The Master's Plan

I have been thinking about 'time' recently. More specifically, how our view of time is pretty warped in comparison to how God views time. Our view is incredibly fixed, limited and two dimensional. His is above history, space and the normal minutes, hours and days that we are confined to.

So often we think that He hasn't answered a prayer because it wasn't done when we wanted it or how we expected it to be done. As if we might have a better view over how things should pan out than He does!?

This morning I had the privilege of praying with a man in my church. This guy has been a Christian for longer than I have been alive, which made me feel very under-qualified for that particular role to be perfectly honest. He had shared moments before of how he has been following Jesus for over three decades, though none of his immediate family have yet to choose that path as well - something that understandably causes him great heartache.

I won't speculate on the hours he must have spent on his knees, crying out to God on behalf of his wife, children and grandchildren - but I'm betting that it's some considerable time.

It must be so easy to become disheartened and embittered towards God, when the journey of prayer has been such a long one - but he must be one of the most faithful and wise blokes I think I have ever met.  

Honestly, you should see this guy's faith and resilience; it's staggering. 

One thing I'm learning more and more - and I'm sure this guy would back me on this - the Lord ALWAYS answers your prayers. Always. If the outcome isn't what you had figured out in your mind's eye, then that's not to say the master plan isn't still being unfolded. Or 'The Master's Plan', more precisely.

The 'Yes', 'No', or 'Not yet' response you will always get from God comes from a 360 degree, eternal, galaxy-shifting point of view. Seconds, seasons, and setbacks to prayer scenarios are so finely tuned by Him that it'd blow your mind if He even revealed a glimpse of the bigger picture to you a fraction ahead of schedule. 

This man may have been fighting for his loved ones in prayer for many, many years - but I know he wouldn't consider a moment of that prayer time as wasted time.

Whistle while you work

Today is a pretty massive day. Today is my wife's last day as a Primary School teacher before school holidays/maternity leave kick in.

Now, my wife has taught me absolutely loads of life lessons in the time that I have known her. And apart from being one of the most joyful and considerate people anyone has ever met, she is also a flippin' amazing teacher. And one such lesson she has taught me is how to glorify God with how you work.

So these few lessons are written out by me - but they were displayed by someone far more talented.

So - what's on your work plate before you (so to speak) - is it college? housework? a tough job with some hardcore working hours involved? No matter what it is, I think these truths are so helpful - each definitely links with the next.

Firstly, put effort into what you do: whether it's cutting out displays or trudging through report after report, do it to the best of your ability. We are to honour God in ALL we do, so doing a half-baked job in full display of the colleagues around you won't be a brilliant example of this.

Secondly, develop a heart for the place that you work in: you'll probably be spending a huge amount of time in that place, so take the opportunity to invest in the people around you - really get to know them, make them cups of tea, give them a lift into work if you share a similar commute - anything you can think of. Who is in your sphere of influence in that place? Is it the guy you share a desk with or the 30 little children running around your feet? You're likely to spend more time around these people than anyone else - it would be such a shame to get to the end of a working day and not have revealed something of the character of Jesus to them (either directly or indirectly). They will notice your work output and the way you speak and act.

And thirdly, pray at work: it WILL impact the two points above and will help you through the stress and strains of the varying tasks at hand. Whether you're seeing success or struggling through a tedious workload, that quick prayer along the way will refocus your attention and encourage you to remain thankful to the God who gave you the gifts and provision in the first place.

Now, this is a tried and tested recipe for getting more out of work and certainly putting more back into it as well - I've been closely watching someone prove that for quite a while now. It can be tough to just shoulder the 9-5 for long periods of time, but when you give even the mundane, routine and tedious tasks over to God throughout the week, you'll find yourself with a heart that's more full and focussed when the alarm goes off at 6am on a Monday morning.


 ...she picked up the role of wife and teacher very naturally - I have no doubt that she's take to this next task with ease as well. That's just the kinda gal she is.

Since waking up this morning, I have been married for four years.

I can't remember if I've ever written about marriage - if I did, then it was a while ago and I'm certainly more experienced to comment on it now than I was then!

While some reading this may have been married for decades, I'm aware that others may be dating/engaged/newlyweds, so I wondered whether a couple of points of wisdom might be helpful at this four year milestone...I guess they'll be applicable if you're at 40 years as well.

1- Pray together everyday: As obvious or not as this sounds, it REALLY makes a difference. It unites and strengthens against all kinds of attacks and arguments, even if you're in a rush and the prayers are short. Do it everyday, no matter how tired you're feeling and you'll find you talk more openly and discuss the important things in life a lot more too.

2 - Be expectant of big things: We're always encouraged to dream big and ask big expectant things from God. Well, I guess it makes sense for that to start at home, first and foremost. Ask Him for a vision for your relationship, no matter how far in you are through the journey. Imagine the amazing things He still has for you and the people He plans to impact with your marriage and then start praying that these people are brought to your home.

3 - Serve: Serve each other, serve others with your marriage, serve at church alongside your wife/husband. Serve, serve, serve. Whether you feel like it, whether you're bogged down with the rest of life, no matter what: make serving the everyday culture of who you are as a couple. You'll find you fight less, love more, worship together, give your money better and enjoy times of chilling out together more. Trying to out-serve the other is something that we've done from the beginning and it really works - it's not false and competitive, it just makes you active and more loving and considerate toward the other person.

4 - Have a date night! Monday nights are normally untouchable. This is when we make nice arrangements, ignore the phonecalls and block out everything else - just for a few hours. Making room for this is one of the most important things I think we do/have ever done. Even if it's just a meal and a DVD, Monday night is the key to setting us up for the rest of the week. Be imaginative, be spontaneous, be silly... I guarantee that this point is as important as the other 3!

There are probably heaps more points that I could mention, but to be honest, I have a date to get ready for, so these are the top four for now.

I'm already punching well above my weight as it is, so I don't want to keep her waiting!

About six months ago I met a guy in a pub. He was with my mate, so we ended up having a beer together.

Today I met him again, but he's a completely different bloke to the person I met all those months back. This sounds weird, but this same guy was actually a totally different person to the one I had previously met in the Prince of Wales pub. The reason being - he gave his life to Jesus Christ this morning at church.

This might sound strange to you. Firstly, how can someone 'give their life' to a dead carpenter guy!? And secondly, why would that make him a different person?

Well, unbeknown to him, as he accepted the invitation from his church-going friend, and as he decided to give up an hour and a half of his Sunday to see what all the fuss was about, he was actually leaving his old life behind in the process. Surrendering the control of his life over to the God who's been delicately and gradually working him towards the moment when he would encounter the truth of His love properly for the first time. Encountering the fact that the dead carpenter was in fact a fully active, totally loving Saviour - contrary to what the world might have been telling him for the last 22 years.

You see, he didn't exactly know what to expect when he walked through those doors for the first time. But I suspect he wasn't anticipating that his life would be turned upside down, forgiven and re-defined all in one fell-swoop on the morning of June 24th 2012.

It started as any other day.

And then Jesus breathed that re-shaping truth. The truth that the guy's sins could be forgiven; that his life could be filled with a new purpose and that he could be swept up in an adventure with a very powerful and incredibly loving God.

The guy had never been to church before. He seemed lost for words when I spoke to him afterwards. His only way of describing it was that he felt an uncontrolable emotion inside his heart when the worship leader began singing. Kinda strange to consider a grown bloke welling up at a song; either he's gone crazy too or something is genuinely happening.

I bet he's glad that his friend loved him enough and cared about his eternal future enough to introduce him to Jesus.

What's your worth?

Two minutes up the road from me is about a square mile of houses that are all worth well into the 7 figures. Serious wealth, right on our doorstep. And last night a group of us went to do some leafleting to inform them about some of the church work that goes on in their area.


Behind the huge gates, long driveways and giant front doors, it was hard to imagine the kind of lives that would have had to have been lived in order to get one of these places. A certain degree of worldly success can definitely be assumed though. 


As we walked along it was hard not to be in awe of some of these properties and I'm certain there are some amazing people behind the big porches and flash Porsches, but statistically very few of them are church attending Christians.


I think that when you have as much as they have and material life is incredibly comfortable, it's hard to see the need for a Saviour who’s first call is to ask you to give up your all to follow Him. Some just have too much to give up in most cases. 


But behind each mini castle are lives that are just as broken, confused and in need of Jesus as those in the high rise council flats a few minutes down the road - different kinds of addictions, anger and apathy in both. 


After I had gotten over the astounding architecture I realised/remembered that I wouldn't swap a moment in Jesus' presence for a lifetime of such opulence. My inheritance is secure forever in eternity; theirs is presently tied up in property or held in a safe.


A man once asked the question: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" I hope the leaflets will reveal something of the truth behind that question to them. 

'For this is what the Sovereign lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.'

- Ezekial 34 v11-12

'Sovereign lord, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.'

- Psalm 140 v7

Sometimes life throws a curve ball. Last night as we chatted and prayed with two of our good friends, such a curve ball was discussed. We love these guys, but they are seriously going through it at the moment.

As they unpacked the situation it would have been easy to see the doom and gloom of it all - like a heavy black cloud thundering right over their heads. But all I could see was peace. 

If I was in their situation (which is totally not beyond the bounds of possibility), I'm not sure how I'd be responding; though I really hope and pray that my reaction might mirror theirs somewhat.

She said: "How could we NOT still praise God through this!?" 

When God takes the top spot in your life, that doesn't mean it's all flowers and sunshine from here on in. The tough times are sure to still come - as our friends can very recently testify. But the grace and peace that God floods you with is truly remarkable. 

They should be angry and confused with God - most would be, considering the situation. Instead, these guys still proclaim Him as Sovereign. 

Whatever the outcome, they're gonna make sure He's glorified.

'Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabus (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles feet.' (Acts 4 v36-37)

This isn't a topic that I've particularly commented on in depth before - though it's a huge theme to consider. Yesterday I received my pay cheque. The first full-month pay slip I've received in almost 2 and a half years.  ALL this time, God has provided for us. I have never once gone into my overdraft and I can't think of a point where we've had to scrimp or worry, despite long periods of volunteer work and unemployment.

It's quite common for people to think that Christians worship God in such ways as not swearing or not having sex before marriage. But to a world that is obsessed with money, worshipping Jesus with your finances doesn't really add up at all. Surely He doesn't need our money to work into lives? Surely if we've worked hard all week, we should be able to spend our money on what WE want?  Those are a couple of the more common lies at least.

I'm no accountant (which probably doesn't come as a surprise), and I was always shocking at Maths, but when it is suggested in the Bible that 10% of our money should be worshipfully given over to God's work each month, that strikes me as a pretty good deal! He gets 10% (even though it's from Him in the first place), and we get to keep the remainder (along with some for Mr Taxman).  He gives it to us and then He chooses to do work using a small percentage of it. I think I'll accept that offer.

I'm aware that a number of people reading this are not all that old, so I've worked out some practical thoughts that I have found very helpful over the last few years (apologies if you're a mature Christian who has been generously giving for longer than I've been alive!)

- worship Him when you give: don't don't do it begrudgingly or nervously. He gave you that money in the first place; you're investing it into an incredibly safe account with amazing returns.

- set up a direct debit with your church: don't rely on the shrapnel in your wallet each week. Think of a figure, increase that by about 50% just for fun, and then sit back and enjoy the feelings of adventure and adrenaline. Trust me - it's dangerous and counter-cultural and it's the kind of behaviour that starts big work!

- Don't tell anyone what the amount is: just keep it between you and Him and watch how He increases, stretches and blesses the other 90%.

There are heaps of other lessons to be learnt through this, but I've found these 3 to be helpful during the periods of feeling flush and when my wallet was covered in dust and cobwebs.  It's easy to get trapped over a million and one issues. But if you walk freely with your attitude towards money, many other areas of life are effected and developed.

'Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy'(1 Peter 1:8)

Somebody text this to me this morning. A pretty awesome truth if you take the time to actually let it soak in. As I was reading it, I was sat on my balcony in the sun, enjoying some breakfast. I'd just prayed with my wife before she left for work and then smashed a glass full of drink everywhere. Both events were pretty joyful to be honest.

Sounds strange really.

Most people would think that praying with someone each morning would be a chore. And having to clear up a razor-sharp mess from the carpet would certainly be aggro. But I just felt really joyful. And I think it's explained through this verse.

Today might suck. It might be tough and tedious or it could be full of laughter and hope. Either way, when you walk closely with Jesus, there's an inexpressible and glorious joy that underlines life.

So inexpressible that I'm struggling to actually describe it!

God has a plan for you which you won't fully be able to grasp. He's too big and too powerful to fully fathom. But give Him the glory for the bits you can get your head around and just see how much peace floods into your life each day.

I betcha it happens...

The Secret Jesus

This Jesus is the one that doesn't often make the history books. The one that didn't live so daringly that He is still spoken about generations later. This Jesus is an incredibly deadly Jesus.

He's the kind of Jesus that hides truth, distorts dreams and causes boredom. He's the kind of Jesus who probably gives when His pockets are full, but gets real tight when He's going through a dry spell financially. He's the kind of Jesus who prays when He needs something, rather than ongoingly conversing with the Creator.

He's the kind of Jesus who only hangs out with like-minded, sociable or highly-regarded people. He's the kinda Jesus who sees the negative, casts doubt over situations and doesn't particularly enjoy gladness and joy. He's the kinda guy who might serve begrudgingly - or even worse, He'll serve to gain a platform for himself. He's a man who knows truth but doesn't love those around Him enough to share this wisdom. He's a Jesus who gives in too quickly, lacks commitment and hates the thought of leadership.

He's the kind of Jesus who doesn't speak of truth and would rather see people suffer instead of responding with prayer and love. The kinda guy who sponges off family and avoids responsibility and maturity like the plague. 

Sound anything like the Jesus in the Bible?

Nah, didn't think so either.

It's easy to present the world with this fake and phoney Jesus. If you need a fresh wave of direction, momentum and vision for Him, just stop, look and listen.

Stop living at 100mph and spend some time with Him - you'll realise how magnificent the real Jesus is. Look to how Jesus was around people; His manner, His patience, His love for them. And listen to what He has to say about your situation - He's perfectly placed to speak incredibly accurately into your life at the moment. 

It's no secret that He loves you and He has a very good plan for how He needs to use you today.

This weekend I stood in a room along with men who I very much admire. All of whom have challenged, inspired and sharpened me at some stage and last night it was great to witness them all gathering together and rallying as one.

There are some remarkable characters and some impressive talents within that group. Amazing technical minds, seriously gifted musicians, courageous speakers, loving husbands and bold and peaceful individuals alike. The kinda men you’d want beside you for the long-haul and when the going gets tough.

There weren’t many of us – though there was enough to know that a dramatic difference can be made in our church and within the spheres of influence that we find ourselves in across London.

One key area that was highlighted was the need to continually get alongside each other in support and prayer. Going it alone just doesn’t work. The world throws a million and one ‘gods’ our way to bow down to and most make the mistake of bowing down.

I think sometimes it’s easy for us as Christian men to make excuses - or are presented with excuses that fit: life is always gonna be busy, I'll fit Jesus into the spare time I have - our church is getting bigger, others can take the slack financially - or maybe, my wife is a Christian, so she doesn't need my prayer & leadership - my mates like porn & Jaegerbombs, so I'll enjoy them and let grace forgive me sometime later. 


The examples could go on and on. And if you're going it alone at the moment, you'll allow these excuses and doubts to take root without that loving slap from a friend nearby who can perhaps see your stupid filters on life for what they really are - sin, comfort and pride.


In Daniel 3 we see amazing brotherhood and Godly masculinity in the examples displayed by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - three men of God who stood tall together, despite all that the world was throwing at them.


'Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, WE do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If WE are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God WE serve is able to deliver US from it, and he will deliver US from your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, WE want you to know, your Majesty, that WE will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.' (the image of gold today could come in the form of popularity, money, comfort, sex, greed, etc, etc)


These men stood shoulder to shoulder through this - I reckon it might have been a different scenario had they been in it alone.


If you go it alone in your walk with God, you'll allow the world to hack away at your true Godly masculinity and you may not even realise it. Allow the men of your church to get beside you to strengthen and rebuild you through what is guaranteed to be a constant and sustained onslaught from a Devil who really tries to kill, steal and destroy your life.


You won't regret taking this advice, I promise.

Your first love...

I love football. I always have. But to be honest, of late, I only pay it occasional attention. There really are bigger fish to fry.

But today's end of season finale was pretty damn remarkable to say the least. Almost scripted to perfection.

It's pretty cool to see tens of thousands of people erupting jubilantly in unison. Emotions were clearly soaring.  But what I find slightly peculiar was the tears shed by grown men in the crowd, as their team battled through. I'm not hard-hearted and I wouldn't say I was a sissy, but I think I save my tears for slightly more significant moments.

Such emotion towards a sport got me thinking.

What are you MOST passionate about in life?

That might be something that you've never considered before, but just spend a moment weighing up your options. It might indeed be football. It might be a good night out or it might be helping the homeless. It could be absolutely anything really.

But, if you're a Christian, I would argue that your main passion should be Jesus. If your knee-jerk response to that previous question wasn't regarding Him, then I wonder why that is? 

The Gospel was once so compelling and captivating that it caught your attention and changed your life in incredible ways.  What's since diluted that love and focus?

If your team wins 3-0 do you jump for joy and talk about it to whoever will listen? And if somebody comes to know Jesus, gets baptised or even begins to show signs of interest, would you react with similar butterflies in your stomach and excitement in your voice?

My first love is Jesus and being part of what He's building down here.


What's yours, really?

Grace will lead us home

This is such a weird one to write - I can't find the words even though there's a million and one things on my mind. But I'll give it a shot anyway.

Most, if not all, of what I write about is about Jesus. My example, my joy, my Father. This one is about someone else - my example, my joy, my Grandfather.

I've been spending a lot of time recently crying to God, praying to God and thanking God for the life of someone who we are all SO proud to look up to.

When God promises that 'surely I will be with you until the end' - He means it. A long, long time ago, my Grandfather engraved our family crest with the words: 'God is my defender'. Now if you knew what he'd been through in his 20's, on the frontline on the D-Day landings, you'd realise that he really meant that. Subsequent discussions I had with him would support that as well, as he also spoke of daily prayer and reading the Bible to help and guide him through what has been a VERY long life.

He's likely to be remembered most for being a great military leader - a man of true courage and valour. But I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive. God was his defender, in the very tough times and he most certainly is now, in a time of peace and rest.

If I had been in my Grandfather's shoes 66 years ago (when he would have been my age now) I don't think I would have been as brave and faithful. I think my world view would have been mangled and my ideas about God drastically altered or forgotten altogether. Would I have said God was my defender, if I had experienced a life as he did? I'm not so sure I would. 

He does though.

He also said to me a couple of years ago that 'divine help develops the fruits of experience.' Well, he certainly sees the full truth of that now and I couldn't be more thankful for that lifetime of experience and understanding.

As I've been trying to come to terms with his imminent passing, I was lead to Isaiah 51, which has given me amazing comfort: "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn... When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.'

As I'm sure Granf would testify, it's always strange how you find bits of the Bible which jump out with significance at particular times when you need them most. This is one of those times for me. Because of his faith and walk with God, this really isn't the end. It's the beginning of Heaven for him; and that changes everything. Knowing that he put his trust in the One who called him, means we can be thankful for his passing, despite the pangs of loss his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren might be feeling at the moment.

Also, in 2 Corinthians 4 v16-18 it says: 'Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.'

I will always miss him, but thankfully I can always look to the rock from which I was cut and remember that this is only a momentary goodbye.

George Leonard Bream - 1st June 1919 - 7th May 2012. Home safely at last.

Get used to the unexpected

It's been a while since I put anything on here. Not sure why really, as a fair amount has been going on. I started a new job just over a week ago. It brings something of a conclusion to what has been the most bizarre and tough journey I think I've ever been on. 8 months ago, if you told me I was going to go through unemployment, disappointment, confusion and generally being a bit pissed off with God at regular intervals - to then end up back at a job I left over 2 years ago - I'm sure I wouldn't have believed you. But that's pretty much how it panned out - and I wouldn't have changed how it unfolded I don't think (with the incredibly helpful benefit of hindsight!). When God needs to teach you a lesson or two, not only can you be sure that He'll teach it to you until it has been thoroughly learnt, but He'll also take you down avenues you never imagined He would. Sometimes it's like sitting on a rollercoaster, sometimes it's like sitting in traffic for hours. I'm not sure which is more painful. So with MANY prayers prayed, many doors closed, I now find myself sitting back at my old desk, working in a great team for a really innovative company. It feels like it has been a long round trip to get back here, but it's pretty darn clear that this is where He needed me to be. I'm really looking forward to seeing how He uses me in this place.

Just a quick story for you - if you believe in this stuff, it'll encourage you. If you don't already, it should prompt some fairly significant thoughts.

As a Christian, I believe that God still speaks to people today. This morning I believed that I heard Him say to me that a person (wearing green) was in our church meeting, with pain to their left knee. 

I had planned to share this at the end of the meeting, in the hope that that person would respond and we could pray for it.

But He (God) beat me to it. A man approached me and asked for prayer for his left knee! Regardless of what I had been anticipating, you can imagine my surprise! 

I prayed together with the guy. Nothing happened - no significant improvements. So we persisted for a bit longer. 

After a few minutes I suggested that he test the knee by moving it around and generally using it in ways that might have usually been uncomfortable. 

The pain was totally gone. His response was: "It feels weird because I'm used to feeling pain there, and now it's completely gone!"

You might think that God doesn't exist; that miracles don't happen and that there's no way He speaks to people. 

Well... what do you make of this then?? Not only did I picture the scene, but it then happened as I'd seen it and then the man walked away, completely healed. 

He was also wearing a green shirt by the way.

Prophecies realised. Friend betrayed. Soldiers respond. Jesus surrenders. Back whipped. Face punched. Beard torn. Stripped naked. Crowd mock. Leaders sneer. Thorns crowned. Cross carried. Followers cried. Calvary climbed. Extremities nailed. Tree impaled. Criminals surround. Mocking continues. Hours pass. Separation experienced. Lungs empty. Hell endured. Body wrapped. Tomb filled. Tomb sealed. Tomb guarded. Days pass. Stone rolled. Cave empty. Angels revealed. Followers gasp. Guards faint. Death defeated. Life given. Jesus returns. Propehecies fulfilled. 

Army equipped. 

History changed.