Category Archives: General

Its okay to fail. We said this at the beginning, but it is important to say it again now. This is not like new years resolutions, break it once and it is over. We fail, we start over.I was chatting to one of the lent challengers last night and they were looking a bit bashful.Continue reading “Its okay to fail. We said this at the beginning, …”

Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need. I have been really convicted about the whole generosity thing in the last few weeks – not just with money, but with time & love. It is costly, and draining,Continue reading “Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and ha…”

I think steve is right – that this is getting easier. “I’ve come in well under budget and it didn’t seem a particular sacrifice.” I say that, with another admission of failure to come, but shifting your expectations does seem to work.Living more simply, not expecting to go out so often, allowing others to beContinue reading “I think steve is right – that this is getting eas…”

Interesting that the Lent challenge is challenging us to more than living on less.To Quote Garmon “Hmm, God really isn’t going to be let this purely be a game or an interesting academic exercise. I would like not just to get by on £50 a week but also to try and live the experience more.”IContinue reading “Interesting that the Lent challenge is challengin…”

£10 in my pocketWell not sure what happened, but it is Friday night, and I have still got £10 in my pocket to last until Sunday. I have been a bit ill this week, just an annoying cough & cold, so rather easier to just lay low. Doesn’t feel like such a bad week though,Continue reading “£10 in my pocket Well not sure what happened, but…”

Following Jesus in the Urban Desert A day in the life… by James Mortley The third bus is full to the gunnels again, it’s 8.37 and I am not sure I going to make it to work on time, taxi goes by with a light on, but the woman ahead in the sharp suit stepsContinue reading “Following Jesus in the Urban Desert A day in the …”

if you call your Dad he could stop it allNew week, new beginning. I am not going to beat myself up about last week – guilt isn’t the point of this, though I do feel bad about it. If there is one sense I am realising it is the sense of limited opportunities that IContinue reading “if you call your Dad he could stop it all New week…”

Lots of people at church seem to be struggling already. The major issues seem not to be the general expenditure, but the regular luxuries. We seem to spend to get us through the tough days, we throw money at problems. Not being able to be indulgent towards ourselves and others is hard. I don’t thinkContinue reading “Lots of people at church seem to be struggling alr…”

Sophia’s birthday at the Roxy was great fun, even if some questions need to be asked about the music. However I have now blown my entire weeks money, and it is only Saturday. I did try to work it – walked down, got there before 8.30 to get in free, but beer at over £3Continue reading “Sophia’s birthday at the Roxy was great fun, even …”

“nicotine & multimedia makes up for the shortcomings of being poor” Poverty Challenge Day 2. I was applying ashes at the Ash wednesday service. I think I got a bit over enthusiastic and couldn’t help laughing as I walked back down the isle to see all thes people with huge black marks on their foreheads.Continue reading “nicotine & multimedia…”

Day 1. Ash Wednesday. I withdrew my £50 this morning, a bit nervous about making it last for the week. I am aiming at £5 a day general expenditure, to give me some slack for other stuff. So I went straight into Starbucks for a meeting – good start! Starbucks normallys account for a lotContinue reading “Day 1. Ash Wednesday. I withdrew my £50 this mo…”

At Church last sunday evening we talked about taking up the Church Action on Poverty minimum wage Lent challenge. Lent has traditionally been a time of living simply and sacrificing Luxury, which we tend to have reduced to giving up chocolate. The CAP idea seems to be a good one, painful perhaps, but very worthwhile.Continue reading “Living on minimum wage”