Back to normal?

It has been interesting to meet some of the locals for the first time in recent days. I mentioned in an earlier blog that one of the "locals" thanked the holiday makers for giving Looe back to the residents. We are just now beginning to understand something of what that might mean.

The clientele of the "old Rusty" has changed dramatically over the last 2 weeks. it is not meant to be in any way insulting but it is much more sedate now. There are still a good number of holiday makers that are frequenting the coffee shop and we are most grateful for thier custom. After all the charity needs customers in order that we might continue to be of benefit within our community. What I mean when I say a more sedate clientele is that they have either reached a certain age of freedom from the shackles of work or are couples (or singles) without school age children. Visitors are here on holiday not only for beach (the weather has become autumnal and as such walking and not lounging is more the order of the day!) This makes for a very different atmosphere in the cafe.

There is then the return of the locals who have themselves been either busy working with or for the holiday makers or who have not ventured this way due to having to battle the crowds down the main street and for that matter every other steet, nook and cranny of the town. All of this and I suppose many other factors have made a real difference within the cafe itself. I am in no way saying "thank goodness that the holiday makers have gone." I have loved the buzz and busyness of the summer but am now looking forward to the challenges of Autumn, the quiet wildness of winter and the new beginning of the spring to come.

It all makes me wonder how different a Christmas might be here as opposed to South Wales. I have in the past experieinced a few New Years eve's in Swanage and so have some sort of understanding of the party atmosphere that Looe might have that night but I look forward to the experience! Then there is the music festival of next week, even though I have grown up through the hippy days I have never gone to a festival and so this will be very different for me. I have been to numerous rock concerts and still love much of the rock music available, but what is Looe like under the invasion of the rock officianados?

These and many other issues make me excited to be a new member of the Looe community and I thank all that have taken the time to welcome these new members of the community. It was great last night to meet a few of the neighbours in the middle of the road (yes the road) just outside the "old Rusty" chatting and making arrangements without being accosted by a constant stream of vehicles.

Today is the first Thursday when some residents over a certain age are joining us in our "upper room" for a cream tea and musical entertainment. I am looking forward to seeing how all of this works and how it fits in with the wider work of the Rusty Bucket; which of course is a Christian witness within the town.

I believe in the gospel as being the way that God brings people into relationship with Him. It is His gracious way that has been appointed for people to come to Him and so how does a coffee shop fulfil it's function as a way to God. The next phase of my learning curve has begun.

Praise the Lord that Autumn is only a couple of days away. I would ask my praying readers to pray for this important work here in Looe as we try to make a difference. There are many lonely and confused people in all communities and so I am convinced that it must be true here in this beautiful Cornish town also. Pray that we will help the people here where it really matters.

WWW.Looe = Wet Windy Wonderful.Looe

"What a difference a day makes, just 24 little hours"so the song goes. How true that is today. Yesterday was according to the meteorologists supposed to be wet and miserable. I was so glad that they for once got it wrong on my day off. But today they were absolutely accurate. Dull, wet and windy but despite that it is still a wonderful place to be.

One of the comments made by many people is that we must be thrilled to have moved to such a beautiful place. The implication being that where we have come from is not so beautiful. I set a challenge to you. Here are some pictures of Ogmore-by-Sea. Just compare the stunning beauty of the South wales coast with where we are now.

Ogmore-by Sea is beautiful in its vast open spaces.

Looe is very different.

But which is the most beautiful?

Early morning.

Moon over the sea.

Why not tell me what you think on the comments page?

I will post in a few weeks time telling revealing my thoughts.

A question of balance.

How do we keep a right persective in life? As we look at nature everything is seeking to find an equilibrium or balance. The mathematician has to balance his equations, the chemist has to balance his chemical formulae and the accountant has to balance his books. Everything must be balanced to keep order in whatever we do. We even talk about having a balanced mind in order that normal life might continue. It is therefore no surprise that God expects Christians and th church to be balanced in their approach to life and ministry.


This was the subject of the Pastor's sermon at Grace Community Church, Morval, Near Looe this morning. It was a topical address concerning the church and Christian approach to social concern. The sermon is posted on the Grace website. I would commend you to download and listen but be aware it comes with a spirtual health warning. It will challenge the state of your heart and will cause you to re-consider some well entrenched ideaks that we might have. You can find the message at:

http://www.gracecc.org.uk/sermonfiles/ed/06_Amos_James_150913.mp3

We were challenged to keep both faith and works in balance and harmony, without exalting one over the other. God is angry when our balance tips over to either side but there is true blessing for us when we are balanced abd for our outreach efforts also.

Where does that balance lie?

This is my conclusion but I believe also the conclusion of Pastor: We are to love our God with all of our being first and foremost. Then when we love God in such a way we will want to be like Him in our love for both ourselves and for others. He loves us sacrificially and went to extreme ends to bring us into fiendship with Him. We too must do all that we can to show the love of Christ to all that we know. That will result in us being concerned for soul, body and mind of those to whom we atke the gospel. The balance is theat the gospel can only be effective through the declared word but social concern is the vehicle by which we gain the opportunity to speak the gospel. The two work hand in hand. We can however help with the physical needs of a person without the gospel but that will only result in helping that person for now but the gospel preached could change their position before God for all of eternity.

As Christians we are called by God to engage with unbelievers and show them the hope found in Jesus Christ. We let Him down if we are only concerned about the physical well being of others. On the other hand we let our contacts down if we only preach and do not help them out in times of difficulty. The balance must be right in order that we do the very best for society today.

A lovely day.

This might sound strange to some but the weather today has been rather awful. In fact it was just what you might expect of a British summer's day but despite that it has been a lovely day. It has been lovely because of many things; most of which are people.


We have had a very busy day in the “Old Rusty” with many delightful customers; they were people with great big smiles and a relaxed spirit about them. It has not been a particularly profitable day as far as takings in the café are concerned but it has been a most encouraging day.


It was fascinating to watch how Ash the dog opposite can control a whole street-full of people and also most of our customers with his playful ball skills and how he can then just stop playing at will. Leaving his adoring fans somewhat perplexed and dissappointed as to why he doesn't want to play with them! (If you want to see more of him I am told that he has his own Facebook page, why not look him up?) He brought a lot of enjoyment to many of our customers.


It was also interesting to observe how our holiday clientele has changed this week. It is no longer a children oriented group of people but couples and groups of friends holidaying together or away for a few days on a coach holiday. It seems that a more sedate week is at hand. Get ready with the tea cakes!


There were also a number of people who were on their own, each with a story to tell. Some were sad at the recent loss of their life-long partner. It was good to have a chat with lonely folks who are going through a hard time of grief.
Then there are our trusty locals who are faithful to what we are trying to achieve, I am so grateful that they are welcoming us with open arms into their lovely community.


It would be quite wrong to not mention my colleagues for the day, Juliet on washing up duties. She sacrificially gives her time freely because she is convinced that God will use our little efforts for the glory of His name. Then there is Pam the cook who just happens to have the privilege? of being married to yours truly and also Marie who has the misfortune of having to refer to me as Pa. These have all made the working day a delight. Paul and Peggy are ever faithful to the work and give tirelessly and faithfully beyond all expectation.


All in all this has made today a lovely day.
I want to thank all that have made it so good and I pray that somewhere the Rusty Bucket might have made a difference to somebody on this Friday the 13th September. To some a day to dread but to us who know of God’s saving grace it was just another lovely day of amazing blessing.


Praise Him for all that He has done.

The weather might enhance a day but being in good company makes it a lovely day.

Are you willing to give me a drink of water?

Whilst serving a customer he asked me if he and his wife could just share a glass of tap water between them. My response was "would you like ice in it?" He went on to tell me that they had walked out of another cafe due to their unfriendly response. They then proceeded to order both food and drink for themselves. It is a strange incident in which I seem to come out trumps but it highlights something most significant. As a Christian charity we should be like our Saviour who gave of Himself freely. There is an incident in John's gospel chapter 4 where Jesus asked a samaritan woman for a drink of water. She is confused that a Jewish man would ask for a drink of water from a woman from a nation that was hated by the Jews. Jesus' reply was that if only she knew who He was then she would ask for the wster of life. Jesus is spiritual water which leads to eternal life. The woman's meeting with a man led to her salvation. My customer met with my accomodating reply (thank God for that!) I would hope and pray that he might meet Him who offers so much more than a glass of tap water.

Billy Bray

Challenge for the new day.

It was said of Billy Bray (a converted tin miner of the 19th century: why not read his biography?) that:

"Religion to him was not a duty to be done-not a privilege to be enjoyed in leisure hours-not a benefit club, a comfortable provision for "rainy days; it was life. Never left behind, never put off with Sunday clothes, never hidden before great or low, good or bad, but in him, flowing through him, speaking in every word, felt in every action, seen in every look-deep, true,abiding religion was with him altogether a life. Dead indeed unto sin, he was now living unto God through Jesus Christ."

Before Billy's conversion he was a drunkard and blasphemer of the first order but found a new and forgiven life through faith in Christ. He who is forgiven much loves much.

Why not follow this link to a short you tube clip about Billy's life?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh-2T7_cUvU

Oh to be a little bit more like Billy Bray as we begin yet another day of grace.

A God forsaken place?

After a couple of lovely days in Lynton we returned home via some of the most magnificent scenary outside of Wales. My conclusion is that Great Britain is the most beautiful land imaginable.
We travelled through 3 counties and saw the coastline in all of its beauty and the delights of Exmoor. before retuning home Dartmoor beckoned us.

The surprising highlight of my day was to drive past the prison at Princetown. A dark and dismal place which is designed to offer no hope to all imprisoned within its walls. I cannot imagine being incarcerated in such a grey place surrounded by such beauty.

The moors are open and free but the prisoners are locked in and with no liberty and yet it was still a privilege for me to be there. The reason being that a number of years ago a man named Fred Lemon was imprisoned there. It was during his imprisonment that by God's amazing grace the Lord Jesus visited him and saved him from his sin. That made a remarkable change in Fred's life. From that day on he lived a God glorifying life that led him to be an honorary member of the Christian Police Association. He is the only criminal to have done so I believe.

The memory of Fred's testimony made me remember that it is when men and women are at the lowest ebb that God so often works graciously in their lives. You can read the full story in "Breakout" the biography of Fred's life. Can you believe God visited that prison? This goes to prove that their are no God forsaken places on the earth! Not even those designed by man for the punishment of those that somw would term the dregs of society.

The long and winding road:

One of the best songs written and sung by the Beatles in my humble estimation is the long and winding road. The title could be the motto of my day. Another song sums up my day also, it is an old Christian chorus or ditty: "when the road is rough and steep." Both of these songs have great significance for our day in and around Lynton and Lynmouth. It all started with a lovely breakfast in Sinai House and then developed as we started a walk through the town and down the valley of the rocks. We could see showers dotted across the sea but only experienced a few moments of drizzle. What a blessing! We went ascended to the summit of the rock at the bottom of the valley:

We stayed at the top for half hour or more and just took in the breataking views, we were also trying to work out what the helicopter was buzzing around for. Up there we met a nice couple whose wedding anniversary it just happened to be. We kept bumping into them for the whole day.

The rough and at times steep long widing coastal pathway led us rather spectacularly to lunch at Lynmouth:

After ham, egg, chips and esspresso mingled with a bit of shop browsing we set off to Watersmeet. Another of those rough, steep and long winding pathways take us to the idyllic Watersmeet where we were greeted by a National Trust coffee shop followed by the long trek back to Lynmouth, a ride up the cliff railway and then up the 60'ish steps to relaxation.

There is an important point to my rambling, I MADE IT! For any who know me I have been somewhat compromised with mobility due to hip problems but on the 4th May Mr Mark Mullins replaced my right hip bone with a nice new ceramic joint. I would like to thank Mark for his brilliance and also two really good friends for their kindness in covering the cost. The blessing to me is that I can walk free of any discomfort; but there is more. I have suffered with chronic fatigue for 10 years now and that has finally disappeared.
Again my gratitude goes to Caroline for all of her support, pills and recipes. I am sorry but I could not stop drinking coffee but the rest of your advice has been vital. I ended my walk with no ill effects and felt as if I could have walked into the night. These are real bonuses and so hill walking I return to you. I also hope to fulfil my dream of cycling again.
But there is even more still, the second of the songs quoted:

"When the road is rough and steep" continues:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
He alone has power to keep,
Turn you eyes upon Him,
Jesus is a faithful friend,
one on whom you can depend,
He will keep you to the end,
Turn your eyes upon Him.

I am reminded that the road of life that I am on (you are on a similar road) is punctuated by all sorts of delights, difficulties and issues. We go up hill and down dale, finding occasional rest, food and solitude that sustains us for our journey. The bible describes the Lord Jesus to be food for His friends and also water for them. He is peace and rest in their need, correction in their wanderings, strength in their weakness, love in their loneliness and peace in their hearts. We experience many things on a pleasure walk but with Jesus we experience life to the full in all circumstances. There is of course another valley that we will all walk through; the valley of the dark shadows of death is a reality but on the other side is comfort for God's children. Are you one?
Jesus is the bridge to life will you walk with Him?

2 nights at Sinai.

I have never had the urge to go to the historical bible places and probably if I did go would not really enjoy the experience. Therefore the prospects of going to Sinai do not really thrill me. It is not about where God has worked in the past that is important but what He is doing today with His people.
I just happened to stumble across Sinai House in Lynton as I searched through the "cheap deals" for a couple of nights away before the Autumn sets in. I have never visited Lynton before and have heard many of Pam's stories of family holidays in the area. From the stories I know of past disasters in the town and also of the Valley of the Rocks which I am keen to explore. I therefore booked in and have now spent one night in a delightful guest house with equally delightful hosts; Debbie and Nigel.(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)

The Green House Restaurant in Lynton was recommended as a nice place to eat and so we trecked (yes I mean trecked: Barbican Hill in Looe has nothing on Sinai Hill!!) down to the restaurant where we had my belated birthday meal. Pam enjoyed duck whilst I had Lobster and prawn salad. It was my first sampling of Lobster and I am glad that the poor critter made the ultimate sacrifice for my benefit.

After a good night's sleep I woke up (after 9 hours uninterrupted sleep: yes 9 hours folks) and opened the curtains to see this:

We are now in our 40th year of marriege and have said numerous times that "one of these days" we would go Lynton.

For 20 years in Ogmore-by-Sea we looked across the water to the 2 parallel lines of lights of Lynton and Lynmouth and often said "one of these days!2 we will go over and look back. Now here we are it is "one of those days" and we look back to many fond memories as we think of great friends and neighbours.

We pray for the church that the Lord has called together in that beautiful place and miss them greatly but here we are in another of those days of God's good grace where we can enjoy all that he has given us. Watersmeet, Valley of the Rocks, Lynmouth here I come for my day out and to cap it all the sun is shining, despite our weather forecasters best efforts to change it.

ONE OF THESE DAYS here I come.

It's only people having fun?

In our supposed post modern world it is expected that we can all do just as we please as long as it does not offend others. The scale of offence is therefore all important. My difficulty is how do we therefore assess what is truly offensive.
Due to the belief that we all have our rights and we are therefore entitled to live life just as we please causes a serious dilemma for the general well being of the population.

These were my very thoughts at between 2 & 3:00 this morning when the customers of the local night club turned out from a night of fun. There is obviously no problem with them all enjoying their time but when it spills out on the streets of the town there is suddenly a clash of cultures.

I lay in bed listening to arguments between men and also women. It was clear that a number of issues were coming to the fore:

Firstly there was understandably disappointment that the evening had come to an end.

Secondly there was the reality of being in the real world once again; the fun of the club has ended!

Thirdly the alcohol or whatever became more potent in the night air.

The result being that the volume control along with tolerance levels were completely out of balance. This caused arguments between friends and lovers that all in the dwelling places around could hear. I have to say that this did not make me angry but I had a real sense of there being something missing within these folk. They were out looking for a good time of fun with friends, lovers and potential friends and lovers and now for some it had all faded away suddenly in the night air. There were even scuffles and punch ups, how sad that friendships and relationships end in such a way possibly due more to substances within the circulatory system rather than a clash of character.

In our post modern world they are of course fully entitled to all that they experienced but I wonder if I was equally entitled to the disturbance. Are my visitors and neighbours equally entitled to the commotion?

Post modernism it seems to me has a number of advantages, I do have my rights etc but a great disadvantage with it is that it can cause anti-nomianism. (Which means that I can do just what I please whatever the consequences to my neighbours and of course there can be no law against my rights!)

I love the way that the Lord Jesus summed up the second part of the 10 cammandments: "Love your neighbour as you love yourself." If all of our community (including those critics lying in our beds!) could just simply love ourselves rightly and then love others in the same way then our society would be very different. As I lay in my bed my thoughts went to the Saviour's sacrificial love for me and that caused me to pray that those real people on the streets of Looe. My prayer was that they might experience the fun of a fulfilled life and the peace that only He can give.

From the rising of the sun.

From the rising of the sun:

To the going down of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised. "Oh what a beautiful morning.

Christmas already!?

I am not a party pooper or even one of those puritanical types that pour scorn upon Christmas but I was a little taken back when visiting my local Co-op store today and having to wait to get passed the staff who were busy putting out chocolate Father Christmas' It brought back memories of the first days of school holidays when I was brought back to reality by the "BACK TO SCHOOL" adverts in shop windows.

Christmas is just around the corner (just 15.5 weeks to be exact) but do we really need to be reminded of that whilst it is still officially summer. And yes it is summer until 20th or 21st September whatever the meteorologists would like us to believe. Personally I am hanging on to summer for as long as it is possible. It has been a lovely sunny and warm summer that has brightened the spirits of many in our nation.

For the last 2 years Summer has been a wash out and so why should we now be transported into a winter season without the delights of autumn being worked through first. This seems to be symptomatic of todays society. We are not allowed to live for today and to enjoy it for what it is worth.

I do feel like one of those grumpy old men on the television at the moment because it has caused me to consider the mania many have today for communications wherever they are. I am amazed that wherever I go I see people using telephones (not using them to speak!) but texting (is that a real word?) googling (that surely must not be a real word) or surfing (nothing to do with sea activities!) the net (nothing to do with fish.) They are with people but not with the people that they are actually with if that makes any sense at all.

It seems to me thatwWe are so often not living for the moment but for some other time, some other place or some other people other than what is reality. It really is a most confusing age that we live in.

The one thing that I do know is that today in my capacity as manager of the "Old Rusty" (as I affectionately call the cafe) I have met and enjoyed the company of many people, whether it be valued members of the Team or equally valued customers. It has been a great day that has been capped by the most delightful meal at the Courtyard restaurant in Looe with Pam and her sister and a good friend also. A good day has been my lot and I am glad that I have lived for today in the ever presence of the Lord who in the scriptures inspired Isaac Watts to wright these beautiful words:

This is the day the Lord hath made;
He calls the hours His own;
Let Heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad,
And praise surround the throne.
Today He rose and left the dead,
And Satan’s empire fell;
Today the saints His triumphs spread,
And all His wonders tell.
Hosanna to th’anointed King,
To David’s holy Son; Help us, O Lord;
descend and bring Salvation from Thy throne.
Blest be the Lord,
who comes to men With messages of grace;
Who comes in God His Father’s Name,
To save our sinful race.
Hosanna in the highest strains The Church on earth can raise;
The highest heav’ns, in which He reigns,
Shall give Him nobler praise.

Our days are given and numbered by the Lord who has given us this very day and hour to live for Him. We make plans for the future but it is not by rite that our plans are realised but by God's grace. All He wants of us is that we live every moment for His glory.
Yes Christmas is coming but not yet!

I wish you all a very happy 6th September and hopefully a prosperous 7th.

Peace and quiet.

A customer in the cafe today made the comment that the holiday makers had returned Looe to its residents. If the quiet that we are currently experiencing is evidence of that then I am personally happy to be included in the community.
I have lived here now for 10 weeks and feel as if we are fully at home. We have been impressed at how friendly the people of the town are and how welcoming they have been and are being to this newcomer. I would like to thank any residents of Looe and further afield in Cornwall who may read my ramblings for receiving us as you have. We do not feel like strangers in a foreign land but as welcome guests into your incredibly beautiful part of the world.
As you may guess by now our experience reminds me of at least one bible principle:
It was embedded into Old Tetsament law that the children of Israel accomodate strangers amongst them and in so doing they would show something of God's character. God created man in His own image and so man should have some of God's qualities in evidence. God accomodates those who are strangers to Him if they will only come into His presence. He makes them comfortable to be in His presence. The children of Israel were to display the hospitable quality of God to the stranger as they cared for them.

There are many lonely people in our community and so part of the Rusty Bucket's ministry is to reach out to the lonely and hurting and offer them peace and solitude.

The cafe was recently commended by a customer for being a haven of rest and a place that they felt that they could relax and reflect on their own issues of life. An old hymn has these words:


There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Saviour meet,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

Looe is a place of peace and quiet it is a pleasure living here but there is a more important peace that is worth considering, are you at peace with God?

A beautiful summer comes to an end.

I was reminded today that it is the last day of school holidays. Looe town was noticably quieter, one regular customer even told me that the holiday makers had now given her town back to the locals. It has been a great experience learning how to drive at snails pace through the town and to smile at the antics and comments of pedestrians that do not think that cars should be allowed along such narrow streets.

It is interesting how diferent people see things in so many different ways. Again in the coffe shop today another customer was surprised to find that we are not just an ordinary business but a charity whose aim is not to get rich but to benefit the residents of Looe. Our motto is "Love Looe" and that is what we do.

A friend of mine made the observation that it is a quaint town with close buidings, but there is so much more to Looe than just the buidings or even the sea and the industry built up around it. There are real people here with real issues of life, there are the young, the adults and the now not as young as they once were! All of whom make up the people of Looe and with that there are many opportunities to show our love to the people. The best way to do this we believe is to love them as Jesus Christ loves people. He loves people so much that His desire is to bring as many as answer His call into a living relationship with God. When people are in a Godly relationship then I believe that the community benefits. Maybe I will write again about how that was clearly seen at the great times of revival especially in Wales. But that is for another time. The pictures below shows something of the beauty of the town of Looe.

Friends from home.

What do you do when news from home is not what you would want?

I recently heard that a dear friend has been diagnosed with cancer and is udergoing an intensive treatment plan. A few months ago it would have been my privilege to be there and to comfort and help in any way possible. But we are so far away!

What can we do?

The only thing we can really do is support from a distance and more importantly we can pray. We have a heavenly Father that hears and answers prayers and so we commit our friend into His hands with all certainty that He will see her through. Life is in His hands, He is the giver and taker of all life. Our friend has the certainty (since Jesus became her Lord and saviour) that whatever might befall will result in blessing beyond compare.

We pray that she will have many more years of showing the love of Christ here on earth!

Distance from each other is a problem to us but an opportunity for us to display out trust in God above.

Suspended Coffee.

One of the great things about a new job is discovering ideas like the suspended coffee scheme. It is a simple act of charity from one person to another. The Rusty Bucket have for some time now been facilitating customers to buy a filter coffee or a cup of tea extra to their requirements. This is then logged and passed on to somebody in need of a drink but for whatever reasons they cannot pay for it. All the recipient has to do is ask at the counter and without question they will receive a drink at no cost to themselves. This is a simple way of showing concern from one person to another. Again it is a great reminder of what God has done in Christ Jesus. By His death and resurrection Jesus has removed the need for us to pay the cost of personal sin, the price of which is death. Jesus has died on behalf of all who come to Him in repentance and in need of forgiveness. God forgives the sinner but Jeus paid the price required for forgiveness to be accomplished. It is a bit like our suspended coffee, the price is paid beforehand and all that is needed is the humility to come and to ask and then to receive the free gift.

If you would like to know more about either the work of the Rusty Bucket or of the Lord Jesus Christ why not contact me through the Rusty Bucket Christian Resource Centre website or e-mail me at: peterpamthatcher@btinternet.com

Every blessing to you

Peter

What is a cream tea?

Not being a lover of cream or scones (or is it sconnns????) I have always been somewhat befuddled by the arguments surrounding the British institution called the cream tea. It seems to me to be a futile argument as to whether the cream goes on the scone before or after the jam. That is until you enter Cornwall where it is of great importance that the jam is below the cream otherwise Devon traditions are being practised. Perhaps one day I will venture into eating one and discovering which way really is the best.

The argument might at first seem futile as is merely the pronunciation of the word scone that is debated but there is a more important issue at hand. Correctness is important in life. We live in a country that seems to be "politically correct" mad. We must say and do what is acceptable to all around and in many ways there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! But there is a correctness that is sadly being ignored today. Spiritual correctness to many is simply not important. But to God it is vital; in the bible He has declared that spirtual correctness comes though Christ alone and that faith in Him brings forgiveness for sins and benefits us with a new and living relationship with God Almighty. We may be interested in the correct way to put cream and jam on our scone (sconn or whatever) but God is concerned about who or what is most important to us in our hearts.

If you are interested in this why not contact me through the Rusty Bucket website at: www.therustybucketcoffeeshop.co.uk

Who am I?

Who am I? I am simply a man who by grace has come into a real relationship with God.



“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Why go to Church?

As a 15 year old growing up in the City of Coventry I had one main focus in life. Cycling was my passion. Every day I would be out with the local cycling club training or being involved with time trials. I was not really that good but I just loved the sport. It therefore came as a surprise when a good friend of mine who had for a long time had been a “Church goer!” invited me along to her church youth group. I politely declined. I had never even considered whether there was a God or not and I had no concept as to what a Christian might be.

My friend however persisted and eventually found a key to get me along. It was Christmas time and another interest had started to develop in my experience. Girls: she told me that there were some nice girls there and so I agreed to go along to the Christmas party.

Washing up!

My friend was right, there were some really attractive girls at the party and so it was no real difficulty to be there. I still had no concept of what Christianity was about and there was no epilogue to conclude the party. BUT I was impressed by something on that night that caused me to want to go again. There was a lad 3 years older than me who at the end of the party invited me to follow him. Dutifully I followed because there was something about him that fascinated me. He led me into the kitchen, threw a tea towel to me and told me that he and I were doing the washing up. I might have thought that this would have put me off church for life. After all whoever heard of a 15 year old voluntarily washing up?? Ian (the young man) was so much fun that I was impressed by his character and so it seemed only natural to agree to attend the next young people’s meeting.

Why religion?

I went along on the first Wednesday of the New Year to the “Crusader” group, where a man called Dave led what to me seemed like a Church service. It was all very odd but I was sat next to my new found friend and of course there were an number of girls to “eye up.” The meeting consisted of singing a few “choruses” (I could never understand where the verses were!) a bible reading and then Dave spoke about Jesus from the bible. This was the very first time that I had been confronted with religion and I remember thinking to myself “why do I need religion” but that was thrown into confusion by Ian who clearly had got it!

A time to decide.

I became a regular attender of the group and I confess that I really did enjoy all that went on there. The message from the front seemed to make sense and Ian seemed to me to be living proof of all that was being taught. Deep inside I knew that I did not have what was being “preached” and that I wanted it. It was at an inter church meeting in Rugby that an older man spoke about the need for personal salvation that God the Holy Spirit convicted me of the sin within. God extended His grace towards me and I was not saved!!! I was in a state of confusion and unhappiness for a few months. Was I one of those who had rejected the free offer of the gospel, would it ever be offered by God in such a way again? Theses thoughts were my constant companion.

UNTIL

An evangelist called Arthur Dean came to the special youth weekend and after the evening service he spoke directly to the youth group. He asked each one in turn to give testimony to salvation in Christ. I was towards the back of the meeting and was urgently trying to think of what to say. When my turn came I could do no more than say that I was not a Christian. What came next surprised me. The speaker asked me if I wanted to be a Christian. At that moment the conviction that had felt in Rugby returned and so I said with great conviction that I did. I went into another room with a leader and prayed and received Christ as Saviour. My sin was dealt with, my heart was removed of the burden and I was saved! God had gifted me with something very special. That was of course a long time ago, many things have passed under the bridge and now I have been the Pastor of the church in Ogmore-by-Sea in South Wales. Recently I have moved to Looe led by God's Spirit to manage the Rusty Bucket Christian Resourse Centre.

How does all of this happen?

The ongoing story!

Space on this blog does not allow me to fill in the details which have taken more than 40 years to reach this point and so I will develop this testimony elsewhere in my blog. I will however say along with the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:8 that my salvation is God’s gift of grace to me. I did not deserve it. Even though I was relatively young when converted the bible told me that I am a sinner and God confirmed that in my heart through the preaching of the gospel. By faith I believed, repented of my sins and became a follower of Jesus.

Jesus told His followers that we should be impressive to others, just as Ian had been to me. This had a profound effect on me and eventually many years later felt that I should train for “the ministry” and teach others what Ian had taught me: that “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”1 Timothy 1:15

Why not you?

A similar story is true of many people in Churches around the world. God so loves this world that He sent Jesus that He might save us from the penalty deserved due to our personal sin. He does not delight in punishing the wicked but He wants all to be saved (see John 3:16-17). All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard and so we all need saving.

Why not read the bible for yourself and ask God to reveal truth to you through His Word? If you need any help in these things please e-mail through the comments and I will help in any way that I can. For part 2 of my testimony: http://rbcrc.blogspot.co.uk/2009/07/testimony-part-2.html or look in the archive of 2009.

What's in a name?

What’s in a name?

This is possibly the question most on people’s lips concerning the cafe; “Why the Rusty Bucket?”
There is an anecdote recorded on the website of the Rusty Bucket that explains why the trustees chose the name. The story may or may not be true but it gives us a rather unique name in the UK. I do not know of any other group of the same name. There are however a large number of mostly bars in the USA with the same name. We are totally independent of any other organisation or grouping.

The story goes like this: Recently while visiting a friend who had a greenhouse she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, If this were my plant, I’d put it in the loveliest container I had! My friend changed my mind. “I ran short of pots", she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn’t mind starting out in this old bucket. It’s just for a little while, until I can plant it out in the garden.” On the way home I started to think.............. The rusty bucket is my body. The garden is Heaven where, having accepted Jesus Christ into my life, I would grow tall and flourish for ever. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

The above pictures show the upper room of the Rusty. It was formerly a public house and nightclub. When purchased it was dark and unwelcoming but is now transformed to a place of light and welcome. It is being developed into a place for the community of Looe. It is intended to be like that old rusty bucket in that it is available for people who want to know what it means to have their lives transformed by hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Rusty Bucket Resource Centre

A new beginning:

As from 24th June 2013 I have changed my role from being Pastor to the church in Ogmore by Sea to managing the everyday working and Christian witness of the Rusty Bucket Christian resourse centre. It was with much prayer and heart searching that we agreed to move from the extremely beautiful South Wales coast to the lovely Cornish town of Looe.

We leave behind many friends and memories. The church in Ogmore-by-Sea will always be very dear in our hearts and we pray that the Lord will continue protect and lead them as He has faithfully done so since their beginnings in the late 1950's.

The Rusty Bucket is a whole new adventure which I am looking forward to being a part of. I have not as yet had time for my feet to touch the ground as we started work at the the busiest time of the summer season. I have already met many interesting people with all sorts of interesting issues of life that I believe God is working through.

I will continue with stories, anecdotes and points for praise and prayer as I get used to being the new man that I am. I praise God for His leading, His providing and help in what has been for me a time of mixed emotions where we literally have not known whethter to laugh or cry. He is a great God with great plans for His people, do pray for us in our new quest.

Peter