Kimi and Alex

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

(3 John :v 4)

Our busy lives can sometimes get us into all sorts of problems, not having time for those important things we should be doing.

Yesterday was one of those days, well evenings, Pauline had her book group dinner at a restaurant in town and I had forgotten that I was sitting for Becky, so she also could get out for a break with the girls.But I had failed to remember this when we agreed to host the prayer meeting.

In the end it worked out ok, we welcomed the prayer group and left it in Vaughan and Maries' capable hands and Gods of course.

Becky is the friend who's husband was killed in a motorcycle accident a few years ago,and Kimi and Alex are her adorable children.

To spend time with these two was such a wonderful gift, Alex started off in his mums bed listening to Horace's Horrible Medicine on cd, while downstairs Kimi read me The Twits by Roald Dahl. Kimi is an avid reader and wants to be an author.

Then we were talking and she told me how she could play the guitar, I suggested she play me something ,

"Elvis songs"

"Ok"

She put on the cd and played along to Hound Dog and Blue Swede Shoes.

She then put on a worship cd and danced beautifully.

Then Alex came down and joined us,Kimi had said Alex wanted to be an illustrator, so we all did drawings together.

Time was pressing on and bedtime beckoned.

But Alex got out his magic set and they did some tricks.

I suggested we had a story and Alex produced a pile of short story books He wanted me to read.

Story time began and we worked our way trough the stack of books.

During the last book Dick Whittington, Kimi heard the front door, the time had passed so quickly and Becky was home, Kimi ran to her room and got into bed as her mum came up the stairs, and I just managed to finish the last story.

Sometimes the simple things in life are so precious, no tv, just quality time spent with children , priceless, these two fatherless children have been brought up so well to be free, encouraged by a wonderful mother to enjoy life to the full. I had a great time it was a real privilege to be part of the family for an evening. Hope to spend more.

Bless them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZAkx6RlCLA

Lead Me To Your Door

Another good weekend, we were part of the catering team for THE BIG CRUNCH WEEKEND, young people interested in God spending a fun time together learning more about faith in Jesus and how to put it into practice.Fifty plus teenagers and leaders on a journey of discovery following up the local schools work run by CROSSOVER. The theme for the weekend was Ask, Seek ,Knock, based on Matthew 7:7. A great time of blessing, when kids get such a bad press these days.Well done Kerry-anne Mick, Andrew & Team , James & Pauline, Kevin & Jane.



We finished there 2:30 Sunday afternoon and were invited to a good friends Confirmation in London.

David had sent an Email with the address of the church and we set off. Holloway Road London I know it well, we arrived at the said road in good time just before 4.00 but the road was cordoned off by the police and we could not find the church, time was getting short and we called David for directions. " We are in Holloway Road at the Highbury station end"

David replied " No Holloway road Leytonstone"



Oh Dear!!!! with 3 minutes to go and 15 miles across East London on a busy Sunday there was no chance.An hour and a half later driving around every street in E11 we called David again , the Confirmation was over but we wanted to encourage him so we pressed on , he gave us directions to the church in a tiny coldisac, no-wonder even the locals didn't know where it was.

We made it and had some tea spoke to the Bishop and Davids vicar and then went back to Davids house with his mum and a lady from church.Good to see David moving closer to Gods plans for his life and a good case for buying a SatNav.



This reminded me of the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, only a short distance from the promised land yet God had other plans.

I had taken it for granted where we were meant to be, but it was the wrong place at the right time , a journey of frustration and a test of ones patience.

Taking things or people for granted is never a good thing, team building understanding,tolerance and submission not only to the will of God but to others are good lessons to learn.

Many struggle with direction only One can lead them Home.

We have a great reponsibilty to help and encourage others.

The Long and Winding Road

Author: Paul McCartney

The long and winding road

That leads to your door

Will never disappear

I've seen that road before.

It always leads me here,

Leads me to your door.

The wild and windy night

That the rain washed away,

Has left a pool of tears

Crying for the day.

Why leave me standing here,

Let me know the way.

Many times I've been alone

and many times I've cried

Anyway you'll never know

the many ways I've tried,

but Still they lead me back

To the long and winding road

You left me standing here

A long, long time ago.

Don't leave me waiting here

Lead me to your door.

But still they lead me back

To the long and winding road

You left me standing here

A long, long time ago.

Don't keep me waiting here

Lead me to your door.

We went to the cinema in London yesterday after a busy week a time to unwind was much needed. Simon and Marie treated us to a posh burger and then tickets to see La vie en rose the tragic story of Edith Piaf (The little sparrow) a great film though in french with sub-titles ok for Marie.A much deserved Oscar for her portrayel of the French singer.

Storys like hers can not be made up and the desperate upbringing she had turned her to drink and the pain of love lost took its toll on her frail body. Truly a good film to go and see.

The trip wasmarred though, on our return to the car we found parking ticket on the windscreen.

I had parked where it seemed to be fine and payed the fee over the mobile, but apparently I was parked in a restricted bay. sometimes our joy is stolen by such silly unneccesary things and if we allow them to take hold our lives can be distracted for moments or even worse eternity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENJuwCECi1g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9eH0nmy0og&feature=related

You Raise Me Up!

Working in HMP (Her Majesty's Prison) is an interesting experience, although very frustrating, a working day only amounts to about 3 or 4 hours. Last week we were working in a High Security category A prison, and in one area in particular a prison within a prison, extra high security.


I don't know why but the thought came to me of our Christian lives, in some ways we are prisoners of the Lord, we live in a worldly system that is alien to the life we are called to live, and within that some are burdened with issues in life,whether historical or of the now, causing pain and anguish to a life that in Gods eyes has been set free to live a life of abundance. Christ took the punishment on Calvary's tree, yet why is it we imprison and torment ourselves. It is not an easy question to answer and for those going through the trials of life it ain't easy, but if we come out the other side and can grow through the experience we are strengthened and able perhaps to help others.So I guess what I'm saying is hang on in there keep looking up cry out to Him from that prison within a prison, and by His Grace He will set you free and raise you up to be the person He created you to be.







Ephesians ch 4





1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it[a] says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men."[b] 9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.


HE IS RISEN INDEED