There's six sorts of people in the world

Well that's my contention (plus a further four subcategories), which are:

a. Them what  knows what needs to be done - and does it

b. Them what knows what needs to be done - and tells people that they know it

c. Them what asks those what know what needs to be done what it is so they can do it

d. Them what might know what needs to be done but are never there to do it,

e. Them what come but do nothing, leaving before they get a job or spend too much time there, and

f. Them what are never there because:

• It's not a Sunday 
• It is a Sunday (but they're not down to do anything)
• Regardless of when it is they just do stuff (full stop)
• They had to be somewhere or do something or (insert really good reason) else

Today was one of those days when the church fayre too place and there were many type a & c people on display doing what needed to be done and giving up their time to welcome people into the church building and make drinks, serve cakes, run raffles, tombolas, cakes and bottle stalls, sell bric a brac, jewellery, books and sing, play the organ and ring bells and take people around the church and tell them stuff and sell tickets to climb the tower and run the church bookshop. There were people who were there doing stuff in the background (setting up, packing away, locking up, etc.)

These are the same old people (and goodness me - we're all getting older) who are always there and doing. The sort of people who are worth their weight in gold and need to be praised and prayed for (in equal) measure.

There were also some b people on display today (and it's merely serendipitous that they appear under the letter they do!) and these people (who neither ran stalls, set stuff up or did anything other than steal valuable oxygen from the a & c types and rabble rouse regarding. 'What could have been done!' But of course they know everything and yet . . . . (I'll let you fill in the blanks).

The d people weren't there - but of course they wouldn't be or else they'd be in a different group.

I didn't notice the e people , but then again if I did they'd have stayed too long and would have had a job!

The f people - now these are a challenge because they are like the waves upon the sand - every club and society has them (church is no different) - the are seen but pinning them down is a problem for all of us (it's not just Maria, Mother Superior!*).

So there you are - I have had a fantastic day meeting, greeting, encouraging, praying with and enjoying people and now, this scribbled (a <5min -="" :-="" blog="" entry="" for="" nbsp="" p="" so="" typos="" watch="">
People - you have to love them - Jesus tells us that!

PS. a,b,c,d or f - which one are you (and which should you be?)

* Sound of Music genetic issue at play - apologies

Pride, Sorrow and Prayer

As this morning we set off as a family to see off our eldest daughter as she embarks upon a TWAM (Youth With A Mission) 'Year For God' (YFG). The surprise when she came back from New Wine last year and told us she was thinking of taking a year out and doing 'something' was  increased when she decided that this was what it was going to be. But here we are, she's raised money towards it (about half) and been inoculated against most of the diseases I've heard of and has packed, re-packed and then packed again to get everything into her bergen and we are ready for the off.

Yesterday, as I looked at photographs of her steering the boat as a really tiny thing through to the latest images of a grown woman I couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow that our first born was to fly the nest. I know it had to happen some day, but surely fifty is a good age for that :-)

So here I sit thinking about the journey to Heathrow with the words of Psalm 121 banging in my head and resounding in my heart as the prayer I will be praying for her and those she works with:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

James 5 - What an ending

Yesterday our time with the book of James (the oldest of the New Testament books as he was martyred in 62 AD) drew to a close and he left us as he has been with us - growing and considering our Christian life.

We've considered the many ways in which our faith needs to be worked at. Compared tongues with rudders on ships - both relatively small and yet both are able to lead us onto the rocks. We've thought about giving and having and being and at last, thankfully, have reached the end of the book and can relax.

Let's say goodbye to James as he signs off with a blessing and greets the brethren (as Paul would have done). What? No way, he’s going down with all guns blazing as he tells us just how powerful prayer is and how we need to be accountable to one another. How prayer is effective and being in communication with God is the perfect network as we engage in ‘Pray as you go, anytime (it’s as if He was in the room with you it’s so clear' communications mode. And the network – U3 (of course)!

Prayer is about relationship – for too many live their Christian lives by ‘faith’ and yet neither engage in conversation with the other party (GOD) or have an relationship with Him! Try living with someone who doesn’t communicate – it’s a recipe for disaster and people would say, “That’s not a marriage!” – and yet we, as Christians do the same in out faith life!

That what our services are – two-way communications sessions. We sing songs to Him (and He to us), we read His word (and he talks to us about them) We talk to him (a quick prayer is enough) and He talks to us – continuously throughout the service – or do we.

It’s easy to pray when there’s problems

Easy to praise when you’re happy

But if you’re sick – call the elders?

If you've sinned – call on one another!

If we need rain – pray like Elijah (well not at the moment perhaps). ​

Prayer isn’t just about asking for things but it is communication. It is about being in relationship. It is about communication and conversation – it’s gossiping to God and hearing wisdom too!
Now, when there’s two or more of us (which is all about being a legal witness) we are considered by some to be Church and have Jesus in the middle.

Now I know the power of prayer triplets – when three get together and pray and agree (which isn’t what it sounds like – it is about one-mindedness not uttering 'I agree with you' noises), when we share good and God bad and God’s salvation.

So if you're reading this (and some people do I reckon) then it's time to find two others and pray with them for people you'd like to see come and join with you in the struggle (and for some the struggle is church itself!). It's time to form a triplet and pray for that person with needs and praying expecting to see those needs met!

And going to church? One of the best reasons for going is share stories of successes and learn from the failure of others. You are being successful aren't you?
Pax