...the great outdoors

Thanks Tom Clark for organising a great walk across some of Wales great hills. All the chaps who came along did so in great spirit.







After a trek through a boggy pine forest (Blaen-y-glyn) and a stiff climb we came to the WW2 memorial.In memory of six Canadian pilots who died in their Lancaster bomber after crashing at this site. The wreckage is still visible today.



Tom guided us along the ridge to Fan y Big then he worked his psychology to get us to the top of the final peak. The wind was strong at the top. I could lean into it and let it support my weight. As many before me I added another stone onto the cairn to make the hill a little bigger!









Great day!

...the demonstration of the spirits power

Bishop Ricardo was awesome!
He did not come with theology or clever anecdotes but with the experiences of his life which themselves are a demonstration of Gods power.
It is impossible not to be inspired by the man.

But inspired to do what? Surely a fleeting emotional response is not enough. The power of the man's testimony allows me to feel the freshness of the holy spirit. But also his passion challenges my 'middle England' approach to Christianity.

Is it possible to have the passion without the bruises?

Dare I ask God to bring change?


It is heartening to hear the first hand accounts of miraculous healing. Normally it is easier to remain detached when reading reports of miracles from afar. But these accounts left me saying to myself over an' again "God is real!", "God is real!"

WOW!

...a canoe that floats

...refusing to be intimidated by the heavy downpour the foolish pair continued their journey to the elusive 'put-in'. A place near Radyr, seen on Google-maps to possibly offer access to the Taff. The condition of the 'indian' on water was yet to be determined. The many gel-coat chips adorning the watercraft did not diminish the pride with which the pair launched her down the steep, root ridden bank into the, now swollen, waters of Wales famous river.

With not a little trepidation we tested our weight against the draft of the craft and attempted our first sweep with our home fashioned canadian paddles. (two Kayak paddles sawn at the 60 inch mark with a bit of gaffa tape for a handle - neat job Bub!).

The now fast flowing river and the old 'indian' (canadian) canoe tussled for dominance during this 2 hour maiden voyage. But I think it was an even draw. The river clearly longed to swamp us, and made quite a few unsuccessful attempts. With no reference to fairness! But on the other hand we never managed to turn the canoe up river without the aid of a waterside leverage, the current always throwing us back around as it hit the side.

Here I am before the trip. Not a very "Ray Mears" look I know. And I bet he doesn't wear a shorty underneath as I am here.





My Bro Bub is seen here - umbilical still attached - with a bit of a trim problem. Hard to tell he is sporting a broken left shoulder. Then again, maybe that's why we kept circling against the current! Not his rotten J-stroke!

Can't wait for the real trip in a few weeks time. Just a coat of paint and a name required.

Is it right to name a canadian canoe? What do you think?

... my Ford Mondeo estate

I find it very difficult to give up on something! Not always a good trait (when to sell those shares at a loss for instance).
I didn't give up on my trusty high spec estate car either. Even though it had a dodgy diesel fuel pump. After six months with a top end just over 60 we finally found a garage that would fix it. So with new tow bar fitted the faithful beast got Jayne , me and the kids up to the bible week. It felt great to drive a car that accelerated! Even with a trailer!!

If it wasn't for those teenagers in the car behind at Stafford Asda round-a-bout my faith wouldn't have been tested any further.

But now alas the insurance company have written it off. Just because of this little dent in the tailgate.

But do I buy back the salvage value of my faithful car and stick with it? Or should I count it all as lost and move on? It must be so lonely stacked with all those other discards in the salvage yard.

Doh!

...Bible week

more than anything else this year I gained a feeling of belonging. Belonging to a people. Belonging to God and his purpose. Belonging to a vision. A vision for a future and the part God wants us to play in it.

I have felt again the love of the church family. I have seen the impact that we can have on those near and abroad.

I have gained again the confidence that is based on the firm foundation of the apostles and prophets. A confidence to build.

Once again I feel that I have a part to play, a calling, a purpose.
Many thanks to Andrew Hughes and his plain speaking. Will I hide in the baggage like Saul. (The baggage made out of all those reasons-why) or will I give my baggage to the baggage handler as David did before heading for the front line.
Many thanks to our brother -and father in the faith- Keri; who through integrity, an open hand and his uncompromising obedience to our God seals himself as a master builder in my heart.

Many thanks to our dear Lord who knows me through and through. And still chose me to be one of his!