Acceptance

That's the theme I'm feeling just now. Firstly I recently heard of somebody we know of becoming pregnant but not being married- which I know isn't unusual nowadays. But there are still some Christians around who wouldn't be happy about it. What I'm going to say is that I too believe God intended sex to be enjoyed only within marriage. However I also believe that anyone can be anything they want to be, and we should love and accept people no matter what. I remember when I was reading Christy Miller, which I think I've written about before, Todd's reaction to her telling him one of their friends was pregnant, and her surprise at it. He was overjoyed! She didn't understand it, as the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy weren't exactly ideal. He explained that they had created a new life, and "it could be the greatest evangelist the world's ever known!" The statement's one to remember when things like that happen. To God it doesn't matter whether you've had a good childhood or not, or were born legitimately. Don't get me wrong, I still think you should wait until you're married, but it is no barrier to doing great things for God. And the other issue in this topic is racism. Last night I was watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie on DVD. This episode was "The Wisdom of Solomon", about a young black boy who desperately wants an education and the kind Ingalls family take him in and let him go to school, although some people didn't accept him. Sadly, although he had massive ambitions for what he could do with his life, in the end he realised his life would always be affected by his colour. This is set in the 1870s, so historically it would have been about another century before racial attitudes towards black people began to improve. The best scripture reference I can find is Gal 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Spells it out pretty clear - it really doesn't matter. Also that Jesus "did not come to condemn the world, but so that the world through Him might be saved". It's not our place to judge, so let's spread a bit of love and acceptance in our communities.

Another New Beginning...

As you have read previously, this summer I had the opportunity to do a 2-week youth mission trip in Ireland. This involved travelling through Northern and the Republic of Ireland, doing dance & drama in various different towns: Tralee, Killarney, and Portadown, and also church meetings in Killarney, Newry and where we were staying in Dungannon. While there, I was also able to be baptised at Downhill Beach, Northern Ireland. I've wanted to take this step for quite a while now. The reason for not doing prior to this was because I had had difficulties in which denomination I should be at. One I was sure I did not want to be baptised in, but I felt they would show offence if I went anywhere else. Thinking that to be baptised I would have to declare loyalty to one or the other, which I wasn't ready to do, I put it off and didn't do it. On the mission trip one of my friends expressed interest in doing it, and one night we discussed it. When I explained why I hadn't done it already, she said to me "But it's not about church politics. It's about you and Jesus." The next time they asked about doing it, the thought that I too should be baptised would not leave my mind. For a whole hour I remember thinking "I've got to do this". I am very grateful that God made a way for me. If anyone else is thinking they have similar problems, I now know that when the time is right, you will know and God will make a way.

I'm free to be me...

Well, let's see if I can manage another post while we're still in July! I recently celebrated my 20th birthday. Must be a proper adult now! I still don't have much to say for myself, but am just about to set off on a two-week mission trip to Ireland with friends. This is God's latest idea for me, came out of the blue, and I guess is the new great adventure. Having never travelled that far alone (well, without my parents :) before, it's very nerve-racking. I know though that wherever I go, God will always be there. As it says in Psalm 139, "If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me." That psalm talks about how well God knows each one of us and how He has amazing plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11, Habbakuk 1:5). Even when we don't feel we have accomplished much in the years we've been here, we can be reassured greater things are yet to come.

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves".

So I seem to be losing the knack for writing this... I'll have another go! Having friends is one of the best things you can have. If you have a really, really close friend, you can share pretty much everything in your lives together. Right now I have to say I'd just love a friend that close, a friendship where we knew each other so well. I have a close friend who we do share a lot with each other, but unfortunately she isn't a Christian so these are some aspects of my life I don't feel I get from her. I discovered recently that there are some things she isn't comfortable with sharing with me either as they are things I don't approve of, and so would turn to another friend. Things like that does often disappoint me when I'm not able to get the most out of friendships as I would like. Another worry about friendship that I get is what my family thinks. I often wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a particular friend home as I felt my parents wouldn't be proud- just a feeling that you want them to be pleased with you. Thanks to the song "Jesus Friend of Sinners" by Casting Crowns playing one day on the ZEN, although I didn't get the hint from God until about 12 hours later, I realised that it's not about showing them off. It's about welcoming them in. I've probably said this before, but bearing the responsibility for your friend's salvation is hard. Sometimes there isn't much we can do except pray. Yes talking about it could work, but there has to be a balance. If we went shoving hell down their throats all the time, we'd never keep our friends. We need to be there to support and comfort them when they need it. For some people (me sometimes!) it's not easy to start making friends. This is what the note from my study Bible says: "Loneliness is everywhere - many people feel cut off and alienated from others. Being in a crowd just makes people more aware of their isolation. We all need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed - in good times and bad. It is better to have one such friend than dozens of superficial acquaintances. Instead of wishing you could find a true friend, seek to become one. There are people who need your friendship. Ask God to reveal them to you and then take on the challenge of being a true friend." I know too that many people have been turned against by people they thought were friends. It happens a lot. I don't know the situation of any of these people, so really I'm not going to offer much opinion on that. Even if we don't have earthly friends, if we struggle to make friends, or our friends have turned out not to be friends at all, we have one great Friend who will never, ever leave us or let us down. He is Jesus, Friend of sinners! "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from Christ." (2 Cor 1:3)

It Is Not My Time

Another God moment I had to share!! I've probably gone on about the fact that the church we are at is always going on about hell and the need to be saved, which is really hard to listen to week after week. So week after week I am going on at God as to why my prayers for my friends have not been answered.

This time, He reminded me of some bits out of a book I've been reading lately, A Lineage of Grace. It tells the story of five women from the Bible, going into more depth. It does help to learn more about them and understand them better. Anyway, this is when I was reading the one about Mary. She doesn't understand why Jesus isn't showing Himself, nobody believes He's the Messiah, so she keeps on at Him to more or less hurry up! Every time He responds with "It is not My time".

This is what He said to me last night. The funny thing is that it actually seemed to be in contrast to what the preacher was saying about a sense of urgency, but what God was telling me was basically to wait and just trust Him. That's not an easy thing to do, but I guess it's the best thing to do!

Be utterly amazed...

I've been trying to think of something interesting to blog about for a while. I've had a few drafts but nothing doing until now.

So... I've had a really busy stressful week with everything coming at once! One thing I had agreed to do, again, was the junior group (age about 5-6) at the kids' club thing. If you look back, you'll see that I did that once before. So I wasn't really worrying too much, but I do want perfection, and I just didn't have the time! Anyway, on the night we got so many more kids than normal, and they were misbehaving... I was just thinking God, what have I got myself into!!

Well, it turned out that I was able to use that to illustrate a point in my talk. It was about Joseph being falsely accused, so I asked them how it would feel if I punished those who were being good, when they hadn't done anything. I only realised afterwards that I would not have been able to do this if they hadn't misbehaved!! Wow, God is so surprising!

Also, a couple of days before I had been reading Habakkuk. When he complains, God says to him "Look at the nations - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." I remembered that verse, and sure enough if He had told me the kids weren't going to behave but He was going to use that for His glory, I probably wouldn't have believed it.

I guess the message here is just keep on trusting Him when you've given up or don't think anything good is going to happen. You wouldn't believe if He told you, so just wait it out.

And I know it's late but a very happy New Year to everyone reading this!

Time Travel?

I've been catching up on Doctor Who lately, going through the last episodes of David Tennant. Very sorry to have seen him go. This is the second time I have seen a Christian parallel in it. Yet again, the Doctor sacrifices himself for his friends and has to regenerate. This shows something not unlike the love of Jesus, when He did the same. Lots of it end up being quite sad when each companion is either lost, moves on or in the last case, he is forced to wipe her memories of him. Each of them, especially Rose, at one point planned to stay with him forever. Parallel to Ruth and Naomi : "Where you go, I will go."

I haven't posted in a while because to be honest things haven't been anywhere near perfect. Two songs I want to share today: firstly, "Blessings" by Laura Story... "What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?" And "Miracle of the Moment" by Steven Curtis Chapman. "I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment...." Yes, some days I want to go back to last year. But last year, I would probably have wanted to do the same. So if I did go back in time (ooh, back to the sci-fi Doctor Who theme! meant to be :)), I would miss out on a lot of good stuff God has planned, but it may take a while to notice it.

More than the stars...

Last Saturday I heard a discouraging sermon on the woman's role in the church, actually saying "it's not the woman's job to witness", which kinda makes you feel like there's nothing to do. With that comes a thought that we may be worthless for God if we are female. I spent most of the evening asking Him these very things.

Well, I am happy to say that He has proved faithful once again!! "His compassions never fail, they are new every morning and GREAT is Your faithfulness!" That night when I went upstairs I could see the stars out of my window. When I turned on the light and they disappeared from view, I felt there was something about them I had to go and see. So, crazy as it may seem, I went outside to find beautiful little stars everywhere! I just stood there in awe of God's creation, wondering what it was He wanted to tell me.

Well, as I was watching the stars, I was reminded of the words from this song! "I love you more than the sun and the stars that I taught how to shine, you are mine and you shine for me too!"

I really do think God is amazing! One more thing for this week: I spoke to someone else yesterday about these things, and he advised me that the best place to witness is our place of work or study. Well, I've actually had opportunities for that already!!

Praise the Lord!!!

God's Timing Is Perfect.

True or false?

At this point I am seeing some of it to certainly be true. God gave us two babies in our growing family this year. Those had been prayed for for a long time. I wondered why I didn't start this college course last year - well there's proof, He knew we'd have babies in the family at this time!!

As wonderful as it is to know how good He is right now, there are still some things I feel I'm waiting for. I do feel I'm lacking in Christian friends since it's a season for leaving here, and am struggling to bring Christ to those friends who don't know Him. I know these things will be revealed in time, but waiting is hard.

"For greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done here!"

Had to add here about the little thing the other night that I think was God. What came into my head over and over was "What a jubilee of joy in the heavens then is herd, when a soul among the saved is counted in!" Eventually I wondered if maybe God was telling me that He was celebrating for someone right at that moment. I'm still not a hundred per cent sure on that one, but am feeling very excited for whoever it was if so!!!

Filled With Compassion

Some thoughts from my recent talks with God. I was reminded today how dangerous it is to judge. And I was thinking back to when I first became a Christian nearly 5 years ago, back then it didn't really touch me so much that people were on their way to hell, simply because everyone I liked was a Christian and everyone I didn't wasn't. Yes,looking back, that doesn't sound so good does it. Well now that's no longer the case. I know some people who I would really like to be in heaven with me, and as importantly to know God as I do, but it doesn't look likely.

I know that whatever wrong they are doing, that God still cares for them and wants them to come to Him as much as I do. I know I've probably shared this verse before but I still turn to it often. "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". Amazing that. He is not a judging God to those people, but willing to forgive every sin. I know that to be like Jesus, this too ought to be my attitude.

There is a beautiful modern hymn which expresses it so well. I think I've said before how much I struggle with singing some old ones which talk about hell so bluntly and have no happy ending. Well this one says that God is "filled with compassion for all creation". Although it does have some blunt warnings ("having no Saviour they're lost forever if we don't speak out and lead them to You"), the ending is the happiest and most rewarding I have ever seen:

"From every nation we shall be gathered
millions redeemed shall be Jesus' reward
then He will turn and say to His Father
truly my suffering was worth it all!"

I would also like to share what God showed me about prayer the other day. I know I pray regularly, but this now takes on a new meaning. He reminded me of a song I know called "Somebody Prayed for Me". It talks about going to the "lifting their name to the throne of heaven, bringing them into His holy presence". Now that is amazing stuff really, and it's so easy to do! My next bit of the story is when I tried to find this song on the internet, I actually came up with another of the same name. This person says about the one who prayed for them: "they had me on their mind, they sacrificed their time to pray for me" and then even that "they had no doubt that God would bring me help, that He could change my life and set me free".

This is what I am praying for and if I could make a difference like this to someone, how great will that be?!

"Nothing is perfect in God's perfect plan."

Well that sounded a bit of an oxymoron when I first heard that! However I think it means that nothing in His plan is perfect in our eyes. In the end it is, but not at the moment. It's a really encouraging quote. There are so many things going on which makes the year look bleak as I'm really trusting God completely. I just don't know what's going to happen. I've been looking for peace and confidence about the upcoming camp - yes I know I've done it a few times before, but I still didn't feel bang on right. God reminded me of the passion needed to continue His work in children.

I then got a cold just when I was feeling good about it and am wondering again! Nothing is perfect - we're just waiting for God to show us His perfect plan!! I think I've written about this before but when I feel compassion for others I know who aren't Christians and I feel annoyed it hasn't happened or that prayers haven't been answered. I remember getting this little reminder that everything that happens IS part of God's perfect plan so it obviously wasn't the time. I guess it's keep praying and wait patiently!!

I am of course hoping for another camp like last year and that God will move among us once more this week!!

Life's Ups and Downs

Just to put a few thoughts down for the week or so.

Everything in life is always constant ups and downs. I had this song given to me by God a few weeks ago, it's called "I Am New" by Jason Gray. It reminds me that God doesn't see me the way I do. Instead He says of me:

"Forgiven beloved, hidden in Christ
made in the image of the giver of life
righteous and holy, reborn and remade
accepted and worthy, this is our new name!"

Another thing that bugs me a lot is talking about the day Jesus comes again. I know it's gonna be awesome, but I just keep thinking of everyone I know who hasn't accepted Him and how awful it'll be for them. And I don't know about you, but it's incredibly difficult to share about the gospel without either making a fool of yourself or sounding too "preachy" about going to hell. That's not at all how I want to do it. I pray for them a lot, but at these times when people are quoting how soon it'll happen and I just can't handle it. There are some hymns about hell that I can't even sing - it's just too much.

Again God gave me the right words which I hope will be a help to others as well. It's a snippet from 2 Peter.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, like some may understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."


I really hope those thoughts are helpful and I'm so grateful to God for showing me the way, even though there are so many times I don't understand what on earth He's doing!

"Children are a blessing sent from God above, for us to care and nurture and most of all to love."

I found the poem where this quote came from just after watching "Care Home Kid" on TV. Some parts showed children having good experiences in the care system, but others show that it's pretty bad. I think they said the statistic for kids in care ending up in prison / young offenders in later life was about 60-70%. Not good.

Aside from that, there are lots of people round here having babies just now, which is great for most of them! My childhood best friend just had one, and I think there's about 3 others from my year already had kids. I'm 18 (19 this year), so it just seems a bit soon for us to be doing that already!

The quote at the top shows what's most important: love. Every child is important. God cares for them and will provide whatever they need, in His time.


That's another thing I've been thinking about lately. God has reminded me that He does and will provide. With a few Christian friends leaving the area for various reasons, I've been wondering how I'm going to manage. God, ever-faithful, has reminded me of a time a few short years ago when I felt the same way. Just the fact that here I am again shows that He did provide for me, which is comforting to know that He can do it again.

After having a great weekend with Christian friends things are on a high for a while and then down the next week. I'm reminded now of the song "Party"! Good times here on earth are just a reminder of what it'll be up there. So for now, let's enjoy the good times we have and if anyone is struggling, just hold on and God will provide. "Oh the answer will come but only in His time, stand still and let God move".

And keep praying for all these children who are not getting care, nurturing and love! Through many situations, all over the world, it's happening still. We pray that God will sustain and provide. On the thought of getting us all together up in heaven, we also need to keep praying for those God lays on our heart for salvation. That's really hard to share about sometimes, so we just need to wait for God to provide the opportunity.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...

....in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

On the TV this morning was a debate where the topic was "Does prayer work?" I don't really feel comfortable watching debates so I only heard a little, but I would definitely say that this week God has been full of surprises!!

I came into town as usual Monday morning with literally NO CLUE as to what was going to happen. I ended up back at my previous placement, which was fine, although I knew I needed something different. As it happened, I got to meet some far-out cousins for the first time - which wouldn't have happened if the original plan had worked out. So yes God knows what He's doing!! And the very next day everything for this coming week just fell into place.

In addition to all this I'd been asked to do the story at the kids' club thing at church. I know I've been with little children a lot recently, but to talk to as many as that alone - really?? I'd heard it can be as many as 14. Well, I really didn't think I could do that.

While going through my regular blog check, this song came up on the playlist. It was "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson. I had never heard this song before, but the words were so powerful they interrupted my thoughts straight away! "I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself, oh I could choose not to move but I refuse...."



Even though I still felt terrified at the thought and hadn't a clue how I was going to do it, I knew now this was what I had to do. How did it go? Well, not bad I suppose. I only had eight children there, all but two well-behaved. To the people's eyes my little finger puppet did all the talking ... but really God did.

I've been reading Christy Miller, so doing something she never felt able to do before, was worded as "this is my bridge and I'm ready to jump", directly using the experience of another character. I know some parts of the books are about romance, where I'm going "No, this guy's better for you than that one!", but that part is a very touching and special one.

So back to the verse in the title - sometimes it seems so unclear, but trust God, not your own understanding, always acknowledge Him, then He just might surprise you!

Rejoice and be glad!

I seem to usually blog about things that make me annoyed, angry, sad ... it's just that when I see something like that I can't help but get my thoughts down. I've wanted to post about something happier for a while, and I think the happy something is in the pages of a very old book.

I'm referring to Pollyanna, a little girl who goes about life playing the "Glad Game". The purpose of this is to find something to be glad about in every situation. Yet again I find myself inspired by a fictional character. For example, when she is upset because it's raining which spoils her plans, she remembers the game and is glad it'll have to stop raining at some point as God promised He would never send another flood. Or even on the worst day of the week, "I can be glad it's Tuesday because it won't be Tuesday again for a whole week!"

Referring to my earlier reference to venting, what Pollyanna has to say about those, is that this is what makes it fun. If everything was good, you wouldn't have any game in finding the good amongst the bad.


Last night, thanks to a newspaper article and a couple of blog posts, I was thinking about adoption and kids who need to be adopted. Statistics given show that the people involved in adoption agencies and suchlike aren't getting enough kids adopted, or maybe trying too hard to find the perfect family. Or in other cases, people simply can't afford it and hence those kids can't get a home either, and they don't have all the time in the world.


It also mentioned how it is less likely that a black child be adopted than a white one, or there are other children considered "different" who families wouldn't even consider. But, as I also read last night, we can be glad that they are all special in God's eyes:

"Jesus loves the little children
all the children of the world
red, brown, yellow, black and white
all are precious in His sight
Jesus died for all the children of the world."

I'm not saying I see everyone as equal straight off, because I have to admit even I'm not perfect. Sometimes it seems glaringly obvious, and I have to remind myself Jesus sees NO distinction, and therefore that should be my attitude too.


Lastly although I don't watch much TV, I have been watching a bit of Tracy Beaker lately. This is a drama set in a children's home and although it's not the best lifestyle for a child, particularly one whose mother doesn't want them, we can certainly be glad of an imagination. Tracy always imagines her mother to be very special, beautiful, famous, talented, and most importantly a loving mother, who will come to fetch her some day. Sometimes it is easier to imagine things than to settle for the hard reality.

I'll finish with the theme song:

"I can make my world come true
all my dreams will see me through
doesn't matter what may come my way
believe me now, I will win some day".

Spirit of Christmas

There's something again making me want to rant etc! and partly about Christmas ...

Firstly this morning on the radio they were talking about online businesses' orders not arriving before Christmas. They interviewed some couple who had ordered online for their kids' Christmas presents and were now told it wouldn't get to them until after Christmas. There was some comment about "they've always got what they wanted before" so they "didn't know what to say to them". Well, my thought was, it's an opportunity to teach kids they're not always going to get what they want! I don't fully approve of the Santa thing either to be honest. On to something else...

This thought was brought to mind thanks to a blog post I read today, about how unfair it is that so many people are unable to adopt, and therefore lots of orphans are still living in poverty, some maybe being sent to an institution if not adopted. Are THEY going to get what they want? Do they expect it? No. Some will not even understand what Christmas is, and in this country (and other developed ones) kids are just spoiled. They expect to get what they want, without question.

I heard of this song recently too, A Christmas Carol, about a little girl who responds to Santa's question of what she wants with "all I want is someone to take me home". That's what those kids would ask for if they got the chance, and for those here not getting presents in time: It's not the end of the world. You'll get them eventually, but there are some kids who will not ever get anything like that. We've got so many blessings we take for granted, and while I am certainly not perfect either, it's definitely something important to think about.

I will say also that not every child around here thinks only of getting. The local papers have been a bit happier in the past month, with titles like "The true spirit of Christmas". This is about a young boy from up here who has cancer and considers himself one of the lucky ones as he will be home for Christmas. For this reason he started an appeal for presents to be given to the children who will not be at home this Christmas. And of course this has had tremendous support and despite not-ideal weather conditions, everything arrived!

Some people will have an enjoyable Christmas this year; some, through no fault of their own, will not. For those complaining, remember what you DO have. This Christmas, let's think of others and remain happy and cheerful just to have family get-togethers, even if we haven't got all the presents we want.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....

It's that time of year again: Christmas is coming! As much as I'm sure we ALL enjoy all Christmassy things, I just want us all to remember, firstly the reason for the season: Jesus. Loads of people just don't know and you don't get much mention of Him, or of anything Christmas related, in the pantomimes and everything. I love the pantomime, but we need a good mixture.

And all those people in the poor countries who don't have what we have. I heard a talk from someone who went to Cape Town on mission recently and some things you don't want to know. At the same time, it was also proof that prayers do work, that through those mission people, and us who pray for them, God is changing lives for the better still.

With everything that goes on now I just want us to remember those two things. I think a lot of bloggers have written about those things more so recently.


"Crackers and turkey and puddings and cream, toys in the window that I've never seen. This is the Christmas that everyone sees, but Christmas means more to me. It's somebody's birthday I won't forget as I open the things that I get. I'll remember the inn and the stable so bare and Jesus who once lay there."


On that note, life is good and I don't want to write anything negative just now so .... enjoy the festive season!

We need a whole lot more of Jesus!

Nope, this week's not been easy. Being with typical teenagers talking about all these things teenagers do (I'm still one myself, but don't fit in with them.) is tough. But that's not completely what I'm writing about.


I saw an article in a daily paper yesterday, about a Christian couple being denied the opportunity of fostering because they didn't believe in homosexuality. Seriously, there were quotes saying their views were "out of date" and even that "Christians may not be able to foster / adopt in the future". This makes me rather angry as I'm sure it can do to many others!

The Bible is very clear on this issue: "Do not lie with a man as you would with a woman, for this is a most hateful sin." (Leviticus 18:22)Simple. We can't really claim to be Christians and pretend this is acceptable. Other things too, we are called to show God's love to all, no matter what. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise our Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) I saw a comment on a YouTube video the other day which was really powerful, saying how we need to get out there and let our "life songs sing for God", because "we can't just sit back and hope they'll somehow find a way to Jesus" and "if we don't, who else is going to?"

With this and other things, this country, and likely others too, aren't going according to God's will. There are a lot of things now considered "acceptable" which shouldn't be. As I said before about being among "typical" teenagers, they're doing things like getting drunk purposefully, or getting in trouble with the police. Do they care? No, doesn't seem like it. Added to that all that horrible language: I hate it if I'm honest!

Which brings me to Halloween. I'm not saying it's bad everywhere, from what I can tell it isn't, but here, it's too much. They're celebrating evil and though not intended, it's stopping some from worshipping God. Nobody shows up for children's Bible class Friday night: they all went to a Halloween party instead. No church service here tonight: they're all too scared to leave the house. Even though I wouldn't go out on Halloween generally, it is Sunday today and nothing like this should keep us from God.

Strangely enough I was just on Bible Gateway.com to find the references and the Verse of the Day is quite appropriate:

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”- 1 Peter 5:8-9

And the title: who says the Bible and suchlike goes out of date? These songs I'm listening to were taken off an old LP record from the 70's and the words are just as true today as they ever were:

"You can read it in the morning paper, you can hear it on the radio, how crime is sweeping our nation, this world is about to go. We need a good old case of salvation, to put the love of God in our soul, we need a whole lot more of Jesus and a lot less rock'n'roll! we need lots more prayers of faith, prayers that will move a mountain, save souls from a burning fate."

Struggles & Perseverance

For some reason October is often a hard time of year for staying on track in faith. It's probably partly, or mainly, to do with the fact that regular Christian gatherings don't run in school holidays. This is always difficult, but the early part of October has been pretty good since I went away to do a camp again - this time somewhere I barely knew anybody so quite a leap of faith, but so glad I did it. I don't think it was quite the amazing one here in June, but there were still times I felt they were at least asking lots of interesting questions. It's always good to see folk interested, and these are kids from a city rather than here, and some not from church-going families, although you find those most places.

Back home at church - I've probably said before the struggles with a small place with mostly older people, and an old-fashioned kinda setting. There's one preacher in particular who I find hard to listen to and never look forward to. This is just my opinion, but hearing about animal sacrifices and how we don't need to do it anymore isn't what I find useful. I'd rather hear something relevant to modern-day life. It's never easy, but I did remember a verse from James:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."




* The picture was taken at camp and it was someone else who pointed out the cross. Now I see it, it looks just beautiful seeing the cross standing in a park with kids enjoying it.

ponderings on heaven

I've always loved music and wanted to be able to play and sing. Whenever I sing to myself, it sounds good and I was happy, but I have a brother who has more of an ear for music than I do and he always told me I didn't sound good. So recently I did record myself singing and yes, it sounded awful. Seriously.

Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that it sounds good in my head, I don't know. Yes it's quite hard, but there was one thing that stuck out for me as good. One of my current favourite songs, the one I tried to sing, was "Better Than a Hallelujah" by Amy Grant. One line says "God just hears a melody".... so to God, even if we are the most horrific singers ever, well not to Him, I bet it's a beautiful melody to His ears.

This topic is also making me think of heaven. Since we'll have new bodies and everything's gonna be great up there, I'm sure we'll be able to do loads of things we just can't do here on earth. Another time I think of heaven a lot, especially lately, is when people say they're moving away. A while of sadness and grumping later, then I just realise what BLISS it's gonna be up there. There's an old hymn that says we shall never part again. I like to think it not only means no more parting from death, but also that we won't have to live far away, we'll be able to be together forever.

While I'm on the topic of heaven, it reminds me of one of the songs we've been hearing on Grandad's old LP records - many beautiful songs, but this one is called Will There Be Any Stars?
It's sung by Burl Ives

It talks about "Will there be any stars in my crown?" This is kind of a different topic from above, but the stars in the crown refer to good things we do on this earth that make God pleased. Whether it's really stars or not, I don't know, but they're little rewards, or something like that. Whatever, it's all gonna be good. But it does say that as much as we long to be there, there's things we need to do here first. Different for each one of us.

Still on this theme, another old song talks about "the good Lord's blessed the labour of these two hard-working hands and when all of life is over ... then these hands of mine shall touch the hands of God". Pretty much what I talked about before, but at the beginning of the chorus the singer belts out: There'll be a welcome there for me! And I find it really touching hearing words like that sung by people who have since passed into eternity and are up there enjoying this life at this moment. Same when I remember people say things like "my name's written in the book of life and someday I'm going up to be with Jesus", in no time at all, they're there.

That song brought to mind something else so I'll write about that too. It begins with "There are many things in life that I cannot understand". I'm sure that's true of us all. One thing about heaven that I've pondered without a productive answer, concerns those who died and were old enough to think for themselves, but for whatever reason weren't like an adult but more like a child and maybe their brain didn't work for figuring things out. I know it's simple enough for loads of people to understand, and I'm having a hard time describing what kind of people I'm on about, but I hope folks reading this will understand where I'm coming from. On this, I don't think there's really a concrete answer. So this song tells us, well we're not God and we'll just have to wait to know these things!