Champions League

Felt it'd be only right to write congrats for Barca on there Champions League Cup win last night. We were outclassed and outplayed by the better team on the night. I love Utd but we were awful last night.

Faith V Fear

The last couple of days have been a battle. I love prayer and I love being specific with it. Paul says in 1 Thess 5v17 "pray contuinally". That for me is enough! No matter where you are or what you're doing, there's always time for prayer. Too often though we rely on prayer because we can't do anything or we want a "Jim'll'Fixit" solution. The last number of months have brought radical change and I've seen God provide in ways like never before. One of the changes has been looking finding and buying a new home. God has blown us away as to how quick things have moved in this area. No joke, in the space of 2 days we saw a house we loved and got our offer accepted. Everything has been going so quick with getting a new Job, a school for Naomi and a house that we've been so humbled and in awe of what God has done. So here's the thing, Over the last 2 weeks things have stalled (paperwork etc) and its been driving me crazy. I think because all things have gone so quick over these number of months this seems so slow. In this "stalling phase" (which I know will end and all will work out!) I've started to allow "fear" in my thoughts and heart which is not usual for me but very real right now. Springsteen has a song called "Devils and Dust" which God was using to very clearly speak to me. I listened to the song on repeat for an age on tuesday due to the lyrics.

I got God on my side
I'm just trying to survive
What if what you do to survive
Kills the things you love
Fear's a powerful thing
It can turn your heart black you can trust
It'll take your God filled soul
And fill it with devils and dust

My Joy in my relationship with God (and with others!) was being impacted badly. God is with me constantly yet I was fearing loniness and failure. My desire is to be filled with God's spirit 24/7 and I have to work so hard at that. Yesterday I was praying and fasting over a number of issuses and it refocused my mind and heart. The peace was incredible. There is a battle for our hearts between Faith and Fear.
Hebrews 11v1 says
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 12v1-2 says
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

My eyes need to be fixed on Jesus more

God's Grace

So I felt this should be mentioned. Utd won the Premiership yesterday.Well happy about this. This year was one of the closest races for the title for years. Liverpool played some superb football and pushed Utd (nearly) all the way. I love sport, in particular football and this past season was a very exciting one. It's great when you see your team who have worked/played so hard and see the fruit of their labour. It's amazing to see what Alex Ferguson has done with Utd. He has to be one of the greatest football managers of all time and I'm obviously hoping that we win the Champions League at the end of May. Three Cups in one season is great, but the possibility of Four....Wow.

Today is Sunday and usually a day for church etc. I've been working full time for "the church" for close to 16yrs and I just finished up with a church I've been with for over 12yrs. I was told back in November that my contract wasn't going to be renewed and no reasons were given for this discission. Total shock! Very weird to be in this position. Came home to my wonderful/beautiful/gracious wife to tell her, and after the initial shock she was calm and at peace. Since then we have been on the most incredible journey were we have seen, experienced and been blown away as too what God has done in and around us. We didn't see this coming and we've been humbled as to what has gone on in the last couple of months. God has held on to us in the most obvious of ways since November. I love the church (Gods not mans) and I believe that the church can make a difference no matter where it is once it is submissive to God and not the Fear of Man. These last few months have made me question my love for the church. I've come to the realisation that its not the church that I love but the true head of the church. This thought deserves a different post!

Leaving our old church didn't happen as a result of a desire I had but this came about due to God's grace, provision and magnificence.

I must add before I head that in July I take up a new post in a different church. I/We are so excited by this and really believe that God has amazing things in store for us and our new home.

Peace.

New Beginnings...

So here it is,
I've been meaning to do this for a long time but kept putting it off. I think now's the time to start! Random words on the internet I think I can do. I've been keeping track of what Gods been doing in my life and the life of my Family. Recently (the last 5mts) God has been pulling it out of the bag for Ru and I and the kids. I've been in total awe and also humbled by what God has been doing in and around us that at times I feel overwhelmed by his love and the love of Jesus. In time I'll share my thoughts as to what God has brought us through but for now, I'll post this and sort out my settings etc.
Peace