rat ta tat tat...

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:5-8

5Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. - Philippians 2:5-8 (The Message)

This is a more bizzare passage to consider than I've ever thought before - when you grasp something I thought it was to understand something but here it really means being God didn't give Jesus an ego....are we to be slaves or servants what is the real difference? how can one humble ones self? The Message suggests that Jesus didn't neccessarily humble himself rather being human was a humbling process in its self.

If I am obedient and selfless am I humble? Is humility a goal or a bi product?

I'm feeling really restless at the moment - like I really want to get stuck into something and run with it - a project and idea....something new, different - I keep having bizarre ideas and want to do all of them - some might make money, some won't, some might bring in the kingdom of God, some won't.

This is the nicest one of all - a sweet shop that doesn't sell sweets! It looks like a sweet shop though with big jars and lolly pops bright colours etc but its really clevery packaged and marketed fruit and nuts, ready to eat on the go that sort of thing, some fresh, some dried, local produce, fair trade stuff, juices and smoothies etc etc. With a table in the corner for people to knit....knitted fruit!

ow!

“ That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ”- Romans 10:9-10

Now I am sure of my salvation! I love Romans it has so many little gems that sort stuff out for you....the only problem with Romans is there is a lot of other stuff that causes me more problems than I started with....

AOB - My nose stud fell out a couple of days ago and yesterday it had started to heal over...I managed to stick a ring through but now its really sore...I've just been to town to buy some studs and I didn't check the packet properly and the studs are these bizarre things that are way too thick for the hole in my nose so I'm back to the ring which I don't like very much!

“ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ”- Romans 3:23-24

Do you think that this verse suggests that we only just miss the mark?...like we're nearly there but not quite?....As far as I think I know we're or I certainly am, miles away from the glory of God becuase of my sin (before Jesus came along).

'Falling short' also therefore suggests that the actions of Christ are like the last little bit of a bridge to make sure it reaches the other side - surely the gap is a chasm (similar to that of the Grand Canyon and Jesus is the entire bridge, foundations and all!

I'm going to see what it says in the message....

Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, 24God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

hmm that's a bit more like it!

ha!

Robin may not be wearing my creation in public but its definately the start of something!

why stop working just cos you need the loo......?

“ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ”- Galatians 2:20

A question has been raised about whether or not there is a difference between a believer, a Christian and a disciple.

Consider the following:

1. What does it mean to be saved?
2. Can we ever be sure of our salvation?
3. How well do we have to know Jesus before we should give our lives to Him and encourage others to do so?
4. Once someone proclaims the Lordship of Jesus in their lives are they saved?
5. Where is the balance between discipline, personal sacrifice and grace?
6. Can you lose your salvation?
7. There were many people who believed who Jesus was but were they disciples?
8. What is the definition of a disciple?
9. Can you be a disciple if you can't read the bible, don't know the Holy Spirit or don't go to church?
10. (for good measure) Why does it seem to be more hard core to being a disciple rather than a Chrsitian?
11. If you want to be a disciple are you therefore a disciple?

Now the following are things I'm fairly sure I know:

1. Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.
2. When Peter preached (Acts 2) thousands believed and were added to there numbers.
3. The parable of the talents suggests we should invest what we have been given by God, but if we have'nt been given much we can't invest much (but that 'talent' is still to be invested).
4. Blessed are the poor, the hungry, the mourners, the merciful etc
5. Paul taught about the complete transformation of mind and spirit through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
6. Believing in Jesus, who he is, what he's done is good.....but there is more
7. The devil believes who Jesus is but he does not submit to him (unless you remind him about when happens in Revelation.)
8. You have discipleship training schools but not Chritianship training schools (or are those churches?)
9. Jesus will tell you he never knew you if you don't do the will of the Father
10. The gate is narrow and few will pass through
11. There are many different types of people: people who have rejected Jesus, people who believe Jesus existed, people who have never been told the truth about Jesus, people who once gave thier lives to Jesus and have since taken parts of it back, people who are all about what you have to do for your salvation rather than who you have to be, and people that are just trying to figure it all out and are not sure where that putsthem on the beliver-disciple spectrum (if there is one!) That's me by the way.

Any thoughts?

missing monkeys found shaved.....

“ 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. ”- Hebrews 12:2

There' s that joy thing again.....

.....I don't know if it has anything to do with the sunny weather or God but today I am so much more optomistic about seeing change in Gloucester. It really is a deprived City is so many ways....I've been thinking about how it could be changed around and remebered hearing this guy (Christian) talk about what he was doing in Leeds (what he felt his role in God's mission to Leeds was really) and it was all about sustainable development, helping the people to help themselves, increasing the local economy but keeping the wealth within the area. This is exactly the kind of thing we need to do here....not sure where to begin....I never do with ideas like this maybe I'm supposed to pray for it rather than be the person who does it....

ps. I will send a mars bar to anyone who can tell me where I got todays title from...