P.s I'm not sure why my font has changed.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
Goodbye old drafts, hello new novel.
Hey,
I was out chatting with an amazing woman of God today, and I was struck by a comment she made. It was so subtle, that it almost fluttered by in the buzz of the conversation. However God brought me back to it this evening. She was basically saying, how amazing it is that we can come to God broken and hurt, and then as soon as we meet Him...He makes things new. We're different. We don't have to be who we were in the past, it's gone. We're made new, and we don't have to contain all that there was for us in the past, because there is so many new things for us to discover and learn with God.
God spoke to me through this in a picture. There were some raggedy papers of old drafts of a story that never quite made it, just lying on the side. Then the picture zoomed in onto a glossy, shiny new novel (placed upon a wooden table, very shiny also!) That fresh book smell apparent and without any unbent pages.
God was saying, that He makes things new. When we meet Him, an amazing new novel with new chapters to explore is there ready and waiting for us to step into. We no longer need to cling onto our old ways, or who we used to be, because that no longer exists. Those old drafts have been taken, and replaced by this new exciting adventure, in which "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28
The plots of our lives will be thrilling, and completely in the hands of our Heavenly Father, who is the best writer there could EVER be, so we KNOW it's going to be a good read?! Just as we read books normally, the words are already printed; it's all been planned and intricately woven together by the author. Well, its pretty similar for us too, but we serve the Author of Time! We can completely trust in Him and His plans for us, because like The Bible says: He works things together for our good!
It is going to be exciting, but the key is in the word trust.
To
Really
Understand
Simple
Truths
That's the essence of trust, to really understand, means to practically live out the truths that God sings over us all the time. For example: 'He loves you...' Therefore we can live as loved people!
We have to trust in His plan, and although sometimes it means we have no clue what's going to happen next; it's that suspense that's a page turner.
God's got it covered. (really understand that truth!)
C.
I was out chatting with an amazing woman of God today, and I was struck by a comment she made. It was so subtle, that it almost fluttered by in the buzz of the conversation. However God brought me back to it this evening. She was basically saying, how amazing it is that we can come to God broken and hurt, and then as soon as we meet Him...He makes things new. We're different. We don't have to be who we were in the past, it's gone. We're made new, and we don't have to contain all that there was for us in the past, because there is so many new things for us to discover and learn with God.
God spoke to me through this in a picture. There were some raggedy papers of old drafts of a story that never quite made it, just lying on the side. Then the picture zoomed in onto a glossy, shiny new novel (placed upon a wooden table, very shiny also!) That fresh book smell apparent and without any unbent pages.
God was saying, that He makes things new. When we meet Him, an amazing new novel with new chapters to explore is there ready and waiting for us to step into. We no longer need to cling onto our old ways, or who we used to be, because that no longer exists. Those old drafts have been taken, and replaced by this new exciting adventure, in which "we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28
The plots of our lives will be thrilling, and completely in the hands of our Heavenly Father, who is the best writer there could EVER be, so we KNOW it's going to be a good read?! Just as we read books normally, the words are already printed; it's all been planned and intricately woven together by the author. Well, its pretty similar for us too, but we serve the Author of Time! We can completely trust in Him and His plans for us, because like The Bible says: He works things together for our good!
It is going to be exciting, but the key is in the word trust.
To
Really
Understand
Simple
Truths
That's the essence of trust, to really understand, means to practically live out the truths that God sings over us all the time. For example: 'He loves you...' Therefore we can live as loved people!
We have to trust in His plan, and although sometimes it means we have no clue what's going to happen next; it's that suspense that's a page turner.
God's got it covered. (really understand that truth!)
C.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
YOU CAN.
YOU CAN.
A lesson learned from a VERY wise woman the other day, relating closely to the comparing yourself blog.
Too often, in the natural we say, 'I can't,' and put ourselves down. But God says 'You can!' because it's not about you. Knowing this, and understanding it, brings such freedom. The fact that's it's not about who you are, or what you're going to say, because it's not about you, it's about Him.
A-mazing!
This wonderful lady spoke this to me, after no prompting from myself. She heard from God spoke it out and pressures and constraints that I had been putting on myself were broken. She gave me this amazing image and explanation, she said: 'Just be who you are in Him. Not struggling or striving, but your bubble wrapped in God, and it's popping time...imagine what's going to come out of you.'
I was SO struck by those words, its not about what I can do, its about being wrapped up in God, and allowing Him (if you like) pop the bubbles of the bubble-wrap exploring new things together, whether they be lessons or giftings. But what matters most, is that it's a two way image. You have the protectiveness of being enclosed in bubble wrap, being submerged in God, but at the same time this progression of learning new exciting things! So cool!
Check this video out! The bridge is EPIC, basically sums this post up!
C.
A lesson learned from a VERY wise woman the other day, relating closely to the comparing yourself blog.
Too often, in the natural we say, 'I can't,' and put ourselves down. But God says 'You can!' because it's not about you. Knowing this, and understanding it, brings such freedom. The fact that's it's not about who you are, or what you're going to say, because it's not about you, it's about Him.
A-mazing!
This wonderful lady spoke this to me, after no prompting from myself. She heard from God spoke it out and pressures and constraints that I had been putting on myself were broken. She gave me this amazing image and explanation, she said: 'Just be who you are in Him. Not struggling or striving, but your bubble wrapped in God, and it's popping time...imagine what's going to come out of you.'
I was SO struck by those words, its not about what I can do, its about being wrapped up in God, and allowing Him (if you like) pop the bubbles of the bubble-wrap exploring new things together, whether they be lessons or giftings. But what matters most, is that it's a two way image. You have the protectiveness of being enclosed in bubble wrap, being submerged in God, but at the same time this progression of learning new exciting things! So cool!
Check this video out! The bridge is EPIC, basically sums this post up!
C.
1st EVER talk.
If you would like to, check out this link where me and my friend talk at our church, for the FIRST TIME EVER. Hearing yourself is SO weird, so I've only listened once, but we do sound SUPER nervous...probably because... we were. So enjoy, if you can endure our nervousness, click the link below and click the 26th June one. Job done.
C.
http://www.mosaicchurch.co.uk/pages/17-downloads/content
C.
http://www.mosaicchurch.co.uk/pages/17-downloads/content
Comparing ourselves & Prophecy
Hey,
It's been awhile, sorry! This summer has been crazy hectic, lots going on! All good things though. Well, amongst seeing friends, going to Sweden, seeing musicals, I've been to two Christian summer camps! Both were absolutely awesome, the best they've ever been!
But because Focus has just happened, I'll start with this one as its still fresh in my mind! The two biggest lessons I've learnt while being at Focus was about comparing ourselves to other people and prophecy.
Starting with the first: comparing ourselves. (It's just so easy to do!)
Focus is a summer camp for 9-12 year old's, so I was there as a leader, and this was my first year leading small groups with another lady! Being a leader was so much fun, and I feel that's probably why I've learnt so much new stuff at the camps this year, different responsibilities and what-not. Anyway, we weren't even half way through the camp, and I found myself thinking a lot of negative thoughts about myself and my performance as a leader. After chatting to God and with a friend, I realised it's because I was constantly comparing myself to others around me! It's easy to do, and especially when you're at a camp with people you haven't seen for ages, and then suddenly you see them all at once and they've all grown in God so much, and they're just so amazing!!! It's no wonder we start comparing ourselves and our progress. But God revealed to me that I was actually trying to compare my journey, and that's impossible because everyone is different, therefore everyone's journey is different. But God blew my mind when he said to me:
'You don't have to be good at everything, you have to remember that everyone's got different gifting's, its just about bringing what YOU'VE got.'
That blew me away. It's so true, we're ALL different, we're ALL unique, therefore we ALL have different things to bring to groups! It sounds so simple. It reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians 12, where it's talking about the body parts, and how each part is significant and important in the full working of the body. Check it out! So, yeah... we don't need to compare ourselves to others, we only need to be like Jesus, and be who we are IN HIM. Once you get your head around this, it's SO FREE. You can wake up, and feel so free, that today all you have to do is be yourself, bring what you have and enjoy learning FROM other's experiences rather than wanting to be like them. Because, ultimately when we learn from others journey with God that in turn shapes our understanding and experiences, meaning that if everyone is learning from someone, our journey's are even more unique and different! (I know that's not possible to be even more unique, but just go with it?) Awesome right. I'm sure I'll always have more to say on this topic, but for now I'll move on...
Prophecy.
Okay, before last week, just looking at that word would have made me confused! But this week, due to some lovely friends bringing a prophetic culture back with them from Bethel, I have really began exploring this with God. Basically, all it means is: hearing from God and speaking it out. That can be just you on your own, or you standing infront of hundreds of people! And better yet, it's SO much fun! God says all sorts of what may seem 'weird' stuff, but then it's actually relevant to that person, crazy times. Prophesying is great, a group of us at Focus spent hours, (more often than not very late into the night) prophesying over each other and recording it. At first, i found it quite nerve-wracking and scary, worrying that you might say the wrong thing, but actually all it takes is taking a moment, to tune in and LISTEN to what God has to say. Sometimes then asking questions about what He's shown you in necessary, to communicate outloud to others effectively, but other times, He may just want you to say one word, that then unlocks a thread of prophetic words from others!
It's awesome, try it.
Right that's it from me for now!
There will definitely be more to come soon!
Bye!
C.
It's been awhile, sorry! This summer has been crazy hectic, lots going on! All good things though. Well, amongst seeing friends, going to Sweden, seeing musicals, I've been to two Christian summer camps! Both were absolutely awesome, the best they've ever been!
But because Focus has just happened, I'll start with this one as its still fresh in my mind! The two biggest lessons I've learnt while being at Focus was about comparing ourselves to other people and prophecy.
Starting with the first: comparing ourselves. (It's just so easy to do!)
Focus is a summer camp for 9-12 year old's, so I was there as a leader, and this was my first year leading small groups with another lady! Being a leader was so much fun, and I feel that's probably why I've learnt so much new stuff at the camps this year, different responsibilities and what-not. Anyway, we weren't even half way through the camp, and I found myself thinking a lot of negative thoughts about myself and my performance as a leader. After chatting to God and with a friend, I realised it's because I was constantly comparing myself to others around me! It's easy to do, and especially when you're at a camp with people you haven't seen for ages, and then suddenly you see them all at once and they've all grown in God so much, and they're just so amazing!!! It's no wonder we start comparing ourselves and our progress. But God revealed to me that I was actually trying to compare my journey, and that's impossible because everyone is different, therefore everyone's journey is different. But God blew my mind when he said to me:
'You don't have to be good at everything, you have to remember that everyone's got different gifting's, its just about bringing what YOU'VE got.'
That blew me away. It's so true, we're ALL different, we're ALL unique, therefore we ALL have different things to bring to groups! It sounds so simple. It reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians 12, where it's talking about the body parts, and how each part is significant and important in the full working of the body. Check it out! So, yeah... we don't need to compare ourselves to others, we only need to be like Jesus, and be who we are IN HIM. Once you get your head around this, it's SO FREE. You can wake up, and feel so free, that today all you have to do is be yourself, bring what you have and enjoy learning FROM other's experiences rather than wanting to be like them. Because, ultimately when we learn from others journey with God that in turn shapes our understanding and experiences, meaning that if everyone is learning from someone, our journey's are even more unique and different! (I know that's not possible to be even more unique, but just go with it?) Awesome right. I'm sure I'll always have more to say on this topic, but for now I'll move on...
Prophecy.
Okay, before last week, just looking at that word would have made me confused! But this week, due to some lovely friends bringing a prophetic culture back with them from Bethel, I have really began exploring this with God. Basically, all it means is: hearing from God and speaking it out. That can be just you on your own, or you standing infront of hundreds of people! And better yet, it's SO much fun! God says all sorts of what may seem 'weird' stuff, but then it's actually relevant to that person, crazy times. Prophesying is great, a group of us at Focus spent hours, (more often than not very late into the night) prophesying over each other and recording it. At first, i found it quite nerve-wracking and scary, worrying that you might say the wrong thing, but actually all it takes is taking a moment, to tune in and LISTEN to what God has to say. Sometimes then asking questions about what He's shown you in necessary, to communicate outloud to others effectively, but other times, He may just want you to say one word, that then unlocks a thread of prophetic words from others!
It's awesome, try it.
Right that's it from me for now!
There will definitely be more to come soon!
Bye!
C.
Monday, 11 July 2011
[Poem] - In Clearing
Not in the clear,
But clearing in.
Not clearing out,
not in, but within.
They're not placed or poised,
but scattered in disguise as matter.
'This then this' and wonders
draping from the high ceiling of the sky,
like trails of embroidery thread.
Seamless and slight, yet numerous in sight.
Following the maze of the floor made by bricks
of organic matter.
But should I lift this brick, and place
one
upon
another
to reach that glowing tether?
no wait
for the Master knows the threads apart,
and that glowing tether...
may not be luminous at heart.
© This site may not be reproduced without permission from site author.
But clearing in.
Not clearing out,
not in, but within.
They're not placed or poised,
but scattered in disguise as matter.
'This then this' and wonders
draping from the high ceiling of the sky,
like trails of embroidery thread.
Seamless and slight, yet numerous in sight.
Following the maze of the floor made by bricks
of organic matter.
But should I lift this brick, and place
one
upon
another
to reach that glowing tether?
no wait
for the Master knows the threads apart,
and that glowing tether...
may not be luminous at heart.
© This site may not be reproduced without permission from site author.
Bus Journeys 1
Hey :)
So for the first time in awhile, I decided to have a cheeky trip into town, meaning I had to embark upon a half an hour bus journey. Usually, I'll stick my ear phones in and silently sing along to my favourite tunes, or grab a book that I'm reading for English, and have a catch up. However, this weekend I decided to listen to a podcast, by Bill Johnson, it was great! Oddly, on this occasion though, I felt like God was telling me not to carry on listening to it... but to put some worship music on instead! So I put some Jesus Culture on, what happened next was quite weird...
It was just playing and I felt like God was saying, not to let my thoughts wander, not to day dream out the window or whatever else I usually daze off doing on bus journeys, but to really focus on the lyrics. So I did, as I was concentrating on the lyrics, and allowing God to speak to me through them, I felt like this kind of pressure keeping me in my seat. At first I wasn't really sure what was going on, and worried that if it continued for a long time, I wouldn't be able to get up and I'd miss my stop! But the longer it went on the more at peace I felt, it was like God was actually forcing me to stop. I mean, there was no where I could go, I was on a bus! There was nothing I could do to distract myself. I had his words speaking to me in my ears, I was truly resting in Him. It was amazing. I'm not the sort of person to stop, I'm always doing SOMETHING, even my brain is always ticking over pondering on things constantly. But God really was teaching me how to rest in Him, and I've never felt such peace.
Now I know, when I need rest and peace (everyday!) all I have to do is... stop, focus on Him, and truly be wrapped up in his arms.
It's the best!
C.
So for the first time in awhile, I decided to have a cheeky trip into town, meaning I had to embark upon a half an hour bus journey. Usually, I'll stick my ear phones in and silently sing along to my favourite tunes, or grab a book that I'm reading for English, and have a catch up. However, this weekend I decided to listen to a podcast, by Bill Johnson, it was great! Oddly, on this occasion though, I felt like God was telling me not to carry on listening to it... but to put some worship music on instead! So I put some Jesus Culture on, what happened next was quite weird...
It was just playing and I felt like God was saying, not to let my thoughts wander, not to day dream out the window or whatever else I usually daze off doing on bus journeys, but to really focus on the lyrics. So I did, as I was concentrating on the lyrics, and allowing God to speak to me through them, I felt like this kind of pressure keeping me in my seat. At first I wasn't really sure what was going on, and worried that if it continued for a long time, I wouldn't be able to get up and I'd miss my stop! But the longer it went on the more at peace I felt, it was like God was actually forcing me to stop. I mean, there was no where I could go, I was on a bus! There was nothing I could do to distract myself. I had his words speaking to me in my ears, I was truly resting in Him. It was amazing. I'm not the sort of person to stop, I'm always doing SOMETHING, even my brain is always ticking over pondering on things constantly. But God really was teaching me how to rest in Him, and I've never felt such peace.
Now I know, when I need rest and peace (everyday!) all I have to do is... stop, focus on Him, and truly be wrapped up in his arms.
It's the best!
C.
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