The Journey of Righteousness

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

....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?

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!!

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!

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