Remember, Remember

Well we are back in November again, the month that we seem to have so much to remember.

We started off on the 5th of the month with Guy Fawkes night, where we remember the "gunpowder, treason and plot" and celebrate the failure by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Then on the 11th of November we remember at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month those that fought and died for us in wars to bring us freedom.

And so, remembering is undoubtedly, a theme for the month.

A wise man once said "Remember your creator in the days of your youth". This is in fact a verse in the Bible from the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12 and verse 1. The balance of the chapter goes on to explain why it is important to remember and I've attached my latest vlog here that expands on this;

 

So each of us will remember different events, people and circumstances this month. But let's take time to remember our creator.

There are so many people that have made it their lives work to disprove that the creator exists. Many are happy to follow that route. But I urge you, with an open mind, to consider the possibility of a creator who is beyond the explaining of our finite mind and I urge you to consider your accountability to him if this were reality...

I believe it is reality......would you consider it too?

 

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New Beginnings

So I start a new role in the company tomorrow, and really looking forward to a new challenge.

 

It's true what they say a change is as good as a holiday.

Our holiday this year at Keswick

 

Well it's all change where I'm going - Business Change - but I don't reckon it'll be a holiday somehow. Nevertheless I'm looking forward to meeting new people and learning more about myself.

 

It's always good to get to that position where you can start fresh again with a clean slate. I guess thats how it feels when you start a new job. But of course, it's not really a clean slate is it? We bring with us all of our habits(some not so good) and all the baggage that we've amassed along the way.

So truly it would be nice to have a proper fresh start wouldn't it.

That's what God offers us through his son Jesus.

The Bible says "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come"

We can have new life in Christ - but what does "in Christ" mean? Essentially, it means that we are trusting in who He is and what He has done when He died on the cross at Calvary for the things we have done wrong. Not trusting in our works or even our good deeds, but simply that His death, paid the price for my sins.

It's not a matter of what religion we are - but rather who we think Jesus is - that's who makes the difference.

So what do you think of Jesus?

 

 

 

 

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Preparation is Key

So, now it's my turn to do a food blog. My brother in law is the food critic really (check out his blog - Gerry's Kitchen), but on Saturday night, Gerry treated us to a fantastic creation of his own. So here we go....

The menu looked great; the starter was, Thai Fish cakes followed by Thai green curry with sticky rice and the dessert (after making my dislike of rice pudding known) was a coconut panacotta with pineapple in a toffee and chilli sauce.

Of course, Gerry and Nicola were as usual great hosts and it was a great opportunity to relax and unwind after a busy day.

The busy day at Auchinleck Christian Fellowship Open Day

We settled down to our starter which was beautifully presented Thai fish cakes on a bed of rocket and lambs leaf lettuce. The texture of the fish cakes was beautifully dense and the compliment of the chilli sauce was pure genius.

This only served to whet my appetite for the main attraction, Thai green curry, which is a particular favourite of mine since I was first introduced to it in a little known restaurant in Leeds by the name of Fuji Hiro. I have to say that the serving of the curry in a bowl was a nice touch. The butternut squash and whole cherry tomatoes within the curry made the dish as attractive as it was tasty.

And then it was dessert time. Now, I must admit, if I had been in a restaurant and this particular dish had been on the menu I would not have chosen it. But, I have to say, I was blown away by the refreshing coconut panacotta and the real contrast of the pineapple, toffee and chill sauce.

 

All in all - another 10 out of 10 for Gerry's Kitchen....

So there we go my first...and probably the last...food blog...but to sum up - what made the meal perfect? - for me it was preparation....Gerry had tirelessly spent most of the day preparing and it certainly paid off. PREPARATION is key. Someone once said to me, "fail to prepare is to prepare to fail" - Here's my thoughts on the subject:

Thanks for stopping by!!

Phil

 

 

 

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Hope Springs Eternal

That's another school year over - hard to believe it really! ...and what a busy one it has been with great opportunities to get involved in taking school assemblies across the town. New schools have been requesting assemblies which is great, and yet, at the same time it's going to be a struggle to fit much more in and still be faithful to my employer.

It's been a very topical year so far 2011/12. We started off in first term with a reminder of the tragedy of twin towers on the 10 yr anniversary, the second term, we thought about it being 100 yrs since Captain Scott's expedition that claimed his life, then we thought about the 100 yr anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic in the third term and finally ending the session in anticipation of the Olympics with the inspiration from Eric Lidell (check one of my previous blogs) and the torch celebration.

Of course, that was all linked with messages from the Bible and the relevance of the message of God for today. My hope is that as many of these young people think about the over-riding Christian message, that there will be those who will consider Christianity and perhaps it might cause some to put aside their pre-conceptions of what it is all about and think about Christian things from a more informed standpoint.

It is a message of hope, it is a message of love - and it is a message that can still change lives today. It doesn't seem to be particularly popular today - in fact I'm not sure it's ever been.

But I present it because I believe it is Gods message for us today...I recommend it to you...

Here's a verse from the Bible that sums the message up...

"John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

That's Gods message of love..for you !

Oh by the way, did anyone watch the Wimbledon final - we hoped Murray would win, but just wasn't to be - our hopes were dashed - and in a world that does disappoint what can we hope in? Here's my thoughts on hope...

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

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8 yr olds party

Think it must be a sign of getting older when I can't hack an 8 yr olds party anymore!!

It was Abby's birthday party today and the girls had a great time making jewellery (courtesy of Little Jems Jewellery) and decorating cup cakes. All I had to do was organise a few games, but now I find myself shattered.

Must be getting older, although it's fair to say it was a busy week. Work has been busy and it's also been quite busy in other ways. The school term is coming to an end so I've had a couple of assemblies to take this week as well as Bible Teaching at Coatbridge on Thursday night.

Life can get so busy at times, can't it? ...and when it does, it needs us to start to prioritise things in the right way. Easy to say, but not so easy to do.

The Bible tells us that we should be "redeeming the time, because the days are evil". The word "redeem" here in the original language of the Bible carries with it the sentiment of buying back - out of slavery.

I suppose it is true to say that our time does have the capacity to be enslaved to doing the wrong thing so often.

So amidst the busy - ness, I find myself asking, Am I doing the "right" thing?Is this what God wants me to do? Am I using my time in the most effective way possible?

How about you?

 

The Half Marathon Commentary...

So the half marathon was last saturday in Stranraer and so I thought I should update on how things went. I will be honest to say that I really did think I might not make it. A few days before event I had picked up a hip injury and it wasn't looking too good. 

Albeit, we harassed the kids into the car last Saturday morning and off we went to Stranraer.

 

We arrived about 20 mins before the start of the half marathon and a number of other activities were underway from walkers events to fun runs and junior races for all the family to get involved with.

I donned my specially prepared t shirt and limbered up for the race....

I decided to take a starting position at back in the group so that I wouldn't end up going off too fast at the outset. And so with energy drink in hand, w set off. I found myself getting quite hassled in the first mile and realised, I shouldn't have started so near the back, however, I soon found a bit of space a couple of miles in and settled down in the run.

All in all, the run went well. I felt really comfortable for the first 7 miles but after that it became a bit of a mind game. I have to say that verse on my back, helped me through the race as well as very welcome cheers at 11 miles from my wonderul wife and kids( thanks guys that was the hardest point and you made a difference!). So I was really pleased to reach the finishing line in a really respectable 1 hr 41 mins and 3 secs. 60th over the line (out of 192 that started).

Have to say a big thanks to the stewards and the locals who were so encouraging, the many kids that were helping out at the water stops, but most importantly, the lady handing out the jelly babies in the last half mile - just the sugar rush I needed!


So that's it out the way and I've not been out running since. Hopefully get out soon though.

More importantly though, what a fantastic figure to raise for Eagles Wings Trust through my just giving page. As I write I am now at 251% of my target with a fabulous £1255 !!! Thanks everybody !

But, at the end I did wonder about the impact that verse from the Bible on my t-shirt had on other runners? Did anyone even notice it? I guess i'll never know. It is a great verse and is one of my favourites. I recommend it to you!

In fact, check out the whole chapter of Isaiah 40 - it's pretty powerful and poetic writing!

 

Olympic Inspiration...

So, my last blog focused a wee bit on the subject of running, not least cos I'm doing the Stranraer half marathon on 2nd June (plugs just giving page - www.justgiving.com/philcordiner). But in that blog I also mentioned Eric Liddell. The man who became known as the "Flying Scot" who refused to run on a Sunday.


My daughter, then came home from school saying she had to do a project on an inspiring British athlete - who better then than Eric Liddell. Hence, my blog his week will be a wee lesson on the life of Eric Liddell.

Born to Scottish parents, he was the first of his country to win Gold during the 1924 Paris Olympics. Although China also regard him as the first to ever win a gold medal for China as he was indeed born there.

As a committed Christian Eric Liddell refused to race on Sunday and was forced to withdraw from the 100 metres, which was considered his best race. Instead, Liddell raced in the 400 metres. As Liddell went to the starting blocks for the race, an American slipped a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honour me I will honour." Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand and not only won the race but broke the existing world record with a time of 47.6 seconds.

After the Olympics, Liddell decided to return to China to work as a missionary. Liddell worked as a teacher at a school for Chinese boys at which he taught chemistry and organised sports. He married in 1934 and in 1936 China prepared for war as Communist and Nationalist tensions increased. Liddell was asked by the London Missionary Society to give up his work in Tientsin, and work as a village evangelist in Siao Chang. This was a dangerous area. Liddell could not take his wife and two daughters with him and he was forced to leave them behind when he went to work there. He was able to visit on occasion, but it was a long journey, so visits were not often.

It was tough working in these villages because of the war - On one day, the Communists would pillage and destroy a village and then leave. Later, on another day, the Nationalists would come and do the same thing. His job in the area was evangelism and to encourage the Christians already there. The work was dangerous. Travelling in the countryside with Communist and Nationalist forces equally hostile to missionary work put Liddell in harm’s way on a regular basis.

The Japanese invaded China and in 1940 Liddell told his wife to take their children to Canada where she could live with her parents. He stayed behind in Tientsin to continue his work. Liddell was sent by the Japanese to an Internment Camp where 1800 other internees were confined. He was not dissuaded by his circumstances. He worked tirelessly in the camp, doing just about anything that needed to be done, whether it was bible study, teaching children who were trying to keep up their studies, or organising sports. In a prisoner exchange bargain, his freedom was arranged by Winston Churchill, but he gave it up and let a pregnant woman leave instead.

In 1944, Liddell was not well. The doctors did not have the resources to diagnose the real nature of the problem. On February 21, 1945, he began coughing uncontrollably. According to a fellow missionary, Liddell's last words were, "It's complete surrender", in reference to how he had given his life to his God. This man was truly committed to the cause of Christ. He had the opportunity to leave China but he chose to stay.He poured his life into the work of reaching the lost in China. He worked for a prize far greater than gold, even Olympic gold.
Here are some of his most famous quotes:

“In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.”

"God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure. ”

“We are all missionaries. Wherever we go we either bring people nearer to Christ or we repel them from Christ.”

What an inspiration!

Run and not be weary...

A couple of years ago, I decided to start running again. I have to say i quite enjoyed it. So much so in fact that I signed up for a 10k race and then a further 5 mile road race. So this year, I felt like I should take on a bigger challenge. So it was decided a half marathon is the next step on this journey. But, where to do it? Checking online made me notice that most were on a Sunday, which didn't really suit my lifestyle. Now I can't claim to be Eric Liddell by any stretch of the imagination either physically or spiritually, but I did want to try to keep it away from a Sunday. So, I found out about the Stranraer half marathon, on a Saturday too. Even then, though, I wasn't sure if I would be able to get round the course and so it would seem I delayed entering for a bit longer. But then, in a flash of inspiration ( or madness - not sure which) I not only signed up to do the marathon, but I also signed up to raise money for my brothers homeless charity in Dundee: www.eagleswingstrust.org.uk So now there's no going back - some people have been so generous and I hope I don't let them down - particulary given that I have never ran this distance before. But then I take more inspiration from Eric Liddell (cue chariots of fire music!)who was unwilling to compete on a Sunday in his 200 metres race, so he entered the 400m and won Olympic gold. When asked how he managed to do it he said " I ran the first 200m with all my might and then, with the help of God, I ran the second 200m even faster" Guess that is like life isn't it? ...and oh how we need the help of God to run the race of life! Says the Bible, "forgetting that which is behind, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God" And so, on 2nd June I'll run the first half as best I can and the second half, with the help of God, even better. In second thoughts, I think I might just trust God o help me from start to finish. Especially so that the sponsor money can be handed over the Eagles Wings Trust who do a fantastic work. So just in case you're inspired - here's my just giving page link to allow you to sponsor me - thanks! www.justgiving.com/philcordiner

Friday is here again!

We often hear it don't we? "How are you?" is the question that is asked and the reply comes back, "I'm good - it's almost Friday". It seems that many of us live for the weekend and are constantly looking for the next one.
Why is that?
I think it's because we're just not satisfied with life. We have never really found something in life to dwell upon and be content in. Can we relate to that? If you can, then you're not alone. Many are in this position in the world. I want to suggest that it's because we gave the wrong perspective in life. Our life perspective is too much focused on us and not sufficiently focused on God.
If we get a God perspective then we will begin to see things very differently. Of course, one if the first things we'll realise us that we are at a distant from God and need to get close to Him. The Bible explains that we can't do this on our own, because we quite simply are not good enough. God requires perfection from those that desire a relationship with Him and in love sent His son to die on a cross to be punished for our wrong. If we confess our sins to God, He can make us perfect on the basis of what Jesus has done for us.
Do we yearn for this relationship - then turn to God and cry for mercy from Him.

The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

Reading the Instructions

Something I never do is read the instructions. Typical guy you might say! I tend to prefer a learning style that involves getting right into things and learning that way. Guess were all different.

I'm going to try and start this blogging thing, see how it goes and depending on how it goes, may even become a regular blogger.

So I'm not really reading the instructions.

Any hints and tips on blogging let me know...

Yours ....PC