Well as i'm feeling a little under the weather i thought a joke was apropriate
A little nine year old girl was in church with her mother when she started feeling ill.
"Mommy" she said "Can we leave now?"
"No" her mother replied.
"Well, I think I have to throw up!"
"Then go out the front door and around to the back of the church and throw up behind a bush."
In about two minutes the little girl returned to her seat.
"Did you throw up?" her mother asked.
"Yes" the little girl replied.
"Well, how could you have gone all the way to the back of the church and return so quickly?"
"I didn't have to go out of the church, Mommy" the little girl replied, "They have a box next to the front door that says 'for the sick'."
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Saturday 20 February 2010
Mission Possible.
I have just finished listening to a sermon from our church last Sunday night and thought i would share my thoughts and it's overview.
John 20v21
"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As
the father has sent me, even so I am sending you'".
This talk was based around looking at mission from a trinitarian perspective i.e. Father, son and Holy spirit. When we become Christians we are invited into this trinitarian relationship. As Jesus was sending out his disciples in the verse above so he sends us out in the same way.
So...The Fathers Role- It was interesting to note the father initiated his mission on earth by sending Jesus (John 4v34). God was at work and continues to be at work on earth. I agree with the speaker that all too often we don't realise that God is already at work and we just have to join in. That's encouraging isn't it? God works in peoples hearts...we don't.
Secondly the son's Role i.e he modeled mission in a few ways
1. It was done in human weakness i.e. God got tired and needed to eat. Humanity was a big part of Jesus mission. Sometimes we think we need to be superhuman but God can use us despite the excuses we try to make....i can't do mission...I'm too quiet/loud etc. People need to see how God is part of our lives despite our failings and humanity.
2.It was costly-He explained many of the disciples were killed for their faith. He explained it should not be a surprise that we are sent on costly missions as Jesus paid the greatest cost i.e. he died on the cross.
3. It was relational- Jesus did mission because he was passionate about his love for the father and Jesus should compel us to mission. I agree with the speaker that the best motivation for mission is beautiful grace.....Jesus love should compel us and we should not be able to keep his love from overflowing.This can be a magnet for many who don't know God...when they see how we love each other in the church and the community because Christ loved us.
4. It is all about forgiveness-John 20v23. What greater need to we all have but to have our sins forgiven at the cross?
Lastly the Holy Spirit-How do we do all this? With the Holy spirits power. How did the disciples who were so afraid when Jesus died, end up being martyred for their faith? How did they have such boldness to proclaim the gospel?
By the indwelling work of the holy spirit. I thank God that he has entrusted us with
the Holy spirit's power in our hearts and lives.
After this sermon mission doesn't seem that scary does it? It's exciting...let's get involved and thank God for the trinity...what a blessing!
Here is the sermon for a listen yourself if you have about 25Min's.
http://sermon.net/download.php?c=18071-count_audio_download-2345259
John 20v21
"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As
the father has sent me, even so I am sending you'".
This talk was based around looking at mission from a trinitarian perspective i.e. Father, son and Holy spirit. When we become Christians we are invited into this trinitarian relationship. As Jesus was sending out his disciples in the verse above so he sends us out in the same way.
So...The Fathers Role- It was interesting to note the father initiated his mission on earth by sending Jesus (John 4v34). God was at work and continues to be at work on earth. I agree with the speaker that all too often we don't realise that God is already at work and we just have to join in. That's encouraging isn't it? God works in peoples hearts...we don't.
Secondly the son's Role i.e he modeled mission in a few ways
1. It was done in human weakness i.e. God got tired and needed to eat. Humanity was a big part of Jesus mission. Sometimes we think we need to be superhuman but God can use us despite the excuses we try to make....i can't do mission...I'm too quiet/loud etc. People need to see how God is part of our lives despite our failings and humanity.
2.It was costly-He explained many of the disciples were killed for their faith. He explained it should not be a surprise that we are sent on costly missions as Jesus paid the greatest cost i.e. he died on the cross.
3. It was relational- Jesus did mission because he was passionate about his love for the father and Jesus should compel us to mission. I agree with the speaker that the best motivation for mission is beautiful grace.....Jesus love should compel us and we should not be able to keep his love from overflowing.This can be a magnet for many who don't know God...when they see how we love each other in the church and the community because Christ loved us.
4. It is all about forgiveness-John 20v23. What greater need to we all have but to have our sins forgiven at the cross?
Lastly the Holy Spirit-How do we do all this? With the Holy spirits power. How did the disciples who were so afraid when Jesus died, end up being martyred for their faith? How did they have such boldness to proclaim the gospel?
By the indwelling work of the holy spirit. I thank God that he has entrusted us with
the Holy spirit's power in our hearts and lives.
After this sermon mission doesn't seem that scary does it? It's exciting...let's get involved and thank God for the trinity...what a blessing!
Here is the sermon for a listen yourself if you have about 25Min's.
http://sermon.net/download.php?c=18071-count_audio_download-2345259
Thursday 18 February 2010
My glorious Lord of hosts.
God spoke in the beginning and behold it was so.
The earth was filled with light and water it did flow.
God spoke in the beginning and behold it was so.
The earth was filled with plants, and fruit from trees did grow.
God crafted us in his image to glorify his name.
To live a perfect life on earth, without a hint of pain.
But tempted by the serpent we could never be the same.
Our eyes knew good and evil, and our heart it was now stained.
But God he did not leave us, alone troubled with our sin.
It was the virgin Mary who had the Christ child within.
Born in a stable manger, in Bethlehem that night.
The angels gave the shepherds quite an unexpected fright.
“Glory to God in the highest and peace with whom his favour rests”,
The angels sang that night with joy and happiness.
Jesus grew in strength and wisdom until that blessed day.
“My beloved son with you I am well pleased” the Father he did say.
Jesus began his mission on earth in the holy spirits power.
He called the 12 disciples to help his message tower.
He healed a lot of people and his word of truth did shower.
He then told his disciples behold now is the hour.
Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour tread the road to be crucified.
His feet and hands that day upon the cross were tied.
Our saviour hung in agony, until with one final sigh.
It’s finished, done, he cried!
But the grave it did not hold him.
He had paid the price for sin.
He told the disciples the work was to begin.
To spread the news to everyone of their forgiven sin.
Jesus Christ my loving saviour his name is all my boast.
I thank him for his throne of grace I boldly now approach.
So I’ll run the race set before me, until that final post.
Until in heaven I see, my glorious Lord of hosts.
The earth was filled with light and water it did flow.
God spoke in the beginning and behold it was so.
The earth was filled with plants, and fruit from trees did grow.
God crafted us in his image to glorify his name.
To live a perfect life on earth, without a hint of pain.
But tempted by the serpent we could never be the same.
Our eyes knew good and evil, and our heart it was now stained.
But God he did not leave us, alone troubled with our sin.
It was the virgin Mary who had the Christ child within.
Born in a stable manger, in Bethlehem that night.
The angels gave the shepherds quite an unexpected fright.
“Glory to God in the highest and peace with whom his favour rests”,
The angels sang that night with joy and happiness.
Jesus grew in strength and wisdom until that blessed day.
“My beloved son with you I am well pleased” the Father he did say.
Jesus began his mission on earth in the holy spirits power.
He called the 12 disciples to help his message tower.
He healed a lot of people and his word of truth did shower.
He then told his disciples behold now is the hour.
Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour tread the road to be crucified.
His feet and hands that day upon the cross were tied.
Our saviour hung in agony, until with one final sigh.
It’s finished, done, he cried!
But the grave it did not hold him.
He had paid the price for sin.
He told the disciples the work was to begin.
To spread the news to everyone of their forgiven sin.
Jesus Christ my loving saviour his name is all my boast.
I thank him for his throne of grace I boldly now approach.
So I’ll run the race set before me, until that final post.
Until in heaven I see, my glorious Lord of hosts.
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Dr Dr
I thought it was time for a joke that i saw and chuckled at. Have a read....
Doctor, Doctor I've got wind! Can you give me something?
Yes - here's a kite!
Doctor, Doctor I've got wind! Can you give me something?
Yes - here's a kite!
Friday 12 February 2010
Yes surrender!
Just a little reflection on trust today. I've been thinking over this as a result of a Bible study on Philippians on being content in every circumstance. Why are we so often discontent...not enough money..not enough friends...not enough possessions? In reality its about not enough of God in our lives and no surrender to Him. So often we say to God 'No Surrender'...we can handle this ourselves...we can achieve whatever we want by ourselves. The answer is to humbly realise it's God we need...to rely on his strength through prayer for every detail of our life. To know him better by studying his word.
"Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? Some creature steals away your heart, and you are unmindful of him upon whom your affection ought to be set. Some earthly business engrosses your attention when you should have your eye steadily fixed upon the cross. It is the incessant round of world, world, world; the constant din of earth, earth, earth, that takes away the soul from Christ. Oh! my friends, is it not too sadly true that we can recollect anything but Christ, and forget nothing so easy as him whom we ought to remember? While memory will preserve a poisoned weed, it suffereth the Rose of Sharon to wither."
C.H. Spurgeon
To finish what a great song about surrender to God by J.W. Van Deventer :
1.All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2.All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3.All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4.All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5.All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!
"Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? Some creature steals away your heart, and you are unmindful of him upon whom your affection ought to be set. Some earthly business engrosses your attention when you should have your eye steadily fixed upon the cross. It is the incessant round of world, world, world; the constant din of earth, earth, earth, that takes away the soul from Christ. Oh! my friends, is it not too sadly true that we can recollect anything but Christ, and forget nothing so easy as him whom we ought to remember? While memory will preserve a poisoned weed, it suffereth the Rose of Sharon to wither."
C.H. Spurgeon
To finish what a great song about surrender to God by J.W. Van Deventer :
1.All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2.All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3.All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4.All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5.All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!
Wednesday 10 February 2010
Created for His Glory.
Today I'm in a reflective mood. It's been lovely weather here and I've been pondering the beauty of creation over the last few days...the beauty of a crisp day with a glorious blue sky...the beauty of purple heather along side high rocks near where I live. God did create a beautiful world.
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1 v1-2.
God has always been here before He even created what we know today as earth and in Genesis we see how He formed it and filled it with many things, including us human beings. He made man in God's image but as we see in the Bible sin came into the world and ruined this. As we look around today we see how our world has gone so wrong. Psalm 139 explains how God knows us so well....everything about us from when we were being formed in our mothers womb to our life here on earth to eternity, wherever that will be. God KNOWS us! But we choose to accept the world's lies.....to think that it is OK to be our own god. For example it's deemed completely legal here to kill a baby in the womb which God has created....we are debating that euthanasia is fine here in the UK.....it's sad. But God wants to fill us, to form us, to give us true life full of grace and truth. It's such a shame many people here just don't hear this good news. Why is our world so lost? Maybe we as Christians have something to do with it. I really pray God would help us to be that strong light which the world needs and not a damp squid which goes out after a short time.
In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to the Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5v16.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOLZdZsHzM
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." Genesis 1 v1-2.
God has always been here before He even created what we know today as earth and in Genesis we see how He formed it and filled it with many things, including us human beings. He made man in God's image but as we see in the Bible sin came into the world and ruined this. As we look around today we see how our world has gone so wrong. Psalm 139 explains how God knows us so well....everything about us from when we were being formed in our mothers womb to our life here on earth to eternity, wherever that will be. God KNOWS us! But we choose to accept the world's lies.....to think that it is OK to be our own god. For example it's deemed completely legal here to kill a baby in the womb which God has created....we are debating that euthanasia is fine here in the UK.....it's sad. But God wants to fill us, to form us, to give us true life full of grace and truth. It's such a shame many people here just don't hear this good news. Why is our world so lost? Maybe we as Christians have something to do with it. I really pray God would help us to be that strong light which the world needs and not a damp squid which goes out after a short time.
In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to the Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5v16.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOLZdZsHzM
Sunday 7 February 2010
What's the Point?
Today i thought i would share with you a sermon broadcast today on BBC radio about the answer to this question from the Bible's perspective. For me life only has meaning as a follower of Jesus Christ. I'll let you deide what you think. It will only be up for a limited time so take a listen while you can.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079g7f
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079g7f
Saturday 6 February 2010
A little Joke
On a ligher note, today i thought i would share a really bad joke!
What do you call a chicken in a shell suit?
An egg.
What do you call a chicken in a shell suit?
An egg.
Friday 5 February 2010
Aren't they lovely when they're asleep?
As my child is currently asleep(and I can have a cup of coffee and ponder!), today i thought i would enlighten you who are parents or will be in the future on a great book about parenting I read before my little girl was born. It's short and could be read in no time at all i.e. 30mins, so no excuses. It's written by Ann Benton a mother, author and lecturer. It's divided into 6 key concepts of parenting : Accept, beware, communicate, discipline, evaluate and fear the Lord. It is very practical and contains examples of how to apply these concepts to your child/children. I know I found this book very enlightening and it especially makes you think about how your parents' parenting style has an impact on how you think and act as a parent, how you can develop unhelpful practices and how the Bible can help us understand our children and role as a parent. A well worth read and i will not spoil it by telling you any more. I recommend you read it and find out for yourselves!
Thursday 4 February 2010
The beginning
This is the beginning of my first blog. So hopefully it will continue. As time permits i will reflect on whatever is most pertinent to me. Today its about the mind.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
The mind is a wonderful thing...we think all the time sometimes subconsciously; as our mind processes that we need to move that hand to open the door;sometimes very consciously...as we wonder about many things...as we worry about our family/money/health..as we analyse what we think we need to do/know. As humans We THINK! And thinking usually results in action. Mahatma Gandhi quotes
“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” This is so true.
I love the hymn by Kate Wilkinson Music: Arthur Barham-Gould. 1925: May the mind of Christ my saviour
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
Here is a nice arrangement on U tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8cHP6aneis
It's my prayer the the mind of Christ may dwell richly in your heart and mine. What a joy to think on Christ...to run the race looking to Christ...to seek only him...to seek the lost. What a thought!
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
The mind is a wonderful thing...we think all the time sometimes subconsciously; as our mind processes that we need to move that hand to open the door;sometimes very consciously...as we wonder about many things...as we worry about our family/money/health..as we analyse what we think we need to do/know. As humans We THINK! And thinking usually results in action. Mahatma Gandhi quotes
“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” This is so true.
I love the hymn by Kate Wilkinson Music: Arthur Barham-Gould. 1925: May the mind of Christ my saviour
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.
May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
Here is a nice arrangement on U tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8cHP6aneis
It's my prayer the the mind of Christ may dwell richly in your heart and mine. What a joy to think on Christ...to run the race looking to Christ...to seek only him...to seek the lost. What a thought!
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