Theif in the night

Its my day off today (which is nice 'cause I had to work all weekend!).

Anyhoo, a guy from Barrats came to take photos of our house to put in their ad to sell our house.

I knew he was coming at 13:00 and so I could get the house looking 'up to scratch'.

Because I knew when to expect him I could get all the hoovering, dusting, polishing, washing up done aswell as putting away anything that didn't need to be out. And to improve the overall appearance of the house.

It got me thinking about the second coming (and Phil's song from sunday night!), but if we knew Jesus was coming back at 13:00 then we'd get all our stuff sorted.

All the mess that had accumulated over time would be dealt with, not straight away, but just in time to see His return. We would leave everything until the last minute.

I thank God that we don't know when Jesus is coming back, because the world would be more of a mess than it is now. Sure, we'd see mass conversions hours before He was due to return, but that isn't the point.

It's about living every day as if it's our last here on earth.

It's about looking at how and why we live our lives and asking ourselves "is this what Jesus wanted from me ?"

Jesus is coming back . . . so don't look busy, get busy!

Love you X

Mountain of God

Im currently working my way through Exodus.

Ive got to the bit where Moses is the go-between for God and the Isrealites.

It makes me chuckle to think of Moses running up the mountain (at the age of 80 ish!) and God saying "tell the people the LORD says..." and then Moses running back down to the Isrealites and telling them what God has said. Then the people say "Moses, tell the LORD...." and Moses runs back up the moutain.

This goes on for chapters!

I struggle with the fact that I'm human (and destined to screw up!), I think if only I'd have been around back then when God revealed Himself in fire and thunder and wind and through Moses.... THEN my faith would be unshakable! But we see that the Isrealite (inspite of this very visual God) still make the same mistakes we make.

Moses comes down the mountain (after getting the 10 commandments) and finds that the Isrealites have made a golden calf and are worshipping it!

Third Day have done a song caled Mountain of God (chorus)

Even though the journey's long

And I know the road is hard

Well, the One whose gone before me

He will help me carry on

After all that I've been through

Now I realize the truth

That I must go through the valley

To stand upon the mountain of God

Love you x

John 2

Everyone knows the story.

Jesus is at a party (a wedding reception), the social event of the Jewish year!

He's there with his mom (family was very important). And in this story we see Jesus first miracle (or sign).

Running out of wine wasn't just a pain in the ass, it was seen as shame or disgarce upon the family name.

John suggests that miracles (signs) were always pointing to something else.

Even though Jesus said this, what He really meant was that...

Jewish comparrisons:

When Jews would hear (or read) these stories it would conjure up other images in their head.

Regardez . . .

Wedding - This story is set in a wedding. Weddings were always large occasions in the bible, and almost always represented the relationship between God and people. The church is Christ's Bride (for example)

"The master was pleased" - God is our master. (pretty simple!)

Third day - (not the band!) The wedding party takes place on the 3rd day.... hmmm what else in the bible could of happend on the 3rd day? The Resurrection.

Wine - Heaven.

This 1st miracle was the anticipation of heaven and earth coming together.

We all know this story as Jesus turning water into wine, BUT nowhere does it mention this fact.

Its through Jesus power and authority, but its more about the servants doing what Jesus tells them to do.

Jesus DOES turn the water to wine, BUT he does it through others.

Real miracles happen when we do what Jesus tells us.

This is what it looks like when heaven and earth meet.

Love you x

EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL

Worn out, wasted

Like a bird with broken wings

Sometimes, grace reminds me

I don't get to be the king

But love it washes over

Love it pulls me closer

Love it changes everything

So everything is beautiful

Even when the tears are falling

I don't need a miracle to believe

Even in the crashing down

I can hear redemption calling

And everything is beautiful to me

Sweetly, You release me

From the weight of what I've done

The trigger trips the hammer

But the bullets never come

And love like a landslide

Like the wind

Spins around me pulls me in

At it's unveiling, I begin

This song just nails it.
This band knows what it feels like to live as Jesus' hands and feet in the world today.

Scared?

Since I last blogged 2 things have happend . . .

1) The first of our two evaluations on the house have been done

2) I have been "moved" to the Bilston store

BOTH of the events scare the hell out of me!

It is said that humans are creatures of habbit.

This is most deffinately true of me.

I like to know where I'm at and what I'm doing.

The idea that mine and Janine's future is in the hands of some random guy (from Skitts!) is terrifying!

The very thaught of not doing "auto-pilot" at work is worrying.

Ive read that worry is a sign of lack of faith (and/or trust) in God.

I don't want to have a lack of faith!

I want to be full of faith . . . . Faithful!!!

Anyhoo, I have spoken to Stef (assistant manager at Bilston) and she has put my mind at ease (a little!), but I don't want anymore nights of broken sleep over this.

Its just a job.

Its not me.

Its not what I am.

Is it?

Please pray for me, I could do with the backup!

Many thanks and blessings.

Love you X

iPod goodness!

Well, its finally done!
My iTunes is copied and my iPod is synched!
I have music (with album artwork), music videos, short films, podcasts and Noomas!
Oh yes! Rob Bell is on my iPod (no Jon, its not like looking in the mirror!)

Its SO pretty!

Now I just need our evaluation on our house to be what we want, and then we can move into our 3 bedroom 3 floor town house!

God is good!

What ?!!!

1% of the worlds population uses 40% of the worlds rescources.

To completely solve the worlds health and nutrition problems it would cost $20 billion.

Thats how much a year Americans spend on icecream.

Switchfootage 2 (Electric Boogaloo)

Today is my birthday.

One of my presents from Janine was Switchfootage 2 (Switchfoot DVD), and for the last 2 years those 5 guys have (Monday - Friday) woke up late(in San Diego!), surfed until dinnertime, then practiced songs and recoerded tracks for their last 2 albums in their own practice room/recording studio. (Saturday - Sunday) Woke up late, travelled in a VW Van, rocked out for Jesus infront of thousands of people.

Not a bad way to spend 2 years!

Oh! Gravity! is awesome too!

Love you x

Think YOU have problems?

Everything in this world screams for the self.

Jesus tells us of another way.

Adverts and other culture medias tell us that if we just concerntrate on what we need.... then our lives will be complete.

Jesus say love God and love others.

Where is the "I" in thast last sentance ?

The world says if only you live in this house, drive this car, drink this beer, use this shaver, get this aftershave, eat in this resturaunt, go on this holiday, have this job, wear these clothes, earn this much a year, get this kinda girl (or boy!) on your arm . . . THEN you know you've made it.

Jesus says sell your stuff, give the money to the poor, and follow me.

Our problems are usually to do with us. Money, bills, our wants (not needs). There are loads of self-help books out there now, but the truth is they can't help. Just as soon as you deal with one problem another one pops up in its place.

Offer them to God along with everything else. Say. . .

"I'm not gonna carry this junk around with me for one more second".

Take a look around you, find someone who seems really happy in themselves, someone who really seems to milk life for all its worth, someone who seems to have no worries in the world.

Got them in mind ?

Chances are that they have taken the focus of themself and are using there time and abilities to serve others.

Try serving instead of being served today.

Love you X

My Everything

I give You everything

even my failure and my mistakes.

I give You all of me

'cause I have nothing elese to give to You (my everything).

Maybe someday You will show me exactly my true purpose

what I'm capable of.

'Cause now I feel so helpless, so undeserving

of Your love.

I understand this questions why, we come to You in prayer

with our heads bowed down.

And now I'm the lost son, and You've welcomed me back

with open arms.

And when I think about Your Son, all the pain He went through

He died for me.

The sacrifice has been made, my debt has been re-paid

and now I'm free.

All the things I once thaught precious, that held some value

count for none.

God waits for our return home, His heavenly throne

for everyone.

Love you x

Hallel

Are you familiar with hallel ?

Probably not (unless you're Amy Knight!)

Hallel translates as "Praise [God]" and is a collection of 6 Psalms (113 - 118) that is read / chanted / sang on Jewish holy days and 'joyous occasions'.

Hallel is usually chanted as part of Shacharit (morning prayer service) following the Shacharit's Shemoneh Esreh ("The Eighteen", main prayer).

It is recited during the first night of Passover as well as Shavuot, Sukkot, Hanukka and Rosh Chodesh (begining of a new month).

Interestingly enough, (or perhaps not!) it is from these recitals we get many of our modern worship songs. His Love Endures Forever is a prime example.

So at the last supper, it is very probable that Jesus and His disciples would have endulged in this Hallel. And if we believe that the scriptures are inspired by God or "God-breathed" (well...Do we?). Then is it at all likely that God had inspired David to pen these Psalms that He knew would be used and part of this ceremonial singing/chanting (worship), so that He could use it as a form of expression when He is on the Earth in human-form?

This is HUGE!

Esentially God wrote that song for Himself !

It brings a whole new level to the way in which we veiw Jesus. We know He was fully God and fully man. But here we see a much more vulnerable Jesus.

A Jesus who prays and asks that this purpose and direction He's headed be taken away from Him.

A Jesus who sweat blood with worry and concern.

A Jesus who, in the most sensative time with His disciples, needed a song.

Just like we need a song.

Go ahead! Hallel yourself!

Love you x

Everything for Jesus

Whatever you're doing today . . . Do it for Jesus.

Send me comments and let me know what stuff you've done for jesus today!

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