Do you need some good news?

I don't know how you feel about the outcome of the Copenhagen summit but to me it was disappointing and it felt like bad news. I felt outraged and broken hearted at the huge injustice I believe rich world leaders have engaged in. Thank goodness my hope does not lie in them but in Christ. How refreshing therefore to reflect on the message of Christmas. Now the Christmas story sounds like GOOD NEWS. Our God shows his reckless love in choosing to come to us as a weak, helpless baby. God's kingdom is established in ways which are shocking, disturbing and a total mystery to us. I don't know about you but I want to understand the message of Christmas more and all that Jesus teaches us through his life on earth.

Prayer breakfast

Thanks for all who came and took part in a creative fun and thoughtful prayer time as we prayed for leaders as they gathered in Copenhagen
See some pictures @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/andycarlisle/

Tell Gordon Brown what you think about Climate Change

In the run up to the Copenhagen summit, its not too late to tell Gordon Brown what you think about the environment. You can send an email to the Prime Minister through the Tearfund website (follow the link, type in your post code and you'll get taken through to a page where you can type your message, or amend a standard one - don't forget to sign it at the bottom if you do.)

Cheers, and hope to see you all on Saturday.

Prayer breakfast

Do you care about climate change? Do you believe we should be doing something to prevent it? Do you think it will change the lives of the poorest,who will be flooded, displaced, and hungry?
One of the powerful things we can do about this is pray
The Copenhagen summit starts on 5th December and we'll be praying for this
We are puuting on a family prayer breakfast on the 5th December, a Saturday morning.
It will be fun, creative, and orientated for children and adults.
Come along to Heaton Baptist Church at 9am for a lovely breakfast and time to pray

At the Foot of the Cross

I know God is drawing me here, to the foot of the cross. I need to linger here. I need to gaze afresh at my saviour crucified.

Kathryn Scott's song "At the Foot of the Cross" is beautiful and pure. On You Tube you can watch a powerful and moving video of her song . I really appreciate and love her verses and chorus. The following extra verses (3, 4 and 5 )are my own personal expression which I hope can be sung to her lovely melody and interjected with her chorus or feel free to simply read if you wish.

Kathryn Scott's chorus lyrics:
And you've won my heart
Yes you've won my heart
Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

(Verse 3)
At the foot of the cross
We're face to face with pain
Then I feel your heart
For a weak and suffering World.

Chorus

(Verse 4 )
At the foot of the cross
My heart is broke afresh.
Mysterious, wonder and awe
To my knees I fall down.

Chorus

(Verse 5 )
At the foot of the cross
My pain I lay down
I feel peace and whole
Freedom you have given to me.

Advent conspiracy

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Saviour has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

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Life

Sometimes I feel I am a spectator in life, watching the world go by, swept along by waves of need, forces beyond my conscious mind. I try to get ashore but the tide keeps pulling me back. Back to busyness, important things, other peoples agendas, all good stuff but not my stuff and possibily not God's stuff. There is so much going on, so much white noise, lots to be involved in. it washes me by, though I try to surf, and am reasonably competent. How do I stop and prioritise -is this even considered worthwhile time. achievement and involvement and relationship are all valued, but quiet reflection seems lazy, indulgent? Real people do stuff. Maybe I am too keen not to let people down, or to let them know I'm trying at least. Life is satisfying and frustrating at the same time, like using a mobile whilst surfing, reading whilst watching the TV. I'm waiting for the real stuff to happen and it passes me by.
I've lost some bearings in a world of lots of voices, the Bible has become one of many not the definitive word. How did this happen? Not all at once, just gradually, subtly, chipped away. Now I'm not sure how to eat and drink deeply and whether I will commit the time, unless I'm conscious of being watched. Is this normal at this time of life and what do I do about it? I am a thirsty man in a dry land, with water nearby , instead I'm looking over the horizon for some reason. Maybe I want something new rather than the same old, a new flavour, new slant, instead of cool refreshing springs that are close at hand. Sometimes stopping and just being is ok. The world revolves around God not the other way around. Stop, look, listen went the old traffic safety message. Not a bad motto. I'd like to listen more,and more attentively, rather than fill my space with noise, though i do to block out troublesome thoughts. I thirst, LORD please quench my thirst and still my soul