An Adventure in Ministry

  This Summer has been marvellous We’ve really had some fun, We’ve explored, adventured, laughed and played  In rain, and wind, and sun. But now comes a different season, And I can feel that sense of worry. For school is starting once again, And life will soon become a hurry! You will be back with your teachers Who make you laugh and grin, And teach you to be confident and strong And celebrate each little win. You’ll be back with your friends and classmates With whom you learn and play, You’ll be learning all about life and the world In a fun and creative way.  And when the house is once more silent, And your not always asking for  food, I’ll sit and reflect on our summer together And remember the hard and the good! I will miss your lively company, And our days full of cake and ice cream The memories contained in photographs And that giggle and that beautiful beam!  But I will also embrace the quiet And a whole biscuit and hot cup of tea And the fact I can sit f...

  Recently we have returned home from a wonderful holiday taking our converted van to  Northumberland. We spent a glorious day on a beautiful beach 25 minutes from our campsite down picturesque country lanes and through the dunes, a workout pushing my daughter's special needs buggy!! It was worth it though as we saw the soft sand, the sparkling blue sea and the white froth of the breaking waves. We set up for the day and I began one of my favourite tasks…people watching! As time passed, I noticed something fascinating, and God began revealing a challenging truth to me. I noticed the people at the water’s edge and began to see that they tended to fall into one of 6 groups of behaviour.  The strollers - These people are on their way down the beach to a given destination and as they stroll (or even march,) they walk along with their feet in the water, or occasionally being touched by a wave.  The toe dippers - These people simply only want to feel the water on their toe...

  We have just come back from a beautiful summer holiday travelling around Norfolk in our newly converted van that I affectionately have named ‘Tristan!!’ It was a much needed time away, but I must admit I struggled, at times, to get into the rhythm of rest and find my peace. While spending time in prayer and reflection one morning while enjoying my morning cup of coffee, I felt God whisper a phrase to me. The phrase was ‘Fight for peace’ ‘Fight For Peace’  Initially the phrase made me feel uncomfortable. They seem to be the antithesis of one another! But as I spent some time considering this in line with the scriptures, I began to see the wisdom in the phrase.  I began to read scriptures about peace and see them in a completely new way. For example: "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests t...