One day a man woke up and said to God “I want to do what you want me to do – show me what path to take and I will do it.” There was a knock at the door and the man ran downstairs eager to see what God’s response would be. He opened the door to find a parcel from Amazon. Gingerly, he picked it up, all the while thinking ‘Whatever is in this parcel is God’s plan for me!’ The end.

Only kidding. He sat down and opened the parcel and inside was a lantern. In the lantern there was space for one small tealight – it wasn’t even battery powered! Unperturbed, the man asked God what the meaning of all this was. “You wanted me to show you the path, I have given you something to light the way, now off you go” replied God. “Hang on!” said the man (Let’s call him Duncan) “It’s nighttime and I live in the middle of nowhere – not a street light in sight”. “Well that’s why I got you a lantern – don’t worry about the light going out I will sustain it myself.”

Duncan thought about this for a few minutes and then decided to go for it! Why not? He had God’s promise of a light to guide him! Duncan opened the door and stepped out into the pitch black, at which point his lantern began to glow. But there seemed to be something wrong with it – it’s light did not cast very far around Duncan at all – in fact he could only see a few steps ahead at a time. “Are you sure God?” Duncan asked “You’re on the right path Dunc just keeping walking forwards.”

Well it was slow going for Duncan, and as he got further and further along the path he began to become discouraged. “Stupid lantern” he thought to himself. If only I could see my destination, if only I could see that I was getting closer and closer to it. But this lantern doesn’t shine far enough – what were you thinking God?” Duncan heard a noise in front of him and raised the lantern to try and see what was there, but it was no use. Then a voice came from the darkness “What you got there boy? A lantern? Are you stupid or something? Wandering around in the darkness with a tiny little lantern. No no no. What you want is a torch. We got LED’s and everything these days.” “What’s an LED?” Duncan puzzled. “It means you can see where you are going boy, it’s bright alright – you’ll be moving along faster than you are with that thing. It just so happens I have a torch on me, I tell you what I’ll do you a trade. I’m somewhat familar with this darkness, I don’t have much use for light so I’ll swap you this torch for your lantern.” Duncan didn’t hesitate as he was fed up with the lantern and this new voice was offering him a deal too good to be true. Duncan took the torch and shone it into the darkness – it was brilliant! There in the distance Duncan could see some buildings at the end of the path. ‘That must be my destination’ he thought and set off at a faster pace. Unfortunately Duncan tripped over and fell in a deep hole.

Psalm 119:105: ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’

God promises to light our path highlighting any obstacles that come up, on the other hand, we often look to the future fantasising about what the final outcome of the paths we are on might be.

What does it mean for God’s word to be a lamp to your feet today? Where are your eyes focused? On the journey or what you think is the destination?

 

Dereck Chisora lost his WBC world title fight against champion Vitali Klitschko in Munich on Saturday night, but the event will be remembered more for the antics before and after the matchup than the fight itself.

First, at Friday’s weigh-in, Chisora slapped Klitschko, then in Saturday’s post-fight press conference, he left the stage to brawl with fellow British boxer David Haye, who lost his last fight to Vitali’s brother Wladimir in Hamburg last July.

Both men were arrested and Robert Smith, General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, has said that both men may face lifetime bans.

In the FA Cup fifth round Liverpool put Championship side Brighton in their place with a comprehensive 6-1 win at Anfield. Although Liverpool clearly had the better of the game the scoreline was perhaps a little unfair on Brighton, with two own goals from midfielder Liam Bridcutt and one from Lewis Dunk contributing to the home side’s tally.

Bridcutt’s first came just before half time after Kazenga Lua Lua had equalised for Brighton following Martin Skrtel’s opener, and his second was followed by teammate Dunk’s own goal after 74 minutes to make it 4-1.

Andy had scored Liverpool’s third, heading in a Stewart Downing cross, and Luis Suarez made amends for a missed penalty by scoring his side’s sixth.

Stevenage earned a replay at White Hart Lane after a plucky 0-0 home draw and will hope that Tottenham’s tough Premier League schedule between now and the replay – they face Arsenal and Manchester United – will leave Harry Redknapp’s side jaded and help the League One side to qualify for a quarter final at home to Bolton.

Chelsea’s poor run of form continued in their 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham to increase the pressure on manager Andre Vilas-Boas and Arsenal followed up their embarrassing midweek Champions League defeat with a 2-0 loss at Sunderland.

In Scotland, Rangers ended their turbulent week losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock at Ibrox thanks to a 12^th-minute Dean Shiels effort. Celtic thrashed Hibernian 5-0 to increase their lead at the top of the SPL to a massive 17 points after Rangers’ points deduction.

In cricket, England went some way towards making amends for their awful performance in the test matches by securing the one-day series with a game to spare.

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen drove England towards their third win in the four-match series with scores of 80 and 111 n.o. respectively. Cook’s wicket was the one lost by England who won by nine wickets after Pakistan had been bowled out for 222, with Steven Finn the pick of England’s bowlers.

Sir Chris Hoy stormed to victory in the men’s keirin final at the Track World Cup in London, beating Maximilian Levy of Germany for his second gold medal of the competition.

Britain also won gold in both the men’s and women’s team pursuit and individual sprint, as well as the women’s team pursuit in a successful dress rehearsal for the Olympic Games at the same venue in August.

I probably have at least two things in common with the average Christian man:

1) We both think Jesus is who he claims to be. 2) We doubt that he can actually save our friends and family.

Three times in the last three weeks I have heard the phrase: “I couldn’t take my friends to a full on Bible event because they’re not in that place yet.” The more I’ve thought about that notion, the sicker I feel in my soul. Not only do we assume that our friends and family have no interest in the message of Jesus, but even more disturbingly, we doubt that Jesus is as effective as he once was. When we doubt that our friends and family could start their own walk with Christ today, we actually doubt the power of the cross, the words of Christ and the resurrection of the saviour.

And, what is equally as terrifying, is the idea that we know the thoughts and feelings of our friends and family more than the God who created them. How dare I think that contemporary way to share my faith is the pivotal part of someone’s salvation? How dare I claim to have the monopoly on God’s perfect Gospel?

A few days ago I was given the most amazing compliment in the form of an insult. After sharing my thoughts on preaching the Christian message in a post-Christian culture, a young leader said: “Ah, you’re one of those old-fashioned guys who would just preach the Bible, we’re trying to do something new.” (My soul was at ease in the knowledge that at least I’m doing something right in this sin-ridden life of mine.)

The tragic irony of diluting, compromising and editing the full message of Jesus, is two fold:

- This month I have heard a group of atheists chatting as they left a guest church service. One turned to another and said: “I was expecting more Bible to be honest, I’m a bit disappointed.”

- If I hadn’t been given the full message of Jesus when I was 16-years-old, ten years ago this week, I’d have missed out on a friendship with Jesus.

There is no fence between offense and defence. Jesus said people are either following him or they’re not. Why then, do we think we have a better, more suitable message for those without Jesus? What is it that actually saves a man? I actually think that some contemporary Christians are hoping to trick their loved ones into the Kingdom. “HAHA! You thought I was just being nice when I was offering prayer and saying ‘God Bless’ but look where you are now…You’re a Christian and there’s nothing you can do about it!!!”

Have we forgotten that we’re just delivery boys in this world? Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and family, but the message I carry is far more valuable than the way I approach their front door.

And finally, to end this extremely rare outburst, it turns out that those guys who accept invites to Church Services and Weekends Away, actually want to know more about Jesus! Isn’t that weird? But you probably don’t want to give them the whole message of Christ though. Oh no, just wait until they’re on their knees begging for sanctification through the blood of the living atonement of the risen lamb. Then you really can fill your boots!

Peace

Over 50 doesn’t mean ‘over the hill’ or ‘over and out!’ If you are 50 today, you can statistically expect another 20 -25 productive years of active life in which to utilise your God given talents and leave a lasting legacy.

My New Year’s challenge, is that you think in terms of not only success but also significance.

Ken Blanchard, leadership guru and co-author of ‘The One Minute Manager’, said:

“Many people measure their success by wealth, recognition, power and status. There’s nothing wrong with those, but if that’s all you’re focused on, you’re missing the boat … using your time and talent to serve others — that’s when truly meaningful success can come your way.”

The best-selling book ‘Halftime’ by Bob Buford, is a great resource to help change our game plans from success to significance. According to the Halftime organisation’s website, “more than 12,000 people turn 50 each day in America, and a Harvard-Met Life study shows that more than half of these individuals want more meaning and significance in the second half.”

You don’t have to wait until you turn 50 or reach your Halftime to combine the goals of success and significance. They say you can kill two birds with one stone. That is definitely true if you align your life goals and strategies to be as significant as they are successful.

I encourage you – Make 2012 one of your most significant yet!

For more information regarding what Halftime is all about and how this ministry helps individuals move from Success to Significance, contact CVM Area Coordinator, Rob Santer (National Director for Halftime UK) on 0207 193 9062 or rob.santer@halftime.org
 www.halftime.org

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“Go and make disciples … and I am with you.”

This is not an option, this is Jesus’ command. If we find the practicalities of discipling difficult, Halftime could be a catalyst to help us find a buddy to work alongside with in this adventure. - Eddie James

On Saturday’s CVM Men’s Day in Scarborough, Nick Welford modelled transparency, honesty and integrity in his final challenge. He had never shared this story before the event.

Sometimes things must come out into the light. When I was a young teenager I was at a church event. The family of one of the church members were visiting. I was hanging out with the other youth and a lad from this family walked by, he was about the same age as me. He was disabled, and as he walked one of his legs dragged behind him. Our group all stopped and stared. And when he was gone, I, in all my wisdom, did an impression of his walk. The whole group laughed, until we looked up and saw this lad standing at the end of the corridor watching us. My friends rounded on me and berated me.

I tell you this story for one reason – it still haunts me. Even though it was 20 years ago and the man writing this is totally different to the attention-seeking arrogant teenager, I still wake up feeling guilty and shameful. How can I call myself a Christian? How can God love me when I could do that? And as I deconstruct myself, more memories of my failings assault me. Times when I didn’t measure up, when I deliberately went against God.

Damien Rice sings a song called ‘I remember’ and in it is the line ‘God will forgive me but I whip myself!’ And that’s the rub isn’t it? God can forgive us but if we can’t forgive ourselves we will struggle with to persevere. In Romans 5 Paul says this: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

When we can’t forgive ourselves we suffer but suffering can produce perseverance as long as we don’t dwell too long in the pit of suffering. Unfortunately that is a place many of us dwell.

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, and that we should not hide that light. When we wallow in self pity, shame and guilt we are effectively hiding our light. The fact is that the light is inside us is greater than the darkness that surrounds us – because that light is Jesus. The only person who can diminish the light inside us is ourselves! There is a quote in the film Night Watch that says this: “It is easier for a man to destroy the Light inside himself than to defeat the darkness all around him.” It is time for us to stop snuffing out the light and start the march on the darkness.

The prodigal son wasted his inheritance and ended up in a pig sty eating pig food. When we wallow in shame and self pity that is exactly where we end up, eating pig food oblivious to the fact that the Father is waiting to throw us a huge party.

I don’t know what wakes you up in the middle of the night and causes you guilt and shame, I don’t know how you have failed, but I do know that unless you use your suffering to persevere you will eat pig food for the rest of your life.

For more fellowship, encouragement and quality teaching, book yourself into The Gathering Here.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra met on the field for the first time since Suarez completed an eight-game ban for racially abusing the Manchester United defender in Saturday’s Premier League clash between United and Liverpool.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney in the first five minutes of the second half helped United to a 2-1 win, but it was the scorer of Liverpool’s consolation, Suarez, who received the most attention after he refused to shake the hand of Evra in the pre-match ceremony.

Players from both sides clashed at half-time when intervention from the police was required and on the full-time whistle Evra celebrated with an over-exuberant celebration in front of the Liverpool fans, yards from Suarez.

The win saw United overtake Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table but a second-half goal from Joleon Lescott was enough for United’s city rivals to reclaim the top spot with a 1-0 win away at Aston Villa.

The home side offered very little going forward until the last moments of the match when Joe Hart was called upon for the first time in the match, pulling off an excellent reflex save from Darren Bent.

Mick McCarthy has been sacked as manager of Wolves after his side fell into the relegation zone with an embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to West Brom in the Black Country derby. Blackburn profited from the defeat, climbing out of the relegation zone on goal difference after a 3-2 win over QPR. Wigan beat Bolton 2-1, leaving just two points separating the bottom five.

Chelsea manager Andre Vilas-Boas described his side’s 2-0 defeat at Everton as “one of our worst displays – if not the worst”. Steven Pienaar and Denis Starcqualursi scored for the Toffees.

Thierry Henry signed off from his second stint at Arsenal with an injury-time winner at Sunderland. In his final game for the Gunners before returning to MLS side New York Red Bulls, Henry added to Aaron Ramsey’s equaliser to help Arsenal move into fourth place.

Wales and England top the Six Nations tables after two matches, beating Scotland and Italy respectively. After a tight first half, two tries from Leigh Halfpenny followed Alex Cuthbert’s opener to help Wales to a 27-13 win over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium. Greig Laidlaw scored for Scotland in the 62nd minute but were not able to threaten Wales’ 14 point lead in the final 20 minutes.

After a shoddy first half performance England came from behind to register a 19-15 win against Italy in Rome. Two tries from the home side in the final three minutes of the first half gave them a 12-6 lead at half time after two Chris Farrell penalties had given England the lead.

Charlie Hodgson followed up a charge down for the second week running to score England’s only try in the 51^st minute and Farrell converted. Another Farrell penalty gave England the lead three minutes later and he scored again on 65 minutes to give England a four-point lead which they held on to close out a tense match.

The match between France and Ireland at the Stade de France was called off at the eleventh hour due to a frozen pitch.

Zambia won the African Cup of Nations, dashing the hopes of pre-tournament favourites and perennial underachievers the Ivory Coast after a long penalty shootout.

Didier Drogba missed a spot-kick in normal time and after neither side could find a goal the match went to penalties, where players from both sides converted 14 kicks before the Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure Rainford Kabala of Zambia both missed. Gervinho missed again for the Ivory Coast, allowing Stoppila Sunzu the opportunity to score the winning kick.

In the Super League, Huddersfield thumped newly-promoted Widnes 66-6, with four of his side’s twelve tries coming from Leroy Cudjoe including one pitch-long run.

St. Helen’s join them at the top of the Super League table after they came back from 10-4 down at half time to beat Salford 38-10 on Friday night. Wigan beat Leeds 20-6 and Warrington thrashed London Broncos 50-1.

Dan Evans won a deciding rubber for Great Britain’s Davis Cup team in a tense five-set match against Slovakia’s Martin Klizan. Evans had won the first two sets 6-1 6-1 but his opponent his back to force Evans to go the distance but the Brit triumphed 6-1 6-1 4-6 3-6 6-3 to win against an opponent ranked 156 places higher in the world rankings.

Phil Mickelson won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, shot an eight-under par 64  to come back from six shots behind while Tiger Woods bogeyed the final three holes to fade dramatically.

During a weekend of speaking and conferencing in London, Dean (CVM Managing Director) and I were heading back on the Northern Line to our hotel, when Dean spotted a woman being forced aggressively against a wall by a man. Our train was in the station with the doors open. It looked like it was going to get nasty and as Dean got out of his seat I saw the woman try to slap the man in the face to get him away. He was so close to her and so forceful that she couldn’t get get her hands free properly.  She looked terrified. Not good.

I have a little confession to make. I like to be the one that thinks of the ideas, finds the way forward, makes the running does the work and takes the prize.

Shocking? Surely not? I hope that I’m not the only bloke that still has a competitive instinct after my 52 years on earth (and 35 years following the maker of the earth).

But I’ve noticed something else about this competitive nature of mine that can really get in the way if I am not careful. At 52 I have started to think about whether I have made my mark for God in this world. Is there a more significant role I can take on in the church? how can I use that wisdom and experience that God has given me in my life, while I am still able?

But this can lead to me trying to do everything and leaving no space for others to shine. Not because I am trying to prove myself to others, but perhaps sometimes trying to prove myself to me. The focus for that competitive instinct has become internal.

“I can still do the things I used to do,
I can still be everything to everyone”

Scripture tell us that we are each set a bundle of tasks that are ours to do (see Ephesians 2:10). My role is not to seek to do just something, but to allow God to guide me into the things he would have me do. So it becomes easy when I recognise that where I am right now, at this moment is because God has put me here to find one of those tasks He is asking me to do. In fact I am discovering that I don’t even need to look for them, I just need to be alert and they become obvious.

My lesson – Do what is obviously right and good. No more is needed, if you are following God He shows you what to do.

- 10.37pm, Carleton Street, York.

Invisible Enemy: ”Do you think your work will make a difference in the lives of those around you? In the long run, will anyone remember anything you’ve said or done? When will you face the the truth Alex? When will you accept that pinning your hopes on the Nazarene is like living your entire life through rose-tinted glasses? The world has moved on, yet your archaic faith drags your existence to a complete halt. And what if you’ve been deceived? What if the death and resurrection of the Nazarene didn’t play out as your book says it did? Think about what that would mean for a moment. This ‘freedom and forgiveness’ that you talk about endlessly would become empty relics. What would you make of those acts of selfishness, greed and vanity, which you thought you’d been forgiven? Maybe that’s why you still feel guilty. And if your past hasn’t been cleaned as white as snow, then where does this leave your future? Let’s be honest, all the men around you found their wives years ago, yet your life is becoming a laughing stock for the lovestruck. You need to re-think your priorities son, whilst you still have time to turn it all around. Don’t waste your life Alex, you only get one. I’ve seen thousands of men like you give up everything for a cause which left them hanging.”

Invisible God: “You, dear son, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

Two penalties from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United fight back from three goals down to draw 3-3 away at Chelsea in the weekend’s big Premier League game on Sunday, the first time in Premier League history that Chelsea have surrendered a three-goal lead.

Daniel Sturridge forced Jonny Evans to turn the ball into his own net in the first half and within five minutes of the restart Chelsea had increased their lead to three. Juan Mata volleyed a Fernando Torres cross home in the first minute of the second half and David Luiz directed a Mata free kick in off Rio Ferdinand for Chelsea’s third.

United rallied, though, and Patrice Evra and then Danny Welbeck won two penalties for their side which Rooney converted to set up a thrilling finale.

A header from substitute Javier Hernandez completed the comeback after in the 84^th minute but United needed a fingertip save from much-maligned keeper David De Gea to keep out a Mata free kick in injury time.

Arsenal produced the standout side from Saturday’s fixtures, demolishing Blackburn 7-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Two goals from Robin van Persie had helped Arsenal to a 3-1 lead before Gael Givet was dismissed for a dangerous tackle just before half-time.

Van Persie sealed his hat-trick just after the hour for Arsenal’s sixth and Thierry Henry completed the rout in injury time.

Manchester City moved ahead of United with a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham. Chris Baird gave away a penalty and an own goal in the first half and Edin Dzeko scored a third late on.

In an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI, England manager Fabio Capello broken ranks to state that he disagrees “absolutely” with the FA’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy. “I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain’s armband”, he said. Former FA chairman David Davis believes that the comments could constitute breach of contract.

In the opening weekend of the Six Nations, Leigh Halfpenny scored a match-winning penalty with 30 seconds left on the clock as Wales fought back to a 23-21 victory against Ireland. Wales lock Bradley Davies was sent to the sin bin on 65 minutes but has since been cited for the dangerous tip tackle and Wales coach Warren Gatland has admitted that the tackle was worthy of a red card.

England won at Murrayfield for the first time since 2004, but the match was notable for Scotland’s inability to convert chances into tries rather than England’s own attacking play. Charlie Hodgson’s converted try was the difference in a 13-6 win as Ross Rennie and Greig Laidlaw amongst others will be left to rue a raft of missed opportunities.

France comfortably beat Italy 30-12 in Paris to kick-off this year’s Six Nations. Clermont’s Aurelien Rougerie and Julien Malzieu helped France to a 15-6 lead at half-time and Vincent Clerc and debutant Wesley Fofana scored in the second half to dismiss any chances of a repeat of last year’s shock 22-21 win by Italy.

Pakistan look set to complete a 3-0 series whitewash on the fourth day of the third test in Dubai. England have been set a hefty target of 324, with Azhar Ali and Younis Khan scoring 157 and 127 respectively.

Rugby League’s Super League kicked off this weekend and it’s Catalan Dragons who lead the earliest of Super League tables after a 34-12 win at Bradford, in part thanks to the boot of Scott Dureau. Reigning champions Leeds beat Hull KR 34-16 in the season’s first game on Friday evening. Wigan lost at home to Huddersfield 20-16 and St. Helens beat London Broncos 34-24 at the Stoop.

The New York Giants came from behind to win Super Bowl XLVI 21-17 in a repeat of the 2008 season-ending match. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady had excelled to help his side to the lead after a poor start to the match in which the Giants took a 9-0 lead.

He was unable to inspire his side to victory despite stringing together a Super Bowl record of 16 straight completed passes and his Hail Mary pass in the final seconds was knocked to the ground for the Giants to win their fourth Super Bowl Championship.