Stop, Listen and Pray

I left university early today feeling overwhelmed and tired. On my way to buy rice an elderly man stopped me. He asked me for money to pay for his prescriptions.

Now... My brain said 'don't trust him' but I stopped and emptied my pocket of $3.55 and told him that's all the cash I had.

Only after I'd done my shopping did I realise he had been asking for more and that there was a chemist nearby. If I had stopped to talk to him I might have found out why he couldn't afford his prescriptions. I could have gone with him to the chemist and paid for them all and then prayed for him.

But instead of serving him with God's love I let the world fill my head. I gave him $3.55 and kept walking.

What if he needed someone to talk to? I neglected to show him Jesus. May The Lord grant me another chance to see this man or may he send someone else to love him instead of me.

Because although this man needed money right now, he really needs to hear the message of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour!

If you're stopped and asked for money... Maybe stop a little longer to ask why and to see if you can impart some love on that person.

This is something I hope do get the chance to do properly.

The elderly especially are prone to neglect and loneliness. So let us try our best to care for them.

Many Blessings.

Isolated in Sin

I have recently learned some hard truths about being single and out of home.

It's very easy to isolate yourself.

It's very easy to stop reading the bible and spending time with God.

It's very easy to turn your eyes from God and watch other Christians who live the life you wanted/expected.

It is so easy to fall into the sins of coveting, jealousy and discontentment.

Fleeing from temptation is difficult when you Iive alone. Now I don't live alone but half of my household is away. I also do not live with Christians. And while I love my housemates and greatly enjoy their company; there are some ways they can not care for me. And one of those ways is to keep me focused on God.

When you live away from other Christians and are new in a church it is easy to lose track. So it is of vital importance to keep looking at God, reading your bible and praying. Even making the extra effort to connect with other Christians. Isolation is so easy to fall into but it is also just as easy to connect with others.

We have the whole world electronically at our fingertips.

So please if you are a young, single Christian who Iives away from your parents with more limited access to others than you're used to! Make the extra effort to ask for help. Keep fleeing from temptation and keep your eyes fixed on God.

Don't allow the lives of others to discourage you. Instead remember that you are not them and you are living out the unique story that our God has planned and written for you.

And please! Share your life! Share all of it, good and bad with those around you. The church is our family and for some of us it's the only family we have.

The loneliess, discontentment and sadness I've felt this last week or so didn't have to happen. But I let it happen. I let myself slip and I let my eyes wander!

Focus on the Lord!

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Here us an image that I used to help me express my feelings this week. The top is the original picture which came from a gif off tumblr. The second is my rendition of it.

Here is a link to my tumblr blog as well (if you're a tumblr person): https://www.tumblr.com/theheavenbound

Keep walking with The Lord! Life isn't easy but with God there is hope and knowledge that there are much better things to come!

God loves, provides and cares!

Many blessings!

Growing up the Ugly Sister

I've noticed a lot of media coverage on the natural beauty of women and empowering women. Whether this will make women take off their makeup and stop shaving their legs is still to be seen.

And while I can't help but think this is just a fad or a phase, I thought I would put in my two cents on the topic.

You see, I grew up the ugly child. At least that's the perception I had of myself.

It started young, though I was called beautiful as a babe. I had the Big blue eyes, white skin, high chubby cheeks. At some point it stopped being beautiful.

I remember my Mum always saying "I have to put my face on." Before we went anywhere. When I was young I found it funny but as I grew I started to become concerned. She would always talk about wanting to loose weight and how her hair was too bushy (something I inherited also).

I began to look at myself and think, 'if my Mum's not happy with how she looks then what does she think of me?'

I don't remember my Dad ever calling me beautiful either.

But what got worse was, as I got older and began to put on weight I noticed people would say 'look at your Mum and sister! They are so pretty. They are so beautiful.'

I remember my Mum being approached by a woman who asked if my Sister would come and do some child modelling for her company. She said "she's so beautiful"

I asked my Mum if I could too and hearing me, the lady gave me a look of slight discomfort and disgust. She said "such beautiful girls." But I knew she was lieing.

This continued into my teens. At one stage a boy I had a crush on saw my Mum and said she was 'hot'. My thirteen year old heart was crushed.

My Mum would always tell me to lose weight and be like my younger sister. But it just hurt me, she didn't really offer me any help.

Eventually I decided to stop listening to them, I believe it's because of God. I've been through a lot more during these times. This story is only a snippet of the whole picture.

I decided to own my looks a bit more. To block out the voices and the looks. I stopped obsessive clothes shopping and decided to just be me, be a tom boy.

And while the words I get sometimes still hurt. I've focused my energy on forming and growing my inner beauty. I don't care so much now that I don't fit into the stereotypical beauty that is expected of our world. I am growing my inner Godly beauty and choosing to live to please my Heavenly Father.

I tune out to the world and choose to listen to God. I let my big puffy hair get messy and my face look tired because that's me! I work hard and I don't care if it looks like I do!

So ladies who are reading this. Let us stop listening to a world that says beauty is on the outside. Some of us will never fit that form. Just learn to love yourself because you are loved by God. 

Let's look after our bodies to further the work of the Gospel and not to gain attention for ourselves.

Let's ignore the looks of distaste from other women and just encourage each other as women created by God. Stop denying what God has created. Stop trying the change it!

Live a life that is pleasing to God! Because God is the one we answer to in the end! No one else but God!

Proverbs 31:10-31 

A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 

She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar. 

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 

She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night. 

In her hand she holds the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 She opens her arms to the poorand extends her hands to the needy. 

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.” 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

Colossians 3:12-17 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

   (One of my less fluffy hair days I admit.)

Everything for the Glory and magesty of our Heavenly Father!

Amen!

Rich and Poor

I recently recieved an email from an older friend. Some of the content caused me some distress.
Here is why - they refered to me being in poverty.
And while this email was very loving and I could see the care and thought behind it, it also showed me a perspective of life that I haven't come across since I've left home.

You see, in Australia if you live in a low income suburb, far from the city, and your income covers your rent, food and transport you are considered poor.

Now I must admit that I use the phrase 'poor' often, usually in the sentence 'I can't do ...... I'm  a poor student,' but I never mean to use this sentence in a completely sincere manner.

You see, I am actually very rich. Not only compared to the millions of people around the world whose yearly income is the same as my daily train costs; but also spiritually.

Not only has the Lord provided for my immediate needs, he has also provided for me above and beyond what I deserve.

He gave us his son because we all fall short of God's purpose for us. And because of this short fall we can't reach God and know him fully. But through Christ we can be made whole again, and reach God.

God did this for you and I, and when you accept that gift and forgiveness for falling short due to wanting to make our own purposes, you are made whole again.


Galatians 1: 3-5
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.



I am rich in all areas of life. Including financially, though many would disagree.

I think many people in our society needs to be reminded that our needs and our wants are not the same. In Australia, our needs are often met so often that it becomes assumed that our wants form into our needs instead.

But people! 

We don't need all the things we want! A lot of the things we want distract us from God and tell him that we don't think he's good enough, we don't think what he's given is enough.

But remember, God provides everything, so what more do we need than him?

So even though I can't save much money, even though I can't get a brand new bag when my current one is breaking, or shoes that will last years longer than the cheaper ones  I can afford that only last for months. I know that I am rich and God provides for me.

May I never say to God - "what you've given me is not enough."

Instead let me say - "Thank you for all you've given me, thank you for caring for me and providing all that I need. Thank you that I can often get what I want too. But most importantly, thank you for Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection."

Grace and Peace to you all!

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.


Here's a link to an article on using money mindfully: http://fervr.net/teen-life/six-steps-to-using-money-gods-way-2

Many Blessings!

All things through him

If you read the bible often and attend church events regularly then you may be familiar with the 'I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me' quote.

Now here's something about this quote. It is NOT about you and Jesus being your helping hand to do whatever you wish.

Here's the problem with this understanding. First it is one verse taken out of a whole passage. Second we should approach the bible on it's own terms, not ours. Don't put yourself in it. It speaks to us!

Lets look at this verse within a little more of its context and passage.

Philippians 4:10-17
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 

This is a chunk from a letter written by Paul and Timothy to all the Christians in Phillipi and NOT about you. But don't' get me wrong, I'm not saying you can't learn anything from this. And I am not saying that you can't see relevance to your life.

HERE'S THE THING
The bible tells us mainly how we are loved and how we can know God. Then how to shape our lives around that.

But to keep this short and sweet Paul is writing about knowing how to be content with God in all situations! Whether he is suffering or not I believe he is saying that no matter what situation he is in, he can do all the things God has given him to do.

We  have to remember that our lives should be shaped by God and we should be doing the work that he sets out for us. So we can do all things through him who strengthens us but I think its really only relevant when its in regards to the work that God has set out for us.

Many Blessings!

A letter to my 15 year old self

It's a bit cliche I know but I found a letter in an old journal from my self at 15. It wasn't written for me to read at a secific age but I thought it was interesting that I found it now at 21.

So I wrote a reply and thought I'd put it up here. Maybe someone will find it encouraging!

A letter to my 15 year old self:

Daughter of God,

I got your message. I'm 21 now. I'm not a trained counsellor, youth worker, missionary, famous Christian rock star or author. I'm not an extraordinary person at all really, which I know you expected to be.

However, I am a counsellor and encourager to some friends. I have done heaps of volunteer work with youth and am currently working towards a welfare degree - which means I can then be a paid youth worker if I want.

I'm kind of a missionary, at least that's the mindset I try to have. I try to take every opportunity I can to tell others about Jesus. I live out of home now and am relatively poor, I pay rent, buy food and pay for transport and that's it. So I feel like a missionary sometimes, in the sense that the church has helped me with shoes, food and household items.

I still play the guitar and have played in front of groups of people before, I sometimes lead music for church events. I try to bring God glory with my music and entertain people at the same time.

I am still single, childless and mostly unemployed. I run a kids club and feel a bit like a mother there. I also am known as a mother type by some... Well most of my friends.

No I haven't given up on God, though much of our family has. God still keeps me close to him and everyday is a joy to wake up and know that I can serve him with my life.

So I guess in a small way I have achieved everything you wanted. But not in a huge 'look at me!' way. But this doesn't make me sad. It amuses me actually, to think I've carried out in a little way all the things we've wanted to.

I remember you, daughter of God, at 15 feeling so lost and out of control. You were hurting and clinging to God. We've been through a lot since then. And let me tell you, some days I feel as if all the scars we bare have been torn open and fresh wounds are there. 

But let me say, clinging to God has become easier. My fingers don't feel bloody and the wounds don't feel fresh. Leaping of cliffs in life isn't so scary. Jumping into the unknown isn't so hard. We've done it many times now and God has caught us every time. I don't feel as if I'm clinging to him with my fingertips anymore.

In fact I feel as if I am sitting in the palm of his hand. He has knit us back together, into one person. Who is me! I walk with God now, sometimes feeling like old friends. But mostly I know I'm a daughter with a grand perfect father! Who gives me the strength to face everyday and the love I need to pour out onto all I meet.

I am not perfect, I still hurt, I still have so much to work on and so much I want to do.

But the itching need to know who I am and why I'm here is gone. And that feeling you had of being torn in two, it is gone.

You see, daughter of God, that's who you are. That's who we are. A daughter of God! One of many! Nothing extraordinary but loved by someone extraordinary!

I need you to know, 15 year old me, I am so truly happy! I trust God with my entire being and believe that he will use me to do his work until the day Jesus returns or until he is finished with us here and he takes the breath of life away.

I will greet death with a smile and warm heart, however it happens, because I know what awaits is better. But I will keep walking with God in this life and do his work until the day he calls me home.

Grace and peace to you, 15 year old me! You were wonderful and now you are me!

Here's to the future!

Here's to God!

Philippians 1:20-21 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

2 Timothy 1:1-7

Today I began a study in Timothy. And much like the first few posts I did on this blog I am going to outline it for you!

This is what it looked like:

I began with this structure:

1. Questions

2. Observations

3. Big Ideas

4. Take it home

1.Questions

V3 - who are Pauls forefathers?

V4 - what/when/why was Timothy crying? Were these tears of grief or joy?

V5 - is this faith passed down through genetics (nature) or from his upbringing (nurture)?

V6 - reference to 1 Timothy 4:14 - what was the message here? Is the gift that of teaching?

How far apart were these letters written?

2. Observations 

V5 - it's interesting that sincere faith here is passed through women first.

V6 - laying on of hands -> appointed by church leaders but wih divine prophecy as well (reference to 1 Timothy 4:14). So his work has not only the approval of men but of God also?

V7 - is speaking of the Holy Spirit.

3. Big ideas

A letter written by an older man to a younger. They have avoid relationship - like that of a father and son.

Paul is remindingTimothy of where he has come from and what tool he has (the Holy Spirit) to help him do his work.

V6 - 'fan into flame the gift of God' -> the spark is still there and Paul is calling Timothy to action.

A reminder that it is God working through the spirit given to Timothy. This spirit is powerful outside of Timothy.

Power, love and self-discipline. Gods word is powerful, he gives Timothy the capacity to love and calls Timothy to exercise self-discipline to flee from sin and dwell on holy things. (Maybe overlapping things here and. It quiet right).

4. Take it home

We have the Holy Spirit just as Timothy did. We often need to be reminded, like Timothy, of where out origins lie, of who called us.

We have the same spirit of power, love and self-discipline. We should exercise these things. We should not be timid and remember it's God working through us with his spirit. Everything we have is God given!

So obviously I didn't answer my questions above. I am planning to take them to someone who is trained in the Bible and maybe check out my bible dictionary. But I hope this little study can be kind of instructional for your bible time. We don't always need to answer all our questions at once. God can teach us even when we don't know all the answers! 

If you have accepted the gift of Christ then you will have this spirit in you! So you hold power, love and the capacity for self-discipline.

Keep your noses in the word and go out to the world to share his love we hold. God is powerful so don't be timid! And feel blessed that God uses us to spread the message of his love and saving grace.

Many blessings!

Study and Sunsets.

It's study vacation time. Which means I have exams coming up and am not spending as much time studying as I could be.

One thing I have been doing is sitting out on the balcony of my apartment enjoying the view. It's the perfect place for food, tea, a camera and of course my bible.

Here's some pictures from tonight's sunset:

I'm almost finished the book of Ezekiel. Two things that have constantly stuck me in this book is Gods saving grace and his anger.

First, I do get uncomfortable reading about blood being spilled and bones everywhere and altars and such. God being angry and ridding the land of people. And God demanding bold for sins.

But God always has a plan with this and one thing he does is bring people back to life and he restores them to his lands. Though he is angry he is not angry for long, when his people repent. He even plans ahead for when they do repent because he knows they will.

So the constantly remarkable thing about God is his capacity for forgiveness through his amazing grace.

Grace = getting what we don't deserve.

Mercy = not getting what we do deserve.

Yes God carries out his anger and wrath in this book but he is also forgiving and gives plans for the restoration of his temple, his holy place where he will continue to dwell with his people.

He has also made it so we don't have to shed blood anymore to be right with him. And he did that through Jesus on the Cross. He took our punishment and our death upon himself, the only perfect sacrifice, the only sacrifice acceptable to God forever. Everlasting! No more blood!

All God demands is recognition, he created us after all. So doesn't he have the right to this?

I know that he does and I hope that you so to.  I hope that you can look at God and see how amazing he is and now down. After all, he is our creator and he's give us everything.

He made us to know and love Him and to be known and loved by him.

So bow down before our God and come to a right relationship with him. Because we can now after what Jesus has done! We don't need to hide or be shamed anymore because we are forgiven.

So please! Go and be the person he designed you to be!

Someone who loves him and lives under his rule!

Many blessings!

Hard books like Ezekiel!

Been reading through Ezekiel.

The Prophet Ezekiel saw some weird stuff.

Example:

 Ezekiel 1:4-14 

I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. 

        Now this is pretty weird stuff and being one of the books that describes God's  wrath and anger against Isreal it can be hard to stomach. But don't shy away from the Old Testament books. To understand Jesus fully we need the Old Testament!

 So pick up your bibles and have a read. It's okay not to understand everything. I certainly don't. But we live in a time with a great wealth of information available to us. So don't shy away from asking questions of your church leaders or mentors. Or even getting some good old bible dictionaries out.

There's nothing better than reading the word of God.

So keep reading!

    Here's where I enjoy reading the most!

Many blessings!

When God says Yes

Life... Life can be crazy.

It's been a while since I've posted anything. A long while for the internet world.

I moved out of my family home onto a University Campus. And the challenges of living outside of home have been both large and small.

       Here is a snapshot of the sunset I  now get to see every evening.

I live with four other students now and share housing is great but also a challenge.

But the best thing so far about all this change has been the way that God has looked after me. You see I moved out suddenly without any planning. I lived with a friend for a few weeks and then moved on campus.

God has provide for me every step of the way and I feel a deeper love and knowledge of him now.

The amount of time I spend in God's word is more than I can explain and the depth of love and trust I have for God causes me great contentment and satisfaction.

       The moon through my telescope!

I encourage all you readers to get your noses in the bible because that is where we learn to truly live and love God.

So get in your Bibles! Know God! Love God and feel the deep satisfaction and contentment that only comes from making your whole life about God.

God provides all and sustains all. He gave us his all in Jesus! What more could we possibly need?

Many blessings!

Perseverance in Pain

It’s been a while since I've posted...

But like other bloggers sometimes life fills up and there just isn't time to sit down and blog. 

This can also be an issue in your time with God. It has been for me lately.

Persevering in face of trials and suffering, whether medical or not is extremely hard. And our focus on God can get blurry. But we must remember that God is still good and he still loves us. He cares for us. 

We must remember that we live in a fallen world, so life is going to be painful and hard sometimes. But we must also hold onto the parts that aren’t painful and keep them close when we go through the pain.

One thing I’m slowly learning to do in this painful time when I’m feeling detached and isolated from all who love me is to just sit. Sit and be still with God. Sit and breathe and pray. Reading the bible, not studying it per-se but just sitting and soaking in the words is helpful.

We must remember that God is bigger than our problems. He is stronger and he has promised better. We just have to exercise and practice patience.

And remember its okay to feel upset, it’s okay to cry out to God. It’s okay to want to run away.

But instead we must keep running to God.

Because he is who we will answer to in the end. And we are here because of him.

So while I sit and cry and sometimes want to scream at God; I will also keep coming back to the Promise of Jesus return. I will keep praying and I will keep sitting at the feet of God. Because he will allow me to stand again, he will strengthen me.

Every Problem is a possibility. Every problem is in God’s control.

1 Thessalonians 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Many Blessings!

Some Art from a Fragile Heart...

So lately I have turned creative to calm my mind and my spirit.
Art helps me to centre back on God and to calm and focus.
I always try to find a verse to go with my pieces, and almost always God brings one to my mind as I work on them.
Here's this weeks works with the verses attached.

 

Psalm 139:3

You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.

1 Kings 19:11-13

 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Psalm 23: 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

Many Blessings!

Beginning 2014...

Returning from Mission last night I found myself tired and in shock.

Living with 70 other people for 10 days was great and I was saddened to return to 2 people in a quiet house who's focus is still on moving house right now. The third person I live with returns home tonight.

The focus here is not on God and not on mission for him. The focus here is on day to day living.

I have returned not feeling spiritually refreshed, if anything I have returned tired and heavy hearted about the things that lie ahead. However, mission was a time to be reminded of God's everlasting goodness and glory. These two things I will hold onto.

Reading my bible this morning I returned to a much loved book. Job. Here are some words tat spoke to me.

Job 33:13-26 New International Version (NIV)

Why do you complain to him
    that he responds to no one’s words?

For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds, 

 he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings, 

 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride, 

 to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword

    “Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain
    with constant distress in their bones, 
 so that their body finds food repulsive
    and their soul loathes the choicest meal. 
 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
    and their bones, once hidden, now stick out. 
 They draw near to the pit,
    and their life to the messengers of death^. 
 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
    a messenger, one out of a thousand,
    sent to tell them how to be upright, 
 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
    ‘Spare them from going down to the pit;
    I have found a ransom for them— 
 let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’— 
 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,
    they will see God’s face and shout for joy;
    he will restore them to full well-being.

On mission I was reminded of God's goodness as I stood up and gave my Testimony on the women's night. Then over the next few days I heard news of how my words had touched people's hearts and had caused them to look more at God and to wonder.

I still wonder at God, for all his goodness and for all this worlds badness.

I can never let go of God, not matter how sick, tired or sad I am.

I can look at my God and be filled with his love and peace.

For he is the good God, the ONLY God. The God who sustains us and gives us life.

God cares for us and directs our paths.

These truths I will cling too. 

 This is the pure scan of the image I was working on over Christmas and some of Mission. Not perfect, but who really is. It speaks of how I am finding a voice for my child self and how I am going to heal this year. Even if that healing is slow and painful. I will heal.

God is forever in control!

Many Blessings for 2014 everyone!

In Christ, Heather.