I've woken in the night singing. Thankfully not out loud! I don't think my husband would have appreciated that!
I can't remember all the words to the song but the main jist is:
You deserve the highest praise
We can give - and more!
Lord we give you our praise,
That's what we came here for.
At present my mum is in hospital in Spain awaiting a heart by-pass operation. Yet we are at peace because we know she is in God's care, as well as the medics.
Despite the seriousness of her condition, the fact remains that God deserves the highest praise. I can thank God that this situation is now, just when we're due to fly over at the weekend for a week. I can thank God that she is in a country that acts swiftly. I can thank God that she is saved and experiencing His peace at this stressful time. I can thank God that he is who he is, he does what he says he will do and he loves us with an immeasurable love.
God deserves the highest praise we can give! And more! I love him!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Coventry
We moved to Coventry in February and this week took the opportunity of a break from work to visit the city centre and be a tourist.
We wandered in to the centre looking for a place a friend had told us about to eat lunch. On the way we discovered Coventry's first cathedral - destroyed by greedy Henry VIII. My mind became confused because I thought the old cathedral had been destroyed during the war! I remember being taken to the new and old cathedrals as a child and this one didn't fit the bill.
During a delightful lunch sat in the sun I spotted the shape I remembered of the new cathedral building. So, after lunch we set off in the direction and quickly found both the present day cathedral and the bombed cathedral. I was amazed to discover that Coventry has had 3 in it's history!
I wonder if at any time these wonderful and immense buildings have seen spirit filled worship. To imagine a weekly meeting in these places with over 1000 people giving glory to God! What would the acoustics be like?
Woshipping God in an awesome cathedral or worshipping God in a converted cattle shed makes no difference to either God or the worshipper. But sometimes these magnificent buildings can act as a starting place for a pilgrim looking for the answer and finding it in a wonderful loving Father God.
We wandered in to the centre looking for a place a friend had told us about to eat lunch. On the way we discovered Coventry's first cathedral - destroyed by greedy Henry VIII. My mind became confused because I thought the old cathedral had been destroyed during the war! I remember being taken to the new and old cathedrals as a child and this one didn't fit the bill.
During a delightful lunch sat in the sun I spotted the shape I remembered of the new cathedral building. So, after lunch we set off in the direction and quickly found both the present day cathedral and the bombed cathedral. I was amazed to discover that Coventry has had 3 in it's history!
I wonder if at any time these wonderful and immense buildings have seen spirit filled worship. To imagine a weekly meeting in these places with over 1000 people giving glory to God! What would the acoustics be like?
Woshipping God in an awesome cathedral or worshipping God in a converted cattle shed makes no difference to either God or the worshipper. But sometimes these magnificent buildings can act as a starting place for a pilgrim looking for the answer and finding it in a wonderful loving Father God.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A Servant Heart
I did a couple of VERY small favours for a friend and colleague yesterday and it got us talking about serving.
I remembered a previous colleague who had done a favour for someone. She had the attitude that now "he owes me." I remember thinking what a sad way to live. Only doing things for others because then you can get something in return.
The example Jesus set us is to be a servant. I love being able to do small things for others. I love helping others at work because it helps to relieve their stressful times. I never do it with an attitude of "now they owe me".
Yesterday my friend said that God will bless me because I have blessed others. Satan whispers in my ear - "so you're only doing things for others to get God's blessings! You're as bad as the others!"
No! I love to serve! It's what I've been created for and when I'm fulfilling my purpose there is a peace and a joy which far outweighs any "pay back" friends or colleagues can offer.
I remembered a previous colleague who had done a favour for someone. She had the attitude that now "he owes me." I remember thinking what a sad way to live. Only doing things for others because then you can get something in return.
The example Jesus set us is to be a servant. I love being able to do small things for others. I love helping others at work because it helps to relieve their stressful times. I never do it with an attitude of "now they owe me".
Yesterday my friend said that God will bless me because I have blessed others. Satan whispers in my ear - "so you're only doing things for others to get God's blessings! You're as bad as the others!"
No! I love to serve! It's what I've been created for and when I'm fulfilling my purpose there is a peace and a joy which far outweighs any "pay back" friends or colleagues can offer.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Rooted in the Word
Searching on Biblegateway.com for references to "The Word", I found 359. 261 were in the Old Testament and the phrase was qualified by "The word of the LORD".
Of the many New Testament references quite a few were references to the parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:1 - 18, Mark 4: 1 - 20, Luke 8: 4 - 18. These 3 accounts of the Parable of the Sower also include Jesus' explanation. The fact that each of these gospel writers included this parable and also the explanation shows the importance of understanding the Word for our lives.
There are many people who hear the Word of God but who fail to acknowledge it in their lives and ignore what they have heard, others who like what they hear but don't allow it to take root (they don't take action to accept the word into their hearts), another group who hear the word and accept it, but don't live by it. They allow the worries or the pleasures of live to dominate their lives and eventually their lives take control, rather than allowing the word to control their lives.
The final group are rooted in the word. For this to happen we need to be reading the Bible and allowing it to feed us daily. I'm still guilty of not doing this. I need to take God's word and allow it to control my life.
Towards the end of May, Steve Peake came over to Coventry to speak on The Word. The golden rule for his family is "Whatever I see in the Word, I will do". They take the promises of God and apply them to their lives. It was a challenging message. I'd always thought that when I read James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
The verse referred to doing good works, looking after the poor, loving our neighbours etc. Steve showed me that "Doing the Word" also meant taking hold of God's promises and applying them to our lives. In order to live by God's promises we need to make every effort to read the Bible; when we find promises applicable to our circumstances, hold on to them; learn promises by heart in order that they can be recalled when problems arise.
God's word needs to be the foundation of our existance. It not only tells us how to live but also gives us the strength and ability to live. This is not a life of obedience to a list of rules as in the Old Testament, but a life of freedom.
Spending time with God is the best part of our lives, spending time in God's word is the doorway to God's presence. In the words of Matthew Ling - "The word is a dynamic place to meet with God".
Of the many New Testament references quite a few were references to the parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:1 - 18, Mark 4: 1 - 20, Luke 8: 4 - 18. These 3 accounts of the Parable of the Sower also include Jesus' explanation. The fact that each of these gospel writers included this parable and also the explanation shows the importance of understanding the Word for our lives.
There are many people who hear the Word of God but who fail to acknowledge it in their lives and ignore what they have heard, others who like what they hear but don't allow it to take root (they don't take action to accept the word into their hearts), another group who hear the word and accept it, but don't live by it. They allow the worries or the pleasures of live to dominate their lives and eventually their lives take control, rather than allowing the word to control their lives.
The final group are rooted in the word. For this to happen we need to be reading the Bible and allowing it to feed us daily. I'm still guilty of not doing this. I need to take God's word and allow it to control my life.
Towards the end of May, Steve Peake came over to Coventry to speak on The Word. The golden rule for his family is "Whatever I see in the Word, I will do". They take the promises of God and apply them to their lives. It was a challenging message. I'd always thought that when I read James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
The verse referred to doing good works, looking after the poor, loving our neighbours etc. Steve showed me that "Doing the Word" also meant taking hold of God's promises and applying them to our lives. In order to live by God's promises we need to make every effort to read the Bible; when we find promises applicable to our circumstances, hold on to them; learn promises by heart in order that they can be recalled when problems arise.
God's word needs to be the foundation of our existance. It not only tells us how to live but also gives us the strength and ability to live. This is not a life of obedience to a list of rules as in the Old Testament, but a life of freedom.
Spending time with God is the best part of our lives, spending time in God's word is the doorway to God's presence. In the words of Matthew Ling - "The word is a dynamic place to meet with God".
Monday, June 04, 2007
City Gates
Just over a week ago, we heard about gates being the way into the city. In Nehemiah, a long list of people who worked together to rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem was given. The list included the name of the main man and the section of wall he rebuilt or the gate he rebuilt.
The text was used to challenge each of us on the different places that God has given us to work. For me personally, I was challenged by the Old Gate. Now I may be feeling old when everyone lovingly calls me Grandma (my daughter has recently given birth to my first grandchild), but it isn't an age thing.
The Old Gate was rebuilt by Joiada whose name means The Lord Knows. We were told that God knows the work we have done in the past and it was not in vain. The gate was also rebuilt by a guy called Meshullan, whose name means ally. God will be our ally if we go back and restart the work with His favour.
For me, this meant restarting the blog. I'm not sure if I've touched any lives by what I wrote in the past, but I believe my written thoughts will be a blessing as people touch base with the blog at some point in their lives. I will probably never know who or how this blog has helped them enter God's city, or even re-enter. I just know that God wants me to use it for his purpose.
Now I'd said I'd be talking about this week's word and yes there is a link. The next discipleship point was that Jesus called and the disciples responded. By writing this blog, I'm responding to the call of Jesus. It may seem a trivial way of touching lives, a safe haven as I don't meet face to face. But I believe that sharing my faith through this media will strengthen my ability to share my faith face to face as well as touching lives anywhere in the world.
The text was used to challenge each of us on the different places that God has given us to work. For me personally, I was challenged by the Old Gate. Now I may be feeling old when everyone lovingly calls me Grandma (my daughter has recently given birth to my first grandchild), but it isn't an age thing.
The Old Gate was rebuilt by Joiada whose name means The Lord Knows. We were told that God knows the work we have done in the past and it was not in vain. The gate was also rebuilt by a guy called Meshullan, whose name means ally. God will be our ally if we go back and restart the work with His favour.
For me, this meant restarting the blog. I'm not sure if I've touched any lives by what I wrote in the past, but I believe my written thoughts will be a blessing as people touch base with the blog at some point in their lives. I will probably never know who or how this blog has helped them enter God's city, or even re-enter. I just know that God wants me to use it for his purpose.
Now I'd said I'd be talking about this week's word and yes there is a link. The next discipleship point was that Jesus called and the disciples responded. By writing this blog, I'm responding to the call of Jesus. It may seem a trivial way of touching lives, a safe haven as I don't meet face to face. But I believe that sharing my faith through this media will strengthen my ability to share my faith face to face as well as touching lives anywhere in the world.
Never Understimate God
I copied this from a diet web site I'm a member of:
Dwight Nelson recently told a story about the pastor of his church.He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, thetree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"She replied, "You won't believe this," and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it." She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor!!
I found this on a "get motivated" forum. I've been "trying" to lose weight for too long, but never really have the motivation. I'm officially "obese" and really need to lose weight, but I love my food too much. It's so easy to forget that God is interested in the trivia of our lives, which includes our eating habits. I've just realised that if I need to find the motivation for anything in my life, who better to turn to for strength, encouragement and support than my best friend, my father and what better counsellor and advisor can I need?
Dwight Nelson recently told a story about the pastor of his church.He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, thetree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"She replied, "You won't believe this," and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it." She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor!!
I found this on a "get motivated" forum. I've been "trying" to lose weight for too long, but never really have the motivation. I'm officially "obese" and really need to lose weight, but I love my food too much. It's so easy to forget that God is interested in the trivia of our lives, which includes our eating habits. I've just realised that if I need to find the motivation for anything in my life, who better to turn to for strength, encouragement and support than my best friend, my father and what better counsellor and advisor can I need?
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Discipleship
Today we were looking at discipleship and hearing that the word disciple is one of the most frequently used words used to describe Christians in the New Testament. The word Christian only actually occurs twice.
The first point of the meeting was that the disciples "came to Jesus"
The first point of the meeting was that the disciples "came to Jesus"
Matt 5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Jesus walked away from the crowd but the disciples chose to follow after him. We make a conscious decision when we become Christians and we continue each day to make the decision - do I follow Jesus, or do I go my own way?
As Christians we should stand out as people who are obedient to the word of God, our daily lives should show that we are following Jesus in everything we do.
On my return to teaching I'm now working at a school 25 minutes drive away. During the journey I play praise cds which encourage a conversation between myself and my maker, my saviour and my guide. On non school days I rarely take the time to tune my life in to a conscious decision to follow Jesus that day. I'm hoping that by reflecting on my "Sunday notes" each day I will find a means to daily decide to follow the life that Jesus has for me.
New decision
I've decided to use my blog to help me to do something I've been meaning to do for years.
Each Sunday I conscientiously take notes in the meeting. I then close my notebook and never refer to them again. I've been prompted many times to make use of the notes during the week for my quiet times. Another rare thing!
Having also been prompted to return to blogging, I've decided to combine all three. I'll use my notes to meditate on during a quiet time of study and reflection and then I'll log my notes in the blog.
Now this becomes a scary thing to publish! Blogging will become my record and anyone who reads it regularly can challenge me about my times of reflection (or lack of them..).
I will add that they will be personal to me, that is that they will be a logging of what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to me. They will not be comments which are applicable to everyone, but a personal logging of thoughts concerning my life and faith.
We'll see what follows....
Each Sunday I conscientiously take notes in the meeting. I then close my notebook and never refer to them again. I've been prompted many times to make use of the notes during the week for my quiet times. Another rare thing!
Having also been prompted to return to blogging, I've decided to combine all three. I'll use my notes to meditate on during a quiet time of study and reflection and then I'll log my notes in the blog.
Now this becomes a scary thing to publish! Blogging will become my record and anyone who reads it regularly can challenge me about my times of reflection (or lack of them..).
I will add that they will be personal to me, that is that they will be a logging of what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to me. They will not be comments which are applicable to everyone, but a personal logging of thoughts concerning my life and faith.
We'll see what follows....
Friday, June 01, 2007
Busy week
There's something about a Bank Holiday which leads people in the UK to do DIY. It's reportedly the time when there are more serious accidents in the home than at any other time.
Well Ian and I have been busy working on our kitchen and it's beginning to look fantastic!
When we bought our last house, we spent about 3 years completing our kitchen. We had fantastic large units, a good layout and an awesome, black granite/composite sink. It was my biggest reason for not wanting to leave! I joked from the day we fitted the sink that when we moved I'd take the sink with me.
Our new home did NOT have a good kitchen. The design was ok, but there was an area which I felt was wasted space. Soon after moving in my dad generously gave me a financial gift to "do those jobs you need to do after you've moved into a new property." We redesigned the kitchen and then went shopping for units and bought the same as previously - well we loved them! We did look at others but none pleased us as much. As for the kitchen sink? Well we've almost got the same one... This time we've gone for a full sink, rather than a bowl and a half. I've got a large wok and it won't fit in the dishwasher and wouldn't fit in the previous sink. Now having a large bowl I have somewhere to wash my wok!
Rob, my eldest son, worked hard over the last bank holiday weekend stripping out half the kitchen and replacing it with the new units. This week, we've had a friend around to do the professional part of the plumbing and a bit of rewiring and the carpentry side of the worktop cutting. Yesterday, Ian and I spent the day doing the finishing touches to the final units.
There's still the decorative part to do, the flooring, tiling and a bit of painting but apart from that it's a fully functional, working kitchen which is perfect!
One of my favourite promises of God comes from Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Well Ian and I have been busy working on our kitchen and it's beginning to look fantastic!
When we bought our last house, we spent about 3 years completing our kitchen. We had fantastic large units, a good layout and an awesome, black granite/composite sink. It was my biggest reason for not wanting to leave! I joked from the day we fitted the sink that when we moved I'd take the sink with me.
Our new home did NOT have a good kitchen. The design was ok, but there was an area which I felt was wasted space. Soon after moving in my dad generously gave me a financial gift to "do those jobs you need to do after you've moved into a new property." We redesigned the kitchen and then went shopping for units and bought the same as previously - well we loved them! We did look at others but none pleased us as much. As for the kitchen sink? Well we've almost got the same one... This time we've gone for a full sink, rather than a bowl and a half. I've got a large wok and it won't fit in the dishwasher and wouldn't fit in the previous sink. Now having a large bowl I have somewhere to wash my wok!
Rob, my eldest son, worked hard over the last bank holiday weekend stripping out half the kitchen and replacing it with the new units. This week, we've had a friend around to do the professional part of the plumbing and a bit of rewiring and the carpentry side of the worktop cutting. Yesterday, Ian and I spent the day doing the finishing touches to the final units.
There's still the decorative part to do, the flooring, tiling and a bit of painting but apart from that it's a fully functional, working kitchen which is perfect!
One of my favourite promises of God comes from Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
One of the desires of my heart was not to lose my kitchen! God, as a loving father, used my earthly father to allow me to "keep" my kitchen after we'd moved house.
God cares for the little things, the insignificant things as well as the important things in our lives. He designed us to have abundant life, a life of fullness and joy. What appears to some as unimportant can be important to others and God knows what is important to each of us.
When Ian and I were first challenged to move house we thought we would be movin north of our home in Nuneaton. A couple of months later and we realised we were to move south to a city we were dreading living in.
Since the move I've not stopped thanking God! I love this place! I love the area, the house and the accessibility to everything we need for living. Now I can add to my list of thanks the return of my kitchen sink! and thankfully - no injuries!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Challenged!
I received an email today from someone who has read my blog. They asked why I hadn't blogged since Auust 2007.
I guess if I'm honest it's because I was in a bit of a stalemate. I won't lie and pretend I'm going on with God so rather than tell the truth about life I just kept quiet.
God has been challenging me recently to start writing again and the email has given me the extra push.
I've recently returned to teaching after an 18 month break due to stress. I know I'm doing God's will by returning and I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the classroom. By the end of the first week the school, through both staff and pupils, was giving me very positive feedback about my work and I'm extending my temporary contract till Christmas.
We finally moved house in February of this year and God has really blessed us with our new home. Ian and I dreaded the idea of moving to Coventry, but we are both so much happier here than where we were previously. God's peace is truly on this house!
If I don't blog again for a while - someone give me a nudge!
May today be a day of God's blessings for each one of us!
I guess if I'm honest it's because I was in a bit of a stalemate. I won't lie and pretend I'm going on with God so rather than tell the truth about life I just kept quiet.
God has been challenging me recently to start writing again and the email has given me the extra push.
I've recently returned to teaching after an 18 month break due to stress. I know I'm doing God's will by returning and I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the classroom. By the end of the first week the school, through both staff and pupils, was giving me very positive feedback about my work and I'm extending my temporary contract till Christmas.
We finally moved house in February of this year and God has really blessed us with our new home. Ian and I dreaded the idea of moving to Coventry, but we are both so much happier here than where we were previously. God's peace is truly on this house!
If I don't blog again for a while - someone give me a nudge!
May today be a day of God's blessings for each one of us!
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