Francisco Friday (Week 3)

The Package

I was awakened in the morning by a knocking on the door
So I got up and went to see what all the knocking was for
And there stood the Devil with a box addressed to me
He said "Boy, I've got something here I think you ought to see.”

I said, “I know that I don't want it if it's anything from you
'Cause I hate everything you say and don't like anything you do.”
But then he pointed with his finger and he smiled kind of sly
'Cause the package said "from God" there in the corner, way up high

So I said, "If it's from God, then why'd He send it here by you?"
He said, "He always sends me when there's dirty work to do
This box is full of misery, poverty and shame
To perfect you through your suffering 'till you're worthy of His name.”

Well, I'd been pretty patient, but that last line took the cake
I just could not take no more, I'd taken all that I could take
So I told him what I thought of him and all his filthy lies
And then I fired the shot that got him right between the eyes

I told him "Jesus took my sickness and my poverty away
You nailed Him to the cross yourself when you murdered Him that day
The suffering that I do will be for love and not for shame
I'm already worthy by His blood, to wear His name.”

“And I know my Father loves me and has only good in store
So you just pack up all your jive and get away from my front door
You can write my name on packages ‘til I'm ninety two
But every single one I'm sending back to Hell with you
So you can pack it on up and get down the road.”

I said, “I know my Father loves me and has only good in store
So you just pack up all your jive and get away from my front door
You can write my name on packages ‘til I'm a hundred and thirty two
But every single one is going back to Hell with you."

by Don Francisco

faith

Please take the time to read the following extract from, "Don't Just Sit There...Have Faith!" by Ron Dunn

A few years ago my family and some friends from our church spent a few days' holiday in Colorado. It was early March and winter still had an icy grip on everything. Near the place we stayed were twelve little trout lakes covered with ice. One day one of my friends suggested I walk across one of the frozen lakes, assuring me it was perfectly safe to do so since they ice-skated on the lakes all through the winter. I've lived in the South and Southwest all my life, and the lakes there don't freeze solidly enough (if they freeze at all) to support the weight of a child, much less that of an adult. I promptly relayed these critical facts to my friend and respectfully declined his gracious offer.

Laughing, he said, 'Come on, Pastor. It's safe. And it may be your only chance to walk on the water.'

I still wasn't crazy about the idea, but after more coaxing, I ventured out. Perhaps ventured 'out' is stretching it. I inched my way out not more than a couple of yards from the shore because, unlike Peter, I doubted Jesus would reach out and save me if I began to sink. I kept a nervous eye on the shore and one on the ice, watching for cracks. And I tiptoed, because you weigh less when you tiptoe. You didn't know that?
Anyway, after a brief and nervous walk on the water, I scrambled back to the solid safety of the shore. I had little faith in the ice.

Later, as we drove back to our lodge, we passed another of the trout lakes and as I looked out the car window I saw a man sitting in the middle of the frozen lake. He was sitting on a wooden crate, hunched over a hole in the ice, fishing! I did a double take at that, feeling foolish as I recalled my timid excursion on the ice.

Now to the point: The man sitting in the middle of the frozen lake had great faith in the ice - right? I had almost no faith at all in the ice. Now which one of us was the safest? He with his great faith, or me with my little faith? Surely the man with the great faith was more secure. The fact is, the man with the great faith was no safer than I was with my little faith. Though my faith was practically nonexistent, I was just as safe as the fisherman who possessed great faith.

Why? It wasn't our faith that held us up. It was the ice. If it had been our faith supporting us, I would have sunk immediately. But I, with my little faith, was just as safe as the fisherman with his great faith.

What, then, is the advantage of having a great faith?

I'm glad you asked. Picture me on the ice: timid, nervous, afraid to venture out, constantly looking for cracks in the ice, fearing that at any moment the ice is going to betray me to the icy water beneath. Know any Christians like that? Timid, nervous, afraid to venture out on the Word of God, their eyes constantly searching for cracks in His promises, fearing that God may at any moment abandon them. There is no joy or excitement in their walk. That is the life of little faith.

Picture the fisherman: unafraid to step out on the ice, boldly venturing to the very middle, enjoying himself, resting his entire weight on the ice. You have seen a few Christians like that; they boldly step out on the promises of God, unafraid in the middle of His will, filled with joy and satisfaction, resting on the Word of God who cannot lie. That's the life of great faith.

As we drove past, I said, 'I wonder where he got enough nerve to do that.'

The driver answered immediately, 'Oh, he lives around here. He knows the ice.'

cheek

Me: Do you know where the raisins are please?

Shop assistant: Yes.

(I follow the shop assistant down a few aisles until we arrive at the men's toiletries section)

Shop assistant: There we are.

Me: Sorry, I said raisins.

Shop assistant: Oh, I thought you said razors.

Admittedly I haven't shaved for a few days, but I clearly said raisins!

We all watched 'Evan Almighty' the other day. It's a great film.

Evan works hard at not doing what God has asked. He goes to extraordinary lengths to be disobedient. Finally he gives in and does what God has asked.

The end result?

Evan dances with God.

That has to be worth it.

list

Abby and I were discussing Christmas lists on the way to school this morning.

We concluded that Father Christmas must have millions of elves in order to get all the toys made. In fact there might be as many elves as there are blades of grass in our local playing field.

This is just as well because there are millions of children around the world who'll be hoping for presents.

Abby: Even children in Africa will want presents.

Me: That's right they will.

Abby: I think I know what they will put on their Christmas list.

Me: What's that?

Abby: School, because they only have that old wooden building.

So there you have it.

If you are not sure what to spend your money on this Christmas, I have it on good authority that there are some African children who would like a school.

In fact I've met them and Abby's right.

jungle

It's back.

For the next three weeks we have to endure two monkeys presenting ITV's, I'm Not Much Of A Celebrity So You Might As Well Leave Me Here.

What a pointless load of nonsense.

It's not my favourite TV show.

GBP

Children in Need 2008 looks set to be the best event yet in terms of money raised.

Credit Crunch? The Great British Public have done themselves proud and dug deep to help out those in greater need, even at this type of financial hardship.

Abby's school had a non-uniform and mad hair day as a fundraiser. Abby didn't want to have mad hair, so it was decided that I should have pink hair.

All for a good cause.

Francsico Friday (Week 2)

Everything Is Possible

At first we trusted anyone
who said they had a cure
But with every disappointment
it grew harder to be sure
Still, when we heard of Jesus,
we went looking for this Man
They said He break the grip of demons
by the power of His command

We found his close disciples
in the foothills where He'd been
But as I tried to talk with them,
the devil struck again
And my son began to scream,
and his eyes rolled back inside
He fell and moaned and stiffened out,
and I turned to them and cried

"Cast it out of him, I beg you!"
but it was all to no avail
And as each one made excuses,
all my hopes began to fail
but then I heard excited voices calling out,
"The Master's here!"
And as Jesus walked right toward me,
hope rose up above my fear

I cried out, "Rabbi help us!
He's my son, my only son!
Your men have tried to cast it out,
but nothing could be done!
He's been like this since childhood--
no one can tell us why
But, sir, if you can help at all,
I beg you please to try!"

"If You can!?!" He thundered
"You ask me if I can!?!
Everything is possible
when there's faith inside a man!"
I said, "Oh Lord, forgive me, please--
I've lived so long with grief
and I do believe You can, Oh Lord!
Please help my unbelief!"

He told the spirit, "Leave the boy
enter him no more!"
But it shrieked and dashed him on the ground,
worse than all the times before
Until at last he lay just like a corpse,
I thought it was the end
But Jesus raised him up and said,
"Here's your son my friend."

When we got back to our little town
somehow they all had heard
That Jesus cast the devil out
With the power of His word
So we told them all again
about the healing we received
And that everything is possible
To someone who believes

Everything is possible
to someone who believes
It is your Father's joy
to give to all who will receive
Those who strive may trip and fall
in the tangled webs they weave
But everything is possible
to someone who believes

Everything is possible
to someone who believes
It is your Father's joy
to give to all who will receive
Those who strive may trip and fall
in the tangled webs they weave
But everything is possible
to someone who believes

Everything is possible
to someone who believes
It is your Father's joy
to give to all who will receive
Those who strive may trip and fall
in the tangled webs they weave
But everything is possible
to someone who believes

by Don Francisco

fat

No time to blog.

Must go and get some exercise.

BBC News story says it all.

By the way, that's not a photo of me.

We called the rabbit Flame.

rabbit

We all bought a new rabbit yesterday.

She is very cute, but she doesn't have a name yet.

Everyone agreeing on a name is proving to be a lot harder than I had imagined.

So, it's over to you.

We need your help.

Please type your suggestion for the rabbit's name in the comments area.

Thank you.

terrorist?

Last night on the BBC News at Ten one of the headlines caught my attention.

Back Behind Bars
A radical preacher has been detained for allegedly breaking the conditions of his curfew.

It sounded like the kind of headline that could well have been about the apostle Paul, except that wouldn't really be classed as news now.

The headline was about Abu Qatada, who was once described as Osama bin Laden's right hand man. Not much in common with Paul on that one!

Paul was often in prison and regularly in trouble with both the Jewish and Roman authorities. He stood firm for what he believed in and faced the consequences with joy.

What about you and me?

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 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 laboured 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.
2 Corinthians 11:23b-27 (NIV)

desperate

Sometimes in church services children can get a bit bored.

Sometimes they will fidget and fuss.

Sometimes they will try and sleep.

Sometimes they will read the bible.

Yesterday in church Justine noticed that Katie was sitting quietly reading Lamentations!

A seven year old girl has got to be pretty desperate for something to do if she is choosing to sit and read Lamentations.

Must remember to bring a colouring book next week.

remember

Today is a day to remember.

I'm not a fan of war, but I do believe that it is sometimes necessary, and I'm grateful to those who make the sacrifice that provides me with the freedom I enjoy every day. All I did was stand quietly for a couple of minutes and make a small donation for a poppy.

I also enjoy total freedom in life because of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

He did it all.

Interestingly, although we remember the sacrifice we are supposed to forget our sin to enable us to live in the freedom that has been won for us.

We invite defeat when we remember what we should forget.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:11-14 (NIV)

gappy

At the age of 5 years, 9 months and 20 days Abby lost her first tooth.

She is very pleased about it and can't wait for the tooth fairy to come.

I have a feeling the tooth fairy is going to look a lot like me!

Francisco Friday (Week 1)

I'll Never Let Go Of Your Hand

I know what you've been hearing
I've seen you hide your fear
Embarrassed by your weaknesses
Afraid to let Me near
I wish you knew how much
I long for you to understand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

I know you've been forsaken
By all you've known before
When you failed their expectations
They frowned and closed the door
But even if your heart itself
Should lose the will to stand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
Cos I've sealed it with my Spirit, Blood and Word
The everlasting Father
Has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you
I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do
And even if you do it wrong
And miss the joy I've planned
I'll never, never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
Cos I've sealed it with my Spirit, Blood and Word
The everlasting Father
Has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you
I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do
And even when you do it wrong
And miss the joy I've planned
I'll never, never, never let go of your hand
I'll never let go of your hand

by Don Francisco

predictable?

Yesterday I took a great photo of the fire I had painstakingly got going for Bonfire Night, only to be told by my good friend Lee,
"That'll be on the blog soon".

Today, after making a donation to the Poppy Appeal at Asda, I went on a bit about sacrifice and the cost others have paid for our benefit. Justine's response to my little speech was,
"I can see a blog coming on".

Am I really that predictable?

The truth is I was going to blog about both of those things, and in a way I just have.

Rather than admitting to being predictable, I like to think it is simply the fact that those close to me know me very well.

This means I have successfully maintained my mysterious edginess, and of course my overwhelming self-delusion!

whatever

This word has become synonymous with teenage apathy and indifference.

That's a shame, but it was great to see a record turnout amongst voters for the US election. Apathy was replaced with enthusiasm. People wanted change.

The last two lines of the hymn 'Be Thou My Vision' are:

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Here the word whatever speaks of resolution and determination, come what may.

Personally I'm pleased that President Obama will take up office in January. You may not be so pleased.

But, whatever befall, we still worship the ruler of all.

Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

justified?

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:

'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,

'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

three

Yesterday in church our Old Testament reading was Isaiah 58:1-9a.

It really struck me that the reading finished halfway through a verse, so I read on.

Last night, as I was finishing a book in bed, I read a chapter that quoted Isaiah 58:9b-11.

This morning I had a conversation with a friend who had recently been subject to a whole load of malicious talk about another friend.

Let's spend our time fruitfully by meeting the needs of others.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
Isaiah 58:9b-10

food

Yesterday Olivia and Katie and I made orange muffins.

They turned out looking pretty good and tasted even better.

The photo is genuinely of one of the muffins we made, but a photo is never as good as the real thing.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)