Another year nearly gone and we will be saying, 'where did it all go'?
I think the important question to ask ourselves is, "what did I do with my year'?

I'm not keen on new year resolutions or whether 2010 was a good, bad or indifferent year. For me it was a year of trying to live the christian life, doing the best for my Church, hoping my husband skills are as they should be.

I've laughed, cried, grieved, despaired, rejoiced.....just life!

As a member of the so called baby boomers I become 65 in 2011. It's quite amazing I'm still around when I consider the kind of life I lived in my 20s. Many of my friends felt I would never make 30 with the way I was living. BUT then along came Jesus and offered me real life.

How grateful am I? More than I can say

Have a blessed and successful 2011

Thought I'd go straight in with a new post after my previous rant, even though I think it justified.

It is thought Jesus was born in August or September, but we stole a pagan festival held on 25 December and use it to remember the birth of Christ.

I find it interesting that the Bible does not tell us to to celebrate His birth or to do anything special regarding it.

Maybe it's because the New Testament concentrates on Jesus as a man, giving priority to His ministry and sacrifice on the cross.

However if Jesus was not born of a virgin then our salvation is of little value. We could no longer call Him the sinless, spotless lamb of God

But, Good News, He was born of a virgin, took our sins upon Himself and gave us the opportunity to become children of God.

Now that is GOOD NEWS

It's been a while since I've blogged, so must start doing it again.
So, here goes; Shall it be the snow or not getting the world cup for 2018 or perhaps the cricket in Australia?

I'd like to talk about this countries inability to discern right from wrong, good from bad and to be able to speak forthrightly without fear of being accused of some kind of 'ism'

I'm fed up with weak thinking and speaking just to appease some supposed 'do-gooder' who is unwilling to acknowledge right from wrong.

I was amused looking at the Post Office website today explaining that the reason for having no mail for three days was the weather AND that the Postman's welfare was the most important thing. I wish no harm on our Posties, but I was such a one many years ago and I don't recall anyone worrying about my welfare when I trudged round in the snow.

We are a country that has lost its 'soul' Christianity is a poor second to Islam or even 'wicca' which is now an accepted religion.

The late Mary Whitehouse told a Christian meeting many years ago, "the reason we have no moral compass is your fault, because you have done nothing"

I've been following the Pope's visit to the UK ,listening to his sermons, and preparing myself to pick holes in what he was saying.

Whilst my evangelical theology has great problems with much of the Catholic teaching, I have to say that I think his time over here has been very worthwhile.

The challenge to our politicians not to push the Christian view away was so needed in this time of extreme secularism. The encouragement to young people to live a good life and follow the way of God was refreshing in our post modern' world.

I trust that us Evangelicals who are so certain of our doctrine and way of worshipping will be willing to stand up and challenge the demise of the truth of God's world in our country.

Its been a while since I have found the time to do a blog, but back on board now!

I think the biggest question I keep asking myself these days is, why are so few people are coming to true faith in Christ. Having preached recently at our Church holiday and listened to two other excellent challenging messages, as well as some great singing I am at a loss to understand why the lost are not responding to the gospel message.

If I had been able to transport those messages and singing to say Africa or Asia, there would have been a rush to receive Christ.

I'm fearful to give my opinion of why spiritually the UK is dead in the water, however I will risk it and hope not too many people read this blog.

The answer simply, is the judgement of God. Lester Sumrall, a great man of God and now with the Lord told me many years ago that God was judging us because we had lost our first love. He said God has given you so much, and for many years you took it round the world, but now your heart has grown cold ( read Matthew 24 )

In the UK we are being bombarded with false doctrine, some from America and some home grown. Many good Christians are being taken in by teaching which seems right on the surface, but take a closer look and you will see that much of it is unbiblical and derived from new age teaching.

But, please don't give up, because God has not given up on us, and as we continue to pray, live right, do right we will see the Holy Spirit break into the hardness of heart that permeates our land, because Jesus is Lord

During the Welsh revival of 1904/5, 100,000 people became Christians, marriages were restored, pubs closed down, football and rugby matches cancelled for lack of patronage.

For us living in the 21st century it's hard to believe it really happened. Many Churches are happy to just survive, others are willing to try just about anything to get bums on seats.

Apparently, the worst thing we can do is to preach the Gospel, because it may cause offence and put people off coming to Church.

I would venture to suggest that if we don't start preaching the whole Gospel and bring some substance into our meetings, the day will come when the UK will truly be seen as a secular society.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Rome; "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to everyone who believes" This is what saves souls, not dumbing down the truth so as to make the way to salvation easy and cheap.

I am committed to leading a totally inclusive Church, but I am also totally committed to preaching the whole gospel.

I'm finding being 64 years old a strange thing, part of me is ready to go on and on as a full-time minister because I feel I still have a lot to offer, and yet there are moments when my own personal beach hut by the sea is very inviting.

The Apostle Paul wrote about wanting go and be with the Lord, but realised he was more needed down here on earth. Of course I don't put myself in his exalted bracket, however I do understand what he was saying.

I know a minister who is counting down the days on his calendar to his retirement. Doesn't seem to be the right attitude to me.

For me, I just want to be useful to the Lord and hopefully pass on some of the things I have learnt through the years, and I will carry on rejoicing always seeing the glass half full.

So, the beach hut will have to wait!!!

This time tomorrow many of us will be rejoicing at England beating Germany or being "as sick as a parrot" I love football a lot, but in reality neither it's not that important. Win or lose tomorrow football will carry on.

People are the most important thing in life, they are the thing that keeps us on this earth. You might think in dire moments how good it would be to live alone on a desert island, but I'm sure you would soon change your mind.

Sure, I know we can all be a dreadful pain at times, but God has created us as a relational people....we need one another!

Jesus was no party pooper, He loved to be amongst people, He fellowshipped with and ate with them, from the poorest to the richest.

So, no more sulkiness, unforgiveness or pity-parties from now on. Enjoy God's creation

Come On England!!

How great to see the World Cup finals in South Africa, the "Rainbow Nation" as Nelson Mandela named it.

It's difficult to believe how short a time ago that apartheid reigned and Mr Mandela was locked away on Robin Island. What a man he is, no anger, no unforgiveness, no desire for revenge, just the desire for equality for all South Africans.

South Africa proves yet again that there is always hope, however dire the circumstances may be today, tomorrow can be a better day!

The Greek word for hope is 'elpis,' and it means "to have a favourable confident expectation"
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Church in Rome writes that, "hope does not disappoint"
That of course means if your hope is in the Lord and not in self.

So, lets make a decision to never give up or lose hope, the best is yet to come.

The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonian Church talks about us being made up of, spirit, soul and body. The spirit being our spiritual side, the soul about our mind and emotions and the body our fleshly bits.

Many years ago I, with some other ministers were talking to a very famous American preacher of great repute and integrity. We asked him which part was the real us, expecting him to say, 'the spirit' because we are 'born again of the Spirit.' He replied without hesitation, 'the soul,' we said, "how so?" He said, "the real you is the one in the dark, the deep recesses of your soul"

The more I think about what he said, the more I understand how right he was. How easy it is to say something with our tongue and yet in our mind think very differently. This is of course hypocrisy and should not be so.

It is no wonder Paul Paul says, "be renewed in the spirit of youe mind" How can we do this?
I'm not going to tell you, let me know what you do.

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

Caught a few minutes of the god channel the other day, the speaker was the daughter of a well known American preacher who I met many years ago. So I settled down to see what she was speaking about, the first sentence was, "God gives us want we want, not just what we need." Off she went, telling her audience that if you have enough faith you can get anything you want.

I will not ridicule this woman, but I have to say that this teaching is 'another gospel,' it bears no resemblance to the teaching of the Bible, however I'm sure many in the congregation she was speaking to and some of the TV audience were taken in.

The Bible tells us that we have the "mind of Christ," without coming over as facetious I do wish that some believers would start using their brain as well as their spirit. We must begin to study the Word and then the Holy Spirit will enlighten us.

Interesting reading today in the newspaper about the Christian lady who lost her case regarding the wearing of a cross at work. She said it was part of her Christianity, the tribunal said, "not so"

Is this the persecution of a Christian and another nail in the coffin of our faith? I don't think so!
The day that the wearing or non wearing of a cross is the centrepiece of the faith is something to be feared.

Of course I feel for the lady and the importance she places on wearing a cross, but I hardly ever see a Christian wearing one, indeed it's the likes of Madonna who seem enjoy the adornment.

There is a serious amount of persecution happening against us Christians, but try reading your New Testament and there is persecution!

Lets not get hung up on what Jesus said we would get if we lived the Christian life. He also went on to say, "but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world for you"

Jesus died today, or at least this is the day us christians remember His death at Calvary. We can never know how He really suffered on that cruel cross and yet that was nothing compared to the separation He was going to have from the Father. What a heart rending cry he uttered when He cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsken me"? This was no cry of defeat, but of Christ's humanity showing the deep distress of His soul and yet knowing that this was not the end.

And yet I read today of how many 'new age' inspired Preachers are denying Christ substitutionary death. I am at a total loss to understand their thinking and more importantly their theology. The thinking of the day is, "lets dumb down the gospel and then people will come to Church." The lost need Jesus first, Church comes next.

Five young people being baptised on resurrection day. HALLELUJAH