Just been watching DIY SOS on television. It's a program where a group of tradesmen and Nick Knowles renovate rooms for a family who have fallen upon hard times. Tonight it was Grandparents who care for their dead daughter's children. And although the professionals were being paid it was clear to see how moved they were when the Grandparents saw their new dining room. A few tears from me of course!

But, it is deeply rewarding when you see someone in real need being helped and knowing a blessing has come their way.

Luke in the Acts of the Apostles tells us that Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than receive."
One day when we stand before the Lord in Glory, I doubt He will ask us how much we got, it is much more likely to be, "how much did you give"? Perhaps He might ask a second question: "Did you give to those in need"?

Food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, clothing for the naked and shelter for the homeless

I was speaking to a minister friend of mine the other day, very well known in certain circles as a Preacher of some merit. Having exchanged a number of the usual pleasantries, he said, "Oh, by the way I've started singing." Oh, really I replied somewhat mockingly, in the bath I suppose.

He began to tell me of how he had shared his desire to sing with a minister friend while in America. The friend said, "why not," found some music and said OK, sing. Well, to cut a long story short, he now sings before he preaches and as they say, 'brings the house down.'

I have heard him and must say, he is rather good.

Got anything you've always wanted to do, but been too frightened to give it a go? Maybe it's time you stepped out in faith. Jesus said to His disciples, "all the works I do, you shall do also, and even greater works than these." And do you know, they did!

Well, General Election next Thursday, what drama!

I went to a meeting of the three main candidates recently, and one of them in my estimation was way ahead of the other two mainly because he seemed to have a grasp of what our country needs. The strange thing for me was that he represents the party that I would not normally vote for. In fact the candidate for my personal political sway was not impressive at all. What a dilemma! Answers on a postcard please!

On a more serious note us Christians are obliged to vote, why? To show how grateful we are to live in a democratic country. Think of all those places around the world where the only hope of democracy is by civil war.

Don't know who to vote for? Well you should

Somebody called Kevin Welch wrote: "There'll be two dates on your tombstone. And all your friends will read them. But all that's going to matter is that little dash between them."

I love that verse John's Gospel when Jesus said, " A thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and have it in abundance " All you theological types know the Greek word for life is Zoe, literally life as God has it. It would appear from that verse that there are some people around who want to make sure you don't have too good of a time while on this earth. Sorry to say many of them are in the Church and often in the pulpit.

I came to faith in Jesus in 1973, prior to that I was a very bad boy, with bad habits, bad friends and a very bad preoccupation with making sure I fulfilled all my desires at any cost. Now, 37 years later, despite all the ups and downs of life, I am able to tell you, that Jesus is real, my best friend and I love Him.

I think it was Billy Sunday who said, "I have never gotten over the wonder of my salvation."

I had an email yesterday from a Christian organisation explaining how great it would be if we have an 'hung parliament,' in the forthcoming election, where no party has an overall majority. Their thinking was that unity is a strong biblical principle, and having the three main parties working together for the good of the country would be wonderful.

How can I put this without sounding condescending? The last time we had an 'hung parliament ' was in the 1970s with Harold Wilson at the helm, within a year we had another election, this produced yet another 'hung parliament' with Jim Callaghan. You have probably guessed the outcome of that one, a total flop!

I pray that one party will have an overall majority, especially if it's the one I plan to vote for!

But, here is something I am certain of, it's not Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrat, but it is the sovereign will of God. He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ who loves us, lavishes His grace upon us. He rules and reigns and you certainly can't vote for Him. He is the Lord.

Well, the General election is , but they are from a Father coming up, so we have another 3weeks or so to the big day. Will Brown be outed? Will Cameron march into Downing Street? Or maybe Clegg have a say in an 'hung parliament?' Will it make any difference to you or I whoever wins?

We are blessed with democracy in this country, albeit with only two parties having any chance of winning. There are plenty of despots around the world, look at Robert Mugabe, his people have no say in how their country is run.

Somebody once said to me, "your God is a tyrant," I asked, "what do you mean?" I received a tirade of how God demands our obedience and if you don't, hell is your destnation. I can understand his thinking, flawed though it is. As believers God does make demands on our lives, that is clear, but these come from a Father who knows us and loves us and in whom we can trust. To the unbeliever God reaches out a hand of love and forgiveness through Christ with no strings attached. However there will come a judgement day.

In the General Election we choose who will serve us, but in Christianity we must choose who we serve

Ringo Starr sang about, "when I'm 64" in the sixties, well I am now 64! I realise my bloggees can't believe that the young looking Norman Dix can be anywhere near 64 years old, but it is true.

I've got 6 more years to reach the stage that Alan Redpath used to call, "living in over-time."
Of course the reality is that my life and indeed death lies in the hand of God, and I'm very satisfied at the situation.

Frank Sinatra sang, "I did it my way," and that friends would be just about the worst thing you or I could do. The old Testament Prophet Jeremiah tells us that God has an individually tailored plan for each one of us, Jesus said He knows the number of hairs on our head.

In John's gospel Jesus said, "the thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life"

I'm im in my 38th year as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Has it been rich and satisfying?
You bet it has! Here's to the next........how many years