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!