Flat pack

Decided to attempt to assemble a flat pack set of three tables. Total time taken to assemble one hour twenty minutes. Not bad I thought, also no parts missing and no pieces damaged, surely another record.

Boxing day traditions

Made the pilgrimage to this traditional boxing day football match. I have been doing this for almost 42 years, firstly with the 26th BB Company, then with the Campaigners and now as a father. For the last number of years I have been a spectator only! Today's event was as usual packed with action - here are a few of the more dramatic pics.

Boxing day

So Christmas day is over and so is all the fervour at least for another 365 days-only the sales now to contend with. I was up at 5.45am to run my eldest son into work as he started at 7 am and the first train from Carrick to Belfast was at 9. It reminded me of the fact that last boxing day I was down at the harbour at 6 am. This was for the dive into the harbour for the Peru trip.

I ran my Mum up to see my Dad in the nursing home just after lunch that day, not knowing that by tea time I would get a phone call to say my Dad was gravely ill and wouldn't survive for long. It is strange thinking back, in one sense it seems long ago and yet the memories of it are like yesterday!

But for today-annual boxing day football match at 10.30am so I have to go and wake other son up and drive him down to the match. Pictures of Christmas and football match to follow.

The Christmas shopping duty

Today I took my unofficial official half day to do Christmas shopping. I decided to go into Belfast - bad idea. Don't arrive in Belfast in the middle of lunch hour and five days before Christmas. Absolutely bunged, crowded, packed and any other adjective you can think off. Walked about for a while and then went home without spending a penny. One redeeming feature was this four piece jazz band playing Christmas carols.
They where really good, a trombone player, a trumpeter, sax player and the drummer who played with such enthusiasm that he reminded me of Animal in the Muppet show. Excellent group, even I gave them a donation!

The wonder of Christmas

Isaiah 9 (New American Standard Bible)
6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

None of the snowy landscapes or Santa's stuck in chimneys here. no cooing over a new baby in this narrative about the Christmas birth. For this child is no ordinary child. He is the mighty God. How? Why? That we poor mortals can know communion with the great creator God and call Him Father. Now that's the wonder of Christmas.

Film night

At the same time as the youth fellowship dinner the Sunday school where holding a film night. The very long but very good film "Cars" was shown.

Because of the length of this film the arrival of that special visitor was a bit delayed, hope this doesn't happen on the big day.

Food again

Today seems to have been the day for talking about food. Tonight was the young peoples Christmas dinner. A great effort was made by the youth in dressing up and decorating the hall. Some of the older young people cooked the dinner and served the meal.

Prayer breakfast

David, Jim and myself met at 8.15am for our prayer triplet. We prayed together for approximately an hour and then we moved on to our prayer breakfast. We thought of splashing out for Christmas and maybe going to the Point but instead returned to Springsteen's. The staff have come to know us over the years and as usual we got abuse from the manageress prior to ordering. However we placed our orders and received the following dishes. Can you guess who ordered what?

Saturday morning

It's early Saturday morning and Heather has been up since 6.20am! After sitting for all of 5 minutes the question "can we make some muffins?". Hence I found myself mixing chocolate chips and cranberries into muffin mix at 6.45am.(two bowls not together-chocolate and cranberry might be nice). Anyway they will be nice warm with a mug of freshly brewed coffee before I head out to my prayer triplet at 8.15am and then off for a good Ulster fry-ah the joys of healthy eating

Christmas market

The Christmas continental market is in Belfast so Ken,Tim Heather and myself headed down to have a look. Most of the stalls are to be found in St Georges market but it did give a certain chrismasy feel to the city Hall. Maybe I'm getting into a Christmas mood after all. Heather had to buy loads of sweets and a chocolate crepe.

Christmas spirit.

Having a nine year old daughter helps you remember that soon it will be Christmas. For the last few weeks there has been this build up of lunacy and excitement that only a nine year old girl can display, non stop talking and acting up. It has reached the point at the moment where it is impossible to keep her in bed in the morning and generally she has been getting up at 6.30am. The excitement of Christmas is still very much alive for her and long may it last. I think that I have lost that, I attended the first "Christmas " do on Saturday but to me it was just another event. None of that "Christmas spirit" was present. I don't think as adults it is ever possible to have the outlook of a child. Our experiences harden us and our materialism makes the receiving of gifts sometimes very mundane. I remember as a child being fascinated by the gift of a hamper from my uncle in Birmingham and I can still remember the wonder of the tins of delicacies which today I take for granted. However the tree is now up and the house is decorated Christmas is a coming.

Cliffs concert

As an early Christmas present May and I where given tickets to Cliff Richards concert in the Odyssey arena on Monday night. Now I must admit I was not filled with joy with this gift, I consider there is only one song of Cliffs that is of value -"Miss you nights" -although May has been to a number of his concerts and loosely could be called a fan.
However after it I must admit he has some voice for a pensioner and some of his productions on stage where phenomenal. He sang for 1 hour 15 mins had a break for 30 mins and then came back and performed for over another hour. Not a bad night after all.

It's December

According to the widget I have on my PC there are 21 days 5 hours and 41 minutes to Christmas, and so all the hustle and bustle is getting into full steam. On the first day of the month I went with a few others to Lillian and Lindsay home to make gingerbread houses. May and I are the only ones at present who have a young child so I don't know what the reasons for the others being there were. Jackie and Lindsay gave stirling support to thier wives while Nev and Rick just had to do as they were told. May and I had to do what Heather told us. The results can be seen and an outside adjudicator awarded Nev and Alison the prize. Jugde for yourself.

Ground Hog day

Do you ever feel that life is just a routine, nothing really changes and every day is like the last one and tomorrow will be like today? As someone in their mid fifties the realization of the briefness of our time on earth is beginning to strike home and all those plans I had as a young man are now distant wishes and far off dreams. As a teenager I always had a wanderlust, certain days would just make me long to be somewhere on the far side of this planet. Those days usually occured in the spring, those bright sunny days with the promise of the summer to come. I watched the series "The Long way round" last year as two men biked their way from London to America and I longed for that spirit of adventure. I have become stuck in a sedentary lifestyle where spontaneity is a thing long gone and to be shunned at all cost.


Last Fridays daily reading read-If you plan to do it-do it now

James 4:14 "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away"

To quote from the daily reading; Redwood trees last 1000 years. Most other things go relatively fast. The average life span is between 75-80 years of age. That sounds pretty good if you're young, but tends to be sobering when you pass 50. The bible says my life is like a vapour, and vapours aren't known for longevity; just a puff of smoke and they're gone! So why am I still waiting? I don't have forever, get at it!
You say you've always wanted to play the piano. Stop talking about it and start taking lessons! You say you feel better when you exercise. Start jogging! Or that you love the taste of homegrown tomatoes- grow some.
Think you're too old? Not a chance. So get out of neutral and get going. Put your life into God's hands and let Him show you what He can do with it!

Getting older Keeping young

I found this on a UCB daily notes several years ago and I just had to make a copy of it. As I grow old I find myself occasionally reverting to that Old Man mode where nothing is like the old days. Kinda like the Monty Python sketch ' We used to dream of that' and the end line is tell that to the kids of today and they wont believe it! You know some older people where everything and everyone has turned out bad , well I don't want to end up like that so here is my wish

In Time Out Ladies, Dale Evans shares this prayer:

"Lord, you know better than anybody that

I'm getting older and will someday be old.

Keep me from being talkative; from the fatal habit

of thinking I've got to say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from the need to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details;

give me wings to get to the point.

I ask for grace to listen to the tales of others' pains

and to endure them with patience.

But seal my lips when it comes to my own aches and pains,

for they're increasing, and my love of rehearsing them

is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I ask for improved memory, but even more for a growing humility

and a lessening cock-sureness

when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others.

Teach me that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet.

I don't want to be a 'saint' because some of them are

so hard to live with

-and a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody;

helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom,

it seems a pity not to use it; but you know, Lord,

I still want to have a few friends at the end.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places

and talents in unexpected people,

then give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen."

Found this today thought it was good to republish

WHAT MASK SHALL I WEAR TODAY? .........

OR SHALL I BE REAL?

What mask shall I wear as I venture out into my day,

The attitude that matches and the role I shall play?

As I stared into the mirror this morning, O what did I see,

Am I ready to be REAL with a perspective based on eternity?

Was I pleased by the reflection revealed to me by God's Word,

Am I ready to go forth to battle like a soldier with his sword?

Do I tear down the facades that keep me from being real,

Are do I seek to maintain an image that is comfortable to others' appeal?

O this daily fight to be real before my friends and foe,

Will they except me as I am, I don't know.

The past masks in my closet mock me as a pretender,

O the prideful facades I must daily surrender.

Today, I go forth as who I am focused and real,

May God quickly correct me and my other masks reveal.

Today, I shall be real and crush the masks which I wish to wear,

For I must be real, I have a name to bare.

That name is Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Friend,

It is He today upon whom I must depend.

So if you are wearing a mask please remove it from your face,

Walk forth today in victory and bow before the throne of Grace.

School days

This is my school picture of P3 ,Mrs Gordon class in Carr's Glen Primary, taken 1959. That's me second row from back on the extreme right. My twin sister is sitting second from the left on the front row. I'd love to know where we all ended up- I know some are now dead, one lives in the same town now as myself ,one is a mega player in the retail world, another is a Doctor of Science one a Doctor of Philosophy, another lives two houses up from my Mum, but the rest of my classmates----who knows.

A few years later this is my P5 class, a Mr Kennedy who later became president of the BB in the Belfast Battalion. I'm sixth from the left on the back row and my sister again is second from the left on the front row.(a bit of colour has been added by someone who shall remain nameless!)

The good old days

I came across this photo on a web page. I was at this event, the 60th anniversary of Campaigners, held in the Albert Hall, London. This is the Northern Ireland contingent in a team game called "skin the snake". Some friends are included in the picture-no less than David Dickson & Phillip Whyte. This was my first experience of Campaigners at large, unfortunately I was to let the side down by buying things on a Sunday. The Northern Ireland team of course won the competition.

Ulster Rugby

I went with my son and his girlfriend on a balmy October Saturday afternoon to watch Ulster play the leading French team Toulouse at Revenhill. The butterflies where fluttering in the warm sun as we watched a magnificent performance by Ulster side beating Toulouse by 30-3

New look

I took a week off work just to relax and do all those things you want to do but don't get the chance to but instead I was physically sick and didn't eat for three days. On the Wednesday I decided I needed some fresh air so I went for a walk along the sea front and down the old pier. As I was walking up the harbour it struck me how much the seafront had changed over the last few years. How different it must have been for those soldiers who landed here so many hundreds of years ago

Work

Just thought I would add a few pics of my little corner at work where I spend many happy hours just looking down a microscope. It has been said that I rest my eyes on the microscope head and fall asleep but these are dreadful slights of my character!

24 hours of prayer

Today I took part in a small way in a prayer event organised in the church. I found the whole time extremely challenging and also much more emotional than I expected. I was sitting reading and thinking about the verse "Be still, and know that I am God" and for probably the first time the realization of that verse dawned on me. Like many I had taken that verse to mean just as it states, to be still, to stop doing things, to slow down and just make the time to talk to and to listen to God. In an increasingly busy world both at work and at church it is becoming extremely hard to do that and I believe we must take time to "Be still". But it dawned on me today that this command to "Be still" also applies to that part of me that worries about what is going to happen, that is perturbed about events that are happening both at a personal level and at a global level, and God is saying "Be still", don't be tossed about. Don't be agitated and concerned, don't get your stomach all in a knot. But be still, be calm, be level headed and KNOW that I AM GOD

The Bridling Place: March 2006

The Bridling Place: March 2006
AM I TRULY BEING REAL ?
AM I BEING REAL.......
(EPHESIANS CHAPTER ONE)
Relationship with God. This is the most vital aspect to living a consistent Christian walk. If my relationship with God is not on a real level, then all my other relationships are not going to be where they should be. Notice in chapter one of Ephesians how personal the Apostle Paul refers to God and Christ. Verse one, (I am an Apostle of Christ)(by the will of God). Verse two, (peace from OUR God). Verse three, (OUR Lord Jesus Christ). Verse seventeen, (God of OUR Lord). A person cannot talk this way without knowing someone very personally. As Paul corresponds with the Ephesians, he is not challenging them to strive for something he does not have. He is reminding them of what they have in Christ. What he has in Christ. Remember, he is writing this letter during a time of personal persecution and trial. Am I being real in all my relationships or am I still wearing a Mask?
verse 7, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace."
E valuation of self. Am I being honest with myself? Do I live each day as if I would stand before the Lord today? Do I live a REAL Christian life in front of my peers or is it just a facade? Is my Christian life really Christian? Verse four, (just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. Am I living obediently in Christ? Do I strive daily to live and think Biblically as I deal with the different tests and temptations that come my way?
A ttitude....Attitude...Attitude. IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT ME....IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!!!! Paul makes it firmly clear in verse one why he is doing what he is doing and why he is saying what he is sharing with the Christians. Ephesians 1:1, "Paul and apostle of Christ Jesus BY THE WILL OF GOD. It requires a submissive attitude to be and live obediently to what God commands. In my effort to be REAL, have I realized that the things that I experience in my life that are not in my control are there to mold me and shape me more into the image of Christ? May I not get lost in focusing in the process, that I lose sight of the fact that God sees the finished product. Therefore, I must trust God that He knows best for my life.
Love of God and others more than self!!!!! Do I love and long for the eternal things that God has to offer? Verse 18, " I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the sayings, Verse 19, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."
Key things to consider as I seek to be REAL and SHARE my faith:
*My ability to influence others is directly related to what they think about me.
*What does it mean to enter someone's world but not take on his or her way of life?
*How can I become friends with non-christians without letting them influence me negatively?
*Think of some qualities of a healthy relationship: Okay, now are these qualities in my relationships with God, parents, friends, etc.......

Gingerbread delights

As a family we spent one evening over the summer decorating gingerbread men. This is practice for the making of gingerbread houses for Christmas.

Time like a never ending stream

Just logged in again only to find it was June that I last paid a visit. This is now the 4th October.
So much has happened over the last few months that it has gone so quickly. My son Ken came home again from England and is now living with us again, May and I have been over to Amsterdam. This was in the middle of the heat wave with temperatures reaching the mid 30.s by day.
Then May went with Isabel to Zimbabwe to visit the projects over there.

Widgets

Yahoo! Widgets - Get Weather, Photos, Calendar, and More on Your Mac or Windows Desktop

Just discovered the wonderful world of Widgets. I now have so many of them on the PC I don't know where to look. I can tell you it will be wet on Monday.

The Bridling Place

The Bridling Place: "O TO BE LIKE THEE ..............
O to be like Saul whose name was changed to Paul,
Known as an Apostle who consistently gave his all.
To jails he was not a visitor, to hardship he was not a stranger,
He stood bold as a lion when looking in the eye of danger.
O to be like Peter who walked with Jesus on the sea,
When the waves began to thunder, for the hand of Jesus did he plea.
He spoke with boldness and power on the day of Pentecost,
Proclaiming the gospel of Christ to the thousands that were lost.
O to be like Noah who worked on an ark for a hundred and twenty years,
He faithfully spoke redemption and warning to rebellious deafened ears.
The rain began to drop, the floods began to rise,
The door has been shut, can you see the fear in their eyes?
O to be like the Samaritan who is known for being good,
When he saw a desparate need, he went beyond the duty of doing what he could.
He opened not only his hand, but also his heart,
To help the wounded man, before he from the world did depart.
O to be like Enoch a man who walked with God,
His character was flawless, his testimonty wasn't a fraud.
He sought not that which was right in the eyes of wicked man,
But followed that which was according to God's master plan.
O to be like Esther, a captive who became a queen,
Her graciousness and beauty the king had never seen.
She forgot not her people when Haman sought their pain,
Her courage before the king kept them from being slain.
O to be like David though young he knew his cause,
He went forth to fight the giant, but not for man's applause.
A man though not perfect grew to play his part,
Remember as a man after God's own perfect heart.
to be like Ehud a judge by God was he made,
He soon would deliver Israel by the crafting of a blade.
He took King Eglon a present, bodly before him did he stand,
He presented him with a dagger, not with his right but his left hand.
O to be like Daniel who purposed seriously in his heart,
To keep himself pure and from God's will not depart.
When thrown into the lions den looking danger in the eye,
He bowed his knee and heart to God who reigns supremely on high.
O to be like God, the one whom these people served,
Their homage, their obedience He graciously deserved.
He gave them knowledge and wisdom when they didn't know what to do,
Power and strength when battling wickedness in places higher than me and you.
He gave them discernment and direction when sinking in sin's sand,
Gave them a sense of hope, He guided them by the hand.
Why do we focus our eyes on others comparing ourselves to their level,
Not watching for the obstacles set out by the devil.
Why not raise our standard to be like our God above,
A flawless example of Grace and flowing agape love.
To be like thee O God, I pray I will strive to be,
Not settling for second best or the enemy of complacency.

"New" Castle

Heard that there had been a few changes in the appearence at Newcastle Co Down, as I hadn't been there for a few years decided to go and have a look. Now I remember why I hadn't been there for so long-only two things have changed. The sea front (and it does look good) and the boats in the boating lake, they are now swans!

Food glorious food

Invited out to the Europa for a free meal. Wendy Austin compared. Actually it was catering management award ceremony so food was good as you would expect. Had to dress up for the occassion.

BBQ

Home group BBQ What a lovely evening. All had to complete a triple back somersault before supper was served! However only Marina tried it. Stayed out late talking and getting to know each other that bit better. This is church community in action. John however suffered the next day from eating too many burgers.

New Issues facinging Christians today

New Issues facing Christians today- John Stott - Christian Bits

I have been reading this book and on Page 422 he quotes Ronald Knox
"Men will not live without vision; that moral we do well to carry away with us from contemplating, in so many strange forms, the record of the visionaries. If we are content with the humdrum, the second best, the hand-over-hand, it will not be forgiven us"
Over the last few weeks I have had occasions to witness those whose whole beings are consumed by what appears to be the humdrum to an extent that to me it defies rationality. How does someone's vision become so narrow and so exacting that the miss use of an explanation mark or a wrong use of words would almost cause a world war?

This is better live!!

I get complaints that I don't update this page often enough-there are a number of reasons. I'm so busy doing other things that adding to this blog is way down the list. I have a teenage son who also uses this PC and has an IPod which means HE uses this PC all day. I'm waiting for something more profound than " the sun shone today-it was nice" before I add anything. Having a small mind does not facilitate great thoughts!

bienvenidos...: hello

bienvenidos...: hello

Lost time

Been away for some time-other events happening that have caused me to neglect this. I find the reallity of getting older sometimes unnerving and I find myself getting nostalgic for things long past. This worries me, yes memories are good, but I don't want to be someone who hankers after a so called "golden era" where everthing ,through rosy glasses, was better and nicer and well you know the lines. I joined friends reunited- I don't have any!!!
Over easter helping out at youth weekend just to feel young again.