I just came across these words of St. Francis of Assisi...
"Preach the gospel with all of your life and, if necessary, with words."
Awesome!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Random musings!
Its been ages since I've had any inspiration to write anything on here, things have been so stressful! I'm going through another "why am I here" phase, so apologies to anyone who gets in the way at the wrong time!
This morning after CU I went for coffee with a friend, and was discussing with her what I should do. We both agreed that God definately intended me to be here at Trinity in the first place. So, she said, I should stay here until He tells me otherwise. Even if that sometimes isn't comfortable. I said what if these contant trials were God saying it was time to move on...she said that when God calls us to do something else He gives us peace in that decision - and I have everything but peace at the moment! She reminded me of the Israelites in the old testament - God had a long term destination for them but while he was taking them there he often told them to stop and wait in one place for a while until it was time for them to move on to the next stage.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20
Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told Habakkuk1:5
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay Habakkuk 2:3
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights Habakkuk 3:19
(Three guesses which bit of the Bible I read last night!)
This morning I was reading a book called "What a wonderful world - an anthology of joy" in the hope that it might inspire me. It did, a few different things stuck out when I came accross them...mainly this poem by an unknown 19th century soldier...
This morning after CU I went for coffee with a friend, and was discussing with her what I should do. We both agreed that God definately intended me to be here at Trinity in the first place. So, she said, I should stay here until He tells me otherwise. Even if that sometimes isn't comfortable. I said what if these contant trials were God saying it was time to move on...she said that when God calls us to do something else He gives us peace in that decision - and I have everything but peace at the moment! She reminded me of the Israelites in the old testament - God had a long term destination for them but while he was taking them there he often told them to stop and wait in one place for a while until it was time for them to move on to the next stage.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20
Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told Habakkuk1:5
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay Habakkuk 2:3
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights Habakkuk 3:19
(Three guesses which bit of the Bible I read last night!)
This morning I was reading a book called "What a wonderful world - an anthology of joy" in the hope that it might inspire me. It did, a few different things stuck out when I came accross them...mainly this poem by an unknown 19th century soldier...
I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for help that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity 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 others;
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 asked for - but everything I'd hoped for.
My unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Running
I went running last night, hope you're all impressed! I've been saying for ages that I need to lose weight and get fit but did nothing about it. I eventually bit the bullet and dug out the stuff I had from the RAF...its a regime with stuff to do each day over the next 6 weeks...so come then I'll be irresistably toned and ready for action. I started this thing yesterday, and had to do a 2mile run (that was easy, I worked out a good route that goes in a circle...just when you start to get tired you pass through a dodgy estate so are inspired to keep running) in my best time, then count how many press-ups, sit-ups, tricep dips, step-ups and dorsal raises I could do in a minute. Once I got started I actually quite enjoyed it...cos I know that if I keep up with it I'll lose weight and get in better shape.
While I was out running I was thinking about how scripture likens our faith to running a race (and about the sermon Jonny did about it!)...
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1Timothy 4:8)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3)
I was surprised by how easy I found the run last night, but there are things which could have held me back;
While I was out running I was thinking about how scripture likens our faith to running a race (and about the sermon Jonny did about it!)...
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1Timothy 4:8)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3)
I was surprised by how easy I found the run last night, but there are things which could have held me back;
- Lack of faith - doubt, thinking it would be hard
- Lack of training/preparation
- Not eating properly beforehand/not having the right equipment, ie trainers, fleece
The same things, although not sins in themselves, can hold us back from running the "spiritual race";
- Lack of faith
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1,6)
- Lack of excercise
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:14-18)
- Wrong diet - what do we feed our minds with?
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
"He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does"
No, that's not what my school reports used to say!
I'm back in business! Was really busy over Christmas, here there and everywhere...but I'm back in London now, really glad to be back. And I'm not a teenager anymore, I've reached 20, the height of decadence and maturity.
So much has been going on recently which I could blog about but following complaints of boredom from Wes I won't write about it all. But basically I've been really worried and stressed about so many things...big things, small things, important things, boring things, skinny things, everything. It came to a head last weekend when I was ridiculously frustrated with everything. Jenny reminded me of God saying "I will never leave or forsake you", but I dismissed it there and then as lies...God clearly had left me!! But that afternoon when I got home from church I shut myself in my room for the afternoon and worked through everything that was on my mind. I looked at the context of the verse that she had reminded me of...
"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:2-5)
Point number one...God hadn't set aside the land for the Israelites yet - he was about to do it. So it is pointless me being worried about things I can't see happening...I need to step out in faith and trust that when I do, God will "give me every place where I set my foot"
Point number two..."As I was with Moses, so I will be with you" - I'm hardly the first person to be anxious about situations, God has directed and provided for countless people before me - and will do the same for countless people after me!
Another thing - last year I spent all my time asking God for signs or revelation. They didn't come...actually I think they did, I just didn't have the guts to take them so kept asking for more, like Gideon.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8)
I made it one of my new years resolutions to not be hesitant. I always complained that God wasn't telling me what to do...of course he was, I just wasn't listening. For months the same pattern would arise day in, day out whenever I spoke to Jenny..."What can I pray for for you?" "Revelation". Now, it's "what can I pray for for you?" "Faith and guts"...this is going to be a year of stepping out in faith, so watch out!
I'm back in business! Was really busy over Christmas, here there and everywhere...but I'm back in London now, really glad to be back. And I'm not a teenager anymore, I've reached 20, the height of decadence and maturity.
So much has been going on recently which I could blog about but following complaints of boredom from Wes I won't write about it all. But basically I've been really worried and stressed about so many things...big things, small things, important things, boring things, skinny things, everything. It came to a head last weekend when I was ridiculously frustrated with everything. Jenny reminded me of God saying "I will never leave or forsake you", but I dismissed it there and then as lies...God clearly had left me!! But that afternoon when I got home from church I shut myself in my room for the afternoon and worked through everything that was on my mind. I looked at the context of the verse that she had reminded me of...
"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:2-5)
Point number one...God hadn't set aside the land for the Israelites yet - he was about to do it. So it is pointless me being worried about things I can't see happening...I need to step out in faith and trust that when I do, God will "give me every place where I set my foot"
Point number two..."As I was with Moses, so I will be with you" - I'm hardly the first person to be anxious about situations, God has directed and provided for countless people before me - and will do the same for countless people after me!
Another thing - last year I spent all my time asking God for signs or revelation. They didn't come...actually I think they did, I just didn't have the guts to take them so kept asking for more, like Gideon.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8)
I made it one of my new years resolutions to not be hesitant. I always complained that God wasn't telling me what to do...of course he was, I just wasn't listening. For months the same pattern would arise day in, day out whenever I spoke to Jenny..."What can I pray for for you?" "Revelation". Now, it's "what can I pray for for you?" "Faith and guts"...this is going to be a year of stepping out in faith, so watch out!
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