Saturday, October 28, 2006

Back from the Lakes

A big helloo, and it's good to be back in blogdom after the past 7 days in the Lake District! I can honestly say that I've not missed the internet though, which surprises me a bit. Maybe it's just me, but getting back out into the heart of God's creation knocks me for six - every time. Over the week, my mum, dad, myself and 4 family friends visited a number of places. Highlights include taking the ferry down lake Windemer to Bowness, visiting the sculpture park at Grizedale, and walking up to and around Tarn Hows (in strong rain & wind, in a t-shirt and sleeveless fleece).

When it was too wet and wild, much Soduku, Crosswords and board games were played, and 8 BAGS of filter coffee was consumed over the week! I was also introduced to The Times' 'Killer' Sodukus with no starting numbers and the boxes clumped up with totals! A great challenge for you Cat, if you're reading this.

All in all, I look back on the week with great fondness and feel sad to be in my 'Scotland away from home'. I love the Lake District for the lakes, the landscape, and the overwhelming sense of awe that comes from seeing God's touch on each and every hill and valley that you take the time to notice. The view of the Milky Way in the night sky, and the countless other stars at 12:30am will stick with me for a long time.

And because it was downright awesome, I'll include some pics for your viewing delight soon :)

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Musical birds

















My mum and I saw this a while back, only just got around to blogging it though. If you've ever wondered what tune birds sing to, here we have the score to it! Just missing the words...

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

First day & faithfulness

I've been kindly given a day off between induction days at Asda, so I'm blogging what happened yesterday! Once again I've been left with a warmed heart due to God's faithfulness and goodness. Let me explain...

There were a total of 7 of us there, and the day consisted of a lot of booklet-going-through and paper-work-filling-out. Getting to work was a miracle in itself - in that my bike broke down on the way to church yesterday evening and just wouldn't start. Yet, instead of the bike working straight away after praying about it, God gave me peace - peace that reminded me that he'd seen this coming and that he'd provide a way to see me through it and out the other side of it, praising his name. And he did! He provided my biking friend Pete to be available to come get it started. We got to the church and back (which I really wasn't expecting) and more than that, after tinkering and the such yesterday morning, we got the bike running as happily as before so I could get to the induction afternoon. Fantastic! 'What is impossible with man is possible with God' came to mind!

Secondly, I'd been praying that God'd use me in Asda, and that he'd be paving the way ahead for me to that effect. Our 2nd trainer for the afternoon was an Christian! Having noticed my fish around my neck, during the coffee break we had a fab chat about churches and faith over the canteen table in the midst of the rest of the group! Not only has God given me a fresh environment to serve him & show his concern and love to others, but he's also given me a sister in Christ at work for mutual encouragement & prayer! Downright awesome!

And so I headed for home at 6.10 (the Asda-o-poly went on a while longer than expected) I found myself totally overwhelmed afresh at how faithful God has been - just on my first day. He put my fears aside, provided a sister in Christ (who's been there for 5 years), and also a fab group to do induction with. He gave me his peace & reminded me in the process that he's promised to be faithful to answer all of my prayers - bar none. After all, he sent Jesus to die on the cross for me, and that showed his faithfulness incarnate. I'm reminded that we have no right or cause to doubt God's faithfulness - just look to the cross if you ever find yourself doubting or worrying. God paid the ultimate price for you - willingly - so he is therefore powerful and willing to answer all prayers. All will do. Bar none.

Rock on; bring on Thursday.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Friday, October 06, 2006

George likes me!

I was absolutely thrilled yesterday to get a phone call from Asda saying they wanted to offer me a job. Not only in the department that I was wanting (Georges, clothing) but also the hours I was after. To say I'm thrilled is a bit of an understatement.

Back in July God said in one of my morning devotions that he would provide a job for me - but that I had to go out and look for it. Sitting here typing this blog post now, I can look back over the past 2 months and see with real joy that he's taught me more and more to trust him & go as he's led. It's not been easy at times, with the number of agencies that seem to have my details now, but it's been the promise that he'd provide a job for me that's kept me seeking him for strength & passion after him each day.

That doesn't stop now, in a way it becomes more important as I'll have a whole new environment to serve God in & I'll need to trust God for wisdom & humility to serve there each & every day afresh. So I'd appreciate it greatly if you could be praying for me starting Tuesday & Thursday next week on induction. I wholly believe God's put me there to serve him, so I need to be willing to have him use me - to step out of my comfort zone when he prompts me!

I was encouraged this morning that true wisdom comes from God - and God alone. If we're to serve God where he's put us, we need his wisdom to know how & where to show his truth & grace. With Asda in mind, am praying God prepares my heart for this time ahead. And for you too, ardent blogger; ask God to fill your mind and heart with the wisdom that he gives, and that you'd have discernment to know his wisdom from the twisted lies of the enemy. Only when we know God truth as the only truth there is, can he guide us in applying it.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Using the in-between time

In background, Philip's just explained the gospel of Jesus Christ to a eunuch, resulting the eunuch becoming a Christian and being baptised. Philip then vanished from sight.
Here's the verse:

'Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel; in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.'

-- Acts 8v40 --

Philip appearead in Azotus. God had given him the end goal of Caesarea. and Philip needed to get there. This leaves 2 options - get there as soon as possible, or use the in-between time he's got from where he is, to when he get's to the goal. And he chooses to 'preach the gospel; in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.' In essence, he was given way-point/goal by God, and chose to use the time he had to glorify God where he was.

Most importantly to note, is that it was Philip's choice to do this. As it is with us.

Wherever we are - whether starting or going through uni, looking for or in a job, married, in a relationship, or single; we have been given this time today to honour God. But it is our choice. As many of you will know, I'm still looking for a job currently. I've been challenged this morning to use this time God's given me to glorify him. The next 2 years for me is a case of: Job, India, PGCE. You may know where God wants you in 2 years, or you may not know where he wants you next week. The wonderfully important thing to grasp is that you use this time God's given you now. Wherever you are, to glorify him.

It's your choice. See where he wants to take you today. Because guarenteed, he's waiting for you to take his hand & go where he leads you.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Sunday, October 01, 2006

"Oh, to see the dawn"

We sang this today in church and just wanted to share it. Good tune, fantastic words, thank you Stuart Townend and Keith Getty for writing it!

Verse 1
Oh, to see the dawn, Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary. Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten, then, Nailed to a cross of wood.

Chorus
This, the power of the cross: Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath -We stand forgiven at the cross.

Verse 2
Oh, to see the pain, Written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Every bitter thought, Every evil deed, Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Verse 3
Now the daylight flees, Now the ground beneath, Quakes as its Maker bows His head. Curtain torn in two, Dead are raised to life; 'Finished!' the victory cry.

Verse 4
Oh, to see my name, Written in the wounds, For through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death, Life is mine to live, Won through Your selfless love.

Chorus 2
This, the power of the cross: Son of God - slain for us. What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.

TheWeeScottie

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weird is just your own personal brand of normal