Several times this week I have had people come to me and start a conversation about last week’s EDL static protest in Leicester. The first question asked was…what do you think about what happened last weekend? The second conversation started with the comment that far too many people from other countries were taking our jobs, etc…and that they should go back to where they belong. The third one was a monologue from an elderly man who in the end I had to guide out of the building before I lost it and did something I would regret!! When he asked me what made Britain I told him ‘you and me’ and he said ‘but not them’

The man smoked a cigarette outside then came back in and apologized for swearing but we we still had to agree to disagree. He now knows that if he comes into our coffee morning he cannot swear or upset people with his loud opinions! I sat him down and changed the subject by asking him if he liked coming into our coffee mornings. He said yes. I asked him if he liked me. He said yes. I asked him if he liked the changes I had made since my arriving to this job. He said yes.

I then told him a story about a 14 year old girl from South America who whilst living in Chile had to make a difficult decision. The air fare would be paid for her but would she stay there or move to England where her grandmother lived. She decided that moving to England and starting a new life there would be a good thing. At the time she did not feel safe or in a position to make a life for herself there, and had nothing so she came to England with one suitcase and built her life in England. I asked him…What do you think about that? He said that the girl was the very ‘they’ that he had been talking about. He said that as sorry as he felt, that he was not a racist, but people can’t just do that.

I said that girl was me.

He said that I was different, that he was not talking about me.

I said that I was ‘they’ and that he should make up his mind and decide what he believed.

He said that was not easy.

I said ‘Result!’

Miriam M. Richards was born in New Barnett on the 12th April 1911 but grew up in Java and Korea. An officer in the Salvation Army who wrote more than 125 songs including ‘Just where he needs me’ If its not about you say but about what you do matters then the second verse of this song makes sense…’What can I do to ease life’s heavy burdens? What can I do to help mankind in need? Just where I am I’ll share my neighbour’s hardship, Just where I am, and win my Father’s smile.’ Click here to see the link between this song and a photo of salt and light tiles !!

Thank you to the Annual Appeal Department of the Salvation Army for the 2009 resources.

I have quite nice feet ‘for my age’ and I am told that walking at every opportunity possible without shoes probably helps me along! There’s a story told about two business men and barefooted people which I have included in this sermon about ‘being an effective witness for God in a lost world’  Have a read if you are interested by clicking here.

Sarah, one of our young people at the Salvation Army gave me these jumbo glasses. They are from Skegness. How do I look in them? I took them on the outing last monday and told the people I was ‘incognito’! John, in his latest message talked about the fact that we cannot hide from God, how annoying that is! Nowhere is far enough, dark enough, or sound proof enough to be cut off from him. Aaaargh!

Now is a good time to think about this…do we really want to be incognito with God, or only when it suits us!!

Yesterday I was walking to the car in Stapleford and my husband noticed by the curb two small plants still in their containers. We couldn’t see who might have dropped these baby lavenders so we picked them up and brought them home to plant in our garden.

Jesus was once left behind too, his parents looked everywhere for him but this young lad had chosen to go into the Temple  and was having a great time….talking! (Luke 2:41)

This incident reminded me of people I meet through my work in the Salvation Army, men, women, and families that feel they too have been left behind. My heart breaks when I see and hear some of their experiences.  People don’t usually choose to be a society drop out but they seem to somehow find themselves right in it!

Do you know someone who is being left behind? Is there anything you can do?

Surprisingly, it is probably going to be easier to talk about our faith with strangers than with members of our own family or circle of friends! I spoke about this subject on Sunday and maybe revealed more about myself than intended! One of the key principles in witnessing is that we will not be able to keep the good news to ourselves…

A story is told in 2 Kings 7: 3-20 where the lepers discovered the deserted camp and realized their lives had been spared. In their joy they forget to tell the others who are starving nearby. We might like to look at how wrapped up we are in our faith that we forget to share it with others, specially those whom we love, those lovely people whom God has entrusted to our care!

Read my Bible message by clicking here!

Yesterday I went with my family to London for the day. I was able to see what was going on there on the fourth plinth! It was interesting to observe how the whole project works. I saw a young woman sitting on a rocking horse moving slowly up and then slowly down. It was peaceful to watch considering I stood in the middle of a busy Trafalgar Square!

The woman had white material attached to her waist which then draped down to the ground and this pointed to a poster on which passers by could write their messages and best wishes. I wrote ‘Hour well spent-Peace!’

Jesus was heard to say that through him you could get peace, not peace as the world knows, but the peace he gives which he says has depth, is everlasting and not dependant on current circumstances…maybe he had a point?

His words are found in the New Testament in John 14: 27. Words often associated with St. Francis of Assisi pray…’Lord, make me an instrument of your peace’

If the words ‘witnessing for Jesus’ fill you with dread then don’t worry-you are not on your own! For a variety of reasons we have all possibly been put off these words by well meaning or over zealous Christians who forget we are imperfect human beings. That is not however a reason to neglect such part of our faith…instead why not read what I have written here and let me know what you think?

It occurred to me that it was well justified as a goldfish is a life form and if we can’t show proper care for such a little thing then, as a planet, we are doomed to death by neglect! I like the fact that God, however insignificant we might be in the scheme of things, loves us so much that he even sent his only Son to care for us.

God was prepared to go through all that for £2.20! Click on picture and then hover over tie for Bible verse!

This is the title of my first ever sermon in Leicester (click on the link). I led the service yesterday morning and preached with reference to King Hezekiah in the Old Testament, a man who as a result of his obedience to God was able to lead his nation to spiritual renewal! You will also find a link to an article with added background material here.