God of Grace, grant us your protection;
God of compassion, show us your mercy;
God of the crucified, wash away our sins;
God of salvation, heal our wounds;
God of purity, make us holy and one with Christ,
now and forever.  Amen.

Ambrose of Milan, c. 339-97

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Ofcom awards four new community radio licences

Ofcom today announces the award of four new community radio licences.
Community radio services typically cover a small geographical area and
are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of
specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community
or a community of interest.

Ofcom has awarded community radio licences to the following applicants:

* Hermitage FM (Coalville, Ibstock and Ashby-de-la-Zouch)

* Cross Rhythms Coventry

* The Hillz Radio (Coventry)

* Inspiration FM (Northampton)

Well done to all - but especially to friends at Cross Rhythms.

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Creator God, you are the giver of life.
As I embark on a another day’s journey with you,
be with me in my chores and responsibilities;
in my working and playing;
in my activity and resting;
in my sighing and laughing;
in my speaking and listening;
in my reading and writing;
in my thinking and praying.
I dedicate this day to you,
asking you to forgive, heal and equip me,
that I may be ready for today’s challenges and opportunities.
In all things may your Spirit of grace and humility,
guide and direct me in the ways of peace and joy.
So, loving God,
may this day be lived for You,
for those I love,
and those I ought to love,
for the sake of Jesus,
my saviour, example and friend. Amen

Copyright Rev. Anthony D. Miles February 2006

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Thanks to Ali Burnett for sending me this link:

http://www.church-on-the-net.com/video/pop.asp?V=NPqaY4_dju4 

Purrrrraise Him!

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Oh Heavenly Father
in these few minutes of quiet stillness,
I place myself and all my problems humbly before You
for your guidance and blessing.
Help me to empty my mind of all earthly thoughts
so that in this stillness
I may be conscious only of Your Heavenly Presence near me.
Let the warm glow of Your wonderful Healing Power come into me
lifting all pain and distress from body and mind,
enriching me with new life and energy
and giving me inner peace and calm serenity.
Whatever my duties now or in the future
I shall always turn to You for guidance and inspiration,
knowing that Your light will be shining on my path
to help me walk through the darkness of this world
in the way You would have me walk - with my hand in Yours.
Oh Heavenly Father,
bless me with renewed courage, strength and understanding
that I may faithfully serve You and do Your Will in all things.
Through the meditation of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Anonymous
(Original source unknown - please advise if known so that due credit can be given)

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Award-winning radio group Whistling Frog Productions have made their latest audio production available for churches, schools and radio stations to download free-of-charge off the Internet.

With the current series of Doctor Who drawing to a close, Whistling Frog have produced a short series of thoughts in which the Doctor reflects in light-hearted vein on aspects of life as a Time Lord - and how they relate to the life of faith.

How might prayer help tackle human problems as bad as any scary creature?

It’s tough being the last of the Time Lords, but how does this compare with the Son of God’s mission to earth?

And what does the Tardis have to tell us about faith?

‘Thoughts of a Time Lord - Prayer, Son of God and Faith’ are now available as mp3 files to download free from Audiopot - the UK’s online library of creative Christian audio - at www.audiopot.org.

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God guide me with thy wisdom,
God chastise me with thy justice,
God help me with thy mercy,
God protect me with thy strength,
God shield me with thy shade,
God fill me with thy grace,
For the sake of thine anointed Son.

Early Scottish prayer

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Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfil it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa

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Thanks to Gareth Squire for drawing my attention to this.  

He writes: Radiohead at their best. Makes me think about what’s on our feet.
You can make a difference. Check out the link:

http://paceebene.org/blog/jarrod-mckenna/radiohead-and-righteous-boots  

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YOU MUST WATCH THIS 

I was forwarded the link below from Kay Rowbottom and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Please watch the video clip with your speakers turned up.  Make sure you get to the very end … it REALLY IS worth taking time to see.

Wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4 

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Take a look at the following link that my sister-in-law, Fiona, passed to me. 

Make sure you have your speakers on - it’s very powerful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

Could it be your welcoming committee in heaven?

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I arise today
through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.  Amen.

Bridgid of Gael - the Celtic Saint
(not to be confused with Brighid the pagan Goddess of the Gael)

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Thanks to Luke Penwald who sent me this link. 

Thought I would share it with you - don’t forget to turn your speakers on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzqCyt8dxPY

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Dear Lord, give me the truths which are veiled by the doctrines and articles of faith,
which are masked by the pious words of sermons and books. 
Let my eyes penetrate the veil, and tear off the mask,
that I can see your truth face to face.

Saint John of the Cross – Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar and priest (1542 - 1591)

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Colin Lowther (HCJB) is updating a list of existing Christian content on UK commercial radio for distribution at the Churches Media Council Conference commercial radio stream.  This includes specific ‘religious’ shows as well as thoughts for the day etc.

A lot can change in a year in the commercial radio industry as I’m sure you are aware…!   We already know of a number of shows that have been axed.

If you know of any infomation or changes that would be useful in the updating process, please could you send Colin ,or me, an email.  

Colin suggests using three headings:

• the future
• relationship with management
• listener feedback

There’s no need to write a lot, just a sentence or two for each will do.

If you know of the existence of other Christian material on stations that we may not know about, please could you send those details as well.

Having this information is really helpful to get a full picture of what is happening across the country.

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Bear Grylls and Ray Mears are slugging it out for the title of best TV survival expert. Meanwhile there’s no doubting who’s best to help you survive in the digital jungle.

The annual Churches’ Media Conference is just two weeks away. Have you booked yet? If not, there are so many reasons why you should be there.

Facing up to the digital future
This year’s conference has been designed to help you face up to digital the future with challenging input from industry experts, programme-makers and faith leaders. Key contributors include BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones on the digital future, broadcasting analyst Tim Gardam on safeguarding values and Clarence Mitchell on the inside story of the McCann’s and the media. Plus major sessions on digital convergence, new media ethics and new initiatives in faith broadcasting. And Labib Madanat comes to us direct from Gaza with a unique experience of working in one of the world’s most difficult places.

Click here to book your place at the Churches’ Media Conference
If that wasn’t enough there will also be…

Highly relevant strands
Tackle the issues that affect you alongside others from your own industry sector. Take part in specialist strands include communications and PR, religious broadcasting, on-line, commercial radio and local media.

The Blue Room
Get your hands on the latest digital kit inThe Blue Room, our technology playground. See and experience the very latest in gaming consoles, mobile and PC devices, and new ways of accessing content in the home, courtesy of the BBC and Sony.

Preview screenings
See previews of the year’s big films including Disney’s Prince Caspian and BBC2’s God on Trial, as well as shorts from up-coming producers.

Click here to book your place at the Churches’ Media Conference

Entertainment and refreshment
Enjoy top flight comedy from the amazing Milton Jones and cool cocktail jazz from Still Time Band. Make new contacts, meet old friends, relax in the bar or take part in the optional worship programme.

Brand new conference fringe
Join in the ad hoc debates, screenings, soapboxes and workshops”¦or offer a session of your own and get the conference talking.

Click here to book your place at the Churches’ Media Conference

There’s no other annual gathering like the Churches’ Media Conference.

I hope you will be there.

The conference is organised by the Churches’ Media Council and sponsored by Bible Society.

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Forgive them all, O Lord:
Our sins of omission and our sins of commission;
The sins of our youth and the sins of our riper years;
The sins of our souls and the sins of our bodies;
Our secret and our more open sins;
Our sins of ignorance and surprise,
And our more deliberate and presumptuous sin;
The sins we have done to please ourselves
And the sins we have done to please others;
The sins we know and remember,
And the sins we have forgotten;
The sins we have striven to hide from others
And the sins by which we have made others offend;
Forgive them, O Lord, forgive them all for his sake,
Who died for our sins and rose for our justification,
And now stands at thy right hand to make intercession for us,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

John Wesley (1703 - 1791)

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Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of our minds.
Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity,
so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Roman Catholic friar and founder of the Order of the Friars Minor - known as the Franciscans.

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As St. John of the Cross said:

“Mission is putting love where love is not.”

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Experienced broadcasters in commercial radio will get the chance to offer tips and advice to conference delegates at a special event in Swanwick, Derbyshire in June.

The Churches Media Conference will feature a special commercial radio “stream”, showcasing examples of successful Christian programming on commercial radio, and giving tips on how to draw Christian content from the tabloid press.  Participants will also hear “things I wish they told me when I started” – with ideas for making better links and creative content.

A further session will look at how broadcasters can engage with religion in a society that doesn’t care much for it, in “Communicating Christianity Irreligiously”.

The Churches Media Conference runs from Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th June, at the Hayes Conference centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire. Main speakers include Clarence Mitchell (Spokesperson for Kate and Gerry McCann), and  BBC technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones.

For details visit www.churchesmediacouncil.org.uk

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