Blog

Back in Colorado, battling the ever present jet leg (in the office at 6.30 am this morning!).

Rainy in Wales today. I am still at the Apostolic Conference, “Ablaze”, which has to take the world record when it comes to buying books – we virtually sold out after just two meetings. Last night I had the opportunity to connect with two good friends from the past, Elwyn and Annette Arnold and their family. I’m always encouraged when I meet people who followed Jesus decades ago – and are still passionate about being faithful to Him. Elwyn and Annette are both youth workers, and in addition to this, Elwyn is involved as a chaplain in a local prison. Enjoyed a delicious custard cream slice at a clifftop coffee shop in the Mumbles area of Swansea today – about 11 billion calories but a real treat. Great to spend some time with Marcus and Pat, who pastor two churches in Northern Ireland. Happy birthday Marcus! This afternoon I speak at a gathering of local leaders from the Swansea area, on ‘Creative Leadership’. Tonight, it’s my last time to preach at ‘Ablaze” and then off back to Colorado tomorrow. end

Terrible journey from France to Wales yesterday. The airport in Nantes was jammed, so an hour long wait in line to check in, turbo-nappies on the plane (!) and then the M25 was completely snarled up because of the pouring rain. I finally arrived in Swansea just a little before midnight and I'm speaking twice today.

My friend Ishmael (www.ishmael.co.uk), has had a rough couple of days, probably in response to his last chemotherapy injection - please pray for him. 

I had quite a few people in Las Pas Opton come up to me and express appreciation for 'Helen Sloane's Diary" - and some of them said how stunned they were at a certain twist in the plot (I was about to give it away but then realized that I might ruin the book for people who check this blog but haven't read it yet). One man said how he laid on his bed and cried when that little hairpin bend in the plot came along. It made me feel grateful to be able to get people thinking, and to move them, with words. And that's what I am praying for today: as I speak to a group of people that I've never met before (the conference of the Apostolic Church) that God will use me as an instrument that will provoke thought, challenge, relief, and (if needed) even a little shock here and there.......

Here goes....

It's rainy in France! Have met a lot of the guests here who do the "Life Every Day' notes. One of them very kindly commented that it's like I'm a part of their life every day - they know me very well, and it feels like I ought to know them too! It struck me that it's an enormous privilige to be able to help people, many of whom I will never meet, on the journey of faith. And it also means that when writing becomes a huge challenge, and deadlines loom, it's all worthwhile. Another man, a relatively new Christian (I think) came up to me and said, with a huge smile, 'Don't ever stop writing those notes...'.

French weather is balmy and cloudy both. It's lovely to walk around the site and notice families all having such a good time. It gets a bit foggy when all the barbies are on the go, but the smell reminds me of camping with Kay, Kelly and Richard years ago at the Oregon coast. I got chased by a raccoon - but that's another story....

...all of which brings a tinge of sadness when I think that I'd do almost anything to have some of those days back again. I travelled a lot, but we did have some wonderful fun together. And that challenges me, even as I remember, not to spend life either in nostalgia or anticipation, but to live each and every day to the fullest. Thank God for this day. Is it perfect? No. Sometimes it's a bit cloudy, or too hot. But we're alive. Let's live as those fully alive. 

I'm at Las Pas Opton, France, speaking English with a French accent, Peter Sellers style. Over a thousand lovely guests here (and 37 unlovely ones - only joking....). The weather is great, and it's amazing how many come along to the bible studies in the morning and the celebration in the evening - especially when we tell them not to come and go swimming instead! It's good to be sharing the speaking with Ruth Dearnley, and hanging out with the Dearnley family (Mark, Charlie and Esther) as well as Jill Rowe who is here too. It's also interesting to see how God manages to speak to people and deal with stuff in their lives when they are relaxed and having fun. Note to self and indeed to the entire human race: relax and have fun more often.

 I’ve got back to England and was able to get to see my dear friend Ishmael, who has been going through a huge battle with leukemia for nearly four months now. He is doing well, but the next week is very important. He hopes to have his final chemotherapy injection on Monday. Officially, the doctors can’t pronounce him cured until two years have passed, but he is in remission. Ishy still will be pretty much out of action until next year. Please continue to pray for him and Irene - 

Another day, another airport. Saying goodbye at hillsborough last night reminded me of how, many years ago, God let Kay and me know that we would always be saying goodbye. And that's the way it is. People were referring to "the Hillsborough family" through the week and the kindness, the banter and the laughter and tears shared means that it really is that. An event like that becomes far more than just a preaching engagement. Thank God for the church, the people if God. And thanks to the lovely folks who made this last few days such a delight. "Keep 'er lit!"

Welcome to the new, completely redesigned web-site – thank you for visiting! First of all, a special word of greeting to all those who have been at the Hillsborough Bible Week, Northern Ireland, this last week. I was here last year for what turned out to be a monsoon – but so enjoyed the time that, when I was invited back, I just had to come. And it’s been a wonderful time. The worship has been great, and the attendance at the meetings incredible. More than that, the sense of God doing tangible things in our lives has been palpable. It’s also been such a delight to share ministry with R.T. Kendall – his bible studies in the mornings have not only been an inspiration, but I’m sure have bought real freedom to so many of us, especially when he talked about total forgiveness – for others and for ourselves. 

Hillsborough people, don’t forget to use the promotional code if you visit the new store that’s on the website. As for me, tomorrow I’m off back to England where I’ll be meeting up with my dear friend Ishmael (see www.ishmael.org.uk) and then to France to speak at Las Pas Opton for a week. I’m hoping to blog a couple of times a week (frequent visitors to this site will probably wonder if such a thing is possible, for good reason!). 

Please register for the new magazine (Emmaus) that we are hoping to launch soon. It will be quarterly, and free, but it’s vital that we know how to send it to you – so please register right now on this site.