Challenged to use the past for good...

It's been an interesting day...


Normally I can sit down and write away on my essay's with thoughts coming and going, inspirational ones...pointless ones...rather peculiar ones...


Yet today, I managed an introduction, done some prep work amongst other things and had to leave it there..
My mind was somewhere else today...I've had the song "I will rise'' playing pretty much most of the day...and along with the kindly reminder that we aren't to dwell on the past but learn from our biggest mistakes and turn them into the biggest life changers!


Are we rising from our past...from our mistakes...from our troubles? Or as I wrongly 'thought' today, we should just leave it in the past and slot it into our forgetful part of the human mind?...


I would challenge us to look to what scripture says on this subject...


'For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.' Romans 15:4


Just as everything which was written in the past was written to teach us and through the endurance taught in the Scriptures we have hope! I believe everything which was done in the past is there to teach us so that through the endurance which was taught in the past... we have hope! 


Hope in a God who is Love
Hope in a God who is Hope
Hope in a God who is Good
Hope in a God who is Indescribable

Hope in a God who Saves


I will rise on eagles wings...before my God...fall on my knees..

Is PC killing Youth work?...

After recently reviewing my work's Child Protection Policy and various other things, one thing that created more annoyance than security was the amount of red tape I had to snip at with nail scissors....


Have we gone PC mad? Here are a couple of examples....


'The BBC has dropped the use of the terms Before Christ (BC) and Anno Domini (AD) on one of their programmes and decided that the terms 'Before Common Era' / 'Common Era' are more appropriate'


'A UK recruiter was stunned when her job advert for 'reliable' and 'hard-working' applicants was rejected by the job centre as it could be offensive to unreliable and lazy people.'

Now...I know it's there to protect people who work with young people and children like myself, however, in some cases I really think common sense should prevail. It would be interesting to hear from other youth workers or professionals who come across this problem and your thoughts on this...

Back to more important things...

Every morning I speak out a number of truths, declarations and statements of faith over my day and life...

On Sunday I read the last one rather flippantly..It is based on Ephesians 3:20 and how God can and will do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever imagine, and upon reflection of a challenging day for a variety of reasons, I can honestly say he did...

So I challenge you readers and myself each day to be 'brave' and ask God to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can imagine for the day ahead...

'What are you devoted to?'

So I've been challenged to start my blog again... It seems quite a number of people are blogging and why not go with the flow! (Don't look into that last comment too much)

Anyway, on Sunday I'll be leading a group of 14-16 year olds and asking them the question...

'What are you devoted to?' 

Maybe you can answer straight away?

This question has come about as a result of reading Mark 12:28-34 where Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind and with all of your strength.'

So, let me ask the question again...'What are you devoted to?' 

Money....Love...Possessions...Job...Family...Alcohol...

Jesus wants our hearts, the very essence of our character

Jesus wants our soul, the eternal inheritance that we are promised

Jesus wants our mind, so that He is first to mind whatever the situation

Jesus wants our strength, are we giving him everything because He gave everything...

I'm challenged..

A lot has changed in two months!!

I do honestly feel bad for not doing my blog for over 50 days!!


Anyway, no time like the present to start again.


So since I last blogged, some rather crazy things have happened. 


1. New job 
2. Travelled to Romania
3. More great news from work
4. Travelled to Norwich
5. An essay
6. New Wine
7. Holiday Club
8. Middlesbrough have won 3 games in a row
9. New flat


So it's all change and that is one thing that I can embrace...I'm rather fond of it.


One thing has remained throughout these hard and joyful times and that is God.


He is faithful and true to His promises. 

One thing that I would encourage you to do after reading this is to find the Lord's prayer. I really feel at the moment, now don't get me wrong, there is great power in corporate response using this prayer. 

However....I would encourage you to find it, read it through, then read it standing up like you are standing in front of God Himself. 
For me it changes dramatically...
Jesus told us this is how we pray and I don't think He did it mumbling!!


So why don't you get the Lord's prayer...Matthew 6 is where it's at..and make it your own for you and God...it will change your outlook on prayer..


I promise!

Great things happen and God is on the move!

So, the Kidzone roadshow is on and it is going great!


The school's are being great and every child is enjoying our roadshow!


Our prayer for the week is that God is on the move among children and that all we can do is supply Him with the platform to act.

Anyway, on a more personal note, I'm back on crutches for the time being thanks to another footballing injury on the same ankle I broke last summer. Again, it's a testing time but I pray that I use this slower time, to reflect, to respond and to grow in my relationship with Jesus. 


I pray that this summer will be a great time for our young people and that through various things that are going on, either, begin or further their relationship with our GREAT God!


Catch you soon!

Mentoring....

It's an interesting concept. 


It's biblical even though it's not mentioned directly in the Bible, though we can see many examples of it throughout. 


It is essential to the development of young leaders both secular and church based. 


Why do it.....why not?


Who should do it?....those passionate about walking alongside young people in their journey of faith, while praying, encouraging, listening to, freeing up, supporting and cementing that young persons faith in Jesus Christ....


Anyway, any thoughts, I'd be happy to hear on your experiences of it, good or bad? Or your views? Or generally just thoughts about it.....

Back after a great and crazy week!

What a great week, if you want to know more about what happened with the Big Prayer Experience, let me know and I'll fill you in on the details!


Anyway, I'm back with the blog, and I'm discovering more and more what it is like to be me, but also to be in the role that I am currently in.


God is good
God is faithful 
God taught us through Jesus to love one another
God taught us through Jesus to turn the other cheek
God taught us through Jesus that He is the perfect model to follow 
God is for us not against us


Have a ponder on these statements