Dreams

DREAMS come true only when we learn to BELIEVE in them!
Believing is nothing more than ACCEPTING, EXPECTING, and having CONFIDENCE and FAITH that your dreams will come true!
FAILURE DOESN'T KILL DREAMS!
When we learn what doesn't work, we can simply attempt another path!!
DOUBT has killed more dreams then failure ever did!!
Today practice REMOVING ALL DOUBT and replacing it with BELIEF
in YOURSELF!!
Today is perfect day to start LIVING YOUR DREAM!!
Happy 'Make it Happen' Saturday!!

Words

I try to watch the words I say, to keep them soft and sweet, I never know from day to day which ones I'll have to eat!!

My Wife and Me

Some days, our busy schedules,
Means, that sometimes we never see,
Each other, for all day, it seems,
My lovely wife and me.

But I always know she has been around,
When I pass the bathroom door,
For I see her little footprints,
Wet ones, upon the floor.

By Bob Davies

 

The Butterfly Project

If you know someone who cuts themselves share the butterfly project with them.

 The Rules are:

1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen, or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.

3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.
4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, you’ve killed it. If you dont cut, it lives.
5. ...If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.
6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.
7. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.

Footprints in the Sand

My favourite reading

Recipe for Life

Church this morning was by Keith Kirkham form King's Lynn Baptist Church.

During the family talk he illustrated that like cooking Life needed a recipe/instruction book, and the Bible is an instruction book for life

BIBLE

B = Basic
I  = Instruction
B = Before
L = Leaving
E = Earth

1tsp

Today
Start
Praying

Keep in mind 3 things when starting to pray.

Thank-you
Sorry
Please

Change your life

“This diet will change your life!” You’ve heard that one before, haven’t you? The latest crazes claim to have stumbled upon a magic secret that decades of research and millions of real-life experiences have failed to discover - and now they’re willing to share it with you. Too bad those “secrets” or “discoveries” never quite pan out the way they’re supposed to. The problem is, these diets do not change your life, even if they do help you lose weight. They don’t change your life, because they don’t change your lifeSTYLE. When the diet’s over, you end up with the same habits and daily routines that caused the weight gain in the first place. Typical diets are temporary solutions to what for many of us is a lifetime problem. That’s why 95% of dieters gain their weight back within a year - and often more. Fads and gimmicks are no match for some plain, old-fashioned common sense. Dieting without a lifestyle change is like patching a flat tire. You can put a temporary fix on the damaged area to get the car rolling again. But it’s highly likely that you’ll just end up patching it again later - just as it’s likely that you’d have to diet again at some point. There are millions of frustrated dieters out there who have made a practice of patching tires again and again and again, and are still struggling. If they simply had a better set of tires (or a healthier lifestyle), this wouldn’t be a problem anymore. The SparkDietTM is a four-stage process that helps you make the elusive jump from “dieting” to a “fresh, new lifestyle.” These stages zero in on the keys to a lifestyle transition that fixes the problem once and for all - motivation, healthy habits, and confidence. When these are normal parts of your everyday life, you may never need to “go on a diet” again.

Yo-yo dieting may seem like a harmless way to live, but it is serious, dangerous business. Studies have shown that yo-yo dieting is hard on your heart and depletes your immune system. Not only that, but it’s counterproductive. Every time you lose weight and gain it back, it makes it much tougher for your body to lose weight again and much easier to gain it. So, every time you diet, it’ll take a higher and higher toll on you - and your body - until you completely wear yourself down or give up trying altogether. So, unlike most diets, the SparkDiet will be a positive experience. No more yo-yoing here, just steady progress that winds up with permanent results. It will make you feel good about yourself instead of training you to find flaws or beat yourself up. Hopefully, you’ll meet new people in the community and have some fun. Most of the fun you’ll have will come from freedom. Freedom to make the journey as you see fit, freedom to mess up without the world ending, and freedom to create the healthy lifestyle that you’ve always wanted. So jump off the dieting roller coaster and free yourself from this harmful cycle. You’ll land safely and - yes - your life will change.

The Fast Break Stage is a springboard that gives more power to the other SparkDiet Stages. Just a little prep and practice give you a head start without the need for manic, life-altering changes. You’ll choose and focus on three small, simple goals that will help you get off to a good start without overwhelming you. Meanwhile, you’ll learn six strategies that will set you up for success. Healthy Diet Habits help you chisel away at the building blocks of a healthy lifestyle. These are six simple changes you can make in your life that really add up to something special. If you pick up these six habits - and if they stick around - we can almost guarantee that you’ll reach your goals. You’ll also accelerate your weight loss during this stage by regularly using the meal planner and nutrition tracker, tools that help you build a healthy lifestyle the right way. Stage 3 bridges the gap from dieting to healthy lifestyle and gets you ready to spread the “spark” to other people. The Lifestyle Change gives you a chance to learn to live with your collection of new habits. Even more importantly, it also teaches you how to stay motivated and consistent. Persistent self-motivation is the key to keeping momentum alive and making it different this time. This is the culmination of weeks of hard work. In this stage, we’ll help you max out your weight loss success and put it to good use as a positive force for your loved ones and community. You can draw on everything you’ve done up till now to reach your goals and dreams, and to help others do the same. You can do whatever you put your mind to!

The diet program is a combination of directed and self-directed action. Your MySpark Page, along with reminder e-mails, will guide you to the right places at the right times. The program is set up with activities, tools, goals, articles, and information that help you build the skills and habits to live a healthy lifestyle. This is a very hands-on process. Quick fixes may promise weight loss while you sleep, but a healthy lifestyle is active, not passive. You’re going to play an active part in making real changes, instead of waiting for them to happen to you. Every step will be another boost of motivation and momentum. You’ll cover a wide range of topics, from controlling your portions to coping with setbacks. Every bit of it is designed to build confidence and habits that last. While all of this is going on, you’re encouraged to explore and use the site and its resources to your advantage. We know that everyone moves at different speeds and that you can be tripped up by tricky obstacles that are out of your control. Because of this reality, you control when you move on to each higher stage. You can either follow the prescribed schedule (highly recommended), or wait to move on until you feel more ready. Also, if you miss a topic or two - or even if you completely fall off the wagon for a while - you can revisit old topics and strategies at any time. You’ll do much better, and you’ll see stronger, longer-lasting results, if you pay attention to all of these strategies and habits. You’re not being timed, so there’s no need to rush. You will lose weight, but don’t forget that keeping it off is just as important. So make a commitment, take some time, and make sure you get it right.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mysparkp

If a Child

"If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to hate.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place to live in."

Thank You

To my daughter, my angel, I gave you life
But you, my baby girl, gave me the will to survive
You made me strong, even when times got rough
You kept me thinking right, when things got rough, i love you
Thank you for the smiles, keeping me happy inside
Thank you for the laughter
Showing me that i can still smile.

You're not even 1 year old, and you have already saved me
That's why I do all I can to stand by you, baby
And maybe you don't even know, what you have done for me
Maybe that's just one reason why, you were sent to me, I thank you

All I can do to ever repay you is give you all my love
and always be here for you, my baby, I thank you
I hope that you can hear these words, are from my heart
I try to speak them clearly, I just want you to know
That I will always be there for my daughter
You saved my life, I thank you

To the women in my life, making me right
For the things you have done for me. You've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do to repay you
I just want you to know I will be forever grateful
Thank you to the women in my life, making me right
For the things you have done for me, you've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do, to repay you
I just want you to know, I will be forever grateful. Thank you

My dearest wife, the woman of my dreams, my queen
The only woman that I want, on my team
When we met I'll admit I was in a dark place
Then you came and lit up my life
With your face so beautiful you can never be replaced
and you were my life and I know that I can win this race

The taste of your lips keeps me warm and a kiss
And when your not here, everything about you, is what I miss
I thank you for giving me the strength, to be myself
And I thank you for the genuine concern for my health
For the selfless acts you do, to try and keep me happy
and the way you make me smile, everytime that you look at me
I Thank you

Your my woman  my one and only wife from the moment I met you
No question my life is complete and for that I am so Thankful
My wife, you save my life. I Thank you

To the women in my life, Making me right
For the things you have done for me, you've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do to repay you
I just want you to know I will be forever grateful
Thank you to the women in my life, making me right
For the things you have done for me, you've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do to repay you
I just want you to know I will be forever grateful
Thank you

To my mother the woman who gave me life
Who stood by me all these years, no matter the sacrifice
I am sorry for you for all the crazy, that I did
I know I made it hard for you, the worst of your kids
I was violent I made you cry  and from you I would steal
I know that Dad would give up on me but you never will
I am so sorry but I thank you for standing by me
The hardest thing in your life I don't know but probably
I thank you for the lengths you went through to raise me
You may not be the perfect woman but you did right by me
You made me strong, independent with a confidence to see
And to survive, you gave me the most almightiness of wills
The man I am today is a product of what you made
And because of what you did is why I am standing here today
For the way you raised me, I will always be thankful
You're my mother, you gave me life, I thank you.

To the women in my life, Making me right
For the things you have done for me, you've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do to repay you
I just want you to know I will be forever grateful
Thank you to the women in my life, Making me right
For the things you have done for me, You've saved my life
I know there is nothing I can do, to repay you
I just want you to know I will be, forever grateful
Thank you


Song written for the Women in his life by Micheal Davies

Why do I allow suffering? A Response from God

Why do I allow suffering?
Do you really believe I do?
Well, before I answer your question
I have some questions for you:

Why is there so much poverty?
Is it because I do not care?
There's wealth enough for everyone
If only you'd learn to share.

You give money to the third world nations
Yet still they suffer and die
Instead of building industry
It's weapons that they buy

Send them food instead
So that hungry mouths they feed
Men with guns will take their food
It's all because of greed !

Next you send your soldiers
To try and end their wars
Now your people go without
To fund your army's cause.

You fight wars in religion's name
That doesn't mean you do my will
Perhaps you were not listening
When I told you not to kill.

Your religions become your idols
Man gods you enthrone
How often have I warned you
To worship me alone ?

Crime grows out of poverty
Your sick die through lack of care
Do you think that I was joking
When I taught that YOU should care ?

Divorce on the increase, Families torn apart
AIDS spreads through the land
I told you not to commit adultery
What part did you not understand?

You work yourselves to early graves
Your lives become so stressed
Do you think I was being petty
When I gave you a day of rest?

You lie, cheat and bear false witness
You must have all you see
I told you not to covet
Why don't you listen to me?

I gave you my laws, you ignored them
My prophets; you ignore them too
I gave you my son and you murdered him
What more do you want me to do ?

I've tried to help you live in peace
You destroy yourselves all the same
I've loved you with an everlasting love
But you still blaspheme my name

Who are you to question God ?
I owe no explanation to you
You tell me why YOU allow suffering?
When I've told you all you need to do !

An Invitation to Union Baptism

This week at the Coffee Morning Cliff bought over a poem to me that he had written coming upto the 1st Anniversary of My Baptism, which took place 13th March 2011.

An Invitation to Union Baptism

Minister David's welcome
To the Baptism
of four candidates
to be bathed in the waters
not from the sea
nor the Euphrates of Jordan
Just Anglian Water
at thirty degrees

With hymns and prayers
David conducts
a reverent friendly
Praise the Lord
Baptism

Carol, Dawn, Joanna and Sandy
their testimony revealed
moving personal declarations
of their pathway
to be blessed
and gently submerged
by the minister
in the welcome waters
of the Baptist faith

enfolded in a pool of hope
coming together
of God body and soul
they emerge
faith declared

service over
I must away
leaving with mustering thoughts
of a quadruple
Union Baptism - March 2011

By  Clifford Nicholas

Trivia

Reading is the best thing in the world .. next to men

Chuck it all

From a book i am reading "Heat Wave" by Richard Castle

It is just the way i feel - "Did you ever get hit with a big shock, and then when you think you can't deal with it, you work through it, and then ahem, and then just when you do, out of nowhere comes another crushing blow, and then another, and then you reach a point where you just say, what the hell am i doing? and then you fantacise about chucking it all, not just the job but life" - That is just the way i have feel :(

Reading

If you read a lot of books, you are considered well read.

But if you watch a lot of TV,
you're not considered well viewed."
** *Lily Tomlin*

Inspiratations

This is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it! (Ps. 118:24).

I am fit in spirit, soul and body. I’m walking in
victory, in health and power because I’m
walking in the truth of God’s Word and what He
says about me. I walk in the authority of the
believer.

This body is God’s property. Nothing of the enemy can
inhabit this body. Disease germs die instantly when they
touch my body because 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that my
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God—and nothing
of the enemy can live in the temple of the Most High
God.

I walk in abundant life, health, prosperity, and newness of life. With long life He
satisfies me and shows me His salvation (Ps. 91:16)

Grace

Todays service was conducted by Revd Ian Sinclair to help us celebrate Union Church 141st Anniversary.

The theme of the service was Grace, it was a lovely inspirational service and Ian spoke very well.

Ephesians 2

Made Alive in Christ

 ¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We were all given a handout about Grace which i will blog on its own later

Putting Gods Kingdom First means 12 things

1. Obediance to God - Obey Gods Laws - Matthew 5:19
2. Love - Love your enemies - Matthew 5:44,46
3. Justice - God blesses those who are thirsty and hungry for justice - Matthew 5:6
4. Peace - God blesses peace - Matthew 5:9
5. Holy Living - Let your good deeds shine out - Matthew 5:16
6. Integrity - Just say a simple 'yes i will' or 'no i won't' - Matthew 5:37
7. Generosity - Give your gifts in secret - Matthew 6:2,4
8. Spiritual Wholeness - Is anything worth more than your soul - Matthew 16:26
9. Biblical Knowledge - Your problem is that you don't know the scriptures - Matthew 22:29
10. Faith in God - Nothing would be impossible - Matthew 17:20 and 19:26
11. Blessing People - Jesus taught this and demonstrated how to do it -
12. Disciple Making - Go and make Disciples - Matthew 28: 19

My Favourite Readings

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)

¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

2 Corinthians 4:8 (New International Version)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

1 Timothy 4:11 (New International Version)

 ¹¹ Command and teach these things.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (New International Version)

³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

The Beatitudes

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

    ¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:
   ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

    ¹ And God spoke all these words:
   ² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
   ³ “You shall have no other gods before^[a] me.
   ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
   ⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
   ⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
   ¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
   ¹³ “You shall not murder.
   ¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.
   ¹⁵ “You shall not steal.
   ¹⁶ “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
   ¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
   ¹⁸ When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance ¹⁹ and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
   ²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
   ²¹ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.