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St Chad’s Parish Church Poulton-le-Fylde
When I Say I Am A Christian
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I am saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost; that is why I chose this way."
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Someone to be my Guide.
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging I am strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak, and pray for strength to carry on.
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are all too visible, but God believes I'm worth it.
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, which is why I cry his name.
 
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority; I only know I'm loved.
 
 
 
 
Bugs breed in wheelie bins!
This summer, are you tending to give your wheelie bin a wide birth? You are probably right to do so – especially if it is emptied only once every two weeks.
 
Dangerous levels of bacteria can build up in wheelie bins. Swabs taken from 10 bins in Britain found levels of bacteria, including strains that cause salmonella and even the plague, multiplied by six times during a fortnight between bin collections. Fungal spores that cause respiratory problems were also soaring in number. One microbiologist said: “The levels of disease-causing bacteria found in the bins are at a level that I would consider to be dangerous, especially to those with a weakened immune system.”
 
But a spokesman from Wrap, the Government’s waste quango, said: “The key thing is for householders to ...observe basic hygiene precautions, such as always washing hands after handling waste...”
 
 
 
A tip for gardeners
Need some plants or gardening advice? Beware the big brand garden centres and supermarkets, advises a consumer watchdog. The large retailers often offer poor quality plants and have ill-informed staff, compared with smaller, independent garden centres.
 
Which? Gardening conducted an extensive poll including quality, range and price of goods stocked; staff and store environment; and how well retailers handled complaints. The worst performers were all the big chain DIY stores and the supermarkets. Focus and Homebase ranked at the bottom. The best performing outlets were independent garden centres.
 
 
Drink-drivers don’t sober up
Drink-driving remains a problem. For one thing, people don’t seem to learn the first time they are caught. Now nearly one in four motorists disqualified for drink or drug driving has already been banned at least once before. The recent statistics come from the Ministry of Justice, who say that there has been a steady rise (13,299 to 19,605) in reoffending rates since the turn of the millennium.
 
Many drink drivers are discovered when pulled over in the morning by the Police and breathalized. So beware if you drive to work the morning after you’ve had a couple of drinks, you may still be over the drink-driving limit. Recently the local Police have been stopping motorists on Sunday mornings in Poulton, around the time many people are driving to church, so be aware, it could be you that is pulled over next time..
 
 
Smile Lines
An airliner flew into a violent thunderstorm and was soon bumping around in the sky. One very nervous lady happened to be sitting next to a clergyman and turned to him for comfort. “Can’t you do something?” she demanded forcefully.
 
“I’m sorry ma’am,” said the reverend gently. “I’m in sales, not management.”
 
 
 
A golfing priest, after having been beaten by an elderly parishioner, returned to the clubhouse somewhat depressed. “Cheer up,” said the layman. Remember, you’ll eventually be burying me some day.” “Yes,” said the priest. “But even then it will be your hole!”
 
 
 
The Apple Rhyme
 
Apples ripe and apples red,
Grow they high above my head.
Alack-a-day! For I am small
And apple-trees are mostly tall;
Dreary me! But what is sadder,
Nobody can find a ladder!
 
From a poem by Madeline Nightingale