This is a song that I used to love, but can not stand these days, due to reasons that I need not go into now. Having said that I do recognise it as being a classic song, that lasts the test of time.
At first glance there does not appear to be a lot in this from a semi deep and profound sense, but I keep getting it in my head at the moment, and that normally means post on it.
There is the obvious theme of trying to find something better, by either changing location, one night stands, or the "roll of the dice". This longing for a sense of belonging or betterment is to be found in all of us, and I believe that this feeling can only be satisfied by entering into a living relationship with God.
I think, however, that the reason for the song being put into my head now is in the title. There are times when we all have hard periods in our lives, and struggle to hold onto what we believe in. I know I do, and April is a month with loads of "bad" memories for me. At times I have wondered is it all true, and I know that it is, but the questions get raised. There are times when we/I mess up and think that's it, God can not want to know me now, but he always does. We are encouraged by those who mess up in the bible and go onto great things, both Moses and David for example were murderers. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, soon after promising never to leave him, he went onto found the church.
There you have it....Don't stop believing, aptly performed by Journey, as we are all on a journey to discover our beliefs.
Just a small town girl
Living in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
A singer in a smoky room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
Strangers, waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Paying anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
Don't stop believing
Hold on to that feeling
Streetlight people
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Monday, 5 April 2010
Mighty To Save
Well, everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me
Well, everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour, the hope of nations
Saviour, He can move the mountains
For my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
Where He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures, fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in, and now I surrender, I surrender
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King
A love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me
Well, everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour, the hope of nations
Saviour, He can move the mountains
For my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
Where He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures, fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in, and now I surrender, I surrender
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Saviour, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King, Jesus
Shine Your light and let the whole world see, we're singing
For the glory of the risen King
Saturday, 3 April 2010
There Is A Green Hill Far Away
There is a green hill far away,
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.
O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
outside a city wall,
where our dear Lord was crucified
who died to save us all.
We may not know, we cannot tell,
what pains he had to bear,
but we believe it was for us
he hung and suffered there.
He died that we might be forgiven,
he died to make us good,
that we might go at last to heaven,
saved by his precious blood.
There was no other good enough
to pay the price of sin,
he only could unlock the gate
of heaven and let us in.
O dearly, dearly has he loved!
And we must love him too,
and trust in his redeeming blood,
and try his works to do.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens
The below is taken from the AONB website and describes an organisation which I belong to. The Cotswolds AONB is divided into five districts for ease and working purposes. I have just been elected to the post of Chairman for the Central District. I am honoured to have been given this responsibility, even though it really only means that I chair the quarterly general meetings, the quarterly district committee meetings, and attend quarterly meetings with the other chairmen. Politics does creep in sometimes though, as it does in any walk of life.
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens
The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens service was established in 1968. Anyone can join and, today, there are over 340 full time members. The wardens are part of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and volunteer their time and skills to help keep the Cotswolds special.
Warden work parties help conserve and enhance the AONB, taking part in a range of projects from drystone walling, hedge laying, and tree planting to installing kissing gates.
The wardens work with parish councils, farmers and local residents to help keep footpaths open and identify local features in need of restoration.
When they are not taking part in conservation work many wardens conduct hundreds of guided walks, throughout the Cotswolds AONB. Some voluntary wardens also help out at shows and give talks about their work and the AONB to local groups.
Support, training, equipment, travel expenses and a sense of achievement are offered in return for volunteers’ valuable time.
Cotswold Voluntary Wardens
The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens service was established in 1968. Anyone can join and, today, there are over 340 full time members. The wardens are part of the Cotswolds Conservation Board and volunteer their time and skills to help keep the Cotswolds special.
Warden work parties help conserve and enhance the AONB, taking part in a range of projects from drystone walling, hedge laying, and tree planting to installing kissing gates.
The wardens work with parish councils, farmers and local residents to help keep footpaths open and identify local features in need of restoration.
When they are not taking part in conservation work many wardens conduct hundreds of guided walks, throughout the Cotswolds AONB. Some voluntary wardens also help out at shows and give talks about their work and the AONB to local groups.
Support, training, equipment, travel expenses and a sense of achievement are offered in return for volunteers’ valuable time.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
God Of Wonders
Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3X)
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (6X)
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning
I will celebreate the light
and as I stumble through the darkness
I will call your name by night
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal your heart to me
Father holy, holy
the universe declares your majesty
you are holy, holy, holy, holy
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
And as I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth (2X)
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (3X)
God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth (6X)
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning
I will celebreate the light
and as I stumble through the darkness
I will call your name by night
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
Precious Lord reveal your heart to me
Father holy, holy
the universe declares your majesty
you are holy, holy, holy, holy
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
halleluiah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Friday, 12 February 2010
Football 4 Dalits
One of the great joys in my life is football, and how this great game can reach out and touch people from all spheres of life. The team which I represent, Cheltenham Trinity, play in the Cotswold Churches League. One of our co-members are Cambray FC.
Cambray are hoping to beat the world record for the longest recorded football match, and in the process raise over £30,000 to build, and hopefully equip, a school in India.
The Dalits are what was once known as the untouchables, ie the lowest of the low and outside of the caste system. Their live conditions are incomprehensible to most of us.
Cambray are putting the Gospel words into action, and need both our prayers and support. They have created a website for the event, http://www.football4dalits.com/index.html and I would encourage you all to both take a look and get involved. If everyone of my friends on facebook for example only gave them £1 they would be £150 nearer the total. The website includes details of how to contribute to the sponsorship, details of where and when event is taking place, a fuller picture of why they are doing it, and much more.
I will be getting involved, by advertising the event (just done so), by sponsoring some of our team to take part, and by getting involved in the off pitch side of the activities at the event.
Please consider being part of this. Thank you.
Cambray are hoping to beat the world record for the longest recorded football match, and in the process raise over £30,000 to build, and hopefully equip, a school in India.
The Dalits are what was once known as the untouchables, ie the lowest of the low and outside of the caste system. Their live conditions are incomprehensible to most of us.
Cambray are putting the Gospel words into action, and need both our prayers and support. They have created a website for the event, http://www.football4dalits.com/index.html and I would encourage you all to both take a look and get involved. If everyone of my friends on facebook for example only gave them £1 they would be £150 nearer the total. The website includes details of how to contribute to the sponsorship, details of where and when event is taking place, a fuller picture of why they are doing it, and much more.
I will be getting involved, by advertising the event (just done so), by sponsoring some of our team to take part, and by getting involved in the off pitch side of the activities at the event.
Please consider being part of this. Thank you.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Nature In Art
Have recently visited Nature In Art twice, and enjoyed it both times. It is set in an old house a few miles out of Gloucester on the road to Tewkesbury. I have added a link to their website in the Inspiring Groups section of this blog.
As the name implies, it is a gallery of art inspired by nature. For the next few weeks, the main exhibition is the BBC Wildlife Photographs of the Year. There are some amazing pictures in this exhibition.
There are some amazing paintings on "permanent" display as well. My personal favourite is of a church in Muswell Hill, London. The church is in the background, with the foreground being of an overgrown scrub field. The detail in this painting is vivid and almost life like.
I realise that most, if not all, of the artists displayed there are not Christians, but in my view their work is inspired by the greatest artist ever, God himself.
As the name implies, it is a gallery of art inspired by nature. For the next few weeks, the main exhibition is the BBC Wildlife Photographs of the Year. There are some amazing pictures in this exhibition.
There are some amazing paintings on "permanent" display as well. My personal favourite is of a church in Muswell Hill, London. The church is in the background, with the foreground being of an overgrown scrub field. The detail in this painting is vivid and almost life like.
I realise that most, if not all, of the artists displayed there are not Christians, but in my view their work is inspired by the greatest artist ever, God himself.
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