Talking Christian

The Beauty Of Church Is The People, Not The Building

2012-02-14T19:34:00.000Z

This weeks Unbelievable podcast featured writer Alain de Botton and James Orr asking should Atheists be more religious?

Alain has written a book 'Religion for Atheists'. He seems like a really nice reasonable bloke, who can see the virtue in things religious people have and would like atheists to have the same just without the spiritual side of things!

One thing that came up that I strongly disagree with is his statement that having a faith orientation is the same as your sexual orientation, you are either one way inclined or another and there isn't any feasible way to persuade you otherwise. I would probably agree that you couldn't persuade a straight person to become gay or vice versa, but to say you cannot show someone the way to faith is ridiculous. There are many Atheists who become Christians and also sadly, many Christians who turn away from their faith and become Atheists.

The main point I want to pick up on from the podcast though is that Alain seems to place a lot of weight in the role Churches/Temples play in religion. He would like a magnificent structure to be made for Atheists to be able to admire and gather in.

The point Alain has missed (not his fault, he's not a Christian) is that the Church building is irrelevant to a faith in God, beautiful though these buildings are, the Church is made of God's people;

Matthew 18:20 ESV
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

I know some Christians obviously still meet in the traditional Churches of England, but the structure of the building is of no relevance to the religion, well, certainly not my religion! Alain seems to think we are drawn to the beauty of the structure and architecture of the building and enjoy that as one element of our religion.

It would make no difference to me where we met for Church, because the Church is made of the believers in Christ.

The Church I attend; hardly an enviable temple, even to an Atheist!

Jesus himself dismissed the beauty of the Temple;

Mark 13:1-2

¹ As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

² “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

This was one of the most beautiful buildings in Jerusalem, but it was not built to honor God, it was built for the Jews, mere people. And true to Jesus' prophecy the Temple was completely destroyed.

So if Alain de Botton would like a Church/Temple/Beautiful structure for Atheists to meet in, go for it.

But it will never have the beauty of a Church that Christians meet in, because God will not be present in it.

Love. It's Not Just For Feb 14th

2012-02-13T22:22:00.000Z

I won't get a Valentine's card nor do I want one. Love should not be dictated by Seasons, Love should be constant, given freely regardless of what the return is.

Unfortunately Human love is not always like this, it changes with the seasons of our lives, it comes and goes with the people we meet, it is given conditionally.

But, if we know only one thing about being Christians it is that we must love.

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

So if you want to show your love to someone special on Valentines Day or any other day of the year for that matter, don't do it to conform to the commercialism of yet another card manufacturer, do it because God commanded it, and you truly mean it.

1 John 4:8 ESV
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

This verse challenges me sooo much, because I know God and I know He is love, but somewhere in me my stubbornness disobeys Him and I don't show the love I know I should. So if I neglect to show love to the people closest to me, how can I expect God's love in it's fullness?

John 14:15 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments".

There's no getting away from it, He really wants us to love! You love me, you keep my commandments and the greatest and first of these is love. You can almost hear God saying "I've got all the time in eternity to keep going over this until you get it!"

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ESV
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ...

Well you didn't think there could be a Valentinesesque post without these verses did you?

Now, if you really want to, go ahead and purchase your M&S 'Dine in for Two' ready meals!

Head Coverings

2012-02-08T10:05:00.000Z

Mum please, no, not the big straw hat

It’s itchy and it hurts

My auntie’s has a lacy front; I don’t want one like hers

My cousins all wear berets, back in fashion now you know

If you try to make me wear a beret,

I’ll tell you where you can go

Is it really so important?

Does Jesus really care?

I know it matters to the elders what we wear upon our hair.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, was it really his passion

That we’d all shop in John Lewis for the latest millinery fashion?

Does Your Church Provide Pastoral/Counselling Care?

2012-01-30T11:28:00.000Z

Having been helped immensely by the care infrastructure from my own Church, it kills me to see someone I love very much need professional help and the Church he is in just doesn't know how or where to start to provide it.

I think pastoral care is a primary responsibility of any Church.

Acts 20:28 ESV "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood".

Sometimes the care from the NHS is too limited to resolve the issues and some individuals cannot afford private counselling.

This got me wondering if the majority of Church's have understood the need to support their congregation in this way, or if they are unaware of the needs and are neglecting their flock in this area.

I wonder if you would spare a minute to go to the facebook question link, and if you are inclined, share the question with other Christian facebook friends. it would be interesting to find out a general idea of whether Church's are geared up for this or not.

It is really on my heart at the moment because of the close nature of the person who is needing help.

Thank You God For Carrot Cake

2012-01-27T09:37:00.001Z

On facebook a couple of times this week, my sister posted up what was at the top of her 'gratitude list' for that day. Things like her son's Lego toy not destroying the washing machine, and being able to spend time with her hubby. This got me thinking over the past week could I have written a daily gratitude list?

And all my mind can focus on is a thoughtless comment that was made to me earlier in the week.

How easy it is for me to stay in that place of hurt and bitterness and resentment and anger, and how difficult it is for me to recall the great things. Like, coming away from my guitar lesson with a plate of carrot cake, or spending all day with my best mates shopping for retro outfits for a party, or selling our clapped out banger of a car for the right amount we needed to pay for the new granny-mobile we just bought. All these things happened this week which were great!

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV) ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Whatever has happened this week to pee you off, don't retaliate. Do something good for someone else. Be happy, happy, happy! And keep praying. Continually give thanks to God, this is what He wants you to do.

Oh Paul, you make it sound so easy.

It's much more fun to get mad and have a rant, it's more interesting to listen to someone tell you who's annoyed them, than who gave them carrot cake, or so the enemy would have you believe.

In truth it drains you of energy. It tires the people around you who show compassion, but would probably rather you just shut up and offered them a piece of carrot cake. It propels the small lies you already believe about yourself into gigantic stories of fairytale proportion, and the Devil wins.

I am going to consciously pray to erase the negative memories of the week and obviously I'm going to go and have a piece of carrot cake.

What's on your 'gratitude list' for this week?

How To Be A Supportive Wife?

2012-01-22T10:58:00.000Z

“Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die” Job 2:9

What a great supportive wife! But hang on a minute, she was spared when the rest of his family were slaughtered. She had been through all the family trouble with Job except for sickness, and when he got sick, she caved in and said that.

Maybe it was out of love and she didn't want to see him suffer, she had definitely come to the end of her tether though and couldn't see that things would ever improve.

Job calls her a foolish woman and says “should we accept good from God and not trouble?” I myself have said to my husband, "you’re wasting your time. D’you really think that job you applied for are gonna call you back, we both know they’re not. Give up." How could I be so negative? Because I’ve got used to him never hearing back from applications and interviews?

Yes, God has been good to us and we aren’t quite on the scrap heap yet, we have our health and our marriage is just about surviving, but the period of very low income has been hard to bear. We have both rejoiced in the good times and we both have to weather the bad times, and know that God is a God of fairness and justice and we will never know in this life the rhyme or reason of the paths our lives take, but we can know that eventually our blessings will be uncountable, more than we can imagine.

It's time to stop doubting and start trusting "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted" Job 42:2

Wiki's Down, But The Truth Will Still Out.........

2012-01-18T09:18:00.001Z

Wow! I had just read this "A number of high-profile websites are taking part in a 24-hour "blackout"" and then immediately my lappy blacked out! It's happening I thought, they're watching me, how did they know I was on-line? Oh, no, I just needed to plug the charger back in.

Anyway I was going to bring you a highly informative post about Saint Cliff Richard and just how far his relationships with Una Stubbs and Sue Barker really went, but as you probably know Wikipedia has gone on strike so I'll just have to make the information up.

Cliff and Una met while making a film about a bus that went on holiday. Cliff at the time was 43 and Una was 17, they tried to keep their relationship a secret but they couldn't hide the chemistry. Nor could Cliff hide the fact that he was actually Melvyn Hayes father, something he still denies to this day. It was this that Una felt she couldn't handle, being just 17 and becoming step-mum to Melvyn was just to much to bear, so they parted ways soon after the bus arrived in Llandudno for it's holiday. As far as I know the bus is still there.

Thirty years later with Cliff now being 73 he started dating Sue Barker, their love of tennis brought them together and they enjoyed many a happy game together, some have speculated that the relationship didn't get past Love - 30, but I can tell you it got to Deuce and then Cliff, sly old dog that he is took the Advantage.

But Cliff, bless him, has been proud of his faith and always shares of his love for Jesus at his shows, but now at the grand old age of 107 he has remained true to his song title and remained a 'Bachelor Boy' God Bless you Cliff. And who needs Wikipedia?

Hope & Help

2012-01-17T19:04:00.000Z

I was inspired to write this after the two sermons last Sunday, which reminded me I had hope for the future

Psalm 25:3 "No-one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame"

And also, that although it may have looked like things weren't improving, God had been there helping me all the way

1 Samuel 7:12 "Thus far the Lord has helped us"

God's words are in purple, my responses are in pink.

Where have you been? Nothing has changed.

The struggles are still here, when will they end?

Really? I haven’t been with you?

Let me remind you what has changed and what I have been doing for you.

You used to not eat, because you felt permanently sick

But now I eat plenty

You used to feel trapped and alone

But now I feel free and have company

You used to feel scared in public

But now I enjoy the show

You used to not be able to talk to me privately

But now I can talk to you privately and publicly

You used to worry yourself into terror about the future

But now I know my future is with you

You used to be bound by the fear of religion

But now by your grace I am free of those restraints

You used to think you couldn’t love me

But now I know I love you

You used to feel shame and guilt

But now my hope is in you

You used to think I wasn’t with you

But now I can see this far you have helped me

That Interview.......

2012-01-15T12:21:00.003Z

The most anticipated podcast since William Lane Craig vs. The Chair

Get the podcast here.

Had a listen last night and I hope I was open minded, because I have enjoyed Mark’s sermons and I love Justin’s show. It was nice to be exposed to a realer side of Justin when the tables turned because obviously on his show he shows complete impartiality.

Justin asked if he could talk about more than just the book, which Mark said he was happy with, so he can’t really then complain that parts of his ministry were discussed. Justin told Grace to be free to chip in at any time, she only responded once at Justin’s invitation. Mark has said he found Justin to be disrespectful towards Grace, but I actually feel it was Mark who was disrespectful towards her. My husband and I in no way have a marriage we could write a guidance book about, but if we had written a book together and were being asked about it, I would expect him to invite me into the conversation or mention my input and lead me into talking about it. Having said that I would feel I could have a say if it needed it without invitation! So I concluded from that, Grace is either uber shy, or uber submissive suffering from ‘I will not speak until spoken to’ little woman syndrome.

Marks problem with men and make no mistake he thinks this is ALL men, not some who suffer from this, every single man is inherently lazy, sex-crazed, un-committed etc. and that is why only a macho Pastor like him can get through to them, they simply will not engage in a church that isn’t led by an action man. He then contradicts himself though by saying that the men in Seattle are Arty types, business men, upper city men etc. So I was unsure why he was concerned with the possible congregations outside his own church, because obviously under his guidance there are no knuckle draggers in his church.

Considering the interview primarily was for an article on the book, I do think Justin didn’t give as much time to that as he could’ve, but he was almost led away from the subject of marriage by Marks attack on men, which obviously is going to lead on to further questioning.

I also think Justin could’ve been a bit more positive with his answers to Mark at the end, I know it must’ve been pretty intimidating suddenly having the shoe put on the other foot, but I assume he knows what he believes and he did come across a bit uncomfortably in his answers.

So, will I read the book? No, for me personally I think it would do more harm than good, but if anyone else wants to, go for it!

Will I listen to Pastor Mark’s sermons again? Yes, I can’t ignore the fact I have probably been blessed by them more than I have been outraged.

Will I listen to Justin’s unbelievable radio show anymore? No………….Joking I am, I love that show!!!!!

Pastor Mark Driscoll, What A .........

2012-01-12T16:08:00.000Z

“Let’s just say this: right now, name for me the one young, good Bible teacher that is known across Great Britain. You don’t have one – that’s the problem. There are a bunch of cowards who aren’t telling the truth.” Pastor Mark Driscoll

Why does Pastor Mark think we need to be able to name a well known Bible teacher? I can name dozens from my Church or area or my favourite podcasts, and I expect you can too. Doesn't mean we will have heard of who each of us are talking about. They are fantastic teachers none the less.

Me thinks he is getting a little too obsessed with his 'celebrity status'. I really wouldn't pursue it if I were him, over here you only have to walk into shot behind a newsreader on location to be assured a place on a 'celebrity' show.

Increasingly the things Pastor Mark is teaching are becoming uncomfortable to listen to - not because he is hitting the truth, but because he is just being a loud mouthed arse. His "God Hates You" rant, need only be taken in the context of those three words. God has no capacity to 'hate'. God is love, he actually is the very form of love, not he loves, his being is love. If something is black, it cannot also be white. So if God is love, he cannot also hate.

And as for the marriage book, get a room, close the curtains, and do whatever it is you want to do. I am not naive to think that there aren't couples who need guidance in this area, but this is surely best coming from a confidential counselling session, not an Amazon over-hyped best seller. But seriously, if you're both happy with it, and no-one else is involved, do you really need Pastor Marks blessing to do it?

Going back to his quote about cowards not telling the truth, I tend to be more impressed with a teacher whose only interest is in preaching God's word and inviting the listeners not to blindly believe, but to also check for themselves that what they have heard is true. Nothing cowardly in that.

The onus on getting to the truth is with the listener, something that wouldn't hurt being pointed out to Pastor Marks congregation.

Hope Comes Full Circle

2012-01-08T23:25:00.001Z

At the beginning of the week you might have picked up I was feeling really down, I don't like to talk about it much, but yes, I am happy to announce it over the world wide web!

Anyway, I had thought there is no way I will be going to Church on Sunday morning, I do not want to sit through another service with tears in my eyes feeling like crap, so I had no intention of going.

As the week went on I opened up to my friend and we went out on Friday night for a drink and it was great; I talked, she listened, she joked, I laughed, we ordered, the bar delivered, you know how it works.

Saturday I knew I could call on her if I needed, but I was glad to be feeling a lot better so I got on with the day (there were a few tears in the morning because I hadn't managed to get all the laundry done, that wouldn't usually bother me, but I felt I'd let the kids down).

Later in the afternoon I was 'playing' my guitar and decided to look up some worship songs, I have to say I'm not a big fan of worship music other than in a Church setting, it just seems kind of cheesy, but I wanted to try and lift my spirits and practise my guitar at the same time so I came across this song To You O Lord which I really enjoyed and wasn't too difficult to play........

All this leads to today, where God (as if I should have expected anything less) fitted the pieces all together.

So, I did go to Church because I was feeling a little better and thought it would be good to go; right choice. The visiting Preacher who had been given no subject to speak on stood up after our leader had done an introduction on hope and was pleased that it tied in entirely with what he wanted to talk about, so he really felt he had picked the right subject for this morning - so do I.

In part of his message he spoke of Psalm 25;3 "No-one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame" This was so good to hear and be reminded of because a lot of my mindset has been to feel shame and guilt. I was hooked on every word he said and was so glad I had not kept to my decision to stay home.

I realise this probably seems a bit of a rambley post, but remember the worship song I said I had found on Saturday? Well it wasn't until I got home I realised that I had been singing the very Psalm that was given to me this morning....things were starting to click into place, I could see God moving through my very day, the hope was starting to shine through.

For the rest of the day today I slept. In the evening I sometimes help out with our youth group, which is on at the same time as our evening service, which I never go to. So I went up to the youth group, it started off fine, we were watching a DVD, then the projector packed up & after a few minutes of faffing around it was decided we would finish watching the film at the leaders house. I didn't really want to do that and there were loads of us to try and fit in his lounge, so I said I would just go home. As I went to leave church, I realised the evening service was going on, I was going to leave but then I went back and decided to take the opportunity to go to the evening service; right choice - again.

The preacher spoke from 1 Samuel about how the Israelites had had years of trouble with the Philistines but God eventually rescued them. Samuel had taught them to put God first and get rid of anything getting in the way of worshipping only Him. He set up the stone of Ebenezer as a memorial to show that even in their times of great trouble God had been with them and he said "thus far has the Lord helped us" 1 Samuel 7:12

So in my long-winded post what I am trying to say is God put me where I needed to hear his word today and there were many connections along the way.

From this morning, I take away a message of hope. And this evening a message to remember the times that God has already helped me so far. Both from services I didn't intend to go to!

And the icing on the cake? Because I didn't have to stay for the youth group I was home in time to watch Sherlock!

UK Fellowship Friday Blog Hop

2012-01-06T11:23:00.000Z

I agree with Rhoda over at Living To Please God, there just aren't that many UK Christian bloggers, so I love the fact she has created a Blog Hop for just that purpose!

It's great connecting with bloggers from all over and I have been touched many times by those who have said they're praying for me - amazing!

So come on UK bloggers, don't be shy! We want to hear what you have to say as well, so join the Blog hop add your post to the list, somebody might be needing to hear exactly what you have on your mind. It could be a testimony, reflection, or challenge. The only other requirement is that you live in the UK.

If you join below, please either link to this post in a text-link, or get the code at the bottom of the link up, so your readers can find the other blogs in the Blog hop.

Predictable January Depression

2012-01-05T18:07:00.000Z

Do I really have to be this predictable to have a massive come down at the beginning of the year? I was fine over Christmas, had a great New Years Eve party and everything, then reality hits and life smacks you in the face. I can't stop sleeping, I have feelings of anxiety, I'm pretty much walking around all day with tears in my eyes! But I'm alright really. I know what's getting me down and there's nothing I can do about it, it's just another year in the life of..........

I often imagine living someone else's life, but I know I'm fooling myself to think it would be any better, I'm not naive enough to believe I'm the only one with 'problems', and if I told you what they were you'd probably laugh and say "you think you've got problems, you should hear mine"!

I get it, life sucks. But it's not supposed to suck, it's supposed to be wonderful and beautiful and peaceful and romantic and fulfilling and awe inspiring and rewarding and ...........some days, just some days, it is.

Bad Day Today

2012-01-03T21:35:00.000Z

Bad day today, cried & slept my way through most of it. My eyes now resemble that of a Panda that's had an allergic reaction to a bamboo shoot..........or something like that.

Great start to the New Year hey?

I nearly ran away today,
I nearly left my home,
I wanted to run away today,
I wanted to be alone.
Lord let me run to you today,
let me leave my home,
I want to be with you today,
to be with you alone.

This Is Me!

2012-01-02T14:32:00.001Z

When I first started this blog, I decided to make it anonymous, mainly because I didn't really know who I was at the time. I think I am still finding out.

Also I wasn't sure how deeply I would share, but I think the anonymity makes it too risky for me to be too open and this isn't necessarily the place to do that!

I couldn't resist talking about my baptism and posting the video which obviously revealed who I was anyway, duh!

So now you know (if you were ever that interested). My name is Naomi, I'm 38 and getting used to living the way my face tells people I feel. (I'm pretty good at smiling and laughing my way through, when I feel like crap and my standard phrase is "I'm alright!")

So looks like 2012 is going to be a year of being me and not being scared to show myself - be gentle. God Bless and thanks for those of you that stop by and read and comment, it's really encouraging and always welcomed.

2012-01-01T09:34:00.001Z

My poetry is probably on par with my singing and guitar playing; I like it, but it’s not great!

Anyway, haven’t written one for many years. In fact, the last one was probably New Years 2009, which I remember as being quite maudlin, but I can’t find it anywhere.

At the beginning of last year I did want to meet my maker, and I’m glad that eventually I did – not in Heaven though, in my heart.

In the year of 2011, I didn’t quite make it to heaven,

I had wanted to but didn’t try very hard.

I think God had other plans, to hold me in his hands

And graciously he dealt me another card.

That left me filled with hope, and I felt like I could cope

With whatever came towards me in this life

Be it debts unpaid, or plans I make un-made

I am ready now for any kind of strife.

So hit me with your worst, I know I am not cursed

I will never be in the place where I once was
It has all been taken care of, by the one who knows every hair of;
Jesus Christ, my Saviour on the cross.

Nothing Is Impossible With God

2011-12-24T21:19:00.001Z

We have just come back from our Church Carol Service. I have only been once before, that was last year.

I immediately started to fill up with tears as the thoughts of the last year came flooding back to me.

This time last year I had just started to get the help I needed from the people around me, who loved and cared for me.

As 2011 started I was still unsure of what was happening for me and how the future would turn out. I remember our Pastor saying to me, "maybe this year will be the year that works out OK. 2011 could be the year where things start to change for the better". I'm sure he probably finished the sentence with a disclaimer in case the year did turn out to go belly up.

But......he was right, I started a proper relationship with God in January, was baptised in July and overcome many personal obstacles. It has definately been one of my better years!

As with everyone, there has and will be times that trip me up and set me down, but I have a hope for the future, as was read tonight in our service:

Luke 1:37 (NLT) For nothing is impossible with God.

Is There A Good Time Of Year To Die?

2011-12-20T11:42:00.000Z

Sadly, I know of three families who in the last week have lost loved ones. It somehow seems to be made worse by the time of year. But really, is there a better time of year to lose someone you love dearly?

I remember answering the phone to my father-in-law on a Christmas morning years ago. I immediately sensed something was wrong, but said nothing and handed the phone to my husband who joyfully wished his Dad a "happy Christmas" only to hear back "well it's not very happy for me, my Dad's just died." Awkward.

If you know the person had been very ill and suffered for a while, is it wrong to think and possibly even worse to say, that actually, it's probably for the best?

I definitely have found myself thinking that over the last few days, but then, it wasn't someone I was close to that left me.

If you know the family didn't necessarily have a faith and you have no idea what their loved one believed, there are almost no words on earth to say, because you fear the worst for their soul. You can't exactly offer "they've gone to a better place".

If you find yourself in a place of mourning at this time of year, I have nothing to say that will change how you feel or make it better.

But as we all know, if we are celebrating Christmas, we are celebrating the birth of The Saviour of the world, no matter what we are facing, what our circumstances are or how we are grieving, we can find hope in the birth that took place all those thousands of years ago. If it were not true, the story would have faded and grown old, but the birth of Jesus is faithfully re-told every year, it stands the test of time.

Matthew 1:21 (NIV) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

I pray that you will truly find hope in the birth of that human baby conceived by God, who was born, and died, with the purpose to save every single one of us from our in-born sin. There is hope and there can be peace for you this Christmas.

Weekly Song Round Up

2011-12-16T23:53:00.000Z

School has now broken up and we will gradually start swinging into Christmas in our house.

Decorations will go up, sweets will be bought and cheesy Christmas DVD's will be watched.

But most importantly and on my insistence we will have Jim Reeves Christmas album accompanying our lives over the next week!

My Mum was a big Jim Reeves fan, and it is just nostalgic for me. I am instantly in my childhood home, in the kitchen, messing around, being stupid, having a laugh, whatever, probably in fact complaining at how awful it was having Jim Reeves on when we could have 'Now that's what I call Christmas'.

But now, as an adult with my own family I can inflict it on my kids because I know it will add to their memories of Christmas, and now as an adult I can finally admit, what's not to love about Jim Reeves?

Heaven Is For Real

2011-12-14T21:33:00.000Z

Colton Burpo is not quite four, when he has an emergency appendectomy. In the months that follow, he starts to tell his parents about how while he was being operated on he was in Heaven with Jesus, and the Angels sang to him.

If you are a non-believer you could probably say this is a clever book of fiction by a Pastor with Biblical knowledge.

I am a Christian and I believe Heaven is for real, but I don't know why I find it hard to accept that Jesus would let a child visit Him in Heaven and tell us of his experiences. It's not that I disbelieved Colton's story, I just suppose it's so supernatural it's hard to get your head around - imagine how his parents coped as he casually told them about meeting his mis-carried sister!

The story naturally unravels without coming across as overly sentimental or cheesy.

Colton's Pastor dad backs up his accounts with scripture references, and the end of book poses questions to make you think further beyond what you have read.

Heaven is for real? Yes it is.

Did Colton Burpo visit Heaven? Why not?

Christmas Round Robins continued......

2011-12-10T13:34:00.000Z

God's Round Robin (not only to be read at Christmas).

Dear Child

I know you have had difficult times this year, you will always face trials, but sometimes it is possible to profit and learn from them. I was with you every time you cried out to me, I answered you, but sometimes you didn't listen. I held you close to me and protected you from the earthly dangers around you, knowing that all would be well in your eternal life.

When you celebrated and had fun this year, I was with you too. It made me so happy to see the joy and laughter in your life, and it pleased me that you thanked me for it constantly. You are my child and I love you and want you to have peace.

I know some of your friends and family who you love dearly do not yet know me, but I know them, and I hear your prayers for them, continue to show them through your life who I am.

My gift to you this year is still the same as it was last year, and will be forever. It is the gift of eternal life, through my Son Jesus Christ.

Please accept it.

My love to you always

Your Heavenly Father

Christmas Round Robins continued......

2011-12-09T10:01:00.000Z

The Round Robin you shouldn't send....

"Well I didn't think we'd still be here to write to you, it was touch and go for a while with Bob's kidney stones, but he finally passed them in June. As for my 'trouble' it has been worse this year than ever. I've now been put on a different medication as the other was disagreeing with my digestive system. I had to sleep in the spare room some nights so Bob could get some sleep, and of course that's only a 'put me up' bed so it played havoc with my back. I've got an appointment with the specialist about my back in January, so I will be able to update you next Christmas on how that went.

We didn't get away for a holiday this year, with all the illness and the credit crunchie we just couldn't afford it, and with our eldest just having had the babby, it's a constant financial drain. Also we're still paying off the fine for our youngest from last year. This Government is a disgrace, like Bob said, when he were young it would've been a quick telling off and sent home with his tail between his legs, but no, they need to make an example of youngsters these days, it's not our Ricky's fault his friends all legged it and left him holding the matches.

Our street all put up our decorations and lights in November, except for the miserable git at no.5. There's always someone who just can't seem to have any fun, and grumbles about everything. He'll probably wait till the middle of December to put his lights up, what's the point in that?

We've not bought gifts to send out this year, we had to make Christmas cut-backs and we promised ourselves last year the priority was to get the inflatable snowmen for the front, it's important to do your bit in the community at this time of year isn't it".

Love From

Bob, Sheila, Chantel & Ricky

Christmas Round Robin's

2011-12-08T22:55:00.002Z

The round robin you don't want to receive.

"It's been such a busy year this year, we didn't have time to take our usual months break in August to the Seychelles. Thank goodness we managed to pop over there back in March. I don't know what we'd do without our holidays.

Just as well we had been away, as April turned out to be the month from Hell. Roger took delivery of his brand new Mercedes and would you believe they had the interior trim done in the standard leather, he had specifically told them he wanted Nappa leather in Alpaca Grey. They may as well have delivered a completely different car, it was absolutely heart-breaking. Roger is still not quite over it. As I've told him, these things take time to come to terms with, you were expecting Nappa leather and you got standard, of course you're going to find it hard, I've had to be strong for both of us.

Thank goodness September started well, with the twins both being accepted for St Wellington's Manor. The school run is an absolute beast, but at least I only have to do it Friday afternoon and Monday morning. You should have seen the list of equipment I had to buy them, I said to Roger it's no good not getting everything, how would he feel if they were the only children not to have their own ponies in the event of a polo match. Men eh? They have no idea of living in the real world.

As this year comes to a close it has given me time to reflect on what is important in life, and I'm going to have it out with the Mercedes garage over that trim if it's the last thing I do - not for me - for Roger. It's this time of year that makes you realise you have to be selfless.

Please accept our Christmas gift to you with our love, we've had some good fortune this year so we've bought you a box of 24 Ferrero Rocher instead of the usual 8".

Love

Roger, Marjorie & The Twins

Coming soon...........the round robin you shouldn't send............

All The World's A Stage

2011-12-04T17:00:00.000Z

Welcome to the show, in which I have just arrived at my walk-on part.

I didn’t know until recently what my part was and I had been ad-libbing. I had heard lots of times that I did have a part and it was a very important part, in fact I was created for this particular part. This part is actually so specific that it was written for me even before I was born!

When I say I had been ad-libbing, I hadn’t been listening carefully enough to the director. He was there all along with his megaphone, calling out to me, telling where he wanted me to be and what he wanted me to say, and sometimes I think I pleased him and said the right things at the right times to the right people. Other times it was a case of ‘exit, stage left, and hurry’!

The great thing about this show is, everybody gets a part, and even the person who paints the scenery is as important as the person with the leading role!

I used to think my part was so unimportant, that it wouldn’t even notice if I didn’t turn up, I had nothing to offer the show, no-one would care if I was in it or not.

Then the director started talking to me, he told me not to be frightened of my part, he would always be there if it went wrong, sometimes I believed Him, sometimes I didn’t.

My close friends who knew the director well said, “listen to the director, he knows everything about you and he loves you so much, you are so special to him”

My part in the show got worse and I felt like I’d been given the crappy part to play and I didn’t think others in the show were that special either – I wanted out.

I told the director this, I wanted to leave the show and not be in it anymore.

But the director had other plans, he brought me in close and he told me “not now” I couldn’t leave the show yet. It was hard, because I realised I had to listen to him and that meant I had to play my part and somehow carry on.

Eventually, I had the overwhelming realisation that not only did I have a part to play, but I was actually the director’s daughter! How could I have missed this for all these years, I began to feel filled with his love and knew I could attempt to play the part he wanted me to play. With Him directing me anything is possible.

In case you missed it, the show is 'life', the director is 'God' and we ALL have a part to play.

The Smiths - Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want ( 1984 )

2011-12-02T13:37:00.000Z

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want....................Lord knows it would be the first time..............

Nah, I've got what I want before, just a fab song that has invaded the airwaves having been used in the John Lewis ad, having said that there are a few things I would like to get!