Then and Now

Nineteen years ago Abbie Louise Ritchie entered our lives. And they have NEVER been the same again.

Happy Birthday Abbie.

Amazing Grace - Josh Wilson Style

Great strings! Watch it through to the end.

Whatever!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Cor 10 v 31

Loved this image taken from the Resurgence Blog.

WHATEVER I do I can do it and glorify God at the same time.

So I've been thinking what that looks like. What does it look like to whilst:

Having breakfast - glorify God
Commuting to work - glorify God
Answering e mails - glorify God
Having lunch with work colleagues - glorify God
Doing the housework - glorify God
Picking the kids up from school - glorify God
Disciplining the kids - glorify God
Watching TV - glorify God

Our Christian life was never meant to be contained in a box called church but lived out on the rich tapestry of our lives.

He will fight your fight, he will hold you tight.

Loved this video from NewSpring Church that they performed in their Mothers Day service. Sung by Lee McDerment

NewSpring Band Performs "I Won't Let Go" from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Here are some of the lyrics of the Rascal Flatts song:

You think your lost
But your not lost on your own
Your not alone
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
If you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I wont let go

I needed that today. Thank you Jesus that you are a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

When people walk away

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. - John 6 v 66

One of the hardest things in church leadership is when people walk away. Sometimes to another community of believers, sometimes away from faith.
It is gut wrenching hard. Especially when its people you have done life with.

It happens for all sorts of reasons. Some good some bad. Sometimes its the worst thing, sometimes it can actually be the best for all around. But every time its hard.
It is so easy to take it personally.
It's quite possible that we have contributed to it be our actions.

But anytime you love something deeply, are investing heavily and are doing your level best for someone to criticize and walk away feels like someone just pounded on your head with a sledge hammer. No one can really prepare you for it no matter how much they warn you that it is going to happen.

But of course I read that even Jesus had people walk away, a disciple walk away and betray Him, one of his inner circle deny him, the other disciples disappear in his hour of most need. However we will never know the loneliness of Jesus as he hung on the cross and the Father turned His back.

No matter who walks away we will always have the Holy Spirit. ALWAYS!

One Year On

The Story of Zac Smith from Adam Kring on Vimeo.

One year ago today heaven said hello to a great man of faith. Zac Smith went to be with his saviour Jesus.

Just over a month before battling his cancer he said:

"So let us take our suffering and frame it — together with where God has us in the present and with the excitement that is coming next. This will help us from spinning out of control in the doldrums."

Today Zac is healed so I pray for his family, Mandy, Lizzie, Jake & Luke, that they would continue to know God's supernatural comfort.

"God is Good, God is Great, To God be the Glory" - Zac Smith

God is not sleeping

He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? - Luke 22 v 37

In the middle of what was Jesus most stressful, testing and trying time to date His closest friends fell asleep. A few yards away in a garden called Gethsemane, the Son pleaded with The Father for some other way. An escape. A shortcut to the other side. But finally submission to His Fathers will.

Through the anguish and pain His friends slept.

That is the difference Jesus never sleeps through our pain. He is always there.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. - Psalm 121 v 4

God is not sleeping.



Watch video here if you cant see it

How long do I spend on the loo?

Discover the secret of my visits to the loo by watching the video :-)

Part of the series at MKCC - The Essential James - From the sermon Implanting the Word.

View the whole message here http://www.mkcc.org.uk/viewvideo.aspx?id=307

72 - Depending on God

Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. - Luke 1o v 4

Jesus advice and instruction to the "sent ones" was take next to nothing with them. Nothing to store money in, no packed lunch and no change of clothes. They were to spread the message of Jesus with little personal resource and a huge dependency on God.

This seems to be in stark contrast to some of the stories I hear now. Recently I've heard it said by church planters in the states that it takes a minimum of $250,000 to plant a church. (Thankfully its not something I've heard in the UK to often - YET!)

The church I have the huge privilage to serve in was first planted over 30 years ago. God called a young man and his wife to up root and move sticks with his very young family to a new town called Milton Keynes. He certainly didn't have $250,000 maybe not even £250.

George used his training as a car mechanic to make ends meet whilst spending every minute he could planting church. On one occasion he had to take the sterio out of his car to put food on the table. The call of God on his life brought a conviction that demanded sacrifice not the guarantee of an income for the next 12 months.

It is almost as if Jesus was setting his "sent ones" up to have to depend on Him not on self.

72 - Two by Two
72 part 1

Implanting The Word

Implanting the Word from MKCCpreaching on Vimeo.

I had the great privilage of preaching at MKCC yesterday, continuing our series "Essential James".

I talked from James Ch 1 about "Implanting the Word" of God in our lives. Above is a video of the message.

As part of the message I mentioned some links that could be helpful for us to hear God's Word.

YouVersion

Great Bible resource. As well as being available on the web it is also available at The Bible App for iPhone, Blackberrys & Android phones. You can read the boble in many different translations and many different languages. Download it for free.

Faith Come By Hearing

Download free audio of the Bible in mp3 format to listen to at your own convenience and carry it with you on your player of choice.

Teaching & Sermons

There are a wealth of free podcasts available with so many churches all over the world podcasting their teaching. Here are just a few:

Milton Keynes Christian Centre

John Piper - Desiring God

Mark Driscoll - Marshill Church

Martyn Lloyd Jones - MLJ Trust

But whatever you do let the Word of God sink deep down into your heart and let its roots grow deep into your soul.