nae lippett

ATTENTION: NEW WEBSITE

2006-08-27T09:51:00.000+01:00

www.naomilippett.co.uk

Thanks to the handiwork of my great friend Weon, I now have a new site. This site will close down over the next week. Check it out here

the countdown really is on . . .!!!

2006-08-23T19:22:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it is only 4 sleeps to go until I get on a plane and fly to the other side of the world.
I have yet to:
- drop of the beast to car heaven
- pack my bags and decide what to leave behind!!!!
- pack bags for others to take
- wipe the powerbook hard drive
- PDF all my stuff and put it onto dvd's
- pack a box for mum and dad
- say goodbyes
- make sure I've got all the stuff I need to get into Canada
- finish the new website and upload stuff
- party
- sleep
- be with my family
- buy travel insurance
- not forget anything I need to remember
I know it will all come together just it seems a little disorganised in my little brain!!!! Anyways I'll post again before I leave no doubt with a bit more info as to what is immediatly ahead along with contact details etc.

The local curry house and after eight challenge

2006-08-18T23:20:00.000+01:00

Well finally I've managed to get round to updating my flickr and also the video which we took in the curry house in Builth Wells. The challenge was the flip as many after eight mints in your mouth as possible without them breaking - Andy made it to three which was quite impressive - his facial expressions were magic! Trish you should be proud of your man!

2006-08-15T23:08:00.000+01:00

What a movie . . .?

Since moving in with Owen and Anne, they have been saying I need to watch the movie called 'Footloose'. Well the time finally arrived tonight when a load of us crammed around the TV to watch. All I can say is why have I not watched this movie before . . ? . . . why have so many years passed before seeing it.... . . ? I was 6 years old when this movie came out and it is so rooted in the 80s that it rocks! Awesome film .. ....so many great moves. ...... . this one will definately be coming to Canada with me along with the all time classic soundtrack. Maybe I'll start a dance over there? Thanks Owen and Anne for passing on your wise words of advice!!!!!!

The question though is does it top 'Dirty Dancing'?

the end of the book . . .. the challenge . .

2006-08-13T15:45:00.000+01:00

I came to the end of Simon Gillebaud's book today and this is what the last page said . . .

'Lets make sure we don't get to the end of our lives and resonate with the following poem:
To sinful patterns of behaviour that never get confronted and changed,
Abilities and gifts that never get cultivated and deployed - until weeks become months and months turn into years, and one day you're looking back on a life of deep intimate gut-wrentchingly honest conversations you never had;
Great bold prayers you never prayed,
Exhilarating risks you never took,
Sacraficial gifts you never offered,
Lives you never touched,
And you're sitting in a recliner with a shriveled soul.
And forgotten dreams,
And you realise that there was a world of desprated need,
And a great God caling you to be a part of something bigger than yourself - you see the person you could have become but did not;
You never followed your calling.
You never got out of the boat.

So join forces in the fellowship of the unashamed, covenant together, jump out of the boat, and wade into the deep, safe in the knowledge that Jesus is there. Embrace the uncertainty and adventure of the next exciting chapter in your life, whihc will be . . . God knows what, God knows where, God knows when, God knows with whom, and God knows how. He knows the answers. You may or may not. That's why we live by faith. That's the call of no holds barred discipleship. And thats what he's worth. Are you up for the challenge? BRING IT ON!'

New Wine WALES part 2

2006-08-12T14:24:00.000+01:00

Here are some of the highlights of the week:

being cornered by grannies more than once!
meeting a south african on the street in Builth who accurately prophesied over Andy
singing 'to the river' song by doerkson whilst standing in a welsh river!!
seeing people getting healed by Jesus (spines, legs lengthened, ears hearing)
the welsh man with an invisible friend called agent 006!
no coffee!!!
laughing with Trish!!!! especially at her comment of the week
going to the biggest ram sale in wales and realising they were all male sheep
realising that I'm not the only person who sometimes develops a speech impediment whilst speaking into a microphone . . . . Andy!
meeting some awesomly gifted musical peeps who became my friends
the welsh singing (it put the english to shame!)
singing in welsh!!!!
singing "Guide me Oh thou great jehovah" on welsh soil b4 leaving the UK
watching people grow in their relationship with Jesus
seeing a passionate hunger for God
driving over the welsh hills near the Brecons
eating lots of curry and playing the after eight game!
making friends with a 3 year old called Dylan
knowing brokeness again
seeing people worship with flags (thought I'd never hear myself saying this!!!!!)
laughing and God's presence
new songs and aching feet
trebor mints and ministry queues
praying and prophesying over eachother
learning

New Wine WALES!

2006-08-07T12:00:00.000+01:00

Well here we are in the land of sheep and tea and very very welsh people!! Its been amazing so far. I arrived on friday after driving along what seemed like endless winedy roads with very slow caravans!!! Loads of hills but the beast did really well - I was very proud Andrew!

The time here so far has been fantastic. Band wise, we have all gelled well together - great skill and personality - very very lovely people. Numbers have been about 700 and the whole cross-section of the family is represented here. I did get cornered by a group of welsh grannies who called me over whilst I was standing with Andy . . . .it went something like this . . (think welsh accent) . . "hey Andy! . . .who's that 'little' girl with you? . .. .is that Niae?" (they couldn't pronouce my name!!!). Then the following morning got jumped on again by the same grannies - this time I got a kiss!!! These grannies are the back-bone of the welsh society it seems - THEY SCARED THE PANTS OFF ME!

Anyways God is totally moving here which is exciting - pray for us guys as we start doing our seminars about worship tomorrow.

Ok better get back to it! There is a sheep sale tomorrow here on the National showground - biggest in Wales so I'll take some pictures for you all and try and resist the temptation to buy Neil Bennetts one as a leaving present!

The night b4 New Wine Wales . ..

2006-08-03T21:46:00.000+01:00

Well I have yet to finish packing my bag as I have a few things to iron before the task can be completed!! All me tools are nearly ready - I bought the 'beast' (see left!) 2 bottles of oil today thinking that it may be needed, then checked the guage and it was not needed, so back I went into the garage to return one of the bottles!!! I'll keep the other one spare just in case! Guitar, strings, music, folders, pedal, books, keyboard, talks, and ipod are packed - map is in the car so its just the clothes issue!!!!

I'm excited at what is ahead of me in Wales - I just think its cool to be able to lead worship in my homeland before leaving for Vancouver. What a prvaledge! It will be an adventure working with a team where no-one knows eachother and I have just been praying that God would be all over this week. Being at New Wine A has filled me with expectancy and hope as to what God is going to do as it seems like He is definately on the move in so many places accross this country. Will God move EVEN MORE powefully in Wales like he did those many years ago?

"News of dramatic conversions, confession of sin, and songs of joy spread rapidly. Wherever Roberts went the Holy Spirit brought deep conviction of sin and a new spiritual dimension into the lives of formerly cold church-goers. Roberts was not an expository preacher and his method was prayer and exhortation, leading to a moving of the Holy Spirit bringing deep conviction. The meetings went on for many hours - often for more than 10 without a break. People lost all sense of time and churches were so full that crowds gathered outside until they could somehow squeeze their way in. The remarkable thing was that once the Revival had started it was not limited to were Roberts was speaking. Others "caught the fire" and the Spirit moved throughout Wales in great power" (an account about how God used a man called Evan Roberts to start the turning around Wales in the early 1900s)

A day of pampering . . .BLISS!

2006-08-01T22:05:00.000+01:00

A couple of months ago Paul splashed out and bought Lau and me a health spa day vouchers which we only managed to use today. So off we pootled to Le Spa (just outside of Cirencester) for a day of girlieness and pampering.

Well we arrived in the car park and put the old beast (the pet name for my brothers car which he has so kindly lent me until I leave) to sleep amongst silver merc's, bmw's, and audi's, unloaded our gear and cautiously walked to the entrance of this very posh building. The place was somthing else - I've never been anywhere like this b4 and it was strange to think that for many people this lifestyle is normal. It was plush - bathrobes, towels and slippers; complimentary drinks; young pretty dolled up beauticians in black uniforms; the rich dwelled here!!! The gym had all the new cardiovascular gear in which I puffed my way through; the free weights room had a rather handsome instructor in it who had previously been on Gladiators (I impressed him a few of the lipz's moves on the freeweights); swimming pool was surrounded by black leather couches, a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Awesome. I made sure that I used all of it at least once!! Then outside was water features, seating areas and some hot tubs. As the wind blew cold on us and the sun faded in and out of the grey clouds, Lau kept saying she felt like she was in Bali which was interesting - if this is what the weather in Bali is like I definately don't want to go there!! We chilled, laughed and enjoyed eachother company.

Lau had facials of and I had a body scrub (the beautician scrubbed off the little of the tan which I did have!!) and a then a massage. Never had one of them b4 - that has got to be one of life's little pleasures and will definately now be written into the rhythm of my life. Anyway we had fun and felt really really spoilt - thankfully we didn't get up to any mischief although we did have a talk with someone in the hot tub about a gay marraige that they went to last week and also shared her life story which was well interesting.

This woman had been paralized from the neck down after getting some strain of meningites and was told by the NHS that they couldn't do any more for her - she was going to be in a wheel chair for the rest of her life. Anyway she didn't take this news too well and explored all the other routes of therapy that may be able to help or give some glimmer of hope. Its taken her 4 years of hard work of having to re-teach her body to carry out basic functions like walking, but she now has regained ALL of her mobility - you would never believe she had been crippled. What an amazing character and you could sense her passion for life as she shared the story. Most of the battle for her, she said, was in the mind and now she is writing a book of the journey in order to encourage others to not give up hope. Very cool - hearing this story was awesome!

It was an amazing day - thanks Lau - it will be a lifelong memory.

PS. Laura had a few classic dinner table incidents which I'm sure she would love to elaborate on if asked!!!!!!

Arrived at New Wine

2006-07-24T12:18:00.000+01:00

Well the sun is shining and everyone is looking very cool and relaxed here at New Wine. The first couple of days into the week has been awesome and this morning we raised the Venue 1's roof with a maSSive shout out to God - bring it on! It has been such a privaledege to serve here as a team and worship together. We have another seminar to do this afternoon about 'Why we sing" which should be good fun - splitting up the seminar between the three of us works really well.

Got two days off as from tonight so am going to head to Bournemouth and the beach to visit friends, say goodbye, build sandcastles and be a 'billy' before flying out. Watch this space for some stupid pics!

Away . . .

2006-07-21T09:24:00.000+01:00

Over the next couple of weeks . . .. .. well pretty much up to the week b4 I leave there is a lot going on. This week I'm off to New Wine with church which will be cool - really looking forward to it especially hanging out with old friends and hopefully making some new ones! Back for a couple days and then off to do New Wine Wales with a guy called Andy Booth. Really looking forward to working with him and being able to worship on welsh soil before flying out to Canada. Then back home and up to my family's place to look after my neices and nephews for a week! So nothing like taking it slower for your last couple of weeks on UK soil!!!!!

This year at New Wine I'm taken back by the thought of how awesome it will be to see so many people gathered together making a noise about Jesus. What a privaledge to be able to lead people in song, gathering all the voices together to lift high His name. I'm excited! What will happen?! Anyways, got loads to do before leaving so better get on with the day!

St Teresa of Avila

2006-07-18T21:42:00.000+01:00

I remember a long time ago toying with the phrase in my head of us being the hands and feet of Jesus. On the weekend I heard this quote which really caught my attention . . .

'Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and Yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now. '

The weekend

2006-07-16T22:36:00.000+01:00

When was the last time you stood one the shoreline with you feet in the water and let the sand run through your toes?
When was the last time you listened to the wind?
When was the last time you sang at the top of your voice to God?
When was the last time you laughed so much that your sides hurt?
When was the last time you felt so helpless that you prayed with all your might that that person would be made well?
When was the last time you drove in the car without any music on?
When was the last time you spent a weekend with your parents and family?
When was the last time you watched the sun go down?

When was the last time you gave someone a hug?

When was the last time you pushed yourself in exersize and then felt the adrenaline kick in afterwards?

When was the last time you lay on the grass and looked up at the clouds in the blue sky?

When was the last time you thought about how amazing it is that flowers smell nice?
When was the last time you drove within the speed limit?
When was the last time you looked around and realised the color that surrounded you?
When was the last time you said something and really meant it?
When was the last time you actually really really thought about how great it was to be ALIVE? . ... .

. ...I did this weekend . ..

Fun days

2006-07-08T21:00:00.000+01:00

Had a great couple of days . . . . had a fun week!!! Went out for a meal with the lovely Owen and Anne on Thursday night at the new place called 'Imo' - Italian restaurent near the cinema - well nice food and well NICE company. Then yesterday went for a run - need to start doing it properly as opposed to not doing it properly. The challenge is to run a 10k run in October in Vancouver which should be fun!

Then last night we went and saw Pirates of the Carribean - very funny and in true Nae fashion was possibly the loudest jumper (ie what made me jump as opposed to phyical jumper!!!) in the cinema. Anyways the film kept me captivated apart from the ending which was crap . . .probably cause I didn't know that it was going to end like that ie that they are going to do another movie. Thought Johnny Depp was brilliant. Wonder what the new Superman will be like - will Jack Sparrow have found his match?

Disturb .... . .

2006-07-04T07:20:00.000+01:00

Over the last two days I've picked up a book by a guy called Simon Guillebaud called 'For what its worth' (BUY IT!) and also observed a scene in town on Sunday which was surreal - both these things have made me feel uncomfortable and disturbed my world - they've challenged who I am and more importantly helped me recognise the 'lack' in my life. When you recognise lack the only place you can go is back to Him for more. I read this this morning .... .

"Disturb me Lord when my dreams come true, only because I dreamed to small. Disturb me when I arrived safely, only because I sailed too cose to the shore. Disturb me when things I've gained cause me to loose my thirst for more of You. Disturb me when I've acquired success, only to loose my desire for excellence. Disturb when I give up too soon and settle too far short of the goals you have set for my life'
(anonymous)

Random thought . . .

2006-07-02T13:45:00.000+01:00

I came out of church last night and stood for a moment to take in the sight before my eyes . . .. an amazing sunset. . .. red, oranges pinks . . awesome. As I was breathing in the moment a random thought popped into my head which I had never really realised before - this sun even though it is setting here painting the sky red, its the same sun that is blazing high in the noonday sky in Africa, or just rising in America. ITS THE SAME SUN . . .there is only one sun .. .. .yet it has so many faces. . . . it is displaying itself in so many different ways, all at the same time accross the world, but yet there is only one of it!!!!!! That is amazing . .. ... how cool is that?!!! Well I found it cool!

heartheadhands.com

2006-07-01T22:30:00.000+01:00

Today I had the awesome privaledge of being part of the first heartheadhands training day at Trinity. The day was for those involved, interested or just love worshipping Jesus in song. What a great day! Neil spoke about the vision and values that we hold onto here in worship which he articulated so well (there will be more on the blog about his over the coming week!). Jules spoke about song and the spiritual battle - awesome and so much there to digest!. Then in the afternoon we did skills sharing workshops - so great to be able to give away what we've been given and invest in the lives of others. Time flew away with us . . on these days I know that you only manage to just scrape the surface.

I left today though amazed at how gracious God has been to Trinity in blessing it with so many gifted and talented people who are passionate about God and serving Him wholeheartedly with the gifts they had been given. Recently every time I think about Trinity and what God has been doing here the word 'GRACE' just keeps on filling my minds eye - for me God has used this place to help unpack what His grace is all about. I know in my life, the more sides that I see of grace the more it fuels the passion in my heart for my Father.

Awesome . . .what a great day and I know that this will continue to be an amazing resource that will grow and develop as time goes on. Bring it on is what I say!

knowing me knowing you UhHuh

2006-06-23T18:19:00.000+01:00

Picked up a book which has been on my book list to read before I fly out of the country the ragamuffin gospel by Brennan Manning. Here's a few excerpts of what I read this afternoon.

Our experience of God's unconditional love must be shaped by the Scriptures. God's written word must take hold of us . . The Word we study has to be the Word we pray. My personal experience of God came not from exegetes, theologians, and spiritual writers, but from sitting still in the presence of the living Word . . . sheer scholarship alone cannot reveal to us the gospel of grace. We must never allow the authority of books, institutions, or leaders to replace the authority of knowing Jesus personally and directly.

Philosopher Jacques Maritian once said that the culmination of knowledge is not conceptual but experiential: I feel God. Such is the promise of the Sciptures: Be still and know (experience) that I am God. . . . to know God . . . such experience is pure grace . . .

Reading this sent me back to Phillipians where Paul speaks about knowing Jesus.
'But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in Him . . . . .. . . .I want to know Christ'.

Knowing Jesus . . is that the secret that Paul talks about later in the chapter where he talks about being content in every situation?

What are Values?

2006-06-22T14:23:00.000+01:00

Having had some more time to think about the statement which Brenton made concerning values, its kind of become clearer as to how we would view them.

Working back from the values themselves (intimacy, integrity, risk, accessibility), these are actually based upon biblical understanding and theology. They are things of value - to put it crassly, means which help us move towards the goal of glorifying and enjoying God forever. Would I throw them out if they were not working? Probably not. I couldn’t see myself throwing out any of those values when thinking about achieving ‘the goal’. Looking at the life of Jesus, he displayed all those values in some way when he walked on the earth - He took himself away for an encounter with the Father on his own; He practised what He preached; His was the same whether in public view or not; He risked and pushed boundaries; He was accessible.

Also values as I would see them are not constrained by time - they last through time and culture. At this point I would draw a distinction between values getting blurred with tools or styles. Styles change with culture and time eg. the movement from organs to guitar driven music - the style changes but the value stays the same.

Values in worship - backtrack . .

2006-06-21T16:23:00.000+01:00

‘Values are tools, they are means. They’re not the end itself. God is the goal, and these values are designed to get us to the goal.'

Brenton talks about the goal being God, but what does that mean? Is it an encounter with God? Is it being in his presence? worshipping Him more?

Today as I continued to unpack values of worship I had one of my random ‘lets think too much’ episodes and managed to make both myself and Neil think too much! But the fruit of the conversation was really helpful. Asking the question of what was the goal and was it encounter, Neil suggested it wasn’t - it has to be more than that . . so what is it? GOD - but what about God?

We both then arrived at a quote (the westminster catechism) which summed it up . . . .

‘the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever’

Is this the goal? To glorify and enjoy Him? If this is the case then it really helps unpack what the values should be in sung worship.

The last question that Neil has left me with today is; are values tools . . . ? Should values be based upon Biblical truths? If so then they won't ever not work - they won't ever need to be kicked out . . . . ARGHHHH . . . the thinking continues!!!!

HAPPY BiRFDAY GUYS!

2006-06-21T14:28:00.000+01:00

Well its my mates birthdays today . . . Lau and Steve!!!! Went for breakfast with Steve and the guys at work, then droppped a cake on Lau at work during luch (was very funny!!!)

Both have clocked the grand age of 29!!!! Happy Birthday guys and hope this year is a good one - think you are both very very CRAaaaZY!!

Values in Worship

2006-06-20T11:56:00.000+01:00

As my time here at Trinity rapidly draws to a close, mingled in with the excitement of whats ahead is some sadness of leaving 'home'. Its been a really amazing experience of equipping, growing, grace, love, fun, friendship and much, much, much more. But one of the main things though is the amazing opportunities I have been given to grow in the whole arena of worship and creative media under the watchful eye of Mark and Neil. Working with Neil has been such an amazing experience and he is a very generous man - he's instilled in me good, strong values, passed on his wisdom, challenged and inspired me and been a really key person in helping me grow spiritually. As I think about the last couple of years I've been trying to identify some of the core values about worship which have been instilled into me whilst being here, and articulate these values so that I can take them on with me wherever I go. So here we go . . . if you have any thoughts to add into the mixing pot then please do comment . .. .

What are values?
There are a number of ways to define values but the most useful unpacking of the term that I have heard is by Brenton Brown;

‘Values are tools, they are means. They’re not the end itself. God is the goal, and these values are designed to get us to the goal. If they’re not working, they need to be kicked out. Because more than a set of values, more than a calling even, we want God and we want to please Him. So if at any point, your values, your ways of doing things get in the way of following God, leave the values.’

I found this incredibly useful when thinking about some of the values that I hold in worship and will always be a quote I’ll go back to periodically.

What are the values I hold?!

INTIMACY
‘a close or warm friendship; a feeling of being intimate and belonging together; closeness and familiarity; trust; transparency’. These are just a few words that maybe capture what intimacy is about for me. This value is something which has been very strong here within the community of Trinity church - intimacy with God.

The Bible tells of a God who reveals - a God who is transparent and above all else passionate and loving. God calls his creation into an intimate relationship with himself and you see that in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve - that relationship was then ruined by sin but the Bible goes on to tell the story about how this original intention was restored. One of the things I have started to understand is that God calls us into this kind of relationship - he initiates that with us - not us initiate with Him. He give us free-will, the ability to choose whether or not to enter into that relationship with Him which is amazing!

‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness’ (Jer 31:3)

Continually the Bible tells a story of an intimate relationship with God. There are two key analogies of this relationship - God being a Father and us being His children and another of our relationship with God being likened to a marriage - the church (us) is the bride, and He is the bridegroom.

For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth (Isa 54:5)
"In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master . . . I will betroth you to me forever. Yes I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and you shall know the Lord”. (Hos 2:16-20)

This picture of marriage carries right on through the Bible and Paul picks up on it when he speaks of marriage in Ephesians 5 and then Revelation holds this amazing picture of celebration - us being united with Christ forever at a wedding feast.

Our worship should reflect this amazing intimate relationship which we can have with Him. . . . more later . ..

Some great albums . . ..

2006-06-19T20:03:00.000+01:00

Over the last month three great albums have appeared on the scene by Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown and Nottingham Trent Vineyard. Both absolutely fantastic albums which have really marked out this period of my life and I can reccommend massively.

There are a couple of songs which really stand out on all three albums; Hosanna and Your name on Baloche's, Everlasting God and Like the Angels on Brown's and God is with us on Trent's.

As someone who is attempting to write songs, Baloche and Brown's albums hold great examples of how to write accessible and anthemic congregational songs. Nottingham Trent though holds something different to the other two; a musical edge and lyrical rawness which is not there in the same way as the others.

On the weekend we did God is with us at the Path and it was an awesome song to lead the young people in. The words are really accessible and yet they convey an ancient truth of God being with us wherever we are . . .

'God is with us, He never fades.
God is with us in the miracle, and the natural
He offers life to all mankind . . .'

Its a real gift to be able to translate the ancient truths of God into every day language and then put them to the poweful medium of music. . . . . . I long to be able to do that more. These are three great albums and well worth having them on your ipod!!!

2006-06-16T23:24:00.000+01:00

Who are these amazing singers??!!!

Packing up life as we know it . . .

2006-06-16T22:52:00.000+01:00

There is something really liberating about getting rid of a load of stuff - and there was a lot of stuff and some of it is still in the Oxley's lounge (I'm sorry guys!!! I'll move it this weekend I promise!). Yesterday I sold me car . . . it was another touching moment driving it for the last time over to its new owner in Gloucester, but I shined it all up and it really did tart up quite nicely!!!! Two weeks previous me and the Oxley went to Cheltenham's car boot sale which was hilarious - in the end I couldn't even give my stuff away which was quite sad. The car boot was a whole new experience - both of us wearing sombreros and selling our selling technique was quite something . . . . IT WAS BAD!

Anyway to cut long story short, it is kinda liberating not owning much and I am amazed at how you can function in life with so little. I'm slowely starting to understand a bit more of what is important in life and its the things that last for eternity - thats what counts first. And next to God, its people - loving the one in front of you. Thats what matters . . . thats whats important . . thats whats eternal . . . thats what Jesus did.

' . . . . fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. . . '

All change again . . . . .

2006-06-14T16:48:00.000+01:00

Well its official . . . nae is on the move . . . yup thats the reason for the boxes, moving and becoming a minimalist! On the 28th August I'm flying out of the country with 20kilos, my guitar, some spare change and loads of happy memories to go and live in Vancouver, Canada for a season. Trinity will always be 'home' and its been awesome doing life here - I feel like I've been totally totally blessed (to put it in a crunchy way!) and have made loads of great friends - people who have left lasting memories in me little brain - you will be missed!!! What Vancouver will hold has yet to be seen, but I'll be sharing a flat with a crazy person called Gwen and getting involved with the community of North Langley Vineyard.

Still, there is 2 months left of action packed fun here in Cheltenham of which I totally want to make the most of.. .. . so the story continues . . .

2006-06-13T14:39:00.000+01:00

I'm proud of my fellow countrymen . . .

All change please . . !

2006-06-06T23:24:00.000+01:00

Well once again the JAMCAKES are on the move - Andrew is flying out to Ghana on Friday to prepare the way for the next step of their journey - AFRICA!!!!! Awesome. He will be GREATLY missed not only by me but most importantly his beautiful family.
The other thing is that Mum and Dad have finally bought a new computer!!!! HOOOORAY and hopefully they will be able to read this message with ease as it won't take them 20 min to upload the page. FANTASTIC! Bring it on Mum and Dad. Check out Andrew's new blog here to find hear the story that unfolds.

Anyone wanna buy a car . . .?

2006-05-27T18:26:00.000+01:00

Yup I'm selling me little car . . . and am gonna become a cyclist!!! I have my luminous yellow helmet which you can spot a mile off, and will be cycling a slightly undersized mountain bike!!! Been a really great little car and I've loved driving it. Had no problems with it breaking down and its just had new break discs and pads fitted. Let me know if ur interested.
Ford Fiesta 1.3 Encore. P reg (1996). 73k. 5 door. MOT Jan 07.

Boxes

2006-05-23T13:53:00.000+01:00

Well its come to that time - moving house time!!! As from this Friday I will no longer be in me little flat in Berkeley Court - that place has served me really well and I have loved living there for the last 4 years (can't believe its that long!). The place is full of boxes and its been funny trawling through all my stuff, stripping out all the crap. As I've wandered my way through it all, I've come accross all sorts of memorabilia - old journals, photos, maracas, bad clothes, bills! One of the fun things which I found was an old mix tape from 1989 - very stretched but so funny to listen to with the like of 'Wild Women do', New Kids on the Block, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles - I was so moved I had to go on the web and download the songs and make a playlist in itunes!! So far its been two black bin bags which have been thrown out which is pretty good, and a big box full of stuff ready for car boot. There is something nice about going through and sorting out clutter.

Anyways I'm just moving in with some lovely peeps from small group who have kindly offered to take me in for a while. So here's to the next phase of Nae's journey!

Heaven . .

2006-05-03T16:13:00.000+01:00

We don't talk that much about heaven, other than its a reality in which those who follow Jesus will live when they die. Many have tried to understand and pinpoint what heaven will be like and the result has been lots of art, images, pictures of white fluffy clouds and us all sitting on them with wings and harps, singing our little hearts out all day and night - I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING WORSE! Stories are also told of people who have had near death experiences and then been brought back - lots of bright light and fluffyness. You even look at the book of revelation and the vision (and it was a vision!) which Paul had - so much symbolic language to wade through!

In a couple of weeks our small group will be looking at what heaven is all about. I know that as a group we won't be able to get a total understanding on what heaven is all about, but it will be a place where we can attempt to unpack what it means to be people who have this future prospect as well as dispel some religious myths that we have attached to the name.

So my question to us all is what is your personal view on heaven? And what has helped you arrive at that view?

Answers on a comment post please to . . . . . .

Cheltenham Jazz

2006-05-02T07:58:00.000+01:00

Here in Cheltenham we've been enjoying the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. I managed to get to two gigs, the first one being Soweto Kinch, one the of the UK's rising stars. Its was awesome and not only was he a great jazz player but a brilliant communicator - one song worth getting hold of is Jazz Planet where he raps (!) about a world which is heaven like but rather than being ruled by god its rules by Jazz! Anyway great gig.

The second one was the Herbaliser - hip-hop, classic jazz breaks with some decks. The town hall was packed and we managed to get near the front. They were brilliant - mostly high along with the rest of the people in the town hall. I did come out feeling like had inhlaed a load of wacky backy - a little bit spaced! Was fun and musically they were really together. It was the whole event which made it for me though - going and being part of a group of passionate music and dope lovers! Here's a few photos of the gigs.

Good album by Karine Polwart

2006-04-20T15:48:00.000+01:00

Don't usually listen to folk but fell upon this album whils browsing through itunes. Great music and fun lyrics so check it out.

Read this today

2006-04-12T11:35:00.000+01:00

Read this pearl of wisdom from NT Wright today.

"When God's children are finally revealed in their new and glorious bodies, then the whole creation will have it's own exodus, it's own liberation. We can only guess at what that will actually look like. But we can be sure that it, too, will be accomplished by the same Spirit of the living God. And, since the Spirit is given to us in the present as a down payment, we are charged already with implementing that ultimate accomplishment. We are called to produce, in a thousand different ways, signs of God's new world within the apparently unpromising landscape of the old one."

NT Wright

I'm going to mull this one over the next day or so and ask myself the question what are the sign's that I'm producing of God's new world in this apparently unpromising landscape?

Also this article landed in my lap last week from a good friend who knew.

Words

2006-03-25T09:47:00.000Z

Flying back from Canada was a great experience for me as the lovely BA people gave me a window seat so there I was stuck with my nose to the window for most of the way staring out at what was passing me by. As we were coming into land we descended through the clouds and I have never ever seen clouds like this before. I was lost for words and hogging the window just staring, trying to squeeze into my brain as many picture memories as possible! This morning whilst reading a book I was reminded of one of the pictures. This was what I was reading.

'the eternal, independent and self-existent Being; the Being whose purposes and actions spring from himself, without foreign motive or influence; he who is absolute in dominion; the most pure, the most simple, the most spiritual of all essences; infinitely perfect; and eternally self-sufficient, needing nothing that he has made; illimitable in his immensity, inconceivabe in his mode of existence and indescribable in his essence; known fully only by himself, because an infinite mind can only be fully comprehended by itself. In a word, a Being who, from his infinite wisdom, cannot err or be decieved, and from his infinite goodness, can do nothing but what is eternally just, and right, and kind.' (Adam Clarke)

Something to think about

2006-03-20T09:58:00.000Z

Read this quote over the weekend which challenged me as an individual and also as someone who is part of a community who seeks to follow Jesus.

" . . . your system is perfectly designed to yeild the result you are getting . . "

Great album

2006-03-13T08:35:00.000Z

Came accross this album last night and already I'm on my second listening sitting! The guy is part of the singer songwriter scene that is massive at the moment, and this album definately has the ability to stand alongside many of the big names. From London he now resides in America.

Arrangements are really organic and acoustic and his vocal reminds me of the lead singer from Crowded House. Lyrically the songs tell some great stories. Anyway well worth a listen (he also has two tracks on the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack).

Stumbled upon this today . . .

2006-03-09T14:39:00.000Z

Interesting article which is always good to hear. Written by a guy called Brad Abare.

Experience Church, Stripped Down

"I am often asked by pastors how far is too far. From big screens and big hair to modern worship and candlelight services, there are so many ways to do, have, and present "church." From the mini to the mega, from the old-fashioned steeples to the churches who lease space in night clubs, the experiences are virtually endless. Quiet and sincere. Loud and glorious. Seeker sensitive. Evangelistic. Dancin' in the aisles. Liturgy. Laughter. Multi-media. Cup holders. You name it and there is a good chance it is available or been tried.

Yet the questions remain: How much should I do? What should I avoid? What is cool? What works?

Here's a simple approach I've learned...

If the electricity went out, and your walls fell down, and your biggest givers died, what would you have left? Would you have a community of people still seeking after the heart of God? Would you still worship even without a band? Would you still be able to learn about God even though you can't show a video or a PowerPoint slide? In other words, what you have when everything else goes away is what your church is really all about.

I recall the words of Brennan Manning in his book The Importance of Being Foolish:

Consider how our churches have explored and exploited our need to replace the numbness in our lives with a passion for something, anything. We've created worship in which music is meant to stir the emotions but the soul is left unmoved, in which the words spoken are little more than manipulations of the heart. We have created cathartic experiences filled with weeping and dancing in the Spirit that leaves us with the sense that we have touched God but that fail to give us the sense that God has touched us. We run to churches where the message feels good and where we feel energized and uplifted--but never challenged or convicted. "It is not surprising that spiritual experiences are mushrooming all over the place and have become highly sought-after commercial items," writes Henri Nouwen. "Many people flock to places and persons who promise intensive experiences of togetherness, cathartic emotions of exhilaration and sweetness, and liberating sensations of rapture and ecstasy. In our desperate need for fulfillment and our restless search for the experience of divine intimacy, we are all too prone to construct our own spiritual events."

We can hide behind great church brands and marketing campaigns. We can plow new grounds in getting the world to take notice of our creativity. We can even make a name for ourself in our communities. But what remains when the lights are out and the sound is unplugged? When the hurricane wipes it all way. When the earthquake swallows your best intentions.

When God speaks, I'd rather be in a position to listen than scrambling for the microphone to make sure he's heard. Instead of getting so jazzed up about showing a Bruce Almighty film clip, I want to make sure I'm seeing God's real miracles every day."

Wonder what the answers would be??

Learning

2006-03-09T07:29:00.002Z

Sometimes we find solace in someone's elses words - they manage to articulate what is going on in our heart. This is one of those quotes and a bit of the bible:

"There are some things in life, and they may be the most important things, that we cannot know by research or reflection, but only by committing ourselves. We must dare in order to know. Life is full of situations to which I can respond not with part of myself but only with commitment of my whole being."
--J.H. Oldham Life is Commitment (1953)

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
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.'

"If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people's sins,
A Full Life in the Emptiest of Places
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down--and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places--
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate
make the community livable again

Been tagged by the Johnson and the Heaslip!

2006-03-04T23:16:00.000Z

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
1. Worked in a shoe shop selling kids shoes
2. Hospital Cleaner (very exciting!)
3. Data Inputer
4. Off-license

FOUR MOVIES/SHOWS I'VE BEEN ADDICTED TO:
1. West Wing
2. 24
3. Eastenders
4. Neighbours

FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. Swansea
2. Cheltenham
3. Umm . . .
4. Umm . . .

FOUR COUNTRIES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:
1. New Zealand
2. Africa
3. Bahamas
4. USA

FOUR POPULAR FALSE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ME:
1. I am confident in a room full of people
2. I am listenning! "ugh!"
3. I am too busy
4. I am sensible!

FOUR PEOPLE I LOOK LIKE (according to some people):
1. Dido?!!
2. Dad
3. Brother
4. Neice called Charis

FOUR THINGS (I HOPE) TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
1. Travelled
2. Had kids
3. Skydive
4. Introduce more peeps to Jesus

PEOPLE I TAG NEXT:
1. Steve Clarke again
2. Dave Wheatley
3. Andrew Lippett
4. Ian Meredith

Last day of the holiday

2006-03-01T18:16:00.000Z

Been great out here and its come round to that final day of the holiday where you wanna cram in as much as you can! Will be sad to leave the land of maple syrup and coffee. Anyway here's a few more photos of the places I've been (if you are wondering what the bottles photo is all about we went to this amazing food store and there were all these bottles of oil - never seen so many in all my life!)

Check this out

2006-02-21T04:13:00.000Z

Discovered some very funny movies - check the one called "A Million Ways" out here

Lovin it lovin it lovin it

2006-02-21T01:09:00.000Z

Got back from a great weekend away in a big house up in the moutains just outside of Vancouver with 25 mad youth - it was a wall of laughter and noise for a whole weekend with about 6 hours of sleep total so the jet lag has not had a chance to set-in!!! We walked to a really beautiful lake where Lipz played her first game of American football and scored a touchdown - I think people were a bit scared to tackle a british bird so they let me get away with it. Was flippin freezing though. Anyway here are a few photos of the trip so far.

Arrived!

2006-02-16T17:11:00.000Z

Made it safely to the land of big mountains where the weather is clear blue skies and sunny! Flight was really good - great views - and sat next to some interesting Canadians who when they found out about my job decided that they plague me with questions about homosexuality and the church - great light conversation!!!!

Anyway hooked up with Jenn and Gwen and they have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. Gwen lives in Fort Langley which is and old Canadian town that has a great coffee/bookshop serving brilliant food and coffee - nice. The mountains are white with snow and it is a bit cold but not hugely different to the UK. Have managed to chill and read lots already - going on weekend away tomorrow which really looking forward to. So all good here. Will update with some photos when I manage to get the right plug connector - duh - bought the wrong one!!

Also blog font being funny - wonder whether it is the internet browser that is the problem. blah blah!

Guitar playing

2006-02-08T08:13:00.000Z

Like all musicians there comes a point in your musical skills where you platau - like being stuck in a lift with the same old riffs, chords, rhythms - I'm sure that many of us feel like that in all kinds if skill based areas not just music! I can see in my life that there is this perpetual cycle of pushing beyond what I already know and as I started to think about it I saw that I had unintentionally put in place a number of things that help me grow.

1. Find someone who inspires me musically. This could be a friend or someone in the charts whos music I love to listen to. Often that person is further down the road with the skill/ more accomplished.
2. Listen and watch them before picking up anything to play. I remember spending hours in my bedroom as a teenager and also at college just listening to music (I did have friends . . honest . . who tempted me out of my room!!). Listening to the music at face value and then listening more intently to how it was put together. There seems to be a saturation of the music scene at the moment and much of the stuff that is coming out is really not that inspirational therefore its often easy to stop diggin around for those artists, those nuggetts.
3. Practise. Its a musical swear word . . . practise!! But its essential to growing. Looking back again, if I added up the number of hours practise I did on the piano, flute and guitar I'm sure I would be in shock. But I know that that is where I technically grow. Hours have been spent with one finger on the rewind button listening to a riff and the other hand holding the guitar.
4. Go on holiday with your guitar. Some of the places when I've most progressed is when I go literally on holday with my guitar. Those times aways are when I can shut my normal world out for a while and just chill - its there that I find new creativity and can spend as much time as I want messing around. I remember last year sitting on top of a clifftop in Cornwall watching the sun go down playing my guitar - there was something in it!

So next week I'm off to Vancouver for a couple of weeks with the guitar to see friends, find people who inspire me, listen to them, practise and hopefully move on from the platue that I find myself on!

New CD - Marc James

2006-01-28T08:33:00.000Z

This CD fell into my lap this week through a friend at work and since then I have listened to it about twice and through those sittings have come to absolutely love it. Marc James is know for his rock and distinctive husky voice (Beautiful album) and although this is very much an acoustic album he still managed to rock it. Song arrangements are drums, bass and acoustic guitars (slide guitar is coming back in!!) which totally suits him. The songs are personal and obviously his musings about what God has been doing in his life. Great album and only £12. Click on the photo and get ordering.

Heads up on a few things

2006-01-26T14:44:00.000Z

FILM.
For those of you who are interested in creating film and media, the bbc have made available a load of news clips from their archives(click here). I've downloaded footage of the berlin wall coming down, Nelson Mandela's release and much much more. This is a trail experiment which the bbc are doing so the footage will only be available for a limited period so get downloading. Some of the clips they are offering here are great for using as backdrop loops for church settings.

CDs.
A great CD which has just been released and is now available on itunes is the new Charlie Hall album called Flying into Daybreak. I have recently been paying more attention to this artist along with David Crowder, as the stuff they are writing is like a breath of fresh air in the whole worship scene. Their language is very creative and they have really strong song ideas. Crowder seems to be pushing the music boundaries more than Hall with his album called A Collision or (3+4=7) (again available on itunes). I don't think I've ever listened to such a diverse album! Anyway both great albums from worshippers who are pushing the christian music boundaries. Lastly another great album which I have discovered is Hard-Fi Starts of CCTV. This album was released last year and has been named as one of the hit albums that came out of 2005 - it is certainly worth a listen and is up there with The Killers.

BOOKS.
I seem to have quite a few books on my bedside table at the moment, but one book which has really impacted me over the last month or so is Mealtime habits with the Messiah by Conrad Gempf(the guy blogs as well). Its a fantastic little books of 40 fresh reflections on the life of Jesus. Accessible the author is not afraid to ask those questions about the life of Jesus that some people shy away from. The book has definately stirred a passion in me to go deeper in my relationship with Jesus and caused me to have many a late night reflecting on who He really is. Love the book . . . buy the book!

Some photos from the hen weekend

2006-01-20T15:01:00.000Z

Here we all are - a few photos of the big adventure called Nae Briner's hen day! There are more photos but couldn't get them all on the blog so if you want them I'll have a disc with them on which you can borrow and stick on your computer or get prints from. Let me know. Click the photos to enlarge them, and join in the banter below by clicking the comments link near the end of the last photo!

Manic weekend

2006-01-18T08:54:00.000Z

Time flys by when you are having fun. This weekend was hectic what with bridesmaid duties - hen day - church sunday morning and then off to London with friends to another church.

There was a group of us 20 girlies who went to a place called Viney Hill Adventure Centre, (just on the edge of the Forest of Dean), for the afternoon to do team building games as part of Naomi's hen party (Briner, you were a great sport especially keeping the glasses and marigolds on all day!). I have never had such a laugh in a long time - it was muddy and wet (I must have been the only person who had two facefulls of muddy water - what was all that about!!!), even though the sun came out, and physically enduring. I was amazed at what team games bring out in different people and we all learnt masses about eachother (Kate!) - one for all and all for one and all that!! It was a real confidence booster and we came away exhausted and black'n'blue with bruises. Can highly recommend the place and they have loads of other facilities to do outdoor stuff. Definately use it again and get a bunch of us girlies to go for the day - canoeing next time I think!

Then full swing back into sunday morning which was awesome - God really was doing something exciting . . . .

Anyway more creative musings next time. . . .

Creativity in pieces . . . .

2006-01-10T21:35:00.000Z

At the moment there seems to be a lot of space and time being dedicated to exploring what it means to be a creative follower of Jesus. Today whilst surfing the web I discovered that places in America are now hosting creative conferences for the church ('how to be a creative church'); their websites are increasingly becoming more interactive and creative in the way they present themselves and Jesus; videos and media are coming out of every orfice; jobs titles such as creative directors, technology pastor, media presenter are floating around in church language etc, etc, etc. And the impac t they are having seems to be significant not only in cyberspace but also 'the real world'. As I surfed I also recognised that all these sites were over the other side of the ocean and it was hard to find anything like that happening on these shores. That I know is due to a number of reasons which I don't want to start exploring now . . maybe one day!
Anyway this drew me back to thinking about an area which I have been wrestling with over the last year or so - creativity . . . what it means for nae to express herself creatively. . . what it looks like . . . what it means for God's people to express themselves creatively etc

A book called Imagine. a vision for christians and the arts by Steve Turner fell into my lap last summer, which started me off on the journey of sorting the pieces of my thinking. Since then I feel like I have literally been sorting and not necessarily fitting them together - its like I haven't even got the picture of the jigsaw to follow making it harder to fit everything together!!!! (if that makes sense!!!)

What are the pieces then?
One of the pieces is a greater recognition that I follow a Creative God. I love the outdoors and grew up near the sea where I cultivated a healthy awareness, love and respect for nature, but over the last year or so its like that awareness of what surrounds me has suddenly got a lot louder. There have been times where I have had to stop what I've been doing and just look or listen, and take in the sight before me - the response which it has created within my heart has surprised me at times. It has been like those things have shown me new aspects of what God is like - his creativity - his right side of left side of the brain . . or whatever it is!! What does that verse say . . "the heavens declare the glory of the Lord; the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge" (Psm19:12-2).

Another piece is that I am made in his image "in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Gen1:27), therefore I am a piece of his handiwork, I will display his DNA/reflect his image. I have been made with the ability to be creative - to express myself creatively which in turn will reflect who God is. Even as I write I am amazed at the whole thing of being able to reproduce life - having a child or the ability to create a child has to be one of the most creative things in life!!! Understanding this whole 'being made in his image thing' has certainly made life more interesting - I am recognising more and more the deposit of creativity which God has placed in the people around me . . . the way people interact . . the things which they are good at . . . the stuff they make in life etc. Everyone whether they are walking towards Jesus or not is made in God's image, and we have all been blessed with different gifts, therefore we can not help but display His original image in some way.

It took me a while to get my head round recognising this a bit more fully and its an interesting area to chew over and discuss with others. Anyway these are two of the pieces of the jigsaw and I could go on but its late and I need my sleep .. . . check this link out though and see whether you can figure it out!!!! Its a piece by Susan Hiller . . . what do you think about that one!!!

Love it LOADer

2006-01-06T18:19:00.000Z

Just had a day off mooching around at home reading, going to the gym, listening to music! Listening to music has to be one of life's greatest pleasures. I've just joined the masses - the ipod generation - and splashed out on one of these with xmas money. Full use has already been made of the slim white little thing which now has a violated with a bright pink skin - love it! So music has travelled with me everywhere I've been over the last couple of days. It never ceases to amaze me how powerful music is - it has power to call my thoughts to attention; power to evoke emotions and feelings; power to recall places, people, smells. Here are some quotes about music from some musicians.

They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But man, there's no boundary line to art.
Charlie Parker

Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it
John Lennon

When the music of a state changes, the constitution will change too
Daimon

Compare music to drinks. Some is like a strong brandy. Some is like a fine wine. The music you're playing sounds like Diet Coke.
Pavarotti

If ya ain't got it in ya, ya can't blow it out.
Louis Armstrong

What's best in music is not to be found in the notes.
Gustav Mahler

Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.
Charlie Parker, "Children of Albion: Poetry of the Underground

Music . . . its for listening
my friend Peter Amess

We are all created in God's image and music displays something of God's image . . look for it in the next song you hear . . . go on give it a try!

Happy New Year!

2006-01-01T14:44:00.000Z

I can't believe that another year has passed by so quickly - its crazy! Last night after all the singing had been sung and we had seen the new year in, it was about 1am that someone posed the question "what were the highlights of 2005?" and off we all went attempting to answer the question. Here were a few of the highlights of 2005 for me . . . .

. . . holiday in Vancouver . . . having my family back in the UK and living so close . . . . sharing my neices and nephews birthdays and watching them grow up . . . swimming with a basking shark . . . going to france with friends . . . a sunset that I have never seen before on cleeve hill . . . snow! . . . seeing people being healed by Jesus . . .

As I look back I know this last year had so many highlights - good ones and bad ones - but I know there is one person who has been walking me through it all. Looking forward to walking through another one with Him - bring it on!!!!!

Art is one of life's great gift

2005-12-29T09:15:00.000Z

Went to London this week with friends from Canada and showed them around some of the sights. We visited a few galleries and ended up in the Tate Modern - I love that place becaouse it hold so many interesting pieces. I was amazed at the response so many of these pieces stirred in me (which is exactly what they artists are trying to do). Anyway came away realising again what an interesting, complicated and gifted species we are. Bring on the wierd and the wonderful!!

(This was a wicked piece - they had the restrain me from attemptinf to climb onto all the boxes which was slightly embarrasing!!!!!)

Check these videos out

2005-12-28T13:20:00.000Z

Check these videos out here
Click on the video camera in the sidebar image, them go to page 2.
Very funny videos where an old Jesus video is overdubbed!!!!

Friends from far off places

2005-12-27T23:16:00.000Z

A little thought about friendships that I have found with people who I rarely see, yet know that there is something there that will be long-lasting.

So little time spent together
yet it feels like ages has been shared.
Stories exchanged;
fast and costly, yet invested wisely,
they are not for resale.
They are to keep; to treasure, locked
up safe in the vaults of our hearts.

The safety found in a friendship
of seeing and hearing whats inside;
found in eachother understanding.

Storing up treasures

2005-12-26T22:17:00.000Z

Over this last term we have been trying to organise our media stores at Trinity and start to build a store. So our external hard drives have started to become fill up with stock photos of the surrounding Cheltenham area, along with film footage. A snowy freezing evening was spent on the top of Cleeve Hill recording some footage of the sunset in order to do some time lapses!! Whether it was worth it has to be seen as we have not used the footage yet, but what a great job to be doing.

This term we have had a new member join the Trinity worship department and his name is Dan!!! Dan the intern man!!! Mr media graduate has a great gift and a fantastic eye for different angles and shots. Anyway he took some photos which are well worth looking at. Check these out (if you want to use them email Dan at dan.jones@trinityuk.org). Anyway . .

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

2005-12-25T23:23:00.000Z

Well its been a really long time since the last time I posted and I'd be surprised if anyone is reading it, but anyway here is an attempt to start to getting back on the road of writing in this space again. Just wanted to wish everyone a happy christmas - the day here has just ended and I've done the family thing which was fantastic and we had much fun and laughter! It feels like it has been a long Christmas season and in many repsects I'm glad to see the door closing on it. Don't get me worng, I love it but this year it feels like it has been a really long and exhausting season and I'm definately ready for a break, to be able to catch up on some sleep, go to the gym, read some books and hang out with friends (my idea of relaxing!!!).

Hopefully over the next week or so I'll get round to updating this site again and refreshing links - funny how looking at links makes you realise how your life has changed in the last couple of months what with old books and music listed up here.

Anyway must sleeep . . . . . .

People who impact you

2005-09-25T14:39:00.000+01:00

Something has been playing on my mind over the last week. We all encounter lots of people in our lives who profoundly impact us as we journey together and last week I had one of those impacting experiences!!

This person is young and is just starting out on the 'growing into a responsible adult'
part of the journey of life, yet in her I see such a maturity, not just in her outlook on life but also in her relationship with Jesus. I heard a story of how she had given all she had to someone in need - it totally blew me away the generosity that she had shown and it didn't stop there!!! As we talked I found myself even more humbled - she was just so willling to give all she had away.

The more I've been thinking about this conversation the more I've found myself examining my own heart and in amongst the tangled mess recognised that I am so good at holding onto all that life gives, and only giving away when there is surplus. Yet this person gave away at a cost - she works her saturdays with the aim of giving away. At such a young age she has such a grasp on what it means to live like Jesus - there is a simple trust between her and God that he will look out for her. Humanity is so good at looking after itself and thinking about others whenever, and I find myself singing this song all too often. I thank God for this person who I love and respect massively - I thank God that she has pointed me back to Jesus - I thank God that she is singing a different song . . .

Weekend in Wales

2005-09-20T10:40:00.000+01:00

Got back on Sunday from the small group leaders weekend in mid Wales, and a good time was had by all I think (well I enjoyed myself!!). The area was absolutely stunning and managed to drink in the amazing creativity that surrounded me. About 140 people went and it was great to meet some new people as well as catch up with some old friends. God really was gracious to us all and his presence was evident throughout the weekend as we talked, hung out, laughed, worshipped and listened together. I certainly came away with a great sense that I am where I am meant to be and with a bigger passion to see more people meet with God here in Cheltenham. Also managed to walk up this big hill behind the place we stayed which was awesome. Anyway here are some pictures.

Long time no comment

2005-09-16T08:24:00.000+01:00

Its been over a month since I last wrote in this little space - amazing how time flys by. I'm not sure how many people read this blog and whether not writing here has been missed, but anyway I'll try and fill in some of the blanks.

Work. Been busy preparing for this new term at Trinity. There are lots of exciting things happening in the department as we start to grow individually and also collectively. The whole area of media is something which we are growing into a bit more and really enjoying, making short films, better visuals and wrestling with where this whole area fits into Trinity. Music wise we are seeing God do a new thing, with Him renewing passion in so many of the worship teams hearts - so exciting and I can't wait for the day when God releases dance in Neil Bennetts!!!!
Home. Has been good with my landlord doing some home improvements on the flat. I arrived back off holiday to a new bathroom and kitchen which has made such a difference. The holiday in France was fantastic with great weather, food, accomodation and company - we didn't stop laughing for the whole week!!! Reading lots of book has been great and I managed to get through a few of Dan Brown's books along with a few other good reads (I'll go into them again at another time).
Family. Its so great to have my family here even though I don't see them as often as I would love to. We had Dad's 70th birthday a couple of weeks ago which was brilliant, and had a family photo done to remind us of the day. Check out the photos here. (William Watling took them for us - fantastic guy and brilliant at what he does!). Everyone looks so grown up which is scary!

So things are good and I'm just trying to get a rhythm back into my life. Am off on a small group leaders weekend today in mid Wales. Should be a great time and I'm excited and to see what God is going to do with a bunch of leaders in a room in Wales!!!!!!!! Bring it on!!

Captivating . . . . .

2005-08-11T11:16:00.000+01:00

I picked up this book whilst at New Wine after a great friend of mine recommended it. The book's title totally speaks for what the book is about 'Unveiling the mystery of a Woman's soul' - and that truly is what a woman's soul is according to some men . . . and women - a MYSTERY! It really was funny as I was carrying this book around, dipping into it when time allowed, and I left it backstage at a practise and who should pick it up but one of the sound guys. He sat there for a whole session reading it - I had to tear it away from him in the end, but his words were that it was "totally helpful in understanding us strange species" and he was going to grab a copy for his Mum (wink!wink!). On a more serious not though I have found it to be a really insightful book and has helped me realise a bit more as to who God has created me to be as a woman. I think in todays culture where gender roles are so blurred this message needs to be heard about the uniqueness of a woman and the way she has been created for God's glory. Hearing the message that we will never find emotional satisfaction or security in any other person than God was like a fog horn going off in the mist of my heart. How I needed to hear that again!!!

The book is not only written by Stasci Eldredge but also her husband John, hence you get two points of view on somethings which is cool. I'd reccommend it to the girlies as well as the blokies in my life to read.

Good to be HOME

2005-08-08T14:54:00.000+01:00

Its good to be back after what feels like a roller coaster ride of two weeks, but a real privaledge to be part of somthing so big. God moved powerfully in both weeks and it was amazing to see so many people being released to be all that God has made them to be. I found that being on a campsite with 11,000 christians (very wierd environment!), can enhance what God is doing in your heart as well as drive you MAD!!! Much of my thinking will no doubt appear on this blog over the next week or so.

Coming back though I know God has done something in my heart, which I'm still trying to articulate but there is a greater hunger there for a deeper and more simplistic walk with Him in my everyday life. My heart is being tugged for people who don't know Him and I am longing for Him to be even more real in me. How that is worked out in my social, work, personal environments has yet to be seen, but I know its time for a change

This quote has come to mind as I write

"Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me when I seek you. For I cannot seek you unless you first teach me, nor find you unless you first reveal yourself to me. Let me seek you in longing and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love, and love you in finding. " St Ambrose of Milan, Bishop, Writer, Doctor

Off again!!!!

2005-07-21T10:37:00.000+01:00

Its come round to that time of the year again where thousands of crunchy christians flock to a field in Somerset, to spend time together and most importantly spend time with God. Rain, thunder, sunshine, wind, gales, lightning, extreme heat and every other form of weather system has fallen on God's people as they camp under canvas, so my suitcase is prepared for every eventuality!!!!

I love the fact that the weather is so bizarre because for me, it indicates how real the God I love is!! The rain was so powerful last year that it ripped open the big top - what an awesome sight and a reminder to me that our God is so totally awesome. So I'm looking forward to seeing what is up His sleeve this year. Even driving home last night from the Cotswolds, the clouds were absolutely fantastic and His handiwork once again brought my life back into perspective.

Clouds in the Old Testament are used as symbols of God's presence and His glory - what a great thought . . think I might chew that one over a bit more . . . .

www.stonepavement.blogspot.com

2005-07-15T14:38:00.000+01:00

Just want to plug a link to a blog which I daily visit and have found thought provoking and challenging concerning the journey which God calls us to. Based in the Cotswolds, the bloggers have a dream to reach out to the community there and bring an authentic expression of Jesus into that area. Read on. . . .

Buy these!!!!

2005-07-14T14:24:00.000+01:00

Just received the Coldplay album this morning (I know I'm behind the times!) and have managed to listen to it twice over the last couple of hours. What a great album!! Melodically and lyrically it is solid and holds all the marks of what makes Coldplay so successful.

But the other album which I have been listening to whilst away is 'Everything we are living for' by Neil Bennetts. Working with the guy probably make me slightly biased in my opinion, as I have seen the amount of work which he has put into creating this musical journey, but result has been well worth it. Lyrically, Neil has managed to put ancient truths in everyday language and then package them in great melodies, to create accessible songs that are honest, real and inspiring. The result of this is a cd which is worshipful and can draw you into the presence of God.

What I love about the album though is that all the songs have been birthed out of the local church which Neil attends - they are songs that express the heart of what have been going on at Trinity Church. I have immense respect for this man and God is really using him as a mouthpiece. Neil you rock!!!!!!

p.s. can I have that pay rise now!!! only joking!

Sharks!!!!

2005-07-13T18:22:00.000+01:00

Well what can I say other than going away is therapy for the body, mind and spirit!!!! It was soo goood to spend time away from the familiar surroundings of Cheltenham and go to such a beautiful part of the country - Cornwall is stunning!

The place I stayed at was called Chapel View Farm in Bissoe, out in the countryside. The cottage was amazing and was so well equipped with everything (and I mean everything!!!). I arrived to fresh homemade bread, apple juice, icecream and a cream tea, along witha mazzive double bed, my own patio made of decking with barbacue, dishwasher (bonus!) and I didn't even need to bring beach towels as they were there as well!!! Big shout out to the guys who run the place and if you want a place to retreat (without a TV as well) then this is definately worth considering. Its location is near to all the beaches on the north and south coastline for surfing.

Ah surfing!! What a great invention. I befriended two surfy dudes (Matt and Chris) who were looking for punters to teach the art of 'riding a wave'. My first lesson, and I was really looking forward to the experience, but little did I know that it was REALLY going to be an experience. Swimming is not my greatest pastime, as I can just about manage to not drown (when I'm in my depth that is!!). So when I arrived and they said about paddling out half a mile to see the BASKING SHARKS that were out there my brain was going NO, but the words that came out of my mouth were 'um . . yea ok'. I couldn't believe what I was saying but knew that I had to do this.

In half an hour I would confront two fears of mine: number one: being over 100 feet out of my depth in the sea (not a swimming pool I hasten to add!); number two: SHARKS!!!!!! 20ft basking sharks who have the capability of swallowing a person whole!!! and I was going to swim up to one of them. Matt was talking to me (after we had negotioted not drowning amongst loads of waves on our way out!) that he would love to be swallowed by one of these creatures just for the hell of it, as he reassured me that I would be safe between him and Chris! We could see the basking shark with its floppy fin and tale fin (they only eat plankton by the way!) and we did edge to within 15-20ft of the creature. I have never seen anything like it - the whole experience was sensory overload - being out in the ocean away from the crowds on shore with just a piece of plastic keeping me afloat, two crazy blokes, basking shark . . oh and I forgot the jelly fish that would float by now and again!!!!

On our way back in (after observing the shark for a while) we saw two seals floating by which was another added bonus to it all! Chris then proceeded to give me my first lesson in riding 'the wave' and managed to get me just about up on my feet within 2 hours which was quite impressive! That probably was the theme for the holiday - confronting my fears and those were just two of them!!!!! And what did I learn from confronting them? I learnt that if I take a deep breath and don't panic I can come out the other side of those things and see them no longer through the 'fear shades'. Don't PANIC is a brilliant piece of advice that Matt said to me and I guess it has stuck with me these last couple of days away - good life motto I feel!

Everybody go surfing . . .

2005-07-08T12:06:00.000+01:00

Well that best day of the week has arrived and I'm even more happy because I'm off on holiday to sunny Cornwall to do a bit of sun, reading, writing and surfing (or swallowing lots of sea water more like!). I've managed to grab a board (sadly not the beatle car as well!) from a very nice Cheltenham based company called www.otisseven.com , so watch out the surfing population of Cornwall!!!!

Weather is meant to be good and having never been to this part of the country before, I'm looking forward to exploring the area. Here I come Cornwall . . . !

today . . .

2005-07-07T23:03:00.000+01:00

Words actually fail me when I try and piece together the thoughts and feelings which I have experienced today, as I have watched the press' obsession with today's events. Sitting at home downloading the images into my mind, and hearing the sounds on the hour long special of the 6'o'clock news, I was sucked into the horror of what occurred within my own country.

Sadness. I hear the death toll rising and I think about the loss of breathe in the bodies of those who were going about their daily routine. Life can be so brutally interrupted; and it was this morning. It makes me wonder - it makes me question - it drives me back to Him who knows.

2005-07-07T12:32:00.000+01:00

Why? Why now? Why today? My mind is spinning . . . .

2005-07-06T10:28:00.000+01:00

The dream MACHINE!!!Check this out!!! Saw it in the Racecourse carpark on Sunday and couldn't resist taking a photo. This is what I dream of owning one day when I'm older, have less responsibilities, and can drive around the coast with me kids in the back and me surfboards on the top! I know . . . .I'm sad

Family . . .

2005-07-01T17:53:00.000+01:00

Its been a really great week here in Chelt. It all kicked off last week when I went home to Wales to get me teeth checked out (as there's no flipping NHS dentists in posh Cheltenham!!!) and see Mum and Dad, and I ended up coming back with something very precious - my Grandad's memoirs which Dad had typed up. Grandad passed away last year and he was my only Grandparent that I knew as I was growing up. Much of Saturday was then spent reading the old geezer's writings - he could write!!! I laughed and cried my way through them as they enlightened me on the funny, witty, creative and loving man that my Grandad was. But most of all reading them was the beginning of me being reminded about something very important . . . .

Sunday then held for me my nephew Alex's birthday party. I have never had such fun in a long, long time!! Alex invited a load of his little friends around to his house and along with the family proceeded to celebrate, as an under 10yr old would, in a madding great style!!! There was a visit to the park where we played some crazy games; football which turned into a cross between wrestling and rugby; how fast can you spin on a round-a-bout before being sick game; burping contest; burst as many balloons in 10sec as possible game; strut your stuff musical statutes; birthday food and much much noise!!!!! All in all, I managed to become a under 10yr old quite easily and absolutely LOVED IT!! As I drove home I was again reminded about something very important. . . .

Later on in the week Mum and Dad came up to visit (for Alex's proper birthday as the sunday before was the party!) and they have just left today. They stayed at my pad which was really cool - its funny how as you grow older and supposedly become more responsible, that responsibility enables you to return some of the goodness which they showed you when you couldn't provide for yourself. I did have a great childhood and they brought me up the best way they knew, for which I am really grateful. As they left I realized how much I loved them and was again reminded about something very important. . . .

That something which is very important is family. As stated in my last entry time is ticking away and so often in and amongst the business of my 'supposedly very important life(!!)', I forget my family. !

I forget their birthdays, I forget to ask them how they are, I forget to give them my time, I forget that they have feelings, I forget that they are interested in hearing my voice now and again, I forget that they won't be with me forever, I forget that I won't be with them forever, And I forget to tell them that I love them . . .

I know that this won't be the same for all of us and I know that I am blessed and privaledged to be a part of the family that I am in, but maybe, just maybe there are important people in all of our lives who we sometimes forget or undervalue now and again. Why am I writing this long blog entry? Reason is that in the future I want to remind myself (and also get you to remind me!), when life is rosy and not so rosy, not to forget my family and pick up the phone and tell them that I love them. I'm learning life is too short not to be real with the ones I love and value, whether that be family or Very Important People!

Enough rant I think!!!!! .........

Good find

2005-06-29T10:53:00.000+01:00

Over the last 6 months I've been enjoying the books which Erwin McManus has been writing (Seizing your Divine Moment and the Barbarian Way) - both great reads! But what I have now discovered is that his church Mosaic, is now broadcasting his talks on the web and are available to download free at the following address www.mosaic.org/podcast/

Worth a visit and have managed to listen to the series called Imagine which was thought provoking.

How do you . . .

2005-06-26T23:41:00.000+01:00

. . . not get so caught up in the rat race of life? How do you not let your pace of life be dictated by everyone else? Are our lives meant to be this busy and fast? These are just a few questions that have been spinning around in my head these last couple of hours. Time, as we all know is now one of the most valuable things in life and it feels like every day we are fighting or wrestling with it.

If anyone has any thoughts let me know . . .

I wonder what God thinks . . . .?

Lack of communication!!!

2005-06-21T14:41:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the lack of updating on the blog - things have been a bit busy.

Been developing a worship blog with a few guys which will be up and running within the next month or so. The aim of the blog is to create a another platform whereby people involved in expressing their worship through the medium of music and the arts can communicate. This will hopefully increase awareness of what is happening up and down the country (if it gets used!!!!!) as well as a way which we can resource and encourage eachother. Thats the idea anyway, but only time will tell if it takes off!!!! Will let you know as soon as it is up and running though.

Picked up another book this week which Neil gave to me called 'And now lets move into a time of nonsense' by Nick Page. Thin book which is worth a read of if you are involved in sung worship. The blurb on the back reads as follows

'Have you ever felt frustrate with the words of worship songs? Why do they seem so meaningless? . . . this book analyses how songwriters have bought into a desposable, 'pop-song' model. Highlighting the problems of using a 'semi-Biblical' code and poor technique; worship songs are suffering from a lack of specialist writers. Nick Page encourages writers to think about the lyrics of their songs and whether they are really communicating truth about God - truth which should lead to worship.'

From what I have read so far it has certainly challenged me about my attempts at songwriting and holds some controversial thinking which has made me think a lot about what we sing.

DRUM'N'BASS is here again!

2005-06-13T12:25:00.000+01:00

Found this album at my brother's house this weekend - what a great album!! Loads of memories rushed back into my pee size brain - good and bad ones - but all in all was a great experience! Its amazing how music does that?!

Good for some summer listening and to play REALLY LOAD in the garden with a few beers and good friends!!!!!!

Praise Habit 2

2005-06-09T14:06:00.000+01:00

Still got me head in this book which has been a real encouragement to me at the moment. I looked at Psalm 50 this morning, sat in me sunny living room (loving the weather at the moment!!! but am ending up looking like a lobster which is not good!).

The Psalm opens up with God informing us that he is about to speak and then the writer goes on to paint a picture of our GOD who is calling all of the cosmos to attention! What stood out for me in this Psalm though is the way God talks about the burnt offerings which the people of Israel brought Him; the ones which He provided in the first place as the cattle on a thousand hills and the birds of the air and everything is all his anyway!! He isn't necessarily displeased with those offerings, but He questions as to why he should want them - do we think he is in need of them? Is he hungry or thirsty for that delicasie?!

"I do not rebuke you for your offerings . . . I have no need of a bull from your stall or goats from your pens . . If I were hungry would I not tell you, for the world is mine and all that is in it." (v8,9,12)

So what is God after??? He is looking for . . . praise. He is looking to be the centre of attention again in our lives. Listen to the way the Message puts it

"Spead for me a banquet of PRAISE, serve High God a feast of kept promises, and call for help when you are in trouble - I'll help you, and you'll honor me"

PRAISE is not just what we express in a song, which are at times beautiful expressions, but at times they can be a ritual. What God is after in my life is PRAISE living - where he is the centre of me, who I am, my little world, my blondness - He is my SOURCE - He makes me come ALIVE. In this psalm even calling out to Him in times of crapness is considered a truer sacrifice. Crowder sums it up in this way 'Higher than our ritual is the simple acknowledgement that, in truth, He is what we need. We, like the Israelites, often find rescue in the burnt offering and not in the GOD who is the sourse of all. We find comfort in the song and not in the Comforter . . . but when we find Him in all the the stuff of life, everything starts singing. Every moment breaks into song. Every breath becomes sacrifice. and the song becomes sweetness. This is LIVING PRAISE'.

Praise Habit

2005-06-06T16:18:00.000+01:00

I've continued to read this book by David Crowder and stumbled accross a great quote which he gave about living a life of praise.

"The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived" (Thomas Merton, THOUGHTS IN SOLITUDE)

And then if you read the Bible . . .

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out." (Romans 12:1-2)

Every second is an opportunity for praise and there is a choosing to be made. Choosing to find God moment by moment, in the sacred and the mundane, in the valley and on the hill, in triumph and tragedy, and living praise erupting because of it. This is what we were made for!!

2005-06-03T18:28:00.000+01:00

book

LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE

2005-06-03T18:15:00.000+01:00

I picked up a really good book yesterday by David Crowder called 'Praise Habit: Finding God in sunsets and sushi'. The title intrugued - praise habit - and as I read on the book resonated with my heart and put into words what I have been grappling with in the valley of this week.
It is so easy at times to get our heads full of disciplines and knowledge that we loose the essence of what we are born for - to have a living, breathing, growing relationship with our Father. I fight at times to get past the relgion which I carry round like a bad set of ill-fitting clothes - jeans that are too tight and make my butt look big; trainers which are out of season and smell; a orange t-shirt which my nan gave me for christmas that doesnt actually go with anything etc. etc! My religion sticks to me. I have been finding more and more as I search my heart that there is a gap between what I say with my mouth and how I live my life - there is a compartmentalising of the spiritual and the non-spiritual - I'm frustrated at my inadequacy to live, breathe, think and walk out my love for Him every moment of the day. He is perfect and yet I am so imperfect!
David Crowder at the start of the book writes a really honest and very real few chapters about developing a habit of praise in our lives. I had to go back over them a couple of times in order to let what he said sink into me. Listen to this about what he says about cultivating a habit of having a "quiet time".

'I have tried to develop the habit of having a "quiet time". Sometimes it would stick. Sometimes it would not. Guilt would be thick when it would not. But for a long period it became what I did first thing every day. It was beauty. The internal joy it brought was overwhelming. Then at some point it went hollow. Its not that it was a bad idea to form a habit of a quiet time, but the habit had slyly begun to suck the life out of my relationship with God. I had fallen in love with my spirituality rather than with the one whom I sought, and in the end it left me void and wanting.'

How many of us can identify with that I wonder? More tomorrow . . . .

Martin Luther King Jr quote

2005-06-01T09:43:00.000+01:00

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

This weekend . .

2005-05-31T16:55:00.000+01:00

This weekend saw two great friends of mine, tie the knot! How exciting!!! It was a year (to the day) since they first started going out which is good moving. They both looked absolutely 'amazing' - the buzz word of the day according to Colin, who managed to get through only one box of kleenex!!!!

Anyway they are off enjoying their honeymoon in Europe and I'm just praying that they are understood as neither of them speaks a word of Italian - oo-er! Could be interesting and no doubt they will come back with some funny stories. They are fantastic people and I'm looking forward to seeing the little phelpsies appearing over the next couple of years!

Hungry??

2005-05-26T10:34:00.000+01:00

Last night I was privaledged to be at an event called 'Hungry for God'. Its a platform which we create at Trinity where we all have the opportunity to meet together with no agenda other than seeking God's heart. There were no plans of format last night other than rock up and see what happens which was exciting and scary all at the same time. God's presence was really powerful and thick at points - I have never encountered Him like that before. It was like we were catching glimpses of His throne room and offering something to Him with the other countless worshippers of earth and heaven.

I came away with my head spinning, realising again how BIG our God is and how small and totally human I am - I felt like a child, one who was stuck for words. We make meeting with God so complicated and at times proffessional - I know at times that I think that I have meeting with God all sewn up! Yet he doesn't want lip service - He wants my heart, He wants me just as I am. I was reminded of that passage again in Isaiah

"The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men"

Good little discovery

2005-05-25T15:22:00.000+01:00

Just discovered this great album and it has really helped me enter into God's presence today. Its led by Joel Houston and Marty Sampson and the material is vibrant and fresh - songs that come with a real honesty! The one thing I really like about Hillsongs is that they really know how to bring God an offering whcih is extravagent.

The albun is worth a butchers at!!

Lifes little challenges!!

2005-05-25T10:08:00.000+01:00

A few of us met together last night from all the music teams at Trinity - we try and meet once a term to hang out with eachother and Jesus. The meeting landed on one of the busiest weeks in Trinity - in that one evening small groups, men's curry, trinity values etc, etc, were also meeting!!!! Amongst all of that I suddenly realised again that my life and our lives I'm sure should not be running at the paces that they do sometimes.

I was chewing this over a bit more last night before we hooked up as a group and was reminded of Mark 6, an interesting chapter where you read how Jesus sent out the 12 disciples into the area to spread the kingdom around. If you look at the way Matthew wrote about this event, he expands on what Jesus said to his disciples. Man! . . . those disciples were definately NOT going off on a holiday or even a DTS, but rather a hard core journey that would have its high points as they saw the kingdom come through their own hands and also where they could be beaten up, rejected, and even have to leg it for their lives!!!!! It gives the impression that this season of their lives wasn't exactly quiet, relaxed or restful, more like busy, stressful and at points nightmarish!

Mark 6 goes on to talk about how John was beheaded - slightly hardcore! - and then the disciples gather back together with Jesus and what is one of the first things which he says to them

"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest".

These guys had been obviously running around the country operating in the authority which Jesus had given them, and then they return what does he say to them - stop!!! Relax and come away to a place where it is just you and me. I love that - Jesus has such a great sense of rhythm to his life where he continually drew the disciples' focus back to Him. I wonder what he did with them in that time they took away with Him? I know that the time they had alone with him wasn't for very long - he ended up feeding 5000 people in the process of going away!!!

Anyway I am sure there are many things we can draw out of this passage, but what stuck out for me was Jesus' invitation to come away and get some rest BUT then get stuck back into it all! I know for me that its so easy to keep stuck in the getting stuck in part of life and actually never come away to a soliatary place where it is just me and Him. A place where the noise of this world has died down, my heart and mind is still and my body knows rest. You can probably tell from this blog that this is something which God is teaching me a lesson about at the moment and its a flippin hard one . . .!!!

One thing I know though is that there is nothing as precious in life as those moments with Him, moments in his presence where only he matters . . . . . . . .

Eurovision . . .

2005-05-23T18:09:00.000+01:00

What a great event! I managed to watch all the entries with the girlies and we entered into the spirit of the contest by scoring each entry as well as Laura dying my hair!!!!! I can't believe that Greece won with 'My Number One' - all I can remember about this song is the entry lyrics - 'You're my lover, undercover', which I'm sure should have been 'Your my lover, my duvet cover'!!

So all in all it was a great evening! Roll on more cheesy eurovision . . . maybe we could have a christian version . . . 'Worshovision'? Now there's a thought - the ultimate cheesey event!!

Madness!!

2005-05-20T11:43:00.000+01:00

Took a day off yesterday and also today which has been a long time coming and have managed to catch up on some sleep, cleaning, washing, socialising, and sitting outside Costa on the Promenade in Cheltenham with a latte and a good book! Now that is my idea of bliss. But actually throughout the whole two days, the time when I have felt most relaxed is taking a walk in the hills where I have only had the noise of the birds, horses, wind and my own mind. The countryside is stunning at the moment especially with the oil-seed rape - you just get these massive fields of bright yellow popping up! LUSH!

I'm slowely realising that silence and solitude are important things that I need to get into my life in order to function properly as a blonde, welsh female! When you are on your own away from familiar surroundings just with yourself, its then that you really start to do business with yourself and God.

Check this quite out by Tozer.
'May not the inadequacy of our spiritual experience be traced back to our habit of skipping through the corridors or the Kingdom like children in the market place, chattering about everything, but pausing to learn the true value of nothing?'

The the big man himself . .
'Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while . . '

TRUTH part 2

2005-05-19T18:33:00.000+01:00

Okay here we go . . the TRUTH about God.

1. God is good and wants the best for us.
Just look at Genesis 1 and you see that God’s heart is so good and he wants to give us the best. ‘For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’.

2. He is the author of LIFE.
When faced with temptation we need to look at the two – one choice lead to Life and the other to death. Every choice for sin leads us away from the heart of God. He longs to give us life and life in all its fullness and when we don't believe and trust him in this we open ourselves up to temptation and working out our own little lives ourselves.

3. God always wants to give us everything that we need.
He knows us better than we know ourselves and if we believe that he wants the best for us and that he is the author of life, that will truly help us believe that he will give us everything that we need.

4. God wants to protect me from harmful choices

5. He is faithful to His Word
What he promises in the Bible he will bring about. We can take God at his word.

6. He is more POWERFUL than Satan
Satan is defeated and he knows that Jesus has won the battle. We need to continually remind ourselves of this and when he comes knocking at our door remind him of his destiny, and who you are – your identity as a child of God who sins, not a sinner!!

7. God is merciful in our brokenness
He clothed Adam and Eve in their nakedness – God made clothes for them!!! Can you imagine! We may feel as naked, ashamed, gross and sinful as they did, but He will always have mercy on us and make a covering for our sin and shame.

8. Forgiveness and grace has come through Jesus.
God’s forgiveness and grace is extended to us no matter how far we may feel from Him. Often what keeps us from walking into that is lies that we believe about ourselves.

There is so much more to write but I have a feeling that it would then be the longest blog in the world (slightly exagerated I feel!!!!). I have learnt so much though in trying to communicate God's truth with bunch of teenagers - it has certainly been an eye-opener! What I have realised again is how much time we spend believing lies about family, friends, God, and ourselves - how we need to hear God speaking his truth to us every day!!!

TRUTH

2005-05-17T16:12:00.000+01:00

Been looking at the whole area of truth and lies today (reason being that I'm speaking at a youth event tomorrow! Argh . . very scared). Kind of feel a bit out of my depth, but hey there we go, we all need stretching at some point.

Its so easy to forget that we are in a spiritual battle with a very real enemy. I was looking at some of the characteristics of thie enemy (with the help fo Louie Giglio) and came up with these things which have really helped me understand.

1. He is a murderer - he is out to cheat, steal, rob and destroy us.
God has created us for his best - he wants to give us his best, but Satan has an agenda for our lives that will cheat us out of that best.
2. His native language is LIES.
Temptation and lies are real, effective, powerful and very successful. So often we accept his brochure selling us those lies, over and above the TRUTH.
3. His choices of sin are always clothed in DECEPTION.
Look at the way he decieved Adam and Eve in the garden. This guy is smart and at times he is a whole lot smarter than me beacuse I still fall for his schemes!
4. He undermines the TRUTH of God's words.
'Did God really say that you can't eat from any of the trees? . . .Did he really say that you would die? . . '. He comes at us with truth seemingly, but it is slightly bent!!
5. He appeals to God given needs in us.
We all have God given needs within us for satisfaction, companionship, fulfillment, acceptance etc, and Satan knows that and plays on those needs big time.
6. He uses others to influence us
He knows we have a tendancy for social acceptance and so he plays on that.
7. He vanishes when we sin and are broken
He leads us into sin and then when we give in and make that choice to sin he leaves us in the middle of it all, broken, guilty and full of shame.
8. Then he comes back.
He returns to shame and condemn us of the very thing which he entices us to do, then we are guilable enough to go ahead and believe him and his lies.

I know that this blog entry has mostly been about the tactics which the enemy has in order to trip us up, but I know that it is important to expose these at times. Always when thinking about this stuff, I keep in the back of my mind that he was and is defeated and his destiny is already determined - I point him to the cross. The next entry will focus on the TRUTH and the freedom which Jesus has bought us. . .

Stumbled upon . . .

2005-05-16T22:54:00.000+01:00

. . some great quote that I found from Brian Doerkson concerning sung worship.

"The greatest reward in worship for worship leaders is always the presence of God. There is nothing so precious as that. . ."

What would you tell the new generation of worship leaders as a word of wisdom?

"There is only one you. No one else with your view of the world and what God is doing on the earth. Write honestly what is on your heart to God, and sing it to him in secret. Let that be your biggest reward. You are having a private audience with the King, the Father who loves you without measure!!! If that song is meant to have a wider audience, He is fully capable of arranging things without a huge amount of help from you. The best songs find their way out without a lot of effort by the songwriter. When I began to lead worship I never used any of my own songs. That came several years later, and began one song at a time. Be patient, but be willing to work hard. Never sing a song in public that you don't 'own' in private first, and make sure that the theology of what you are singing is based the Scriptures and on orthodox theology, not just your own experience, though if you are not 'living the song', you won't have much passion or authority to sing it."

For the display of His Spendour . .

2005-05-16T22:32:00.000+01:00

This weekend saw the launch of the first big women's day at Trinity, hosted by Trinity women. Over 450 women packed into the church, most of who were visitors from around the region, some coming from as far as Poole in Dorset. Its was a real privaledge to be a part of the day, and we had managed to get an all girl music band together which was really exciting. You were made to feel valued and special as a visitor (thats how I felt anyway!) and there was space and room for God to move throughout the day. Hils and Karen were communicated really well what God had layed on their heart from Isaiah 61, and this was complemented by Kate's amazing organisational and creative skills.

What was exciting was to think about how this event may have impacted the lives of those women who attended. I wonder what they all went away with? Did they go back to their lives encouraged to be all that God has created them to be? Did they go back with a greater understanding of Isaiah 61 and the implications that passage can have upon their lives? Did they go back knowing the Father's love at a deeper level? I guess I will never fully know until I get to heaven.

The interesting thing for me was that as a lead worshipper, through the whole day I felt a bit out of it all, not fully knowing what God was doing. It was a bit like a bubble was between me and the congregation!! Only in those moments you are reminded that ots not about you and just have to trust that God is doing His thing through your obedience. Anyway enough of that rant . . . I'm looking forward to the next Trinity women's event though and really think that this is only just the beginning of something that God is doing here.

Blogging virgin!

2005-05-12T15:17:00.000+01:00

Well this is my first ever go at blogging - I'm a blogging virgin! Mmm . . sounds a bit rude that. Nearly as good as 'BLESS OFF!' which I am increasingly coming to like. Apparently it was coined by one of the youth pastors here at Cheltenham instead of the rather ruder version of the word!!

Anyway if I think of any more they will no doubt creep into the blog somewhere!

I've just been away at a three day conference for New Wine Leaders, which was a real privaledge. RT Kendall was speaking about integrity and came out with some real nuggetts, which I have yet to fully digest. Basically he said that integrity is when we are functioning fully in the gifting which we have been given by God - in other words come to terms with the way God has made you. RT spoke from the text of David and Saul (1Sam 16) and the difference between them both, Saul being 'yesterdays man' and David 'today and tomorrow's man' being that he (David) operated out of the anointing which God had given him. In amongst all the nuggets RT gave some helpful advice on how to become yesterday's man or woman.

So here we go:
1. Put yourself above the Word of God
2. Take your self to seriously
3. Be accountable to no-one
4. Be consumed by jealousy
5. Loose all sense of what it is the be intergal

It is so easy to operate out of our own strength and continually we need to be checking our hearts that we are functioning within the gifting which God has so generously given each one of us, because it is there that we will find his blessing - his anointing - his favor. A good beginning doesn't mean a good ending and so often I forget that. This question made me think . . DO I WANT TO END WELL?? . . .