Said I would do it Tom?

Well done Tom an A in Maths GCSE and a year early - wahey good going mate. Love ya. AJ xx

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Who do you say HE is?

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Jesus no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Jesus no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

Jesus no army, yet kings feared Him.

Jesus won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.

Jesus committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

Jesus was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

I feel honoured to serve such a leader that loves me.

Pleasing everyone?

Is there such a thing as pleasing everyone? Can it be done? Life is complicated and therefore full of complications - what floats one persons boat - drowns another and makes others disembark.

It has been widely accepted that you can’t go out there and please everyone. Or that is what people tell me - you can't please everyone Jackie - but you can please me? Also, what concerns me is that I feel this has created a situation where people have stopped trying to please anyone at all. A kind of "I'm alright Jack scenario". Of course what I am not saying is that we don't consider ourselves - nope not saying that at all - but I wonder if just sometimes we kind of mix up th balance a bit.

The bottom line is that we’re all unique – for better or for worse – and therefore the one-size-fits-all mentality rarely applies to real life situations. To further complicate things, just as there are some folks that are easy going and easy to please, there are others that are a little grumpy and find fault with everything. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle where we have reasonable expectations and as long as an effort has been made to meet those expectations, we’re satisfied.

So what is one to do? Give up? Live in a cave? Of course not. You simply need to set the expectation that not everyone will go along with what you plan/say/attempt/etc…. If everyone does go along with it and they’re happy, then great. If they don’t, you’re not surprised, or worse, disappointed.

But it isn't easy - we all want to be liked - but at what compromise and what cost? That's why I am trying to figure.

2008-2009 Review and Reflection

I have spent time some time over the past week reflecting on the last year. What a mixture of emotions it evokes. Some delightful, heart warming and transforming occasions and others which have cut to the heart and have made me feel crushed. Some are easier to share than others.

The highlight of the year has to be people - loving and devoted to God. Those who have shown love and friendship have been a delight and a joy. Getting to know some people better - and they know who they are - has been wonderful. There are some I could not have survived without - their kindness and support has been inspirational and steadfast. Thank you.

Another involves the people I have met - some through some very sad circumstances - to share journeys of birth and passing has been a privilege.

So what else:

Spiritual growth and discipleship in Latchford and Bold Street
New members at Latchford with a servcie at Bold Street to follow
Discipleship evening started
2 Support workers appointed to start on 5 Jan
Refurbished coffee shop at Bold Street and Hall at Latchford
New people coming along to church
New people getting involved with leadership in church
Radio Merseyside with Heptagon
Maize Maze

Yet with the joy has been the sorrow and the hard times:

The death of Nan continues to cut to the core - I miss her more than words than can say.

The issue of formation remains hard as a minister. Time pressure as well as other words spoken have been hurtful - I journey through this exploring who I am and my calling as I journey towards 2009.




So this year -

new support workers
a new church bookshop
new song cafe
fresh expression church at Chicago Rock
Mission shaped Intro course
College continues
New office
At least 2 more CDs
More Radio Merseyside Programmes

a milestone of 40(God willing)
ordination (God willing)

I hope as you reflect on 2008 and anticipate 2009 you will know the hope and light oif God in who you are. He delights in you.