No easy answers....

Please pray for Anna, Joel and Simon, as the news came through last night that Anna’s Dad had died yesterday.

I have no answers to the deep questions that this raises, but Anna herself reminded me when I saw her last night, that God promises that no temptation has come upon us, that God has not already provided a way of escape from. I love the Message rendition of this verse (1 Corinthians 10:13), which reads:

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it.”

A great verse, from an amazing lady. Pastor Mike has taken her up to Yorkshire today, to be with her mum. Thanks, Mike

Any bloggers out there might like to add a note to Mo’s blog, to assure the extended family of our prayers. Mo is Neil’s sister, and has often commented on his blog.

Accepting and Achieving....

The gym I attend is currently being re-vamped (following being taken over by Virgin Active – ghastly name for a Gym, but there you go!), and they have roped off whole sections of gym equipment whilst they paint/re-carpet etc. The scramble for equipment has become silly this last week. So I decided to do some walking around the estate where I live, and measured out in the car a loop that actually took 3.2 miles. The Race For Life is 5 km (3.1 miles), so I thought that I would try to a) walk the whole distance, and b) see if I could do so in a reasonable time. This loop has a tough up hill section for 0.4 miles, then a gradual meandering gradient for the next mile, a corresponding downhill section, and then the last mile or so home. I actually managed the 3.2 miles in 63 minutes, and I was really pleased.

Maybe more than folk realise…..

Last Thursday, I shared with our Thursday Ladies Bible Study Group some of my early testimony, from when I was in Grammar school to my Uni days. Very few people are aware of this – and following Helen’s earlier blog, one day I might share this here someday in more detail. But suffice to say, on the day I got my results that I had passed to go to Grammar school, I was actually beaten ( I had to “run a gauntlet” and was quite badly beaten around the head, back, neck and shoulders) for “daring” to pass. Only then did I realise that of all the girls entered for this exam, I was the only one who had passed. My poor parents suffered delegations from irate parents, convinced that there had been a clerical error, and that their darlings should be there, not me. I never mentioned what had happened for a very long time – years in fact – and only now do I feel really able to mention it at all – and that was 36 years ago.

The reason I mention it now, is that on that one day, I think I was robbed of the ability to appreciate personal achievement in myself. I put myself down, never feeling that I did well enough, never mentioning the fact that I went to a Grammar School (always called it High School) and always spoke of going to “College” rather than to University. Anything more always sounded arrogant in my head. Also, being overweight, I guess I tried to achieve things academically rather than physically.

So the fact that at this point in my life, and for good health reasons, I am managing to keep up with an exercise programme, and challenge myself physically, is a massive achievement. Yes, I have known and accepted God’s unconditional love and acceptance all along – but somehow, until very recently, I could not really rest in the fact that I could also take some credit, without Him losing the glory either.

It’s a good feeling…

Pat’s Thought for the Day;
I once said to a dear friend (she knows who she is!), then on the verge of a brand new phase of her ministry, “Believe He can, through you”. I still think it holds true, and am beginning to accept this more in myself, too. Have you doubted yourself recently? Reflect back on all that you have achieved, because Christ works in and through you. “And it will surprise you, what the Lord has done”!

On his Shoulders....

I felt honoured to be part of a truly wonderful memorial service to Neil today. It was a fitting tribute to an incredible person, whose many roles in life were honoured this lunchtime by those who knew him best.

My personal thanks go to an incredible team, from the Worship Team, to the Technical Ministries Team, the Stewards, the caterers, and obviously to all those who took part publicly. Their dedication, both in public, and in private, is testimony to the highest esteem in which we held this Brother In Christ.

I think descriptions of his athletic prowess were most apt, as he certainly has won his own eternal Victor’s Crown. But in thinking back over today, I recalled a phrase that I think sums up his legacy for me. It is a quote from John of Salisbury, a 12th Century theologian, and reads;

“We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours”

Pat's Thought for the Day:
Neil would have probably admitted, that in terms of human stature, he was not the tallest of men. And yet henceforth, whenever I shall think of him, the legacy of his life will be a foundation on which to build, and it will feel like standing on the shoulders of a giant.

Don't panic.....

On phoning Andy earlier today, when I asked how things were going, there was a slight pause followed by “Don’t panic, Mum, but….”

I discovered that he’d had a nasty fall at Jui-Jitsu on Tuesday night, which led to a check-up and x-ray at the local hospital. Nothing broken, just a very sore left shoulder, and he’s had to wear a sling on his left arm since Tuesday. His housemates have been very supportive, but independent as he is, he’s managing everything one-handed! He is determined to stay on track with his training, as he wants to continue up the belt grades, with his next Jui-Jitsu grading due in March.

We are increasingly impressed with Huddersfield Uni’s care of their students. As this fall happened at the Club, one of the team members was able to get him to the local hospital, but they had no idea how long he’d have to wait for x-ray. But the Uni has an Emergency Transport Service for just such events. The club arranged that, as soon as Andy had finished, and phoned the call Centre, a minibus picked Andy up from the hospital (as it was fairly late Tuesday night), and got him back to Halls, for the princely sum of 50p!

Pat’s Thought for the Day;
It is sometimes very hard to be a parent when your child’s first time away from home is 200 miles away. But I thank God that He watches over all of us, and distance is absolutely no object to Him.

Sponsorship...

The Race for Life Team encourage online sponsorship, and ask each entrant to set up a webpage solely for this.

My webpage can be found at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/patkennett

Alternativley - you can go to my links section, and click on Sisters United

Thank you

Challenge accepted...

1865727 - yup. that's me, folks!

At least, that will be the number on the front of my T-shirt on 25th June 2006, when I enter the Race for Life at Hylands Park. I have picked up the gauntlet from my kid sister, and have been accepted as a "runner" this morning.

I say "runner", as my aim is to actually walk the course, but I have stepped up my gym work, and now have something specific to aim for.

A good all round package really - I'll be training to keep myself fit and the diabetes under control; to obviously raise money for Cancer UK, and also in memory of Neil, a very dear friend and complete inspiration.

I would deeply appreciate any sponsorship, but more of that nearer the time. Managed 1.5 km on the cross-trainer and 2.5 km on the treadmill at 6;30 am this morning - not that I am boasting, you understand.....

Practise what you preach...

Just thought all you bloggers might like to know that yes, 36 hours after I preached on "How to Handle Change When It Comes, and When It Doesn't", Yours Truly was thrown another major change at work this morning!

I was in a group with 4 other colleagues (one of whom is my Director at work!), and it was really interesting to see how they reacted to a pretty big change. I did not, however, say " Well, I have these sermon notes you might find helpful....!"

It was thought-provoking, though, to see how many of the 5 principles came into play in the space of half an hour. I watched and listened as "Inflexibility", "Trying to Change/Modify the Plan", "Apparent Demotion" and "Arguing for a Different Pace in the Change" were all there! I had to smile....

Pat's Thought for the Day:
I was reassured that this word should be tested in me so quickly after sharing it - I think it might prove something....

Tonight's Preach...

Preach went well tonight – although I think it may be remembered as “The Sermon where Pat wanted Jodi’s Shoes!” For those of you not there – it’s tough to explain out of context. Many thanks for all the love, support and prayers – much appreciated. To God be the glory. Also special mention to John, who has patiently listened to many possible component parts of this, some of which made it to the final notes!

Neil....

A deeply and profoundly sad day for many of us. The news of Neil’s passing this morning extinguishes a very special light to those of us who were privileged to know him. He was, in every possible sense, a man of God. The gentlest of spirits, who knew and loved His God without question, and who maintained his integrity in life, and through his illness, at every conceivable level. Our thoughts and prayers naturally continue to be with his lovely wife Anna, and two incredible sons, Joel and Simon. Such experiences of loss at such a young age - for all of them - can floor many people, were it not for the fact that their spiritual inheritance from Neil will, I am sure, support them through some tough days ahead Pat’s thought for the Day: Considerable weight is often given to someone’s last words. I have no idea what Neil’s last words actually were – such things are far too private, and should remain so – but Neil’s last words on his blog serve as a measure of the man. He said “(This Christmas) - have a really good time and make sure you take time to reflect on the true meaning and include Jesus in your celebrations- He makes the difference.” Jesus made all the difference in the world to Neil.

Someone to Watch Over Me....

Just got back from Small Group tonight, on the first of the run-up to the new 40 Days series One of our readings was Psalm 31, and these verses really impressed on my spirit: “Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. “ Psalm 31:21-22 I know there are many times when I can’t see a way out of something, and it feels like I am besieged. It is that panic of the childish mentality (to which we all run under stress) which believes that if we can’t see God, then obviously He can’t see us! Pat’s Thought for the Day: So-called “Reality TV” has made the concept of “Someone’s Watching You” (“Big Brother” et al) into something to be devoutly feared. Yet God’s love is demonstrated in the fact that He constantly watches over us with love, with provision, with understanding, with grace, and meeting all our needs. All that takes time. So it’s just as well that He also doesn’t need sleep…….

Footfalls...

Quite an emotionally-packed few days this weekend Friday was really busy, what with an early-morning gym workout – Helen, keep going! – followed by coffee and I think a possibly highly significant talk with a dear friend, then off to buy some stuff ready for Andy to go back to Huddersfield Uni. Then over to my mum’s, where, together with my sister, we booked a 3-day holiday later in the year to celebrate her birthday – more details nearer the time! Then back home – to some cooking some goodies for Andy’s trip up north (student housemates love chocolate cake!) and sorting out final packing. Seems much less than 3 weeks that he’s been home. Then that evening I got a phone call, asking me to preach at next Sunday night’s evening service. Honoured to be asked, but feeling a huge sense of responsibility. I love to preach, and spent quite a lot of missed sleep going over possibilities in my mind of what to talk about. Think I have the “seed thought” on which to build over the coming few days, but would value prayers. Only managed 2 hours sleep that night, though… Then yesterday, spent a total of about 12 hours getting Andy back up North, what with John doing some serious diagnostics in Andy’s room to try to get his wireless broadband connection up and running. The consultation fees otherwise needed would have cost a fortune… A long drive home, as part of our planned route was closed on the return trip, so got home very tired, but grateful for John’s “knockout prayers” which ensured a sound, deep sleep. And then lying in bed, after John has already left to set up the PA system for the early service, listening to footfalls around the house, and realising that I don’t have to think which son is moving around, as only one of them is here… Pat’s Thought for the Day; Do you know that God listens for your footfalls? He not only knows where you are; He is also interested in how you got there, and why you are there. No movement is beyond his scope, and no intention of your heart escapes His notice. There may be times when you might step outside of His Will, but you can never be outside His Care