Nipped into a pub near the library I was working in for a quick bite to eat at lunchtime on Friday. Heard an interesting series of statements spoken by a guy, I'm guessing not too much different in age to myself, for all to hear as he sat at the bar with a pint. Went something like this:
"I love alcohol! It's the best thing God created."
"I'd be permanently drunk if I could effing well afford it, it's just too damn expensive; effing government and their taxes."
"I'm a better person when I'm drunk..."
Without wanting to be patronising this made me feel sad - the last bit especially. Maybe it was just bravado / drink speaking, but I think there was more to it than that. He sounded like he genuinely meant it, and it said a lot to me about his own self-worth. Self-worth - such a big issue, that underlies so much, causes so many problems, for so many people. Hmmm...sad and thought provoking.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Post-Easter blues...
Why do things have a tendency to go wrong after something's been really good?!! Feel like having a little moan on here for a change!
After a great Easter weekend (see previous entry below), we've had a really rubbishy week. Having really wanted a complete break from everything for a week, we'd decided to treat ourselves to a couple of nights B & B up on the North Norfolk coast - 1 of those parts of the country that we've been meaning to explore a bit while we're within reach, but not quite got around to it yet. But Lisa got knocked for 6 by a really heavy cold / flu and we weren't able to travel. Things like this always seem to happen to her in school holidays - though this was particularly bad, for a couple of days she was as ill as I've ever known her to be! So instead of heading for Norfolk I ended up spending a couple of days trying to get started on my penultimate essay in the library, while Lisa was recovering - not the week I had in mind!
Shouldn't moan too much 'cos fortunately I seem to have avoided coming down with it as well. Also we've only lost out on a small deposit for the cancelled B & B, and have just taken the risk of re-booking (though different B & B this time) and so barring any mishaps we're heading off in the morning for a couple of nights to a place called Wells-next-the-Sea. Might get a few pics up here at some point.
...and having said all that the last few days haven't all been that bad - just enjoyed a visit from my Aunt and Uncle for the last couple of days, which gave me yet another excuse to play Cambridge tour guide (still not bored of that, despite doing it countless times now!), and have just got back from the pub where I enjoyed Liverpool's victory in the derby match against Everton. Maybe things are looking up again...
After a great Easter weekend (see previous entry below), we've had a really rubbishy week. Having really wanted a complete break from everything for a week, we'd decided to treat ourselves to a couple of nights B & B up on the North Norfolk coast - 1 of those parts of the country that we've been meaning to explore a bit while we're within reach, but not quite got around to it yet. But Lisa got knocked for 6 by a really heavy cold / flu and we weren't able to travel. Things like this always seem to happen to her in school holidays - though this was particularly bad, for a couple of days she was as ill as I've ever known her to be! So instead of heading for Norfolk I ended up spending a couple of days trying to get started on my penultimate essay in the library, while Lisa was recovering - not the week I had in mind!
Shouldn't moan too much 'cos fortunately I seem to have avoided coming down with it as well. Also we've only lost out on a small deposit for the cancelled B & B, and have just taken the risk of re-booking (though different B & B this time) and so barring any mishaps we're heading off in the morning for a couple of nights to a place called Wells-next-the-Sea. Might get a few pics up here at some point.
...and having said all that the last few days haven't all been that bad - just enjoyed a visit from my Aunt and Uncle for the last couple of days, which gave me yet another excuse to play Cambridge tour guide (still not bored of that, despite doing it countless times now!), and have just got back from the pub where I enjoyed Liverpool's victory in the derby match against Everton. Maybe things are looking up again...
Monday, March 24, 2008
Holy Week / Easter 2008...
...A Holy Week and Easter Sunday with a difference this year! Due to Easter being so early it meant that Holy Week fell within the Ridley term. This doesn't happen very often so it was decided it should be marked in style with a series of services and events over the whole week. Morning prayer each day with a series of talks from Richard Bauckham on 'the pattern of the cross in Genesis' and optional daily Holy Communion services. Then a really poignant and special series of services:
Maundy Thursday - a dramatic, lively, funny, meaningful all age ceder (agape) service / meal, and a far quieter, extremely moving footwashing / chapel stripping service later in the evening;
Good Friday - thought provoking morning prayer with various Crucifixion images and then an amazingly creative, well thought out 'liquid worship style' Stations of the Cross service making use of all kinds of things: handcuffs (!), music, artwork, film, hammers and nails, clay and much more besides;
Holy Saturday - an impressive performance of the Passion story put on by people from various Cambridge churches in the town centre in nightmare-ish weather conditions unfortunately;
Easter Sunday - just a fantastic time, starting pre-dawn with a vigil from 5am (even Lisa made it into college with me for this) and going on to include lighting a fire; processing to chapel behind the Easter 'paschal' candle; remembrance and renewal of baptismal vows and promises; music such as Eastern Orthodox style chants, Taize music, trad Easter hymns, modern worship songs, all done amazingly well; celebration of Holy Communion; all of which was then followed by 'optional' sparkling wine, a fry up and then a snowball fight (not sure I ever remember an Easter snowball fight before)! Just an amazing celebration of the risen Christ!
Like I say - a Holy Week and Easter Sunday with a difference, a time I will never forget. I feel more than ever this year that I've been taken on an incredible journey of remembrance of, and focus on, the amazingness of the Easter story and what God has done for us all in Christ - in a way that's made it all more real and more meaningful than ever for me. Alleluia, Christ is Risen - He is risen indeed, Alleluia!!
Here's a few photo's - though unfortunately I've only got a selection from the Saturday passion play and Easter Day celebrations:
Maundy Thursday - a dramatic, lively, funny, meaningful all age ceder (agape) service / meal, and a far quieter, extremely moving footwashing / chapel stripping service later in the evening;
Good Friday - thought provoking morning prayer with various Crucifixion images and then an amazingly creative, well thought out 'liquid worship style' Stations of the Cross service making use of all kinds of things: handcuffs (!), music, artwork, film, hammers and nails, clay and much more besides;
Holy Saturday - an impressive performance of the Passion story put on by people from various Cambridge churches in the town centre in nightmare-ish weather conditions unfortunately;
Easter Sunday - just a fantastic time, starting pre-dawn with a vigil from 5am (even Lisa made it into college with me for this) and going on to include lighting a fire; processing to chapel behind the Easter 'paschal' candle; remembrance and renewal of baptismal vows and promises; music such as Eastern Orthodox style chants, Taize music, trad Easter hymns, modern worship songs, all done amazingly well; celebration of Holy Communion; all of which was then followed by 'optional' sparkling wine, a fry up and then a snowball fight (not sure I ever remember an Easter snowball fight before)! Just an amazing celebration of the risen Christ!
Like I say - a Holy Week and Easter Sunday with a difference, a time I will never forget. I feel more than ever this year that I've been taken on an incredible journey of remembrance of, and focus on, the amazingness of the Easter story and what God has done for us all in Christ - in a way that's made it all more real and more meaningful than ever for me. Alleluia, Christ is Risen - He is risen indeed, Alleluia!!
Here's a few photo's - though unfortunately I've only got a selection from the Saturday passion play and Easter Day celebrations:
Holy Saturday
Getting Ridley chapel ready for Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 23, 2008
He Has Risen - Jesus is Alive!
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). (John 19:15-16)
HE HAS RISEN, He has risen,
He has risen, Jesus is alive.
When the life flowed from His body,
Seemed like Jesus’ mission failed.
But His sacrifice accomplished,
Victory over sin and hell.
In the grave God did not leave Him,
For His body to decay;
Raised to life, the great awakening,
Satan’s power He overcame.
HE HAS RISEN, He has risen,
He has risen, Jesus is alive.
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 19:24-28)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Holy Saturday
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance...The next day...the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive the deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. (Matthew 27:59, 60, 62-66)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good Friday
Come and see, come and see
Come and see the King of love
See the purple robe and crown of thorns he wears
Soldiers mock, rulers sneer as he lifts the cruel cross
Lone and friendless now he climbs towards the hill
We worship at your feet
Where wrath and mercy meet
And a guilty world is washed by love’s pure stream
For us he was made sin
Oh, help me take it in
Deep wounds of love cry out “Father, forgive”
I worship, I worship the lamb that was slain
Come and see the King of love
See the purple robe and crown of thorns he wears
Soldiers mock, rulers sneer as he lifts the cruel cross
Lone and friendless now he climbs towards the hill
We worship at your feet
Where wrath and mercy meet
And a guilty world is washed by love’s pure stream
For us he was made sin
Oh, help me take it in
Deep wounds of love cry out “Father, forgive”
I worship, I worship the lamb that was slain
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Maundy Thursday
...so Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel... (John 13:4-5)Meekness and majesty
Manhood and Deity
Manhood and Deity
In perfect harmony
The Man who is God
Lord of eternity
Dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility
And washes our feet
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in
remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Psalms...
For different reasons the Psalms are becoming quite a recurring area of reflection / study for me at the moment. I've been working my way through a course in the Ignation Spiritual exercises with the help of a spiritual director over the last few months which has encouraged a fair bit of reading of and reflection on various Psalms. During the Ridley prayer retreat last weekend one of our staff gave some of us what I found to be a really inspiring session on praying with the Psalms. Also one of my MA modules this term is at the moment focusing on the Psalms and different ways in which they have been understood, interpreted and used down the years.
Before arriving at Ridley, coming from quite a non-liturgical background, I had relatively minimal knowledge and experience of the Psalms - and it would be fair to say that at times over my 2 1/2 years here I've found that the daily recital of them in Morning Prayer can be slightly monotonous, and so not always approached them with the right attitude and given the words the attention they deserve. But I'm realising more and more how much there is in there that can connect with where I'm at at any given time and express so powerfully what I want to say to God at certain times. To take an extreme eg Psalm 22:1 'My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me..' There is so much to encourage: Psalm 139 'O Lord, you have searched me and known me...', Psalm 136 'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever...'; so much to challenge: Psalm 133 'How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity...', Psalm 127 'Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain...'
I really feel that they are enriching my life greatly at the moment; and that they could be of so much benefit for Christians generally - both individually and communally, if only used and taught more widely - but creatively and imaginatively!!
On a lighter note, in my MA module reading I came across this 'modern translation' of Psalm 23 written, I'm surmising, as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek dig at attempts to modernise liturgical language. It appeared in the Telegraph titled David Lyric Two-Three. Makes me chuckle:
The Lord and I are in a shepherd/sheep situation, and I am in a position of negative need. He prostrates me in a green belt grazing area; he conducts me directionally parallel to non-torrential aqueous liquid. He returns to original satisfaction, levels my psychological make-up; he switches me on to a positive behavioural format for maximal prestige of his identity.
It should indeed be said that notwithstanding the fact that I make ambulatory progress through the umbrageous inter-hill mortality slot, terror-sensations will not be instantiated within me due to para ethical phenomena. Your pastoral walking aid and quadruped pickup unit introduce me into a pleasurific mood-state.
You design and produce a nutriment-bearing furniture-type structure in the context of non-cooperative elements; you act out a head-related folk ritual employing vegetable extract; my beverage utensil experiences a volume crisis.
It is an ongoing deductible fact that your inter-relational empathetical and non-vengeance capabilities will retain me as their target focus for the duration of my non-death period: and I will possess tenant rights in the housing unit of the Lord on a permanently open-ended time basis.
Before arriving at Ridley, coming from quite a non-liturgical background, I had relatively minimal knowledge and experience of the Psalms - and it would be fair to say that at times over my 2 1/2 years here I've found that the daily recital of them in Morning Prayer can be slightly monotonous, and so not always approached them with the right attitude and given the words the attention they deserve. But I'm realising more and more how much there is in there that can connect with where I'm at at any given time and express so powerfully what I want to say to God at certain times. To take an extreme eg Psalm 22:1 'My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me..' There is so much to encourage: Psalm 139 'O Lord, you have searched me and known me...', Psalm 136 'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever...'; so much to challenge: Psalm 133 'How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity...', Psalm 127 'Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain...'
I really feel that they are enriching my life greatly at the moment; and that they could be of so much benefit for Christians generally - both individually and communally, if only used and taught more widely - but creatively and imaginatively!!
On a lighter note, in my MA module reading I came across this 'modern translation' of Psalm 23 written, I'm surmising, as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek dig at attempts to modernise liturgical language. It appeared in the Telegraph titled David Lyric Two-Three. Makes me chuckle:
The Lord and I are in a shepherd/sheep situation, and I am in a position of negative need. He prostrates me in a green belt grazing area; he conducts me directionally parallel to non-torrential aqueous liquid. He returns to original satisfaction, levels my psychological make-up; he switches me on to a positive behavioural format for maximal prestige of his identity.
It should indeed be said that notwithstanding the fact that I make ambulatory progress through the umbrageous inter-hill mortality slot, terror-sensations will not be instantiated within me due to para ethical phenomena. Your pastoral walking aid and quadruped pickup unit introduce me into a pleasurific mood-state.
You design and produce a nutriment-bearing furniture-type structure in the context of non-cooperative elements; you act out a head-related folk ritual employing vegetable extract; my beverage utensil experiences a volume crisis.
It is an ongoing deductible fact that your inter-relational empathetical and non-vengeance capabilities will retain me as their target focus for the duration of my non-death period: and I will possess tenant rights in the housing unit of the Lord on a permanently open-ended time basis.
Shrove Tuesday / Ash Wednesday...
Enjoyed some pancakes on Tuesday and then went to a 7.30am Cambridge Theological Federation Eucharist yesterday at which I was 'ashed' to mark Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Afterwards I noticed this on the asbojesus site:-
Friday, February 01, 2008
6 Nations Kick Off...
Off to the back of beyond (somewhere on the Norfolk / Suffolk borders) later today for the annual Ridley Hall prayer 'retreat' weekend, and while I'm looking forward to a change of scene and some 'quiet' time I must admit I'm already trying to work out how I can factor in TV access to see tomorrow's Rugby 6 Nations kick off with England playing Wales and Ireland taking on Italy! Will be interesting to see whether England's run to the World Cup final was a sign of good things to come or whether they'll come back down to earth with a bump, and similarly whether Ireland's disastrous time in the W.C. was just a blip that they can put behind them in this 6 Nations. As ever my loyalties are torn between the 2 countries and I'd like nothing more than to see England and Ireland taking the tournament by storm and being the 2 left fighting for the crown at the death - destroying France along the way! Ok, ok, dreaming maybe...but you never know!Liverpool also happen to be playing Sunderland tomorrow. Surely that's 1 the Reds can wn at least?! Not blogged about Liverpool much recently - a combination of the general mess the club seems to be in with all the gossip and rubbish flying about regarding the owners and Rafa's job as manager just doesn't fit with the Liverpool FC I know and love! Combine that with the atrocious playing form of the team at the moment, and it's just all far too depressing for me. So that's enough about that!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Simon says...
Hahahahaha...
Is this what's going to happen to start happening with me following my ordination in a few months time??
(Just in case anyone out there is slightly worried - I'm not really big headed enough to go with this thought. Did make me chuckle though given my name and impending ministry!)
Thanks again to the asbojesus site.
Is this what's going to happen to start happening with me following my ordination in a few months time??(Just in case anyone out there is slightly worried - I'm not really big headed enough to go with this thought. Did make me chuckle though given my name and impending ministry!)
Thanks again to the asbojesus site.
God and church
Friday, January 11, 2008
Liverpool: European Capital of Culture 2008
Really wish I could be in Liverpool tonight for the people's launch of the city's year as European Capital of Culture - it sounds like it's going to be an amazing event, including Ringo Starr playing a new song from the rooftop of St Georges Hall. From the websites and things I've looked at it does seem like there is lots of good stuff going to be happening over the year, so that's another thing to look forward to as we move back there in June. I have heard that there have been grumblings about the organisation of it and the way things have been run - as Phil Redmond put it:"It's like a scouse wedding - a lot of rowing but it gets there in the end."
So I'm hoping that the rowing etc. can all be put to one side and that the year shows Liverpool off as the great city that it is, as well as being of real benefit. Hoping that it is something that people will really be able to feel part of and proud of!
Liverpool's a good place to visit anyway, but I'd say even more so over this next year - so if you get a chance go for it! Here's a few links for info about the culture year and events etc.:-
http://www.liverpool08.com/index.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool08/
http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/welcome-to-liverpool
http://www.liverpool08.com/Events/2008EventsProgramme/index.asp
Monday, January 07, 2008
Christmas / New Year etc.
Just sat in my study at Ridley getting used to the idea that another term is about to kick off - my 8th out of 9! One thing I'm going to have get used to quickly after leaving here is not having the long holidays, having just enjoyed a 4 week break. Having said that the best part of 2 weeks of it was spent working fairly hard on the 6000 word MA essay that was due in today. Had 2 weeks completely clear though which was great! Spent 10 days including Christmas itself over in Ireland at Lisa's parents place near Dublin - guessing it will be a long time before we will be there on Christmas Day itself again! Did a fair amount of walking on Portmarnock beach just a 5 min walk down the road from the house, enjoyed a few pints of Guinness, saw some live Gaelic football, did a bit of shopping, visited my godmother who was over there staying with her daughter and my 97 year old Great Aunt who lives over the other side of Dublin, caught up with various friends etc. A good break - though it went very quickly.
Flew back to Stansted on the 30th - got home about 5pm, and by 7pm were in the car heading off up the A14 to spend a couple of days with my family. Stayed with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece in Shropshire, did a bit of shopping at the Cheshire Oaks outlet village, saw my Aunt and Uncle, and then on New Years Day saw my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and went to the hospital in Warrington to meet our new nephew Joshua for the 1st time. He was born 8-9 weeks prematurely in December, but seems to be doing really well and is hopefully going to be out of hospital any time now. Came back to Comberton for a rest late on New Years Day!
Anyway, enough waffle. Here's a few photo's:
Flew back to Stansted on the 30th - got home about 5pm, and by 7pm were in the car heading off up the A14 to spend a couple of days with my family. Stayed with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and niece in Shropshire, did a bit of shopping at the Cheshire Oaks outlet village, saw my Aunt and Uncle, and then on New Years Day saw my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and went to the hospital in Warrington to meet our new nephew Joshua for the 1st time. He was born 8-9 weeks prematurely in December, but seems to be doing really well and is hopefully going to be out of hospital any time now. Came back to Comberton for a rest late on New Years Day!
Anyway, enough waffle. Here's a few photo's:
Portmarnock beach
Christmas Dinner (from left Ross, Michael, Pat, and Lisa's Aunt May)
Dublin Gaelic football players in a friendly match at Portmarnock Gaa Club.
Ross on the sand dunes
Our nephew Benjamin
and his sister Amy - 1 of Liverpool's youngest fans!
That's the life!
Pete (my brother) with Lorriane, Benjamin and Amy
Me and Nathaniel (nephew / godson)
And his younger brother Joshua on our 1st visit to him with Louise and Kev.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
A Guinness a day...
Heading for Dublin for 10 days tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with the in-laws, so was delighted to spot this among the most read news items on the BBC website this morning!
Guinness good for you - official
The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all, according to researchers....
Guinness good for you - official
The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all, according to researchers....
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Go listen...
Have newly discovered the delights of Sigur Ros and Sufjan Stevens this week, and have really enjoyed having the below to accompany my essay writing this week:
Sufjan Stevens - Come on feel the Illinoise
and on a festive note:
Acquired taste some of it maybe - but I'm enjoying them and definitely recommed!
Have also enjoyed a re-discovering (though not to Lisa's liking unfortunately!) of the delights of Led Zeppelin via their new compilation album Mothership. Treated myself to the bonus edition with a live DVD included. Fantastic!
Go read...
Have really enjoyed reading this over the last few days. Really engagingly written, and extremely moving and thought provoking. Click here for a brief synopsis. Won't say anymore than that, other than to highly recommend if not read already. Also just heard that it has just come out as a movie - will be interested to see how they have done it in film form, so that will be a trip over the Christmas period.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
4 goals and a baby!
Came home from my essay writing at college yesterday slightly on edge about Liverpool's match away to Marseilles which they had to win to stay in the tournament. Was not expecting my pre-match tension and build-up to be rudely interrupted by a phonecall to say that my sister's baby was on the way 9 weeks early! Louise had taken herself to the hospital for a quick check as she had not felt quite right during the afternoon, only to find that she was 8cm dilated and the baby was coming! 40 mins later just a short while after the football had kicked off had another phonecall announcing the birth of Joshua Ethan - less than 2 hours after Louise had driven herself to the hospital!! He's now in the special care unit being well cared for and may be there for some time, though he seems to be doing well at this stage and not giving any particular causes for concern. Here's a few photo's:
The proud parents.
And proud grandparents.
So congratulations to Louise, Kev & Nathaniel, and welcome to Joshua - thank you for forcing me to keep my nervousness about silly football matches in proper perspective!
Having said that, despite everything going on it was still a pleasure to see Liverpool win what could have been a very tense and difficult match so comfortably. 4-0 away in Marseilles is a great result! Torres and Gerrard were amazing. So from a position of needing to win all 3 matches to qualify Liverpool have beaten Besiktas 8-0, Porto 4-1 and now Marseilles 4-0. Fantastic! But it makes even more of a mockery of the silly results in the earlier matches that left us in the position of needing those 3 wins, and also mean that we only qualify in 2nd place from a group that we should have won comfortably. Means we're likely to end up with a far harder tie now in the next round against 1 of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC or Inter Milan etc. Still Liverpool have shown that they can beat anyone on their day in these European knockout stages. Here's hoping we'll do it again!
Having said that, despite everything going on it was still a pleasure to see Liverpool win what could have been a very tense and difficult match so comfortably. 4-0 away in Marseilles is a great result! Torres and Gerrard were amazing. So from a position of needing to win all 3 matches to qualify Liverpool have beaten Besiktas 8-0, Porto 4-1 and now Marseilles 4-0. Fantastic! But it makes even more of a mockery of the silly results in the earlier matches that left us in the position of needing those 3 wins, and also mean that we only qualify in 2nd place from a group that we should have won comfortably. Means we're likely to end up with a far harder tie now in the next round against 1 of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC or Inter Milan etc. Still Liverpool have shown that they can beat anyone on their day in these European knockout stages. Here's hoping we'll do it again!Thursday, November 29, 2007
Ordination Service
Had a letter through on Tuesday confirming that (assuming nothing goes badly wrong in the next 6 months!) my ordination service will take place in Liverpool's stunning Anglican Cathedral at 10.30am on Sunday 29th June 2008. Thinking about it - it's actually not very far off! It's all becoming quite scarily real all of a sudden, and I'm getting the impression that these next 6 months are going to fly by. The letter had details of what I need to wear in terms of robes for the service - I'm so clueless on that sort of stuff, any advice from anyone who happens to know about C of E clerical wear etc. will be gratefully received!
Anyway, if you pray, please pray for Lisa and I over this time as we go through our final months here, begin to get ready to move, and prepare for the next step of our journey along the path that we believe God is leading us along.
2 down 1 to go...
Another pretty good win for the Reds yesterday against Porto at Anfield - even if they did leave if fairly late, scoring 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to give a slightly flattering 4-1 victory. Having left ourselves in the silly position of needing 3 wins from our last 3 matches in the group to qualify for the next round, that's now 2 of them dealt with convincingly and just the 1 to go now. The fact that we're beating these teams 8-0 and 4-1 just goes to show how poorly we played to be in this predicament - these are not particularly good teams and we shouldn't be having this difficulty in qualifying. Going to be a really difficult and tense match against Marseilles at their ground now to see if we can get the 3rd win needed. But if we can do that, and with our league form picking up again, this season might just not be a write off yet. Here's hoping...
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