Amazing Love

The Way, the truth and the life

2008-10-19T12:38:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day, in mid-October. The autumn had been amazing. There hadn't been much rain and the days had been sunny, with a crisp chill in the air, keeping the leaves crunchy. The trees were ablaze of colours, like fire. The countryside looked amazing, the arching trees, rolling fields of green and yellow and the leaves lightly gliding down to the earth, like golden confetti.
We were on our way to Tumbridge, the sky was blue and the sun was shinning and at one point, the morning sun's rays, shown through the golden branches of the trees and shines through the mist. Then Lewis pipes up, 'When I see the sun like that it reminds me of God!'

It was Saturday morning and we were trying to get to Tumbridge in a transit van and I had stupidly said, 'We should take the back way, it was quicker last time I went.'

Well... well done Clare, because just after we had been admiring the scenery, sunlight and colours of the autumn trees, Jane said, 'I feel like we are going round in circles. I think we went the wrong way at that roundabout.'

Tip no.1: Do not trust Satnavs-they do not recognise newish (built in the last 5 years) and then you get completely lost!
But the main point of this story(which is true) is that sometimes the journey is wonderful, beautiful and comfortable. Sometimes you can be enjoying the journey and think your going the right way. When sometimes you are actually completely lost and you never realised it.

I guess sometimes is it easy to forget the way and get lost, we do it all the time, in so many different ways. Physically lost, emotionally lost, financially lost (especially at this moment in time with the economic crisis) and the most hard to realise when you have got lost, spiritually lost.

A little girl got lost in a shopping centre and her parents were frantic. They were so worried about her. They decided the best way to proceed and find her was for the mum to go one way and the dad to go the other way. So off they went.
When the dad saw his daughter from across the centre, he stood back and observed her. She was standing outside a sweet shop, looking longingly at the sweets in the shop window. His daughter did not look distraught, she did not look like how children normally look when they are lost. In fact the girl hadn't even realised that she was lost. She was perfectly contented where she was.
So she didn't realise and see that her father had come back to get her.

Sometimes when we are lost or have taken the wrong turning we don't realise we are lost and we don't realise that our Father has come to find us.
When we were all lost- our Father had to find us, so He sent Jesus to be our guide, to be our satnav, the ultimate satnav that doesn't go wrong, to be the way.

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” John 14:6-7

This is one of the most important passages in the Bible- that Jesus is the way! How can we know the way to God? Only through Jesus!
Jesus is the way because He is both God and man. By uniting our lives with His, we are uniting with God.
Jesus is the ONLY way to God the Father, some people may argue that it is too narrow for everyone one to get through, a bit like a tiny country lane that two cars cannot pass down. However it is wide- so wide, wide enough for the world to pass don and unite with God! Jesus is not a tiny country lane-instead He is a motorway, wide enough for everyone and for everyone to travel at their own pace.
Do not worry that The Way is limited, God has provided us with a way- Jesus and we should be thanking God for providing us with a way.

Together we cry!

2008-10-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Together we cry...
Together we cry…
Jenny was poor girl living in a rich world
Named her baby hope when he was just fourteen
She was hoping for a better world for this little girl
But the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree
Well she gets that call hope’s too far gone

Her baby’s on the way but nothing left inside

Together we cry!

What about the junk head could have gone the whole way

Lighting up the stage trying to get a deal

Now he’s lighting up the wrong way“something for the pain!”

Man you wanna see this kid he was so fuckin’ unreal

When he gets that call he’s too far gone

To get it together to sing one song hey won’t hear tonight

The words of a lullaby

Together we cry…

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Together we cry…

Oh we cry we cry we cry

Together we cry.

Oh oh…Oh…

Mary’s ambitious she wanna to be a politician

She been dreaming about it since she was a girl

She thought that she’d be the one to change the world

Always trying to pave the way for a woman in a… man’s world

Life happened, house, kids, 2 cars, husband hits the jar,

Cheques that don’t go very far now

Now she in it can’t change it, she keeps her mind on her wages

The only rattling cages!

Ohhh…Together we cry

Together we cry

There’s so much sad wanna flood the ocean

We're all in tears from the world is broken

Together we cry.

There comes a time when every bird has to fly

At some point every rose has to die

It’s hard to let your children go home

Where they go?

Who knows!

Getting drunk

Getting stoned All alone

Teach a man to fish

You’ll feed him never lie

You show your kids the truth hope they never lie

Instead of reading in a letter that they’ve gone to something better

“Bet your sorry now! I won’t be coming home tonight”

I’m sick of looking for those heroes in the sky

To teach us how to fly

Together we cry

Together we cry…

So much sad wanna flood the ocean

We're all in tears from the world is broken

Together we cry…

Oh…Yeah…

Together we cry, cry…

Together we cry

This world is broken and this song seems to show no hope for it ever being fixed. I decided to share this song with you,a ll of it, sware words and all, because I believe that we all know people with stories like these.

What do we do when we here these stories? What do we do when we know these people? What do we do when we watch the news or read the newspaper and hear time after time about murder, suiside, broken families, broken people, war, crime, illness, debt?
What is our reaction to evil and brokeness?

I know that it can sometimes be so easy to just sit back, especially if its the news and just let it wash over us. Sometimes it can seem as if we have become desensitised and forget that we should be weeping for this world full of brokeness.

When we come face to face to these people do we become holier than thou or do we have mercy and compassion on people that are desperate for love.

In a world that is so broken as this, it needs Jesus even more than before. Jesus can be here through us, we are His hands and feet. We are His eyes and His ears. We are His representatives on this world.

We should be on our hands and knees crying out to God to save these people, to save this broken world, because though we sow in sorrow, we will harvest in joy!

There may not be much hope left in the world,

but when hope is lost,

it can always be found again!

Do not lose hope that this world will one day be fixed

So let this be our prayer:

And now, God, do it again—

bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

So those who planted their crops in despair

will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

So those who went off with heavy hearts

will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

Psalm 126:5 (The Message)

I want, I want...

2008-09-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

"I want, I want!", "That's mine", "I want!" Its all I hear from the begging, screaming children (and many adults) in the supermarket.

Why is it that we always want what we can't have, what we can't afford and what everyone else has got?

Why do we allow ourselves to feel jealousy and even act upon that green-eyed monster? Even when we know that the other person deserves the object, time, person or even praise. When we know we should feel happy for them and yet instead we feel the pangs of jealousy spring up within our souls.

I will be honest here, I can be and have been a very jealous person!

I was at a wedding the other week, where my best friend from school was getting married. Not the best place to be when your single, all the couples sitting together etc...

As the music starts and she walks down the isle, as well as feeling so happy for her, I felt jealousy creep up inside of me, wishing it was me getting married (not to her husband to be though). However realising and recognising this feeling allowed me to let go and have fun and just be really happy and pleased for her.

Sometimes we need to recognise the things we want and realise that it isn't ever about what we want but what we need. And that is God gives us!

He provides us with everything.... everything we need!

As all good mothers say "I want never gets!"

But "I need" does!

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I had asked for,but everything that I had hoped for.

My prayer was answered, I was most blessed.

Unknown Confederate soldier

Sometimes we need to realise that all the things we feel jealous of will not bring us enjoyment of life, but only Life from God that we can enjoy all things.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (New International Version)

If only I gave my all...

2008-09-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

"...a beggar...sees a golden carriage approaching from afar 'like a gorgeous dream'. Realising that it is the carriage of the King, the beggar prays for riches. This, he believes, is the greatest opportunity of his life.

Sure enough, the carriage stops where the beggar stands and the king climbs out with a smile. But then. the strangest thing happens: the King stretches out His empty hand and asks the beggar, 'What have you to give me?'

Confused and uncertain, the beggar reaches into his bag and takes out a grain of corn- only one, and the smallest. Is this a joke? Slowly, he places it into the King's palm.

At the end of the day, when the beggar empties his bag on the floor, he is surprised to discover a single grain of gold- but only one, and the smallest.

'I bitterly wept,' the beggar said, 'and wished that I had the heart to give my all.'"

(ANON)

Sometimes, we are asked to give something of ourselves, not knowing that if we do, God will pour out His blessings on us a thousand times more.

Mostly I begrudgingly give myself to God, maybe only giving the smallest part of me, my money, time etc... and yet when I do this God still honours His promise and gives back to me.

However sometimes I wonder if 'I had the heart to give my all', how much richer would my life be.

Whether it be myself, my money, my gifts or my time, it is hard to give away what is mine. I may rationalise it by telling myself God deserves it, He deserves everything of me. Which is true as He has brought me back, by His son's death, and I no longer belong to the world but to Him. However as I am human I am selfish and these things are mine and they belong to me. Or do they?

J. John told this story:

"There was a man at an airport and while he was waiting for his flight, the man bought himself a bag of 6 fresh donuts, a newspaper and a coffee. The man sits down at a free table and takes a sip of his coffee, as he does another man asks if he can sit at his table. The man begrudgingly agrees and takes a donut from his bag. He opens his paper and begins to read, as he does the man opposite, takes a donut from his bag and begins to eat it. This annoys the man, so he pulls the bag of donuts closer to him and takes another to eat. The other man takes another donut from his bag. Annoyed even further, the man takes another of his donuts to eat. The other man's flight is called and he leaves the table, saying goodbye and that he could have the last donut. The man is confused, off course he can have the last donut, the are his! When the man's flight is called he reaches down to pick up his suitcase, he sees a bag of donuts. That is when the man realises that the donuts he had eaten were in fact not his but the other man and that he had left his donuts on his suitcase.'

Sometimes we can get the wrong idea and think that everything belongs to us, when in fact everything does not.

It all belongs to God!

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9

Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, "The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all!"

Luke 21:1-4 (The message)

We are fools to believe that God belongs to us, When actually its that we belong to Him!

Lets give our all!

Sit Idly by while the heedless millions die!

2008-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

"As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all... millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant- willfully ignorant in many cases- and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all."

William Booth

(founder of the Salvation Army)

As Christians, people who have accepted Jesus as the King and saviour and are forgiven from sin, we have a duty, a calling, a final commandment from Jesus Himself to tell the Good News, spread the word, love the unlovable and find the lost!

William Booth saw what was happening in the world. People may believe that the world is a better place then the time that William Booth saw this, but the world is still full of lying politicians, longing for power, still full of people oppressing one another, still full of sorrow and suffering, addictions and more. Today's world is still full of hurting, lost people. It is still full of the people William Booth looked out on and saw a vision for those lost people.

"In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more."

William Booth saw this and saw how much in need of saving our world still is.

"And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to "rescue the perishing." And I hardly know which gladdened me the most- the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different "sets" or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea."

The thing is do we remember that we were once saved (and still saved and safe) and help with the saving of others still lost, drowning in the sea.

Are you one of those who care so much about those lost, dieing people that you would jump in and risk your life for others?

Could you care enough to sacrifice everything for the Salvation of someone else, someone you love... What about someone you don't?

A call to all Christians out there...

Do you Care? Do you sit 'Idly by while the heedless millions die?'

There's not a star in Heaven that we can't reach!!

2008-06-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Kingdom Kids we put on a talent show, organised by our Junior Soldiers, Ben, Chelsea, Rebbecca and Hannah for all the parents, carers, friends and family to raise money for the Annual Appeal. Our aim was £40, but amazingly we raised £102.00!! This will go towards Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre's aim to raise a total of £6,000 for the annual appeal.
It was an amazing night, full of laughter, fun and joy. So many people turned up in support, which was brilliant.
All the children and young people were fabulous and there talents were brilliant!!

A lot of the children and young people sang songs from High School Musical. High School musical has a really good message about being yourself no matter what others say!

Today those children and young people stood up and did a Talent, something they feel that they are good at. People watched them and they all let them be themselves no matter how bizzarre, strange, good, funny their talent was, They were accepted!

One of the songs from the film is called breaking free, the song talks about trying your best, no matter what the world sees, who they think you are.

'You know the world can see us, in a way that’s different than who we are'

But the song goes on to say that you can be yourself, you can break free from, labeling, peer pressure or prejudice.

'We’re breaking free,

We’re soaring, Flying.

There’s not a star in heaven

That we can’t reach

If we’re trying

Yeah, we’re breaking free'

I really like this song because it is a really nice happy song, but also because it's message is more than what it seems at first.

You know that God says 'I will break you free and we will soar and fly. You can reach Heaven, if you try, with my help!'

'But your faith it gives me strength,

Strength to believe'

God, The Father's faith in me, gives me strength to try and to believe that I can do all He has planned, all He has asked of me... He has the faith and believes that there's not a star in heaven that I can't reach, with Him!

The Kiss of Life

2008-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul!

Genesis 2:7-8 (The Message)

When God created Human Kind, He breathed breath into Adam and Eve and they became alive! God was down on His knees beside His wonderful creation, beautifully made in Him image. He knelt in the dust that He made us from and gave the first kiss of life into Adam. God blew soul and life into Adam.

Every time a child is born, God gets down on His knees and gives them the kiss of life and breathes life into them.

When God the Father, created me and you, He breathed His life giving breath into us, just like the modern day kiss of life... However with the power to create life, which we do not have and we lived. We became beings with a heart that beats, a mind which thinks and a soul which soars.

Since that first kiss of life, we live and grow, sometimes with God and sometimes without Him, our Father who created us individually, to His own plan and sometimes or even most of the time we live the life He gave us without Him.

As we go through this life, in this dark world, we go through many things, some good, family, friendships and some bad, break ups, ill health, loss and hatred. We become addicted to things that harm us, we abuse our bodies, we neglect our souls, we hurt others and ourselves and so much more.

When we live without God, without the breath of God- His Holy Spirit, our guide, our strength, our teacher, companion and friend through this journey of life... when we live without Him, the darkness in this world can consume us. When all the spiritual evils around us slowly kill us (spiritually).

When we are at our lowest, we we feel as if we have nothing left, we our soul and spirit is dead and we realise we need help. God performs the kiss of life on us again and The Holy Spirit creates life in us once again.

Do you need the Kiss of Life today?

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

John 20:21-22 (New Living Translation)

2008-04-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

24:1 (being with God 24:7)

2008-04-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had a 24:1 prayer event. We held one 2 years ago and it was a success, so Flame youth group (who organised the first event) decided it was time for our church to do this again. I want to Thank Rachel and Ellie for organising this.

It was an amazing time and for me especially as I looked around at the young people and others who were there to take time out with God, I saw an Acts 2:42 community church.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We prayed together, we ate together, we praised God together, we studied His word together and we slept together. (well at least some of us slept- well done Ian for praying for 24 hours and not sleeping)

I was amazed at how God made the Church to be like this and how we had managed to do this without even trying. This is how God meant His Church to be!

God meant us to not be independent of everyone, 'no man is an island unto himself'. God made humans to be in a relationship with Him first and foremost and to be relationships with others. We must become interdependent, we must be able to rely on each other and others need to be able to rely on us. We must love one and other and give up our all for one another, because that is how God planned it and God's plan are always best.

20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

John 17:20

(NIT empathises added)

Whiter than Snow

2008-04-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

It always amazes me that when snow falls, it covers everything. It makes white, there is nothing that is left untouched. It has been snowing all day in Ashford today and my brother and I had so much fun playing in it, building a snowman and walking our dog. Bob the Snowman

Our dog is a west highland terrier, which is a little white dog, however when we were walking him, he didn't look so white. Against the snow Charlie (our dog) looked an off-white colour, because the snow is such a pure white.

I wonder if that's what we look like to God, against Jesus, we are off-white, because Jesus is so pure and so holy.

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7 (New Living Translation)

Are you ready to jump?

2008-03-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Imagine that you are on a diving board. really high up above a swimming pool.
God says, 'Jump.'
You look down and to your horror you realise that there is no water in the pool.
You say to God, 'Fill the pool with water first and then I'll jump.'
God replies, 'Jump first and then I'll fill the pool with water.'

What do you do? Do you have faith that God will provide and keep His word?
or do you feel full of fear and terror?

Do not let the ultimate terrorist get in the way of jumping for God. For the devil is the one who strikes fear into our hearts.

Should you be jumping?

Faith vs Fear- Becoming water walkers

2008-03-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

What do you think is the most common instruction in the Bible?

It isn't to be more loving, caring and kind. Although this is God's greatest desire for us. This isn't the most common instruction.

Neither is it warnings of pride, to become more humble, to guard sexual purity or to walk with integrity. Although these are really important qualities, they are not the most common.

The most common instruction in the Bible, actually is:

'Fear not'

'Do not fear', 'Do not be afraid', 'Be strong and courageous', 'you can trust me'- is all instructing us to 'Fear not'.

Why 'Fear not'?

Why is it that God is constantly reminding us that we don't need to fear? Its not as if fear is the biggest of vices, its not in the seven deadly sins (although all sin is the same to God). Fear doesn't seem to be the worst thing in the world. So why 'Fear not'?

Fear tempts us most from not doing God's will. It tempts us most from not jumping when God says 'Jump'. Or as John Ortberg puts it, 'Fear disrupts faith and becomes the biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God.'

In other words, Fear gets in the way of us and God. Fear becomes the biggest obstacle in our relationship with God. It causes a void between us and God, it stop us trusting in Him- the creator of both Heaven and Earth, who made you from the dust, this mighty powerful God. When we fear we stop God from being all powerful.

FEAR- It gets in the way!

So God is constantly letting us know that we don't need to fear- we don't need to fear Him, we respect God, but we do not need to fear that He will hurt us or throw lighting bolts at us; we don't need to fear that God won't provide, we don't need to fear the situations that we are in.

We don't need to fear- we need to trust, have faith and obey!

There are 366 'Fear not' verses in the Bible. That is one for everyday of the year, including an extra one for leap years. To me that isn't a coincidence. Time is a human creation, yet God still places enough 'Fear not' verses in the Bible for everyday and one left over for a leap year- only God could do that! How great is God's commitment to us, that He doesn't want us to fear, not one day does He want us to live and struggle with fear, so each day He tells us to 'Fear not'. What a promise!

One of my biggest fears, is quite a silly fear and you might all laugh at it, but it is a fear i have to battle with sometimes. I am afraid of stairs. I fine going up stairs, but coming down stairs is more of a problem. I have fallen down stairs quite a few times and I've been up the hospital a couple of times with suspected broken neck and my Dad has finally put up a banister so I don't fall down our stairs so much. The fear of falling down stairs is my bodies natural reaction to the a situation which might possibly be dangerous and might cause me harm. But if I let this stop me, if I let this fear get in the way- I would be quite stuck, i wouldn't be able to get anywhere as there are a lot of stairs about.

There is a place for fear. Fear at its most basic, is our bodies naturally reaction to a possible dangerous situation. Its our body telling us that we need to run away, or hide.

But we mustn't let fear over ride faith and trust.

The 'No' of fear must never triumph the 'yes' of faith.

In Matthew 14:22, Jesus walked on water towards the disciples and He didn't say anything. Jesus was waiting for the disciples to recognise who He was. But they were terrified and they cried out in fear, believing Jesus to be a ghost.

Now I don't know a bout you, but if I was in a boat at 3am in the middle of a storm, and someone came walking towards me on the water, I might be a little scared too.

It says that Jesus spoke to the disciples 'at once'. Jesus didn't want His disciples to be afraid, He did not want them to fear Him.

Peter responded- not in a testing way, but in response to faith and when Jesus told Him to 'come', he went. I don't know if Peter hesitated or if he went without thinking, because I wasn't there and it doesn't tell us. But I do know if I was in Peter's situation I might feel just a little afraid. It does tell us that Peter that went over the side of the boat and began to walk towards Jesus on the water. For those few minutes before Peter saw the wind and the waves, Peter walked on water! wow! Peter is probably the only person except for Jesus who has every walked on water.

Peter was the only one who had the faith to even get out of the boat. Yes he lost his focus and began to sink and needed Jesus to save him - but at least he got out of the boat. Yes, Peter failed, but he didn't fail us much as the other disciples in the boat.

Peter learnt a lot from failing- he learnt that Jesus would save him, even when he was failing, he learnt that Jesus would save him first and then he would help him to learn the lesson of faith. Although Jesus told Peter he had 'little faith' and asked why he doubted Jesus. Jesus did this is love and away from the other disciples, he was showing that there is no fear in Jesus- for 'perfect fear casts out all fear.'

With faith we must make sure that we keep our focus and our focus must be Jesus.

What is it that you should be doing to get out of your boat? What is it that God is asking for you to step out in faith?

What are you afraid of?

Lets get out of our boats and start water walking!

Lies destroy, But the Truth renews!

2008-03-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

'And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free'

John 8:32 (NLT)

When you know Jesus, you know the truth. When you know God, you know the truth of who you really are, why you were created and what you should be.

When you knows theses things, when you know the truth, you are free! How amazing!

'he always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him.

When he lies it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies'

John 8:44 (NLT)

When you know the truth, you also know the lies. The closer you get to the truth the more lies he will spin. The more you are freed by the truth that your Holy Father speaks over you, the harder he tries to make you fall with lies.

I know the pitfalls of this. I know that sometimes it seems easier to listen to the lies, but when you do, he begins to bind you and chain you. You become no longer free.

We must shut our ears to his lies and open them to the truth! For the truth will sent you free.

I have been set free! I know the pain that lies cause! So I warn you- do not listen to the father of lies;

INSTEAD LISTEN TO THE FATHER OF TRUTH!

HE HAS SET YOU FREE!

God's bus stop

2008-03-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

Waiting! It can be so frustrating, it can be the most annoying thing in the world. Yet we all have to do it. Sometimes we spend too long doing it. Sometimes we waste are time waiting.
While we're waiting we can become envious of others who are first in line. Like waiting at the doctors you can become annoyed that there is such a long queue in front of you. but one of the most annoying things is waiting in a queue of traffic and you look around at all the people in the other cars and you see how frustrated they get, how angry and annoyed they are because they are having to wait.

However waiting on the Lord is sometimes the same. We pray for people, we pray for answers, we pray to know His will, His plan, we wait for blessings, we wait for Him to lift us up out of the pit or a situation.
We can wait in two different ways when we are waiting on the Lord. We can choose to wait like when we stuck in traffic or waiting for a late bus. We can choose to be come frustrated at God, even angry at Him because God is making us wait. We can choose to lose our focus, even to doubt and lose faith, because what we think we want or need isn't given to us quick enough.
Or we can choose to wait patiently, with hope in God to provide, to have faith and focus on the One who knows what is best, who knows the right time for everything, who's plans are to prosper not to harm.
When we wait like this we might not what we are waiting for, for a very long time, but we must remember whom we are waiting on- the Might One who created both Heaven and Earth. That nothing that we can do will change when we get what we are waiting for. It is completely out of our control and we should allow God to have complete control and trust that He will give what we need.
We also need to be STILL when we wait. Not necessarily physically, sometimes we do need to stop and physically be still, but also emotionally and spiritually still.
Like waiting at a bus stop if we wonder here, there and everywhere, won't we stand a chance of missing the bus. So it is with God' bus stop, we must be still and wait at His bus stop, so we don't miss his bus.
You know the saying, 'you wait all day for a bus and three come along at once.' Well I guess that this is sometimes true for God as well. Sometimes we wait for years and then lots of what we are waiting for all comes along at once, when we least expect it.
But, oh , how good it is when we see that what we have waited for has been given- it has been worth it and how great God is when He blesses us for are patient waiting on Him.

31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.
New Life Version (NLV)

The postive effect week 1

2008-03-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well my positive effect week went well. there were times when I forgot and thought 'Oh I should have done this... or I should of done that!'
During this week my great aunt Grace died and again it brought home to me the effect we have on people. She was a wonderful lady, who was always so nice to me and I always thought her name was very apt as she always seemed very Graceful! May she enjoy dancing with the angels.
Apart from that my week was very positive. I don't really have any interesting stories because most of what I did was things like letting a car go first, smiling at people, and just generally being nice.

However my friend and I are going to do another week, because now we will remember to be a positive effect on people we meet better than last week! I hope I have some better stories for you!

The positve effect

2008-03-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

There is a play called 'An Inspector calls' In this play the playwright shows how we, human beings can have a negative effect on people, whether we know them or not. In this play, a young girl dies and the inspector shows how it is a whole families fault, because of things like, not being nice to her in a shop etc... and it all led to her suicide.

However we, as Christians are called ton be a positive effect on everyone we meet. This at times seems to be a really hard thing to do. The fact that sometimes just by smiling to the people we pass in the street can have a really positive effect on someone, or we could just walk past and not care how we effect the person we are walking past.

This all reminds me of a great story, told by perhaps the greatest story-teller of all time, Jesus.

The good Samaritan... a man is laying half dead on the street after being mugged and attacked. All manner of people walked past this man, one being a priest, yet the only person who help this man was a Samaritan who wasn't even liked by the person he was helping because he was a Samaritan. Yet this man helped him and looked after him and paid for all his care.

It strikes me as weird that nobody of the man's race or religion helped him, they just crossed over the road and left the poor man for dead. How is it that someone who is born an enemy of the dieing man is the only one willing to help him?

Are we like that? Do we have a negative effect on people? Do we cross the road when another human being is in need?

Do we be JESUS in that situation? Do we have a POSITIVE effect on people?

I have set myself a challenge, that for this week I'm going to try really hard to have a positive effect upon everyone I meet, everyone I pass on the street or in a shop and everyone I come into contact with in some way or another. I' not doing this alone, I have God beside me prompting and guiding me and I have a friend who has decided to do this with me and on Sunday we are going to tell each other how everything went with the challenge!

When you are kind to others, you help yourself;

when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself.

Proverbs 11:17 (The Message)

Prayer...

2008-02-26T05:31:00.000-08:00

Lately the Children's ministry team have committed to pray before Kingdom Kids (our children's club). We decided to do this for many reasons and we have found this to be quite a challenge to make sure that we do this before every Kingdom Kids, as there is always so much to do and we have to keep the few children and young people who come with the team occupied.

Although we have found it challenging, we have still managed to pray before most of the sessions. Personally I like to do this because it reminds me why I'm there, why I give up my Friday evenings, when I'm tired, when I'm sick and when I really don't want to be there; it reminds me that I'm there firstly for God and secondly for the children and young people of our community. We do this to help build the Kingdom of Heaven here in Ashford, we do this to make a difference in children's lives, we do this to be Jesus (sometimes the only Jesus they will see) to a community which is in much need for a saviour!

Although this reminds me why I do what I do, why my team do what they do, Praying also gives the whole evening back to God. Its like say 'Okay God, I can't do this, so please do this through me, through my team.' and that what God does, even if I don't say those words, praying gives it over to God. God does the miracles, God does all the good things that happen throughout that evening, just because we took the time to ask God to be there, to bring God into the mix without just assuming that He will, whether we ask or not.

It amazing how much has happened since we decided to start praying together before Kingdom Kids starts. We have got the whole church praying for us in prayer days, we've gone out and visited Kingdom Kids at their homes, we have seen answers to our prayers. We're beginning to see miracles, we've had children and young people saved, children and young people coming to church on a Sunday when they didn't before! So much that I could list from the smallest change to the biggest.

But know that Prayer changes things and if it doesn't, Pray until something does!

11Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. 12Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.

Romans 12:11-12 (Contemporary English Version)

Please bare with me

2008-02-25T06:21:00.000-08:00

I have been having some computer problems lately.
Having no computer at times and now our Internet keeps crashing.
I can't post at work, I think I might get told of if I do.
I haven't given up, just having a few tech problems (and having a think of what to write!!)

So please bare with me, I will be back soon!!

I'll Stand

2007-12-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in worship I find that I and others just sing the songs we know. that we sit idly singing, what really is meant to be a love song to Jesus!

However other times, I read the words and dwell upon there meaning. As I sing I sing with conviction and pure love, knowing that the words I'm singing and the love I'm singing them with will bless God.

Someone once told me that one of the meanings of worship is to kiss. So to truly be worshiping with all your heart, we go to kiss our Lord and Saviour.

Do we have bad breath? When we go to God with the kiss of worship, have we let Him cleanse us. If not we go to Him with bad breath (who wants to be kissed by someone with bad breath)

So as we worship God in all our lives and not just through singing, we must make sure that we come to Him daily to be cleansed!

The Potter's Hands

2007-10-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

“O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand."

Jeremiah 18:6 (New Living Translation)

I find that this is a really encouraging promise, yet a very challenging one. We are but the clay, and that is all we were made from and God molded and created us. Now He continues to mold us, break us, rebuild us. When a potter goes wrong, he does to throw the clay away and say 'This clay is useless, I cannot use it.' However he places it back upon wheel and rebuilds it into something that the potter is happy with.

So it is with God, when we mess up and get it wrong, God does not write us off, but He starts again. Rebuilding us slowly until He is happy with what He has made. That may never happen on Earth, but one day we will all be God's finished product. Someone whom He is well pleased with.

But until that day, we must have open hearts to change and receive. We must allow God to mold us and change us and fix us. Without an open heart we become like dried out clay, hard to use. For God does change and bless those who do not want to be changed and blessed.

We must come to the Potter and be like clay. Open hearted and ready for God to mold us, break us, fix us, rebuild us.

Passion and power

2007-10-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

As I sit here, I have been in deep thought about the ministry that I lead. I have been thinking and praying about some of the issues I am facing, the salvation for families and children, that we would see miracles and come expecting God to show up.

As I thought and prayed about this I found myself realising, that for a while I haven't expected God to show up, I haven't even presumed that He would.

What good is that? What example am I setting to my team? I turn up on a Friday or Sunday, I set up and get on with it. If God comes wow and I'm surprised, but I shouldn't be I should have expected it and longed for it.

However for a couple of weeks now we have spent some time in prayer, before God, before most of the children turn up and it has set the tone that we need to continue with. It reminded me why I was here, who I was doing this for and what the point was.

GOD and from that He has set my heart on fire, full of passion.

As I sat here praying, my passion took over. I long for these families to be saved, to let Jesus into many of their broken lives. I prayed and prayed for many things from deep in my heart but they were all about Children's ministry.

There is power in prayer and when we come to God, just as we are, with raw passion for His work, He listens and He is with you.

When I prayed with passion, I hope that God will answer with power.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

James 5:16-17 (New Living Translation)

Longing to...

2007-10-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

When God calls you there is always a longing to do what God has called you to.

In some ways that is both a true and false statement. I have spoken to so many people who regret that they never fulfilled or responded to God's call, however big or small. Many people say that even before they acknowledged the call they feel some longings every now and then to go and do what God has said. Then they realise God has been saying it all along...'What a good plan, shame I didn't think of it first!'

However there are some callings that we have warm to, get our heads around, before we even beginning to understand why. But does that mean that there is no longing to do those things before we ave heard or understood the call?

However much she loves the job,

there is still a longing

to work for the church!

I was talking to a friend who I work with today, who is a christian and is going for ordination. The one thing she said to me that stood out, was however much she loves the job we do, there is still a longing to work for the Church.

This much I know that when God called me I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to accept it, but at the same time I had a longing to do what God had called me to. However small that longing was, it grew and grew until know I know I long to keep going on God's path.

You never let go!

2007-10-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

Disapointed by the Harvest

2007-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"

Matthew 9:35 (The Message)

Jesus noticed that the harvest was plentiful, but there were not enough willing people to bring in the sheaves.

How often do we do this now. The harvest is still plentiful, the seeds have been sown and the crops have grown, but they begin to fail because no one is willing to bring them in.

The few that are can't harvest everyone. We don't have combine harvesters to bring in the harvest in a day.

When Jesus saw how much a harvest was needed, He demanded that His disciples get on their knees and prayed for more harvesters.

Are we doing that? Are we harvesters? Do we come on our knees, lifting up holy hands, asking God to renew our servant hearts? How often are we giving the harvest to God? How often to we get down and plead God to help bring in the harvest?

The reason I'm asking these tough questions, which are for me as well, is because our harvest celebrations didn't seem to harvest anyone... At Kingdom Kids (children's ministry) we pushed this weekend, we offered extra points, prizes etc... if they came along. I know that a few of my team were really, praying on their knees that God would bring them in. However there weren't enough 'harvest hands' bringing the children in. That saddens me, if fact I have been very tearful, because some people don't come with me and don't get on their knees and plead God for more harvesters.

I know that this ministry has such potential and God has shown me two pictures, one of what it could be and one of what it will become if people don't commit. That effects the whole church. It could be amazing, exciting time if we allow God to lead us, if we begin to harvest for God, so many miracles could and will happen.

My hope and my prayer is that God will send we more harvest hands, 100% committed to God's vision. I pray that God will give me the drive and determination to see this vision become reality and that the team will take ownership of the vision, off the children, of the harvest and start walking towards God's plan.

Please pray with me on this.

People will let you down...

2007-10-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

People may let you down... People will let you down... The world may let you down... The world will let you down... You may let yourself down... You will let yourself down... GOD MAY NOT LET YOU DOWN?... GOD WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!!

So many off us feel let down by people, by the world, by ourselves. I feel let down by people, my friends, my family, people who should let me down, but they do. The world lets me down, everyday someone is hurting, someone is in pain, 'but that's the world we live in'. Everyday I let myself down. I don't do want I should, I do something I shouldn't, I hurt people, I let others down.

But you see the most wonderful and great thing about God is he isn't like anybody, He isn't like the world and He most certainly isn't like me!!

GOD DOESN'T LET US DOWN. HE DOESN'T LET ME DOWN. HOWEVER MUCH I LET GOD DOWN, HE STILL LOVES ME!

God is amazing that He is so Trustworthy! He is 100% committed to us even when we forget to be 100% committed to Him, or when others let us down, when everything lets us down.

That what I really love about God is His complete and utter commitment to loving me!

In fact today I have been let down by some people and it has annoyed me, angered me and in that I let God down. The ministry I lead at the moment needs leaders and team players to buy into the vision God has for it, to own it and to be 150% committed to it. But people let you down, people let me down and I still need to love them, I need to forgive them, just like God forgives me when I let Him down.

When it feels like all the world is against me God isn't. When I feel the world is full of injustice God shows me justice. When my heart is broken, for how children and young people are let down by the people who should love them but in fact hurt them, ruin their young lives, God shows me hope.

If all I have in this world that is constant and trustworthy is God, then I am in a better place then many.

If all you feel is being let down, then let God hold you up!

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 6:18-19 (New Living Translation)

Children of Celebration!

2007-08-26T05:11:00.001-07:00

Today I was preaching and I thought that this might also be a word for anyone else. So here is what I said:

Celebrate means:
To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.
To perform (a religious ceremony): celebrate a wedding.
To extol or praise: a sonnet that celebrates love.
To make widely known. E.g. celebrate or tell of others achievements… exam results!

As Christians we should seek to extol and praise God and to make Him widely know by our celebrating.
How we can celebrate: parties,dancing, clapping, cheering etc..

Different reasons why we celebrate, Christmas, birthdays etc...
Who we should celebrate: firstly God. Secondly people and ourselves.

How we can celebrate ourselves and others and why we should:
God celebrates us- He cannot help but celebrate us, He cannot help but love us, He cannot help but pour out His blessings out on us…

When we celebrate God and others we should seek to be like Him and not be able to not celebrate!

We are called to build people up, encourage people and not to bring them down. We so can so easily get trapped by moaning and complaining about ourselves and others, but we are called to be different from the world and celebrate people no matter what has happened or they have done or you have done. Seek to be like Jesus!

Party People
Children know how to party!
Come to God like children… Matt 18:1-4. We’re too be childlike come like children, not childish- when we bring others down, argue, call each others name etc… we’re being childish, not childlike.
Children are trusting, loving and can so easily celebrate each other.
We are children of God. We should be like children, His children.
Children are dependent upon their parents or the person caring for them etc… Are we dependant on God? Because the bible says without Him we can do nothing. John 15.

Earthly Celebration
Jesus was always going to parties, His first miracle was at a party so people could keep celebrating
Most parables end with some kind of celebration, because God demands we celebrate what He has done and just because God is God! In old testament demanded Israel to celebrate Passover. And now He demands we celebrate Jesus in the same way.

We must celebrate each other, but we must not be mistaken by celebrating people and making them idles, but celebrate by encouraging them, loving them building them up.
Ultimately we are called to celebrate God, just because all our praise belongs to Him, because God is God! ‘Ultimate celebration always belongs to God!’

Heavenly Celebration

that’s what heavens going to be like. Its going to be a constant party.
So if we don’t get used to celebrating now, we’re not going to like heaven!
Revelations tells us how we’re going to party in heaven.

Rev 5:13 that party never stops. We can’t even begin to imagine eternity but that is what we will be doing. Its never-ending. I find that amazing!

If you feel that you’re someone who is trapped by moaning and needs to allow God to free you from that cage. Come to Him now!
If you just want to celebrate God just because God is God, then come and sit, stand kneel before Him.
If you need to be free to celebrate others, come. If you need forgiveness from bringing others or yourself down and that sin holds you back from being a child of celebration come!
If you just need to come, come. Don’t worry about anyone else or anything else. Just come before His cross!

Soul Survivor 07

2007-08-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Well I have to say that God is amazing! awesome and beautiful!
I have been so blessed to be able to have Blandford and Soul survivor and God has done so many things!
I really don't know how to explain it or get across how amazing and how passionate I feel and God is!

God knows what you need and He knows how to provide that. God knows what we want and sometimes allows that. When both our needs and wants fall in God's will, God explodes with love, providence, peace etc... and that explosion falls on us, it pours over us and moves and changes us!

Someone once said 'a change is as good as a rest!' but when God changes you, He gives you rest too!
So you can have the best of both!
God is amazing!

Blandford!

2007-08-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been away at a Christian Youth Camp as a leader. I went to this camp last year and I loved it. I wasn't sure if I was going to come back again this year because of many things including my new job, but I decided and went and this year I took my brother as a leader too.

I had so much fun. It was amazing to see so many young people aged 11-14 dedicating their lives to Jesus.

So much came out of this week. For me I was challenged so much by Synergy, because it was right to the point. With my new job I have been so busy with that, that I have been distracted from God. My focus has been on pleasing my manager and being the best I can for her and not spending my time and focus on God. On Jesus who is my saviour and the only person who deserves all of my focus, love and time.

This last week I have made a commitment to myself and to God, to spend more time with Him and to make sure that my focus does not slip from God to the world!

I pray that God will help me with this and give me people who will steer me in the right direction when I get my focus wrong.

There were so many great things that came out of this last week that I could wright it all down in one post so maybe there will be more to come.

'Never stop praying' 1Thessalonians 5:17

I just gotta keep going...

2007-07-18T03:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to DHQ for another candidates interview, with Captain Ian. I wasn't as nervous as I was for the one I had in February, but I still was worried about it all. I was worried that I may have done enough in between the two interviews. A lot of stuff has happened but I couldn't remember it all.

I have always found the questions they ask are questions that I need to think about and as I think about it I find myself concentrating on what I feel is an awkward silence and panic. However God places things into my mind to say that almost answer the questions.

I actually found that this time it was a very good interview. I felt comfortable, honest and encouraged.

What people see in me is amazing. They see things that I cannot see and find very hard to accept, but God keeps leading me through it and helps me accept the things that others see and I do not.

I was so encouraged by it all. It has reminded me that I'm on the right path and now I have to stay focused and not be sidetracked or lose my way or even walk away when it becomes hard. I pray that God keeps me steady and guides me along the right roads. I pray for wisdom in many decisions I will have to take throughout this next six months. And I thank God for leading me this far and for giving me great examples to follow. Thanks Ian, Sue, Carl, Val, Mum, Dad, all you youths and everybody in the corps. Thank you for all you do to guild me and help me. Love you x

On a Starry Night...

2007-07-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I took my brother and my friend to AWE, which is Ashford Worship Experience. It wasn't as great as it could of been. There is a lot of potential there, it just didn't seem to have been tapped into in the best way possible way. So I went and I worshipped and I had a good time singing and I did meet with God, it was just cut short, by the worship group saying, "That's it folks!"

How many times do we do that to God? He comes to us because we ask to be in His presence and we want Him to work in us. Yet as soon as He only just beginning to work within us and we go "That's it folks!" and we cut God short.

However the three of us decided that we would go to the beach, because it was a warm evening and now we didn't really have anything to do. So I drove down to Little Stone, where we went for a walk on the beach.

As soon as our feet touched the soft, cool sand we all knew that this would be a night that we would never be able to forget.

The sound of the sea, the light from the stars, we could see France and we were all overwhelmed by God's creation.

We layed on the sand and watched the stars, and as I was laying there I was reminded that God has placed every single star in place. I was in awe of how much God knows us, how he even knows how many hairs on our head. Its amazing!

God moved with us, even though people had told us that there was nothing else, God showed us that actually there was a lot more than what meets the eye. Someone had decided to cut God short, but God still had work to do and we were still open to Him and therefore God moved within us and around us and showed us something so awesome that it is hard to describe in words. It was not just the sight, but it was the touch, the sound, the smell and I won't forget that night and what God has taught me through it.

Rare Breeds

2007-06-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today was my Dad's 45th birthday and on Monday I was 20! (now I feel really old) As my Dad's birthday treat we went to the Rare Breeds farm with Ashford Salvation Army and spent the day with friends and animals.
It was a great day, but as I was walking around, ideas kept coming into my head! They were God inspired and maybe they were just for me, but maybe they need to be shared.

We are all Rare Breeds!

There is nobody else like you! God created you in His image. God created you to be completely unique and different from anybody else. You have been created by God for a special purpose. A Purpose that nobody else could do! Just for you. You are a rare breed, a one of a kind. God created you to be you and nobody else.

You don't need to look like anybody else! You don't need to sound like anybody else! You don't need to think like anybody else!

God just wants you to be you!

The person He created you to be!

Psalm 139:1-18 (Contemporary English version)

The LORD Is Always Near 1You have looked deep into my heart,

LORD, and you know all about me.

2You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
3You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.

4Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.
6I can't understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.

7Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?
8If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there.

If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.
9Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.
10Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.
11Or suppose I said, "I'll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over."
12But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.

13You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,
14and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.

15Nothing about me is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,

16but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed.

Even before I was born,

you had written in your book everything I would do.

17Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding,

much more than I could ever imagine.
18I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach.
And when I awake, I will find you nearby.

Smile on God's face

2007-06-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

God loves it when we speak to Him. He loves it when we just talk to Him. God wants us to tell Him everything from why today went well, why you feel down, sorry for the wrong things you have done, what does He want you today to what you need. From your deepest desires to your deepest fears. From your dreams to your nightmares and the things of your wildest imagination.

God wants to hear you tell Him you love Him. God wants you to listen when He tells you He loves you. God wants you to speak to Him throughout the day, not just at the beginning and the end. God wants to live in a relationship with you, walk in your life with you. Not just be called upon when you need something or want something. Not just a 5 minute phone call (prayer) everyday. God wants you to want to live your life walking hand in hand with Him and enjoying conversation with Him 24/7 and that includes listening to Him!

When we pray, God smiles. He smiles on us and blesses us back ten fold. And whats more, God answers your prayers.

For a long time I have been praying for a new job. I will be going into ministry within the Salvation Army in 2009 but till then I need a job to prepare me for this. I must of been praying for about a year, applying for jobs whilst trying to get on with my full time McDonald's job and my full time ministry for God. I've kept praying and had the support of others praying for me too. Knowing that being in McDonald's was not God's will anymore, so I prayed, applied, waited and listened to God.

Today I got a job as a play development worker. God smiles when we pray, He smiles when we see His answer and He loves it when His plan for our life's work out!

Make God smile today and pray! (and make sure you listen)

Don't fret or worry. Instead pray about everything. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.

Its wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.

Philippians 4:6-7 (the message//remix)

Monday mornings...

2007-06-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

Back to work! Monday morning! That same feeling, the Monday morning feeling. I don't really know how to describe it.

Walking to work I began to pray... Thankyou God for a new, fresh day... Please, please get me through today. Please get me through my 9hours45minute shift... Please let there be nice managers, please let me get through it. Please let me get through it still showing You as the light at the end of that exhausting shift... etc...

Yet how God knows what you need. He answered my prayers. Even though I know sit here exhausted, falling asleep and with a hurting body, God still knows, He has sent me encouragement through comments on here, He has speared me on by people, by love, by seeing prayers answered.

Even though we all become exhausted and tough days, God is still there in the midst of it all.

Even though we all feel like this, we can still praise God for bringing us through them.

I will still praise God through the good and the bad for only He deserves that praise!

Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful,

where Your streams of abundance flows,

Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place,

though I walk through the wilderness,

Blessed be Your name.

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me,

when the world's 'all as it should be,

Blessed be Your name.

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,

AND WHEN THE DARKNESS CLOSES IN STILL I WILL SAY:

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

How I am so blessed!

2007-06-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

I am finding blessings all over the place lately. Maybe I am more in tune with God lately or maybe I am in a positive mood where am I more perceptive towards these blessings. Whatever it is, all I know is I'm in God's hands and He is pouring His blessings out upon me more and more.

On Friday before Kingdom Kids I had prepared a challenge and then realised that I was on Games. So I decided that I would use my challenge as the starter, which had worked so well.

Ellie stuck candles on the holders that were made during points and a songs so that they were ready for prayers later.

I was so nervous about this time because it was candles, fire, burning and children. But with a great team of adults the children listened really well and nothing bad happened.

The children watched the flames and thanked God for the promise of His Holy Spirit and how it has been fulfilled. It was amazing how they all prayed, how all the children were so earnest about it. It was very power and many of the team members were emotionally touched by the children.

Then in their teams the children went around in the circle and said a prayer if they wished to. It was amazing everyone seemed to join in. God was so there and on Amen, the candles were blown out. The session was ended by worshipping God by singing May the God of Hope.

I was so amazed and blown away by the children. They had surprised me so much.

I felt so blessed and still haven't stop thanking God for them and for this Friday.
I hope that God will be there that powerfully next Friday!

Living in Awe!

2007-06-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

God moves in very strange and powerful ways. In Job God uses our suffering and allows those things so that we can grow and our faith may become steadfast and strong. God brings us through those times too. God works out His plan and will in ways I cannot understand or ever begin to comprehend His ways. But I know that it is the Only Way to go!!

Sometimes God can make you wait for answered prayers and sometimes they are answer the moment you let God know. Sometimes God can lead you into opportunities that you don't recognise until years later and sometimes you know excatly what God needs you to do or say.

Sometimes God can just compleatly overwhelme me by a simple act, by a conversation, by a person, by a phonecall!

How awsome, How amazing He is!

I feel that I have only just begun, but I'm living in awe of this ulmighty God who is so great and huge, yet still wants a personal relationship with me... me, little me. With so many imperfections, so unworthy to even call upon His name, yet He still knows my name and calls me to be with Him!

How amazing is that!

Jesus overwhelms me and makes me want to bow the knee, brings me to tears, lets joy bubble up from my soul to spill out it laughter!

Oh how I love Jesus!

15 “You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them.

Divine customer service call centre

2007-05-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

I got sent this via email and believe it should be shared! enjoy and share the love.

Customer Service Rep: how can I help you today?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install love. Can you guide me through the process?

CS Rep: Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install now. What do I do first?

CS Rep: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART?

Customer: Yes I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?

CS Rep: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now.

CS Rep: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH- ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

CS Rep: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

CS Rep: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes I do. Is it completely installed?

CS Rep: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Heart's in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?

CS Rep: What does the message say?

Customer: It says "ERROR 412 - PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS." What does that mean?

CS Rep: Don't worry, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others.

Customer: So what should I do?

CS Rep: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?

Customer: Yes, I have it.

CS Rep: Excellent. You're getting good at this.

Customer: Thank you.

CS Rep: You're welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any programming. Also, you need to delete SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back, you will need to empty your recycle bin.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?

CS Rep: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go.

Customer: Yes?

CS Rep: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you.

Customer: I will. Thanks for your help. By the way, what's your name?

CS Rep: You can call me the Divine Cardiologist, also known as The Great Physician. Most people feel all they need is an annual check-up to stay heart-healthy, but the manufacturer suggests a schedule of daily maintenance for maximum efficiency.Give a little love away ... keep in touch

I QUIT!!

2007-05-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Do you know those days when you just want to quit? I had one of those days today, it started off bad and it got worse. I was late for work, because I had overslept, I had horrible managers shout at me all day to 'work harder, faster, don't stop, clean, do something, don't just stand there'. I thought 'let me get my breath!'

I asked work for a favour and they will do it maybe or maybe not, depends if Dave feels like it. How the power pf being a schedule manager has gone to his head, he enjoys so much controlling people's lives so much. Yet God still loves him so I must too and I must forgive him for being so horrible to me.

Work has been really getting to me lately. I'm stuck in a rubbish job and I know for sure that its not for long. I know that I'm going to go into the training college hopefully in 2009.

But till then I can't stay there where today I just wanted to shout at Dave, 'well stuff, your crumby job, that pays rubbish, that doesn't help me out but I'm always helping you out when your short staffed. Stuff this job which I work myself into the ground while you stand around "managing" which really is doing nothing!! How I hate this job and I QUIT!!!!'

How now I wish I had said that, but I know that I cannot afford to be out of work for very long and wouldn't have another job to go into. Through I've tried so hard to get another job, but nobody wants me!

However there is one person I know who will always want me, whether I'm qualified or not. Which I know for a fact... I'm not. Whether I have enough experience or not, which I do not. Someone who has hired me already and I get paid more than the minimum wage!

I know someone who will never want to shout 'I QUIT!' at me or want me to quit from Him!

He is Jesus and He never QUITS!!

The Lord is my real boss and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray before I speak, And to do all things without murmuring and complaining. He reminds me that He is my Source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions That I might honor Him in everything I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of emails, System crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors And an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I will not stop-for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power Will see me through. He raises me up, Even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, Even when the company threatens to let me go. His faithfulness and love Are better than any bonus check. His retirement plan beats every 401K there is! When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer And for that, I bless His Name.

The 23rd Psalm for working people

(Anon)

Amen that God does not QUIT!

Thankyou God for troubled times!

2007-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I met up with an Old friend, Beckie. She is going through some hard stuff and trying to deal with a lot of issues. She is an amazing person and a great christian, but life has dealt her a lot of tough times. I know her from school and really regret not getting to know her better then, but at the same time I would not of been able to help her like I can now.

If this last year hadn't of been so tough, hard, painful, full of problems. If this year I hadn't overcome a lot of my 'daemons', long lived issues and come through to see light at the end... There would have been no way I could of sat down and listen to what she needed to say for whatever reasons. I wouldn't of been able to deal with her 'stuff' and baggage as well as my own, if God had not seen me through all that happened last year. I can really identify with how she feels, there have been times when I have felt exactly the same and I can empathise and pray into this situation without dragging myself down to where I was then.

So I thankyou Jesus for last year, I thankyou for all the troubles and pain that you have brought me through. I thankyou that in such a small time you have healed deep wounds and changed me so much for the better. I thankyou that I can look back now and see a purpose and that I can thankyou for those times! Amen

2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Romans 5:2-4 (New Living Translation)

Touching Heaven changing Earth!

2007-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Today has been a very tough, hard day to get through. So many things have gone wrong, so many people have been hurt or felt let down by a lot of things.
So many times throughout today I've doubt my ability, I've doubted myself, decided that it was because I am insane (I'm not I have just decided that it must be me because everyone says the same things about me) and so many times today I have doubt God, doubted that this is His will, doubted that I'm in the right place, decided that God is trying to tell me that I've got it all wrong and that's why everything is going wrong.
Yet God is so good and has made this day not half as bad as it could of turned out to have been. I have just come back from an amazing time of worship as Church, with Churches together in Ashford. God knew what I needed to hear, God knew what I needed to feel, sing, see etc... God knew that I needed to know that I am where I should be and He provided it all for me. How amazing, how awesome is He?!
Tonight I saw a glimpse of Heaven, tonight I felt in the presence of the King once again. Tonight I touched Heaven and now I need to change Earth.
My little piece of Earth that God has commanded me to look after and bring it to God for all his praise and honour. I know now that I just have to keep going and God will show me the way to turn.
When I doubted myself I let God down. When I doubted God I let God down, but by His grace He has forgiven me and renewed me. Tonight I touched Heaven, tomorrow I will change Earth!
(but it will probably the smallest thing but step by step I with God will get there)

Our Father who is in Heaven,

Glory and Honour to Your name,

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done

On Earth as it is in Heaven!!

Amen

AWE

2007-05-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

One thing I love about being a leader within the Church is the blessings you receive from the people you lead. The Young adults and teenagers that I have been leading in Flame (youth group) for about two years are amazing, brilliant young Christians growing so much in God's grace. I love to lead them and bless them like they have blessed me and somethings (well most of the time) they lead me more than I lead them. Flame has developed and changed a lot since I was the seventeen year old taking on leadership within this and it is still developing.

Shortly after I took on leading Flame, believing God had laid this on my heart and tried to be obedient to this calling, even though I felt inadequate for the job, God began to give me a vision. A vision for the youth in Ashford. For Christian youth from all churches to unite and come together for small worship and rally type events. At first I thought God must be joking if He thought I could do this and then His vision grew. It was no longer just Christian youth. It moved from uniting the Christian youth of Ashford to bigger evangelistic rallies for the unchurched and not-yet-christian youths of Ashford. I saw amazing Soul Survivor type one day events in Ashford, reaching out to the lost, searching people in and around Ashford. For a long time I ignored this thinking I was just making it up. Then I prayed about it lots and the pictures, visions and idea just wouldn't going away. I believe that God is doing mighty things among this generation in Ashford, but He wants to do bigger, better and mightier things. I know that one day this will happen. This needs to happen for God.

Please pray about this for it is beginning to happen and God's plan is slowly coming together. This is with AWE- Ashford Worship Experience. This will be awesome and full of God. But we need your prayers that God will be glorified through this. That many people will be saved by God's grace and that we as leaders and developers of this vision will come with humble hearts, that we will come obedient to God and let Him wear the crown. This is gonna be amazing!

Where is your deck chair?

2007-04-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was a bit younger watching the cartoon 'Peanuts'. One of them starts like this... Lucy is at her five-cent psychology booth, where Charlie Brown has stopped for some advice about life.
'Life is like a deck chair, Charlie,' she says. 'On a Cruise ship of life, some people place their deck chair at the rear of the ship so they can see where they've been. Others place their deck chair at the front of the ship so they can see where they're going.'
Lucy looks at her puzzled client and asks, 'Which way is your deck chair facing?'
Without hesitating, Charlie replies glumly, 'I can't even get my deck chair unfolded!'

Well if you've ever tried putting up a deck chair, you'll know its a lot of hard work and even if you get it up, when you sit on it, it normally collapse on you. That's happened to me a couple of times, so I try and avoid deck chairs. But on the 'cruise ship of life' its hard to avoid putting it up and placing it somewhere.
But then how many of us have got past the point of getting the stupid chair up in the first place? I know I haven't and everyday I see people around me who are struggling hard with their deck chair, let alone knowing where to put it afterwards and whether to trust that it won't collapses in on you when you finial sit on it.

As Christian's there is so much about telling you where to place your deck chair and most of us know the answer should be at the front, but where are all the manuals about putting it up in the first place?
The only manual we need is the Bible, yet just like some manuals for deck chairs or flat packs, if you don't know how to read it, it becomes a bit confusing. So many of us feel that we are failing because we are no where near being able to position our deck chair, when we shouldn't be. God isn't looking for the ones who have got there, deck chair up and at the front, all on their own, no help needed, thank you very much. God is looking for those who are struggling with it, those who need Him to help them figure out how to put it up, how to get where He wants them to be. Jesus came for everyone, for all those who feel that they've messed up, that they are failing. He came for those who are struggling and with grace and mercy loved and helped them and continues to do that for me and you. Jesus wants to be needed, He wants us to ask for His help to work out the instructions for the deck chair. Then He'll use us for His work and place us where He needs us, not where we want to be.

If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift.

Romans 4:4 (The Message)

2007-04-05T07:40:00.001-07:00

Grown apart?

2007-03-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

Today I met up with my best friend from Secondary school. We went through year 7 to 13 together and were very close. Yet when we both left school we didn't see each other much due to distance and business. She lives in Lenham and I live in Ashford and now I have a car, we decided to meet up, so I could meet her fiancee. Which was cool, I haven't seen her in two years and thought that it would be a great way to catch up.

...However I was so wrong. I met her fiancee who is very nice and sweet. I am really glad that she has found a great love (even if its not Jesus, please pray for her). Yet we didn't really talk and it felt so strange. The silence could have been sliced by a knife and the awkwardness hung in the air. I didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to say and her fiancee tried his best to keep the conversation alive. I felt so different and distant from this person who was once my best friend and a person I could talk to about anything and maybe with time another better friendship will come. Still I sat next to someone I still love very much coming to the realisation that we had grown apart and both changed.

Change is a good thing and brings new and fresh things, so maybe a better fresher friendship will come, but right now I feel saddened by are distance.

Things can sometimes become like that with Jesus. We have grown apart from Jesus, moved away and changed. Yet Jesus never changes or moves away or grows apart from you. Instead He stays by your side throughout everything, waiting for you to realise that He had never moved away from you. Jesus will never change His mind about me, you or anyone, whoever we are He will always love us with That amazing Grace and beautiful mercy and He will always want to be with you.

Where you go, Whatever you do and Whoever you are He will never change His

mind about you.

I find that a very comforting thought and I hope that I will know it truly within my heart. This relationship with Jesus is different from any other relationship with any other person here on an imperfect earth.

I will try my hardest to work at making my relationship with my friend better than it was tonight. So as I try with my dying relationships on earth, so must I try with my relationship with Jesus.

God says 'I will never fail you,

or abandon you' Hebrews 13:5

but He also says to you 'I will always love you'

That is all that Jesus is about love. Loving in our failure, so must we love others in theirs too!

2007-03-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

Baptized

2007-03-25T06:10:00.000-07:00

On Maundy Thursday I and many others from my church will be baptised. It amazing how God works because I have wanted to for ages but didn't want to do just because I wanted to. I wanted to know that God wanted me to and He has told me in so many ways. Now finally I will be obedient to Him and do it. It will be a fresh new start and I know that I need that so much. Some of my family will be getting baptised at the same time and hopefully my Dad will be too, which would be amazing(please pray for my Dad).

God has been working so much within my Church lately and I have not been able to stop myself being continually amazed and awestruck by Him. This will be an amazing time for me and my church.

I would like to invite you all and however can get there to my Baptism on Thursday 5th April @ 7.30pm, At South Ashford Baptised Church, Brookfield Road, Ashford, Kent.

Exhausted in the world... rest in Jesus

2007-03-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I hear so many people complaining that they are 'Exhausted'! and that includes me too. So many people are working so hard saving up for things, to be able to pay the bills, put food on the table and all just to get by. Nowadays both parents are working all the hours God sends and having to pay for childcare too, when they know that they are missing out on so much... seeing their children grow, someone else see your child's first steps or hears their first word. Trying their hardest to get by, pay the bills or even maybe be able to give their children I better standard of living.

But and this is a very big but, is this even living at all?

Yes in the Bible it says that we should work and everything we do should be working for God, but how many people out there are working for God. How many people are working so hard that they are forgetting how to live. We have become so obsessed about working and money that we don't remember or have time for what life really is about. The life we have been given back, the life we owe back. This free gift doesn't always end up honouring the one who gave it to us. It becomes about ourselves and our life's. We as a race, individually, nationally and international have become EXHAUSTED by ourselves.

We are so busy doing that we are never being- We weren't called Human doings by God and the first time we were created we had to rest and not do, just be. We look after ourselves, well almost... we look after our bodies and try to be healthy, we try to look after our minds... but what ever happened to looking after our souls?

We were all made body, mind and soul, but it seems that because we cannot see the soul its the part of us that is probably the least healthy. We are so busy nourishing the parts we can see or know of and have some understanding of that we forget to nourish the soul. We laugh at Spirituality, but its our spirits which our lacking. Its our undernourished souls which need to be refreshed and renewed and then maybe we won't be so EXHAUSTED all the time.

Jesus came for this purpose, to nourish and save our souls and once well fed, sent out to feed the rest of the starving souls out there, just crying out for rest, refreshment and renewal. Because we are all so EXHAUSTED!

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.

For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.

Hebrews 4:9-10

2007-03-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Self-leadership?!

2007-03-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well I have got to a point today where I really feel God is trying to say something to me... I have just read a daily devotional and the next chapter in the book I've been reading 'Courageous leadership' by Bill Hybels... all about, well you guessed it Self-leadership. The thing that I have just worked out is God has been trying to tell em this for ages and all throughout today He has placed people to tell me this without them knowing it or me until now.

At work today God used a maintenance man to talk to me on my break and although it was not overtly about God and was about sport. It made me think. This man told me that I needed to lead a healthy life, to exercise and eat well- 'the right food'. He told me that I should find a sport that I could do which required self-discipline. This man I only met today and yet he was right on the ball. He could have been talking about sport or my spiritual life.

My body is God's temple and I should look after it and keep it healthy both physically and spiritually. It was that the man was so right that I need to discipline myself and both these books talk about how leaders require discipline to lead themselves first and then lead others.
We cannot be effective leaders for others, unless we lead ourselves first. Unless we spend time refreshing, renewing and sacrificially giving ourselves to God first, how can we inspire others to do the same. A leader is only as good as his/her self-leadership.

We first must lead ourselves towards God, towards our goal and then give to others the leadership that they require of us.

I have finally listen and got God's message for me, after He graciously shouted it at me all day, don't make God have to do that to you.

But nobody, NOBODY, can do this but you! Only you can lead yourself and discipline yourself.
Read and consider 1 Samuel 30.

'David strengthened himself in the Lord God.'

1 Samuel 30:6

Wedding ring, anyone?

2007-03-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today was such an amazing God filled day. Some close church family friends got married today. This was much awaited, but worth waiting for. It was so good. I felt very privileged because they asked our youth group to do some prayer stuff in the middle of the wedding. It was really good, we gave out cards for everyone and talked about the reason, prayed lots and gave Gary and Jan a book of blessing and encouragement full of personal messages to them.
I had fun and danced my socks (or should I say tights) off and felt at home with my church family, which I haven't felt for a long time.

The wedding ring that two people give to each other represents that binding love between the couple never ending love, just like a ring continues and never ends. That same love is the binding love that Jesus has given to us. He gave us each a ring the day He died for us and for those who accept His proposal are binded to God through His love.
How many times have you rejected God's proposal to you? How many times have you not taken the ring of love Jesus offers you?
Well whether you have or not, Jesus will never stop loving you and He will never stop offering you a ring and a new life of marriage with Him!
We are the bride of the lamb... will you be ready for the wedding day?

1I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. 2Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.
3I heard a loud voice shout from the throne:
God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people.

The stone in my shoe

2007-03-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

I was walking home from work when half way home, I felt something in my shoe. At first I wasn't bothered it didn't hurt and I didn't have far to go. But soon it moved and started to rub on my heal. 'Ok' I thought 'its not too bad and the ground is wet, so I'll ignore it. I'll be home in five minutes!' and yet again it moved. It moved into a more uncomfortable and painful place. The ground was wet so do I stop and take the stone out and risk getting my foot wet or do I just try and ignore it. Well it wasn't long to walk only about two more minutes, so I decided I could cope with the stone until I got home.
Every step I took hurt and every time I put pressure on that foot the stone dug into the soul of my foot. Every time it hurt I thought only I little bit more to go and tried again to just ignore it and get on with my journey home.
Finally I was home and when I took of my shoe I tipped out the tiny stone that hurt me all the way home from work. I thought to myself how can something so small hurt so much? but it had and it could have been so easy for me just to stop on the way and take out the stone, even if I had got a wet foot it wouldn't have been as painful and annoying as the stone.
Why did I do that? and why do we all do that in life?
We all carry around pain and baggage when we don't need to. When we could just stop on the journey and throw it away, we hold onto it. We can cope, its not that long to take it. We can't risk getting our feet wet along the way to get rid of the pain.
I know that I have done that a lot and in many ways continue to do this. I can't risk getting my foot wet to release my pain, my burdens and baggage. Yet God says that our feet won't get wet and the pain, baggage and burdens will be gone if you trust me and give it to me.
I know that I have to do this, because I've got a lot of stones in my shoes, and if I trust Jesus, my feet won't get wet and He'll take those stones upon Himself for me and He has already done that on the cross, but everyday will continue to do this for each and everyone of us.

Will you take the stone from your shoe and risk getting wet feet?

'Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.

Get away with me and you'll recover your life.

I'll show you how to take real rest.

Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.'

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Journeys end, new beginnings...

2007-02-26T13:46:00.000-08:00

For the last four weeks we as a church have been doing a course called Journey. It replaced Alpha because no one wanted to do it or the reality was no one in the church invited people to do it. Yet I know that many people within my family did invite people and ask and ask but the answer always seemed to be 'NO'. I believe that God has a reason behind this, I believe that it all needs to be in God's timing and maybe Alpha wasn't this time and Journey was.

This week was the last week of the course which has opened up so many questions, has been a great place to discuss issues and just being together and I know that I personally have got a lot from this and so have many others.

But know the Journey has ended, but for me a new beginning has come. A fresh start! (Although I need at least 10 new starts a day with all my mistakes) Yet this course has come at a time when I really needed to refocus. It came at a time when all I have wanted to do was walk out of Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre and find somewhere else to worship. Somewhere comfortable.Not because God is not there, because He is and His presence is wonderful and blesses us daily, but because of the past, because of history with people, because I have felt like I have been suffocating in a sea of trying my hardest not to let those things get in the way of God and me. There have been times when I have been in floods of tears, screaming out to God, asking where is He? There have been times when all I've wanted to do is cry and there have been no tears, just the pain. I have felt alone in the midst of many caring and loving people around me, yet no one really knew how I felt and what I had to face every time I walked in.

If I had of left to be comfortable, what would of happened... not a lot because I wanted to leave, I didn't need to leave and God was still needing me where I was already. So with some very wise and loving friends and leaders, I stayed knowing this is where God has placed me. And although the pain was still there I wasn't so much alone.

God gave me people, He provided for me. If you are ever feeling alone remember that God has not left you and that He is always with you.

Now God, yet again has giving me a new beginning, a fresh start, not anywhere else but here where I belong for now. His mercy is so great and I thank God so much that He will always be there and there is always another chance.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed,

for I am your God. I will strengthen you.

I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

God was on the dual controls

2007-02-21T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my interview went so well. I was so nervous and scared. Yet as I sat down I knew that God was sitting beside me on the dual controls to help me before I crashed! Which I didn't because I let Him take ultimate control not just dual control! I let God tell me what I needed to say and although it wasn't always excellently articulated it was from God and my heart. Hopefully this was enough, no I know it was enough, because God is enough.
It was very scary sitting there being stared at by four wise and very important people all asking me really hard questions, BUT GOD GAVE ME THE ANSWERS!!

We do not always need to have all the answers and some things we will never be able to understand. We, I just need to accept that we don't need all the answers and some things only God will know the answers too. Yet I know that He allowed me to be able to answer those very hard and person questions with conviction and boldness (well not to begin with)!

'I will praise your Lord, with all of my heart.

I will tell of all the miracles you have done.

I will be happy because of you;

God Most High, I will sing

praises to Your name!'

Psalm 9:1-2

Tonights the night...

2007-02-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Well tonight is the night or rather evening that it all happens. By all I mean my scary interview for Officership training.
Although I am not that scared or worried at the moment and am trusting that God has gone before me, like He promises!

I want to thankyou all who are praying or have prayed for me, they have definitely helped. I will let you all know how it goes. Its at 6.15pm at Maidstone.

'Lean not on your own understanding but trust in the Lord

and He will make your paths straight'

Proverbs 3:6

Revival

2007-02-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Why does the Church need revival? Should we need revival?

Well I guess that the Church needs revival because it has falling into the trap of just playing the game and those who are willing and wanting with a passion to know more of God do not always see it because few others are willing to reassess themselves and their priorities for God to pour out His Spirit of Revival upon a individual, church or nation.
Many people let 'religion' get in the way of God's longing to pour out this power, this marvelous, miraculous change! The 'we must do this, we must do that.' etc... and others just haven't had the right teaching or leadership to directed people and the church entrusted to them by God onto the path of Revival and renewal.
If the Church does not want to die then at this moment in time we need revival. If we are not right with God it will not happen though.

And should the Church need revival... Well I believe the answer is no it should not. But because we are imperfect humans we will never always be alive. The question the Church should be asking itself is 'Can these dry bones live again?'
The Church has become like dry bones and that is why it needs revival. That's why it needs the Holy Spirit to breath life into the bones in the desert. And when the dry bones of the Church begin to live and dance in the Holy Spirit's, we will begin to see others being brought back to life and choosing to live the life Jesus has given and called us all to!

Yes the Church needs revival and no we should not need it if we are walking the right path in the right direction in unity with each other and God!

Do you believe that 'These dry bones can live?'

Ezekiel 37

Do you want to know more?

2007-02-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

As lent approaches we as Christians begin to really think about this! However this video shows that its not the story that counts. Its the fact that Jesus overcame death, defeated it! Rose again and is still ALIVE! amen and am I glad about that!

Our churches too should be alive, if we are full of The Holy Spirit! We should be the church of Act 2. Community lived out, united by God, whatever colour, cred or denomination.

This video also links in with what The Salvation Army are doing at this time: Self denial. Almost like lent yet the money we would usual spend on what we give up we donate to other countries etc...

As a Church, one Church (Jesus is coming to marry a Bride, not a harem) we should be seeking only to be Acts 2. That is how the Bible portrays Church to be, 'should be'. Interdependent on the family God has provided for us. Not arguing whether we should always say the Lords prayer or whether we celebrate the love feast (communion) etc... We should be united in Jesus name. He did more than die for us!!

'All believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all people.

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.' Acts 2:42-47

And we sometimes wonder why are Church is in decline!

There is something quite beautiful...

2007-02-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

There is something quite beautiful about children. I am at the moment the acting children's ministries officer at church and for the last couple of days have been reaping the benefit of it. There is so much hard work to be done, when organising activities, Sunday schools, trips, kingdom kids and my team. (they are a fabulous team and without them children's ministries would not work or exist.) Although it is such hard work I have been so blessed by the children. One Friday at Kingdom Kids, Sue led a prayer session and I just watched the children and I was almost in tears looking at all these children really wanting to know Jesus, wanting to talk to their friend God. The innocence and earnestness of one little boy made me just pour my thanks out to God so much for these young children, the future. They are such a blessing.
Today I was leading Sunday school, (we usually do this in two groups) yet today I had both groups together for the first time as me leading it. I put so much work into it and it went so well, I thank God so much for that. They all had fun, the older ones were set a challenge to do a dance and perform it to the younger ones and the younger ones did a collage of all Sunday school children's faces to show that 'Jesus knows all about us and loves us'!
(change I to your name or you)
Children are precious:

One hundred years from now, it won't matter,

what car I drove, if I was in the latest fashion,

what house I lived in,

but the world may be a different place

because I was important in a child's life!

I'm Scared

2007-02-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday 20th February at 6.15pm I will have my first official interview for Salvation Army Training college! and I'm scared!! I've had an unofficial interview which went good I think, but this time its in front of a panel and in front of my officer Ian. What if I say something really wrong or I don't know the answers? I won't have just embarrassed myself, but my corp, Ian and God!

Not only that, I'm scared that they'll think that I am not a leader, scared that they will judge me, which in a way they will be and scared! Just scared. I don't feel like I have leadership qualities but others have seen that in me! I do believe that this is right and that this is God's plan and purpose. I just don't have the boldness required.

I guess I lack the trust. To trust that God will do the work for me. That God would speak to them that this is right. I know that I have trouble trusting God all the time, yet when I do the results amaze me. So why can't I trust God right now. To believe that its 'all gonna be all right'. That God will let it be all okay and that He will give me the words to say! I don't have an answer... I'm just scared!

But I must and I will try to put my trust wholly in God, for only He can do the impossible!

'But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and and not faint.'

Isaiah 40:31

All for Your Glory...

2007-02-06T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Glory belongs to Christ and Christ only. For only He died upon a cross, sacrificed Himself for our salvation. This crown of love speaks of so much to me. When I think about who Jesus is and what Jesus did. He took my sin upon himself, He loved and still loves me that much to take my place. He is our only hope and yet only He deserves the glory!

When we have done something that we are proud of, when we have done the right thing, we must recognise that it is all for the Glory of Jesus. That when we walk away from that accomplishment we must take of our crowns and lay it at the cross.

The only crown Jesus worn was a crown of thorns, yet He crowns us with His glory, 'in royal robes we don't deserve' and often we just take the royal robes, crown and all the glory, when surely we should be recognising that the ultimate glory goes to the Lamb- to the one who gave His life so that we may life and not die! Our crowns of glory belong to Him and we should be giving all the Glory to Him!

Nothing we do should not be for His Glory and His honour, yet when we do things that do not glorify, the love, the cost, the life we sin against that pure sacrifice of love. That's when I become overwhelmed by the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ my King and Saviour, is that even when we break His heart He still forgives us. We were the ones mocking and scoffing at the foot of the cross and Jesus shouted forgiveness to us.

'But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us

whilst we were still sinners.' Romans 5:8

3 in 1

2007-02-05T22:26:00.000-08:00

I have been inspired to write about the Trinity. It is such a complex and mindboggling subject. So many people have thought of fabulous ways to describe it, so us simple people can get our minds around it. Such as water: it can be steam, liquid or ice- 3 things but is the same chemical formula H2O and that works for some people. Others compare it to fire: (Bunsen burner) Orange flame(safety flame), Roaring flame and Blue flame- 3 things but all the same fire, they just do different jobs.

However I like to use the analogy of us, human beings. I will never completely be able to understand it, but to be able to picture it without melting my brain does help.

I see God as ONE body, a whole being. A body has a MIND, HEART and a SOUL. 3 things in 1 body. The MIND to me relates to Creator, Father, the HEART as Jesus, His death for our sins and the SOUL as the Holy Spirit. All 3 things have a different job and all our separate parts, but our all ONE within the body.

Just as we our made in the image of God- 3 in 1. We were all made with a MIND, HEART and a SOUL. Just as the creation we were made we reflect God's image by being 3 in 1. Sometimes our MIND can tell us what we should do, sometimes our HEART and sometimes that gut feeling, our SOUL or SPIRIT can tell us what to do and a lot of the time they work together in situations. Maybe this doesn't make any sense to you but then maybe God's telling you its not for you. But to put it another way, there is a saying 'you can listen to your heart or your head!' In that sense we are all made as 3 in 1, just as in God's image, but He is the ultimate Trinity!

Don't worry Child!

2007-02-05T15:37:00.000-08:00

I've not been feeling very happy lately. I have been bitter, lonely and sad in the space of only a few days. When before I was joyful! Its like satan knows when you're happy and close to Jesus and he can't stand that so he has to pull us down and down! BUT, I won't let him, JESUS HAS COME TO SET US FREE!! Free from those chains which once bound us, free from the world and our sins!

I was watching a video on You tube and came across a wonderful video with this song and I know I was guided there by God! He knew that was exactly what I needed to hear. So here's the lyrics for you too.

This is what Your Father is telling you.... are you listening?

to live is Christ, to die is gain

you believe this, but you can't ignore your pain

it's hard enough to make it through another day

now you need someone to hear you when you pray

don't worry, child, I'm right here by your side

i've been here all along, in me won't you abide

is your grief too much to bear? give it to me

i can heal your heart, your soul; i can set you free

when you wake up each day, my promises are new

have faith in me, and i will see you through

is your burden heavy? here, take mine, it's light

my yoke is easy, come and have this life

so, you've fought until you've nothing left to give

every ounce of energy, you have spent

though your heart, it breaks inside, more than anything in life

i long for you to know...

my child, i'm right here by your side

i've been here all along, in me won't you abide

is your grief to much to bear? give it to me

i can heal your heart, your soul; i can set you free

i know the pain that this has caused

i gave my son upon a cross

no, nothing has been lost, believe in me

Inspiration found!

2007-02-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

This has just reminded me why I have to keep doing what I'm doing, why I need to keep growing, why I need to keep going!

What I go through isn't half as much as others! There's a world out there full of suffering!

I'll Fight.... Will you?

Inspired, frustrated!!

2007-02-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have a mental block? Feel you've lost your inspiration, feel frustrated? Frustrated at yourself, at other people, at the world!

Well tonight I wasn't very sportsman like and had a lot of bitterness and rivalry towards a team, in our Church 'Generation quiz'! On one team was some people who I couldn't lose to. People who have hurt me and people who seemed to have replaced me. So naturally my team tried their hardest to win and in a very funny and strange way we managed to come second place! It wasn't that I wanted the prize, which was just a mug! (second place got chocolate) It was those people can't beat me, they can't get the better of me.

When I was walking home I almost cried, not because I didn't win, but because I realised how much I had actually let myself and God down.

I had forgiven those people for what they did, but I still cannot forget it and I still keep harboring bitterness. This makes me frustrated and I lose all inspiration and I don't really recognise myself when I become like that!

Tonight I've realised that its not just that we have to love our neighbours and our enemies, we don't just have to stand up for injustice and the oppressed, but we also have to love our God given family. We have to forgive them again and again. We have to show them the same mercy as we would anyone else, whether or not they admit their mistake or say their 'sorry'. We are still called by God to love them! I'm not perfect and nobody else is, only Jesus is, we all have failings. I guess I just have be more forgiving towards other Christians who know they're hurting someone and don't do anything about it. I'm still called to love them and not to just get frustrated at them. That doesn't help anyone! I also hope that those people will forgive me for my unsportsmanship and any hurt I have caused them.

Angry Love?

2007-02-02T04:56:00.001-08:00

'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your Father in heaven'

Matthew 5:44-45

We, as Christians have all been called to share the love of Jesus. To love your neighbour, to love them as yourself and to love your enemies.
To love someone like yourself is a very hard concept. I understand that we should love everyone, even those who do wrong against us, but to love someone as you love yourself? That can be a very hard thing to do when you don't love yourself.
I've had my fair share of not liking the person I am and I know many people who do not love themselves much, so how can God ask something so hard of us. If we are to love others as ourselves first we must learn to love ourselves and then we can love others.

I've often thought about what kind of love God has called us to. Relational love, being friends with everyone? Is saying 'God loves you' enough? How should we show it? walking up to everyone and hugging them? Unless you feel the urge to do that when you come across a stranger in the street, then I don't believe that is the love that we are called to share. Its not the kind of love that freaks people out, its the Jesus love- hard-hitting, caring. Jesus just didn't go around saying 'God loves you!', he showed them that God loves them. He did more than hug a stranger, He did more then say He cared. If all Jesus did was to go around saying that, then the Church would not be here today!

Not only does God call us to love ourselves and to love our neighbours, but he also calls us to love our enemies. The people who hurt us, the oppressors, the rich and powerful who use it wrongly etc... Its so easy to watch the news and feel bitterness and hatred towards someone who has misused their power, someone who has the power to help that nation and yet ignores the people dieing, who ignores the sufferers cry for help. Yet God still calls us to love that person.
That doesn't stop you from feeling a 'Righteous Anger' towards that situation, towards the injustice in the world. We should be angry, we should stand up for the oppressed. Loving our enemy is hard, but its the ability to be able to both stand up for justice and to reach out to the oppressors with love and grace. Not only is this obeying God's command but it also disarms your enemy. That person isn't expecting love, mercy or grace from you, but hatred. It shows their attitude for what it is, compared to a loving one.

'Its a profound, mysterious truth, Jesus' concept of love overcoming hate.

I may not see it in my life time. But I know it's true.Because on that bed,

full of bruises and stitches, God made it true in me. I got a transfusion

of hope. I couldn't give up.'

John Perkins, a black minister in the US civil rights movement. He said these words after he had been beaten by police and he barely survived.

This the love we are all called to give. You can have the choice, you can either hate or you can love. Its your choice and if you choose to love, you will be filled by the Spirit and be able to love like Jesus, with both love and righteous anger!

'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' Romans 12:21

Changing the future?

2007-02-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

Today I volunteered at my local primary school. It is also the school in which we as a Church moved Sunday Worship meetings to. We had become too big for our own building and with lots of prayer, vision and courage, we moved up to the school on Easter Sunday 2006. It has been amazing, since we have moved their we have continued to grow. We also moved are children's club 'Kingdom Kids' (see kingdom kids blog) to there on a Friday evening and that too has flourished. Its great because it was actually my primary school. I both loved and hated that place. I've always loved learning and loved going to school, but I also got badly bullied there, so I was very scared to go back there even if it was for Church and now I even volunteer up there. God replaced my bad memories of that place and has filled me with new amazing ones.

The reason I tell you this is because at the moment with Church I am the acting children's ministries officer. I love children so much and they seem to like me too. God has been using that gift for years but I would of never thought that this was possible. Yet He reminded me that through Him all things are possible!!

On my own I could probably do the role, but I would always be run down and would never really get anywhere. With God by my side and the vision He has I know that He will help me succeed!!

I wonder whether God is using the us within the school. Others from church work there and Sue is a governor there and now I volunteer there. God is using and going to use our presence there for miracles. I just know He will! Those children there are the future, many come to Kingdom Kids on a Friday and some our a major part of our Church family- What an influence we have!

COULD WE POSSIBLY BE CHANGING THE FUTURE?

This is my Story, this is my song...

2007-01-31T09:34:00.000-08:00

We all have stories to tell. Past journeys, both good and bad to tell. No to shout out to praise the Lord for all He is and has done. To tell people, to encourage them, that 'if I can do it, so can you!'

When I began my blog I didn't really want to be very personal, i just wanted to encourage people. Yet I have had comments from people wanting to know more.

So this is my story:

I became a christian at the age of 6 and a Junior solider in the Salvation Army when I was 7. I have grown up in a christian family and at Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre (not always know as that).

At my church there was one lady who was such an inspiration and influence to me, who has now been promoted to glory. Her name was Mary and she taught me how to play the Cornet. When I was about 11-12years old she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and even throughout that time she continued to teach me. Now I'm older I wish that I had know her better, but the time I did know her helped me to keep going throughout the toughest times.

In secondary school I was a high flyer, but I also have dyslexia and was badly bullied. To be truthful I was a bit of a geek. I had ambition I wanted to become a Doctor and I also thought that God did too. I got the GCSE's to go for the A levels needed for this.

However during sixth form I suffered from depression, which I kept silent from everyone, even my friends and family. Soon my friends noticed and began to help me with this. That didn't stop it from effecting my grades. I took A levels in Art, Biology, Chemistry and Physics (Biology was my best GCSE subject with units being A*, overall awarded a BB for double Science). When I went to get my As level results, I knew I had failed, but I didn't know how badly. I received 'U's (ungraded) for all of them!

I was devastated. I blamed God! I didn't go to church a lot. I felt I had lost my dream. I thought God had destroyed it.

Slowly with the help of some wonderful and very wise leaders and friends I came back. Ian and Sue Woodgate kept encouraging me and I started going to church more and more. I started loving God again. I started wanting to learn more about Him.

Since that moment I have grown so much in Jesus' love. I went to retreats where I was baptised by the Holy Spirit. From there I became a senior solider.

Two Soul Survivors later and a lot of work on me by God and this is the Clare you now see writing before you.

As for where did I train for ministry... I haven't. Hopefully I will be training at The William Booth College in London to become an officer in the Salvation Army, in about 2 years from now.

Well... that's my story and this is my song:

'Praising the Saviour all the day long!'

No matter the cost

2007-01-30T10:00:00.001-08:00

There is something wonderful about a parent's love for their child. I am not a parent and at the moment cannot completely understand how the parent feels. But I know it from the other side as a child.
When I view God as my Father, I feel very honoured to have Him. When I try and picture God as 'The Father' I don't see a picture of anything spectacular. I see Him as my Dad, my Heavenly ABBA (means daddy in Arabic). When Jesus cries out 'ABBA, Father', He cries out for His 'Daddy'. We too can cry out to Him as 'Daddy' just like Jesus did.

I was challenged this week to 'paint' a picture of God, in anyway. When I thought about the only way I could do that is to draw it. I saw a large hand reaching down to hold a small hand and underneath it I could see a child walking along holding hands with their parent. That's how I pictured God. A Father who holds our hand, 'NO MATTER THE COST!'

At Christmas I heard J.John tell this story and it really hit me;

A bus driver went to a country school to pick up the children and drop them home. He was a very experienced and good bus driver. He had, had no accidents and knew all the winding tiny roads well. One day as usual he drove the bus to collect the children from the school.
He waited for all the children to get on the bus and made sure everyone he was taking home was there. As He drove of he was going through the roads he knows so well and had driven so many times, when he got to the steep hill. As he was driving down the hill, he realised to his horror that the breaks had failed. He was terrified but made sure that he didn't panic and that the children did not panic either. He knew the road so well, that he knew that just before the bottom was a gate to a field. He began to formulated a plan. If he could swing round into the field, the bus would naturally come to a stop and none of the children would be harmed.
Yet as he arrived at the point where he could see the gate, he saw a boy playing there. Quickly he had to make a decision, save all the children on the bus and risk running over the boy or save the boy and risk killing all the children? What was he going to do? It was such a hard decision.
Finally at the last moment he swung the bus round, through the gates and into the field. No one on the bus was hurt. When parents and people came to see what had happened, they asked the police what had happened. It was tragic the boy had died on the scene. They asked if the driver was alright and the policeman replied, 'He's very shocked. He's just ran over his own son!'
That man killed his son to save those children.
That's what God the Father has done for you.

NO MATTER THE COST!

Journeys

2007-01-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

Life is an amazing Journey. We all have to embark upon it. Some of us may seem more successful at it then others. Yet in reality we are all striving to be something better and none of us can really ever match up to Jesus. But we can keep on striving.

Our journeys at times can be as tough as hell or like living out a piece of heaven here on earth and anywhere in between. The journey can be enjoyable and fun, or it can be a boring one and like young children we could be asking 'Are we nearly there yet?'

We have to keep our eyes fixed upon the destination, Heaven and that we will stay upon the right road. Other roads may tempt us, but we must trust in God and go His way and not our way.

Your on your journey, driving along in your car... Where is Jesus in your car?

Is He in the boot? Right at the back of your mind, your going your way and every now and then you think about Him?

Or is He in the back seat? A little better. There for company, someone to talk to, someone to share your journey with and every now and then prompt you to where you should go?

Perhaps by now your thinking 'no He's in the front passenger seat. He my navigator'? But you still make the decisions. He's there with you, telling you where to go. He says 'Go this way', but you question 'this way looks quicker?' Your still in control!

So now your thinking He's driving my car. He's in control.

I have one question for you...

ARE YOU A BACK SEAT DRIVER?

Storms

2007-01-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry its been a while, but had a bit of trouble getting back on to do anything.

A few weeks ago I was challenge by God to preach. He clearly spoke to me and said 'Clare I want you to talk to my people. I want you to encourage them. I want you to show them that I am always there and I am a Cloud Lifter.'
At first I was like 'no way' and I thought I had made it up. I couldn't stand up and speak. I'm not ready God, use someone else. But still God said 'Yes you can Clare, I will be with you!'
So I plucked up my courage and text Ian the senior leader at my church with Sue. I asked if I could preach, that I needed a challenge and this was it.
So Ian text back 'Yes' and after a lot of I'm not sure I want to do it now, we worked out a date.
I had prepared and wrote down what God was telling me, I found Bible passages that backed up my point.
It got to the day and in the morning Joel Whitewood preached and then I was to in the evening at Disciple college. I was fine until I walked into the building then I felt nervous and was scared. I prayed continuously throughout the worship and as I walked up there. When I got to the front I looked to the door- my escape route should anything go horribly wrong and took a deep breath.
As I began to speak, instead of nerves I began to feel peace and my fear had turned into the Holy Spirit's power. After I had spoke and I sat down, I realised that, God will call those who cannot speak to speak and those who can to be silent. He will ask those who are weak to do things in his power to make strong people look like fools.

I realised that I didn't do anything. All I had to do was to stand up and open my mouth. It was God who had filled it with words. He gave me a clear message to begin with.

To all you out there who cannot speak, who feel weak, be encouraged for it is the weak and powerless God uses. 'My Grace is enough for you. When you are weak. My power in you is made perfect' 2Corinthians 12:9

Amazing love

2007-01-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

First of I guess i should tell you all that I am a Christian and I go to Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre. It is an amazing place to be at and God is definitely pouring out His anointing on many people there.
Last year (2006) was a very strange year... it was full of change, but it was also the best and worst time all rolled into one. This last year was all about choices and future. I was finishing sixth form. I had applied for uni and I had some sort of idea of what the future may have in store. However God had other plans, better plans. His plans are always to prosper and not to harm, yet I was still afraid. God was calling me into Officership with the Salvation Army. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that. I wasn't sure if I could do that. I wasn't a leader. I had no authority or vision. I couldn't stand up and preach and teach a congregation! What was God thinking?
Yet God knew what He was doing! He provided people to help me through this time and people to shout at me 'When are you just going to accept it?' and finally I did. Finally I let God have the control over my life and finally I began to believe in this plan of His.
As soon as I begun to work on this plan, God gave me peace and a sense of purpose. But just as things were going well... boom things all fell to pieces. I had applied to uni and was praying that God would give me an answer to whether I was to go to uni before I took up Officership and God just kept giving me the answer and I kept listening, but other people did not believe me and wanted me to go. I was having arguments, losing people I love and all because of God's plan? What was going on? Well a wise person told me it was because I was obeying and Satan will try his very best to stop me. Yet again Jesus was there showing me the way, helping me and providing for me.
One night as I questioned and doubted again, I opened my Bible to Isaiah, to a passage that I liked. As I read I prayed 'Jesus use Your word. Give me something to cling onto throughout this bad time.' and He answered. I decided to read on a bit and found Isaiah 42, which was very encouraging. When I heard a noise and looked over I saw The Message. I knew that God was telling me to read it. When I opened it to Isaiah 42, I saw and read Isaiah 43:

'But now God's message... "Don't be afraid, I have redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough water's, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end-
Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! THAT'S how much you mean to me! THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. So don't be afraid: I'm with you."

It spoke so much to me and more when you put it into today's context. He also gave His only son's life to buy us back. It speaks of an amazing love that is for each one of us. It gave me hope and strength. I was not afraid anymore for Jesus is always with me. When I read that I knew that I had nothing to doubt. It was all God and it is all because HE LOVES ME!!!

Will you let Him love you?