In 1976, a professor of economic history at the University of California, Berkeley published an essay outlining the fundamental laws of a force he perceived as humanity’s greatest existential threat: Idiocy. We see strange decisions abounding - is it because there are just so many many stupid stupid idiots? Mark and Pete have the answers.
Buy the idiot by Fy

A MARK AND PETE PODCAST EPISODE: markandpete.com

A MARK AND PETE POSCAST EPISODE. Is the stock market gambling? Should people consider trading in the stock market to be a form of gambling? The answers to these questions are an unequivocal. Investing in the stock market is not gambling, and novice investors should not think of it in that way claim creators of new easy to use apps designed to get you into stocks and shares. Mark and Pete have the answers.
Mark and Pete podcast home: https://www.spreaker.com/show/mark-and-pete

An extract from "Pint of #Praise", full episodes available on the Virtual Vicar Facebook Page and Youtube Channel. #Positivethinking is not enough: we need hope in order to never give up. Visualisation is a technique used in sport. Compare the mens 1972 Olympic 800m final with Jesus' resurrection and you will see what I mean - and watch this video. Bible verse quoted:Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in #heaven for you.
(1 Peter 1:3, the #Bible)

#Praise reaches the parts that beer cannot reach. Pub Quiz, Pub Worship and Pub preaching with Pete, Les and Rob. This is "Pint of Praise", an online event, please prepare your favourite beverage and snacks as we meet online for a virtual pub event. We will bring praise and worship and Bible teaching: a pint of praise "Refreshes the parts beer cannot reach", as the old saying goes.
Features Worship Songs led by Les and Rob and the speaker is local Vicar Revd "Positive Pete" Cooper.
Please take part live, your comments can be featured in the event as Pete, Les and Rob host this online praise spectacular.
Includes #Christianmusic with lyrics.

There's an old Yiddish witticism "To make God laugh, tell him your plans." Perhaps we’re accustomed to thinking of Jesus only as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3). His crucifixion is certainly no laughing matter. Or maybe the image of a laughing Jesus offends simply because it makes him too human. Yet Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus is able to sympathize with us because he is exactly like us (minus the sinning). God has gifted us with a sense of humour; it stands to reason that Jesus had one, too. Mark and Pete look at the Bible and find plenty of laughs. And as Christians we also find lots to laugh about within Christianity today. What about religion makes you laugh?

Does Romans 13:1 tell us we should always obey the government? Even to the point of closing churches and not worshipping publicly? We have been told that because we are in the midst of a pandemic we should accept the Government telling us in more detail how to live our lives. For example, for Christians, though, it’s important to rise above the political partisanship and think through what our faith would call us to with regard to wearing or not wearing masks. Pete is joined by Kerri Douglas who has worked in Christian community outreach with the churches in Wallasey. Kerri and Pete break down the teaching from the Bible and how it applies to the COVID-19 situation. Should we wear masks? Should we be singing in worship in church? These are our thoughts, what do you think?

In a recent disclosure by the Information Rights Unit we find that neck and choke holds are specifically taught by the Metropolitan Police as not to be used because of the inherent danger to the suspect. However they are used and sometimes people get hurt or killed unnecessarily. We expect to be kept safe by the police, but do they go too far - or is it the case that the police are simply doing an impossibly tough job.
This song satirises that situation.
The song from Mark and Pete's podcast is meant to be funny to highlight that the issue is not in the slightest funny.
For more by Mark and Pete: markandpete.com

Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/how-do-you-know-god-exists

God does exist but how do you know that. Steve, Shereen, Maggie and your humble host Peter put forwards the reasons why they personally believe in God. We all know and believe many things about ourselves, our world, and the people around us. Many of these things can’t be “demonstrated by logical, controlled, and repeatable methods.” You can know, f that your mother loves you and that a particular Beethoven symphony lifts your spirits: is that similar to how we know that God exists? Or it all more scientific than that? what do you think?

VIDEO POEM
The Existence Of #God Can Be Proved In Five Ways.
Thomas #Aquinas the famous theologian and philosopher developed five ways that you can prove the existence of God.
The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world.

We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end. and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result

Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end.

Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end,

unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer.

as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer.

Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end;

and this being we call God.

Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/time-02-06-2020-17-35

Pete is joined by Dr. Maggie Cooper this week for the conversation. The question of God's relation to time has generated a great amount of theological and philosophical reflection. The traditional view has been that God is timeless in the sense of being outside time altogether; that is, he exists but does not exist at any point in time and he does not experience temporal succession. But does this make sense? Is this view in fact morally repugnant?

Positive Pete, the Virtual Vicar, gives a glimpse into coping with lockdown. This video is the first of three featured in a recent episode of TGIF, link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviKAZmPbtk&t=2099shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviKAZmPbtk&t=2099s;t=2099s.
There are multiple reasons why people have gained weight during the lockdown. One reason is simply because it has been a sedentary time, without much movement. If you have been always on your feet and suddenly found yourself sitting at home all the time, you may have piled on some extra weight. The second reason for weight gain is stress. The lockdown has been a stressful time for many people. Stress is linked to higher inflammation in the body and weight gain. In my case, adding extra pounds was mainly because I have had no access to many groceries. Since I had to rely on rice and local vegetables, and not as many proteins as I would have liked, there has been some weight gain. Whatever the reason, this is a time to take a breath and pause. Pets and humans need a healthy diet.

A growing number of senior Conservatives are demanding the resignation of Boris Johnson’s chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, over allegations that he broke the government’s lockdown rules on several occasions. Should Cummings go? Mark and Pete have the answers.Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/cummings-and-going

Steps to achieving success through Christian inspiration:

1. Recognise that everything we have is from God and that everything we do should be to glorify the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God gives us His Spirit and His inspiration to be used for His glory.
God holds all wisdom so it is to him we must turn: “With God are wisdom and might;
    he has counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13)

2. Ask God for the inspiration that you need. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7 Before we can be given the wisdom of God and his inspiration, we must first ask Him for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

3. Plan to use the wisdom and Christian inspiration he gives you for his glory and his purpose. Once we are given wisdom and inspiration, we have a tremendous responsibility to use it prudently. Jesus Himself tells us: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” (Luke 12:48b).

4. Practice using Christian inspiration. Just like any skill we might learn, Christian inspiration is most effectively used long-term when we daily accept it. When you are inspired or have an inspired thought about something you have been struggling with, write it down, or immediately put it into action. When you use the Christian inspiration you are given, you place yourself in a good position to receive future inspiration.

You have been given inspiration, so use it: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

These are basic steps to Christian inspiration. When you consistently apply these four steps, and spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on a daily basis, re..

We do not know how this pandemic will end. We do know that we will be poorer when it’s over: GDP is plunging around the world.
Millions of households have missed, or expect to miss, payments on at least one bill as a result of the coronavirus crisis, and could face serious consequences as a result, the charity Citizens Advice has said.

Since the lockdown started, millions of workers have been furloughed or laid off by employers, and seen their pay fall as a result.

Measures have been put in place to allow borrowers payment holidays and stall evictions, but the charity said that after these protections are lifted, millions face a “financial cliff edge”.

FULL EPISODE HERE:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/zoom-is-changing-the-way-we-work-and-worZoom is changing things encouraged by the response to the crisis. Businesses and churches are scrambling to adjust to self-isolation and remote working have turned to video conferencing to substitute for face-to-face contact.
#zoom

Mark and Pete Uncensored: a new series of Mark and Pete podcasts episode where the avuncular opinionated pair cut loose and shoot the breeze. Come and listen and laugh along with two old friends. And comment with your own opinions. This week, why does Mark hate with a pure hatred a particular #burger bar?
Try this episode of Mark and Pete https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vADhxoiKiOM
Colorful conversation on social, economic and religious issues from a Christian worldview perspective.
Mark and Pete: a businessman and a pastor.
Listen on Flame Radio 1521MW in NW England and podcasts on iTunes.
Website: markandpete.com
Twitter: @markandpete

A pilot for a new incarnation of Spitting Image has already been filmed, and its producers are in advanced discussions with US-based networks to bring this very British brand of satire to the wider world. After years of hopes, hints and denials, he wanted to resurrect the programme back as a “public service satire” in response to the state of the political culture, making clear he has lost none of his antiestablishment fire. But are we ready for it? Can today's snowflake, safe space, SJW laden, offence-taking PC culture cope with such hard hitting humour?
Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/is-spitting-images-satire-to-cruel-for-t

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had left the United Kingdom for Canada less than two days after she and Prince Harry made the shocking announcement that they would “step back” from their roles as senior members of the royal family. Labour leadership candidate Clive Lewis has said there should be a referendum on the future of the Royal Family. Speaking at his campaign launch in London, he said: "A lot of people would like to see the monarchy scaled down." Are Meghan and Harry right? Will we miss them? Should we even have a Royal Family?
MARK AND PETE SHOW EPISODE:
Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/should-the-uk-keeep-the-royal-family

The area around Mount Everest is becoming significantly greener as climate change improves growing conditions, a new study has found. Researchers measured the volume of shrubs, mosses, lichens and other vegetation across the Himalayas at four levels ranging between 4,150 and 6,000 metres above sea level.

Good or bad, what do you think?

Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/how-do-we-prevent-another-london-terror-

On 29 November 2019, a stabbing attack occurred on the north bank of the River Thames next to London Bridge in Central London, United Kingdom. Five people were stabbed, and two died of their injuries. After being restrained by members of the public, the attacker was shot by City of London Police and died at the scene. Police declared the attack a terrorist incident. Boris Johnson, the current Prime Minister, has said “If you are convicted of a serious terrorist offence, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years – and some should never be released.

“Further, for all terrorism and extremist offences, the sentence announced by the judge must be the time actually served. These criminals must serve every day of their sentence, with no exceptions." What is the answer?

Why is it not a crime to break manifesto promises? This seems a simple way of making election manifestos genuinely meaningful documents - and also protecting the democratic process. Some allowance could be made for changing situations once power has been won, but why aren't party leaders individually and criminally responsible for broken guarantees. Thoughts?
Source:
https://www.spreaker.com/user/withpetercooper/should-politicians-be-legally-accountabl

An 18-carat solid gold loo stolen from the birthplace of Winston Churchill has now been valued at £4.8 million. The fully functioning toilet, named America, installed at an art exhibition at Blenheim Palace, was stolen by a gang of thieves in the early hours of Saturday morning. Initial reports estimated the sculpture at £1 million, but Blenheim Palace chief executive Dominic Hare said it is worth about $6 million (£4.8 million). Mark and Pete bring you the low down.
This is an episode of the Mark and Pete show http://markandpete.com

How can we measure how we are doing in life? Well, at the end of your life what will God think? Here are some questions that God wont ask:

1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.

2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won’t ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.

4. God won’t ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.

5. God won’t ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.

Here’s how to look at it from God’s perspective:

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. What does it profit a man to gain the wholeworld, yet forfeit his soul?
(Mark 8:35-16)

Being a Christian is not about just fitting Jesus Christ into our lives. It’s about re-ordering and configuring your life to fit the Jesus shaped capstone. Look how this pyramid takes the shape of this triangular capstone.

But how is this possible? How can we plan our lives and measure our development in line with how Jesus, the Lord of Life and Prince of Peace, would have us live.

As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20)

The base of the pyramid of your life then is the teaching found in the Bible from the apostles and prophets. With Christ as our leader, leading the way by being with us by his Spirit, and the teachings of the Bible as our basis we can forge a life as good and as impressive spiritually as this pyramid.

Musings from my commute. The way to cope with an overwhelming tragedy is to admit that it is beyond us and trust in a higher power, specifically we must trust in the God of the Bible.

Bible verse: Psalm 30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness

Good News for Life is:
Personal updates from Pete, Vicar of St Lukes Poulton and St Pauls Seacombe, his family and Friends. comment on interesting, moving and humorous news and articles of the day from a Christian perspective.This channel is dedicated to presenting a sideways look at breaking Christian news and and fascinating features of theology. In these Christian videos, pastor Peter Cooper takes a look at Christian issues of the day, sometimes serious and sometimes whacky: its a Christian video blog.

Come and join us at the Egremont Ferry for praise, a pint and positivity. If you live anywhere near Wallasey, see you there 7.30pm Wd 10th April 2019..
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2153274271433750/
Venue: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1076968-d1319219-Reviews-The_Ferry-Wallasey_Wirral_Merseyside_England.html
Praise, Pub & Pint :Refreshes the parts that beers can’t reach.

Come and enjoy an evening of positivity with Positive Pete and blow away the blues with praise singing led by Les and Rob. Features audio of street interviews conducted in Wallasey. There is an answer to how to be positive in these troubled times.

Features a special prayer of blessing for you, the pub staff and customers and Wallasey.

Wallasey Churches Togetherinvites you to join us at
Venue: The Ferry pub, Egremont
48 Tobin St, Wallasey CH44 8DF
Wednesday 10th April 2019
Starting 7:30 pm
Bar open, with a full range of drinks & snacks
Featuring Worship Songs led by Les and Rob
Audio playback of ‘Street Interviews’
Speaker local Vicar PPC
aka Revd “Positive Pete” Cooper
Theme: Positive Praise & Purpose - How to ditch negativity and Live Well
Contact [email protected]

Good News for Life is:
Personal updates from Pete, Vicar of St Lukes Poulton and St Pauls Seacombe, his family and Friends. comment on interesting, moving and humorous news and articles of the day from a Christian perspective.This channel is dedicated to presenting a sideways look at breaking Christian news and and fascinating features of theology. In these Christian videos, pastor Peter Cooper takes a look at Christian issues of the day, sometimes serious and sometimes whacky: its a Christian video blog.