I have been reading Gary Benfold's book "Why Lord? The book of Job for today", and the sensitive and compassionate nature of the book has been a real help to me.
Today's chapter was on Job's well meaning friends... it is true that all their theology was correct. They quoted scriptures at Job, which were technically accurate and spot on. And yet, as Gary points out in his book, they were without compassion!
Here's something to think on:
"True holiness is never unfeeling or insensitive. Our Lord Jesus was the holiest man of them all, but he was never uncaring. He hated sin; everything in his holy nature cried out against it. Yet he cared, and still cares, about the sinner. When he looked on the crowds, full of sin as they were, we are not told that he thought 'They deserve all they get.' Instead we are told 'he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.' (Matthew 9v36). A little bit of compassion goes a long way; true Christlikeness will make us very compassionate indeed."
I know the doctrines of grace in my head. In my head and with my intellect I know that the Bible tells me that I am precious in God's sight. I know that even if I am not, it is an honour to live and work for such a wonderful God, and that the sufferings we go through in this life are all we deserve before him...
And yet, this morning, a little of that doctrine of Grace has sunk into my heart. We are NOT under the law, we are under Grace. Christ has compassion for us, he sympathises with our weaknesses. No, he doesn't excuse our sin, but HE died for it.. isn't Grace amazing?!!
Let me quote Gary again "It is a good thing to know our Bibles, and it is a good thing to know the system of theology that the Bible teaches. It is very dangerous though, when we start to think that everything is simple... without love, we become a sounding brass, a clanging symbold"
"If any one of [Job's comforters] had said 'I can understand how you must be feeling. If I suffered like you, I would probably react very badly', it would have made all the difference in the world. But no-one did. Their attitude was the exact opposite. 'Oh now come on' said Eliphaz in effect, 'Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees, you have been a pastoral counsellor, telling others to put their trust in God. Now a little bit of trouble comes to you and it strikes you with dismay' (Job4v1-5) He did not feel what Job felt; he did not seem to understand that there are limits to human endurance and did not recognise that Job had been pushed to the edge of those limits.
Thank God that God Himself is not like that. 'He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust' (PS103v14). When we sin, we must remember that God knows about the temptations that pushed us there. He knows our circumstances. This does not excuse our sin and must never encourage us to sin; but the Lord Jesus came to save, not comdemn. He knows our frame 'from the inside'. He has been tempted in all points as we are"
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
Created, Chosen, Celebrated and Cherished
In God’s heart, you are…
Created
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. PSALM 139:14 NIV
Chosen
The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession. DEUTERONOMY 14:2 NIV
Celebrated
He will take great delight in you…
He will rejoice over you with singing. ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NIV
Cherished
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. JEREMIAH 31:3 NIV
Created
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. PSALM 139:14 NIV
Chosen
The Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession. DEUTERONOMY 14:2 NIV
Celebrated
He will take great delight in you…
He will rejoice over you with singing. ZEPHANIAH 3:17 NIV
Cherished
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. JEREMIAH 31:3 NIV
Thursday, 4 November 2010
When love came down
When Love came down to earth and made His home with man
The hopeless found a hope, the sinner found a friend
Not to the powerful, but to the poor He came
And humble, hungry hearts were satisfied in Him
What joy, what peace has come to us
What hope, what help, what love
When every unclean thought and every sinful deed
Was scourged upon his back and hammered through his feet
The Innocent is cursed, the guilty are released
The punishment of God on God has brought me peace
Come lay your heavy load down at the Master’s feet
Your shame will be removed, your joy will be complete
Come crucify your pride and enter as a child
For those who bow down low He’ll lift up to His side
How hard it is to crucify pride, and enter as a child! If we truly crucifed pride, we would realise that we deserve nothing! We would realise that Jesus Christ took on Himself all of our sin in order that we might be saved, our cup of joy should overflow even through the most painful of circumstances.
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
The hopeless found a hope, the sinner found a friend
Not to the powerful, but to the poor He came
And humble, hungry hearts were satisfied in Him
What joy, what peace has come to us
What hope, what help, what love
When every unclean thought and every sinful deed
Was scourged upon his back and hammered through his feet
The Innocent is cursed, the guilty are released
The punishment of God on God has brought me peace
Come lay your heavy load down at the Master’s feet
Your shame will be removed, your joy will be complete
Come crucify your pride and enter as a child
For those who bow down low He’ll lift up to His side
How hard it is to crucify pride, and enter as a child! If we truly crucifed pride, we would realise that we deserve nothing! We would realise that Jesus Christ took on Himself all of our sin in order that we might be saved, our cup of joy should overflow even through the most painful of circumstances.
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Who is God?
For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
2 Sam 22 v 32-34
And who is a rock, except our God?
God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
2 Sam 22 v 32-34
I can do all things
I have started reading a book that someone leant me, called 'When God Weeps, Why our sufferings matter to the Almighty'.
I've only got a few chapters into it and already it's helped me to pray. The authors say some pretty hard hitting stuff. The one sentence so far which has stayed with me is "It is worth anything to be his friend." It really did get me thinking... yes it is isn't it? The God of the universe, the Almighty Powerful creator; yes it is worth anything to be His. To be His child, his sister, his bride, his friend.
And yet it's not just as simple as that, it's not like we simply endure a life of suffering and then get to Heaven, no it's better than that. God, the Almighty, endures the suffering as well, when we suffer He suffers with us. He's so complex that He can ordain our suffering and yet suffer with us. We are made in the image of God, and therefore our characters are so complex that we suffer and yet at the same time as suffering, through our tears we are able to say 'Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice'. Don't they say that laughter heals all ills? Why is that? Laughter is a sign of joy, and it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength.
The world will tell us that when we are down, we have to be miserable; we can't show a smiling face because no-one will believe we are upset. Yet, the Bible, full of delightful truths, tells us that when we are suffering we will rejoice in Christ, when we suffer we can joy in the fact that our light afflictions are for this world only, and soon we will be in Heaven with Him, rejoicing with no tears and no pain.
And yet we have to live in this world, we do have to keep on keeping on, we do have to find the strength from somewhere to get out of bed in the morning and keep on fighting the fight. Sometimes our strength is exhausted. Sometimes we just can't take anymore. Sometime's Gods answer to a cry for help is "By my Grace, you can take more than this". And yet, He's there, He's carrying us, He gives us strength to live day by day, to make the difficult choices. He gives us friends and brothers and sisters in Christ to bear our burdens with us, to weep with us when we weep.
By God's grace I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
All this may seem glib, and I assure you that I can only write it because I have spent the morning in tears and in prayer. It doesn't mean that we aren't allowed to ask 'Why Lord?' didn't Christ on the cross ask 'Why have you forsaken me?' . And those are the hardest times; when we are in the midst of trial and unlike the 3 Hebrew boys in Babylon, Christ doesn't seem to be there in the midst of the fire; we can't see Him, can't feel His presence. Those are the times that we have to trust in His promises. I was hearing on Sunday night that we have to "Trust in the God of Promises and Believe in the Promises of God" and there are some wonderful promises.
A bruised reed he will not break
Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble
He will set my feet upon a rock
We have a high priest who sympathises with our weaknesses
God has for us a future and a hope
He knows the path that I take
His word will be a lamp to our feet
Now all we need to do is use His strength to Trust in the God of Promises and Believe in the Promises of God.
I've only got a few chapters into it and already it's helped me to pray. The authors say some pretty hard hitting stuff. The one sentence so far which has stayed with me is "It is worth anything to be his friend." It really did get me thinking... yes it is isn't it? The God of the universe, the Almighty Powerful creator; yes it is worth anything to be His. To be His child, his sister, his bride, his friend.
And yet it's not just as simple as that, it's not like we simply endure a life of suffering and then get to Heaven, no it's better than that. God, the Almighty, endures the suffering as well, when we suffer He suffers with us. He's so complex that He can ordain our suffering and yet suffer with us. We are made in the image of God, and therefore our characters are so complex that we suffer and yet at the same time as suffering, through our tears we are able to say 'Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice'. Don't they say that laughter heals all ills? Why is that? Laughter is a sign of joy, and it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength.
The world will tell us that when we are down, we have to be miserable; we can't show a smiling face because no-one will believe we are upset. Yet, the Bible, full of delightful truths, tells us that when we are suffering we will rejoice in Christ, when we suffer we can joy in the fact that our light afflictions are for this world only, and soon we will be in Heaven with Him, rejoicing with no tears and no pain.
And yet we have to live in this world, we do have to keep on keeping on, we do have to find the strength from somewhere to get out of bed in the morning and keep on fighting the fight. Sometimes our strength is exhausted. Sometimes we just can't take anymore. Sometime's Gods answer to a cry for help is "By my Grace, you can take more than this". And yet, He's there, He's carrying us, He gives us strength to live day by day, to make the difficult choices. He gives us friends and brothers and sisters in Christ to bear our burdens with us, to weep with us when we weep.
By God's grace I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
All this may seem glib, and I assure you that I can only write it because I have spent the morning in tears and in prayer. It doesn't mean that we aren't allowed to ask 'Why Lord?' didn't Christ on the cross ask 'Why have you forsaken me?' . And those are the hardest times; when we are in the midst of trial and unlike the 3 Hebrew boys in Babylon, Christ doesn't seem to be there in the midst of the fire; we can't see Him, can't feel His presence. Those are the times that we have to trust in His promises. I was hearing on Sunday night that we have to "Trust in the God of Promises and Believe in the Promises of God" and there are some wonderful promises.
A bruised reed he will not break
Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble
He will set my feet upon a rock
We have a high priest who sympathises with our weaknesses
God has for us a future and a hope
He knows the path that I take
His word will be a lamp to our feet
Now all we need to do is use His strength to Trust in the God of Promises and Believe in the Promises of God.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Catch up
I realise more than 1 blog in a day is maybe a bit much... however I have a lot of catching up to do, as I have missed my blogs!!
Looking back and reading through some of my old blogs, I see that the last thing I mentioned of the car and the flat, was that my little red car had been broken into, and the flat had just gone on the market.
Well, re: little red car, Mark fixed it.. ok maybe Mark bodged the wires back in any old way, but hey! it started and ran ok! The thing is, that I don't think it would have stood up to the current mileage that I'm doing - poor little thing, so it had to be sold. The woman who bought it, said she was buying it for her 18 year old son, who is 6ft 3... now if you never saw my little red car, that will mean nothing to you. However if you did, you will be crying laughing, and pitying that poor lad! I read an article on Perodua's; and the article started off by saying that they didn't just have no street cred, they might even have minus street cred!
As for the flat... well now isn't that a saga.
To cut a long story short, we did have a buyer, and now we don't. We are ready (at a cost!!) to exchange contracts on the place we're buying; however if we don't find a buyer in 10 days, they are going to put it back on the market.
They do say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in your life... as well as a new job... hmmm... :)
Looking back and reading through some of my old blogs, I see that the last thing I mentioned of the car and the flat, was that my little red car had been broken into, and the flat had just gone on the market.
Well, re: little red car, Mark fixed it.. ok maybe Mark bodged the wires back in any old way, but hey! it started and ran ok! The thing is, that I don't think it would have stood up to the current mileage that I'm doing - poor little thing, so it had to be sold. The woman who bought it, said she was buying it for her 18 year old son, who is 6ft 3... now if you never saw my little red car, that will mean nothing to you. However if you did, you will be crying laughing, and pitying that poor lad! I read an article on Perodua's; and the article started off by saying that they didn't just have no street cred, they might even have minus street cred!
As for the flat... well now isn't that a saga.
To cut a long story short, we did have a buyer, and now we don't. We are ready (at a cost!!) to exchange contracts on the place we're buying; however if we don't find a buyer in 10 days, they are going to put it back on the market.
They do say that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do in your life... as well as a new job... hmmm... :)
Lest we forget
I've had this blog in my head for nearly 6 months now; since a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum. I guess it falls under the category of random ramblings from my soap box!
We went to the National Memorial Arboretum and wondered round all the beautiful memorials. The sadness just gets you, if you let it.
There's one memorial to the Prisoners of War in Burma; and pictures of the brutal treatment that they received, which just made me realise the true meaning of 'Lest we forget'. Because we are starting to lose the generation who experienced war atrocities first hand, we are losing the people who lost loved ones. We are losing the people who knew what it was to ration. We are losing the people who stood in the trenches, with the fear of a gun behind them and fear of death infront of them. We are losing the generation of people who saw what human beings in the right circumstances are capable of.
We say don't we, that humans are the only animals who kill their own. See how the Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" How God knows the human heart. And the generation of people who witnessed this first hand are starting to fade out. Their children are growing old, and the current generation have no knowledge of what devestation greed and ambition can bring.
Hear's a quote from a film I watched the other day:-
"When did ambition cease to be a sin and become something we all aspire to"
They are still finding bones in Flanders fields in Belgium. The farmers who harvest those fields, dump them at the end of the road, and special trucks come and carry them away. And yes, the horror of it grabs you - but I present to you a worse thought - what about when they stop finding the bones? What happens when there is no real and present reminder of the horrors of war. What happens when we forget?
How long before we stop with the memorial services, how long before the world is moving so fast that we cannot stop for 2 minutes to remember?
Life is cheap in our society. A 'life sentence' for committing murder, sometimes lasts only 8 years. 8 years for a human life - how we cheapen it. We are made in the image of God; and yet we have natural hearts that live for the devil. Wouldn't the devil love us to forget.
Jesus Christ, son of God, Saviour of the world, knows our frailty and our weakness, He knows our propensity to forget. He left us the Commmunion/Lord's Supper, to remind us of the New Covenant of Salvation in Christ alone; to remind us of His death on the cross - why? Lest we forget!
www.thenma.org.uk
Being a PAL
I have come home and decided that as I have some free time on my hands, I will update my blog.. and am shocked to see that it was July that I last updated it... (it only took me 9 tries to remember my password!!!)
Anyway, I'm here now and that's what matters isn't it... :)
Looking at my last post, I see I mentioned my plant. The plant survived the move from the office to the house, and lasted a remarkably long time; however, did die the other day. RIP Plant, it just wasn't the same at home as in the office. I can't have plants in my new job - apparently they attract flies and everyone moans. I can't say I'm that devestated, I haven't got the greenest of fingers!
So, I've been going through a tough time recently. The new job is much more stressful that I thought it was going to be.. I only realised that today, when someone asked me "Is the job more stressful than you anticipated"... and after trying to answer in several different ways, I realised the best way to answer was "Honestly? Yes!" it's a very hard job, and I am under more stress and hearing way more emotional stuff than I thought I would be. Still, it's my job now, and I am resting in the fact that I know God led me to that job.
I've been saying to people that it's God's way of teaching me not to complain when life is boring! Yet, in all seriousness, I've been struggling with that - was I right to leave my last job just because I was bored? I was speaking with a friend today (Tony :-) who said to me that as human beings, we were designed to be fulfilled, we weren't designed to be bored. I can't tell you how relieved that made me feel, because I agree with him - he's right. We weren't designed to be bored and unfulfilled. It wasn't a bad or sinful thing to apply for my new job. The fact that this job is stressful now is not a punishment for leaving a boring and unfulfilling job!
And the fact is, that actually, although I find it hard to admit it even to myself, I am good at this job. Really good. I was shortlisted and appointed from 164 candidates, and my manager keeps saying she can't believe I've only been in the job such a short amount of time. Clearly I am a natural 'PAL'!
It's hard at the moment because there are other stress factors on my life. However... when they are all over, I think I may just enjoy being a PAL :)
Anyway, I'm here now and that's what matters isn't it... :)
Looking at my last post, I see I mentioned my plant. The plant survived the move from the office to the house, and lasted a remarkably long time; however, did die the other day. RIP Plant, it just wasn't the same at home as in the office. I can't have plants in my new job - apparently they attract flies and everyone moans. I can't say I'm that devestated, I haven't got the greenest of fingers!
So, I've been going through a tough time recently. The new job is much more stressful that I thought it was going to be.. I only realised that today, when someone asked me "Is the job more stressful than you anticipated"... and after trying to answer in several different ways, I realised the best way to answer was "Honestly? Yes!" it's a very hard job, and I am under more stress and hearing way more emotional stuff than I thought I would be. Still, it's my job now, and I am resting in the fact that I know God led me to that job.
I've been saying to people that it's God's way of teaching me not to complain when life is boring! Yet, in all seriousness, I've been struggling with that - was I right to leave my last job just because I was bored? I was speaking with a friend today (Tony :-) who said to me that as human beings, we were designed to be fulfilled, we weren't designed to be bored. I can't tell you how relieved that made me feel, because I agree with him - he's right. We weren't designed to be bored and unfulfilled. It wasn't a bad or sinful thing to apply for my new job. The fact that this job is stressful now is not a punishment for leaving a boring and unfulfilling job!
And the fact is, that actually, although I find it hard to admit it even to myself, I am good at this job. Really good. I was shortlisted and appointed from 164 candidates, and my manager keeps saying she can't believe I've only been in the job such a short amount of time. Clearly I am a natural 'PAL'!
It's hard at the moment because there are other stress factors on my life. However... when they are all over, I think I may just enjoy being a PAL :)
Monday, 2 August 2010
Friday 30th July...
Written on Friday 30th July at lunchtime :o)
So, wow, I’m back again, so soon...! Yep, it means that once again I am stuck at work with nothing to do!!
Today has been a very strange day, as I have handed my office over to the lovely Maria, who will be taking over my job... and we have been covering e-mails and Committees and Papers and all sorts of other things, and are now just taking 10 minutes break. Maria however is in my office, and I am in a sad lonely empty office all by myself.... sniff (are you feeling sorry for me yet...?)
I have my computer, and my little plant, which I will be taking with me to my new job, as it is the only plant I have successfully not killed ... erm.. ever... in my entire life.
I think I was about 20 before I realised when people give you plants you’re meant to keep them, not to throw them away after 2 weeks when they die...
I had lunch today with the marvellous Louise B, we had some amazing Wedges (yum) and lovely chit chat... nice to take time away from the desk and just chill! I haven’t really had the time to do that recently, so next week will be an interesting week and a nice wind down week for me and I have lunch with someone booked in nearly every day!!
I have just enjoyed reading my little sisters blog... and wondering since when did we all get so grown up... how time flies!
I suppose now I’d better get back to some work... :D
So, wow, I’m back again, so soon...! Yep, it means that once again I am stuck at work with nothing to do!!
Today has been a very strange day, as I have handed my office over to the lovely Maria, who will be taking over my job... and we have been covering e-mails and Committees and Papers and all sorts of other things, and are now just taking 10 minutes break. Maria however is in my office, and I am in a sad lonely empty office all by myself.... sniff (are you feeling sorry for me yet...?)
I have my computer, and my little plant, which I will be taking with me to my new job, as it is the only plant I have successfully not killed ... erm.. ever... in my entire life.
I think I was about 20 before I realised when people give you plants you’re meant to keep them, not to throw them away after 2 weeks when they die...
I had lunch today with the marvellous Louise B, we had some amazing Wedges (yum) and lovely chit chat... nice to take time away from the desk and just chill! I haven’t really had the time to do that recently, so next week will be an interesting week and a nice wind down week for me and I have lunch with someone booked in nearly every day!!
I have just enjoyed reading my little sisters blog... and wondering since when did we all get so grown up... how time flies!
I suppose now I’d better get back to some work... :D
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Flat, Car, Church, Patience and answers to prayer!
So looking at the above title, this is really what's been going on over the past few months!!
Our flat is still on the market and we are being taught patience, as we haven't even had one viewing! The price was lowered yesterday, so we pray that this will encourage someone to poke their nose in the door... after that - who could refuse our beautiful home?!! :D
My car has been a bit of a saga the past few days, on Saturday night someone tried to break into it :( and succeeded in pulling out all the wiring under the steering column! Thankfully on Monday evening a friend of a friend put it all back together for me; however my poor little Mr Incredible (it's red and indestructable!!)was looking a little sorry for itself! On the Monday evening, before it was fixed, my Grandparents offered to sell me their car! It's a lovely little white R Reg Corsa, roomy and with a lot of character... I accepted their offer and I am starting to fall in love with my little car! It's much roomier than I thought it would be, I am also LOVING having a radio - luxury after 18 months of driving in silence!!
Church is mentioned because it has been a major part of our lives recently... we have been loving the fellowship we've been having with the people at Church, we've enjoyed lovely hospitality and friendship.
So... this is what I have been up to recently!
Just to warn you, at some point I am going to wax lyrical about 'Lest we forget'. It's a blog which has been in my head since the first time I visited the National Memorial Arboretum and was revived in my mind when we went there again a week ago.. however I need to be curled up or tucked up somewhere with the time to write it and think about it.... so another little while, but it will come!!!
We had a lovely holiday in Portugal, we really literally did enjoy Sun, Sea and Sand, with a beautiful beach, amazing sea that you could swim in until 7-8 in the evening and amazing weather ALL week! We are looking forward to spending some time in Scotland with my family soon... in fact... that might just be the week for the 'Lest we forget' Blog!!
Farewell! x
Our flat is still on the market and we are being taught patience, as we haven't even had one viewing! The price was lowered yesterday, so we pray that this will encourage someone to poke their nose in the door... after that - who could refuse our beautiful home?!! :D
My car has been a bit of a saga the past few days, on Saturday night someone tried to break into it :( and succeeded in pulling out all the wiring under the steering column! Thankfully on Monday evening a friend of a friend put it all back together for me; however my poor little Mr Incredible (it's red and indestructable!!)was looking a little sorry for itself! On the Monday evening, before it was fixed, my Grandparents offered to sell me their car! It's a lovely little white R Reg Corsa, roomy and with a lot of character... I accepted their offer and I am starting to fall in love with my little car! It's much roomier than I thought it would be, I am also LOVING having a radio - luxury after 18 months of driving in silence!!
Church is mentioned because it has been a major part of our lives recently... we have been loving the fellowship we've been having with the people at Church, we've enjoyed lovely hospitality and friendship.
So... this is what I have been up to recently!
Just to warn you, at some point I am going to wax lyrical about 'Lest we forget'. It's a blog which has been in my head since the first time I visited the National Memorial Arboretum and was revived in my mind when we went there again a week ago.. however I need to be curled up or tucked up somewhere with the time to write it and think about it.... so another little while, but it will come!!!
We had a lovely holiday in Portugal, we really literally did enjoy Sun, Sea and Sand, with a beautiful beach, amazing sea that you could swim in until 7-8 in the evening and amazing weather ALL week! We are looking forward to spending some time in Scotland with my family soon... in fact... that might just be the week for the 'Lest we forget' Blog!!
Farewell! x
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Happiness is!
Have you ever seen those mugs/cards, entititled "Happiness is" and then a picture of something, either friends hugging, or boy meets girl etc...?
A friend of mine, whenever she sees someone contented, looks and says "Ahh, happiness is". I saw my dog come in today from a walk and she collapsed on the floor with a big grin on her face and I looked and said "Happiness is.."
I was reminded of this song:
Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favour,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I've found the secret, it's Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!
To know the Lord... that is true happiness!
Happy Father's day!
A friend of mine, whenever she sees someone contented, looks and says "Ahh, happiness is". I saw my dog come in today from a walk and she collapsed on the floor with a big grin on her face and I looked and said "Happiness is.."
I was reminded of this song:
Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favour,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.
Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start;
I've found the secret, it's Jesus in my heart!
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the living,
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord,
Happiness is the Lord!
To know the Lord... that is true happiness!
Happy Father's day!
Friday, 18 June 2010
Typo....!
In previous post I put PALS Manager... I meant officer... that'll teach me to watch the football and type at the same time!!!
Welcome back!
I feel that's what my blog said to me when I logged in... Welcome back! We missed you! At least, I hope whoever is reading this missed me... oh well, if you didn't, that's not really the point of this blog anyway is it...
I'm rambling...
We have been ridiculously busy over the past few weeks... evenings and weekends have just got chocka, and believe it or not, my boss has found things for me to do at work, so I've actually been busy (how awful, to be busy at work!! :D)
So, the major things that have happened to me over the past few weeks... well we've been really enjoying the fellowship at Bulkington Congregational Church! The people are lovely and the spiritual food is .. well filling! And challenging whilst gracious. We are so blessed to be there!
The other big things... we've put the flat on the market... yes! We've finally done it..! Agreed to pay an estate agent an extortionate amount, and got some nice pictures of our place on rightmove, and got a board up outside. Now we just have to wait for someone to come and look round it.. and wait... and wait... patience is a virtue they say! And one that the Lord is teaching us day by day.
Jon is currently watching England vs Algeria, along with 90% of the population I reckon... Pippa and I are equally unimpressed!!! She is playing with a ball and getting dirty looks from Jon whenever she makes too much noise. I am blogging... and just managing to avoid the annoyed look for my tip tapping on the keyboard - lol :D
My job at the moment has been slightly boring... I mean boring. My boss is wonderful and I really get on with my colleagues, however there are no challenges and I have really reached the end of that career path if I want a career... so a few weeks ago I appplied for the job of PALS manager at a Mental Health Trust near where we want to move to... last Friday I found out I was shortlisted... and today was the interview.
I GOT THE JOB! I am so excited. PALS is an amazing service provided by the NHS, and I am exstatic about being a part of it in an up and coming mental health trust. I start as soon as references are through and I have worked my 4 weeks notice at HEFT where I am now.
So... that's all the big news!! Pippa has given up and fallen asleep on the rug, so I think I may as well give in and watch the footie and shout at the tely with Jon... :D
Goodnight all! xxx
I'm rambling...
We have been ridiculously busy over the past few weeks... evenings and weekends have just got chocka, and believe it or not, my boss has found things for me to do at work, so I've actually been busy (how awful, to be busy at work!! :D)
So, the major things that have happened to me over the past few weeks... well we've been really enjoying the fellowship at Bulkington Congregational Church! The people are lovely and the spiritual food is .. well filling! And challenging whilst gracious. We are so blessed to be there!
The other big things... we've put the flat on the market... yes! We've finally done it..! Agreed to pay an estate agent an extortionate amount, and got some nice pictures of our place on rightmove, and got a board up outside. Now we just have to wait for someone to come and look round it.. and wait... and wait... patience is a virtue they say! And one that the Lord is teaching us day by day.
Jon is currently watching England vs Algeria, along with 90% of the population I reckon... Pippa and I are equally unimpressed!!! She is playing with a ball and getting dirty looks from Jon whenever she makes too much noise. I am blogging... and just managing to avoid the annoyed look for my tip tapping on the keyboard - lol :D
My job at the moment has been slightly boring... I mean boring. My boss is wonderful and I really get on with my colleagues, however there are no challenges and I have really reached the end of that career path if I want a career... so a few weeks ago I appplied for the job of PALS manager at a Mental Health Trust near where we want to move to... last Friday I found out I was shortlisted... and today was the interview.
I GOT THE JOB! I am so excited. PALS is an amazing service provided by the NHS, and I am exstatic about being a part of it in an up and coming mental health trust. I start as soon as references are through and I have worked my 4 weeks notice at HEFT where I am now.
So... that's all the big news!! Pippa has given up and fallen asleep on the rug, so I think I may as well give in and watch the footie and shout at the tely with Jon... :D
Goodnight all! xxx
Friday, 21 May 2010
Summery dayz!
One of my sisters started one of her blog posts by saying
"It's a shame that having so much to blog about, leaves so little time to actually blog"
My sentiments exactly!!
These past few weeks for some reason have been nice and busy, we have had something on every evening and at the weekends. At the same time, note that I say 'Nice' and busy - not manic, or rushed, just a lovely stream of things to do and look forward to.
Life wouldn't be much if we didn't have things to look forward to would it? I think sometimes we take for granted, we're always looking forward to our next annual leave, the next time a friend is coming to visit, the next weekend, the next, the next, the next... and isn't it wonderful that if we're true born again believers, who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can genuinly look forward to that day when He will appear again and we will be like Him, and the sufferings of this present day will not be worthy to be compared with the joy we will have then.
So, let me tell you some of what we've been up to!
I went out for a meal a week or so ago, with a friend I haven't seen in a while and have been meaning to catch up with! We had a carvery and a glass of wine and lots and lots of talk... it's a good job I don't mind cold potatoes!!
For 2 days at the end of last week, my youngest sister came over and helped me sort some things out in the flat. We did a major spring clean of all the rooms, and sorted the 'junk' in all the cupboards. We managed to pack up 16 boxes for loft storage, take a car full of stuff to the charity shop and 2 cars full to the local tip! Needless to say, the flat is looking an awful lot tidier!
Last Saturday we had a lovely time; in the morning we finished off some of the tidying and cleaning we had been doing. Jon put up some fences in the back garden (which involved a very funny story I'll tell another time!) and Mr VDR came over and helped. The sun was shining, and it was nice all round. We then went over to Bulkington for a coffee and cake fundraiser, and had a nice time at John and Judy's house. We bought plenty of cakes and some really lovely flower arrangements.
In the evening it was Fred's 90th birthday 'do', he and Kathleen hired the sunroom in the local village centre, and had some food laid on. We were entertained by Beth, Morris and Pastor Pete :o)
This week I had Wednesday off work, and I went shopping with Georgie as she'd had an exam on the Tuesday; we left home at 9.30 and returned at 5, much poorer and quite tired, but very happy!
Last night Dad came up from Hove for a visit. He surprised Jo from work and then as the weather was so nice, we ended up having a bbq in our back garden which was lovely...! Tonight, Jon and I are going shopping for some more bbq things, and having another bbq tomorrow evening with family and very good friends; Mum is coming, Nicki and Andrew, Mr VDR... so we should be a very jolly gathering! This time however, Pippa won't get any marshmallows... another funny story I will tell another time.... :D
"It's a shame that having so much to blog about, leaves so little time to actually blog"
My sentiments exactly!!
These past few weeks for some reason have been nice and busy, we have had something on every evening and at the weekends. At the same time, note that I say 'Nice' and busy - not manic, or rushed, just a lovely stream of things to do and look forward to.
Life wouldn't be much if we didn't have things to look forward to would it? I think sometimes we take for granted, we're always looking forward to our next annual leave, the next time a friend is coming to visit, the next weekend, the next, the next, the next... and isn't it wonderful that if we're true born again believers, who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can genuinly look forward to that day when He will appear again and we will be like Him, and the sufferings of this present day will not be worthy to be compared with the joy we will have then.
So, let me tell you some of what we've been up to!
I went out for a meal a week or so ago, with a friend I haven't seen in a while and have been meaning to catch up with! We had a carvery and a glass of wine and lots and lots of talk... it's a good job I don't mind cold potatoes!!
For 2 days at the end of last week, my youngest sister came over and helped me sort some things out in the flat. We did a major spring clean of all the rooms, and sorted the 'junk' in all the cupboards. We managed to pack up 16 boxes for loft storage, take a car full of stuff to the charity shop and 2 cars full to the local tip! Needless to say, the flat is looking an awful lot tidier!
Last Saturday we had a lovely time; in the morning we finished off some of the tidying and cleaning we had been doing. Jon put up some fences in the back garden (which involved a very funny story I'll tell another time!) and Mr VDR came over and helped. The sun was shining, and it was nice all round. We then went over to Bulkington for a coffee and cake fundraiser, and had a nice time at John and Judy's house. We bought plenty of cakes and some really lovely flower arrangements.
In the evening it was Fred's 90th birthday 'do', he and Kathleen hired the sunroom in the local village centre, and had some food laid on. We were entertained by Beth, Morris and Pastor Pete :o)
This week I had Wednesday off work, and I went shopping with Georgie as she'd had an exam on the Tuesday; we left home at 9.30 and returned at 5, much poorer and quite tired, but very happy!
Last night Dad came up from Hove for a visit. He surprised Jo from work and then as the weather was so nice, we ended up having a bbq in our back garden which was lovely...! Tonight, Jon and I are going shopping for some more bbq things, and having another bbq tomorrow evening with family and very good friends; Mum is coming, Nicki and Andrew, Mr VDR... so we should be a very jolly gathering! This time however, Pippa won't get any marshmallows... another funny story I will tell another time.... :D
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Sausage roll memories
Today we had a lie in this morning and then we went over to Mums. Before we went we went to Greggs, the local bakers, and got some sausage rolls for lunch.
Sausage rolls from Greggs reminds me of shopping on Chelmsley Wood with my mum, feeling like I was eating the biggest treat in the world, and anticipating eating a cake afterwards. The memory is usually tied in with the thought of rain, as it was usually raining, and being surrounded by my younger sisters...!
Jon got his sausage roll, and smelt it, and promptly said that the smell reminded him of Christmas, as Christmas when he was a child was the only time he ever used to eat hot sausage rolls...
Isn't it funny how a smell or a feeling or a sound can spark a memory? It's wonderful how that same smell, feeling or sound can send a whole room full of people down memory lane, and each memory is different. Didn't God create us just GREAT?!
Jon had fun this afternoon helping put up some bookcases for Mum, and I had fun organising them onto the shelves! Mum had a dissapointment with Curry's and Nicoles laptop... Grrrrr just about describes it. We have already decided that our family motto should be "Everything is for a reason"... tied in with the fact that God loves us, it just about makes life bearable some days doesn't it!
I have to admit, these past weeks I have been resting in God's promises for Heaven, 2 in particular,
Romans 8v18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Revelation 21v3-5a: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
We are currently lying in bed watching a 'Gaither Gospel Hour', which are always lovely to have on in the background; we're listing to a guy singing Amazing Grace, and The Old Rugged Cross.. the guy who's speaking is telling the story of how he heard the new song 'The Old Rugged Cross' when he was 5, that's 93 years ago. How God does deal graciously with some people! This man is 98 years old and totally with it, walking with the Lord and a testimony to His grace.
We went to my Grandma and Granddad's for tea today, and had a wonderful time as we always do, we enjoyed spare ribs, lemon chicken, sweet and sour vegetables, satay chicken and spring rolls!! My Granddad's mind is going, and sadly he knows it and it is upsetting for both him and my Grandma. In constrast to the man singing on the television in the bedroom, they have no real testimony of God's grace and dealings with them. Oh how I pray that God would give me the oppurtunities to speak to them, and the courage to take the oppurtunities when they arise.
The evening was a lovely way to end our week!
Jon and I are looking forward to tomorrow, the first day of the week, worshipping with our friends in Bulkington. We have once again been invited out for lunch, which we are looking forward to :o)
I'll leave you with the hymn we're just about to hear, and one of my favourites...
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
Sausage rolls from Greggs reminds me of shopping on Chelmsley Wood with my mum, feeling like I was eating the biggest treat in the world, and anticipating eating a cake afterwards. The memory is usually tied in with the thought of rain, as it was usually raining, and being surrounded by my younger sisters...!
Jon got his sausage roll, and smelt it, and promptly said that the smell reminded him of Christmas, as Christmas when he was a child was the only time he ever used to eat hot sausage rolls...
Isn't it funny how a smell or a feeling or a sound can spark a memory? It's wonderful how that same smell, feeling or sound can send a whole room full of people down memory lane, and each memory is different. Didn't God create us just GREAT?!
Jon had fun this afternoon helping put up some bookcases for Mum, and I had fun organising them onto the shelves! Mum had a dissapointment with Curry's and Nicoles laptop... Grrrrr just about describes it. We have already decided that our family motto should be "Everything is for a reason"... tied in with the fact that God loves us, it just about makes life bearable some days doesn't it!
I have to admit, these past weeks I have been resting in God's promises for Heaven, 2 in particular,
Romans 8v18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Revelation 21v3-5a: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
We are currently lying in bed watching a 'Gaither Gospel Hour', which are always lovely to have on in the background; we're listing to a guy singing Amazing Grace, and The Old Rugged Cross.. the guy who's speaking is telling the story of how he heard the new song 'The Old Rugged Cross' when he was 5, that's 93 years ago. How God does deal graciously with some people! This man is 98 years old and totally with it, walking with the Lord and a testimony to His grace.
We went to my Grandma and Granddad's for tea today, and had a wonderful time as we always do, we enjoyed spare ribs, lemon chicken, sweet and sour vegetables, satay chicken and spring rolls!! My Granddad's mind is going, and sadly he knows it and it is upsetting for both him and my Grandma. In constrast to the man singing on the television in the bedroom, they have no real testimony of God's grace and dealings with them. Oh how I pray that God would give me the oppurtunities to speak to them, and the courage to take the oppurtunities when they arise.
The evening was a lovely way to end our week!
Jon and I are looking forward to tomorrow, the first day of the week, worshipping with our friends in Bulkington. We have once again been invited out for lunch, which we are looking forward to :o)
I'll leave you with the hymn we're just about to hear, and one of my favourites...
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Chorus:
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead
Friday, 7 May 2010
Religion and Politics.... again!
I'm guessing a lot of people will be talking about Politics this morning, seeing as we now officially have a hung parliament.
It's scary in some ways, that there's such a state of unrest, that the country has no clear leader - really isn't it indicative of the fact that we have confidence in none of our political leaders?!
I am so comforted to know that I can have confidence in God, that He is in control and He knows what His plans are for this country.
Yes, we are entering a time of unrest and uncertainty, and yet, we know that our duty is to do what's right and the consequences are in God's hands. Daniel is so relevant here, don't you think?! Kings will rule and pass laws and listen to false advisors, and yet we should turn up and work, live peaceably among all men, and yet pray for our leaders as we're commanded. The consequences of those actions will be part of God's supreme plan for our estate,village, town, city, county, country, nation and ultimatley His plan for the world; as He holds Kings hearts in His hands.
It's scary in some ways, that there's such a state of unrest, that the country has no clear leader - really isn't it indicative of the fact that we have confidence in none of our political leaders?!
I am so comforted to know that I can have confidence in God, that He is in control and He knows what His plans are for this country.
Yes, we are entering a time of unrest and uncertainty, and yet, we know that our duty is to do what's right and the consequences are in God's hands. Daniel is so relevant here, don't you think?! Kings will rule and pass laws and listen to false advisors, and yet we should turn up and work, live peaceably among all men, and yet pray for our leaders as we're commanded. The consequences of those actions will be part of God's supreme plan for our estate,village, town, city, county, country, nation and ultimatley His plan for the world; as He holds Kings hearts in His hands.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Part of a plane
Just a quick update... the thing that came from upstairs was a piece of wood. Which 2 seconds later was followed by something else... which turned out to be a cat...! I opened the window and grabbed him, because upstairs don't let their cat out and I didn't want him to be hurt - and I could hear footsteps running from upstairs.
He landed on all 4 feet, and was fine! Needless to say, Pippa was very interested in this article... his owner held him up to say hello, and I am ashamed to say that it was Pippa who jumped backwards... clearly my dog is the biggest wuss in the block!!
He landed on all 4 feet, and was fine! Needless to say, Pippa was very interested in this article... his owner held him up to say hello, and I am ashamed to say that it was Pippa who jumped backwards... clearly my dog is the biggest wuss in the block!!
Kate, Jane and the Cats!
We spent a delightfully fun afternoon yesterday at David and Jane's house.
David was the chef, and we had a lovely joint of Lamb, with roast potatoes and lots of yummy vegetables - followed by some of the most amazing ice-cream I have ever eaten (I have to write that incase Jane ever reads this blog :D)
Kate and Tess came to dinner with us, and Kate has a wonderful relationship with Jane where they are like sisters (by that I mean they squabble ALL the time) however with the best intent and will in the world, and it's very entertaining to be around them :D
David and Jane have 2 cats, and although I'm afraid I will never be a cat person, I am an animal person and they were cute cats. I don't think Pippa will ever be introduced to them though.... hmm! Jane and I are agreed on one thing, that they are of course surrogate children. It was also interesting to find out that David thinks she loves the cats more than him... as this is what Jon thinks about me with Pippa- I think they might need to start a support group, as it's clearly a man thing :D
Roger, Jane's brother, came to lunch as well, he is a very nice man and has some interesting stories to tell, especially about Organs! There is a lovely pipe organ in the church at Bulkington and I hope to hear him play sometime, as he plays properly - feet as well as fingers!
Zoikes! While I'm writing, someone's just thrown something out of an upstairs window... Pippa is currently looking out the window at the disturbance... I can't wait for the day we don't live in a flat.. although the downside of that is that if something falls past my window, it's either part of a plane or a piece of guttering...
David was the chef, and we had a lovely joint of Lamb, with roast potatoes and lots of yummy vegetables - followed by some of the most amazing ice-cream I have ever eaten (I have to write that incase Jane ever reads this blog :D)
Kate and Tess came to dinner with us, and Kate has a wonderful relationship with Jane where they are like sisters (by that I mean they squabble ALL the time) however with the best intent and will in the world, and it's very entertaining to be around them :D
David and Jane have 2 cats, and although I'm afraid I will never be a cat person, I am an animal person and they were cute cats. I don't think Pippa will ever be introduced to them though.... hmm! Jane and I are agreed on one thing, that they are of course surrogate children. It was also interesting to find out that David thinks she loves the cats more than him... as this is what Jon thinks about me with Pippa- I think they might need to start a support group, as it's clearly a man thing :D
Roger, Jane's brother, came to lunch as well, he is a very nice man and has some interesting stories to tell, especially about Organs! There is a lovely pipe organ in the church at Bulkington and I hope to hear him play sometime, as he plays properly - feet as well as fingers!
Zoikes! While I'm writing, someone's just thrown something out of an upstairs window... Pippa is currently looking out the window at the disturbance... I can't wait for the day we don't live in a flat.. although the downside of that is that if something falls past my window, it's either part of a plane or a piece of guttering...
He who strolls to the end
Matthew 10:22
But the one who endures to the end shall be saved.
We were challenged yesterday morning to check our Bibles and see if our version read "He who strolls along happily to the end will be saved" or "He who takes life easy will be saved".
We were really challenged and reminded that life should not be comfortable for the Christian, how often to we pray for oppurtunities to witness, how often do we speak out for the Lord, because if we do, we will get the persecution that Christ talks about in Matthew 10.
I was certainly challenged, I know I try and live my life according to His word, and yet if I live a good life, I simply look like a good person, and what use is that if we're not pointing to Christ?
I often get praised for my self control in not swearing, and yet I was brought up in a Christian home, swearing is alien to me like eating meat is to a child brought up with vegetarian parents - I shouldn't be praised for self control over that - I often lose my temper and get upset and do things very wrong - which demonstrates a lack of self control. And ultimatley the world are comparing me to the worst of men, while I can see how far I am from Christ's standards.
I know I need to speak of Him more than I do, to not force it down people's throats, but always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within me. I need to take oppurtunities when they're given to talk of Jesus Christ (Oh that wonderful name!)
I gave a small part of my testimony yesterday afternoon, and what a joy it was to remember that feeling of knowing I was alien to God, that I wouldn't go to Heaven. What joy it brings to remember when the light first crept in, when I realised that if I asked the Lord Jesus into my heart, He would bring peace and forgiveness and bring me safe home to God. What joy to remember the first time I realised that He died on the cross for ME! What joy to remember the first time I realised that He ever intercedes for us! What joy to remember the first time I realised Christ prays for me!
I have missed in recent years the joy of my faith, and I am so grateful to God for bringing us to this place where we hear and are revived week after week with His word; it truly is like water to a parched throat!
But the one who endures to the end shall be saved.
We were challenged yesterday morning to check our Bibles and see if our version read "He who strolls along happily to the end will be saved" or "He who takes life easy will be saved".
We were really challenged and reminded that life should not be comfortable for the Christian, how often to we pray for oppurtunities to witness, how often do we speak out for the Lord, because if we do, we will get the persecution that Christ talks about in Matthew 10.
I was certainly challenged, I know I try and live my life according to His word, and yet if I live a good life, I simply look like a good person, and what use is that if we're not pointing to Christ?
I often get praised for my self control in not swearing, and yet I was brought up in a Christian home, swearing is alien to me like eating meat is to a child brought up with vegetarian parents - I shouldn't be praised for self control over that - I often lose my temper and get upset and do things very wrong - which demonstrates a lack of self control. And ultimatley the world are comparing me to the worst of men, while I can see how far I am from Christ's standards.
I know I need to speak of Him more than I do, to not force it down people's throats, but always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within me. I need to take oppurtunities when they're given to talk of Jesus Christ (Oh that wonderful name!)
I gave a small part of my testimony yesterday afternoon, and what a joy it was to remember that feeling of knowing I was alien to God, that I wouldn't go to Heaven. What joy it brings to remember when the light first crept in, when I realised that if I asked the Lord Jesus into my heart, He would bring peace and forgiveness and bring me safe home to God. What joy to remember the first time I realised that He died on the cross for ME! What joy to remember the first time I realised that He ever intercedes for us! What joy to remember the first time I realised Christ prays for me!
I have missed in recent years the joy of my faith, and I am so grateful to God for bringing us to this place where we hear and are revived week after week with His word; it truly is like water to a parched throat!
Ziklags
Pastor Pete preached yesterday evening on 1 Samuel 30.
David returns from marching with the Philistine army to find that the camp at Ziklag had been destroyed by the Amalekites. All their wives and children had been captured, and taken. The men in the army were so upset, they were angry and wanted to stone David. David himself could empathise with their anguish, his own 2 wives had been taken from him and he mourned for them.
Yet, "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God".
What a wonderful reminder we had that in trials we need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God! We all go through Ziklags!
Pastor Pete brought out the wonderful parallels between this passage, and Christ's prayer in John 17. David strengthened himself in the Lord, and we had a wonderful reminder that none of us are lost. As David in 1 Samuel 30 v 18-19, David brought back all, the same in John 17 "None are lost".
What a wonderful comfort it is to know that all things do work together for our good, even when we can't see it, and that when we go through our 'Ziklags' we know that Christ promises us that none will be lost - we will be saved to glory!
David returns from marching with the Philistine army to find that the camp at Ziklag had been destroyed by the Amalekites. All their wives and children had been captured, and taken. The men in the army were so upset, they were angry and wanted to stone David. David himself could empathise with their anguish, his own 2 wives had been taken from him and he mourned for them.
Yet, "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God".
What a wonderful reminder we had that in trials we need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God! We all go through Ziklags!
Pastor Pete brought out the wonderful parallels between this passage, and Christ's prayer in John 17. David strengthened himself in the Lord, and we had a wonderful reminder that none of us are lost. As David in 1 Samuel 30 v 18-19, David brought back all, the same in John 17 "None are lost".
What a wonderful comfort it is to know that all things do work together for our good, even when we can't see it, and that when we go through our 'Ziklags' we know that Christ promises us that none will be lost - we will be saved to glory!
Saturday
So we went to Sarina's house on Saturday! She and Neil have a lovely house in (for some reason I want to type Boston but it's not!) Burton (I think?! I've just had a mind blank!)
They've got a lovely garden and the weather was nice enough for us all to be able to play outside. The girls have a trampoline in the back garden, which Georgie and I went on with Emily and Lucy. They persuaded me to jump up and down and do the sit down jump back up - which was a lot of fun, however I really did feel it the next day!! (and still can feel aches in muscles I didn't know I had!)
We left there about 5.30 and went on to John vdr's where we had a bbq, which was much enjoyed by all! Burgers, Sausages and cakes all round! Throw in some Pringles and some ice-creams and we were all very full at the end of the day!
Thouroughly enjoyable!
They've got a lovely garden and the weather was nice enough for us all to be able to play outside. The girls have a trampoline in the back garden, which Georgie and I went on with Emily and Lucy. They persuaded me to jump up and down and do the sit down jump back up - which was a lot of fun, however I really did feel it the next day!! (and still can feel aches in muscles I didn't know I had!)
We left there about 5.30 and went on to John vdr's where we had a bbq, which was much enjoyed by all! Burgers, Sausages and cakes all round! Throw in some Pringles and some ice-creams and we were all very full at the end of the day!
Thouroughly enjoyable!
It's April!
I know this will seem rather strange, however I realised as I walked into work today that it's still only April...
At some point, in my head, it had already turned into May...! In my head I was thinking "This really is lovely weather for May" ... however ... it's April, not May.
Maybe I am going slightly insane (according to Alice in Wonderland - all the best people are - thanks Mad Hatter). Anyway... it really is lovely weather for April isn't it!!!
At some point, in my head, it had already turned into May...! In my head I was thinking "This really is lovely weather for May" ... however ... it's April, not May.
Maybe I am going slightly insane (according to Alice in Wonderland - all the best people are - thanks Mad Hatter). Anyway... it really is lovely weather for April isn't it!!!
Friday, 23 April 2010
The weekend!
I am so so glad that today is Friday!
The weather is good, it's been a tiring but good day at work, and I have a lovely weekend to look forward to!
Tomorrow we are headed over to have fun with some friends during the day, followed up by a bbq in the evening, which should be lovely as the weather looks to be great!
On Sunday, we are going back to a church we have been visiting, Bulkington Congregational Church. Jon and I left our place of worship at Chelmsley Wood Reformed Baptist Church, after discussions with the Pastor and the Deacons. We are hoping to move house later on this year, and with several other things that have happened over the past few months, we decided that it would be wiser to look for a church sooner rather than later.
Bulkington is a lovely little church, situated in a lovely village, where Jon and I have fallen a little bit in love with and would love to live. The average houseprice is unfortunatley above what we can afford, however there are areas near Bulkington which are slightly cheaper, so we will keep our eyes out and our hearts upward and pray that the Lord leads us to where we're meant to be.
We were invited to lunch to Jean and Tony's house last week, and spent a lovely afternoon with them. This week, Jane and David have invited us over for lunch, so I am looking forward to meeting them properly and getting to know them a little bit.
We have only been at the church for 3 weeks in total, and already the fellowship have crept their way into our hearts and we have really felt this is where God wants us to be.
I am looking forward to Wednesday next week as we will be able to go to the Bible Study at Bulkington for the first time.
All in all, the weekend stretches before me with all its prospects, and I am looking forward to it very much :o)!
The weather is good, it's been a tiring but good day at work, and I have a lovely weekend to look forward to!
Tomorrow we are headed over to have fun with some friends during the day, followed up by a bbq in the evening, which should be lovely as the weather looks to be great!
On Sunday, we are going back to a church we have been visiting, Bulkington Congregational Church. Jon and I left our place of worship at Chelmsley Wood Reformed Baptist Church, after discussions with the Pastor and the Deacons. We are hoping to move house later on this year, and with several other things that have happened over the past few months, we decided that it would be wiser to look for a church sooner rather than later.
Bulkington is a lovely little church, situated in a lovely village, where Jon and I have fallen a little bit in love with and would love to live. The average houseprice is unfortunatley above what we can afford, however there are areas near Bulkington which are slightly cheaper, so we will keep our eyes out and our hearts upward and pray that the Lord leads us to where we're meant to be.
We were invited to lunch to Jean and Tony's house last week, and spent a lovely afternoon with them. This week, Jane and David have invited us over for lunch, so I am looking forward to meeting them properly and getting to know them a little bit.
We have only been at the church for 3 weeks in total, and already the fellowship have crept their way into our hearts and we have really felt this is where God wants us to be.
I am looking forward to Wednesday next week as we will be able to go to the Bible Study at Bulkington for the first time.
All in all, the weekend stretches before me with all its prospects, and I am looking forward to it very much :o)!
Potatoes & Salad
So we did have a summery 'ish' meal last night, I went shopping and got Peppers, Lettuce, Cucumber, Celery, Grapes, Potatoes, Pop, wine.... so we had baked potatoes and salad for dinner which was YUMMY, and a little more summery than a casserole!
It was all on sale in asda as well - bonus!
We are going camping next weekend, which I'm looking forward to, and the place we're going allows bbqs, so we might just have to get a disposable one to take with us.
It was all on sale in asda as well - bonus!
We are going camping next weekend, which I'm looking forward to, and the place we're going allows bbqs, so we might just have to get a disposable one to take with us.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Sunny food....
So, for some reason last night, I really fancied having a bbq... all the food in the house is great for winter meals, ie, shepherds pie, casseroles; food you'd curl up in front of a fire with. But I have no 'summery' ingredients! No salad, no nice veg, no potatoes big enough to bake... and when the weather is like this, you really have to adjust your thinking!
So, today I am inventing a new menu (we live by a budget and shop to a menu - when I'm organised enough!), with lots of summery ingredients on it. Okay, so I can only think of Salad off the top of my head - but that will do for now! It's a work in progress!
Anyway, we didn't have a bbq last night, and we're not going to have one tonight, we are however going to have one on Saturday over at a friend's house... yippee!!
So, today I am inventing a new menu (we live by a budget and shop to a menu - when I'm organised enough!), with lots of summery ingredients on it. Okay, so I can only think of Salad off the top of my head - but that will do for now! It's a work in progress!
Anyway, we didn't have a bbq last night, and we're not going to have one tonight, we are however going to have one on Saturday over at a friend's house... yippee!!
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Check...
Invoices all done - Check
Desk tidied - Check
Shredding put into sack - Check
Filing Trays cleared - Check
Boss where she's meant to be... who knows
Leaving early now - CHECK!
Desk tidied - Check
Shredding put into sack - Check
Filing Trays cleared - Check
Boss where she's meant to be... who knows
Leaving early now - CHECK!
Bleurgh
The title indicates how I feel about invoices.
I hate invoices. Or rather I hate the process with which the NHS asks me to deal with invoices. Scans and e-mails and approvals and raising requisitions.... snooore. I loathe it. It is one of the most tedious, boring and constant parts of my job. No-one else likes it either, and somehow I have ended up sorting out invoices for the whole department, yes, they all come my way... woo hoo..
I am blogging about this because I currently have about 10 sitting infront of me and 1 chaser e-mail... okaaay okaaay I'm on it I'm on it....
Bleurgh
I hate invoices. Or rather I hate the process with which the NHS asks me to deal with invoices. Scans and e-mails and approvals and raising requisitions.... snooore. I loathe it. It is one of the most tedious, boring and constant parts of my job. No-one else likes it either, and somehow I have ended up sorting out invoices for the whole department, yes, they all come my way... woo hoo..
I am blogging about this because I currently have about 10 sitting infront of me and 1 chaser e-mail... okaaay okaaay I'm on it I'm on it....
Bleurgh
Monday, 19 April 2010
Religion and Politics....
Politics bore me
There I said it out loud.
What happened to that rule that we’re not allowed to talk about religion or politics?! Suddenly everyone’s talking about who’s going to win the election. Ok I know I know, it’s a big thing, who gets in, how we exercise our vote, which Party’s manifesto is the best.]
For a start, I think they all lie. Yes the manifesto’s give us a vague idea of their party politics and agenda, but once they’re in and realise the problems of the country are their’s to own – things start changing, and everyone’s disillusioned... my solution to this problem? Don’t read the manifesto and if you do – don’t believe everything they tell you anyway!!
There are some Christian’s who believe that it’s our duty to use our vote, and I don’t entirely disagree with that. Maybe it’s leaning towards hyper-Calvinism, but at this time in my life I have so many things to think about in my own tiny little world, that I am glad I can sit back and say that the hearts of Kings are in my God’s hands. That I can tell you who will win the election - the Government HE wants will win! And whether that will be God’s way of bringing this country back to Himself or turning this country over to itself, now that is the most important matter for prayer, because the parties themselves are all as bad as each other really – aren’t they.
How about going along to vote, close your eyes, point and put a cross wherever your finger lands... well perhaps that’s slightly the wrong attitude to have (sheepish grin!)
Maybe I sound like a cynic (maybe I am one!! eek!); however I really do mean it. God is in control and He will have His way with our country. Our duty is to do what’s right, and if that means you are concerned to read all the party manifesto’s and make an informed decision about which party to vote for, whether that means you decide to sit out and leave it to more informed minds to vote – I don’t think either is wrong.
Well would you look at that... I just wrote a whole page on poli..... snooooooooorreee......
There I said it out loud.
What happened to that rule that we’re not allowed to talk about religion or politics?! Suddenly everyone’s talking about who’s going to win the election. Ok I know I know, it’s a big thing, who gets in, how we exercise our vote, which Party’s manifesto is the best.]
For a start, I think they all lie. Yes the manifesto’s give us a vague idea of their party politics and agenda, but once they’re in and realise the problems of the country are their’s to own – things start changing, and everyone’s disillusioned... my solution to this problem? Don’t read the manifesto and if you do – don’t believe everything they tell you anyway!!
There are some Christian’s who believe that it’s our duty to use our vote, and I don’t entirely disagree with that. Maybe it’s leaning towards hyper-Calvinism, but at this time in my life I have so many things to think about in my own tiny little world, that I am glad I can sit back and say that the hearts of Kings are in my God’s hands. That I can tell you who will win the election - the Government HE wants will win! And whether that will be God’s way of bringing this country back to Himself or turning this country over to itself, now that is the most important matter for prayer, because the parties themselves are all as bad as each other really – aren’t they.
How about going along to vote, close your eyes, point and put a cross wherever your finger lands... well perhaps that’s slightly the wrong attitude to have (sheepish grin!)
Maybe I sound like a cynic (maybe I am one!! eek!); however I really do mean it. God is in control and He will have His way with our country. Our duty is to do what’s right, and if that means you are concerned to read all the party manifesto’s and make an informed decision about which party to vote for, whether that means you decide to sit out and leave it to more informed minds to vote – I don’t think either is wrong.
Well would you look at that... I just wrote a whole page on poli..... snooooooooorreee......
It's all in the numbers...
So maybe I rely on statistics too much, and maybe blogging twice in 10 minutes is cheating - but I am concerned that my blogs are going down...
Feb - 18 or something
Mar - 8
Apr - 6... and April's nearly over!!!
I think perhaps I have started to take myself a little bit too seriously, and have lost appreciation for the art of writing about nothing... perhaps I have not wanted to wax lyrical about anything, or have thought that no-one really is interested anyway.
Clearly I've lost sight of the fact that primarily this blog is for me... so if I want to wax lyrical, I can, whether someone's reading or not! So hey - here I am...
(and determined to blog more than 8 times in April.....)...
Feb - 18 or something
Mar - 8
Apr - 6... and April's nearly over!!!
I think perhaps I have started to take myself a little bit too seriously, and have lost appreciation for the art of writing about nothing... perhaps I have not wanted to wax lyrical about anything, or have thought that no-one really is interested anyway.
Clearly I've lost sight of the fact that primarily this blog is for me... so if I want to wax lyrical, I can, whether someone's reading or not! So hey - here I am...
(and determined to blog more than 8 times in April.....)...
Photos, Matt and Car
Weird title for a blog, but then you see before I start to blog, my head just gets filled with all sorts of ideas about what to put in it. It was the same when I was a child and I used to write a short story or an essay... I'd have my head filled with ideas which came towards the middle or the end... of course that meant by the time I actually reached the middle and the end, I had forgotten all the ideas.
So while I was writing, I would have this page of blank paper next to me, and on it would be random things, ideas, sentences (you know the type you can only think of once and then they're gone), and eventually it would all get incorporated into my story/essay/letter...
Well, this is how I work with Blogs! I get an idea, then another and then another, and by the time I reach this point (where the intro and the tangent is over) I've forgoten what I was going to say... hence the title...
Photos
I just wanted to draw your attention to the lovely photos down the right hand side of my blog! Not only am I very impressed I managed to edit them, I also managed to post them permanently to my blog... Win!
Matt
Matt has been here this weekend! We had a lovely time of fellowship, laughs and friendship, including playing Dutch Blitz to minus numbers and picnics in different places. We had a lovely time at the National Memorial Arboretum, which I will write a separate blog about when I am in the right frame of mind! (Sober not silly!)
Car
You know when something happens, and for a while it's just not funny - it's painful. And it's only weeks later you can see the funny side? Well this is what happened with my car.. I got back from having quite a bad day, to a notice from the police through the letterbox, telling me that some youths had rolled (YES- Rolled!) my car, into the middle of the road...
It had been parked up on a kerb, and some kids had decided to push it to see if it would roll... and it did. All the way over and upside down (you can almost imagine it kicking it's little legs crying "Let me up let me up"). Thankfully the police came along and promptly rolled it back upright again, and the nice man from the AA told me it was safe to drive; not a thing wrong with it (apart from some washer fluid needed topping up - but I didn't tell him I'd been meaning to do that for ages anyway... and a perished rubber cap until he looked properly and it was just dirty.. ahum)
So... for a while I have been a little over sensitive... now however I thought I would share the laugh.. I mean it is quite funny when you think about it....!!
So while I was writing, I would have this page of blank paper next to me, and on it would be random things, ideas, sentences (you know the type you can only think of once and then they're gone), and eventually it would all get incorporated into my story/essay/letter...
Well, this is how I work with Blogs! I get an idea, then another and then another, and by the time I reach this point (where the intro and the tangent is over) I've forgoten what I was going to say... hence the title...
Photos
I just wanted to draw your attention to the lovely photos down the right hand side of my blog! Not only am I very impressed I managed to edit them, I also managed to post them permanently to my blog... Win!
Matt
Matt has been here this weekend! We had a lovely time of fellowship, laughs and friendship, including playing Dutch Blitz to minus numbers and picnics in different places. We had a lovely time at the National Memorial Arboretum, which I will write a separate blog about when I am in the right frame of mind! (Sober not silly!)
Car
You know when something happens, and for a while it's just not funny - it's painful. And it's only weeks later you can see the funny side? Well this is what happened with my car.. I got back from having quite a bad day, to a notice from the police through the letterbox, telling me that some youths had rolled (YES- Rolled!) my car, into the middle of the road...
It had been parked up on a kerb, and some kids had decided to push it to see if it would roll... and it did. All the way over and upside down (you can almost imagine it kicking it's little legs crying "Let me up let me up"). Thankfully the police came along and promptly rolled it back upright again, and the nice man from the AA told me it was safe to drive; not a thing wrong with it (apart from some washer fluid needed topping up - but I didn't tell him I'd been meaning to do that for ages anyway... and a perished rubber cap until he looked properly and it was just dirty.. ahum)
So... for a while I have been a little over sensitive... now however I thought I would share the laugh.. I mean it is quite funny when you think about it....!!
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Early mornings
Yawn.
That's pretty much all I have to say at this point!
Jon's car is back in the garage again, which is a bit of a pain as he has to catch the train in the mornings, and they leave from our local station at 6.50... which means yours truly has to get up in the mornings at 6.30 to give him a lift to the station.
Hence.. yawn.
Also hence blogging at 7.35 in the morning!
Yawn
;-)
That's pretty much all I have to say at this point!
Jon's car is back in the garage again, which is a bit of a pain as he has to catch the train in the mornings, and they leave from our local station at 6.50... which means yours truly has to get up in the mornings at 6.30 to give him a lift to the station.
Hence.. yawn.
Also hence blogging at 7.35 in the morning!
Yawn
;-)
Love language
So, I took the quiz again today and my love language is receiving gifts:
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous–so would the absence of everyday gestures.
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous–so would the absence of everyday gestures.
Monday, 12 April 2010
Organic Gardens and Alex
I have had a nice day today all in all. At work this morning some nice people bought me some chocolates as a thankyou for helping organise some meetings for them, and then I left 3 hours early to go and meet Katrina and baby Alex at Ryton Organic Gardens. It's a really nice place with a really nice place to sit and have a cup of tea and chatter away; which we did. Hopefully an experience to be repeated.
I was meant to be going out tonight as well, however as that has been cancelled I am sitting here blogging again instead... why not!
I am in the mood to chunter on to someone, and unfortunately there is no-one around to chunter to apart from poor old Jon, who is currently doing the washing up in the kitchen - a job he prefers to do undisturbed!!
Pippa is once again snoozling at my feet; she is very perturbed as I have her chewy orange ball up here on the sofa and I wont let her have it because she eats it... and leaves little orange things all over the floor. Not good. And I refuse to throw it in the house, because that is lethal - so all in all she is not very happy with me. Humans just clearly don't know how to have as much fun as doggies do!
Nicole walked Pippa today, and apparently let her have a swim, which explains why Pip is so tired. She loves to swim! Especially on lovely sunny days like we've been having.
So; I'm bored at work at the moment... really bored. I mean, there's about enough stuff to do to fill most of my time if I do it really slowly. And there are always those boring boring jobs like invoices which take up a regular proportion of time. But clock watching I hate. There are a few things I have in the pipeline to make a start on, however I have no motivation for them whatsoever! And even when I start them, give it a couple of days, they'll be done and it will be back to clock watching for me... so, how can I fill my time at work... when there's no work to be done? Hmmm what a question!
I have thought about finding another job... but what's the point? I'm not qualified enough to do anything that pays much more than this job...! To go and do a qualification at this point in my life is silly, uni wont pay the mortgage, and by the time I've got a job paying more than I earn now... well the situation might have changed, and I wont want to work anyway?
Ponderings ponderings. Isn't it good that the Bible tells us that the trouble we face today is sufficient enough?! We're not to worry about tomorrow! And - if we're short, Jesus says, will worrying about it make us one inch taller?! Nope. Nada.
God holds the key to all unknown and I am glad. If any other hand should hold the key, or He entrusted it to me - I might be sad.
And yes, sometimes the key opens the door to a sad day... however I'd rather have those sad days given to me by my heavenly Father one day at a time, rather than stepping back and having to see them all at once. He knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold. He will only put the burdens on me that I am strong enough to bear, and in Christ I can bear whatever He puts on me!
One day at a time, Lord Jesus, that's all I'm asking of you. Just help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.
I was meant to be going out tonight as well, however as that has been cancelled I am sitting here blogging again instead... why not!
I am in the mood to chunter on to someone, and unfortunately there is no-one around to chunter to apart from poor old Jon, who is currently doing the washing up in the kitchen - a job he prefers to do undisturbed!!
Pippa is once again snoozling at my feet; she is very perturbed as I have her chewy orange ball up here on the sofa and I wont let her have it because she eats it... and leaves little orange things all over the floor. Not good. And I refuse to throw it in the house, because that is lethal - so all in all she is not very happy with me. Humans just clearly don't know how to have as much fun as doggies do!
Nicole walked Pippa today, and apparently let her have a swim, which explains why Pip is so tired. She loves to swim! Especially on lovely sunny days like we've been having.
So; I'm bored at work at the moment... really bored. I mean, there's about enough stuff to do to fill most of my time if I do it really slowly. And there are always those boring boring jobs like invoices which take up a regular proportion of time. But clock watching I hate. There are a few things I have in the pipeline to make a start on, however I have no motivation for them whatsoever! And even when I start them, give it a couple of days, they'll be done and it will be back to clock watching for me... so, how can I fill my time at work... when there's no work to be done? Hmmm what a question!
I have thought about finding another job... but what's the point? I'm not qualified enough to do anything that pays much more than this job...! To go and do a qualification at this point in my life is silly, uni wont pay the mortgage, and by the time I've got a job paying more than I earn now... well the situation might have changed, and I wont want to work anyway?
Ponderings ponderings. Isn't it good that the Bible tells us that the trouble we face today is sufficient enough?! We're not to worry about tomorrow! And - if we're short, Jesus says, will worrying about it make us one inch taller?! Nope. Nada.
God holds the key to all unknown and I am glad. If any other hand should hold the key, or He entrusted it to me - I might be sad.
And yes, sometimes the key opens the door to a sad day... however I'd rather have those sad days given to me by my heavenly Father one day at a time, rather than stepping back and having to see them all at once. He knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold. He will only put the burdens on me that I am strong enough to bear, and in Christ I can bear whatever He puts on me!
One day at a time, Lord Jesus, that's all I'm asking of you. Just help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Blogging
So while I'm in the mood to wax lyrical, the other day I was watching an episode of 'House' (I love it!) and they were treating a woman who avidly blogged, she wrote about everything and anything that happened to her... the doctors read her blog, and she blogged about her doctors, she blogged when she had an audience with her boyfriend and blogged about whether to have an operation or not...
It got me to thinking the other day (while I was on the bus on the way home!) about where we draw the line with electronic conversation and what we share on Blogs and Facebook. Blogs are a great way to keep a lot of people up to date all at once.. Facebook is good for keeping in touch with some people I know I would lose track of otherwise...
Yet, doesn't it trivialise the events in our lives when they are reduced to Facebook status??! At what point do we draw the line and say that if we want communication with people we need to speak to them and be spoken to in return. Friendship and Communication is two-sided, you give something and you get something back.
So, I'm still here, I'm still blogging. I'm still hoping that someone is enjoying reading and keeping up with the things I'm up to! I'm still on Facebook, still updating my status.
And yet... when big things happen, it's those who are close to me, those who invite me over to talk, those who come out with me for a meal, those who open dialogue and show an interest in me - those I call my friends.
Those people are the ones who earn the privelidge to share the sensational as well as the mundane parts of my life.
It got me to thinking the other day (while I was on the bus on the way home!) about where we draw the line with electronic conversation and what we share on Blogs and Facebook. Blogs are a great way to keep a lot of people up to date all at once.. Facebook is good for keeping in touch with some people I know I would lose track of otherwise...
Yet, doesn't it trivialise the events in our lives when they are reduced to Facebook status??! At what point do we draw the line and say that if we want communication with people we need to speak to them and be spoken to in return. Friendship and Communication is two-sided, you give something and you get something back.
So, I'm still here, I'm still blogging. I'm still hoping that someone is enjoying reading and keeping up with the things I'm up to! I'm still on Facebook, still updating my status.
And yet... when big things happen, it's those who are close to me, those who invite me over to talk, those who come out with me for a meal, those who open dialogue and show an interest in me - those I call my friends.
Those people are the ones who earn the privelidge to share the sensational as well as the mundane parts of my life.
Spring has sprung!
The weather is truly beautiful, and we have had a lie-in, walked a little, picnicked, met with friends, done some gardening and it's nearly 5 and still shining bright outside. I am sitting with my feet up on the sofa, windows wide open, UCB Inspirational on the radio and the dog snoozling at my side.
Mum, Jo and Nicole are here for tea tonight, we're having a lovely American recipe chicken dish with curried roast potatoes. Yum :o)
We cleaned the fish tank out the other night and the fish are happily swimming around in the clean water. I love clean water, it's so ... clean! and fresh!
So there you go, good things do happen. The sun is shining. Life goes on and God is good. How we need to cling onto that some days!
Mum, Jo and Nicole are here for tea tonight, we're having a lovely American recipe chicken dish with curried roast potatoes. Yum :o)
We cleaned the fish tank out the other night and the fish are happily swimming around in the clean water. I love clean water, it's so ... clean! and fresh!
So there you go, good things do happen. The sun is shining. Life goes on and God is good. How we need to cling onto that some days!
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Alice and other things...
I am extremely relieved today; I have managed to do 2 jobs at work which were really bugging me... you know the sort that you remember when you wake up at 2am?!
Hurrah the jobs are out of the way... I'm sure another 2 will replace them equally as quickly, but for the moment I'm enjoying the respite it's bringing!
I'm going to see Alice in Wonderland tomorrow...! In 3D! I am slightly excited about that I have to say - especially as there will be friendship, chat and munchies involved!!
On another note; Jon and I went to a different church on Sunday; and we were so blessed. The fellowship there were warm and friendly, and we felt at home straight away. The pastor preached with challenge, rebuke and encouragement - to himself as well as his congregation.We'll be back there next Sunday; and then away for Easter.
In the morning he preached from the end of Matthew 9, where the 2 blind men cry out to Jesus the son of David to have mercy on them and heal them; and then the Pharisees acuse Him of performing His miracles by the power of the Devil. The pastor asked us, who do we see Jesus as - because we either see Him as the son of David, the phrophisied Messiah, or we see Him as the son of the devil.
In the evening he preached again from the same passage, but a little later on; 5 points for Church growth, 1) Preach the gospel 2) from a compassionate heart 3) seeing the need around you 4) Praying 5) recognising that it's God's church.
Again a real reminder that everyone in the church is a labourer, not just the pastor; and that the work is the Lord's - a real encouragement and a real challenge!
Hurrah the jobs are out of the way... I'm sure another 2 will replace them equally as quickly, but for the moment I'm enjoying the respite it's bringing!
I'm going to see Alice in Wonderland tomorrow...! In 3D! I am slightly excited about that I have to say - especially as there will be friendship, chat and munchies involved!!
On another note; Jon and I went to a different church on Sunday; and we were so blessed. The fellowship there were warm and friendly, and we felt at home straight away. The pastor preached with challenge, rebuke and encouragement - to himself as well as his congregation.We'll be back there next Sunday; and then away for Easter.
In the morning he preached from the end of Matthew 9, where the 2 blind men cry out to Jesus the son of David to have mercy on them and heal them; and then the Pharisees acuse Him of performing His miracles by the power of the Devil. The pastor asked us, who do we see Jesus as - because we either see Him as the son of David, the phrophisied Messiah, or we see Him as the son of the devil.
In the evening he preached again from the same passage, but a little later on; 5 points for Church growth, 1) Preach the gospel 2) from a compassionate heart 3) seeing the need around you 4) Praying 5) recognising that it's God's church.
Again a real reminder that everyone in the church is a labourer, not just the pastor; and that the work is the Lord's - a real encouragement and a real challenge!
Bestest job ever...
I thought I'd share this really cute photo with whoever is "watching" this blog.....
Friday, 19 March 2010
My blessings!
One of the things that I like to do when I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself is count my blessings... I mean; I have thousands!!! Yet, I like to remind myself of the ones in the very near future, and the ones that are here all the time... so I thought I’d share some top ones with you!!
I have a wonderful husband! He chips in and cooks and cleans and walks the dog!
I have the BEST mum in the world... who else can you text at 7 in the morning and ask her to do French plaits in your hair?!!
I have 3 gorgeous sisters who all have their own wonderful qualities
I have great friends! Friends who put up with me whatever mood I’m in; text me when I’m down, and drag me out for meals and walks!
I am going to the cinema tomorrow with my ‘other’ mother who is lovely, and can empathise with many of my struggles
I am going out next week with a friend I can be honest with! What a blessing! And we’re going to see a silly 3D film and wear silly 3D glasses and have a wonderful time!
I have the world’s craziest dog, who also happens to enjoy cuddles at the moment!
I am going out for a meal to a P.O.S.H restaurant soon, with a friend who I can talk honestly too and who excepts me for the way I am. Nothing better than that right?!
I have a boss who appreciates me and what I do; will defend me when I make a mistake, support me in whatever career moves I wish to make and is also a friend.
I work with people I can talk to and have a laugh with
I have a lovely flat which is nicely decorated and people feel at home their
Ooooh, my list could go on and on....
“Count your blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”
I have a wonderful husband! He chips in and cooks and cleans and walks the dog!
I have the BEST mum in the world... who else can you text at 7 in the morning and ask her to do French plaits in your hair?!!
I have 3 gorgeous sisters who all have their own wonderful qualities
I have great friends! Friends who put up with me whatever mood I’m in; text me when I’m down, and drag me out for meals and walks!
I am going to the cinema tomorrow with my ‘other’ mother who is lovely, and can empathise with many of my struggles
I am going out next week with a friend I can be honest with! What a blessing! And we’re going to see a silly 3D film and wear silly 3D glasses and have a wonderful time!
I have the world’s craziest dog, who also happens to enjoy cuddles at the moment!
I am going out for a meal to a P.O.S.H restaurant soon, with a friend who I can talk honestly too and who excepts me for the way I am. Nothing better than that right?!
I have a boss who appreciates me and what I do; will defend me when I make a mistake, support me in whatever career moves I wish to make and is also a friend.
I work with people I can talk to and have a laugh with
I have a lovely flat which is nicely decorated and people feel at home their
Ooooh, my list could go on and on....
“Count your blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”
I've come to the conclusion that if you're the sort of person who really cares about stuff, you'll get stressed whatever job you're in, and always want things to be right and perfect....
Sometimes when the job is stressful and tiring; I think about why it is so, and it is usually down to other people not doing their jobs with the same godly healthy attitude that I strive to have. People call me a perfectionist... well that’s true! And I’m not ashamed of it! Because I try and do all to the glory of God, everything I do, I know He is watching.
When I despair, when I am down, everything I do is in His strength. When I am lifted up, when I am happy, everything I do is because of His grace and kindness.
Humanly speaking the only job I can be truly happy in is one where everything is perfect... or I have control over everything that happens so nothing can take me by surprise... well that’s just not going to happen is it?! I mean, even if I was a hermit, I wouldn't be able to control the weather – I could want it to be sunny and it would rain!!
Trust and contentment is the only way forward. Faith as small as a mustard seed which trusts that God has a plan for me; for you too! That all that is happening is under HIS control – what peace that brings to a troubled soul! So when things are going ‘wrong’, when people around you are sighing, stressed, upset and arguing – this is how I can still smile – because GOD is MY refuge and strength, and my ever present help in time of trouble!
Sometimes I feel I am headed towards a deep black hole; of depression, doubt and fear... a good friend told me I have to build a rope to pull myself out of it; a rope which consists of all the good things in life; other purposes, other reasons for living.
I realised – that while I am headed towards this big hole, looking down and scared of what is to come; struggling frantically to make my own rope out of pathetic rags which will only tear, even when I do succeed in making it... if only I looked up – there is Christ standing in all His human frailty and all His radiant glory – pointing out that I have a rope around my waist that He is holding onto!
That ‘rope’ is faith – and it’s so frail and so thin that sometimes I forget to notice it. Sometimes I step so far backwards I start heading towards that hole. And God is so gracious that He reminds me I have this rope around my waist, that even when I let go of it He has me so tight He will only let me slip so far into fear before He will pull me out. And that frail thin rope of Faith turns out to be SO STRONG, it not only pulls me out of the hole, but away from the edge and sets my feet upon a rock!
This journey I’m on, this pilgrimage, it isn’t easy, and there will always be black holes along the way. And I will slip, I will fall... it takes strength to stay alert, to read, to pray to be ever watchful – this is a race which needs to be run with ENDURANCE.
The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH!
And that’s my waxing lyrical for today.....!!
Monday, 15 March 2010
Another lovely weekend
So, this weekend was Mothers Day (in the UK anyway). We had a lovely day yesterday, where I cooked a meal for everyone, and we gave mum her mothers day present, which was a photoshoot we all had in February.
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so this time I'm just going to upload some pictures of the Photoshoot!
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so this time I'm just going to upload some pictures of the Photoshoot!
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Poor Lurch!
So, after my blog the other day about Jo getting her new car, and Mum's comment about waiting to see if it would get her home on time... well it didn't.... poor Lurch gave up at Garretts Green, and just decided to ... well... stop.
Breakdown were called out and couldn't find anything wrong, Mechanic has been round twice - it starts for him and then not for Jo. Starts for Jo and then not for Mum....
all in all it seems Jo has a car with PMS... perhaps it's rebelling at being called Lurch?!
It is so hard when things like this happen, it's her first car and she spent her savings on it so she could drive to work, and now she's still bussing it while her car sits on the driveway, costing insurance and tax money...
The Sunday school children at church are learning this verse "For My ways are not your ways, nor are your thoughts My thoughts, says the Lord. For as high as the heaven's are above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts"
Please pray for Lurch.... and Jo!
Breakdown were called out and couldn't find anything wrong, Mechanic has been round twice - it starts for him and then not for Jo. Starts for Jo and then not for Mum....
all in all it seems Jo has a car with PMS... perhaps it's rebelling at being called Lurch?!
It is so hard when things like this happen, it's her first car and she spent her savings on it so she could drive to work, and now she's still bussing it while her car sits on the driveway, costing insurance and tax money...
The Sunday school children at church are learning this verse "For My ways are not your ways, nor are your thoughts My thoughts, says the Lord. For as high as the heaven's are above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts"
Please pray for Lurch.... and Jo!
Days gone by...
Well, it's been a little while since I managed to get onto Blogger. Probably more because everytime I wanted to Blog, I couldn't think of anything to blog about! There have been no major issues recently which have caught my attention; nothing I have really wanted to wax lyrical about!
Last week my boss wasn't in work all week, so it was a very quiet week (AKA boring week!) at work. Even though she's now back in the office, it's still very quiet. I have a couple of projects on; but they are not pressing or urgent so things just tick along nicely.
Jon got a new car on Friday last week - as his other had just given up the ghost. We now own a blue Vauxhall Vectra, which is a nice car, and we just pray our guardian angel will continue to push the car around!! It is truly by God's grace that things happen or don't happen - the head gaskett went on the other car; and there's no telling by anyone when that would or could have happened, but God knew and clearly it was the end of the other car's time!
Friday evening after buying the car, we had a lovely time with my Grandparents - we took over a curry to eat with them, which was fun! We introduced Grandma to Pappadoms and Mango Chutney (My alltime favourite snack!) and she enjoyed it!
We had a busy day on Saturday; in the morning we went over to see friends who have just had a baby boy. 3 week old little Alex is gorgeous - spent all of our time there sleeping, however I did still get a long cuddle and to give him a little bit of a bottle; his mummy is very generous! They are amazing parents already and we had a lovely time with them in the morning.
On Saturday afternoon it was our church anniversary service; which started at 3pm. We had a good afternoon, and got to speak to people we don't see all the time.
On Saturday evening I went to see my cousin Cat, who very kindly cut my hair for me (she's a hairdresser!!) and got to catch up with her :o)
Sunday we had Mr VDR back for lunch in the afternoon. It was a strange Sunday, as it was our last at Chelmsley Wood; and that's another blog for another day!
I am looking forward to this week, as we are at friends for tea tonight and tomorrow night, and then on Sunday we have the girls and Mum at our house as it is mother's day. I am going to cook Roast Pork, Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Roast Parsnips, Roast Potatoes, Boiled New Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli and Gravy. Yum! Jon and I went to Asda with Jo and Nicole last night, and while we were there we picked out pudding for Sunday lunch. Asda have a great offer on! £3 for 4 puddings! So as there were 4 of us, we picked 1 out each, Lemon Tart, Rhubarb Crumble, Cherry Pie and Chocolate Brownie Pudding.... needless to say I am looking forward to Sunday lunch!
Last week my boss wasn't in work all week, so it was a very quiet week (AKA boring week!) at work. Even though she's now back in the office, it's still very quiet. I have a couple of projects on; but they are not pressing or urgent so things just tick along nicely.
Jon got a new car on Friday last week - as his other had just given up the ghost. We now own a blue Vauxhall Vectra, which is a nice car, and we just pray our guardian angel will continue to push the car around!! It is truly by God's grace that things happen or don't happen - the head gaskett went on the other car; and there's no telling by anyone when that would or could have happened, but God knew and clearly it was the end of the other car's time!
Friday evening after buying the car, we had a lovely time with my Grandparents - we took over a curry to eat with them, which was fun! We introduced Grandma to Pappadoms and Mango Chutney (My alltime favourite snack!) and she enjoyed it!
We had a busy day on Saturday; in the morning we went over to see friends who have just had a baby boy. 3 week old little Alex is gorgeous - spent all of our time there sleeping, however I did still get a long cuddle and to give him a little bit of a bottle; his mummy is very generous! They are amazing parents already and we had a lovely time with them in the morning.
On Saturday afternoon it was our church anniversary service; which started at 3pm. We had a good afternoon, and got to speak to people we don't see all the time.
On Saturday evening I went to see my cousin Cat, who very kindly cut my hair for me (she's a hairdresser!!) and got to catch up with her :o)
Sunday we had Mr VDR back for lunch in the afternoon. It was a strange Sunday, as it was our last at Chelmsley Wood; and that's another blog for another day!
I am looking forward to this week, as we are at friends for tea tonight and tomorrow night, and then on Sunday we have the girls and Mum at our house as it is mother's day. I am going to cook Roast Pork, Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Roast Parsnips, Roast Potatoes, Boiled New Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli and Gravy. Yum! Jon and I went to Asda with Jo and Nicole last night, and while we were there we picked out pudding for Sunday lunch. Asda have a great offer on! £3 for 4 puddings! So as there were 4 of us, we picked 1 out each, Lemon Tart, Rhubarb Crumble, Cherry Pie and Chocolate Brownie Pudding.... needless to say I am looking forward to Sunday lunch!
Monday, 1 March 2010
The joys of Wii!!
So, tonight we've been at Mum's house - still here now! We had a lovely stir fry; and that's saying something from me as I don't usually like Stir Fry! Hunger is the best sauce - and Mum the best cook :D
We also had great fun with the Nintendo Wii. Mum bought the Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago for the girls, and Nicole's being the first birthday along - she got 3 Wii games! The one I've seen tonight is Super Mario at the Winter Olympics - Great fun!!
We had Irene round tonight, she is 85 years old. First we created her a Mii, which was a hilarious feat in itself...! Imagine it!! A lovely little white haired lady... then we set her Mii onto ice-skates!! She greatly enjoyed speed skating around the Wii arena and especially the part where she jumped and somersaulted for joy at the end!
Jo and Nicole are now currently playing Super Mario Carts, with Jon watching on in anticipation. Shonnie is sitting impatiently at my side, watching from behind the tv screen at the girls faces (which is the best view - as their faces are a picture) however, I have kind of hijacked the laptop from him - so I suppose I'd better give it back really...
I had to take Jon to the train station at 6.20 this morning so I am ready for sleep anyway!
Good news is that Jo got her car taxed today! She is finally on the road! Her new car is a 16yr old Ford Fiesta which she has called Lurch :D
We also had great fun with the Nintendo Wii. Mum bought the Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago for the girls, and Nicole's being the first birthday along - she got 3 Wii games! The one I've seen tonight is Super Mario at the Winter Olympics - Great fun!!
We had Irene round tonight, she is 85 years old. First we created her a Mii, which was a hilarious feat in itself...! Imagine it!! A lovely little white haired lady... then we set her Mii onto ice-skates!! She greatly enjoyed speed skating around the Wii arena and especially the part where she jumped and somersaulted for joy at the end!
Jo and Nicole are now currently playing Super Mario Carts, with Jon watching on in anticipation. Shonnie is sitting impatiently at my side, watching from behind the tv screen at the girls faces (which is the best view - as their faces are a picture) however, I have kind of hijacked the laptop from him - so I suppose I'd better give it back really...
I had to take Jon to the train station at 6.20 this morning so I am ready for sleep anyway!
Good news is that Jo got her car taxed today! She is finally on the road! Her new car is a 16yr old Ford Fiesta which she has called Lurch :D
Sunday, 28 February 2010
The past few days
So, I just logged in to Blogger to write something, and had a blank moment and almost forgot my password! Ooops! I'd better not do that, as Blogger is unforgiving - and this is how I (shamefacedly!) got locked out of my last Blog!! (www.sayersupdates.blogspot.com)... however on reading Sayers Updates, you will find it amusing to note (as I did) that I spend most of my time promising to write more... something I said to myself I would NOT do on this blog!! Take me as you find me... one day I may want to write 4 times- and then not for a week... well... that's the way REAL life is!!
So this week has been quite eventful - for me; I came down with a vicious cold on Tuesday and spent most of the week at work feeling like any minute I was going to need to put my head between my knees to get some blood flowing back up there!! Minuting a meeting feeling like you're going to pass out; whilst constantly trying to blow your nose quietly is NOT fun. Especially not surrounded by your own department's managers and Consultant's from all over the Hospital. I could just hear them thinking "INFECTION CONTROL PEOPLE"!! While I proceeded to contaminate the room!! Still, these things have to be done. Someone suggested I take a tape recorder and record the meeting so I can minute it afterwards incase I forget some - however I informed him I don't think I could stand to listen to it all again!!
On Friday, on the way into work, Jon's car started crunching and by the time he arrived at his colleagues house in Coventry, it was a heap of smoking engine... later on that evening, the aa towed it to a local garage, after confirming the water pump and head gasket had bust... so on Saturday morning we arranged for a tow truck to come and tow the car away to the Crunchers... bye bye car! You served us well!
So next week, Jon is on the train into work - and car hunting!!
We have such a busy week coming up in the evenings; work will hopefully be quite quiet for me as Louise is not at work; but Monday night we're at Mum's for Nicole's birthday, Tuesday night we're seeing Sarina at Mums, Wednesday night we're doing Wednesday club; Thursday night Georgie is coming over for tea and Friday night we're taking a curry to Grandma's house. Saturday we are visiting Katrina, Andy and new baby Alex in the morning, Church anniversary service at 3.30 in the afternoon and then my cousin Catherine is coming over in the evening.
When I was younger, my Uncle used to pay me to go over and spend the evening with Catherine and Aaron while he and my aunt were out... he used to let us hire a film and get a pizza, so we would put little Aaron to bed and then watch a scary film - during which me (The mature babysitter) would curl up and hide behind a cushion, while Catherine laughed at me all the way through... Good Times!
Yesterday Jon and I had a trip into Birmingham City Centre. We got Nathan and Daniel's birthday presents- complete with noisy toys their parents will LOVE (lol). Maria at work got a lovely china cup which I will give her tomorrow for her birthday from Louise and me; and baby Alex got some cute bibs, which I will give to his Mummy on Saturday next week.. I'm told you can never have too many bibs?!?!?
I also got a massage yesterday afternoon, it was a birthday present last year and I have only just got round to using the voucher (as I hardly ever go into the City Centre these days!). It was a lovely massage, I really enjoyed it, and intend to get another one sometime soon!!
We also went food shopping and got some stuff in for the week. It was very amusing, as we were in my car - which is a tiny little thing - people gave Jon some very funny looks as he squeezed out of it!!
So this week has been quite eventful - for me; I came down with a vicious cold on Tuesday and spent most of the week at work feeling like any minute I was going to need to put my head between my knees to get some blood flowing back up there!! Minuting a meeting feeling like you're going to pass out; whilst constantly trying to blow your nose quietly is NOT fun. Especially not surrounded by your own department's managers and Consultant's from all over the Hospital. I could just hear them thinking "INFECTION CONTROL PEOPLE"!! While I proceeded to contaminate the room!! Still, these things have to be done. Someone suggested I take a tape recorder and record the meeting so I can minute it afterwards incase I forget some - however I informed him I don't think I could stand to listen to it all again!!
On Friday, on the way into work, Jon's car started crunching and by the time he arrived at his colleagues house in Coventry, it was a heap of smoking engine... later on that evening, the aa towed it to a local garage, after confirming the water pump and head gasket had bust... so on Saturday morning we arranged for a tow truck to come and tow the car away to the Crunchers... bye bye car! You served us well!
So next week, Jon is on the train into work - and car hunting!!
We have such a busy week coming up in the evenings; work will hopefully be quite quiet for me as Louise is not at work; but Monday night we're at Mum's for Nicole's birthday, Tuesday night we're seeing Sarina at Mums, Wednesday night we're doing Wednesday club; Thursday night Georgie is coming over for tea and Friday night we're taking a curry to Grandma's house. Saturday we are visiting Katrina, Andy and new baby Alex in the morning, Church anniversary service at 3.30 in the afternoon and then my cousin Catherine is coming over in the evening.
When I was younger, my Uncle used to pay me to go over and spend the evening with Catherine and Aaron while he and my aunt were out... he used to let us hire a film and get a pizza, so we would put little Aaron to bed and then watch a scary film - during which me (The mature babysitter) would curl up and hide behind a cushion, while Catherine laughed at me all the way through... Good Times!
Yesterday Jon and I had a trip into Birmingham City Centre. We got Nathan and Daniel's birthday presents- complete with noisy toys their parents will LOVE (lol). Maria at work got a lovely china cup which I will give her tomorrow for her birthday from Louise and me; and baby Alex got some cute bibs, which I will give to his Mummy on Saturday next week.. I'm told you can never have too many bibs?!?!?
I also got a massage yesterday afternoon, it was a birthday present last year and I have only just got round to using the voucher (as I hardly ever go into the City Centre these days!). It was a lovely massage, I really enjoyed it, and intend to get another one sometime soon!!
We also went food shopping and got some stuff in for the week. It was very amusing, as we were in my car - which is a tiny little thing - people gave Jon some very funny looks as he squeezed out of it!!
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Forfeits
I was just flicking through my previous blogs, and read the one where I mentioned about playing pass the parcel last Saturday...
Well I thought I'd amuse you, (and who knows, maybe give you some ideas!) by telling you the forfeits we were given...
- Pass the parcel with your feet for the next round
- cram your mouth full of marshmallows and sing 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'
- Spoon feed someone jelly whilst blindfolded
- Blow chewing gum bubbles all through the next round
- Find 3 hats and wear them ALL for the rest of the game
- Keep up an ongoing sports commentary over the next round until the music stops
- Sit with your back to the circle for 2 rounds
- Tell jokes until the music stops
... I can't remember any more!
But they were great fun - Jon spilling jelly all over Jo's lap was fantastic!
Well I thought I'd amuse you, (and who knows, maybe give you some ideas!) by telling you the forfeits we were given...
- Pass the parcel with your feet for the next round
- cram your mouth full of marshmallows and sing 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'
- Spoon feed someone jelly whilst blindfolded
- Blow chewing gum bubbles all through the next round
- Find 3 hats and wear them ALL for the rest of the game
- Keep up an ongoing sports commentary over the next round until the music stops
- Sit with your back to the circle for 2 rounds
- Tell jokes until the music stops
... I can't remember any more!
But they were great fun - Jon spilling jelly all over Jo's lap was fantastic!
No sweet things is sour!
Ok, so a bit of a rubbish title, and I know I know, at first you thought it was grammatically incorrect.. but it's not! I mean, no sweet things - is sour! I have decided to cut out anything sweet this week... I have been eating far too much junk food recently.. it's my fault, I keep making brownies and buying kit kats... but with my waistline rapidly disapearing from my sight and my stomach creeping into my sight, I need to take drastic action!!
To get rid of the craving for sweet things, I am removing them from my diet for a WHOLE week. After that the rule will be 'everything in moderation' !
So, yesterday I had a packet of Quavers for lunch (I said no sweet things - not that I had to eat healthily!!) and then some chicken wings for dinner.
I haven't eaten chicken wings since we all used to live with my nan. She used to get a huge bag of them from the butchers and roast them and give them to us to eat.. when I saw them in Morrisons last night, I just seemed to 'fancy' them somehow... so I confirmed with Mum how I cooked them, then covered them in sweet chilli sauce and roasted them for exactly half an hour in a preheated oven...
= YUM!
Today, I have been very organised and not only made myself a sandwich, but remembered to put it in the car, AND bring it into work (those 3 rarely happen all at once!!)
So with that sandwich in mind, I think I am going to go and get it and eat it (Tuna Mayo and Sweetcorn - MmmMMMmmm)
To get rid of the craving for sweet things, I am removing them from my diet for a WHOLE week. After that the rule will be 'everything in moderation' !
So, yesterday I had a packet of Quavers for lunch (I said no sweet things - not that I had to eat healthily!!) and then some chicken wings for dinner.
I haven't eaten chicken wings since we all used to live with my nan. She used to get a huge bag of them from the butchers and roast them and give them to us to eat.. when I saw them in Morrisons last night, I just seemed to 'fancy' them somehow... so I confirmed with Mum how I cooked them, then covered them in sweet chilli sauce and roasted them for exactly half an hour in a preheated oven...
= YUM!
Today, I have been very organised and not only made myself a sandwich, but remembered to put it in the car, AND bring it into work (those 3 rarely happen all at once!!)
So with that sandwich in mind, I think I am going to go and get it and eat it (Tuna Mayo and Sweetcorn - MmmMMMmmm)
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Randomness....
The thing I love about having my own blog, is that I can ramble on about what I'm doing and what's going on (like Jon just spending 20 minutes looking for the argos catalogue and finding it on top of the tv cabinet where only he puts things ...:D)
We had a fun time this afternoon having lunch with John van der Rest (I finally learned to spell that right!). He cooked us honey and mustard chicken with Rice and Vegetables- yummy yummy, well done John! Then after Mum and Nicole left to pick up Jo from work, Jon taught G, J and I a harmony to "All people that on earth do dwell"... we were very excited about giving it a go in the evening service... and then Georgie and I totally lost the note and couldn't find it again... we spent most of the verses mumbling a semi sort of harmony and then just joined in on the last verse... while Mr vdR gallantly held the fort and sang the harmony loud and clear all the way through from the front row! Bravo!
Pippa is currently sitting at my feet chewing on a pink rope and bemoaning the fact that we aren't going to take her for a walk at 8.30pm...
It's freezing cold outside, most of the snow is gone, but there are signs it may come back tonight. Now, don't get me wrong, I am normally a fan of snow - however I do not love the way that the entire country comes to a standstill and it takes me hours to get into work and my feet get cold and wet in the process...
As an American friend of my mum's said once:
"When someone told me England has 4 seasons, I didn't realise they meant all in one day" ...
We had a fun time this afternoon having lunch with John van der Rest (I finally learned to spell that right!). He cooked us honey and mustard chicken with Rice and Vegetables- yummy yummy, well done John! Then after Mum and Nicole left to pick up Jo from work, Jon taught G, J and I a harmony to "All people that on earth do dwell"... we were very excited about giving it a go in the evening service... and then Georgie and I totally lost the note and couldn't find it again... we spent most of the verses mumbling a semi sort of harmony and then just joined in on the last verse... while Mr vdR gallantly held the fort and sang the harmony loud and clear all the way through from the front row! Bravo!
Pippa is currently sitting at my feet chewing on a pink rope and bemoaning the fact that we aren't going to take her for a walk at 8.30pm...
It's freezing cold outside, most of the snow is gone, but there are signs it may come back tonight. Now, don't get me wrong, I am normally a fan of snow - however I do not love the way that the entire country comes to a standstill and it takes me hours to get into work and my feet get cold and wet in the process...
As an American friend of my mum's said once:
"When someone told me England has 4 seasons, I didn't realise they meant all in one day" ...
Joseph
We heard a sermon tonight about Joseph; and him resisting temptation when Potiphar's wife tries to get him to have sex with her...
It was a good sermon; and got me thinking about how these people are so real. Sometime's when I teach Sunday School I fall into the habit of 'Now children, today's story is...' The other week I asked the 2 boys in my Sunday School class whether they have history at school... they eagerly replied "Yes" and proceeded to tell me about the Romans, the Victorians, the Edwardians... I then explained to them that the man we were going to learn about (Jeremiah at the time)was also real, he lived and Sunday School is like a history lesson about people who love God.
It did me good to remind myself of that tonight. That Joseph was real; he lived, his temptations were as real as ours. David was mentioned as an example in the sermon tonight, and it really struck me about poor Uriah, being brought home to sleep with his wife and resisting because he knew his men couldn't have the same privelidge and then being sent into the heat of the battle just because David couldn't resist temptation. How sorry David must have been!
Speaking of David's repentance, I have seen recently close to my own life the effects and consequences of sin and the grief those who commit sin endure. David lost a son, and one of his best soldiers - and most likely his witness and the respect of the people around him at the time... but once he had repented he didn't mope around; he didn't play the victim, he got on with his life and started instead to honour God with every fibre of his being...
Do you mope over sin? I know I can tend to... oh I'm so bad, I'm so wrong, I'll never be good enough for God. I had a conversation with someone a while ago about how guilt is a sin as well... think about it. God commands us not to worry - and guilt - guilt is worry over sin. If we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, then He HAS forgiven us our sin, past present and future. Yes we do right to grieve over our sin, to repent of our sins and to feel the consequences of our sin. But to wallow in guilt? Surely that is not God's plan for us!
It was a good sermon; and got me thinking about how these people are so real. Sometime's when I teach Sunday School I fall into the habit of 'Now children, today's story is...' The other week I asked the 2 boys in my Sunday School class whether they have history at school... they eagerly replied "Yes" and proceeded to tell me about the Romans, the Victorians, the Edwardians... I then explained to them that the man we were going to learn about (Jeremiah at the time)was also real, he lived and Sunday School is like a history lesson about people who love God.
It did me good to remind myself of that tonight. That Joseph was real; he lived, his temptations were as real as ours. David was mentioned as an example in the sermon tonight, and it really struck me about poor Uriah, being brought home to sleep with his wife and resisting because he knew his men couldn't have the same privelidge and then being sent into the heat of the battle just because David couldn't resist temptation. How sorry David must have been!
Speaking of David's repentance, I have seen recently close to my own life the effects and consequences of sin and the grief those who commit sin endure. David lost a son, and one of his best soldiers - and most likely his witness and the respect of the people around him at the time... but once he had repented he didn't mope around; he didn't play the victim, he got on with his life and started instead to honour God with every fibre of his being...
Do you mope over sin? I know I can tend to... oh I'm so bad, I'm so wrong, I'll never be good enough for God. I had a conversation with someone a while ago about how guilt is a sin as well... think about it. God commands us not to worry - and guilt - guilt is worry over sin. If we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, then He HAS forgiven us our sin, past present and future. Yes we do right to grieve over our sin, to repent of our sins and to feel the consequences of our sin. But to wallow in guilt? Surely that is not God's plan for us!
My Husband
Ok... so I may be biased... but I just had to tell the whole world that I think my husband is the best husband in the whole wide world! (He'd have to be to put up with me!)
He is currently tidying up the kitchen whilst I am sitting here blogging and drinking tea (which he made me)... now isn't that proof that he's the absolute best?
:D
He is currently tidying up the kitchen whilst I am sitting here blogging and drinking tea (which he made me)... now isn't that proof that he's the absolute best?
:D
Sibbes - The Bruised Reed
A friend recommended this to me, and I have enjoyed starting to read it.. (I've not got very far, but intend to continue!)
The 2 things that have spoken to me so far, are:
Christ most mercifully inclines to the weakest. He puts an instinct into the weakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves for support. The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creatures often have the strongest shelters. The consciousness of the church's weakness makes her willing to lean on her beloved, and to hide herself under his wing.
... If we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell. Therefore let us not take off ourselves too soon, nor pull off the plaster before the cure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work till sin be the sourest, and Christ the sweetest, of all things.
The 2 things that have spoken to me so far, are:
Christ most mercifully inclines to the weakest. He puts an instinct into the weakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves for support. The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creatures often have the strongest shelters. The consciousness of the church's weakness makes her willing to lean on her beloved, and to hide herself under his wing.
... If we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell. Therefore let us not take off ourselves too soon, nor pull off the plaster before the cure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work till sin be the sourest, and Christ the sweetest, of all things.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Lent
I was listening to the radio the other day and they had an advert for a Lent challenge, where they would txt you Words of Christ every day for Lent.
It crossed my mind to give up Facebook for Lent... (but then - I probably don't have that much self control :S!!)
The other thing I thought is - why Lent? I mean, I know I know, it's Easter at the end etc - but surely if I want to give something up to focus more on prayer and Christ, I can do that anytime right? I should be reading my Bible and the words of Christ every day. I should be a living example of His love EVERY DAY, not just at Lent.
And the Bible says that prayer and fasting should be done in secret... that God sees in secret and rewards openly. In the Bible, it's the religious zealouts, the Pharisees who pray and fast openly... surely that's proving man's strength not Christs.
Paul says in the New Testament that it is easy to give ones life for a friend, but hard to give your life for an enemy... not exactly the same, but this principle - it's easy to do something (like giving up Facebook, Chocolate, Tea, Alcohol...) when everyone knows about it and is egging you on... But to do something in secret? and not just to do it for doing it's sake, but (as I was hearing on UCB the other day) to REPLACE the time we would have spent doing this thing, with Christ and reading more of the Bible and praying...
So here's my challenge (to myself as well as you...!) give up something... in July. Or September. Or November. Or anytime! Don't tell anyone you're doing it. And the time you would have spent on it... spend it in prayer :) xx
It crossed my mind to give up Facebook for Lent... (but then - I probably don't have that much self control :S!!)
The other thing I thought is - why Lent? I mean, I know I know, it's Easter at the end etc - but surely if I want to give something up to focus more on prayer and Christ, I can do that anytime right? I should be reading my Bible and the words of Christ every day. I should be a living example of His love EVERY DAY, not just at Lent.
And the Bible says that prayer and fasting should be done in secret... that God sees in secret and rewards openly. In the Bible, it's the religious zealouts, the Pharisees who pray and fast openly... surely that's proving man's strength not Christs.
Paul says in the New Testament that it is easy to give ones life for a friend, but hard to give your life for an enemy... not exactly the same, but this principle - it's easy to do something (like giving up Facebook, Chocolate, Tea, Alcohol...) when everyone knows about it and is egging you on... But to do something in secret? and not just to do it for doing it's sake, but (as I was hearing on UCB the other day) to REPLACE the time we would have spent doing this thing, with Christ and reading more of the Bible and praying...
So here's my challenge (to myself as well as you...!) give up something... in July. Or September. Or November. Or anytime! Don't tell anyone you're doing it. And the time you would have spent on it... spend it in prayer :) xx
Snow!
It snowed again yesterday, and what's more, it stuck.
We now have a good few inches of snow on the ground.
I learnt 2 things this morning:
1) My boots leak
2) My boots have no grip
Not such fun things to find out when you're walking up a steep snowy hill on the way into work!! Here's hoping it thaws out by the time I go home, otherwise I'll be taking a tray from the kitchen and sliding all the way back down to the car!!
We now have a good few inches of snow on the ground.
I learnt 2 things this morning:
1) My boots leak
2) My boots have no grip
Not such fun things to find out when you're walking up a steep snowy hill on the way into work!! Here's hoping it thaws out by the time I go home, otherwise I'll be taking a tray from the kitchen and sliding all the way back down to the car!!
Thursday, 18 February 2010
How are you... How am I?
Do you say to people “How are you”?
Do you really mean it? I mean, do you really care about how they are? What they are feeling? How their life is going? When you ask, do you have the time to stop and listen to the answer?
On the other side of the coin, have you ever answered someone honestly when they’ve asked “How are you?”
I have a friend. (Yes I do, don’t laugh) our conversations regularly start like this.
‘How are you’
‘Fine’
‘How are you really’
I try and say “Good morning” or “Hiya, nice to see you”... and if I ask ‘How are you’ ... I try and mean it.
You know, you don’t have to be scared....
if someone answers you honestly and it’s sad then say “I don’t know what to say, but I’m sad for you”.
If someone answers you honestly and it’s happy, then say, “I don’t know what to say but I’m happy for you”.
So next time you ask someone how they are... think first... do you really want to ask? It’s ok if you don’t!
And you – you constantly wearing that fake smile and saying ‘Fine thanks!’ ... why don’t you consider trusting one person to hear your honest answer?
Do you really mean it? I mean, do you really care about how they are? What they are feeling? How their life is going? When you ask, do you have the time to stop and listen to the answer?
On the other side of the coin, have you ever answered someone honestly when they’ve asked “How are you?”
I have a friend. (Yes I do, don’t laugh) our conversations regularly start like this.
‘How are you’
‘Fine’
‘How are you really’
I try and say “Good morning” or “Hiya, nice to see you”... and if I ask ‘How are you’ ... I try and mean it.
You know, you don’t have to be scared....
if someone answers you honestly and it’s sad then say “I don’t know what to say, but I’m sad for you”.
If someone answers you honestly and it’s happy, then say, “I don’t know what to say but I’m happy for you”.
So next time you ask someone how they are... think first... do you really want to ask? It’s ok if you don’t!
And you – you constantly wearing that fake smile and saying ‘Fine thanks!’ ... why don’t you consider trusting one person to hear your honest answer?
My filing is done! (well... nearly..)
Today was Thursday, which is good, because it’s 1 step away from Friday... which is one step closer to the weekend!
Filing had to be the subject of this blog, as I have had a fairly productive day at work today, I managed to finish the filing I wanted to do. I am now sick of it, and my filing cabinets are all beautiful on the inside. (Is there anyone else out there who appreciates the beauty of a well organised filing cabinet?? ...... just me then....... !) I also managed to cross a few things off my to do list – always a good feeling!
I am looking forward to tomorrow, for one, it’s a Friday and also Jon and I are invited round to Mum’s for tea with some friends... we weren’t sure whether to be happy or take offense when we were informed we’d been invited round specifically to play pass the parcel. I know I know, what’s offensive about pass the parcel... well nothing ... except when it’s pass the parcel with forfeits written with you in mind..... hmmmm – you see the dilemma? Happy / Offended ? I’ll go with happy; because I am looking forward to spending the evening with my Hubby, Mum, Sisters and J&H D!
Also looking forward to Saturday, when we will be spending most of the day in Bedford. Jon’s cousins are being baptised – which is wonderful! They have been married longer than us, and have been through a really hard time recently after receiving some bad news. I am looking forward to hearing their testimonies of God’s grace, as well as catching up with the rest of the family.
Sunday should be fun, we’ve been invited out to lunch, and no Sunday School in the morning means that we get a lie in... nice one!
Filing had to be the subject of this blog, as I have had a fairly productive day at work today, I managed to finish the filing I wanted to do. I am now sick of it, and my filing cabinets are all beautiful on the inside. (Is there anyone else out there who appreciates the beauty of a well organised filing cabinet?? ...... just me then....... !) I also managed to cross a few things off my to do list – always a good feeling!
I am looking forward to tomorrow, for one, it’s a Friday and also Jon and I are invited round to Mum’s for tea with some friends... we weren’t sure whether to be happy or take offense when we were informed we’d been invited round specifically to play pass the parcel. I know I know, what’s offensive about pass the parcel... well nothing ... except when it’s pass the parcel with forfeits written with you in mind..... hmmmm – you see the dilemma? Happy / Offended ? I’ll go with happy; because I am looking forward to spending the evening with my Hubby, Mum, Sisters and J&H D!
Also looking forward to Saturday, when we will be spending most of the day in Bedford. Jon’s cousins are being baptised – which is wonderful! They have been married longer than us, and have been through a really hard time recently after receiving some bad news. I am looking forward to hearing their testimonies of God’s grace, as well as catching up with the rest of the family.
Sunday should be fun, we’ve been invited out to lunch, and no Sunday School in the morning means that we get a lie in... nice one!
Status Updates, Thursday!
Ok, so here's some more status updates I thought of on the way home and the 10 minutes I've been home...
Beth Sayers has finally started a blog
Beth Sayers wishes the left wing mirror on her car was still there
Beth Sayers thinks SNOW is pretty!
Beth Sayers thinks her husband should re-set the heating to come on at 4pm so it's warm when she gets home
Beth Sayers is glad Pippa is back to normal
Beth Sayers is wondering if Jo has got a car yet?
Beth Sayers isn't sure what to have for tea
Beth Sayers is contemplating making more chocolate Brownies..
Beth Sayers has finally started a blog
Beth Sayers wishes the left wing mirror on her car was still there
Beth Sayers thinks SNOW is pretty!
Beth Sayers thinks her husband should re-set the heating to come on at 4pm so it's warm when she gets home
Beth Sayers is glad Pippa is back to normal
Beth Sayers is wondering if Jo has got a car yet?
Beth Sayers isn't sure what to have for tea
Beth Sayers is contemplating making more chocolate Brownies..
Pippa
Pippa will be 4 in November, and is the lovliest, friendliest, loopy dog I have ever met. She is a Springer/Cocker Spaniel cross and loves everybody. I reckon if we ever had burglars she’d lollop up to them with a goofy grin that said “Hi!!!!! Who are you?!!!!!!! I LOVE you!!!!! Will you take me for a walk?!!!!!!”
Have you ever seen the film ‘Up’ ? Pippa is THAT dog!!
A few weeks ago she had to be spayed; which really knocked her about. It was my fault for being such an expert at procrastination that she was older than she should have been; and took it quite a bit harder... she spent 10 days in a delightfully big cone, which, once the sadness of it wore off, was hilarious! (apart from the bruises we had on the back of our knees when she ran into us!!)
Have you ever seen the film ‘Up’ ? Pippa is THAT dog!!
A few weeks ago she had to be spayed; which really knocked her about. It was my fault for being such an expert at procrastination that she was older than she should have been; and took it quite a bit harder... she spent 10 days in a delightfully big cone, which, once the sadness of it wore off, was hilarious! (apart from the bruises we had on the back of our knees when she ran into us!!)
Funny Memories
Funny memory 1)
So, I was driving home the other night, and I suddenly remembered that I fell asleep during Jon’s graduation... don’t ask me why my brain chose that moment to remember...
I was sat in a large hall full of people... Jon’s parents were at the back (hope they didn’t see me) and I was somewhere towards the middle... after a very late night the night before, spending all morning rushing Jon around to get to the right place at the right time, and cooking lunch for future in-laws in Jon’s student flat, the man next to me reading a newspaper he was so bored..... I was shattered... and 3 hours into listening to boring speeches and watching name after name walk across the stage, my head just nodded....
No. I didn’t miss Jon... I proudly watched him walk across the stage to collect his qualification.
I then pinched myself to stay awake for the rest of it... thankfully S is at the end of the alphabet so there wasn’t that long to go....!
Funny memory 2)
Joan was teaching Sunday School, and she asked the children whether they could cross an ocean, anticipating the answer to be "NO" so then she could come back with the amazing miracle of what God did. However children being children, this is how the conversation went.
"So, imagine a huge amount of water. Could you cross it in a tractor?"
"Yes"
"Well a boat or a plane maybe, but not a Tractor"
"Yes, I've seen tractors in the water"
"60 feet of water?"
"Yes"
"Do you know how tall 60 feet is?"
"No"
"It's taller than 10 Mr Sayers standing on top of each other"
"I could just jump across on my pogo stick"
Funny memory 3)
We had the joy of seeing David and Liz over the summer, we miss them now they’re in Kenya and it is amazing how much the children have grown every time we see them again. We took every opportunity we could to see them while they were in the UK, and 2 conversations with Joy and Isaac stand out in my mind.
1) In the car
Jon “So, have you seen Mr Bob while you’ve been here in England”
Isaac “No, Uncle Jon, Mr Bob is dead”
Silence...
Jon “Are you sure Isaac”
Isaac “Yes”
Joy “No Isaac, Mr Bob was working in another country”
Isaac “No Joy, Mr Bob is dead, he has done the work God wants him to do and now he’s in heaven”
Joy “No, Isaac Mr Bob is in China”
Jon - Trying to avert an argument... “What does Mr Bob do Joy”?
Joy “He makes aeroplane engines”
Silence...
Isaac “Uncle Jon, how do you make aeroplane engines”
Jon “Well, a long time ago it was a propeller, but I’m not sure now”
Isaac “I know how. You put a big battery in them”
2) After Isaac had been made to apologise to Joy
Isaac “I don’t like girls”
Beth “Well that makes me sad, because I’m a girl”
Isaac (thinking) “Well, ok, I like big girls. You know, like Aunties, but I just don’t like little girls”
Joy (in a wounded voice) “Oh Isaac, you know Mummy said I’m not a little girl anymore, I’m a big girl”
Isaac (thinking again...) “Well ok... but Gracie is annoying”
So, I was driving home the other night, and I suddenly remembered that I fell asleep during Jon’s graduation... don’t ask me why my brain chose that moment to remember...
I was sat in a large hall full of people... Jon’s parents were at the back (hope they didn’t see me) and I was somewhere towards the middle... after a very late night the night before, spending all morning rushing Jon around to get to the right place at the right time, and cooking lunch for future in-laws in Jon’s student flat, the man next to me reading a newspaper he was so bored..... I was shattered... and 3 hours into listening to boring speeches and watching name after name walk across the stage, my head just nodded....
No. I didn’t miss Jon... I proudly watched him walk across the stage to collect his qualification.
I then pinched myself to stay awake for the rest of it... thankfully S is at the end of the alphabet so there wasn’t that long to go....!
Funny memory 2)
Joan was teaching Sunday School, and she asked the children whether they could cross an ocean, anticipating the answer to be "NO" so then she could come back with the amazing miracle of what God did. However children being children, this is how the conversation went.
"So, imagine a huge amount of water. Could you cross it in a tractor?"
"Yes"
"Well a boat or a plane maybe, but not a Tractor"
"Yes, I've seen tractors in the water"
"60 feet of water?"
"Yes"
"Do you know how tall 60 feet is?"
"No"
"It's taller than 10 Mr Sayers standing on top of each other"
"I could just jump across on my pogo stick"
Funny memory 3)
We had the joy of seeing David and Liz over the summer, we miss them now they’re in Kenya and it is amazing how much the children have grown every time we see them again. We took every opportunity we could to see them while they were in the UK, and 2 conversations with Joy and Isaac stand out in my mind.
1) In the car
Jon “So, have you seen Mr Bob while you’ve been here in England”
Isaac “No, Uncle Jon, Mr Bob is dead”
Silence...
Jon “Are you sure Isaac”
Isaac “Yes”
Joy “No Isaac, Mr Bob was working in another country”
Isaac “No Joy, Mr Bob is dead, he has done the work God wants him to do and now he’s in heaven”
Joy “No, Isaac Mr Bob is in China”
Jon - Trying to avert an argument... “What does Mr Bob do Joy”?
Joy “He makes aeroplane engines”
Silence...
Isaac “Uncle Jon, how do you make aeroplane engines”
Jon “Well, a long time ago it was a propeller, but I’m not sure now”
Isaac “I know how. You put a big battery in them”
2) After Isaac had been made to apologise to Joy
Isaac “I don’t like girls”
Beth “Well that makes me sad, because I’m a girl”
Isaac (thinking) “Well, ok, I like big girls. You know, like Aunties, but I just don’t like little girls”
Joy (in a wounded voice) “Oh Isaac, you know Mummy said I’m not a little girl anymore, I’m a big girl”
Isaac (thinking again...) “Well ok... but Gracie is annoying”
Lady Jane Grey
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In a recent Facebook post, I told a few people that I was watching the film Lady Jane Grey with my sisters, and I found it highly amusing that they didn’t know the ending... I mean, it’s like asking what happens at the end of Titanic?!
However, I realise that I may have to eat a bit of humble pie, as there are several periods in history that I know absolutely nothing about either... and were they ever to make a film about King Charles – the fugitive king who had to hide in an oak tree.. well let’s just say I had to use Google and Wiki to ensure I actually got his name right?!
It’s not their fault that they don’t love the Tudor period as much as I do... therefore I thought that I would wax lyrical for a while about the history around Lady Jane Grey – and hopefully give you a better understanding of who she was, and when she lived.
So – you all know Henry the 8th right, he was the tyrant with 6 wives?
Well, his first wife was Catherine of Aragon, she was mother to Mary (a devout Catholic)
his second wife was Anne Boleyn, mother to Elizabeth (a protestant)
his third wife was Jane Seymour, mother to Edward (a devout protestant reformer)
Henry didn’t have any more children after that, even though he went on to marry Ann(divorced) Kathryn(beheaded) and Katherine (she outlived him).
Well, in order to marry Anne Boleyn, Henry had to divorce Catherine of Aragon, and in the process disinherit Mary from the throne. He claimed his marriage with Catherine had been unlawful and therefore Mary was a bastard. Elizabeth therefore became first in line for the throne.
When he beheaded Anne Boleyn, he did so by accusing her of adultery – and therefore making Elizabeth also a bastard. (Even though her red hair and fiery temper proclaimed her a Tudor through and through!)
When Edward was born then, he became heir to the throne. Jane Seymour’s brother was also Edward, and as uncle to the future king, given lots of privileges at court.
What you may not know is that Henry the 8th had 2 sisters, Margaret and Mary.
Mary had been married to the King of France, however when he died, she married a man called Charles Brandon in secret.
Mary and Charles had a little girl called Frances (Henry the 8th’s niece – are you keeping up!)
Frances went on to marry a man called Henry Grey, and they had a daughter – Jane.
Jane Grey was born at roughly the same time as Prince Edward, so they were about the same age.
Well, on his deathbed, King Henry the 8th had a qualm of conscience, and although he had declared both Mary and Elizabeth bastards, he wrote up a document called ‘The Act of Succession’ which stated that Edward would be king, should anything happen to him, the throne would pass to Mary, should anything happen to her it would pass to Elizabeth. The next step of course was that if anything happened to Elizabeth the throne would go to his sister Mary’s descendants; his niece Frances Grey – or by default to her daughter Jane.
Once Henry the 8th died, Jane then was 3rd in line for the throne.
When Henry the 8th died, Edward became King. He was of course too young to rule, so his Uncle Edward Seymour declared himself ‘Lord Protector’ and basically ruled in young King Edward’s place. This, plus the reformation of England at the time, gained Edward Seymour an awful lot of enemies; one man in particular was a man called John Dudley.
John Dudley bided his time, won over King Edwards confidence and eventually led a rebellion against Edward Seymour, who was eventually executed sometime later.
John Dudley got rid of the title ‘Lord Protector’ and set King Edward up a parliament, however still influenced the boy – King Edward was merely the mouthpiece for John Dudley. To gain King Edward’s confidence, one of the things John Dudley did was to keep him away from his sister Mary, and also to press forward Edward’s reformation plans for England, which meant Mary was forbidden from following her Catholic beliefs. John Dudley knew if Mary ever got to the throne – he wouldn’t have his head on his shoulder’s for very long!!
Not so great then, for John Dudley, when King Edward contracted measles. Although the measles didn’t kill him, they left him extremely weak with a compromised immune system. King Edward was pushed back into state visits too soon, and it became apparent that he was now so sick he wasn’t going to live very long.
Grasping at straws to keep Mary from the throne of England, John Dudley’s mind turned to Henry’s great-niece, the Lady Jane Grey, 3rd in line to the throne. He reasoned that if Mary and Elizabeth had been declared illegitimate, that then made Jane 1st in line to the throne, not second.
This was no use to John Dudley though, if he had no way of controlling the Lady Jane... so he approached Henry Grey and between them, they hatched a plan to marry Jane to John Dudley’s eldest son Guildford and put Lady Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley on the throne of England.
Cruelly prolonging weak King Edward’s life with the use of arsenic, John Dudley wrote up King Edward’s will, declaring Jane Grey heir to the throne, trying to overruling the Act of Succession written by Henry the 8th. John Dudley bullied, bribed and blackmailed parliament into counter-signing it, and persuaded King Edward to sign it, most likely by emotionally blackmailing him about how all his Protestant Reformation would be worth nothing if a Catholic Queen came to the throne.
King Edward died in July 1553 and 4 days later Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed Queen.
Jane was as shocked as anyone else. She proclaimed she didn’t want the crown, it rightfully belonged to the Lady Mary. Her parents and John Dudley soon hushed her up, and again used the argument that Jane would not want to see a Catholic Queen on the throne again...
Jane resigned herself to her duties as Queen, however refused to let Guildford be crowned King (he threw a temper tantrum). Stories of undying love between Jane and Guildford, especially the film with the gorgeous Cary Elwes and Helen Bonar Carter(?) are not true! It is true that Guildford did carve the name ‘JANE’ on his cell in the Tower of London.
When Jane was proclaimed Queen, the people were sullen and confused – Jane had spent most of her life in the Country, they didn’t even know who she was! They wanted their Queen Mary, daughter of Henry the 8th!
Meanwhile Mary was not idle. As soon as she heard her brother was dead, she refused to go and walk into the trap John Dudley had set for her, instead she gathered an army about her and marched on London.
It was, as they say, a very close call. Had Mary fallen for the trap John Dudley set her, had John Dudley’s army won, had Parliament not deserted and run to Mary’s side, Queen Jane may have ruled for many years! However we know that it was not God’s plan, as Mary’s army won, and 9 days after Jane was proclaimed Queen, she was removed from the throne and placed in the tower of London.
So that is the story of Lady Jane Grey, the 9 day queen of England.
Are you still with me? Do you want to hear more?
Ok... well Mary was not inclined to start her reign as Queen with executions; besides which she had known Jane as they were cousins of sorts and Mary had a soft spot for Jane. So after John Dudley had been executed, Mary pardoned Jane’s parents, Frances and Henry and left Jane and Guildford in the Tower; inclined to free her once Mary herself had heirs and Jane was no threat. Mary’s parliament and advisors begged her to execute Jane, but she wouldn’t.
A few months into her reign, and Mary’s popularity was waning. Taxes, Catholicism and the rumour she was going to marry a Spanish prince had made her pretty unpopular.
It wasn’t Jane’s fault that her father Henry, with a taste of big things in his mouth, was not content to live a quiet peaceful life in the country. With Mary’s popularity waning, he formed an army and marched on London with the intent of putting Jane back on the throne.
Again it was a close call, but Mary won the day – and of course after that she had to listen to her advisors.
Lady Jane Grey was beheaded on February 12th,1554, after being found guilty of treason.
She was 16 years old.
Before she was executed, Jane said that she had never wanted the throne of England and that she would die a "true Christian women".
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