Wednesday 29 February 2012

Application

This took not only a lot of thinking about, but also that extra day and plenty of meditation on the Bible to finally work out, so I pray God speaks to you. It is very, very easy to look around (especially over the last few years) and think that you yourself are nothing more than a consumer. You walk through life never really making things that the world can look at with awe and inspiration. But no-one has ever been where you are right now, with your mind and spirit because you are unique. God has put you right where HE wants you to be, right where HE needs you to be. He chose the exact year you would be born, the friends and family you would grow up with and the strangers you bumb into everyday! WHY? So that you can have every opportunity to reach your full potential in God, so you can use the gifts the Lord gave you to do mighty works in HIS name. So that the Pure Light of God can shine off you and into your family and friends to help them grow closer to the Almighty One too. This is a world where death is certain and this gives a select bunch of people a very ‘crash and burn’ attitude. But what some do not realise is that after death Eternal Life carries on, which throws up a huge uncertainty in people’s lives. What we must embrace is this ‘if life carries on all the stronger after death, is it not wise to work ever the harder to do good now?’. Not for the selfish thought that God will reward our good deeds, but simply to bring people to develop that Love with God that is shared by hundreds of thousands all over the Earth. Now even I can see the little issue here. Talking the good talk is all very well, but when it comes to the shove how should I act? That my friends will be one of the daily battles we all face, how to act all the time. After long times of persecution it will come to a place where we seem to lose all motivation. This should however only work to make you feel stronger, because it is the devil trying to bring you down, as he sees you are doing good works in the name of The Lord God, and this scares the devil. Also these times of suffering act as a refining fire upon our character, and soul. God’s pure fire removes all the impurities of this world to strengthen us. Romans 5:3-5 says it all for me. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. This is as God spends all our lives making our lives more like His, to be open and true, obedient and careful in word and deed. Slow to anger, fast to listen and patient, amongst many, many other mighty things. The easiest way to fully apply yourself is to do what you LOVE doing. What you spend time in your own place, perhaps with God, perhaps with others doing. It is always important to refresh the Spirit within us; otherwise life can gauge a rough path and wear us thin. Only by embracing the Truth of God and asking for His strength to face each day and trial, can we carry on. Discovering your own special abilities can only ever be a personal journey. There is no guide, except daily prayer of what God what’s you to do and reading of the Bible to help you develop physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and all the other –ally’s I can’t think of right now. God has it all in hand Ecclesiastes 6:10 The Future—Determined and Unknown 10 Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny. Some would call this scary that everything seems fixed, but I view it as a complete comfort. It assures me that life although dreary at times will finish with the grand unveiling and an awesome life in eternity with God. Nothing compares to knowing Him, and it’s a relationship that can grow deeper everyday. Another blessed month to you, my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Amen!

Friday 13 January 2012

Relevance

Hi avid readers!

Relevance in our daily lives. Seems like quite an unusual topic to be grappling with and to be honest at times it is very easy to drift along in life and take a back seat. But being relevant in your daily live means actively seeking and understanding the events happening in your life; while sticking firmly to your principles to your beliefs. It means having the freedom to give friends and family information which is not only useful, but valuable throughout their times of hardship.

If the above paragraph isn't enough of a clue for you, being relevant in your own life means...BEING YOURSELF! For we were made by God:
"13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

And He knows every intimate detail of our Body, Mind and Soul. He has created us, and created us ALL differently. There are no two people alike, because God doesn't believe in spares. He made us all perfectly the first time; yes we have failures, yes we have fears and minds that can wander, but these are the things that MAKE us human. These are the things God is constantly helping us work on in our own lives, even if we can't see it at the time.

Being relevant also means living in the present, FOR the future. It means planning ahead and understanding that not all things can be prepared for. Dwelling in the past can be dangerous, not only to you but also to your friends, to your family; yes lessons can be learned, but only when you can look back without being bogged down by it all. In the end God has a plan for each of our lives, all we have to do is ask Him what He wants us to do/say/act and God will provide the Spiritual Effect.

It may be hard to see but God is constantly working behind the scenes, in each persons life everyday. It may just happen that you say something, which that person has been thinking about for a long time which helps them understand life more. Thus we all have a responsibility to project the best image into the world; even if it's smiling more, or becoming slow to anger. God can and will use what you are prepared to give to help others.

Well I hope this firstly is useful to you and that you can make sense of it, so that you may become more relevant in your lives.

God Bless

Wednesday 11 January 2012

The Quarterly

By now it may have become apparent to you loyal readers that this blog is neither punctual or frequent. Yes I do listen. However these are things that I cannot change unless you wish to see a drop in the *high, high* quality of these written works.

This year however there will be more of a theme for each...lets say month.

January: I will be thinking about relevance in our lives and also in society. How can we be more relevant?

February: The topic of application will crop up. Can we apply ourselves more? Who can we look to for motivation? And indeed in a life where death is most certain, why should we bother?

March: Renewal of life goals and what you want to accomplish in life. Is this where I saw myself 2 years ago? Will I ever accomplish anything worthwhile/memorable?

And that concludes this part of the quarterly update. Remember to Keep on reading, enjoy your life and tell your friends where you learnt it all...yes school!

Tuesday 10 January 2012

2012

So here it finaly is! 2012, the year which has been overhyped ever since the Myan people decided to reset their calender at the end of this year. Of course, though many people believe in this take on events; I do not. It's nothing personal, simply I believe this year will be a stepping stone to something greater...

There are many more exciting things happening this year. We (or should I say Britain) is holding the olympics to the tune of several billion pounds these things> £! A chance for people to exercise their various limbs and torso muscles in order to prove which country is most athlectically superior. Of course the rest of the population (of Britain at least) will be exercising their (finger) muscles, turning the TV over!

Ah yes! February will mark the diamond Jubilee of our over used and under seen monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Thats 60 years since the royal buttocks first brushed the throne of England, Canada, Australia and New Zeland...apparantly...Of course it's just another occasion to drag out the outdated systems and dust of the silver, as they wave to us 'common as muck types'.

In august the world will rejoice as the Curiosity Rover (?) will land on Mars of all places! This basically means a group of highly trained scientists will get to muck about (sorry perform detailed and complex experiments) with the solar system's most expensive R.C with a response time of well over 30 mins! On a dust ball, more commonly regarded as our universal neighbour.

Anyone in England, or with a burning desire to learn both history and computing will be happy to know that the Cambridge University (group of stuck up toffs (no offense)) is running a Turing Convention. Which ends on the 100th anniversary of his birthday. Of course we all know Alan invented the calculating machine, which was pivotal in inventing the computer.

So a pretty packed year from anyones point of view. Unless you really dont care; in that case i'll play a small sad violin solo for you...(someday). For everyone else, have a great year and "Be excellent to each other"

Wednesday 23 November 2011

One Positive

There have been many things a Mr. Cameron from the ‘Government’ has done and said. However, on the issue of financial aid to countries abroad I find myself agreeing; if not vigorously. It is ‘for a dead man walking’ a step in a better direction. He has come too far, too quickly for it ever to be a step in the right direction, but I’ll let that slide for now.

Charity begins at home. Harsh words for some, I am aware, but as good old Abe Lincoln said “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. Once we have sorted out our own debt, once we have doused the fires, stemmed the tides and dammed the rivers, will we have enough of a foundation to stand on. How many millions have been poured into foreign aid? Where is the difference? I can only see the richer grow richer, while the needy try and endure.

Look through your town, your city; how many lives could be drastically improved with £67 million poured into community efforts? Once the quality of life for every man, woman and child in England is equal then can we reach, ever the stronger, abroad. Once the safety and security of every teenager, every pensioner, and every helpless baby is assured then we can muck in for the nations. Once we all realise we are human can we start behaving that way.

I once lost faith in Mankind. There were too many people trying to burn the world, trying to inflict pain, for any of the good deeds to matter. Don’t make my mistake. I have Hope now, that we can make the World better, even if it means moving street by street. It will take as long as it takes; the world is changing and people need to start growing up before they are swept away by the tides. Now is a time to get to know your neighbours and show them you care.

Friday 9 September 2011

Distraction

It is very easy at times to let things in this world distract us:

Matthew 24:6-20 New International Version (NIV)

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Lots of things will happen to draw our attention and many people will go round in circles looking for the smallest of details in order to achieve some far flung dream to reveal a masterplan. It is the devil's wish that we all be distracted; but if we focus where the devil cannot enter; on the Holy Spirit within us, then God in His glory will guide us and show us what paths to take. Even when the darkness seems to be all around.

Proverbs 3:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

No matter how low you are feeling, no matter how pointless and useless your life seems, God has a plan!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

And it is most certainly not one of these mass plans, that makes you feel like your being rushed through the system. It is personal, it is unique and it is FULFILLED! In the End it should be our wish to unite as Humanity, as one body, to come before the Lord and be brought to Heaven.

Romans 12:5-8 New International Version (NIV)

5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

But this physical world will end, and all that we understand shall pass away, and We will then spend eternity with God on the New Earth.

Matthew 24:35 New International Version (NIV)

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Revelation 21:1-7 New International Version (NIV)


A New Heaven and a New Earth
1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

So do not be so concerned with the ways of the World. We are called by God only to live in it not by it's ways. If you read the Bible and Keep God's words your perseverance shall be rewarded.

Revelation 3:10-15 New International Version (NIV)

10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Says the Lord. And so we choose to follow God and bow to His greater knowledge, for He has a plan and He holds us secure all through our lives.

Thursday 25 August 2011

Few and Far Between

If you are trapped between two situations you cannot see them both at the same time. You can know they both exist as problems, but you never deal with them in the same observation.

This is where the role of the onlooker becomes pivotal. One who has nothing at stake and can observe unbiased from a distance. Such a person can see both problems and you in a sort of metaphysical line. But the distance of the onlooker can often allow the motivational forces behind each situation to reveal themselves [due mainly to their fixed pattern nature*].

Although this same distance can occasionally result in the onlooker drawing stereotypes on the situations; which can be dangerous for you the subject of both situations. This form of 'inconvenience' can only be removed by a professional observer, which takes time and dedication.

But thinking on a positive note: can we not all, to some degree, be onlookers for each other?

*Fueled usually be emotions in other people; greed, jealousy, lust, etc. These sort of expressions are not very good at being concealed and will be revealed if sought out.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Progress by Default

No person can learn, if they do not see themselves as equal with their teacher. Of course, you may not be equal in knowledge or experience; but you surely have other gifts. This belief, this knowledge allows the student to comprehend what the teacher teaches and thus develop it further; by not being restricted by habit or rigid belief [which may be suffered by the teacher]. It takes a lot of internal change to accept that which is different, but being too open minded can also result in catastrophe.

You can allow yourself to be persuaded by others in order to feel as though you belong. Your morals will suffer for your ego. You should be certain of this: you were made unique to allow yourself a different experience, and for your future to be bountiful. This is how the student becomes the master [I know very corny and feeble] by taking the knowledge from several sources and varying application by experience.

This is how we form wisdom. Understand the knowledge and how it applies, then utilise it in the best way for the situation at hand. No one deserves the 'honour' of being called stupid by your mouth. For there is always someone smarter...always. Your pitiful measurements of intelligence and negligible next to the infinite in which we live each moment.

Sunday 14 August 2011

Purpose

Today I'm just going to leave a little thought with you.

All that is, isn't; but it could be. All it requires is a purpose and motivation to fulfill that specific purpose.

Of course it takes people to realise the problem and often create something to solve it/fill the purpose. Look about your lives at problems and see if you can find solutions.

Saturday 13 August 2011

Why!

There has always been one question I have asked myself in ever situation...why?
Not "why did that happen?" or "why is life not fair?" those are small questions for the children among us. I ask myself, why are you feeling this way?" or "why are you not standing up and doing something?". Usually that gets my mind pointed in the 'right' direction again. (Whichever way the right way is - varied by experience)

I say usually because there are times when you can't ask why straight away. In a way you sort of need to lay down the concrete facts, before you begin the construction of working out where to go. So what concrete do I use? The truths, that are these: I have a family that loves me, I have a home, I am well, I have great friends, I can eat each day, I am secure, I am free. I understand that some of these cannot be said by all people, but that does not matter. Coming at a situation from a point of security will ultimately lead you to success, along with time and preparation, nothing is more important.

Support of friends and family can be a big help when confronting the giant at hand. You have to get used to sharing your fears, your problems with them though. They cannot help you, if you don't give them the right information. Yes it may be hard, it may be humbling and embarrassing, but surely they will see you as a bigger person because you were willing to ask for help rather than go it alone.