PJBelfast

My Slimming World community says "that it doesn't matter so much about what you do between Christmas and New Year's but it does matter what you eat between New Year and Christmas!" This space between Christmas and New Year is a great time to binge on Christmas goodies. It's also a great time to take stock, think about the possibility of holidays and also generally tidy up all those wee loose-ends before getting back to the daily grind. My friend DC is championing the discipline of weight-loss, having lost well over 5 stones in a four month period. I started at the end of September and feel so much better with just one stone off. It works! Maybe this new year will be your time to achieve some new goal. Weither you choose 'food optimising' used by Slimming World ...or some other tried and tested regime.. may your new year be prosperous and light. Or in the words of Captain Spock may you "live long and prosper"!

Thanks to live streaming, during 2018 I was able to watch the funeral tributes that celebrated the lives of three of ' God's Generals'.  Before you think this is morbid read on. Each one of these lives had a profound impact and influence on my life for good. They also made a difference for time and eternity on all those received their message and ministry. There was the renowned American evangelist and pastor to presidents, Rev. Billy Graham aged 99 (1918-2018). He was probably the most famous General of the Christian faith in our times, preaching God's unconditional love and saving grace to millions. There are two others, a little less well known to the masses, but those who nevertheless had a major impact and influence upon my life and many of those who knew them.  One was Rev. Dick Iverson the former pastor of Bible Temple, now City Bible Church, Portland, Oregon, USA. 'Brother Dick' as he was affectionately called, was a pastor of pastors, leading a n

Thanks to live streaming, during 2018 I was able to watch the funeral tributes that celebrated the lives of three of ' God's Generals'. Before you think this is morbid read on. Each one of these lives had a profound impact and influence on my life for good. They also made a difference for time and eternity on all those received their message and ministry. There was the renowned American evangelist and pastor to presidents, Rev. Billy Graham aged 99 (1918-2018). He was probably the most famous General of the Christian faith in our times, preaching God's unconditional love and saving grace to millions. There are two others, a little less well known to the masses, but those who nevertheless had a major impact and influence upon my life and many of those who knew them.  One was Rev. Dick Iverson the former pastor of Bible Temple, now City Bible Church, Portland, Oregon, USA. 'Brother Dick' as he was affectionately called, was a pastor of pastors

Q. Why is Tuesday night movie night? A. It's because it is only £4 for admission. Yes it's cheap Tuesday at Dundonald Omniplex. I just love a good movie. In fact I'm writing this blog as I watch the trailers for Bohemian Rhapsody. My wife just loves smuggling in sweets to avoid the premium pricing found at the cinema. Most movies tell a story really well.  I was at a documentary movie last night called ' Guardians of the flame' which celebrates the very best of what makes Northern Ireland great. My friend Beryl Quigley is one of those featured. To say she shares an ultimate act of forgiveness is an understatement. Check out the trailer below and then search out a show. https://vimeo.com/267884097 Now back to tonight's movie.

Slimming World has been my weigh-in station since September 2018. This community group has helped me loose weight while enjoying great craic with various people with a similar aspiration. Tomorrow is our festive bash, with everyone dressing up and bringing  along a slimming world recipe for us to all to sample. I'm making Christingles. I think the last time I made them I was in school! O how the years are flying by. I bet you wanna make some. In true Blue Peter tradition here's what you need. Several mandarins, red ribbon, birthday candles, whole cloves, cocktail sticks and goodies - sweets and sour - to put on the cocktail sticks.This includes cheese, grapes, cherries, marshmallows, soft centred sweets & a variety of pickles. There is amazing symbolism in all the elements that go to make up the Christingles. I could tell you them but you'll learn more if you do a Google search under the word Christingle. In the proverbial words of an old sage:

A friend of mine, who likes to remain anonymous, has supported a load of charitable projects, but particularly loves it when he can fund-match. What he is looking for is when someone else is first prepared to put "skin in the game" - that is, committing some of their own hard earned cash. This is what we call "putting our money where our mouth is." To understand this phrase "skin in the game" it has the thought of someone else first incurring risk, to helping in achieving a mutual goal. "Skin" here, is a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. For the person involved the "game" is the metaphor used for the field of play or goal under discussion. When someone demonstrates that they have "skin in the game" my friend happily matches the donation to double the amount! This year my wife and I went on a one day silent retreat to contemplate "Advent." From the scriptur

The local chicken factory was reputed to have supplied the leanest and plumpest of chicken breasts in Northern Ireland. So, having heard this, my wife sent me on an errand to buy, not just one but two boxes of those plumper than other chicken breasts – one for the work colleague and one for our family freezer. It was a rare hot summers day, when I arrived at the chicken factory, to collect the said luscious chicken breasts. I paid my £100 at the factory office and hurriedly carried the two boxes to the boot of my car, to get them out of the sun. And then it happened – in my haste I had set my car keys beside the chicken boxes and promptly closed the boot lid, inadvertently locking the keys inside. What a fool I felt I felt when I realised my faux-paux. As ‘ingenuity is the mother of invention’, I thought, if I phoned a local locksmith that he’d maybe gain access to the boot before the factory closing time. Unfortunately, the locksmith and I were to discover that this car b

For the past several years my wife and I have established a wee Christmas Eve tradition.  Firstly, we join with my cousin and wife early evening for their festive soirée. It's a hoot. We then tend to relax before joining with our friends at Willowfield Parish in East Belfast. This is the time when we reinforce what Christmas is really all about. Willowfield Parish is such a welcoming place. This time of year it's usually decorated with candles and Christmas trees. It is beautiful building with colourful stained glass windows and pillar box red cushioned seats. Of all the people that come, some have a faith while others are just exploring faith. Suppose what I'm really trying to convey is that it's a really inclusive, friendly and welcoming place. This community get-together starts at 11.15pm. It's a special Christmas Eve contemporary communion service. With communion you can either opt in or out.  This is one of our favourite services of the yea

Every workday morning I catch an early train from Sydenham to Lanyon place (or Belfast Central as it was called). It's a short two stop train ride, normally bunged with commuters from all walks of life. The train journey always reminds me of one of my favourite BCGC (Belfast Community Gospel Choir) songs entitled 'People get ready there's a train comin'.  This song was written in 1965 by Curtis Mayfield. It was first sung by the Impressions and then from a variety of artists such as Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy & others.  The composer was definitely thinking about political and social liberation, 'a long tradition of imagery in Black American freedom songs'. It is also said to have had 'a significant impact on the civil rights movement'. Even with this background understanding, the song clearly transcends this earthly hope by the future hope found, as the lyrics say, "in the Kingdom throne." It subte

Good partner relationships aren't easy. They need both parties adopting a posture of leaning in. Most breakdowns happen when the 'we' becomes 'me'. I am no agony uncle, and don't claim to have the answers. So although I have experienced a range of emotions, I've managed to survive a 37 years marriage to my long-suffering wife Caroline. Any relationships can become tired and I've found it so easy to take each other for granted. That said, Caroline was always keen that we had a relationship refresh, an enhancement. She liken this to what a car does when it has an MOT tune-up. I'd always been a bit more reluctant, holding to an attitude "if it's not broken there is really nothing to fix." That said, Caroline gave me a book and suggested I read it. I sensed the suggestion was for our mutual benefit, so, as she was heading away with friends for a few days, I had the time - and boy was it a page turner. It is called '5 Love L

In the annuls of our family history, there is a great story told of an old uncle. Apparently he swore a lot, so instead of the usual Christmas prezzies, one Christmas morn he was given coal. Yes, the black stuff you put in a fire. My grandparents were obviously exasperated and decided to show him a little tough love. They weren't totally heartless though, they did eventually follow it up with some Christmas presents. They certainly knew how to make their point though. Hope you've been "nice" this past year and you aren't on the "naughty" list. The big man in red is watching and is coming to town! Here's hoping that you have a coal-free Christmas and a prosperous new year.

My wee supermarket was a gathering point for those of us needing a confectionery sugar fix. One of the most memorable days in my three year tenure was when a 95 year old lady walked in looking flustered and forlorn. We took her into the office and offered her a cup of tea to calm her down. Upon enquiring what was wrong, we ascertained that she had lost her handbag on the local bus. So after an 'Inspector Clouseau' moment of fact finding, we reckoned the bus was on its way to Dundonald and was likely to soon be on its return trip. I then ventured out in my car and managed to stop in front of the bus . Upon speaking with the driver, I found out that some honest person had handed it in.Yeh - mission accomplished! When I returned to the supermarket with the lost bag, the lady was elated as she was now able to get her house keys and return home. The lady had a housekeeper who, a little time later, came in to the shop to ask me my name. Shortly afterwards I was presented w

I have a life-long friend in the States who treats me like I was his brother. In fact I joke that we are brothers from a different mother. Through our forty-two years friendship, through the good times and the bad, he has proven himself to be loyal friend beyond my wildest dreams. Several years ago, I had experienced a traumatic series of events that had caused me to step back and resign from my chosen profession.   While recovering from the setback and while searching for gainful employment, my lifelong friend intervened to become my rescue-ranger. During these months of uncertainty and loss of income, he placed the equivalent of my former salary into my account! His faithfulness and generosity were extraordinary. He helped me to meet every normal monthly commitment, without ever being left short for any mortgage or utility payment. This faithfulness demonstrated a kindness and allegiance that I shall never forget until my dying breathe. True friendship is a rare commodit

Anyone who has watched the James Cameron movie blockbuster Titanic, will see the fateful night the great ship sank, told through the eyes of a survivor, Rose Bukater, played in the film by Kate Winslett. As the Titanic was built in my native city I have a fascination with all stories surrounding the ship, but this next one is my favourite. Many may not know his name, but he was the man who sacrificially risked his life to rescue a few of the lives of those perishing in the icy sea, while the doomed Titanic was still sinking. While the other lifeboats headed towards the rescue ship the Carpathia, Lifeboat 14 was the only lifeboat to go back. The officer in charge of Lifeboat 14 was a Welshman called Harold Geoffrey Lowe. His action was one that demonstrated a love that was both selfless and sacrificial. Although all the other lifeboats feared the probability of being sucked under as the Titanic sank, Lowe risked life and limb to rescue the perishing from the icy

The 140 plus members of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir (BCGC) make up a united community of love and hope. Led by their visionary-founder Marie Lacey, they perform a variety of songs rooted in urban contemporary gospel music, sometimes referred to as 'black gospel'. Through singing, they bring joy and hope to business people and politicians alike who host corporate functions. They also regularly help fundraisers at various charitable events. The choir’s versatility and magnanimity is such that they also perform at church concerts and have even backed major theatrical productions at the Grand Opera House.   My wife has been a BCGC soprano since its inception 10 years ago and wanted me to spend more time with her "feeling the joy."   So, in the summer of 2014, flush with our newfound empty nest, an idea was hatched for me to possibly join her. I auditioned for a tenor part and the rest is history. I'm certainly no Pavarotti, but nonetheless, passionately s

Prior to David becoming King, his dad Jesse sent him to his brothers who were at forefront of the battle to deliver a picnic lunch. He noticed they were all petrified, with noone prepared to volunteer to standup against the giant Goliath. Goliath was taunting the people of God. David though, had previously defeated both a lion and a bear. They had tried to attack the sheep that David had been guarding. His trusty sling had been his weapon of choice. It was a tried and tested tool, proven to bring down any adversary. Saul the King had other plans for David, a man sent to deliver more than just a picnic. Saul reckoned that for David to at least have a fighting chance, he really needed to be clothed with Saul's very own armour. Surely this armour would help protect him against the onslaught of this giant of the Philistines. This was a seemingly good idea from Saul, but David couldn't wear it.  For one, it was ill-fitting and it also wasn't proven like his slingshot.