Apologies.

Hey! 

So... it's been a heck of awhile. And a lot has changed in that while, one thing that hasn't? My God. 

Since moving to another city to study there have been a lot of uncertainties, however God's really used this time to develop my trust in Him, He's been there all the way through - which is one of the many lessons I'm learning with Him at the minute, when it says 'He will never leave you nor forsake you' (Deuteronomy 31:6) He actually means it, and it is amazing.

However, one of the lessons I'm learning most about at the minute is something about myself I didn't even realise. Since moving, a couple of friends pointed out to me, how often I say sorry. It seems really trivial and insignificant, (and slightly annoying for others!) but God's really been teaching me about things related to this.

I didn't even realise this about myself, but it was so true! I would say sorry for the silliest things, (and then when told I needn't be sorry, I'd usually apologise again!) 

God told me that it was a habit I had gotten into through... yes, the 'p' words... 'people pleasing.' However one thing that I realised, was that the more I said sorry unnecessarily, the less value I felt it would have when I really meant it, when it really was necessary. 

For example, in apologising for jumbling up words or not completely understanding something, showed me how I was actually apologising for thinking differently. This struck me as absurd, apologising for the way you were created doesn't seem to quite fit? 

Now, by no means am I saying that it is never necessary to apologise. Or that we should all just liberally say and act as we feel and not care for others feelings. Of course not. We always need to care and love for one another, the Bible clearly tells us to do this. 

However, there definitely comes a point where you can apologise too much, for things that really don't need an apology.God created us all to think and act differently, that's why we are unique and why Psalm 139 speaks to our spirits. 

He made us all different so we can learn from one another, and that comes in all forms of: loving, rebuking, agreeing, disagreeing, conversing and so on. To live in a community and to live as a family means when those times of hurt or wrongdoing do come up, we apologise heartily and forgive. 

But in the meantime, if you're learning about this (as I still am!) don't apologise for who you are, what you believe in, what you stand for, things you have no control over. Express your love for your God to those around you, and if people misunderstand or misinterpret you, as long as you are right with your God in your heart, and you have apologised for what is necessary, don't apologise yourself away. Give Jesus away.

"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."
G. K. Chesterton

C.

Giftings.

Hey!

Recently mine, and a couple of good friends' creative juices have been flowing! Today I actually spoke to one of them, as we were discussing how exciting it is to create art, music and literature, with our King, God fired me up. He reminded me of something He placed on my heart back in March, and that word was simply... creativity.

I'm really loving and enjoying how recently me and some friends have been intentionally tapping into our creativity with God. This gets me so excited. God is our ultimate creator, and He enjoys doing this with us! He has said to me before how significant creativity with Him is, in that it actually forms part of the movement of bringing and enjoying Heaven on earth.

To add even more excitement into the mix, is the fact that we get to share in one another's giftings. It's so important for us to cheer each other on in our particular gifting, encourage and support the process of what God is doing in each individual, because there is always something we can learn from the other persons walk... always. (Plus it's just really fun to be involved in what God is doing in and with them!)

What comes with this building up is... responsibility. My friend said this to me, (she blows me away with her wisdom!) "It's just using what God's given us and then exploring it, but also accepting it as well, we've got to use our own gifts and not try and be someone else." 

This is so true! It's so necessary for us to recognise what He's already put inside of us, and exploring it with Him, rather than looking at our friends, leaders, parents, whoever, and trying to fit their style and giftings.

God said to me awhile ago, that we often compare ourselves to others and we can end up spreading ourselves too thin.We try and be a bit like everybody. The danger in this is, even though we're trying to be like people we respect, we can actually miss the giftings God's put inside of us for this season, because our attention is elsewhere. God's not saying that you can't have more than one gifting, but what He pointed out to me was that we can miss out on what He already has for this season, which could actually unlock other giftings later on.

God has given us giftings to use in worship to Him, to bless one another and to glorify His name wherever we go. We don't know where our giftings with Him could take us when we let them, rather than trying to control them.

Picking up on something else my friend said, she used the word 'accepting.' We've got to search our heart with God and ask Him to show us what He's placed there for us to use with Him at this time, and then... we've got to accept it. Even if it's a challenge, out of our comfort zone, well into our comfort zone, however it makes you feel, God's put it there for a reason, and He will help you in exploring it. Acceptance is something as humans we so often crave and strive for, but accepting what God has placed inside of us has no strings attached or sneaky terms and conditions, they are gifts. 

God summed up like this: "Being a Christian doesn't mean you're good at everything, it means you depend on Me for everything."


"I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously." 
(1 Chronicles 29: 17)

Blessings, enjoy exploring the gifts God's given you!

C.

Just another day, but with roller blades. - [Poem]

She asked me, if we could go,
those brown eyes pleaded, how could I say no?
With curls in her hair and her socks pulled high,
I remember when all she needed was to hear a lullaby.

So off we went, the journey went swell,
she looked gleeful, like she'd struck a wish from a wishing well.
The music was loud, and she came to life.
I know one day, she'll make a loving wife.

So here I am, with my granddaughter in toe,
putting on these roller skates, trying to 'go with the flow',
within minutes she's off, but always returns to my side,
there's people moving every where, like a sea with a tide.

She holds my hand, and giggles at my steps,
She smiles with her heart, revealing such depth,
I know this is special, I know it has purpose,
How can people dismiss this relationship as surplus?


Hey,

So today whilst I was shopping in town, there was a make-shift roller blading party going on! (I know right?!) As I walked by, two of the skaters caught my eye, and old man and a little girl, to whom I presumed was his granddaughter. 

Watching the pair of them skating around this rink in the middle of town inspired this poem. Its not the most technical or polished poem, but the scene provoked something in me. God reminded me how powerful and important family is; especially this idea of our church family. This old guy, at times to be honest, looked terrified; I'm sure he was the only one there over the age of 25! But what struck me was his ability to push aside his own wishes and to bless this little girl, just by spending time with her. It revealed to me just how important and necessary we are to each other. 

Being part of your natural family, but also your church family is such a blessing. There's so much life to be found in playing our part and getting involved, from the smallest to the biggest task. We can learn new things about ourselves and others, in how we relate, serve, honour, respect and treat each other.

"The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." (1 Corinthians 12:21)

I hope you'll be encouraged in your obedience to God to play your part, because we do each have a part to play in the bigger body of Christ. So, let's step up our game and put some roller blades on. Be ready to offer a helping hand, or a helmet to your neighbour, we need to get skating.

Praying peace and prosperity over all of you inspirational skaters.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each another." - Mother Teresa

Blessings.

C.

"Here it is, as it is for now." [Painting]

Hey!

So today I painted this... it's not finished yet. But I felt like God wanted me to put it up now already; for numerous reasons, but one being because of a work He is doing inside of me about control.

So this is:  "Here it is, as it is for now."

I know, bit of a weird title, but it's a phrase God reminded me I said to Him ages ago when I gave my heart over to Him on a specific situation. I actually remember saying that to Him all that time ago.

Whilst painting this, I had no clue what it meant, whether it was for me or for someone else. But literally just after I showed a friend, God reminded me of that.

So now whenever I look at this, I'll remember His faithfulness in that specific situation, that time when I gave him control; so when something rears it's head again, I can cling onto every word He speaks because I'll be reminded of His goodness.

I encourage you to step out in whatever way you're wired to with God. Even if you don't understand the call, the reason why, or even if you only hear the faintest whisper. Be obedient and pick up the paintbrush, the pen, the microphone, absolutely whatever, and bring your King glory.

The blessings of creativity are coming your way!

C. 

Focus 2012 - Love and be loved.

Hey!

So I've just returned from an epic week away in Wales at a summer camp for children to be ignited with a passion for Jesus, and... it was immense. God moved so much, and worked out such a lot in everybody's lives that it's almost impossible to do a post on it, but...I shall try to capture some of His glory into words. 


The three things God spoke to me most about this week were dreams, brother and sisterhood and loving people.

Dreams
This is such a popular topic for Christians to preach about, I've heard numerous talks on 'dreaming big' with God. But this week was different. I gained a deeper revelation because God had to change my thinking from a 'survivor mentality' to a mindset of one who is 'privileged.' I hadn't realised I actually wasn't living in the fullness of God because I wasn't thinking big enough; I would worship Him but then continue listen to that defeatist whisper in my mind, that had little expectations of God and declared things like, "God couldn't provide that much for me!" 
A very wise man preached about mindsets this week and he came out with this beauty of a quote: "When you give your life to Jesus, you become the privileged." So why if we've already given our lives to Jesus do we still live half measures, when there is SO much more? I asked God this and He said it's because we need to learn to be loved. He said we need to learn to receive His love, stand in the truth of who He says we are, and then ask for what we desire. At the end of the day, He placed those desires in our hearts, so of course He can and wants to help us out live them. So I encourage you to find something you are passionate about and allow your sold out, uncompromised love for Jesus to be the power and source behind your idea, your plans and your future; step into the world and be a warrior for His Kingdom in whatever way that looks for you.

Brothers and Sisters
Not having any siblings has meant that I haven't had a daily tangible way of analysing how to be a sister in Christ. However this week God has really developed in me a deeper love for my brothers and sisters, and He has revealed to me just how important it is to invest in these relationships, especially with the opposite gender. 
The whole week God has challenged me to talk to different people, of different backgrounds and ages, and to learn more about Him through them. He's shown me that we really do need each other. The advice and insight I've received just this week has truly blessed me because it has always come out of love for Christ, and has had the sole purpose of building me up. 
The reason I've found it's important to invest in our relationships with our brothers (or sisters if you're a guy!) is that we actually think very differently. I know it seems obvious, but it actually means when it comes to perceptions or revelation, prophesying or praying, the opposite gender are wired differently; therefore they can hear God differently, and hence can provide a different outlook/expression of God. So it is so important that we value each others lessons learned with God, and soak in all the varied expressions of Himself, and take the time to sow our own revelation into each other to protect one another.

Loving people
This is a massive one. This is one of those on going processes that there is always more to see and think on. God this week has taught me to love intentionally, to continue to ask Him what people need to hear or need doing, and to just do it. My favourite thing to do with God at the minute is to call things out of people in general conversation.
The Bible says in Luke 6:45 that: "What you say flows from what is in your heart." If we have asked Jesus into our heart, and the Holy Spirit is inside of us, our actions and our words especially, should overflow with His love. So, my lesson with God at the moment is to make this a lifestyle change, that what I speak to other people encourages them. I've been asking God to show me their heart and what they need to hear from Him.
God has also reminded me this week of the wonderful Heidi Baker's quote of 'stopping for the one.' Stopping for one of God's children, to intentionally love them and show them God's love is all that it takes. Amazingly simple, or simply amazing.

I'm sure I could go on for ages longer, but that's all for now.

Blessings of joy!

C. 

Living art - [Poem]

You are more than a number.
You are more than a few letters tied together with the thread of loopy hand writing and labelled a signature, as ink on a page.

You are an expression of truth and beauty that walks in the light.
There is life in your veins. You are not surface deep.
You do not exist as algal bloom on a stagnant lake or skin on the surface of curdled milk.
You have life in you, flowing through you.

No margins or punch-holes define where your feet can or cannot go.
You are bigger than the lines of the pages that trail
across the book,
you can divulge information so freely it dances from your lips.

You are a permanent marker, you can leave permanent marks of passion on lives.
No rubbers or tape can mask your expression.

You are a living piece of art.
You are a living work of art, that The Creator worked into existence.

You are a mirror of the Almighty One,
every inch of your body, your heart and your mind reflect
someone greater.
The One who looks at you and smiles is seen, everywhere you go, in reflections of pure light.

You live.
You breathe.
You have unyielding power stored inside the chambers of your heart.
You can unleash His power by beating your heart to the same rhythm of His.


You know true existence,
but what it more

you live it. 

Chasm Chasing - [Short verse!]

"There's a chasm of difference between what you know you want and what you think you want.
There comes a point where you have to sit yourself down, interview your inner mind, and find these subtle differences. Only then will you truly know yourself."

Just a short quote I thought of today with God! Hope it makes sense...

C.

5. Spontaneity

Hey! So as promised, I'm going to do a mini post on each of the few bullet points of 'spiritual awakening' that God is really teaching me about.

The first is number 5.
"A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience."

This has been a tough'y, and only recently have I found that I'm beginning to come out of the time of learning this, (of course it's always an on going battle that needs to be kept in check!) but I've never felt more free. 

When I read this I started to try and be spontaneous, like it says. However I actually didn't realise that I was doing exactly what it was saying I didn't have to do. I was still acting out of fear; fear that I wouldn't actually be able to be free. Once again I was striving. This took a long time to realise, and it seems so simple to see now, looking at this revelation in black and white on a computer screen.

But in my head destructive thoughts circled leaving me undirected and stationary. Thoughts such as that being spontaneous wasn't actually spiritual, it was...unreliable and fickle. This I've learnt is so not true. Being spontaneous in the way we think and act, is liberating in that it frees us of locked down mindsets that everything has to have been scrutinised carefully with a pro's and con's list before we actually get off our bums and do something. (Because lets be honest, half the time we do this, we seem to find more con's than pro's and then never do anything, except waste the time in the first place scrutinising it!)

I've now discovered with God that being spontaneous in our thoughts and actions is a product of intimacy with Him. When our relationship with God and the Holy Spirit develops, we begin to fully understand that "we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16) and then we do become free to be spontaneous, because we are acting in the Spirit.

The passage then goes on to say, "for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.¹⁵ Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others."

We don't have to analyse our decisions with a pro's and con's list any more, in the Spirit we can evaluate all things and be free to act upon them with God. The last part of that Bible scripture is a little gem, don't miss it. It tells us that as a people of God we can not be 'evaluated' by the world, The Message translates this verse to "we can't be judged by unspiritual critics." The world doesn't define us. A freeing phrase! We can think freely without the constant conveyor belt of anxiety and paranoia over other people's perceptions or opinions of us.

In fact the whole passage of 1 Corinthians 2 is all about our access to God, and how we can know Him because of the Holy Spirit inside of us. God is the God of creativity, of course He enjoys being spontaneous. All it takes is for us to lift our eyes from our structured regimes and look to Him, and be led by Him. 

"Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit." ( 1 Corinthians 2:14-16- The Message)

Be open to communion with The Almighty King.
Blessings!

C.

Spiritual Awakening

Hey! So the story of today...


I spent most of today with a gorgeous family, just playing with kids, joining in conversation, basically being totally blessed by this family. It was MEGA fun. Then when I came home I just couldn't stop smiling, I was so happy. God had just rained down a spirit of joy into my heart, that even amongst so many challenging things that are going on right now, He just interceded with peace and joy. And that was enough. It's so funny the way God handles our relationship with Him sometimes, we can be so proactive and wanting to do things for His Kingdom when actually sometimes He just wants us to stop. So today he made me stop. What comes with stopping is reflecting. The two are almost partnered together; like the absence of actions almost ironically 'acts' as a permit for our minds and our hearts to rest, reflect and renew. The 3 R's.


So today God did this with me, and it was a blessing just to take a step back with Him and let Him shape my perspective so it begins to look more and more like His.


Then, I decided that I wanted to spend some time with God by writing a new post, so He reminded me of this picture above! I was browsing Facebook the other day, and one of my friends had 'liked' this, so it caught my attention; it's pretty amazing.


I chatted with God about these 12 points, and it was interesting the ones I thought I needed to work on, and the ones that God thought I needed to work on! (Again with the perspective thing?!) 


So, this is my little intro to this for now. I feel that God's got more to say to me personally through these twelve points, but also that He's going to use these lessons that I will learn to inspire some more blog posts! So watch this space! 


I encourage you to read the 12 points, and have a chat with God about them too!


C.

Walking in Kingdom Culture

You don't have to strive, or struggle through tough situations in life, because you don't have to work for it, you have to walk it with Him.

Trust Him.

Short and sweet.

C.
p.s I hope you get my drift, with God everything's about journeying together. Remember you were created to thrive, not just survive.

Power of Words

Power of Love


Nope, not the song! But the power of words.


I was thinking whilst walking home today about the power of words, that we actually speak to ourselves. In effect...our thoughts are actually like a conversation with ourselves. (Hang in there, it will make sense!) The amount of times we say something along the lines of: 'Gosh, I'm so bad at that.' or 'I can't do it the way [insert name] does!' is astonishing.


If we were in a conversation with somebody and constantly said those sorts of phrases to them, they would probably end up believing them themselves, causing hurt, pain, and even disappointment.


We know it's not right to do it to others, so why do we do it to ourselves? 


From today, I've taken up the challenge to speak positively into myself; believing that the power of words will have an effect upon my life. 


I've started by writing a note and sticking it on my mirror, telling myself that I'm good at something, so when those thoughts creep in I can rebuke them, and say, 'No, I'm choosing not to believe that lie.'


Hope that's encouraging, give it a go if you like! :)


C. 

"Do it anyway."

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.


-Mother Teresa

Video!

Check this video out! :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXo0cEWw8zg

The melted 'somehow's.'- [Poem]

Thought you'd might enjoy reading a poem by my 13 year old self. 5 years ago, when I was beginning my journey with Jesus. Don't be too harsh, I was 13! 


"Feeling lost? 
Like you're in a crowd and going the same way; monotonous. 
But, if you somehow even dared to turn around, and face the faces of unrecognition; if
somehow, you wove 
in the other direction.


You stand the chance of being bumped around a bit,
facing
them.
The pain and hurt causing words, can easily slip out of their lips, 
inflicted upon you
only because of your direction. Your difference.


Surely it would be worth it?
Worth it
if only one person turned and followed your lead?
Yes.
That is one more
saved.
Living a life where you are walking and weaving your way with God is more fulfilling;
Him fully with you, guiding you.


You can do it.
You can be different.
Different is 
good. 
Different is 
great.


Different is what God has created us to be: unique."


Obviously it's about standing for Jesus in the face of adversity. But as I read back over it now, (whilst cringing massively!) what strikes me is the 'somehow's.' How now I know that they do melt away in God's presence. The questions, fears, and worries of the somehow's, are nothing in comparison to God's promises and His faithfulness.


"Somehow I'll change this.
Somehow this will work out."


Are examples of how we can get caught up in how things are going to happen, and worrying that they wont. Well, we can stand today knowing that these somehow's are nothing compared to God's plan. He is all knowing. He can and will work things out. We just have to take His hand. He gives us strength.


Hope you liked the poem, hehe! Be encouraged by Matthew 5: 1-12!


C.

Go on...be a radiator!

Hey! So I haven't been on here in a real long time, eeeek, sorry! However today at our church meeting, an amazing woman of God gave me an inspiring prophetic word. It was so relevant and real to me, that the more I thought about it, the more I could see how elements of it were applicable, significant and important for others to know too. So here I am sharing some of it.


She basically told me that the image God had given her for me was a lighthouse. It sounds odd at first, but God was saying that we are to be like lighthouses, as His people, we should allow His light to shine out of us, so brightly. 


I'm not a sailing expert, but I know that the thing with lighthouses, is that people look to them, and respond to what they signify.


We can use this metaphor and apply it to our lives as Christ followers. We are to be rooted firmly in Him, and allow Him to shine exuberantly out of us for people to see. 


Recently I've been studying Matthew, working my way through this book. Today I came across Matthew 5: 13-16 in my reading, and it fitted so perfectly with what God had said to me this morning!

Teaching about Salt and Light

 ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

What Jesus says here is extraordinary! He calls us to affect the world around us. We shouldn't blend in; we should stand out, to show others Jesus. Right there in God's word, He tells us to let Him, let our 'good deeds,' our lifestyle of living for Christ, shine out of us, 'for all to see.' 

I'll leave you with this extract from 'Love Letters from Your King' by Sheri Rose Shepherd.


"Be my light to the world today. I stepped into darkness so you would shine for Me. Did you know that I have empowered you to light up the lives of everyone around you? You are My light to the world. So walk with Me, and let Me illumine your life today with My love and My power. Look to Me, and I will make you the bright spot in someone's darkness today. Don't hide your light beneath your uncertainties or insecurities. Spend more time with Me and I will make you glow with a godliness that's irresistible. If you will let Me, I will make you shine in such a way that you will be My star that points to heaven and brings hope to the hurting.


Love Your King and True Light of the World."


C.
P.s. The picture is from Google, it's great isn't it!