Merry Month of May

I can't believe it - as soon as my back is turned the weeds appear! We're into the most exciting / demanding part of the year as far as us gardeners are concerned. Things are growing apace and plants need to go out. We already have broad beans, garlic, shallotts, onions, radishes, leeks and spring onions in the ground. We've sown parsnip and beetroot seeds and shortly will be planting out the runner bean plants.

But since I last wrote it's been exciting in other ways. Angela and I enjoyed the New Wine National Leaders conference at the end of last month with Bill Johnson as the main speaker. There are extraordinary things happening in his church based on the simple belief that if we are serious about praying for the Kingdom to come here on earth, then we should expect to see Kingdom events occurring. Many people were healed at the conference and in a Q & A session with church leaders, Bill even spoke of people have arificial hips, pacemakers and other metal bits being replaced by real bone after prayer! But why not? They are called re-creative miracles because the Lord literally makes a new one (of whatever)! If it is so simple, why are we not seeing more here? Join with me in praying for a breakthrough. I want to see the Lord moving more pwerfully in our midst. I'd like to see people in our own church and on the streets of Collier Row being healed.

As many of you will realise I have been greatly rejoicing in recent weeks over the promotion of Stoke City to the Premier League. It will give my home town a real boost as people grapple with all the affects of the Credit Crunch (I still want to know who has the money! If we owe billions as a nation, if America is in debt....where is the money who has it?)

We had three testimonies in church recently of the way in which God has moved in the lives of three individuals - I personally was quite touched by them. It always thrills my spirit to hear of how another person has come to the Lord, has found Jesus and whose life has been changed as a result. We can rejoice in all that he is doing.

On a more sombre note it is sad to have to report that we seem to be the regular target of vandalism at St James just at the moment. I understand that young people complain of having nothing to do and I recognise that we in this nation face something of a parenting / family crisis. But at the same time why does that mean young people have to resort to wanton acts of destruction or even violence? It is so pointless and mindless. We are trying to do our bit in the community - Icebreakers (run by Lynn and her team) is giving youngtsers an opportunity to do something different and more productive on a Friday night. Our scouting organisations are experiencing an upsurge of numbers in some departments. Please pray that we can help young people find purpose meaning and fulfilment through Jesus.

Thinking of young people, I have been privielged over recent times to meet Callum and I promised to mention him in my next blog so this bit is for Callum (in case you are reading this) who is an amazing young man and knows everything about computers! Well, Callum, if you are reading this I have a website I want you to find - for the Oxford Bee Company and tell me what sort of bees nests they are promoting / selling. You can email me on vicar@jamesandjohn.org.uk We have one in our garden and it is just beginning to become active again.

I'm going to be on the radio! I had a 'phone call asking if they could interview me this coming Sunday morning (at 6.50am!!!). The researcher asked if I would be up and dressed and I thought - does it matter? Isn't this a radio interview? Who's going to know whether I'm stil in bed or not? Of course I will be up!! But if you want to find out what it is about you have to listen in to Radio Essex on Sunday 25th May.

Well that's enough for this time - but watch out for the next blog....and I didn't even mention the Cloud Appreciation Society!!