Sunday, 25th December 2011

Christmas Day!

We had a great family day, truly brilliant! Thank you God for the funds you have provided to enable this Christmas to be what is was. I think we were all chuffed with our presents!

Toni and I went to King's Christmas service today, joined by Jade, and Paul, who we picked up on the way. It was great to do the 'Welcoming' today, and pull Paul in to the team! There was probably about 90 in attendance, and it was great to chat with the Tunnaleys and also Ray and Helen. Phil spoke really well, including the memorable line that we might think we are worthless, but God says that we are priceless!

I was a little overwhelmed at the present from the Lloyds to us - tickets to see Bruce Springsteen!

Saturday, 24th December 2011

Christmas Eve!

Today was my final scheduled day at the sorting office. Quite a few didn't actually turn up today, and we cancelled our post-event drink, as those who did turn up were just so tired!
It has been a thoroughly enjoyable month, even the 6am get-ups. It has been great to work there and brilliant to share a little of my faith with some different people. I can see God's hand at work in the money it brought in, the discipline of a different type of work that it gave me, and the people I met.

Friday, 23rd December 2011

Today was my penultimate scheduled day at the sorting office. It was pretty quiet for the last couple of hours and we went home a little early.

Thankfully, all the gifts I have ordered on-line for Christmas are present and accounted for!

Thursday, 22nd December 2011

Toni and I went to The Marsh's Connect Group Christmas social tonight, at Jonathan and Fran's house. We had a very enjoyable time. It was nice to be invited as we are not even part of the group any more.

Wednesday, 21st December 2011

Laura, a manager at the sorting office, took my name today after enquiring about my interest in further work there. Interesting: we will see what happens.

I am reading through the chapter on 'Prayer' in Grudem's Systematic Theology. It takes a trust in the power and ways of God to accept an apparent paradox: a) God knows what we are going to pray, b) God is in control of all things, c) Our prayers have an eternal impact and consequences.

Tuesday, 20th December 2011

Toni and I went on our first 'Carol Conga' tonight, around Bracken Road, organised by Mark and Jo Bristow. I didn't know what a carol conga was until Jo rang me and explained last week. Basically, singers sing carols at various pre-determined points around a street, being joined by people from the street. We had a great time. There were 15 of us to begin with (13 from King's), meeting at Mark and Jo's house. We then did the carol conga, and probably doubled in size as we went, finishing back at the Bristow's for mulled wine! Considering I am not a singer, I surprised myself at how keen I was to sing aloud; something about safety in numbers I suppose.
Well done Mark and Jo - a great evangelistic, Christmas and enjoyable event!

Walking Riley tonight I had a few anxious thoughts about paying bills in early January, only to check the bank and find that we had been unexpectedly paid some due working tax credits: isn't God amazing!

Monday, 19th December 2011

We had a brilliant family day at The Metro Centre today, doing some Christmas shopping. We also had our first ever visit to Nando's, a Portuguese restaurant, on the recommendation of Josh. Very nice it was too. A brilliant day: I love being off on a Monday, although my routine changes after this week.

We opened some Christmas cards from King's today. Thanks for them all, and a financial blessing from one was especially welcome at this time of year. Thank you, to whoever you are!

Sunday, 18th December 2011

How nice it was to have a break from the routine and to not be at Church way before a 10.30am start, but to have an evening service instead! It was the Carol Service tonight at King's, which went very well, and as always was well attended. There was about 300 in attendance. Mike spoke really well around Isaiah 9:6:


For to us a child is born, 
   to us a son is given, 
   and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called 
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Toni sang in the worship team, which was great. There was that part in 'O Come All Ye Faithful' where the line 'O come let us adore Him' is sang three times and Toni sang the first line on her own, each time. Brilliant!

Saturday, 17th December 2011

It is still a strange feeling for me for my working week to end on a Saturday. It is great to then begin a night of family time though, and also be off on Mondays.

Friday, 16th December 2011

I enjoyed another good day at work and then a night with the family. Happy days!
I am reading the chapter on 'Miracles' in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. It is interesting that the definition of a miracle is not simply 'God's intervention in the world', as God is permanently sustaining the world. I understand it as something like 'God's less common actions in His created world'.

Thursday, 15th December 2011

A few thoughts on preaching and what you have to trust God for:

• Trust God hat you have heard from Him on what you are to preach on. This could be when you feel He is giving you a specific topic for a specific church at a specific time. This was true for me last Sunday when I felt God had asked me to bring Psalm 112 to King's Church. The circumstances around me even preaching on that day were quite remarkable as I was not due to be preaching that day and even three weeks before I was still not scheduled to be preaching that day. Someone else pulled out with about two-and-a-half weeks remaining and I was asked if I wanted to step in. God had put Psalm 112 on my heart to bring to King's several months before but I had no idea when that would happen as I tend to preach only at Explorer Sundays. God's timing and influence of circumstances was incredible. 
• Trust God, that even if given a specific title, that God was in that and, in both situations of being given a title or having a free week, trust that God is in your preparation, that He will lead you to the right Bible references, books, articles, websites, conversations etc. This tends to work in partnership with genuine self-devotion to the cause (1 Timothy 4: 13). 
• Trust God that the words you give are the words He wants you to give to the people He wants to hear them. Trust that anything you forgot to mention is not going to be harmful in  it's absence. Trust also that anything you do say God can use according to His great plan.
• Trust God for protection before, during and after a preach. The enemy is sure to want to lead you astray in any way he can. He will try, be ready for it.
• Trust God will help you in your journey in improving you as a preacher and/or teacher. This will include helpful comments from people in Eldership, leadership and others in the congregation or who may here it on-line.

Wednesday, 14th December 2011

I had a few worries today about Christmas and the financial aspect that involves. I had to remind myself that on Sunday I had preached about God's provision and also to not be anxious about anything. If you preach it, you have to live it! God's provision doesn't give us a license to be irresponsible though either.
I went to Connect Group tonight. It was led by Richard S who kicked off a discussion on 'raising our game', as God takes King's Church up through the gears. We read from Amos 9: 11-15 and Jeremiah 33: 6-10.

Amos 9: 11-15 - In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter — I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins — and will rebuild it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, declares the LORD, who will do these things. The days are coming,” declares the LORD, when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God.

Jeremiah 33: 6-10 - Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honour before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. This is what the LORD says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD.

We felt quite clearly that 'raising our game' does not necessarily mean being involved in more activity (although it could). For me, it is about leading a more righteous and holy life.

We also discussed several other things, including church membership. I am a passionate advocate of church membership. Read my reasons at
http://www.the-jailer.blogspot.com/2011/12/question-9-is-church-membership.html

Tuesday, 13th December 2011

I was back at work at the Royal Mail sorting office today after my two days off. I am so blessed to work there with some good guys.

I was joined by Paul H tonight as I walked Riley. He is a great guy and it is great to have him around. We talked about many things, as we always do, including 'Once saved, always saved?' As always, Paul raised many alternative points of view to consider but I remain utterly convinced that once saved does indeed main always saved. For my further thoughts on the matter, read 

http://www.the-jailer.blogspot.com/2011/10/question-1-is-once-saved-always-saved.html

Monday, 12th December 2011

It was great to have the day off work and spend lots of quality time with Toni! We went to the King's Cafe  for a while.
Whilst there, Barry informed me that yesterday's preach on Psalm 112 is now on-line at http://www.kingschurchdarlington.org/sermons/gems/20111211_A.Fraser_The_Real_You.mp3
Tonight I joined John T for our weekly service on the King's Church Furniture Re-use Scheme. We had quite a busy and productive night, collecting several quality items of furniture.

Sunday, 11th December 2011 - later

I just want to mention a few more people to thank from today, in no particular order (as they announce on X Factor). Firstly, to Elaine and Gavin. It was a pleasure to work in the same group as them at Mission: Rescue. They are both very skilled in working with primary-aged children. Secondly, to Dave L, for praying with me today. He felt that God was saying in 2012 I would receive all of the blessings that I preached on today (from Psalm 112 and also the fruits of the Spirit|). Thirdly, to Barbara V who said to me that, in reference to preaching, 'You have passed your apprenticeship', which I greatly appreciated.

Sunday, 11th December 2001

I am really pleased with the news that Harold is being put forward for Eldership. It seems the obvious choice to me. 

The preach on  Psalm 112 seemed to be reasonably well-received. I hope it was Biblical and relevant. That's all you can ever hope for. The Holy Spirit was so much with me. More thoughts later...

It was fantastic for a first-time visitor to become a Christian in the call for prayer at the end. She was called Anne, and is a friend and work colleague of Caroline. Well done her, she has obviously been a great witness, and hasn't been coming to King's for that long herself.

The children's Christmas event - Mission: Rescue - went really well. There were 51 children present as far as I could tell, which is a fantastic number. Joy and the team do a brilliant job. Just before the event, all of the team were stood in a circle ready to pray. I shared a prophetic word that this time next year the team will include mothers from participating children, who are not saved presently. I saw them interspersed around next year's circle. Time will tell...

Saturday, 10th December 2011

I had a very interesting conversation with a young lad (aged 17) at work today. He is called R and he is a huge Newcastle United fan, which is always a pleasurable topic of conversation. I managed to speak to him about my beliefs, mainly that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for all we have done wrong and that He is the only way to Heaven. R said he believed in God and that his mates would tease him, calling him a 'Bible basher', but that this doesn't bother him, which I was mightily impressed by. More conversations to follow.

I mainly spent tonight in final preparation for my preach on Psalm 112 tomorrow. 

Friday, 9th December 2011

What a fantastic night we had tonight, Ultimate Treasure Hunting around the town centre of Darlington. God was powerfully at work, most intriguingly around a lady called Dianne. She fitted two direct clues, including her name and her very specific appearance ('jet black'). She had some time previously renounced a faith she claimed to once have, and was a very determined atheist, but at the same time she seemed to accept that what was happening was clearly not coincidental, which really got under her skin. Although she has given up on God, He has clearly not given up on her.
There were other truly God-anointed and -appointed meetings which are incredible faith builders.
More news at www.ultimatetreasurehunting.blogspot.com

Thursday, 8th December 2011

I am currently reading and meditating on the doctrine of God's providence, particularly as outlined in chapter 16 of Wayne Grudem's 'Systematic Theology'. I will write more about this in time but I am finding it quite difficult to comprehend the apparent paradox between the idea that God seemingly wills some people to evil (such as hardening Pharaoh's heart in Exodus chapter 9) and the concept that those people are responsible for their own sin, even when God has willed it. Thankfully, Grudem himself says that this doctrine is difficult to understand. More reading, studying, thinking, counsel of the saints and prayer is clearly required!
I continued tonight in my preparation for Sunday's preach on Psalm 112. Thankfully, I am convinced God has given me this preach to bring to King's at this time and He continues to provide me with areas He wants me to speak on.