Fantasy Festival

Thanks - once again - to Headphonaught for some lovely bloggin' stuff.

The 'Naught suggests the following game:

"OK... here's a game to play... Fantasy Festival :: 8 artists / bands - only one can return from the dead. Who & why?"

Here's mine....(and this counts for today only & in no particular order)

Santana: Saw them in the 80s, Saw them in the 00s - brilliant both times.

Julie Fowlis- was completed captivated by her band, Dochas, on a track on a compilation album I picked up in FOPP a few months back, so now I'm keen to find out more.

Ry Cooder: Mr Electic Electric - pure genius.

Bill Frisell: Long time jazzy fave.

MUSE: They had completely passed me by, but saw them on TV at Reading, and was seriously impressed.

k d Lang - sings so beautifully, it makes you wanna cry

U2 : Do I REALLY need to explain? ;-)

Stevie Wonder: Playing the old stuff

The passed away one: This was the hardest - there are so many, but I'd probably have to go for Bassist Numero Uno, Jaco Pastorius

The wheels on the bus...

This is just really an excuse to share another picture of my wonderful kids.

I thank God for them everyday...every time I see them they just make me beam!

Cloudy

No doubt you've all seen this before, but here's mine...

If you want to see a Word Cloud of your blog, you can do it here

Thank You for the cross

Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died

I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life


Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I marvel at Your saving grace
And I'm full of praise once again
I'm full of praise once again

Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my Friend

©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Matt Redman

Darrin is blogging

I mentioned that Darrin Reeves was about to start blogging, and now the day has arrived. He's a clever, creative chappy, so expect lots of good stuff. In fact his first post is so good, he's gonna struggle to maintain his own high standards. Look out for depth & wit in equal measure.

Welcome to the blogosphere, D!

Immigration Nation

Kudos to The Independent for spotlighting one of the hot political footballs of the moment....in a positive way.

For my money - and it's an opinion not everyone will share - the UK is all the richer for it's successive waves of immigrants over many centuries. In all areas of life, our little island is enhanced by the wonderful diversity of our people - ALL of our people.

When we're slipping into a nightmare scenario when people are being thrown off planes, forbidden from enjoying The London Eye , and having to tolerate a seemingly less welcoming environment we would do well to remind ourselves that we are a hugely mixed crowd, with roots entwined & tangled from a myriad of different places over many generations.

Love All, Serve All!

The family: Don'tcha just love 'em?

Littlelaughalot

It looks like Mrs Headphonaught has finally started blogging here. If her world is as inspiring as her old man, it'll definitely be worth a read. I recommend it!

Also - trawling through my own archives, I was very pleased to see that Scott and Mark had droppped in to read my ramblings. Thanks guys - you're both an inspiration - I appreciate you passing by...

Bonio; Hat tip to the 'Naught

I have to thank Thomas AKA Headphonaught for reminding me of this fantastic reinterpretation of a classic hit from Bono

Salvadore in Hawaii

Boy, how I wish I could get to these gigs. Salvador are heading to New Hope in Oahu for a couple of gigs in early September.

This Latin Christian Band are really worth a listen, if you don't know them already. Worship music, with an authentic Santana like groove. ( I know everybody hates pigeon holes, but I couldn't resist it ;-))

What a combination - Latin beats & Hawaiian ohana.

Darrin's Blog

My good buddy, Darrin Reeves, wants to start blogging as soon as he can think of suitable blog name.

This is your chance to contribute by suggesting a name....that's if anyone is out there reading my blog.

I guess it will be easier if you know Darrin - if not, give it a go anyway.

Wonderfully diverse…

This has been bouncing around in my head for a couple of weeks, but I hadn’t written it down:

At the beginning of the month, Janet, Mia & Noah & I joined about 20 of my work colleges & their families for a day at Thorpe Park. We had a great time, but for me, the most beautiful thing of all was just pondering what a wonderfully diverse bunch we are. Within that small number we had English (Black & White), Scots, Japanese, Italian, Swiss, German, Thai, Nigerian, French…plus our little gaggle of mixed race kids.

We are blessed!

The Miracles of Jesus

There's a new 3 part series about The Miracles of Jesus starting on Sunday 6 August at 6:35 on BBC ONE.

Now....I'm a little hesitant to recommend it, because I'm not sure exactly what prespective presenter Rageh Omaar will present, but it's got to be worth checking out.

Gordon, Nick & Steve

There are a few blogs I've started to read more regularly which have got to be added to my list - you may wanna have a look too:

UrbanArmy is Gordon Cotterill's widely read blog. It's always full of good thought provoking stuff about faith, the world & The Salvation Army.

Nick Hanover is a top lad - Sally Army officer in Stratford East London, marathon runner, Scotsman & peceptive blogger.

I also bounced into the blog of the South Meadows Community Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada via Pernell's site, and it looks like a very cool place to check out.

Croydon Gateway

Things like this have a habit of not always rolling out as planned, but I've just found about about a MAJOR regeneration project in Croydon called Croydon Gateway. Plans look pretty cool, so I'll be watching this one closely.

...makes you wonder what the implications & opportunities are for my Church, Croydon Citadel.

The 12-thousand seater arena sounds like a great place to Worship!!

No Parking

....you gotta check out the progress of young Chris Parker, as he bounds around the globe.

Chris is enagaging in a year of development, of learning, of seeing and being. His year long internship with The Salvation Army International Emergency Services Team will teach and train him in ways he will never have imagined.

He's a good buddy, and little bro of my best man, and all round top geezer, Duncan Parker.

Watch & learn....I'm hoping his blog will be a goody

Peace & blessings to you, Chris my young brother.

Synchronicity

Synchronicity - it's a funny old thing.

Creepily, I've just clocked that there is a company which uses the same office facility site as my office which is called Laird Recruitment.

Strange but true!