Monday Zone buys cows for Matthew

The £1 coins given at Monday Zone have gone towards Matthew's wedding fund, but in a strange way. The £300 will pay for 2 cows (yes thats cows).

So Gods divine exchange works again , local children enjoy the christian club , learning about Jesus and His teaching in a fun way, and a young man desperate to marry and work for God in South Africa gains by sharing in Gods provision , Gods love in a practical loving way. GOOD NEWS!

Matthew was touched when given the card and gift , then he sang

' We'll give Him all the Glory'.

(Psalms 37:4-8 NKJV) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

'Faithful One' encouragement from Audrey

"MANY , O LORD MY GOD ARE THE WONDERS YOU HAVE DONE. THE THINGS YOU PLANNED FOR US NO ONE CAN RECOUNT TO YOU. WERE I TO SPEAK AND TELL OF THEM, THEY WOULD BE TOO MANY TO DECLARE" PSALM 40V5.

Dear Friends,

The above verse sums up all that I feel having returned recently from a two week visit to Istres in the south of France
It was a joy to be amongst so many church friends there. As you know they were awaiting the completion of a new church building. In the eighteen months since my last visit, the plot of land given by the local authority is now transformed into a lovely and worthy place of worship for our Lord.
The eight metre high cross forming part of the structure and lighting up at nightfall is a message in itself to all who pass by reminding them of God's great plan to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin by the sacrifice of His dear Son. Yet now He lives, as witnessed in the transformation which has taken place in the lives of those present and their joy as they attended the service of consecration on October 15th.

Although the waiting time was long, yet when God's time arrived everything happened very quickly. - the provision of the land, the approval of the architect's plans, the finance which had gradually accumulated over the years and given a boost by many prayer partners, and most wonderfully, the arrival of a christian brother and his family who had just retired but whose life's work had been to oversee the erection of buildings in many parts of the world. He kindly offered his help - what perfect timing!
Martha and I thought back to God's faitfulness in fulfilling a promise made to us some 20 years ago, that He would build a sanctuary in this place. Then there were only a handful of believers gathering on a Sunday morning but they grew in numbers and were handicapped by lack of space and the absence of a clear identity and freedom to arrange church activities when they thought best..

At a previous official inauguration ceremony, the mayor and councillors attended plus representatives from the catholic and other evangelical communities in the area, also the clerics from the local mosque next door came to pay their respects. All seemed impressed by the event and several encouraging news articles were written to inform the local population. I would like to thank many of you, my friends, who have been partners in prayer and have given generously.
Please continue in prayer that many more "living stones" will be part of the spiritual edifice in this place to join the Body of Christ. It was a joy to meet several who have come to faith in Christ since my last visit and also several backsliders have returned to the Good Shepherd.

Please pray for the church and the people of Istres.

Cracking Up!

Filling in or papering over the cracks may be a quick fix , and sorting out the root cause can be costly and time consuming , but if we are to move on what should we do ?In spiritual terms this can be a time of humbling, a life building experience teaching us to trust in His unbounding love and truth which can restore and heal the deepest of wounds completely.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
bible - psalm 51:10-12 - king david

Have mercy on me, O God
according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy,

the joy of your salvation.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise

Graham Kendrick

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

He knows how much we can bear

“…God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear…” I Corinthians 10:13


Have you ever had one of those weeks when it seems one thing after another is being loaded on you or family problems appear to pile up.
We had one last week but unlike unbalanced scales. God , with a simple blessing helps us re-assess our situation and put it all into true perspective. Ann's sold her house.
To be placed in a position of waiting , listening , for, as Vaughan shared at the weekend , that whisper of encouragement or direction , can be so precious. Listen out this week for that whisper.

My brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete... –James 1:2

Living in a box!

Clearing up the other day still finding parts of crackers and sweet wrappers after the Christmas Mellay, I found behind one of the chairs a forgotten present.
It was an Amaryllis one of those big bulbs pre-planted in a box.
It was a sorry site, on opening the box the poor plant restricted through lack of light had struggled to grow in its confined space.It had been drawn upwards by a small chink of light in the packaging, but instead of having a lush green flower stem with a beautiful colourful bloom, it was a sickly yellow and the flower had already developed failing to show its full potential in its dark environment.ahhhhhhh!
God says "you shall have life in all its fullness"(John 10:10), but circumstances can sometimes restrict our potential, and stunt our growth.
We had left the sorry looking plant in the conservatory bathed in winter sunlight but unfortunately it has not recovered, so this morning I decided to cut the yellowing, poorly developed forced flower stem off.ahhhh!
This will hopefully allow some of the latent future growth within the heart of the bulb to flourish.
The bible speaks of pruning to allow fruit to develop in the future, I guess although painful at the time, it is worth the sacrifice in the end...

Whenever God shines his light on me

Opens up my eyes so I can see

When I look up in the darkest night

I know everythings going to be alright

In deep confusion, in great despair

When I reach out for him he is there

When I am lonely as I can be

I know that God shines his light on me

Reach out for him, he'll be there

With him your troubles you can share

If you live the life you love

You get the blessing from above

He heals the sick and heals the lame

Says you can do it too in Jesus name

He'll lift you up and turn you around

And put your feet back on higher ground

Reach out for him, he'll be there

With him your troubles you can share

You can use his higher power

In every day and any hour

He heals the sick and heals the lame

Says you can do it too in Jesus name

He'll lift you up and turn you around

And put your feet back on higher ground.

Van Morrison

Art of PRAISE

Check out this link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/local/

'Solitary confinement'

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
One of the greatest, if not the greatest, motivations to live for God is absolute assurance of eternal life. Paul said, "The love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14). Christ's love compels us to serve Him.

Our son Simon is in the middle of his isolation from wife, daughter,family, friends, human contact in general due to this radioactive treatment he is on.

Being confined ,restricted, or isolated from our normal environment can be hard on our well being, and long term isolation can cause I guess serious psycological, social, emotional problems. I have been working in prisons recently and although some of these institutions seem like holiday camps to me, freedom of movement and being away from those you love must be a real painful experience for many if not all.

To be in a loving relationship is something very special, so to be in a loving relationship with the creator of all things must be awesome. Once we take that step of faith towards the open arms of a loving father we begin a wonderful journey, looking at life with a totally new and different perspective.

We can be prone though to make this relationship to complicated and our understanding can become confused and even damaged. Jesus tells us to come to Him like little children accepting Him with a child like faith, we only have to look at an unspoilt view or a single flower to feel the joy of something simple yet so beautiful and to start analysing can sometimes rob us of that joy.

Let us enjoy and respect our environment and those around us before it is to late, and we find ourselves devoid of beauty whether it be our surroundings or people.In human terms life is too short, let's think eternally, less we become separated.

Take a solitary moment to consider Him.

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Search me and try me, Master, today!

Whiter than snow, Lord,

wash me just now,

As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!

Power, all power, surely is Thine!

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Hold o’er my being absolute sway!

Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see

Christ only, always, living in me.

A.A Pollard 1862-1934

Please find a moment to pray for those who live alone, those who are sick.

Remember you can feel alone even in a crowd.

Back soon gone for 'refreshment'

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,

pilgrim though this barren land;

I am weak, but thou art mighty;

hold me with thy powerful hand;

Bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,

whence the healing stream doth flow;

let the fiery cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through;

strong Deliverer,

be thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

bid my anxious fears subside;

bear me through the swelling current,

land me safe on Canaan's side;

songs of praises,

I will ever give to thee.

Life's to serious!

How was it for You?

What sort of year was 2006 for you?
Was it an Anos Horribilis or were you overwhelmed by good times. They say what a difference a day makes, so a year can bring about much change.
For us already this year has started with the last of my dads sisters dying on Tuesday at the age of 94, a sweet lady who came to faith late on in her life, one of her three daughters died in 2006 from sudden death syndrome and she sadly had a humanist funeral. Simon takes his radioactive isotope today so he's not meant to have contact with anyone for at least 2 weeks plus. So if your pregnant or of child bearing age, keep away from him.
So we are off to a good start.
Thank goodness there is always a But, faith is a good thing to have at anytime but I think the new year makes us think that little bit more about the future and what it holds for us. May that thought grow and expand into a sense of knowing whatever happens there is a force for good at work, we know that that force is our Loving Father God. Others may draw strength from another form or source, but let us work and pray together in 2007 to bring hope and joy to those we have contact with.

What a diff'rence a day made

Twenty-four little hours

Brought the sun and the flowers

Where there used to be rain

My yesterday was blue, dear

Today I'm part of you, dear

My lonely nights are through, dear

(Since you said you were mine)

What a diff'rence a day makes

There's a rainbow before me

Skies above can't be stormy

Since that moment of bliss

That thrilling kiss

(It's heaven when you find romance on your menu)

What a diff'rence a day made

And the difference is you

(What a diff'rence a day makes)

(There's a rainbow before me)

(Skies above can't be stormy)

Since that moment of bliss,

that thrilling kiss

(It's heaven when you find romance on your menu)

What a diff'rence a day made

And the difference is you

(Music Maria Grever and Lyrics by Stanley Adams)

Psalm 23

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.

The Book (Tyndale House Publishers)

A Taste of Heaven in 2007

A Happy and Blessed New Year to All, may this year bring a fresh desire to seek new horizons,challenges and a deeper relationship with Him.
May we be attentive to His voice listening for the very beat of His heart. Resting in His arms drawing on that supernatural strength that He grants at those times when we are at our weakest.
God bless.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside