Life, the universe and everything

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:26:46 +0000

What are you going to do with the rest of your life? What do you stand for? What do you stand against? Do you believe in anything? What is the meaning of life?

Big questions. Its easy to wander through life with no direction or purpose. Its easy to be a sheep blindly following the herd.

However, I believe that life should and does have meaning. If like me you think there is something more and want to discuss what it is then you will want to join us for student alpha every wednesday starting on the 10th February.

Join us and invite your friends...

7.30PM
7 Fields Oak.
10 February
 ... give it ago. Apparently its great ;-)

Stop living a mediocre life

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:27:42 +0000

Why do we lead such mediocre lives? Lives spent in fear of criticism, of being different.

Think about all the greatest people in history. The people who changed the world. Every one of them was willing to stand out. They were willing to through themselves into what they believed completely, holding nothing back. However, most of all they were willing to endure the though times and learnt to be content with whatever life throws at them.

One guy who changed the world and lived a life of self sacrifice was the Apostle Paul. He wrote:

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,

I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.

I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

And yet later on he said:

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

That is the kind of person I want to be. I want to make a difference. I am willing to endure what it takes. But I need to learn to be content in all situations.

What about you?

Listen to more of the life of Paul and what we can learn from it:

What’s so great about the Bible anyway?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:56:00 +0100

So last night we talked about the Bible in Focus. It really is the most amazing book written. Over 40 authors contributed over a 2000 year period. It’s the best selling book of all time and has shaped our world in ways we cannot even begin to grasp.

So why is it such an amazing book and can it be trusted?

The life of Joseph

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:07:34 +0100

We have been going through the lives of various Biblical characters in Focus on Wednesday nights and I promised some of our uni students I would record them to put online.

Here is me attempting to talk about the life of Joseph. I say attempt, as I get interrupted a lot!

October and November is party time!

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:51:57 +0100

The Focus leaders are pleased to announce our October and November lineup. And this year October and November means party time!

We have some great party celebrations lined up including:

Barn Dance (3rd October)
I think a lot of people were unsure about our last barn dance. Most had never been to one before and made the presumption that it would involve a lot of awkwardness and dancing. In fact it is anything but (just ask those who came).

Barn dancing is a complete hoot and has more in common with stomping than dancing. SO, in case you missed it last time, we are going to do it again. However, this time we are going to teach the rest of BEC how to throw down some moves too.

Pizza Party (17th October)
Some parties are much more relaxed affairs and that is the pizza party. An evening with excessive amounts of pizza combined with a good film and gas inducing drinks.

We guarantee that you will go home stuffed to bursting and ready to barf!

Jelly and Ice cream (31st October)
I miss those parties I had as a kid. Jelly and ice cream combined with classic kids games like pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs.

We recapture our youth with a jelly and ice cream evening. Party like you are 6 years old. Kids costumes are a must. Girls in pig tails and boys in shorts. Its going to be awesome.

Bonfire Night (7th November)
Remember, remember the 5th 7th of November. Off we go to our annual fireworks display. I am not sure this is strictly a party but there will be fire. I like fire... oooo.... pretty flames. They dance and burn... the fire is nice, the fire is good... *cough*

Yes well, anyway. We will be off to see a firework display and bonfire.

High Society (21st November)
Finally the highlight of Focus’ social calendar - High Society. Some say only the elect can attend. Some claim that you learn a secret handshake that gains you entrance to any church in the land. All we know is that its the Focus Prom.

If you do not attend High Society then you are dead to us. If you do not attend High Society then you are not in the Focus annual photo.

There is but one rule about High Society, you never talk about High Society (unless you wish to invite your friends).

And so there you have it - The coming two months in a nutshell. However there is much more besides so be sure to download the October/November programme now.