Ptomaine - dictionary bingo

I was listening to a U2 song on the radio and the chorus goes, "all because of you, I am". I thought, that's true for me, I wouldn't be who I am without God - all of it has been ordained by God, who my parents were to be, where I was going to live and in which decade etc. Then I thought that it's the same for God too. All because of us, He is. He does not say "I am, who I am" to the rest of the Trinity, because they are who they are because of each other. Instead He created us so He could express himself to us, He gives us a reason to be just as we give Him the opportunity to be too.

“ For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. ”- 1 Peter 1:24-25

swivel top pencil cases

“ For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ”- Hebrews 4:12

See yesterdays note.

a man in pink shirt

“ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ”- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I get really encouraged by reading this verse. I remember how sacred the bible is and how useful it can be. Despite all the things I have difficulty having faith in, the bible, surprisingly isn't one of them. I still have trouble applying the truths and getting them deep into my heart but I do truly believe every word of the Bible and love the way God can speak to us, me, through it.

la la la, la la la

“ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”- Ephesians 5:19-20

I recently heard someone preaching from this passage and it was very inspirational. They talked about how we should do this. He talked about how worship songs should be biblical, theologically sound etc. This is so true - when I was a newbie crispy crunchy I loved worship times at church (still do) and I learnt so much from these. When I got to reading the Bible it was great to find where the lyrics had come from - it reinforced the truth the songs and the passages was trying to convey.

water, water (nearly) everywhere....

I have a new bath, and a new sink with shiny new taps and today i should have a new toilet!

I have thought many times how great it would be to feel like I did when I first became a Christian, but today I think actually it wasn't that great. I was picked on at school for going to church and my family thought I should see a phsychiatrist.....the Holy Spirit came to heal me of things so I spent the first 7 years of my salvation crying! However, when I wasn't crying I was joyful, things started to make sense, I was passionate about something for the first time in my life and I was willing to do anything or go anywhere with God (except funnily enough Sheffield).

“ Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. ”- Psalm 51:12

Today I think that the childlikeness of those early years, and my fervency are not to be knocked and I'd love have those things back to compliment the stuff I know now.....

50 50 50 50.......

“ Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. ”- Psalm 27:14

Is this like waiting for the Holy Spirit to come?
Am I waiting for God to do something?
Am I waiting for Jesus to come back again?

Or is this simply a message to the Jews to wait for their Messiah.....

It's amazing how the Bible can be read and interpreted on so many levels. That's the thing with theology. Some theologians will say that there is only one correct interpretation and others will say that anything goes. I'm sure the Word is living so that it applies to us in the way we need it when we need it. Thats my theology and I think I'm going to stick to it. I'm not waiting for anything from the Lord at the moment so I'll wait for the meaning of this when I need it.

diminutive - dictionary bingo

“ The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. ”- Psalm 25:14-15

Covenant is promise, right? The LORD makes his promises known to those who fear Him. A while ago I blogged that I was feeling 'stuck' - well having my feet in a snare is pretty similar. I well encouraged that it is God who will release me from the snare. I have been more into Him recently, if that makes sense, I have tried to raise my eyes to see him and have found quite unconsciously that I think my feet have been released! God is reminding me more and more of past promises He's made to me and even though I have nearly always doubted them - I really shouldn't and am increasingly starting to believe that they may be real....

Rhapsodie of Fruit

“ Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ”- Romans 12:2

Yes please! I would love to be transformed so that I no longer conform to the pattern of this world. So, I need to renew my mind....how do I do this?

Her name was Lola....

“ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ”- Jeremiah 29:11

I seem to find myself constantly thinking about bathrooms but when I'm not thinking about bathrooms I'm thinking about the age old question - "What am I doing/going to do with my life?"

Well today, I'm thinking that perhaps that isn't my decsion, its Gods. He knows and that should be enough. I'll stop worrying that I may end up doing the wrong thing (see Mondays post) but how am I going to transpose this truth, this promise of Jeremiah 29:11 to my heart. How am I going to feel that is a truth rather than a legend?

Hope and a future are Gods gift to me. Just as life is a gift. Ordinarily by right I do not deserve a future or to feel hope, because without Jesus I would have none. Now I do know Jesus, my future is eternal and my hope is that one day I'll come face to face with my Father and then I'll get it. All those questions will evaporate, they won't matter. The only small bit left to think about (other than what colour to paint the walls) is, am I going to hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant." or "this is my daughter, whom I love, with her I am well pleased." when I get there?

Anyone for a cuppa?

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken - Pslam 62

How does our soul get tired? Do we rest just because we are tired? My body and mind finds rest when I sleep, or do nothing, but my soul? I have never consciously tried to rest my soul. When I am in God, resting in His presence my soul could well be resting. It does kind of feel like that sometimes....that my soul is resting....or my heart at any rate.

Maybe my soul is permanently rested now its salvation is found in Jesus? Is my soul now held by God, high up in a castle on a cliff? Hidden from the crashing waves, the high winds, the scavenging crows, the robbers and the enemy.

The rock will have to be climbed and the castle besieged and Gods hand wrenched open to get my soul from Him. I know that story and I know the ending - my soul is the LORDS, He will never let be me shaken, He will never let me be lost again.

what's brown and sticky......?

I am well bored at work at the moment but as soon as the pens I ordered for staff arrive with the catchy slogan - "Internet Service - Self-Help for Customers" - I'll have pleanty to do batching 'em up and shipping 'em out.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. ”- Proverbs 19:20-21

I think sometimes I get so sick of waiting for God to tell me what to do that I just do what I want to do, blindly hoping that the verse about giving me the desires of my heart will come into play. However, this proverb seems to suggest that, yes, often plans are born from man rather than God but the the plan that comes successfully to fruition IS God's plan.

It was Gods purpose for me to do a degree
It was Gods purpose for me to move to Sheffield
It was Gods purpose for me to transfers jobs and continue to work for Jobcentre Plus
It was Gods purpose for me to buy a house

This has given me faith for the future. It's okay to plan, it's okay to seek Gods purpose too and if it happens then it's not a fluke or Gods plan B or C its the LORD's
purpose.

A boomarang that doesn't come back.