It’s raining…. so much for all last week’s sunshine which led me to believe that 13 weeks of sabbatical would bring a nice suntan !

So what have I been up to ? Not a lot ! Winding down..a reminder of how  tiring ministry is. I was challenged by an Audio I was listening to from Spring Harvest that spoke to me when talking about those who are in a caring profession and serving are always giving out..which is a tiring business. So must make a note when I come back to remember to serve myself and family more !

Yesterday I was in London to watch the marathon runners…a rare chance to do this as it is on a Sunday. No I wasn’t inspired by the thousands of runners to do it myself next year ! But what struck me, the longer the race went on was the many stories that were behind many of the ‘charity’ runners. On some shirts were the words ‘For….’ clearly in memory of someone or for someone struggling with illness somewhere’  What greater motivation can there be than for love of someone ? Now there’s a gospel message !

Then a bizarre change of ‘tac’..we went and stood outside the Festival Hall to see the celebrities arrive for the BAFTA’s in all their smart clothes ! No you didn’t see us on TV because we were on the other side of the Hall where they were dropped off in their cars…with a perfect and very close up view !

So to this week. 2 very important matches for Fleet Town FC, includign a Final at St Mary’s Stadium Southampton. For the first time this season they are going to see some football played there ! Then next weekend on a ‘Dad’s and Lads weekend….more of that next week !

Just returned from Spring Harvest which was our first visit as a family to this major Christian Event. Being together with a few thousand other Christians is a good reminder that we are part of something much bigger than the local church. It was also good not to have to lead anything but just to receive and take part in the worship without having to be concerned about ‘what’s next’ 

And this morning I start my three month sabbatical that all Methodist Ministers get after so many years. The phone is very quiet and the e-mails are getting fewer…AND the sun is shining ! So I’m off out into the garden for lunch !!

I’ll be keeping in touch through this blog with not only what I’m up to but also a few reflections/comments on the theme of my sabbatical…how do we make the Christian gospel more relevant for men ?

Now where’s the suncream……

On Easter Day Christians celebrate that Good Friday wasn’t the end….. there is the joy of resurrection. This not only as a historical fact of Jesus rising from the dead but also as a personal offer to all…..that ‘WHOEVER believes in Him shall not perish,but have eternal life’

In our morning service on Easter Day we will be welcoming through baptism, confirmation and renewal 8 people into membership of the church. Another cause for joy and celebration. By welcoming them into membership of the church they will publicly declare their allegiance to Christ and the hope of resurrection

I shared for Good Friday one of the shortest sermons ….here’s another:

Christ  has died,Christ is risen,Christ will come again

….not just as historical events but they can be true in YOUR life this Easter

One of the shortest sermons I ever heard was:

Jesus died – that’s history

Jesus died for me – that’s salvation

So what difference will Good Friday mean to you ? Just another day….or a day which has eternal consequences especially for you as an individual but also for the whole world.

The most familiar text for many is:

JOHN 3.16 ‘For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’

……and that includes YOU !