Well they’re at it again – in the snow this time. Check out www.snowdodgers.co.uk for more info and if you would life to give or support in any way.

Here’s an interview from the London news about their last effort:

As all boys know, tanks, planes, and guns are cool even though war isn’t.

Two things always come to mind when I visit places like that.

1. It’s important to remember such things – both to honour heroes that have gone before, and to try even harder to avoid making the same mistakes again. All the greatest soldiers and leaders say that war is sometimes necessary but every effort should be made to avoid it.

2. While the nation I was born into has done a lot of things wrong in history, there’s a lot to be proud of. In both world wars, against seemingly insurmountable odds, this tiny little island stood up and said we would fight for what was right, no matter what.

We watched Valiant when we got home – “It’s not the size of your wingspan that counts. It’s the size of your spirit!”

A couple of thoughts:

• You can get great results with less than you’d think – as long as you’re willing to think outside the box
• Most of the great musicians are outside the church and it’s about time the church started figuring out how to reach them.

Incidentally, some friends of mine just recently got through to the 3rd round of a national competition for unsigned bands. Check them out and give them your support. For any fans out there you’ll also see they’ve got some new songs up.

Our lawn (or rather the muddy patch of earth with a few clumps of meadow grass on it) has always bugged me. A few weeks ago I decided to take some action and sow some more grass. At the risk of endangering my reputation for being cool here are some  lessons from my lawn…

Number One: Things take time to grow

Since I sowed the new grass I’ve been going out every day to check on it and have been completely underwhelmed at its lack of progress. Every day I was eager to see green shoots of life. Instead there was absolutely nothing.

I was plagued by doubts: “Maybe I did it wrong”, “Maybe the birds ate it”, “Maybe the kids ran over it and killed it”, “Maybe it didn’t have enough water”. “Maybe I wasted my time”.

And yet here we are a couple of weeks later and there’s some good green shoots that have shot up.

Life’s like that as well.

I know I can get discouraged sometimes when I don’t see instant growth or results. I’m tempted to think I’m doing wrong, or I need to figure out a new plan, or to give up and start again. Sometimes things just take time to grow. In fact nothing great was ever achieved overnight. Whether I’m trying to achieve something, share the good news of Jesus, or help people grow. More and more I realise I just need to patiently keep doing what God has asked me to and trust him to make things grow. Check out what Paul says about this

Remember, it’s only love that never fails – and above all love is patient.

I think over the past few years she’s become one of my heroes. I admire her simple trust and how she doesn’t feel the need to understand all the difficult things in life. How,  despite suffering, she has an unswerving hope of an eternal future and a deep relationship with the God who walks beside her.

Most of all I admire how she feels she’s ready to go home to join her saviour and her family and friends who’ve already passed away: Not because she wants to quit this life, but because she feels her job is done. Her children and her grandchildren have all accepted Christ and are serving him, and her great grandchildren have all either done the same or will follow soon.

I’m thankful for some simple words she’s spoken over the past few years which have been foundational in what God has been doing in and through me.

Happy Birthday Gran.

A good man (or woman) leaves an inheritance for his children’s children – Proverbs 13:22

As I was walking through one of our (many) local parks with the sun shining I was prompted to thank God for all the ways He’s blessed me and my family. Most of us often think about things that need to be done or things that we need. Or maybe even just a list of things we’d like (like my 3 year old’s growing birthday wish-list). How often do we actually pause to consider how blessed we are and be thankful?

In that moment I appreciated God’s constant blessings and provision over the years. As I did that I knew His presence and my faith grew that He is good and that He cares for me.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. - Psalm 28:7

Anyway after three months of being busy with other stuff, it looks like I’m back