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
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
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
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