Camping

We recently spent a long weekend camping - here are a few pictures.



Tucking into our first lunch and enjoying the sunshine.



Kite flying on the beach - just don't let go - oh too late!



Building sandcastles - only to have them all knocked down again.



On the swings before breakfast in our pyjamas.



It's exhausting work being on holiday!

Time for another song

'Where have you been' - I hear you say? 'Camping' - I reply - 'photos to follow soon' - I add - 'but here's another song to keep you interested in the meantime!'



This song is a live version of 'Indescribable' which can be found on Chris Tomlin's album 'Arriving'.

Political Scandal

With new stories each day containing fresh revelations of this or that MP spending hundreds of pounds of my taxes on things which clearly have nothing to do with doing their job in parliament it is very easy to assume that all MPs are on the take. But I received an email this week from a local MP wanting to stress that this is not the case - that there are those who have been calling for a reform of the system for a long time (not just the last two weeks), there are those who did not milk the system for all that they could get out, there are those who do not claim £24,000 a year on a second home allowance because they live 30mins from central London and therefore, although they could, they did not feel that it was right.

Some of those who have not been abusing the system will be Christians, trying to work out what it means for them to not conform to the system, or to live a holy life, or to live in reverent fear...all instructions from 1 Peter 1:13-25. Here are some more thoughts for the coming week.

Monday: "Therefore..." We only launch into the instructions after a reminder of all that God has already done for us. Philippians 2:1-4.
Tuesday: "Do not conform...". Romans 12:1-2.
Wednesday: What does it mean to be holy? Psalm 119:9-16
Thursday: Do we live in reverent fear? Matthew 25:31-46.
Friday: We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Titus 2:11-14.
Saturday: "Love one another deeply". 1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-12

A Living Hope

This morning we began a new Sunday morning teaching series in the New Testament book of 1 Peter - a little letter towards the end of the Bible, but there is so much crammed in here for us. Peter, of course, was the hot headed disciple who deserted Jesus when he needed him most, and denied even knowing who he was. Yet the resurrection changed everything.

On Good Friday all hope drained out of Peter - but the resurrection made all the difference. And so too for us. Even in the midst of the darkest situations we can know hope for the future.

Today we only looked at 12 verses and there is so much there that it could have kept us occupied for several weeks. So here are a few pointers to keep you going through the week. (I have included some additional verses to help expand each theme.)

Monday: We have been chosen by God. Colossians 3:12-17.

Tuesday: We are being made holy through the work of the Spirit. Galatians 5:13-26.

Wednesday: We are called to obedience to Jesus. John 14:15-21.

Thursday: We receive grace and mercy - it is all gift. Ephesians 2:1-10.

Friday: We have hope in the midst of suffering. Romans 5:1-11; 8:18-39.

Saturday: We can know peace and forgiveness. Philippians 4:4-7. Hebrews 9:14.

To listen to this message click here

The song that we sang at the end is called 'I will rise' by Chris Tomlin, and is on his new album 'Hello Love'. For more details see my blog entry http://milkandnosugar.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-will-rise.html

Baptist Assembly 2009 - Part 1

Last weekend we were away in Bournemouth for the Baptist Assembly 2009, looking at the theme of 'Who do we think we are?' as we celebrated, among other things, the 400th anniversary of the first Baptist congregation. I plan on bringing you some of my highlights - but they will have to wait for the early part of next week. In the meantime here is, what was for me a new song, 'He is mighty to save' written by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding of Hillsongs.