I've Got 99 Problems But My House Aint One!

I thought its about time I gave a more of an 'event focused' blog than just my thoughts. The weekend just gone was my final weekend in Manchester and it was a good'en.

Friday night I went with a group of friends to the dogs (grey hound races for those unfamiliar with the terminology). I had a lot of fun and even won a couple of races. I was most pleased with the £1 I bet on a dog with an outside chance. He ended up winning and I got myself a sweet £13 back in return.

Saturday I spent with my brother who had come up from London and my mates from uni. We had tickets to the Coldplay concert in Old Trafford cricket ground. It was amazing. Do you know what really topped it off as a great gig? The fact they were supported by none other then Jay-Z. JIGGA WHAT! It was made even more humorous by the group of guys next to us who were off their faces shouting random comments out to Jay-Z whilst everyone else was quiet e.g "Jigga, sponsor me!!"

Sunday was my final Sunday as a member of Hope Church. It didn't really kick in or feel like it until that afternoon as I said bye to one close friend after another. I held myself together though like a big boy. Then came the drive down late on Sunday evening. It took just over 2 hours with most of that time spent reminiscing over the years I spent in Salford, the many people I had met, the opportunities I gained, and the experiences I racked up. These memories will certainly be with me for life. Uni is such a transforming time for anyone, and for many it changes them for life. I certainly felt that during my 3 years, God was developing me into the man He has called me to be. Yeah, He's still got His work cut out, but these 3 years have definitely had their positive effect.

So what did I arrive to?

Well, I'm living with the Kellett family. Most of you reading this who are from Manchester will already be familiar with them, for those of you who don't, let me introduce you. Howard and Naomi Kellett planted and have led Hope Church in Manchester for the last 8 or so years (which I have been a part of whilst at uni). They are total legends. I met them back in May 2005 where they led a team of people (of which I was a part of) for two weeks to support the work of a church in Romania. A year after meeting them, I joined them up in Salford to be a part of their church. To my shock back in May this year, they informed me they would be moving on. I was gutted and had no idea they were considering anything of the sort. To cut a long story short, about a month later I felt God open up doors for me to go with them. They just cant seem to get rid of me!

Also in the family are their three kids; Zach (13), Jotham (12), and Damaris (10). I've never had younger siblings, so this is a new environment for me. They are constant source of fun, energy and entertainment around the house, most of which they blatantly get from their parents. Talking about the house, it is PHAT!!! It's soooo nice. It's a rented vicarage (how ironic) on the outskirts of Cheltenham. I say outskirts, its only 10mins into the town centre by car.


If I could sum up Cheltenham in one word it would be 'nice'. Everything is 'nice'. I heard my first house alarm go off last night, which got me very excited as I thought there might be a burglary. However I heard no police siren. I don't think I've heard one since I've got here. Weird, all my life I've fallen asleep to the sound of sirens and now... nothing! In the words of my Arabian friend, Aladdin - It's a whole new world!

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

Where is home?

I grew up in London for 21 years, so in one sense that will always be my home.

I lived in Salford for 3 years and that was definitely where my heart was. I loved Salford, loved the people, loved the city life and definitely considered that to be home.

I now live in Cheltenham, which technically speaking is my new home and although I've only been here 3 days, I can feel my attachment to it growing as I meet people, walk the streets and live out my life here.

So where is my home?

What if I was to say it's actually none of the above...

I was reminded this morning when reading 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, verses 1-10 (2 Cor 5:1-10) where my real home is.

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (vs 1)

My home isn't here on this earth at all. I'm only passing through. I doubt I'll be living much older than 90 years max, but really - whats that when compared with the length of eternity. It's like one drop in the ocean. The challenges, the pain, the death, the fears, none of it will last. In 2 Corinthians chapter 4 it says:

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (vs17-18)

I want my time here in Cheltenham to be lived out as one who is living for the things that are unseen because that which is unseen is for eternity.

I want a job and a career but I really don't want that to control me and what I do. Everything I do, I so want it to be for the glory of God. Jesus said:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:19-21)

Why is it so much easier to say this, then to live it out?

I'm just grateful that God is so patient with me. Seriously, though! He could have given up on me along time ago and He would have had every right to but cos of His ridiculous love for me and His awesome character that is so full of grace, He is willing to put up with me and work with me to see me changed day by day into His likeness. What a nutter! But I love Him for it.

So if the saying is true - Home is where the heart is, I'm gonna keep my heart on the eternal treasures awaiting me for the day when Jesus calls me home.

The Chronicles Commence

One era ends and a whole new one begins.


Having lived in Salford (Manchester) for the past 3 years, I now have 3 days till I leave for the Saaaaaf but not my original home of London, no - not even a city. My new abode will be in a large town called Cheltenham.

Where's that you ask?

Well I asked the same. Its half way between Birmingham and Bristol. Little over 2hours to get to either Manchester or London.

Why am I going?

The very same reason I came to Salford.

To study?

No - to advance the kingdom of God by building His church. To see the name of Jesus and the good news of the cross being shared with those who don't yet know Him. I guess in one sense I will be studying. I'll be learning how to start a church from scratch. How to grow it from a small group to a large culture changing church.


Quite soon after I made my decision to go, (back in mid June) I contemplated on whether to start a blog. This idea became more of a reality as people asked me to keep them informed with regular updates. A lot of people asked me about how a church is started and what it looks like. To be honest, I doubt I gave them adequate answers as the title says, I'm a rookie myself.

Hopefully this blog will be able to achieve both of these goals.

Blogging isn't something that comes naturally to me. Being open and honest on a page for anyone to read comes as easy to me as a dyslexic winning countdown. No offence to any of my dyslexic brothers and sisters out there, love you guys, I feel your pain but have no excuses. My spelling is terrible and there will be many mistakes in these blogs that will bug perfectionist, of which I am not. Please over look spelling, punctuation and grandma mistakes cos thats what I do.

So I hope you enjoy my thoughts and updates.

To some it may offend, to others it may encourage but the gospel of Jesus my Christ does both, so I have no worries if I do both as well.

So long Manchester, its been fun. Hello Cheltenham, let the adventures begin.