Destruction

'Out of the depths I cry to you, Oh Lord; Oh Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit.'
Psalm 130:1-4

We don't have to have our lives sorted before we approach God.  He accepts our position, He wants to hear the cry of our heart.

James 5:13-18

Are you hurting?  Pray.  Do you feel great?  Sing.  Are you sick?  Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master.  Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.  The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.  Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't not a drop for three and a half years.  Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did.  The showers came and everything started growing again.

'When things are hidden in the dark they can have a destructive power.  When we bring them to the light, we are set free.'  Something destroying you?  Talk to someone and bring it to the light.

Kicked around by the enemy?

Do you sometimes feel kicked around by the enemy?  Everything seems to be going wrong.  You seem to be losing.  You are experiencing the oppression of the enemy.  But victory rests with the Lord.
Psalm 129:1-4

TRUST GOD TO TURN THINGS AROUND

With trust comes peace and sleep.  'When you have accomplished you daily task, go to sleep in peace; God is awake.'  Victor Hugo.

You Gotta Have Faith!

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see

Does the mountain move my faith or does my faith move the mountain?!

We are usually one of two ways when it comes to faith in God doing something for us.
1. IF you can do it God please do this.......
2. I KNOW you can God, but WILL you do it for me?

I tend to be the latter.  My head knowledge and past experience of God in my life tells me I know He can, but in this case I'm not sure He will because of this or because of that, I give God an escape route out of the situation so I don't get disappointed when it doesn't happen.  I can just blame it on the fact it wasn't the right time or something.

There is something in my life right now I want God to do.  I believe wholeheartedly God is saying: 'Not just yet, wait, be patient, it WILL happen.'  but there's a constant niggle saying: 'It's not ever going to happen, it could, but it won't'.  I'm trying to listen to God's word and block out the other but it's hard.  The whole world seems to be screaming: 'It's not ever going to happen'  and in the midst is the still small voice: 'Wait, and be still; know I AM God; patience.'

The solution?  How do we get real faith?
1. Immerse ourselves in God's word.  (which I've been missing over the last 3 months!)  immersing ourselves daily builds faith (Romans 10:17)  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
2. Act on God's word.  James 2:26 - Faith without deeds is dead.  Even the Devil believes IN God, he just doesn't act on that belief.

We need faith like Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo.  Go ahead and throw us into the fire, Our God WILL save us.

I remember a friend's post a week or so back:

'Maybe you are weary too? This morning I read Jeremiah 17:7 - 8 and rewrote it. 
Blessed are we who know that God won't let us down. Even though we are surrounded by desert wastes, God has planted us beside a stream that never dries out. We are tall and graceful like trees and know we never need to worry, because we are always protected, always fed, always fruitful. 
And may I add ...always loved.'

Take care of yourself and have a good time

'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'  Jeremiah 29:11

Waiting and trusting go together.  If you don't trust God, it's hard to wait on Him.  But if you trust Him....you'll wait.

Here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of what you have for as long as God gives you life...Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty, and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the wok.  It's God's gift!  God deals out joy in the present, the now.  Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

Life is scary sometimes, when you don't know what's round the corner, or something now is happening that isn't great.  I'm moving to Rotorua next week for a new job - to be a registrar.  It's new, really exciting but also scary.  I won't know anyone, the job is not like what I'm doing now - it's a step up so I keep thinking, will I be good enough?  I don't want to leave the comfort of what I've come to know in Blenheim, but also I do - it's new and exciting.

But thinking about it in terms of what God says in the passages above:  Trust me, it's not for harm, it's for good, and for your future, have a good time and make the most of it.  Delight in your work, joy is God given.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men.  Colossians 3:23

Tell me what you're thinking!

'God you are my refuge.  I trust in you and I'm safe!  That's right - he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.  His huge outstretched arms protect you - under them you are perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.  Fear nothing.'  Psalm 91

I get scared sometimes that at work I'm not clever enough - to remember everything I need to now to treat patients, to have the right words to talk to other doctors, or the patients.  I got very frustrated yesterday because I felt like nobody was talking straight to me.  And I felt like if they just told me straight what they problem was - I could have a chance to fix whatever was wrong.  Instead of dancing around the subject, or being sarcastic (I struggle to pick out sarcasm sometimes and don't realise what the person is saying is actually the opposite).

Paul kept it simple!
'I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy.  I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did - Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate - I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it - and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else.  But the Message came through anyway.  God's spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that you life of faith is a response to God's power, not some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.'  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

What matters is not whether we use 'wise and persuasive words' but the 'demonstration of the Spirit's power.'  We do not need to dress it up with 'eloquence or superior wisdom'.  God 'chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise'.  He 'chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong'.

This is why I love Paul's books - simple and straightforward, no messing around - just like me!

Be who and what God wants you to be

I'm a God-designed, purpose-intended, significant, lavishly-loved, princess-daughter (if you're a bloke read this as prince-son!) of the King of the Universe!

If God did not have need of me, I would not exist.  Someone said this the other day, and it took me a while to actually process what it meant.  It is actually as simple as it seems to be.  I would NOT exist, if God did not NEED me.

'I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection.'

'We aren't making outrageous claims here.  We're sticking to the limits of what God has set for us.' 2 Corinthians 10:13

'For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master Jesus Christ.  Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns they dictate.  Can't you see the central issue in all this?  It is not what you and I do.  It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!  All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God - his chosen people.'  Galations 6:14-16

God wants me - who I am, where I am, what I do. Therefore be 'set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns they dictate.'  Do what God wants, not others.

I AM AN ORIGINAL CREATION OF GOD

p.s. Don't you just LOVE Paul's writings?!  I am amazed every time I read his stuff!  He just nails the point every time  =)

Wishing your life away??

And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.  1 Corinthians 7:17


You should by all means plan and prepare for the future, but don't go losing your life as it is now wishing about other things - you'll miss out.


For such a time as this you are here.


God didn't say: 'There is nothing to worry about', He did say: 'Do not worry, I am here with you.'

I thought it was a good idea all along?!

Every new idea goes through 3 phases: 'It will not work.'  'It will cost too much.'  'I thought it was a good idea all along.'

I think this is very true, however, not always in that order, and certainly some ideas go through the 3 phases several hundred times.  This weekend got me thinking very hard about Africa, in particular Uganda.  It was no accident the lead speaker at the conference I went to was speaking about her charity in Uganda and the Esther story - 'For such a time as this.'  God was saying - this is for you too, in a different way, but this is the same outcome.

God reconfirmed again His vision for my future - Go to Africa, build a hospital, help my people in their need.

Last year when I was in Malawi, looking back, I think I finally got to: 'I thought it was a good idea all along.'  Since then though, I have been in the combined thoughts of: 'It will cost too much,' and 'It will not work.'  Not in cost terms of money, but in terms of my life.  I do want to do this, but I want other things too, and right now I'm not quite sure how they would ever all fit together.

The phrase 'Trust in the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding.'  has been God's watchword for me over the last couple of years, now He's added to it: 'Do NOT be afraid.'

Psalm 20:1-6
God answer you on the day you crash,
The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harms reach,
send reinforcements from Holy Hill,
dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,
exclaim over you offerings, celebrate your sacrifices,
give you what your heart desires, accomplish your plans.
When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners.
May all your wishes come true!
That clinches it - help is coming, an answer's on the way,
everything is going to work out.


Psalm 119:93
What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.
Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going.
If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.
But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words.
Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom.
The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me.
I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!

The King in the Kid

So I've just got back from Winter Playground 2012!  We (Elim Church Blenheim) took around 100 youth group kids from around the area snowboarding up Mount Lyford.  Each evening we had a 'churchy' meeting and we learnt more about knowing God.  Not just knowing He exists but having an encounter with Him.  It was awesome, and it wasn't just the kids who learnt something, God really challenged me as well.

Do we know Jesus is in our boat?  He calmed the storm on the sea.  Do we know He is with us to draw strength from, we can't do it alone.  He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

There is a king in each one of us.  There is greatness upon our lives and a plan and purpose for us.  God is much bigger than any obstacle  and the cause in front of you is bigger than any obstacle.

Isn't there a cause, something worth fighting for?  Never let it hold you back that you are too young/old/small/scared/the obstacle is too big.

God reminded me of His vision for my life that night - to set up an orthopaedic hospital in Africa.  He reminded me not to give up, even though it seems tough to get where I need to be to go to Africa.  Sometimes it seems impossible to get there.  I need to be a consultant surgeon, to even think about it, and I seem so far away from that yet.  But I was reminded to hang in there, TRUST HIM, the cause is much bigger than the obstacle.

Do not be anxious

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great unsearchable things you do not know.'  Jeremiah 33:3

'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.'  Phillipians 4:6-7

How often do we get anxious or worry about stuff?  And does it actually get us anywhere??!  I always find I get more anxious about the thing I'm anxious about when I keep thinking about it!  God promises peace, and as the verse says, we won't necessarily understand it, but it will guard our hearts and minds against the anxiousness eating away at you.  Have you ever had that?  A worry that when you pray to God about it suddenly you are remarkably peaceful, you know whatever it is will still happen, e.g. an interview/exam etc but there is absolute peace.  I've experienced this on occasions, mostly in simple small ways but once in a very dramatic way.

One consultant I worked for at the time (the other 3 were OK with me and thought there were no problems) wanted to fail me and make me retake my first year as a doctor, she thought I wasn't good enough - comparing me to a registrar level rather than a first year.  Unfortunately the head supervisor of the deanery took this consultants side of the story and ignored the other 3 and my previous consultants who had all given me excellent reports and had no concerns (they realised I was a first year, and treated me as one)!  Anyway, the decision was pending - retake the year or pass.....I was distraught, I couldn't think straight, anger and anxiousness was eating me up at the unfairness of it all and the worry of being classed as a failure and not progressing - everybody would know I was a failure.  Finally I couldn't take it any more, and removed myself from the department.  I wondered the hospital corridor to the other end to deliver a script at pharmacy, and on the way back I passed the chapel.  I went in.  No one was there except me.  I was still shaking with anger and worry, on the constant verge of tears.  I sat down and prayed harder than I had ever prayed before.  I cried to God at the unfairness, told Him that I was scared, and couldn't take it any more....I hated her for doing this.  And I heard as clear as day 'BE STILL'.  'KNOW THAT I AM GOD.'  Not like a loud voice spoken aloud or anything but everything in my head stopped, the worry, all my thoughts, and through that stillness came those words.  The ones that had been in and out of my heart for a year or more before since reading Helen Roseveare's book Give Me This Mountain, and the words that continued with me for a few years after, and why this blog is called Be Still And Know!

I didn't understand it but it was awesome, I was no longer shaking and petrified, I was still worried believe me, but I was consumed by it, I could function, and even talk to people without trembling or crying.
God heard my cry, in the most spectacular way.  I passed the year, and even though the certain consultant and overall supervisor said they would write a letter to my next hospital supervisor about the situation so I could be 'supervised more heavily' it was OK.  Oh and by the way the letter they 'wrote', never made it to the next hospital, my new supervisor when I told her about the situation said: 'never got a letter about you, and I like to make my own mind up about juniors anyway, so I would have ignored it!'  WOW!  God certainly answers prayer.

Now when I worry about stuff, or wonder whether God will be faithful in His promises, I remember that answer and KNOW HE IS GOD.

But The World Looks Flat!

So, I've not had a computer for a week and have therefore neglected quiet time, since my quiet times are based on Nicky Gumbel's Bible in One Year website.  And what do I come back to?....

TRUST IN THE LORD!


God keeps reminding me of this, He is patient and keeps reminding me, because I obviously keep forgetting it!

'God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!  He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.'  Ephesians 3:20

I was thinking again about 'Trust in the Lord, and lean not on your own understanding.'  God's understanding is so much more than our own.  We only see and understand the tiniest bit, whereas God sees the whole thing.  Think about the past when people thought the world was flat and if you sailed far enough you'd drop off the edge.  Well to our sight, the world does look flat, you can't see the curve of the land beneath our feet because the world is too large.  But God can see the whole world, He has it in the palm of His hand.  When He tells us the world is round and we won't fall off the edge, we should believe Him - He can see it, we cannot.

The bottom line?  Just because something doesn't make sense to human logic doesn't mean God has lost control or has forgotten us.  Trust in Him and His understanding, He is far more wise than us puny humans!

Look in front of you!

'In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God.  You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil.  He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God.  Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds.  We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.  But God was merciful!  We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you.  God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.  You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.  This is God's gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.  It isn't something you have earned, so there is nothing you can boast about.  God planned for us to live.  That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are.'  Ephesians 2:1-10


'But forget the former things it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?'  Isaiah 43:18

Dwelling on the past is destructive.  It keeps your focus on things you can no longer change and off of what God is doing right before your eyes.

We all dwell on the past at some point, but what the above verses state is:  what's done is done.  Forget it.  You can't change it.  Look to the future, God has so much planned for you, and you're going to miss out on it because you're looking behind you, and not in front.  If we keep looking behind us whilst we're walking, we will trip up and hurt ourselves.  Didn't your mother ever teach you to look where you're going when you walk, because of that very reason?!  Oh, and to not walk with your hands in your pockets - but that'd be because you'd be better off with a broken wrist than a broken face/jaw if you tripped up!

We sang this in Church today - I think it fits well:
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

So whilst it's hard, look forward to the promises God has for you in the future.  Trust in Him, Rest in Him, His Grace is sufficient for you.

Planning

Kutless - I'm With you You Tube <--- You Tube link to Kutless song below  =)


Here am I, I've tried to live without you
It's the reason I feel so far away

I understand, you see everything I go through
And listen to the broken words I pray
I know you hear me
I know you're answering me saying

Fall in my arms and let me carry you
I know you and I, we can make it through
When crashing waves pull you down in the undertow
Reach out your hand and I swear I won't let you go
I'm with you tonight

All this time you've been walking here beside me
Waiting for the day I'd call your name
So here am I walking through the darkest valley
Shine down your light so I can see
You know I'm weary
I know you're calling out to me

The key to success - read Proverbs 15:31 - 16:7!
'Listen to good advice if you want to live well....
An undisciplined self-willed life is puny, an obedient God-willed life is spacious....
Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.
Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place....
God can't stomach arrogance or pretence; believe me, He'll put those upstarts in their place....
When God approves of your life, even you enemies will end up shaking your hand.'

God has good plans for our lives, so when we want to make plans we should let Him in on the plan!  We need to cooperate by willing to give up things that clash with His purpose, confide in Him, consult Him.  To some that might look like a contradiction - giving up things that clash, but hang on make your own plans and tell Him about it!  Well, God gives us the freedom and responsibility to make plans.  Because we have freedom we can't just sit there and expect things to happen of there own accord....The dinner won't cook if you just look expectantly at the fridge and the cooker!  But God does relate our decisions to our future -  this is an encouragement that we can be certain God is in ultimate control.

Paul made plans very carefully, in Acts we see he decided which countries to visit. He confided in God to check what was right, and when he tried to go somewhere God didn't want him to go, God made sure he knew about it!

Be bold

Acts 18-19 Tell of Paul taking on the powers of evil with the help of the Holy Spirit.  God spoke to him telling him not to be afraid, and to keep on speaking, not to be silent.  'That was all he needed to stick it out.' (v11 Msg).  Paul was afraid, being hauled off to court on false charges, it seems he was tempted to be silent.  It is an example for us not to give up in the face of opposition.

'In the face of unjust criticism we can become bitter or better; upset or understanding; hostile or humble; furious or forgiving.'  Nicky Gumbel.

In some aspects of my work I've learned that keeping silent is better.  In the UK medical system anyway - not to blame or make excuses, you take the word bashing and be done with it.  I did that here in NZ the other day, and regretted not speaking out.  I was furious with the other person, I was upset, and even became bitter about it and hostile towards the other person (not for long though)!  The complete opposite of what I should have done.  I was given peace about the situation though.  I knew it was unjust criticism, I knew what the other person said was in no way true, and the patient got the care she needed, when she needed it, and I could take satisfaction in the fact the other person had no idea what she was talking about anyway.


The message - be bold, speak out.  In thinking about that situation though, I was too angry to probably speak out at the time, and would may be better to calm down, and then go back and say, excuse me, hang on a minute this is what is going to happen because you are wrong about what you said.


In the words of an old kids song:  'Be bold, be strong, for the Lord you God is with you'!!

Being Christian is being Rebellious!

'Drinking beer is easy.  Trashing your hotel room is easy.  But being a Christian, that's a tough call.  That's real rebellion.'  Alice Cooper.

Don't be afraid of pressure.  Remember that pressure is what turns a lump of coal into a diamond.

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples.  'Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.  You're not in the driver seat; I am.  Don't run from suffering; embrace it.  Follow me and I'll show you how.  Self-help is no help at all.  Self sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.  What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?  What could you ever trade your soul for?'  Matt 16:25

Elijah went through a lot!  Ahab thought he was a real troublemaker!  (1 Kings 18: 17-19).  He rebelled against the guys following Baal and proved that God was the only one true God.  He prayed earnestly for fire, when the Baal followers shouted and danced and screamed for their god's to make fire.  Not even that He made it even harder and drenched his firewood in water!  God provided (see yesterday's blog!)  Elijah proved God was real to the Baal followers, but was exhausted, and felt abused, everyone out to get him.  'Enough of this, God!  Take my life.'  Kind of extreme in my thinking to say that but I understand he was exhausted and hitting a low.  It happens, sometimes pretty quickly after something awesome too.  I kind of feel sorry for Elijah, he had it tough!

God doesn't promise being a Christian will be easy, in fact quite the opposite.  Jesus was the first to admit it'll be tough sometimes - 'they'll persecute you as they did me'.

But God provides.....Elijah was given rest and was re-energised after 40 days and nights (I wish I could get that long sometimes!)

'God was not in a great and powerful wind, nor in an earthquake, nor in a fire, but in a gentle whisper.'  God's voice is the gentle whisper in your heart.  We need time to get away from things like Elijah did sometimes, and find that place of quiet, and peace.  That's why it's always a good idea for a daily quiet time reading God's word!  And I'm learning that through these blogs  =)

God's amazing provision

I love this world more than I should
It all falls short of what you're worth
How could I think I own my life
When really you're the one who paid the price
I wanna give you every breath every treasure that I hold
Oh Lord I give you everything

It's all yours anyway
You gave me life to give it away
It's all yours anyway
It's all yours

I've done my best and it's not enough
But I don't have to earn your love
Still I wanna give you every breath every treasure that I hold
Oh Lord I give you everything

Kutless Lyrics to All Yours


This was one of the songs I was listening to when running yesterday.  The new Kutless CD is awesome - highly recommended =)  I've started to really enjoy running/cycling and listening to some music when I do.  It's a time to relax and reflect, and I've started the habit of listening to Christian music when running/cycling.  And I actually really listen to the words and think about what they mean.  I know most of the time I have music on the the background of doing something else I don't really listen to the lyrics, but just hum along to the tune thinking 'yeah, good tune'!

Anyway, the song above really caught my attention yesterday.  We are SO arrogant!  To think that we own our lives.  The ultimate provision from God was that Jesus laid his life down.  And all we can do in response is surrender, we shouldn't think we are better than God trying to do stuff on our own.  He won the victory, the ultimate sacrifice.  We can't and won't ever trump that, so in good sportsmanship we should surrender to the fact God is number one.

I read this morning about God's amazing provision, and examples form the Bible.  I like the one about Elijah and the widow, she trusts when God says he will provide just enough flour and oil to make bread each day if she shares what little she has with Elijah.  And he does, she always has just enough each day.

Do we go about life trusting God to provide like that?  Think about when you were a kid and got on the bus or train with your Dad.  Did you worry all the way to the bus stop or station whether your Dad had enough money to pay to get on, or did you just automatically trust the fact that Dad knew what he was doing and paid for you to get on too?  We always used to use the bus when we were kids - for a long time before Luke (youngest brother) was born we didn't have a car.  So we got the bus into town each Saturday for the market.  I remember clearly always running onto the bus with my brother and sister ahead of my Dad or Mum to get the best seat (the back!) and just knowing they'd sort the fare out, I never once worried they didn't have the money to pay.

Be Simple!

Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything; prayer is also the director of everything.  If prayer is right, everything is right.  For prayer will not allow anything to go wrong.' Theophan the Recluse (Stolen from Mike Pilavachi's Twitter feed!)


Proverbs 15: 22-30
'Refuse good advise and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed....Congenial conversation - what a pleasure!  The right word at the right time - beautiful!....He closely attends to the prayers of God-loyal people.'


I find prayer a difficult concept sometimes.  Not because I don't believe God hears me, I very much believe He does hear everything I have to say....when I actually take the time to do it!


One problem I have is that I have manage to remind myself that Jesus says to be more like little children.  I take great comfort in this especially when it comes to praying.  I have simple words, not long and convoluted (yes I needed Google to spell that word for me because spell check didn't even recognise my attempt....which I didn't think was that bad 'convelouted'??!!)  Anyway, simple childlike faith and words is what Jesus says works....awesome  =)  so why pray with such length in words, syllables, and time?  Well it's OK I guess if that's how you are and how you think, I'm sure God doesn't mind.  But I like simple, and can't verbalise well what is inside my head, which is why this blog is pretty cool - it helps, because it's typing and not verbalising, even if it does take an age and millions of spell checks!


I also struggle with the concept of actually sitting down for a set period of time for prayer.  I tend to do the whole, 'Oh by the way God...' whilst doing something else.  But in the Bible, there are tons of examples, and even Jesus himself who set aside time.  I should start to do this....a challenge!  Maybe start with 5 minutes before or after (or both??!) doing my daily study would be an awesome start.


But my main learning point today....BE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN - SIMPLE WORDS:


God you are awesome
I love you forever
Please be with me today in all I do  =)

Somebody's trying to be sneaky!!

So as soon as the Devil loses his grip on you he finds another angle to grind you down.

As soon as I was thinking about God's joy and love yesterday, there were thoughts about what I'm doing in New Zealand, how am I ever going to where I want to be (which is also where I feel God wants me to be) AND have a family.  I feel the niggling taunt of - 'you can't have it all.'

The first step of dealing with this is knowing it's the devil being sneaky and annoying!  I KNOW this - good, step one completed.

The second step: knowing God is on your side.  OK, I know this too, so far so good.

Step three: TRUSTING that God is on your side and will do what is right.  Errrrrr .... sometimes?!?!

Why is this so hard?  I Know this, and have experienced God's amazing power when I have trusted Him numerous times.  As one of the kids speaking yesterday in response to 'how do you know God loves us?' said: 'because it says so in the bible.'  So simple, yet sometimes so difficult.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.' Proverbs 3:5

'Pursue your God-given vision.  Persevere through discouragement and disappointments.  Let challenges spur you on.'  Nicky Gumbel.

'Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.'  C S Lewis.

So with these thoughts I will hold on fast to what I believe.  I am where God want's me to be right here, right now.  God will fulfil His promises to me, I just require patience, above all else.  And I will not let the Devil be his sneaky self and get a foothold in me, I am God's and God's only.

Rediscovering the Beetroot Stain!

So I discovered today the reason I have felt so weary and tired of everything, struggling to carry on .... I have ignored God.  Not purposely, but as a side effect of a busy life!  How easy it is to do!

I haven't had 'time' to read His word daily, nor go to Church, or Bible Study .... my reasoning .... well work at the hospital is busy, I want to go biking, I want to go away for the weekend to the Sounds for my Birthday, I want to watch the Rugby, etc, etc, etc.  How poor and insignificant these reasons are when compared to the awesomeness of God.  And what a hypocrite I am!  On one hand, I sympathise with Jesus when He gets frustrated with the Disciples and Pharisees about how dumb they're being when they don't understand his parables, yet, I too am that dumb when I choose other stuff over spending time with God.

The result .... well, I am tired, worn out, frustrated at life and the things it throws at me.  That's not to say during the times when I am 'closer' to God everything goes swimmingly, but instead, things are easier because God takes the load.  Isn't it so much easier to carry the shopping when you have a friend to help you?!

I learnt today in church that God's love is like a beetroot stain!  You can't get away from it; you are stuck with it!

'Be strong.  Take courage.  DO NOT be intimidated.  Don't give them a second thought because God, YOUR GOD, is striding ahead of you.  He is RIGHT THERE with you.  He WON'T let you down; He WON'T EVER leave you.'  Deut 31:6

'Faith is not content with fleeting pleasures.  It is ravenous for joy.'  Heb 11:24

Today I rediscovered God's pure joy.  Singing the words to songs in Church and listening to the kids talk (it was a family service), and seeing the beauty of God's creation on my bike ride this afternoon, I realised where I had gone wrong this past month, I had ignored God.  My faith was not content with the fleeting pleasures of work, mountain biking, fun in the Sounds, but was ravenous for the joy of having God in my life.  I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of peace in my soul, in realising the joy of the Lord.  My faith was ravenous for that joy I had ignored, and suddenly in that split second I was satisfied; nothing more required.

The following lyrics are from a Newsboys song off one of their albums I happened to be listening  to on my MP3 player on my bike ride this afternoon ..... just as I was thinking about all of this stuff!  (God IS AWESOME, eh?!)

There's a me that I don't really like

A me that says I'm in control 'til the day that I die

And I don't know why

I push I pull I fight I fall

I end up crawling back to that place where I figure it out

That I, that I, that I

I'm second to One

Redeemer, the Way, the Light

I'm second to One

The Saviour, no compromise

I'm laying everything at the foot of the cross

My pride, my life, my all

I'm second to One

And He is second to NONE!

There's a change when I swallow my pride

And I surrender, there's a peace when I open my eyes

'Cos I remember

To live's to die, to fall's to rise

To kneel's to find the Saviour, here I am and I've figured it out

Tonight, tonight, tonight

These lyrics just sum up everything that I thought about over today.  The first verse being the way I have been over the last month or so, and the second verse how I feel now: a 'change when I swallow my pride...a peace when I open my eyes...because I REMEMBER, To live is to die and to fall is to rise...'

The last bit of advice I give myself today:

'Don't over complicate God's will.  Just stay connected to Jesus.  Love Him.  Look into His eyes.  He will lead.  Follow.  Repeat.'  Louie Giglio.


Oh, and:  Remember Psalm 91!
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you —
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon....
....Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling....
...."If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party."

Persevere

It's been a while (again!)

But I will get back on track, and with God's help I will persevere .

Psalm 27:1
Light, space, zest - that's God!
So, with Him on my side I'm fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.


Proverbs13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

'Disappointment really can make you ill.  If you let it fester, it will eat away at you.  I am not sure what the answer is except to take it to God, try to let it go and trust in the sovereignty of God - not always easy.'  Pippa Gumbel

Faith in the midst of chaos

Psalm 60
^1-2 God! you walked off and left us, kicked our defenses to bits and stalked off angry.  Come back. Oh please, come back!  You shook earth to the foundations, ripped open huge crevasses.  Heal the breaks! Everything's coming apart at the seams.

^3-5 You made your people look doom in the face, then gave us cheap wine to drown our troubles.  Then you planted a flag to rally your people, an unfurled flag to look to for courage.  Now do something quickly, answer right now, so the one you love best is saved.
^6-8 That's when God spoke in holy splendour, "Bursting with joy, I make a present of Shechem, I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.  Gilead's in my pocket, to say nothing of Manasseh.  Ephraim's my hard hat, Judah my hammer; Moab's a scrub bucket, I mop the floor with Moab, spit on Edom, rain fireworks all over Philistia."
^9-10 Who will take me to the thick of the fight?  Who'll show me the road to Edom?  You aren't giving up on us, are you, God?  Refusing to go out with our troops?
^11-12 Give us help for the hard task; human help is worthless.  In God we'll do our very best; he'll flatten the opposition for good.


Desperate times....when everything seems to go wrong.  But still I trust in the Lord.
We should not trust our own strength....because in reality we are weak, we do not have strength.


'Trust in the Lord and lean NOT on your own understanding'


Love in the midst of condemnation, and faith in the midst of chaos....that is what God does.  We cannot understand it by being rational or applying physics to it, but we should take this gift of Grace and hold it tight, when things get you down, remember it, and savour it, thank God for it and worship Him.

Sorry

So I've been a bit slack.  Sorry God.
It was all going so well through lent, and then hitting night shifts last week, it's all gone to pot.  Not that night shifts are any kind of excuse, in some ways Nights gives me far more time.


On reflection I've certainly noticed the difference when not having daily quiet reflection on God's Word.  Life IS harder, temptations are easier to fall into.  I've decided I DON'T like it.  So why do I do it?!


Ever heard of the washing line effect?
Church or 'God Events' are the washing line poles propping the huge long washing line up, the washing line representing life in time.  There are moments of highs and lows.  But the more poles you have the less lows you'll have - simple physics.


Here is my resolve, a new day, and a new dawn, I will worship my God daily and learn from His word.


'God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers, never silent in your pain. He sees, He hears and He is right there with you.'




Psalm 51

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
³ For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Saviour, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵ Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Running to reach the goal

Phillippians 3:12
I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.


Church was challenging last night.  The parable of the Talents in Luke's Gospel: You must be trustworthy in the little things before being trusted with bigger things.  The speaker related this to being in your current situation, before moving in to 'bigger and better things'.


God is telling me yet again to trust Him and be patient.  To get to where I want to be, I must first be in the smaller things in life.  Be happy where I currently am, not forever longing for the life ahead.  Not worrying about where or how tomorrow will occur, but living for today.


And I will keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize, but I will not cheat my way and skip out steps God has planned.  I will run and struggle through each step of the way in a trustworthy manner.

Good and Evil

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son?

Student : Yes, sir.


Professor: So, you believe in GOD?

Student : Absolutely, sir.


Professor : Is GOD good ?


Student : Sure.


Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?


Student : Yes.


Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?


(Student was silent.)


Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?


Student : Yes.


Professor: Is satan good ?


Student : No.


Professor: Where does satan come from ?


Student : From … GOD …


Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?


Student : Yes.


Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?


Student : Yes.


Professor: So who created evil ?


(Student did not answer.)


Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?


Student : Yes, sir.


Professor: So, who created them ?


(Student had no answer.)


Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?


Student : No, sir.


Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?


Student : No , sir.


Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?


Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.


Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?


Student : Yes.


Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your 
GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?


Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.


Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.


Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?


Professor: Yes.


Student : And is there such a thing as cold?


Professor: Yes.


Student : No, sir. There isn’t.


(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)


Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.


(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)


Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?


Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?


Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?


Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?


Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.


Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?


Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?


Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.


Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?


(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)


Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?


(The class was in uproar.)


Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?


(The class broke out into laughter. )


Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?


(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)


Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.


Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.


P.S.By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.



Darkness and Evil is merely the absence of God, not the opposite force of Him.  As cold is to 
heat or darkness to light.  Darkness and cold don't disprove heat and light, but PROVE them.

Leading a God-Centered Life

Worship
Pray constantly
Be humble
Be childlike
Follow Jesus
Serve God


I tend to find that when the first one happens the rest happen.  Sometimes it's hard.  But we are call to praise Him in the storm as well as the calm.  Sometimes we won't feel like it but when we praise, we push through.  God is always with us, and we will anoint with the Holy Spirit, and the rest will follow.


I have found nothing that makes my heart satisfied the way it is when I praise God, in that moment I know God is in everything and will work out everything, nothing bad will happen, and I don't need to worry.


Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!
God Most High is stunning,
astride land and ocean.
He crushes hostile people,
puts nations at our feet.
He set us at the head of the line,
prize-winning Jacob, his favourite.
Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,
a ram's horn blast at the summit.
Sing songs to God, sing out!
Sing to our King, sing praise!
He's Lord over earth,
so sing your best songs to God.
God is Lord of godless nations—
sovereign, he's King of the mountain.
Princes from all over are gathered,
people of Abraham's God.
The powers of earth are God's - he soars over all.

Don't over complicate

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the LORD has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;he burns the shields with fire.He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.”The LORD Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Loving somebody means longing to be in the presence of that person.  We should long to be in the presence of God if we love Him.  It's not an oversimplification.  Love God with all your heart.  Return to your first love - remember the passion you first had about God when you found it was true.

'Don't over complicate God's will. Just stay connected to Jesus. Love Him. Look into His eyes. He will lead. Follow. Repeat.'  Louie Giglio.