It's Christmas Time AGAIN!!

Well here we are at that time of the year when the world goes mad: CHRISTMAS.
Why does the world rush around buying expensive gifts that they really can't afford? Gifts that they say must give because they need to keep up with their friends.
I heard that the average family will spend around £2,000 on presents for their children, friends etc. Then another £1,ooo on food for over the holiday period from Chrismas Eve to New Years Day.
All they get is a bigger debt and a bigger wieght problem.
So what is Christmas all about? What are we really celebrating? Will it change our lives?
There is an old saying "The Reason For The Season" and that is the gift of God to the world His Son Jesus. "God so loved the World that He GAVE His only Son that whoever believed in Him should not perish but have Eternal Life" [John 3:16 the Bible].
We Celebrate His (Jesus) birthday, the only gift that really mattered was and is God's Gift! So yes we can have a party and we should because Jesus invites us to join his birthday party.
Will it change our lives?? Well YES it will, Jesus said "I have come that you may life and life in abundance" [John 10:10 the Bible].
There is an advert from the RSPCA every year that says "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" which is so true..but I want to say that "Jesus is for (Abundant) life not just for Christmas".
Now I want to invite you to a great party; that will be the one in heaven when someone repents and turns their life over to Jesus. So go on give GOD the gift He is waiting for... your life!
Teresa and I are spending our 2nd christmas back on Tyneside and I'm hoping that I wont spend it alone, this time last year Teresa spent Christmas in Hospital and in ITU for 4 days after breaking her wrist.
We are looking forward to a great time at Lighthouse Christian Centre ending the year with a Fancy Dress Party on New Year's Eve.
However we are missing two members of the family this christmas my mum and my brother-in-laws mum who both died within a month or so of each other. But we do have a new member to the family- Sarah who married my nephew Alan in July.
Our church are facing christmas without one of our older saints Bob Skelton who died on Tuesday 4th Dec very suddenly. He had been doing his second favourite pastime playing his accordian, (his first being serving God). Bob is celebrating Christmas in the presence of his saviour Jesus, where he will gaze on the Glory of God WOW!
We can all be sure of that same assurance if we give our lives completly over to Jesus this Christmas.
What ever you do this Christmas have a good one. (Don't get TOO Merry!!)

Exciting days

As I'm writing this blogg the view from the flat window is so restful over looking the mouth of the Tyne, this is one of the pleasures of being back in the area. The light on the river changes many times during the day which sometimes takes your breath away.
This Sunday (16th Sept) we had the fantastic view of the QE2 entering the River Tyne for an overnight stay. It was a wonderful experience and a sense of pride to see one of the most famous ships that has been made in Britain.

Life is moving on at a pace, it's all go at the minute. Brian is now working 25 hours a week for Iceland Foods. Moved from Gateshead to Newcastle West End and finding the work load easier. Delivering to areas where he worked as a postman, where we lived or knew because we had friends living there, so he knows most of the areas quite well.

We have really settled at "LCC"[The Lighthouse Christian Centre], we have been there for 1 year now and are fully employed in the ongoing ministry of the church. Training and running New Christian Counsellors; the Host Team; "I Said Yes" course; doing some teaching, especially with the Young People, Pastor Dave sees us as the Youth Pastors in the church(not bad for oldies like us). However our main ministry is to encourage our Pastors Dave & Joy Matthews, they look to us for insight in growing a large church having had some experience in the growth of Hope City Church in Sheffield. We have coffee with them once a week just to encourage them.
Teresa has spoken at the womens meeting, she got a great response and will probably be doing more in this area.
As a church we are looking for larger premises so we can develop our ministry. There is a large warehouse that we are looking at leasing or buying. The youth are starting a regular meeting for youth and we need a place suitable where the noise wont upset the locals.

Our nephew Alan got married in July to Sarah and was a great wedding. Alan really scrubbed up well. Sarah looked really beautiful [as she always does] . Our niece Joanne.. well... has grown up to be a lovely young woman. All said it was a smashing day.
Alan and Sarah now live in Glasgow where they are completing their uni courses.

We got a suprised last week when we were contacted to ask for news to go into a 30 year update for Cliff College students in our year 1977/78. So if any of them are reading this get in touch and let us know whats happening.
Well thats all for now, we love to hear from our friends so keep in touch.

Up date

Hi there:
It's been quite awhile since we've updated our blogg. That's because so much has happened.
This is just to tell regular readers that there will be an update of "B&T's Bri-Ter Days" coming soon.
Brian