Champions Again

On Sunday Arsenal (click if you're brave enough) clinched the premiership having gone unbeaten all season, the Manchester Utd fans have gone very quiet.

Life at the moment is a bit of a whirl wind generally lots of good things going on but lots is the operative word.

My quest to start a Poker night is gaining momentum as the manager of the Autumn House has agreed that a non money passing game can take place. Ian, the manager, turned up at a party at my next door neighbours the other day and he continues to show us a lot of favour when we meet for Holy Space. (Eric I'm reading a book called Poker Nation at the moment, but I still don't understand the game...)

Met up with Jason Clark in town today. It was good to hear about his latest church planting plans. Having read a couple of books lately that just seem to be saying the same old stuff, the more who are actually getting on and doing something the better.

I'm feeling pleased with myself 'cos I've just managed to book a surprise weekend for Sue's birthday in June in Dublin. It won't be a surprise for long, 'cos I'm not much good at hiding things.

The highlight of this week is going to be marrying Sophie and Nathan on Saturday. They're two good friends who are part of the Emerging Leaders group that I run. It'll be fun!

Thanks for your prayers

There have been over 700 visits to the London Prayernet webpage updating people about Kerry's situation. I'm fairly confident they didn't all come via my page 'cos you're among a select few if you're reading this now. However in a week she's gone from intensive care to off the critical list, so thanks if you have been praying for her, she's still got a long way to go so please keep praying.

Nick's operation went very well on Wednesday and he's now in recovery, again he's got a way to go so please remember him as well.

Last night I was at St.Mary's Paddington hosting a prayer and worship event for Soul in the City. There is definitely a momentum growing among the churches as we head towards this mission in the summer. Our area now has 70 partner churches and 40 social action and evangelistic projects planned. I have to say that at times even though I'm involved in planning the thing, I've been a little bit cynical about whether it could impact London significantly. At the moment I'm finding that my faith is increasing as I see chuches coming together with creativity and enthusiasm for the gospel, and I really hope and pray that this mission in the summer might impact London.

Please Pray for a couple of friends

Sorry been a bit quiet lately. The joy of "do it yourself" took over last week and the joy of returning to work has taken over this week.

I'd be grateful if you could pray for a couple of friends. Kerry has been working with the Fulani people in the Cameroon and was airlifted back to the UK last week with a viral illness. She's now in intensive care and has been on a respirator up to date info about her condition is at London Prayer

Nick's in his mid twenties has two young kids and is being operated on tomorrow to remove a malignant cancer the size of a tennis ball in his stomach.

Please pray that these two would both have full and quick recoveries.

Easter thoughts

I enjoyed Easter. We had friends who we haven't seen for a couple of years arrive on Thursday and stay through to Saturday night. Thursday night was a night of prayer at St.B's and there were some moments of real intimacy in worship. I only nodded off once as well.

A glorious spring day meant that we had a great day in London on Good Friday. We visited the Tower of London - (which was a rip off!) but I was interested to see that one of Her Majesty's swords is called the "Sword of Spiritual Justice". We could do with some more of that in the world right now.

Saturday was newspapers and a walk in the woods. Sunday was a celebration of new life and new hope, with several baptisms Sunday evening to top off a great weekend.

This week I'm taking some time to catch up with some of the jobs round the house and discover if I still have a golf swing. Monday & Tuesday were spent tiling the kitchen which looks good...tomorrow is an early morning game of golf followed by more DIY. The end of the week is going to be time with the kids. It's a good week.

St.Paul's Cathedral in a Dress

Today I renewed my ordination vows at a service at St.Paul's. The last time I was there was with Kevin & Tracey Rains and we went up to the top of the dome to view London. This time I was with a few hundred other anglican clergy robed and feeling a little uncomfortable.

The service was quite good, Bishop of London on the challenge of mission and building community and the ordination vows include responding to the question am I willing to become more Christ like, the answer to all the questions is with God's help I will. I can't do much without His help really..actually that's not true, I try to do quite a lot I just find it goes so much better with His help.

Tonight we've got an all nighter at Church and tomorrow there's a creative "hour at the cross" service. I'm looking forward to Easter...hope you have a good one.

What's happened to the Gooners?

Well the possible treble is now a shaky single after FA cup and Champions League Cup defeat.....

On a different tangent saw the Bishop yesterday and he seems quite upbeat about the possibility of Church planting from St.B's. That's got to be a good thing.

I'll write more when I've got over Arsenal's sad performance however if you want a laugh go to google put in - weapons of mass destruction - and hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button Then read the error page all the way down it made me giggle..