February has been a great month of opportunities to preach Christ and Him crucified. In the primary schools this term I have been looking at the various meanings of the word 'cross' WRONG - Christ died for our 'wrong'

LOVE - Christ demonstrated His love to us... on the cross

TREASURE - greatest treasure is to discover Jesus for ourselves

CHOOSE - (vote) best choice is to trust Him

There have been some great preaching opportunities in Churches and i have felt the benefit of what was studied in January being still fresh.

Over half term I spoke at a valentines event in West Wales with some magic - went well and have heard a lady trusted Christ. Whilst there Angie and I were able to stay on a couple of days and enjoy the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Had a great days photography in Newgale check out this link to see the photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/pastyman08/RecentlyUpdated?feat=directlink

My laptop decided to give up the ghost today - thankfully it is covered by warrantee until

the summer so they are coming from Dell to fix it.

Busy sorting my newsletter as it is due at the end of the month - life is fun....

Back on the job....

As a celebration to end my study break a group of us went off on Saturday to Brecfa in West wales for a days Mountain biking. Steve and a mate came up from Plymouth as well. We set off early on Saturday and there had been a light fall of snow. Sadly TomTom took us on the back lanes near to Brecfa and the snow had laid - it wasn't very long before we were stuck on a hill unable to move. In fact i had my foot on the brakes, put the hand brake on and the car began to slide down the hill. Thankfully there were five blokes and we put blankets under the wheels and slowly got out - two hours later. We managed to get some good riding in then though - what a day.

Today I was at my first school and this term I am doing a talk in the primary schools on the cross - it is very direct and a great one leading up to Easter. I also visited a school where Steve was taking an assembly with the story of Jonah. I have attached a photo of the assembly (not to show the kids faces...).

During this month I am meeting with one of the guys from our church to see if he can do some short hard hitting videos for youth - perhaps put them on YouTube... Got a number of great opportunities 'preaching wise' coming up. Its all looking very exciting.

Pete's Study Month

Well i am already into the middle of the second week of my study break. By the look of the picture on the left i am looking a bit strange... put on a bit of weight... Actually been playing on the computer with a picture, honest!

I am, for the third year running, looking at the 'Hidden Work of Calvary'. I have prior to this spent hundreds of hours looking at the physical side of the cross. During these past few years I have, and have been continuing this month, looking at various truths - Redemption; Debt; Penal Substitutionary Atonement, and so on. Terms that have such awesome truths in them but i have tried to ask the questions: What was accomplished? Why was it necessary? What does it mean to us? How did God view Calvary? Actually the more i have looked at it i realise the truths will never be fully understood this side of heaven.

It's going really well and it's been a great time to be sat here in a warm study with

the snow and ice all around outside. A couple of early morning visits to the gym has kept me going. Haven't ridden the bike for a few weeks as the conditions area bit dangerous for someone my age.

Last Saturday

I actually went for a lovely walk in the snow over the mountains behind Cardiff (much where i ride the bike) we even popped into the Travellers Arms on the top of Caerphilly mountain for some lunch.

Well must shooot and get back to my studies.

Picture of Angie looking radiant in her new coat.

It's Christmas - yippee

I am sat here in my study clearing the decks, The Messiah is playing in the background snow is now melting outside, heating is on, there is a lovely smell of cooking coming from the kitchen - it really does feel like Christmas. At last i have been able to stop.... It's been a great period of opportunity to preach Christ - i believe it is still the best time of the year as hearts are more open...





We are of to Top Gun (Famous chippy in Cardiff) for fish and chips to take away for tea. Then off for the first family 'bash'. Stephen and Naomi will be joining us on Boxing Day so it will be a lovely time.

We wish you all a fantastic Christmas and New Year.

Wher has he been?

Well here i am. It's sad when good intentions go out the window, which is what has happened to me. My aim was to return from my trip to India and immediately do a blog on it. However, i came back and went down with a heavy cold and 'Rajasthan Revenge' - far worse than 'Dehli Belly' and to make it worse straight into a hectic diary. I came home from various engagements totally shattered. So it has continued - but today i am feeling a bit better and able to face 'The Blogg'!

India trip


We all met at Heathrow T4 and had a good flight to Dehli - as we arrived at the arrival area we were met and flower garlands were hung around our necks. We transfered to our hotel and next morning took the train to where ouir bikes were. After spening a few hours looking at the Taj Mahal (i had a bad habit in India of being forgetful, i kept leaving various bits of Christian literature in their language all over the place), in the various hotels i left Luke Gospels behind.


Me looking serious sat where Princess Diana sat...


Soon we started our cycling through the villages. As it was off the beaten track we saw sights that were not normally seen by tourists. Their road usage has no rules - we saw lorries driving on the wrong side of dual carrageways, traffic lights and junctions are ignored. We had to stop at a level crossing where two fast trains were to go through, as you can see the barriers are down but it means nothing - look at this video i took:



Many of the roads were rough, covered in pot holes and often just dirt tracks. The bikes were very basic and you felt every bump. Each evening we stayed in a hotel (one night under canvas) they certainly varied... some were old palaces but have deteriorated a lot since their haydays! The black belching smoke from the lorries miggled with the constant roadside fires which mingled with the dust... it wasn't one of the best riding areas. Thankfully it was quite flat (which became boring after a few days). I had some good opportunities to share my faith with various folks which i was pleased with. I managed well with the riding, being told off once by the main guy for riding too fast and leaving the others behind. The food was really good, curry in various guises but not as hot as ours and much spicier - really nice. I saw tigers, crocodile, monkeys, Boa Constrictor, lots of birds and other animals in the wild. I guess they all said they saw Pete Hodge!
Thankfully my tummy held up until the last day. After getting back i went down with 'Rajasthan Revenge' (so did a lot of others!).
Good trip but great to be back home. I have raised nearly £4000 for CLIC so that's great.

The real thing

Just been down to my son Steve and his new wife Naomi's (not that he had an old one before) flat to put up some shelves etc. Had a pasty for lunch from OggyOggy shop - yummy and one of Naomi's amazing home made buns.



Off to Ivybridge tonight to speak at a joint churches Alpha - topic: Why did Jesus die? - looking forward to it. Then drive home to Cardiff, guess i will get home late - is it really true that your guardian angel gets out of the car if you go over 70mph? Schools first thing in the morning - great opportunity to preach Christ. PTL. I do enjoy my work!