Wasting Time
September 6, 2016 
2 Comments
βFor to speak the truth, there are but few that care thus to spend their time, but choose rather to be speaking of things to no profit.β
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
Peace of God
August 18, 2016 0 Comments
βIf we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for usβ¦β
John Bunyan
#NowPlaying I Can’t Help but See (Live) by Jeremy Lowe
August 5, 2016 1 Comment
Happy 9th Wedding Anniversary! :)
July 6, 2016 10 Comments
β§ Me & my lovely wife Sarah! β§Β
Yayβ¦9 years today!! πΒ
Ephesians 5:25-27Β The Voice (VOICE)
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love the Anointed One has for His bride, the church. We know He gave Himself up completely to make her His own, washing her clean of all her impurity with water and the powerful presence of His word. He has given Himself so that He can present the church as His radiant bride, unstained, unwrinkled, and unblemishedβcompletely free from all impurityβholy and innocent before Him.
My Thoughts…
Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canβt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season and i thank God for Sarah who is not only my best friend, but my amazing wife! πΒ
I thank God for sustaining our marriage in Purity and Truth.Β
I thank God for not leaving us alone to figure out what to do, but for giving us, teaching, correction, training and a perfect Holy example to followβ¦to reflect the personal and intimate union between Christ and His Church. The mystery of marriage is its reflection of the oneness of Christ, the Husband, and His Church, the Bride of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Amplified Bible
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].
Love never fails…
Cheapening the Gospel
May 18, 2016 6 Comments
βIn an effort to gain βconverts,β Christians often refrain from telling the full story. We want people to follow, so like cheap salesmen, we share the benefits without explaining the cost. We tell them about Jesusβ promises of life and forgiveness, but we donβt mention His calls for repentance and obedience. We avoid His promise that we will experience persecution. When we do this, we cheapen the gospel.β
Francis Chan, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity
Saviour, Sobbing & Sharing my Testimony ~ Amazing Grace
May 12, 2016 14 Comments
I was asked by our Minister Nik if i would share my Testimony in yesterdays parade service. The theme was βFaith through Adversityβ, Nik said “i can ask you some straight forward questions, it will only take about 5 minutes(or so we thought)β βYeah, ok, if you think it will help?β.
Sunday 8th May 2016…
Walking into the church building Sunday morning, it was quite full, as it was parade service, the scouts and other uniformed groups were there, but Nik found us seats at the front, then showed me up the steps and where iβd stand to speak, after testing the microphone i remembered the steps and sat back down.Β
As iβm blind, i canβt use any notes, so i spent a little time trying to etch some answer headings into my mind, hoping iβd not veer too far off track. I then prayed that iβd use this time to Glorify Him, as i talked about the Truth that sets us free, and how iβm not ashamed of the Gospel, itβs the power of God unto Salvation to all who believe…please make it real(be careful praying this).
It;s time…
Steve, we are looking at people who have showed faith in difficult circumstances and I have asked you to share some of your story with us.
Many people here, even those who have seen you around at various church events may not know that you are blind.
My Testimony…
Nik stood next to me at the microphone and started with the first 2 questions:
Have you always been blind? How and when did you loose your sight?
I explained iβd been fully sighted until i was 24, and after 2 brain haemorrhages(March 2000) that burst my optic nerve, iβm now registered blind and have Severe Hypertensive Retinopathy.
“How did that change your life?”
I said βI can only scratch the surface this morning, but if ever you see me walking around here or in town, please ask me anything. But now i’ll try and sketch you a quick picture and give you a flavour of what happened⦔
βI went to the gym 6-7 days a week, played football most evenings and was quite violent, acting the tough guy. Β I wasnβt a Christian, i hadnβt been born again, or even been inside a church buildingβ¦so… as i stepped out of the eye consultants office after being told iβd be blind for the rest of my life, i collapsed on the floor crying outβ¦.and this was the easy bitβ.
βFollowing this was pure isolation… all my football mates left me, i lost my job, my carβ¦everything, i was completely broken, and on top of that i was left to my acusing thoughts βNobody wants you, youβre useless now, unwanted, rejected, unloved and unlovable!!β
Suddenly…
It was about this time where my mouth was silenced, an image of Jesus in Glory(Revelation 1) filled my mind, it wasΒ so clear(not blurred by my blindness)Β I could see His flaming eyes of judgmentβ¦thenβ¦the image changed, it was Jesus on the cross, now His eyes were filled with Mercy, Compassion & Grace, and while looking down straight at me he said βI did this for you, so that you can live. Iβ¦LOVEβ¦YOU!!!
I started sobbing uncontrollablyβ¦iβd never sobbed like this in my entire life, and it took a couple of minutes for me to try and start talking againβ¦.but more sobbingβ¦i was completely undone.
I knew He’d given His life so i could live. He’d come down so farΒ to save me it is immeasurable. His blood washed me clean, white as snow. He’s forgiven me all my sins, past, present and future, and there is no more condemnation for me(or you), it is finished!
Iβd been Β praying for so long for God to βBreak my heart for what broke Hisβ and sang the songs many times, but never had i caught a glimpse of the true cost of His Love, and His free gift of Grace to those who Repent and Believe in Him. I knew He wanted me to share the True Gospel to people listening(and now reading), as it alone is the only Hope. It is the Power of God unto Salvation for anyone that believes.
Still sobbing, i continued…
My every word was a different pitch but i said βMy pit was so dark, my accusing thoughts were too heavy, and this led to a daily cycle of waking up and trying to kill myselfβ¦failing, which made me feel worseβ¦then drinking so much i could drown them out for the rest of the day, until i woke the next day, then it started again.Β
I didnβt have the strength to kill myself, and i didnβt have the strength to live…i was without God, and without Hope!
Nik, whoβs hand was rested on my shoulder asked question 4 “I know you were deeply unhappy at the time, what changed that?”
The world followed itβs pattern and sent me to Counselling, then Psychotherapy & finally Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, they didnβt work, they all had no answer for me, they couldnβt reach far enough down to pull me out. I needed a Saviour, I needed the light of the Gospel!Β
The Good News & Lovely Sarah…
Meeting Sarah changed my life! I have no idea how sheβs put up with me. Sheβs Β been so patient and long suffering as i tried attacking her Faith and this Jesus! But she kept on loving me. Sarah always seemed to have a rock she was standing on no matter how bad things got for her, she always had this Blessed Hope that i didnβt,
Jesus worked through Sarah to shine the light of the Gospel, the Good News i was dying for.
Words failed me as i was trying to describe how much i love Sarah, so when my mind filled with thoughts of how far weβve grown together in loveβ¦i broke down again.Β
The sobbing was still making me pause every few words, but mentioned Jesus doesnβt want to see anyone perish, but he pursues you, He has come to seek and save that which is lost. He loves you and no matter how bad or hopeless you think you are, Heβll keep coming with His free gift of Salvation!
Nik asked Question 5 “some people would say that your life must be worse now, would you agree with them?”
Iβd gone way over my time slot, and i was almost pulled away from the mic as i was so overwhelmedβ¦BUT i knew these tears were not about me, or my losses. I had 1 focus and that was to share the Truth that sets us free. I had no feeling of sorrow or pain. I knew it must have seemed like this to the congregation, and i thought theyβd stick me in a counselling room when iβd finished!
The Holy Spirit was filling me like never before, and made the Power of the Gospel so real to me i almost exploded.
I continued βI wouldnβt agree with anyone who thinks(or measures) life by how good our circumstances are. Iβd lead them to 2 Corinthians 4 & 5 where it talks about living by Faith, not by Sight, and now that we are born again in the Spirit, we should walk by the Spirit. Not living for things that are seen which are temporary(like my sight loss), but living for the unseen which is Eternalβ
βI used to hate this song, but now iβd play it every service if i couldβ¦have you heard Amazing Grace, the Chris Tomlin version? If you pass me in the street youβll normally hear me singing or humming these words:”
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.Β I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see. My chains are gone I’ve been set free. My God, my Saviour has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing graceβ.
Nik then walked me back to my seat next to Sarah. The church was completely silent, it had been silent since i first started sobbing. I could feel Sarah was upset as she didnβt react for a while, then she said βPeople kept on running up and passing me tissuesβ. Nik sat down next to Sarah, and Sarah said βYouβre not borrowing him again to speakβ.Β
After the service people came over and said they really connected with the things i said, although i think everyone thinks iβm back in dark depression again.
He showed me the reality and Power of transformation in His Gospel, and how vital it is to share it, as Jesus is the Β Way, the Truth and the Life and no-one gets to Β the Father but by Him. Heβs the forgiver of Sins, breaker of chains, and the only Salvation for Eternal Life in Heaven.
John 3:14-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but[a] have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 βHe who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.β
I felt i needed to share this post to try and explain a little more of what was happening to me, and maybe reach out to someone who is struggling with the creeping death called Depression,or who is just simply lost and without God, and without Hope.
Related Posts:
Striving for Health in the Dieting Wilderness
May 12, 2016 0 Comments
Wow…convicted and encouraged by Ellie…again! π
βIn those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, βRepent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.βΒ Β Β Β Β (John 3: 1,2)
John the Baptist was born specifically for one purpose: to proclaim the coming of the Lord. He knew the way to Salvation and proclaimed that Truth to anyone who would listen.
But not manyΒ listened, preferring to live as they always had. Few turned away from their destructive path to find real JOY,Β Β preferring to wallow in the destructive or apathetic lifestyle they had chosen, content to be spiritually sick.. They fail to reach out to the Great Physician for eternal life.
Β βBut when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.βΒ Β (Matthew 9:12)
Now I donβt claim to know all the answers to health problems. As a nutritional counselor, I believeβ¦
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B.A! :)
May 10, 2016 1 Comment
We put men into pulpits because they have degrees. But you can have 32 of them and still be frozen! “Oh,” you say, “we got a new pastor. He’s got a B. A.” I’ve got a B. A. too, I’m born-again! Today, there is such an emphasis (on education) isn’t there?
Leonard Ravenhill
Mayan Treasures Tour: Day 3 ~ Trujillo, Honduras
May 6, 2016 1 Comment
β§ Postcard taken and produced by Thomson Dream Photographers β§Β
Welcome to Trujillo:
Christopher Columbus landed in Trujillo on the 14th August 1502. During his fourth and final journeys to the Amercas. Since then they have been under the control of the Spanish, the Dutch, the English and even Pirates.
But now…
Sarah & i arrived on the shore, and after a coach trip with a friendly local tour guide telling us about this fantastic place(and the constant invasions by the pirates), we arrived at the beach resort! πΒ
βWowβ i said as we stepped onto the sand and selected a couple of sun loungers with a table shelter thingy with a free cold bottle of lager welcoming us!
βWeβre going to enjoy thisβ. This was the most relaxing excursion out of the 4 weβd booked,
and thenβ¦.
Sarah said βYay, there is a trampoline in the seaβ. I would have been more excited but my mind went straight to Sarahβs Charcot feet(diabetic problem again), and how she was going to manage?! But i should have known Sarah would win me over by taking every precaution, and before i could stand up, Sarah was in the sea! π Β Β
I stood waiting and trying to calculate how long it would take Sarah to swim over and climb on before iβd start taking photosβ¦then i heard βSTEVEβ i knew that was my cue to start taking photos and videos(thank you my lovely wife).
Sarah really enjoyed trampolining in the sea as sheβd never done anything like this before. But in the photo belowβ¦Sarah looks very innocent , but iβm sure she has just shove the man off the left hand side!! lol. πΒ
It was quite cloudy, and even spotted with rain for a minute or two, but itβs okβ¦it was only the fine stuff that soaks you through, so I took a couple of photos of the landscape…
Then Sarah gifted us with a Panorama! Β
After a fantastic inclusive meal where Sarah & i had the nicest Plantain ever, we found a swimming pool with no-one in, and we relaxed for half an hour! πΒ
We couldnβt believe how fast the time went and we reluctently headed back to the coach(well at least where we thought it was), but not before we stopped for one last photo at a beautiful fountain. Β
As Sarah & i were walking along the path, a Spanish speaking man with broken English held my arm and kept trying to tell us something. At first i thought heβd spotted the Grim Reaper tattoo on my leg(had it done 20 years ago when i thought i was tough in my pre Christian days) and thought i was a pirate, so i was in trouble! π But when my mind slowed down, we realised he was trying to say he was the driver and we were walking away from the coach. lol We thanked him profusely and followed him back to the coach.
Back on the ship…
After a lovely day on the beach, we headed to our usual viewing spot on deck 10.Β
Yay another Sarah Panorama…Β Β
As we will be on holiday for Sarahβs birthday,Β i treated her to a hand manicure. Β Well…the whole holiday is a celebration of birthdayβs(weβll be back home for mine), our amazing marriage and seeing more of Godβs creation,Β
Afterwards Sarah said βWhy donβt you get them to braid your hair as the wind’s been annoying you all day, and you wonβt have to touch it for the rest of the holiday?! I was a little unsure about it, but after Sarah and the lady had decided to put 2 braids in, i went along with it.Β
Wow, Sarahβs right again, i didnβt have to touch it for the rest of the holiday, fantastic! π Β
Β Well…the β2 Blindiesβ have managed to have an amazing day in Trujillo, and we canβt thank you enough for joining us as we discover new ground. π Β
Our Route:
This evening Thomson Dream sails to Roan, Honduras. Weβll arrive tomorrow morning having travelled 37 nautical miles at an average of 5 knots.
β¬ Previous Day π΄ Next Day β‘(coming soon)
Fitbit, Footsteps & Photography
May 6, 2016 1 Comment
After reading this post on Nancy Loderickβs blog,Β about Nancy buying Mr Ken(her Husband) a Fitbit for his birthdayβ¦i got inspired!! I thought maybe i could do this as iβm good at walking, just not so good at seeing where iβm going, lol.Β
Firstβ¦
See if the app is accessible with Voiceover(screenreader) on my iPhone? Yes it is, fantasticβ¦now for a little more research. As i take beta-blocker medication having a heart rate monitor was top on my list, and i found the Fitbit Charge HR(on sale too). When i showed Sarah she saidβExcellent, letβs buy each other one as an early wedding anniversary presentβ.
Secondβ¦finding a walking route!
As iβm blind, i have to stick to routes like a racing car on a track, and If i veer of course i may crash! Thankfully Sarah & i live on the edges of a local nature reserve which has lots of walking paths. Once iβm shown a route i can normally remember, but i hadnβt walked along any of the paths for a long timeβ¦but here goes!! πΒ
The Walk…
When i said Sarah & i lived on the edge of the local nature reserveβ¦it starts straight opposite our drive! This helps a lot. Β
I didnβt want to try the path directly through the woods onto the stew ponds, as i didnβt want to get lost on my first try. lol. So i decided to walk around the outside on the path i could still remember! πΒ
β§ I had no idea an Audi was in my photo when taking this!! π β§ Β
I had to keep stopping as i couldnβt make out the path from the road, so i thought while i stopped i could take a photo! π It was further than i remembered(i really need to walk more) but finally i felt the bumps on the path indicating a road crossing. Yes iβve made it this far, now to find the ponds!Β
After nearly walking into the first stew pondβ¦i planted myself on the path! π Itβs now starting to look familiar so i can enjoy the ponds.Β
Β I have no idea where this path leads but didnβt want to risk killing myself on my first outing! Maybe iβll check it out next timeβ¦what do you think?
Afterr spending a little quiet time at the ponds, i decided to try heading back through the woods.Β
I found this path and i could hear the cars from the road on my left. I knew as long as i could hear the carsβ¦i was going in the right direction. After i veered of track a few times and navigating some treesβ¦i finally made it out! πΒ
Coffee…
I now could walk in the other direction from home and go to church for a coffee, which is another 2 miles towards my daily goal! πΒ
Finally…
I walked over 8 miles in total and feel great, i like how i can track my now daily walk while monitoring my health. I think a lot more about eating alreadyβ¦as i know i have to walk for ages to burn it off! π Iβve been encouraged by reading posts by Ellie at New Creation Ministries, her posts convict me every time! πΒ
I often spend hours indoors daily studying the Bible and listening to sermons and teachings, but now i can be a lot more healthy whilst listening to the Bible on route! πΒ
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Godβs.
Powerless Preaching
May 5, 2016 2 Comments
“If Jesus had preached the same message that most ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.”
Leonard Ravenhill
Lesser Things
May 4, 2016 5 Comments
βIf we donβt stare at God, weβll spend our time staring at lesser things. Namely, ourselves.β
Francis Chan, You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity
Mayan Treasures: Day 1&2 π³ London & Jamaica
April 28, 2016 1 Comment
Β Yay!!!! Were off to the Caribbean!! πΒ
I canβt believe weβre getting another chance to see some of Godβs glorious creation! We were so blessed with our last cruise βTransatlantic Sunset Tourβ even though we had a roller coaster of a ride! πΒ
We were up around 4:30am, packing the final items into our cases. I found out the hard way last year on how impossible it was to find my black suitcase on the carousel among hundreds of other black suitcases!! π¦ So this year iβve treated myself to a dark purple one. Letβs see if this one is better to find?!
Kate, from the local taxis that Sarah uses for work, arrived and we set off for Gatwick. βNow we can relaxβ i said βAs itβs too late to go back if weβve forgotten anythingβ.Β
The Airport…
Kate was fantastic, and drove us right to the entrance and pointed us in the right direction βJust keep walking that way and youβll be fineβ. We checked in our cases and were given the fantastic airport assistance who guided us through customs and sat us in departures ready to catch the fun train.Β
The people at the desk said there was a 1 hour delayβ¦βOh yes!!” Sarah & i said at the same time βWe have time to go shopping and have a coffeeβ. I think this was a new response for them as they looked a little bemused! πΒ
After finding the same italian coffee place from last year(itβs becoming another local), we found our way around a few shops and headed back to the pick up point. It wasnβt long before the handheld thing they give me started flashing and vibrating which meant it is our turn to get on-board the train! Β
After our fun ride on the train, we boarded the plane and i even got a window seat. The 787 Dreamliner didnβt disapoint as it gave it the beans down the runway!Β
During the 10Β½ hour flight, Sarah watched about 5 films(well 10 minutes of each, as she said they were horiffic, and saw firsthand why we didnβt have a TV lisence anymore). We enjoyed the in-flight meals though, and it made up for the poor entertainment.Β
As i canβt even see who is sat next to me(although i know itβs Sarah), i spent the time listening to the people around me. It helps me understand who is around, where they are, and i get to learn a little about the person by their words and characterβ¦as “what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heartβ. πΒ
Yay,we’re back in Jamaica! π Β Β
The airport assistance escorted us through customs and to the queue for the coach transfer to the ship. As soon as they realised we couldnβt see, they took us and skipped straight passed the queue and onto the coach where we were shown to the 2 front seats! One advantage of being blind, lol.
Arriving at the ship, the coach driver said there were further delays and the queue for the ship check-in was long and itβs seriously hot out there! But when we left the coach, we met the assistance and again, they led us passed the large queue straight to the check-in and onto the ship! I always feel a little guilty when this happens, but itβs a fantastic service for us. π
Boarding the Thomson Dream again this year felt like we were coming home. It took us about a week to figure out where everything is, but this time we remembered and it made life a lot easier! πΒ
The Emergency Drill…
We were now almost experts at the life jackets(well Sarah was) and we needed no help this time putting them on. It was really hot and humid out on deck for the drill, but i handled the heat much better this time. πΒ
Finding our way back to the cabin with our life jackets on, we wanted to try and take a selfie to keep as a memory, as we probably wouldnβt have chance if we ever needed to use them again. Itβs really hard to take a selfie when you canβt see the phone screen, but we took loads and managed to find one.
Β The Coffee Port…
After a full on day, Sarah & i were in need of a proper coffeeβ¦and guess what greeting we heard as we walked in??!! Yes it was Cecily! βNo wayβ we both said βItβs so good to see you againβ. Cecily then sat us down and said β2 espresso macchiatos?ββ¦.No way, she remembered! π This was really starting to feel like home.
We finished our coffees and headed back to our cabin. Our cases had arrived and we started unpacking as the ship set sail for Trujillo, Hondurasβ¦Wow what a day! πΒ
Day 2β¦..
We spent day 2 exploring and seeing if anything had changed since weβd been gone. There were a few changes but nothing that tripped us up. Now it was time to check out the shore excursions for the next 4 islands!Β
Last year we didnt realise how quickly they sold out, so we got in early Β and booked an excursion for each of the 4 days, we were excited to have booked a few varied tours, but i was a little worried as weβd booked Kayaking on one tour and River tubing on another. Can blind people really do this without crippling themselves?? πΒ
Either wayβ¦back to the Coffee Port to celebrate with a latte! πΒ
Β Thanks for joining us, itβs great to see you on-board! πΒ Β
Our Route:
this evening Thomson Dream sails to Trujillo, Honduras. Weβll arrive on Thursday morning after the leisurely day at sea having travelled 515 nautical miles at an average speed of 15 knots.Β
Words Without A Heart
April 28, 2016 0 Comments
In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.
John Bunyan
Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 19 ~ Palma
April 27, 2016 2 Comments
π΄Β Day NavigatorΒ π΄
1Β –Β 2Β –Β 3Β –Β 4Β –Β 5Β –Β 6Β –Β 7Β –Β 8Β –Β 9Β –Β 10Β –Β 11Β –Β 12Β –Β 13Β –Β 14Β –Β 15Β –Β 16Β –Β 17Β –Β 18Β –Β 19
Leaving our room for the last time and hoping weβd not forgotten anything, we had a couple of hours on the ship before our coach arrived. We went out on deck first to say hello to Palma! π Β
Wow, weβre really going to miss the sun when we arrive home!
We stayed out on deck for about half an hour reflecting on our crazy cruise and how we actually survived some of the situations that tried to knock us down. Then it was time to say goodbye to my favourite Β place βThe Coffee Portβ. π¦
Cecily and the Coffee Port…Β
I would like to say a huge thanks to Cecily and the Coffee Port. Every time without fail, as soon as Sarah and i would walk in, and before weβd seen Cecily, Weβd here one of our names(depending who entered first) melodically sung which put a huge smile on our faces, what a welcome! π
She was so supportive of us and made fantastic coffee! πΒ
Getting the coach…
After leaving the gangway for the last time, we boarded our coach and headed to the airport. It was a nice drive through Palma, but the mood on the coach was somber, as no-one wanted to go home. Although Sarahβs cough was almost constant and she was so tired from just coughing, she really wanted to be home so she can order a replacement insulin pump and get her blood under control.Β
Palma airport…
We arrived at Palma airport and found the assisstance that helped us with our luggage, then escorted us to the gate where we sat waiting for the announcements. Sarah said βLetβs go and find you a coffee, then i can go and look around some shops as we will be here for about an hourβ βCool, sounds good to me, as long as we donβt venture off too farβ.
Just then we heard our names calledβ¦
We were surprised to see one of the couples who befriended us at the Orion Restaurant in the evenings. They gave Sarah a card and said βHope your new job goes well, and you find your feet quickly. We wish you all the bestβ. Sarah was in pleasant shock with this unexpected kindness, especially as we thought weβd never meet them again.
Yay, the plane…
I was excited to be travelling on an airplane again, and was totally surprised i managed to capture a piece of Palma upon take off! π Β
Back in the UKβ¦
We arrived in Gatwick airport on the Sunday before Bank Holiday Monday. The plan was to have the Bank Holiday as a rest day to try and recover from this rollercoaster of a cruise. But the drama hadnβt quite finished yet!!!
A&E…
Sarah was suffering beyond even what she can take(that doesnβt happen often) and on Monday morning we had to go to A&E as her chest was now closing up really bad and she could hardly breathe. As it was a Bank Holiday it was quite busy, but we finally got in to see the doctor. He said she had a Respiratory Tract Infection which has now given her a secondary lung thingy(i canβt remember the exact diagnosis,lol). After picking up the antibiotics we made our way home.
Sarahβs new job…
Iβm not sure if iβve mentioned it yet, but just before we started this cruise, Sarah left her job at RNIB(Royal National Institute Of Blind People), where sheβd worked for over 10 years, and was going to start her new job at WCRF(World Cancer Research Fund) tomorrow!! Yeah i know it seems mad, but donβt forget weβer dealing with my “Warrior Wife”!! πΒ
Finally…
I canβt explain the emotions iβve been through typing up this day to day account of our cruise. Iβve been smiling, laughing, crying and shocked to find some great photos that will serve as loving memories for us.
Thank You, Thank You & Thank You…
Itβs been such a blessing to know youβve joined us on our trip, but beyond that, encouraging us with your kind and loving comments along the way. So we both thank God for you, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Hopefully weβll see you on our other tours too??!!
β¬ Previous Day π³Β
Please join us on more crazy adventures!!!
π΄Β Day NavigatorΒ π΄
1Β –Β 2Β –Β 3Β –Β 4Β –Β 5Β –Β 6Β –Β 7Β –Β 8Β –Β 9Β –Β 10Β –Β 11Β –Β 12Β –Β 13Β –Β 14Β –Β 15Β –Β 16Β –Β 17Β –Β 18Β –Β 19
Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 18 ~ Alicante
April 25, 2016 2 Comments
π΄Β Day NavigatorΒ π΄
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After about a week of sleepless nights, to say Sarah & i were tired is an understatement. Also Sarahs cough is a lot worse and her lungs feel like a boa constrictor has coiled around them. Her erratic blood sugars are making her sick too…but apart from that, we are excited to find out what our last shore excursion has in stall for us! πΒ
The coach was waiting for us from the bottom of the gangway(phewβ¦at least we wonβt get lost around the dock, lol) and we set off towards the castle. As we drove down narrow windy streets lined with vivid green palm trees, with cafes splashed with orange i said to Sarah βWow, itβs like were driving through one of your fave tracks from Gran Turismo 4 on the Playstation 2!!β βOkβ she said βNot sure iβd have thought of that, but now youβve mentioned it, that is exactly what it looks likeβ. π
Β Santa Barbara Castle…
As we stepped off the air conditioned coach onto the sandy/dusty car park, the first thing to hit me was the intense heat. The Caribbean was very hot but there was always a lovely cool breeze, but this heat seemed focused on burning me to a crisp! πΒ
Iβm sure it was just a short walk to the castle and to my surprise i was already halfway down my bottle of water, so when we arrived to find a big climb to the top of the castle which included slanty slopes and invisible rough steps etc, it was time to start the thought process βI think weβve done something stupid again, and taken on an excursion we shouldβve never taken onβ. But as usual my thoughts were quickly defeated as my Warrior Wife took my hand and relentlesly attacked the slopes! Sarah always leaves me speechless, as i know she is feeling much worse than me, yet she battles on and fights when most others would give up. This is one reason why iβm so proud of her and love her more than anything! πΒ
The view…
Once we reached to top and found the nearest wall, the view was fantastic and well worth risking our Β lives, lol π Β
While stood admiring the view, i could hear a noisy flag flapping above my head. I thought βI havnβt tried taking a proper flag photo in motion beforeβ. It took about 5 minutes to try and get my camera to focus, but i finally got my first! π Β
The tour guide was great, telling us all about the gruesome, bloody history of the castle(history never changes) told us we had an hour of free time to have a look around the castle and weβd all meet up at the bottom.
Yay, we had more time to look around! π Β
It really was stunning up here, and i was excited to find Sarah getting her phone ready for one of her breathtaking Panoramas! π Β Β
Wow Sarah has treated us with 2 breathtaking Panoramas again!!! π Β Β
After Sarah βTop Trumpedβ me again with her amazing photos, we decided to begin our adventure down to the meeting place. We knew it was going to be much harder on the way down but we were going to enjoy it anyway!Β
As we still had about 30 minutes, we tried to look at everything we hadnβt seen on the way up.Β
When turning around, i thought Sarah had found a gift shop and was carrying a huge present for someone, lol. But thankfully itβs one of the statue things we found on the way.
We then found a cool little alley way.Β Β
This has to be one of my favorite photos!! Iβm glad to see Sarah(The Greatest Warriorβ parting some of her knowledge and instruction to an inferior ranked warrior on how to correctly throw a spear! π Β
Β After many more laughs, we did eventually make it back to the meeting place, and then on to the coach, Ooooohh, air conditioning! πΒ
Β The Town Hall Square & Cathedral of Alicante…
Β Walking through the town was hard work as it was very busy, but Sarah did find a local craft store that were selling handmade daisy broaches out of wicker etc. So while she was looking, i thought iβd quickly snap a couple of photos.
The Cathedral of Alicante…Β
Β On leaving the Cathedral, the tour guide said we have 30 minutes free time, then could you please find your way back to the coach, iβll be in the bar down this side alley getting a cold drink if anyone wants to join me? Sarah said βCome on quickly, we need to get to him before he gets swallowed by the crowds, as we donβt know our way back to the coachβ βOkay, letβs goβ i said as we zigzagged our way towards him. We caught up with him and he told us the easiest way back to the coach.
But before we headed back, Sarah had a chance to try the only Spanish phrase she could remember from her childhood holidays with her Dad.
βIt worked!!! I must have said it rightβ Sarah said as she brought 2 bottles of Lager to the small corner table in the little bar weβd stumbled upon. π
The Explanada, one of the most beautiful waterfront promenades in Spain…
Β On leaving the bar, Sarah saw this stunning pavement lined with palm trees. It reminded us of the incredible pavement in Horta, Azores. Β Β
Shortly before leaving the coach back at the dock, we had one final laugh when the tour guide told us he was from California, works in Alicante and is married to his Wife from Doncaster, South Yorkshire. βWowβ I said βThat amazing, the guide yesterday was from Derby(my hometown) and Today the guide stays in Doncaster(Sarahβs hometown) a few months of the year, and when he finally saidβIβll be outside the French Gate in Doncaster in November, we all burst out laughing. πΒ
Back on the ship…
We had just enough time to capture the coastline of Alicante from the ship before Thomson Dream sailed away to Palma, Mallorca for us to get the plane home.
After getting changed for the evening meal, we knew it would be the last time weβd see our Orion Restaurant friends. We met them at our usual time and table and had a lovely evening talking about all the adventures of the day.Β
Who knows? We may bump into them again on a future cruise, which would be great! πΒ Β Β
Leaving the Orion Restaurant, we headed to the delo bar to enjoy our last cocktail with great music.Β
After a really long day, we arrived back at our cabin to find a new fantastic towel creature on our table. Sarah quickly moved it into an arty position ready for a humorous photo! π Β
Just one more day to go before we head home, and Sarah and i spent the sleepless night talking about the highs and lows of our 1st cruise, and only my second time abroad! πΒ
Thanks once again for joining us, itβs a blessing to share with you.Β
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One of the greatest mission fields
April 25, 2016 8 Comments
βWhen will we realize that one of the greatest mission fields in the West is the pews of our churches every Sunday morning?β
Β Paul David Washer, The Gospel’s Power & Message
Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 17 ~ Gibralter
April 22, 2016 2 Comments
β§ Sarah welcomes you to Gibraltar! β§
After 2 days at sea, and finding out(by our new friends who met us for evening meals at Orion Restaurant) Β that on the excursion to the “Rock of Gibraltarβ requires that we get a cable car to the top on the cliff! Wowβ¦i love cable cars! It reminded me of the cable cars Sarah & i travelled on at βThe Heights of Abrahamβ day trip.a couple of years ago! πΒ
So leaving the ship i was extra excited to travel on cable cars in Gibraltar! We found the coach that would take us to the beginning of the rock and got on-board.Β
The excursion guides so far have been amazing, and really proud of their country! So happy to share everything and anything about the local history and culture, always creating laughter and a friendly relaxed atmosphere. So when this guide stepped on-board complaining Β and quite angry we were quite taken aback! After complaint about everything she showed us, we pulled up at the bottom of the rock and waited for the cable cars.
Just a quick side noteβ¦As iβm registered blind(i know most of you will know this already) and donβt see people, just hear them. Whenever iβm out sat in a cafe, restaurant, at church or just around town, i often like to play one of my fave games using my ATS(accent targeting system). I love accents, and i like to try and locate their original area?! π Also its my only way of knowing whoβs around me, and iβve now trained myself so i can listen to 3 conversations at once! lol This can be good and bad depending. π Anyway enough rambling!Β
When i got near the guide i asked her where she was from originally? βDerbyβ she said! βNo way, a Derby bird, iβm from Derby too. Itβs crazy that weβd meet here in Gibraltarβ. It makes sense now. lol. Itβs sometimes hard to pin down a accent thatβs the same as your own, but iβm getting better.
After fantastic views from the cable cars, we finally reached the top of The Rock of Gibraltar! π Β
After taking shots of my beautiful wife Sarah(which i could do all day) the guide warned us about the monkeys Β that would steal anything and everything that wasnβt in your bag or not in the right place. By this i mean sunglasses on your head instead of over your eyes. The guide told us of one woman who had put her brand new Β£200 Rayban sunglasses on her head to take a photo, had them quickly snatched by a monkey and were never seen again! π¦
A kind person asked if Sarah & i would like a photo together? I said that would be lovely, thank you. But i think my face is wondering if the man was going to run off with my Big Nikon! lol. π Β
The guide said we had about an hour free time before we all have to meet back together, so Sarah got her iPhone out ready to take one of her amazing Panoramas!Β
Not 1β¦but 2 of Sarahβs Breathtaking Panoramas!!! πΒ
It had been a fantastic day already and the views were simply stunning from up here. We now had to find one Β of those monkeys to try and get a photo before we go. Β
β§ Sarah videoing one of the monkeys β§ Β
After nipping into the gift shop to get a couple of presents we started heading back towards the cable cars.
We were just near the steps(walking 2 by 2 when we heard a loud βOi!!β by the woman behind us, followed by a quiet couple of seconds, then lots of laughter??! We stopped and turned round to find out one of the monkeys had touched/stroked the ladies leg near her bum, and she thought it was the man behind her. But after the mix up they all started laughing! π
Travelling back to the ship after more complaining by the excursion guide (mainly about her many ex husbands) we had time to take a few photos from the deck before Thomson Dream sailed overnight to Alicanteβ¦our last port before we head to Palma, Majorca for our flight home π¦
Sarah & i had a fantastic time in Gibraltar and it was great to have a guide from my home town to share her great accent with us.
Creating these blog posts documenting each day of our trip has been such a blessing for Sarah & i, especially knowing that youβve been right here with us along the way! π Β They leave us with such lovely memories every time we read back through them.
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Radical Truthfulness
April 21, 2016 0 Comments
βLove without truth is sentimentality; it supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws. Truth without love is harshness; it gives us information but in such a way that we cannot really hear it. God’s saving love in Christ, however, is marked by both radical truthfulness about who we are and yet also radical, unconditional commitment to us. The merciful commitment strengthens us to see the truth about ourselves and repent. The conviction and repentance moves us to cling to and rest in God’s mercy and grace.β
Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 15 & 16 ~ My Brain Wave
April 20, 2016 2 Comments
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Β After a fantastic 2 days in the Azores we found this new folded towel creature on our table. βHow do they do thatβ i said just staring and touching it? Β
βYeah i knowβ said Sarah βitβs amazing how they get the towels to do that and stay in positionβ.Β
Just then i had a brain waveβ¦to show our appreciation for the great work our cabin steward has shown us, i will show our gratitude with a model of my own!!! πΒ
I thought rather than using a towel i will go larger and use the whole bed, quilt, pillows and towels! As the towels are blueβ¦they can be the sea. The quilt can be the Thomson Dream and the pillows can be the big pointy thingy on top! πΒ
Having never attempted anything like this before, i knew it would be the thought that counts. I said to Sarah βYouβre going to have to wait outside until iβve finished, then you can open the door and see it as the cabin steward will see itβ.Β
Here Goesβ¦..are you ready???Β
Β After Sarah stopped laughing, she said βItβs massive! I didnβt know you were going to use the whole king size bed?!β I said βWell ships are big, and i didnβt want him to miss itβ. She was actually impressed with my first ever attempt. lol. πΒ
Now everything is set, itβs time to head out and relax with a nice latte at the Coffee Port. We also ventured out on deck being ensconced by blue sea.
We did meet up with the cabin steward that night and Sarah asked him βDid you like the big ship Steve had made for you?β He said he didnβt see anything and just thought the bed was left in a mess!! π¦Β
Well at least WE all know what happened, and i hope my model ship will put a smile on your face instead!! πΒ
Just 2 days at sea now until we reach Gibraltar!! π Β
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God’s Word
April 20, 2016 0 Comments
βI think the greatest weakness in the church today is that almost no one believes that God invests His power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in a program, in a methodology, in a technique, in anything and everything but that in which God has placed itβHis Word. He alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures.β
R.C. Sproul, The Prayer of the Lord
Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 14 ~ SΓ₯o Miguel
April 20, 2016 0 Comments
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Β After more wild blood sugar readings, lack of sleep and nasty coughs, i was really looking forward to our excursion today. If you remember on Day 7 AntiguaΒ we had 1 horse power each, but now i was hoping for lots more horse power in our 4×4! π Β
4×4 Tour of the Western Edge, Azores(Excursion details)
If you want to get up close to SΓ£o Miguelβs dramatic landscapes, a 4×4 is the way to go. Once weβre all strapped in, weβll head off to the west side of the island. Our first stop is Vista do Rei. Translated, it means βKingβs Viewβ β it was named after King D Carlos, who visited back in 1901 β and the vista from here is definitely fit for a monarch. It pans across Sete Cidades, a massive volcanic crater thatβs glazed in greenery and, at the right time of year, baby-blue hydrangeas. Covering its base is a huge lake, split in two by the small bridge that crosses it, plus a picturesque waterside village. Weβll drive along the Pequena ridge to Sete Cidades village, stopping at Lomba do Vasco viewpoint along the way for a few snaps. Weβll have some free time to explore the village, before continuing our drive past Blue and Empadadas lakes. Weβll have one last photo op β at Pico do Ferro viewpoint β before making our way back to the ship.
With the excursion details in mind(seeΒ above), we navigated down the gangway and onto the dock. We quickly realised that the day wasnβt going to be as hot as every other day on the cruiseβ¦as we were getting wet, and colder by the second! lol π Β Β
Our 4×4 driver and tour guide met us off the boat(which was fantastic) and helped us into our Land Rover. Back when i was a panel beater my friend used to race custom Land Rovers with monster V8βs, and as usual i was letting my imagination get ahead of me, especially when the driver cranked up the engine and it was the disappointing sound of a diesel tractor! π¦ Since iβve been blind and i use my ears to see cars, the engine noises are all i focus on! Sarah is quick to remind me as we walk into town back in Epsom that she really doesnβt want me to comment on every engine that drives by! lol, but she did acknowledge my disappointment with a gentle stroke on my arm. π Β
β§ Sarah and the 4×4 β§
Our first stop was Kingβs View which was really high upon the island, as we stopped and the driver asked us to wait in the car as it was chucking it down with rain, and the fog/mist was like a blankett covering all of the beautiful landscapes he had brought us to see, he left to talk the the other driver in the Toyota Land cruiser behind. He came back, apologised and said βWe will try and head as low as we can to see if we can go under the fog/mist and see if itβs any clearer down there. But we have a few minutes here so if you want to get out in the rain, you canβ.Β
β§ Kingβs View β§
Β On a clear day there is a stunning volcanic crater with 2 lakes, 1 is blue and 1 is green! There were alot of disappointed sighs etc and some people were complainingβ¦i just thought welcome to my world, and you can still see more than me even with the fog. lol π I almost felt equal for the first time on an excursion. πΒ
We then headed off on a drive to the lowest point of the island which was beautiful and when we got to walk around by the river and volcanic hills it was like stepping onto the film set of Jurassic park.
The fog did lift a little and the rain slowed down enough for us to enjoy 15 minutes in this fantastic place.Β
When i found this photo which Sarah had taken, we both started laughing and thought this was probably the best photo of me ever! π Β Donβt ask me what i was up to, i can only imagine that i heard a T-Rex or a volcano erupt!! πΒ
Please let me know in the comments below if you have any great captions to add to this photo??!! I look forward to hearing what you come up with! πΒ
β§ This place really does remind me of Jurassic Park β§ Β Β
We all climbed aboard our 4×4 and headed of to a small village to stop and have another rest and look around. On the way Sarah saw a huge black Bull chasing a local who was running for his life right close to the Land Roverβ¦Crazy! Lol. We stopped at a small cafe where the driver(to Sarahβs delight) started talking about the locally made Portuguese custard tarts. I said βNo way, theyβre Sarahβs favourites, and we have never had a locally made one before! It will be like when i had a slice of Pizza in Pisa!” π As usual… no body laughed so i asked “Do they sell them in this Cafe?βIf they do could you get 3 and have one yourself!β He said βyeah sureβ and we sat and enjoyed this special food moment! π
Most of the people stayed in the cafe as it was raining outside, but Sarah & i were already soaked so didnβt mind a little more rain to try and see as many things as possible in this tiny village.
We were now coming to the end of our fantastic 4×4 drive, but not before he drove us off road and up some really steep rocky terrain, Yay!! π We were rocking side to side and bouncing up and down, i said βYeah this is more like it!β. We then stopped and the driver who had his window down as all the windows were steaming up from our drenched clothesβ¦picked up Β a small piece of Β Sphagnum moss from the towering hillside. As usual i was the only one who didnβt know what it is(i blame going to the worst school in Derbyshire) He then squose it and we were all amazed by how much water was running out of something so small, fantastic! π Β
Just one more stop and it was to see a tunnel drilled through the mountain that goes out to the sea so that the rain water does not flood the volcanic crater when there is, from time to time heavy rainfall on the island.
The tunnel is around 80 years old and almost 2 kilometers long and itΒ΄s actually large enough to walk through and that is also safe enough as long as you donΒ΄t go during heavy rainfall. As you know it was raining but thatβs not enough to stop Super Sarah having a look! π Β
Back on the ship…
Having got changed out of our wet clothes, we decided to try and get a bite to eat at the buffet restaurant on deck 9. We sat down with an assortment of food and enjoyed talking about what weβd just experienced. We were about half way through when Alan Davidson(the piano entertainer) came and sat down with us. He had seen us the day before in Horta taking photos and had admired my big Nikon DSLR. Sarah said βYeah itβs a nice camera and Steve gets some lovely photos even though heβs blindβ. βWowβ said Alan βI didnβt realiseβ. I never know if thatβs a compliment or not? π He continued βBack home in Scotland i visit a blind friend and help him with life skills etc, and telling him(using a clock face) where his food is on his plateβ. I said βFantastic, Sarah has just done that with me which is why iβm eating more confidently(and a lot less messy) as normalβ.Β
Sarah mentioned that she hadnβt got chance to see much of the town nearest to the dock and we still have a couple of hours left before we sail away. Alan kindly replied βIβll take you guys, there is a bus on the dock that goes into town, and i can guide you and make sure you get back safely tooβ. βFantastic, letβs goβ Sarah and i replied. πΒ
We found the market place overlooked by this Cathedral where Me, Sarah & Alan stopped to find a table out of the rain to have coffeeβs and a chat. Alan was also a keen photographer and he found a local who took a few photos of the 3 of us, but sadly i havnβt managed to get the photos of Alan yet, maybe one day iβll get to see them and share them with you. πΒ
Back on board again Thomson Dream sailed away as Sarah and i listened to Alan with our favourite cocktails. Sarahs is a Mojito and mine is a Baileyβs Banana Colada! π
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Transatlantic Sunset Tour: Day 13 ~ Horta, Azores
April 19, 2016 1 Comment
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welcome to Horta!!! πΒ
β§ Sarah welcoming you all to Horta! β§
Wowβ¦what an adventurous Atlantic crossing! Both Sarah and i didnβt expect that roller coaster journey. But it was great to be off the ship and once we mastered walking on land that doesnβt move constantly, we headed out to see what we could find. πΒ
We couldnβt book an excursion in Horta as they were all sold out, but we were first taken aback with the stunning bay, and the beautiful sea front with itβs incredibly ornate pavement.
After following the pavement around the sea front we came to what we thought was the end of the bayβ¦but as we were going to turn back Sarah saw a steep alleyway Β between some buildings which really didnβt look inviting, but she was determined not to miss anything while we were here. And after what sheβs just been through the last 5 days i wasnβt going to say no! πΒ
Β The narrow path became really steep but we finally reached the top. There were high buildings either side of s and i could hear what i thought were Portuguese gangsters. I said βDo you think we should turn back and head back?β Sarah said βNo weβve made it this far and itβs downhill from here, i think i can see the end of the path and it looks like it opens out againβ βOkβ i said nervously and we pushed on.
As usual Sarah was dead right! The path ended and we were treated with a stunning view of the bay on the other side of the island! πΒ
We both were silenced and stood in awe as we tried to take in more of Godβs beautiful creation. No matter how bad the last few days were Sarah said “Wow, this was worth the wait!” God never fails to show up and when he does we are always left speechless. π Β
Warningβ¦one of Sarahβs breathtaking panoramas…
Β We were stood for around 10 minutes when 2 people approached us from our left, the woman said βWeβve been all around here and there is nothing worth seeing here! So were going over the other side to see if we can find anything worth seeing over there!β They walked on past us before we could even say hello. I was stunned, then said to Sarah βI canβt see that much but i still know how beautiful this place is!! They must be in a different dimention to usβ. Sarah chuckled and quickly ran over to check out all of the amazing black sand! π
We stayed here for about 20 minutes and went over to our left to explore the green hills!Β
Getting towards the top of the first hill, we stopped to take in the bay from a different viewing point! πΒ
Sarah says a big hello to all of you who are still with us on our adventure!! π
On the other side of the green hills another bay opened out for usβ¦Wow this place is beautiful and just keeps giving! πΒ
We thought if we stayed with the sea on our right we would eventually find our way back to the shipβ¦we did but before we headed back on board we stopped to look in the local shops, and stop for a well deserved drink.
Also on the way back we found these interesting photos and paintings along the sea front, by this time it was getting late in the afternoon so we didnβt have much time left in this lovely place.
Sarah had just enough time for one more pose! lol πΒ
Weβve had a lovely day in Horta and we hope youβve enjoyed it too?
Iβm just sorry itβs took me almost a year to continue our crazy adventure on this Transatlantic Cruse. Iβm going to finish it this week, as weβve just got back from another cruise i want to share with you βMayan Treasuresβ. But i knew i had to finish this one first! Sorry once again but iβm back now, and thanks for being so patient with me!! πΒ
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My 41st Birthday, Yay!!! :)
April 15, 2016 11 Comments
β§ Portrait of me in Montego Bay, Jamaica β§Β
Today iβm celebrating my 41st Birthday, Yay!!! If youβve already read my “About Steve” page youβll know i shouldβve died when i was 25β¦.but God in His endless Mercy and Grace gave me a second chance. Now i thank God for every year and Sarah & i try to go away in April for our Birthdays to capture and enjoy part of His amazing creation! πΒ
Also…I thank God everyday for Sarah as i know i donβt deserve her, but God never seems to stop expressing His love. My heart overflows with love for her. She has encouraged, inspired and loves me in spite of all my faults, she is the sunshine that warms me along my journey. I really donβt have the words to fully express how blessed i am to have my best friend as my wife to cherish and share every moment of this amazing life!Β
We have just returned from Jamaica, Honduras & Mexico so i have a few photos to editβ¦but as soon as i get them ready iβll do a day by day account like my other adventures!Β
I must appologise to you all for not quite finishing my last tour posts for Azores and Spainβ¦but iβve got the photos sorted and ready to post. Sorry for any overlap from this holiday and last holiday, i hope you enjoy! πΒ
My Holiday Adventures:
β Music “All For Me” by Praise Band The Movie
March 24, 2016 1 Comment
A crown of thorns upon your head
Where one of gold should go instead
Pressing down until you bled
All for me, all for me
Bruised and beaten by the crowd
Mocked and scorned they led you out
Grief and pain was all you found
All for me, all for me
If I had beem the only one
You would have done it still for love
What grace untold what love indeed
All for me, all for me
The blood flowed down your wounded side
The people laughed, and your father cried
The Son of God laid down to die
All for me, all for me
Your body weak and wracked with pain
The sinless one, the King of Kings
Hung on a cross between two thieves
All for me, all for me
If I had beem the only one
You would have done it still for love
What grace untold what love indeed
All for me, all for me
You took the chains so Iβd go free
All for me, all for me
The spotless lamb became unclean
All for me, all for me
The Popular Christ
March 24, 2016 2 Comments
βUnfortunately, the ten-cent-store Jesus being preached now by many men is not the Jesus that will come to judge the world. This plastic, painted Christ who has no spine and no justice, but is a soft and pliant friend to everybody, if He is the only Christ, then we might as well close our books, bar our doors and make a bakery or garage out of our church buildings. The popular Christ being preached now is not the Christ of God nor the Christ of the Bible nor the Christ we must deal with finally. For the Christ that we deal with has eyes as a flame of fire. And His feet are like burnished brass; and out of His mouth cometh a sharp two-edged sword (see Rev. 1:14-16). He will be the judge of humanity. You can leave your loved ones in His hands knowing that He Himself suffered, knowing that He knows all, no mistakes can be made, there can be no miscarriage of justice, because He knows all that can be known… Jesus Christ our Lord, the judge with the flaming eyes, is the one with whom we must deal. We cannot escape it.β
A.W. Tozer, And He Dwelt Among Us: Teachings from the Gospel of John
If Man Had His Way
March 23, 2016 3 Comments
βIf man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.β
A. W. Tozer
Their Ability To Make False Doctrine Palatable
March 21, 2016 2 Comments
βI have not much patience with a certain class of Christians nowadays who will hear anybody preach so long as they can say, ‘He is very clever, a fine preacher, a man of genius, a born orator.’ Is cleverness to make false doctrine palatable? Why, sirs, to me the ability of a man who preaches error is my sorrow rather than my admiration.βΒ
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
β Music “Rescue The Perishing” by Billy & Cindy Foote
March 17, 2016 2 Comments
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep oβer the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wandβrer a Savior has died.
The Church
March 17, 2016 3 Comments
βThat very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors.β
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
β Music “Dead Man Walking” by John Tibbs
October 23, 2015 2 Comments
Heaven knows Iβm a broken man
These tired bones they can barely stand
The ways of the world oh I lay in my grave
To the darkest of nights when You call my name
Your love Your love oh it set me free
Oh no guilt no shame got a hold on me
Your love Your love well it opened my eyes
I was a dead man walking till You gave me life
Grace it comes with a price Iβm told
Took the light of the world just to save my soul
But in the valley of the shadow of the cross youβll find
Oh no brokenness when I come alive
Your love broke the chain
And Iβm free from the guilt and shame
Love opened my eyes
Oh Your love Your love it set me free
Oh no guilt no shame got a hold on me
Your love Your love well it opened my eyes
I was a dead man walking till Lord
I was a dead man walking till Lord
I was a dead man walking till Lord
You gave me life
β Music “We Dance” by Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger
September 28, 2015 2 Comments
You steady me
Slow and sweet, we sway
Take the lead and I will follow
Finally ready now
To close my eyes and just believe
That You won’t lead me
Where You don’t go
When my faith gets tired
And my hope seems lost
You spin me round and round
And remind me of that song
The one You wrote for me
And we dance
And I’ve been told
To pick up my sword
And fight for love
Little did I know
That Love had won for me
Here in Your arms
You still my heart again
And I breathe You in
Like I’ve never breathed ’till now
When my faith gets tired
And my hope seems lost
You spin me round and round
And remind me of that song
The one You wrote for me
And we dance
And we dance
And we dance
Just you and me
And I will lock eyes
With the One who’s ransomed me
The One who gave me joy for mourning
And I will lock eyes
With the One who’s chosen me
The One who set my feet to dancing
(x2)
Oh we dance
We dance
We dance, we dance
Oh we dance
Just You and me
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
It’s nice to know I’m not alone
I found my home here in Your arms
It Is Grace
September 28, 2015 2 Comments
It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end.Β So that when youΒ and I come to lie upon our death beds,Β the one thing that should comfortΒ and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning.Β Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.Β The Christian life starts with grace,Β it must continue with grace, it ends with grace.Β Grace wondrous grace.Β By the grace of God I am what I am.Β Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
β Music “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong Worship
August 10, 2015 1 Comment
All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I’ve been set free
I’ve been set free
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord
I’ll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your love in me
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I’m found
Was blind but now I seeOh I can see it now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
One Accord
July 30, 2015 2 Comments
βHas it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified.β
A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
Are you manufacturing a God of your own?
July 27, 2015 1 Comment
βBeware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy, but not just; a God who is all love, but not holy; a God who as a heaven for every body, but a hell for none; a God who can allow good and bad to be side by side in time, but will make no distinction between good and broad in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own, as truly an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple. The hands of your own fancy and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible, and beside the God of the Bible there is no God at all.β
J.C. Ryle
β Music “How Can It Be” by Lauren Daigle
July 23, 2015 1 Comment
I am guilty
Ashamed of what I’ve done, what I’ve become
These hands are dirty
I dare not lift them up to the Holy one
You plead my cause, you right my wrongs
You break my chains, you overcome
You gave your life to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be, how can it be?
I’ve been hiding
Afraid I’ve let you down, inside I doubt
That you still love me
But in your eyes there’s only grace now
You plead my cause, you right my wrongs
You break my chains, you overcome
You gave your life to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be, how can it be?
Though I fall, you can make me new
From this death I will rise with you
Oh, the grace reaching out for me
How can it be, how can it be?
You plead my cause, you right my wrongs
You break my chains, you overcome
You gave your life to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be, how can it be?
Your Rock Is Christ
July 23, 2015 4 Comments
βBelieve God’s word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences. Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the Rock which ebbs and flows, but your sea.β
βYour heart is not the compass that God steers by.β
Samuel Rutherford
The Sunlight Of Hope From A Trustful Soul.
July 15, 2015 2 Comments
Darkness may throw a shadow over my outer vision, but there is no cloud that can keep the sunlight of hope from a trustful soul. One of the earliest resolves that I formed in my young and joyous heart was to leave all care to yesterday, and to believe that the morrow would bring its own peculiar joy. permalink
Fanny Crosby
β Music “O The Blood” by Gateway Worship (feat Kari Jobe)
July 14, 2015 0 Comments
O the blood
Crimson love
Price of life’s demand
Shameful sin
Placed on Him
The Hope of every man
O the blood of Jesus washes me
O the blood of Jesus shed for me
What a sacrifice that saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory
Savior Son
Holy One
Slain so I can live
See the Lamb
The great I Am
Who takes away my sin
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
The precious blood of the Lamb
What a sacrifice
That saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory
O what love
No greater love
Grace, how can it be
That in my sin
Yes, even then
He shed His blood for me.
Happy 8th Wedding Anniversary
July 7, 2015 18 Comments
β§ Me & my lovely wife Sarah! β§Β
Yayβ¦8 years today!! πΒ
Ephesians 5:25-27Β The Voice (VOICE)
Husbands, you must love your wives so deeply, purely, and sacrificially that we can understand it only when we compare it to the love the Anointed One has for His bride, the church. We know He gave Himself up completely to make her His own, washing her clean of all her impurity with water and the powerful presence of His word. He has given Himself so that He can present the church as His radiant bride, unstained, unwrinkled, and unblemishedβcompletely free from all impurityβholy and innocent before Him.
My Thoughts…
Each time our wedding anniversary comes round, i canβt believe how much our marriage has grown more and more fruitful. Our love keeps blossoming through every season and i thank God for Sarah who is not only my best friend, but my amazing wife! πΒ
I thank God for sustaining our marriage in Purity and Truth.Β
I thank God for not leaving us alone to figure out what to do, but for giving us, teaching, correction, training and a perfect Holy example to followβ¦to reflect the personal and intimate union between Christ and His Church. The mystery of marriage is its reflection of the oneness of Christ, the Husband, and His Church, the Bride of Christ.
There is no more lovely, friendly or charming relationship, communion or company, than a good marriage.
Martin Luther
The Seeds Of Every Evil In His Own Heart
July 3, 2015 0 Comments
βWhoever is truly humbled β will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference β it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions β he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.β
John Newton, The Letters of John Newton
Sin-Shine
July 1, 2015 0 Comments
As i left the house this morning on my way to Bible study & Holy Communion, i took my sunglasses from my pocket as it was going to be a hot day today. As i slid them on my face the article iβd just read was still fresh in my mind…
Protect your eyes…
Research suggests that the harmful UVA and UVB rays contained in sunlight may be a factor in a number of eye diseases, in particular cataractsβ¦.read more at RNIB
After reading about the UV filter a few Bible verses spoke to me…
“I have made a covenant with my eyes;”
“Lust of the eyes”
And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in Godβs image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
We cause so much damage to ourselves with what we choose to put in front of our eyes. We tend to think itβs ok and not doing any harm. Just like the invisible rays burning our eyes and doing damage we are not aware of until itβs too late.Β
“Is your soul crying outβ¦burning from the sin-shine in your eyes?”
Ignorant Of The Scriptures
June 30, 2015 1 Comment
βWhy is it so hard to get people to study the Scriptures? Common sense tells us what revelation commands: ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’–‘Search the Scriptures’–‘Be ready to give to every one a reason of the hope that is in you.’ These are the words of the inspired writers, and these injunctions are confirmed by praising those who obey the admonition. And yet, for all that we have the Bible in our houses, we are ignorant of its contents. No wonder that so many Christians know so little about what Christ actually taught; no wonder that they are so mistaken about the faith that they profess.β
William Wilberforce, Real Christianity
The Coming Century
June 29, 2015 5 Comments
βThe chief danger of the coming century will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.β
William Booth
Meekness Is His Method
June 24, 2015 1 Comment
βJesus calls us to his rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.β
A.W. Tozer, Pursuit of God
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