Auld Lang Syne sung by Dougie MacLean

I love this version of Robbie Burns poem - Auld Lang Syne As sung by Dougie MacLean on the album 'Tribute'

I add it here for all my blog readers of 2009 - little late I know but hey.... its a good song

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind ?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

For more see wikepedia

Women in Afghanistan

This excellent little cameo of rural empowerment was posted on Facebook by Claire in Afghanistan.

Considering our Medair value of dignity, I wanted to empower the women to describe their lives to me and highlight topics of their own choice. What is closest to their hearts? What consumes most of their time? So I provided some paper, pencils and modeling clay and they led the way.

There were a lot of smiles and giggles. It was a bit of an experiment as these women were illiterate and the majority had never held a pencil before. But they were really excited to have a go and some asked their children to help them. The modeling clay was more familiar as every day they use their hands to make bread and so they could shape the clay easily.

For more information, please visit www.medair.org

The Wealth that is our Fellow Human Beings

Archbishop's New Year Message - The Wealth that is our Fellow Human Beings


What would our life be like if we really believed that our wealth, our treasure, was our fellow-human beings? Religious faith points to a God who takes most seriously and values most extravagantly the people who often look least productive or successful- as if none of us could really be said to be doing well unless these people were secure…. Read the entire address



Thanks to Christine Sine for pointing this out to me on Godspace

TWO CHRISTIANS DIE IN CHRISTMAS BLAST IN PESHAWAR

I have just received disturbing news of a Christmas Eve attack in Peshawar

A member of the Assemblies of God and a Roman Catholic were among five who died in a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar on Christmas Eve. The Reverend Joseph John, priest-in-charge of St. Johns Anglican Cathedral was giving sick communion to a parishioner less than forty metres away from the blast.

Two day earlier Edwardes College, an Anglican foundation in the University of Peshawar, was closed prematurely for the vacation by the Principal, the Revd. Dr. David Gosling, after a huge bomb at the nearby Press Club caused students to rush out of their lecture rooms in a panic. People near the Club were killed, and a woman passing the site of the bomb in an auto-rickshaw died of a heart attack.

In spite of these events Christmas services at the main city churches passed peacefully. Attendance at the Cathedral was, if anything, larger than in previous years, and the Police provided maximum security. During the run up to Christmas individual church members had received threats on their mobile phones such as: “You’re our next target”, and “We’ll give you a Christmas gift, and it won’t be the baby Jesus.”

Peshawar has been particularly targeted by extremists in recent weeks, though the main focus of attacks has been Police check posts and government officials and headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence, which is located near to Edwardes College.

Disturbing though these incidents are, there are indications that they are reactions to the military operations currently being conducted by the Pakistan Army, and that these are being largely successful. There are also signs that some of the more extremist organizations such as Jamiat ul Islami and Jamiatul ulama and individual Sunni clerics are denouncing suicide bombing as anti-Islam.

Celtic Woman: Silent Night

I can't think of a better way of wishing everyone a happy Christmas than letting Celtic Woman do it for me (I do have a thing about Celtic female vocalists)

May peace reign on this special night when we remember the coming of the Prince of Peace

And as a bonus track here is O Come all ye faithful' . .... 'Wait for me ..... I'm coming, alright, I'm coming...'

spiritual audit

I received a spiritual audit which I have adapted from polar questions to more open ones. This may help us as we reflect on the year 2009 as it draws to a close ....

Spiritual Audit Question 1

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his evil generation; Noah walked in habitual fellowship with God. Genesis 6:8-9 (AB)

In what ways am I walking in habitual fellowship with God and enjoying His favour upon my life?

Spiritual Audit Question 2

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV)

How can I interpret particular events in my life as if “God intended it for good” ?

Spiritual Audit Question 3

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV)

How am I strong and courageous in the face of life challenges, opportunities and complexities?

Spiritual Audit Question 4

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? Esther 4:14 (AB)

In what ways has God placed me in a position of servant leadership and influence in my family, work, church, community or country ‘for such a time as this’?

Spiritual Audit Question 5

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

In what ways am I experiencing my present and future plans to be secure in God, as I seek him with all my heart?

Spiritual Audit Question 6

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

What more things do I really need in my life? How am I learning the secret of being content whatever the circumstance?

Spiritual Audit Question 7

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:8-9 (NIV)

How have I established a pattern of tithes and offerings in my life?

Spiritual Audit Question 8

But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

In what ways do I seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in all that I do?

Spiritual Audit Question 9

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV)

Do I honor God by keeping my body holy in actions and attitudes? What do I need to change?

Spiritual Audit Question 10

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

How do I strive for a spirit of excellence in all my words or deeds?

Spiritual Audit Question 11

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:4-5 (NIV)

Which areas in my life that need the God’s healing, forgiveness and restoration?

Spiritual Audit Question 12

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23 (NIV)

In what ways am I faithful in the little things that God has placed in my life?

There is another spiritual audit available

looking back: moving on

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Well its has already snowed but its not yet Christmas. Snow and ice seems to be causing a slowdown in UK at present. Snow covered landscapes look stunningly beautiful in virgin white, but the effect soon wears off and can be disastrous. Staff travel time to work has increased - sometime hours more. And Basingstoke is now famous, as it became Ice-locked and cut-off Of course this become a chance for a good British moan about he weather and system breakdown.

Some times, like the state of Narnia without Aslan . it seems to be ‘always winter never Christmas’

I finally engaged with the Christmas spirit last Saturday at our International Carol service at Christchurch Woking. This is a little glimpse of heaven as we worshipped in over 20 different languages. If you are interested you can read about it elsewhere on this blog

Climate Change

The Copenhagen summit has been in the news a lot trying to get some international consensus on carbon emissions.

I find it hard enough to keep up with clearing leaves and now snow from the garden and drive, let alone addressing these huge Global issues

The C of E engaged with Green issues this advent in a series of excellent videos helping us to slow down and reflect more Church of England's online advent calendar with go-slow lifestyle challenges and stories ‘Ready, Steady. Slow’. CMS partner ‘A Rocha’ was one of the organisations featured

Melt down ?

The global economic downturn has been a financial meltdown affecting many. CMS also faces challenges. There are encouragements, with individual giving increasing but church giving decreasing, investments realising little, and legacies being very unpredictable. And pension commitments and increasingly project specific funding makes it more challenging.

So we in CMS are looking at ways of cutting back and becoming more efficient. Do pray for CMS in these hard times and tough decisions that need to be made particularly for the Senior Management Team (SMT) and trustees group.

DRIVE with Care

I am in the process of finishing off our report of the Asia process entitled ‘Mirror-indicator-Manoeuvre’

The process of engaging with partners through structured interviews and group conversations has been like looking in the mirror. It has been very encouraging as we have met many inspiring leaders throughout Asia who have a vision and a commitment for mission. Many are enthusiastic about the idea of Asia-CMS.

We are also indicating what possible directions we can go in setting up an Asian entity, And reporting to Trustees in mid January about the next steps as we manoeuvre and turn in a particular direction. Please pray for that time that we will have a clear mandate to continue and the resources to do so as well

As you are aware it is very hard to drive on icy, treacherous roads. Sometimes we need to slow down and proceed with caution.

Moving on

I usually use the year ending, with Christmas, birthday and New year in quick succession as a time to reflect…. I’m sure I am not alone in this. Sometimes reflecting helps us to move on

So I am also blogging a reflection exercise which may or may not be helpful. A sort of spiritual MOT

And may we all in CMS, particularly the Asia Team wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a fruitful new year

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Is. 43:18-19

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14