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

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

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.

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!!

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...

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!

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!