Proverbially speaking

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” I said. “A fool and his money are soon parted,” she replied. “The best things in life are free!” “Great minds think alike.” I’m thinking of starting a little series of blog entries on Proverbs, that fantastic collection of wisdom literature in the middle of the Bible. Tony Price – a man who mentored me for over a year – had me read through Proverbs over and over with him. 31 Chapters, one for every day of the month, a short chapter to read and then all day to ponder it. Today – it’s the 26th , so Proverbs 26. Let’s have a look together? Pray ; “‘Lord bless your word to me today and help me change as the entrance of it brings light.” Read through – then we’ll discuss it – Click here. What grabs you? What might God be wanting you to hear today? A promise to receive? A rebuke to heed? A sin to turn completely away from (don’t be like the dog… yuk!). Immediately […]

Don’t read this one till later

I’m talking tomorrow about Jonathan, who got up and went after a victory, unlike his father King Saul who was content with a siesta under a pomegranate tree. Read all about it here. Sometimes it can just be the abundance of available choices to do something good that stops us from doing what we could do. What may be done at any time will often be done at no time. Most of us spend (waste) too many days on Someday Isle. Ever been there? Someday Isle write a book Someday Isle help the poor Someday Isle learn to dance Someday Isle help the homeless Someday Isle get help for my procrastination problem – but in the mean time… “It was my fear of failure that first kept me from attempting the master work. Now, I’m beginning what I could have started ten years ago. But I’m happy at least that I didn’t wait twenty years.” – Paulo Coelho

1984 + 25 = 42 Days

The thought police would get him just the same. He had committed—would have committed, even if he had never set pen to paper—the essential crime that contained all others in itself. Thoughtcrime, they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for a while, even for years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you.” I am appalled that the government’s proposal to increase the pre-charge detention limit to 42 days – six weeks – scraped (thanks to the Ulster Unionists) through parliament by a majority of nine. As someone who used to serve people by law enforcement, this is a fast downward slope toward 1984, 25 years on. The Bible says, “Remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them. Remember those who are mistreated as if you were being mistreated.” So, put yourself in their shoes (plastic bags actually, and paper suits to wear). For 42 days. I was once wrongly arrested (while in the police cadets – it’s a long story!), I was ‘in […]

Don’t climb solo

I’ve tried to climb whatever mountain lies ahead of me alone too often – without trying to take as many with me as could have gone. I’ve been quite happy to climb solo, slip solo, even celebrate at the summit solo.

Mystery Churchgoers?

Just been reading about the new service offered by Christian Research – ChurchCheck, a new mystery visitor service. For £60 plus VAT they offer to send some people to “look around and assess everything that goes on, making comments on everything from the state of the exterior noticeboard to the length of the sermon…” These otherwise non committed visitors will just blend into the crowd, “rate the atmosphere, strengths and weaknesses, singing and even the after-service chat before giving the the church a score.” Some more cynical ministers might retort, “We have those people anyway – without paying ’em!” Here’s a classic comedy moment from one ‘visitor…’ Christian research reminds us “The welcome someone receives at church is so important – and ChurchCheck puts it to the test. It gives a simple and accurate account of a church’s interaction with newcomers, and the results provide very precise “actionable” information to help churches improve. Personally I think people are voting with their feet every week and we have so much to learn, it’s not such a bad idea. What do you […]

I may just get back into football

I was put off organised footie after so many fights and scrapes as a policeman, especially for the short time on the Tactical Aid Group, when all we did was dash from match to match where the fighting was thickest. After a while it kind of loses its fun when associated with beer, blood and spit. After last night’s match, however, I think when we move back to Manchester I’ll be tempted back to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ again. A great bonding moment with Joel as we jumped around the lounge when United won, as often, it’s a shame it went to penalties and you just expect a bad result when that happens (well it will be for one side!). My first ever visit was when I was a police cadet at 16. I’d been in all of about three weeks when someone went sick and I got the chance to work the match. My uniform was miles too big for me and though I considered myself a man of the world by then, I probably didn’t even look 14! […]