as He has loved...

SIGNS

2011-12-13T22:59:00.000Z

SIGNS & DISAPPOINTMENT WITH GOD.

Luke 23:44-49 (NIV)
[44] It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, [45] for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. [46] Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. [47] The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” [48] When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. [49] But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Clearly the whistles and the bells, the thunder and darkness all made there impression on the centurion.
What happened to him after that I wonder. I wonder if it made a lasting impression on him.
Ever found yourself looking for a sign ? I have.

Anyway I shall return to this idea of Signs, & even Disappointment with God.

I think its good when the person giving the talk /lesson sticks to things he known about or has studied so therefore I turn to the subject of breast feeding.

BREAST FEEDING
I got caught up in conversation with a lady I know, she told me her church were allowing mothers to breast feed in the building, great I said, thinking it was strange that they didn't, she didn't think it was so great.
I said it's one of the most beautiful things I've witnessed, that is after I got over my newness of it and my awkwardness. I think its just beautiful.

But we have a problem with nakedness or near nakedness or some nakedness and rightly so, there are areas of the body were modesty reins, areas that should remain covered and breast feeding can be done in a way that is almost hidden. But even if its not, its no shameful is it?

Have you ever gone in to hospital to visit or stay? There is always some poor soul showing there bum off unintentionally,I hope, showing too much of themselves, and you'd cover them up wouldn't you, yourself, or get the nurse.
If a child shows to much, a person with learning difficulties, a drunk, shows too much its just not on is it, you'd tell them off, explain to them their problem.

If a more sensible person does it, we'd lock them up.
Nakedness can be socking to us.

So why am I talking about breast feeding or rather nakedness?

Well the Cross, that the centurion witnessed, wasn't just about physical abuse,pain & torture. When a person is stripped and put on display like that, and thats what happened to Christ, thats adds another dimension, thats about, humiliation, shaming, removing all dignity. It's about messing with the minds of those looking on, your beliefs, your confidence, your security.

And there's not much more you could do to a person to dishonour them.
That messes with everyones head. Imagine God stepping into those shoes and for what?

So we can be at home asking for a sign?
What sign do you give after that?
God says, what about the cross. No another sign will be given.

Matthew 12:39-40
[39] He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

What kind of a sign is that anyway God?
Thats an image? isn't it? The cross.
Battered blooded and naked.
Imagine the family and friends, there despair, there raw emotions as they, the soldiers, strip the prisoner, their loved one, and they can do nothing about it. Then take him and nail him up and then haul him up, for all the world to see.

The helplessness of it all. Imagine today if they took your son, and beat him and ripped the clothing from him and left tied and nail in a public place a football pitch say, tied up on the posts, imagine if it was your son, your brother, your father, your friend, your God...?

Whats that all about ? isn't it just enough to die!
Just how much is this God of ours willing to take? Willing to give?
Willing to do?

That's not the end of it is it. There's more! Or rather there's been more.

God didn't just suffer that, if you read the word, He talks to us in emotional language conveying an emotional side ? and we learn about how we made him angry, jealous, frustrated, vengeful.

In the beginning, I think to myself, there was happy God, who's life we went and turned upside down.

Because, well, because he gave us freewill.
He gave the decision making over to us.

Taking a chance that we will see the signs. And yet we find ourselves disappointed with God when He fails to answer our call for more personal signs..... Our more local enquiries. Personal question answering oracle, like an angle in your pocket

Look, lets start at the beginning.
Adam n Eve, you couldn't get a more definite sign there is a God & He's interested in you could you?
How did it go for them ?
Did they live long and prosper? no, they did what they wanted to do and hide, they removed themselves & tried to get away from God. They didn't want contact,thank you very much.

Direct contact with God they no-longer sought. Signs and direct contact with God does not generally go well if you read your history.

Abraham
GEN 12: 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land."

GEN 13:14-17 The LORD said to Abram "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."

GEN 15:1-6
After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." 2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless

4 Then the LORD " 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

But despite all that interaction with God, which there is much more to read about, he still chose to do things in the end in his own way and slept with his wife's maidservant.
Despite what God said.

Direct contact and signs dont work, the impressions wain and we do what we think is right. So don't ask, when disappointment comes resolve to be faithful.

Moses
When Moses comes on the scene, never mind every fantastic mind blowing thing that Pharaoh goes through, and the Jews saw, just the things that involve Jews.
Moses after the burning bush, is told to go do this and that, to paraphrase and in Exodus 4:13-17 we have
[13] But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” [14] Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses,
are you sure you want a sign.
As a reminder

Exodus 14:19-20 (NIV)
[19] Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, [20] coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
[21] Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, [22] and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. [23]

The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. [24] During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. [25] He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

and then this!!!
Exodus 19:3-6 (NIV)
[3] Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: [4] ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. [5] Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.

The had only to stick there head out the tent and they saw the sign
The fire the smoke and see, God is with us...

did it help? After all they saw, could see, did see.

In chapter 20 they receive the Ten Commandments and not just them a whole bunch of other laws of what to do. Everything, from having sex to dealing with death, disease, property, Sabbath laws, priests garments, general living...

Did it help that they got it first hand? Were they faithful?

No don't ask for a sign, even if God spoke to you directly would it help? it doesn't seem to.

Exodus 32:7-10 (NIV)
[7] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. [8] They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’ [9] “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. [10] Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

and it never got any better.

Numbers 21:4-9
[4] They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; [5] they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

6] Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. [7] The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

[8] The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” [9] So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

As we go through Gods word, the personal contact and signs become less and less then we have the prophets, did that really help?
We recently saw Elijah and God doing his stuff against Baal did it change the king no!

Look I'm one of those who in frustration, pain, or in suffering who has, does ask for a sign, I think its normal but these are the reasons we don't get it.

And then there was a 400 year silence before Jesus came on the scene

400 years of silence.

There had to be a better way.

As we draw near to the end of times, God has chosen a different way to show his love. He'll speak to us but you have to be listening, He says,
and to enable the listening you have to know the language.
Here it is, the bible, he'll speak straight to your heart, as plainly as the spoken word. The columns of fire n smoke even raising lazarus from the dead don't help.

Can I have a wee sign if I'm disappoint with God, would a lightening bolt do? Signs don't work and they don't help.

We are a stiff necked people,

So God found another way, one last powerful sign you will agree.
It Won't do for all, but One last sign nonetheless, forever....

Almighty God, Creator God took off his godly clothes, humbled himself came down to the earth, raised a few dead people, showed us the way back and what happened? they wanted to stone him.

They called Him of the devil... and finally ... beat half to death, spat on him until finally bloodied, battered, beaten and naked they hung him on a cross.

humiliation, what more wrong could you do to a person?
what more insult could you inflict?
What kind of a sign is that? Did we win?

The God of the fire and smoke, of the commandments, the God who dwelt in the temple, the God of personal involvement and of the prophets, became the God of flesh and blood. Who loves us so much that he allowed himself to be hung on a cross, naked.

That's not the creator God up there? is it?

Is it? If it is He's taken a very big chance on us exercising our free will
and making the right choice. Because that's embarrassing to look at.
I've never known a king to be strung up like that and call it a victory at you sure?
I'm sure, this is how humbling, humbled God can be.

We've turned His world upside down. Don't ask for a sign. This is it!

Look theres very little rules and regulations in this covenant we have with God. It takes faith and I know that gets shaken from time to time, this life, this snake has bitten us and the only way, only sign to saving us, is Christ on the cross.

Its the Centre of everything, our very lives.
We look to the cross.
God, the jealous God, the angry God, says its enough

What about this ...... since we know how to turn Gods world upside down, what about signs of love for God?

Everything He's promised has to be taken on faith.
His word, now our word.
His cross, now our cross.
His church,now our church.

There are signs set in creation, yes... in nature... in the birth of a child and so on. But don't ask for a personal sign, theres the cross and the rest is free will.

Give me a sign, what dress, what Job, were next, don't you read scripture ? sure ask for wisdom but a sign?

Most of the stuff in our life, is easy, you know what I mean, you don't need a sign for any of that, not if you know me God says.

Theres a lot of pain in this life ....
I know, but let me save you from making it worse.

We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

He's taken a chance on us...... we may reject Him, if we don't get our signs but this not old Testament.

This is the bright future of a new covenant, Gods not silent .......
he still speaks.

Like the centurion we may be in for a big fright one day, an find out to late that indeed praise God, here was a righteous man and not just a righteous man but our God.

Now no more of this, lets be about Gods business.

Family Outing, Thought it Worth Seeing Again.

2011-10-15T08:30:00.000Z

From Fear to Knowledge then to Wisdom & Fruit.

2011-06-20T21:56:00.014Z

P.S. It's a pest to sort out the colour of the text evenly in the blog so bear with it :)

I'M A SPONGE IN GODS KITCHEN

(why this title? I’ll come back to it.)

An illustration. Mind control / restructure / change.

Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD – a professor of neurology at

Harvard Medical School in his article, The Brain that

Plays Music and is Changed by It, had non-piano playing subjects learn

a simple piano piece over a period of time while he made detailed

observations of their brain activity. He began with subjects who

physically played a piano, and then looked at what happened when

participants only thought about playing the piano. Sure enough, mental

practice produced very similar results to physical practice.

Mental simulation of movements activates some of the same central

neural structures required for the performance of the actual

movements. This not only results in marked improvement in

performance, but also seems to place the subjects at an advantage for

further skill learning with minimal physical practice. The combination of

mental and physical practice leads to greater performance improvement

than does physical practice alone…

In other words, mental practice produced a measurable and beneficial

effect. Great news for us

Remember to refer to the graphic / flow chart above.

How did we started the subject of WISDOM many weeks ago?

Psalm 111:10 (NIV)

[10] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have

good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

And

James 1:5 (NIV)

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 2:1-7 (NIV)

Moral Benefits of Wisdom.. My son, if you accept my words and store

up my commands within you, [2] turning your ear to wisdom and

applying your heart to understanding, [3] and if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the

fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord gives

wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7]

He holds victory in store for the upright.

Watch for those key phrases and words that say God can be seen, understood, rejected.

Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the

godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their

wickedness, [19] since what may be known about God is plain to them,

because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of

the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature

—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

[21] For although they knew God, they

neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking

became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they

claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of

the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds

and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1:24-25 (NIV)

[24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to

sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25]

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served

created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

BUT

Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

[28] Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the

knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what

ought not to be done. [29] They have become filled with every kind of

wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder,

strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

[30] slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent

ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; [31] they are senseless,

faithless, heartless, ruthless. [32] Although they know God’s righteous

decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only

continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice

them.

They neither feared God nor followed His decreed!

The other side of the coin.

Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who

love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height

nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us

from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 4:17-28 (NIV)

[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no

longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They

are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God

because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their

hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over

to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual

lust for more.

Wisdom seen in action bears fruit in ones character, wisdom, That is knowledge that becomes wisdom effects the persons behavour.

[20] You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. [21] Surely

you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth

that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of

life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful

desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to

put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and

holiness. [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak

truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your

old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be

made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self,

created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

IN ANY & EVERY SITUATION IT'S TO GO WITH & NOT AGAINST GOD

ITS THE BATTLE FOR HEARTS AND MINDS NEW MIND = NEW SELF

ITS TURNING KNOWLEDGE INTO WISDOM

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and live a life

of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant

offering and sacrifice to God.

So it's the battle for our hearts and minds, for GOD or Against?

And I think that's where GIANT killing comes in and mental / mind

practice. I was excited by Johns lesson the other week, our GIANT we have to fight is this TSUNAMI of SIN that we are surrounded by and the Old Self.
And we need to prepare.

Colossians 3:1-17 (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things

above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your

minds on things above, not on earthly things.

That's how we absorb 10,000 hrs, that's how we quicken the process John spoke about. You heard how mental practice works, the thing I mentioned at the beginning of the lesson. If we employ the mental practice the reading, the meditation, the study all the other stuff, the dwelling on his word all that and the actual doing, we will fast track to 10,000 hours.

If my heart and mind is focused on the heavenly things, on the godly on the, things that the new self should be then that's when the manifestation of the new creation takes place!

And that's what the bible is so insistent on! New creation living! Which is a wise thing learned from the fear of the lord, not to go against, but choice his precepts.

Remember how eager we were to be baptised? Yet there is more in the bible about how we should live after we have been, and more about it in the old testament of how Gods people should be.

That's how I came up with the title, because someone told me the word baptised was just an ordinary word, and how people would just baptise there dishes, in the water out. Well, we should be / are more like sponges submerged at baptism. We are more the sponge than the plate. We are sponges soaked in God!

Wisdom, mind changing knowledge that leads to better living in the here and now, if I read the previous scriptures right.

Baptism wasn't the end of something it's just the start!

Ephesians 5:15-21 (NIV)

[15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making

the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not

be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine,

which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [19] Speak to one

another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your

heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in

the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence

for Christ.

HEARTS and MINDS on things ABOVE !

The thinking PREPARING US FOR SITUATIONS BEFOREHAND

It's like the Radar operator I spoke about weeks ago, you are in tune and will known when something is right or wrong.

Think of it 24hrs x7days x 52weeks = 8,736 hours in year !

But maybe we dont set our minds on things if we are sleeping ?

Well 16 x 7 x 52 = 5,824, 2years an your an "expert "

O, it's all so much more than about numbers...

Pro 2:3-6 if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord gives

wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Col3 cont,

[3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4]

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with

him in glory. [5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your

earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,

which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7]

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

[8] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger,

rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to

each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10]

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in

the image of its Creator. [11] Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised

or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all,

and is in all. [12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly

loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.

[13] Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may

have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And

over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in

perfect unity. [15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as

members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and

admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns

and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. [17] And

whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the

Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Renew your mind change yourself TURN KNOWLEDGE in WISDOM.

James 3:13-18 (NIV)

[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his

good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14]

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not

boast about it or deny the truth.

[15] Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly,

unspiritual, of the devil. [16] For where you have envy and selfish

ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. [17] But the

wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,

considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and

sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of

righteousness.

All the above can be summed up in this ...

Have a relationship with God, our maker and all that entails.

ROM 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile.

It goes without saying.
Being wise also means, being Faithful, having Hope always, and Love.
The things we take with us to the New Heaven, because these 3 things won't pass away.
Goes without saying that's why I'm not saying it.

Wisdom at hand.

2011-06-12T22:26:00.002Z

From today's lesson. If you heard it this may help if you couldn't make it then make your own lesson out of it :)

Marks' Helpful Lesson

2011-05-31T23:12:00.001Z

WISDOM: A PORTRAIT

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
Do you lack wisdom? Ask God for some
Wisdom reveals God’s hand in suffering
Wisdom reveals God’s mercies in the suffering He brings
Wisdom reveals two sub-divisions of wisdom - earthly (limited reach, limited benefit) and God’s wisdom (unlimited reach, unlimited benefit)
Wisdom doesn’t just come to you, it takes practice/hard work/dedication… wisdom isn’t an innate skill or talent
Wisdom reveals the characteristics which God cannot stomach

Up until last Sunday, then, and Proverbs 6, we’ve had two months or so of fairly philosophical lessons - discussions centring around defining wisdom or the situations in which wisdom can benefit us… but in terms of immediately recognizable, immediately useable advice and direction on wisdom… well these types of things might have been a little less common. And I’m not for one moment saying that’s a problem or unsatisfactory - far from it, there was some method behind the schedule, but nevertheless perhaps apart from John’s deep practice lesson, we’ve had little in the way of practical application and more in the theory of wisdom - which again, is not a criticism.

James, widely regarded to be the brother of Jesus, writes in his epistle in chapter 3:13-18 the following:

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

This passage is this morning’s text, and I’d suggest it’s one of the more accessible passages we’ve had in this series. Whereas some have been more in need of discussion or elaboration or explanation, this one maybe not so much. But we’re not only going to read the passage and call it a day - I have broadly three points I’d like to make, and then together with your own study and meditation on the passage, hopefully we can each of us conclude that this excerpt from James’ epistle is indeed, a portrait of wisdom.

Wisdom isn’t hoarded… it’s shown, displayed, manifested through the humility of wisdom
My first point begins with the question James asks, and the retort he gives his own question - who is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom… I love the tension and conflict in this verse, of which there is a fair bit. I’m sure, or I think I’m sure, that we spoke about this in the class, or maybe I mentioned it a while back, but for me there’s a distinct difference in approach which James introduces by the second word of verse 13 - “is”. I think we get a bit caught up in the idea of having wisdom rather than being wise. Remember Proverbs 17:28 - “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” James says that wisdom and understanding can only be proven through a person’s actions and behavior. Wisdom is something you practice, rather than something you acquire. In this regard, what James says about wisdom is very similar to what he says about faith. True wisdom and true faith are not cerebral exercises which otherwise have no effect on a person’s life. True wisdom and true faith cannot fail to invoke a noticeable outworking in a person’s life.

But notice that James doesn’t simply say that the wise and the understanding live good lives… he says that the wise and understanding live good lives filled with deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

The humility that comes from wisdom. I think the tension in James’ writing here is fascinating. I’m going to assume that my thought-process is roughly similar to most people’s (no laughing at the back!) - which runs the risk of going something like this: having wisdom is better than not having wisdom therefore being wise is better than not being wise. I consider X to be wiser than me, therefore X is better than me. This view has problems, but not nearly as many problems as when the ‘wise’ person thinks they’re better than the rest of us. And if you think I’m a bit off-track here, if there wasn’t the potential then James wouldn’t have felt the need to highlight that wisdom should be exercised in humility, and the next verse wouldn’t have started, ‘But…’

The fact is, of course, that you’re half-right, I am a bit off-track, since the wise person who is proud of the fact, and the wise person who lives a good life and does deeds in order that he and they are noticed and in order that their wisdom is lauded, is not a wise person and is not exhibiting wisdom at all! But let’s face it, the world and the way the world operates has infiltrated every fibre of our bodies and minds and sometimes it’s really hard to step away from it - the world puts people on pedestals, we ooh and aah at the people who are ‘above’ us or ‘better’ than us, and by association and implication, we lap it up when we’re put there. The world is hardwired to pride and any and every achievement we’re taught and expected from an early age to be proud of it. So a good life, a life lived full of wise deeds, who wouldn’t bask in the warm glow of that prideful achievement? Yet James expects and demands humility.

In Numbers 12, Moses is described as the most humble person on earth. Later in this chapter, God states that He appears to His prophets in visions and dreams, but with Moses He appears face-to-face… in person!! And yet when Aaron and Miriam wrongly and unjustly attack Moses, he says nothing. In humility, he doesn’t even defend himself. Moses showed his wisdom and understanding - by living a good life, and by deeds done in the humility of wisdom. Which is a fitting description for Christ too, don’t you think? A life lived well, lived properly, lived doing things in the humility of wisdom. Yes, the presence of wisdom - true, Godly wisdom - in a person’s life, just as with faith, will be characterized by a life that is in accordance with the teachings and life of Christ.

The true origin of earthly wisdom [bitter envy and selfish ambition]
Does anyone watch The Apprentice? Bitter envy and selfish ambition would not be an entirely unfair description of the candidates, who are described in the programme as Britain’s leading business talents. Their acumen and skills are supposed to be right up there - so in terms of wisdom in their field, they should have it. But you see their behavior and the way they stab each other in the back, and the sorts of things they say on-camera, and there’s little constructive that’s left to say about them.

Similarly, there are often politicians, the bright young things of the party that rise from the backbenches to a frontbench position rapidly, and these people are often referred to in similar terms, that they displayed a ruthlessness, a single-mindedness and dedication, etc. This example in fact is exactly what lies behind the Greek translated as selfish ambition.

Of course, James doesn’t have in mind the candidates from The Apprentice. He has you and me, and Christians down through the ages stretching right back to members of the congregations he visited and supported. At first, bitter envy and selfish ambition wouldn’t seem to be traits you’d associate with the Church, or at least, they’re not traits you’d want to associate with members of the Church. Sadly however, we might be able to think of people who are characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition. Or you might recall circumstances in which these attitudes featured… or you might even recognize them in yourself from time-to-time.

And so it shouldn’t be difficult to discern that the Church is no place for the antics of The Apprentice. The Church is not the environment for people that are so specifically set and focused on their cause. Because this is James’ point - such people usually promote their own selfish and ambitious agenda as though they have the best interests of the Church at heart. But what catches them out is their boastfulness, which in so doing they expose themselves - since wisdom is exercised in and through humility.

I mentioned (briefly) at the beginning that Derek defined a distinction in wisdoms a couple of weeks ago, and that there was an earthly wisdom and a godly wisdom. We have just added to and developed the earthly strand… but much more chilling in my opinion is where, James says, earthly wisdom originates. Verse 15: it doesn’t come down from heaven, it’s earthly, unspiritual, demonic. I don’t want to overplay this, or make what’s supposed to be an uplifting and positive message a bit negative and depressing, but really… worldly wisdom, James says, is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. Remember when I asked you if you had ever come across anyone in the Church who was maybe a bit earthly wise… or if you’d seen such circumstances… or if you maybe recognized those traits in yourself…?

I think we should be encouraging one another to characters and attitudes which are Christlike, but at the same time, sometimes we need to actively discourage one another away from characters and attitudes which aren’t simply not Christlike, but which are specifically earthly, unspiritual and demonic. Claiming to be wise, claiming to be inspired by God, acting through envy and ambition, is really inspiration from the devil. I’m not making this point because I think I’m talking directly to an individual, or a group, or the congregation. But nevertheless, by the end of next month we’ll have spent 12 weeks looking at wisdom and I think this is an important distinction to make: there is a wisdom we should pursue and exhibit in our lives, and there is a wisdom we should do our utmost to shun and constrain and avoid.

Heavenly wisdom’s evidence is almost identical to the fruit of the Spirit - and borne from a peaceable spirit
This is my 3rd point now, so thanks for your attention thus far and possibly/probably, for not much longer.

You’ll recall that initially I noted that James is of the opinion that wisdom (again, true/God’s wisdom) isn’t so much something that you have, as it is an effect on the way you live your life and the things you do. After portraying what earthly ‘wisdom’ is characterized by, James describes heavenly wisdom in greater detail in verse 17: pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

I don’t want to go into definitions of each of these, I don’t think we have the time and I don’t think this is what is needed - I encourage you instead to spend some time acquainting yourselves with the characteristics of heavenly wisdom. Or rather, what at first appear to be characteristics of heavenly wisdom… but if these described wisdom, wouldn’t we be back to what I was talking about in my introduction - a sort of cerebral, theoretical discussion of wisdom. How do I know whether I have wisdom that’s pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere?

Because James isn’t really describing wisdom (even though he is) - he’s describing the manifestation of wisdom in your life. The presence of wisdom in a believer’s life will give rise to purity, peacefulness, consideration, submissiveness, mercy and good fruit, impartiality and sincerity.

Wisdom is clearly not inert. It is not an inactive, passive attribute or label one appropriates. The way James describes it, wisdom should be the catalyst and conduit for Christian living.

Paul says something very similar when he describes the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 - it even sounds the same: ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’

What Paul says the Spirit produces, James says wisdom produces. And no wonder, I suppose, because wisdom originates from the exact same place as the Spirit: heaven, and God.

I really don’t (didn’t?!) want to turn the lesson into a bible class, but I just have to pick up on something I saw on verse 18 - ‘Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.’ James is drawing out peacefulness as a manifestation of wisdom, for specific mention. And I read that this verse sounds a lot like something Jesus would say, and that some people therefore believe that James is quoting Jesus here. Which, for some reason, I really like. It hits a nerve with me and makes me tingle, gets my juices flowing, the idea that James was putting together these thoughts and as he was talking about wisdom, something his brother said a long time ago came back to him… but it doesn’t even need to be that romantic and rose-tinted a view, because in a way I think Christ did say verse 18, except He said it in the Sermon on the Mount - ‘Blessed be the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God’. That title cannot be viewed as anything other than a harvest of righteousness, surely?

If we strip away the context, and the surroundings, and who we’re sitting next to, and what day it is and what time of day it is, then purity, peacefulness, consideration, submission, mercy, impartiality and sincerity… well, such a list sounds a lot like someone that’s pretty spineless, who doesn’t get on in life, someone who’s a bit of a walkover… someone that certainly wouldn’t get on The Apprentice and someone therefore who’s bound not to be successful.

Except that list also perfectly describes Jesus Christ, doesn’t it? The Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of Mankind - who was neither spineless, unsuccessful, or a walkover. Humility and heavenly wisdom aren’t synonymous with weakness and undesirable - that’s earthly wisdom clouding our view and judgement.

CONCLUSION
In setting Wisdom for our lessons this schedule, I was hoping we would be able to understand the allure and benefit of gaining wisdom. Some of that can be done by defining what wisdom is and looking at how others’ have used their wisdom, or indeed what others’ wisdom has revealed to us. And sometimes we just need a clear picture of what we’re aiming for, and a picture of what that looks like, so we can recognize it when it comes along.

I like to think of this passage in James as a portrait of Wisdom - heavenly on one side, contrasted with earthly on the other. An honest appraisal of our lives, our deeds, and our behavior should enable us to ascertain whether we feature in that portrait, and on which side.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Let me encourage and exhort each one of you, as I encourage and exhort myself, to strive to live a good life, with deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Let us live a life which is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Let us sow in peace, that we may reap a harvest of righteousness.

No Condemnation & a New Creation.

2011-05-29T20:39:00.010Z

ROM 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Unfortunately we find it hard to shake the old habits of sinning, we have ingrained in ourselves perhaps, habits, and not always knowingly at the time, that have ended up being very bad for us.

We have grown up in a society that has helped to form us into sinful beings who now find themselves trying to shake bad habits, and thoughts

We now find we need to practice, the language and the habits of a people who are saved.

Not a people who are perfect, but a people who are saved.

Its, not so much looking for rules of conduct to live lives by but something lovelier than that.

We are looking for the language of life, the internal mode of living, of living as new creations,

its the language and habits and actions and thoughts of a people in WHOM GOD LIVES!

He has to live in us in order to save us. We have to make the choice!

ROM8:5-6

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;

but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Again we have to make the choice

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death,

but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

We have to make the choice and it hard at times to live, not a perfect life, but a life as people in whom God Lives! This new creation.

ROM8:9-11

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

Your body, my body, this fleshy thing that longs for old ways, is effectively dead & the spirit lives in us, The spirit triumphs the body, the spirit in us triumphs the body and you believe it because it is this Spirit who gives life & has set us free from the law of sin and death. Its the spirit that will resurrect us.

ROM 8:12 -13

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

It's a struggle, all our suffering is linked to sin, ours or someone else’s.

Colossians 3:5

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

We now find we need to practice, the language and the habits of a people who are saved.

Not a people who are perfect, but a people who are saved.

Its not so much about following rules and regulations

It's the spirit of these things.

And it's not so much about individuals because allowances have been made, and Christians have been encouraged, and made right and made holy and given the choice change there habits.

I think the Christian life is not so much about individuals, is more about His church, His presence felt here on the earth.

Made up of saved loved individuals who live by the spirit who can learn the language, the habits, the practice of new creation ways. Think of my illustration of the radar operator who instinctively new some thing was wrong because he knew his subject so well, he knew at a deeper level and gained wisdom.

ROM 8:5

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;

but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

We have to make the choice

Think of Johns lesson of killing giants and the practice involved and how we can learn in effect to undo the in-grained bad habits with

Motivation, Targeted Practice and Deep Practice.

That sort of thing can be hard, painful. This is what Rom 8:18 ff SAYS

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son-ship, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

We are not alone in this, His powerful spirit, that will raise us from the dead, his spirit lives in us. Us a royal priesthood. AND All this is not strange!

You will remember how God gave instructions to mankind O/T of how he would like His temple to be built here on the earth, and how man worked on the temple a lot of effort to get it just the way He wanted it, and the king came along and dedicated it to God and how the priests administered there, yeah?

We are that Temple now, God lives in us, dwells in us, we are the royal priesthood, that is to say we dedicate this body (self) and this body (church) to the lord. And we like the priests of old will administer our duties, not as perfect people, but as a people saved.

He not only took our sin away but put something in its place, a new heaven & a new earth, and a new creation, us, and for his own purpose made us a new creation now!

On the fiddle.

2011-05-15T22:27:00.000Z

Had a very good night last Saturday evening. Drew put together a small concert for his son Robert in order to help raise some financial support for Robert in order that he can go to South Africa and do some missionary work. Drew sang some of his own compositions, as well as having some special guests. One special guest was
Seonaid Aitken
a talented violinists who made a big impress on us all. For those who would like to know more about her see below.

http://www.myspace.com/seonaidaitken

KILLING A GIANT TAKES PRACTICE

2011-05-15T22:08:00.005Z

Johns' very good lesson from Today.

1 Samuel 17: 40
Then he took his staff in his hand, choose five smooth
stones from the stream, put them in pouch of his
shepherd's bag ... with sling in hand.

Great story, isn't it?
The Israelites and the Philistines are having a face-off (hill to
hill) and the 9 foot giant, Goliath, walks to the front line and
taunts the Israelites. Come intae me! Come ahead! And the
reaction? Saul and the Isrealites are dismayed and terrified!
As it happens, David is running an errand to bring supplies to
the soldiers on the hill and he over hears this giant of a man,
breathing threats and insults against his people and God. Those
standing on the front line, run off in terror! Then David
overhears another interesting piece of info:
"The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him"
He's like, "What!? Did I hear that right?" So he goes to check the
story and sure enough, its true! And David says, "I'll do it!" And
Saul, the king, agrees.
"Then he took his staff in his hand, choose five smooth
stones from the stream, put them in pouch of his
shepherd's bag and with his sling in hand, approached
the Philistine..."
Goliath, all armor and teeth and breathing threats... David
says: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,
but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you
have defied .This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your
head."David runs at him! BANG - Hole in one! The giant comes
crashing down, David runs to him, takes the giants sword and
cuts off his head!
The enemy soldiers run for their lives and are pursued by the
Israelites who subsequently routed them.

What a great story! And we love it, because the little guy wins!
The underdog triumphs! And we love it, because David, as well
as being the little guy, is also unspectacular. We can identify
with him, it's like we share in his victory because he came from
an ordinary background, like us! Just an ordinary guy, with an
ordinary background, with ordinary parents with an ordinary
upbringing.
Talent is Overrated:

Matthew Syed,
None of you will know who Matthew Syed is. Syed was the
English number one Table tennis player for many years. He
competed and won in the Commonwealth games and even
competed at the Olympic games on two occasions.
Syed came from an unspectacular background, he was one of
us. His parent weren't rich, he went to an ordinary school and
lived in an ordinary street. And, writers and commentators
looked upon his success and placed him in the "gifted category".
Here was one so talented, yet so ordinary. Cleary his DNA or
cells or a unique physiology was different from everyone else,
extraordinary. He achieved levels of talent that you and I could
never dream of. And he's not alone...
Others like Tiger Woods said to have been born to play golf.
Roger Federer is said to have tennis encoded in his DNA.Mozart, a genius, born with sublime abilities. One of history's
greatest composers, a man who has changed lives with his
artistic insight.

In his book Bounce, Syed tells another side of the story. When
he was growing up, his parent bought him and his brother a
championship-sized table tennis table and placed it in the
garage. He and his brother loved the game and played it day in
and day out. By the time he got to secondary school, he was
pretty good! It just so happened that the school's sports coach
was dedicated and not only that, was a very good TT coach! He
was taken under the coaches' wing, and trained to be better.
He was given access to a club with several other great players
and eventually enjoyed great success in the sport.

Practice.
His point was simple... he did not posses any special DNA or
giftedness or better cell or physiology than anyone else! NO! It
could be seen that his success was down to simple hard work
and practice along with the opportunities that were afforded
him in his upbringing.
He goes on in his book to show what science and research has
now discovered: that dedicated, targeted, deep practice will
allow ANYONE to be world class in any field of their choosing!
This requires some prerequisites:
Motivation: - you gotta want it, and want it badly.
Targeted Practice: Not just any old repetition, but
practicing the right things, in the right manner. So that
learners can use feedback to adjust their technique and
make it perfect. You need a proper coach.
Deep Practice: Going to the golf range and banging a
few balls off the matt once a week is not going to pay
dividends. We are talking dedication and sacrifice.Researchers have even placed a number on it. 10,000 hours (10 years) of this kind of practice with the correct program and
motivation, will allow anyone to become world class in any
complex task. Extensive research has shown this.
Mozart at the age of 3 was placed on an intensive training
program by his father. By the age of 6, had clocked up 3500
hours of practice! By his mid-teens, he had clocked 10000 hours
of dedicated practice!

Tiger Woods' dad was obsessed with the idea that practice
creates greatness. He was right. Tiger was received his first golf
club from his dad before he could walk or talk - 5 days before
his first birthday. At a year and a half he had his first golfouting. At the age of 2 he entered his first pitch and putt tournament. He could already hit the ball 80 yards with his 2.5
wood and he could accurately pitch from 40 yards! By his midteens, he had clocked 10000 hours of dedicated practice!
Woods was and still is the youngest winner of the coveted US
Masters and 14 major titles in all.

Andre Agassi was considered by all who mattered to be one of
the greatest tennis players of all time. His list of wins is longer
than your arm, including 8 Grand Slam titles and the Grand
Slam itself. Again, his dad pushed him and pushed him and
pushed him. He made him hit 2500 balls per day. He said, if
someone hits 2500 balls per day, that's 17,500 balls per week;
that's almost one million per year. His dad said, a child who
hits one million balls in a year is going to be unbeatable.
Two years before the William Sisters were born, their dad
Richard, along with his new wife, decided to create a tennis
champion. To prepare, Richard watched tapes of tennis
coaching, read books, spoke to coaches. He learned to play the
game so that he could hit balls with his daughters. He
encouraged his girls to serve tennis balls with a baseball bat til
their arms ached! 550 balls in a shopping basket were fed to them. Then he'd collect them all and start again. The girls
loved it! They were picked up as child prodigies and the rest is
history.

Iceberg Effect - explain.
I could go on and on and on with examples of this. Regardless of
what you do in your life, you could, if you wanted to, do it
much, much, much better. I took five lessons from a decent
golf coach - did a little practice and has transformed my game.
I'll never play at the Open, only because I'm way too old, but
yesterday I hit the best score of my life. Targeted practice,
hitting more balls and hitting them with purpose and knowing
when and why I hit a good one, but more importantly, when I
hit a bad one, I now know why! And that means I can fix it!
Giant Killing.

Remember David? The giant killer, great story. Preachers and
writers the world over, latch on to this story and preach it with
passion and fervor. Look at the little guy defeat the giant.
Christian, you too can defeat your giants!
That thing that's holding you back, that sin that making you less
that you ought to be and less than you can be, be like David,
and SLAY IT! And it sounds like a great message. I've heard it,
and I'm sure that others in the audience where like me; caught
up in the moment, filled with vigour, passion renewed, feeling
10-feet tall - Oh! I can take on the WORLD! And we all high-five
and applaud and shout AMEN! Preach on!

Then, we leave the meeting and we go back to our everyday
lives... In virtually no time at all, the passionate words of the
preacher, that made you feel like you could punch through
walls are fading and distant whisper. The rush has gone... the
temptations and trials of life close in. You try to stand, you try
to win, but your will is weak, your resolve is fragile and before you know it, those giants are standing before you, taunting you, tempting you, ridiculing you. And like a house of cards, you
tumble into their clutches. And you take yet another beating at
their merciless hands... Sound familiar?
But the preacher said... giants...! The preacher got it wrong.
Oh, he was nearly right, ever so close to a liberating truth! But
he fell short and misunderstood the situation entirely. I'm not
saying that the giants won't fall, I'm saying they will fall, and
I'm going to correct his mistake and give you the liberating
truth you so desperately need to hear.

Let's go back to David. David was an EXPERT shot with is sling.
This wasn't the first time he picked up a sling. This was no
miracle. This wasn't even extraordinary. David said it himself,
he did this day in and day out! David said to Saul:
"I have been keeping my father's sheep. When a lion or a
bear came and carried off one of the flock, I went after
it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. I
have killed both lion and the bear... this Philistine will
be like one of them."
And let's face it, read the text and you will see that David was
attracted to challenge, not because God sent him but because
of the money! David wasn't like Moses. Remember Moses? "Go
tell Pharaoh to let my people go!" Moses didn't want to! After
all, what was he going to say or do?! Well, when he got there,
God took care of that! It was all God!

David wasn't visited by God and sent on an impossible mission.
David went up to the battle front with provisions for the troops
and overheard what was going on and heard about the financial
reward. He KNEW he could do it because he KNEW he was an
expert shot! He didn't step out in a grand gesture of faith with
nothing to go on but whatever God told him or did for him in the moment, he knew he had what it took to take the giant down!
When David was out on the hills with his sheep, what do you
think he was doing?
 TV Programs?
 Playing golf for hours?
 Playing computer games hour after hour?
 Hanging out with his friends in bars?
 Surfing the Web and chatting on FB through the
night?
No, remember the ICEBERG EFFECT? You see David kill the
giant, and you think, genius or miracle or some other erroneous
response. The fact is, this boy could only be this good because
he PRACTICED it! Set up some targets and hone his skill.
David, like Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, The Williams Sisters,
Mozart, put in hour after hour of practice and dedication until
he was a master! If he didn't do this, his life and the life of his
sheep where in trouble, so he had no option.
Now, listen to this, here is the link statement that bring all of
this together and leads to the application of the lesson... DAVID
COULD KILL THE GIANT BECASUE HE PRACTICED TO EXPERT
LEVEL.
Let me put it another way, just in case the penny hasn't
dropped: Why can't we kill giants like David did? You know
what I mean by giants, right? I mean things like temptations
and sins and bad choices that not only bring harm upon
ourselves and our loved ones, but things that stop us making
progress!

Oh John! Your going down the route of "Performance-based
Christianity". No I'm not. I'm not asking you to earn your salvation, that's taken care off... I'm encouraging you to take on
the amour of God! So that you can protect yourselves against
the attacks of the evil one! The sin, the temptation, the bad
choices: giants.
You want to kill giants? You want to unshackle yourself from the
shadows? You want to see light more than darkness? You want
to stop doing the things that hurt you and those closest to you?
You want to want to stop doing those shameful things?
It takes, Motivation, Targeted Practice and Deep
Practice.
You're here, you have motivation, however little it is, there is
enough to go on.

Next Targeted practice.
 Study: Get away from Milk and eat solids! . Do you think
Jim mc Guiggan woke up one day blessed with a deep
knowledge of scripture? Where do you think that came
from? Study/Practice [ICEBERG]. Do you think that it's
made him stronger and more blessed as a result?
 Prayer: Pray continually [Prayer Journal]
 Fellowship: They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and
to prayer.
 Service: For the Son of Man came, not to be served, but
TOO SERVE...
 Evangelizing: Go into all the world and preach the good
news...
 Holy Lives: I urge you to live a life worthy of
the calling you have received[in response to the one who
Loves us and Saves Us].
When we target these things and practice them, we will
become skilled in them. At first it might present a steep
learning curve, but with deep practice, it gets more and more ingrained, more and more natural and before we know it, the
giants are saying - we can't break him down, he's too strong.
Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty
power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this
dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of
truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with
the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with
which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the
evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert...

An Old House Group Lesson:

2011-04-30T23:25:00.005Z

After You Press Play Go More (bottom right) and Full Screen, see if you can Spot my mistakes :)

The Fruit of the Spirit on Prezi

Marks' Supper.

2011-04-18T18:40:00.000Z

Fifteen hundred years prior, give or take, the people arrived on the banks of the Jordan, at the threshold of the Promised Land. Hebrews reveals what Canaan represents, just as the book of Joshua does - a precursor, a type, a shadow of what’s to come. Rest - the 7th day represents - when we are finally, and forever, home.

Joshua led the people across the Jordan and into the Promised Land and it was Passover, and the Israelites participated in that feast, in that remembrance… and the next day ushered in a new chapter of their relationship with God.

Exodus 12: 26-28 “nd when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron.”

The Israelites were in captivity and seemingly without hope - slaves to a foreign master. But God heard their cries and their despair, and delivered them. It was the first Passover, and the Israelites participated in that feast, in that remembrance… and the next day, God rescued them from slavery and hopelessness.

This is no small observance, and it’s not one which started with Christ, and it’s not one which should end with us remembering that He ate some unleavened bread and drank some wine. In various guises, this ceremony has signified and symbolized a special promise, a special covenant and an assurance that only truly finds fulfillment in the One who said, who says, “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Once, a people were saved and set free the day after this feast. Some time later, their descendants were saved and found rest the day after this feast. And yet some time later, sin and death were forever made impotent , and people were saved, the day after this feast.

Ask the Egyptians about tomorrow. Ask the Canaanites about tomorrow. Ask the Jews about tomorrow. Nothing much will change for us tomorrow, or on any Monday… and yet, Tomorrow only has significance and meaning for us, because of the fulfillment of a promise made again and again and again, of which this feast and ceremony is testimony.

I like it.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER

2011-04-12T22:01:00.003Z

2011-04-12T21:57:00.001Z

Summer Fête....

COMING SOON

Err.. Umm ..Wisdom.

2011-04-11T19:09:00.007Z

Jas 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Jas 1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Jas 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Solomon got it by God asking him in a dream what he Solomon wanted, Joshua had (was given) a Spirit of Wisdom and there’s the bible writers who God worked through and seemed, correct me if I'm wrong, had a lot of Wisdom given to them and then there's what James says..
ask God for it.

Dare I say it, it's not so much how it's transferred but the fact that God is at work in / on an individual that gives them the ability to evaluate properly, understand fully and decide rightly the thing to do next.

The fear of the LORD is the starting place, and that narrows the field of how to live an apply our decision making, immensely .

If you don’t want to disrespect Him, anger Him, and know just what He is capable of, surely that focuses your decision making.

He may decide to work on us more miraculously, but it's unlikely, because He gives us so much more information about getting wisdom in other ways, which still takes as much faith and as much involvement from God.

Pro 2:1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

Pro 2:2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

Pro 2:3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

Pro 2:4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

Pro 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Pro 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

And

Pro 1:1 These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David.

Pro 1:2 Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.

Pro 1:3 You will learn what is right and honest and fair.

Pro 1:4 From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.

Pro 1:5 If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand

Pro 1:6 proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom and all kinds of riddles.

Do you want wisdom?

Ask for it, seek it, call out for it, listen for it,learn it

and know that

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

Ultimately all knowledge and wisdom has to come through God one way or another.

We only know love because he first loved us, we only know truth because he has shown us, we only know the right thing to do because he guides us in it.

And we only know wisdom because he works in us. At a deep level.

Imagine a head, a heart hard wired for God.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given them.

Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.

Devotional

2011-04-05T17:36:00.006Z

SONG 735

Mat 22:2 -14 "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son,
and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.'
But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business,
while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy.
Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.'
And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.
And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.
Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
For many are called, but few are chosen."

SONG 957

Mat 13:24 -50 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,
but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?'
He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'
but he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'"
He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches."
He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world."
Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."
He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels.
Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,
and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.
So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

SONG 860

Mat 25:1-30 the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'

And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'
But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

SUPPER:

SONG 870

Mat 25:31-46"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

SONG 867

to boldly go as Jesus went ...

2011-03-21T17:29:00.007Z

Or do we go up or does heaven come down?

An attempt at humour and at the same time inducement to think.

To go as Jesus went, that is sacrificially and do we go up to heaven as Jesus seems to have went or does heaven come down, as in Revelation?

First of all let me say that this is not me preaching, it's more me talking suggesting, wondering and knowing there is more work to be done on this subject and the subject is Restoration.

It needs so much more study of which I'm the least, of all, competent at. I'm asking more questions than I'm answering.

For instant before we get into restoration proper, what about this part of the whole subject. Christ arose from the dead, right? His human body arose, there may be more to his human body, but, it was his human body that arose in the main wasn't it? I mean he was eager so show Thomas the wounds and those who walked with him, after his death before he revealed himself, didn't see much difference in him. And if your going to debunk death isn't that the way to do it, come back in some description as a human body and say, see. So Jesus arose human (plus) and at some point ascended into heaven.. right?

So you can be human in heaven? (Isn't heaven our goal also?) So is Jesus at the moment steering the Ship i.e. the church, in his human form plus from Heaven?

Does it matter what restoration is anyway? If we just know roughly what it is and stick to God, we will do okay, won't we? How you feel, think about restoration may actually matter, I think. Think about it, we are here, as Christians who have work to do, deeds to preform, Gods plan to follow, which is important, how important is it, if it's all burnt up, all started from scratch again or something similar? (I'm taking it your like most and believe it is). If its that then what is God doing, keeping us busy until he returns? Does he work like that?

What if it's not burnt up, destroyed?

What if all your work and all my work has a big legacy! That it's really important and must be done. And secondly

What if the earth just continues on in a new form, building on what has been done? How important is you work in the here, now, now ?

That puts a new slant on things, a new light, a new urgency, importance to what you do! The work of the church here is of significance don't you think?

It heralds the coming of hope to a bunch of people out of syn with God, it lives and breathes as new beings, changed but not yet in the new place, but living, like we are and doing work that continues to grow and reap rewards and is Christlike.

If you think this work of ours is not long lasting not able to make a difference and is all burnt up, destroyed, you will silently think whats the point. The point is evil reins, people are lost, justice is not served, wonder ceases.

Anyway, what could Restoration be?

It could all hinge on this.

Well, as I understand its restoration is

A turning back, a making whole again, renewal.

Firstly let me say the earth itself is good, its not evil, we are the problem. See Genesis.

It's us that’s flawed not the Earth in fact Romans 1:18-20 reminds us that although the earth suffers it still evangelises.

So what and how are we renewed? Is everything being Burnt up?

Because that gets a mention in 2 peter

Well let start with a drowning first before the fire stuff.

in 2 Peter 3:3 -13.

Well firstly the destroying by water in verse 6 is understood to be not the planet but the structured, ordered, constructed, wicked and ungodly world that was destroyed.

And as to the fiery stuff I'll leave that to Jim McGuiggan

"Though we hear of rolled up heavens, falling stars, the extinction of human and creatures, countries become lakes of fire and at the same time wild animals dominating the country none of these descriptions are to be taken literally. It’s the language of judgement on the structures of the unrighteous, it’s the ending of their world and the bringing in of righteousness" (see 2 Peter 3:13).

So no burning up, what then?

Is Heaven brought down then like in revelation 21 and 22?

from Revelation 21

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

I don't know. This is what I know

Jesus in his prayer said

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

It will be like, I think, it was brought down from heaven, according to Jesus' prayer, Your will be done on earth.

And that makes sense because thats what we are about, spreading the gospel. Like little prophets sent to Nineveh.

In the end Restoration is about our Relationship with God that was in need of fixing. Since that's was what was lost and the physical world suffered, as we shook hands with death.

How aught we to be in the here and now?

We are already a part of all that is going on, part of his plan. The good works and the deeds that wont be burnt up, where your input matters and is effective, mostly, sometimes, depends on other peoples free will.

But It is something .

Your justice, your prayers, your actions towards the poor, your worship, your unity, your sharing the gospel. We belong to God and he has directed us to his aims.

It is important that his will is done on earth, it matters

Lets end with.

Revelation 19:7

7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.

(That's the church he's talking about being married to Christ)

for the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

And this fine linen won while we lived here, in the here & now is for wearing during and no doubt after, the restoration.

2011-03-17T17:39:00.001Z

5000 Men
12 Baskets full, left over
5 Loaves
2 Fish
1 boy, willing to give

And a lot of Love.

I wonder what he can do with my gift?

From Derek's Lesson today.

2011-03-13T19:51:00.010Z

In this world you are either taking refuge
in GOD or
from HIM.
I think I know which I will choose.

Set in Stone

2011-03-12T17:05:00.001Z

I was recently in London and spent sometime at the British Museum and was thrilled to see this obelisk (link below) that showed Jehu making his tribute to the conquering king.

Picture of JEHU Obelish link

Not Easy.

2011-02-27T18:04:00.002Z

The cost of being Called for some.

Asia News it

Complain no more about my lot in life I think.

BREAKFAST WHO WHEN

2011-02-26T22:31:00.000Z

New Songs.

2011-02-26T22:05:00.003Z

I Know it's been some time :)

In no particular order, new songs learnt.

For those not taking notes.

602 Nobody fills my heart like Jesus

435 Come into his Presence

21 Thou art worthy

159 You are my God

116 God will make a way

52 Father & Friend

251 The Lord thy God

567 Restore my Soul

730 We declare that the kingdom of God is here

749 The battle belongs to the Lord

947 Jesus is tenderly calling

Hmmm....

2010-08-01T07:12:00.001Z

Lots of info but workability and construction not so good

http://www.doesgodexist.org/

In the dark with God ?

2010-04-25T07:48:00.004Z

Last week Derek took us into a very dark room, well not literally.
He was talking about knowing God, our reading, and knowing God our relationship.
And likened it to going into a very dark room at night. Someone has told you about the treasures there, wonderful paintings that thrill and stir the emotions, works of art that fire the imagination, that help you to see and feel and know. And to top it all, food in abundance but all you can do is feel your way around and so you look for something to help enlighten you. You search and search for a match and find one, oh joy, strike it and just for the 55 seconds that it glows you see it all! It's awesome, then the match grows dim and again your in the 'very' dark.

So the reading doesn't go so well without the light but, what about the relationship?
Our relationship is not with the book its with the Person of God. The God who wants a relationship, who is doing His part.

More was said but then you have to be there.

More talent than you can shake a hymn book at

2010-04-11T20:25:00.004Z

Apologies to Bryan and Richard both have done very good lessons recently which I haven't commented on. It's for various reasons mostly because it takes me ages to actually work out what I'm going to say then type it. They may yet appear.. :)

mmm nice!

2010-04-11T20:11:00.003Z

Marshmallows, cookies an carrots.

The marshmallow is the lack of self discipline we seem to have. Based on those tests/games of making kids choose between one marshmallow now or two if they can wait.

Cookies, is everything the world throws at us and says hey have you seen/ tasted this!
As well as that social pressure there is also the lack of role models in our own lives. Particularly those bible reading one's. We have our own self discipline difficulties (opportunities), worldliness and culture against us, all of which makes us poor bible readers. The bible dangles like a carrot next to cookies with marshmallows on top and we find it hard not to go for the instant gratification. The carrot may be good for you but who eats carrots?

Anyway lets change that since we know what the problem is now.

I Promise.

2010-03-21T20:47:00.004Z

Derek started by asking, can you Keep your Promise?

It's good to find/ know those people who can.

David could.
1 Samuel 20:14-15
Jonathan asked, "if I continue to live, treat me with the LORD's faithful love, but if I die, don't ever withdraw your faithful love from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David's enemies from the face of the earth."

Time passed.
And David remembered.

2 Sam 9 ff
"Is there anyone remaining from Saul's family I can show kindness to because of Jonathan?" There was a servant of Saul's family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "I am your servant," he replied.
So the king asked, "Is there anyone left of Saul's family I can show the kindness of God to?"
Ziba said to the king, "There is still Jonathan's son who is lame in both feet." The king asked him, "Where is he" Ziba answered the king, "You'll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel." So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.
Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, bowed down to the ground and paid homage.

David said, "Mephibosheth!" "I am your servant," he replied.
"Don't be afraid," David said to him, "since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul's fields, and you will always eat meals at my table."

If God's good servant can keep Promises What do you think?
We have been promised life, restoration, Love, a place at His table.

Much reduced lesson, better to see Derek in action.
Thanks Derek for reminding us. : )

Charlie.

From the reduced preachers lesson society.

Self Evaluation

2010-03-14T21:28:00.005Z

It was one of those lessons that you were glad you didn't miss.

A slow, bubbling, fermenting, hefty meal made before your very eyes. As it neared its completion I was so overjoyed and excited by it, that I wished it had been me who made it, that's the best/ only real compliment I can make of any lesson, or rather not a lesson but an exhortation to check yourself against the self you think you are.

I'm sitting here wondering if I should try and synopsis-size his lesson (John's lesson).

Hmm... no.

Come and listen an hear it first hand, come and here gifted people help you understand the LORDS Word.

For those of us who did hear it, let's strive to be part of that Focussed Group who let nothing stand in the way of God. They encourage, they attend, they lead, are dedicated, serve and are connected, as well as student's of the word. They never question their faith and their lives are changed by Jesus.

What a lesson!

the Kingdom of Heaven

2010-02-28T22:10:00.003Z

Today's 'Service' was a devotional and I felt this should be in and around something that Jesus said. Well that's most devotionals for me anyway. So this time round it was Jesus telling us what the kingdom of Heaven was like and Just before we get to the end Mark brought us round the table. All of this going on and my brother in-law and niece part of it all. How nice.

Nice to was the hours, effort and love put in by Di, Derek and Jeanette who have provided us with refurbished seating and a new pulpit. I'm blown away by the amount of hours spent on such endeavours.

Thank you.

An eye for beauty.

2010-02-22T21:51:00.002Z

I like when lessons have a kind of tag line, it helps recall the lesson, usually. John was preaching Sunday. The line to recall from that lesson was "Believing is Seeing".

Thanks John.

Friends, lend me your ears...

2010-02-22T21:44:00.003Z

I was very privileged to give a lesson / preach the other week to seven of my own family. A few of them may have got there a bit late but, that was nothing compared to the last 15 years I had been hanging on. The only disappointment was my Mum wasn't there but that was why they were. I poured my heart out in order to win them over, time will tell.

2010-02-04T00:54:00.000Z

What John said at his supper.

More Service !

2009-11-27T13:13:00.004Z

Some of the things we discussed this week at house group in and around SERVICE.

*Ideas and some thoughts from The Richard J. Foster book Celebration of Discipline.

The service of small things as opposed to the big things. The service of small things is a daily / frequent service, usually. Large tasks require great sacrifices the small require constant sacrifices. Most of us would rather a hundred times make the great sacrifice however violent & painful on the condition we be freed from the tedium of the small . We would rather the big deal, in and out. The small stuff puts us at odds with our sloth & idleness.
But nothing says I love like 'constant' needful service .

What small services do you know off that ...
1/Have been done and moved you for it?
2/Might need done?

The service of Guarding Reputations of others.
This service guards against backbiting & gossip. It's about holding ones tongue and remembering that we should not be party to such a things neither starting it or adding to it.

1/ How strongly do you feel about Gods/ Christ's / church (pick one) reputation?
2/ How far would you like me / us to go in protecting your reputation & why?
3/ What's the best encouragement you could give me on this service ?

The service of being Served.
It's allowing others to serve you, hard or easy?

1/ Your most difficult piece of service given to someone? No names lets protect them.
2When / what was the most difficult piece of service you received (difficult for good reasons). Think about it. Someone did something so gracious you couldn't 'believe' it. Maybe they went the extra mile or saw you at your worse and still boasted how good you were, something like that.
3/ Is there something we can do for you now ?

More to follow next week.

House Group lesson on Service

2009-11-19T22:22:00.005Z

On Submission..

2009-10-28T23:18:00.003Z

It's been a while. Stuff from the house group about Submission a wee reminder with Task List.

Click on image.

And my Prayer is this ....

2009-09-05T15:29:00.005Z

Prayer was the continued topic in House Group having been started the previous week.
We talked about, well, if we believe, do we have to pray about the same thing again and again hmmm? Also some felt it was hard to pray for long periods of time, where as some felt much merit in talking a person at a time before God which led to longer periods of prayer engagement.

To me prayer is more than just praying, I find myself meditating more at this time on the subject as well as praying. Also as well as praying I sometimes find during prayer I 'hear' answers and that starts a dialogue and/or another prayer request.
Go figure.

Been away.

2009-09-02T12:11:00.007Z

I've been away for a few weeks, kind of missed H/G and church, kept thinking about what I was missing there. One good lesson can make for a great change and although I read, pray even mediate, (haven't tried fasting yet) I feel that a valuable part of learning is missing. I don't miss the people so much, sound terrible I know but let me finish, I don't miss the people so much because I know I'm coming back home soon, but once a lessons gone it's gone, usually (for at least a year :) )

Of course I'm hoping all this learning is working out in action and bearing fruit, I think it is but, I might be bias ?

Hot Stuff!

2009-08-04T14:23:00.010Z

It was with some sedulous effort that I set about Sundays lesson. Which in it's self is some what sui generis as I'm a little desultory in bring a lesson together, still with no great confidence only a wish to do my best and be imitative of my brothers before that I stood up to meet the waiting congregation by now it was all ineluctable and I did my thing.

Can you tell I have been trying to improve my vocab?

Basically, I said all in my heart I needed to say and I'm bold enough to say God did the rest and then some. I hope it was well received brother and sisters and that the challenge has not been forgotten. It's one thing to hear it another to act on it.

The image of a Chilli helps me encapsulate it, it burns and you need to be pretty committed to chew on it.

So go fourth with Zeal & fervor, that is with Purpose, Commitment and a Burning Desire to serve the Lord in view of his Mercy, Kindness, LOVE.

Forgive me Father

2009-07-23T11:31:00.001Z

In his novel Cancer Ward, Solzhenitsyn wrote of self-induced healing, which is a much better term than "spontaneous remission." Solzhenitsyn chose a rainbow-colored butterfly to symbolize healing. The butterfly represents change and the rainbow represents all of our feelings and emotions. We need to let the butterfly of change and emotional growth touch our lives if we are to heal.
One of the gloomy patients in Cancer Ward reacts to the talk of self-healing with this complaint: "I suppose for that you need to have a clear conscience." He is right. You do have to have a clear conscience. When you do the work necessary to clear your conscience, then the joy of living returns and the physiology of optimism restores you.

This is an extract from an article that can be found at http://www.shareguide.com/Siegel.html.

In house group we have been talking about confession and telling our sin's to one another, as Jim McG would say , Hmm.
It has sparked some debate because it is something we never really talk about and so we are looking at the scriptures and all the in's and out's of it
and their is strong opinion on both sides. The one sure thing is it does go on. We do it, and get something from it. It's those BRAVE souls who trust themselves
to a brother or sister and tell about there 'dark' side that receive healing while us that are more buttoned up and not so brave that suffer, but hey we look a little holy-er.

It was one of the things mentioned from James 5 about sin and sickness that I saw in this article. It's the 'after life' of sin, that it can still continue to damage after the act, as it were,
in some cases. One clear point from the night, we are all sinners, so don't be tempted to look at a Brave confessional soul and think, My God how awful, compared to God yeah awful but compared to us not so.
And the healing part of the confessional? God saves, we are under grace not the law sometimes someone needs to remind us of that, Amen.

How are you getting on?

2009-07-05T21:43:00.005Z

It was very much the same task as last week in the house group, but perhaps with a renewed sense of what we are about and the whole in action, in deed thing. And the 'Quality' of the sacrifice as well, not lame animals.

So here's to a lifetime of sacrificial living (gulp).

Romans 12: 1-2 are a good meditating read, that help.

God is with us.

2009-06-29T10:48:00.004Z

God is with us.
We left house group with this very much in our mind.
To go about our week with a real sense of him there, in everything, to think in that.. way.. fashion, that He is there with us in the day to day, like we should be doing but I guess being human we get complacent.

We spoke about worship and we all came up with that one thought, Sunday service.
We kinda forgot about ~(no not forgot but not there on the tip of our... brain), the other form of worship, the Living sacrifice, the spiritual act of worship. Involving being active, engaging the mind, heart, will and being obedient in our service / daily living..

A thought.

If I didn't make it to service and I didn't attend a maintenance night, all on a Sunday, am I still able to worship in other ways during the week? Is that acceptable to other Christians?

Man does not live by bread alone

2009-06-14T22:17:00.000Z

I presided today with a Lords Supper that involved poached egg and toast, well C.S.Lewis used it as an illustration about needing Jesus so if it's good enough for him. I did extend it to a steak pie with mash potatoes & carrots an peas. It was very different. Some how I ended up with, if you want to be like Jesus, prove it !

but On every word of God

2009-06-14T21:27:00.007Z

In an effort to continue to steer us in the way of meditation, Derek suggested that we try and spend 10-15 mins in thought about something. Either things discussed tonight at house group or about nature, scripture the kind of thing.

I have given it a try and I like it. It don't come natural to me but I have found it helpful.

Lesson

2009-06-06T11:27:00.002Z

From Johns wonderful recent lesson hopefully an aid to help those who where there.

Thanks John.

Pirates Ahoy !

2009-06-05T17:26:00.001Z

Need to protect that wee bald spot somehow.

Me enjoying the recent God given sunshine.

Gnarly Wood.

2009-06-05T15:37:00.011Z

Nice piece of gnarly wood found on beach at Cove.

School of hard knocks.

2009-06-05T14:57:00.007Z

The letter A.

Been a little occupied with letters this last wee while.
Part of my college course is a graded unit and although I went in happy only to get a pass I was told I had obtained a C on the first part (3 parts). It began to bother me probably because my contribution had now been 'valued' by someone who knows about these things. Man it hurt a bit, you put a lot of effort in, stay up late and the best you can do is a C ?
Pants!
By the time all parts had been done I was up to an A.
I don't mind anyone getting recognition for hard work but I guess it's not about hard work I'm sure others, myself included would be on an A to start with. It's not hard work it's right answers and they are not the same thing. So an A for all those right answers and an A for all the hard work, please.
Oh, if it only came to me that little bit easier.

Only 10 ?

2009-06-05T14:38:00.007Z

Make a list of ten things you could change about your life to become more disciplined,
or ten ways in which becoming more disciplined could improve your life.

That is the task for this week, I will have to think on that one.

Spent sometime talking about how easy, hard, discipline can be, the constant calling of the world playing its part. Personally I think having faith, the ability to see a future that holds something better, in Christ, believing in the unseen means we can be disciplined. It takes that same attribute. For to be disciplined you need to see the unseen benefits, you are 'more' likely to do it if you can see future treasure. I go to the gym because I can see a 'better ' me, I pray (for all the right reasons) because, the thing I pray for can happen. I meditate because, I can / will hear God?
One step at a time eh...

Disciplined & listening God.

2009-05-27T15:14:00.004Z

House group last week was about, well, being disciplined.
Thinking about being disciplined in prayer, in meditation, in fasting?
Getting ourselves into a position to HEAR GOD SPEAK.
And that not being just for spiritual giants but attainable by us ordinary folks, hmm.
It's a thought.

So as an exercise we gave ourselves the task of tackling something that requires disciple, anything, but having a go.

Talented bunch ?

2009-05-17T21:14:00.013Z

New house group, new challenge.
What is my talent ?
How can I make use of it?
That was the million dollar question asked at H/G.
Hmmm..
Well I have a week to think about it, while we pray for the success of the group.

We had a wee bit of fellowship on Wed and talked about how we did house group in the old days unfortunately some of us can remember those days :) . We spoke a little about the future and incorporating some of the old as well as maybe some of the new.

If there is a secret to making house group work/successful then it's calling on God and bearing these 'simple fruits'
LOVE & SACRIFICE.

Here's looking forward.

Encourage each other every day while you have the opportunity.

Long time no see!

2009-05-10T23:32:00.013Z

Yes a long time has past but we are about to start New House Groups so, with that and Ann's Mum still on the mend (Thanks God) and college coming to an end soon I hope to be busy on the blog again..

Here's a rather weird pic.
I took this under a very grey sky with no filters but the enormity of broken washed up shells created a blue hue which coloured the whole place.

Mum's .

2009-01-27T22:46:00.004Z

Sorry not much blogging lately, hope to get up to speed soon.
It was work and college.
Then it was work, college and a Mother in law who was ill.
Unfortunately Ann's Mum took a turn for the worse and suffered a small heart attack.

Ann's Mum has dealt with it all very well and is stable at the moment, sitting up, talking, eating, laughing, joking all very remarkable!

Thank God.

BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST

2009-01-27T22:01:00.002Z

BIRTHDAYZ

JUST PAST

DI ; DEREK

TRACY

SHARON

New Year, New Creation, Renewed Mind.

2009-01-05T08:04:00.003Z

It's decision making time, All the time.
As we look around before we make any new decisions don't forget to LOOK UP!

Wheelie nice, I think!

2008-12-15T23:14:00.005Z

There is the London Eye and now the Glasgow Pram wheel.
The latest attraction at Braehead!

Not the best quality pic taken with my phone.

WILDSIDE

2008-12-04T14:48:00.007Z

Took another wee trip up by Loch Ness. Stayed for a few days.
These pics look so much better once you click on them and get
the bigger , er picture.

What happen to all the Time!

2008-11-29T15:04:00.001Z

Other birthdays I missed, (Sorry)

Matthew, Lauren, Frank, happy very belated birthdays.

Remembrance Sunday & The Supper.

2008-11-11T22:51:00.013Z

The British offensive at the battle of the SOMME in W.W. I was one of the bloodiest military dealings ever recorded. On the first day of the battle, 1 July 1916, the British suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead in one day, in one battle.
From 1st of July to the 18th of November 1916, 4 months, Field Marshall Gen. Haigh's forces would incur 420,000 casualties and only push the German front line back 12km (7 miles).

The number of World War I casualties (including all countries involved), both military and civilian, was 41 million — 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded.
The total estimated human loss of life caused by World War II (including all) was roughly 72 million people, making it the deadliest and most destructive war in human history. There are 61 million people in Britain today.

I can't comprehend that many deaths, I can't. That's way to big for me.
I can't comprehend it but, there's the evidence for it..

I haven't seen what some Have seen.
I didn't see like Victor Frankel saw, Victor was a Jewish doctor who was imprisoned for years in a concentration camp, I didn't see like he saw, piles of dead bodies...
I can't comprehend piles of dead bodies, that too big!
But I know it happened there is the evidence for it.

All I can comprehend is the loss of those around me whom I have loved and care about and the losses of my friends as they go through the same things..
I remember the loss of my Gran particularity as she was the first important person in my life to go. The loss of my own Father.
The Loss of Ann's dad Jim, who's anniversary of his death was just yesterday,.
There are others I remember.... to.

But do you know what else I remember, out of all those who have passed away?
I remember Billy showing me My God dying!
I don't know if it was the same for you but when I saw it I couldn't sleep that night. I lay in my bed and I couldn't breath that night. I had a lump in my throat that hurt, I couldn't comprehend it. It was too big, I wanted to believe it but surely Billy was pulling a fast one, but their it was all the evidence for it...

It was too awesome, in the true sense of the word, it took my breath away, it reduced me to tears and I was sobbing quietly like a child as I lay there at night hardly able to grasp it.
On that day, on the day HE died the biggest war was waged and won, the War on Sin and Death. With out us fully knowing or understanding it, or engaging in it, it was done.
It was won.
The Alpha and the Omega," "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." who said
"Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
He won it on our behave.

It is inevitable, it is a part of life, dying. It's a door, but it's a door marked Summer, or at least it can be. And it can be for many who pass through it even in horrible circumstances, or just sleeping in there beds.

1 Corinthians 15:50-59
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

And so finally all our losses will be turned to gains... On that day.

*All Facts & figures from wikipedia..

Bright lights big city.

2008-11-06T21:36:00.008Z

A busy night as the Glasgow citizens (some of them on time) turn up to share in this annual cultural event.

Nu Lesson's.

2008-10-25T19:42:00.010Z

TWO NU LESSONS ADDED

Richard's" Lessons Page

David's Lessons Page

A different kind of House

2008-10-11T08:11:00.005Z

A group shot.

Another year ...

2008-10-06T22:38:00.003Z

I've had a birthday, Richard, Sandra, Rachael, Juliette ALL have had a birthday in the last few weeks.

Happy Birthday all of us.

In a big House not so far away

2008-10-06T21:46:00.004Z

Recent retreat.

All have particular memories. All tried to remember to wash one another feet.

Especially to those who had been in a ditch, in the dark, our secrect David ...opps

Gen 3:18 Your food will be plants, but the ground will produce thorns and thistles.

2008-09-22T21:09:00.006Z

And Smokey mowers.

Anything you can do Mark I can do better.
I Think we might have been a wee bit over zealous

Lesson from Sunday...

2008-08-19T16:18:00.003Z

TO THE PAGE.

House, like's

2008-08-13T21:56:00.005Z

In House Group we are still working through N/T and find ourselves in acts and Galatians.

What I have enjoyed reading about (again) this week is the fact, that we Gentiles too, are so loved by God and get to enter in, be grafted on.

It's still great news isn't it?

If you like that sort of thing.

2008-08-13T21:16:00.014Z

Holiday photo's in under 60 seconds

Credits not included

Ready

LOVE THE FATHER

2008-08-12T21:00:00.009Z

John's recent lesson.
Here he comes now to do his sermon!

music by Kevin MacLeod

His Lessons Page

A lesson for life.

2008-08-03T07:56:00.006Z

David (mystery man, I'm to shy, no photo :) ) has a new lesson on his page.
It's a very good one. But make your own mind up.

Prepare to Hyper Jump.

Viva España

2008-07-12T20:10:00.011Z

Been away on holiday these last couple of weeks.

Those nice people in Tenerife were so happy to see us they even paraded through the streets to show their joy. I think, maybe.

Bring me Sunshine.. Bring me life..

2008-06-18T22:22:00.003Z

As Sunday promised to be a nice day we indulged in some typical Scottish cooking (not) and a BBQ was had. Lucky for us we had BBQ man at hand (John) who cooked the food to perfection. This was all possible thanks to his able bodied assistance's, Janet and Margaret.

No doubt if I have missed someone out I'll be amending this soon!

I did my bit by being there to eat the stuff and was joined by a few others to, well we all have to play our part.

0000000000000001

2008-06-09T20:17:00.004Z

My lesson from Sunday available Now.

Jesus is Everything we Need.

The wedding Singer.

2008-05-20T20:56:00.003Z

Yer man try's his hand at a little singing (again).

A good night was had by all.

Once I speak to those in the other pic's I'll post some more.

Where the temple meets.

2008-05-15T10:20:00.009Z

Much time has been spent recently in getting the building and grounds ready for Frank and Dawns big day. The Building is looking good with it's new paint job and the grounds have had a hair cut, well several. Worth it.

While this went on Derek tried to get some music out of a tree branch and Matthew sang along. Maybe, I think.

Answer to an enquiry.

2008-05-06T21:17:00.004Z

Whenever I can I'll make available the guy's lessons.
There will be more to listen to from Derek as time go's by,
Mr Sparks. : )
Watch this space.

JESUS OUR BROTHER.

2008-04-29T10:36:00.005Z

Derek's lesson from, em, 2 weeks ago available now on his page.
Sorry about the quality of recording and the fact that it's not edited.
Think of it as you being a fly on the wall.
For some reason it's more hearable with earphones on.
It is what it is.

TO THE PAGE.

HOUSE GROUP.

2008-04-25T17:28:00.007Z

This weeks readings.
The 2 following days, which are 7th - 8th.

Things that caught our attention last house group.
Healing of the blind man. I loved it when he said " why do you want to hear it again ? Do you want to become his disciples too?".

Also Loved the whole sheep and the shepherd stuff when Jesus speaks about us following him.
LOve it warms me inside.

Much time was spent on "take my yoke upon you and learn from me ..." It's his yoke and, as it was put forward, ox were yoked together in twos and one usually leading.
So picture us being yoked with Jesus and him leading !

Less to do with our reading but more our thoughts, much talk was made about serving, in particularly visiting the sick.

Time flies blue sky's.

2008-04-21T23:03:00.013Z

Glasgow has been so cold lately. This is where I want to be !
I painted this from a bunch of pictures I have from Tenerife.
I love blue Sky's. (and rainbows and the beauty that surrounds me ...)

Sunday.

Great lesson again Derek (available soon) good stuff.

Marvelous to have a visitor from the States with us at the service, especially a stranger from Texas. And lets not forget 2 last week as well!

Up and coming "Hen" night girls get your names in to T.

And the building looks fab with a new coat of paint.
Well done Billy (no not B. W.)

The Group

2008-04-18T16:58:00.011Z

I must say I have been enjoying very much the discussions at house group.
Sometimes, after doing our readings, we find the same things that caught our imagination caught others to. We also find things in common that confused us, amused us, even annoyed us.
No surprises eh? But there is enough "material" that we find things that matter to only us as individuals and that's nice to hear and see at times too. Because that means I'm getting to know you, by the things that are important to you I find out a little more about you.

This is a bit of sooking (good Scottish word) but when one of my sisters points something out, it's usually something beautiful. Something that tugs the heart. I like that.

We have been lucky enough that this little while Billy has been attending our house group and has brought a wealth of knowledge to the whole thing and more understanding, mostly.
I say mostly because I don't always get it. I'm a slow learner.

Since moving on from the Old testament to the New we have been taking it a little bit slower, not reading as much (Johns idea) and it has worked a treat.
A long hard look at Jesus never did anyone any harm, did it?
When you hear him speak again those familiar words, it still has great power.
When you see him act and work and be with the people, the people who he loves its something, in it? And working with his enemies, in love, man you want to do better, don't you?

One of the things we read about was the "burden" of discipleship and He says "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Why do I get the feeling from these words, that he's turning around and looking at me?
A guilty conscience?
Maybe.
He makes me want to be a better man.

HOOSE GROUP

2008-04-18T16:54:00.001Z

HOUSE GROUP

READINGS ARE THE NEXT 2 DAYS

5TH - 6TH

Sunday

2008-04-14T06:50:00.003Z

I enjoyed the lesson Sunday John.
Jesus our Teacher.
Lets have it when your ready.

People and Prayers.

2008-04-14T06:48:00.005Z

You know who.
The people mentioned at the announcements, your house group, the people in your life.

In particular those who have just lost loved ones.
What about those who are sick spiritually, physically.
And those working and bringing up babies,
What about .....

HOUSE GROUP

2008-04-14T06:45:00.003Z

This weeks reading for house group are the following 2 days, that is Nov 3-4.

There are more questions than answers..

2008-04-14T06:43:00.003Z

Remember question and answer night coming up soon so make sure you get your questions in the LOVELY new question box. Or better still E-Mail them now to one of the guys.

ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY.

2008-04-14T06:40:00.004Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

JANET.

Somewhat late oops.

Time flies.

2008-04-09T00:46:00.003Z

Spending a little less time at the computer because I have been spending the time at my easel.

2008-04-02T17:52:00.003Z

Sorry, neglecting the blog again.
It's a mixture of work, fatigue and getting organised.

Guess speaker last week, John the week before.
Will try and get Johns lesson soon.

House group:
Yep, still good stuff. We are taking it a lot slower through the New Testament and really looking at what Jesus has been saying.
A lot of the small things in and around that I /you never noticed so much before have been prompting debate.

This week for house group we have been trying our hand at creating a parable.
Hmmm.
You can only do your best.

What a friend we have in Jesus.

2008-03-17T14:44:00.004Z

My lesson from Sunday available now.

Me Page

The whole trip.

2008-03-04T22:11:00.007Z

WILDSIDE08
Uploaded by chazart007

Man, how good is God at making stuff!

Oh by the way, if your interested here is where we stayed.

WILDSIDE

Slumming it.

2008-03-04T17:50:00.003Z

I feel compelled to share some of my recent trip to Loch Ness with you. I know, big heart.

Lovely.

2008-03-04T17:02:00.000Z

A couple of pictures from our wee trip one from Ann and one from me self.
Both on the way back from Loch Ness.

Matthew 6: 19-24

2008-02-28T23:46:00.004Z

Mark latest lesson.

LINK

Life in the fast lane ..

2008-02-28T11:47:00.001Z

When some of our guys have the free time they like to do other things.
You know sedate, tranquil inner peaceful stuff.

Well done John (the driver) and Billy (in charge of directing, producing and editing, need I go on?)

Her indoors.

2008-02-28T11:18:00.003Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My Wee

ANN

Another birthday but you don't look a day older.

New Testament.

2008-02-28T11:14:00.004Z

NEXT WEEKS READINGS

40 IS THE NEW 20, I WISH !

2008-02-25T23:18:00.001Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DAVID

WELCOME TO THE CLUB.

be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

2008-02-25T23:10:00.003Z

Plenty to keep in your prayers.

Those who are unwell.
Those who are going through a hard time.
Those who are getting married.

Monsters and sermons.

2008-02-25T22:53:00.005Z

Guest speaker this week.
Don't know if I will get a copy of the sermon on line and I don't fancy typing up a 25 min recording! Yeah, I know I could possibly post the sound recording but it's from the back of the room and poor quality. If I have time I'll try and do a summary but I wouldn't hold my breath as I'm working all this week (poor thing) and off on a few days holiday and no where near computers or broadband, we will be lucky enough to have a road to drive on up there .
We are away for a few days and night beside lochness.

Things.

2008-02-19T11:39:00.002Z

Anyone want to see a mouse fight?

Pray for the heating to work on the left hand side of the room.

Good wee song night Sunday night. Those who didn't make it for one reason or another, you were missed.

Er... what else ..

House group (Caroline's) Tue usual time, first 3 day of new testament.

Money money money.

2008-02-19T11:37:00.002Z

I enjoyed Marks lesson on "stuff" possession of, love of.
Lesson available soon, I hope.

Half a century ago in a place far back in time....

2008-02-19T11:30:00.008Z

No house group last week it was Liz Russels birthday.

Only (whisper, whisper) 50 years old.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ.

We had a wee celebration at the Croft. A bite to eat and a little Karaoke.

A stranger even sang a song and dedicated it to the birthday girl.