Thursday 23 February 2012

Giving something up for lent?

I have been asked a couple of time since Tuesday what have I given up for Lent?


The answer is nothing!


For the last 4 years I have moved away from the traditional list of things to give up:
  • Chocolate
  • Beer
  • Take-away food
  • Pringles

But instead I do the opposite and 'take something on' and resolve to do it for ever day of Lent.


During the next 40 days I will listen to sermons and talks every time I drive to and from school in the car.  The half-hour commute to school is an excellent time to listen to something inspirational and I generally spend the time listening to the radio.

There is a danger that what I listen to becomes just audio wallpaper but I do try to encourage myself to think and reflect on what was said.

What do I listen to?
and other stuff that takes my fancy.

I don't really plan what I am going to listen to and although it is almost random my choice I do find more often than not God speaks through them in an amazing way each day.

I usually download the talks from the huge number available from iTunes and burn a CD of two talks for each day.







Wednesday 22 February 2012

Broken MacBook

Disaster struck last night.


I had just ordered Pizza and was taking my MacBook back to the office when I slipped on the carpet on the stairs.  


I went flying, my MacBook crashed to the bottom of the stairs hitting the wall on the hinge end.


CRUCH




Hinge totally wrecked, screen hanging on by a thread.

Sad day!

Saturday 18 February 2012

Nash Grove - Exeter University

Continuing my memories of Exeter University.



Nash Grove are self catering flats and were quite expensive when the first opened.


key facts (from the University website)


Undergraduates and postgraduates
44 week let for undergraduates
51 week let for postgraduates
Nine minute walk to centre of Streatham Campus
Six residents sharing kitchen/diner and lounge area
Internet access
Bike storage (bike rack only - therefore a bike lock is recommended)
Laundry facilities in Postgraduate centre which is located nearby, and in Nash Grove E block


Here are a couple of photos taken back in 1998!







Spring Harvest Photos

Just had a look through my iPhoto library for photos tagged at Spring Harvest.  These are some of my favourite from 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  Come back later in the year for 2012.


























Spring Harvest 2012

I'm counting down the days until April for Spring Harvest 2012 (Minehead week 3)




It is really exciting checking out the website to see who will be there.


Bible speaker:



Andy Hickford - Minehead Week 3

A popular Spring Harvest Bible teacher, Andy is the leader of the staff team and senior minister at Maybridge Community Church in Worthing. Educated at the London School of theology, Andy was ten years a youth worker in Luton before coming to the church in 1996



Worship leader



Mark Beswick - Minehead Week 3

Mark last led worship at Spring Harvest Minehead in 2009, and we’re thrilled to have him back with us. For over 20 years Mark has been a session singer, vocal tutor, arranger and producer in the secular music industry as well as an itinerant worship leader, trainer and bible teacher in his local church.

We also really excited that Philip will be in Whizz Kids 


This week our theme is all about people and the church.  Whizz Kids will have all the usual fun as they learn that they are the church. There will be daily take-home information, to help you share with your Whizz Kid what it means for us all the be part of the ‘Church Actually!’"

Programme Leader: Sarah Covington

Sarah is based in Sussex but is often found travelling the country in my work as Children Worldwide Development and Events Manager.  This involves anything from working in schools, co-ordinating and running residential and day activities and, for the first time this year, leading Whizz Kids.

I really look forward to blogging from Spring Harvest 2012.

Friday 17 February 2012

Does God still speak to us today?

As a Christian I believe that God is very real in my life.  A question I often get asked is "Does God speak to you?"


The Bible clearly says that God spoke audible to people in the past and there are many examples of this recorded.



Jeremiah 1:7

New International Version (NIV)
 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.


I have never heard God speak to me in a clear and audible voice but I do believe that it does still happen.


So how does God speak to us today?


1. God speaks to us through His word - the Bible


2 Timothy 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2. God speaks to use through impressions, events and thoughts

1 Timothy 1:5

New International Version (NIV)
5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

God is in the process of renewing our minds

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God allows events to change and shape us.


James 1:2-5

New International Version (NIV)
Trials and Temptations
 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

There are many other times and places where God can speak.

  • through people
  • through answer to prayer 
  • through nature and the created world

Has God spoken to you?






Thursday 16 February 2012

Why did Jesus come?



I read this earlier and thought it would be good to share ..

Jesus did not come ...
  • Jesus did not come to make us happy. He came to make us holy.
  • Jesus did not come to make good people better. He came to make dead people live.
  • Jesus did not come to make your marriage happy. He came to transform two sinners into a picture of his self-giving love for us and of our proper response to him.
  • Jesus did not come to give you your best life now. He came to bring you into his best life for eternity.
  • Jesus did not come so you could ask him into your life. He came to call you into his life.
  • Jesus did not come to improve your story. He came to bring you into his story.
  • Jesus did not come to make your life into a comfortable cottage for your pleasure.  He came to make your life a majestic palace for his presence.


Mountain Lion this Summer



I was really excited today to see information about the next release of OSX in the shape of Mountain Lion.



The majority of features look well known to the iPad user but Gatekeeper looks very useful.



Wednesday 15 February 2012

Duryard Halls - Exeter University


Memories of Exeter and the University (part I) - Duryard Halls

I have very fond memories of living in Duryard Halls whilst studying at Exeter University.


I was very sad to find the halls demolished when I went to visit a couple of years ago.  They were very out of date even when I graduated back in 1997.



Duryard Halls provided accommodation from 1964 until 2007, latterly for around 650 students. These halls were the residence of Harry Potter author JK Rowling, Punchdrunk director Felix Barrett and pop singer and winner of Pop Idol, Will Young and actor Adam Campbell who shared a room in Hetherington House.
Duryard Halls were spread over four houses, surrounding the old Duryard House and its drive: Moberly named for Walter Hamilton Moberly; Murray, named for John Murray; Hetherington, named for Hector Hetherington; and Jessie Montgomery. In 2007 demolition work started on all the halls, except for Moberly and the grade II listed Duryard House, with the intention of providing seven new accommodation blocks to house 630 students

All images taken by me!

The stone table


All that remains of Hetherington House

Looking down on the sad remains of Kay House

Grade II listed Duryard House

Very sad ....

Kay House



Some very happy times here - sad to see it all gone

Sunday 12 February 2012

How do we use our time wisely

Listen to a really good talk today on how we should use our time well.



Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 (NIV)
There is a time for everything,
 and a season for every activity under heaven: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. [9] What does the worker gain from his toil? [10] I have seen the burden God has laid on men. [11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. [12] I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. [13] That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil---this is the gift of God. [14] I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.


Our time comes from and God and we are just giving it back to God.  
God wants to be to be at work in our lives and this extends to how we use our time.

Biblical ideas of time

1. Time is part of God's creation. 

God is outside of time (eternal) and time is part of His creation. Time is part of our life.

2. There is a rhythm to time.  

Psalm 104:19-23 (NIV)
The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. [20] You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. [21] The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. [22] The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. [23] Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

There is a pattern to creation - weekly, monthly, yearly. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
There is a time for everything,
 and a season for every activity under heaven:
 
3. Time is limited
 
In the New Testament there is an urgency to time and time is now thought of limited. There is going to be a deadline.

2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

2 Peter 3:11-12,14,18 (NIV)
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. [14] So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

We will come to an end and we should live in a way that points towards that. We are coming to a time where everything matters.

Thinking about these there ideas there are dangers we might fall into.

  • We  might to just try to mark time as it feels like eternity now.
  • We think that we can just go with the flow because things will come around again.
  • We may panic that time is limited and try to do everything at the cost of other things such as family.
We need to be able to combine the two Biblical principles of cycles with the finite end that will come one day.

We need a purposeful pattern of life.

God gives enough time for His purposes.

  • Where are we heading? 
  • Do we know where we are going? 
  • Are we living for now or do we have a purpose? 

The work that God is doing in us will be completed and we will be fully mature in Christ.

- what are my priorities? There is not a "one size fits all" answer. Our priorities will be different and will change as we move through life.

We need to think perhaps rather than a balanced life but a blended life. We have many demands on our life and they won't all have equal portions and we should think of all times as important to God. Sleep is also an important part of the blended life. As time changes the blend will change and we should not be afraid of this. Sometimes the ingredients of the blend will change.

Eg.

Ecclesiastes 3:4,6,8 (NIV)
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Is it a time to add something new or to take something away?. We need to be flexible.

Having a pattern. 

God has made us each creatures of rhythm and pattern and we should respond to our individual patterns. 

We should know how to work with our own personal pattern for the day, week, month and year.

We should think and plan about how we use our time to support the God given rhythms and patterns in our lives.

We don't have to fill every moment with productive things. We will have time to work, relax, family, fun etc.

We need to recognise who we are.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
There is a time for everything,
 and a season for every activity under heaven:

Saturday 11 February 2012

Death of Whitney Houston

Very sad to wake up and hear the new of the death of Whitney Houston on the radio.




According to the news report a police spokesman Mark Rosen told reporters Houston was pronounced dead at 15:55 pm  in her room on the fourth floor of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.



Houston's career highlights

  • 170m records sold worldwide
  • 11 US number one hits
  • Won six Grammys, including three for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
  • Won 30 Billboard Awards and 22 American Music Awards
  • I Will Always Love You is the best selling single by a female artist of all time


Friday 10 February 2012

Tim Vine wins funniest joke

I think Tim Vine is awesome!  


I think his style of comedy is really funny and his very clever use of the one-liner is brilliant.


I am so pleased that he has won the prize for Joke of the year at the annual Lafta awards.


And the winning joke ....




“Conjunctivitis.com – that’s a site for sore eyes”




If you would like more of Tim Vine check out the YouTube clips.












Righteousness, Sexual Immorality, drunkenness and idolatry.

A Bible study on Ephesians 5:5 - 21

Ephesians 5:5-8,10-21 (NIV)For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." [15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [19] Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

People believed that sexual immorality could be committed without damage to the soul.

Warnings in v5-7

Ephesians 5:5-7 (NIV)
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a man is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them.

- Have nothing to do with idolaters.
- Don't listen to others
- God's wroth will fall on those who know the truth but ignore it.

We can't blend into the culture and practices of the current age.

As Christians how much have we moved towards what I is culturally acceptable?

How can we deceived with empty words?

- TV, culture around us, the messages coming from the world around us.

- given false hope

- we might be told that we can behave as we like and will be able to make a death-bed confession.

Why would Paul call immoral, impure or greedy people idolaters?

Things are put before God - we worship these instead. We live in a culture where immorality, impurity and greed are are at the centre of what we do.

In what areas of my life am I most tempted towards idolatry?

Ephesians 5:8-21 (NIV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, [14] for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." [15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [19] Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Darkness - ignorance, error, sin, temptation

Light - truth, righteousness 

If we are living in the light bring your sin out  in the open, share it with others.

Why is it important to make sin visible?

- Christian openness and transparency comes from being in the light. We should positively expose them. Once they are out in the light they diminish.

Bringing things into the light can be painful and a difficult experience but can be transformative.

How can we as Christians bring things from the dark into the light?

- sharing with other people
- confess to yourself and God

How can we take care of our Christian life?

- stopping before it goes too far
- constantly remind of what God wants us to do
- God giving us little nudges
- if someone is leading us in a wrong direction, don't follow.
- acting with integrity.

What are the characteristics of a wise person? V15-17

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

- someone who is very careful
- be wise (understand the Lord's will)

How can we make the most of every opportunity

Colossians 4:5 (NIV)
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

How would making the most of every opportunity combat the evil days.

- spread the good news of Jesus
- people would be more content with their lives
- people would be less likely to commit idolatry. 

What are the beneficial results of being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 5:19-21 (NIV)
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

- stimulation, a sense of feeling alive and wanting to do things.
- being at peace

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

If we are filled the Holy Spirit there is no room left for anything else evil.

Why do we need to be filled with Holy Spirit to submit to one another?

- we need God's help to do this
- this is not something that we would do naturally on our own 
- it is a mutual submission 

Ephesians 5:21 (NIV)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Monday 6 February 2012

Knowle Parish Church in the Snow

It snowed on Saturday (4th Feb 2012) from 2 - 10pm leaving a very beautiful snowy scene.  I took a couple of pictures on the way to Church on Sunday morning.









Sunday 5 February 2012

CBSO Family Concert

Today we went to the CBSO Family Concert at Symphony Hall.


This was the first time that the boys had been to a live concert and although we were a little worried that they might struggle sitting still for two hours it went well.


The concert really was family friendly and was a great introduction to the orchestra for the boys.




The first half was very interactive and was hosted by Catherine Arlidge (a violinist with CBSO).  

Through a range of mystery pieces (theme from James Bond, Scooby-Doo, Pink Panther and Indiana Jones) and solo pieces from the Trumpet, Violin, Bassoon and drums, the orchestra was introduced.

The second half was the UK premiere of "The Composer is Dead" - Music by Nathaniel Stookey and text by Lemony Snicket.

The concert was a great success and the boys seemed to enjoy it.  It was a good first introduction to the instruments of the orchestra and going to a concert.

Philip's best bit was when the conductor was sent to sit on the naughty seat after he conducted Liberty Bell too fast then too slow!

Christopher hasn't yet told us what he enjoyed the most.

Looking forward to the next one