An update from Bradford: Persevere

Persevere, the word of knowledge I was given before I left for Bradford. A week to a job, over a month to a house, but the growth spiritually has been undeniable. My heart has softened, my time with God has changed our relationship. My understanding of the gospel of Grace has reached new heights. The only negative change is my failure to keep up with my blog and finish the novel. My attention instead has been on viewshound. I have been regularly writing for the website. There is, however, light at the end of this exceedingly long tunnel. Just a glimmer of hope that I may get it finished before I turn twenty three. My finances, at a squeeze, may permit me to finish the novel by christmas. It, however, will be a risk financially. That little barrier of financial protection I built up will be demolished in a day. Then again what is life without a bit of risk! Better to regret those things we tried and failed at, than to regret those things we never tried for fear of failure. Forward I say. Always forward. I want to be able to say, I have written a book, and mean it. That to me would be worth significantly more than any cost involved and comparable risk.

The time I went looking for underwear and found three hundred quid

Personal growth is something we should always aspire to do, we don’t like too though, why? Because it isn’t easy to put yourself out of your comfort zone. Suddenly the risk factor goes through the roof; there are people that need to get involved. You are now responsible for the welfare of those people who are working for your organisation, as well as the people who benefit from the service it delivers. Recently I had a dream, in that dream I got on a bus, got off in the wrong place, then started chatting to a young person. It reaffirmed what I believe personally, that though I may think I am in the wrong place, I am exactly where God wants me.  A month and a half ago I upped sticks and moved to Bradford intending to start a new youth outreach project in the area. This week has been massively significant in seeing it come through. Five days ago, I had a vision of a round object coming down and hitting me. (One of the stranger parts about being a Christian). I heard it in my ear, opened my eyes, but there was nothing there. The next morning I got a call off my brother, a phone arrived at my house in London. I did not order this phone. It came as a free gift from 02’s big Ideas project.  This meant that the funding; which I had applied for several months earlier to use on a youth project and forgot about, wouldn’t be too far behind it. I checked my account, the money hadn’t come in. I knew it would though. So I began considering running a football project in Bradford, the idea was forming by mid week. By Sunday, I had my first volunteer, a local lad who is training to be a P.E. teacher. The best part is he works at the same pub as me. I got a job in that pub within a week of arriving in Bradford (which is by anyone’s tally amazing).

                All of this happened because I stepped out of the boat and answered a call to move to Bradford.  The best part is not the phone, but the money, on Friday, whilst looking for the ever so rare commodity: clean underwear. I noticed the bag my brother had given me filled with clothes  from my home in London had a bulge in it. I hoped beyond all hope it was underwear, I unzipped the bag and found some letters. Amongst them, a cash card from 02 to spend on the project. Three hundred quid. So I can truly say that God has provided. He saw my heart and even got the money to me in Bradford! For Christians I hope this is a faith building story. Step out of the boat and watch yourself walk on water. I had more good news today, the phone which is mine to keep, has a party interested in it. So not only will the project benefit, but I will now get money as well to help me fund the final edit on my novel. God is good.      

The cover for my latest short story, should be available on Amazon within the next couple of days

The unwanted child

Here I go to be carted off again

To a new house, to a different place

Wishing this will be the place I stay

Every time I make some friends, to a new home I am sent

I pack my stuff in black bin liners and off I go

Do you know what it is like not to be loved?

To wake up each day and long for a parent

For a place to call home

A place where I can reap the seeds I sow

I go to my carers and am tormented

Go to school and I am bullied

I hate my life, and the only whispers I hear

Are the ones from the devil in my left ear

“you are all alone, no one loves you

There is no God in heaven, no father above you.”

I cry myself to sleep, my self-loathing is so deep

Is this the life you want for me?

If not then would you please adopt me....

An update from Bradford: Enduring change

Just because you are doing the right thing, doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. Indeed only too often the hardest thing and the right thing to do are the same thing. I have to remind myself of that every day. I was called here, it is challenging: missing passports, lost finance, no house and no job. My God is it challenging!!! but I will persevere because actually God did not promise it would be easy. In fact often, when we do what we are asked to do, life suddenly gets significantly harder, not easier. Why? Because it involves change, and change is never easy. Then again, I was reminded this morning when I met a couple in the laundrette, there is a purpose to me being here. A family with four kids, and an amazing dog called Oliver. A very cute beagle! That is why I am here, families upon families of unsaved people. The good news is the move is a great conversation starter. As for the cloud I am sure it will pass, but I have a feeling it will get worse before it gets better, but then we don’t get flowers without a little bit of rain, do we?

Stamp on your ants before a monkey swings into town

Life can be split into three different tasks types: elephants, monkeys and ants. We have spent the last week doing management training. It seems strange to define tasks as monkeys, ants and elephants. However, I have found it quite an effective medium for time management. In the last week, I have had one monkey, several ants and one elephant. Monkeys are defined as distractions. Monkeys swing into town and distract you from work. We were offered to go out on Thursday night. However, I aimed to get my novel finished and sent off by Friday. That was my ant–ants need to be stamped on! Another ant was booking my rail ticket back to Leeds.
Now elephants are the most important things–family life, church life. They are a constant in our lives. Fortunately as a single man I don’t have many elephants. Although all that is about to change–youth work, fund raising, evangelism and not to mention the writing. I am going from none to a herd. Although a saying I heard today seemed relevant “I have so much to do today, I will have to pray for at least three hours to ensure I finish it all.” Organisation, was always a weakness for me. Fortunately the being I work for organised the entire universe, organises times and places for people to be saved, knows the numbers of hairs on our heads. I need some of that!!! So yeah just thought I would share that tip with you before I got distracted by a monkey. It’s been an awesome week seen God move for the people of Hartlepool although I got pinned by a spiritualist for half an hour! The spiritual battle taking to the streets, of course I won, although I am not exactly sure what I won... All support appreciated if you want to be added to the mailing list for “Nowhere to be Found”. My email is josephturner567@hotmail.co.uk, just drop me an email and I will let you know when it is published.

An update from Bradford: A man in pursuit of his creator

The word ‘change’ and several other words echo through my mind as I walk up the hill from Arches gym for the last time. My last visit to my home group, the people I have been meeting for the last twelve months was a laugh fest as usual. Don’s contribution went down a storm. I will miss that group. So why make a change? Two reasons, I am comfortable, which by definition is bad because if we are comfortable, then we are not challenging ourselves. We tend to grow a lot less in those circumstances. I don’t want to be comfortable, I want to wake up and know I am living on the edge of a new experience. The lyrics to a Nickelback’s song which is fast becoming my favourite, summarize my feelings quite well.

“My best friend gave me the best advice,
He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less travelled by”

Also the truth is that my growth spiritually has been somewhat stunted by living at home. It has been under pressure for a considerable time. The only time I really felt like I was growing, was during a short break to France- Where I was given the space to explore my faith more deeply. This is more than just a simple exercise of re-locating. What I am actually doing for the first time in my life is putting my faith in God’s provision. I mean I have given into the kingdom many times, but to actually expect something from the Kingdom financially. This is another level for me...  I believe it can only serve to strengthen my faith and I am excited to see what God has for me in Bradford.   If you feel compelled to give into the Aire Valley church plant. All gifts should be addressed to: 16 Sorrel Way Shipley, bd177qg. If the gift is specifically to finance my year out, then say so in the gift. Alternatives include, buying me shopping. I am grateful for any contribution especially prayers.  I look forward to telling you many stories of how God moved in Bradford and updating you on the progress of the novels. Until then stay tuned folks, things are about to get real interesting!!!