Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119 v 105

These words came from my daily readings this morning.....

Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a lifestyle. Sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny.

Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.  C S Lewis

I've had a really exciting and busy weekend but I have loved every minute of it.

We had a fantastic team out on the streets on Friday night, we had a great time together and really enjoyed our time of serving God in the community. It's a real privilege to be able to go out and chat to the merry-makers and build friendships with them and it's a really exciting work to be involved in.

The weather held out on Saturday for our trip to the farm with Kelly and my nephews and niece and we had a lovely time feeding the goats, chickens, ostrich, horses, sheeps, pigs, cows etc. My littlest nephew, at 2 years old just has no fear at all and was well in there with them all. It was great fun. We also had to visit the park to go on the swings and the slide!

The film 'Jumper' was a bit pants - it was an evening out but the storyline was rather weird. John enjoyed it more - as I thought he would, it was more his kind of film.

Sunday was a usual day of great blessing and much joy. We had 2 cracking services at Church both of which were very challenging and thought-provoking. I also went up to the Hillsong Vision Service where we had 2 and a half hours of great worship and watched footage of their work around the globe and their vision for the future - it was amazing stuff. God really is working everywhere - all around the world and it is such a joy to see. I love the fact that I can meet with different people from all over the world and that we have God in common. Yes, we may 'do church' slightly differently or have a few differences of opinions but we have the same Saviour - and that thrills me. At the prayer meeting on saturday night I heard all about the plans for the Global Day of Prayer at Millwall and again that sounds like it will be a really blessed occasion - last year's was good but this year's looks to be even better.

I have had so much exposure this weekend to christian fellowship, biblical teaching, worship and prayer and it's been really good - I'm buzzing from it all.

I've got a real busy weekend lined up but am so looking forward to it. Not sure when I'm gonna get done all those outstanding things like housework, washing, gardening etc though! Never mind they can wait another week 

Bring it on!

And now for another -

What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and grey when you throw it away?

Get your head round this one  

2 sons and 2 fathers go fishing. They each catch one fish. The total number of fish they caught was 3 fish. How is this possible?

Any answers? 
Will post it tonight if no one get's there first.

The book I've just finished reading is all about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the joy that we can find in knowing God in all His fullness. In 1 Peter 1v8 we're told that we should be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, I found this poem which pretty much sums up my feelings of joy when I think of all that Christ has done for me.

Tears of Joy

Anon

So, yes we had a great time in France at the weekend. We pretty much got done all that we set out to do, decorating wise.
It was lovely to wake up naturally instead of to the sound of the traffic passing each morning. In fact, we woke up to the sound of a woodpecker pecking the tree each morning.
We paid a nice visit to Torigni-Sur-Vire market and bought some great sausages in baguettes, freshly cooked - well scrummy. It was so nice not to charge around everywhere and be at a relaxed pace - we hardly looked at a watch all weekend.
I finished my book which I had hoped to do ages ago and it was just nice to sit and chill and relax a little, as well as go for the occasional walk.
Basically, a good weekend was had by all and we can't wait to do it again!

A few weeks ago Arnica here in Blogland posted a virtual walk around her area of France and invited us to all do the same. So, whilst in France myself this weekend I thought I'd give it a go........

My house is to the right in the background.

We are going for a walk down the 'low road' to the rear of both houses

Well, well, well!

Down the muddy track...

Tonnes of wild primroses everywhere, careful not to squash them....

To a derelict barn at the end

To the bottom of the barrell!

And that old green door!

Other old bits here and there.

Two lovely cows staring straight at me. The farm is a working dairy one!

Loads of gorgeous white snowdrops all around too!

And a lonesome feather amongst the autumn leaves.

The sun is rapidly setting

and the trees are laden with bunches of mistletoe.

Back home!

I've been rather busy this week - not a lot of time for blogging or being sociable I'm afraid. Lots going on in readiness for this weekend. We are off to the house in France for a long weekend. Lots to take over with us which has meant lots of shopping and rummaging in the loft etc. Still, we will be off in a few hours and what we haven't got this time can wait till the next I suppose.

So, all in all hoping to have a great couple of days. Hope it's not too cold!

Lots of tangly, twisty branches.

Loadsa fat branches and trunk.

Long, thin straggly bits.

Gloomy shadows.

And darkening sky and sunlight.

I went to see the stage version of the great book and film 'Shadowlands' - the story of CS Lewis last night at the Novello Theatre in The Strand, London. Charles Dance played CS Lewis and Janie Dee played Joy Grisham.  The acting was superb, particularly the parts of CS Lewis and his brother Morley.
I have loved reading Lewis's books over the years and he has always seemed to be an interesting character.

The opening sequence starts with him asking the very question that we discussed recently in Church - 'If there is a God, why does He allow suffering in the world?'  What a deep question, but he concluded the whole evening with this answer....

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

It was a great evening's entertainment and thoroughly enjoyable.

At the start of a new week and after a busy weekend, it's good to remember this very thought......

I've had another great weekend where I've enjoyed some great fellowship and fun with friends, the usual bunch and some that I've not seen for a while too. I have enjoyed a lovely walk in the countryside, had some brilliant Bible teaching and generally been really very encouraged. Two things though, have really blown me away, the first being something I have heard and the second, something I have read, but both of them are very closely linked.

I've been made righteous in Christ and sanctified by God - Praise be to God!

Another great song from the new album of Stuart Townend.

I love the first verse, the fact that Christ had chosen me to be His even before the creation of the world is something that still amazes me and has me in awe.

LOVED BEFORE THE DAWN OF TIME,
Chosen by my Maker,
Hidden in my Saviour:
I am His and He is mine,
Cherished for eternity.

Stars will fade and mountains fall;
Christ will shine forever,
Love's unfading splendour.
Earth and heaven will bow in awe,
Joining in salvation's song.

Stuart Townend & Andrew Small
Copyright © 2007 Thankyou Music

Last night we went to a free viewing of the new film 'The Bucket List' starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. I really enjoyed it, it was a great evening's entertainment. They both seem to compliment each other very well, the acting was superb and they looked as though they had great fun filming it.

I'm sure there will be more than 2 questions I'm asked when I stand before my God as I give an account to Him, but still, these are 2 questions well worth asking.

Daffodowndilly

AA Milne - When we were very young.

It was a lovely bright day today, but rather windy. I went for a walk in my lunch break down to the River Cray. How nice it was just to get out and have a wander in the middle of the day away from the busyness of the office and see views like this.

The latest Stuart Townend CD came thundering through the letter box at the weekend and I have enjoyed listening to many of his new songs. There are a few oldies on there too, so all in all, a bit of a mixture. It was recorded live in Ireland and its great to hear the fiddles and pipes on some of the songs. I'm really pleased as it has the 'Communion Song' - 'Behold The Lamb' on it, we sang this when I last went to one of his concerts and we really liked it. The words are great. The title track 'There Is A Hope' is also really rather nice.

THERE IS A HOPE that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for every passing day;
A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;
And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
To make His will my home.

There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.

Stuart Townend & Mark Edwards
Copyright © 2007 Thankyou Music

Another suuny weekend passes, they forecast heavy snow and we got brilliant sunshine allbeit very cold but rather nice and refreshing.

see link for more tree pics taken in the park -

In the evening we had several friends over for another games evening, all very competitive and charcter-building for those of us who lost!!!

As usual, a very enjoyable weekend - roll on the next one!

I've been reading a great book recently, really inspiring - all about the Holy Spirit and revival. It's been really encouraging and thought-provoking. Wouldn't it be wonderful to witness a real mighty out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon our sad and troubled land? Wouldn't it be great to see families and communities surrender to the gospel and submit to Christ and all that He offers? Well, God is a BIG God, He is all powerful and almighty and nothing is too difficult for Him.

I personally need to remember this more than most and not let the Devil get a foothold by making me doubt our strengths, capabilities and God's total sovereignty. It's all over to Him, we need to just be led and guided by his Spirit. Bring it on God!