www.curve.org.uk/blog

I'm sat in the 24-7 office in London listening to one of my favourite bands, Idaho.  How's this for great lyrics:
"When you get in your car, you always seem to drive some place."
From there I got thinking about The Cure:
"Let me take your hands I'm shaking like milk".
Hooray for wonderful music.  Brightens up my life on an otherwise dreary day  :-)

I'm trying to get into a bit of a better rhythm of prayer at the moment, and I've not been too successful thus far.  Tonight was a beautiful step forward though, as I prayed looking out over the churning waters of the Thames, just south of St Paul's in London.

I ended up working a little too late in the City Boiler Room, and the wonderful Claire Brocklehurst invited me to eat with the group that she and George lead at the CBR on Monday evenings. As I was packing down, I really felt a pull to go down to the Millennium Bridge and watch the sun go down, and as I checked the time of the sunset I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had just enough time to walk down to the river.  The view didn't disappoint, and I had a great time talking with the creator of the universe too.

Not a bad start to the week...

And here's the evidence.  One smiley Shirley with a shiny medal.  Check out the pictures from the day in the gallery.

Thanks so much to those of you who have supported Shirley through you prayers, and your finances, as she ran the London Marathon today.

The great news it that she completed it!  4hrs 47mins is not her best marathon time, but its not bad at all given she was fighting off a cold!  Cramp at 18 miles was thankfully dispatched by some very helpful St Johns Ambulance volunteers, and hailstones at 22 miles didn't stop her striding out towards the finishing line.

Well done Shirls!  Watch this space for some piccies soon.


And just in case you haven't sponsored her yet  ;-)  www.curve.org.uk/shirley

Our church had a really inspiring time recently, with the Maundy Thursday service I helped to prepare.  Several of us from the Greyfriars and New Hope congregations helped to put together our communion service, including the creative prayer time that was at its centre.  As we considered the events of the Last Supper and Gethsemane, we focussed on what it means to serve and to be served, and on the ways in which Jesus fulfilled the signs that are remembered during the passover meal.

I was praying with Mr Morris the other evening when he showed me this great pearl of wisdom from John Bunyan:

"You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed."

My prayer life really does need to be better!

This one made me laugh out loud when Amo sent it through a short while ago, so I thought I'd share...

This Friday I'll be on the latest leg of the 24-7 UK Tour.  We'll be gathering friends in Gateshead, before heading to similar dates in Edinburgh on Saturday, and Bristol on Monday.  Quite some travelling.

I'd really appreciate it if you could remember the team in prayer, and ask God that we might be a great encouragement to those we're visiting.  Also for safety in travel as we traverse the length of the nation!

On a more personal note, I'm heading up north early to spend a couple of days retreat at the Northumbria Community.  Please pray that I would have a great time of restoration and inspiration as I seek Gods direction for the weeks, months and years ahead.

Thanks!   :-)#

Shirley decided yesterday that I needed more flowers in my life, so I ended up with these tulips.  In return I cooked a rather nice meal of scallops followed by duck.  Winners all round really!

I know, not much blogging recently.  Hopefully things will quieten down a bit soon so that I can do something about that ;-)

Anyway, I was recently encouraged by a post that Carla wrote for the International 24-7 Prayer website.  Testimonies like these are (I think!) why God hijacked me out of my career to go and work for a small, shambolic charity.

Enjoy...

Prayer room quotes 2007