Dog Collars and Rabbit Corpses

The problem with culture

2011-02-03T11:42:00.002Z

So Saturday seemed to be spent grappling with the problems of culture. More specifically where the church sits within modern culture and how the church speaks into modern culture. Acknowledging that we now live within post-Christendom the latter is increasingly hard to do. The church is no longer an influence on many peoples life. As a minister I suppose that I should grieve for that day but to be honest I don't. In fact waking up to that fact I believe can liberate the church or more importantly set faith free.

This is not an issue of theology of ecclesiology but one of faith. We as Christians I believe are charged with making disciples. Encouraging others to share a journey that is walked with Jesus. Studying his life trying to understand how God wants us to live alongside one another. Understanding that God wants to have a relationship with us.

So much of what we do in the church has nothing to do with this, yes some of the other stuff we do is important and I guess the statement I have made above is not all encompassing but it is a starting point it gets us to the heart of what matters.

Sadly, the church seems to have exalted itself above Christ, it has fallen into the trap of thinking that it is the church that is important, not the faith it gathers to proclaim. If we can get back to sharing faith and not maintaining institution, if church can once again be the place where we give praise and thanks to God, feel encouraged and equipped and challenged as to how we should serve and share our faith, then surely we will then be more authentic towards our own faith and be better placed to share it in the culture that we all are, after all, part of. Or as Paul puts it:

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Failing Forward

2011-01-28T16:46:00.003Z

I started the Mission Shaped Ministry course last Tuesday. They encouraged us to keep a journal. Many have gone before them and encouraged me to do that and they didn't succeed. Perhaps I'm mellowing. perhaps I've run out of the energy to argue, perhaps I'm just putting off that which I really need to be doing who knows? Regardless of the reason here I am, my attempt at recording my thoughts.

It is two hours before the church weekend at home, we are looking at mission, how it has changed in a post modern, post Christendom society, what should the response of the church be? Perhaps I'm in the wrong place, my glass is half empty. I just can't help shake the feeling. What is the point, why go through the motions, what will change as a result of our efforts. People will still argue over chairs, flowers, coffee and the myriad of other tiny insignificant details and fail to argue or debate the challenge the gospel presents. Mission will still be how much we should give to Christian Aid or the church on the council estate down the road.

The MSM course on Tuesday encouraged us to be prepared to fail. Fail but fail forward for failing forward means we learn from our experience we grow, we carry on trying new initiatives because of our past experiences and not despite of them.

So I'll go tonight, I'll offer my presentation I'll argue in favour of the large body of evidence and hope that by Sunday lunch time God may just have challenged some people to think and act a little differently. At least if I fail I will have done going forward!

It's been a while........

2010-06-09T07:56:00.004+01:00

..... since I posted anything on here. In a sense I'm almost reluctant to do so now, however, I need to regain the habit of undertaking thoughtful writing (yes believe it or not I have put some thought into it).

I guess what has really prompted me to write was reading a story about how the rural communities of Cumbria have coped in the wake of the atrocious shootings that took place last week. In it a local GP said this 'we're not Northern Ireland, we're not Moss Side, we're not used to dealing with major trauma and yet we have to deal with a gunshot wound'.

Now please don't misunderstand me I am not diminishing in anyway the trauma that he and others have faced in anyway. I am not really picking on his words, words that were no doubt spoken in the middle of crisis. However, they do highlight the general perception that because a community deals with trauma on a regular basis they are somehow better equipped to deal with it.

I had the privilege of spending a couple of years working with the communities of Moss Side. It allowed me an opportunity to talk with them, journey alongside them and gain a small insight into the feelings of that community. It is a community who are desperately proud, a close community, a community where neighbours still talk to one another and develop friendships. In many ways if you forget the the post industrial landscape in which Moss Side sits you can see many similarities between here and how we are led to believe the communities in Cumbria relate to one another.

The problem is, as the GP in Cumbria points out, at times of tragedy everybody hurts. When a young man or woman is shot on the street, people know them, they have friends, neighbours and family near by. The community grieves, they are no more equipped to deal with it just because it happens more often. They still have to wait for ambulances (at least 30 minutes because ambulances need to be taken in by armed police) they still long for it to be different.

However, it is out of their experience they can help the community of Cumbria. For the people of Moss Side refuse to allow the young men with the guns be the only ones allowed to tell the story. They live everyday to retell the story of a different kind of community. A community which has at its heart the principles of love and concern for one another. They are people who stand side by side, who try to teach their children, their future generations that only when we set to one side the ways of violence and hatred will we truly grow and flourish.

Cope? No they don't cope any better, they have however, learned how violence and tragedy will never be allowed the final say.

The Enemy - Away From Here

2009-10-12T23:21:00.004+01:00

I'm so sick, sick, sick and tired
Of working just to be retired
I don't want to get that far
I don't want your company car
Promotions aint my thing
Name badges are not interesting
It's much easier for me see
To stay at home with Richard and Judy

Awayaway oh oh oh away from here...
Awayaway oh oh oh away from here
Awayaway oh oh oh away from here
Awayaway oh oh oh away from here

My big girl is getting away from here, well for two weeks anyway as she is off to Taiwan. I suppose she is going quite far and in that respect the lyrics don't work, but you get the point. Anyway follow her travels here and see how she gets on. The trip is with the United Reformed Church to build up relationships with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan. It should be interesting to see how she gets to grips with chopsticks and over comes her phobia of spiders!

Guillemots - Take Me Home

2009-07-15T23:15:00.003+01:00

When all the world's been dreaming
I've been burning all my feelings
I wish that I was dreaming too
I wish I was asleep

Oh, take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home
Take me home

Been a strange day today, all I have wanted to since I got up was to go back to bed. Not really because I was tired rather because I didn't want to engage with the world. I just wanted to shut the doors, draw the curtains and hideaway. Instead however, I had a meeting all morning followed by lunch, the meeting was ok but still I wanted to be at home. This Sunday's reading is Mark 6 v 30 - 34, 53 - 56 Jesus and the disciples withdraw to pray, perhaps this is where I am at. A busy few days with work and family and perhaps now I need to recharge physically, emotionally and spiritually. Instead tomorrow I have a plan setting meeting and then into school for a meeting with the headteacher. Perhaps I can find time to be still at some point, I know that I need to spend time being and not just doing but at times if someone would only just Take Me Home.

Lord God, in the busyness of our days help us to stop and listen for your voice. Remind us that it is your strength we serve and not in ours, so help us to learn to rest in your presence and find refreshment in you.

Editors - Sing When You're In Love

2009-07-13T00:27:00.000+01:00

On dance floors from London to Liverpool
In the dark of the night when the air is cool
Out in the street in the pouring rain
In a concrete jungle that echoes your name

In a hundred hotel rooms where a few hundred sleep
In a thousand cheap boozers where young lovers meet
In a million miles of traffic jams we waste away time
In a single sad moment when we say our goodbyes

Sing when you're in love

Have I mentioned before how much I love my wife? Have I mentioned before how proud I am of my wife? Well just in case I haven't here goes.

Today was K's graduation having taken the bold decision to go back to university, she not only passed but passed gaining a 1st class honours degree! So today we attended the graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall, K (not so young anymore but still junior), H and R all came too and were also so proud of their Mum, what a role model. A great day enjoyed by us all.

I am so proud of her and simply love her so much. She worked hard continued to struggle through difficult times, produced the most incredible dissertation and proved to everyone else a fact I already new, that she is amazing. K I love you and I am so proud of you.

So as the song suggests I am singing loudly.

Lord God, thank you for wives, they rock!

The Kooks - Shine On

2009-07-10T08:30:00.002+01:00

Shine, shine, shine on
Yes
Wont you shine, shine on
(Sha la la la)
Shine, shine, shine on
Yes
Wont you shine, shine on

The coming weekend see's a church social and bbq for one church and a gardening afternoon and bbq for the other. The first hopes to raise funds for a Romanian family we support, the second came out of our alternative worship where we thinking about how we could show our neighbours that we cared. I hope that the sun will SHINE but having seen the weather forcast perhaps my prayer should be along different lines.

Lord God, we pray that you will SHINE on our lives, bless us as we share fellowship together and remind us always to be an inclusive community ready to welcome those whom we meet on our journey.

Biffy Clyro - Machines

2009-07-08T15:00:00.002+01:00

Cause I’ve started falling apart I’m not savouring life
I’ve forgotten how good it could be to feel alive

Feel a bit like a machine this week. So much to do so little time, feeling guilty that I am taking time to write this post. Ministry is sometimes a grind, sometimes a chore, yet just when you least expect it something comes and lifts your day surprises you and reminds you of God's grace, the more I learn the more I learn about grace.

Loving God, help me to savour life and remind me that you give me life and life in all its fullness.

Memories

2009-07-08T14:49:00.002+01:00

I remembered how to log on! I had intended to post loads whilst I was in Palestine but as you saw it never happened. I look at my blog regularly and feel guilty so should I close it down? I could never bring myself to do that so instead I intend to post the soundtrack to my day / week (let's not be to ambitious) and a few reasons why. Let's see how it goes and how long it lasts!

The Terminal

2008-10-23T07:11:00.002+01:00

I could have posted so much, written so much, said so much over these last days. Words however, are insufficient, pictures do no justice yet, still we need to tell their story. A story of occupation of hurt and of pain, yet in the midst of it all signs of hope glimpses of God. Incarnation once more born again in these amazing people.

Today I witnessed the most disturbing event I have seen since arriving. Palastinians wanting to work in Israel, horded into a pen, driven like cattle to make there way to the terminal where their documents are checked and if they smile right, the wind blows n their direction they will be allowed through. No pictures, I don't want to show their humiliation yet I need to ell their story. I need to make someone hear I NEED TO SHOUT TO MAKE PEOPLE LISTEN. Oh God hear your people cry!

Today we leave Bethlehem and make our way to Galilee time to reflect, a stop in the desert, a time in the wilderness, time to be alone with our thoughts and to remember what we have seen.

Oh God of justice,
be with your people,
wherever they are from,
help them to see in each other signs of hope,
glimpses of you,
that they may search for you in each other,
and be consumed your love.
Amen.

Again the words of Micheal Franti

To the East to the West
One love people never gonna stop

One to creation, one to the sun
One to the mornin, one to the one

One to the air and the freshness we breathe an
One to the force of the change in the seasons

One to the mother from which all things come
One to the daughters and one to the sons

One to the Father who helps us believe that
Nothin's ever gonna harm you see an

One to the soldier who walks city streets an
One to the soldier who fights overseas an

One to the man who gets down on his knees an
Prays for god and send protection please

Room in the Inn

2008-10-19T07:44:00.004+01:00

Inn the Beginning

Where to start? I've had a night now to reflect on my first experiences, I was shell shocked when we first arrived. Just clearing the airport the scrutiny, individuals picked out, singled out, questioned, strange to see from a nation who suffered so much so similar. Our guide met us and welcomed us and began to share stories.As we drove from the airport our first glimpses of what our guide labeled as the apartheid system that is in operation here. Men running from one area to the other to cross borders and find work. The wall such a big feature of this modern and changing landscape. So much of the Biblical landscape being stripped of it beauty and replaced with concrete. The wall on the journey from the airport built from attractive stone to make it more 'acceptable'.

That was a post I never managed to finish. Since I arrived here I wanted so desperatley to write something, not particularly that made any sense to others but made sense to me. Others here have written much some of it profound but what does it mean to me?

I wondered before I came how this place would make me feel I thought I had prepared but no nothing can prepare you. There have been so many stories of injustice. Houses demolished because the Israeli government can. People prevented from working, forced to queue from midnight in order to work the following day. We have seen conditions of living which you would think we illegal. Yet through all these stories through all these people comes grace. Grace to accept, grace to try and make sense grace to want to forgive. Our experiences are but a snapshot of their lives. Thank you for letting me in for you have changed my life forever.

Gracious God,
who sees beyond what we see,
who understands more than we can ever know,
help Palestine to be a land of peace,
to once again become a land flowing with milk and honey,
and may her people experience HOPE once more.

As we drove away from Hebron yesterday having been prevented by Israeli soldiers and settlers from going where we wanted. As we left Hebron yesterday having witnessed an Palestinian young man held a gunpoint for daing to ask (politely) why he could not continue I listened to the words of Micheal Franti on my Ipod and I leave them with you now.

I don't need a passport to walk on this earth
Anywhere I go cause I was made of this earth I'm
born of this earth, I breathe of this earth, and
even with the pain I believe in this earth So I
wake up every morning and I'm stepping on the
floor I wake up every morning and I'm stepping out
the door I got faith in the sky, faith in the one,
I got faith in the people walkin underneath the
sun Cause every bit of land is a holy land, and
every drop of water is a holy water, and every
single child is son or the daughter of the one
earth mama and the one earth papa So don't tell
a man that he cant come here, cause he got brown
eyes and a wavy kind of hair And don't tell a
woman that she cant go there, because she prays a
little different to a god up there You say
you're a Christian cause god made you, you say
you're a Muslim cause god made you, you say
you're a Hindu and the next man a Jew And then
we all kill each other cause god told us too?

You Have Been Warned!

2008-10-03T16:39:00.002+01:00

So read this and don't say I didn't warn you.

Thoughts

2008-05-21T14:36:00.002+01:00

My self imposed goal at the moment is to ensure that I continue to find time to read. So over the last few months I have been creating the space to do just that. At the moment I am reading a book called 'Everything Must Change' by Brian McLaren. The blurb on the back says this ' If you are hungry for a fresh vision of what it means to be a person of faith, Everything Must Change applies the good news of Jesus to a world in need, igniting a revolution of hope that can change everything. Beginning with you. Beginning now.'

Change is a challenge that often makes us all feel uncomfortable yet at the same time is an inevitable part of all our lives. From the very day we are born we are changing and learning to adapt to the new circumstances that we constantly find ourselves in.

But so often we find the church doing the opposite of this, resisting change at every opportunity always appearing to be convinced that the 'fashion' it advocates will once again be in vogue. Whilst reading the first couple of chapters of the book I mention I was struck by the following paragraph.

"At that moment, I realized this man saw clearly what I had begun to see: that religion, even the religion we are committed to and in which we have found God and purpose and meaning and truth, can become captive to a colossal distortion. It can become a benign and passive chaplaincy to a failing and dysfunctional culture, the religious public relations department for an inadequate and destructive ideology. It can forego being a force of liberation and transformation and instead become a source of domestication, resignation, pacification and distraction"

This is the problem we face as churches, we have taken the radical life changing message of Jesus Christ wrapped it up in new packaging and in doing so misled others and ourselves as to the real identity of the contents. Worse than that we often then ask others to continue selling the product in the same packaging even though we know the truth.

Being a follower of Christ is not about conforming to a cultural identity it is in fact the opposite, it is about being counter cultural. It is about becoming part of an agenda of radical change. Constantly having to readjust our circumstance to make sense of what being a follower of Jesus means to the circumstance we find ourselves in.

The function of the church is not to maintain a comfortable haven in a world of change but to equip followers of Christ in their role as agitators and revolutionaries of hope. It is an uncomfortable job but one to which we are all called. Christ came not to develop an institution but to show us what God was like and to work with us to bring God's kingdom for all. If we too want join in that work to recognise the call of Christ then we cannot get away from the fact that indeed 'Everything Must Change'.

Time Out

2008-01-25T11:59:00.001Z

I am starting to discover some of the problems with ministry. I still love it and that is great however, there are times when I need moments of escapism. Those moments when I can just put work to the back of my mind and think about other things. I was talking about this with a colleague of mine recently and we both agreed. The problem is that even when you have been away on holiday the moment you arrive home work is there immediately waiting. Waiting in the piles of post, in the emails, in the telephone messages and wham no time to adjust, work immediately there.

I'm not talking about the God stuff, that would be silly I would hope and want like others that God would be with me wherever I am, no it's the church stuff and it is that which I need a break from. Not cause it's bad or I don't like it but just because if I don't it will consume me. Friday is my day off, I was going to come home from dropping B off at school and hang around at home. Inevitably that means checking email of which there are work related messages and before you know it, well you can guess the rest. So today conscious decision on the way home call and see a colleague (and friend) whose day off it is as well. Cup of coffee some quick lessons given to his dog on laying out a blog and then off to the shop at the City of Manchester Stadium.

I didn't buy anything but P made up for it, coming out with a full bag, we followed that with a coffee and a sticky bun and suddenly I forgotten everything I was meant to forget. A lovely morning! Now the only problem is what to do with the afternoon?

Happy Christmas

2007-12-25T08:56:00.001Z

May the HOPE that is only found in Christ be born again in you today.

VDG

2007-12-10T00:18:00.000Z

Today was my first meeting of the volunteer development group for Greenbelt. So it was off to London on the 8.45 from Manchester. It was a pleasent journey down on what was a crisp clear morning. As the train sped along I was treated to some lovely views of the Cheshire countryside. The company was equally pleasent as I was able to share it with M. He has not been well lately so it was good to check up on him and find out how he was doing. We were there early and planned a coffee stop at Liverpool St sadly however, the tube had different ideas. We walked onto the platform straight on to the tube and then sat in a tunnel for 15 mins. So it was straight into the meeting.

Gosh it moved at a pace, only having three hours ensured we kept focussed and didn't allow for diversions. Still it was good to see the folks in the office and gave chance to say goodbye's to some who were leaving.

After the meeting we had time to kill.

So over to Covent Garden to buy some presents, walk round Liecester Square and then back to Euston to grab some tea before heading home on the 18.05. Delays on route meant I had to wait 30 mins for my connecting train. Home for 9.30 a long day but a worthwile day.

A Night with Royalty

2007-12-09T00:08:00.000Z

Went to see the Kings of Leon with the lovely L1z tonight. On Saturday L1z had asked where the venue was, knowing that it was her least favorite in all manchester I tried to put off telling her by changing the subject several times. Boy that girl's persistant, so I told her. Predictably she was disapointed and spent the rest of the night moaning. I pointed out that I had tried to save her from this pain but she wasn't having any of it.

Back to Sunday, they were good musically tight, good stage show and creative use of video. Yet having said all of that there was something missing I consult L1z for her opinion. I should have known "that's what you get for holding a gig in the equivalent of an aircraft hanger" was her response as she looked up from the card game she was playing on her phone. Mmmmmm perhaps the gig didn't quite hit the mark or L1z iz right the venue is crap, oh well I'll chalk that one down to experience.

The night was rounded off nicely when a fight broke out in front of us as we left. You know when you have one of those nights when you would have been better off staying in!

She's Back

2007-12-07T08:08:00.000Z

And she brought shiny things with her!

But mostly she's just back!

Home Time

2007-12-05T16:54:00.000Z

Ok it's official I miss her and it's time she came home, roll on Thursday!

WooHoo

2007-12-04T11:19:00.001Z

Sunday was really good! Just thought I'd share that news with you.

Overwhelming Busyness

2007-12-02T08:51:00.001Z

I doubt anyone stops by here anymore. However, I was told by a least one person recently that it had been a while since I had last blogged. I haven't stopped it is just I never seem to have the time or mental capacity. So blogging will continue and normal service resumed shortly. What am I talking about, this is normal service!

Daily Mail Diet

2007-11-08T11:47:00.000Z

Genius

It’s Good To Talk

2007-10-05T11:32:00.001+01:00

Gosh, doesn't time fly when you are having fun. So much seems to have happened since my ordination 4 weeks ago. This week sadly seems to have been dominated by funerals, a privilege to do, but please not too often. I was struck last week at how appreciative people were for a visit from the 'minister'. Both the churches I work in have good pastoral care schemes where people are regularly visited. Yet a visit from me seemed to be different. However, I'm not special, I have no special words, but people seem so pleased to see me in my role.

I talked to a friend about it who said that he thought it was about the minister in that moment, being the church. It was about people who had given so much to the church now in their time of need receiving back from the church. I think he may be right, whatever it is I find it humbling and at times overwhelming. Can I cope with the expectation, how can I do all this as well as making worship stimulating, plan for the future, attend all the meetings, make time for my family and create the time I'm told I need for my own spiritual development.

I guess I'm not looking for answers or for sympathy, just sharing my thoughts.

Thanks for listening, it's good to talk!

Finally In 2007

2007-10-03T19:30:00.001+01:00

Hi it's me here again, you know me the sporadic blogger. Well I have a new lap top with this here new M*cros*ft O**ice 2007 on and it has this fancy link to post on your blog. So I'm trying it, who knows I may blog more as a result, but hey, don't hold your breath!

Sally Wanted Pictures

2007-07-15T00:21:00.000+01:00

It's not often you get what you ask for so here it is our view for the next two weeks.

Perhaps this isn't what Sally meant, oh well will have to do for now. See you in two weeks!

Passing Through

2007-06-28T00:04:00.001+01:00

Just about to move house back soon honest! (Providing B* manage to reconnect my broadband)

Listen Whilst You Legislate

2007-05-22T08:00:00.000+01:00

Now then what I want to know is what songs would a civil servant listen to on their Ipod!

Please Don't tell the Vet

2007-05-16T17:56:00.000+01:00

Take three friends, one Saturday night in, an empty bottle of lager and a willing dog and you get this:

*

* Please note no animals were hurt in the making of this photo.

Original Artwork

2007-05-15T17:44:00.000+01:00

Some of you may know that we are going to be moving in a couple of months. So we thought new house, new start. We fancied getting some original artwork and saw this

It's the piece on the left we like, you'll notice it shows our favourite place in Manchester 'The Punjab' how can we possibly resist!

A Duke Special night

2007-05-13T14:18:00.000+01:00

Church this morning, friends house warming in the afternoon and off to see Duke Special at the academy this evening. Great gig, he was chatty, witty and on good form. There was an informal feel to the night, laid back and chilled. After such a busy few days this was just what I needed. Earlier 1iz had echoed my thoughts by saying that had we have not already had the tickets she could have easily stayed at home. Perhaps this was the reason why that as we attempted to find a parking space 1iz suddenly remembered that the tickets were still on the fridge door. So we rushed back and decided to try again rather than give it up and stay at home. Still I'm glad we did, as I said to 1iz on the night 'in a world full of Sco*tch is good to have an intelligent musician'.

His playing was accomplished, lyrics thoughtful and provoking and his voice had the capability to take you elsewhere. The gig finished with the band coming down into the audience to busk. As soon as the lights went down we took advantage of our position at the back and made a quick exit. As we left the venue, we once again heard music only to discover the band coming up one the exit stair cases where we were treated to what can only be described as an intimate gig, hence the close up photo's.

All in all a good night so glad now I didn't stay in.

Eurovision Mayhem

2007-05-12T14:07:00.000+01:00

After a busy day it was off to round to 1iz's house for her annual and infamous eurovison party. A good night it was too, chance to catch up with friends and wind down. K junior had made Pakora and Samosa's for aunty 1iz and as a result had several offers from people who wanted to adopt her (i'm currently mulling over the offers)oh yes and there was the music.

Well a mixture of camp airline stewards and a cross between Sue Pollard and Elton John wrapped in baco foil

seems to sum up the night. As for the winner, pitty the money for hair styling ran out after the backing singers. Still as P aptly put it...... 'a victory for all those who had to endure pudding basin hair cuts!'

And Some Say I Only Work One Day!

2007-05-12T13:43:00.000+01:00

Saturday back down to earth with a very big bump.

I was running an elders training day here at Whalley Hall.

The surroundings were superb, the food great and the Church I was working with were eager. I was running the presentations and talking and a colleague was facilitating when they broke up into groups. This meant I had time to do a little exploring of grounds and pond.

Eventually after a lot of hard work(and I mean hard work) I think we left having made a decision!

Catching Up

2007-05-11T13:30:00.000+01:00

Events of the past few weeks appear to have over taken me. I had meant to Blog about lots but sadly it seemed innapropriate but still here I am back again and trying to move on.

So lets start with Friday!

Friday went to London for a Greenbelt training day. I had mixed feelins as I stood at Picadilly station at 7.15. Firstly, why am in Manchester waiting for a train and not at home with a coffee and secondly will it be worthwile. We had a similiar training day last year and it failed to hit the mark so I wondered was this just going to be a long day, long journey and all a waste of time.

I'm pleased to report back that it wasn't the day was most productive, investigating how we could improve our skills working with volunteers, the networking opportuities were also good and it was great to meet people new and old.

After the meeting we had time to kill before our train back so joined others in the pub for conversation and beer, both of which were good. A few us then wandered around the corner from Liverpool St Station and found this noodle bar again good company and this time fanatastic food.

Back to Euston for the 19.35 train (which we all thought left at 19.45, good job we were early) and home, a long but satisfying day!

Friends

2007-05-04T20:58:00.000+01:00

I meant to blog about the wedding and perhaps still will. It was a top,top weekend some of my best friends new and old. As Liz mentioned a weekend tinged with happiness and sadness. Sadly a week later it's just sadness, T and E we love you both and are thinking of you all the time. Remember where we are and T the memory of your Mum will live forever in the person you have become. Her values and her love shine through all you are and it is those qualities that make people love you like they do.

Happy Easter

2007-04-07T23:20:00.000+01:00

Blog by bullet points:

K poorly
I'm shattered
Happy Easter
We are off to Scotland following church
Hooray

Words

2007-03-29T15:08:00.000+01:00

.....are so powerful, they can heal or hurt, cause pain or make people laugh, they can cause division or bring back together. Today however, they were totally, totally insufficient! There are days when my job is brilliant and days like today when in its not so great. Having said that I am just so honoured to have shared those precious moments with them.

Dreams

2007-03-28T22:36:00.000+01:00

Friday we had friends from church round for a meal and K made her famous ragu for them. In addition she made an extra one for Liz, sadly however, due to problems at work she was unable to collect it until Saturday. So the weekend passed by, shared kebabs with K and Liz on Saturday, and then spent all day and evening at church (please don't do the one day a week joke it isn't funny). So Monday Karen calls Liz just to check the ragu went down ok. Now I'm sure Liz will share this herself and do a much better job than me. Whilst asleep Liz dreams that she has eaten the ragu for tea but seeing the size of the pancakes containing the ragu decides she can only manage one. So upon waking the next day she skips (metaphorically) down the stairs to look at the ragu in the fridge and then dream again about eating it for tea. Apparently it was then seeing the fridge empty that she realized she was dreaming and had in fact pigged out on both the previous night. After K had told me the story I went to the computer and realized that I had not turned to Monday on my F*rside calender, it revealed this:

So you see Liz you have to be so careful when it comes to over eating!

So thinking about dreams obviously caused me to dream. Now I need to tell you that I have a snake phobia. So that night I dream about a giant snake, only it has been crossed with a dog. The snake/dog is about 20 feet long and covered in fur it is white and tan in colour and has tiny little feet, yet still moves like a snake. Lo and behold when its tongue comes out of its mouth it is big and pink and dog like. We soon made friends, even I struggled to be scared, it was kind of cute. So off to bed now to see what I might dream about tonight, but hey anyone fancy interpreting Monday nights dream first.

Don't Believe Everything in the Newspapers

2007-03-27T09:19:00.000+01:00

Merlin commented that journalists were thinking of going on strike. Well quite frankly if this is the standard of their work, hurry up and walk out. The main story is that 'prisoners have keys to their cells' suggesting they (even in closed jails) are free to come and go as they please. Let me explain how it works (any self respecting journalist could have discovered this with a little research, ah but then, no story) so there are two locks on a cell door. Lock number one, lets call that the main lock is controlled by the prison officer/offcial. It renders the door locked at all times unless opened by a main cell key. Lock number two for which the prisoner has a key is only effective if lock number one has already been opened, with me so far?

So then, if lock number one is opened, say when the prisoner is allowed out of his cell for work, exercise, association or eating a meal, then he can lock the door using lock number two to prevent someone else pinching things. Apparently this has to be done as a recent D*ily M*il survey revealed there are a high number of thieves in jail! So you see prisoners are not running around the jail swapping their latest pl*y st*tion 3 games and the prison officers still have the power. Just thought i'd clear it up, oh and by the way for all of you who think prisons are like holiday camps, change your travel agent!

Fits and Starts

2007-03-25T22:09:00.000+01:00

...........would be a good way to describe how I have blogged latley and in truth since I started. I have considered knocking all on the head on more than one occasion but still decide to come back. So I guess what I am trying to say is that you will have to live with my erratic behaviour.

Had a really busy day today so not going to write much but just leave you with some pics,some are from my birthday at the beginning of the month others just give a sample of the month that was.

My Pressie from Sally (It was the bunny salt and pepper grinders not the breakfast)

My Pressie From Liz (You can change the slogan on the t shirt)

The Windermere centre (U.R.C training place where I went on a conference)

Millie the Mad Dog

The Lent Bible Study (Lunch With Luke)

Comic Relief Cakes

So that was the month that was!

Speechless

2007-03-01T09:29:00.000Z

I feel this story needs little comment, just read it and you will see why. The church often wonders why it cannot attract anyone towards the love of God and the Gospel which has at its heart, love and justice, with actions like this, is it any wonder?

Out Of Order

2007-03-01T09:21:00.000Z

Meant to blog this a while ago. The picture is of a phone box near to the Punjab. If you look closely you will see a sign saying temporarily out of order. There are two ironies to this picture:

1. Its been this way now for at least 6 Months.
2. And perhaps most importantly, look again and you will see there is just a wire and the phone has gone.

Now it may just be a technicality but I'd call that more than out of order!

Recovered and Ready

2007-02-28T23:38:00.000Z

That's exactly how I felt as the night approached and we got ready to go and see The Feeling at the Manchester Apollo, the venue this mammoth gig going week started at last Thursday. Tonight there were six of us going. The usual suspects being myself, Liz and Karen. However, tonight we were being joined by K junior her friend I and my nephew S. There was much excitement amongst the younger members of our group when they found out the support act were The Fray an American group currently starting out over here but with a track in the charts at the moment. So off we set, luck was on our side we found a parking space right outside the chippy, good said several of our younger members that will be chips when we come out then.

So into the gig, up to the bar for a quick drink (diet coke for the younger members and Liz), then off to take our places for The Fray.

The Fray are signed to Sony Music and the money behind them showed, they were not your usual support act. Obviously bigger in the states than here their slick musical performance showed along with their ability to work the audience. However, after you had heard the first couple of tracks you could not help feel that you had heard them all. Not unpleasant but all just a bit the same, Liz commented half way through the set "I think this would be the point where I shut my windows and drew the curtains" a fair point I think.

During the break however, the strangest thing happened. Rather the strangest question was asked, a man sidled up to us and wanted to know the name of Micheal Bolton's first hit. What concerned me the most was Liz was able to supply the answer! The man having remembered the name then proceeded to sing it to us, as he then felt compelled to do with every other song The Feeling played. You don't know how close we came!

By this time we had lost the youngsters who were now down by the front of the stage having weaved, barged, jostled and fought their way there. Content to stay in position to the left of the sound desk we settled down for the start of The Feeling.

They started with a video montage of their fans singing their hits taken from U Tube, very funny and an original way to start. This was followed by them rocking their way onto stage. High energy music with a high energy performance.

I was criticised recently for complaining about the Snow Patrol gig where I felt they had taken two superb albums and not lived up to the occasion when performing live. The Feeling were the opposite taking one good album and completely bringing it too life. They had energy, were together all the way through, worked the crowd well and left us wanting more, renditions of Video Killed the Radio Star and Fat Bottomed Girls added to their own more than capable set. Closing with Blue Piccadilly (my favourite track) the night for me was complete, all that was left now were those chips and home.

We arrived back at the car everyone piled in and Karen and Liz volunteered to go get the late night feast. Seconds later they were back, empty handed! Would you believe it, the chip shop closest to one of the largest music venues in Manchester, had just stopped selling chips to coincide with emptying out time. Left with no other choice we headed home happy but still ever so slightly peckish!

Back To Normal - For Now!

2007-02-27T22:16:00.000Z

The last two days have just been kind of normal, no gigs just work stuff, college and family life. I have been reading the purpose diven life, mmmmm clashed with some of it and as soon as I get chance I will post my thoughts for each day so far. To be fair it has got me thinking in a good way I just struggle to agree with a lot of its theology.

Wednesday is back to gigging off to see The Feeling at the apollo, I might just of recovered by then!

The Day After!

2007-02-25T09:49:00.000Z

Up
Church
Preach
Lent Study
Home
Tidy
Bath
Bed
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fading

2007-02-24T11:59:00.000Z

Tonight was the last of three nights in a row gigging. It was also the smallest venue and the newest bands. I guess to be fair they had a hard act to follow from the previous two nights. Academy 3 is a compact venue but does have an advantage that the bar is inside the venue so you can queue and listen at the same time. Having forgotten my phone (Hence why I have pinched Liz's pics) the night did not start well, Liz managed to upset some poor impoverished student at the bar who had't quite figured out how to get served and the band hadn't even started yet.

We had been looking forward to Cherry Ghost, tipped as the next big thing. However, we were sadly dissapointed. They weren't really bad just, well really bland. The kind of thing you couldn't help feel that you had heard before but only better. Not unpleasent, not offensive and at £7 even worth the money but not about to set the musical world alight. We managed to laugh and joke our way through their set and it was good for the three of us to collectivley make the gig.

Polytechnic were much better, they had a bit off umph about them. The crowd seemed a bit more up for it as well. Good tunes and catchy lyrics and you did feel you were watching a band who could possibly be on the edge of something big. Like Liz, I too worry about the Keane tour, still I guess there is no such thing as bad publicity. However they do need to learn one lesson, remember not to act bigger than you are. They left the stage declaring 'that's all folks', rather expecting I think a large shout of encore. Sadly, by the time they came back on stage half the venue had already cleared, a lesson to be learnt I think.

By the time it had all finished the toll of the previous nights was beginning to tell. As we sat down to eat at the Punjab it was all I could do to stay awake. The past three nights had been great, good music, good company, good beer, good food all I needed now was a good sleep, go on Jude what's your secret how do you do it?

Party at Boothy's and the Academy

2007-02-23T23:16:00.000Z

Just me and Liz tonight, K has a night off. So we start in Big Hands always the perfect start for a pre gig drink. Its the kind of bar that proves that even with cheap furniture and poor flooring its the music and atmosphere that counts. However, we leave showing our age, after all it was a bit loud. On to Kro bar for a quick drink and then to the gig at Academy 2. Not quite as slick as last night but that was more than compensated by raw enrgy and emotion. For such a new band Little Man Tate have quite a following. The crowd sang along and crowd surfing seemed to be a must, heck I thought Liz was going to go for it at one point. Really good gig which is saying something after last night. After the gig we went back to Kro bar for a few drinks, a good night roll on tomorrow when Karen joins us again.

Kaisers Doing it the Modern Way

2007-02-22T23:17:00.000Z

What a gig! Musically so tight, superb stage show and presence, crowd rocking and best of all it was completely free.

Even managed to remember to phone my friends during their favourite songs, what a top night, thanks XFM, roll on Little Man Tate

I Predict a Riot

2007-02-22T14:36:00.000Z

Some morning's you wake up and wonder to yourself, what will today bring? Well today in my case it was two free tickets to see Kaiser Chiefs at Manchester Apollo tonight. These came courtesy of the XFM ticket monkey. Basically clues are given out on air and if you can work out where they are walk up and say are you the XFM ticket monkey then you get the tickets. Simple as that and I got those tickets. So check out the link and over the next few days there should be a picture of me appearing in the gallery stood next to a gorilla.

So then that's a free Kaiser Chiefs gig tonight and then Little Man Tate tomorrow followed by Cherry Ghost / Polytechnic Saturday and The Feeling on Wednesday so go on then Jude Adam follow that if you can!

For The Record

2007-02-21T22:17:00.000Z

Joe Normal

17 % Nerd, 0% Geek, 8% Dork

For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.

A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.

A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.

You scored less than half in all three, earning you the title of: Joe Normal.

This is not to say that you don't have some Nerd, Geek or Dork inside of you--we all do, and you can see the percentages you have right above. This is just to say that none of those qualities stand out so much as to define you. Sure, you enjoy an episode of Star Trek now and again, and yeah, you kinda enjoyed a few classes back in the day. And, once in a while, you stumble while walking down the street even though there was nothing there to cause you to trip. But, for the most part, you look and act fairly typically, and aren't much of an outcast.

Suggestions For Lent 2

2007-02-19T20:14:00.000Z

In trying to decide what I should give up for lent I came across this idea on the Ship of Fools website.There is a different suggestion for each day of lent. Liz, don't worry I didn't see anything that suggested you should stop buying shoes!

Incidentally, following Sally's post about the purpose driven life course, I realised that I still have the book, so in an attempt to give impartial feedback I'm going to use it as a personal study over lent and try (note the word try) to let you know how I found each day.

Sometimes it's SAD To be Right

2007-02-17T11:40:00.000Z

As if to illustrate my point, I came across this news story this morning. So as I was saying its time to stand up and be counted. Forget your politics, race, creed, colour or religion and lets focus on the sanctity of human life! Then I saw this and came back and edited my post, I think i'll go away and cry!

Suggestions for Lent

2007-02-16T18:05:00.000Z

Came across this suggestion from the Methodist church. The idea is that in a stand against consumerism we all stop buying shoes for the period of lent. Now whilst for me that would neither be much of a problem or much of a sacrifice for others of us I suspect the task may be a little harder. So what are you ditching for Lent and why. I'll come back to you when I've made my decision, so come on Liz I think you know what we are all challenging you with!

These Mean Streets

2007-02-16T11:55:00.000Z

*Warning Serious Post on its Way*

Many others of you cannot have failed, just like me, to have been shocked by recent events on the streets of London concerning the deaths of teenage boys. The levels of violence seen over recent weeks surely will have shocked even the hardest hearts. However, the sad thing is for London read Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, many of our major cities have experienced similar problems over recent months, years.

It will sadden at least one who reads this blog to know I’m not a huge David Cameron fan, however, I read a quote today that I could not help but agree with he says “This goes beyond any one policy or any one government. I think what we need is to recognise our society is badly broken and we need to make some big changes, starting now." I find myself for once agreeing with his words if not perhaps all the sentiments I suspect that may lie behind them.

The problems we are seeing today across our cities are much bigger than individual governments or policies. I wonder how much it has to do with the nature of a keep itself to itself society. I know that often fear (and with good justification) prevents us from becoming involved, however, there becomes a stage when we need to stick our heads above the parapet and say enough is enough.

For those of us with faith are we not indeed called to this way of life. When Jesus calls us to follow him, it is a call not into a comfortable existence but rather to costly discipleship. It is not as many would have us believe all about raising our hands in the air in constant worship. Rather we are called to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in. These problems are not ones we simply can throw money at or send a couple of youth workers out in a gesture of mission. These problems exist across our society and require us to become involved with our neighbours.

I spent two years working with and worshipping with the people of Moss Side. Moss Side, Manchester famous for its own drug and gun culture, yet strangely they are not my lasting memories of the place. The lasting memories I have are of the people and their struggle to let the world know that there is life behind the headlines. That beyond the newspaper stories and human tragedy is a community struggling to live alongside one another.

Within the churches there are people who daily witness to the kingdom of God, who live that costly discipleship not afraid to engage with those around them both young and old in the hope that they can witness to another way of life. When I went to minister among them I wonder what contribution I made but have no doubt about the impact they had on me. This is not a community that is unaware of its problems or a community that is afraid of facing reality. It is however, a community sick and tired of the rhetoric and empty words delivered by politicians (now matter if for once they are right or well meant).

The problem is the very society these politicians now create, a society that we also have to blame ourselves for. A society of increasing personal wealth and greed, a society where individual status means value. A society where power equates to having a voice, a platform, a medium in which to be heard and therefore to have an opportunity to change your circumstances.

Working in the prison has brought me into contact with members of ‘The Gooch’ and ‘The Doddington’ two of Moss Sides infamous drug gangs; they have all shared the same characteristics. Just below the façade of bravado and strength lurks the fear of a small child. When a Twenty Seven year old gang member (he had done well to make it to such a grand old age) was asked “how do you live every day looking over your shoulder wondering if it will be your last” he broke down in tears and replied “you just gotta be tough”.

Have you, is this the society we have created, where kids from the age of nine or younger need to be tough and carry guns in order to be heard. I hope those of us who hear the call of God in our lives and indeed those who don’t have the courage to stand up to the way of costly discipleship and enable glimpses of how the kingdom of God could just look. When Jesus was asked what should be done to receive eternal life he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ Is this not what lies at the heart of the Christian gospel, at the heart of the Good News we are called to proclaim and live?

I want to finish this post with the story of Patsy Mckie. Patsy Mckie lives in nearby Hulme. She is a member of New Testament Church of God and chair of an organisation called Mothers Against Violence. One day in 1999 her son Dorrie left home to play basketball as usual, however he never returned. Dorrie died after having been shot three times in the chest. Whilst it would appear that he was not involved in a gang, he had through association (he lived in the area and had friends) become mixed up with the drug culture that exists in this part of South Manchester.

Patsy told me, “The Church needs to become involved with the community. Too often we become hung up about places, but it is the people that matter”.

Her belief is that the church needs to be involved in bringing about social change not just spiritual change. “In Matthew 25 Jesus tells us that when he was hungry we fed him, naked and we clothed him - the church has a responsibility to feed and cloth the young people of our community.”
Patsy continued by saying, “The Church needs to pray, support and educate these young people”. She finished by telling the story of a young man who, when asked “Why do you carry a gun?” answered, “People don’t listen to me, when I carry a gun everyone listens”.

*Post Script*
By the time I had finished writing this post and came to link the Cameron quote it had been moved, to be replaced by more news worthy stories like Celebrity BB's Danielle having got back with Teddy Sheringham, need I say more about our society and our media!

Excited

2007-02-13T23:13:00.000Z

It has arrived and I'm very, very, very excited. It's shiny and lovely and did I mention I'm excited!

Joining the Band Wagon

2007-01-26T15:14:00.000Z

Seeing how many of my friends (Liz, Sally, Merlin) are using this forum to whinge about call centres et al. I thought i might as well join in. Partly this is due to the fact that having read Liz's blog I remembered to do something about it.

Last November we changed power suppliers away from one based north of the border. I received two statements from them. One relating to electricity said we owed them £13.01 the one relating to Gas said they owed us £103.26. I rang up to see if such a large organisation could manage the mammoth task of taking the smaller amount from the big amount and pay us the difference. Hooray without having to argue the logic they to agreed this was the thing to do and promised to send me the difference in the form of a cheque.

So I waited
.
.
.
.
.
.
and waited
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
and waited
.
.
.
.
.
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and today read Liz's blog and decided to wait no longer and call them.

Me: Give me my money!

Them: Oh sorry sir, our mistake

Me: Uhhhhh arn't we meant to argue about this, you transfer me into recorded message hell only to find myself spat out on another continent.

Them: Errrrr (sounding confused) no if I could just have your wife's first name as it would appear we don't have it and that may be why the cheque would not print as the account is in her name.

Me: Errrrr yes its Karen.

Them: You should receive the cheque in the next few days, thank you for calling.

So you see I wish I could regale a tale of anger frustration and incompetency, but actually they were quite good. So remind me why did I change companies, oh yes that was it they were flamin expensive!

Phew!

2007-01-21T22:25:00.000Z

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Extreme
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Moderate
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Low
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Very Low

Take the Dante Inferno Hell Test

For just a couple of moments I did worry that this would prove once and for all I was in the wrong job!

It looks like I'm reasonably safe for the time being at least.

Its Catching

2007-01-18T06:43:00.000Z

Apparently its not as rare as I first thought, or at least not at my club. Oh I do hope this does not come back to haunt me!

Loyalty

2007-01-17T07:37:00.000Z

A very rare commodity these days, lets hope he does not now make a fool of himself and me by going back on his word!

Here Are The Results From The Stockport Jury

2007-01-14T21:47:00.000Z

Blogger tells me this is my 100th post kind of appropriate I think.

Well following my final preach with a view today, following a weekend of meeting with the church, following the same procedure the week before both churches met this afternoon to decide whether to call me as their minister.

I am pleased, no ecstatic to say that you are now looking at the new minister for The Heatons and Edgeley Road URC's with some involvement at Christ Church Reddish.

This is for us the end of a long journey thank you for those who have been praying, please do not stop because I believe that this is where the real hard work starts.

The last few years have been a roller coaster, but then the thing about roller coasters is once you get on them you don't want to get of. So our journey continues with a God who continually disturbs, challenges and unsettles us from our complacency. Long may it continue!

Waiting

2007-01-14T00:23:00.000Z

Its the eve before my final preach with a view. Its the point that the last three and a half years have been leading to. Its the night I should be so excited about, in around 12 hours I'll know where my next six years will be, the Church collectively will have confirmed my call and reccomended my Ordination. Yet i'm scared, what if they say no, where do we go from here, back looking again, back to discerning once more. Yet this feels so right, so perfect, so filled with God and so like we are being called. God give me you peace, your patience and your Grace.

Caption Competition

2007-01-13T12:26:00.000Z

Following the pictoral story of Rob the Gnome I wondered if anyone could arrive at a suitable caption for this picture?

Rob the Gnome

2007-01-10T18:40:00.000Z

Are you sitting comfortably? Oh good then I will begin. I need to say that this is a story worthy of Sally's story telling ability and I feel I may fail to do it justice. However, in my defence I do have the pictures to support the words.

Rob is a pretty average guy, well to be true he is tad smaller than the average guy, which in the case of this story means he compares quite well to a gnome.

Rob was invited along with his wife to the eat all our left over food party. He had a good time i think and early on Saturday morning decided to call a taxi home. This is where the story of Rob the gnome really starts.

Just as Rob is climbing into the taxi he feels his keys leaving his pocket, this is swiftly followed by a clancing noise as they hit the grid just below where the taxi is parked. The klanging is followed by a sploosh as the keys bounce of the grate and into the murky water below. Obviously it's late Rob the gnome has had one to many glasses of Papa gnome's famous gnome juice so decides to leave key recovery to later that morning.

So early the following morning Rob the gnome returns to collect his keys.

First he tries with his Action Man bucket but sadly no luck.

Next he tries with his little fishing rod but still no luck.

Time to phone a friend, but still no luck.

Next he tries with a big grown up spade but still no luck.

Oh dear I think he's lost the spade.

Next the post man tries to help, but still no luck.

Perhaps Ray supervising with a cup of tea can help, but still no luck.

And then just as he thinks he is going to have to withdraw to his toad stool, are those the keys?

Yes Rob the gnome can now enter his home.

Hooray all's well that ends well!

A Big Weekend

2007-01-08T18:35:00.000Z

Funny thing happened Saturday morning, the morning after the party but it's worthy of a post of its own.

So this was the first of my two big weekends. This week church 1 next week church 2. Saturday we went for a social so we could meet church members and they could meet us and the Sunday I preached.

We feel it went well the people were great and we really enjoyed ourselves, we hope they did too, perhaps just perhaps this could be the one. Role on next weekend............... watch this space!

All Gone!

2007-01-06T09:32:00.000Z

Yeah, we did it party food gone and now the diet can commence, the gym session become more regular and me and Sally can share via blogs which bits hurt the most!

How did that happen?

2007-01-04T18:02:00.000Z

Spent most of today so far continuing to feel ill. Despite that we seem to have managed to end up having another party on Friday so we can get rid of all the Christmas junk that remains in our freezer. Still can't help asking myself how did that happen oh well perhaps then the fitness program can start!

Did I Really Eat That Much!

2007-01-03T19:00:00.000Z

Woke today feeling decididly dodgy, poorly tum so won't go into graphic detail. Before Christmas well back in November actually we joined the gym, the idea being to get fit. All was going well until Christmas arrived and with all the events at church that needed attending the gym kind of went by the wayside for 2 weeks.

I had planned for today to meet P the minister I currently am on placement with so he could talk over the coming events. Just to clarify this weekend is the first of the two weekends I go to preach with a view at 2 churches that i may potentially become minister at. Saturday we go as a family for an informal social and Sunday I preach, this is then repeated the following weekend at the other church, so as you can imagine as the time gets closer the more nervous I become.

So back to the story. The idea was we would go out, talk over the service, chill and help me prepare, then go back to my house meet P's wife and along with K go for a meal at our local Italian restraunt.

I had this bright idea P my like to join me at the gym, then make full use of the pool,spa,steam room and sauna. Did I really eat that much was the first thought through my head as I stood on the scales and oh my gosh this hurts was the second as I commenced my exercise program. Still they do say no pain, no gain (or loss in this case).

So work out complete we chilled and chatted and helped my head into the kind of place it needed to go. I am optomistic for the next couple of weeks, it feels so right.

Not only does it feel right for me but also for the rest of the family and I have never seen God playing with their emotions. Experience has taught me that God would not call me to a place where I would be happy and fullfilled if it meant my family would be miserable. I guess my reservations though are about not counting my chickens before they are hatched. P shared with me that his experience of God had always been that if something was not right the door was closed almost immediatley and that it was not dangled in front of you only for it to be taken away at the last moment. I do so hope he is right.

Anyway after our relaxation and weight loss program we went out for Italian, no problems there though cause my tummy ache kicked back in and I came home and threw up, not the weight loss program I quite had in mind!

New Year New Who Knows?

2007-01-02T17:58:00.000Z

New year celebrations were good, and a little last minute, having only decided what to do on Boxing day. In a rash moment we thought we would host a party at home for neighbours and friends who like us had not yet thought about what thay should do.

I guess one problem is children. Not that i believe my children to be a problem you understand, it's just that some people don't always welcome children at their parties (having met other children this I can understand). Anyway to cut an already long story........ we decided to hold a children friendly party. We kind of thought it would end up the five of us eating left over mince pies and singing Auld Lang Syne to each other at midnight. However, it would appear we were not the only ones who were unorganised as we had about 25 here in the end. Entertainment was provided by the S*ny Pl*yst*tion and S*ngst*r followed up by B*zz the big quiz for the more intellectual amongst our number (if you believe that....) any way twas a good night.

New years day we rose slowly along with those who never went home, and were then rejoined by some of those who did and there were then 18 of us for breakfast. The party then split two ways, the majority went for a walk around Chorlton Water Park. However, three of us went to Eastlands to see Man City versus Everton (sadly for him one of our number was an Everton fan).

Now I know I had a mini rant about City before Christmas but as Craig pointed out on that same post, I must and I am now well happy. Further proof there is a God, Christmas is a time of hope, God is a City fan and 9 points from 12 is not to be sniffed at. In case you havn't got the drift yet we just kept winning yay!!!!!! Victory over Everton by 2 goals to 1 however, the Everton fan in our midst was not quite so elated.

So any way victory done and dusted we returned home to our respective houses and in my case found the rest of my family fast asleep in bed. So having woke them all up it was a quick turnaround and back out for a meal for 17!

Location was Asian Fusion in Chorlton where we were rejoined by Liz who had spent some of her New Years eve with us (see her blog). Meal was good especially my fish starter, not quite a replacement for the Punjab (not that we were trying) but if we just want a local place to eat v.good.

The next bit of the night was a bit unplanned with most of the 17 ending up back at our house for more S*ngst*r and B*zz. Now under normal circumstances i would never blog pictures of individuals making fools of themselves whilst singing along to Duran Duran. But then not most people would post pictures of you dressed in an elf outfit. So here is evidence that Liz is in fact a closet Duran Duran fan (that's something she didn't put on her five things you don't know about me).

Well the 1st ended on the 2nd if you know what I mean and we all went to bed tired, happy and well and truly having welcomed in the new year. Now all that is to come is preaching, meeting new churches and waiting to see if we know where we are going ooh it's scary!

I Had To Laugh

2006-12-29T22:13:00.000Z

Driving through Chorlton today I came across a most peculiar scene. I surmise this is what had happened. Some workmen had been working on an upstairs flat and had left via the external staircase which ended near to a bus top and in between two shops. Obviously in carrying out there equipment they had balanced a 5 litre tub of paint on the top railing of the stairs. Unfortunately however, it had not stopped there and its contents were now over the road, the people stood at the bus stop and several of the passing cars. I wish I had been able to take a picture of the random painting! I couldn't help feeling sorry for the victims and the 6 foot 4 heavily set car driver was making his point rather well. As I say I couldn't but help feeling sorry yet at the same time couldn't help but laugh, if however, it had happened to me then I think I would have been very grumpy!

Grumpy Old Man

2006-12-28T20:00:00.000Z

Well following my rant about the football I believe there is a strong possibility that I could be turning into a grumpy old man. Let me give you the evidence.

1. Driving back from my parents on Christmas morning I noticed that the recently resurfaced road had already been dug up only two months from it having been completed. WHY? Can these Muppet's not sort it, hey how about talking to each other planning, ah but that would require a basic level of intelligence.....grump, grump, grump.

2. Now please do not misunderstand my next grump. I understand completely and sincerely the need to grieve for those you have lost at Christmas and this is not my beef. However, close to our house is a cemetery, Christmas morning there were many, many people visiting the graves of loved ones. Again I stress I completely understand their need to do this. But do they need to totally block the road, double park and cause utter traffic mayhem on an otherwise quiet morning. How about asking for a highway code for Christmas or better still a driving license grump, grump, grump.

3. Why is it when you are sat in a resraunt (yes the Punjab) do people think it acceptable to allow their children to run around the tables screaming and shouting? Our children are sat quietly, yes I know they are older but they have always sat quietly and if they have not been able too we have taken them out. If your children can;t allow others to enjoy a quiet meal then get a take away grump, grump, grump.

4. The clincher was my Christmas present is someone trying to tell me something?

Now please do not make any mistakes, these are just internal grumps I would never actually challenge any one about them.

5. People who do not have the courage of their convictions grump, grump, grump.

Warning Rant Approaching

2006-12-23T18:58:00.000Z

Rarely do I post about football, today however, I make an exception. I have just returned from watching my beloved excuse for a football team.

Now losing I can accept it is after all part of the game (Chelsea and United aside) but what I won't accept as a paying fan is a lack of effort. City over the years have had their fare share of ups and downs but have never lacked passion and fight. This current team however, displays none of the attributes that as a City fan I have come to expect and after today's game I am left despairing.

I have almost reached the stage where I wonder why I bother to go week in and week out, I guess the reason is a belief that we may just one week turn a corner and all that will be in front would be a new certainty and football happiness.

Having said that I guess that could make it all just a little boring, oh well here's to the roller coaster!

I'm Alive!

2006-12-22T15:00:00.000Z

Sorry for the long period of silence, the half term holidays went and along with them my desire to blog. I have been busy but if i'm honest I was just not ready or wanting to blog, anyway for the time being I'm back.

Lots happened since then most of the going out stuff you will have learnt about from Liz (lucky she does blog). I guess the other big piece of news is that I have been invited to preach with a view of becoming minister of two churches in the local area. I am really excited about this bothe churches will require hard work because there is lots of good stuff happening, but I never wanted a quiet life. Te family are happy because there is enough to keep Dad quiet and beacause it is local. So if you have some time prayers would be appreciated I preach the first two weekends in January.

Well that's enough for a starter I won't bore you with long lists from the past two months but try and blog at least once a week from now on (where have you heard that before). It was Caroline who promted me to blog again, she wrote that she had updated her sidebar to remove blogs no longer kept up to date, I checked to see if I was still there!

Speak soon!!!!!

Day 4

2006-10-26T23:53:00.000+01:00

Started slowly on account of the fact the older two girls had what is laughingly called a sleepover, has to be said that K in particular longed for the sleep bit as she had to be up for Uni. Consequently K left the house like a bear with a sore head only to arrive and find the Uni car park full, not a good start to the day!

When eventually we set off the stop was at the prison (no not as punishment for keeping us awake all night) to drop off an Eid present for the Imam that I work with. I only had B with me as the other two were off doing there own thing. Only Sally came back with a suggestion for today a frankly well R could demolish a fiver in seconds in the Tr*ff*rd C*ntr* and she's only 9.

Anyway by the time we'd been to the prison it was lunch so it seemed fitting to go to my favourite coffee shop for lunch.

Toasted bagel with tuna mayo for me and the same in a baked potato for B. She also had a hot chocolate with cream, marsh mellows and chocolate sprinkles, this girl knows how to lunch.

After lunch off to the community farm to see the animals and take in nature.

However, when we pulled into the car park a bonus in the form of a large climbing wall. B was a little reluctant at first but soon lost her fear and was up like a shot (in fact she would like to again on day 5).

After she had scaled all four faces we moved on to the farm to look at the little cute animals. Pigs, bulls, chickens, sheep, birds and rabbits (alive before and after I left) however, I have to say it was this goat that I liked the most.

Day 5 will be less adventurous its my Mum's birthday so all the girls are off there and then staying the weekend as me and K head to Crewe for the Greenbelt Ops Weekend. Really looking forward to meeting up with everyone. They are such a great bunch of people but distance and diaries prevents me from seeing many off them as much as I would like. So no blogs till Monday now, when I will share stories from the weekend but I promise no pics!

Day 3

2006-10-25T21:40:00.000+01:00

Day 3 was quieter started with a trip to the dentist, no fillings yay! Then me and K took R to the pictures whilst the other girls did homework. We went to see Hoodwinked a modern day cartoon version of Little Red Riding Hood. I’ll not give the plot away not that there was much of one, all a little dull really, although the squirrel that seems to be obligatory in children’s films these days was quite funny. Still R enjoyed it and I guess that’s what counts. Not planned day 4 yet, suggestions on a postcard to.......

Day 2

2006-10-24T23:50:00.000+01:00

Well day 2 and lots planned. Early start off to catch the bus to Manchester and a visit to Urbis. Urbis is a museum looking at urban life. Sitting listening to a review of the Manchester bomb and subsequent re building of Manchester left quite sad. The events of that day reminded me of my all too close involvement in the Warrington bombings. However, I did chuckle at the comment on the video that the IRA had done more for town planning in Manchester than many before them. It was also good to be reminded of the story of this post box.

It was seen on many news reports in the after math of the bombing still standing despite the best efforts of terrorist bombs. After the redevelopment it was placed back in its original location as a symbol of hope and defiance and that Mancunians can overcome adversity. I enjoyed Urbis perhaps more than R although she did enjoy the glass elevator that takes you up the 45 degree angle of the building.

So then off to Blackpool, I need to be honest I’m not a big fan of Blackpool. I put it down to going there as a child. My parents didn’t have a car so Blackpool usually involved long walk, cold and wet weather. Today did little to change my opinion on that score at least. However, to be fair overall I enjoyed the day, I still enjoy seeing the smile on the children’s faces as they marvel at the lights. So we arrived early and I parked up and bought my ticked from the machine (take note of this point). We had decided to take the dog so we battled getting her out of the car, watered and ready for her walk along the golden sands. Arrr bit of a problem it seems Blackpool is in the middle of a multi million pound revamp and access to the golden sands is restricted so we settled for squelching along the prom. To make matters worse when we finally arrived at the one place we could gain access to the beach we discovered that dogs were prohibited until the end of November.

Not wishing it to spoil the day K and my Mum took H and R on the pier whilst K and myself and the dog (who was once again prohibited) took refuge on a bench. Millie the dog cried for the entire time they were gone, she cried and barked at: horse drawn carriages, donkeys, other dogs, seagulls. They we were sat on a bench in Blackpool in the rain with the worlds most complaining dog things couldn’t get worse I thought, it was at this point the seagull scored the direct hit on my coat! K and I advanced along the prom and treated ourselves to a hot chocolate. Just then the rest of the group appeared with hot donuts yes its true another likeness I share with Homer. We started the walk back to the car ready for the drive back through the lights wish by such time would be switched on.

I know the illuminations have their critics but I always have and still do like them, they are different if nothing else and well the drive through and the stop for fish and chips at the end have become something of a ritual in our family.

So we stopped for our fish and chips and very nice they were to, I collected the rubbish from the car and put it in the bin. It was wandering back to the car again that I noticed the parking fine, apparently having paid you are then meant to display not leave the ticket in the pocket of your jeans, DOH! You know though despite its ups and downs (note the rollercoaster link) the trip to Blackpool was great bring it on next year!

Day 1

2006-10-23T22:30:00.000+01:00

Day 1 saw a visit to the Imperial War Museum of the North. The first big plus was it met my first rules of engagement for this holiday in that entry was free of charge. The second bonus was that it is only minutes around the corner from where K is at Uni so given she had a four hour break she was able to come with us. We started off with lunch in the Lowry Outlet Village and then took the pleasant walk across the quays to the museum. The walk included crossing Salford’s very own wobbly bridge.

I was slightly sceptical as to how much I would enjoy this visit; I’m not a big fan of war stories and certainly dislike anything that appears to glorify war. I was pleasantly surprised far from glorifying war it highlighted the personal cost of war not just from long ago but recently. This had an effect on H and R and made them realise stories like these are more than TV images but real people. It was a good visit and good to spend time together. K bought a new teapot from the Lowry which meant the parking was free and seeing how the teapot was cheaper than the parking would have been I call that value for money! All round a good start to the week role on Urbis and then Blackpool.

Holidays

2006-10-22T22:59:00.000+01:00

I remembered to do it, I booked a week off, so this week Daddy and the kids (K is still in uni most of the week) wiil be doing the mostly free tourist attractions of the North West. Promise to post with pics as the week goes by. Monday starts with the Imperial War Museum North and Tuesday sees us move on to Urbis and then with K, my Mum and the dog head off for Blackpool a walk down the prom and see the lights!

Learning New Lessons Part 4

2006-10-22T12:45:00.000+01:00

I promise this will be the last blog by this title, its not that I am having my normal titlephobia it just seemed appropriate. So there I am on my way into Manchester to the charity where I work, it’s a charity working with ex offenders (note the irony). I need some money for the bus, so I stop at the cash point only yo find the cupboard is bare. Now I am the first to admit my job pays peanuts, that’s ok I knew it paid peanuts when I started, however I also knew I had money in my account. Yes I have become the victim of crime, well to be precise card crime. Some muppet (friendly word denoting someone who is primarily a tosser) has cloned my card and emptied my account. This you may think is the lesson I have learned, you are wrong however. No the lesson I have learned is when everything around you unexpectedly caves in you suddenly realise how many friends you have. Thank you to you all you know who you are!

Learning New Lessons Part 3

2006-10-15T16:52:00.000+01:00

So the deliberations have been made, the visit completed and we have decided to stay well for the time being anyway!

Learning New Lessons Part 2

2006-10-13T10:49:00.000+01:00

Never take anything you are told for granted! So should we stay or should we go!

The Happy Couple

2006-10-13T10:42:00.000+01:00

Well he finally did it, which meant being his best man I finally did it too, marriage and speech I mean and in that order too. I did it 17 years ago on Saturday, marriage that is, oh this is becoming confusing so I will shut up and leave you with some pics. Oh who am I talking about, Nick/Neil/Mole (Delete as applicable) some of you may know him from GB!

Learning New Lessons

2006-10-04T21:58:00.000+01:00

Had such a busy week. Karen started at Uni this week doing a degree in event management. All happened a bit sudden as initially she made an enquiry to start next year only to discover that she could still enrol and had the required qualifications.

As a consequence our lifestyle has had to change with me taking a bigger role in domestic responsibility. So Monday the new regime starts, up earlier than normal and take Karen to Uni. B brought back and taken to school, back home and make tea for tonight, washing, cleaning and then off to prison for a few hours as I had a couple of referrals to deal with.

I finished at the prison and had an hour spare before I needed to pick up B from school so I was able to meet Karen for half an hour as she had a break. She was buzzing with excitement and it was just so great to see so much life in her.

After picking up B I came home tidied up, helped with homework and sorted tea out for the girls. Picked up Karen at 6 well actually it turned out to be half six as she had been held back talking to the lecturer, honestly day 1 and apple for the teacher already. Will I ever get used to this hectic lifestyle, all I wonder is how did / does Karen keep this up on a regular basis?

Tuesday I had another prison meeting very messy lots of changes taking place in the chaplaincy team at the moment but I guess change is inevitable and if I am honest probably needed. Once they are all done then it gives a possibility for exciting times ahead. However, I’ll only be there until July before it’s time to move on so whether I will see them take place remains to be seen.

Today has been a day catching up with my diary, sending some emails and generally getting straight, something I’ve been trying to do for ages so I was pleased to get straight at last. Sometimes I find that you when you are involved in ministry you get so tied up with the doing the other stuff gets left behind.

Weekend sees N finally get married, really looking forward to it except for the fact I am the best man and still have to write the speech. Still that’s a job for Friday before going to spend the night at N’s house. I think I have been typecast as well as normal best man duties, I have a reading to do and Grace to say, oh well at least they are jobs I know I can do.

You never know perhaps next week will bring some pic’s and the tale of what happened, if you are lucky, oh and if I have the time!

Where Did All the Time Go

2006-09-27T09:07:00.000+01:00

There was so much I meant to Blog about:

Greenbelt
Starting Back at College
Nights Out With Friends
Moments of Theological Clarity
Amazing Stuff at Church
Life in General

Some how it just never happened, however, in the words of my school reports must try harder in future!

Recharged

2006-08-23T15:15:00.000+01:00

Well having re charged my batteries here I am at Greenbelt and preparing to wear them down again! Weather is a bit wet at the moment but still the forecast is promising.

Site feels different this year for some reason almost as if everything is a day behind still I’m sure we will get there we always do. It is good however, to see friends not seen for a while and catch up. Lets hope for a good Greenbelt 06 and to God be the Glory.

Running on Low

2006-07-28T19:24:00.000+01:00

I guess that at the moment as an entire family we are running on empty. K seemed to sum it up this afternoon when she said “we just seem to have been living to survive tomorrow or when we get the next couple of days over”.

Today saw another funeral this time it was a lovely lady who had a massive impact on my early ministry. She was the first ‘official’ visit I did. I was going to teach her so much, 2 hours late I came away so much more humble and so much wiser.

Ira was a wonderful West Indian lady and her funeral was a celebration of her life. It had to be held at the Cathedral so that all mourners could fit in. It was followed by songs at the graveside and the men filling in the grave while the women decorated it with flowers. This West Indian tradition seems to help with the grief process but does leave you emotionally drained.

So as I am now close to empty I don’t think I’ll blog again until we come back from our holidays in Cornwall. We go on Monday and never has a holiday been needed so much. Hopefully when I do blog again I will return to my normal cheery self!

Laughter and Tears

2006-07-28T01:36:00.000+01:00

Tonight has been a good night, yet at the same time it has been one of the worst nights ever. Today was Kathryn’s birthday she was fifteen. Only seems two minutes ago since I held her as a small baby in my arms and here she is grown up and making her parents proud. So we decided to have a small party for a few friends and Grandparents.

Kathryn had friends staying over last night so only invited one friend tonight. We invited Aunty Liz of course and as I said Grandma and Grandad. Also invited were Matt (who arrived slightly worse for drink having been watching England at Old Trafford all day) and Tom and Elissa.

The party was great I cannot remember having laughed as much as I did for such a very long time. So why the title? Well tonight was also the last time we would see Tom and Elissa for a very long time.

We have known for some time now that they were emigrating to Canada however, that does not make the reality any easier to take when the moment arrives. Both of them have shown us unconditional love at the time we needed it the most. They have helped us to laugh and cry, been there for us when we needed it and just helped us to live.

I will miss them both so much and especially Tom who has become such a very good friend who always knows the right words. My words tonight cannot express the loss I will feel over the coming months. Tom if you ever do read this I just want to say that I have seen in you so many times the God you do not believe in and experienced that God’s compassion in ways you will never know. Thank you for being my friend.

Friendship’s are so often those things you spend so much time trying to find, yet when they arrive they can also cause you so much pain. However, in the words of someone so much brighter than me “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”.

Hope you like the picture of Karen and my other two best friends.

Glad its Over, Glad I Did It

2006-07-18T22:20:00.000+01:00

Thank you for all your hugs, thoughts and prayers. I managed to make it through the funeral, standing at the other side of it I was so glad I was able to that for her. It was a fine balance between showing empathy and humanity and actually being able to do the job I was there to do but I think I managed it.

Thanks again, I wanted to say something about the power of God in this situation, but you know i'm just drained so I think I may just save it for another day. God bless and goodnight!

To Blog or Not

2006-07-12T08:24:00.000+01:00

I always find it hard to know where to draw the line between public and private. Consequently this stops me from sharing some things that probably would be beneficial to do so. Last Saturday morning my auntie died, she had been ill in Christies Hospital for a while.

I say auntie, she wasn’t really just a friend of my mum’s, but she had always been there for me since the day I had been born. Watching her deteriorate over the last few weeks has been awful. When the news she had died arrived it was in some sense a blessing yet still a great loss of someone who was so special.

Perhaps stupidly I have agreed to take the funeral service next Tuesday (your prayers would be appreciated) I did so because I believe this is the last thing I can do for her and feel immensely privileged to be able to do so. Her family have left all the funeral arrangements to me and dealing with the undertakers and making decisions has at time been strange. I have over the last few days thought a lot about the divide between heaven and earth. Questions many others have asked sprung to mind so a recalled the words of the great John Bell “just trust God”.

Nothing startling and I too would have been disappointed to have trekked across the country for that nugget of wisdom. Yet in its simplicity it reminded me to continue placing my trust in a God of infinite mercy, justice and love. I hope over the next few days and especially on Tuesday I can encourage others to look within their grief and do the same.

Its only a game!

2006-07-05T09:42:00.000+01:00

Is often the accusation levelled against football. Now there are lots of reasons I would wish to argue against this, however, I intend only to focus on one.

The area of Manchester in which I live is a large multi-cultural suburb about 2 miles from the city centre. It comprises mainly of a white British and Asian or Afro Caribbean population. On the whole these communities live happily alongside one another with very little problems. Having worked in Burnley for seven years this is in stark contrast to the communities living in places such as that where both communities are distinct from one another.

However I do wonder whether at times by the nature that these Asian communities have such a well defined cultural identity and close communal links whether the white community living alongside do at times question there commitment to the neighbourhood and perhaps the country.

I observed with interest recently the governments suggestion that a Britishness(made up word) test should be introduced, I’m not sure I’d pass or at least what should be included. Perhaps questions like what is a Britain’s favourite food, mmmm apparently that is now Chicken Tikka so perhaps that wouldn’t work. Anyway back to the football.

My point is this (I do have one) that during the world cup the cultural, social and to some extent community divide has been smashed down. Asian’s have been flying the English flag from their cars and house’s. The Asian petrol shop assistance spoke passionately about Gerrard’s sweet touch on the ball and suddenly the differences disappear. Shame we couldn’t win it!

I recentley went to listen to Billy Bragg who said it was time we claimed back the English flag from the Nationalistic agenda whether or not football will achieve this i'm not sure or naive enough to suggest it solves all our problems. Still perhaps this is the beginning of a realisation (even if it only last 4 weeks) that we are not so different after all. Similar things make us tick, what we need to do is spend the time discovering what they are!

Its Rule Time Again!

2006-06-28T16:49:00.000+01:00

Middle daughter H came home with a smile on her face yesterday, it would appear that she has her first proper boyfriend. So then I suppose its time to get out and start reinforcing the rules again!

The Ten Rules for Dating My Daughter!

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose his compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Soccer games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a bomber coming in low. The voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

So then I'm a reasonable man there is after all only ten rules, how hard can they be to keep!

Its Church Jim But Not As We Know It!

2006-05-29T23:24:00.000+01:00

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

So that’s it all my assignments done. Now I have twelve months to complete a dissertation. The subject for the dissertation is looking at church in the future.

The U*R*C is currently going through (if that is the right phrase) a process called ‘catch the vision’. This is looking at how as a church we may need to re-imagine how we do things, how we witness to our faith in order to remain as a relevant church for future generations. Actually its more urgent than that, we need to do this in order to remain.

We see many different expressions of church popping up in different places, each one attempting to connect with the culture in which it exists. I don’t wish to investigate which is the best model because in many ways I think that perhaps it is very much horses for courses.

However, what I do want to investigate is this, what is it about church that we need to incorporate into whichever model we choose. What is it about church that can’t be left behind? They may seem obvious questions and I guess I take basic belief as a given. However, besides those basic essential beliefs (if indeed we can agree on that) if you were to start a new church what would have to be there?

I thought that here may be an interesting place to start that conversation. Please link this wherever you can as I would like to open this up so it becomes a wide debate. It will be interesting to see if we al think along similar lines or as I expect have wide ranging views.

You never know if your ideas spark thoughts I may even use them, having given you full credit first mind you!

Thank you in anticipation of your help.
Stuart.

Its All Good

2006-05-29T01:06:00.000+01:00

Assignments finished, pub closed, kebab eaten, 8 days off, life's good!

Senseless

2006-05-20T12:46:00.000+01:00

Look in the news and there is no shortage of stories concerning the murder of innocent victims. However this latest killing seems so much more pointless than every other. I have found myself reading the story and grieving for someone I never knew. Perhaps it is because along with the loss of his life is the loss of potential. Perhaps it is because he was in the same school year as my daughter, whatever it is, it seems so senseless. I just keep praying for the day when people will learn to live alongside one another. Good job I’m the patient sort!

Wahooooo

2006-05-20T00:02:00.000+01:00

Nuff said!!!!!

900 Words To Go...

2006-05-19T16:07:00.000+01:00

....before I finish the first assignment. Apparently however, they all have to be different words!

Big Bother

2006-05-18T22:18:00.000+01:00

The annual freak show that is Big Bother started tonight. Am I the only one who doesn't give a toss who is in the house! Oh well here's to twelve weeks of mind numbing TV, bring back the test card all is forgiven. My mate Matt just had this great idea - "I recon they should send them all in 1 year and don't film them. So when they come out no one is there". Now that would be TV or not as the case would be.

Hang On In There if You Can!

2006-05-15T09:09:00.000+01:00

I do envy those of you who can take the ordinary write it in a blog and have me hanging on your every word. When I attempt to do that I kind of get bored half way through. It makes me stop writing, if I’m bored with it, well you get the point.

Any way I have decided to try again, so one of two things is about to happen:

1. You get a short account of my recent life.
2. The post stops and well you don’t get the above.

So far so good we’re still here. My time seems to be taken up with writing at the moment (not blogs obviously) as I have entered assignment time again. It’s strange whilst in the midst of doing them there seems to be no space for anything else in my mind. I wonder if this is the same for everyone, or whether it just highlights my tiny mental capacity. Now whether you want to know or not I’ll tell you what I am writing about. My current literary masterpiece (4000 words of drivel) is looking at how an evangelical understanding of truth may look in a post modern world. Well you did ask, mmmmm, actually you didn’t did you. Moving on, my second is looking at prophetic authority in the book of Jeremiah. So you see at the end of the day when all that is done I just can’t be bothered to blog (sorry)!

Let’s see then apart from assignments, well we finally got Liz to go home for tea! Football season is now over; kind of disappointing end to the season really, started brightly and well just disappeared at the end. Still some notable victories along the way, alright, alright you got me I’ll rephrase it – at least we beat Utd (at least I’m honest).

Church is good at the moment and I’m enjoying being part of the U*R*C lots of things keeping me busy and the youth group we started just keeps on growing which is really exciting (who say there are no young people in churches).

Well as much as I would like to sit here and waffle on it would not be as a process of sharing waffle to divert me from assignments so I will go, and perhaps it may only be a matter of days before my next post. Well you never know do you, hey we’re at the end I didn’t get bored, oh yes and well done on your perseverance too!

Hi (Sorry I know my titles are pants)

2006-04-10T23:27:00.000+01:00

Gosh long time no blogging (again I here you cry). I think I have just been through one of those I just can’t be bothered moods. Yes I have been really busy lots to talk about but just not had the enthusiasm to do so.

Why now? Can’t answer that other than saying why not? I’m in the middle of planning Easter services and writing assignments / presentations for college so kind of busy and stuck in front of the computer.

Having to present on Post Evangelical so if any one has any thoughts or opinions please post away the more the merrier, spoke to Steve who was a big help (no don’t be like that he really was).

Enjoying messing with my space mind you unlike Jude with millions of friends I only have three (boo hoo) still its quality that counts or is that size can’t remember.

Weekend was busy had a community chaplaincy training day Saturday and Sunday taken over by church still at least there was no youth group Sunday night just had half the church round instead. Had a call from Sally just as we were leaving church (12.55) who was surprised we were not at home with our feet up. Still it was good to talk even if only for 2 minutes.

Well going to go to bed now as still have a busy week ahead sorry I have no funny stories to share, no tow trucks, no giraffes not even snotty ducks! Oh well till later.

Wasn't going to do this but then...........

2006-03-24T23:15:00.000Z

just look who I am, I couldn't resist I'm so happy!Thanks Kathryn.

You Are Fozzie Bear

"Wocka! Wocka!"
You're the life of the party, and you love making people crack up.
If only your routine didn't always bomb!
You may find more groans than laughs, but always keep the jokes coming.

The Muppet Personality Test

Lots To Blog No Time To Blog It!

2006-03-19T10:11:00.000Z

SORRY!

Tired

2006-03-10T23:37:00.000Z

Picture sums up just how I feel. But it's a good tired. Church really busy at the moment but I feel that I am now making progress and really starting to build relationships. The churches I work in are very different (socially) to the ones I worked in during my first two years, so it took some adjusting but now things seem to have started to bear fruit and I am having a ball. Lawrence asked me how I intended to share my views to a wider URC audience. Guess I would want answer that by saying that this blog is very much for me and friends and not so much a forum for doing that. However, I would consider perhaps investigating the possibility of a new blog to do that or do it through the churches blog found here. For the time being however I will just continue to ramble on with my own thoughts and reflections to the select little audience who visit frequently or infrequently as the mood takes.