Roger Aubrey

Life in six words

Ernest Hemingway (pictured) once bet that he could write a complete story in six words. He wrote, 'For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.' He won his bet. Now the online magazine Smith is asking its readers to sum up their own lives in just six words. The BBC is following this story; you can read more about it along with some of the contributions here.

Of course, it made me think...dear readers: could you sum up your life in six words? I'm off to have a think and a stab at it myself....

Honour them

This is Don and Muriel Matheson, who last weekend were honoured by All Nations on the occasion of their sixtieth wedding anniversary: a genuine diamond couple.

Don and Muriel were the original and founding members of All Nations, over thirty years ago. They had been in the Brethren for many years, but were then baptised in the Holy Spirit. Muriel spoke in tongues and interpretation in the Sunday meeting; as a result they were told to leave. Thus began a pilgrimage, along with other friends, that eventually brought them into contact with Arthur Wallis, Bryn Jones, and Keri Jones. Don and Muriel suffered much in those early years - rumours, enmity, isolation and hatred. But they determined to follow God's plan for a church that would be filled with his glory. Sometimes I sit with Don and watch the people on a Sunday morning. He is just so grateful to God to see the fruit of his and Muriel's faith.

Now they are well into their eighties but still fully involved in the life of All Nations. Those of us who have joined the church in subsequent years owe them an incalculable debt: they forged a path that we now walk along. All their children and grandchildren are believers and walk strongly with God. Praise God for men and women like Don and Muriel Matheson.

(Thanks to David Gallimore for the photos).

Here we go again: for the last time

It's come around again. Meet School of the Word's Class of 2008, who started their ten month course this morning. To save you counting, there are twenty two of them and they are ready and willing for action.

This year will be my last as Principal; the School moves to Manchester in September 2008 as part of its ongoing development. I've really enjoyed the last five years and am looking forward to signing off with a bang as these fantastic men and women of God are prepared for the next part of their destiny in Christ.

Back in the saddle

August has come and gone, and still no summer for us here in the UK. The weather has certainly been drier and warmer these past weeks, but no doubt about it - this has been one soggy summer.

August was a month of variety: weddings, funerals, birthdays and anniversaries. It was a joy to speak at two weddings: Kevin and Jo Hardwidge; and Adam and Alicia McKeown. Both are great couples with the hand of God on them. The funerals: two dear men of God - Bob John and Bill Longstaff from our church. They both died in peace and faith after illness; their funerals were times of thanksgiving and celebrations of lives of faith. Birthdays: both Dianne's parents were seventy. All their children and grandchildren and in laws gathered in Northern Ireland last week to honour them. It was very moving to hear my father in law speak with pride about having all his children and grandchildren together like that. Anniversaries: my dear friend Dave Ellis and his wife Betty celebrated fifty years of marriage with a big dinner party at All Nations. It was wonderful to be part of such a night. And last week James and Saskia celebrated their first year together!

I've also managed to get a good amount of writing done and will return to it when I have more time. And finally, lots of preparation for the final School of the Word before it moves to Manchester in September 2008. This will be my final year as Principal; six years of spending time teaching and learning from incredible men and women of God.

Now it's a new season.........

The world's most powerful Anglican

There's an interesting article in today's Times. It's an insight into and an interview with Peter Akinola, the Archbishop of Nigeria. Check it out.

Saints Gallery

Well, someone took me up on my offer! This man of God is Ian Whillans, currently studying at School of the Word and returning to Manchester in June. Status: single! (Sorry Ian - not that you're single but for mentioning it).

Friends

Today seems to be favour day. On Friday night Dianne and I were with our dear friends T and Beth Erlenbach for dinner. I had our new camera with me (courtesy of some very generous friends in the States), and we got some good shots of each other. Beth was keen for this one to make it on the blog and yes she does know she's wearing an apron!

Anybody else want their picture up while I'm in the mood?

Blog Plug

This is Judith Anniss, wife of Richard and herself a fellow blogger. Richard asked if I'd give Judith's blog a plug: always willing to help friends. Check out Judith's take on life here.

Synchronicity

How cool is this? I was told today that my book and Tony Ling's book have been paired together on the American Amazon site! You can buy them both in a special deal.

Isn't it amazing that of all the Christian books they put ours together; it must be some sort of buying pattern that Amazon has noticed. Nevertheless, the world is helping get the Word of God out in the way we want. Check it out here.

Rites of Passage

Had a strange experience the other day. I was reading the paper and came across the obituaries, only to read that a character who featured in my childhood had died.

Terry Hall was a ventriloquist; his dummy was one of the best known in the 50's - Lenny the Lion. Every week I used to watch Lenny and Terry in black and white (colour TV was still many years away). Then I grew up and forgot all about Lenny the Lion until I read that Terry Hall had died last week aged 80. Eighty! It seems like just the other day when he was the young, fresh faced entertainer pictured here. But the years had gone by inexorably and Lenny's creator has gone. It  reminded me that as the Scriptures say, life is but a vapour and that man is of few days. But it's what we do with those 'few days' that count in the vastness of eternity where time is not. Fame and fortune are passing shadows; knowing the God of eternity and eternal values is what really matters.