I often think when I am helping with something that is for God’s kingdom, that it is all up to me. This comes down to a lack of trust really. God is calling us to trust Him: not our plans, our strategies, our efforts. He doesn’t really need us. But He chooses to use us, and He can fill us with His Holy Spirit. He … Continue reading God’s work

“Make me an instrument of peace”. That’s how one of my favourite songs, a prayer by St Francis starts. Why does it appeal to me? Because I am often a person who sways to and fro like a bruised reed in the wind, restless. People have spoken into my life by the Spirit and told me God wanted to put me in a place of … Continue reading Rest

How much time do you spend looking in the mirror each day, wondering if you measure up? Adding a dab of make-up here, a swash of blush there, concealing that freckle, pimple or mole with concealer? Adding a layer of lipstick, some mascara, and looking back and still thinking, not good enough? How much time do you wonder whether you will wear that dress, jacket … Continue reading Mirror

Verse image; background credit to Steve Parker (Flickr). Continue reading Galatians 5:1

I am enjoying Paul’s letters more and more. What a man. He served Jesus to the utmost, and also told us so much about grace. He suffered extremely for the gospel. Certain parts of Paul’s letters especially appeal to me as a chronically ill individual. So often we think that believing in Jesus makes us exempt from illness and other problems. He is after all, … Continue reading Paul & suffering

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13 The text in Hebrews 11 shows that people can await promises they do not yet receive on this earth. God promises Abraham a country, and He … Continue reading Difficult Faith

The kind of knowledge God wants us to receive is a knowledge based on experience. The Greek word for knowledge (gnṓsis) is “a knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; “application-knowledge,” gained in (by) a direct relationship“. [Definition from LOGOS word help, accessed through biblehub.com for free]. This is a word used in the New Testament, this word is used many times. This … Continue reading Knowing God on a deeper level

God’s Voice, Truth Lies Stills you Rush you Leads you Push you Reassures, comforts & calms you Frighten, obsess & worry you Enlightens you Confuse you is Clear can be Obscure & Contradictory Encourages you Discourage you Convicts you Condemn you Frees you Hurt you Focus on God’s strength Focus on your weakness Loves you Hate table above adapted from online sources (just google God’s … Continue reading Discerning God’s Voice #1

  God’s majestic creation shows His eternal glory, demonstrates His love and helps us put our questions into perspective Picture from ESA/Hubble, shareable through creative commons license: CC BY 4.0 Today I was googling about space for a story I’m writing (and hopefully will finish). Wow, I came across some amazing pictures! I was a bit awe-struck, joyfully thinking of the awesome universe, and the even … Continue reading The universe and God’s majestic, overpowering greatness