Misconception of Misery

Ive noticed recently that a christian school-of-thought is that God works through our uncomfortableness (which can be a valid point), that breaking out of our comfort zones or forcing ourselves to do something that scares us can be very liberating.

However, this ideaology can be taken to extremes (as can all, just look at Neitche and Hitler!) and some people think that if I enjoy doing something or find something fun that it must be from the devil.

God can only work through pain and suffering and uncomfortableness (with sack cloth clothes and gnashing teeth!).

This is absurd.

Surely Joy, Passion, Talents, and enjoyment are from God.

If you are good at something or enjoy doing it, then its very likely sent from God. I say not only do it, but do it with all your heart and do it for God.

Just look at christian authors, preachers and muscians. They don't do it because its been burdened upon them and the feel forced (one arm behind their back!). They do it because they are passionate about this talent and more importantly passionate about God.

So today may you do what you are good at and may you do what you enjoy, but most of all may you do it all for God.

Love you x

The entrapment of entitlement

After hearing a downloaded sermon from Rob Bell, I was really challenged in some of the ways we as christians may veiw our lives (sometimes).
In his sermon he metion the dangers of feeling somehow entitled to things and that God could owe us.

One theory was that people would be looked down upon because of the situations they find themselves in. We see this throughout the bible. Usually by pharisees (empowered people who should know better), putting down on people who are less fortunate than them. Lepers and beggers are percieved that they have somehow sinned (or someone in their family) and are now being punished accordingly.

This, of course, is rediculous. These people find themselves in these crappy situations because thats just the way life is. Crappy. More importantly, its about what you do and how you deal with these situations.

Another theory, which is a very dangerous path to go down, is that because we have been dealt this crappy hand in life that God now owes us something good to balance things out. Its like, ive been tried or tested by this illness or death in the family or lost my job or house (whatever) and now Im waiting for my pay out. Like God is some kind of insurance company.

God is assurance, not insurance.

We could almost fall into this idea of making a list of all the good things we do and then sit around waiting for or reward from God.

If we make a list, does it mean God's allowed to make one too?

How would that scene go?

Here we are infront of the almighty Father and he goes first . . . .
(God's list)
*sun (heat and light)/ moon and stars / oxygen/ pasta / water / worship /music/art/ family/freinds/sunsets/ holding the hand of someone you love / a childs first steps / pizza / trees / smell of fresh cut grass / a smile on someones face / health / mexican food / fruit / technology/ laughter / a childs first word / medicene / lemon meringue pie . . . .
Now God turns to you and says "Oh Im sorry I got a bit carried away, your turn..."
And you look at this stuff you been trying to hold God to ransom over and your like ...
" I erm, I put and extra £10 in the collection at my church"

It suddenly doesnt seem to work, does it?

God doesnt owe us anything. But He gives us everything. Thats the point.

Love you x

Dont worry . . . . Be HAPPY!

Over the last week or so I've been kinda struggling with some situations in my life, and my apparant inability to control (or change) these situations.
Things have been running through my mind and effecting my sleep and overall ability to function as a member of the human race.
Janine will probably recognise Ive had a few mood swings recently.

Anyway, through our daily bible study (Jeff Lucas) and in my own prayer time (sometimes at work instead of working!) God has made me realise that there is very few things in this world that I have any control over.

I am helpless.

I am vulnerable.

I am nothing without God.

This is what we need to realise in order to truely know what it means to give everything to God.
It isn't easy living the life of a Jesus follower.
The world is a bad place and says "Do whatever it takes to suceed". Whenever we stand against that and say "No! Theres another way" we open ourselves up for trouble.

We need to remember that we are in this world but not of it.

Third Day wrote a song called 'Wire' and its about walking the fine line (high wire) between this place we live in and the place we call home.

So if you are worrying about something as you are reading this, or (like me) just struggling with the lack of control in your life, just remember that its God whose in control of you and theres no way He's going to give you anything you can't deal with.

You're totally safe.

Don't worry . . . . be happy!

Love you x

Superbowl & Blessings

Im sat at home taking it easy and recovering from the event that is the SUPERBOWL!... Even though the colts won (boo!) it was still a good game and it was fun to hang out with some guys and just eat snacks and watch NFL. Also the half time game of Oakham touch football was pretty cool too!
Anyhoo, after Si went to work this morning, I got up and went into the middle room and just prayed and sat in the quiet whilst the others were still asleep, and just listend to God.
Try and spend some time with God and just be still, be quiet.
Too oftern our lives are full of background noise, TV / music / other people, how can we expect God to speak to us with all that going on aswell.
Sometimes God whispers.
Try listening today.

Love you x

Superbowl XLI

Damn it!
Patriots lost to the Colts 38 - 34.

That means we got a Bears v Colts superbowl in a couple of weeks!

Im definitely supporting the Chicargo Bears. Woop! Woop!

How 'bout dem Bears?!

Worship

I'm leading the worship again on sunday, and I never really thought about how much of an important job that is.
Before all it meant to me was that I had the task of picking the songs and have to ramble on in between them.
But after listening to a sermon about worship by Rob Bell, I discovered that leading the worship IS quite a big deal!
It should be guided by God. I should pray and meditate on His word, before asking Him to help me pick the songs, I should be open to let the worship time move freely in the direction that God wants.

I should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

The words should be meant and not just sang.

I should put great words on His peoples lips.

I want to be SO much more for Jesus than I am now.

I want to stop letting God down over and over again.

I want to be an inspiration to the people I love, like the way I'm inspired by them.

I want to thank you, my christian brothers and sisters, for challenging me to do better.
To live my life the way I should.
Help me to put great words on your lips this sunday.

Love you x

Wii

Can I get a "woop woop!"?
My nintendo Wii came this morning and its my day off, so guess whose been playing Wii sports and Wario all day?!

Its all white and minimal and pretty looking.

Love You X

Micah 6:16

After this post we will go back to verse 9 of chapter 6 and work through into chapter 7. This is because the next topic crosses over the chapter divide. The next topic is Judgement (but that'll be the next post!). Cofused? 'cause I am!

In this verse it mentions a guy called Omri.

Omri was a king who reigned over Isreal and led the people to idol worship (1Kings 16:21-26). His son was Ahab, was Isreal's most wicked and evil ruler (1Kings 16:29-33). If the people were being influenced by these types of people alone, they were in for some big trouble.

This was the mother of all insults to God. And remember this is still the old testament God.

The God who smites!

You do not want to mess with Him! And they were basically spitting in His face!

"Remember all those times our God has gotten us out of trouble?...Screw that! Im gonna bow down to some statue of the god of cheese!"

Idiots!

X

Micah 6:5-8

At this point Micah has already delivered 2 of his 3 messages: a message of warning (verses1&2) and a message of promise (verses 3-5). His third message is a challenge to the people to trust in the Lord and obey Him. For its only through this trust and obidience that they can be forgiven and saved from the punishment that they are owed.

Throughout the history of the old testament it is important to remember just how essential it was to the Jewish nation to trust in the Lord. (Gen 12: 1-3, John 4:22)

The story of Balak and Balaam is found in Numbers:22-24 (if people are interested) basically, this story is mentioned by Micah to remind the people of a covenant that was made between them and God.

It was this forgetfullness of the people that would condem them. When people refuse to see how fortunate they are then they begin to take God (and His blessings) for granted and become self-centred. This is what was going on here.

People have tried many ways over the years to please God, but God makes it very clear what He wishes us to do. He wants us to be fair, just, and merciful, and to walk humbly with Him.

As Ive mentioned before, this message from Micah was very much like a courtroom set-up. Micah uses 3 key points to underline the importance of repentance. . . . guilt, punishment and mercy. The first of these are found in these verses we are looking at today.

Because of great guilt, trust the Lord;

Along with Micah reminding the people of Balak and Balaam, he also mentions Isreal's crossing of the Jordan river and entering the promised land (Josh 3-4). The very same God who opened and closed the Red sea did the same with the Jordan so His people may claim their inheritance. He did for them what they couldn't do themselves. But all that is forgotten.

It is important for God's people to remember what He has done for them. The word "remember" is found 14 times in the book of Deuteronomy. As it is important not to live in or dwell on the past, it is essential that we learn from it. Otherwise we will continue to make the same mistakes.

Interestingly enough, in this passage we see the people answering Micah back and attempting to bargin with God or even buy Him off with a few calves. Nothing we have to offer the Lord will ever come close to repaying Him for all He has done for us.

The people simply didnt get what Micah was saying to them. The very fact of how guilty they were should have motivated them to turn away from their sin.

The only people who God can save are lost .

The only people who God can forgive are guilty.

X

Its the weirdest thing . . . .

This morning in my prayer time with God I got onto the subject of sin. Now I know this is one of those things we dont like talking about but . . . I was kinda beating myself up over the fact that even though I know Im forgiven of my sins (past, present and future) I didnt want to continually keep letting God down.

Each morning I make a habbit of saying sorry to God for the stuff ive done wrong the day before, but today I realised I was gonna do just as much wrong tomorrow aswell. This was kind of bugging me, and I know the idea is to strive to improve each day and to try to be more Christ-like, but I want to see better results! Everytime I seem to be improving and growing spiritually I fall back down.

I suppose its the getting back up again that counts.

Then I put on Nooma 0010 Lump (its the one with the little white ball) and it really spoke to me about this wrestling match that I'd been having with myself. Rob Bell says to his son who has done wrong "there is nothing you can do to make me love you any less". He goes on to say that this is how God feels about us. About me!
He knows Im a loser and rejoices in that fact.

There is nothing I can do to make Him love me any less!

Then in my bible time I turned to the book of Romans (which is written by Paul to the non-jews) and chapter 8 towards the end of the chapter (v38/39) it speaks of Gods love for us.

Nothing will ever be able to seperate us from the love of God

X

Unashamed

I have not much

To offer you

Not near what You deserve

But still I come

Because Your cross

Has placed in me my worth

And I know I'm weak

I know I'm unworthy

To call upon Your name

But because of Your grace

Because of Your mercy

I stand here unashamed

Oh Christ my king

Of sympathy

Whose wounds secure my peace

Your grace extends

To call me friend

Your mercy sets me free

I can't explain

This kind of love

I'm humbled and amazed

That You'd come down

From heavens heights

And greet me face to face

Here I am at Your feet

In my brokeness complete

X

Christmas

I'm leading the service on Christmas morning and Andy is speaking.
He has asked me to play a song on the guitar as part of his message.
The song is by Relient K, and it's called I celebrate the day.

Although I had already heard Relient K, I'd never heard that song before.

It's amazing!

It really captures the true meaning of Christmas and asks some very good questions.

The chorus goes . . . .

And the first time

That you opened your eyes

Did you realize that you would be my saviour

And the first breath

That left your lips

Did you know that it would change the world forever

This christmas think about this chorus.

And join with me by celebrating the day that He was born to die so we could one day pray for Him to save our lives.

Amen x

Sorry

And I've tried to heal the wounds

Make it as if it never was

And I know I've done my best

But I can never heal the scars

I wanna say I'm sorry but I know I'll do it again

I'll do it again

I know what I did but I still don't know the reason

I wanna say I'm sorry but I know I'll do it again

I'll do it again

I'll do it to you

I don't wanna hurt you anymore

Order in the court !

Micah 6: 1-3

Here we see Micah conjuring images of a courtroom. Obviously, God as the judge. Telling His people how they have wronged Him and each other and reciting what He asks of them.

Within Micah, chapters 4 and 5 bring messages of hope and 6 and 7 proclaim judgement and require repentance from His people.

Here we see that the mountains themselves are the jury, where God calls to confirm the peoples guilt.

These mountains would serve as excellent witnesses, due to the fact that it would have been up in those high places that God's people would have built there pagan alters and sacrifices to their false gods ( 1 Kings 14:23 / Jeremiah 17: 2-3 / Ezekiel 20: 27-28 )

This question asked from God, is unanswerable. Simply because He has done nothing wrong. In fact, He had been over generous and very patient with them. Always showing them love, guidance and giving them every opportunity to repent and return to Him.

If God asked you this question, what would be your reply ?

Love you x

Oooh! Oooh!

You should all check out

www.nobodyswatching.tv

Those guys are funny!

Deliverance and Destruction

Micah 5:7-15

Within these few verses there are many descriptions of just how the all powerful God is gonna open a can of whoop-ass on these suckas! . . . Seriously, this is a mega warning to the peoples. God's patience has well and truely been s t r e t c h e d.

In my bible this section of verse 5 is entitled Deliverance and Destruction. On first glance it is easy to see the destruction part of this, but on closer inspection the deliverance part becomes clear also.

Destruction;

Like a lion among beasts of the forest,

Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which mauls and mangles as it goes,

and no-one can rescue. (verse 8)

I will destroy your horses from among you,

and demolish your chariots. (verse 10)

I will destroy the cities of your land,

and tear down all your strongholds. (verse 11)

Here are just three obvious example of where God is quite clear in His intentions.

However, this is all just relative. And His overal goal is for the benefit of His people.

Later in the chapter it continues to explain how God will rid the land of witchcraft, false idols and false gods/goddess (Asherah, verse 14). Surely this destruction is for the ultimate deliverance. Think back to Noah, the world had got SO bad that God's only option was to completely wipe out life on the planet (sparing Noah and co.). If that was the state of the Earth in such a short period of time from perfection (Eden), then just imagine what God sees when He looks at the Earth today!

We must remember that all these words we read are prophetic, and did in this case take place within history as we know it. However, I believe that some of these words of warning could be meant for modern day Isreal. In particular the conflict going on at this very time in Jerusalem.

Try reading these verses again with the world as we know it in your mind, any of it sound familiar?

Love you x

Deliverance and Destruction

Micah 5:7-15

Within these few verses there are many descriptions of just how the all powerful God is gonna open a can of whoop-ass on these suckas! . . . Seriously, this is a mega warning to the peoples. God's patience has well and truely been s t r e t c h e d.

In my bible this section of verse 5 is entitled Deliverance and Destruction. On first glance it is easy to see the destruction part of this, but on closer inspection the deliverance part becomes clear also.

Destruction;

Like a lion among beasts of the forest,

Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which mauls and mangles as it goes,

and no-one can rescue. (verse 8)

I will destroy your horses from among you,

and demolish your chariots. (verse 10)

I will destroy the cities of your land,

and tear down all your strongholds. (verse 11)

Here are just three obvious example of where God is quite clear in His intentions.

However, this is all just relative. And His overal goal is for the benefit of His people.

Later in the chapter it continues to explain how God will rid the land of witchcraft, false idols and false gods/goddess (Asherah, verse 14). Surely this destruction is for the ultimate deliverance. Think back to Noah, the world had got SO bad that God's only option was to completely wipe out life on the planet (sparing Noah and co.). If that was the state of the Earth in such a short period of time from perfection (Eden), then just imagine what God sees when He looks at the Earth today!

We must remember that all these words we read are prophetic, and did in this case take place within history as we know it. However, I believe that some of these words of warning could be meant for modern day Isreal. In particular the conflict going on at this very time in Jerusalem.

Try reading these verses again with the world as we know it in your mind, any of it sound familiar?

Love you x

The Land of Nimrod

Micah 5:5&6

Way back in chapter 3 we read about the corrupt leaders of Judah, now here in chapter 5 verse 5 we hear Micah talk of seven shepherds and eight princes. This is a reference to the exact opposite of the leaders of that time. Micah speaks of many good leaders that will be raised up when the messiah returns to reign.

When Assyria is mentioned by Micah it is not just about that land at that time. It is symbolic of all nations throughout history that oppose God's people.

This chapter is one of the clearest prophecies of Christ's coming in the Old Testament. The key phrase within this text is "He will be our Peace".

In one of the last meetings between JC and his 12 he said, "I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27).

With the first coming of JC we are given the oppurtunity of peace with God. No fear of judgement. His peace gives us assurance in this dark world full of war.

With the second coming of JC all wars and weapons will be destroyed.

Amen!

Love you x

Eternal King (not Elvis!)

Micah 5:2

This king that Micah is going on about is . . . . (you've guessed it!) . . . . Jesus!!! (the Messiah)

Micah actually predicted Christ's birthplace hundreds of years before it took place. The promised eternal king from the line of David, who would come to Earth and live as a man, had been alive forever_ "from everlasting ages past."

Although eternal, he entered human history as a man, Jesus of Nazareth.

Many people during the time of Jesus would refuse to believe that He was the son of God (the messiah) because of his lowley and humble upbringing.

"A carpenter from bethlehem?!"

Their messiah would have royal blood and be rich and powerful (in the eyes of humans) and deffinately would NOT ride into the city He was supposed to be king of on a donkey!

So many times our preconceived ideas of what God is going to do in our lives gets in the way of what God actually wants to do with us.

Lord, help me to not get caught up on what I am expecting from You, and help me to concerntrate on listening to what You have to say.

Love you x

Strike my face!

Micah 5:1

Jerusalem was very wealthy and powerful, and VERY stubborn! They deemed it ludicrous and impossible the idea that their mighty nation could be destroyed. No matter how big or powerful their king, even he couldn't stop what God had in store for them.

Its kinda ironic that this big wealthy powerful nation couldnt be saved by its big wealthy powerful king, but in Bethlehem (a tiny poor town) would be born a king who could save these people (and the rest!).

The judge mentioned in this verse was probably King Zedekiah who reigned in Jerusalem when Nebuchanezzar conquered the city (2 Kings 25:1). Zedekiah was the last king of David's line to sit on the throne in Jerusalem. Micah prophesied that the next king in David's line would be the Messiah, who would start a kingdom that would last forever.

How cool is it that our God is the King, as well as our father?

We are all Princes and Princesses.

The same royal blood that ran down the cross at calvary runs through mine and your veins.

This isnt just a nice idea. This is real.

Love you x