'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!

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

From Unity births Community

After spending a 4 night stop over at Cliff College with a great group of young people, it was evident that with unity comes from community, no matter what the age.


When you have Jesus had the centre of what we are about, there is unity through and through. 


I cannot emphasise enough the importance of these type of residentials for young people, where community, fellowship and Jesus are at the heart of why we are there.


It was a privilege to look after and walk alongside every single one of the young people as they met with God, studied His Word and were encouraged and built up in their faith.


Anyway, after another period away from the blog, I'll be getting back into the swing of it now! 

Is the light switched on or off?

After a very interesting week, it came to 7:04pm last night and something happened that I have started getting into the habit of. I was just about to get up and preach what I felt God was putting on my heart, however, after organising, thinking and planning the service, my mind was all over the shot. 


So I simply said, God could I have a little bit of peace please? 


Well....that was it, I felt my mind clear, my thoughts focused and my anxiety at peace. 


I spoke on Whether we really are Christians? And that we must be born again of the Spirit of God to be fully in a relationship with Jesus. Then I moved on to how once we acknowledge where we are in the process, either, never switched the light on before, or switched it on but would rather be in darkness, or actually we need to humility and strength to say I'm struggling here but I'm standing with Jesus the light. Although he may show me as messy and all the mess in my life, I'm doing what he want's standing next to the light!


http://www.sermonspice.com/product/36937/your-light

'Forgiveness is free'...True or False?

After my blog yesterday and the increase in views, most likely because it was slightly more controversial I've decided to continue on a similar note...

Anyway, after reading the comments made and reflecting on other people's opinion, it was interesting to see such a wide spread of views on one man. 

Yet I wonder....was there such a wide spread of views when Jesus was killed, a man who did no wrong yet paid a great price for us. I wonder if I posted yesterdays post with a different explanation and background into my personal viewpoint about Jesus, would it get the same response. 

Anyway....The title I've put is to really follow up and conclude from yesterdays post and ask, from any view point, religious or not, is forgiveness free?

From a variety of angles....

Is it free from someone like me who really just has an opinion on the subject and no direct connection?

Is it free from a relative of someone murdered in terror attacks within the last 10 years?

Is it free from the person who killed Osama Bin Laden?

I'll tell you who it is free from, the one person who suffered far greater than Osama Bin Laden or any other....

 Jesus Christ!

Getting stuck in!

The word of God is great!


Well....there are probably thousands more words to say how great the Bible is but great is for today.


Catching up with my Bible readings from the past 2 and a bit weeks was fascinating. I caught up on all the Old Testament readings from basically all of Deuteronomy and the beginning of Joshua. 


Basically, it shows how great those two men of God are, and how if I apply what I read from the Word to my life, God will use many others like that. The challenge of course is living this out. 


So therefore myself included, to be like those great leaders, is to be in a constant relationship with God and constantly communicating with God to know His will and direction. 


Come on Jesus!!!

Back to reality or so I think!

Big Easter Blessing is over....


However, the work does not stop, and we pray as a team that we carry on with the passion, determination and drive that got us through the week.


You know we should really try not to have mountain peaks, but we should have like a peak and then it stays there, and then we climb higher, and then cement that place and so on...


I think if we do that then the only result is that God will be glorified and people of all ages young and old will come to know Him! 


Which will be pretty darn good!



Anyway, I'm back blogging and enjoying being back!

God is GOOD!

First day yesterday and it was great! God blessed us just at the right time with the right weather, because God is in the business of miracles!


More prayer points for the week ahead:


That God would use the team to build relationships with the young people where we can impart Jesus into their lives.


For good weather


For tomorrow night where we will look to get as many young people to NLBC as possible and enjoy a great party night!!



That amongst all of the activities etc, that God will be glorified and young people would come to know Him.

There isn't any more counting.....It's here!!

I've given up counting down the days. 
It feels like the Big Easter Blessing is here, mobile unit yesterday, more egg dropping.


I have realised that I love egg dropping and giving out leaflets, to give people an opportunity to come to an event where the name of Jesus is the priority is great! It's a privilege! 


So yeah, the week is here, and Jesus is moving, he never stops to be honest!


I have one question for you all to ponder if you come to church, if you don't attend church, then the second question is for you!


Firstly, asked by a friend in church a week or two ago, what are we at church for?


Secondly, what is stopping you from coming to church?

Have a great week! I know I will!