Aspen

Aspen trees, members of the Salicaceae family and of the popular group, are quite a special breed. You see, a whole forest of trees can actually be a single organism connected through the roots. Though the individual stems can have only existed for a matter of 150 years or so, the single organism can have existed for thousands and thousands of years. Protected underground this species can even survive forest fires.

For How Long Am I Young?

When I was preaching through Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:8, I mentioned that I’d written a poem and had someone read it out at the start of the meeting. The poem reflects on how when we’re younger we try to grow up too fast, but then when we’re older we’re trying to cling on to youth.

Apparantly, Jesus Didn’t Die For Me

Robbie Williams has arisen on the third year from the grave (that is the grave of washed up expired pop stars). His latest album includes the single which he will be releasing, Bodies. At best this song makes Jesus out to be someone who made a good effort in dying for humankind who lived like a deity. Right at the end of the song, Robbie says, “Jesus didn’t die for you.”

On Becoming Babywise

By Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

First of all let me start by giving a disclaimer: I haven’t had a baby yet so I can’t really comment on whether this method of parenting works. This book review is simply on the helpfulness of the book for getting me to think through our parenting methods. My baby is due in two weeks so I may have more to say on this book some time after that.

Saint’s Stories #8

SAINT PIRAN

Having failed to write a saint’s story last month due to a holiday to Cornwall, Piran is our 8th saint, the patron saint of Cornwall.

Cuppa and a Chat!

I met up with a guy called Peter Farmer earlier today. He’s got his hand on a couple of simple churches in Nottingham. At the moment he’s on a mission to go around different areas across the UK and tomorrow his visit to Wales ends. His aim is to get to know the areas, meet people who are involved in missional/simple/new forms of church, and to pray for the areas. He emailed me asking to meet up and so we did.

We talked about what he’s doing and I shared where I’m at at the moment. He was asking me about Wales, particularly about Cardiff and Newport (since they’re the areas I know well) and I also told him a bit about the Valleys, as they’re some of the most socially deprived in the UK. He also told me about the others in Wales who he’s met. It was great meeting him.

Life in Hindsight?

Ecclesiastes 9:13-12:8

Well, it was the final preach for me in the Ecclesiastes series, and although I found it the hardest one to prepare, it went fine. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed preparing the series and preaching the sessions that I did. Ecclesiastes is a fantastic book but one that still maintains a certain amount of enigma to it! I opened with a poem I’ve written, which I may well share with you later this week.

Song of Solomon’s Lover

My little sister, Emily Raine, was reading through Song of Solomon. Making notes on chapters 4 and 7 she came up with this: