An non-poetical ode (!) to Tara

I realise I have not blogged in a while, not because I have forgotten, but because I had something running around in my head that I was trying to make sense of. It was around the theme of tolerance and the many ways we use the word; promote it and demise it in the same instance (maybe some other time). All that came to an end this morning when I found out that my cousin had died, so please excuse me while I write a little cyber tribute that no-one may wish to read, yet may leave a permanent mark.
Tara never moaned, never complained, never outwardly craved another life or situation. She was born with spin bifida and was given less than a year to live. Tara spent the whole of her 40 years in a wheel-chair, throughout her life she was a medical miracle; a hole in her back that went through to the spine; numerous operations; loss of internal organs; amputation of a leg; blood poisoning; weekly dialysis and many more things that I either have forgotten, or did not know. As you can see Tara had more to cope with in life than others, yet she was the one who taught people how to live life. Nothing was ever out of bounds; her numerous trips to the nations cricket grounds; winning the dancing competition at Pontins on a family holiday (she could move in that wheelchair); retiring from her sports club because she won everything and it was getting boring; being friends with some very famous cricketers, and not being afraid to tell them what she thought; living in her own flat and watching lots of sports (if you could call watching Liverpool (her favourite team) sports!). Throughout her life she always was more concerned for others than she was for herself (I understand she was giving relationship counselling to one of the nurses towards the end!) and even in the final hours, her concern was for the family as she came to peace with what was about to happen. Families are funny, you don’t see each other as much as you should, and it is times like this that you regret it, but I suppose like good friends you always pick up where you left off and knew that in times of difficulty then the Penny’s; Parkman’s and Murphy’s would always be there. Sadly, there won’t be that opportunity with Tara, but I know the family will support each other. Today is a dark and sad day for those who knew and loved Tara we have lost someone special, and for those who never knew her, you missed someone special. She will live on though in the hearts and minds of those who loved her. Tara taught the world that nothing can get in the way of living. Will miss you x

Photos

Forgot to say I will post photos at some point of the new space.

Tomorrow

And so after some more hoovering, cleaning and sorting today, in just over 12 hours we will be celebrating the new rooms. I am just putting together a celebrationary communion for tomorrow, please come if you are able. A sober moment though, just thinking of all those who have helped dream and bring this to life over the last many many years that won't see it for one reason or another... thank you, truly thank you.

Getting ready

And so over the last few days a small team has been getting the refurbished rooms at church ready for the grand opening on Sunday. It's going to be an exciting long day, it seems like an age since we hoped for this day. I have been involved from the start of the works so have been privileged to see every step, every wall demolished and every new one built up. But I wonder what it will be like on Sunday for those who have not seen each step and will remember what they saw last time they were in those buildings and then walk into the new build. I just hope that Sunday will be a memorable day that marks an important step in the story of God working within and with Horfield Baptist.

11.30

It's not yet 11.30 and I have already discussed heaven; free will and circumcision... I do love the Wednesday morning N:counter group :)

Powerpoint

So, what people saw this morning was a PowerPoint that went wrong. What thy did bot see was the 2 hours yesterday trying to put it together; 45 mins this morning realising that the sound file and movie file had not transferred across and then having to download them again and trying to get them working on a pc without Internet. So did it detract from the service, maybe. Did it detract my concentration, slightly. Did it detract from God working... I don't think so

Tweet

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Letting go

Yesterday I was really struck with this idea of letting go. Sometimes in life we have to let go of things, whether that be an idea, a hope, a child leaving home, a realisation that your plans be not be where you expected. I think half the battle is actually being able to let go of things and not wanting to hang on to them. Maybe it is time I let go of dreaming of playing for Man Utd in goal. But sometimes in life the inability to let go of things can cause pain, heartache, hurt and damage. Jesus calls us to leave these things with Him, which if we are honest is easier said then done. So what do you need to let go of today to allow something else to flourish and grow?