I was present at the birth of both of my daughters.  It was of course an amazing experience and far more exhilarating then the gas and air that I sampled earlier in the labours. (Just checking it was safe of course, much like Nehemiah and the King’s wine).

When both of them were born, I gave them a cuddle within minutes of their birth.  Both occasions were profound moments. I heard a still small voice that I knew to be from the Lord. I had a distinct sense from God that He was telling me that they were in effect on loan to me. My job was to raise them and to show them Jesus through the conduct of my life and by sharing with them the things that we saw God doing in our lives.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The kids have heard us row as well as seen us make up.  They’ve seen me get it wrong and they’ve heard me apologise to them. I’ve prayed with them and at times neglected to do so because I’ve been away or taken my eye off the ball. I’ve shared the stories of what Jesus has done in my life and heard them beg me to tell them another story…only to go for chunks of time when I have let it slip. In other words I am doing my best but I get it wrong plenty of times. One thing I have done is pray for them frequently and for a variety of things, including any future husbands they might meet. (I’ve been praying for that since before they were born!)

As part of our commitment to our kids development spiritually, Karen and I started to lead the Sunday school group they are part of.  (As an aside I really do believe we need more men leading kids work so I’m putting my time where my mouth is).

During one time of preparation for Sunday my eldest sat and read the Bible with Karen. For some reason, this gripped my daughter and she took it upon herself (she is 13) to read a page of the Bible every night from Genesis until she finished it. I tried to show her that there might be a more interesting way to do it (worried of course about lists of skin diseases and laws in Leviticus being a bit boring etc) but she’s a single-minded kinda kid and she wouldn’t hear any of it.

Several nights ago Karen find her quietly lying on her bed with tears running down her cheeks.  She had just met Jesus despite only reaching Exodus.

The word of God has power to change lives.

My eldest daughter has always been a character: a free thinker, artistic, willing to challenge and not one for the status quo. Turns out Jesus was well able to work with that, despite my at times, prayers of angst.

I share this to encourage you blokes; Keep praying, keep modelling Jesus, keep your heads, spend time with your kids, let them see you being men of God, take your share in the responsibility you have for pointing beyond yourself to Jesus and remember, despite your fragility and weakness, God is sovereign and your kids are precious to him too.

World number one Novak Djokovic successfully defended his Australian Open title by beating Rafael Nadal in an incredible five-set final in what was the longest match in the tournament’s history at five hours 53 minutes.

Djokovic won the match 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5, just 48 hours after Andy Murray took him to five sets in Friday’s semi-final.

In the ladies final, Victoria Azarenka beat Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0 to win her first grand slam title and displace Caroline Wozniacki as world number one.

In the weekend’s big FA Cup fourth round tie, Liverpool beat Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield. In a game of few chances, Dirk Kuyt evaded Patrice Evra to hit the winner with two minutes remaining after Park Ji-sung’s first-half strike had seen United draw level.

Arsenal came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening. Richard Dunne and Darren Bent had given Alex McCleish’s side a 2-0 lead at half-time but Robin van Persie scored two penalty’s either side of a Theo Walcott goal to see Arsenal through to the fifth round.

The biggest upset of the round came at the KC Stadium where Hull City crashed out to Crawley Town of League Two courtesy of a second-half goal from striker Matt Tubbs, his 18^th of the season.

The Amex Stadium was the scene of another upset as Brighton beat Newcastle to earn a fifth-round tie away at Liverpool. An own-goal from Mike Williamson was the difference.

A controversial second-half penalty from Juan Mata put Chelsea into the next round at the expense of West London rival QPR.

An embarrassing second innings batting collapse at the hands of Pakistan’s spinners saw England lose the second test to give Pakistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

England required 145 runs to win after dominating the first three days, but they managed less than half that total, posting just 74.

Celtic will face Kilmarnock in the final of the Scottish League Cup after a second-half Anthony Stokes brace against Falkirk. Jay Fulton levelled for Falkirk after Scott Brown gave Celtic the lead from the penalty spot but Stokes scored what would be the winner with a superb free-kick before settling the tie with an 86^th minute tap-in.

In the LV= Cup, Joel Tomkins scored two tries in an impressive debut for Saracens as they beat Worcester 41-14, having switched codes in October.

Bath beat fellow pool leaders Northampton 46-14 at the Recreation Ground to maintain their lead over Saracens at the top of Pool 1. Leicester and Scarlets beat Harlequins and London Irish respectively to maintain their leads in their respective pools.

Love. Love. Love. All you need is love. If that’s the case why is it so hard for Christian men to say they love Jesus? I can understand a certain reticence to be too lovey dovey when trying to talk to non-Christian men about Jesus. I can understand focusing on different aspects of God for that. But Christian men? Christian men are often being told that they have been emasculated, that churches provide mainly for women and I wouldn’t argue with all this at all. But is there a case for reclaiming some words rather than trying to say them differently?

It seems to me that the love Jesus displayed was not a frilly, doily type of love but a love that drove Him to the cross. “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” said Jesus, and He should know. Jesus’ love caused Him to tell His friends that they showed little faith, to call one of them satan. His love caused Him to call out hypocrites, to upturn tables, to drive crowds into murderous bloodlust. His love drove Him to complete His mission by being tortured and nailed to a tree. His love was patient but it was also true, it was gentle but it was also fierce.

Maybe if we loved more like Jesus we wouldn’t have to convince people that it’s ok to love and be loved by Him. That’s the kind of love I can sign up to. John 15:12 ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.’

The book of Genesis is full of large expanses of nothingness. The theme of nothingness seems to sit at the bottom of many chapters like an anchor dragging across the ocean floor. First there was nothing, and out of nothing, God created everything. Man and woman lacked nothing, but longed for everything. Adam heard of his wife’s first sin, and did nothing. When God questioned his creation on their actions, the couple claimed it was nothing to do with them. Cain’s half-hearted attitude to generosity was nothing like his brother’s love for God, and so he killed Abel, reducing him to nothing. Eve mourned the death of her son and the wickedness of Cain, and was left with nothing. God saw that apart from Noah, nothing good was left on the Earth, and brought a flood, destroying everything.

Nothingness, emptiness, darkness and the great void cling to the creation story. I used to think it was just part of the Bible’s first book showing what God did to help steer sinners to freedom. However, the more I study Genesis, the more I see that something in God’s character longs to create his finest work out of the nothingness. He blessed Eve’s family line after they fell foul to selfishness. He restored the Earth after nearly nothing was left alive. He took ‘nothing’ and injected ‘something’. And when his creation took ‘something’ and reduced it ‘nothing’ God brought something else.

There are situations in my life where I see nothingness. There are people I’m trying to help who are addicted to nothingness. There are projects I have launched which seem to be heading into nothingness. And in my darkest hour, I am reminded to whisper; hallelujah. Because the God of the Bible rubs his hands at the murmurings of nothingness. He smiles at the great void and speaks life, in such a way that all memory of darkness becomes a punchline.

Those of us hunted by nothingness must remember that Eve rejoiced at the birth of her third son Seth. A perished Earth drenched in nothingness rose again under a rainbow of something good. And Jesus heart, pumping nothingness, beat again on the third day. Our nothingness will become a hallelujah.

In our moment of nothingness, we must remember. We must return to God’s Word which takes the notion of ‘nothing’ and smashes it across the gates of Eden. We have nothing, yet we have everything. We are hopeless, yet full of hope. We are dying, yet we live forever. To my friends who tell me they have nothing left, I can show them hallelujah.

After rediscovering the Bible’s first book, I have concluded this: Nothingness is a place where God is waiting to dance with you.

Alex

Dedicated to my brothers Lloyd and Lewis.

Some were heroes, others were righteous, and few were wise. But only two men walked with God. The account of Genesis has become like a childhood den for me these last few days. I have burrowed in and around the chapters like a small animal hunting for food. And what a meal I have received.

It seems to me that the creator of all things allowed human beings to contribute their own brushstrokes to his already perfect canvas. Much of their work started off as beautiful patterns with the likes of Adam, Abel and Abraham striving to honour their maker. But for every step of holiness that is taken in Genesis, a marathon of sinfulness is run on the same page.

“Why did you create humanity?” I asked the Lord, as I dwelt amongst the tragedies of God’s first book. “Noah and Enoch” were the responses I got from God’s mouth, the Bible.

Something about their lifestyle drew the favour of God. And though many people may think its our actions that please him the most, I see that God gave both Noah and Enoch wonderful descriptions before any major good deed was carried out. Noah walked with God before he built the Ark. Enoch walked with God before he was taken majestically to his place of rest.

So where does this leave you and me brother? As with all the men in the first account, we’re left with our own canvas. But if we chose to live with Christ as our chief artist, we also need to pick up a brush ourselves. And as we try to follow his lead on the portrait of our lives, maybe we could have similar epitaphs carved out about us. Maybe you and I can walk with God.

As 2012 wraps around us with its unique blots and blemishes, how can we keep our eyes fixed on him who paints so well? Lets glance at the blueprint.

Philippians 4:6-10

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Alex Willmott’s thoughts on Christmas.

If you don’t have audio, please find the Splog content below.

God on Earth

If I’m being honest, like, really honest, I struggle with the Christmas story. I understand why it’s the heart of the Christian faith. After all it’s a time when we reflect on the arrival of the King. It’s a time when we marvel at God’s masterplan to direct, inspire and save humanity from fear, faithlessness and sin. I do not struggle with the notion of the Christmas story, but the practicality of it. I mean, if I was an onlooker at Jesus’ birth, I would have been so freaked out I’d have probably got a nosebleed. I’d have probably looked at the wise men, glanced briefly at the baby boy wrapped in rags, and then back at the wise men, many times, before saying: “Gents, if you’re telling me this boy is actually God on Earth, then I think you three need straightjackets. Put the gold, frankincense, and Myrrh back in the bag, and leave the child alone. He’s not the messiah, he’s a very tired boy.”

And then, the wise men may tell me that this boy was not just God on earth, but that his birth itself had been at the heart of the greatest prophesy ever spoken in history. And that this little, tiny human was going to live a perfect life in every way, before submitting to a six hour execution all because the human race had wrecked their relationship with their creator. The wise men may go on and explain that his perfect life and horrible death, would grab the attention of millions and millions of people across the planet. And at the moment someone gives their attention to this God on Earth, and decide to follow his Way, their relationship with their creator would be restored.

At this point I would have probably taken two or three steps away from the wise men and contemplated getting the mother and child far away from them. Lets be honest, this story is off the charts of weird. But how much more weird is it that this baby boy, began to claim he was God on Earth just 30 years after he was born. And even weirder, all the hype and prophesy about his birth, life and death, was 100% accurate. He did go on to direct, inspire and save humanity. He did go on to change the world forever. He did go on to live a perfect life, and ultimately die a horrible death.

I struggle with how morbidly perfect the Christmas story is. I struggle with how painfully relevant it is. And as I sit here sipping a glass of sherry, in a world of financial chaos, why is it that the Christmas story makes more sense that anything else?

Peace

The winner of the Yorkie Bar prize for naming the CVM ’50 plus group’ was Keith Harper from the Netherlands … he wisely suggested that we keep it as it is – 50 Plus -

“it does exactly what
it says on the tin”

Our thanks to Roger Leitch, Mike Stenbrook, David Entrican and Oliver Street who gave some good ideas and encouragement.

The message that I keep hearing from lots of guys who want to reach the ’50 plus’ is what Jesus said, “… go and make disciples …”, this means both being discipled and making disciples: we are talking about small groups of 3 or 4 men meeting up regularly to encourage each other and gradually develop their gifts. This is a command of Jesus and not an option.

If you would like to share your experience on this theme, please contact me on eddie.james@ cvm.org.uk or make comments on the blog.

God bless you, Eddie

As you may know, I have two daughters Emily and Annie. When Karen was pregnant we spent months thinking about what we would call them – obviously there were a few names we had to avoid with Beech as a surname! (Please don’t email in with suggestions such as “Sandy”!)

Jesus’ parents didn’t have to spend any time deciding on his name as an angel told them to call him Jesus (Matthew 1 v 21). Actually, in the bible, Jesus has over a hundred different names or titles! The one I like best, and the one that we sing about a lot at this time of year in carols, is a name he was given over 700 years before he was born. The prophet Isaiah said he would be called “Immanuel” (Isaiah 6 v 8).

Immanuel means “God With Us”

This year there are men all over the UK who know for the first time the reality of Immanuel – that God is with them! The reason they know this is that someone told them the truth that Jesus came to save them and they believed it. Each of these decisions is a miracle and that’s what CVM exists to see happen.

Here are a couple of amazing quotes from messages we have received recently:

“My husband went to a CVM event. I knew he was different as soon as he got home. I slept next to a Christian man that night for the first time in our marriage…”





”A paramilitary guy met with Jesus after your talk in Northern Ireland. He gave everything over to Jesus that night and since then has taken his family to church every week.”

Some other words in Isaiah that have a massive impact are: “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6 v 8). At CVM our answer to that is “send us!” The CVM team has spent this year travelling up and down the UK telling men that Jesus came to save them and we have been helping other men and churches tell their friends and contacts the same. The reason more men in the UK know Jesus as Immanuel this year is because this men’s movement, that I count you a part of, is willing to say “Send Me!” In the last 12 months, this movement has connected the message of Jesus to thousands of men all over the UK through CVM events, groups and evangelistic resources.

This Christmas would you be able to send us a gift to help us keep our small team on the road telling men about Jesus and equipping and inspiring churches, individuals and groups to do the same. Please make a off donation or set up a direct debit via JustGiving.

Thank you for supporting us. My hope and prayer for you this year is that you will know that God is with you and that you would be willing to say “Send Me!”

Happy Christmas from all of us at CVM. God bless and strengthen you!

Your brother in Christ,

Carl Beech

So here’s a story.