Folkestone

Today we went on an adventure to Folkestone. We had never been here before, but because it is bank holiday here in England I decided to go out for the day. I got the map out, saw that Folkestone wasn't too far away and so it was decided.

Because I had no preconceptions of what Folkestone would be like I wasn't disapointed. What I saw was a town with two sides. There is the old side, which has run down buildings, disused fairground rides, and a harbour. Where, by the way, you can buy some nice fresh fish. Then there is the new side of town. This is not as new and posh as the Canary Wharf side of Poplar, but nevertheless, is quite asthetically acceptable. It has some nice shops. The downside for me was that there were area's where it smelled like people had used the walls and pavements as toilets. Also, as someone who had never been there before, I needed to see the road signs. I couldn't see them clearly because the tree's needed a good trim!

Bram got all excited because Folkestone is where the Salvation Army musical Glory is based. So he was able to see first hand the area's that Glory tells of. I admit that I was a little bit interested as well, but didn't let on. Today we seemed to be more interested in the SA history in Folkestone. We pass the site of the first SA hostel weekly. (Bram passes it everyday) We are members of the oldest existing Corps in the world, and both enter the hall almost daily. I guess the excitement of this has worn off now after 2 years of being here. For me now, the excitement is that we average around 50 worshippers on Sunday mornings. God has been good. I was given the opportunity to lead worship yesterday for these 50 people. I pray that I didn't let God down. We can look back, but it is equally as important to look around now, and look forward to the future.

Sound Advice

I was at our divisional International Praise event on Saturday. The speaker invited an Officer from Nigeria to come and tell of his experiences in Nigeria. This officer has commenced around 50 corps in Nigeria. Most of the corps that he started were in area's that have got a big Muslim population. He told us that in each area, he identified a need, which was that a school was needed. So he set up schools. This led to him being able to commence churches. The Speaker invited the man to tell us what the key is to working in these communities. All the Officer said was that it is about relationships. During my time here I have noticed that building relationships is at the heart of our church. I realised today that I have created some good relationships with breakfast club people. I pray that because of our example to these people they will come to know Jesus, the reason for our work.

My Week

I apologise for my lack of blogging this week. It has been a boring week really with not much happening, only college preperations. I guess my time between now and September will be filled with that. It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of service.

My car has got a flat tyre, and I only got it last November. I can't remember driving up any kerbs or anything. Good job I've got a spare whhel in the boot. Only problem is that I don't know how to fit one, and it's rained everytime I've thought about changing the wheel!

Sorry, but that is the most interesting thing I can come up with for now. Oh yeah, my brother's wife was due to give birth a week last Friday and the baby still hasn't arrived. I wonder if it is scared of the prospect of having Bram and myself as Uncle and Aunty!

Thanks to whatcar.com for the lovely pic of a Perodua Kelisa. I own one of these, and it is my pride and joy!

Fundraising

I received some information regarding my going into College in September. I have got a set amount of money that I need to raise. I am going to be trying to sell some items on e-bay to help raise funds. I have never sold anything on this site before, and hope that I don't need to sell too much stuff to get the specified amount, but that is just me being lazy!

I'm not worried about this, because God has provided financially in the past, and I know that He will do it again. More updates on the items being sold as they go on sale.

He's One Of Us

I had an interesting conversation on the way to church this morning with one of the clients from the detox centre. We were walking along when a man came walking towards us. One of the clients recognised this man as someone who comes to our church. He was making comments about he should be in church and things, and I replied that this man "was one of us". The man that I said was one of us has Schizophrenia and looks unkept, but all the same, I was proud to say that he was one of our church. I am proud to say that I do not belong to a 'designer church' with everyone who attends being people who are easy to talk to, but just by being here I get a glimpse of heaven.

Jesus

These are all images of what different people think that Jesus looks like. I was thinking about these recently and wondered whether we would recognise Jesus when we get to heaven. I think we would. I was having a conversation with Bram about this and he says that I would even know my Great, Great Grandma there. I just hope that Jesus doesn't say that he doesn't know me.

What God has said to me this week

The lessons that I have learnt this week are

1. People matter
2. I need to keep up a daily quiet time with a Bible reading and a devotional.

How I have been taught this.

1. I have had an insightful conversation with someone who quite regularly comes into our centre this week. From this conversation I have learnt a lot about this person. He is now a person to me and not just someone who prefers to spend his money on alcohol instead of buying food. This came about because I was chatting with Victor who regularly comes into our centre, and the other person came in. Victor told me that this person plays the flute, and this opened up an amazing conversation about music, commitment, and the fact he is ashamed because he doesn’t have a job. I think that this also teaches me to not be so cynical about people.
2. I will be honest and say that I find it difficult to set aside time for devotions. I realise that if I don’t do this, then God will not be able to teach me new things, and I will be stuck for sermon idea’s and things.

Roots Thoughts

Why was God more audible at Roots?

I've been thinking this through today after reading various people's accounts of their experiences at Roots and have two theories.

1. We don't get to hear the big name preachers all the time.
2. People are more relaxed at Roots because they don't have to worry about getting their equipment ready for the start of the meeting, and then concentrate on the part that they have to play during the meeting.
2a. People are more relaxed because they are not around people they know.

I'm not picking on Roots only, and I have been to Roots, but my experience of it was that it was all a bit of an anti climax in that I was never able to do anything with the new found enthusiasm in my corps. I was saved at a big Army holiday so I do understand the importance of having these events, but maybe there should be a follow up programme for people so that their experience of God in a major way is ongoing.

Just a thought or two.

In addition to the earlier post

I feel that I should add to my previous post by saying that I am not obsessed with bodily functions. I was merely trying to say (not very well) that I have been challenged by the position that people put Officers in. They have preconceived ideas of what they should do or say, and I hope that I live my life as God wants me to, not how people think I should.

Officers and bodily functions

Had a silly conversation with my Mum that finished by me saying that if I sat on her head I'd trump on it! For those who aren't familiar with the word trump, I mean break wind, or I've heard it described as a bottom burp. Anyway, back to the conversation. My Mum was shocked that I said I'd trump on her. She then commented that future Officers, or serving Officers shouldn't talk about trumping!!!! Every time I mention the conversation to Bram he kind of blanks me so my Mum might be right. Does this mean in September and afterwards I'm never going to be able to tell someone I'll trump on their head???? Is that what holiness is about??? I'm getting worried here.