Only Trying to Help

Today I left my work quite sharp so I could get home in plenty of time to play "catch the cat"!

Those of you who have a cat or have had one in the past, probably know what's going on - it's that time of year when I have to take our cat to the vet for his annual checkup and inoculations!

Tigger doesn't like going to the vet, so as soon as he sees his carry case coming out the spare room, he goes into hiding and then plays a mixture of hide and seek and tag when we try to get him into his box! The daft thing is we're only trying to take him to the vet to make sure he stays well.

Isn't this just a bit like our relationship with God sometimes? God has a plan for our lives and when He tries to tells us and direct us, we do everything we can to avoid hearing Him, just because we don't want to do what he's requesting of us.

Just like my cat's aversion to going to the vet, we can often find ourselves scared of what God is wanting us to do. The daft thing is just like my cat, we have nothing to worry about, as God will help us to do whatever he wants us to do. So when we listen to God and accept his leading, we find (just like my cat going to the vet) we actually had nothing to fear in the first place!

Don't ignore God when He's speaking to you, He's wanting to help and guide you.

The Mission

The Mission is a 1986 British film about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th century South America. The film is set in the 1750s and involves the Jesuit Reductions, a program by which Jesuit missionaries set up missions independent of the Spanish state to teach Christianity to the natives. It tells the story of a Irish Jesuit priest, Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons), who enters the South American jungle to build a mission and convert a community of Guaraní Indians to Christianity, and of the eventual destruction of the missions by the secular Spanish and Portuguese colonial governments.

Nearly all of the film is a flashback shown while Papal emissary Cardinal Altamirano (Ray McAnally) is dictating a letter to the Pope detailing what happened. One of the first scenes is the martyrdom of a Jesuit missionary. The unnamed missionary is lashed to a cross by the Guarani Indians who live above the spectacular Iguazu Falls, and the cross is placed into the river and sent over the falls. His martyrdom inspires the gentle Father Gabriel to scale the hazardous falls and reach out to the tribe. Entering the Guarani's jungle territory, Father Gabriel sits and begins to play his oboe. Drawn to the sound, the Guarani warriors prepare to kill him, but captivated by the beauty of the music they allow him to live and he gently and gradually wins their trust.

Please sit back and listen to the haunting melody of "Gabriel's Oboe" written by Ennio Morricone:

I was curious to find an English translation of words associated with this theme, and eventually after much searching found them, and they fit so well with the whole theme of the film:

Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission

In my fantasy I see a fair world,
Where everyone lives in peace and honesty.
I dream of a place to live that is always free,
Like a cloud that floats,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

In my fantasy I see a bright world
Where each night there is less darkness.
I dream of spirits that are always free,
Like the cloud that floats.

In my fantasy exists a warm wind,
That breathes into the city, like a friend.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like the cloud that floats,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul

I'd suggest you now listen to the above video again, and this time follow the above words as the music plays - I'm sure you'll be moved by the words and the music.

Today I'd ask you to pray for all missionaries, many of whom are working far from their homeland, in terrible working conditions, and some in great personal danger.

But to be a missionary we do not need to be working far from home, as God classes us all as missionaries. God has a mission for each of us to help extend His Kingdom and bring others into a relationship with Him. He will send some of us far from home as missionaries in a foreign land, other of us He will use where we are.

I pray that today we might each accept God's mission for our lives, wherever that may take us. I pray that by accepting God's mission, we are able to bring someone into a relationship with Christ.

Challenged

Last night I got around to watching the BBC's two part programme called Famous, Rich and Homeless, which puts homelessness in the spotlight by getting five famous volunteers to agree to swap their lavish lifestyles, fame and fortune for a world of sleeping rough, soup runs and hostels for 10 days

At a time when our economy is in recession and repossession become reality for so many, homelessness is a becoming a more frightening possibility for lots of folk.

In the programmes the volunteers are stripped of everything they value, given clothes more applicable to their new homeless status, and also a sleeping bag to symbolise their new life. We are then shown how they adjust to being invisible, vulnerable and desperate as homeless people living on the streets of London and then later in the programmes, living in a homeless hostel (some in London, others in Glasgow).
The physical and emotional experience of the volunteers during their ten days on the streets was plain to see during the programme. The volunteers found themselves challenging their prejudices and preconceptions of homelessness and the different reasons and circumstances that result in someone without having no home - something that we all take for granted.

I must be honest, I shed a number of tears while watching these programmes. It was soul wrenching to hear the stories of some of those of the homeless folk the volunteers encountered, and the circumstances which had caused them to end up on the street. I for one have been challenged by the programmes, as I am ashamed to say I feel embarrassed/awkward when I see/encounter homeless folk, and where possible would probably try and avoid having to speak to them. I cannot truly express how ashamed I now feel.

There is one thing that sticks in my memory that a number of the homeless folk said, and that was the extreme loneliness they feel when living on the streets. If I'm honest, I think that just added to my feelings of guilt as I know I often try to avoid homeless people when I see them on the street, as I'm not good at dealing with new situations or talking to folk I don't know. Just because I feel awkward or uncomfortable does not make it ok for me to avoid these people, after all they are the very ones who need my help, even if it's just to talk

I have forgotten that homeless people are in real people too, just like me and you! They are God's children just as much the rest of us!

So many of the folk who find themselves having to live on the streets, find themselves doing so simply because of the circumstances or situations they have found themselves in, often through no fault of their own. Having watched these programmes and found myself challenging my perception of the homeless, I spent a long time in prayer, not just for those who find themselves living on the streets, but also for myself, that God will give me the strength and guidance to approach homeless people and talk to them, rather than avoiding them.

We must thank God for giving us the kind of lifestyle we have. At times we may complain and think our lives are terrible, but out lives are luxurious compared to those living on the streets.

Please pray for the following:

• Those who find themselves living on the streets
• Those who work with the homeless
• The safety of of homeless and those who work with them
• The families of the homeless
• That those from broken families may find peace and reconciliation so can return home
  

We are all God's children. We must do what we can look after one another...those we know and those we don't, those who are doing well and those who have hit hard times.

You can see the two BBC programmes at BBC iPlayer : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search/?q=Famous,%20Rich%20and%20Homeless

Stand Up!

Do you stand up for God?

If you find yourself involved in a conversation or situation that goes against your Christian beliefs, do you say nothing or do you express your beliefs and stand up for God?

It can be very difficult to stand up for what we believe when we find ourselves in the midst of an unacceptable situations. However if you put your trust in God, He will give you the right words to say and will be there with you to help.

Don't think just because no one else has said anything they agree with what's being said or done. A while ago I found myself in the middle of a situation that I felt did not sit well with my Christian beliefs. I didn't know the people involved very well, but could not let myself be associated with what was happening, so I said a quick prayer and asked God to give me the strength and words to diffuse what for me was a very difficult situation. Without going into all the details, the outcome was that my comments were accepted, and the situation was defused (though whether some of the group continued their discussion elsewhere I never found out).

What you might be surprised to hear is that, after the group had dispersed, one of the other folk who had been present came over to me and indicated he had been very uncomfortable with the way the situation had been developing but did not have the strength to stand up for God as the others didn't know he was a Christian! I'm fairly sure none of the group had known I was a Christian prior to my intervention, however my thoughts during this had never been about me, they had been about what was hearing/witnessing.

Please have the courage to stand up for God, He will stand up and support you when you do.

Never stop being in awe of what God can do, if you do, you must remind yourself of God's amazing love for each one of us.

Life...and Death

In the last couple of days the news headlines have been dominated by the deaths of two celebrities. First of all yesterday it was the Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett and then of course last last night the news that music legend Michael Jackson had died, started to come through on the news and has subsequently dominated tv and radio stations for much of today.



Before I go any further I want to say at that I do not intend to say anymore about either of these celebrities in this blog, as there are there are countless other sites that contain information about these people lives, so if you're looking for information about them, this is not the site you want.

So onto what I do want to talk about...

Throughout the world this week, there are many people who have suffered bereavements. In fact, I personally know of a number of people who have been bereaved in this last week.

Death is one of life's certainties - we all know we will die at some time, some sooner that others. Even so, although we know death will come to us all, it does not make it any easier for family and friends to cope when their relative or friend passes away.


Many tears are often shed when someone dies. Tears of sadness that they will never see their loved one again, and sometimes even tears of happiness when they reminisce about past times spent with their loved one.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life

Well known words, but words which mean the world to Christians worldwide - if we believe in God, we can live forever simply because God loves us, every single one of us, so much that he let his son die on a cross at Calvary. Wow! How amazing and wonderful is that!?

Death is not the end, it is simply the beginning of eternal life with God. For that we must rejoice. When our friends/love ones pass away, try to remember that they are at peace, their struggles on earth are at at end and they are now at rest with our heavenly Father.

Here is Michael W Smith's great song called Live Forever. Hope you enjoy it!

Please pray today for those who have suffered bereavements in this last week. I'd ask you to pray particularly for their family and friends - that they may understand and accept that their loved one/friend is now at peace, and is peace in God's presence.

Finally I'd like to leave some other well known words of scripture with you - but maybe a slightly different version from you're used to hearing

Psalm 23 (Contemporary English Version)
You, LORD, are my shepherd.
I will never be in need.
You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.
I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid.
You are with me, and your shepherd's rod [a] makes me feel safe.
You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.
Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, LORD

Photograph

Have you accepted God into your life?

If so, can you remember when you found God, and where you were?

I must admit that I don't really remember where I was when as a youngster of about 6 I decided to follow Jesus - I think it was during the Sunday school one week, although I think I was coerced into "making" my decision, by the friend sitting beside me.

Having said that, I definitely do remember where and what I was doing when at the age of 17, I felt compelled to make a public commitment to follow/serve God - It was on Sunday morning in the old Salvation Army hall at Rutherglen, before our Sunday morning service began...yes I did say before the meeting started! I'd been having a conversation with someone who was (and still is) a great support and encouragement to me, and it was during that time that I really felt God's presence and His will for my life.

I will never forget that particular morning. It's almost as if I've taken a photograph of that morning and stored it away in my personal photo album, in my mind.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Don't deny letting God into your life just because you think now is not the right time. God does not care what time of the day or night it is, where you are, what you are doing or who you're with. God is with us every minute of every day so whenever that moment is right for you, take it. Memorise that moment, as it should a one of the most special moments in your life, so take a mental photo of it.

You can find another version of "Lord I Give You My Heart" on yesterday's blog.

All I Can Be

All That I Am

All that I am, all I can be,
All that I have, all that is me,
Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord, right now today.
Take ev'ry passion, ev'ry skill, take all my dreams and bend them to your will.
My all I give, Lord, for you I'll live, Lord, come what may.

Often I come with my problems and cares,
Running to you when distressed
But I must bring you the whole of my life,
Lord, I must give you my best

All that I am, all I can be,
All that I have, all that is me,
Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord, right now today.
Take ev'ry passion, ev'ry skill, take all my dreams and bend them to your will.
My all I give, Lord, for you I'll live, Lord, come what may.

Life has no purpose unless it is yours
Life without you has no goal;
All that fulfills me is doing your will,
Knowing that you're in control.

All that I am, all I can be,
All that I have, all that is me,
Accept and use, Lord, as you would choose, Lord, right now today.
Take ev'ry passion, ev'ry skill, take all my dreams and bend them to your will.
My all I give, Lord, for you I'll live, Lord, come what may.

When things are going well in my life, I often find myself believing I can get by on own. But what happens when I do start making decisions about my life without considering God's plan for my life? Everything starts going wrong in my life and I find myself struggling more and more, until eventually I am at rock bottom and looking to God once more to pick me up... and so the circle of events begins!

Any of this sound familiar? Be honest with yourself as I know I am definitely not the only person who will go through these feelings.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Don't despair though, just because this may be how our life has evolved so far, does not mean it has to continue like this. If we keep focused on Jesus through the good times as well as the bad, and keep God at the centre of all we do, we need never find ourselves having to continually go through these recurring events.

In other words, give yourself entirely to God, let Him use every part of you in whatever way He sees fit. Let God help you be all you can be.

Words

In the office today I was asked to review a document that had been written by someone else. I did so and then gave feedback on my findings. Only to discover that the meaning I had taken from some of the statements was completely different from the intended meaning!

It's so easy to say things either verbally or in writing, thinking you have stated your points well and without ambiguity, but then find out the listener/reader has taken a completely different meaning from your words!

Sadly this is how so many relationships/friendship are broken. :(

We as Christians must be particularly careful about what we say, as we must at all times speak and act as God wants to. i.e. we must try not to say or do things that upset others unintentionally or intentionally.

Psalms 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Do you always speak/act as God desires you to?

I know I am guilty at times of not speaking/acting as I know God wants me to. We must ask God to forgive us when to do or say something to displease Him and ask Him to be at the centre of everything we do and say, this way we can be sure we will always act/speak in a way that reflects God's love for each one of us.

Brothers and Sisters

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Do you consider your Christian friends to be brothers and sisters in Christ?

If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. (1 John 4:20-21)

It is always harder to understand, to trust something or someone we've never seen, than it is with who/what we can see. However we cannot and must not use this as an excuse to not love God to the extent that He desires.

Likewise, if we truly believe in God who we cannot see, we cannot and must not make up any reasons why we cannot love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

However we are only human, so we must ask God to give us understanding and patience in all our relationship so that we can be the kind of person He wants and needs us to be.

More Than This

What a powerful song, one that touches me whenever I listen to it. I hope you felt the passion of the song and that the words touched you too

If you haven't yet fully accepted God into your life, it's not too late, it's never too late.

Are you wondering where your life is going? Accepting God into your life will give your life direction again. God will help keep you on His path and you'll never get lost again

No matter what your current circumstances, or what you might be struggling with, God can help when you let Him into your life. Let God's love consume you today.

Consuming Fire (Tim Hughes)

There must be more than this
oh breath of God come breath within
There must be more than this
Spirit of God we wait for you
Fill us anew we pray
Fill us anew we pray

Consuming Fire
Fan into flame
a passion for your name
Spirit of God fall in this place
Lord have ur way
Lord have ur way with us

Come like a rushing wind
Fill us with power from on high
Now set the captives free
leave us abandoned to your praise
Lord let your glory fall
Lord let your glory fall

Consuming Fire
Fan into flame
a passion for your name
Spirit of God fall in this place
Lord have ur way
Lord have ur way with us

Find out more about Tim Hughes at his website: http://www.timhughesmusic.com/

Thrive

How do you rate your life so far? Is it great as everything is going well, or are you just getting by, or are you finding life a real struggle?

However you are finding your life at present, remember your not on your own, you are never on your own, as not only are others going through the same experiences, but more importantly, God is with you and will help you through.

For us to succeed in life and achieve all we are capable of, we must give our lives entirely to God, then and only then will we find we thrive.

Thrive
Down here in the valley
Every shadow You see
Has its own story
Down here in the valley
Every puddle of mud
Comes from tears and blood
And it's so hard just to get warm
That the chill turns into despair

Will You lift me up with tender care?
Will You wash me clean in the palm of Your hand?
Will You hold me close so I can thrive?
When You touch me, that's when I know I'm alive

Down here in the valley
Nothing's able to grow
'Cause the light's too low
Folks spend their days
Digging 'round for diamonds and gold
'Til they just get old
And they don't know anything else
They don't know they're breathing bad air
But I'm tired of living like this
And my soul cries out, "If You're there...

Call me up to Your side
Draw me up to Your light
Let it blind me
Lord, refine me
Refine me out of my mind

Give your life to God, and reach your full potential.

Team Briefing

In your job, do you get regular team briefings?

Well today, for the first time since I move to my current office (I moved there in November last year) we had a team briefing. Better late than never I suppose! To be fair, it definitely was better late than never!

What's the purpose of a briefing?

Here's one definition I found...

A Team Briefing is a regular and systematic process that ensures communication takes place between management and employees. The objective is to make sure that every employee knows and understands what they and others are doing in the organisation and why.

The process involves managers and their team getting together for anything from half an hour to several hours, in a formal setting, on a regular basis (at least once a month) to discuss issues relevant to their work and to provide them with information about the wider organisation. Everyone has the opportunity to discuss specific job related matters with members of their team.

The key to the success of the process is holding the meetings on a regular basis and contributions being made from everyone. The system operates on a cascading principle with the ‘trigger’ meeting being Management Team.

Any of that sound familiar? Well it does to me. The key to successful team briefings in making sure they take place on a regular basis and that the relevant information is communicated to the team.

I've been thinking about how often communication takes place and whether its content it worthwhile, which in turn got me thinking about how God communicates with us and how frequently. Well the frequency is down to how often we put time aside to listen to what God wants to communicate to us. As far as content is concerned, we're talking about God here, so of course the content is worthwhile, God's always communicates worthwhile information to us. The big thing is whether we actually hear and understand what God is saying to us.

Personally I often find that when God speaks to us, He often backs it up by reinforcing His message to me by giving me the same message in another way, often via something someone says or does. Isn't God wonderful!

Deuteronomy 5:27

Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.

You can't go wrong if you listen to God and follow His directions.

TV versus Prayer

So how many of you just came to read this blog because of its title?

Even if it was just the title that got you here, I hope you read on...


I've spent some time in the last few days, rereading some of my previous posts, and found myself focusing on my post entitled DVD Players versus Bibles.

While that post was all about how many DVD players we have in relation to the number of bibles we possess, I got thinking about how much time we spend in prayer.

So, on average, how long do you spend watching the television each day? Now be honest, as I think if you are like me, you might be embarassed about how much time you spend watching the TV!

Have you done your calculations? Are you surprised how much time you send watching the television? I certainly was! I then wondered how many of programmes that are on when you're TV is on, that you actually watch! I know in our house, the TV is often on, but niether of us are actually watching it - it's just there as a noise in the corner!

So where am I going with this? Given the amount of time we spend watching the television, I wonder how that compares with the amount of time we spend in prayer.


So, some questions for you to consider:

Do you spend time praying each day?
How much time do you spend praying each day?
Do you watch the TV more regularly than you pray?
How often do you listen to what God is saying to you?

Now I've thrown a number of questions at you, what's your reaction to your answers? I was quite shocked by my answers to the above questions. We spend a lot of time these days watching tv, dvds, playing computer games, using pcs/laptops, but do we spend enough of our time reading our bible and praying?

Because of my own answers to the above questions, I'm re-evaluating how I spend my time, do you need to do that too?


Enjoy the music but also acknowledge the message presented in the following video: "Pray" by Rebecca St James

Pray

(by Rebecca St James)

Jesus I am broken now

Before you I fall I lay me down

All I want is you, my all

I cry out from the ashes

Burned with sin and shame

I ask you Lord to make me whole again

For you say if I will come and will

Pray to you

There's forgiveness when I

Turn from me and pray

For you say if I will come and will

Pray to you

You hear me and heal me when I pray

Your ways are not my own

But I long for them to be

So this what I pray

One with you you'll make me

Melt me away 'til only you remain

For you say if I will come and will

Pray to you

There's forgiveness when I

Turn to you and pray

For you say if I will come and will

Pray to you

You hear me and heal me when I pray

Jesus I am broken now before you

Take me I am yours

True Friend

"You're my friend" - words we often say to people without really thinking about what that really means. Words that can mean the world to the person we say them to.

What qualities do you expect to find in a friend? Here's a few suggestions:

• friendship
• support
• encouragement
• confidant
• trust
• loyalty
• caring
• love
• understanding

How many of your friends possess all the qualities you'd want to find in a friend?

We are so fortunate when we find a true friend, one we can talk to about anything, one who will support and encourage us, one who will comfort us when we're upset. Those friendship do not happen very often, so when we find one like that say thank you to God for allowing us the opportunity to have these kind of friends.

Never take your friends for granted. Tell them often how much they mean to you, as you never know when it might be too late.

Michael W Smith's song I'll Be Your Friend expresses how even through the difficult times in our lives, our true friends will stick by us.

So many memories and so many miles

The road that stretches behind us

We've had some laughter and our share

Of tears

But all these moments unite us

Ill be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season

Wont walk away in the hard times

I will be your friend

I'm saying I will be your friend

Sure as the river runs to the sea

High as the mountain that reaches

You were there by my side till the end

(and) helped me on my feet again

So in the valley walk on

Don't have to face it alone

Cause in the hard times

We keep growing strong

As we learn, as we live

That we live when we give

Thank you God for your friends and what they mean to us.

Thank you Jesus for being the best friend we could ever wish to have.

Friends

Friends, how much do you rely on them?

Our closest friends can be a great comfort to us during our lowest times, but can be also be a great joy to us during our brightest days.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
The above are well known words from John 15:12-15. Although they are well know, do not underestimate the truth and the power in these words.

Linking in with my previous post entitled Everlasting, no matter how many close friends we have, and no matter how much they help and support us, we must always remember that it's only through God's help and guidance that they have are there for us.

Pray for your friends.

Pray for the friendship you give to others.

Pray that your friends can always rely on you to be faithful.

Pray that God will use you to inspire and encourage your friends.

Faithful Friend (by Twila Paris)

Everyone knows you as a man of honor

I am glad to know you simply as a friend

You have always taken time to be my brother

And I'll be standing by you in the end

But I will never put you on a pedestal

I thank the Lord for everything you do

I'll be there to pray for you and for the ones you love

I believe that He will finish all He started in you

I will be an open door that you can count on

Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been

I will be an honest heart you can depend on

I will be a Faithful Friend

I am one of many whose path has been made clearer

By the light you've carried faithfully as a warrior and a child

God has used you greatly to encourage and inspire

And you've remained a true friend all the while

So I will never put you on a pedestal

Cause we both know all the glory is the Lord's

And I'll be there to pray that He will keep you by His grace

And I always will remind you to be seeking His face

I will be an open door that you can count on
Anywhere you are, anywhere you've been
I will be an honest heart you can depend on
I will be a Faithful Friend

Find out more about Twila Paris at: http://www.twilaparis.com/

Find out more about Steven Curtis Chapman at: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Everlasting

How many times in your life have you been let down by a friend?

How many times in your life have you been deeply hurt by something that a friend has said or done?

I'm sure if your honest you, like me will be thinking about a number of occasions that answers my questions. Friendship is something we all want and need in our lives, but often friends can let us down and we end up being hurt.

So cherish your friendships, work on them, make them everlasting.

There is however one friendship which we can always rely on to last forever, and that is our friendship with God. Like our other friendships though, we must work on this relationship too, so that it grows in strength, so it will be unbreakable...make it an everlasting friendship.

Everlasting (by Sonicflood)
The sky will fall
The ground will give
Through it all You will be faithful
Friends may leave
They come and go
This I know
You will be faithful
You will be faithful

You will always be the same
Your love will never change
You are the everlasting
I will put my trust in You
Forever to be true
You are the everlasting
You are the everlasting

When beauty fades
And slips away
For all my days
You will be faithful
When I breathe
My final breath
I find my rest in Your faithfulness

When all around us
Is falling into waste
When the earth is dying
You cannot be erased
And I don't have to be afraid

You're the Alpha and Omega
You're forever, everlasting

Visit Sonicflood's website: http://www.sonicflood.com/

Someone Cares

Well this post today is another tough one for me to write, simply because I'm not good at coping with showing my emotions publicly. Hopefully thought through something I say here it might touch a chord in someone else's heart too.

These last few days have been difficult for me as I've been feeling rather fragile emotionally - don't really know why, which in many ways just makes it harder to cope with.

On Thursday night at our band practice we were told what we'd be playing in our morning service today - two pieces both of which are special to me. I was also made aware of what our Songsters (adult choir) would be singing too, and that too was a song that always touches my heart. So by the time I got home from our practice on Thursday I was already worrying about how I'd manage to get through this mornings meeting without falling apart!

Before I go on, I want to say that although I'm about to talk this morning's service from my perspective, I want to point out that this was actually a very special day for one person this morning as they were making their public commitment to service God, by being enrolled as a soldier (member) of the Salvation Army.

Everything that happened in the meeting this morning, seemed to be directed specifically to me (although of course it was actually directed to all present!). For the music from the band, junior band and adult and junior choirs, to the congregational songs, testimony and the sermon itself.

Here's just some of the music from this morning:-

• Love Changes Everything - played by the band
• The Power of Your Love - congregational song
• Forever, I Do - sung by the singing company (junior choir)
• Be Still - played by the YP Band (junior band)
• Someone Cares - cornet solo played by the band
• All That I Am - sung by the the songsters (adult choir)

I'm sure you can tell even just by the titles of these pieces, that they are very powerful and emotional pieces of music.

I struggled through most of the meeting, feeling a bit emotional at various points, but found it very difficult to keep my emotions in check during part of the sermon, when the love and support of the folks at the corps was talked about. For those of you who don't know, these last few years have been difficult ones for me because of health issues - at times I felt so very alone and forgotten by many I worship with, having little or no contact with anyone from there during these times. I do know now though that while I maybe didn't have much direct contact with these folk during these years, they hadn't actually forgotten me as they continued to support me in prayer - for that I thank them sincerely.

So I think just all that talk of love and support during difficult times is what caused me to feel all emotional again as it just got me thinking about some of my lowest and loneliest times again; about how I'm currently feeling physically and emotionally; as well as what the future may hold.

I mentioned that the band played "Someone Cares", well that song has been a special favourite of mine since I first sang it as a congregational song, many years ago. It reminds us that no matter how we feel, or how lonely we feel at times, someone does care about us, God cares.

Do you sometimes feel that no one truly knows you,

And that no one understands or really cares?

Through his people, God himself is close beside you,

And through them he plans to answer all your prayers.

Someone cares, someone cares,

Someone knows your deepest need, your burden shares;

Someone cares, someone cares,

God himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.

Ours is not a distant God, remote, unfeeling,

Who is careless of our loneliness and pain,

Through the ministry of men he gives his healing,

In their dedicated hands brings hope again.

Someone cares, someone cares,
Someone knows your deepest need, your burden shares;
Someone cares, someone cares,
God himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.

Beautiful words, meaningful words, and words I can completely relate to, as I know someone does care about me.

Do you believe someone cares about you?

Hold onto the words of the above song as God does care about you and me:

Someone cares, someone cares,

Someone knows your deepest need, your burden shares;

Someone cares, someone cares,

God himself will hear the whisper of your prayers.

Hunger

We are living in the 21st century, and yet we still allow people in this world to die from hunger simply because they cannot afford to buy food. We shouldn't let this happen as there is more than enough food produced in this world to more than feed all of us. We must becaome more proactive in trying to put an end to poverty.


Here are some facts you may or may not know about hunger:

• In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called "absolute poverty"


• Every year 15 million children die of hunger


• One in twelve people worldwide is malnourished, including 160 million children under the age of 5


• The Indian subcontinent has nearly half the world's hungry people. Africa and the rest of Asia together have approximately 40%, and the remaining hungry people are found in Latin America and other parts of the world. Hunger in Global Economy


• Nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion - a majority of humanity - live on less than $1 per day, while the world's 358 billionaires have assets exceeding the combined annual incomes of countries with 45 percent of the world's people


• Half of all children under five years of age in South Asia and one third of those in sub-Saharan Africa are malnourished


• Malnutrition is implicated in more than half of all child deaths worldwide - a proportion unmatched by any infectious disease since the Black Death


• About 183 million children weigh less than they should for their age


• Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger

Shocking isn't it.

We must do our utmost to help put an end to poverty. People should not be dying of hunger in the 21st century.

"Hungry" by Kathryn Scott

Firemen!

Today at work, I had to attend a meeting at Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Headquarters! As soon as the other females in my office found out I'd been asked to go to a meeting with firemen, they suddenly all wanted to come to the meeting too...I can't think why! :-)

The meeting was all about promoting fire safety visits for households in the North Lanarkshire and highlighting to to residential the profile of those most at risk. These are obviously a very important issues which will hopefully help save lives.


Do you know what responsibilities the fire and rescue service provide?

Some of the responsibilities of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue are fire prevention, fire safety and education, fire investigation, road safety, water rescue and of course...fire fighting!


So many lives are torn apart by fire or road traffic accidents, we must support all those who put their live on the line on a daily basis to help those of us in trouble. Please pray for our fire service, they do an excellent job often in very difficult and distressing circumstances.

Please pray today for all who work for our Fire & Rescue service.

Please also pray for those whose life has been affected in some way by fire or a road accident.


Psalm 69:29
I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.


You can get more info by visiting the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue website: http://www.strathclydefire.org/about/default.asp

When All Hope Is Gone...

When all hope is gone, hold on to God's love...

I feel I do not need to add anything futher to the message given in this video, other than to say:

No matter how low you may be feeling and how bad life might seem, hold onto God and He will get you through

"Hold On" by Nicole Nordeman: http://www.nicholenordeman.com/

Diversion

What a journey home from work today!

It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to do a journey that usually takes about 20 minutes. Not good. :(

As I went to join the motorway to head home, the police were out coning off the northbound slip road as there had been a serious accident so the motorway had been shut. So as I was already on the slip road by this time, I had to head onto the southbound motorway! i.e. the completely opposite direction from where I wanted to go!



So like many others I had to head down the southbound motorway to the next junction and try to get back up the other way. Unfortunately as they were taking everyone off the motorway northbound were I tried to join, the queue northbound was back to the next junction!

So having got off the motorway, further from home than I started, I took the back roads to get back to where I wanted to be...but so did many others, so while we were moving (unlike the northbound motorway) it was still slow going.

Although my journey home took much longer than anticipated, I am thankful I got home in one piece, as there were obviously some unfortunate folk who got caught up in the accident who weren't as lucky. I pray that there were no fatalities or serious injuries to those involved.


Like my journey tonight, we often get diverted in our Christian journey. We're tempted and distracted by worldly things which the Devil has put in our way to try to prevent us from doing God's work.


Proverbs 16:1,16:9, 16:33, 20:24 (NIV)
We make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how thy fall.


The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

Even when you go off track, God's still with you. Just turn around a see Him standing there, ready to lead you back onto the right track.

If you've found your life going away from God, I pray today that you will ask God for directions to turn you back towards Him again. Let God direct your life.

All the Way My Saviour Leads me by Chris Tomlin

What If?

For anyone who finds it difficult to openly share the hope of Jesus, with a friend, then you might find the song "What If" by Nichole Nordeman, helpful.

Nicole wrote “What If” for a friend who wasn't a Christian because she felt it was important to have people in our lives who don’t speak our same faith language. She felt it important to be able to talk with them about it without feeling the pressure to say the right thing, to point to the right book or to argue with them to force them to accept God. At the end of the day, to enter God's kingdom, we have to do so because we love God, not because we've been forced into it.

I've mentioned in previous posts that I find it very difficult to talk openly to others about my faith, as I can never find the right words to say. However God has directed me to the medium of blogging, for which I am so thankful as I have been deeply moved and encouraged by the feedback I've received about my blog. It's so humbling to realised God is using me to reach others.

I do not expect that I will ever be able to openly discuss my faith and beliefs verbally with others in a way I feel comfortable. However I know God has, and will continue to, give me opportunities to share my faith with others in other ways.

Even in the short time I have been blogging I've found my own relationship with God has grown stronger. I'm sure we all have "What If" questions about God and what He stands for, but I'm happy to say, He's answered so many of my questions over this last while, often directing to passages in scripture that answer my questions directly, or to songs or bible verses that get me asking deeper questions. Many of which you'll find I've used in my blogs!


Nicole Nordeman says that,"“What If” is a heavy song, because there’s a lot wrapped up in that, but it’s probably one of the more important songs, I think, that I’ve written to date."
That's quite a recommendation from someone who's written so many songs!

I pray that if you have any "What If" questions about God and what He can do for you, that you let God direct you to the answers. Don't have lasting doubts about God, get rid of those "What If" questions, and give yourself to God.

What If (by Nicole Nordeman)

What if you’re right?

And he was just another nice guy

What if you’re right?

What if it’s true?

They say the cross will only make a fool of you

And what if it’s true?

What if he takes his palace in history

With all the prophets and the kings

Who taught us love and came in peace

But then the story ends

What then?

But what if you’re wrong?

What if there’s more?

What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He’s more than enough?

What if it’s love?

What if you dig, What if you dig

Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends

What if you dig?

What if you find

A thousand more unanswered questions inside

That’s all you find

What if you pick apart the logic

And begin to poke the holes

What if the crown of thorns is no more

Then folklore that must be told and retold

But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?

You’ve been running as fast as you can

You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long

But what if you’re wrong?

What if you jump?

And just close your eyes?

What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?

What if He’s more than enough?

What if it’s love?

You can find out more about Nicole Nordeman by checking out her website: http://www.nicholenordeman.com/index.aspx