Thanks ABC

Today marks our first year here in this church and I just want to say "Thanks" to God for the many blessings we have experienced through the year. But even today, I have seen ABC at its best: I am grateful to those teaching our young people the story of Esther today, for those working together to serve the coffee this morning, for those organising the ladies' meal, for those helping a friend clear a house, for the care and sensitivity shown in so many little ways. How blessed we are by you all.

Walking Home

Now, here is a story worth reading. Our friend Simon (a vicar in Leicestershire) embarked on a sabbatical pilgrimage with a difference. A walk home - back to the place of belonging. All the way from Paris.

I followed his blog with interest and was enthralled by his insightful tales on the way. He writes with humour and poignancy but has his feet firmly on the ground (if you'll excuse the pun). So I am thrilled the book is now available. Proceeds go to Christian Aid.

Follow this link to find out more and preview the book.Walking Home

Or to read Simon's Walking Home blog, click here.

Fancy Fonts

Back in the old days about 20 years ago I received the advice "Don't use too many fancy fonts." Well as it was regarding writing missionary prayer letters I thought it a little odd; after all, pictures help keep the readers' attention. But as a Baptist, I was hardly likely to put images of fonts on my letters. Time passed and I thought no more about it. Then I discovered computers! And fonts!!! Lovely, elegant, curly ones; thick, bold official ones, and comical curvy ones. Wow! The temptation to decorate every document with a series of fancy fonts was immense. It was then that I remembered the advice and suddenly it all made sense! OK - no more fancy fonts. Except at school it is fun to find amusing fonts for classroom displays. Today I enjoyed Jokerman:

So it got me thinking why "font"? What is the link between a piece of ecclesiastic furniture and a typeface? Well there isn't one. The church font is related to the word fountain. And the typeface font is from the old French word fondre which means melt because the letters were cast or melted together. But it is amusing now to find that the typeface font is the first that comes up in a google search. You can only find out about the other kind of font by calling it a church font.

Worship at his footstool

I was ridiculously excited to get the phonecall from Ilkeston to say our footstool that will match our suite is ready for collection. We haven't picked it up yet but suddenly our conversation is peppered with footstool references. I had never realised what a Biblical word it is. In fact it occured to us we could prepare some Bible readings for the next deacons' meeting and see if they deduce the connection!

Here are a few....

"...I had it in mind to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, for the footstool for our God..." I Chronicles 28: 1-3

"The throne had 6 steps and a footstool of gold was attached to it." 2 Chronicles 9:18

"Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool." Psalm 99:5

"...I make your enemies a footstool for your feet...."Psalm 110:1

"Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool." Isaiah 66:1

"...he has not remembered his footstool in his day of anger..." Lamentations 2:1

And that's just for starters! Time to put my feet up I think. Can't wait to collect it!

The story of one extraordinarily brave lady

For the sake of her people, Esther risked her life and dared to approach the King (who was her husband by the way) and plead for their protection. I love the way she says " ....fast for me. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the King even though it is against the law. If I perish, I perish." God rewarded her bravery with favour in the eyes of the King and a reversal of the decree to kill the Jews. Her people were saved and her Uncle Mordecai given authority over his persecutors. Thank God for women of courage like Esther.

InterviewwithJesus.com

A friend once told me that God is having a conversation with us all the time but most of the time we just don't notice or join in. These videos take up the theme well. I was glad to be recommended this website "Interview with Jesus" which has loads of Devotional films which can be used for personal devotions or in church. Beautiful and thought-provoking.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Ashby people! Save the day!

April 24th is the date.

Cancel those family weddings, postpone those once-in-a-lifetime holidays, dare to miss a football match or the final of a reality TV show.

"Guess who's coming to dinner?" is happening again!