Tameside Regenerated
Cashback
Mar 28th
I recently got recommended a fantastic website that literally gives you money for shopping! It’s called topcashback.co.uk, it’s free to register, and you could earn a substantial amount back on the shopping you would do anyway!
Once you know which website you plan to buy from, you do a quick search through the Top Cashback merchants and if the one you want is there just click on the link next to it. This will take you to the website you want and anything you buy will earn you cash back at the rate Top Cashback advertise. They offer different amounts depending which site you are using, and some state a definite figure in pounds while others offer a percentage of your spend. For example, the Superdrug online store is currently offering you £2.50 cashback on all orders under £23 or 11% cashback on orders over £23. You may also get offers of free delivery or other benefits when going through this site.
£2.50 may not seem a great amount, but if you regularly make online purchases you could easily be looking at claiming hundreds of pounds fairly quickly! I recently found a cheap mobile phone contract through one of Top Cashback’s merchants and am looking forward to claiming more than £60 back from that one order! There is no limit you have to reach before you can claim your money either. Once it has been requested and approved by the merchant in question and has been cleared into your Top Cashback account you can transfer it to your bank account whenever you want!
It’s really easy to use and I recommend it to anyone using the internet for shopping. If you like it and recommend it to your friends you can even earn a recommendation fee of £5! Get 10 friends interested and you’ve made £50 before you’ve even started shopping! I hope you find this useful. If you have any other tips or useful sites you can recommend to The Green House blog, please email your ideas to admin@thedreamcentre.co.uk with ‘FAO Green House’ in the subject box. They will then be passed on to The Green House.
The Rule of a Worshipper, the Rebuke of a King
Mar 10th
Psalm 139 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
I wish to speak to you this morning as a worshipper and worship leader. Each person in this room carries a responsibility towards someone else in life. Many of us have families who we lead; some have great influence over friends, some over work colleagues, but we all share the responsibility of our own conduct. How we choose to be led will determine what we allow into our hearts and that will ultimately dictate our ability to govern ourselves and those we influence.
Both David and Saul came from lowly families in the smallest tribes of Israel and both were chosen by God through Samuel. But it is how they chose to be with their God which defined their reign as Kings.
1 Samuel 14 Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.
• Saul was determined to establish HIS throne and reign by destroying the Philistines, even though the battle had been won.
• He created his own agenda and left his responsibility as King in order to fulfil his ambition.
Look at the consequence:
But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.” Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the country.”
• Saul’s actions had made his men weak and afraid.
• He caused those closest to him to be put in danger. He endangered his own legacy but putting his own son at risk needlessly.
• He caused those closest to him to doubt him. People are only now demonstrating in Egypt and Libya about the rulers after 30 or more years. They saw it but did nothing until the damage was done.
They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it.”
• Saul caused his men to sin because they were so desperate for food. He was responsible for them.
Saul said, “Let us go down and pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive.” “Do whatever seems best to you,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let us inquire of God here.” So Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel’s hand?” But God did not answer him that day.
• Only when prompted by a priest did Saul enquire of the Lord but he received no response….why?
• Even after seeing the exhaustion in his men, the doubts of his son, the sin of his troops, his heart was still hardened to any guidance from God, so when he enquired no response was forthcoming. God cannot guide you on your own agenda because our hearts are not set on Him but on our own desire which do not fulfil His will for our lives. We are therefore unable to accurately lead those closest to us and we end up no better off at the end.
Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and they withdrew to their own land.
All the days of Saul’s life there was bitter war with the Philistines.
Saul was rejected by God as king soon after this not because God did not love Saul but because he was unable to work through him. Due to this the nation of Israel, Gods people, were in danger of following Saul’s destructive path which God could not allow, that is why he raised up someone “after his own heart”.
With David we see an event which would transform him and would be the making of his reign as king.
1 Samuel 30 When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
• David had everything taken from him and all his men. He could get no lower and his men wanted to kill him, such was their grief.
• But even in that place, where doubts and all manner of emotions ran through his mind, David drew on the strength of the Father.
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” He answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”
• David took the Ephod which was worn by the priests and enquired of the Lord before doing anything else.
• A priest was one whom God worked through, but David did not need him as Saul did, as he understood how to access the throne room himself.
• He presumed nothing, but was totally reliant on the guidance of God and therefore God responded by giving hope “you WILL succeed in the RESCUE”
David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind. Two hundred of them were too exhausted to cross the valley, but David and the other four hundred continued the pursuit.
• David’s heart was towards his men as he recognised his responsibility to them, so allowed those too weak to stay, unlike Saul who forced them to fight, no matter what their state.
• He had no less confidence despite losing a third of his army.
David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”
• God’s work came true and not only did David recover all of their possessions, but their plunder was even greater than before.
• God will honour you before the people when He sees obedience.
David knew that had it not been for God he would have lost everything and he never forgot it. At the end of this David had the full support over all his men. From this point on David took a broken kingdom and made it whole by keeping his heart guarded, by keeping his attitude of Worship, no matter how powerful he was.
2 Samuel 6 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honour.”
• David was seen in honour by those who saw him express his adoration for his and Israel’s God.
• David was as passionate about showing his love for God as king, as he was when not king and this prompted God to make His promise to David.
His response was typical of his heart.
“And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight.
When men are consumed by their own minds, they block God from guiding them. Their hearts are hardened and are unable to be guarded by God to future dangers or correction as pride and defiance gets in the way. We lose the ability to govern those in our care and lead them down a path that will lead only to destruction.
It is the heart of a worshipper that the Father is looking for in this time. In a time when the nations of the world are looking for something other than the mind of men. Only those who can access the throne-room in their secret place and not rely solely on the promptings of the Pastor, will be able to be guided in their steps, have their hearts guarded from wrong patterns and be given stature by God to govern their surroundings and those within their sphere of influence.
Pslam 131 My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
LET THE WORSHIPPERS ARISE!!!
Defining Language part 5
Mar 10th
Last time I spoke to you concerning our series entitled ‘Defined by Language’, I spoke outlining that our Christian language is more than terminology, theology, doctrine or a belief, but with our language we adopt a new nature. Not everyone who speaks the bible has adopted this new nature, as many people have never understood the nature of Christianity.
Matthew 19:11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.” By this word and through this word we must live move and have our being. This word not only lights and guides our path, but more so, defines who we are becoming and whose image and likeness we are being transformed into.
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female.
God had to speak His word before man could take on the form, image and likeness of His creator, a principle that has never been revoked throughout time.
History shows that there is and has always been a battle going on in the universe for conformity, for what you conform to has it’s own unique image or likeness, as there is always a spirit found operating behind the scene, whether it’s God, humanistic or demonic. Now whether divine, demonic or humanistic the primary purpose is to influence, invade, fill or possess you the individual, to adopt it’s nature as the nature reflects the owner and creator behind the influence.
Nature means: The fundamental qualities of a person or a thing, the identity or essential character. The real appearance of a person or a thing.
John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
This is reciprocated in 1 John 1:1 That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands That which was from the beginning have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
When Jesus spoke the word to His disciples this is called ‘Installation’, for Jesus installed His nature into them and into us by His spoken and written word. Remember, salvation and forgiveness is received when you became born again, but nature development is ongoing.
The nature development has distinct traits and behaviour. An excerpt taken from “Spiritual Technologies” by Anthony Higginson (This book can be purchased from the Dream Centre) “Warning: The CSP (Calvary Software Package) antidote serum is life changing and therefore should not be viewed as a natural phenomenon but must be viewed as being supernatural. If one begins sensing immediate changes to ones behavioural patterns, do not be alarmed as this is simply due to the antidote purging the body’s system clean of past iniquities. All side effects are perfectly naturally supernatural and have therefore been specifically designed to reconfigure the body’s thinking patterns with that of the manufacturers default specifications. If administered regularly, then visible signs should be immediate, displaying signs of joy gladness, healing, and forgiveness along with a renewed sense of purpose. (If you are unclear or are in doubt in any way then please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions –the bible).”
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
1. As we read God’s word, the bible is teaching us about God’s nature, revealing who He is and how we can please Him and know Him more.
2. As we read and fellowship around the word, our hearts are rebuked and corrected so we can come into alignment with Him, rather than us feeling ashamed, guilty, condemned or full of fear.
3. As we read and fellowship with God, we are renewed in heart and mind for we are trained by the spirit so as to become equipped for continuing our race. But the key word in all this is the word ‘thoroughly’ as we must build a thorough nature.
Dictionary word – Thoroughly means:
completely, comprehensively, conscientiously, efficiently, exhaustively, from top to bottom, fully, inside out, intensively, leaving no stone unturned, meticulously, painstakingly, scrupulously, sweepingly, through and through, and throughout.
Christ the born supremacy reflected His Father’s thorough image and likeness..
Colossians 1:15-23 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Image – a representation or likeness of a person or thing, a person or thing that resembles another closely; double or copy.
Verb – to picture in the mind; imagine, to make or reflect an image of.
Likeness (noun)
1 The condition of being alike; similarity.
2 A painted, carved, moulded, or graphic image of a person or thing.
3 An imitative appearance; a resemblance.
Romans 8:29-35 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
God through his thorough divine word nature is trying to steer His creation towards a process, whereby His image and His likeness is clearly reflected in us, His children. Now, remembering this we must also understand that other influences will try and influence you, so that you will then begin reflecting their image and likeness.
Deuteronomy 4:15-18 You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for ourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below.
God is outlining the boundaries of reflection and why?
Psalm 115:2-8 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them.
Acts 17:29-30 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
The proof that you have His nature living within you is the measure of your trust and obedience placed in Him.
John 15 The pruning of every branch that does not bear fruit or fruit that does not reflect image and likeness has to be cut off in you the believer.
Matthew 28:17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
1. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in loving others?
2. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness when judging others?
3. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in serving the church and your fellow man?
4. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in your humility?
5. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in your personal private giving of finance?
6. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in your private world thinking?
7. Do you reflect Christ image and His likeness in your submission to spiritual/physical authority over you and your life?
Defining Language part 4
Feb 21st
Last week we covered, in our series ‘Defined By Language’, the concept of how the ‘church natural’ does not like 2 Timothy 3:16 in that, she wants to hear the word being spoken to her each week, but just not the parts that rebuke and correct people in their thinking and behaviour, hence why much of the people live with unrighteous behaviour. Today’s church is a church where people not only should be receiving challenge, empowerment and encouragement, but also a church where, if there is unrighteous behaviour and thinking, rebuke and correction given.
We have termed language as either sounds or symbols, used as it is from here that the receiver decodes the sounds or symbols and then responds accordingly. When we think of sound, a word that is often used is the word ‘frequency’. I know that within the Isaac network with Dr Jonathan David, I often hear people use this word as they say I love, want and feel drawn to this frequency of network. Though this sounds spiritual, when you ask people what they mean by this, many however are unable to explain what the frequency means to them. Surely if you like something and feel drawn to it, language to help define what it is that is leading you in a direction is a must?
When we are drawn toward a language, a language and its sounds begin drawing us in a particular direction and then with this language, principles and patterns then begin forming a nature within you. It is this nature that creates thinking patterns and behaviour which is essential for who we are becoming.
Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
God’s word and His divine nature are one, for it is through His word that He installs and instils His divine nature into us.
John 17:8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
1. Our nature is that of authority, for it is with this authority that death is cancelled over our lives and eternal life enters into us.
2. Our new nature gives us full access, so we can fully know the one, the true and the living God.
John 17:20-26
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
1. We have the nature of legacy within us as sons and daughters of God, as those who hear and believe our message enter into our legacy.
2. We have the nature which produces within us the spiritual, the divine and the supernatural, as we have been given everything we need for life and godliness.
3. A nature which draws from a consistent flow of revelation.
Your old nature has behaviour.
Romans 2:14-16 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Romans 8:5-8 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
Mary’s language defined her heart.
Luke 1:26-38 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin? The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Not only is God’s word and nature divine within us, but is absolutely necessary for producing faith that pleases Him.
Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”
Mary’s language caused her to undergo a major transformational transition
1. Mary went from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
2. She moved from the normal to the distinguished as she is blessed by the fruit of her womb. V35
3. She went from the natural to the supernatural.
4. She went from being Miss Average to being blessed among women. V42
5. God moved her status to stature, for she is no longer a virgin but the mother of our Lord. V43
6. She moved from the impossible to the possible. V37
7. She moved from ‘the Lord is with you’ to ‘the Lord being in you, for you will conceive in your womb.’ V31
8. She went from living an obscure life to living a purposeful life.
We are God’s portal or gateway for the kingdom of God to manifest itself through. Mary was heaven’s way of getting Christ to the earth. All that God does on this earth, he does through human vessels carrying His language.
Zechariah’s unbelief took away his language at a critical time.
Luke 1:10-22 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
Saving Top Tips
Feb 21st
In these days when everybody is looking to cut back, you can’t go wrong with your mum’s old saying. Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.
Below you will find some simple yet effective ways to watch the pennies and see your pounds go further.
Food Wastage
One of the main causes of food wastage is cooking too much food and not knowing what to do with the leftovers. I don’t think I’m alone in being completely rubbish at portion sizes! Growing up in a large family with a good cook for a mum meant that there was a lot of food on the table and the fastest eaters got the second helpings! When I moved out and started cooking for myself I had no clue about weights and measures, and no sense of how much pasta I should cook for one person, let alone a larger group of people. The website LoveFoodHateWaste.com is fantastic for advice in this area, giving measures of what a healthy portion size is for the majority of foods. It also has recipe ideas for leftovers, tips about how to store different foods to make them last as long as possible, and menu planners to help you write a shopping list and stick to it, saving you money!
Tips
When plating up your tea put a couple of take-away dishes out and plate these up to be frozen as ready meals.
Instead of buying expensive pre-packed chicken fillets, buy a whole bird, roast it, then completely strip it and split the meat into freezer bags. Weighing the meat as you put it in the bags and keeping them equal will help you with portion size and recipes when you come to use it. It is then just a case of taking a bag out of the freezer and defrosting it when needed. Paying a few pounds extra for a larger, better-bred chicken is well worth it as you can easily get 3 or 4 meals out of it (usually more), not to mention using the carcass for stock or soup.
If you tend to throw away stale bread, or the crusts, why not freeze it, then when you’ve got a good amount defrost it, dry it out in a low oven and put it in the blender to make breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs are very versatile and the internet is full of recipes that need them. RiverCottage.net has several delicious recipes.
Planning a menu each week is a good money-saver. Writing a shopping list that purely covers your menu will hopefully stop those impulse buys and help you resist the temptation of special offers on perishable foods. If you can’t eat two punnets of grapes before their expiry dates, just buy one! After all, you’re not really saving money by spending £2 and wasting half of your purchase – by spending £1.50 on one punnet and eating all of it you’ve saved yourself 50p! If you find an offer that seems too good to miss out on try finding someone who also wants the product and split the cost. Another money-saver is swapping shopping lists and spending money with a friend or family member and doing each other’s shop. This will, again, stop you from picking up those impulse buys at the checkout, and not having your own money means you can’t see and buy something for yourself while you’re out (a good weight-watching tip if you’re prone to picking up a chocolate bar at the checkout!).
If you have unwanted items such as furniture, clothes, toys, or small electrical items (that must be in working order), there are several ways to dispose of them without resorting to the local tip. If you want to recoup some cash you can sell most items on eBay or similar websites (see our list of useful sites). Alternatively, if you just want your sofa to find a good home hen you replace it, and aren’t bothered about getting paid for it, sites like Freecycle are great as you can often find someone in your area that wants what you don’t. Sites like this are also great for the environment as they keep fuel costs down, due to local pick-ups, as well as re-using items, instead of putting them on a landfill site, or even breaking them down and recycling them.
The Money Saving Expert Downshift Challenge: Drop one brand level on everything and see if you can tell the difference. If you can’t, stick with the cheaper product. I recommend choosing one or two items every time you shop that you would normally spend a bit more on – things like cleaning products or tinned foods are the easiest to start with. Whatever level of product you usually buy, downgrade by one level. For example, if you usually buy Kellogg’s cornflakes, buy the supermarket’s own brand. If you already buy their own brand, try the value option. It’s unlikely you’ll like everything, but you’ll probably be surprised at how many cheaper products you do enjoy, or that clean just as well as the well-known brands. Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis says that on average most families could save 15% on their annual shop, which equates to a massive £800! Even if you only change a couple of items in your trolley it all adds up to big savings!
Buying and selling sites
www.ebay.co.uk
www.gumtree.com
www.envirofone.com
www.mazumamobile.com
Free items/Swap sites
www.uk.freecycle.org
www.readitswapit.co.uk
Facebook pages such as ‘For sale and wanted. Glossop and surrounding areas and Tameside’
Food – wastage, leftover recipes, portion size and menu planners:
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
www.bbc.co.uk/food
www.channel4.com/4food
www.rivercottage.net
Charities that recycle unwanted items
www.mustardtree.org.uk
www.willowwood.info/shops.html
www.emmaus.org.uk
Money-saving sites:
www.moneysavingexpert.com
www.mysupermarket.co.uk
Note: these websites have not all been tried and tested by us, but most of them have been recommended by friends or family members, so they’re worth a look even if they’re not right for you.
Xmas Factor Grand Final 2010
Feb 16th
A memorable time was had by all the night that ‘The X-Mas Factor’ came to town!
THosted by the delightful Kat Squealy the four nervous finalists each gave a rousing performance to some all-time favourite songs, including ‘The YMCA’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. A crowd of over a couple of hundred people showed their appreciation by cheering and waving banners in support of their favourite act, and some had the chance to air their views when interviewed live by Dermot. Simon Christmas-Carol was as cutting and cynical as expected, Louis Leprechaun predictably gave his support to ‘de Irish one – whoever dat is’ and the lovely Cheryl Dole even got a wolf-whistle or two (he was very flattered…).
It was a tense and nervous wait for the final result, but thanks to some smooth dance moves (and some cute kids wearing Afro’s) Mickey Jackson and his ferret Bubbles moon-walked to victory! Pastor Tony then talked about a man with the true ‘X-Factor’ – Jesus Christ, and how he has brought the ‘Love-Factor’ to us all, by making a way for us to have a relationship with God the Father.
Afterwards everyone was treated to a mince pie and cup of tea, as the children excitedly went to see Santa and his Elf in the magical winter wonderland grotto next door. Then it was time for the now famous ‘Free Christmas-Giveaway’, whereby lucky participants went home with video cameras, mobile phones, games, toiletries and chocolates to name but a few of the great prizes!
A big thank you to everyone who made this night such a success – here’s to Christmas 2011 at The Dream Centre!
Communicating with your MP
Feb 16th
So how do you go about writing to your MP? First of all, find out who your MP is.
MPs have public contact details so their constituents can get in touch. In most cases you can write, phone, fax or email. MPs will generally only act on behalf of their constituents, so please check you are contacting the MP who represents your constituency.. You could also visit the website www.writetothem.com and type your letter out on the site and they will email it to your MP for you.
Telephone
Calling with a simple question might get a faster response than writing. You will talk to a relevant office or have to leave a message. Phone the House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000 and ask for your MP by name. If you do not know their name then phone the House of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272.
Letter
When writing to any MP the address to use is: House of Commons London SW1A 0AA. A letter allows you to explain yourself more clearly and in detail and the MP will have a record of your problem.
When writing to your MP, certain rules must be followed.
1 Always start “Dear John Smith” (or whatever your MP’s name is).
2 Be polite, concise and to the point. If there is any abuse in your letter, your MP will not read it, and rightly so. Make your letter plain and exact, don’t beat around the bush, or use page after page. Your MP’s time is valuable, don’t waste it.
3 Use your own words. Never copy someone else’s words, even if you are following someone’s example letter, just change the words round to your own way of writing.
4 Never write to any other MP other than your own – this would be a complete waste of time for everybody concerned.
5 Always finish with “Yours sincerely” and give your full name and address. You might want to include your phone number if you like.
Bulk mailshots
Bulk mailshots for the House of Commons are not accepted. All bulk mailshots should be individually named, stamped and addressed to: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Mailshots that do not comply with the bulk mailing guidance will be returned.
The majority of MPs now have email addresses that you can write to our directory of MPs lists all available addresses.
You may also contact your MP through their local constituency office. Addresses and contact numbers will be listed in local libraries, town halls, an MP’s personal website or through the House of Commons Information Office.
If you follow the above rules, you will almost certainly get a reply from your MP quickly. Whether or not it’s the answer you want – well that’s a different matter!
Contacting the government
The offices and departments of Parliament deal only with parliamentary work – not the work of government departments. If you have a question relating to government activities, please contact the relevant department.
When you should contact the government
If, for example, you have a question about government policies on the National Health Service, this should be directed to the government department that deals with that subject – in this case, the Department for Health.
Contacting a government minister
If you wish to contact a specific government minister in connection to their ministerial responsibilities, please use the contact facilities on their departmental website.
Building your product or service into a brand
Feb 15th
For anyone who is in business, brand building is a big step to create awareness and increase potential prospects and customers for your product. This will be a two part article on brand building.
The first part will talk about some of the basic concepts of brand building and what you need to think about when you are building a brand, the second part of the article which will come out soon will focus on potential strategies you could use to build your brand both low cost and with some cost to increase your market reach that includes public relations and advertising strategies. Lets look at some basics first critical to brand building is to understand some basic concepts that are used to develop strategy. There are three basic concepts:
Brand Positioning
This is the strategy of how you want the general public to perceive your brand in their mind. When they think of a particularly service or industry how do you want them to think of your product.
For example Coke wants you to think of their product every time you are really thirsty and position their product as a really refreshing thirst quencher. And for some people it works, they always want a coke to relax and refresh or quench their thirst.
Positioning also works to improve market share. With some companies their positioning strategies has resulted in first time recall in the mind of consumers for that particular industry.
For example
What is the first soft drink that comes to your mind – Coke
What is the first toothpaste brand that comes to your mind- in some countries it would be colgate in others maybe crest
What is the first brand of cornflakes that come to your mind – Kellogg’s
What is the first handphone brand that comes to mind – blackberry or Iphone.
Strategic Positioning works in different ways to build a brand
First there must be a unique area or service that you are providing that others cannot do as well as you (mostly in the industry) Sometimes it could be a combination of a product with a service or some extra value.
Please remember positioning is about perception, how do you want your target audience or target customers to perceive your brand.
Implementation Exercise
Can you think of your own unique positioning strategy to build your brand?
Here are some guidelines
1. How are your products or your positioning of products unique ?
2. Is it really different from the industry ?
3. How can the positioning strategy create value for the target market or customers you are trying to reach?
NOTE : A positioning strategy is usually written in a statement but it is NOT a tagline it is a strategy, please do not think of making it flow well with words when you are defining it. Think strategically first
Unique Selling Propositions (USP)
A unique selling proposition is what I define as a tactical strategy not an overall one. There are some who would disagree but I have used both positioning and USPs to build brands fast and effectively
A unique selling proposition is something that is extremely special that you are communicating to your customer in a short and very effective way. a USP for short is usually to get customers to buy your product instead of customers. Think of Pizza delivery.
There are two major players globally, firstly there is Dominos and secondly Pizza Hut who has been a global player for a longer period of time but Dominos used a very effective USP to build its brand. which is:
A Hot tasty Pizza delivered to your doorstep in 30 minutes or we will give you one for free. (subject to terms and conditions of course). This 30 minute guarantee for delivery has a very special USP that is way above the norm in the industry. Another example of a good USP would be M&Ms chocolates which uses the USP.
”The milk chocolate that melts in your mouth not your hands”
USP strategically gives companies an advantage by finding something that is unique, special that customers would be able to find some value in or more importantly great value in. This tactical Strategy must be communicated effectively and frequently until there is an association between that product and the USP that influences buying decisions lets put this into a practical application
Exercise
To develop your own tactical USP
1. list down the unique things about your product or service that customers would find really special
____________________________
___________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
2. Pick one or at the most two things that you would want to communicate as a USP. Develop a Statement out of those things like what M&M and Dominos did
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A very good way to find a positioning or USP is to listen to Dr Jonathan David when he is preaching or talking about impacting society and pray along these lines for God to give you a strategy. I have based my corporate strategy, USPs and even positioned my company from what he has taught and it has brought me fantastic results.
Now you are halfway there. In the next article we will explore how to use public Relations and Advertising in a low cost and more importantly effective way.
This article is by Raymond Gabriel
Seedcorp
For more materials and reference go to http://www.seedcorp.biz
Defining Language part 3
Feb 14th
Smith Wigglesworth, the great English revivalist, once prophesied that in the last days there would be a move of both spirit and the word, which simultaneously will move in the hearts of God’s people. In the New Testament, under the apostles, we had both the word and spirit moving on the face of the earth.
People were stirred by the word and they marvelled at the things they saw God doing. Through the dark ages the word was stiff-led and throughout the reformation God was restoring the truth of His word back to the church, a truth that many churches and believers are presently found internally fighting over. There is fixed truth, but understanding this fixed truth takes process, a process ranging from past truth, living truth, progressive truth, now truth and all truth. In 1906 we had an outpouring known as the Azusa Street revival, whereby the Baptism of the Holy Spirit miracles, gifts and speaking in tongues, all began to manifest, reminding the church that Pentecost was not an historical event but is an all inclusive outpouring necessary for today’s and tomorrow’s church. In the 1980’s we had the Argentinean revival, which many today still say is ongoing. 1993 Toronto, Canada, an outpouring known as ‘the refreshing’. Then in 1996 we had Calais –Columbia where entire communities were being transformed. Then in 2005 Pensacola, with mass salvation, healings and outpourings of God’s spirit. 2007 Lakeland, Florida. 2010 Bay of the Holy Spirit in Mobile, Alabama. All these have been marked as outpourings of spirit manifestations. You would think that with all these outpourings the nations of the world would be under transformation, in fact these outpourings have made little, if any at all, impact whatsoever to either the church or society. The church or nation is no more in revival today because these moves were propelled by self-indulgence and the will to gain nothing more than an experience. Self-indulgence and experiences have propelled literally hundreds of thousands to flock to these places, but they never took it beyond the walls. People do understand that worship is a gateway to them experiencing the Holy Spirit. The world doesn’t have a problem with miracles, but the world, like believers, do have major problems with them being told that what they do and how they do it will bring about an eternal consequence. They want experience but they don’t want repositioning, or a redefining of life and it’s priorities to take place. I guess that we can understand the world thinking this way, but the church, the ones confessing to have found the way, the truth and the life?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
The word isn’t something you just read or hear, but is instead a literal living person who is alive in you at the beginning. This word lives, moves and has its being inside you, the believer, and by this word you are internally being redefined into the image and the likeness of Christ Himself.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture (not just the parts you like or have experienced) is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
People in the 21st church natural want church to be fun, cool, albeit with meaningful experience, rather than it being condemnatory. The church hears this and makes it so, hence why we term it as church natural. Both church and society then want it to be encouraging, lively, and purposeful, all of which I agree with, but if I just want a warm experience then this is cool, but if we are to allow this language to define who we are and who we are becoming, then where and when do we allow room for necessary rebuke and correction to enter? If we only have the nice stuff how will we ever know when we are off-beat or whether we are missing the mark in life? Wake up church!
Matthew 15:21-28 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
Defined by a rebuke, and an insult: 3 Problems, 3 Responses, 1 Insult, 1 action
1. Problem: “My daughter is suffering from demonic oppression.”
2. Problem: Jesus did not answer her with a word but instead ignored her completely.
3. Problem: His disciples wanted to dismiss her and have her ushered away.
4. Response: “I was sent to the lost sheep” which was a purposeful statement to have made.
5. Action: The woman came and knelt before Him showing great humility.
6. The woman’s response: “Lord help me!” Tone and body language used here to great effect.
7. Insult: “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” – likening her to a dog.
8. Response: “Yes Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.”
9. Attention given by Jesus: “Woman you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
This miracle could never have taken place in the 21st century natural church where all you have is cool experiences, uplifting worship and encouraging words. This woman was in need and she took this word very, very serious indeed, so much so that she became willing to take personal insult in order to get it. Had she gotten angry with Jesus at any point, her daughter would still be known as demonically oppressed.
The truth is though, not everyone wants this word, the word is absolutely critical to faith being developed within you and me, for if there is no word there is no faith.
Hebrews 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. (This is the pattern of how we should live just as the ancients once did)
Who said, that following the truth is filled with nice experiences?
Always remember, ‘nice’ and ‘fair’ are not fruits of the Holy Spirit!
James 1:2-8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (the purpose of testing in your life) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Illustrate the modern day court-room pledge: Each defendant, along with the accused, giving evidence is lawfully asked to raise their right hand and swear to the court giving them their pledge. I ……promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God. But in modern day 21st century church we say:
1. We promise to tell the people truths that make them want to keep coming back.
2. We promise to tell truths that reiterate how blessed in God people really are.
3. We promise to tell truth that says if a man gives to God, how God will then return back to him a good measure, pressed down and poured into their lap, which is contextually inaccurate.
4. Truth that with faith whatever you go through, everything will turn out ok, despite it being untrue. Remember, bad things do happen to good people, just like good things happen to bad people.
5. The truth that says, I can keep living a disobedient life and God will keep forgiving me and using me to His will and purpose. That’s only true if your name is Pharaoh or Judas.
6. Truth that teaches that God is an encouraging God and doesn’t command or rebuke His people, despite their thinking and behaviour being inaccurate.
7. So help us Mighty God.
Mark 2:1-12 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Listen to the language of the people who attend the Church Usual, especially when they hear something that culturally and spiritually is new.
Thinking to themselves V6 (carnal and unspiritual in their minds) they said, why does this fellow talk like that? They were an ever-hearing but never perceiving crowd.
Why DOES THIS FELLOW talk like this? V7 Church unusual challenges religious, traditional, unbiblical and immoral thinking and behavioural patterns, though this is so un-cool to do so, it is however essential to do so.
We speak a language within a language. We speak English to express and speak the language of our faith, but the language of our faith is not so much words but spirit. Your words convey spirit and it is this spirit which is life-giving, life-creating and life sustaining.
Listen to the language of the Church Unusual
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit. V8 Unlike the religious group, the church unusual functions out of it’s renewed spirit-man rather than out of a carnal thinking mindset.
Which is easier to say, V9 Nice things or hard things? The church who only say nice things has no supernatural flow of the Holy Ghost.
V 10 That you may know that the Son of man has all authority on earth to forgive, heal and restore people. This is a man whose language has not only defined Himself but more so, defining those who receive what they hear. This is a church who has power to fully declare Him as He truly is.
V 11 I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. This language has power to release, command and bind.
V 12 He got up took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. The church unusual isn’t a talking church only, but more so, is a church that through it’s proclamation people begin seeing, touching, laying hold of Christ Himself which then results in those seeking Him to receive out-breaks of God testimonies.
V 12 This amazed everyone and they praised God. In the church unusual, the people are so thankful for what God is doing that people’s response is to want to worship the God of heaven, turning doubters into believers.
V 12 We have never seen anything like this. This in itself is a great testimony to have as it births not only new experiences, but develops an extended faith vocabulary within the people.