Live for each day!!!

I had a really significant meeting today - I don't think either of us planned it to be, or even quite knew what we were going to talk about. Problem is, I can be read too easily!!! The conversation developed and was so beneficial. It made me realise how far I actually have come in this apprenticeship and how much I have grown. I dread to think where I would be now if I had not become a Christian. I thank all those people who have enabled me to grow and kept me on my path, the people who encouraged me when I wobbled and to the remarkable people who support me constantly now - even if I do find it hard to take your compliments!!! It dawned on me afresh in this meeting that God never leaves you. Through the happy and sad, joyful and soul destroying, He is there holding you up, and loving you eternally. This truly amazing person I met with today - who smiles even though you know they're crying inside, gave me this utterly beautiful scripture which I want to share with you. The LO

Tonight has been pretty emotional. I went to an evening of prayer for a very special young woman who is battling cancer. We were praying for her healing and just continued strength for both her and her family. Struggling sometimes with my own health you don't always see the 'behind the scene' work. That probably doesn't make alot of sense to many, so I will explain in more detail!!! When you are sick people always say to you "we are praying for you" or you stand with two or more people while they pray for/with you - which don't get me wrong is really amazing and encourages you. However tonight was just breath taking. Steph's family and friends and just random people who had been touched by her story, gathered and as a united front and prayed together with such emotion and truth. You have probably gathered by now that I can be quite a wimp!!! So it probably wont surprise you that I cried all night. It just bowled me over how much love and support was th

Lou Fellingham's song "Build this house" has spoken to me so much this week. I have listened and sung it alot recently while studying Nehemiah at church. Last week we sang it to close a difficult meeting and it meant so much to different people. Today we sang it during the service and both times I have found myself crying at the beauty of the words and the deeper meaning behind them. 'To serve you is the greatest thing that I could ever do' 'Help me fan the flame which you began, and burn in me a love for you that all will clearly see' 'Unless you build this house, I am building it in vain, unless the work is yours there is nothing to be gained' Just a few separate lines from the song - but when you look deeper it is real soul crippling stuff. Even though I have heard and sung this song alot, it is moving me in a new and fresh way, the words are meaning different things. Rebuilding is so important but I, and I'm sure many others overlook the fa

Sometimes I feel like I'm a bird with broken wings At times I dread my now and envy where I've been But that's when quiet wisdom takes control At least I've got a story no one's told I finally learned to say Whatever will be will be I've learned to take The good, the bad and breathe 'Cause although we like To know what life's got planned No one knows if shooting stars will land These days it feels naive to put your faith in hope To imitate a child, fall backwards on the snow 'Cause that's when fears will usually lead you blind But now I try to under-analyse Is the rope I walk wearing thin? Is the life I love caving in? Is the weight on your mind A heavy black bird caged inside? Whatever will be will be take The good, the bad and breathe 'Cause although we like To know what life's got planned Thing like that are never in your hands No one knows if shooting stars will land A G Peterson 1997

This morning I helped with the older youth group and we were talking about Hope. The meaning of Hope future, past and present and I just wanted to share some of the things these teenagers said to describe Hope. ~ Hope gives a purpose to living ~ ~Hope is putting faith into a posibility ~ ~ Without Hope what is the point? ~ It was said this morning that in reality we live in a broken world with not much Hope. We have illness, death and false hopes. So lets try to offer other people the hand of Hope, in true faith that our God will help us to bring hope back, into this broken world.

If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope. If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope. If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope. If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places. NEVER LOSE HOPE!

I stumbled across these lyrics in a song by Westlife - they really blew me away. Although its not a Christian song it spoke volumes. 'A fragile heart was broken before I don't think it could endure another pain But there's a voice from deep inside of you That's calling out to make you realize..... Don't let your past destroy what comes tomorrow'

I have had a slightly gloomy day today - its been tough. But I came across this picture with its brightness and colour which really cheered me up and made me smile. So I thought I would share it with you, enjoy!

Today we had the first of the Christmas services for one of the groups that meet at the church. It was a real honour to be invited and approached to sing for them. It was a really lovely gathering and someone I have known since my primary school days was speaking. Although I have heard June speak so many times before I don't actually think I have never really listened - probably because this was the first time I have heard her speak since becoming a Christian and secondly I haven't heard her speak for around 8 years. She spoke with a real gentleness yet conviction and her words were so powerful. She was talking to us about Jesus being the light of the world and the light in our lives. She used this really helpful illustration for it. When we are without Jesus we are in total darkness, darkness envelopes our being. Because we are in darkness we cant see the way before us and if we are being honest that really scares us. However when we take Jesus into our life He becomes our to

Today we put up the church Christmas decorations which was so comical, we had such a giggle and really enjoyed ourselves. It wasn't until I got home that it sank in - it is almost Christmas. Can you believe that we are already in December? Chris and I led our last youth cell till 2008 this evening and it was hilarious with the kids. They are just the greatest bunch of young people anyway, but playing games such as twister with them was just side splitting! Talking to them about Christmas and this time of year was just so thought provoking, they say what the usual teenagers say (actually what the majority of people say!) how they're looking forward to the food, presents and dressing up, on the other hand just simple comments like 'I am looking forward to the carol service', 'I am looking forward to spending time with my family' and 'I am looking forward to spending time away from the commercial Christmas' (how huge is that for a 13 year old to say!!!) Com

At the end of October I got baptised, it was one of the most amazing things I have done in my life. And it was such a priviledge to share that time with some really special people. Today I decided to look through my memory boxes, just to reflect on different things like my trip to America, my grandparents and my young childhood. I had a look through the memory box for my baptism and came across some words that someone gave to me at my baptism and just felt the need to blog them to you. The first is the story of the Prodigal daughter. This postcard reads: This is the story of the prodigal daughter - it should really be called the running father who waited everyday for his girl to come home. The daughter who had rejected him so badly. But when he saw her from a long way off, he ran to her and hugged her and kissed her. The second is a version of Psalm 23 written by Hilary Creed: The Lord is everything to me And I am content with Him He carries my burdens and gives me rest He refreshe