Friday, April 27, 2012

Football

I love football, I love sport - I can't stand horse racing and avoid boxing like the plague.

So this week was a bit of a double whammy for my family, with regards to football.

My brothers have been playing for the same team for about 5 years, they do actually work their socks off for their team, often at practice or actually with their long term friend who they went to school with or play with. They have been promoted several times and this year they won the cup final, which for them is a huge deal, they lost last year, much to everyone's annoyance, so to be in the final again, created a lot of nerves and worry about whether they would win.

Unfortunately due to a training commitment for work, I couldn't be there, but my dad has blogged about it and you can find the link on the side bar. Trinity are winner, cup holders and hopefully defending champions (and yes, I love that they are called Trinity...)

Secondly, my mother, who is prolific in my home town for being a Blues supporter, watched her team gain promotion after a very long campaign - lasting several years. My mum doesn't travel to away games, she sees herself as a bit of a bad omen, as Town generally lose when she travels with them. As it was the day they would gain promotion from a win or a draw (because with one game remaining, no-one could catch them) she decided to travel. Needless to say she had an excellent afternoon and has not shut up about it since. Town are going to be in the Blue Square South Division - we'll see how long that lasts.

And finally, this week, at the last game of the season, we are going to see Nicky Morgan walk out on the pitch, leading the teams after he was attacked before Christmas, causing him to be temporarily paralyzed from the waist down. Tomorrow will be a hugely emotional day for players and supporters alike as everyone knows how much Nicky wants to be there.

So if you're sat at home on a Saturday or Sunday and you're wondering what's going on in the world - let me tell you there are men, women (Arsenal Ladies are the best, nuff said!) and children, playing, practicing and supporting a sport that is internationally recognised!

Time to think!

It seems I have important thoughts at 1am in the morning and then through the night, but as soon as I am sat in front of my laptop, I instantly forget what I wanted to talk about. I know one of those things was STEPS in concert - so I will do that when I have a little more time, but whilst it is still fresh in my mine (Tomorrow morning probably) and there was something about singleness as well, a half formed thought, in response to something that has happened recently... but I can't remember it! Also football... that will be a Monday evening thing, probably, I have some catching up to do!

It was something to do with prayer and twitter... leave that one with me.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Jesus Deck

I highly doubt that if you're reading this you will have come across a Jesus Deck - though you might be looking for more information on it and I can tell you that after my first experience of it, I am astonished.

It was made a long time ago, but like all things that tell the truth of the Bible, it is relevant to everyone seeking. If you're looking because you'd like to know more - seek Penny Horseman, she will tell you all, or ask me and I will try to get you more information.

What is actually is - well it's a deck of 54 cards, a full pack and two jokers, that tell the 4 gospels in verses and pictures. You can use it in three ways - either laying one, three or five cards and giving the person you are doing it for to pick a card that catches their eye.

Obviously one sentence is not comprehensive training and I am going to have to spend time reading and figuring out what each card means to me. In my experience so far, God spoke really powerfully to me after the first attempt.

The question is how and when do I use it? How do I, as a young lady, use it to the best of my ability? And how to I teach the church and those around me about it?

If you've seen it, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Influences

We are all influenced... by what happens to us, what people say, how others act towards us, what we read, what we see, how we interpret things that are going on.

I am currently going through an odd time of waiting for someone to tell me what is going to happen in a week or so, but I am absolutely fine with that completely up in the air feeling about it all, because of my favourite book and what the characters go through. I can't decide if that's unusual or not. I think if I was younger I would want to know exactly what was happening, but because of what I have read, because of what I know of the nature of humanity and of God, I am ok with it.

What will happen, if it does, is not the most dramatic thing ever - nor I hope will it be life changing i.e. that 180 flip we get sometimes, but I hope it will change my life for the better for a bit. Sorry it's all a bit 'coded' - maybe I am a bit confused by it all myself, having never been in this situation before.

The things that I am reading at the moment, other people's blogs on leadership, youth work and singleness, oh and of course the Soul Survivors Bible in a Year (we're nearly two thirds of the way there, it's hard to believe) are giving me a sense of re-evaluating some of my thoughts, trying to understand the mass of history that is behind me and knowing that God has the future all planned out. What will be, will be. 'Can't you see the obvious? God is on our side; he's our leader.' (MSG, 2 Chron 13:12)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

This actually happens...

I read this article earlier on this week and I must say, I really do agree with what it has to say, particularly the little caption under the picture - "Girls don't say: "I like the fact that he’s really not sure what he wants.”"

As a single woman, at the moment, I do not really get along with passive people. I understand passionate people!

It's no secret that I have been on dating websites, my ex and I met though match.com and at the moment I am on another one. I get emails from said website, telling me that men 'would like to meet me'... and I do, out of curiosity see who they are and what they are like. Today, I got an email, and clicked on the link for the profile. What I came across reinforces what I read earlier on in the week. The sentence that greeted my eyes was this

'If I've viewed you and you would like to learn more about me, feel free ask'

In most cases I would like to be approached, not do the approaching. The way it works, if you have clicked that button that says 'yes' that doesn't really count as a first move... sending a message does. 

Being passive isn't going to get you a message, let alone a date or a girlfriend.

It's a fine balance between annoying and persistent, I completely agree with you, but at least try to be persistent first than giving up just after you've started.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A night at the Theatre

MONSIEUR DE COUBERTIN'S MAGNIFICENT OPYMLIC FEAT!

In a church... as always.

My theatre attendance is probably average at the moment - I have fits and starts really, if something takes my fancy, I'll go for it - though it took me about 6 years to pluck up the courage to see Chicago!

Anyway, yesterday evening we headed to Emmanuel Church, in Billericay, to see The Riding Light's Theatre Company perform the above show (it's pronounced O-PIM-LICK) and I wasn't disappointed.

The acting is really good, only three people on stage during the whole performance, so that's a lot of lines to learn, a few faults, but that's normal. I won't give away the story, but it is very topical for 2012 and the twist is a good one. If you get a chance to see any Riding Lights stuff, please don't pass up the chance to go, you will regret it!

I have seen this theatre company a number of times - not as many as my parents, but I was taken to see them at Spring Harvest when I was much younger and didn't really get what was going on. I have a vivid memory of it though and my Dad can probably tell you more. I saw Origins and Lemons when that came to Billericay as well, but because it was my own church, I was panicking a bit - there wasn't really a memorable reason. I enjoyed Origins and Lemons - and I enjoyed the Opymlic telling of the story too.

I was sat with the guys from the 20's and 30's group - the Living Room and some of my young people. These people are my extended family, some I have grown up with, some have grown up whilst I have been their youth worker, and it is always good to spend time with them! (that's where the 'we' comes from)

Single Roots

SingleRoots Christian Blogger List | SingleRoots

Blogging about a blog, something I do more often nowadays! This was a blog I came by on Twitter and I have been reading it, in an attempt to understand some more of being two things that define me in society - labels, if you will!

It's some times daunting being both - Christian and single. I guess I don't really think about it until it creeps up on me and I get upset that I'm missing out on some things. But at the same time, I am free to do what I want for the most part. Travelling, Shopping, Work, seeing friends, all becomes really flexible when you don't have to think about someone else, and my choice of what to watch on TV has never been so me-centered!

Granted, I haven't been single for long, and I haven't lived on my own for long either, so it's all pretty new to me... my love affair with twitter continues (8000 tweets in a year and a half, @lizzie_rascal84) and facebook has been great to keep me in touch with those people who are all over the world - particularly Verity, who is not great at the moment, so please pray for her.

Blogging as well, throws up challenges and an outlet for that little bit of thought that just won't escape my mind. For all the times when I have an opportunity to share something exciting in more than 140 characters, or as things develop.

Talking of exciting - we have two babies due in the last quarter of the year - I can't remember if I have told you. I will be an aunty in September - if baby is on time and will have a second cousin as well by the end of October - the family is all going on a little adventure!! My parents, and brother are hugely excited. Watching his girlfriend go through pregnancy is funny, she's tiny, bless her, but so excited at the same time. Thankfully unless I am holding a baby I do not have any motherly urges!

Ok, so single, Christian and blogging are my labels - so I had better get on with it.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Eastingle, Easter Day and Easter Bonnet Parade

This year, there has been a lot to do in the build up to Easter weekend. It has mostly involved writing and just generally being prepared for the inevitable busy days.

First of all there was Maundy Thursday - which involved buying salad and driving to and around Billericay. I got a chance to talk to some more new people and our lovely curate - and met his wife, properly! It was a great chance to look at the liturgy and eat together. The church have been doing things around food for 2000 years, so why change a formula that works?

Good Friday was a blur now. Though punctuated by the 10am service at Christ Church, the silent Walk of Witness through the High Street, followed by a short service, an hour at home and then final prep for Eastingle.

Our Eastingle service was focusing on the feelings of the people involved and our own feelings. As always, it was very enjoyable and exhausting. If you want to know more about Eastingle, please get in touch with the Church Office or myself!

Easter Saturday was quiet, with prep for Sunday lunch with the family. Sunday morning was really busy at church, lots and lots of lovely people sharing communion together and a chance to catch up with my surrogate grandparents! Then everyone descended to my flat and we ate and watched football together. The dog seems to feel really at home in my flat - however that does not mean he will be coming to live with me any time soon, he is far too big for my tiny space. Once that was done and we'd watched a bit of football, we went to my cousins to celebrate his 21st birthday. More family time, talking about babies, moving, tattoos and dogs! It was nice, but once again, very exhausting!

Easter Monday was the first Easter Bonnet Parade at St Mary's in the High Street. We had a great time, meeting families that had come from all over Billericay and seeing their amazing creations! Lots of winners and lots of cake! We will definitely be doing this again, so if you're interested, keep Easter Monday free next year and an eye out for the timings!

So happy that this week is really quiet and I can rest up ready for SOLID and Falcon!

Saturday, April 07, 2012

On Blogs

swissmiss | Trent Walton on Blogs

“There’s something sacred about reading a blog post on someone else’s site. It’s like visiting a friend’s house for a quick meal ’round the breakfast table. It’s personal — you’re in their space, and the environment is uniquely suited for idea exchange and uninterrupted conversation. In many ways, we should be treating our blogs like our breakfast tables. Be welcoming & gracious when you host, and kind & respectful when visiting.” – Trent Walton

I love swissmiss, and Dudecraft and other people's blogs. Ones that inspire and make me smile and lead me to other fabulous things that I can spend my free time looking at.

And I am grateful for my free time, it's been a busy couple of weeks so a day off tomorrow, not doing very much at all will be lovely! 

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Official Sony Pictures United Kingdom Movie Site

I still love the cinema, I love it even more when it is very empty and not too loud!

Yesterday evening, I went with Lucy to see the Aardman adventure (and dare I say classic), after I put out a plea on facebook to ask if anyone wanted to come with me.

For once the £8.25 I spent, I felt like I got my money's worth. Stop motion animation runs closely with musicals for top space with me, as well as Disney of course and Aardman have not disappointed me at all. The detail is epic, every time the scene changes you have to keep your eyes open for the different things you might see.

We laughed for most of it, and wondered at the detail. There was a pub name I loved, but can not remember. And the monkey... Aardman do very, very well at animating those who don't speak. I see a new sidekick!

I hope that this gets picked up by the British public as a truly British movie. They mess with history a little bit, of course, but that's ok, because it is a brilliant story and a DVD that I will definitely be buying.

Also looking forward to using The Lorax for everything over 2013, looks like a cracking moral movie!