You And Yours – Isaiah 54:13

You And Yours – Isaiah 54:13

This promise
Is for you and yours
For your children
And theirs to come
To be taught by the Lord
In faith and love
And peace be theirs
Peace be you and yours

Isaiah 54:13

Family – Colossians 3:20-21

Family – Colossians 3:20-21

Respect for father
Respect for child
Love for mother
Love the daughter
Encourage each other
Forgive and to love
Grow as a family
Together before the Lord

Colossians 3:20-21

The Lambs Coming Home

The Lambs Coming Home

There he is
Alone in his room
Beside him an empty seat
Where she sat once before
They long since said goodbye
When the angel’s carried her away
Now he’s all alone
Giving up in his empty home
Above him on the walls
Random photos of his sons
With scattered pictures of their children
Yet these days he never sees
Barely seen his sons since she passed
Now he wastes his days all alone
Waiting for an Angel to bring them close
From drifting slumber he awakes
At the knocking upon the door
He doesn’t expect anyone these days
Beyond the door he sees the faces
That he sees only upon his wall
The look of mundane that he holds
Falls to the floor with the tears that flow
Three generations stand at his threshold
Father, sons and their children too
There to celebrate the birthday he forgot
His world has change at the knock of the door
Inside a will to live again
Across the floor he bounds like a lamb of the spring
They’ve come this far just to see him
A face so bright as he holds them all
This is everything he’s been praying for
In his once empty room they all sit
Only one seat left empty for the wife they miss
A room alive with the sounds of love
A heart alive in the arms of his family
He rejoices at the coming of the sons
His tears fall slowly down his face
And up in heaven the Father cries
The lambs have come home once again
A prayer answered by the Lord
And there’s a life alive once more

Family – Isaiah 54:13

Family – Isaiah 54:13

Lord You blessed us with their life
As we watched them come into this world
Their tiny little hearts entrusted to our hands
Now we watch them face life’s troubles
As they grow up in this world
We help them in our own way
Trying to let them know how much we care
Now I lift my prayer to You my Lord
And ask You guide them in their way
Let them feel You in their hearts
So they know You’re at their side
Let them dwell in the love of the Father
To bring them peace in the face of their trials
Lord let this family rise
From the ruins in which it lies
To triumph over it’s battles
And live a life that glorifies You

Isaiah 54:13

My Awesome Day

I have to say that so far this has been the most awesome Easter Day ever, for me it feels like a day of total redemption.

This coming Tuesday I will be celebrating 4 years sober, which in its self is a massive achievement, that I am both proud of and thankful for the strength of God to make it through this far.

But it was the events that led up to that in the preceding weeks, that are first and foremost in my thoughts following the events of today. Eleven days before that last drink, I found myself wanting to end my own life, to give up on everything, I felt so worthless and was convinced that my family and Victoria would be better off without me. I stood facing the mirror with a knife against my wrist, going through all these thoughts of worthlessness.

Then out of nowhere I heard a voice that said “It’s better that your kids live with who you are now, than what they are going to find!”

I remember seeing a vision of myself dead in a bath of blood and knowing that my six year old daughter would have been the one to come looking and find me. After that I put down the knife.

That started the process of seeking help, praying and discovering God, becoming sober and starting to attend Church.

So today just over four years on from that day I had the amazing experience of Baptising my now 10 year old daughter. Eve asked to be baptised so Victoria asked if I could be in the pool and do the actual baptism, which I am thankful I was able to do.

It was an amazing experience and very emotional, afterwards so many people came up to say that they had shed a tear whilst watching. I am so thankful I got that chance to do this for my daughter, it was an amazing experience for her too. She recorded a testimony video which was shown on the screen, she stated she wanted to be baptised because she wanted to do something that Jesus had done!

Eve – waiting

Eve – baptised

For me this feels like I put aside some of my guilt, my torment of what I did and became, the pain of that day four years ago now seems so distant, as I say, it feels like total redemption. To be able to do this and on Easter Sunday, celebrating Christ’s sacrifice and rising from the dead, is so special.

To top it off, my Mum and Dad attended Church. My Dad is now recovering well from his heart bypass operation, he’s still not able to drive for a few weeks, so my friends from my Connect Group chipped in to collect them and take them home. My Dad stated that he usually only goes to Church for weddings, funerals etc, but I have a feeling that he actually enjoyed it, although I’m not sure he was quite ready for the way we do church, neither of them have ever been to a Church like ours before. Although I’ve got a feeling they will be back, they brought my niece too, who went into Kids Church, she absolutely loved it, so I’ve got a feeling she will want to come back too.

So roll on now Tuesday evening, I have arranged for a number of the guys from Church, who have been amazing supporters on my four year journey to join me for a meal in town to celebrate, it’s going to be a great evening, I can’t wait.

My life may not be perfect, but at the moment it feels amazing.

All because of the sacrifice of the one, the one who conquered death.

MERCY TREE by LACEY STURM
On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree
Every broke and weary soul
Find your rest and be made whole

Stripes of blood that stain its frame
Shed to wash away our shame
From the scars pure love released
Salvation brought the mercy tree

In the sky, between two thieves
Hung the blameless Prince of Peace
Bruised and battered, scarred and scorned
Sacred Hands pierced by our thorns

It is finished was his cry
The perfect Lamb was crucified
The sacrifice, our victory.
Our Savior chose the mercy tree

Hope went dark that violent day
The whole earth ‘quaked at love’s display
Three days silence in the ground
This body born for Heaven’s crown

On that bright and glorious day
Heaven opened up the grave
He’s alive and risen indeed
Praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

One day soon we’ll see His face
And every tear, He’ll wipe a way
No more pain or suffering
Oh, praise him for the mercy tree

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

Death has died. Love has won!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ has overcome.
He has risen from the dead.

On a hill called Calvary
Stands an endless mercy tree

His Family (Proverbs 11:14)

His Family (Proverbs 11:14)

My path is set before me
I follow that laid out by my Lord
Still at times when I try to follow
I find I stumble in my steps
Yet He’s brought me to His family
Who pick me up when I fall
A family full of guidance
And assurance of His word
In their company I feel safe
Just like when I’m in His arms
I’m so thankful to where He brought me
And the family that I found

Proverbs 11:14

Thank You All

I would like to say thank you to all those who prayed and wished my Dad well yesterday.  It seems the power of prayer came through yesterday and my Dad, despite the weekend’s set backs, has been released from hospital this afternoon and is back home.

The same Doctor that treated him yesterday, examined him this morning and saw fit to release him today.

I have spoken with Dad this evening and he seems so happy to be at home, he seems so much more lively than when I saw him Thursday and hopefully I will see him again tomorrow evening.

So once again thank you all and thank God for His amazing power of healing.

HYMN FOR MY FATHER by COLLECTIVE SOUL
I will follow, I will follow
Till the stars fall down, till the sun burns out
I will follow, I will follow
Till Gabriel’s horn does sound

I will follow, I will follow
Through the path You chose with the words You spoke
I will follow, I will follow
By the love You always showed

I won’t cry out ’cause love has lifted me
I won’t cry out ’cause now I will receive
Everything that You’ve given me
All things to me

I will follow, I will follow
For in You I do believe

I will follow, I will follow
Through the path You chose with the words You spoke
I will follow, I will follow
By the love, the love You showed

Please Continue To Pray For My Uncle’s Fight With Cancer

A few nights ago I asked for prayer for my Uncle Andy, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer and I thank all those who have prayed for him.  I understand that next Monday he faces surgery to removed part of his lung, which the Doctor’s hope will be sufficient to eradicate the cancer, I’m sure my family would appreciate your continued prayer.

My Dad has told me that he was actually scheduled to face heart surgery on a defective heart valve, as he like my Dad and his other brother and sister have a history of heart related problems, indeed I was myself diagnosed at 26 with a heart strain and chronic high blood pressure which they found no obvious reason for, it seems as though heart problems run right through our family.

As part of the pre-operation tests they performed a scan on my Uncle and only then found the cancer in his lungs, so now instead of the heart operation he faces an operation to remove part of his lung just three days before Christmas.

I pray for a successful operation which will fully eradicate the cancer and for his speedy recovery.  I thank you all that have prayed and for your continued prayer.

THE HOPE THAT LIES IN YOU by THE GLORIOUS UNSEEN
We can hear the sound of all creation sing
A song to heal the earth, a song to spark a dream
Where are you optimists? We need your strength in this
There’s a stirring in your soul that cannot be controlled
This is the hope that lies in You

We can hear the sound of all the earth rejoice
With angels all around lifting up their voice
Where are you hopeful ones? Have we come undone?
There’s a stirring in your soul that cannot be controlled
This is the hope that lies in You
This is the hope that lies in You

And through all the questioning You’ve been the hope in me
Despite uncertainty You’ve been the only constant thing
And when I’m struggling You keep on loving me the same
This is the hope that lies in You

Hallelujah, hallelujah
(This is the hope that lies in You)
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
(Come down, we need Your hope to come down)
(We need Your grace to pour out)
(We need Your love to shine down)

Hallelujah, hallelujah
(Come down, we need Your hope to come down)
(We need Your grace to pour out)

Hallelujah, hallelujah
(Come down, we need Your hope to come down)
(We need Your grace to pour out)
(We need the face of God now)
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Verse of the Day – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I thank you all for your prayers and thoughts for my uncle, all my family can do now is place our prayers and our hopes in the Lord.

HOPE IS RISING by DOWNHERE
I’ve lost all my earthly optimism
That it’s all going to be alright
That the good will win this fight
Somewhere between youth
and disappointments
the dream became despair,
the love became a lie

Just now, I’ve reached
the end of my line
Just now, I’m too tired
to keep on trying

Hope is rising,
it’s a sunrise for the end
Hope is rising,
and it’s breathing for me again
Hope is rising again

Soon beneath the roses I will lie
All the memories of my days,
gathered to the sky
Soon every work
will find its worth
And all my strength returned,
to the water and the earth

Just when I reach
the end of my life
Just when my eyes
dim out the last light

From the sorrow, from the fear
From the loss and from the tears
From the darkness, from the pain
From the fall and from the grave

Verse of the Day – John 15:7

John 15:7

I have one prayer tonight for my Uncle who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, he is due for surgery shortly before Christmas to remove part of his lung, which hopefully remove the cancer, I’m sure my family would appreciate your prayers too.

COME HEALING by JENNY SIMMONS
O gather up the brokenness
And bring it to me now
The fragrance of those promises
You never dared to vow

The splinters that you carry
The cross you left behind
Come healing of the body
Come healing of the mind

And let the heavens hear it
The penitential hymn
Come healing of the spirit
Come healing of the limb

Behold the gates of mercy
In arbitrary space
And none of us deserving
Of the cruelty or the grace

O solitude of longing
Where love has been confined
Oh, come healing of the body
Come healing of the mind

O see the darkness yielding
That tore the light apart
Come healing of the reason
Come healing of the heart

O troubled dust concealing
An undivided love
The Heart beneath is teaching
To the broken Heart above

O and let the heavens falter
And let the earth proclaim:
Come healing of the Altar
Come healing of the Name

O longing of the branches
To lift the little bud
O longing of the arteries
To purify the blood

And let the heavens hear it
The penitential hymn
Come healing of the spirit
Come healing of the limb

O and let the heavens hear it
The penitential hymn
Oh, come healing of the spirit
Come healing of the limb
Oh, come healing of the spirit
Come healing of the limb