Travelling Light… (thoughts on that last journey)

I’m going on a journey and need to pack a case
the weather could be changeable
so not sure what to take.

My visit might be lengthy; this means I need be wise,
not leaving things of value
for other greedy eyes!

Perhaps the photo album of friends and family?
or sentimental jewellery,
without them bare I’d be!

The money that I’ve saved for payment, if required,
for good accommodation
I need to be prepared!

I’ll leave the car and clutter, though some of them are small,
this job is such a hard one,
I want to take them all!

The gilt-edged invitation that landed on my mat
said, “Child, come just as you are”
not sure of that format!

Hang on, I see a PTO this might just hold the key,
“bring only what is in your heart,
the rest is just booty.”

So now the choice is clearer, I need not take a thing!
my Jesus will be waiting
and He is everything!

God Has Been Busy This Week!

It might be because I'm listening harder, but this week, it seems God has been extra busy showing me stuff that's important. Hope the following encourages/challenges my reader...

As with a car, or something people are going to use (put their trust in) is tried and tested for safety and strength, so God tries and tests His people. This picture helps me understand we don't need to run away from trials and tests but can embrace them! Those of us in Christ are being made "safe" for people to be with/use/have around!

We have one natural orifice for eliminating waste and potential harmful bacteria from our bodies. So to we have one natural orifice for eliminating love, life, peace and joy - our mouths! Be careful that we don't eliminate the former from the latter in some shape or form!

We are encouraged to, "wait upon the Lord." If only we could see it as, "waiting FOR the Lord" we would wait with excitement, joy and expectation. Just as we wait for Christmas, birthdays and a new baby, so we can "wait for (or upon) the Lord" for answers to prayer. God will be visiting us in His answers so we should be waiting patiently, expectantly and happily for Him!

We all belong to God as part of His creation and as such, have no right to judge, criticize others. Our husbands/wives/neighbours/children/friends/family all belong to Him too, and are/will be accountable to Him one day - not to us!We are called to "make the crooked places straight" by loving and accepting people, irrespective of their good/bad behaviour.

People belong to God, and are ultimately His children/servants and sadly, sometimes His enemies but as His people, we are only called to love. The rest belongs to Him.

Once again, altered Bible verses have come to my attention and recently created interest within my ladies group.

I led a study on Peter this Wednesday, and as I use the AV version of Scripture, I had things to share with Christians who have become familiar with the newer versions of the Bible.

Galatians Ch 2 and verses 16 and 20 make it clear that we as His born again believers have the faith OF Christ and, as His word confirms, should be walking in newness of life thru it. Modern translations omit OF; replacing it with IN which puts the emphasis on our own work or effort.

There are many instances in the modern translations that render the original meanings slightly altered or completely different; thereby confusing or blinding the reader to the truth. And we all know who is behind confusion and blinding!

It's really quite ironical that my passion for God's Holy word is now the AV because I cut my Christian teeth on the NIV. But then the word of God was new to me, and I needed to familiarise myself with it's basic teachings before being able to digest the original. God understood and provided for me in both situations.

My prayer is that God will move His people to return to the Holy Bible that He inspired our forefathers to record in the 17th century. How presumptuous of us to "decide" that we needed more modern translations!

The effect on the churches understanding of some parts of Holy Scripture is now subtly different and therefore weaker. And we all know who is behind disunity and weakness! May the Lord forgive us and help us in these last days.

I decided to visit my old chapel this morning. It's four years since I've been with the congregation and I was looking forward to meeting friends old and new. The welcome was predictably warm and sincere.

The Pastor spoke on Mark 4:14-34. Fascinating stuff from a well known passage. Funny how things can appear from Scripture as if for the first time! Take heed of what you hear. Prove all things. Take heed to what you hear. The metre (or measure) with which we serve ourselves the Scriptures is the measure the Spirit uses to feed/teach us with. Obvious really, but challenging when you realise afresh we first come to the word of God to be fed by the Spirit of God!

The thing that stood out for me was the word bringing forth fruit. It isn't worship, success, fame, fortune which brings fruit in ourlives but the word of God. The living word growing in our hearts bringing forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Do we go to church for entertainment of instruction? I found this quite challenging!

Finally, we hear with our hearts and must place ourselves in the place of receptivity, if we are to be fed and nourished.

Whether I return to the old chapel or move to pastures new, one things' for sure. I will always need to be fed the awesome word of God.

Trying to get the hoovering done yesterday was a mission and a half. Jacques, our 10 month old whippet pup continually tried to get between the hoover and the space I was cleaning at every turn. Not that he wanted anything from me. He just wanted my attention!

The scenario reminded me of how the devil loves to distract us when we are either seeking God or working for the kingdom. If he can come between us and our ministry, or weaken our faith in God or others he will, and his methods aren't always as obvious as Jacques!

Subtlety is the key with the adversary and as soldiers of Christ, we must be vigilant. A cross word here, a stern look there...that's all it takes to set us one against another.

May the Lord enable us to be gentle as doves but wise as serpents when it comes to spiritual battles.

Today is one of those Sundays when I wished I'd stayed at home!

The trouble with looking forward to church is that if the service doesn't come up to expectations, you feel short changed and disappointed - and yet for some, the service was just what they needed - I hope!

Communion was offered today, yet because of the casual way it was undertaken, I decided to remain seated. Don't leaders realise that this holy sacrament is something we shouldn't undertake lightly? Since receiving Holy Communion at an Anglican church many years ago and on my knees, it has really become something not to be undertaken lightly. It was unpleasant to watch people standing in line for Communion, with several young persons behaving as if they were waiting for a ride at a theme park!

The Scripture readings were disjointed and hesitant. The emphasis was on the `feel good` factor with God - not His word. By and large, too many vegetables and not enough meat on the menu. I need to be really sure God is moving me here. That said, the people are genuine and totally passionate for Christ so I will pray for the leaders even more.

But I just got here....!

Baby!

I've been thinking about the brevity of life. When we're young we think we'll go on forever but very soon we're hoping to be mistaken for being young!

With the passing of my beautiful Mum in May, life has taken on an urgent quality for me. There are still 24 hours in each day but somehow not enough time to complete all the things I long to do.

With an ever growing family, life goes on, but for those coming to the top rung of the ladder, heaven seems that bit closer now!

I am so thankful that because of Christ, I can be sure of an eternity with Him and those gone before me who have also trusted in His name.

"Invest in eternity" the Lord said recently. While many people invest in stocks and shares and earthly pensions, the church is called to invest in God's kingdom on earth.

And we know that one day, the rewards will be out of this world....