Thoughts From Just Another Passer By

I dont often tell anyone about the dreams I have, mainly because who wants to here that I trip in my dreams as  much as I do when I'm awake. And I only ever remember tripping up in my dreams not what else happens. But last night was different, I thought I would share. There were two of us in a foreign land, we had no where to go and we were searching for for someone. We were walking through a small alley way of open shops mostly selling books. We start to look through the books and find this Christian book, and hold to the man on the stall asking how much, all the other shop owners gather closer, the shop owner holding the book starts to read from it, ending by saying that there is a high price for the book cause to own it means you are a Christian and within this Land Christians are not welcomed. We just said we didn't care how much for the book cost we would take it, and all of a sudden there was hugging and clapping and laughing. The stall holders where Christians as wel...

It comes to the end of another fantastic year, and to be just like everyone else I thought I would share some highlights of 2011, and some hopes for 2012. The top ten: India - when I think of the craziest things I've done this year, this was certainly up there. Maybe because it filled a whole month of my year therefore means that the likeliness of it to appear increases. It was a lifetime experience. Surprising in number two is having my tonsils removed. It has actually made a huge difference to my life. And who wouldn't want to watch Kung Fu Panda in Hospital. Mission to Berko with a fantastic team is also up there, it was a great ten days with some amazing people. Its always great to be involved with churches that are doing great things for God.  Being involved with MYA was a great experience, to see so many young people passionate about the Methodist Church is really inspiring. I also got to hang out with some great people, promote cliff, lead ...

It may have escaped someone attention, but tomorrow I leave for India. I'm also (Shockingly) almost packed! I think the last few days have already started a journey for me. I had completely under estimated what people thought of me in college. I knew I had worth, but then any one who can sort things out with out to much fuss is bound to, but this seemed more than this. They bought me a card and I'm going away for a month, not forever. As for tomorrow, it might even beat some of my longer coach journeys, but I'm looking forward to it. the thrill the excitement, the wonder of if I have packed everything, and told everyone all the right details. Currently my concerns are travellers cheques..... how on earth do you use them. Otherwise I'm excited for the this month, It's been completely in Gods hands, and there it shall stay.  :D Be Blessed xxx

Photo's/ Don't you love them. To one person a photo can mean so much, to others not a clue. I love going out with the camera if I have time or catching a moment with the old phone (or rather new phone with good((ish)) camera.) But for some they will mean nothing and others so much. Here are some photo's that I love, that make up my rolling screen saver.... whats more there are explanations.  My and my friend, Emma went to the beach, very early in the morning... around 4 and it makes me think that there is always some one walking with me. Always something good to remember.  I took this photo a couple of years ago. It's one of my favourite places in the world. Not only the beach but Mundesly, just always peaceful if you go at the right time.  This was at Amport house. The tri-service Chaplaincy centre, this was were I spent 3 of a 10 day visit to the Army.  This motley crew are just some of the fantastic people you meet at Cliff... whats more its...

Note number one: This weeks been tough. This week I'm struggling, but praise be to God because he is good. Note Number two: Still a small and slim but possible chance to go to MYA 3generate.... it's going to be great! Note Number Three: It's been a while, and for my third year I have to do a block placement for two weeks. I could do practically anything as long as it was essentially safe and at the end of the two weeks I could write a 3000 word assignment on it, or rather the dreaded words - theological reflection. I thought about it long and hard and I was hoping to find away of working with a militrary chaplain/padre over the summer. Having my tonsils out really ut paid to that. So giving up on that brilliant but unsccesful plan I thought to myself... simple I will just find a church who wants to have student be involved in there church for two weeks, no problem there will be many... some how no. Three weeks ago I was beginning to start to panic block placem...

When all is said and done,  I wish to walk towards the Son.  Holding fast to the cross,  Kneeling at his feet. Dancing for his glory. Singing all his praise. I want to tell all these kingdoms, about great news you are. Share a glimpse of heaven and  Share the love from all above.

I started this some time ago, by the sounds of it, it wasn't the brightest time in my life... today I finished it :D I feel asleep one night and down I fell a dream of bugs and bells The fire burnt bright the shadows grew deeper I hope i awake to daylight strong and an ever deepening understanding and voice for your song

For the last couple of years I've had the great opportunity of working with the Churches Together Tent at the Royal Norfolk Show. For those of you who are unaware of this particular county show, it is currently the largest Show of its kind within the country, to the point this year Norfolk made the national travel updates due to the amount of traffic on the roads... usually no one outside our county needs to know. The first few years I had the privileged of an in-tent job working with the Messy church set up. The tent is often set out as a cafe with activities for children families or any one really who wants to get involved and then with activities around the perimeter focused on the theme as well as a prayer space. I loved woking on the Messy Church work, it gave both an opportunity to be messy but to allow the adults as much as anyone to have the space to discuss faith in a non threatening if not slightly unusual environment that was not judgemental bu...

I'm not sure that its the new year that changes the world.... Nothing happens in January except a load of mostly already broken promises we keep trying to persuade ourselves to do. September is the month! September is the month when everything changes... its really the start of autumn. But looking back every September is a change, big things happen. We go back to school, or college, or Uni, if we have families they do the same and if we have none we can go back to places as there are no longer school, college or uni students hanging around. Its been 10 years this September since 9/11. Its the month of international talk like a pirate day. Its the start of the Methodist Year. September was when we started using our current calendar system! This time last year I posted about a changing experience I had with the Army, and it is incredibly scary to think that the guys some younger than me who had started there training when i visited will have completed there p...

Clearing out my laptop sharing the poem and thoughts - mostly half finished so they're gone from my computer but not lost forever. * Find the soul of the lost Taste the hour that eclipses Know that tomorrows walk will add blisters on to blisters Time shall not bear easy on you Nor shall the road be smooth Fight for tooth and nail upon the rocky path For tomorrow will not be easier But maybe it won't be harder * You have called me All that I am Put me here in this moment Standing with the lamb You gave me a map And You ask me to pray To work with you on my direction Everyday You ask me to intercess For my fellow travellors For their paths and directions Are important to you to For we all serve your glory The glory of the king Our direction faces into you To you our praise we sing. * To the glory of your name I bring to you my life in praise. How can you accept us? I’ve seen the work our hands have done Crazy shameful moments Time was...

When all is said and done, Don't let this world wear you down. x.X.x One day you may wonder how you changed the world? Turn round and take a look at the laugher you have shared, Those tear shed side by side. The silence that was companionable, And the love you gave to all. One day you may wonder how you changed the world? So do not twist your today with hate, As then the picture skews. Forgive so you may love better And hope in all you do. One day you may wonder how you changed the world? But spare a moment to, To think about how this world has also changed you. Thank God for all the people who travelled by your side, who lived and loved and laughed with you in all seasons of your life.

Okay so its this time of the year agian where he head off on Easter mission with college... and last year at this point I was freaking out. This year the only difference I really want to go. I know how important missions are. I'm looking forward to working as part of a team. I really hope they're excited and inspired and encouraged and absolutely terrified as well. When ever we go out preaching we're always told the day your not nervous you go home, why is mission not the same, its still done in the reverence of God. For his Glory. Please pray for the Cliff college teams going out on mission on Friday, also pray for Northern Ireland, Newham, Northallerton and Berkhamstead.... As they've all got teams visiting them!

Okay so I have had one major, major, major problem this year. One major theological query, one thing that has caused me more sleepless nights than attempting to sleep in a lions cage, brought me to more tears, more smiles and more laughs more than anything. One of the hardest things ever. And probably at the core of mission, the core of evangelism, the core of LIFE. Loving people.  I've struggled and wrestled with theology; you name it predestination, the trinity, feminism, female leaders within the church, young leaders in the church, relational evangelism, children's spirituality, 1 Peter 2v4-10, old testament covenants and their relation to today, Islamic culture,the wesleyan quadrilateral and the fact there is only 7 days in a week, 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour (etc.) and its still not enough time sometimes, and to much at others. I have wrestled with work; academic - meaning many thousands of words on the above topics. But also the stuff that allows me to...

Does not  matter if you feel God. He is still there.

Spiritual Formation was a rather brilliant non-assessed class in my first year here at  Cliff . But what is Spiritual Formation?  For me the image that supports spiritual formation is that of a master potter.  This is image is one that has biblical support which would of course get me brownie points in my essays here, but is also a pretty good basis to life. The image of the potter is God building us up forming us and our spirituality out of clay, building us up and breaking us down, leaving his finger print, and moulding us into a masterpiece where he has left something of himself. This work is not clean or clear cut but rather, rather messy. What is spiritual formation? A spiritual hunger for more than spiritual junk food. A development of our relationship with God moving us to spiritual maturity. A process for individuals and communities. Moving towards a Christ-likeness. A journey of faith. Painful and pleasing. Uncomforting and comfortable. Towards a spiritual iden...

The consistency of Jesus. This term keeps cropping up amongst our lectures. Why did people follow Jesus... he was consistent. Why do we use his approach to spirituality he was consistent. The Gospel a biographical piece of work, not much character development, but rather, consistent. Jesus was consistent. Wow, not sure if I was to right down my top three reason to why everyone should follow Christ that consistent would be up there. Or would it? Consistent what does it mean? the definition straight off my mac: consistent  |kənˈsistənt| adjective (of a person, behavior, or process) unchanging in achievement or effect over a period of time  : manufacturing processes require a consistent approach. •  compatible or in agreement with something  : the injuries are  consistent with  falling from a great height. •  (of an argument or set of ideas) not containing any logical contradictions  : a consistent explanation. Jesus the Consistent. We often tal...

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Tonights was the second session of Christian Spirituality here at Cliff . I'm going to draw on a few discussion that took place tonight. Firstly what are words would use to describe Jesus Spirituality? How would you describe Jesus approach to others. I think Jesus Spirituality and the way that related to others was intense. I just imagine this intensity that comes from God. If this was part of his persona, a character trait then it would have appeared in his fasting, praying, study, celebrating, serving. His whole ministry in itself was a radical concept, therefore why not his spirituality. Other ideas include Practical, loving, confident, flexible, consistent, relational, caring, selfless, servant hearted, led by example, intuitive, humble, encouraging, visible, paradoxical and inclusive. Jesus washing his disciples feet is a key example of Jesus practising the spiritual disciplines and teaching them to his discip...

I have been really challenged by many things in the last few weeks. What came top – and its not a new challenge to the way I work – was do I actually take enough time out. Burnout is an ever-growing concern placed on those within all forms of ministry in the 21st century, because most are not satisfied unless they are juggling 21 things! Furthermore I felt a great desire to re-do the Christian Spirituality module here for level four (first years), I did it last year, but I feel due to the fact that it is a credited module that I did not get out of it as much as I could of. So, this is my second chance at Christian Spirituality. Time out to learn something away from assessments, that I shall be documenting on the World Wide Web, and highly likely that as the course looks at some of the Spiritual disciplines, that I shall be attempting to use them in my life and practice them where possible. Why is spirituality attractive in the 21st Century? It could be suggested that many feel that...