A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Thursday 28 October 2010
Friday 15 October 2010
The refiner's fire
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
The story is told about some women in a Bible study who were puzzled by this verse.
They wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God allowing us to be in fires of life, then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my reflection in it."
Whatever fires we may be going through today, if we ask God he will always hold us close, not promising to take us out of the fire but to walk with us through the trials. And as we take each step forward we move closer to god being able to see his image someday in our lives.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
The story is told about some women in a Bible study who were puzzled by this verse.
They wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God allowing us to be in fires of life, then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my reflection in it."
Whatever fires we may be going through today, if we ask God he will always hold us close, not promising to take us out of the fire but to walk with us through the trials. And as we take each step forward we move closer to god being able to see his image someday in our lives.
Have a great day
God bless
Chris
Sunday 3 October 2010
Any one for a crisp?
This week at our church we are thinking about the subject of giving; primarily how and why we should give to God.
He very generously gives us so much and provides for us in many different ways from the homes we live in, to the food we eat, our families, friends, health and happiness. We have much to be greatful for and can give so little in return so really why bother, what is the point in trying? And if we think about the things we can give to God; our talents, our money or our time are any of these things what God really needs?
God doesn't need our money as the bible tells us he owns the cattle on a thousand hills so why should we make the effort to put our hard earned into the basket on a Sunday?
In thinking about this I was reminded of a story that a member of our house group told a few weeks ago that I would like to share: My friend James has a small son who is only about two years old (I don't really know old he is, I am not good at kids ages) who loves Hula Hoops. And when James gives his son a bag of Hula Hoops he goes off to play and eat and sometimes brings back one crisp to give to his daddy. James explained to me that this one crisp, even though he has plenty of bags of crisps in his kitchen, tastes so much better as it has been given to him by his son.
And that is the whole point of and the reason why we should give a portion of what God has given to us back to him. Because that one Hula Hoop given back to our 'abba father' daddy can mean so much more if it is given in love.
Think today about what we can give to God and how we can give thanks to him for all the many gifts that he has already freely given to bless us.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
He very generously gives us so much and provides for us in many different ways from the homes we live in, to the food we eat, our families, friends, health and happiness. We have much to be greatful for and can give so little in return so really why bother, what is the point in trying? And if we think about the things we can give to God; our talents, our money or our time are any of these things what God really needs?
God doesn't need our money as the bible tells us he owns the cattle on a thousand hills so why should we make the effort to put our hard earned into the basket on a Sunday?
In thinking about this I was reminded of a story that a member of our house group told a few weeks ago that I would like to share: My friend James has a small son who is only about two years old (I don't really know old he is, I am not good at kids ages) who loves Hula Hoops. And when James gives his son a bag of Hula Hoops he goes off to play and eat and sometimes brings back one crisp to give to his daddy. James explained to me that this one crisp, even though he has plenty of bags of crisps in his kitchen, tastes so much better as it has been given to him by his son.
And that is the whole point of and the reason why we should give a portion of what God has given to us back to him. Because that one Hula Hoop given back to our 'abba father' daddy can mean so much more if it is given in love.
Think today about what we can give to God and how we can give thanks to him for all the many gifts that he has already freely given to bless us.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Friday 1 October 2010
The happiest place on earth
The 1st of October is a special day for Disney fans worldwide as it marks the day in 1971 that Walt Disney World opened it's doors to the public in Orlando for the first time. After seven years of planning and secretly purchasing land then going through trials and even Walt's death the park finally opened. About 10,000 people entered the doors of the Magic Kingdom that morning, then the only Disney park in Orlando, paying the admission fee of $4.95.
Debbie and I have been fortunate enough to visit Orlando not long after we got married and again with family a few years ago. The first trip was because Debbie had visited when she was 15 and was trying to convince me that I would enjoy the experience. And I was more than a little skeptical, "surely Disney is just a place for kids" I argued but couldn't have been more wrong. The first time that we stepped through the gates and got the view of the castle I was hooked and have at times become slightly obsessed with the parks ever since.
Having now traveled to Orlando twice and to Disneyland Paris three times it's not the rides or the shows or the characters that keep on drawing us back or even the details and the atmosphere. The smell of pop-corn as you walk down Main Street, the subtle changes in architecture and music as you move into a new land and the feel of each area all help us "get into" the Disney spirit. The small things are what make so much difference; the themeing of the queue areas that do so much more than just serve a purpose of getting on a ride but imerse you in the back story of an attraction are all excellent.
But it's more than that; when Walt was designing the original Disneyland he said it was to become a place where parents and children could have fun together. And in all his films, cartoons and parks he never lost sight of the truth that for success the family has to come first. Many things have changed over the years in the Disney parks not least the $4.95 admission which is now slightly more. But the sense of putting the family first has never changed and this is the spirit in which I blog today that in all else that happens in life we should never fail to put family first.
Jobs will come and go, money comes in and out, prices rise and fall, governments, trends, fashions, fads and styles are always changing. Culture evolves, beliefs are effected, churches adapt in shape and size and even friends may not be as constant as they should be. But our families should always come first!
Please take the time to put your family first today, take the extra time to make that phone call to say thank you, the extra effort to visit loved ones and grab any opportunity for a hug, a word of encouragement or just to say to someone "You come first in my priorities".
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Debbie and I have been fortunate enough to visit Orlando not long after we got married and again with family a few years ago. The first trip was because Debbie had visited when she was 15 and was trying to convince me that I would enjoy the experience. And I was more than a little skeptical, "surely Disney is just a place for kids" I argued but couldn't have been more wrong. The first time that we stepped through the gates and got the view of the castle I was hooked and have at times become slightly obsessed with the parks ever since.
Having now traveled to Orlando twice and to Disneyland Paris three times it's not the rides or the shows or the characters that keep on drawing us back or even the details and the atmosphere. The smell of pop-corn as you walk down Main Street, the subtle changes in architecture and music as you move into a new land and the feel of each area all help us "get into" the Disney spirit. The small things are what make so much difference; the themeing of the queue areas that do so much more than just serve a purpose of getting on a ride but imerse you in the back story of an attraction are all excellent.
But it's more than that; when Walt was designing the original Disneyland he said it was to become a place where parents and children could have fun together. And in all his films, cartoons and parks he never lost sight of the truth that for success the family has to come first. Many things have changed over the years in the Disney parks not least the $4.95 admission which is now slightly more. But the sense of putting the family first has never changed and this is the spirit in which I blog today that in all else that happens in life we should never fail to put family first.
Jobs will come and go, money comes in and out, prices rise and fall, governments, trends, fashions, fads and styles are always changing. Culture evolves, beliefs are effected, churches adapt in shape and size and even friends may not be as constant as they should be. But our families should always come first!
Please take the time to put your family first today, take the extra time to make that phone call to say thank you, the extra effort to visit loved ones and grab any opportunity for a hug, a word of encouragement or just to say to someone "You come first in my priorities".
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Good Intentions
If you have been checking this blog in the last few days you may have become a little frustrated as it has suddenly become rather static. After blogging almost every day for the first ten days or so I haven't quite got round to writing again, until today that is. This is and always has been a bit of one of my failings and the same is true I'm sure of many of us if we are honest. We start with good intentions; to diet, quit that habit, sort out the garden, save for that holiday, spend time with friends, write a blog etc. But all too soon other things tend to get in the way and suddenly we turn around and realise that our good intentions have once again failed and fallen by the way side.
Someone once said to me at church "the problem we have is that we are very good at starting things" and she was correct, starting a new idea or project is easy, the challenge comes in keeping it going. Just like those New Year's resolutions that you may have made in January which now seem like a distant memory we often struggle to complete our own goals.
I think one reason for this is probably that we set ourselves unrealistic goals in the first place and then the goals that we have set we expect to just happen for themselves. If we are to achieve anything in life we have to work at it; achieving our own goals, plans and dreams are no different, they sometimes need a little work.
Let's take a little time today to think about some of those things that we promised ourselves and other people but haven't quite followed through or lived up too. Now I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions but instead I am going to make a fresh commitment to myself and the people around me that I will try to follow through on my promises. Firstly be there when a friend is in need, to be available and not always too busy and make time equally for each part of my life not just the bit that pays the bills.
And to anyone reading - I will make a new resolution to try and post a little more regularly.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Someone once said to me at church "the problem we have is that we are very good at starting things" and she was correct, starting a new idea or project is easy, the challenge comes in keeping it going. Just like those New Year's resolutions that you may have made in January which now seem like a distant memory we often struggle to complete our own goals.
I think one reason for this is probably that we set ourselves unrealistic goals in the first place and then the goals that we have set we expect to just happen for themselves. If we are to achieve anything in life we have to work at it; achieving our own goals, plans and dreams are no different, they sometimes need a little work.
Let's take a little time today to think about some of those things that we promised ourselves and other people but haven't quite followed through or lived up too. Now I'm not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions but instead I am going to make a fresh commitment to myself and the people around me that I will try to follow through on my promises. Firstly be there when a friend is in need, to be available and not always too busy and make time equally for each part of my life not just the bit that pays the bills.
And to anyone reading - I will make a new resolution to try and post a little more regularly.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Friday 24 September 2010
Carpe Diem
I was watching the snooker on TV tonight as Ronnie O'Sullivan played Jimmy White and it was a really good match. In the new format the rounds are played over a best of five frames basis so we are able to see a winner very quickly and it really keeps the game interesting. During this encounter Ronnie quickly took a two frames lead but Jimmy began to fight back and there was a point when Mr White made a break of about forty points whilst Ronnie could only sit and watch. At this point the commentator said the line "it doesn't matter how good a player you are when you are sat in your chair". Eventually Jimmy made a mistake and gave Ronnie a way back into the frame, which he took with both hands and finished the match off in style.
This started me thinking about the times that we spend "sitting in the chair"; the times when potentially we could be the best player in the world but choose to stay sat down.
Today's blog thought is short, sweet and simple (much like me) - I am sure that we all have a gift to share; be it a smile, a word of encouragement, a hug, a gentle word or a shoulder to cry on. We all have something to give when we look on someone in need; when a friend doesn't have anything to smile about all they often need is to borrow a smile from a friend.
Today please choose to seize the moment, get up from your seat and take the chance to step out; share with generosity, love with naivety and open your heart without fear of hurt. Only by getting up out of our chair and stepping out can we hope to make a difference to the lives of the people around us. Let today be the day that we choose to make a difference and say regardless of the risk I am going to recklessly share my love with those I care for.
Have a great day - Seize it!
God Bless
Chris
This started me thinking about the times that we spend "sitting in the chair"; the times when potentially we could be the best player in the world but choose to stay sat down.
Today's blog thought is short, sweet and simple (much like me) - I am sure that we all have a gift to share; be it a smile, a word of encouragement, a hug, a gentle word or a shoulder to cry on. We all have something to give when we look on someone in need; when a friend doesn't have anything to smile about all they often need is to borrow a smile from a friend.
Today please choose to seize the moment, get up from your seat and take the chance to step out; share with generosity, love with naivety and open your heart without fear of hurt. Only by getting up out of our chair and stepping out can we hope to make a difference to the lives of the people around us. Let today be the day that we choose to make a difference and say regardless of the risk I am going to recklessly share my love with those I care for.
Have a great day - Seize it!
God Bless
Chris
Wednesday 22 September 2010
Happy Autumn
Today, September 22nd, is the the first day of autumn and marks yet another season passing by as this turbo charged year continues to race away. The motor sport season has only a handful of races remaining, the cricket season all but over and the FA cup is already into the qualifying rounds meaning winter is just round the corner.
Rather than to depress you all that summer is definitely over I mean to encourage that the most beautiful months that are on their way. This time of year is probably my favourite with crisp frosty morning, trees showing off with their autumnal fashion display and clear moon-lit star filled night skies. Add to that bonfire night, the excitement of counting down to Christmas and sitting by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate or something stronger to warm you and I think we have much to look forward too.
The last couple of mornings, driving my wife Debbie to work has been a true pleasure, as there has been a low fog hanging over the fields around where we live. Then by the time we have driven maybe only five or six miles the sun has burnt it's way through to lift the mist and reveal bright blue skies. Driving along this morning I could not help but be amazed by the colours of the fields, trees, the reservoir and the sun shining bright.
Spring may give us images of new life with lambs in the fields and bulbs bursting forth and the summer months may have the gardens shining in brilliant colour. But I think that Autumn is a time when it almost feels like creation is showing off; saying "Summer, is that all you've got?" When the frost turns the fields to white, the leaves shine bright from burnt orange to scarlet red and clear blue skies transform into breath taking sunsets. This really is a time of true beauty displayed for all to see if we only look beyond the chill in the air and see the magnificence of the world around.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we read the story of how God built for us the amazing world in which we live. At this time of the year as all of creation seems to want to display it's glory it is easy to see how God reflected on His work and "saw that it was good."
Have a great day embracing the beginning of a new majestic season.
God Bless
Chris
Rather than to depress you all that summer is definitely over I mean to encourage that the most beautiful months that are on their way. This time of year is probably my favourite with crisp frosty morning, trees showing off with their autumnal fashion display and clear moon-lit star filled night skies. Add to that bonfire night, the excitement of counting down to Christmas and sitting by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate or something stronger to warm you and I think we have much to look forward too.
The last couple of mornings, driving my wife Debbie to work has been a true pleasure, as there has been a low fog hanging over the fields around where we live. Then by the time we have driven maybe only five or six miles the sun has burnt it's way through to lift the mist and reveal bright blue skies. Driving along this morning I could not help but be amazed by the colours of the fields, trees, the reservoir and the sun shining bright.
Spring may give us images of new life with lambs in the fields and bulbs bursting forth and the summer months may have the gardens shining in brilliant colour. But I think that Autumn is a time when it almost feels like creation is showing off; saying "Summer, is that all you've got?" When the frost turns the fields to white, the leaves shine bright from burnt orange to scarlet red and clear blue skies transform into breath taking sunsets. This really is a time of true beauty displayed for all to see if we only look beyond the chill in the air and see the magnificence of the world around.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we read the story of how God built for us the amazing world in which we live. At this time of the year as all of creation seems to want to display it's glory it is easy to see how God reflected on His work and "saw that it was good."
Have a great day embracing the beginning of a new majestic season.
God Bless
Chris
The cup is definitely half full!
In life there are two distinct types of people; those that see the world with a view that their cup is half full or half empty. Some people always look on the negative, finding something to be miserable about at every possible chance and those that always seem to see the silver lining behind every one of life's clouds. Some look at the sky and only see the clouds full of rain where as others see the clouds and look for the rainbow.
My sister Elizabeth is one of life's optimists who always looks very much on the bright side of life; always seeing the good in every situation and for whom everything is always 'fine'. And this was bought home to me with a renewed sense of clarity on a recent holiday to Disneyland Paris. We stood waiting for the evening parade on a cold November evening when the more sensible activity would have been to withdraw to a warm hotel lounge. As the wind blew, the cold began to bite and we began to lose the feeling in our fingers and toes then it began to rain, and boy did it rain. This was the point that most people would have called it a night, accepted the conditions as they where and started planing for the next day. But Elizabeth chose that moment to produce possibly the most optimistic, glass more than half full, silver lining statement ever to be heard.
As we stood freezing in the rain and biting wind waiting for a parade that took an age to arrive she announced to anyone who would listen that "the lights on the floats would look amazing reflected in the puddles". That moment sums up my sister Elizabeth, her view on life and my renewed perspective on just how much our attitude can affect the way we travel through life.
Charles R Swindoll said that the longer he lived the more he realised the impact of attitude and stated that life is ten percent what happens and ninety percent how we react. From now I am going to try and take the advise of Swinney (as he would have been known if he came to my school) and try and live my life with a glass at least half full view. Why don't you try and find the reflection in each puddle, the rainbow in a stormy sky and the sliver cloud behind the cloud today.
Between us we may just be able to be 'fine' together.
Have a great day.
God bless.
Chris
I would also like to take this opportunity to say my other sister Rachel and brother Timo are both equally fantastic and special and are both 'fine' to me - love you all - C.
My sister Elizabeth is one of life's optimists who always looks very much on the bright side of life; always seeing the good in every situation and for whom everything is always 'fine'. And this was bought home to me with a renewed sense of clarity on a recent holiday to Disneyland Paris. We stood waiting for the evening parade on a cold November evening when the more sensible activity would have been to withdraw to a warm hotel lounge. As the wind blew, the cold began to bite and we began to lose the feeling in our fingers and toes then it began to rain, and boy did it rain. This was the point that most people would have called it a night, accepted the conditions as they where and started planing for the next day. But Elizabeth chose that moment to produce possibly the most optimistic, glass more than half full, silver lining statement ever to be heard.
As we stood freezing in the rain and biting wind waiting for a parade that took an age to arrive she announced to anyone who would listen that "the lights on the floats would look amazing reflected in the puddles". That moment sums up my sister Elizabeth, her view on life and my renewed perspective on just how much our attitude can affect the way we travel through life.
Charles R Swindoll said that the longer he lived the more he realised the impact of attitude and stated that life is ten percent what happens and ninety percent how we react. From now I am going to try and take the advise of Swinney (as he would have been known if he came to my school) and try and live my life with a glass at least half full view. Why don't you try and find the reflection in each puddle, the rainbow in a stormy sky and the sliver cloud behind the cloud today.
Between us we may just be able to be 'fine' together.
Have a great day.
God bless.
Chris
I would also like to take this opportunity to say my other sister Rachel and brother Timo are both equally fantastic and special and are both 'fine' to me - love you all - C.
Tuesday 21 September 2010
A little 'more' conversation
The title of my blog thoughts for today comes from the title of an Elvis song recorded 1968 for the film 'Live a little, love a little'. A song that only reached number 69 in the hit parade of the day and was pretty much ignored by all but the most hardened Presley devotee. As a dedicated Elvis fan I am more than a little ashamed to say that this tune had passed me by until it's relaunch in 2002 for the Nike world cup advert campaign released under the title Elvis verses JXL.
The original and the remake are both very catchy tunes and are equally worthy of note, not least as the re-released version made it's way not to number 69 but a rather more impressive number one in over twenty countries. A feat that I am sure the Elvis Presley foundation where a little surprised about and then very happy for as they reaped the royalty payments. The lyrics, for those of you not so familiar with this tune (shame on you) suggest that the time has come to stop talking and get on with it, to "close your mouth and open up your heart".
Following on from yesterday's thoughts on talking together I cannot resist the observation that in the same way that we fail to converse meaningfully with one another we also fail to really chat with God. In our church in Selston this week we are focusing on the topic of prayer and fasting (more about the latter another day) and thinking about how we should talk to God. And this is a subject that we so often complicate and miss the simple beauty of the opportunity to really talk.
Any conversation should be a two way street, an opportunity for both parties to share their feelings and their points of view. Our prayers to God should be the same, an opportunity to talk to God and an equal time to listen to his responses. Which will probably not come as a booming voice from the sky but may come from a quiet thought or a gentle whisper, a verse of encouragement, the advice of a friend or maybe even from the words of a song.
Maybe Elvis didn't get it completely right and rather than a little less I think we actually need a lot more conversation with each other and with our God who is ready to listen. But we should never forget that this prayer stuff is supposed to be a conversation not a shopping list. Today lets take the chance to share a time with God when we really do close our mouths, open up our hearts and ears to really listen to His music.
I pray that today God will be 'satisfactioning' every one of us.
Have a great day.
God bless.
Chris
The original and the remake are both very catchy tunes and are equally worthy of note, not least as the re-released version made it's way not to number 69 but a rather more impressive number one in over twenty countries. A feat that I am sure the Elvis Presley foundation where a little surprised about and then very happy for as they reaped the royalty payments. The lyrics, for those of you not so familiar with this tune (shame on you) suggest that the time has come to stop talking and get on with it, to "close your mouth and open up your heart".
Following on from yesterday's thoughts on talking together I cannot resist the observation that in the same way that we fail to converse meaningfully with one another we also fail to really chat with God. In our church in Selston this week we are focusing on the topic of prayer and fasting (more about the latter another day) and thinking about how we should talk to God. And this is a subject that we so often complicate and miss the simple beauty of the opportunity to really talk.
Any conversation should be a two way street, an opportunity for both parties to share their feelings and their points of view. Our prayers to God should be the same, an opportunity to talk to God and an equal time to listen to his responses. Which will probably not come as a booming voice from the sky but may come from a quiet thought or a gentle whisper, a verse of encouragement, the advice of a friend or maybe even from the words of a song.
Maybe Elvis didn't get it completely right and rather than a little less I think we actually need a lot more conversation with each other and with our God who is ready to listen. But we should never forget that this prayer stuff is supposed to be a conversation not a shopping list. Today lets take the chance to share a time with God when we really do close our mouths, open up our hearts and ears to really listen to His music.
I pray that today God will be 'satisfactioning' every one of us.
Have a great day.
God bless.
Chris
Monday 20 September 2010
It's good to talk
I was thinking this morning how much communication has changed even in my lifetime with the introduction and explosion of the Internet. Combined with emails, mobile phones, text messaging, Skype, social networking and smart phones, communication has never been easier and we have never been better connected. All of these devices are designed to make keeping in touch easier and to give us more free time by communicating more effectively and working smarter together.
But if you stop and think about it for a little while I really don't think that they do give us any more free time or an easier lifestyle, if anything they actually rob us of our free time. With the reliance on mobile phones we are virtual never out of contact and with laptops, smart phones, PDAs, I-Pods and Pads our emails follow us where ever we go and so does our work. We have very quickly moved from being at work nine till five to being in a situation where we never really switch off.
In the midst of all this communicating we rarely get chance to actually talk; to stop, down tools and spend time talking to the people closest to us, our friends, families and loved ones. With 11 percent of UK marriages ending in divorce and the highest percentage of them being couples in their twenties a common reason given is "we just don't talk anymore". Think about how many of your school friends you are still in touch with, how many of your extended family you are in contact with more than just at birthdays and Christmas. I would hazard a guess that the main reason we lose touch and drift away from old friends and distant family is that we just don't have time to keep in contact.
In the old BT adverts Bob Hoskins had the catchphrase "it's good to talk" and guess that, he was right, it is good to talk. Take some time out of your busy day to spend even five minutes have a genuine conversation with someone, over lunch, over a latte or over the desk. But turn off the TV, turn off your mobile (or put it on silent if you're scared to turn it off) and have a face to face old fashioned chat. A conversation without an agenda or one that needs minuting with no other motive than to natter about their day and yours.
The bible tells us that it is good when people live together in unity and I would suggest that one of the very first steps towards achieving that unity is to talk. In a 24/7 world when we are always on call, always thinking about work and the next challenge or dead-line. We can only hope to stay united; in friendships, marriages, families and churches if we make the effort and become committed to talking to one another.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
But if you stop and think about it for a little while I really don't think that they do give us any more free time or an easier lifestyle, if anything they actually rob us of our free time. With the reliance on mobile phones we are virtual never out of contact and with laptops, smart phones, PDAs, I-Pods and Pads our emails follow us where ever we go and so does our work. We have very quickly moved from being at work nine till five to being in a situation where we never really switch off.
In the midst of all this communicating we rarely get chance to actually talk; to stop, down tools and spend time talking to the people closest to us, our friends, families and loved ones. With 11 percent of UK marriages ending in divorce and the highest percentage of them being couples in their twenties a common reason given is "we just don't talk anymore". Think about how many of your school friends you are still in touch with, how many of your extended family you are in contact with more than just at birthdays and Christmas. I would hazard a guess that the main reason we lose touch and drift away from old friends and distant family is that we just don't have time to keep in contact.
In the old BT adverts Bob Hoskins had the catchphrase "it's good to talk" and guess that, he was right, it is good to talk. Take some time out of your busy day to spend even five minutes have a genuine conversation with someone, over lunch, over a latte or over the desk. But turn off the TV, turn off your mobile (or put it on silent if you're scared to turn it off) and have a face to face old fashioned chat. A conversation without an agenda or one that needs minuting with no other motive than to natter about their day and yours.
The bible tells us that it is good when people live together in unity and I would suggest that one of the very first steps towards achieving that unity is to talk. In a 24/7 world when we are always on call, always thinking about work and the next challenge or dead-line. We can only hope to stay united; in friendships, marriages, families and churches if we make the effort and become committed to talking to one another.
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Saturday 18 September 2010
How you doin?
Forty years ago today, September 18th 1970, Jimi Hendrix died aged only 27 from choking after drinking heavily at a party then taking seven sleeping pills. He is remembered for many things not least being recognised as probably the greatest guitarist of all time leaving a back catalogue of great hits. His professional career only lasted four years but Jimi lived that time at 100 miles an hour. He attracted attention where ever he performed with his wild guitar playing style and outlandish image, his legacy lives on in his music and scores of young guitarist dreaming being the next Hendrix.
The sad truth is that, like in so many other famous lives, his professional success could only mask and not heal his personal unhappiness and feelings of depression. On the day he died Jimi began to write a new song called the story of life in which he penned the lines; "The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again". He was never able to finish the lyrics but they clearly speak of a man who recognised the briefness of his life. During the party that night Jimi left his last spoken words on the answerphone of his manager saying "I am in bad trouble man, real bad".
As we travel through our busy days I am sure you get asked or ask someone else how they are many times over and 99 times out of 100 I'm sure the answer we give and receive is "I'm fine". This is partially because that is the sociably acceptable answer and maybe if we walked around telling people how we really are they would soon stop asking. No-one really knows what goes on in the mind of another human and it is never easy to truly tell someone how we feel deep down.
There is one who really does know and care and with whom we can share our very deepest thoughts, concerns and fears and that is God who is always only a prayer away.
Maybe today we can take a little time out of our day to ask someone close how they are really and be ready to spend five minutes listening, most people don't want an answer or advice just someone to listen. It may just be the case that you are the only person who has asked them all day or even all week, that conversation may achieve nothing but it could change their life. I think it could have for Jimi and it may be that your friend is silently crying out in the same way "I'm in bad trouble man, real bad".
Why not tell God today how you really feel and ask him to help you, he wont wave a magic wand and solve all you problems in one go but he will help you as you journey along the way.
How are you doing really?
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
The sad truth is that, like in so many other famous lives, his professional success could only mask and not heal his personal unhappiness and feelings of depression. On the day he died Jimi began to write a new song called the story of life in which he penned the lines; "The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye, the story of love is hello and goodbye, until we meet again". He was never able to finish the lyrics but they clearly speak of a man who recognised the briefness of his life. During the party that night Jimi left his last spoken words on the answerphone of his manager saying "I am in bad trouble man, real bad".
As we travel through our busy days I am sure you get asked or ask someone else how they are many times over and 99 times out of 100 I'm sure the answer we give and receive is "I'm fine". This is partially because that is the sociably acceptable answer and maybe if we walked around telling people how we really are they would soon stop asking. No-one really knows what goes on in the mind of another human and it is never easy to truly tell someone how we feel deep down.
There is one who really does know and care and with whom we can share our very deepest thoughts, concerns and fears and that is God who is always only a prayer away.
Maybe today we can take a little time out of our day to ask someone close how they are really and be ready to spend five minutes listening, most people don't want an answer or advice just someone to listen. It may just be the case that you are the only person who has asked them all day or even all week, that conversation may achieve nothing but it could change their life. I think it could have for Jimi and it may be that your friend is silently crying out in the same way "I'm in bad trouble man, real bad".
Why not tell God today how you really feel and ask him to help you, he wont wave a magic wand and solve all you problems in one go but he will help you as you journey along the way.
How are you doing really?
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
Thursday 16 September 2010
Remember remember
Now I appreciate it's not the fifth of November, let me explain, there is little more in life that my wife Debbie enjoys than making lists; we have lists for everything, shopping lists, jobs lists, birthday lists and lists of things to pack in suitcases before going on holidays. Everything that we do whether small or large, trivial or important seems to always require a list. And there is good reason for this, because without a list we can easily forget some of things that need to be done, for example food shopping without a list means buying lots of things we don't need and forgetting the one thing we do.
As we go through our busy lives there are many ways that we can try and remember things, the old habit of tying a knot is your handkerchief has been replaced with personal organisers, file-o-faxes and online 'to do' lists. One such facility that is very useful is found at http://www.rememberthemilk.com/ which will remind you through your smart phone, twitter, myspace, email or any number of other facilities about the jobs you have to do, where and when, once you've remembered to tell it what you need to do.
At our church we are about to begin a new series of teaching entitled back to basics, not looking at John Major's 1993 failed government campaign but rather focusing on some of the core truths at the centre of the Christian faith. The first basics that we are thinking about is the communion meal, sometimes known as the Lord's supper or sharing bread and wine. This is such a central part of our belief that it can sometimes run the risk of becoming over familiar and losing it's sense of purpose.
Which is why I have titled today's blog thought 'remember remember' because the communion meal is a great opportunity to think about God's love for us; so much that he gave his only Son. Jesus love for us that he freely gave his life paying the ultimate sacrifice and a beautiful opportunity to grasp the gift of salvation (which is just a 'church word' meaning getting to know Jesus properly) given to everyone of us. And when we take part in the communion meal Jesus said we should do so in remembrance of his sacrifice and this gift to us all.
The bible tells us in the book of John that Jesus came so that we could have a life and live it to the full, filled with all the blessings and joy that come with a relationship with him.
You can read this passage from the book of John here
However you choose to remember things in your busy life I urge you to make sure that remembering Jesus and that he loves everyone of us is at the top of any 'to do' list you may have. Write it on your fridge, pin it to your notice board or tie a knot in your handkerchief - what ever works best for you. But please do not forget that Jesus really does love you and wants to come into your life and spend time getting to know you better. Don't forget!
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
As we go through our busy lives there are many ways that we can try and remember things, the old habit of tying a knot is your handkerchief has been replaced with personal organisers, file-o-faxes and online 'to do' lists. One such facility that is very useful is found at http://www.rememberthemilk.com/ which will remind you through your smart phone, twitter, myspace, email or any number of other facilities about the jobs you have to do, where and when, once you've remembered to tell it what you need to do.
At our church we are about to begin a new series of teaching entitled back to basics, not looking at John Major's 1993 failed government campaign but rather focusing on some of the core truths at the centre of the Christian faith. The first basics that we are thinking about is the communion meal, sometimes known as the Lord's supper or sharing bread and wine. This is such a central part of our belief that it can sometimes run the risk of becoming over familiar and losing it's sense of purpose.
Which is why I have titled today's blog thought 'remember remember' because the communion meal is a great opportunity to think about God's love for us; so much that he gave his only Son. Jesus love for us that he freely gave his life paying the ultimate sacrifice and a beautiful opportunity to grasp the gift of salvation (which is just a 'church word' meaning getting to know Jesus properly) given to everyone of us. And when we take part in the communion meal Jesus said we should do so in remembrance of his sacrifice and this gift to us all.
The bible tells us in the book of John that Jesus came so that we could have a life and live it to the full, filled with all the blessings and joy that come with a relationship with him.
You can read this passage from the book of John here
However you choose to remember things in your busy life I urge you to make sure that remembering Jesus and that he loves everyone of us is at the top of any 'to do' list you may have. Write it on your fridge, pin it to your notice board or tie a knot in your handkerchief - what ever works best for you. But please do not forget that Jesus really does love you and wants to come into your life and spend time getting to know you better. Don't forget!
Have a great day.
God Bless.
Chris
A historic day?
Today is a historic day as Pope Benedict XVI makes the first ever official state papal visit to the United Kingdom. And whether you or I personally agree with his visit you cannot fail to notice the sense of occasion that has surrounded this trip. The media has been filled with news, costs, security details, debate and all the details of the Pope's itinerary for months. The slightly sad part of this occasion I think is that due to security reasons very few people will actually be able to meet the Pope and be a part of this historic occasion. He will arrive amid huge publicity and then undertake a whistle stop itinerary for a couple of days before flying away again and the majority of the country will only see him on TV or if they're very fortunate through a car window.
When Jesus took on human form and came to visit this world he came in a very different style, with very little publicity and no media circus at all. He came to the small unimportant town of Bethlehem, was born in a stable and grew up working as a carpenter. He then chose to spend his time with normal people; fishermen and tax-collectors, talked to the people in the street and spent time in their homes. With normal people like you and me.
Although he was here on earth around 2000 years ago he is still with us today and although we cannot physically see him in the flesh we can still get to know him. There is no requirement for pomp and circumstance with Jesus; he is available for a chat 24/7 and is ready to become your friend as soon as you are. He is eager to get to know you better today.
As today goes down in history as a famous first for the Pope and for the UK, why not make the decision to make today a historical day for you too. Ask Jesus to be your friend and make this the first day on your journey to get to know him better.
Read this passage from Romans 10:9-13
These few short verses from the Bible tell us that if we call on Jesus he will save us. Please take the time out today to start that relationship to get to know him better; whether that is for the first or thousandth time I promise you wont regret it for a second.
If anyone wishes to talk about taking this step please pop into a local church, talk to a friend or send me an email and I will gladly chat to you myself. But most importantly of all talk to Jesus today, you don't need to use a long prayer with fancy words or know the Bible inside out, just ask Jesus to be your friend and he will be there for you.
Have a great day and make it a special one.
Chris
When Jesus took on human form and came to visit this world he came in a very different style, with very little publicity and no media circus at all. He came to the small unimportant town of Bethlehem, was born in a stable and grew up working as a carpenter. He then chose to spend his time with normal people; fishermen and tax-collectors, talked to the people in the street and spent time in their homes. With normal people like you and me.
Although he was here on earth around 2000 years ago he is still with us today and although we cannot physically see him in the flesh we can still get to know him. There is no requirement for pomp and circumstance with Jesus; he is available for a chat 24/7 and is ready to become your friend as soon as you are. He is eager to get to know you better today.
As today goes down in history as a famous first for the Pope and for the UK, why not make the decision to make today a historical day for you too. Ask Jesus to be your friend and make this the first day on your journey to get to know him better.
Read this passage from Romans 10:9-13
These few short verses from the Bible tell us that if we call on Jesus he will save us. Please take the time out today to start that relationship to get to know him better; whether that is for the first or thousandth time I promise you wont regret it for a second.
If anyone wishes to talk about taking this step please pop into a local church, talk to a friend or send me an email and I will gladly chat to you myself. But most importantly of all talk to Jesus today, you don't need to use a long prayer with fancy words or know the Bible inside out, just ask Jesus to be your friend and he will be there for you.
Have a great day and make it a special one.
Chris
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Build me up buttercup
As the year continues to fly past with lightening speed we suddenly find ourselves already half way through September and at the start of a new school year and a new term in the life of the church. When we set the plan for 2010 in place this January the transition point of Richard taking his sabbatical in September looked to be in the distant future. Then it seems like we blinked one day and here we are six months later and suddenly people are looking to me for decisions and opinions. A little scary to say the least but also very exciting and confirmed by God speaking to us all very clearly about moving forward together.
We have had many conversations about and focused recently on the foundations that have been laid down in Selston over many years by good Christian men and women. It is on that foundation that we are now looking to build as we move forward seeking God to guide us how best to lead his church. Having spoken to various people over the last few months I am so happy that there is a real sense of people wanting to be a part of that building process.
In the Bible Jesus said that the realisation that he was the Messiah would be the rock upon which his church would be built and that rock remains the central core of our faith and church. In the coming months and years that we journey together at Selston and work to effectively serve the communities around us we must never lose sight of that rock. Whilst there will inevitably be some changes and the way that we 'do church' may evolve the truth of the gospel must always be our guide and the foundation that we build upon.
The pop group The Foundations released their hit build me up buttercup in 1968 reaching number 2 in the UK charts with the lyric "why do you build me up buttercup just to let me down?" The great thing about building our lives and church on the foundation of God and his teachings is that he will never let us down. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and will always be with us during the good times and also through times of pain and sorrow.
In the happy and the sad times one passage that always speaks to me and I know to so many other people is Psalms 23 which reminds us that God's love will follow us all the days of our lives.
You can read the 23rd Psalm here
Have a great week - God bless you all
We have had many conversations about and focused recently on the foundations that have been laid down in Selston over many years by good Christian men and women. It is on that foundation that we are now looking to build as we move forward seeking God to guide us how best to lead his church. Having spoken to various people over the last few months I am so happy that there is a real sense of people wanting to be a part of that building process.
In the Bible Jesus said that the realisation that he was the Messiah would be the rock upon which his church would be built and that rock remains the central core of our faith and church. In the coming months and years that we journey together at Selston and work to effectively serve the communities around us we must never lose sight of that rock. Whilst there will inevitably be some changes and the way that we 'do church' may evolve the truth of the gospel must always be our guide and the foundation that we build upon.
The pop group The Foundations released their hit build me up buttercup in 1968 reaching number 2 in the UK charts with the lyric "why do you build me up buttercup just to let me down?" The great thing about building our lives and church on the foundation of God and his teachings is that he will never let us down. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and will always be with us during the good times and also through times of pain and sorrow.
In the happy and the sad times one passage that always speaks to me and I know to so many other people is Psalms 23 which reminds us that God's love will follow us all the days of our lives.
You can read the 23rd Psalm here
Have a great week - God bless you all
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