This weeks photo challenge from Daily Post ~ “share pictures that say In the Background.”

⇧ Me in the background ⇧

⇧ My Lovely wife Sarah in the background ⇧

⇧ My lovely wife Sarah also in the background ⇧
Related posts:
This weeks photo challenge from Daily Post ~ “share pictures that say In the Background.”

⇧ Me in the background ⇧

⇧ My Lovely wife Sarah in the background ⇧

⇧ My lovely wife Sarah also in the background ⇧
Related posts:
You can lead a man to water
But you cannot make him walk on it
So, just how do you get a faith?
It comes to different people in different ways (we are a differing bunch):
All roads do not lead to God but God will come down any road to meet you
Let me just repeat something that my friend said yesterday:
‘I dare you to put your trust in Jesus – I DARE YOU’
I have and He changed my life
Once you do you will see just how incredibly Real He Is
Tell me about this trek that we are on
Where we have caused so much damage
And become so scarred
Travelling through time; whatever time is
Although it’s surely just the fact that we continue to exist
And that we are able to move
Which is itself only a neutral aspect of life
But how is it that we can move in good and also bad directions
That must be another dimension outside of time
Time doesn’t tell you what is wrong
It is only part of the arena
In which good and bad are played out
They say that with your life
You ‘write a story’ or ‘paint a picture’
We are certainly painting a picture
But time is not the canvass or the paint or the artist
It is merely the fact that we are able to move the brush
There is another question, a much more important…
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Description
Havein a relaxing day off today from church building duties. So thought I would share a couple of the flowers we are blessed to have in our garden.
Camera Used ~ Nikon D2Xs
Lens used ~ AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
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The bad stuff will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.
I have some time on my hands
So I starving my tiredness
Hopefully to death
But he’s a resilient beast
On his varied diet
He seems to have adapted
To feed on all kinds of things
Including sleep; so just be careful
He tricked me into lying-in too long
And it just made him stronger
What a crafty animal
I have discovered
That he feeds on rest
More than on work or play
He thinks he’s so clever
Television; he drinks it in
His brain-take power-shake
But exercise kills him
A silver bullet
He’d do anything to stop it
So watch out tiredness
Your days are numbered
Maybe I will beat you into a coma
With my tennis racket
So, let us discuss all of these crazy feelings
They’re causing us problems and pain to the ceiling
We have to stop doing things that are wrong
That is what Jesus has said all along!
Lust is a problem destroying so many
Fixation on bodies, to countless, is deadly
Prostitution and slavery are part of this song
That is what Jesus has said all along!
Greed is so terrible who could imagine
We’re feeding a monster that’s eating our children
Starvation and murder; there’s no word too strong
That is what Jesus has said all along!
Money has got us all tied up together
So many people doing things that don’t matter
We should be helping each other along
That is what Jesus has said all along!
Our pride and our vanity they must be broken
Look at our mess; consequences have spoken
We’re trapped by our feelings; it’s been…
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Sarah, Bruce and I stayed in ‘The Retreat’ log cabin in Acle, Norfolk for a week in 2008.
It was a lovely relaxing holiday. I played guitar on the porch while Sarah sat in the hot tub for most of the week Bruce enjoyed long walks and pretending to be a guard dog.
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Cutting corners and making life easy
Making our music and movies so sleazy
Taking risks with our lives with a grin
These are a few of our favourite things!
Cursing and swearing and telling rude stories
Being selfish and hogging the glory
Chasing riches and the problems it brings
These are a few of our favourite things!
Smoking and drinking; ruining lungs & livers
Doing our hair and staring in our mirrors
Doing what we want; forgetting everything
These are a few of our favourite things!
Hardcore pornos and strip clubs and ‘lad’s’ books
Half-naked women every-where you look
Lots of sex attached with no strings
These are a few of our favourite things!
Shopping on credit and filling our houses
With so many shoes and handbags and nice trousers
Buying so much that it should make us cringe
These are a few of our favorite things!
Spending our time…
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“Huneeee, do you think that since we are approaching our 7 year anniversary all the debt we’ve accumulated over the years will be forgiven?” “I don’t know. Have you asked God for that?” “Not exactly, I’ve been a little vague.” “Well dear, the Bible says we have not because we ask not.”
I’ve got to hand it to my man, when he makes a point, he sure does drive it home like an iron spike straight through the heart of the matter. As painful as it is to admit, he was right (somebody better write that down).
We go through this life filling our days with wishes:
I wish we had some freedom in our finances.
I wish my friends marriage would be restored,
I wish the cancer would stop wreaking havoc on my mother’s body.
I wish my lost family member would come to know Jesus.
Do you know…
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Darkness, darkness, everywhere
In shadow and in light
Tell me friend, who can be spared
Without the gift of sight
How will we see the Way to flee
Before we are consumed
Now we’re settled with our eyes
Adapted to the gloom
The men have gone and sold their minds
To every evil vice
Instead of getting life aligned
They’d rather roll the dice
The women pander to the men
Insecurity must be stilled
Get the attention that is craved
So that they feel fulfilled
The young are given space to lose
Their lives before they start
The adults seeking wealth
Have sold the future race’s heart
Darkness, darkness, welcomed in
By all who crave this world
Why do we love to do such things
That clearly leave us doomed

Todays Daily Prompt “Photographers, show us something GREEN”.
I immediately thought of Bruce’s old fluffy toy parrot!
As i’m colour blind too I hope this is green?! lol 😀
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To ascertain where you really are with the Lord, recall what saddened you the past month. Was it the realization that you do not love Jesus enough? That you did not seek his face in prayer often enough? That you did not care for his people enough? Or did you get depressed over a lack of respect, criticism from an authority figure, your finances, a lack of friends, fears about the future, or your bulging waistline? ~ Brennan Manning
Long ago
Before this age of darkness
There was a perfect place
Perhaps only in the mind of God
Or perhaps a different world
Not physical; no birth or death there
A world of pure energy; the home of the Father of Life
Only He knows; but there was Life before this brokenness
And He Was and Is that Life; everlasting and pure
There came a point when a decision was made by Him
New life was created and this life was given it’s own freedom
Responsibility was shared among these people
Choice was given and decisions were made
Many motives were circulating in their new world
Their life had many aspects and their minds became conflicted
And, so it came that the first lie was born
That was a terrible day in the history of existence
In truth, this is a story too awful to be heard
But it…
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Description
Photo of my lovely wife Sarah with her angry birds iPhone case.
This was my first attempt at ColorStrokes after downloading the app for my Mac.
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What an epic story
The history of the struggle between life and death
Rolled out in metaphors that are only understood
When you don’t try to understand them
Creation and destruction; the working of an Almighty Hand
Or are we just the difference made by a switch on the wall
How deep do you want to go
Darkness says:
Hello friend, so tell me; what do you think I am – evil
But how many times have I been just what was needed
Doesn’t a dose of me often send you back off in the right direction
Tell me; can you cure evil with evil
I am a concealer – sometimes things need to be hidden
Although, surely I’m not just ‘night’
Day certainly wouldn’t be what it is without me
But I am more than only your nap-time
Let me tell you this:
Me and light; David said: ‘to…
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“I thank you, dear Father, for your wonderful and extravagant blessings. All that I have, all that I am, and all that I ever hope to be exists only because of the mercy or grace you have lavished upon me.
Thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

You are always dragging me down,‘ said I to my Body. ëDragging you down!’ replied my Body. ‘Well I like that! Who taught me to like tobacco and alcohol? You, of course, with your idiotic adolescent idea of being grown up. My palate loathed both at first: but you would have your way. Who put an end to all those angry and revengeful thoughts last night? Me, of course, by insisting on going to sleep. Who does his best to keep you from talking too much and eating too much by giving you dry throats and headaches and indigestion? Eh?’ ‘And what about sex?’ said I. ‘Yes, what about it?’ retorted the Body. ‘If you and your wretched imagination would leave me alone I’d give you no trouble. That’s Soul all over; you give me orders and then blame me for carrying them out. ~ C. S. Lewis
Related posts:
What is our problem with Purity?
When did we become ashamed of doing what is right and good?
Certainly this is nothing new; a man called Paul said the same thing a long time ago: Why do we do the things that we don’t want to do? Or the things that are not helpful? Or, why are we attracted to things that are bad for us?
We want a paradise to live in but we don’t want, or don’t seem able, to build it. We know the things that we crave: love, peace, trust, honesty, safety, happiness etc… but we persist in keeping them at bay.
We know where these things come from; it’s not difficult to figure out. If you sat us down in a classroom for an hour, like children, we would be able to come up with a pretty good list of the things that we need…
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“Abba Father, I know that the only true security I can ever have is in you. Please give me wisdom as I seek to use my time, my talents, and my words to honor you and bring others to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”
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Wow, i read this on a friends Facebook timeline. This is so powerful and real! Please take a minute to read and share!
My Name Is “Meth”
I destroy homes, I tear families apart,
take your children, and that’s just the start.
I’m more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember I’m easily found,
I live all around you – in schools and in towns
I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
I live down the street, and maybe next door.
I’m made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child’s closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.
I have many names, but there’s one you know best,
I’m sure you’ve heard of me, my name is crystal meth.
My power is awesome; try me you’ll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I’ll own your soul.
When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie,
You do what you have to — just to get high.
The crimes you’ll commit for my narcotic charms
Will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in your arms, your lungs your nose.
You’ll lie to your mother; you’ll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you’ll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I’ll be with you always — right by your side.
You’ll give up everything – your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, then you’ll be alone.
I’ll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
When I’m finished with you, you’ll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned – this is no game,
If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane.
I’ll ravish your body, I’ll control your mind,
I’ll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed,
The voices you’ll hear, from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart,
That you are mine, and we shall not part.
You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I’ll be your master, you will be my slave,
I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.
Author Unknown
This is powerful. I think that it should be posted in every school.
In the email that this was poem was attached to it was said that it was written by a young Indian girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to meth, and that she wrote this while in jail. She was released from jail, but, true to her story, the drug owned her. They found her dead not long after, with the needle still in her arm.
So, this amazing world we all desire
The pure life to which we all aspire
What’s the issue; why aren’t we moving higher
Seems like the fat lady has left the choir
This is the question: why do we feel ashamed
Of the build blocks that are acclaimed
Components of this world we’ve named
The dream-world that our minds have framed
We want honesty and we chase easy money
We want fidelity and we love indecency
We want stability and we love to disagree
We want equality and we seek the most for me
Those are the traits of the world we pine for
Where trust is the currency used to pay for
All we need, and life is worth living for
So why don’t we build this world we’d die for
Why do our bodies move against our minds
Why do our actions contravene our dreams design
Why is…
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My Thoughts 💭
When I received this weeks challenge, I instantly thought of this photo of Sarah sat in the window of the Old Hunstanton Lighthouse, we rent the lighthouse for a week every year for our wedding annaversary and this is Sarah’s favourite seat,
Sarah works in London where it is very fast paced, crowded, built up and very grey she looks forward to escaping the stress and relaxing by the sea.
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Surely, all we are seeking is surety
In a future laid out with some clarity
A place where we all will act morally
Where evil is no more than history
This is not a case of insanity
But a people of grave insecurity
Somehow the masses act horribly
The individual lost in the majority
Has goodness become an obscurity
With billions relying on charity
We still see such acts of barbarity
And every country shares in this tyranny
So if you are after sincerity
And a world that is structured with honesty
There is one question that leads to maturity
Have YOU fallen in love with PURITY

If you want your dreams to come true, don’t oversleep. ~ Nicky Gumbel

Related posts:
Well, this is just typical
Take a fundamental part of life
And mutate it into something horrible
Need says:
Of course, I’m normal
There’s nothing wrong with me
I’m merely part of the circle of this life
And thanks to all the feelings
Plus the emotional triggers and responses
That are a part every one of you
I can help you explore and enjoy
Come and get me
I’ll always give you something to do
But take care that you don’t focus on me
Rather than on the other people
That you share me with
Or it could get very nasty….
Greed says:
Why did you have to unleash me onto the world
And you thought mutants only lived in SyFy movies
All you have to do is satisfy your real needs
And life is beautiful; A trillion flavours
So much that you can do
And more importantly; share
You…
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I have been inspired to try the “Weekly Photo Challenge” by Ishaiyafreshlysqueezed.
As this weeks theme is “Look Down” I thought I could use the photo I took when Sarah & I went up in a hot air balloon and the trees look just like broccoli! 🙂
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“Don’t be afraid of pressure. Pressure is what transforms a lump of coal into a diamond.” ~ Nicky Gumbel
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Is there even any difference between us
Well, put it this way
Pain certainly gives birth to suffering
But is really only a surrogate mother
It’s your baby
Pain says:
You think you don’t like me; I understand
But without me you would be
In all kinds of trouble; I speak truth
And that truth reveals very important facts
So I’m fulfilling my vocation
It’s you that is letting the side down
I say: ‘don’t do that’
Or: ‘that is not a good idea’
You say: ‘Shut up – leave us alone’
And then, further down the line
You look at me and my child
The child you fathered
And hate us – thanks
Suffering says:
I think I should mention
That many people leave me stronger
Than they were when we met
But to be fair, I don’t like my position
It’s true, I am one of Pain’s children
The…
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A huge thanks to all of the kind people on here for inviting me into the WordPress Falimy as their loving brother! 🙂
A message from Shaun, the creator of this award:
“This is an award for everyone who is part of the “WordPress Family” I started this award on the basis that the WordPress family has taken me in, and showed me love and a caring side only WordPress can. The way people take a second to be nice, to answer a question and not make things a competition amazes me here. I know I have been given many awards, but I wanted to leave my own legacy on here by creating my own award, as many have done before. This represents “Family” we never meet, but are there for us as family. It is my honour to start this award. Thank you, Shaun @ http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com/”
Rules:
Adeline has already listed a few of the people I was going to nominate (you know who you are!) 🙂 So I will continue to add 10 more who have truly made me feel loved, encouraged and part of this amazing WordPress Family.
My nominees
Once again I need about 200 more blogs to nominate! 🙂
📖 Verse 4 2day!
Romans 12:5 (NIV)
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
I chose two different Christian Hip Hop artists to share with you today.
“Mr. J. Medeiros” & “KB”
These two very powerful songs have amazing lyrics!
Related posts:
We are definitely a team
You can’t make one of us work
Without the other – so be careful
Truth alone does not make you smart
Truth says:
I certainly am what it says on the tin
And I have no problem
Hitting you where it hurts
It’s correct: Until you get hold of me
You will not be set free
Because I always show you what’s what
But I can be like fire
So don’t dispense me unless you have to
And how do you know that
Well, my friend can help you
Wisdom says:
Like a good wine – I mature with age
And without me you will get into trouble
There are impostors, pretending to be me
But you can spot them a mile off
Always telling you just want you want to hear
I am much more subtle – not always liked
I am very serious…
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God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realise what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks onto the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else – something it never entered your head to conceive – comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing; it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realised it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it. ~ C. S. Lewis
Related posts:
This video really challenged me to look at the mission field between my own two feet. I hope it will challenge you too to realise that there is such a huge need right on our own door steps or in our own town/city. It helps show that if we really loved these people around us instead of judging the way they look, act or the situations they find themselves in, then we can understand and show the compassion, grace and love of Jesus and help transform lives!
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Description
A couple more shots of my brother-in-law Marshall. 😀
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At our church meeting on sunday morning i was moved by Rebecca West and her talk about the A21 Campaign, and how she is running a 10k run to help raise money and more awareness for this great charity. Rebecca started by playing the video above then told us a little about what she was doing to help.
Rebecca’s message:
Hello, me and two other friends are doing a 10 k run on the 18th of May, called We Own The Night, in London Victoria Park!
We wanted to use this opportunity to raise money for an amazing charity called A21. (More details below)
The charities aim is to abolish sex slavery across the globe and provide medical care, life skills and job training so those that have been effected by slavery.
There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 27 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.
BUT! we can start with one life and the little amount you can give will release a life of slavery into a life of freedom.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you so much for your support!
Rebecca West
Heres how you can find out more about A21 and donate through Just Giving.
How you can donate on the Just Giving Site
Related post:
Although we walk hand-in-hand
We are not the same thing
Be very careful how you treat us
Freewill says:
I do not care much about anything
I am just here to obey you
I will do whatever you say
And if you don’t speak carefully
Then I will happily destroy your freedom
To myself I seem simple
But you are always struggling
Is there a man among you who can control me
Freedom says:
No-one can understand me
I’m here one minute and gone the next
One false move from freewill
And you won’t see me for a long time
This is sure: you only think about me when I disappear
And you only feel me when you have been held captive
You may not even know what I am
Until it is too late – so tread carefully
App 4 2day! – “FX Photo Studio Pro” for Mac, iPad & iPhone by Macphun
Description from the Mac app store:
Description
Intuitive, inspiring and feature-rich! Here’s what you get:
★ Mind-blowing variety of over 170 photo effects & filters
★ Dozens of photo frames and borders from classic to lomo style
★ PRO image editing tools and color controls
★ Masking with effects and Color splash tool
★ Integration with Aperture, Lightroom, iPhoto, Photoshop
★ Intuitive user interface
★ Sharing via most popular social networks and more
My Thoughts 💭
After more amazing comments on my photos I thought I’d share another fantastic app with you. I use this to edit my photos to get some great effects and frames.
This is another great powerful app that is really easy to use and the interface is so clean.
Please have fun , go check it out!
Also please could you let me know what apps or programs you use and/or like, I am just interested and curious to know how you all get your amazing images! 😀
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‘Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.’
Do we cry in vain
Because tears only fall on the lost
Will it feel the same
How will we count the cost
In the next age
When there will be no crying
No more rage
We will have seen the death of dying
When we are there
Will there be people missing
Cause now we share
A fear of weeping
Those tears will not go
Where we will be
They will not flow
On our side of eternity
But now don’t shy away
From shedding tears
Please cry all day
For those who need your prayers
Cry for the lost
Use tears while you have them
Once the line is crossed
You can’t go back again
After i enjoyed playing “Hosanna” on the drums at our church meeting yesterday, it inspired me to share a few songs by one of my favourite worship leaders.
This next song brings me such comfort. So many people believe there isn’t a God or that God wants to punish them in some way so spend their whole lives running, but he just wants to Love you, so just ‘Be Loved’
Related Posts:

Jesus, take inventory of my heart right now. Show me where I love money and the material. I confess that I often want to serve this master. By the power of Your Spirit and the wisdom of Your Word, free me from the master of money so that I can follow You in complete freedom and truth. Amen.
Related posts:
With all of us now so far lost in our mess
Who can turn things around for us
Who can show us where we have gone wrong
And not get caught up with us in everything we’ve done
Who can free us from the motives that bind us
And the needs that mean we our always out for ourselves
Who can overcome this vindictive world that we’ve made
And create a new Spirit that can be used to cure us all
What would his qualifications be; What CV would do
Let me think just what would be required
He must be innocent; Not just another hypocrite
He must speak the truth; Not just another liar
He must be able to stand the test of time
He must be proved right in all He does
He must not be working for Himself; Not with selfish motives
He must never give in…
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Life is not the fact that we live and breath
But what we do with every breath we have
Life is not a biological condition that means your heart beats
It is something we build when our heart makes choices
When a life chooses error over good, then life itself gets damaged
Those errors cloud the world with terrible consequences
The results of those errors are not just individual evil acts
But binds that are placed around our collective hearts and minds
The more error we choose the more error we contain
And the less we remember about life and the less we like it
The more we choose death over life the more we damage the world
The more we live in this damaged world the more it blinds us
So, how do you change a world intent on destroying itself
How do you find out what that need…
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