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
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
World Changers Pt 2
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
Please read again the previous post entitled world changers, great encouragement about how we all need to be!
Andy
Monday, 6 October 2008
Radical....or should this be normal!
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
“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
Friday, 9 May 2008
Connection
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
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
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Relationships
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
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!
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
Friday, 2 May 2008
Knowledge is power...
...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
"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
Thursday, 1 May 2008
'What if'
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
‘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
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
The 'New' Year - Pt 2
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
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
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)
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)
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