Many may not know that Andrea and I are friends with a Bengali girl in prison. we have been friends with her for a number of years. I have described on a previous blog how we met and how the friendship developed. And how she rang us up a number of years ago and left a message on our answering machine saying: “I am been born again!” She is in prison because she was convicted of murder. That is another story, suffice it to say God has really put her on our heart to lo love and accept her. We visit her from time to time when she is able to get Visiting Orders out to us. We had not seen her for quite a while, but recently we were able to see her. we saw that she was ding very well. She was still going on with God and know that God loves her and cares for her.
I write this blog to describe what has happened to us, and me in particular, and what God has been saying to me.
After we visited our friend in prison, in Holloway, we walked down the road and had a cup of tea and croissants in a little tea shop. As we were looking for our bus stop we noticed there was a market nearby. We decided to take a look. From the entrance it didn't look that big. But as we entered it opened out to be a huge market; It seemed you could get anything there.
I was thrilled to see all the people there. For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed being with people. I think that is God's heart too. God loves people! God is eternal and did not have to create the world, and but He had so much love it spilled over and created us.
Surprisingly He enjoys our company. When we are there, sitting in our room, Jesus is with us. He’s listening with rapt attention to our praying.
I remember when I was sitting in my room once (quite a long time ago now, before I married Andrea) I felt a bit lonely at the time. Suddenly God seemed to speak to me. I saw a vision of God’s throne room. It was very big and very grand. The stairs leading up to the throne and God was there at the top. Surprisingly the place was empty with only me and God there. Then I felt God speak to me. “despite all you think I have to do and all that is going on, when you come into my presence, and talk to me, I listen to you. It is like you are on your own with me and you have my full attention.” I was shocked! Many a time in the past I would feel God was not listening to me and, as some have said, “heaven is like brass today.” meaning God is not receiving my prayer. Having heard God’s answer I realised that was never true. I had no choice but to believe it. From then on I never doubted God was listening to me.
You see, our Heavenly Father is not like us at all: He never changes, He never has mood swings or has a bad day. God is constant and consistent. That thought is a delight to remember.
The amazing thing - and it always astonishes me - that we have complete access to God’s very presence through Jesus. He welcomes us with open arms and delights to see us. It was Christ’s sacrifice: His giving of His life, that meant we can go and speak to Daddy with no fear. He will not reject us or think bad of us.
One of my favourite books of the Bible is The Book of Hebrews. I really recommend you read it if you haven't read it lately. It describes (much better I think) what I have just said. Jesus is the better way.
In many ways I love this big city of ours. Big cities are where the people are. And so, As I said earlier, God loves the big cities. Yes I know cities are dirty and noisy and full of traffic and rampant crime, but God, by His grace, will see this city and other cities changed.
I was just talking to a work colleague today on the bus on the way home. He described the chaos that may come about because of the Olympics. He said there would be millions visiting London in 2012, especially during the time the games are on. That means more dirt more traffic, and more disruption. But thinking about it, it would mean more people! More opportunity then to tell people about Jesus.
A couple Saturdays ago I had a barbecue for my birthday. We had a great time except it was rather rainy. It was forecast, but I had a cunning plan! I had a friend who had a gazebo which I asked to borrow. They said it would not be a problem. However, I had a knock on the door the day before the barbecue. I was surprised. The friend who I asked to borrow from actually bought me a new one!
The day itself went very well. We think around 50 to 60 came to the party all in all. Andrea was in her element. People told her later how happy she looked and how much she seemed to enjoy it. She said it was a bit of a blur and doesn't remember getting much to eat. I was standing by the barbecues of course (as that is the job of the man isn't it?). A few of the men friends joined me. People were coming and going; it was great! It was so good to see friends I hadn't seen for a while.
Andrea and I are getting a little excited. We are off to Cornwall next week. We bought a new tent and are going camping there. Last month we tried the tent out and it was fine. It is quite easy to put up and at least we can stand up in this one. I think we were getting to old to use our other low-lying tent.
It’s going to be a long drive, 6 hours according to Google maps.
We had visited Cornwall before, when the children were small. That time it took 12 hours. We only had a small car that had been loaned to us. Thinking back I am really wondering how we ever fitted three kids and all our camping gear in that small car. Now, I’m glad to say we have a bigger car that can easily take all our stuff. Of course the children are no longer with us, but we still tend to fill the car right up to the brim.
I have recently recovered from pneumonia. I was three days in hospital. The doctors had been worried for me and was surprised a little how quickly I returned to work. I still get a little tired if I do too much, so going away and just chilling by my tent will do me the world of good. Cornwall is very different from London and the change of scenery will be beneficial.
Recently, at church, we had been hearing about sharing ones faith to everyone we meet. Our Lead Elder, Mike, used an illustration giving us all a handful of sunflower seeds. He described how seeds don't look very big but when they are given away (or planted which is what you do with seeds) you don’t know what happens to them. So it with sharing your faith. Telling people about what Jesus has done for you or what He means to you. A seed is sown every time one says a small word here or a small word there. It is then up to God who (as the Bible says) “gives the increase” to make the seed grow. All we are asked to do is scatter the seed. A few of us started eating the seeds but we were encouraged to scatter them. So, as we did, it seemed to get the message across. It did make a bit of a mess on the carpet and we felt a bit sorry for the cleaner who would have to clean that lot up!
Kieren and Jenny are doing well and Mia is growing up fast. They too are off camping, but they are driving to the south of France. Now that is a long way! It is funny how things come around: They have only a small car and they have a baby and will have to find room in the car for luggage and the tent. Hmm.. I know how that feels!
