Women's world day of prayer

Chile
How many loaves have you?


This year, the service was held at Milwich. It was well attended, as parishioners came from the ten parishes in the team. 

Although superficially, with Chile’s rich list of natural resources things may appear to be flourishing, 80% of the wealth is owned by just 20% of the population, so there are many for whom life in Chile is a struggle. We enjoyed listening to 'The Song of Chile’.
The slides that were shown  illustrated some of the projects that are being run by Christian groups to empower women to be more independent and thereby take a greater control of their lives for the benefit of their families. A big thank to everyone who organised this lovely evening. 

New background...

I must admit that at times I am not on this planet..I forgot the difference between template and background! One is so easy to change, the background whereas templates can be awkward to set, especially if you have to fit the code into the html page, something I don't relish doing..still done!
This morning, I brought Imogen two tablets of ibuprofen as she told me that her throat was still painful. At least, her temperature was down so she was on the mend. Steven and I went to Stowe-by-Chartley and I was so glad to meet up with everyone. 
Reference to the i-pad and how many times its users downloaded the Bible in 60 days set an humourous tone at the beginning of the sermon. So can you guess the figure? the answer is 3.4 million times. It is certainly edifying to know that all over the world Christians (or people wanting to find more about Christianity) are reading the Bible, the only book that is God-breathed.  2 Timothy 3:16 says:  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, Also, in 2 Peter 1:21 we are reminded that the prophets did not make things up as they wished but were used by the Lord: For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel was about Jesus being led in the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4-1:11 In this passage, there is ample evidence that Jesus knows his Bible and it allows Him to defeat  the tempter. Another question was: would you find it useful to learn verses of the bible by heart? Now, my heart jumped when I heard that, as yesterday while I was exploring a new blog where the author had told her bible study ladies to learn some verses by heart. How extraordinary! Something that I might do, what about you, have you ever considered learning bible verses by heart?
Blessings to all. N.

Women of Faith: I'm trading my sorrows

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Chorus:
And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

I hope that you will enjoy listening to this song! It does lift me up and helps me focus on what matters: Jesus is with us during our journey. 

Millie's baptism!

 At times, I think that photos speak louder than words. Don't you agree?

Millie was such a good baby for her christening.
Here she is totally relaxed with minister Jeff Reynolds who appears to be totally in tune!

 Oh dear, what is happening? Millie is looking very puzzled! However mum Sharon is not phased!

Paul, Sharon and Millie

Hang on mum and dad! Let me read that too!

 After the baptism that took place in Milwich, we all went to the village hall for a pink balloon party!

 What's grand-dad doing?


We had a fantastic time.

Millie, may the Lord keep on blessing you, your siblings, your parents, your family and friends. In Jesus-Christ. Amen

Big Society in Hixon!

Grow old in the Lord 'Tis sweet to grow old in the fear of the Lord, When we cease our tasks one by one; When His strong right hand helps us stand, Till the last day's labor is done.When His strong right hand helps us stand, Till the last day's labor is done. 'Tis sweet to grow old in the fear of the Lord; To live 'neath His loving restraints; 'Tis sweet to grow old in the fear of the Lord; As life's shadows longer creep; Till our steps grow slow, and our sun swings low, He gives beloved sleep! (Faith in the Future, copied from The Vegas Dive Messenger, January 7, 1966.)

Some time ago, Steven and I went to the luncheon club  in Hixon. 

As it happened it was Ray's 95th birthday and we had a cheerful nutter. 

The atmosphere was so friendly, the roast diner was 'excellent' I was told by the regular folk. 

 The luncheon club welcomes

 the over-60s from Hixon and villages nearby, i.e. there were a couple of pensioners living in Weston.

 It is organised by a team volunteers 

alternate Fridays from 12:00 to 15:00 

and believe me

 it is much appreciated by his patrons.

 May the Lord bless all the participants of this superb example of 'Big Society' in abundance!.In Jesus-Christ, we ask. Amen. 

On the left, Ray, in front of him, 

Vera who lives in Weston

Another parrot joke

A man went into a bar and said to the bartender, "If you give me free drinks all night, I will entertain your customers so much they will stay all night and drink lots and lots."

 "Oh yes," says the bartender. "How are you going to do that?" 

The man gets a hamster out of his pocket and puts it on the piano. The hamster runs up and down the keyboard playing the greatest piano music anyone had ever heard.

"That's incredible!" says the bartender. "Have you got anything else?" 

The man gets a parrot out of his other pocket and puts it on the bar. The hamster begins to play the piano again and the parrot sings along - sounding just like Pavarotti. 

Everyone in the bar is amazed and stayed all night drinking and listening to the hamster and parrot.

 The bartender is delighted. "I must have these animals. Will you sell them to me?" he asks. 

The man shook his head no. "Will you sell just one then?" asks the bartender.

 "OK, I'll sell you the parrot for $100" the man says.

 The bartender is delighted and hands over the money. 

Another man standing next to the man who owned the hamster said, "You're a bit stupid selling that clever parrot for only $100". 

"No I'm not," the man replied. "The hamster is a ventriloquist"!!!

Purified- Holiness

[BIBLE 1PIERRE 1:16 / 1PETER1:16 ] BY EYDELY GOSP

News from Chennai Challenge

The Chennai Challenge leaders organised a series of meetings to train all the young people who will go to South India to help destitute children. 
Imo and Liz attended one of the meeting last week and will be going to another one in London soon. 
Now they have to fund their project and must raise a minimum of £1400 before the beginning of August.

Nochikuppam Slum Chennai is described in the website Walking through India as “The city of flyovers”. It has Nochikuppam slum with 1,300 huts where around five thousand people live below poverty level and don’t have enough money for two meals a day.
The inhabitants are mostly rickshaw pullers, seasonal small vendors, house maid servants with a family income ranging from a meagre Rs.1500 to Rs.3000.
As I teach citizenship in my school we were discussing media and particularly advertisements, one of my12 y.o students confessed that he did not like to see adverts from charities asking to help and donate money to far-away countries. 
I asked him if he knew why. His answer was that they were so far that he did not think it was his problem. 
The other day I was listening to somebody saying that when you are young, some children will share with others more than others. 
We need to promote this Christian value of sharing with others.

This is what we read in Isaiah 58:5-7 (The Message)
 What I'm interested in seeing you do is:
   sharing your food with the hungry,
   inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
   putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
   being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
   and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
   The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
   You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'


In Proverb 31: 8-9 sons are urged to
'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. ⁹ Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.'

If the Lord puts on your heart to support Chennai Challenge with your donations, click on my profile to email me. Blessings. Your sister in Christ. N.

Birthday at the Bank House pub in Hixon.

A joyful celebration for Steven's birthday at the Bank House in Hixon. I will post a few photos. 

I'd better say that these are Steven's photos as I cannot use my computer at the moment!

It is great to spend quality time with our friends. Of course, we may wonder if the birthday boy enjoyed listening to lots of the usual comments about 'getting older', 'bus pass' and some very good jokes that unfortunately I cannot remember! Actually I can remember a very good one said by Philip..

A vicar is visiting an old lady who is 100 years old 

and asks her how things are going. 

She answers that everything is fine then pauses.

Then she goes on: Oh, things are even better now

 that I managed to get my son who is 80 in a nursing home...

So we were in excellent company, with superb food and drink. 

Do you find it difficult to get to speak to everybody?

 If I am having an interesting conversation,

 I find it hard to stop and move next to somebody else

 and start another equally conversation..

.well, I could spend the whole time talking to the first friend,

 however, I think that it's quite exciting to move on and talk to somebody else..

I knew somebody who'd s say very casually as soon as the conversation would become a bit fluffy, 

.excuse me, I must see X..

.she would say it so naturally that you could not  possibly be offended 

even though you had to find somebody else to talk to.

 I cannot do this if the conversation is not ending naturally.

Praise the Lord for our loved ones and our good friends. Your sister in Christ. N

Have a blessed and happy New Year 2011

 Steven's birthday cake..with 6 candles!

 Verity and Nicky in a very eccentric mood!






Nicky and W.

We are having a very relaxed day with family, my sister Pauline, Dad, my niece Nicky and my great-nephew W. who is great fun. Imogen disappeared last night to spend the evening with her friends, came back today for a short appearance and disappeared again for diner with her friend Lizzie. She has just come back now and is entertaining William. Camille is still in London with her friend Kanika.

After having eaten buffet bites for the last two days, as on the 31st it was Steven's birthday, we enjoyed eating the vicar's best spag bolognaise. Last night we enjoyed watching the fireworks in London on t.v.

In the above photo, from left to right, back row, Dad, Pauline, Verity, Nikki, Wendy and Peter.

Frank and June next to Dad. I must confess that last week I was a bit nervous thinking at all the things to prepare in view of the birthday celebration, I am so pleased that it went smooth. Praise the Lord for all his blessings. "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Chennai challenge

Imogen is over the moon or shall I say delighted because she has been accepted on the Chennai challenge run in Stafford by youth workers Cathy and Robert Short.
She is going to spend three weeks immersed in real life South India supporting the work of dedicated local leaders who run this charity project for Chennai's destitute children and young people.
Her friend Lizzie is going too and they can't wait!
Each team member needs to fundraise their trip and programme  minimum of £1400. 
Blessings. Yours in Christ. N.

You are my All in All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Oh, Your name is worthy

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame

Rising again I bless Your name
(I bless Your name)

You are my all in all
(Oh yes you are, yes you are)

When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
(You fill my cup)

You are my all in all
(My all, Lord, hallelujah)

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
(Oh, Your name, Your precious name is worthy, Lord)

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

You're my everything
The beginning and the end
The first, the last You are
The great I am

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
(Oh, my Jesus, my precious Jesus)
Worthy is Your name

Worthy is Your name
Worthy is Your name

Songwriters
Dennis Jernigan

Published by
SHEPHERD'S HEART MUSIC INC.

Read more: Natalie Grant - You Are My All In All Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

Lose my soul by Toby Mac

Luke 9:24-26 ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.²⁵ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? ²⁶Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Man I wanna tell ya'll something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, ya'll.
I'm trying to get somewhere.
I'm trying to get somewhere, 
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.
Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it's you,
But they don't know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where's your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what's your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We're free...
Not because of 22's on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away,
Don't wanna walk awayHow do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

(Lord what we gon do,We're relying on you, 
all eyes are on you Lord, 
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don't let me lose my soul, my soul.) 
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won't you cover me.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose my soul.)
Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you. 
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

Blessings. Yours in Christ. N.

The auction was a success!

Remember the auction back in October.  It is worth mentioning that thanks to the generosity of those Hixonian and others who participated, the total raised amounted to £ 750 approx. after expenses (£ 150).  The photos only show some of the goods.!
Stuart Hodson, the team administrator, waiting to start the auction..In the background, Gill Dunmore. Last photo, Geraldine Taylor,  waiting to take the goods to their prospective owner. What was very impressive is that Stuart managed to get rid of everything!
A big thank you to everybody who organised it and it took quite a bit of time too.
Blessings.

Time to celebrate!

Last Sunday, the team service was at Sandon Church where we celebrated Geoffrey Smith's 50th anniversary as an ordained minister. 
The church was packed with brothers and sisters from his former parishes and all over the team who came specially. 

It was an emotional time for both Geoff and his wife Margaret and their family and for us. 
After the service as everybody stayed behind for a massive buffet organised by all the wardens, we had the opportunity to congratulate them and spend some special time chatting with them.

May the Lord continue to bless them abundantly and strengthen them. 
In Jesus-Christ we ask. Amen