Regular readers of this blog will know that for the last couple of weeks I have shared quotes by Nicky Vujicic. Some may say “Who is he?” Well, when I was mentoring students at Crofton School I often shared today’s video with them as I found it so inspirational. And on that note I am going to leave it there hoping that you will now have time to watch Nicky’s video and also the latest extract from “Theophilus- The Musical which is Peter’s account of how he escaped from prison (with the help of an angel!)
Quote of the week
First just to say that I heard the featured song at Holy Rood Church on Sunday and loved it so much that I thought I would give the “Theophilus The Musical” extracts a rest for a week and share it with you today. All involved look so full of joy!!
So carrying on my swimming story from last week…..
So, the day of the Bronze Medallion examination came and there standing before me was the stern looking Examiner from the Royal Lifesaving Society –I literally froze when said examiner pointed to the person I was to save – not the planned lightweight Micky Palmer but the very much unplanned heavyweight and I meant heavyweight, Simon Grant.
Well diving for the brick was no problem – all that holding my breath under the water in my bathroom sink as a 11-year-old coming in handy – however cross chest towing Simon (actually I now remember his name was Jim) was a whole different ball game! As I said I had been practising with Micky Palmer, who apart from helping me keep him afloat by illegally “skulling” was also small enough for me to get my arm right across his body to tow. Jim, however was anything but small and even with a stretch I could only get my arm across his first pectoral.
I think it was two lengths of towing that was required to pass the test – I remember half way up the second length looking up at the lights in the ceiling (we were using the swimming pool of Winchester College -the Public School and not to be confused with King Alfred’s College, the Teachers Training College which I was attending) Anyway me (and Jim) seemed to be stuck under one light as it (or us) was not moving. All my PE mates, who had already finished their cross-chest tow, started to cheer me (and Jim) on from the pool side and somehow, I (and Jim) found ourselves at the end of the pool to be greeted by the Examiner with a stop watch in his hand. It was obvious I had failed as there was a strict time limit to the test which I must have been over by a least half an hour (!) However the Examiner said “That was a real swim for you wasn’t it?” I just nodded, too exhausted to reply.
I am not sure if it was out of sympathy, if he wanted to acknowledge my effort, or if he was simply grateful that Jim had not drowned on his watch but somehow, I passed! The Bronze Medallion, as seen in today’s pic, still means a great deal to me as I worked so hard to get from being scared stiff of the water to being a qualified life saver!
Oh, apparently Jim still has the scars of where my fingers dug into his left pectoral
So last week I said that I would share my swimming story.
My brother Jack was the Kent Breaststroke Under 15 Champion so I should have had some swimming DNA somewhere, however I obviously did not. For a start I hated the smell of the chlorine in the outdoor swimming baths at “The Strand,” Gillingham, Kent which is where I grew up. I am, therefore not sure what I was doing there – I just remember aged about 8 getting pushed and falling into the water and, although it was only the shallow end, having water go up my nose and feeling a few moments of utter panic. Needless to say, I did not stay but went home, probably crying.
I also fell into two boating lakes, once back at “The Stand” and once at the Isle of Wight. I just remember being under the water, not sure whether to hold my breath or not, looking around and seeing everything green before popping up to the surface and getting grabbed and hauled to safety- I think on the Isle of Wight occasion by my brother- anyway two more frightening experiences.
My family went to Butlins for a holiday and there was a restaurant in which somehow you could see people swimming underwater in the indoor pool and I remember thinking that must be cool but there was no way that I could ever do it. However, I thought I should make an effort to be less frightened of the water and so I started to put my head into the bathroom sink which I had filled up with tepid water – I would have been about 10 years old at this time. The sink led on to a large tin bath that we had in the garden – I could hold my breath for quite a long time and eventually managed to even open my eyes under the water.
The Portsmouth Technical High School had a big bath the same as you may have seen professional footballers use after a match. After a school match and everyone had finished in the bath, I would stay, again practicing putting my head under the water- there was however no way that I could get my body horizontal in the water – somewhat of a prerequisite for swimming!
I suppose I was about 14 when Mike Sprenger, a former school friend came to stay during the summer holidays – he had moved away from Portsmouth to live in the Isle of Anglesey as his dad was in the Military. Every day of the week we would go to “The Lido” in Portsmouth and somehow Mike got me to swim a few strokes of breaststroke.
By the time I had got to college I could swim breaststroke ok but was hopeless at front crawl – in fact I still am as my wife, Caroline will testify. She is a really good swimmer and thinks my attempts at front crawl, especially trying to use the proper breathing technique, are hilarious.
I had a problem- I was hoping, after college, to teach at Whitchurch Sec School which had an outdoor pool. I therefore needed my Bronze Medallion lifesaving award in order to be qualified. Of course, I had no chance of obtaining it and so had little chance of getting the Whitchurch teaching job. However again someone came to my rescue in the form of a colleague from college. He travelled regularly with me from Winchester to the baths in Portsmouth to teach me the cross- chest tow, diving for a brick and all the other stuff needed to obtain the coveted Bronze Medallion. Back at college everyone knew my problem and so it was set up for my partner (the one I was to cross -chest tow) to be Micky Palmer, who was nice and light and who promised to help me keep him afloat by secretly sculling with his hands (secretly as its not allowed to give the life saver any assistance)
So, the day of the Bronze Medallion examination came and there standing before me was the stern looking Examiner from the Royal Lifesaving Society –I literally froze when said examiner pointed to the person I was to save – not the planned lightweight Micky Palmer but the very much unplanned heavyweight and I meant heavyweight Simon Grant. What happened next, I’ll share next week
When I saw this week’s featured video of the USA artistic swimming team I though wow! Very similar feeling to when I saw “Spellbound” in “Britain’s Got Talent” back in 2010 (which I have also featured) Just jaw dropping performances that make you wonder at what amazing things we human beings can achieve.
The artistic swimming also reminded me of my own experience with swimming which I will share next week – but please this week take a look at these two videos (three, including the latest extract from Theophilus- The Musical) and be amazed, entertained and enthralled. I’ll share my swimming story next week.
Having a break today from “Theophilus The Musical” songs as I watched something the other day which I want to share.
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is such a fantastic song, first sung all the way back in 1939 by Judy Garland in the musical “Wizard of Oz.” As you can see from this link Judy sings it beautifully and is great example of good music being timeless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW2QZ7KuaxA but in my humble opinion Eva Cassidy’s version takes it to a completely different level https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY
It was a similar rendition to Eva’s that Lucy Maynard sang at her Crofton School “leaving do” just before she left to live in Cambridge – it was spell binding and was, in part the inspiration of “Still in Tears” which I made up the next day while driving some pupils in a minibus to Alton Towers. That was a secular version but the Christian version was recorded on our album “Uplifted” and then featured in our first musical “His Story.” It is to gain another lease of life in “Theophilus The Musical” and if you have not yet seen it here is a link to our virtual choir version. https://youtu.be/v4pqXKudYd4
So back to what I watched the other day – it is the featured video so I will let it tell its own story.
A few years ago, Caroline and I went to spend the day in Winchester. Winchester is a particular favourite of mine as I went to college there and it was the home of a special friend of Caroline named “Charlie.” Caroline had not seen Charlie for a number of years and wondered if she might see her on the off chance when we visited Winchester. Sure enough there we were sitting on a bench right outside the Cathedral when someone looking like Charlie walked by- Caroline exclaimed “I think that’s Charlie” – “Go on then – go and see” I encouraged and sure enough it was Charlie. It was so wonderful to see them embrace after so many years of not seeing each other. From that moment on Caroline and Charlie were in touch just about every single day.
I will continue, using Caroline’s own words, for what becomes a tragic story.
Tragically my very dear friend Charlie lost her 25-year battle with Anorexia and died in November of last year. She was 39 years old.
After her death her family set up a memorial fund which has, so far, raised £25,000. Her family, working in association with leading eating disorder charity “Beat” have decided to use the money to provide training for Primary school teachers to help them spot the early warning signs of eating disorders in children.
Eating disorders are notoriously difficult to treat but the earlier a sufferer receives help the more successful treatment is likely to be. Beginning in Autumn this year the training will take place as a pilot in the 500+ Primary schools in Hampshire.
In memory of Charlie and in support of this “Beat” initiative I will be walking 100k over 25 days aiming to finish on July 21st- what would have been Charlie’s 40th birthday. This may not sound like a great distance but those who know my personal circumstances will appreciate what a challenge it will be.
You may wonder why Caroline says “This may not sound like a great distance but those who know my personal circumstances will appreciate what a challenge it will be.” Well, I can explain that it is a great challenge because Caroline has had 6 operations on her knee after suffering Anterior Cruciate Ligament damage – she is still unable to run and walking is both difficult and painful.
Well in case you have been living on Mars and missed it – we are in the Euro Final!
What is so wonderful is that whether you are a football fan or not the country has been given a huge moral boost. I have seen pictures of people who have little interest in football revelling at “Euro parties.” Gareth Southgate (I won’t bother saying who he is!) summed up the nation’s mood when he said “England matches bring families and communities together.”
Speaking to BBC sports editor Dan Roan, he added: “The opportunity to bring happiness and create brilliant nights for our fans, our nation, is a very special one that you have when you play with England.
“They are matches that you remember where you were and some of the nicest messages you get are that people appreciate how the players have been – that they feel they can connect with them – they should be very proud of that.”
Victory for England yesterday means that we reach the final of a major tournament for the first time since winning the 1966 World Cup.
Asked before the semi – final what it would mean to him to reach the final, Southgate said: “It’s what it means to the country really. And now we are in the final he carried on the theme by saying “The most pleasing thing is we’ve given the fans and nation a fantastic night and the journey carries on for another four days.”
So, I have featured two football “anthems” to get you in the mood for Sunday
Regular readers of this blog will know that Mustard Seed Songs have been constructing the Risen Christ Central Chapel “RCCC) in Southern Nigeria. They will also know of the sudden and tragic death of the RCCC founder and dear friend of mine, Pastor Patrick Okoi (http://www.risen.org.uk/?p=2290)
I am delighted to announce that the ministry of the RCCC will continue under the leadership of Patrick’s widow, Elizabeth who was recently ordained (see featured pic)
As a legacy to Pastor Patrick, Mustard Seed Songs are raising funds to bring water to the RCCC via a borehole.
I have kept this blog short so that you have time to a) look at the short animation showing how a borehole works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GAKisBPBoY
and b) consider please donating towards the cost of the borehole by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/MustardSeedSongsPastorPatrick
As regular readers of this blog will know, I am a Manchester United fan so it would have to be something big for me to write anything positive about a Manchester City player. Well, Raheen Stirling is, at present wearing the white of England rather than the sky blue of City plus he has just scored in two of the Euro games and yes, you have guessed it, Raheen Stirling is a Christian. In fact, he has described his Christian faith as “massive.”
Speaking to former political spin doctor turned writer Alistair Campbell, he said: “My faith is massive to me. I always give thanks for my life, always give thanks for my family’s life and I’m just really grateful for the position I’m in.
Sterling, 26, says he was brought up in the church and his mum taught him about faith from an early age.
When he moved from home, he says his faith deepened and now has “no doubts” that God exists.
“I know for sure,” he said. “Every day you wake up, you just look around and you don’t need to look any further than what you see.
“A lot of scientists, the cleverest people in the world tell you that there has to be a creator. And they need answers, but you just have to sometimes accept that it’s bigger than you and you have to leave it at that.”
This was taken from Christian Premier News and was part of a longer interview which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/oRHBSoCiHMc
Some other information about Raheem that you might find interesting is:
Raheem was born in the Maverley district of Kingston, Jamaica, and spent his early years there. His mother, Nadine Clarke, was previously a competitive athlete in the Jamaican national athletics team; Sterling credits her for his unique running style. His father was murdered in Jamaica when Sterling was two years old. At the age of five, he emigrated to Neasden, London with his mother, and attended Copland School in Wembley, North West London. Due to behavioural problems, Sterling spent three years at Vernon House, a specialist school in Neasden
Raheem was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to racial equality in sport.
I try to read the “Word for Today” every day and sometimes there is a devotion which I feel I must share. Here is an example below:
Joseph’s brothers despised his dream so they threw him into a pit. Jesus’ family didn’t understand His calling, one time they actually thought He had gone mad. Yet when He reached the end of His life He could say “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do.”
If you wait for everyone to understand and agree with you, you’ll never do what God called you to do. In the latter part of the nineteenth century when the Methodists were holding a denominational convention, one leader stood up and shared his vision for both the church and society at large. He told his fellow ministers how he believed that someday men would fly from place to place instead of travelling on horseback. It was a concept too outlandish for many in the audience to handle. One man, Bishop Wright stood up and furiously protested “Heresy! Flight is reserved for the angels.” He went on to say that if God had intended man to fly then he would have bestowed them with wings.
Clearly the Bishop was unable to envision what the speaker was predicting. When he finished his protest, he collected his two sons, Orville and Wilmur and left the auditorium. That’s right his sons were the famous Orville and Wilmur Wright and several years later on December 17th 1903 they did what their father declared impossible; they recorded the first human flight. Understand this: many people prefer the comforts of the past to the risks of the future. If you need their support and approval, you’ll never do what God called you to do.
Quote of the week
