Espresso With Jesus

Authentic

2012-01-28T10:36:00.000Z

One definition of authentic describes it as conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.

Our lives should be lived authentically. The world is crying out for authenticity.
We are all looking for that which we can trust, rely on and believe.

Quite simply there has only ever been one person who has truly walked and lived that type of life. Jesus.

The reason why Jesus is still talked about today is because He was authentic. Authenticity lasts the course. You cannot always tell whether something is authentic immediately but eventually over time it becomes obvious!

We are often told in this modern world that we should not conform that we can be who we want to be, but conforming to that which is worthy of trust, reliance and belief is surely worth a go. The world needs it now more than ever.

Andy

5 Stones...not a blog about Mick and his friends!

2012-01-26T16:40:00.000Z

In 1 Sam 17: 40 we read the story of David and Goliath which says David took his shepherds staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherds bag.

As we know from this and other stories David was a great warrior. He was not afraid of a fight and led from the front. He was such a great warrior that he was able to lead ‘the mighty men’ referred to in the Bible in 2 Samuel 23. These were men who defied the odds in many battles.

God has given five main ministry offices to the church. The Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Evangelist and Pastor. All these offices can carry with them power and authority.

For me the five stones are symbolic of the five ministry offices that God has given to the church. But I have noted where the stones were carried before they accomplished their task of defeating Goliath. They were carried in David’s shepherds bag.

We need all of the five ministry offices operating in our churches, ministries and lives. But unless they are carried and held in the shepherds anointing they can at best be less effective and worst harmful.

We all need the heart of the shepherd, more so for leaders, in all that we do. So what is the heart of the shepherd?

Ultimately, as Jesus himself demonstrated, it is about putting others first, putting yourself in the way of the enemy for others sakes. Shepherds (in the east) at night would often put their sheep in a walled compound. This compound had a single gap through which the sheep would pass but there was no gate. At night the shepherd himself would block the gap. If any wild animal tried to get to the sheep they would first have to go through the shepherd!

For those of us in leadership and ministry we need to have the same heart and attitude in all that we do, especially in our dealings with people.

Andy

Grace

2012-01-24T10:41:00.000Z

Heard this great description of grace the other week which was simply this....if you did nothing to deserve it what can you do to lose it!

We need to hear these words and stop judging ourselves .....dust yourself down, pick yourself up and forgive yourself just as God has forgiven you.

I will leave the final words to the Bible from the Message translation....So how do we fit what we know of Abraham, our first father in the faith, into this new way of looking at things? If Abraham, by what he did for God, got God to approve him, he could certainly have taken credit for it. But the story we're given is a God-story, not an Abraham-story. What we read in Scripture is, "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own."
4-5If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift. (Romans 4:1-5)

Andy

Decision or Reaction?

2012-01-23T09:05:00.000Z

Too much of life can be based on a reaction and not a decision.

Often we let the circumstances of the day define our day. We all know that there will be days when things happen beyond our control and influence and we just have to roll with it. But often there are days where we let life happen to us as opposed to deciding what our life will be.

There are countless sayings about preparation and the positive effect preparation can have on our everyday lives. The problem with preparation is that it takes...well ….preparation! It takes time, often time we don't feel we have.

This is where we need to take the long view and not the short view. I am sure we all have areas of our lives where we desire to see change. Often that change can be painful leading us at times to give up on the process of change. We need to take the long view. Move from a reaction (to the pain of change) to a decision.

This is where time travel comes in. Take yourself five years into the future. How will you feel if your life is still the same? The change you so desired five years ago still hasn't happened. Regret then becomes your constant companion. Now travel back.

Remember the regret. Use the power of that regret to bring about the change, to keep taking the long view as opposed to the short view. Before long you will realise that change has happened. You are no longer just reacting to life but deciding your life.

Have a decision filled day!

Andy

Restore

2012-01-19T09:29:00.002Z

Its time for you to receive the full Restoration that God has for you.

This Saturday we (Equip) will be holding the first of 6 monthly meetings (see flyer) at Broadmead Baptist right in the heart of Bristol city centre.

Thee meetings are based on the scripture in Joel 2: 25 that states God will restore us all that the enemy has stolen from us.

Specifically this Saturday we will be focusing on what we need to do in order to receive this Restoration.

In Genesis 26 we read of the story of Isaac and the wells of his Father Abraham. Isaac keeps finding that the Philistines have filled in Abraham's wells as they quarrel with him over the land, which God had promised.

After numerous disputes with the Philistines they find a well and settle but the well still has to be dug out.

This represents many of our lives at this time. We know the promises of God but we do not yet possess them fully in our lives. We need to dig them out! Hard, back breaking work. It needs to be done for us to fulfill the promise of God in our lives!

How do we do this? It will be different things for different people but starts with the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 1: 18 that we use the prophecies given to us through which we wage a good warfare or if you prefer ....to dig out the promises and possess them.

This Saturday come along and begin the process of Restoration for all that God has for you, it would be great to see you.

Andrew

New day...New You?

2012-01-08T09:59:00.001Z

We are all carriers of all that has happened to us, good or bad. It has shaped us, defined us, made us who were are. Whether this has produced desirable or not so desirable characteristics, we are often the sum of our events. There are no standard rules for this process of cause and effect. The same event will not have the same effect on two people.

Psychologists have grappled with the question of ‘nature or nurture’ for years i.e.) are DNA / genes the dominant process in our lives or the environment that we grow up in. The debate will go on for many years.

The phrase ‘it’s a new day’ implies that no matter what happened yesterday (usually implying it was not so good) can be better. It is as though some magical process happens, that the connection between our past and present is severed at 12.01am!

If only it were so easy! The Bible tells us that God’s mercies are ‘new every morning’ (Lamentations 3: 22 – 23).

This is not where God releases some new promise each new day but explains the power and process of God's grace. Another passage in the bible sates ‘as far as the east is from the west, so he has removed our transgressions from us. ’

This promise is new every day! No matter what has happened yesterday, today can be different. We don’t have to let our past define our future. Easier said than done I know, but we need to start with the promise that all is not lost.

Indeed all is still to play for! Grace is both an instant act but a process to work out. But like all process’s it starts with belief. John 3: 16 is all about belief! God loves you…believe it….it will begin a process of change in your life that you forever will be grateful for!

Andy

A Graceful New Year

2011-12-31T11:43:00.001Z

Looking forward to 2012 it is both a time of anticipation and especially this year some anxiety. No one truly knows what 2012 will hold.

A great speaker, Graham Cooke, once said there are no good days or bad days just days of grace. This is how I will try and approach 2012. I know I will make mistakes, get things wrong but I want to approach this New Year not by trying to avoid things but by trying to do things.

Jack Welch (former Chairman of GEC) was once asked one piece of advice he could give to aspiring executives. His answer was simply to allow people to make mistakes. If we live our lives constrained by fear, whatever fear that is, we will never do anything. It is not that we live a life without consequence but that we live a learning life, a developing life.

Grace exists because we cannot be perfect. Our aspiration should never be for perfection but to be and do our best. Grace then exists to make up the inevitable shortfall.

How do we get this grace? Through Jesus. He declared in the bible that he was the way, truth and life (John 14:6).

Let this coming year be a year of grace, a grace that you can find for yourself and hopefully once that you then pass to others.

A Happy, blessed and a graceful New Year to all.

Andy

Looking Back

2011-12-30T13:56:00.002Z

I have always tried to look forward but every now and then find myself looking back over the years, especially around this time of year.

I often recall the Christmas's gone by when I was a child. They seem almost magical, golden memories. Some of those memories involve people who are no longer sadly with us, grandparents, relatives and friends. Invariably these memories come with a sense of sadness.

My struggle has always been to enjoy the moment. When I am in 'a moment' I have often found myself thinking 'I can’t wait to tell people about this', how good it was, often at the expense of 'the moment' itself.

Today many people want to capture 'the moment', preserving it forever in digital memory but maybe at the expense experiencing the said moment, not just in full HD or 3D but fully immersive 'D'!!

If I had to chose give me my memories any day over a picture or video. I know my version will be edited, incorrect even, but it is mine forever, absolutely personal! It will not decay or fade in quality, it may evolve but it will always be there.

What is my point, not sure really other than to say we need to live and indeed love our lives. We will never get this time again, even if we believe in an eternal life. This time will not come around again.

Don’t miss out on the many moments that life still has for each one of us. Grab them, receive them, enjoy them and immerse yourself in them.

Don’t be a bystander in this gift of life we have been given, get involved, however you can.

Andy

Happy Christmas

2011-12-24T11:14:00.002Z

Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. I love the chance to spend time with family and friends, the great food, the games and some great films; "It's a Wonderful Life" has to be my favourite.

Frank Capra who directed that film knew a thing or two about film making. As my mom always says 'they don't make them like that any more.' The essential premise of the film is that no one's life is worthless or does not count for something. The main character gets to see what 'his life' would be like without him!

Unfortunately that gift is not available to us; but all of our lives count and matter. You are unique. Only you can do what you do! We did not just happen, we were created, we were destined, in effect we were chosen by God himself. Ephesians 1: 4 says Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us.

The love that God has for us is ultimately demonstrated in the gift of Jesus. Christmas is a time where we can celebrate that gift.

Finally as we think about Christmas think about the gift that God has given each one of us.....even better than the gift of seeing your life without you in it!!

Have a blessed and Happy Christmas!

Andy

Gary Speed

2011-12-05T13:21:00.000Z

Thought I would leave it a few days before I would make a comment about this terrible tragedy.

As some of you may know in 2007 we lost a very close relative to suicide....life just became too painful.

Many people have commented that they just can’t get their head around what has happened with Gary Speed. The reality is that we never can. We will try and see the situation through the eyes of logic and quite simply when someone decides to end their own life, logic, as we see it, is never part of the equation.

Again many have said they simply didn't see it coming, they thought everything was fine, or at best ok. I can remember the conversation I had with our relative hours before he made his last decision. I have gone over the conversation many times in my head, what clue did I miss, was there something I could have said. Questions that I am sure I will always ask myself, just as I am sure, the many people that knew and spoke to Gary Speed in his final days have asked themselves.

The reality is that when someone truly decides to end their life there will never be the clues we so longingly wished we could have had. People have said how relaxed and joking Gary Speed was only the day before, even talking about the future. How can this be?

I believe in his heart the decision was made, and a sense of peace almost would have descended on him. He could happily talk about the future because he had (in his mind) reconciled it, dealt with it even.

Saturday I saw a picture of his two sons and his wife....I thought how dignified and brave they were. I will be praying for them. I can only hope that in those final moments of his life Gary Speed found the peace he was so desperately looking for.

Finally I am not sure what lessons can be learnt from these tragic events other than we need each other, we sometimes need to go past the platitudes and dig a little deeper, relationships are key to everything.

Finally, finally thanks to those people, who are part of my life who dig....you may not always get the right response from me but you are right to ask....so thanks to Neil, Jen and especially Ness.

Strive to keep the 'diggers' in your life, we all need them.

Take care.

Andy

Deeper

2011-11-12T09:47:00.000Z

We all need to know the presence of God. Tonight we have an Equip Event, Deeper, at Broadmead Baptist in Bristol City centre at 7pm (see poster for further details).

DEEPER is about the 'deep blue sea' and diving, diving into the very depths of God, His word and his personal revelation for us as in Psalm 42: 7 which declares…deep calls unto deep.

This will be a meeting of intense worship and meditation, interspersed with scripture readings, prophetic words, and other devotional readings with a time for personal ministry.

Tonight we will discover the often hidden depths of God, taking the time necessary time to allow a fuller revelation of His word and promise to touch our lives deeply.

Come and join us this evening....it would be great to see you.

Andy

Remember

2011-11-11T08:19:00.000Z

Today is a day when we remember those who have given their lives for peace and freedom.

It is a day when we take a moment to be thankful and to pay our respects for those that the bible says have the greatest love...."Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15: 13)

Love maybe is not the first thing that we think about on Armistice Day. This love is not based on words but based on deeds, acts of heroism, selflessness, individuals who have prefered their brother or sister (Romans 12: 10).

Whenever I see programmes about those that have served or are serving in our armed forces I am amazed at their courage and selflessness. They serve willingly, they sacrifice willingly, they go to places that hopefully many of us will never have to go to, they have seen things that I pray most of us will never see.

Today and on Remembrance Sunday take a moment to remember those that have shown, are showing us the greatest example of love.

Andy

Worst of Times....Best of Times

2011-11-09T12:28:00.000Z

Feel this is so true for today.....courtesy of Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities (1812 -1870).

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil,

Charles!

Character Determines Your Reach

2011-11-09T12:04:00.002Z

For me Character is everything. Over the years I have met many gifted people but how they have used their gift(s) and how that has reached/impacted people has been varied.

In my earlier years I would look at some people and wonder why they (their gift,talent, ability, expertise) were reaching and impacting so many more people than a comparable person with the same level of giftedness or maybe even more. The answer is Character. Why?

This all about trust. Can we be trusted to use what we have been blessed with the right way, to make it count without it going to our head. Arrogance and pride will always curtail For our gift. Humility on the other hand does exactly the opposite.

If it always about us, life becomes very shallow and limited. When life is also about other people it is deep and unlimited! I know which life I want!!

The bible has many things to say about this. Ultimately can we be trusted with what God wants to give us, bless us with even. Can we be trusted to steward, administer, cherish correctly what He wants to give each one of us. Note, this is not about the promise or provision for a chosen few, this is for all!!

We need everyones gift to be in full operation...soaring even (as per the the great book Soar with Your Strength's). We can never hope to reach out and meet the many needs of this world through mediocrity, we need all our gifts and abilities at full stretch! Only our best will do!

Finally I will leave the final words to God....the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless (committed) to Him....(2 Chronicles 16: 9). God is looking for us! Question is, can we be fully trusted? A challenge for us all.

Andy

Prisoners of the Past

2011-11-08T12:36:00.001Z

This is a phrase that has been with me for some months. It is something that I feel affects all of us at some point in our lives. We can be held captive by our past.

Over the past few years I have tried to develop a focus and mentality that looks forward not backward. I always want to be a person that believes better days are ahead.

Sometimes we need to look back, to learn from past events and mistakes. But this is not the same as being held captive. Jack Welch one time CEO of GEC was once asked what was the most valuable lesson he could impart to the young aspiring excecutives. His answer was "simply allow people to make mistakes and then to lean from them." When we stop allowing people to make mistakes we stop one of the best ways we learn. Ultimately, allowing mistakes creates an environment that enables great new ideas to develop, it helps people to reach beyond the immediate and to grasp the future.

People that we identify as achievers are not people that have never failed, but they are people that pick themselves up and cut themselves some slack and have another go, and then another go, and then another go, and then....you get the picture!

John maxwell has this great phrase "failing forward: turning mistakes into stepping stones for success" ....i.e.) we are always learning no matter what the situation. Alternatively the bible says "all things work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8: 28).

Don't be held by the past or past failures. If needed forgive yourself, give yourself the same break you give everyone else, pick yourself up and have another go....you deserve it!

Andy

Heaven

2011-11-07T15:21:00.000Z

Simply love this song.

Enjoy...Andy

Personal

2011-11-07T15:03:00.000Z

As a Christian I am part of a worldwide faith movement. There are billions of Christians across the globe.

It never ceases to amaze me how we really are all the same, the differences we have are only metaphorically and literally 'skin deep. Within, we are all the same mix of spirit, soul and body. However, what I believe separates Christians from everyone else is our relationship with Jesus and God the Father.

It is this personal relationship that defines our faith from all other faiths. This is where Christianity can be seen to be a paradox. Yes Christianity is a corporate religion, but at its core is this personal relationship with God. The Bible declares God created the heavens (including the universe) and the earth, and that the earth is his footstool (Isaiah 66: 1), yet God also wants (craves) personal relationship with you and me....amazing!

Christianity is encapsulated in this relationship. With it we have everything we need. Sometimes it is not easy, challenging even, but like all worthwhile relationships it is worth fighting for.

We may spend a 'lifetime' trying to get it right, but I for one believe it is worth it.

Finally fight to keep those special relationships in your life.....without them we are always the poorer!

Finally, finally a big thanks and love to all those special relationships in my life, Nessa, the kids, my family and friends....where would I be without you all!!

Blessings!

Andy

Your Decision

2011-06-29T18:55:00.000+01:00

Every now and then we will be reminded of something that happened in our life that was a pianful time for us.

This has happened to me today as I was listening to a song and reminded me of the time 4 years ago when a very close relative of ours decided the pain in his life was too much and he eneded his own life.

It is at this point that we have a decision to make. The reality is that the pain of that situation never really leaves us but we can choose how we respond and what we dwell on. The only way I can liken this is to standing by the side of a carousel and watching the horses go by. Eventually the ride will stop. This is the point of decision do we get on or not?

Many memories are like that. Do we 'get on' them or not? Don't get me wrong we need to face our emotions and feelings about these situations, maybe even to the point of seeking outside counsel. But there comes a point when we need to a choose what we are going to dwell on. The Bible references this in Philippians 4: 8 tells us to keep your thoughts on whatever is right...things that are true, honourable , fair, pure, acceptabel and commedable.

I will try and do this....I will never ever forget my friend and relative, they will always be missied but I will try and choose what to remnember...as I have said it is my decision.

Take care.

Andy

More than exprience

2011-06-23T13:29:00.003+01:00

An awful lot of kudos is given to the value and benefit of experience. Often when a job vacancy becomes available we look to fill it with someone of experience.

Obviously not all experiences are good but life tells us that we should always seek to learn from our experiences.

All of the above is very true and valid but experience will always have its limitations. Sometimes we need to approach life a different way.

Approaching something brand new will always challenge us, take us out of our comfort zone, but often this is where we truly live, where we truly embrace all that life has for us.

The pioneers (Mid West of America, to lay claim to a plot of land, would ride as hard as they could, for as long as they could. As far as they rode was the land they claimed. It is the same for us.

Maybe it is an age thing but for too many times in life we settle...., and if we use the mid west analogy, we stop riding. But why?

In his song Eternity Robbie Williams declares that 'youth is wasted on the young'.....there is certainly truth in that but there is also another cliche that 'today is the rest of your life'.

Sometimes we need to take a more reckless look at life...step out of our experience and as the bible encourages 'walk by faith' (2 Corinthians 5:7)....maybe just a little bit!

Andy

The Mark of God

2011-05-04T15:12:00.000+01:00

Finally back to posting....it's been a busy few weeks with many thoughts flowing through my mind one of which was the title for this post.

In reality we all carry the 'Mark of God' whether we like it or not, whether saved or not. The Bible dictates that we are all made in His image, His handiwork is all around us.

But my thought goes a little further than that. When we look deep within ourselves, sometimes at the darkest or most difficult times in our lives, we know and see something more than our 24/7 existence. This for me is what I would like to call the 'Mark of God.'

In the film Bladerunner (fantastic film by the way) mankind has advanced to being able to create artificial beings manufactured from a cellular level. These beings are created by engineers who at a cellular level mark their creations with their code or if you prefer signature.

It's the same for all of us...whether we classify ourselves as saved or not we all have this mark, signature at the heart of our very being....we are all the Fathers handiwork.

Why do we have this mark? Quite simply all creation is His...the stars in the night sky, the cattle on a thousand hillsides as it states in the bible, even the house you live in or the clothes on your back. But all these things are not marked the way you or I am marked. We are the pinnacle of His creation, we have been created for a reason, none are here by accident.

So why are you here are, what indeed is 'it' all about, what were you created for? Big questions I know but ones that surely deserve some thought....give it a go.....as many say the answer lies deep within!

Andy

Just For You!

2011-03-22T00:31:00.002Z

Great song by Lionel Richie which I came across the other day, great voice... but there is also a line in the song which says and my heart is breaking just for you.... and my arms are open just for you...and these tears I'm crying are just for you... ....can just imagine God the Father singing that to us.

Andy

DNA of Growth

2011-03-18T17:07:00.002Z

As I look out of our kitchen window I can once again see the signs of Spring (see picture). As we emerge from winter the trees begin to produce the wonderful colours of blossom.

Blossom has suddenly been produced as the conditions are right. Temperature, sunlight, water and the root system have all played their part.

Quite simply if the right conditions are in place, growth automatically happens. It is part of our natural and spiritual DNA. We have been made to grow!

We can apply the same principles to our own life. If we 'put' ourselves under / in the right conditions growth will happen, in and through our lives. Take away the right conditions and growth stops.

We need to think about our lives and the right conditions we need. Maybe we need to make some changes, some that may be quite challenging to make. We need courage.

Examine your life over the last 12 months, audit what has happened. Nothing 'just happens', there is always cause and effect. Be honest with yourself, be rigorous. Employ the help of a trusted friend.

Set yourself some goals for the next 12 months, but don't just think about the goals, think about what is needed, what are the right conditions, that will ensure you fulfill them all.

Finally be prepared for change, your life will not be the same. If you stick at it I am sure when you look back you will be more than pleasantly surprised!

Andy

You Alone

2011-03-17T14:38:00.000Z

Awesome song....be blessed.

Andy

The Need to Make a Difference

2011-03-16T23:22:00.006Z

There is an intrinsic part of us that needs to know our life makes a difference.We all need to be needed. Some have this feeling too much and maybe some not enough.

Those who have this feeling too much are often called needy, those with too little can be called aloof. Those refereed to as needy often define themselves only by what they do and not by who they are. For those refereed to as aloof it can often be the opposite.

So back to my starting point. The truth (as many times) is somewhere in the middle.

We are defined by both what we do and who we are. There is a rather a bad cliche that says we are human beings and not human doings but this missies the point of the need to make a difference.

Why do so many people ask why am I here.....what is 'it' all about......is this all there is? These are all valid questions and are linked to the inbuilt need for our life to mean something.

We have all been created with a purpose, we are all predestined. We are not a mistake, we all have something that only we can do, we all have a unique piece of the overall jigsaw!

Making a difference is not only about the big but just as much, if not more, about the small. By taking a small step each day we can eventually conquer a nation!

This is exactly what God said to Joshua when he told him how he would posses the promised land. Everywhere the sole of his foot went ie) one step at a time (Josh 1: 3)!

Lets look for the small ways we can make a difference each day.

Andy

The One Who Saves

2011-03-14T16:16:00.000Z

A song for our time!

Andy

Japan

2011-03-12T13:04:00.004Z

Our prayers and thoughts and are with the poeple of Japan at this time.

As a nation the Japanese people have always struck me as honourable, always appearing polite and respectful, hard working, determined. I am sure it is these qualities that will bring them through this dark and difficult time.

The death toll I am sure will rise dramatically over the next few days. Maybe we have not really taken on board some of what we have actually seen, within the buildings, cars, boats even, being swept away.
I can remember watching 9/11 unfolding before my eyes, watching the first tower collapse and at that point not really registering the number of people still trapped in the building.

It has felt the same watching the footage from Japan. It is only now 24 + hrs after the earthquake and consequent tsunami, with images of people being rescued that I am beginning to realise the number of people that will not be rescued!

Maybe I am being naive but I pray, maybe hope being a more appropriate word, that at those final moments people were able to cry out to God who ultimately rescued them, maybe not from the tsunami but from something far worse.

I will continue to pray, pray for the people trapped, yet to be rescued, pray for the rescuers, pray for the government, pray for the bereaved, the homeless, all affected....pray that God will give strength courage and help to those who desperately need it.

I have always wanted to go to Japan, a desire to go and minister. Funnily enough having seen all that I have it only wants to make me go more!

Finally it is interesting to note how each nation responds in its wishes. Here in the UK Mr Cameron expressed our thoughts and condolences. In America President Obama expressed their thoughts and prayers.

How different and indeed how sad that our nations leader cannot express, as I am sure many thousands have in this nation, that we are praying. We need God more than ever in our world...that is something we all need to pray for....even Mr Cameron!

Andy

The Sun of Righteousness.......

2011-03-10T22:55:00.005Z

....shall arise with healing in His wings....Malachi 4: 2. Love this image

A Prayer

2011-03-10T22:34:00.001Z

This is a not a post as normal but a prayer.... a prayer for some people that I know and love but also a universal prayer that can be used for anyone we know that needs our God to intervene, help, support, touch ....whatever is needed.

God we know that you are our Father, a loving dad who cares. A God who sits not in judgement but love and grace. God I ask that you would hear a prayer on behalf of my friends, my family, those I love....maybe they can't or are unable to pray themselves, so tonight God I make a request on their behalf.

Lord touch them this evening, let them feel your presence.....your touch this evening. Let them know your peace this evening, today.....let them know that you have heard every cry, seen every tear. Even in the darkest hour that you are always present, never absent. Lord remind them that you have never nor ever will take your eyes off them.

Lord I ask that you remind them of your word to them, the promises that you have spoken over them and declare....not just past but today...that your mercies and grace are new every morning.

Lord heal them, provide for them, minister to them. Lord we remind the enemy that your blood that was shed still speaks today. That no matter how they feel they have been washed in your blood and stand clothed in your righteousness.

Lord release this prayer to them, for them today.

Amen.

Andy

Defender of the Faith

2011-03-10T11:22:00.002Z

As you may know when a monarch of the UK is crowned one of the statements they make is that they will defend the faith, although it is widely rumoured that if and when Charles takes the throne that he will become defender of (all) faith as opposed to defender of the faith i.e.) christianity, but that is another debate entirely!

My point is this, too many times the church and Christians are on the defensive, we become as our monarch does, defenders of the faith.

I would much rather we become offensive of the faith. This is not that we become offensive i.e.) rude, obnoxious etc but that we become proactive and active with how we live our lives. We stop waiting for something to happen and make it happen.

Our faith does not need defending, it will speak loud and clear when it is active.

This once again brings me to the point of our faith being offensive....there is a reality that if we are active with our faith it will be offensive to some. We cannot hope to be active with our faith and nor upset one or two people. Our faith requires and in fact demands change. Mark Stibbe has a great quote to sum this up, he says Jesus declares come as you are but don't stay that way.

An active faith will challenge many, their attitudes and beliefs. Jesus did the very same in the temple. We cannot hope to gently woo everyone into the the kingdom, sometimes confrontation will be involved. It is how we confront, that is the issue.

Our faith should not be about hanging in there but about being out there.

Andy

Bad!

2011-03-08T10:20:00.008Z

I have tweeted this today and wanted to expand the thought. I tweeted that someone doing a 'bad' thing, however we define bad, does not make that person 'bad', by our definition.

My reason for this thinking is something that I want to be very honest and very real about...my driving. For those that know me they will tell you there are times when I can be very impatient, this is often at it's worst when I am driving. If someone cuts me up, doesn't let me in, doesn't say thank you for me letting them in ....the list goes on, I can get very impatient and sorry to say, angry!

My point is this. As soon as this happens I will make a judgment about that person because they have done something, that I deem to be 'bad', I assume them to be bad as a whole. Wrong I know, but that unfortunately is how I can think in that instant.

The key here is judgment, and in that instant, how quick I am at making that judgment. The thing with judgment is that really we are in no position to make it.

As a Christian I am saved by grace, but when I sit in judgment I am crying out for justice, but if I want justice it has to work both ways. If I want justice for myself by the very nature of justice itself, I have to want it for everyone. If I apply that to my relationship with God then justice can only end one way....my eternal death!! As scripture declares we all fall short and in so doing I am in effect a condemned man.

I need to stop making a judgment, or as many have said to try and see the best in each person, give them the benefit of doubt. It's time to walk in grace not justice!

Andy

The Power of the Cross

2011-03-01T14:24:00.000Z
Fantastic song....enjoy!

Andy

Seek

2011-02-23T14:41:00.001Z

This morning I was thinking about one of my favourite verses in the Bible, Matthew 6: 33, which states "seek first the kingdom of God".

I was suddenly struck by the use of the word "seek". When we examine this word in the original Greek it also means to desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, to seek after.

This is active stuff, not passive. We have to be looking for the kingdom everyday but it will not always be obvious and certainly not always easy, but it is there to be found.

The question and challenge for me is am I looking for it hard enough and am I looking for it as much as I can? The quick and honest answer to my own question is simply No.

Sometimes it feels like too much bother, too much like hard work. But I think I am missing the point. Jesus says that He only did what He saw the Father doing already. It was not so much that He had to go looking for it but when kingdom business came across His path, He embraced it, went for it (feet first even) and was obedient to the Father!

Paul’s wise words to Timothy were always to be ready with an answer for the reason for hope that is within us , whether literal, physical or symbolic …..that’s the minimum I think we owe the world.

Andy

Poverty of Expectation

2011-02-07T13:17:00.002Z

As I write this, and in one sense this post is linked to my previous one, I feel there is a real poverty of expectation across our nation, a phrase I heard many years ago.

Anything that is positive is under attack. Many who are trying to take steps forward are being knocked back at every turn.

Why is this? It is this positive, expectant attitude that will lead us to our individual and corporate destiny. Destiny is an over used word, for me it simply means fulfilling our life purpose or fulfilling what we are here for in the first place. No one is an accident! We all have a purpose! If you need help with this drop me a line or see www.equip.uk.net for our upcoming meetings and events.

We need to hold onto our dreams and visions...our destiny. We need to fight for it at this time. Imagine it as your new born baby. If anyone came long and tried to take your baby you would do everything in your power to hold onto that baby, even give your life.

We need to have exactly the same attitude to our destiny. Many will come and try and take that destiny from you but it is yours by right! Fight for it, live it, achieve it.

Andy

Truth

2011-02-07T12:59:00.003Z

Successful people are not successful just because of how they deal with the good times but how they deal with bad times. We need to face the reality that there will be tough times. Maybe you are facing such a time now. It is in these times that we need to hold onto truth.

Truth is easy when things are good. Truth ultimately brings freedom and a fulfilled life, but it may be a bumpy ride along the way. Don’t give up on doing the right thing just because it has become hard. This will always happen, in fact it is the way of truth, but truth will always prevail.

At one second past midnight, ‘the darkest hour’, it is indeed a new day. King David in the Psalms writes more about these times than any other man. David was a man who knew great success but also great failure but he ultimately held onto truth. Even with his track record the bible still declares that he was a man after God’s own heart.

If David teaches us anything it is that life is not about being perfect but about giving it your best shot and if you fail dust yourself down get up and try again.

Andy

Time Marches On!

2011-02-02T12:01:00.003Z

It is the management of time that is often one of life’s big challenges, especially in a society that is consumed with the notion of making every second count.

Sometimes we can become so preoccupied with managing our time that we miss ‘the moment’. Our obsession with time can lead to looking back and wondering "where has the time gone" or even wishing to have our time again. Ultimately this can be very unhelpful as we cannot do anything about the past (unless you happened to have invented the Flux Capacitor!! See Back to the Future) thus leading to a helplessness and a malaise for our life of the present.

Having our focus on time is like focusing more on the plate as opposed to the food on the plate. When we go to a restaurant it is not to admire the plate but to eat and hopefully enjoy the food. Time is the plate that holds our life. We need to focus on who we are and what we want to do, not on how long we have got!

In the film Finding Forrester the young writer is encouraged by the ageing author (played by Sean Connery) to just write, not to think about what he is writing but to just let it flow out of him. It is the process of writing that makes someone a writer!

Maybe this is how we should live life, just live it, get on with it, do your best, have a go, dive in (feet first even) and see what happens. Stop planning and seeing if you have the time because as we all know one day we won’t.

Andy

Moving on

2010-10-06T00:04:00.002+01:00

As is now known we will be stepping down from leading the Sanctuary as of the 31st October to take on two new ventures which we have called the Equip Network and Equip Ministries.

Not only is change inevitable in our lives but it is in fact vital if we are to fulfill what we are destined to achieve.

So as from the 1st November we begin a new part of the journey (although I believe we can no longer use that phrase according to Mr. Cowell!!)

I am already looking forward to what opportunities are before us and to see what will happen next.

Watch this space....or more realistically www.equip.uk.net....once it is up and running!

Andy

Security

2010-10-01T12:30:00.007+01:00

The other day I saw something that immediately reminded me of my childhood home and days. What I saw was irrelevant but the power of recollection was tangible. I suddenly felt as though I was there once again, time travel indeed!

Anyway the biggest feeling I was struck by was security, comfort and an overriding feeling of no matter what was going on in the outside world, inside (our home) everything was going to be alright!

For me family is so important, not only the family that I have now but also the family I came from. Sometimes it is only when we look back that we can truly appreciate what we had.

I have been so blessed in the family that I either have or had, my wife and children, mom and dad, my grandparents, my sister and her family, my in-laws, they have all had a huge impact on my life and I love them all dearly (although if you were to ask them I am sure they would say I don’t say it enough…so apologies on that one!)

So going back to my original point home is so important, family is so important we need to value it, appreciate it cherish it even. Through them a foundation has been laid in my life that has helped me so much over the recent years….so once again a big thanks to you all and 210….happy memories!

Andy

Lonliness

2010-09-27T16:17:00.000+01:00
The other day I saw a woman attempting to walk her dog. Both were elderly and I watched as the women cajoled her dog to keep walking.

At the same time the scene was both filled with sadness and love. Love clearly that the women had for her dog and visa versa, but also of sadness as they both struggled to continue the walk that I am sure they had made hundred's of times before.

It was as I looked at the women that I immediately felt that they only had each others company, keeping loneliness at bay. I then began to imagine the scene of them both at home, the women in the chair with the dog at her feet by the fire. Once again this was a scene of sadness and love.

Maybe the only true friendship the women had was the dog, her only constant source of companionship...who knows?

As I said this story is imagined but is it really? I am sure for many thousands, maybe even millions of people this is a reality!

Loneliness is a growing problem in today’s society. Some of it is hidden, sometimes it stares us in the face. We all need to take responsibility for dealing with loneliness. No one today needs to feel lonely. How much technology is needed before we can tackle this problem (yes it is a problem, just read all the negative side effects loneliness has on peoples mental and physical health.)

Let's be on our look out for loneliness…let’s strike up conversations where we can, offer help where we can, drop by unannounced!

Loneliness wont shout from the rooftops, it hides in the shadows, behind closed doors, behind a mask a façade…we have to dig it out and look for it.

Happy hunting!

Andy

Focus

2010-09-27T15:39:00.001+01:00
Today I had a conversation with a consultant around how drug and a alcohol treatment needs to develop.

Historically treatment has evolved around intense psychotherapy, normally through the 12 steps programme as developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. For many this has worked extremely well but equally for others it has led to life of institutionalization.

The key issue we were discussing was focus. Through psychotherapy the individual is attempting to work through their issues as to why they developed drug and or alcohol problems. But new thinking is developing that individuals need to look at what they can begin to do, what new goals and aspirations they can set.

By focusing on what they can begin to do rather than what they perceive needs fixing leads to individuals leading far more productive, fulfilled and ultimately institutionally free lives.

Once again I was reminded of my faith and relationship with God the Father. If we keep looking at ourselves we will never get beyond our salvation, whereas when we look to the Father and what He has done for us we can begin to live the life that He has intended for us.

Mark Stibbe has a great quote ....come as you are but don stay that way i.e.) the Father is always standing with his arms wide open , ready to receive us, but He also has a great plan for our lives that requires change in our lives.

By focusing on what the Father has done for us and has for us will enable that change to happen.

David made the same decision. In a life of many mistakes he knew how to achieve what God had set before him…Psalm 121: 1 declares…I will look unto the hills from where comes my help. The hills represent Mt Zion a further representation of God the Father.

With God anything is possible…take your eyes of yourself and look to Him!

Andy

Change!

2010-09-14T14:54:00.004+01:00
My life is undergoing some change at the moment and even though I have initiated this change myself it can at times feel quite challenging.

My analogy for this is liken to the scene in the movies where the classic chase takes place on a train and at some point they always end up on the roof, hurtling along at 90 mph! They leave the semi comfort of the carriage for the danger of the roof!

OK so my imagination can run wild....but life at times needs to change.....if we remain too comfortable for too long we can lose our vision and our passion. Change is a good thing...but sometimes the process of change is difficult, but if we are to fulfill all that life has for us there will always be a need for periodic change.

So whatever you are going through at the moment hold true, keep the faith and know that you are never alone...Psalm 23!!

Andy

Supporter or Follower?

2010-09-14T01:04:00.002+01:00
This is my first season as an Albion season ticket holder. For many years I have contemplated getting one but never quite made the step to purchasing one, for all sorts of reasons...the distance, the time, the cost...to name but a few reasons. This year I have taken the step and purchased my ticket, I now consider myself a true supporter.

How have I come to this conclusion? Earlier in the year myself and a few members of my family went on a tour of the Hawthorns (Albion's stadium) which was conducted by the now retired, former club secretary...a very knowledgeable man!

As he was conducting the tour he was bemoaning the many changes that had happened in the game. One being the changes in supporters, particularly around corporate entertainment. At the time Albion had once again been relegated from the Premier league and he had noted once again the drop off in some support as Albion were striving for promotion out of the championship back to the Premier League.

Quite simply he said this was the difference between being a supporter or a follower....supporters part with their cash, time, and in Albion's case their finger nails whilst a follower will be here when the going is good and it suits them.

My point in this.....being a Christian can sometimes be very similar.....question for each one of us are we a follower or a supporter?

Andy

Time to listen?

2010-05-27T17:46:00.003+01:00
I have been thinking a lot recently about how life doesn't always work out how we expect it. Sometimes this is a good thing other times not so. However there is always a reason. For me as a person of faith I believe that nothing 'just happens'. In fact the bible tells me that all things work together for good for those who love God. The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that I believe (whether they are Christians or not)they truly embrace this scripture.

As a Christian there is a lot of comfort that can be gained from this type of living. To know that there is always someone else looking out for us. I once heard Graham Cooke (a great speaker / author / all round wise bloke) say that God was always there for us, it's just that some times He was manifest IE) clearly to be seen, and other times he was hidden IE) not so visible. It was at these times that we usually learnt the most.

If for you it feels like God is hidden, have the courage to take time to work out what lesson there is for you to learn, take time out to listen ......the question is not whether God is speaking but are we listening!

Andy

Time for Harvest

2009-07-28T12:04:00.005+01:00

Whilst out waking on Saturday I came across a field of wheat and straight away I was reminded of the scripture…Behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white to harvest already (John 4: 35)

The image before me of the field (see above) had an unexpected impact. I was for a moment totally overwhelmed by what was before me. The sheer number of sheaths of wheat was immeasurable.

Again as my eyes struggled to take in the scene before me I felt the Lord tell me this was the state of our nation…many lives just waiting to be saved! Just as the wheat is ready to be harvested, and in a sense fulfil it’s purpose to become food, millions of lives are waiting to be introduced to the Father to find the true purpose and reason for their lives.

I then watched as the wind the blew across the wheat and gently weaved it’s way across the field. Again I was reminded of a scripture……Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do. For whatever things He does, these also the Son does likewise (John 5: 19.)

Again I felt God speak to me …Just as you see the wind move the wheat it touches so you need to look and see where I am already moving on lives. As I move so you need to move, follow my lead.

Blessings from Cornwall!

Andy

Preperation for Change

2009-07-24T01:26:00.002+01:00
A few years ago I came across a programme entitled 'Preparation for Change'. Ths was a programme designed for individuala with drg and/or alocohol issues.

During this programme individuals would be taken through a series of sessions about what lay before them, the challenges, how to deal with and embrace change. They had to complete this programme before they could then access detoxification and rehabilitation treatment.

The programme was designed not be fast track and purposely challenged the individuals resolve in wanting to change.

If an individual truly wanted to give up drugs, alcohol or both then they would be willing to complete the programme.

Unfortunately the same cannot be sometimes said of us and our life. We often want the quickest solution with the minimum hassle and input.

At this moment I believe many are going through a spiritual preparation for change, which some are finding difficult....some even feel every part of them is being tested and stretched. The reality is we are going through a process, readying us for a step up, a new part of the journey, ultimately change that will mean more of the Fathers love and glory manifested in our lives.

If this us where you are at stick at it and with it, stay the course the change is much closer than you think.

Blessings,

Andy

Time of Blessing!

2009-07-22T11:27:00.004+01:00
There is a new provision that I believe God is wanting to open up to you and me TODAY!

This is a provision that will run against the flow of the world and its systems. Whilst all we hear about in the news is how much debt our nation is in (£900,000,000,000 at the last count I believe) and the eventual cutbacks that are going to follow, in turn can affect how we see the Father and His provision for us, His children.

TODAY God wants to open up the heavens and pour out His abundance upon you and me. He is calling us to stand out in the world and all that is happening, to be in His flow of provision and flow against all that is occurring (Salmon time again!!) in the world today.

TODAY is the beginning of a provision that is only released in times such as this....it is a provision for the church (you and me!) to turn from being provided for to becoming the provider.

Receive TODAY the blessing that the Father wants to pour out on you and over you.

We serve a loving, magnificent, abundant and outrageous (look at the sky at night!) Father who has a plan for your life that is fulfilling, blessed, at times challenging but ultimately a life lived with purpose, reason and love.
I will leave the final words from The Message " So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! Romans 8: 12 – 17
Be ABUNDANTLY Blessed!
Andy

Big & Small!!

2009-07-17T15:20:00.004+01:00
If there is anything I am learning at the moment it is that nothing happens by chance. There are no small or insignificant conversations or meetings. We need to be listening and looking all the time. God is always doing something, sometimes big, sometimes small but always significant.

In the past I have always looked for the 'big thing'...the 'big sign'...the 'big picture'...but as I am now realising, sometimes I have missed what has been going on because I haven't been looking or listening for the small!

God is into everything...He is the thunder and fire but equally He is in the whisper and breeze!

Andy

The Challenge of the first step!

2009-06-09T12:31:00.001+01:00
We all know to take the first step in anything is always the hardest. So many things have to be overcome; particularly the unknown and usually attached to the unknown is fear.
Fear of the unknown is one of, if not the biggest enemy of making a change. Fear of the unknown causes many situations to remain the same… we even have sayings that reinforce this belief …‘better the devil you know’ or ’out of the frying pan into the fire.’
All of these things have a detrimental effect on our ability to change and usually result in the status quo once again being maintained. The reality though is that change needs to be taking place in our lives daily!
The devil is absolutely happy with maintaining the status quo, he is even more than happy with many Christians going to church as unfortunately too many churches are more than happy with the status quo.
The church of today needs a change and change often starts with one step. As God declared to Joshua he was to posses the land one step at a time… Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given that to you (Josh 1: 3).
Each new day will present us with new challenges… new opportunities to take new steps and bring about change in our world. As with all things where there is a challenge God the father will always provide for us, as the scriptures declare…new every morning, great is your faithfulness(Lam 3: 23).
Finally there is a challenge that has been ringing in my ears for the past 3 week. It relates to the story of a friend who started and runs the University of Life, an education project in Brazil, after he was moved for the first time to take coffee and bread to the homeless children, they simply asked him ….will you be back tomorrow.

Taking the first step, bringing about change is not something that we do once but something that we need to do on a daily basis as Luke 9: 23 declares. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

This is the mission that has been laid at the churches feet so let’s daily take those first steps.

Andy

Will the real Christmas please stand up!

2008-12-09T15:05:00.001Z
Season’s Greetings…..Happy Holiday’s , Happy Xmas or my all time favourite Winterfest (courtesy of Birmingham City Council!!) …these today are a few of the ways we announce our celebration of Christmas, or more accurately Christmas without the Christ.
As we know Christmas for Christians is about celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus but for the majority of the world Christmas is about everything but the birth of Jesus…over time the meaning and message of Christmas has been eroded, lost almost to another generation.
Over the last 100years our nation has undergone a huge cultural and spiritual change, to a point now that many scholars and social commentators now regard the UK as being Post Christian ie) our Christian heritage is exactly that ..something confined to the history books, no longer relevant to the present or the future.
As I write this two major high street retailers have gone into administrative receivership, thousands of workers potentially face Christmas or the New year unemployed wondering how they will pay the bills. We hear everyday how there is now not just a UK recession but a worldwide recession. Banks once considered one of our cornerstones of society have crumbled, bailed out by Government handouts!
Our nation and the world is rapidly changing, often exampled very well by the annual snapshot that is Christmas. The question for each of us is how do we respond to these changes?
I believe my answer can be summed up by referring to a song written by a friend some 25 years ago simply entitled ’ Let’s put Christ back in Christmas’… but how do we do that?
Christ was born to give mankind hope, to provide a way back to the arms of the Father, to provide salvation.
We can put Christ back into Christmas through hope, not just a 'once a year hope' but a hope that is relevant for everyday. More than ever lives are more touched by a feeling of hopelessness than of hope. Christ came to turn that around, and Christians have been called to carry this message of hope...salvation to our world.
All our lives have been touched by recent events but as scripture declares we have an eternal assurance. Unfortunately about 95% of our nation does not. Our nation more than ever needs to be reintroduced to the real Christmas. We all need to see ourselves as missionaries to our own backyard. We need to acknowledge the state of our nation, a nation that needs the message of Christ, the message and reality of hope, the need of salvation more than ever.
This years lets challenge ourselves once again as to how we can spread a little hope, reintroduce people to the true meaning of Christmas…Emmanuel - God is with us.

Andy

World Changers Pt 2

2008-12-09T15:01:00.002Z
The world is changing rapidly, events no longer change by the day or the hour, change evolves continually. The pace of this change can often leave us feeling bewildered and vulnerable. How do we see change? Is it something we embrace or run away from. Part of our answer will depend on the type of change that confronts us, but for me there is a reality that a change is needed in the church, especially in the Western world. But sometimes when we talk about change in the church we can view it remotely, when what we are talking about is the need for you and me to change. What type of change is needed in you and me…that we all become world changers. You are not called to change the world by your self but you are called to change your part of the world. Not only does God help us change but we change with the help of each other, I help you change you help me change!

Please read again the previous post entitled world changers, great encouragement about how we all need to be!

Andy

Radical....or should this be normal!

2008-10-06T11:15:00.001+01:00
The following is an excerpt from an article I found on the web the other day, quite simply it’s time for change!

“A worldchanger is someone who is committed to do just that, change the world. A worldchanger is not someone who blends in. A worldchanger sticks out!
A Worldchanger stands up ready to make a difference. A worldchanger goes beyond the usual expectations of Christianity. A worldchanger finds the most intense demands that Jesus places on Christians and doesn't shy away but goes after then passionately and does whatever it takes to get the job done!
They are not just doing it because their parents make them or because the pastor tells them to.. A worldchanger has been radically, completely, and totally changed by a relationship with God!
Christianity is not some boring thing that a person halfheartedly commits to just because they have been in church their whole lives.
A worldchanger had found Jesus for themselves. And because Jesus died for them, they are ready to give their lives for him. Christianity. is not just lip service.
Worldchangers have a fervor to seek God with all of their hearts, and to do everything they can to let the world know that God is real and that he is alive! Worldchangers are not stuck in a bunch of boring rules and regulations, but they have the fire of the living God burning inside them! And they just can't keep it inside of them.
Worldchangers are serious about learning the word of God and then taking that word and applying it to their lives. Worldchangers are constantly changing and becoming more and more like Jesus.
Worldchangers develop a vision for their community and do everything they can to take the living Christ to a lost and dying world!
Worldchangers are sick and tired of a watered down, namby-pamby Christianity.! They want the real thing and don't care how hard it hits them or what parts of their lives they have to change.
They are sick and tired of the attitude that lukewarm Christians bring into the church, and they are ready to do something about it! They are especially ready to attack attitudes in their own lives!
A Worldchanger loves the Lord with all of his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength and loves his neighbor as himself. Write this scripture down. Carry it with you! Begin to pray over what you have just learned about a worldchanger.”
It’s time to change….time to build….are we willing?

Andy

Connection

2008-05-09T13:33:00.002+01:00
I have been thinking about the 'power of connection' recently and what it really means.

Sometimes this connection can be really tangible or sometimes less so. Having recently run the 10K with another 3676 people, I can't help but feel a sense of 'connection' with them, even though I only spoke to a few of them who ran the race, I still feel that connection. I suppose some of it is around a shared experience, we all went through something together....and came out the other side!!!(Sorry that is a little melodramatic.)

This point is better exampled by the stories from the soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings and beyond, how they developed a bond with each other that was almost beyond their own families....how they became a band of brothers....developing the ultimate connection with each other

It was exactly that type of connection that Jesus developed with His disciples, which in turn they developed within the early church, and as in the Normandy landings, often in in adverse circumstances.

Going back to the 10K, Nessa decided to write a short letter to a few of our neighbours explaining what we were doing, asking for their support. The response we have had from our neighbours has been fantastic and in all honesty I have had more conversations with our neighbours because of this 'adverse' situation ie) Josh's condition, than I have had for some time...connections have come through an unlikely circumstance.

In concluding... naturally I am a shy person, and over the years I have tended to keep my head down, avoiding making a connection, but now I will do my best to make that connection...after all as in the latest line from the Dr. Pepper ad 'What's the worst that can happen?"!!!

Andy

Relationships

2008-05-06T14:57:00.003+01:00
Have you ever thought about the reason why you exist. Many people question their very existence often pondering the big question.....what is the meaning of this life.

My answer to this question is simple...relationship. The reason you/we exist is because of relationship...or more specifcially God wanting to have a relationship with you.

It was out of a desire for relationship that God created the 'Heaven's and the Earth.' As human beings we are the very pinancle of God's creation, as the Bible declares we are made in 'His image.'

Today God has a desire for relationship with you and me more than we can possibly imagine...the creator of all that we can see, hear and feel wants to know you... spend time with YOU! Imagine if a call came from whomever you consider to be the most famous person in the world or the very person you would love to meet even for a few moments, asking to spend time with you everyday, that you were there number one priority, that they would do anything for you...even die for you....how would you feel.....because that is exactly how God feels about you!

So think about that next time you ponder the meaning of it all.

Andy

Thanks!

2008-05-06T14:38:00.006+01:00

Just to say a big thanks to all who sponsored myself, Ness and Dan for running the Bristol 10K yesterday, as can be seen from the Just Giving widget we have raised / pledged £1215, which is a fantastic amount. The money will be going to Little Bridge House part of Children's Hospice South West which provides respite care for Josh (my nephew - see www.forjosh.org.uk) and his family.

Dan completed the race in 57 mins, Ness in 69 mins and I did it in 65 mins. We started the race fairly cold but after about 20 mins we suddenly realised how humid and warm it was, so by the time I got to the only water station at 5K I was really thirsty. Unfortunately I picked up a bottle which still had the top on which seamed to have been sealed with super glue or so it felt.

Ness did really well as after about 3K her ankle which she injured last year really began to hurt to such an extent that she will now have to go and get some physio on it, but like the true trooper she is she persevered and completed the race...so well done.

Dan meanwhile had to endure a fall, which hurt him quite a bit, so he had to stop for about 5 mins, but again being one to never quit he pushed on, and still managed to beat me by 8 minutes!!

So it's on with the training for the Half Marathon in September......what joy!!!

Andy

Knowledge is power...

2008-05-02T11:23:00.003+01:00
...or so we are told many times. The reality is that knowledge by itself is nothing, unless we apply the knowledge. In fact it is the application of that knowledge which ultimately results in 'power' or as I heard the other week:

"only when we use the knowledge is it power....take ownership of the knowledge....have the courage to put that knowledge into action."

Wise words.

Andy

'What if'

2008-05-01T12:13:00.003+01:00
I have often asked myself the question ‘what if. ’Two small yet very powerful words.
‘What if’ is probably one of the most asked questions around the world, people talk about the ’what if’ scenario all the time, often we will lie awake at night pondering the ‘What if’ question!

Today I would like to challenge us all to turn some of our ‘what if’s’ into ‘I did.’ Rather than thinking about what might be let's begin to act. The reality is that Jesus was a person of action. He followed up His words with action, He acted on his ‘what if’s’!

God has a unique plan and purpose for all of us to walk in, a whole series of ‘what if’ situations for us to face, with Him. The question is which way will we choose. We posses what God has for us one decision at a time, If we make a wrong decision we always have the option to make our next decision the right one.

Finally take time to look around and listen, to see and hear what is going on around you. When you do you will see that God is at work all around, and rather than asking the question ’God where are you?’, you may just hear the answer ‘I am here… through you.’ Question is what will you do next?

Andy

The 'New' Year - Pt 2

2008-04-30T21:49:00.004+01:00
Thirdly, and I am quite ashamed of this, myself and Ness finally went away to London for our Wedding Anniversary a couple of weeks ago (hence the picture of us on the London Eye..'champagne flight' as they call it no less.)We went to see Cirque Du Soleil at the 02, great visually, story...didn't have a clue. Saturday we did the Eye (really good especially the champagne except to say our host was a French student called Ryan, really nice guy, until he told me he was a Portsmouth fan...at which point I wanted to eject him from the capsule...only joking!! On the evening we went to a pre-show dinner followed by seeing Grease, but the great thing was just being able to spend time with each other.

So this year it is my aim to bring a balance to what can often be a hectic existence, as I know life is for many...to spend time with the people that really matter, Ness, Alicia and James. As the saying goes no one on their death bed wishes they spent more time in the office. Time is the one thing we don't get a second bite at, so my aim is to use it wisely and effectively.

Finally this phrase has been going round in my mind for a couple of days now, and it is a line from Dickens 'A Christmas Carol / Scrooge' where the ghost of Marley turns to Scrooge and rebukes him when he is trying to justify his attitude to life ie) greed, money and selfishness, by stating 'mankind should have been our business.'

As I look to the rest of 2008 I pray that I will not be so self absorbed as to miss the point of life, to reach out to others, to love, to be real but more importantly to follow the best example that ever was...Jesus, the way, truth and life.

Andy

The 'New' Year - Pt 1

2008-04-30T21:26:00.006+01:00
Not having blogged for a few months I have decided to once again pick it up. It has always, been one of my secret ambitions to write, so have purposed to write every day....lets see how long that lasts then.

So far this year has been quite interesting. A lot of last year was pretty naff, we lost a very close member of the family, had some major changes in church structure which initially were quite tough, Nessa's dad was very, very ill, I had pneumonia so when New Years Day promptly arrived I was pretty glad....8 after all in the Bible refers to new beginnings....so Amen to that.

It was with this thinking in mind that I was determined this year would be different for all sorts of reasons, so I set about the year with a clear number of goals...the main one being to lose weight. So on the 9th January I began my Lighter Life weight loss programme (see www.lighterlife.com) and after 4 months have now lost 5 1/2 stone.

Secondly we (myself and Ness) have stated for a number of years that we would go skiing, so it was in March that we booked a weeks skiing in the French Alps, to begin 2 days after Christmas 2008, for all four of us (me,Ness,James and Alicia.) James has elected to go boarding, which I am sure he will be a natural at, Alicia has not long returned from a school skiing trip so I am sure she will be an expert. Nessa was a keen ice skater for many years so will take to it as a mallard (her old surname by the way...bad joke i know) takes to water...which leaves me the man who has no balance, cant skate even after 40 yrs to be the expert at falling over!!

(cont. next post)

Risk, is it worth it?

2007-11-06T16:40:00.000Z
Beautiful piece of writing, picked up from a great blog I have just come across, Brain Heasley's, he heads up a prayer project in Ibiza called 24/7

The writing below was written by Jean Vanier

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out is to risk involvement
To disclose feelings is to risk disclosing your true self
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk their love
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But the greatest hazard is to risk nothing
The one who risks nothing,does nothing and has
Nothing - and finally is nothing
They may avoid sufferings and sorrow,
But simply cannot learn, feel,change,grow or love
Only one who risks is free

Jean Vanier

No Regrets?

2007-10-31T11:32:00.000Z
Just listening to some music and shocked to find out that the song I am listening to is 20 yrs old!

When I look back over the last 20 yrs unfortunately I am not one of those people who can say "If i had my time again I would do exactly the same", I would do many things differently! I would try and be kinder, more considerate, less wasteful, more forgiving, more loving....the list could go on forever.

However I am also one of those people who try not to get too caught up in the past. I am forever looking to the future, seeing what tomorrow will bring but more importantly how I can shape tomorrow for the better.

So this is the challenge to myself to make sure I have as few regrets about the next 20 years, no regrets, that indeed is my aim!

Andy

Reform begins within!

2007-10-26T14:10:00.000+01:00
Just received this great leadership quote today from John Maxwell..please read on:

Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11

Throughout his thirty-one years of godly leadership, King Josiah wholeheartedly followed the Lord and devoted himself to leading the people well. His own spiritual passion soon began to influence Judah and eventually brought about public reform.
Even today Josiah remains a vivid example of a key biblical principle: Outward reform begins with inward renewal. The leader must experience personal change before he or she can implement public change. Leaders make an impact the same way an atomic bomb does: They implode before they explode.

How did the young king "implode" before he "exploded"? After ten years on the throne, while he was still a teenager, Josiah sent several men to the high priest to re-energize the process of repairing the temple. While cleaning up the rubble, the high priest found "the Book of the Law." Shaphan the scribe read it, then reported its contents to the young king. And how did Josiah respond? He imploded. He ripped his clothes. His tender heart and humility prompted him to embark on a national program of spiritual reform. The cycle worked this way for King Josiah:

Personal Renewal >>> Personal Change >>> Public Change Implemented >>> Public Reform

The Maxwell Leadership Bible

Andy

Many thanks!

2007-10-25T16:01:00.000+01:00
Just to say a big thank you to everyone who supported and sponsored Daniel, Martin and myself for the Cardiff Half Marathon. We raised approximately £700 for Jessie May Nursing Trust. We have now registered to run the Bath Half Marathon on behalf of Little Bridge House (Children's Hospice Southwest), please see www.forjosh.org for more details.

Andy

Life....live it!

2007-10-24T12:15:00.000+01:00
Apparently blogging is now out of fashion, so as I'm not really into fashion I have decided to continue!

The past few months have been interesting/ I've had a really bad chest infection for about a month, see Muse Live at Wembley (great band but Wembley acoustics not brilliant), saw OMD live for the first time in well over 20 yrs (still pretty good), finally, finally completing my fist half marathon in Cardiff two weeks ago and seeing The Police live at The Millennium Stadium (again very good but Andy Summers the guitarist did look really old!), so overall its been a busy few months.

Anyway life continues 'a pace' as always, so along with Church life, decorating the house, running the business and having some family time, life is busy, interesting and at times strained, but I am increasingly grateful for all that I have and experiencing but most of all that I am never alone as I go through life as David declares in Psalm 23, wherever I walk He (God) is always with me (paraphrase).

Finally life is to be lived not survived or avoided, so let's get on with it.

Andy

Nothing...simply nothing at all!!

2007-05-01T14:24:00.000+01:00
That has been my inspiration level recently, nothing. So anyway just thought I would log on and say that.

Mind you one thing recently is that I have seen '300', fantastic film which tells the story of 300 Spartans defending the 'Hot Gates' officially called the Battle of Thermopylae. I know that the film is 'loosely' based on the true historical account but shows what team work can achieve in the face of insurmountable odds.

Anyway get to see it whilst you can.

Andy

316!

2007-04-03T15:37:00.000+01:00
On Sunday a few of us went to see Bristol Rovers in the Football League Trophy Final (can't bring myself to call it the Johnstones Paint Trophy, just doesn't sound right.) Anyway our tickets stated we had to enter the Millennium Stadium through gate 316.

So we made our way to the ground and waited outside at an appropriate spot, to which Tom Smye says "So where is gate 316", I reply simply by saying "Look up Tom" for him to see directly in front a 30ft post with a 4ft sign attached to it with the number 316 on it! Tom bursts out laughing and states "You're going to have to blog that" so I have!

We had a great day, shame about the result but if you decide that you're not going to play for the first 5 minutes then you will go 2-0 down. But if you ever have to go to the Millennium Stadium:
1/ Drive there, don't get the train!
2/ When you join a queue to catch the train home, don't join the one for Bristol Parkway join the one for Temple Meads wherever you live, you will definitely get home a lot quicker!

Andy

Great quote!

2007-03-23T13:55:00.000Z
Just heard this...."Remember..your focus determines your reality."

Great line, loads of truth.

Andy

The Virtues of Running.....finally!!

2007-03-23T09:48:00.000Z
Having begun my training for Half Marathon I can honestly say I am starting to enjoy running..sorry that definitely should be jogging. If anybody has seen Peter Kay I am currently 'dad running.'

Anyway exercise really does make you feel better! I am starting to regret those wasted years of a very sedentary lifestyle.

Let me give you a tip, if you are thinking about it get out there and do it, you definitely wont regret it.

Andy

Belief vs Faith

2007-03-12T13:13:00.000Z
Have been thinking about faith today and also sometimes how I really do lack faith, whether this be a natural or a supernatural thing and in doing so came across this great story about belief vs faith...

Have you ever heard about the guy who walked a tight rope across Niagara Falls? Many people watched him do it. To them he asked, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls?" They all replied, "Yes." They had already seen him do it.

Then he pushed a wheel barrow on a tight rope across Niagara Falls. When he completed the feat, he asked the onlookers, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow?" To that they replied unanimously, "Yes." Because they saw him do that too.

Finally, a buddy of the tight rope walker climbs into the wheel barrow and the tight rope walker pushes him across the Falls. Wow, what a daring feat! When they finished, the tight rope walker asked the crowd, "Do you believe I can walk a tight rope across the Falls pushing a wheel barrow with a person in it?" To that they exclaimed, "Yes!" For they were now believers in this guy's awesome abilities.

Then he looked at the crowd and asked, "Who's next?"

There you have it... Belief vs. Faith...!

Great story, great challenge!

Andy

Quote of the day...week...Year!

2007-03-11T09:00:00.000Z
Stated very confidently and loudly in the office the other day...."if my husband is like that I am not going to marry him!"

Guess who said that? First letter L second letter O ...yes you guessed it Lozza. Worthy of making it on onto 'It's a Norm' I think.

Andy

Music!

2007-03-05T11:51:00.000Z
Music is so powerful.

I am just sat here in my office as I type listening to one of my favourite tracks of all time, Stay by Me by Annie Lennox off her album Diva. This album first came out in 1992 (had it first on tape, how old is that!)and yet I can instantly recall feelings and emotions that I felt at that time. It's as though the track has the power of time travel, as I remember specific situations around that time. It's as though I can instantly re-live, hear and see everything as if it was here and now. Without music I doubt I would be able to have such specific recollections.

Have you ever listened to a track and thought that someone had just read your mind and written something specifically for you. It's almost like the greatest songwriters and musicians have the ability to tap into the very atmosphere around them and somehow put it into words and music.

Music also has the ability to unite and bring people together unlike anything else I know. Ever been to a concert where suddenly everyone is singing the same thing, all having the same shared experience, and suddenly you realise you are all in this together! Amazing!

Maybe next time negotiations break down over some major treaty or employment stand off they should take a break and get everyone to a U2 concert and get everyone singing 'In the Name of Love', just a suggestion!

Music, quite simply I couldn't live my life without it.

Andy

Permanent?

2007-03-01T13:47:00.000Z
Is there really anything on this planet of ours that is permanent?

We have all sort of products that are meant to have permanent properties, but in in my view there is only one thing that is really permanent, and that is God himself.

In the bible He is refereed to as our foundation, our rock, our salvation. He existed before creation itself, before the heavens (the universe)and before the earth. As always this prompts the question that recently my son asked me "So if God created everything who created God?"

God's answer (again from the bible) is that he is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He has always 'been' and always 'will be', or more simply He is permanent.

Andy

The Journey of Righteousness

2007-02-27T10:10:00.000Z
This has been a phrase that has been going round in my head for the past few days and although I am aware that as a Christian my belief is that righteousness or right living is given as a gift, there is something about that phrase that has got me thinking.

I will never be perfect although my aim is always to be the best person that I can be. I have realised more and more over the years that life is a journey and here's that word again, a process. It is something that we are always working our way through. For me the time when we feel we have arrived is the time that we may as well give up and go home. In order to understand righteousness we must also understand who and what we are. We will make mistakes, we will have bad days, we are not perfect. But it is by being all those things that makes the journey of righteousness that much more intriguing and the fact that we have been given, by the gift of Christ, through God's grace, righteousness. Maybe it is not so much a journey of righteousness but more about me understanding a little more each day about what God has done for me, what He has given me. More like unwrapping a present a little bit each day.

God's grace never ceases to amaze me, his love and understanding are sometimes completely beyond my way of thinking. But there is one thing I do know, He has committed to take the journey with me every step of the way. With that in mind it makes the journey that much more enjoyable and achievable.

Enjoy the walk.

Andy

For Josh

2007-02-26T20:16:00.000Z
....or that should be www.forjosh.org. I have set up a new web page with the very kind help of Mr T. The purpose of this site is simple, to raise money for two great charities (Jessie May Nursing Trust and Little Bridge House) that work with my nephew Josh who suffers with MLD a rare life limiting condition that affects the synaptic pathways of the brain. I am aiming to raise money by doing two things:
1/ lose weight as I am a bit of bloater and
2/ to run the Bristol Half Marathon on the 7th September of this year ..hence as of today I have started a training programme (see aforementioned web site) and healthier eating habits (only 5 bags of crisps a day as opposed to 10!!)

My aim is to keep the site updated with a journal, photo's and even maybe some video footage, if I can work out how to do that!

Finally the site is all about raising money so if you log on, and once we have the pledges page sorted out and/or the Pay Pal account, please be generous, not for me for Josh.

Thanks

Andy

Are pets in heaven?

2006-12-07T13:07:00.000Z
Not one of the most inspiring theological posts I know, but after 17 yrs both of our cats have now died. We had to have Roxanne (named after one of my favourite films: the one with Steve Martin and the nose!)finally put down, she hadn't been well for some time but it finally came to that time when it was kinder to stop the suffering. Charlie our other cat died earlier in the year also aged 17.

I have to keep stopping myself from saying and doing little things, anyway I will miss her.

As for the title of the post I have no conclusive answer, but if they are I have just one hope, that they can feed themselves and clear out their own litter tray!

On a lighter note we have begun the annual 'lets light the street up' campaign. Some of our Christmas lights are up, note that's some, we still have more! As usual our neighbours are very happy about that!

Andy

Baa!!

2006-11-29T11:25:00.000Z
Just updated my profile to find out my zodiac year is that of the sheep!! As Jesus is often refered to as the shepherd feel that there must be some real deep significance here! Blogspot obvioulsy already sensing my pastoral heart! Time to dust of the crook!

Andy

Here we go!

2006-11-29T10:31:00.001Z
Decided to take the step...maybe a late one but then again at least it's a step!

Anyway have decided it was time for the world to hear my words of wisdom, witty insights and generally my many observations on life!!!

I have set myself the challenge of trying to update at least on a weekly basis....but let's see.

Just thought I would clarify where the title comes from. I was having a conversation one day in the office about what the title of my first book would be (note the arrogance here - MY FIRST BOOK) and I came up with this title.At the time it's what I was doing fairly regularly, going for a run in the morning then when I got back having some quiet time (a very Christian phrase I know) with God and at the same time having an espresso, hense having an espresso with Jesus.

Finally please don't all line up ready to stone me, I mean no disrespect in my title at all.

So here we go, what comes after the first step.......oh yes the second!

Andy