An Invitation

In the midst of the rioted area, the Church of St Mary the virgin, Tottenham the man in charge The assistant curate Simon Morris has written to the local community the following letter.

Dear Friends,

This is to assure you all that Masses and other services will happen at both churches as normal.

At S. Mary's we are currently providing food and drink to people who have lost homes, who have had no electricity and who are working on the old Carpet Right building. If people feel able to help, then please make your way to S. Mary's. I am very grateful to those who have kept this going since yesterday morning.

On Sunday 14th August, we will have a procession during the 10am Mass to make God's presence known on these streets that have seen such violence.

10am Mass will be followed by a Bring and Share lunch to cheer us up and to demonstrate that we are not broken by the violent acts of others. Please make every effort to come along. I do not know whether the crossroads at Lansdowne Road will be open or not, but entry to the Church is still possible from the other side of Lansdowne Road.

Wishing you very blessing.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME ON SUNDAY FOR MASS AND LUNCH!!!

Fr S.J. Morris
Assistant Curate,

Hide Me Now

The scriptural base for it is Psalm 46
v2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with the surging.

v10 Be still and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the heavens.

How wonderful that our God surrounds us with his wings of love.
Like the little ducklings or chicks return to their mother and she protects them, cuddles then warm and safe in her soft feathers, so we too can turn to God knowing he will be there for us.

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise
and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Thankyou Lord that you are there for us. That you wrap your loving arms around us. Loving arms that once wrapped the whole world in love as you hung on the cross.
Lord we pray that we will feel you near to us as we face challenges in our lives.
Amen

After the Riot

In the aftermath of the Riots, Twitter users come together to clean up London. They arrive with brooms, bags, gloves and dustpans and after waiting several hours for the police to finish recording the scene, they get to work to help bring order back to the streets.



The damage done to business, houses, and cars resembles the aftermath of war.

Thy Word

Thy word is a song that is based on Psalm 119 v 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path"
Basically a song that tell us the importance of the bible. The fact that all the answers to our many questions are there. That when we fear our path in life, Jesus is right there beside us. I have nothing to fear because he is always there.
the second verse of the song says
I will not forget your love for me. (I know you love me and know what's best for me)
And yet, my heart forever is wondering ... (but I have doubts and walk from your shadow)
Jesus be my guide and hold me to your side (teach me your ways and correct me when I go wrong)

Thy Word
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
Think I've lost my way,
Still You're there, right beside me.
Nothing will I fear,
As long as You are near.
Please, be near me to the end

Chorus

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide,
And hold me to Your side,
And I'll love You to the end.

A Weed Is A Flower In The Wrong Place

They say that a weed is a flower in the wrong place.  Makes sense as there are a lot of beautiful flowers on weeds, think daisy, dandelion, buttercup. However, there is an ever growing problem in the UK with Flowers in the wrong place that are doing damage to our natural  flora and fauna.  Species that have been introduced into the UK from foreign lands are invading with force and causing damage on a huge and very expensive scale.

Japanese knot weed

Himalayan Balsam

Don't be tempted to take a bit home to plant in your garden!!

Featured Artisan ~ Nihal Erpenden

This is a polymer clay necklace by Turkish Artist Nihal Erpenden.  I love the subtle colours of the petals and the styling.  You can see loads more of her amazing polymer clay work on her blog (although you might not be able to read it as it is in Turkish ~ but there is loads of eye candy)

His Love Endures Forever

Psalm 136

Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of Gods.
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the Lord of Lords.
His love endures forever.
To him who does great wonders.
His love endures forever.
Who by his understandin made the heavens
His love endures forever
Who spread out the earth upon the waters
His love endures forever
He who made the great lights
His love endures forever
The sun to govern the day
His love endures forever
The moon and stars to govern the night
His love endures forever.

This Psalm goes on to speak about the history of God saving his people, of leading the Hebrews from slavery and caring for them as they wondered through the desert.
The Psalm was written as a responsive Psalm with a leader leading and then the people responding with that wonderful declaration "His love endures forever"

Endures means to stick with, to sustain, and is a very powerful word. God sticks with his people whatever they go through. His is faithful.

Chris Tomlins song is based on this Psalm and the fact that God is Faithful, strong and with us.

Featured Artisan ~ Kelly Swallow

I am in love with these amazing chairs by Kelly Swallow. 

You can see more of Kelly's work on her website HERE

Footprints in the Sand

explanation in the post below

To many many people, both Christian and non christian, Footprints in the sand is a well know poem. It has graced many a poster, bookmark and card. The words it speaks are comforting as they speak about our walk though life with God. At times when we are coping there are two sets of footprints, ours and Gods, but at times where we go though struggles there is one set. That set belongs to God. That's when he picks us up in his arms and carries us through the tough times.
For many years no one knew the author, although many people tried to claim ownership. In the end the writer was proved to be Mary Stevenson (Zangare).

as a young girl, mary had hand written copies of the poem to give to friends when they were going through tough times in their lives;

It was sometime after this that friends of Mary saw it in print and wondered why she wasn't given credit for writing it. Solicitors told her that it would be very hard to prove her the author since it had been used by many publishers of religious materials and greeting cards. Mary wrote 'Footprints' in 1936 when she was very young and knew nothing of copyrighting. She didn't follow up her claims until in 1984 when clearing out her garage, she found an original copy and with carbon dating and other tests, Mary was officially recognised as the writer.

Leona Lewis' version changes the word slightly, but doesn't detract from the meaning.

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much I no along the way
Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times have I
Been so afraid
And just when I
Have thought I've lost my way
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

Chorus

When I'm weary
Well I no you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise youI'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

As encouraging today as when it was written in 1936!

South Cave Mission Rescue 2011

I stared the week with a post about the South Cave Holiday Club and I'm completing the week with the update.  This video is of the weeks fun adventure MISSION RESCUE.  Thank you to all of you who have joined me in praying for the events, the children and staff.  Enjoy!!!

Holiday Fun ~ Sun Dial

This is a great activity to keep the children occupied all day.  You'll need an alarm clock or you might forget.
In the centre of the garden place a garden cane or broom handle.  Press it into the grass so that it's standing upright.
On the hour take a stone and place on the tip of the shadow cast by the sun onto the stick. You can write the hour number on the stone if you wish.
Then set the alarm for the next hour.
Repeat until you have all the stones set out.  
Now you can tell the time on any sunny day.

If I Stand

Jars of Clay singing the great Rich Mullins classic If I stand.

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

Holiday Fun ~ Path Decorating

As a child, I was always told not to draw on pavements and this "rule" sort of stuck with me.  It was always common to see arrows chalked onto the pavement as children laid out trails for one another.
I still wouldn't draw on or encourage drawing on public areas, but in your own garden it must be fine!!!

Pavement chalks are cheap (try Pound shops or get a big tub from Hobbycraft for £1.99) and keep your children busy for a while.  The finished results brighten up your garden and the children have loads of fun.

Plastic Bags

'Remember your training, Quigly. It's, "Does madam wish for a plastic bag?" Not, "Now you know how a seagull feels, thicko!"'

Look at these images and remember them next time you are asked if you want a carrier!

Celtic Woman UK Concert Cancelled

This is my 1000th post.It should have been a happy post BUT I have had some sad news today:

Having found Celtic Woman several years ago by chance on You Tube, I've been really envious of the Americans who have had countless concerts of the beautiful arrangements of the most beautiful music. Over the years, I've shared their music with my blog readers, friends and family and have found it all very inspirational.
I was so excited to see that at long last they have decided to tour the UK with their wonderful show.  I persuaded my husband that we really should go as one of the dates was only an hour away at the Barbican Centre in York.  When the tickets arrived through the post, I was so excited and bounced through the house on a high.  I've been counting down the days, keeping an eye out for updates and publicity etc.
Then today an envelope dropped through the door telling me that the concert has been cancelled.  I'm totally gutted.  We were all looking forward to it and my little girl is really upset.
There is no explanation as to why it has been cancelled.
take a look at the beautiful music we shall not get to see, I just wish I knew why?