I went to a BSL course for beginners at Darlington Deaf Centre this morning. I actually enjoyed it and was perhaps a bit better at it than I thought I would be. But will I remember it all?!
I accompanied Richard this afternoon to the Darlington YMCA to follow up an enquiry from a few guys there that are apparently interested in coming to next week's Alpha course. We need to involve Graham, a manager there and a member of King's, in arranging a meeting for us all to be present. Richard is going to chase this up.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Tuesday, 17th January 2012
I had supply work at Gurney Pease today...excellent!
It was nice to have Shelley round for tea tonight. She is very passionate about her walk with God.
I went to Connect Group tonight, discussing Mike's preach from Sunday. It was clear that for all of us, it is important to be rooted in the truth of the Bible rather than rely on feelings, especially in difficult times.
Mike and Kay set off today for Thailand and then later their work in Cambodia.
It was nice to have Shelley round for tea tonight. She is very passionate about her walk with God.
I went to Connect Group tonight, discussing Mike's preach from Sunday. It was clear that for all of us, it is important to be rooted in the truth of the Bible rather than rely on feelings, especially in difficult times.
Mike and Kay set off today for Thailand and then later their work in Cambodia.
Monday, 16th January 2012
Toni and I went to the King's Centre and arranged a date with Phil regarding renewing our wedding vows. Great stuff!
We also chose a design for Welcome Team tops.
We then had a great time meeting up with Gavin and Paul. The four of us caught up with each other and also shared a few ideas for a couple of preaches we have coming up: Gav at King's for the February Explorer Sunday and myself at Emmanuel in Durham (http://www.emmanuel.org.uk/) for their equivalent, Hope Sunday, on the same day. Shared wisdom really does help, that is why team work is so important.
Furniture with John tonight: 4 jobs, meaning more excellent furniture collected.
We also chose a design for Welcome Team tops.
We then had a great time meeting up with Gavin and Paul. The four of us caught up with each other and also shared a few ideas for a couple of preaches we have coming up: Gav at King's for the February Explorer Sunday and myself at Emmanuel in Durham (http://www.emmanuel.org.uk/) for their equivalent, Hope Sunday, on the same day. Shared wisdom really does help, that is why team work is so important.
Furniture with John tonight: 4 jobs, meaning more excellent furniture collected.
Sunday, 15th January 2012
It was an excellent morning at King's. Toni did really well in the worship team, including a solo part to start a song. Mike preached well on 'You are a new creation', informing us that, as Christians, we have a new address, a new drive and a new job.
Our old spiritual address was in the kingdom of darkness but now we live in the kingdom of light, regardless of how we feel about it. Our new drive is to live for Jesus, to live in the present and the future and not the past; we are compelled by the love of Jesus. Our new job is the ministry of reconciliation: to preach the gospel to all the nations.
Our old spiritual address was in the kingdom of darkness but now we live in the kingdom of light, regardless of how we feel about it. Our new drive is to live for Jesus, to live in the present and the future and not the past; we are compelled by the love of Jesus. Our new job is the ministry of reconciliation: to preach the gospel to all the nations.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Saturday, 14th January 2012
It was great to have Kath and Kevin round for dinner tonight. We had good fun. I enjoyed trying a new recipe also: chicken breasts with a couple of vegetables and a traditional Japanese sauce. Not that I had it; I don't like chicken!
Friday 13th January 2012
I went with Josh to the doctor today: he is going to look in to having a small growth on his arm removed.
Ultimate Treasure Hunting tonight: it was incredibly cold and we found little visible 'treasure'. Onwards we go though... (http://www.ultimatetreasurehunting.blogspot.com/)
I have received contact from Dan in Durham Emmanuel Church who is hoping to begin an Ultimate Treasure Hunting mission group there. We are looking at how we may work together and support each other. More news to follow as it happens.
Ultimate Treasure Hunting tonight: it was incredibly cold and we found little visible 'treasure'. Onwards we go though... (http://www.ultimatetreasurehunting.blogspot.com/)
I have received contact from Dan in Durham Emmanuel Church who is hoping to begin an Ultimate Treasure Hunting mission group there. We are looking at how we may work together and support each other. More news to follow as it happens.
Thursday, 12th January 2012
Hooray: I had some supply at Gurney Pease today, teaching Year 1. They are only little but they are quite a challenge!
Wednesday, 11th January 2012
I had a fantastic meeting with Mike today, having a great time of fun and work! It was terrific to hear what he will be doing in Cambodia through Transform Asia (www.transformasia.us). It includes training 22 pastors from Cambodia in preparing and presenting a preach. Wow...an opportunity to touch a nation! God has called you and He is with you Mike!
We ran through a few preaching ideas, sorted out plenty of the nuts and bolts of the forthcoming Alpha, booked in some baptisms, sorted out some people to take others through baptism preparation books and a few other things too: quite productive really!
We ran through a few preaching ideas, sorted out plenty of the nuts and bolts of the forthcoming Alpha, booked in some baptisms, sorted out some people to take others through baptism preparation books and a few other things too: quite productive really!
Tuesday, 10th January 2012
It was great to meet up with Ken today for a coffee and a good catch-up. It was exciting to hear the background to, and plan for, his upcoming visit to Cambodia through Transform Asia (http://www.transformasia.us/).
A very interesting Connect Group meeting tonight. As usual, many different topics cropped up. It really is great to be part of a vibrant group that can speak openly and truthfully to each other. I was also very grateful to receive prayer for my job situation. I would like to be receiving paid work most week days but I do not particularly want to be tied to a permanent secular job. Supply teaching and temporary jobs are good!
A very interesting Connect Group meeting tonight. As usual, many different topics cropped up. It really is great to be part of a vibrant group that can speak openly and truthfully to each other. I was also very grateful to receive prayer for my job situation. I would like to be receiving paid work most week days but I do not particularly want to be tied to a permanent secular job. Supply teaching and temporary jobs are good!
Monday, 9th January 2012
Back on Furniture tonight with John T. It was great to be back.
We had a very interesting Connect Group Leaders and speakers meeting tonight, preparing Connect Group Leaders for delivering the content of the new preaching series, 'Who do you think you are?' Well done to Andrew Bunt for his work in preparing notes for each sermon for the Connect Group Leaders to use. It was also great to be able to recognise Jonathan for an excellent preach on Sunday and also for being the instigator, with God, for this whole series.
We had a very interesting Connect Group Leaders and speakers meeting tonight, preparing Connect Group Leaders for delivering the content of the new preaching series, 'Who do you think you are?' Well done to Andrew Bunt for his work in preparing notes for each sermon for the Connect Group Leaders to use. It was also great to be able to recognise Jonathan for an excellent preach on Sunday and also for being the instigator, with God, for this whole series.
Sunday, 8th January 2012
Jonathan preached brilliantly at King's today. He really was outstanding in presenting our new preaching series 'Who do you think you are?' I am really looking forward to the whole series which is focusing on finding our true identity in God.
Saturday, 7th January 2012
Great...King's Church returns tomorrow! Signs that we are really getting back to normal.
Friday, 6th January 2012
We had a nice family time tonight, after the children returned to school and college, and Toni to work, this week.
Thursday, 5th January 2012
I am still enjoying my second week off from any paid work. I am more than happy to return to paid work next Monday!
Friday, 13 January 2012
Wednesday, 4th January 2011
I watched two preaches today: first by Joyce Meyer and then from Joel Osteen; my current two favourite US TV preachers. Meyer was on about going through difficult times. Regarding these difficult circumstances, she said that if you complain you remain, but if you praise you will be raised. I think there is a lot of truth in those statements. Osteen talked about picking your battles, that sometimes - often - we don't need to respond to criticism, justify everything to everyone etc. We only need to fight the battles that are directly in the way of God's calling on our lives. Again, very true.
Toni and I enjoyed a great night eating, socialising and praying with a couple of good friends tonight: Shelley and then Kath.
Toni and I enjoyed a great night eating, socialising and praying with a couple of good friends tonight: Shelley and then Kath.
Tuesday, 3rd January 2012
I had a great time of prayer and walking the dog with Paul H tonight. He is a great guy and walking well with God. He really sensed God speaking to him earlier in the week.
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Monday, 2nd January 2012
I don't really have any New Year's resolutions, as such. I do want to get fitter again.
Sunday, 1st January 2012
2012!
No King's Church today.
It was lovely having a family day, including our annual New Year's Day visit to Nana and Rick's.
No King's Church today.
It was lovely having a family day, including our annual New Year's Day visit to Nana and Rick's.
Saturday, 31st December 2011
Well, the last day of the year. Toni and I stayed up until just after midnight, having a nice time at home. Sami had a friend staying over. Just after the start of the New Year Toni and I went to wake Josh up to wish him a Happy New Year too.
What a year 2011 has been. God has certainly been 'restructuring' things, as promised! It is great how towards the end of 2010 an American pastor - a friend of Stuart Braye - had a word from God to me saying I would face a period of restructuring, and that like any restructuring there would be some pain involved, but it would be worth it. I was quite relaxed towards the word at the time; not dismissive, just healthily waiting to see what would happen (if anything, if I am being completely honest). God repeatedly brought up the word again through 2011 and was very true to the word. Our finances have been completely restructured, I haven't worked in full-time teaching since July 1st (I have done some supply), Toni and I have a whole new insight and promise around personal ministry. There are at least three things right there that God has restructured.
Some events in the Fraser's of 2011:
What a year 2011 has been. God has certainly been 'restructuring' things, as promised! It is great how towards the end of 2010 an American pastor - a friend of Stuart Braye - had a word from God to me saying I would face a period of restructuring, and that like any restructuring there would be some pain involved, but it would be worth it. I was quite relaxed towards the word at the time; not dismissive, just healthily waiting to see what would happen (if anything, if I am being completely honest). God repeatedly brought up the word again through 2011 and was very true to the word. Our finances have been completely restructured, I haven't worked in full-time teaching since July 1st (I have done some supply), Toni and I have a whole new insight and promise around personal ministry. There are at least three things right there that God has restructured.
Some events in the Fraser's of 2011:
- Toni has been healed (a very powerful word from God, not 'is being healed', but 'has been healed')
- Toni passed BSL Level 3
- Toni became self-employed and started a new business (still works with Kevin also)
- Josh passed his GCSEs with flying colours
- Josh finished school and started VI-form college
- Josh started part-time work
- Sami finished Year 7 and is doing well in Year 8
- Sami progressed well with her horse-riding, her art, her design and construction, her piano playing and her singing
- I left permanent, full-time teaching
- I did my first talk outside King's (an Alpha talk at King's Church Eden, Penrith) and had another arranged for February 2012
- Toni and I started Ultimate Treasure Hunting group with King's
- Jade joined us to live with us on October 31st
Friday, 30th December 2011
More time spent at home with the family. It really is great to be off work and recharging the batteries.
Wednesday, 28th December 2011
More family time. It is really nice having time off after a month of early mornings at the sorting office.
Tuesday, 27th December 2011
I went to Paul H's house tonight. We had a great time, including a significant and actually quite special prayer time together.
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