This, that and the other

We were away on holiday last week, in El Campello near Alicante, Spain if you must know. It was warm enough, around 24C most days, to spend time lazing on the almost deserted beach. The scenery was amazing. Craggy peaks, dried up rivers, scrubby, cactus strewn desert and the invitingly warm deep blue sea. 

While propped up against a strategically placed palm tree I managed to finish Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. Also made a start on Unexpected Jesus: The Gospel as Surprise by Craig Hovey. The book is a review copy from the publisher, Cascade Books. Not sure what to make of it yet. Not so much surprised as slightly baffled. 

We arrived home on Friday and I preached twice on Sunday at Providence Church - on 1 John 5:18 and Philippians 3:1-3. Snow, would you believe it, snow - in November,  that and localised heavy flooding prevented some of our people attending the services. Sunny Spain, not. 

The rest of the week so far has involved the regular round of pastoral visits, message preparation, leading meetings, study etc. An added task has been preparing a series of talks on Jesus' "I AM" sayings in John's Gospel for Grace Baptist Mission's Serving Today programme.

Also worked on a talk  for this Saturday's 'Gift Day' and 'Auction of Promises' in aid of Leonora Home. An anecdote from the life of John Elias came in handy. Of which, more later.