I'm a decorator by trade. I was using a product the other day which made me smile. It pretty much summed up the entire Gospel just in it's name; just three words long. It describes the love, sacrifice and everlasting victory, so simply. We cannot and will not add to the saving works Jesus successfully completed. It's finished now, for eternity - never to be altered, added to or undone. 

The Roman guards back then didn't need any more. And me and you as sinners today, do not need anything else to put Him there. We've done enough to hang Him on the cross; and He's done enough to mean we won't get punished instead.

'No More Nails' needed!

'If I have a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the explanation is - I was made for another world.' 

- CS Lewis

Stop. Think. And ask yourself...

What am I in awe of? It makes a huge difference to your life..but more importantly, it'll have a staggering impact on your eternity too.

It demands some of your consideration.

People who complain that church is boring; that Jesus never existed; that Christianity is weird or outmoded; that miracles don't happen - are always the ones who are NOT in awe of it all.

I know which side of the fence I'd rather be on. Nothing else in life is more jaw-dropping.

'For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.'

- 1 Timothy 4 v8

If I picked up my Bible with as much enthusiasm and frequency as my weights, I'd be a whole lot more Heavenly richer by now by the sounds of it. It's good to glorify Him by taking care of your body, but don't let it replace time spent in His word or on your knees in prayer...

I had the priviledge of praying with/for a young guy on Friday evening. He has been bullied all his life, pretty much. He's also recently started getting to grips with who Jesus is. It's massive stuff to consider, especially as he has had nobody to turn to so far. I could see the truth sinking in as I explained that his saviour was also mocked and beaten up. If anyone could help him overcome the bullies at school, it would be Jesus. Jesus walked a day in this guy's shoes after all, so He knows all too well exactly how crap it feels to be on the receiving end of a fist or humiliating jibe. 

I asked him whether he wanted to pray about it himself before I did. Reluctantly he gave it a shot. There were no fancy words or rehearsed sentences. Just a 16 year old crying out to his best and last resort.

It was amazing to witness.

'I dunno about you, but I want the stories too. Bravery, courage, determination. I want to captivate my grandchildren with stories of a war as well. I don't want to reach that age and sit lifelessly in an armchair with no past to speak of and no fruitful inheritance to hand down. The thought of that scares the crap out of me. Jesus painted a clear picture for us, with no grey areas. Greater things will you do. I dunno what great things you’ve experienced through God, but I know we sure haven’t reached His limit just yet.'

'Eternity is a long time to be wrong about Jesus.'

- Rick Warren

This follows on a bit from yesterday...

I live a 2 minute walk from the train station. At 7am this morning I made that adventurous journey. But even at that time of day, the variety of people I passed was crazy. The chef from Italy, lighting up before his shift started. The Street cleaner from Ghana chatting vocally to his mate on the other side of the road. The Polish labourer discreetly trying to swig from the can in a paper bag. The Australian couple clearly still making their way home from a night out. The English teenager on her way to her weekend job. The South African gym enthusiast, already heading home from a work-out session. The Korean language student, off to do some sight-seeing up in town. The list of nationalities could go on for some time. Bangladesh, Russia, Zimbabwe, China. 

Right here on my doorstep.

I have only heard the faintest whispers of how great He is. Imagine what they might have to say about it too!? 

Jesus taught us to go to the nations proclaiming the Gospel....surely it's even easier if the nations are within a 2 minute walk from your home!?

I live in London. Many people reading this probably do too. I heard someone saying a prayer this morning. Our backdrop was the Canary Wharf skyline in the distance, and he urged/encouraged us to view our city with different eyes. 

If you are a Christian reading this, do you view your city (or hometown) as God's city or the devil's? Do you honestly see it as a place where God reigns? I for one allow the evil, hurt and dreariness to cloud my perspective of my surroundings. Imagine what our commute might look like if we saw it as He REALLY sees it.

There is staggering potential right on our doorstep.

I wish I could claim this as my own...

This was displayed in the flat of a client of mine. It's pretty good I reckon. It's not from the Bible though, but has much truth nonetheless.

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

'What's it gonna be? His way or your way? What happens when your chips are down at the end of the day? Are you gonna come crawling back on begger's knees or are you gonna choose wisdom's way and NOT just live as you please? Either way, it's gonna result in His way, not your way. Yahweh's, not your ways. Are you gonna be a sail hoister, banner carrier, trail blazer and fearless warrior? Or responsibility dodger, truth ignorer, religion lover and backseat snorer? There's one life. It's His life. Not your life. His life. Not their life. His life. Dream big, expect much, pray hard, give more - it takes guts. He holds your heart, hopes and greatest devotions. Along with the stars, atoms and oceans. Choose to live by His hope, cross and heart. Blink and you might miss it - this life might be over before it could even start. '

My grandad is 92 today! Oldest person I know. Probably one of my favourite people to spend time with as well. A truly solid oak. 

Got me thinking though. If I make it to 92, (and that's a bloody big if!), what do I want this next 6 or 7 decades to look like!!?? 

What are you gonna be counting as of worth? What will your foundations be built on? Will that value plummit or will those foundations crumble?

That's all. If you've read anything else on this website then I shouldn't need to unpack those questions any further. 

After all, it's all referring to the same bloke from 2,000 years ago.