days spent with the Elim church and fantastically hosted by Pastor Luc Favre. We took young people from West Bromwich, Derby and Coventry plus a French teacher from Braintree, two from Spain. We were blown away by the talent, the way that Jesus used them to glorify his name and the ease at which the groups gelled.

Why did these things come to the fore? For many of them this was a first time and an unknown situation which I think helped with the dynamics of the group as everyone was a little unsure what would happen.

The thing is that each was outside their comfortable little box which is "normal life". Amazing things happen when we move out and do something that is not the norm! Some of the people involved would be using their talents back home for sure - but those who weren't?

When we let go of what we have and give it over for the glory of God for the extension of his influence and kingdom we make room for God to fill us and blow us away by the things that he will do in us and through us. We (me included) so often settle for the expected outcomes of our life and church. But what if we began to believe that God could blow our expectations, if only we would give ourselves to him fully nothing held back. I think that to do this we need to get outside the box and do something we have never done before. I then think we will get different results! What is your box? What are your expectations?

I don't know about you but I'm not content to live the normal Christian life that we have become accustomed too. I want to be blown away by Jesus - maker, sustainer and redeemer (Col1:16, 17; Heb 1:2, 3). I want to step out my "box" and do something that make rooms for God to do something unexpected that brings about unexpectedly exciting results because with God nothing is impossible (Matt 19:26; Luke 1:37).

Till next time...

response to the first question

2008-07-16T10:07:00.007+01:00

This Sunday at church we did something a little different which from all the feedback that I am getting worked well. As part of this we gave the option for people to write out questions in response to the sermon. The next few post will be a response to some of those questions. All the questions asked we anonymous...

Question 1: "Why do I feel uncomfortable everytime I come here? Could you explain if someone is unrighteous by living with another person and they have no other home to go to, do they just up and go and put themselves on the street risking being raped etc, just to be right with God? You have to understand not everyone was brought up in a perfect little family and it is not easy to just up and leave."

Response: Firstly I would like to thank you for your honestly in regards to your situation and I in no way want to just give a flipant response. I will do all I can to answer with grace and truth.

In response to your first question about feeling uncomfortable. There could be a number of reasons for this. Maybe this uncomfortable feeling could be the conviction of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit works to bring freedom and whilst at times this can be uncomfortable it is ultimately for our good and God's glory. Maybe you could ask the Spirit of God what He is saying to you about this?

The situation that you find yourself in is not an uncommon one. I know that not everyone was raised in a "perfect little family" because actually there is no such thing. However I do know it is God's design for man and woman to live together in a relationship within the context of marriage. I would want to ask if you see yourself with this person for the rest of your life; why do you put off getting married?Is it something you have discussed? Do you want to get married? Is the other person as committed to you as you are the them? Or do they want the benefits of marriage without the commitment? I feel that these are helpful questions to ask. As Christians I think we are to seek to live according to God's design for our lives with the help and empowerment of the Holy Spirit and we know that design by reading and applying the bible.

I certainly would not advise you just to up and leave and go to the streets that would be irresponsible and I don't believe it is the answer! But I would advise you to ask what do you think Jesus would want you to do? I think you need to work out what you want in to relation to God's design and God's best for you. I would want you to know that God loves you and knows the reasons why you find yourself in this situation and the decisions and choices made that have got you to this point. But he also knows your future and your future does to have to be defined by your past! If a child/children are involved then you need to make sure that they are provided for and safe so just to up and leave would not be an option without having worked out provision for the future - in all of this if you seek to be obedient to what you believe Jesus is asking you to do he will provide a way for you (Matt 6:25-34). Wisdom and obedience. I pray that you will know what it is that Jesus would have you do - if would like to speak to me then I would love to speak to you about this issue to be able to help you through this. Please contact me via the church office - 0121 580 0068.

In John 8 there were a group of men who had lined up a woman to be stoned to death because she had been caught in adultery. Jesus points the finger back at them and they realise their own sin. Jesus is gracious and merciful to the woman but say's to her to leave her life of sin as part of his mercy to her. As a church I want us to be like Jesus in our response to people which is ultimately to point people to freedom and life in God.

I believe that is our cheif aim as Christian's is to remain in right relationship with God and be obedient to His word. If Jesus is our Lord and God and we want to honour Him then we must be obedient to Him. We are made right through the cross of Christ, He did what was necessary for us to be right with God, our response is to put our reliance and faith in Him (John 3) throught repentance which means to turn away from our way to follow His. Having come to accept this it is our responsability with the help of the Holy Spirit to live a life holy and pleasing to God (see Matt 10:34-39; 2 Corinthians 5; Galatians 2:15-21 also chapter 5; Ephesians 4:17-5:21; Phil 3; 1 Peter 2:1-12; 2 Peter 1:3-15).

Hope this answers your question...

doing the stuff

2008-07-05T14:42:00.005+01:00

I don't know about you but when I read through the scriptures I cannot help to be amazed and struck by the events and acts contained within it. The many times that God intevenes in miraclous ways to the glory of his name and salvation for his creation. What amazes me more (if that could be so) he choses to use normal people. You see this to a degree in the Old Testament with the prophets and priests. However with the arrival of Jesus into the world he created we see the beginnings of a new way of doing things - Jesus is incredible!!

Anyway before I get side tracked from the subject I want to cover which is the triune God chosing to to use ordinary people in his mission to bring men and women to salvation.

It is God who saves in and through Christ the redeemer by the regenerating work if the Holy Spirit. We must get that clear from the outset. The passage of scripture that I have been mulling over the last few days is Matthew 10. What an amazing passage it is!

The first things that I noticed again (I say again because this is something I know but sometimes things just take on a fresh meaning, emphasis or perspective) was the call of Jesus to be his disciples. One can assume that this was not the first time that they had met but here Matthew records the twelve together being commission by Jesus. It is in this account by Matthew that we read of Jesus not only calling disciples but giving them authority.

When Jesus calls he calls for a reason and a purpose. He does not call us to be self-seeking, self indulgent followers of the King but rather self-sacrificing, overly generous worshipers of the King. He calls disciples and gives them authority to do the stuff that he calls people of the kingdom to partake in.

What is doing the stuff? "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness...As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

I find this really challenging and at the same time inspiring as a disciple whom Jesus has called to follow him. Now I don't want to be to narrow about what that might look like in the world in which we live today, however I do believe that it was clear to the disciples that Jesus spoke directly to face to face what he meant! They literally did see the sick healed, evil spirits sent packing, they preached the gospel to great affect. Which is why to this day there are people like you and me trying to work out living for Jesus and being obedient to his commands. Imagine if they had not taken him at his word; what would have been the result?

Now while I don't want to be to narrow in my reading of the text neither do I want to be so broad that I navigate around the text and some how water down the message and command that Jesus commissioned his disciple with. In this dialogue Jesus is giving the disciples to do the things that he himself did therefore this commissioning is an extension of Jesus own authority and is to be stewarded under his leadship and guidance. However Jesus was preparing his disciples for his eventual departure form this earth so that they could carry on his ministry and in doing so do great things than he - purley by the fact that Jesus impact through the fledgling disciples in the power of the Spirit would have far wider reaching affect that if Jesus had hung around physically to do all the work.

So where does this leave us? Firstly as disciples of Jesus any authority that we may have is given pure and simple and we steward this for the glory of his name and the extension of his Kingdom. I get a little worried by people who claim authority as if they were orchastrating a military coup! So if we have been given authority to do this stuff that we see littered through the bible why do we not see more of it?

I have a couple of thoughts; firstly we want to see this stuff for our glory and not Jesus' and secondly because we do not undestand who we are in Christ and that he has given us everything we need to live a new life in his Kingdom.

Did the disciples set up a serious of "healing meetings" or did they share the Kingdom with the individual and then large crowds when the opportunity arose (I have a comparison between Acts 2 & 3 in mind here)? The message of the Kingdom went out amongst the nations because ordinary people believed that Jesus had called them and given them authority also to do the stuff, it was not longer just for a select few but for all who repent and believe. I am not saying that large gathering a wrong most of the time they are good but there is still far to much emphasis on the superstar minister who people all want to flock to for the "anointing." Maybe we just need to start believing and more importantly following Jesus rather that chasing half way round the world for a quick fix.

Wouldn't it be great if we started to see ordinary normal (what ever that looks like!) people like you and me doing the things that Jesus commissioned his disciples to do in the gospels - why can it not happen in our towns and cities where people work and play and live? I think Jesus is just looking for faithful people who will love him and love people.

till mext time...

focusing on the wrong thing?

2008-06-23T16:57:00.003+01:00

I have begun reading a book by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley called "The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham". It is a great book so far and is full of very helpful points for leaders in all sectors of society not just church.

If you do not know who Billy Graham is it would be well worth you doing a quick google search to find out a bit about him. He is the most remarkable man who has faithfully served Jesus for over 50 yrs and the book explores what made this possible, aside from God's grace of course, when so many of his contemporaries sadly did not make the distance.

In chapter three it tells some of the safe guards that along with his colleagues he put in place to ensure that he would not bring disrepute to the name of Jesus. In the section on dealing with temptation and application to today's leader gives some very good advice.

However this chapter along with the seminars that Rachel and I heard delivered by Sy Rogers at a recent conference we were attending got me thinking about how we Christians (and we are all guilty of it to some degree or another) deal with the issue of temptations and often act as if they are not there, even pretending before God in prayer that we do not struggle as if God can be fooled by our words.

When I read the Psalms I see how David just laid it all before the Lord in prayer he did not hide his emotions or feelings. I read of David's friendship with Jonathan and it is hard not to see how they shared a such a close friendship that they both knew how each other felt and the struggles they faced.

When it comes to temptation the best thing to do is to bring it into the light that way it cannot fester in the dark and develop into something that it should not, the more we dwell on it the great chance of giving in and giving birth to sin...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). I'm sure many of us have confessed our sin to God yet we still struggle, and we always will! That is why I guess Jame encourages us to confess our sin one to another (James 5:16) so that someone can pray with us and for us and ask us how it is going with whatever may be the struggle at that time.

But here is another thought instead of focusing on beating whatever temptation we face and thereby giving more attention to it, submit to God and as the writer of Hebrews says fix your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:2). I guess in the battle against sin and giving in to temptation (temptation is not sin - sin the the result of giving in to that temptation which distracts us from living the way that God designed) it comes down to which do we want more sin which ultimately distroys and steal the abundant life that Jesus gives or a fruitful peace filled life serving Jesus the way that we were designed.

I know which one I want more and the friendships that I have in place to hold me to account on to way that I live, living for Jesus is to important to mess around with.

I will do all that I can to create the kind of Christian community that Jesus has called us to be. The kind of place where people come as they are but are changed because of the grace and redeeming power of the gospel and the demonstartion of changed lives before them. A place where people are honest and real about the struggles they face but a place where no walks alone and no one is lonely. Sounds like a tall order but maybe then we may begin to represent the kingdom of God.

Till next time...

new study bible

2008-06-18T13:39:00.002+01:00

I'm gently breaking back into the world of the blog-o-sphere after a long absence with news a great tool...

I have just discovered that there is a new study bible that will be coming onto the market in October of this year. Many people use the NIV study bible which is a good tool. I believe looking the layout and some of the content that has been released by Crossway (publishers) in the build up to its release date of the ESV study bible this is going to be the study bible of choice.

I use the ESV for everything - study, preaching, reading. It has for the last year been my translation of choice and I cannot wait for the 15th October to get a hold of the study bible.

If you are looking for a new study bible my advise would be to hold off till september and invest in the ESV study bible.

Check it out at here...

FOOD BANK

2007-07-12T10:33:00.000+01:00

It has been a while since that last post for various reasons, so sorry if you have logged on expecting to see an update.

A few months ago we announced at church that we were going to be launching into a social enterprise called the Food Bank which aims to distribute emergency food to people who are in desperate need. We have signed up for the franchise and are currently putting plans in place to get other churches involved and get the thing up and running. It is a logistical challenge, there is so much to sort out and organize. It may seem like this has been a forgotten project, it is not! We are just wanting to make sure that it is all in place ready to start, to give the project the best chance of longevity and maximum impact on our town.

You might ask how this fits in with the big picture of the church. Well, we posted not so long back the text from Jeremiah 29 in which the prophet calls the people to work for the peace and welfare of the town. Our heart and one of our core values as a community at WBCC is just that, to love the town as seek its welfare.

Please pray...

That the meeting planned for September between the church leaders and Jeremy of the Food Bank franchise will go well and that church will want to be involved in the project
That we would locate appropriate premises to store food and distribute from.
That the finances we need would be provided
That we would find favour with the authorities as we seek to get this project off the ground
That all the organising would be done well and logistics well planned and that we would know the wisdom of God for this task

serving the living God

2007-05-31T16:20:00.000+01:00

At church on the last Sunday of the Month we hold a separate communion service before the usual 11am start. Now that in itself is not the point of this blog, but rather what was said by Adrian one of the leaders at church during his message. He was sharing some thoughts with us from the book of Hebrews.

He then though out a comment as he read out verse 14 of chapter 9. It reads like this in the NIV...How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

The general content of his comment and thought is summed up in what follows...why is it that as Christian's that we can serve God? Because of the work of Christ on the cross enabling us to do so through the indwelling Spirit cleansing us from acts with separate and lead to death and stop us from serving Him. Why did Christ do this so that we may serve the living God who is the giver of life! Adrian said something along these lines; why is it so many of us do the minimum and see it as a hardship to serve God, when the writer of Hebrews saw it as a great privilege to serve the living God (he pointed to the fact that the NIV punctuates this phrase with an exclamation mark).

Instead of asking questions like how little can i get away with or stating that someone else will do it. Ask how far can i go? How much can i give to the living God who gave it all for me, so that I could serve Him.

Maybe we need to capture the great honour it is to live and serve and give for Jesus...

P.S I am not advocating salvation by works (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Phil 3:9 plus countless others if you wish to search them out)!!! Salvation is only found in the Christ through his atoning sacrifice. What I am advocating is a works or service BECAUSE we are saved or better being saved.

Missing the point...

2007-04-25T13:32:00.000+01:00

Have been thinking over again how we how we participate in church stuff and our approach to life as believers. Now the point is that Church is people (which I'm sure many of you do not need me to point out) - it is the worldwide collective that have put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ as Saviour. You see we are part of his church, we are participants in this redeemed community. Now we now that there is that which is to come; the return of Christ and eternal life (if you have any doubt that Jesus talked about eternal life or have lost the plot concerning eternity then just read John's gospel to get acquainted with the fact that faith in Christ brings with it an eternity with him) the hope of full redemption, as for now we only know it in part and are working and living towards that full redemption. But maybe (definitely) we should act and live like a redeemed community in the here and now and get rid of this defeatist attitude that seems to pervade the church as a whole and begin to realise once again that the is certain hope that things can be different because of Jesus sacrifice on the Cross! Please make no mistake redemption of all things is only possible through Christ's death and resurrection and not by our good works!

The church is that redeemed community and to be part of the church we must believe that Christ died for us so that we may be redeemed from a life of sin and separation from God, there for the church is a made up of a redeemed people!

But somehow I feel that we have somewhat missed the point in that we see that doing our bit as being in church on Sunday or being at mid-week stuff and somehow we (church leaders) think we have cracked it if we start fill the auditoriums that we have. Now I make no apologies for holding to the fact that I would love to see WBCC grow numerically. But surely that is not the point of just being able to say we have a large crowd on Sunday's! Church attendance is not the mark of the redeemed but how much has our lives in the whole sense have been and are continually being transformed by the sacrifice of Christ and the indwelling of the Spirit.

Wouldn't it be great to say that there is a large crowd of people who are connected to WBCC or your church who have grasped the fact that we are missionaries that gather together to celebrate and learn and encourage. Who then set out for the other 6 days of the week living living and working with God in redeeming the broken by pointing people to Jesus. The point of being part of the church is that our lives of following Jesus are lived out in the work place and it is seen by your colleagues that you give your best, don't rob the company in the many ways that you could, you treat you work mate in the very same manor that Jesus would - imagine the a thousand times over how much of an impact would that have on our town or you town wherever you maybe. You can take that thought then and transfer it to every sphere of life and you potentially have church/es full of people who are learning to live like Jesus whether that is with the family or in your leisure time. Imagine the impact on our towns, in our schools, colleges, Uni's, workplaces, councils if we grasped the point that living for God is far bigger and much more exciting that just attending church services!

We need to begin talking positively once again about the church. The church is the beautiful bride of Christ who is in the process of preparation for the wedding day! To quote Bill Hybels the church is the hope of the world. May the church recapture the call to participate in the redeemed community and be part of the process of God using us to invite others to the dance. God has not finished his work of redeeming that which has fallen and been broken.

I love the church and think it is important that the church gathers together, for one thing you realise that you are not in this alone!

We are not just learning what it is to live for God in church. But actually we will be learning patience through some of the boring tasks that you have to work or through the person who just constantly irritates you. This is not to mention, self control, kindness, goodness, faithfulness etc. If fact much of the discipleship process takes place outside of the church context. Where is it that the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22, 23) is developed most? So I finish with these questions, have you missed the point? Do you wait for church to be "discipled"? How do you need to rethink you life and actions to be a missionary? What can you celebrate that God is doing in your life at the moment? What quality is God forming in you through your workplace, family etc?

I'll leave you with this passage of scripture from 2 Peter 1...

2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

church attendance

2007-03-25T17:40:00.000+01:00

Now without trying to go off on a rant about lack of attendance equaling a lack of commitment I think that there must be something in it although this kind of thought is far to simple! Now I know that this is something that churches up and down the country face - the problem of sparodic attendance from some. Now we all know that following Jesus is more than just attending church - but actually if we are committed to Jesus then surly we should be committed to his church? Now there may be various reason why we are not and I guess that is something that church leaders must face up to. They can range from the simple people visiting family work commitment and stuff - to the fact that things at just might be boring! I still do not totally equate lack of attendance as lack of commitment but i think it is symptomatic.

We are living in a generation that cries out entertain me! Now we all like to be entertained but if we base our meeting together purely on entertainment that that really is not good enough and just breads shallow empty and flimsy Christians! I guess in a smaller church it is more noticeable when you have members away - it is just gets frustrating! I guess i look that this issue from the view of a church leader and it looks very different from when you are a member! Some of you may ask what am i on about and that is a far question. I guess my point is that it is very difficult to build momentum when people seem to constantly be away.

This may appear to be shallow and seemingly reveal insecurities but in fact it is not - I just long for believers (myself included) to be committed to celebrating the sovereign work of God in our lives together. I long to see church communities that are growing in faith and adventure. growing in number - the church is not there to be criticised as it is the bride of Christ, it is beautiful and wonderful to be a apart of it. Maybe we just need to be re-captivated by the Spirit of God and re-imagine "church" so that it is not a club meeting but a collection of missionaries who meet to celebrate, share stories of the adventures of the week, encourage each other ready to go into the mission fields of the office, factory, school, college, university etc...

Whatever the critics say it i wonderful to be part of the church with all the faults (the faults with the church are of our making as it is made up of people who have faults)

If you are a sparodic church attender, WHY? id it symptomatic of a shallow faith? It may or may not be but i leave it with you...

New phone

2007-02-20T20:04:00.000Z

Recently got a new phone that allows me to publish photo's and blogs from it, when i'm out and about. As i guess with most phones nowadays it also allows you to mess around with photo's on it.. hence the photo here! Technology where would we be without it!!!

That's life

2007-02-02T14:24:00.000Z

Have been in Gloucester to day to check out a community action programme that is working excellently and impacting many lives in and around the city.

But anyway that is not the point of the photo. You might just be able to make it out on the large sign in the window. It reads - "Please do not lean bicycles against the window"

Like a naughty schoolboy the postie ingnores the sign leans his/her bike against the window!! Just struck me funny! Why is it we have the tendency to do the very thing which we have been not too?

Remote controlled car

2007-01-29T17:06:00.000Z

Greatest stocking filler! Great fun...

back on the blog

2007-01-28T19:50:00.000Z

Had a very good friend of mine speaking at the morning meeting he always was a good speaker, but this morning he excelled himself - spoke from the first chapter of John on presence and pathos. We will hopefully have the message online soon at http://www.westbromchurch.org so keep an eye out for it it is well worth a listen.

We don't get to see each other all that often but really value the times that we get to catch up - other that just talking on the phone.

I have had some interesting moments officiating at certain services in my time at West Brom so far, will tell you about them some time!

Some other thought and stuff to follow at a later date but needless to say - i will try and get back into the swing of posting regular blogs for all those of you who actually read this thing!

great white

2006-11-29T21:34:00.000Z

Have set wikipedia as my home page for a short while and there was something about the film Jaws. Obviously had some pictures of them (sharks that is, not the film). Facinated by these creatures and thought it was a great picture!

having a break

2006-11-15T10:08:00.000Z

As you will see have not posted over the last week or so, I will resume shortly, just at present not finding the time to get any thought together, nor sure why to blog!

enough said...

2006-11-05T17:23:00.000Z

Came across this quote when reading Brennan Mannings book "the importance of being foolish - how to think like Jesus". It was taken from a 23yr old woman studying at the University of Paris and it can be found on page 48 of the book. I found it quite hard hitting but much truth in it...

To me a Christian is either a man who lives in Christ or is a phony. You Christians do not appreciate that it is on this - the almost external testimony that you give of God - that we judge you. You ought to radiate Christ. Your faith ought to flow out to us like a river of life. You ought to infect us with a love for him. It is then that God who was impossible becomes possible for the atheist and for those whose faith wavering. We cannot help being struck , upset, and confused by a Christian who is truly Christlike. And we do not forgive him when he fails.

We are to radiate the love of God and I want to be an infectious Christian but i guess for that to happen we must first be consumed by his love! I thought it was a powerful quote. It is true God judges our hearts but we are judged according to our actions those around us! By their fruits and all that...

communicating stuff

2006-10-26T21:33:00.000+01:00

Have officially been at WBCC 6 week this weekend. It has been an interesting few week in which Rachel and I have been getting around to see as many people as possible.

I guess one thing that I have learned over the years and that I'm trying to make sure happens is that communication happens and happens well. But I also know that even though I tend to always know why I do things the way I do and know what I want to say it does not always come out they way it was intended nor is it always understood by folks the way that it was intended! Anyone else know what I'm on about? :)

I guess that one way that one way around this is to communicate what you want to say in a number of ways not just verbally, so in the months to come I will be looking at ways to communicate stuff well so that everyone know what is going on.

If you have any suggestions on who this can be done, would love hear it!

doing the little stuff well

2006-10-19T17:51:00.000+01:00

Have been reading through the book of 2 Kings and was struck this morning by something, now maybe there is more to this than I'm about to say, I would have to look at it further to be sure.

My thought is this, the majority of the Kings were not good kings, but occasionally they did something great that God wanted done. Like in the case of Jehu in chapter 10. Now this guy had cunningly destroyed all the Baal worshippers broken all the stuff that went along with it! Good job, well done. But then we find this verse (31) but Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart...

The point is this, how many of us want to do big stuff for God, but actually don't get the everyday stuff right?! I ask which do you thing would God would prefer?

feed link added

2006-10-16T09:38:00.000+01:00

I think i have now added a link (sidebar - rss feeds) thanks to a good bit of advice from a good friend in Reading, that enables you to subscibe to my blog if so desire. Hopefully it works, it seemed to when i tested it but you never can tell.

feeds

2006-10-14T07:45:00.000+01:00

Have just had a comment about RSS feeds from this site?? Now as far as I'm aware the new beta version of internet explorer allows you to add a feed from the tool bar at the top.

Will have a look to see if i could add link for a feed to the side bar. If anyone has any ideas as to how i could do this or if there is another way to do it then please let me know by leaving a comment or email me if you have my address.

Ps. thanks Tim had not really given it any thought!

shallow

2006-10-12T17:17:00.000+01:00

Been a while since that last post but hey that is life it, just seems to rush on by! Cannot believe that we are nearly half way through October.

Life is good here in West Brom, great getting to know people. Moving to a new church and a new post has set me thinking again (I say again but I'm always thinking about this stuff) about what church should look like. Now I have to be honest I really get fed up of the shallowness of some of Christendom. Surely being part of a community of faith is more than just a bums on seats (that is nice if it is people coming to faith and joining the journey with Jesus and people continuing in faith with Jesus!) or the next big event.

Is it not about faithfulness to God and one another? Is it not loving one another unconditionally? Is it not about forgiving those who hurt you and moving on? Is it not about doing life together showing those who are not part of our community that it is the best community to belong to on earth and inviting them to join? Please let us not pass entertainment of those seeking the next best thing or the latest fix of "good worship" or "good preaching" as being what following Jesus is about. (By the way I believe in giving our very best to God so this is not about putting up with just any old thing! Whatever is done should be done to the best of our ability so that it pleases God. God does not want our half baked efforts).

Following Jesus has be be about becoming like him, which means loving people over and above our needs and over wants, over and above that which makes us comfortable. Please if you are a follower of Jesus don't settle for anything less than being committed to the other people in your local church. Bill Hybels is right the local church is the hope of the world, nit because they get everything right but because they are the ones who carry a life changing message, of hope, love and peace. We have to live out what we have!!!

Sorry for the rant but need to get that off my chest, as shallow Christianity just ain't going to cut it anymore! We need to undergo transformation and formation by the living Word. We need life!!!

friends

2006-10-04T11:32:00.000+01:00

Enjoying a day off today. Going to go to a bookshop with Rachel and my even be persuaded to have a coffee and cake a little coffee serving establishment!

Have just picked up the John Ortberg book that I was telling you about a few days ago. The chapter I Have just started to read is all about forming deep friendships. No I have not read the whole chapter as I did not just want to regurgitate his work! But it got me thinking, why is it that so many people feel a deep sense of loneliness? No friendships just don't happen and needless to say deep friendships don't just happen.

Now I'm as guilty as the next person of filling life with stuff and busyness. But think about the time that you are most at peace and most at rest and most happiest...Generally speaking it will probably be when you were with people that you love that you have spent time developing community and true fellowship with.

How about investing our quality time with other human beings rather than stuffing our schedules with stuff and un-necessary busyness that actually doesn't add anything to our lives.

the x factor

2006-09-30T16:10:00.000+01:00

Have just watched the first half of this evening X-Factor. Now you may well think that there are much better things to do on a Saturday night - your probably right! None the less Rachel and I will watch the second half and see how the wannabe pop stars get on.

Watching it actually gives me a bit of a reality check! There was a girl on there earlier who dreamed of this big house that had been for sale for the last two years. It had electric gate and everything!!!! We could not help but get the gist that this girl really thought that having a house would really make her happy and give her kids the life she never had. Really - how many of us really have a house with electric gates? Please!

The reality check is this. How often do we even as Christians get caught in the trap that we think if we were just to have a bigger house or a better car then we would be happy. How happy has that gadget really made you?

Jesus in the beatitudes gives us an indication as to how we will really find true contentment and peace in this life. Have read and have (click here to read) a dig they may just surprise you and reveal the futility of putting our trust in stuff, rather than the everlasting God.

bless ya

just a thought

2006-09-26T20:36:00.000+01:00

I'm sat here watching the Manchester United game and to be honest not that impressed, think I would rather watch an omnibus edition of coronation street! Mind you I do follow Liverpool so why am I watching it??

Anyway I have been settling into my office and getting to know a few more things about the way the church has been doing things. It was the weekly prayer meeting last night, which was focusing on the persecuted church. I find it hard to pray for the persecution to stop as it seems that when the Church undergoes opposition it seems to grow so, maybe it is better to pray for grace and strength to keep standing. I have to admit my previous experience of prayer meeting I was not expecting to see to many out, but I was pleasantly surprised to see 17 of us gather together and pray.

It is in times like these you get to know what people are like and I get the real sense of expectation as to what God is going to do through us a part of His church. There seems to be an eagerness for change, which is great. Although change will not happen overnight it will come, but all in good time. Over the next few month my main focus is going to be on getting to know the people and the town, listen and watch to see what God is already doing and listen for the leading of the Spirit so that we can get involved and truly partner with God in the stuff that he has prepared for us to do inadvance.

Just a thought from my reading this morning, Jesus at the start of his ministry as recounted by Matthew says repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. This word repent is actually more to do with be converted, carrying with it the sense of turning around, changing our ways. Then Jesus says that the Kingdom is at hand. Not the Kingdom is here, I have arrived - but the Kingdom is at hand. Now I'm of the understanding the the Kingdom of God is here in a now but not yet. The Kingdom of God is alive in all those who believe but is it not that even in us the Kingdom is yet to be fully estabished? Could it just be that the words of Jesus could be as relevant for us as his disciples today as it was the the way back then? The Kingdom is at hand and I maybe wrong but I actually think that we have a hand in partnering ith God to see his Kingdom further established in the hearts and lives of those around us, and the towns that we live and the churches we attend. What part are you playing in the furtherance of the Kingdom of Heaven?

bless ya

its only just begun

2006-09-24T17:56:00.000+01:00

Well last night was the long awaited for induction to the pastorate at West Brom. It was a fantastic day. Not only was it our induction but it was the celebration of 70 years of the churches existence. The people of the church worked really hard to make sure that it all ran smoothly and it really was a celebration (coupled with a really warm welcome [Rachel contribution to this blog]).

Both Rachel and I really appreciated the fact that friends and family had traveled for this occasion, it was so apt that people from the past of the church in West Brom past and present and people from our very recent past were there to celebrate the past but also look forward to the future that is in front of us.

Think the message spoken by John Glass was very timely as the theme of which was make space for grace.

Had our first Sunday service and it was great, such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, this is going to be a great adventure...

desiring God

2006-09-22T17:29:00.000+01:00

For all those of you who are John Piper fans I have just come across his website. Have had a quick look around and it looks like there are some good articles on there - click here to go to it...

weird

2006-09-21T17:05:00.000+01:00

I have just started to read John Ortberg's book 'Everybody's normal till you get to know them'. It looks like it is going to be a good read. I guess that the main gist of the opening chapter is that in fact we are all weird well at least by God's measure of things that is. We all have stuff wrong with us don't we and baggage that has messed us up in some way. We all need each other we cannot live in isolation and this means that we have to learn to live with each other faults. Ortberg uses this quote from Boenhoeffer "Whoever cannot stand being in community should be aware of being alone" (see pg 20 of Ortberg's book). Being part of the Kingdom of God is about being part of a community of believers and therefore there is no room to live for ourselves! Boenhoeffer also wrote that people who live for oneselves "plunge into the bottomless pit of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair" (see pg 21) So it looks like he is going to be talking about community and living it out - will let you know. I'm going to read it with Rachel so i will let you know how that goes! Think I'm going to enjoy it.

Over the last couple of day I have spent sometime catching up with old friends, after hecktic summers away for all of us. It is great when you can just pick up where you left off.

Thats it from me, have no thought of inspiration today :)

lesson from the well...

2006-09-19T17:26:00.000+01:00

The preach on Sunday morning went quite well I think. I was good of John Murfin (the pastor) to give the pulpit over me. Mind you I discovered that Tayo Adeyemi (Pastor of New Wine church in London) had been a guest speaker on the Thursday night, so follow that hey!

Has been nice being able to go around and visit a few places on Sundays before we start this weekend at WBCC. Was reading John 4 this morning and in it John writes Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well which is just a fantastic encounter, I recommend that you read it. But in it Jesus talks about true worship (Tayo Adeyemi had talked about this in his talk). Through this chapter Jesus tells the woman and in doing so us what it is to truly worship! Worship is far more that singing song, this is such a narrow view of our worship of God. Worship is even far more that what we do on a Sunday morning. Singing and the Sunday gathering at important and I'm not decrying these, but please let's not hold this view that this is just what worship is. Jesus says that true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. It is a heart thing. We can sing songs and not worship! Worship is about giving our all to Jesus every single day, in the words of John the Baptist - he must become greater and I must become less. It is about serving God purposes daily. Nor is worship confined to a place. Yes, corporate worship is a beautiful and unifying thing but only when our hearts are truly connecting with God otherwise we are just singing some nice songs amongst ourselves. For those of us who proclaim to follow Jesus let us together work out what it is to worship in spirit and in truth. Then God will come looking for you as these are the people that He seeks!!!!! It really is all about God and not about us and how we feel or don't feel. I guess it is then that God has the space to do what he needs to do in us, because we get out the way! Well at least this is the idea!

2006-09-16T15:32:00.000+01:00

Preaching in Rotherham Elim tomorrow and feel a little nervous as is Rachel's home church. Looking forward to it as it will get me back into the swing of preaching again.

Read an interesting little verse this morning, well read many interesting verses actually but there was this one at the end of John 2. Jesus had just cleared the temple and had finished his dialogue with some Jews. John then records that many had started to believe in his name. But John then writes this but he did not entrust himself to them for he knew all men. I just find this fascinating. Maybe sometimes we can get the impression that Jesus was open with all people and that he trusted people with stuff. Now this is going to take some digging around but what if this verse actually gives us insight into that the he didn't! Jesus was very careful who he entrusted himself to. Jesus being God had the advantage of knowing all men. The following verse says that he did not need any man to bear witness for any man as he knew what they we all about anyway. We are not God so how much more do we need to be careful with the people we entrust ourselves to? We have to give people a chance as we cannot know their hearts like Jesus and we may just have to rely on the witness of others. But let's not use it as a excuse not to develop relationship with other people as we all need that, just be careful.

One other thing, Jesus knows everything about us so there is absolutely know pulling the wool over his eyes. He knows you!

Bless ya

Follow the Rabbi - That the World May Know

2006-09-16T12:36:00.000+01:00

Follow the Rabbi - That the World May Know This is a fantastic website that has loads of info on Jewish culture and stuff. This is all stuff we need to know so as to correctly understand and apply the scriptures, and understand why things were said and done the way they were done! Have look you may find it useful.

one eye on the future

2006-09-13T13:43:00.000+01:00

Despite not offically starting at WBCC yet Rachel and I have willingly been doing a few 'bits'. It was great to meet a few more of the people. I has made me all the more want to get stuck in and get a start on things. I have already been made aware of a few things that need to be addressed so that will be fun. I get the feeling that this is going to be fun, so let us see what is going to take place.

Oh have already had contact with a local centre that is trying to help people get over substance abuse and promote healthy living so will keep you informed as to how that develops...

In Luke 21 Jesus is giving a talk about the end. Now there are various things that Jesus say's in this chapter that are quite interesting. Now I believe in studying the bible and seeking what it is that God was and is saying through it but sometimes we can get bogged down in things that we will never understand or were ever meant to understand like in trying to timetable the future events. Truth be known we don't know the time when Jesus will return (although Lukes writing seem to indicate that he was writing with the things that were to come i.e. destruction of the temple in A.D 70, it can be taken as the age to come when judgement comes also) He has given us things to look out for and keep an eye on.

But please let us not lose sight of the fact that we are called to stand and live for Jesus in the hear and now! We need to be aware of what is happening around us with focus on the age when there is no more pain, suffering, injustice etc.

Let's not worry about what will happen when but let us stay faithful to him, knowing that he has promised to give us words of wisdom (21:15).

So let us keep one eye on the future (34-36) but on eye on the here and now seeking to get in on what God is doing today!

what have you got?

2006-09-11T08:57:00.000+01:00

I have to say it is really good to be back online. It is stange how one becomes so dependant on technology to communicate with people. It might be said that it is sad but there we go.

It is still a couple of weeks till the induction and the start of a new job, so Rachel and I have been taking the opportunity to go and visit a few places and family. I'm really looking forward to starting at the church and to get in on what God is already doing in the life of the church and community surrounding it. This is going to be a bit of andventure i feel...

Was reading in Luke this morning and came across the parable of the Minas (money), you know the one where the Master gives his 10 servants 1 each for them to do something with while he goes on a journey. Now two of the servants do something with that which they had been given and earning 10 more and 5 more respectively. Then we get to the one who did notthing with it and left it in his pocket or something. He didn't even put it in the bank to earn interest. Now I know there is much, much more that could be said about this parable, but the question I have for you this morning is what is it you are doing with what God has given you? If you notice from the narrative (Luke 19:11-26) each servant was given something! As his servants he has given us stuff that we can do something with (for the benefit of the kingdom of God not us directly). What have you got? and what are you doing with it?

Till the next time, God bless

long time no see...

2006-09-07T19:48:00.000+01:00

Well hello to all you people in the wonerful world of the blog! It has been an age since i last wrote one of these. Well over the next few weeks i will be filling you in on a very hecktic summer.

Needless to say we have now moved into our wonderful new house, for which we are very grateful to God, it really is a gift fom Him. Needs work but then don't we all!!

Till the next time which will be soon, God bless ya

purpose

2006-07-24T07:28:00.000+01:00

Recently have been thinking about this whole thing about purpose and destiny that we hear preached so often. But actually I wounder how much of that is motivated by self. How often do you hear a comment oh I want to do this for God, I want to that for God. I'm sure that most of the time these are done from right reasons, but cannot help but think that even in that it is about what we want and not necessarily about what God wants. Was speaking from 2 Corinthians 5 yesterday and it struck me; actually God purpose for us is the same the world over, no matter of who or where you are it is very simply - to see some come to Christ. Now that is our destiny, our purpose! To win some for Jesus. The apostle Paul was motivated by the love of God and driven by the fear of God in which his purpose was to win some for Christ. I ask what motivates you? I reckon that our destiny is simply to be abassadors of the kingdom of God and do all we can to see some coem to Christ. That is our purpose!! anything else is a bonus...

The end is in sight

2006-07-19T15:18:00.000+01:00

Cannot help but feel sadness at the end of an era in Reading. It is not so much the place Reading that I will miss, but the people. The people in the church who, have been so gracious with me, the privilege of invest time and energy into the numerous lives some of which has been intentional on my part, unintentional for others but ultimately because time has been take to get to know people. At the end of the day it is surely about helping each other live our lives fully for God.

The investment works both ways and my life is richer for my time spent amongst the believers in Reading. But the end of the line is near. Rachel and I after this coming Sunday only have one Sunday left with the church in Reading.

A summer of camps, a holiday and house move lie ahead. It may well be the end of one chapter of the adventure, the the adventure will be continued, just somewhere else!

Bless ya

End of a fantastic month!

2006-07-10T10:25:00.000+01:00

I'm quite sure that all the football widows will be quite glad to have there husbands back in the normal world! I have probably watched as much lie football in the last month as I have in the last 6. Even then I did not watch as much as I would have liked.

The great thing about this world cup is that it has cleverly uncovered the fondness my wife Rachel has for the beloved game! I came in from the youth meeting only to find the tell showing the world cup final and I had not influence in that choice whatsoever. Fantastic! I just hope here enthusiasm continues into the domestic leagues that are due to start next month:)

However I could not write a blog the day after the world cup and not mention the craziness of Zinedine Zidane. A footballer of his ability, finishing his amazing career on the world stage and he goes and does a stupid thing like that! What was going on in his head. The violence of it was astonishing he hit him with real force. Sadly that is what he will be remembered for. If that had happened on the street I'm sure he would have faced some sort of legal action. But will it happen I doubt it.

It's just a game and there really are more important things in life! But well done Italy!

Gentle reminder

2006-07-04T08:37:00.000+01:00

Have begun reading the book of Luke. In chapter one obviously Luke is setting the scene that Jesus was not just a normal baby (1-26-37), there is something special about him. This we no only to well where we follow him or not there can be no denial of the fact that there is quiet possibly none else like him!

But that is not the main thing that I wanted to write about. In verses 71-75 we have a gentle reminder of the giver and purpose of 'being saved.' I fear that there are to many 'Christians' think that God has saved them because its about them and for there purposes. Have there been to many pastors and teacher that have fallen into the trap of entertaining the crowds and speaking the things that will tickle the ears of the hearer??? With such statements of grand notions of 'destiny' and 'purpose' so often being mistaken for grandeur and the spectacular! Following Jesus is about doing the the everyday things of life and doing it to please God.

Please do not get me wrong I believe that God does have a destiny and purpose for us, but it is not about us it's about him! It is not so that we might be come greater that he may become the but it is in fact the complete opposite. The reasons for salvation is that we might faithfully serve the purposes of God in our generation.

What does that mean? Well I think it is this, that ...'we might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days' (v74, 75). It might sound a little be cliche but we are saved to serve. Saved not to serve ourselves and our purpose or ambition but to serve God and the extension of His Kingdom of righteousness and peace of which there shall be no end!!

Righteousness and holiness are not popular topics in the church cause there is not quick fix to them, they are not something you can by or consume! But righteousness and holiness are hallmarks if the kingdom of God coupled with love and justice for the oppressed. If we are truly to be people of the Jesus kind then we must set our hearts to follow him and make righteousness and holiness our standard, not so that we may brag but that the light of God may shine in the darkness exposing sin and the futility of life with out God so that other may truly be brought into the light.

The Christian life is not about us as me must die to our own ambitions, we must serve God!

Feeling the blues

2006-06-28T17:42:00.000+01:00

Ever had one of those days when you just feel down and rubbish? I'm sure you have and I'm not on my own in this but today has been a rubbish day! There is nothing in particular that makes it rubbish it just was. Tried to do some work it was rubbish, tried to do some reading it was rubbish, tried to ponder on the scripture that was rubbish (not the scripture! but my approach to it was!). Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish! Looking forward to tomorrow.

I think though it might just have something to do with the fact that I feel like I'm just wasting time. It is still a little while away till we go to camp, and have a holiday and then start the new chapter on the journey serving God in West Bromwich. I hate wasting time! There is nothing that makes me feel worse than wasting time and being unproductive.

That said I did have a productive afternoon, well a productive hour anyway. It was an hour well spent with a lovely couple that who shall we say are in the prime of their lives! They have been through so much but it was just lovely to listen to their story about themselves and their family, and just listen as they talk with obvious love for the children and wider family. That has been the best part of the day so far. Sharing for a very short time in someone else's life. What a privilege!!!

I just need to get used to that fact that times are changing. I have found myself coming back to these questions lately when I go through stuff and they kind of help shift the focus, they are; what is God saying, what is he teaching me/us? What aspect of my character (or character faults) is God showing me through this? How is this going to help extend the kingdom of God in me and others?

I don't always get answers and sometimes there ain't any, but hey they get me thinking about what God is upto and how can I/we get in on it, and embrace it.

bless yas

standing firm

2006-06-22T09:27:00.000+01:00

Was reading in Marks gospel yesterday chapter 13 which deals with Jesus talking about the end times or better the signs of the end. Now I do not pretend to be any kind of expert on end time theology. There are loads of different theories that people have come up with, but at the end of the day Jesus told us what to look out for (read Mark 13, Matt 24), but these are only the beginning of it!

There are more intelligent people than me on the face of the earth, but then following Jesus is not about intelligence but faith, love and hope. I don't say that to decry those of who are blessed with the type of mind that can grapple with difficult issues and go some way to keeping it simple for the rest of us.

But do you not think that we over complicate thing?

Jesus has not left us alone to face these times ahead of us but the promise of the Spirit was for them and us now. For since the resurretion the church has thought their generation is in the end times and will see the return of Christ. Every generation has said that their is worse than the previous. Who knows we may see the end, but until then there is work to do! The timing of His return is not for us to know.

While we are still here were must stand firm (not as an outward show for other peoples benefit but out of a heart relationship with God and connectedness with the community of God as we are in this together), be on the alert, following Jesus and there in lies the promise of salvation (Mark 13:13). While we are still here let us be ministers of reconciliation, seeking to 'win one more for Jesus'- Rick Warren

Actions louder than words?????

2006-06-20T14:48:00.000+01:00

Have been preparing to start writing my message for Sunday from James 2. James is a very interesting book. In the NRSV verse one of said chapter reads like this; 'My Brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.' It is an interesting continuation of the previous chapter.

What does this verse say to you? I may have read this wrong but for me it is saying this 'Iain, do you actions show that you are a follower of Christ, if not then there has to be a big question mark!!'(I know the context is about showing favouritism to the rich, but general principle). For me and I have yet to look into this properly so I welcome any comments, but it appears that if our actions don't match to that our our Lord then there has to be big question Marks. I know that we all mess up but surely we have to move on and mature as James alludes to in chapter 1, by becoming doers of the word and not just hearers. Put it into practice otherwise we will remain as infants.

As his disciples do our actions fall in line with Jesus' expectations of his disciples? Do we reject God by our very actions? Are we willing to molded by Him and fall in step with what he is doing? Are we willing to put aside prestige in order that we may serve him humbly and honestly?

James poises so big questions as to what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God and being s disciple, are we willing to work through them??

It's a heart thing

2006-06-15T14:03:00.000+01:00

Just another quick update on the house stuff, apparently the valuation and survey has come back and it was valued at the right price (good that it was not undervalued and but if it had been over valued, then well could well have been a bit or renegotiation going on!) and the survey has been done with no major work required so everything is taking shape!

Continued in Mark this morning, really enjoying working my way through the gospels! Just some questions that arose from chapter 7; what are the traditions that get in the way of following Jesus? What traditions have we put on people that makes it difficult to follow Jesus or indeed impossible? Are we more concerned with our outward works and how we look than the heart?

If we really are to be changed into the type of people that God has called us to be then we cannot afford to play games and put on a show for other people. Our hearts must truly be surrendered to God, and change will take place from the inside out not vise versa.

The other thing from the passage for all you food lovers Jesus declares all food clean!!!

just wanting a freebe??

2006-06-14T12:03:00.000+01:00

Had the offer accepted on the house we bid for, really quite exciting so just waiting for all the paper work to be completed, and the other legal things that have to be done, it is then just to the small task of paying the thing off!!!

How many of you have been in town or in a shopping centre when there has been a promotion of a new brand of soft drink or chocolate bar about to be launched? I'm sure I'm not alone when this has happened. But it is amazing how many of these new products they will get rid of as everyone wants something for free because you see them all flocking towards the marketing people and stand just so they don't miss out!

Now you might ask what the heck that has to do with the price of cheese? Well, I've been reading through the gospel of Mark lately. As I was thinking over the things that I was reading at the end of chapter 6 I thought about this whole town centre marketing strategy thing. Now I'm not saying that Jesus healings were a marketing ploy far from it! But how the people of the different towns reacted tells us something of the the human condition even all those centuries ago!

People flocked to Him to be healed because it was something they got out of it! I would be interested to know how many of them became genuine followers of Jesus? Like the people just wanting a free drink... I think it is Eugene Peterson that says that the first half of Mark concentrates on the miraculous and what Jesus does and the second half on the cost of following Jesus (don't quote me on that I will have to check it out). But how many just want to something for themselves out of following after Jesus, rather than living a live of giving and sacrifice, which as it happens I think is what we are called to as disciples. Giving ourselves to be shaped and moulded into the image of Christ for His glory not ours!

Following Jesus is costly, but well worth the sacrifice!

house update

2006-06-10T16:11:00.003+01:00

Just a quick update on the house. We have put an offer in on one and had the offer accepted, which is great because we really like this house. Have had a mortgage approved so now it is just waiting for the professionals to do what they need to do i guess.

Just finished watching the England game nice to see them win but the second half wasn't half boring! Rachel actually sat through the whole game, quite amazing.

Great interview by Eugene Peterson

2006-06-08T09:06:00.000+01:00

For all you who may be interested i have just finished reading an interview with Eugene Peterson on spirituality. Fantastic! How we get so easily distracted for what it is all about. I am not even going to try and explain, my suggestion is read the article and see what you think...www.christianity.com/ct/2005/003/26.42.html

Sorry not quite worked out how do do the link for some reason it was not showing first time round. so for now i guess it is good old copy and paste!!

limbo

2006-06-05T14:11:00.000+01:00

Was in West Bromwich on Thursday and Friday last week viewing more houses and taking a second look at the one which Rachel and I both liked. We have put an offer in and now it is just waiting to hear back as to whether it has been accepted or not. Funny old business. Have never had to bother with mortgages and stuff like this.

Feeling in a bit of limbo at the moment. Even though I'm still in Reading and have things that I need to do and finish off before finally finishing here, my thought are on what is to come and the new adventure that we are about to take up.

I call it an adventure because we do not know exactly what will happen (apart from I will be pastor of West Bromwich Community Church). It is going to be a time of learning for all involved, but it is going to be fun. All i know is that this is the next step in following Jesus. One thing that i what for the future (and the will be much prayer, planning and strategic thinking being done and to be done) I want us to be a church that impacts the community that we are apart of. How we are going to do that I do not know yet. I guess that will be developed in time.

I guess if we knew all the fine details life would not be a fun and we would not need to trust God, and this is a must!!!

The great reversal

2006-05-31T12:14:00.000+01:00

Have been reading this morning Matthews account of the crucifixion. It is amazing that you can have read something over so many times and yet read it each time and something different can strike you.

Well what I noticed this morning was how there was a complete reversal of emotion and expecting. No I know that this is not going to be exactly deep but it just encouraged me a bit. The chief priests and the the others thought they had won the battle by getting rid of Jesus and must there must have be this sense relief (even though they wanted a guard put by the tomb incase the disciples though it was a good idea to take the body by rolling a massive stone out of the way - hello!!).

The disciples on the other had must have all been a bit down cast, as a guess so to the women that had faithfully followed Him and provided for Him during his ministry.

But this is where things change - the chief priest and co begin to get worried that maybe they have just dropped the most massive clanger and the hope appears to the followers of Jesus.

You might say so what? Well for me the so what was this - for all who continue to deny the deity of Christ and the prominent place in life then eventually they will realize that they have indeed dropped a massive clanger! That is why we who do follow Jesus despite oppression, obstacles and suffering must do all that we can to win some for Christ. The other 'so what' is this - Jesus is very much alive - we do not worship a dead deity that cannot receive the worth that is attributed to him by his followers nor are we following someone who is not real. This stuff actually makes a difference to how we live.

Maybe you are experiencing a bit of bother at the moment don't worry or react check out Jesus' reaction to his accusers (Matt 26:14), attend firm knowing that a new day will eventually come!

as promised

2006-05-27T12:52:00.000+01:00

Went trapsing round West Bromwich yesterday looking at houses. Very strange experience. Going into someone elses house and looking round (legitimately not just through the window). You go in and try just to think of the potential and if you could see yourself living there, but inevitably you end up commenting on the house and its decore and stuff. It is then that you realise that it really does take all sort to make up the world!

Out of all the ones that we saw yesterday that was one that we really liked, but it was the first time viewing so we will just have to wait and see. Going to make some more viewing and see where we go from there.

Anyway I will be back soon.

new era

2006-05-25T18:48:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow sees Rachel and I starting a new era of our lives! We are entering the realms of proper adulthood (dispite being there for sometime in reality!) we are going looking at houses!! To buy! which means a mortgage!!! Really looking forward to it but it is a bit of a scary thought borrowing a silly amount of money just to put a roof over our heards, but i guess they have these things have got to be done.

Was reading in the bible this morning about the parable that Jesus told in Matthew 25, the one about the 3 servants. Just struck again really that it is God that has given us our abilities and He has entrusted us with them to bring Him glory, not us! At the end of the day our abilities are his even when we have them. We can either put them to work or bury them in the gound. My suggestion is use what to have to glorify God and you won't go far worng!

Anyway i will let you know how things go tomorrow.

intro to me

2006-05-24T10:26:00.000+01:00

This is Rachel and i one our way back from London one time. I have to say most of my posts will be about following Jesus and how you and I can do that and what it means in our everyday lives. I will also sometimes share random thoughts on topical issues, if I actually have anything to say on the matter, and thoughts from the Bible. I will be a real with you as someone can be in the world of blogging!