Let's be having you!

The title of the post echoes the infamous Delia Smith incident at Carrow Road a few years back. She wanted the Norwich fans to get behind their team and try to help motivate them to avoid relegation from the Premier League. I am hijacking it for a much more serious purpose and my motivation is not to guilt-trip anyone, but to stir our hearts, and maybe shake us up, as we think about living for Jesus.

I read the following quote from Howard Guiness in Marcus Honeysett's book "Fruitful Leaders" recently and was massively challenged by it.

Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake – flinging them away for love of Him? Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in His service? Where are his lovers – those who will love Him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?

Where are the men who say “no” to self, who take up Christ’s Cross to bear it after Him; who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field; who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and die on it?

Where are the men of vision today? Where are the men of enduring vision? Where are the men who have seen the King in His beauty, by whom from henceforth all else is counted but refuse that they may win Christ? Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an Empire? Where are the men who glory in God-sent loneliness, difficulties, persecutions, misunderstandings, discipline, sacrifice, death?

Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?

Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who, like the Psalmist of old, count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses of old, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend and unmistakably bear with them the fragrance of the meeting through the day?

Oh that we would hold Jesus as our treasure, have Him capture our hearts so fully that we can say with the Apostle Paul that "to live is Christ and to die is gain" or with the Psalmist declare that the love of God is "better than life". Then, and only then, will any of us be the men and women of vision who will be ready and willing to give everything for the sake of the gospel, ready to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Belated Update

Here is our latest family prayer update - From Donny With Love March 2013.

For those of you who have been praying for us we are hugely thankful for your partnership in the gospel.
For those who are just randomly interested in what we are up to we hope it proves useful and informative.

In it you'll find a little about my work for Grace Church, Nancy's joys and challenges as a full time Mam and a little about Annie and her exploits.

You will have to request to view it, but I will endeavour to give you access as quite as possible.

Enjoy.

75 and a half

Serving a prison sentence "in absentia", making illegal border crossings, bringing aid to the neediest of the needy, severely disliked by some of the world's worst dictators and governments, flying by helicopter into hotspots under gunfire. Theses are just some of the exploits of a person I heard interviewed recently at the Christian conference, New Word Alive.

Who am I talking about? An SAS Agent? No! I am talking about Baroness Caroline Cox! She is a new hero, or should I say heroine, of mine. At age 75 and a half she has no plans to tone it down or rest on her laurels, she will continue to fight for justice for the oppressed, seek to bring relief to those suffering and show compassion to those who need it most. I don't care who you are, that is awesome.

It was a wonderful privilege to hear the Baroness interviewed about her life and also her work with HART (Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust). As a committed follower of Jesus, Baroness Cox takes very seriously the gospel call to love and serve those in need. Her example is a real challenge to us, I believe. She spoke passionately, persuasively and practically about some of the pressures and persecutions taking place at home and abroad and her gospel-heartedness was infectious.

One thing that I think struck many of us was the following motto which was displayed on the screens, and is a great summary of the responsibility each of us has as we look around at the problems and suffering in the world;

I cannot do everything but I must not do nothing.

We all have our part to play, the question we must ask and find the answer to is; what can/will I do?
That motto helps us not to despair or become cynical, but also helps us to avoid making ourselves the saviour of the world.

I hope and pray that I have half the courage of the Baroness when I am 75 and a half. If I do I will be a happy man. She is a wonderful lady and a huge credit to our House of Lords, I wish there were more like her.