Pause

I don't know where this blog is going to go in the future but for now I'm taking time out. I may do the odd article now and then if something is deserving of comment.

"We all have 24 hours in a day, you have to decide what you do with yours" is a quote whos author I've never been able to track down. Whoever it was has my agreement. The demands of time have led me to have to review many things and strategically quit some things that are either hindering me or not part of my future.
This blog is part of my future, but just a hindrance of time at the moment.

If you want to keep up to date in the future then subscribe to this blog or just join me on facebook or twitter.

Speak soon. Phyl.

Holy Cow!

Now aint't this "Cow Cup" designed by Welsh Company New Wave Design just cool or what!
I wish I was a toddler again so I could suck on it and make all the other kids jealous.

The cow cup goes on sale in Supermarkets from February 2008.

For the biblical angle on this post check out 1 Peter 2 verse 2.

Sad, Sad Amy Winehouse

Picture: Amy Winehouse in 2008 versus 2006

Amy winehouse seems to be caught in a nosedive towards oblivion. Out of control with no sense of meaning or identity in her life, the Sun Newspaper reveals that she's now on crack, the most addictive drug in the world. It seems that these kind of stories are nearly daily occurances, just a few weeks ago I blogged about Britney Spears and Mark Speight who seem to be two more similar statistics.

Money, fame, celebrity, success, stardom, etc none of these things bring "real meaning" to our lives - yes the money might help a little though. Jesus Christ stated quite clearly in John 10 verse 10 "I have come that you may have life, life to the full". Having a relationship with him helps us to have a true perspective on life and stay on track.

Amy's predicament is very very sad. If this was my daughter or sister I'd be devasted. I hope and pray that someone somewhere in her world is trying to point her towards Jesus.

That was close!

I turned on the news earlier to hear that a passenger plane had crash-landed short of a runway at Heathrow Airport, ripping off part of its undercarriage. All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped from the British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing. Although Eighteen people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, the great news was that no-one was killed in this accident.
The interviews of the passengers that escaped were amazing. Not surprisingly, everyone was glad to be alive and could not wait to be re-united with their families. One person commented that "life will never be the same" from now on. Things like this must really change life if you are unfortunate to be caught-up in a disaster.

A few years ago my mum and dad were on a flight to South Africa. On approach to Johannesburg the pilot reported a problem with the plane and asked everyone to assume the crash position. My mother said she was terrified, all kinds of thoughts flying through her head about family, loved ones, and the thought of death. All I could do she said was pray.

Isn't it strange how quite often it takes huge near-death events for some people to appreciate the life that they have. Life is a gift from God, let's make every second of count!

Life is just a minute,
only sixty seconds in it.
Forced upon you, can't refuse it.
Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.
But it's up to you to use it.
You must suffer if you loose it,
Give account if you abuse it.
Just a tiny little minute,
but eternity is in it.
Author Unknown

Seems I have average etiquette

A bbc.co.uk article today announces that Brighton College has introduced a compulsory etiquette course for its pupils covering such topics as when to remove one's jacket at dinner, which fork to use when and how to waltz. They've even put together a quiz that you can try to see how much etiquette you have. I scored a measly 6/10. Either I'm not posh enough or I don't get invited to enough weddings!

Wouldn't it be good if we had some more etiquette and politeness in our world don't you think. A please, thank you or a random act of kindness goes a long long way.

"We must be the change we want to see in the World" - Ghandi

Be careful what you wish for

More "celebrity news" today as Britney Spears is taken into hospital and looses custody of her two boys and BBC children's television presenter Mark Speight is arrested on suspicion of murder after his fiancee was found dead in the bathroom of their London flat. I wonder did either of these two personalities see today as a picture in the future when they embarked on their careers? I doubt it.

How different are we from them though I wonder. Don't we all think life would be better for us if [add your answer here]. Isn't the reality though as we slowly progress through life and acieve many of our dreams and aspirations that once achieved they're nothing like we imagined.

A business friend of mine sold his company recently and, much to my envy, was in a position to buy himself the Ferarri 355 spider he'd always wanted. After taking me for a breathtaking ride in it (they should put wipers on the seat as well as the windscreen) I asked him what it felt like, owning and driving his own Ferarri. His answer "Not the buzz I'd thought it would be".

It's no wonder then that God who made us, tries to focus our attention on Him rather than the stuff we think will fill and fix our lives. I guess that's why the first commandment; to love Him with all our hearts and the second; not to have any graven image (material things) in place of him have been placed there to protect us from our own self-destruction.

As we all look on the continuing stories of the lives of these celebs, let's maybe use them as a pointer to direct us to a better way of life.

Happy New Year!

The Champagne has gone, fireworks finished and Auld Lang Syne gone for another 365 days! Why is it we all want the new year thing to be something so fab when in reality its just the tic of a clock a few more times in exactly the same cycle as normal? Maybe we all like the sense of having some kind of fresh start, to turn over a new leaf and start with a clean sheet again after putting disappointments, failures and even past successes behind us.

So what are you hoping for? What are your New Years resolutions?
Mine? Hey, just keep it it simple I think.

At this very moment I'm recovering from Tuberculosis. I was stunned when the consultant looked at my X-ray on Christmas Eve 2007 and said "Mr Morgan, I'm afraid to tell you you have TB". I couldn't believe it. Two days later and I'm popping 8 pills a day, told to stay indoors and rest while I recover. Five days later and I'm going stir crazy from boredome. I mean, there's only so much daytime telly, facebook and youtube you can do!

Right now for me, being healthy would be just nice. Not that Ferarri 360 or a new LCD TV, just to be fit again would be fine. I thank God for his care for me, I thank God for friends and family who love me, I thank God for our lovely home. Bur right now, I thank God for the Health I've had - It's true - you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. Oh God I pray, "give me my health".

So that's it. I've decided. I'm gonna "Keep it simple stupid" from now on. No grand new years resolutions, no huge dreams and plans that I know I won't achieve. Just a simple discipline to do small things everyday....

Tomorrow and every day that's to come, I'm going to wake-up with one thing on my mind.
"God I thank you for your faithfulness in granting me one more day, help me to live it in a way that brings you Glory"

Lamentations 3:22-33 "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."