If I Say I Love You Jesus featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Precious recorded and produced by Ross Gill

I was watching a clip of the Manchester United midfield player Scott McTominay being interviewed by a woman I have to admit I had not heard of- Liv Cooke. At the end of the interview Liv lay on her back and started juggling a football with her feet. Scott was impressed and so was I – so much so that I googled her name and found out the following:
Liv was born on 20 April 1999 and is a British professional football freestyler, the current world champion and 4 x world record holder. She is also a Champions League Match Day Reporter, Entrepreneur, UEFA Women’s Football & Men’s Euro 2020 Ambassador and director of Africa Angels Charity.
Liv got into football at a young age having grown up with her two older brothers, Jack and Sam.
At the age of 10, Liv joined Preston North End F.C. whilst also playing in Woodlea Junior School’s football team. She went on to study at Balshaw’s Church of England High School, where she captained the girls’ football team, and signed for the Blackburn Rovers F.C. Centre of Excellence at the age of 14.
One year later, Liv was sidelined by a recurring back injury and discovered freestyle football videos online. She began to learn the basics in her back garden and stopped playing football in 2015 to focus on freestyle. In 2016, at the age of 17, Liv left Runshaw College early to pursue a career as a professional football freestyler.
In November 2016, Liv finished second in the 2016 World Football Freestyle Championships in Melbourne breaking her foot during the final.
In August 2017, Liv became the world’s number 1 football freestyler obtaining full points in every battle during the event in Prague on her way to the world title. Alongside competing, she has recently appeared in a number of TV commercials, hosted video series and regularly travels across the world to make appearances.
In December 2018, Liv broke four world records live in Barcelona. She currently holds these records.
Alongside her football freestyle career Liv has founded multiple businesses and worked for many charitable causes. In 2018 Liv became the director of Africa Angels, a charity that works to support education, equality, eliminate poverty and transform communities in Africa
As a result of Liv’s work, she has won a number of awards including Parliamentary Rising Star and Woman of the Future.
Not only are her skills simply amazing – please watch the video, or here is a link to a shorter clip – (although it is for an ad and I don’t think it is nearly as impressive as the today’s featured video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OMIgoSE-Z4
All the following may have become clichés – “one door closing and another opening”- “there is always a solution to every problem” -“ every problem is an opportunity in disguise.” Nevertheless Liv having to give up traditional football through injury and then choosing not to cry but to focus on another form of football is, I believe a wonderful example of what can be achieved in the face of adversity.

Quote for the week
I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man that had no feet

Mick Mellows

Where Would I Be Without You? featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Where Would I Be Without You? recorded and produced by Ross Gill

Last week I said that I am privileged to have been asked by my dear friend Mick Mellows to be part of the team that is putting on the “Just One” event in the Portsmouth Guildhall on April 4th and 5th next year . The “Just One” event which includes a talk from J. John and music from the Portsmouth Gospel Choir and Noel Robinson, is being organised by the charity “Philo Trust” in conjunction with the charity “Faith and Football”, of which Mick is Director. I also said that I would tell you more of Mick and “Faith and Football” this week.
I was in my second year of studying to be a PE teacher at King Alfred’s College, Winchester and the buzz was that the centre forward of the England amateur football team was coming to study PE. I had expected at least “Roy of the Rovers” so at first sight Mick did not look anything special, however he was quick, had a great left foot and was totally dedicated. It was not long before he captained the Ist team which I just about scraped into (occasionally) and part of that job was to run the coaching sessions. It was in these that his experience, knowledge and professionalism shone through.
It turned out that Mick had the same room in the “Carfax “student accommodation that I had in my first year at King Alfred’s. A room close to ours was felt to be haunted and the whole place was pretty spooky- so Mick and I had much to talk about outside of football.
After we left college Mick spent a year teaching before playing football professionally in Belgium and eventually Portsmouth FC. It was at this time that we renewed our friendship – I would go to watch him play every week and then meet the Pompey players and the opposition players afterwards in the Players bar. He and his wife Felicity, together with my wife and I would then go for a curry (often paid for by Mick’s winning bonus) Our friendship grew with the four of us going on regular holidays to France. When my two sons, James and Chris were born Mick and Felicity became their God parents.
Felicity had studied what was then called Divinity at College – she persuaded Mick to join her at St Mary’s church in Portchester Castle and that led him to become a Christian. He later formed the charity “Faith and Football” with the Pompey legend, Linvoy Primus. The work that they do includes “Community Football Leagues, the Social Enterprise and Business Challenge, the Leadership Academy, the Extra Time Literacy Scheme, Walking Football and the Alpha Course. You can read more by visiting www.faithandfootball.org.uk
In 2015 all the tremendous work of “Faith and Football” was rewarded when they received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
I have the pleasure of seeing quite a lot of Mick at the moment, first because of the JustOne event and second because we are playing golf together!
Quote for the week
A problem not anticipated is a problem. A problem anticipated is an opportunity.
A.L Davis – Owner of Oakland Raiders American Football Team

I Love You Lord (Laurie Klien) featuring the Portsmouth Gospel Choir from the EP “How Great Are His Signs” recorded and produced by Joffy Girling

I am privileged to have been asked by my dear friend Mick Mellows to be part of the team that is putting on the “Just One” event in the Portsmouth Guildhall on April 4th and 5th next year The “Just One” event is being organised by the charity “Philo Trust” in conjunction with the charity “Faith and Football” , of which Mick is Director.
The idea behind “Just One” is that one follower of Jesus invites someone who is not yet a follower to listen to evangelist Canon J. John. J. John has been described as a creative speaker with an appeal that transcends gender, age, race, culture and occupation. His much-loved art of storytelling helps people to discover spiritual meaning in a way that makes sense of everyday life. He has been speaking of the relevance of Christianity since 1975.
In addition to hearing J. John speak the evening will consist of testimonies and music from Noel Robinson who wrote, among others, the classic songs “All heaven declares” “Come Lord Jesus” and “He is Risen.” The Portsmouth Gospel Choir (which is where I come i ) will also be there singing songs such as today’s featured song “I Love You Lord” and “Mustard Seed of Faith” both of which can be downloaded via https://mustardseedsongs.hearnow.com/
“Just One” has already taken place, with thousands and thousands, in attendance at the Arsenal Football Club ground and Gillingham Football club ground. It was originally going to take place at Portsmouth Football club’s Fratton Park but when this was not available Mick contacted the Portsmouth Guildhall who were delighted to stage the event.
The amazing “Just One” which took place at the Emirates Stadium (Arsenal’s ground) is captured in this video https://justone.co.uk/emirates/
By the way I will tell you more of Mick and “Faith and Football” in next week’s blog- meanwhile Caroline, Genna and I are off to stay at Caroline’s brother’s place in Malvern to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Caroline’s twin brother Chris has a Labrador puppy called Bella so lots of dog walking in the Malvern Hills is on the cards.
Quote for the week
Money is a universal provider for everything but happiness and a passport to everywhere but to heaven.
Every Day With Jesus

“Amazing Love” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Love is the Way” recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

So today is the first birthday of our lovely Labrador “Genna.”  Here are some photographs logging her first year.

Of course she can be naughty at times and obviously pretty demanding but we love her unconditionally and we believe that she loves us unconditionally. Whether that is totally true some may dispute but what I believe cannot be disputed is that God loves us unconditionally.

He loves us regardless of our age, our looks, our height, our weight, the colour of our skin, whether we are rich or poor, where we live, how intelligent we are, what job we have or do not have…. you can add to the list yourself but there is nothing you could include that would stop God loving you unconditionally for God is love.

Quote of the week

If it is too big to become a prayer it is too small to become a burden

Word for Today

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Mustardseedsongs-RisenChristCentralChapel

On the death of his Grandfather (his father had already died) Patrick Oki was about to become Chief of his village in Nigeria. However the Elders wanted him to denounce his Christian faith and return to the native religion which had been practiced before his Grandfather was Chief; this included human sacrifice. When he refused his life was in danger and so he sought asylum in England. It was in Haslar Detention Centre, Gosport that Mustard Seed Songs Founder and Trustee Ken Shearsmith first met Patrick some ten years ago. Unfortunately his asylum claim was rejected and he was deported to Nigeria where he had to re locate a long way from his village to stay safe.

Patrick told Ken that when he returned from England he was ill for two years, not being able to walk or even stand; having been rejected and abandoned by his family and friends- he was left to die, with no one to care for him except his son Emmanuel. Sometimes they had no food to eat, and he even prayed for God to take his life- all this because he had denounced the religious tradition of his people to follow Jesus. Patrick says I made a vow that if the Lord healed me I would serve him all the rest of my life and one day the Lord sent a servant Evangelist Lady Lizbeth who prayerfully joined hands with me and the Lord set me free. Praise the Lord I became born again to the glory of God.

Patrick is now indeed serving God as an unpaid Pastor in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria. His congregation is, at present worshiping in a hired hall and is looking after a number of orphans. Mustard Seed Songs has been working hard to bring them hope and joy by funding the building of their very own church which is named after Mustard Seeds musical Risen! – The Risen Christ Central Chapel. The featured pics show how the building work has progressed over the last two years.

Mustard Seed Songs are so thankful to the wonderful Portsmouth Gospel Choir for supporting its campaign – Mustard Seed of Faith is a track taken from their EP How Great Are His Signs

It is Pastor Patrick’s favourite song

1) England overjoyed
2) Chris Woakes (Eng)  goes to console Martin Guptill (N.Z)
3) Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff consoling Brett Lee 2005

“Glorious in His Humility” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Love is the Way” recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

Cricket fan or not (and I am a huge fan) the World Cup Final on Sunday was absolutely amazing – a tie – a super over etc. etc. I was not able to watch it live but when I saw the highlights I was at first hugely disappointed that the English players were so caught up in their celebrations that no one bothered to console the devastated New Zealand batmen who had so narrowly been defeated. My mind was cast back to 2005 when, in the Ashes, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff famously consoled Brett Lee after he and the Australian team had been so narrowly defeated.
I was delighted to have now found a photograph of Chris Woakes of England moving towards Martin Guptll of New Zealand to console him. I had heard what a really nice guy Chris Woakes is and he certainly showed it here.
There will be masses written about the England cricket team and quite rightly so but I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the New Zealand team for the way that they conducted themselves throughout the whole tournament – indeed Eoin Morgan the England captain paid tribute to them saying “I’d like to commiserate Kane (Williamson) and his team. The fight that they show is worth aspiring to. The example that they lead is hugely commendable to him and his team.”
The New Zealand team have indeed won many friends and admirers – I took this extract from an article on the BBC Sport website- it describes how, in the past, New Zealand cricketers have consoled players that they have defeated:
Four years ago New Zealand edged out South Africa in another World Cup thriller, this time in a semi-final.
Grant Elliott struck a six to take New Zealand to within sight of victory and raised his arms aloft in celebration when it was confirmed.
But a second later he was next to Dale Steyn, the devastated bowler, offering a hand to help him up from the ground and offer some commiseration.
Ross Taylor did the same to Carlos Brathwaite at Old Trafford during the group stages.
After the loss at Lord’s, Williamson was full of praise for England. He and his team were visibly devastated – but there was no hint of bitterness. No suggestion of unfairness.
Just a smile, a handshake, and some calm words from Williamson. As he left his news conference for the final time, he was given a round of applause by the journalists.
He, and his side, are a credit to the game
Quote of the week
True strength is to overcome through humility.

Ken Shearsmith from the song “Give Us Your Heart Lord”

A huge thanks to the amazing Portsmouth Gospel Choir for giving up their time so that we could film them singing “Mustard Seed of Faith” a track from their EP “How Great Are His Signs” which is available from https://mustardseedsongs.hearnow.com/

Massive thanks also to Joffy (Joffy James) the Mustard Seed Songs Musical Director for filming and editing.

The video has been produced to raise awareness (and funds) for the Mustard Seed Songs’ project of constructing the Risen Christ Central Chapel  (RCCC) in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria.  To find out more of the story and also  to help please visit –https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Mustardseedsongs-RisenChristCentralChapel

Many thanks

Quote of the week

Sorrows are our best educator. One can see further through a tear than a telescope

Bruce Lee

Do I Need To Worship? featuring the Mustard Seed Soul Band from the album “Heart and Soul” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

Although in the past I have been to music festivals I have to admit that I had not heard of Stomzy until a friend sent a link to his Glastonbury performance.  I was so impressed (also with the female singer who comes in at 2 mins 9 secs) that I thought I would share it with you and also do a little research. Here are some extracts from The Guardian:

Musicians, politicians and fans have hailed the rapper Stormzy after he became the first black solo British headliner at Glastonbury festival, opening to a spectacular pyrotechnic display on the Pyramid stage.

The Grammy-award winning singer Adele said on Instagram: “I’m so proud of him, Stormzy just monumentally headlined Glastonbury in his own right with one album!! The first Grime artist ever to do so, you respected everyone that opened the door for you whilst opening a huge one yourself.”

Stormzy whose real name is Michael Omari, has experienced a phenomenal rise to fame since the release of his song Shut Up in 2015 and the album Gang Signs and Prayer in 2017.

Among the highlights of the show, were a performance by the BAME dance group Ballet Black and guest appearances by the rappers Dave and Fredo and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Stormzy also played a speech by the Labour MP David Lammy on the disproportionate number of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the criminal justice system.

Lammy praised Stormzy for using his headline spot “to speak about the injustice of young black kids being criminalised in a biased and disproportionate justice system. Humbled and inspired that he sampled my speech.”

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, described the performance as political and iconic. “It won’t just go down in Glastonbury history – it’ll go down in our country’s cultural history.”

Ed Sheeran, whose 2017 hit Shape of You was performed by Stormzy on Friday, said the rapper was “an inspiration”.

He posted: “First black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury, second youngest to ever headline, and just an inspiration to so many. This is just the start, congrats big Mike, looking forward to see you do more achievements like this.”

Quote of the week

Go the extra mile -it’s never crowded

Wayne Dyer

“The Fire of Sacrifice” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Precious” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

As I wrote in the blog of two weeks ago the writer of the daily devotion “Word For Today” Bob Gass, sadly passed away on June 5th aged 75.  I thought I would share one of his devotions as a sort of testimony to his life.  This extract comes from his devotion of Sunday, 23rd June 2019.

Almost anyone can spot the problem, discuss the problem and complain about the problem, but a solution-oriented person looks always to solve the problem. Murray Spangler was such a person. As a departmental store cleaner he decided the only way to overcome the boredom of his job, which consisted of sweeping floors, was to find a more innovative way to do it. Plus he had the added incentive of being allergic to the dust he was sweeping away each day.  Then a thought came to him – instead of sweeping up the dust, maybe there is a way to suck it up. Where do such creative thoughts come from? God our Creator.  And since you are His offspring He will share His ideas with you. Spangler’s questions led him to invent a crude but workable vacuum cleaner. He then sought out an old friend in the leather business to finance the manufacturing of his invention. The man’s name was H.W. Hoover. Not only did Hoover vacuum cleaners become very popular, but “hoovering” became, at least for one generation, synonymous with sweeping floors. Built into every obstacle is an opportunity, every question an answer, every problem, a solution. So don’t be afraid to question methods, systems and equipment and ask “Is there a better way?” The world has been enriched by people who dared to ask that question. And you can be such a person, for God promises to bless “all to which you set your hand.”

Quote of the week

As long as you believe that more is better you will never be satisfied. Why because you’ll never live long enough to have it all!

The Word for Today

Joffy Girling filming the Portsmouth Gospel Choir singing “A Mustard Seed of Faith”

“Do I Need To Worship”? – featuring the Mustard Seed Soul Band from the album “His Story” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

One of Mustard Seed Songs’ Mission projects is the construction of the Risen Christ Central Chapel (RCCC) in Cross River State, Southern Nigeria.  The roof is on, the ceiling in place, there are doors and windows and the electrics have been installed. The next stage is for the floor to be tiled. In order to launch a fund raising campaign to fund the £2000.00 required the Portsmouth Gospel Choir graciously agreed to help by being filmed at the shore of Lee on Solent singing a track from their “How Great Are His Signs” EP – “A Mustard Seed of Faith” https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/portsmouthgospelchoir. This is Pastor Patrick’s of RCCC favourite song.

Joffy Girling, our amazing Musical Director came to film the track using some fantastic equipment including a £2.5 K drone!

However if you have been living in this country for the past month or so you will know that we have not exactly been blessed with good weather (to put it mildly!) so the 10.00 am start was delayed because of rain  and we were not able to film until 3.00 pm. The choir were wonderfully patient (it helped that there was a local pub and restaurant nearby) – Joffy was constantly checking the weather with his Met Office app and we did in the end get an hour or so of clear weather.

There were 24 from the Portsmouth Gospel Choir that gave up their time – some alumni coming down by car and train from London and some coming from Portsmouth- so it was a really generous giving of their time  and thanks so much again to them all.

One great bit of news is that a couple of days earlier two from the Portsmouth Gospel Choir, Heavilyn (Heaven) Sarprong and David Ohene- Akrasi became engaged. Heaven was the Musical Director for the “How Great Are His Signs” EP and David led the band,  playing keys.

So all at Mustard Seed Songs say “MANY CONGRATULATIONS HEAVEN AND DAVID!”

As soon as Joffy has finished editing the video I will publish it on this blog.

Quote of the week

You can always tell when you are on the road to success -it’s uphill all the way!

The Word for Today