Now can you please read the bottom line for me...

So i went for a check up for my contact lenses (despite not actually having any as the container decided it would decimate 3 months worth of lenses in the space of 1 month!) and ended up having to leave and come back after a few hours, have an eye test, try out new prescription lenses before being told to revert back to my previous prescription. So i now have 2 pair of different brands of contact lenses for this month but can't open them til the 3rd of May so that it gives me time to try both brands out in time for my next check up on the 3rd of June. I ended up being mightily confuzzled while also wasting significant time! all i wanted was just to replace the lenses that broke but oh well.... maybe i should have just stuck to glasses....

The Arshavin Show

highlights from a simply awesome match, shame we didn't win, but Arshavin! simply wow!

Fallen star

It's always a bit sad to see someone talented throw away their career, unfortunately this is very true about a certain Joaquin Phoenix. Now anyone whose watched his performances in Walk the Line or Gladiator will most likely agree that here is a man who definitely on his day is up there with the best of actors. Mr Phoenix recently announced his retirement from his actor career to take up a career in music. Those of us who watched Walk the Line would assume that he would follow this vein of music. But ooohhhhh nooooo, he announced he would be taking up a career in rap and hip hop. Which has lead to this...



further investigation on youtube and you'll find him falling over rather spectacularly on stage after this "rap" but i thought the video above is bad enough. He would later be interviewed on the Letterman show



all i can say is i hope that this is either a big joke, or he snaps out of this soon!

Some Easter highlights

1. Spending time with my parents

2. Going to Cambridge to spend some brother time with Dan

3. Meeting up with people from home

4. Going to Denmark street (always fun)

5. Eating lots of lovely food and not having to pay for it

6. Fun times in Reading when i came back for a weekend, dinner parties are always fun :)

7. Finally getting to make apple sauce/mango chutney glazed pork chops twice!

8. Finishing (hopefully) a song I've been working on

9. A nice whole family gather for Sunday Roast

10. Most importantly, remembering what it cost my Saviour to pay for my sin and how Jesus showed that love has no bounds. I'm rescued and saved because of simply Jesus and what he's done for me.

Ade shows he's up for playing

nuff said

My Defender

One of my favourite ways to describe Jesus at the moment is "My Defender" i love an ad lib bit in Tim Hughes song when silence falls where he sings

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
My Defender for evermore

Now some of you may now picture Jesus as a kind of Tony Adams/John Terry-esque footballer diving into tackles and maybe breaking some bones in the process. But at the moment i see him more as a protector, someone who will defend our corner when we can't. I think something always stirs in us whenever we hear about stories of people giving up their lives to protect others. I think its such a comfort to know that we don't face the trials of life on our own but have a God who protects and defends us through every bad time. He died to ensure that those who come to him will not perish but are covered by His love and grace.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 37:28
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever...

Following on from that I love the phrase "Defender of this heart" found in Ben Cantelon's song Remain. It's just brilliant to think that God defends our hearts. I guess it's easy to think that God kind of protects us from trouble, though maybe from afar, but he protects our hearts too and i think that's just amazing. Just the thought of God guarding my heart from all the stuff that would seek to break it brings such a smile to my face. For everyone one who has been broken hearted or had hardships and trials that have brought you to tears, i hope it's a comfort to know that God sees it all and that he is there defending our hearts, making sure we are strong enough to rise each day. He doesn't simply surround us, he protects, sustains, and defends our fragile hearts.

I know that Rob Bell isn't everyone's cup of tea but i found this Nooma video very helpful when times are tough. It was such a fresh revelation for me that God is holding me during the storm, he's so much closer than i think and the one who's carrying me out of it, while whispering the words i need to hear.

Rescued

Though i imagine there are few actually interested, here is a song which hopefully will be complete sooooooon (well it's complete in my mind though we'll see what others say!) been working on it for a bit and it seems to have come together nicely... lets see what people think!

Working title: RESCUED

Verse 1:
When I needed a saviour
In the depth of my sin You came for me,
Lead me out of the darkness
Your arm was not too short to save
When I needed redemption
Jesus You showed that love it knows no bounds
Lavish grace now my refuge
Your arm is not too short to save

Chorus:
I’m rescued
I’m found
You paid the price that I might live
I thank You Jesus my rescuer
It’s finished
You won
Death’s conquered through Your precious blood
I thank You Jesus my rescuer

Verse 2:
On the cross You were broken
Yet Your victory was there for all to see
The Father’s plan were accomplished
You were more than enough for me
Even death could not hold You
From the grave You were raised to heaven’s throne
My triumphant redeemer
You are more than enough for me

Bridge:
All I once held dear
I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You my King,
All the world holds dear
It never could compare
To the joy of being Yours my God,

copyright Josh John