‘Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.’ Romans 12:2 ERV

I haven’t done this or even thought about doing this is a very long time. But when someone sent me this I was so blown away with the final message, I literally had option but to share it with you.

A girl bought an iPad. When her father saw it, He asked her "What was the 1st thing you did when you bought it?

"I put an anti-scratch sticker on the screen and bought a cover for the iPad" she replied.

"Did someone force you to do so?"

- "No"

"Don't you think it's an insult to the manufacturer?"

- "No dad! In fact, they even recommend using a cover for the iPad"

"Did you cover it because it was cheap & ugly?"

- "Actually, I covered it because I didn't want it to get damaged and decrease in value."

"When you put the cover on, didn't it reduce the iPad's beauty?"

- "I think it looks better and it is worth it for the protection it gives my iPad."

The father looked lovingly at his daughter and said,

"Yet if I had asked you to cover your body which is much more precious than the iPad, would you have readily agreed???"

She was mute....

Indecent dressing and exposure of your body reduces your value and respect.

Always dress decently.

When did it became fashionable for young girls to show off their bellies by the wearing of crop tops? When did it become fashionable for young men to wear trousers without belts that show their underpants? Sadly, these poor fashion choices have found their way into our churches and everyone is afraid to speak to the young people because they are scare they might offend them and they would not come back. So, I ask myself the question; is this the church that God is coming back for? Whatever happened to us being peculiar people?

Some of the things that we need to confront begin at home. This is because it is primarily a spiritual thing. We need to dress from the inside. Think about it.

Heritage Singers perform ‘Breath on me.’ Click the picture to listen.

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.’ Romans 1:16

Whilst coming home from work last week, I happen to observe three people walking along the side of the road. People watching, as I am prone to sometimes do, I noticed that one of the men (two men and one lady) had a handful of leaves which he handed to the other man. After a brief conversation and a jocular push, he then proceeded to shower his friend with the handful of leaves all the time laughing. The lady of the group gave that man a hearty slap on the back and they all laughed and fumbled into the Pub they were walking towards.

All seemingly and happy with not a care in the world.

Something inside moved me. It wasn’t a feeling of disgust of pity that they were entering a Pub. It was more a feeling of shame, on my part, that they were ‘care free’. Why? Because they didn’t know any better, I hadn’t told them.

How active have you been in your witnessing lately? If not that active, maybe it is time you did something about it.

Heritage Singers sing ‘Will you love Jesus more’. Click on the picture to listen.

September 9-10 -

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” - Matthew 28:19

'There is only one way under heaven for me to get the best of any argument - that is, to avoid it. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.' Dale Carnegie

When I came across this quote it brought a picture to my mind of the people I had encountered over the years. They came to the faith for a short while, but burned out quickly. Speaking with some of them from time to time - not all, they intimated that they had been persuaded against what they called, 'their better judgement'. They came from a variety of backgrounds but all had had one thing in common....they each had an un-fulfilled need – loneliness – insecurity. As a result they had surrounded themselves with a shell of protection against further hurt, until, as they said. They allowed themselves to be persuaded against 'their better judgement'.

Perhaps at the time a campaign was running in the area? or the outreach worker was just over-enthusiastic? who knows, but tact, sensitivity, and TIME had not been taken into account. TIME for them to get to know their contacts as friends . TIME for them to discover backgrounds, fears, needs, and sorrows. Most importantly, TIME hadn't been given to allow God to work on their hearts before they committed their lives to Him.

I discovered the following illustration by The Christophers, and it struck me that, as we spread the Good News in our outreach work, it wouldn't go amiss to follow grandfather's advice to his grandson:

“A man was walking in the countryside with his grandson when they came across a small land turtle. The boy picked up his find, examined it and tried to pry open the shell with a stick. The turtle promptly pulled in it's head. “That will never get you anywhere”, the grandfather remarked. “Let me show you”.

They returned to the house, and the man put the turtle on the warm hearth. A few minutes later the turtle stuck out it's head and feet and began crawling towards the boy. “Never try to force a fellow into anything”, was the grandfather's observation, “Just warm him up with a little kindness, and he'll respond”.

Just the method Jesus used, and look at His success record. Makes you think, doesn't it!

“I do Believe” (LIVE) – the Gaithers – our music today. Please click on the picture to listen.

September 14-15 -

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever". Psalm 23 (KJV)

At the height of his illness a friend said to me, “why didn't all of this happen to me years ago? I'm closer to God now than I've ever been!” It's strange, but so many times good comes out of adversity. We spend our lives concentrating on this, that, or the other; worrying about this, that, or the other, and our relationship with God is put on the side-burner. When adversity hits us....well, it's then we are faced with, not only our past and present, but our futures too – what lies ahead? All we know is, we can't face it alone.

Victor Hugo apparently had a similar experience. Hugo was France's most popular literary figure when he was banished to imprisonment by Napoleon 111 of France, - Napoleon had taken great exception to some of Hugo's political views and opinions, and believed that Hugo would never be heard of again. How wrong he was. After several years of isolation, Hugo was heard to exclaim, “Why was I not exiled before!”

It was during this period of his “adversity” - his present situation, that Hugo really looked at, not only his past, but also his future. Hugo was to return to France from exile to be more famous than he'd ever been. During the years of his incarceration Hugo wrote his most successful novels – perhaps the best known is 'Les Misererable.'

If misfortune, disaster, or an illness ever confines you, keep my friend, and Hugo, in mind. Wherever we may be, whatever our situation, we'll never face the future alone.

You and I might be overheard to say, “Why didn't this happen to me sooner!” 

“God on the Mountain” (LIVE) sung by Jason Crabb is today's music. Click on the picture to listen.

‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Genesis 2:24

Research is revealing that television is not as popular as it used to be. Even though we have cable stations where we can get over 1000 different channels from around the globe, in every conceivable language, people are turning to different types of media (mainly downloading or streaming) to watch what they want. So, in an effort to grab new audiences, programmers have to dream up programs which will lure in the inquisitive viewer, even if the title seems ludicrous.

One such program that was brought to my attention was ‘Married at first sight’. This is a show which originated in the USA and now has been copied throughout many different nations. The concept is simple; individuals put their details into a computer databank and a behaviour psychologist chooses a compatible match. These two individuals then do not see each other until the bride walks down the aisle. Yes, you heard me, until the bride walks down the aisle and says “I do!”

So, this is what is called entertainment nowadays. The first assault on marriage was the introduction of same sex relations being viewed in the same light as marriage. Now marriage does not even warrant a courtship or relationship.

Less we forget, marriage was instituted by God in the bible. ‘This explains why (key text) a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’

As Christians, we too have a role in promoting what the bible has to say on such topics. So, if you have the chance point someone to the bible today.

Donna Taggart sings ‘I promise you.” Click on the picture to listen.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

Recently I returned from a holiday abroad.  Whilst there I had a privilege of attending camp meeting in Zimbabwe. It was in a place called Marondera, which is in Mashonaland East.

It was my first time there and I was there with my family. However, I had the surprise of my life when I stood to play a special item and I looked out in the congregation and saw my former Pastor looking out at me. I was so shocked I just stood there wide mouthed until he said “anywhere with Jesus!”

So, it got me thinking about heaven. Can you imagine the joy of seeing your friends there? Your relatives that you love dearly but are divided by distance? That person you witnessed to or who witnessed to you. We had a good time catching up and were both pleasurably surprised

Please plan to be there, there is a room especially prepared for you.

Tim Miner sings ‘Jesus is waiting’. Click on the picture to listen.

September 2-3 – Little things mean a lot

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” - Luke 16:10 ESV

After a concert Paderewski, the well-known pianist, was asked, “To what do we owe your breathtaking ability on the keyboard?” Hesitatingly, Paderewski replied; “I'm not sure. I suppose music was born in me. If I can take any credit at all for being able to play the piano it's perhaps because every day I practice scales for hours on end.”

“Scales?” echoed a surprised admirer. “Just scales?” "If I cannot do the little things simply and easily, replied Paderewski, how am I to do the biggest things!”

Do you think perhaps that this is why most of us miss the main point of living, simply because we concentrate our minds and every effort in striving for the big things in life?

On the media we see the headlines and feel envy for the “talent show stars” with their big houses, and yachts. Videos show them jetting away to foreign lands reclining on sun-loungers while being waited on hand and foot. Their houses are equipped with the latest technology and labour saving devices – limousines – chauffeurs,,,,the list goes on?

We plod on wondering why things don't change for us. Paderewski had the answer when he said, he was able to play the piano because “every day I practice scales for hours on end.”

It's when we do the daily humdrum things to perfection that we give our gala performance, bringing help and pleasure to those whose lives touch ours, day by day.

Music today “Jesus Walks Ahead of Me” - Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers(LIVE). Click on the picture to listen.

August 31 – See it-believe it

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT, second edition)

You Have to Believe It Before You See It

When we talk to people about the future planned for each of us by the Lord, how many times have we heard them reply “I'll believe it when I see it?” If we had 50p for every time, by now we would have a nice little nest-egg!

Faith is trust, confidence, a belief that brings with it the ability to visualise the future – heaven, and the homes we will build in the new earth.. It’s believing it before we see it.

Yes, a lot of people do say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” but God says the exact opposite is true: “You will see it when you first believe it.” There are many things in life that have to be believed before they can be seen.

Rick Warren in an article in 1995 wrote: 'In the 1960s, the Russians sent the first cosmonaut into outer space. He circled the earth, and when he came back down, he did a press conference and said, “I searched the heavens, and I looked for God, and I did not see him anywhere. Therefore, there is no God.” The Communists, which was an atheistic regime, said, “We now have scientific proof that there is no God.” About six months later, John Glenn went into space, circled the earth three times on Gemini, came back down, and held a press conference. He said, “I saw God everywhere! I saw his glory in the galaxy. I saw his splendour in the universe. I saw his majesty in the stars.”

Which one was right? They both were. Jesus said, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Before there is spiritual transformation in your life, you’re too narrow-minded to see the possibility of what God wants to do in your life.

Wernher von Braun, the father of the nuclear movement, said, “There has never been any great accomplishment in history without faith.” It is faith that causes an architect to design a building because, first, he believes it can be done. It is faith that causes an Olympic athlete to practice and go to the Olympic trials because she believes she can achieve. It is faith that causes a sculptor or an artist to believe that he can paint a picture or attempt the sculpture. It is faith that causes the scientist to believe that we can put a man on the moon.

Someone has to believe it before they see it. It is a universal principle of life.'

• What do you believe God wants you to accomplish in your life?

• How should faith affect your goal setting?

• Why do you think God wants us to believe in faith instead of just showing us before we believe?

  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 NIV

  “Yes, I See God” sung by Dolly Parton is a song from Bryn's collection – our choice today. Click on the picture to listen.

August 26-27 - Esteemed

“My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king” - Daniel 6:22

The ex-American baseball player Dave Dravecky, following his battle with cancer wrote: 'I have discovered that a person's true worth is found in who he or she is before God, not in what he or she does. And when we make that discovery, the world opens up like never before.'

Drunk drivers, irresponsible friends and corrupt leaders – all of these can cause innocent people to suffer. The Bible provides numerous examples of righteous men and women who suffered at the hands of others. Daniel for example, spent his life in captivity (some scholars believe he was made into a eunuch by his Babylonian captors) and often was threatened with death-even though he is one of the most upright and pious men in Scriptures.

There's great comfort in knowing that God will use anything- even the wickedness of humankind-to fulfill his purposes. Daniel suffered greatly, but still chose to honour God throughout his captivity. His actions were to eventually lead him to a position of leadership, while still in captivity. This position, and his life-style example enabled him to display God's power and faithfulness to a watching world. God used Daniel's difficulties to work for good.

Sometimes, the excellence of a jewel can best be seen when it's placed against a dark background. We listen to the news reports, and look at social media sites reporting events and conditions around the world, and it would be easy to think that God doesn't care as all we see and hear is suffering and tears. We can't understand why God doesn't act. Yet it's this very background of darkness, both global and personal, that makes it time for us to reach out for the jewel that blazes even more brilliantly, simply because of the darkness our world is in.

Yes, God may have allowed grief to invade our world and lives for a little while, but His compassion and unfailing love for us will never fail.

God called Daniel “highly esteemed” because he first highly esteemed God by the way he lived. “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed” he said. “Peace! Be strong now, be strong” - Daniel 10:19

(Acknowledgements “365 Days of Hope.”)

“One Voice/Where No-one Stands Alone (medley)” - the Gaither Vocal Band. Click on the picture to listen

August 24-25 – Aha!!

“I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice” - Psalm 34:1-2

It was one of those wet, windy days – the heavens opened overnight and the rain just kept coming and coming. Hundreds of calves had headed back to the farm from the fields to find some shelter, and there they were huddled together, shoulder to hindquarters, behind a fence and the barns. In the rain the ground had churned up into a mess of mud, turning the usual black and white coats of the calves into dirty brown. They looked dejected and miserable. All except one calf. Oblivious to the wind and torrential rain, he skipped and jumped like a child in a puddle. That one mud-caked calf was happy to be alive, and rejoiced in the God-given gift.

It was his “Aha!!” moment.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” - Matthew 19:14

I wonder, when did you and I last experience an “Aha!!” moment of delight and sheer thankfulness for life itself? These moments are beyond happiness – they come out of a deep sense of joy, and explode in sheer exuberance. Like a child you just burst beyond your limits, and have some fun. Joni Eareckson Tada describes this as “kingdom play,” based on the words of Jesus in or text about the children brought to Him. I can SO see Jesus playing chase and ball games with these same youngsters. I believe He shared many a “Aha” moment with the children around Him – and His disciples.

When was the last time you did, or said, something childlike – spur of the moment – out of sheer joy?

Express your delight in life and God today in the way a child would. Finger-paint a wild and colourful poster; sing at the top of your voice one of the songs you learned as a child. Buy a fruit drink and sip it through a straw, right to the dregs, then continue sucking and enjoy the slurping and gurgling sounds. If it is raining, go outside, dance in the downpour, jump in the puddles.


Above all, indulge in a little kingdom play – tell God in word, song and deeds.

Music today “God You're So Good” - by Terry Clarke (HQ) Click on the picture to listen.