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‘O Lord you have searched me and you know me…you hem me in - behind and before…Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence…even the darkness will not be dark to you.’ Psalm 139

On seeing THIS image I was struck by the size of the net and how when cast into the water, the net covered so much more than one man ever could by just using his bare hands. I remembered Psalm 139. David spends a lot of time describing how there is no escaping the Lord. Everything is within his grasp. He covers every inch of the earth and he know our hearts better than we do.

I suspended some netting in the prayer room and provided some paper and pens. We spent some time writing down everything that was pressing on our hearts, big or small, personal, local, national, global, political, medical, religious, past, present future. All of it.

With the image of the net suspended above our heads we placed all these things into the net. Instead of praying over it, we prayed under it. Knowing that it is God that holds the weight of everything in the earth, not us. There is nothing that he has not seen, nothing he doesn’t understand completely.

- Lou Van Der Linden

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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 100
• f/5
• 1/160th
• 50mm

Check out all the photos from Bend It Like Bless 2013 HERE. There’s still time to SPONSOR US £6 for 6 games vs. 6 churches in 6 days.

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BENDITLIKEBLESS STAT ATTACK:

Minutes Played 365

Matches Played 6

Won 2
Lost 3
Drawn 1
Goals For 27
Goals Against 30

Red Cards 2 (both FALLONaini)

BLESS GOLDEN BOOT 2013:

Juan MATTa 6

Anders TIMpar 4

Santi CHEZorla 3

Eric TANTONa 2

Marouane FALLONaini 2

Yaya tourBRAY 1

Andres PERRINiesta 1

Collective Bless Ringers 8

Money Raised… we’re still counting so please help us reach our target by giving HERE.

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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 100
• f/5
• 1/125th
• 50mm

Bless finish with a flourish, finding the net nine times in a flattering final day victory in a feisty but friendly face-off in Carshalton Beeches.

Boosted by the return of santi CHEZorla and debuts for NIGEL turner and SAM lovell bless found their rhythm and took an early two goal lead only to be pegged back after some suspect defending and uncharacteristic distribution from the outstanding FALLONaini.

The game ebbed and flowed; each team taking it in turn to edge ahead by a single goal before being cancelled out. After half an hour the score was level at 5-5. Bless goals coming from SAM(2), CHEZorla, TIMpar & MATTa.

As the game entered its later stages the rain began to fall and the tension increased as both teams tried to take the initiative. Tackles flew in and the woodwork was rattled on several occasions before bless killed the game off with three rapid fire goals in 2 minutes. Goals for CHEZorla, MATTa and a stunning scissor kick from TANTONa.

With the rain continuing to fall and time being added on, in honour of the departing Sir Alex, there was just enough ticks on the clock for bless to carve out one final goal scoring chance. MATTa playing a perfectly weighted ball into the path of PERRINiesta, who notched his first goal of Benditlikebless with LITERALLY the last kick of the tour. Final Score 9-6.

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To book your place on this Writers’ Conference please email laura@blessnet.eu

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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 100
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• 1/250th
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Bless avenge last years league defeat by recording their first win in a four quarter classic against the fancy dress wearing youth of Rising Brook.

Bless started the first quarter brightly taking an early lead despite kicking off only 10 hours after their previous game. Rising Brook responded and an balanced opening quarter ended 2-2. Goals from Summers and MATTa.

The second quarter was a story of two eighths. Rising Brook dominated the first seven minutes taking a 5-2 lead, before goals from TIMpar (2), MATTa & tourBRAY put bless into a 6-5 lead at halftime.

The heavens opened at the start of the third making the concrete pitch VERY slippery and chances were reduced to a premium. Bless maintained their one goal lead by the end of the quarter. 8-7. Goals for TANTONa & Summers.

Bless scored two early goals in a crucial final quarter to effectively kill off the game. TIMpar and MATTa & Summers completing a hat-trick of hat-tricks. Final Score 11-8.

There’s still time to SPONSOR US HERE.

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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 160
• f/2.8
• 1/160th
• 135mm

Have a look at what the Bend It Like Bless team have been up to so far… THE PAST FEW DAYS IN PICTURES. #BILB

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• Camera
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• Aperture
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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 100
• f/5.6
• 1/160th
• 50mm

Bless seeing DOUBLE after falling to another defeat following one of the most bizarre games of football ever witnessed. FALLONaini with a double red card and a brace.

Team bless welcomed back yaya TourBRAY to the starting lineup with Jake Kele missing out through ice-cream related injury. Dorridge started with 10 players and a squad of rolling subs on the sidelines.

Dorridge took an early lead when ‘Micah’ pounced onto a short back pass. Bless found an equaliser before the break when Santi CHEZorla scored with a crisp left footed drive into the bottom corner.

Marouane FALLONaini was sent off (…into the sin bin) late inthe first half for deliberately handling the ball to prevent goal. Dorridge missed the ensuing penalty. Halftime 1-1. #controversial

Dorridge regained the lead before FALLONaini was sent off for the SECOND TIME (…into the sin bin again) for deliberate handball. Dorridge took advantage of the extra space stretching their lead to 3-1.

In a massively controversial twist FALLONaini was allowed back onto the pitch and pulled a goal back with a Gazza-esque sliding finish at the back post after a MATTa square ball. As bless chased the game Dorridge extended their lead to 4-2 despite an outstanding DOUBLE save from TourBRAY.

FALLONaini DOUBLED his tally (and went top of the bless golden boot), shinning in after a Anders TIMpar long throw. Bless searched for an equaliser loading everyone into the box for a series of throws and corners. FALLONaini having his hat-trick chalked off for off-side / hitting the jumper goalpost / dissent / wrestling the goalkeeper / being sent off twice…

Dorridge then scored a fifth to seal a memorable win. Final score Dorridge 5 - Bless 3.

6 games vs. 6 churches in 6 days
SPONSOR US DOUBLE HERE

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• Camera
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• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 500
• f/4.5
• 1/320th
• 135mm

Bless slip to their second defeat in Swansea after a hard-fought six-a-side sporting spectacle surrounded by carpet of sweet smelling wild garlic.

Linden had the best of the early exchanges and took the lead when ‘Jez’ tapped in a rebound after a comical goal mouth scramble; goalkeeper FALLONaini tripping up on his own trousers after a sprawling save.

Bless grew in confidence as the half wore on but couldn’t capitalize on a number of goal scoring opportunities. Half Time 1-0 to Linden.

Both teams reorganized their formations for the start of the second half. Jake Kele worked tirelessly on the right side of midfield before being forced off with an ankle injury.

Linden continued to create better chances and it was only a matter of time before they doubled their lead with a fierce near post drive.

Despite some heroic defending by Anders TIMpar & brave PERRINiesta goalkeeping Linden added a third when Jez completed his hat-trick late in the game. Final Score 3-0.

6 matches vs. 6 churches in 6 days
SPONSOR TEAM BLESS £6 HERE

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• Camera
• ISO
• Aperture
• Exposure
• Focal Length

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 500
• f/4.5
• 1/250th
• 135mm

You can also sponsor us during the Bend It Like Bless Tour by texting ‘BEND99 £5’ to 70070. All money raised will directly resource our go2bless summer missions. #BILB

Zoom Info

• Camera
• ISO
• Aperture
• Exposure
• Focal Length

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• 100
• f/5.6
• 1/500th
• 135mm

Check out what the Bend It Like Bless team have been up to so far.. THE LAST TWO DAYS IN PICTURES. #BILB