it's been a funny old day. It seems like I've not actually done much, and I guess that's right in a way. I've got up, shopped, gone to a friend's house to play 'Serious Sam' (PC game), eaten dinner & then helped run a games evening playing a game called 'Munchkin'!! If you're wondering what it is, imagine a gaming system (like Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)) then very much simplify it and run the whole thing off cards. It's dead easy to play and massive fun, no matter age or gaming experience.
And so I find myself at 2.20am, wondering what happened to the day. I'm still trying to get used to this free time, but don't think I honestly will :) I've got too much inside of me that's screaming to go and do something. If you have any ideas, do let me know ;)
Righty, sleep calls me. But I want to stop briefly to encourage all you guys who've still got exams to do. You'll be thinking a lot about how you wish exams were over now - but I'd encourage you not to be wishing for that! Why? Because this is where God wants you right now, and although it may not be pretty at times, he's got the strength, understanding, patience and determination you need to make it through these exams with your heads held high & your hearts bowed low. He is our strength, and it's only because of God that I've made it through these last 2 months. You know in your hearts God's with you, and in exams and revision you often find yourself closer to him. Don't wish the exams to be over, but embrace this time now! God wants you to live this time for him, exams included, so go for it in his strength & don't be surprised when he gets you through it :)
Check Colossians 3v23-24 - this is the God we serve! Heaven is the inheritance that awaits us, and nothing the enemy says/does can pluck us from God's hand. Never forget this guys; with God behind you, there is nothing that can stop you, no work that is too hard, no exam to unscalable; and no plan that can thwart his plan for you.
Take a minute just to stop with God, close your door, stop the noise, get on your knees & remember that he is God. He is in control. And you need nothing more.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
P-a-r-t...y? because I gotta!
Yesterday Si and I hosted a joint houseparty for our 21st and 22nd birthdays, respectively. And what fun it was!! Massive ammounts of fun were had, BBQs (x3!) were present, random conversations happened with topics ranging from quantum chemistry to Ctullu, and William Harwin to the battle of Waterloo.
We had about 30 people all in all, varying from Archery, Chemistry, Cybernetics, GARPS (Gaming and Role-play society) and CU. The party started at 7ish, and the weather held! Totally amazing, knowing the tendency of English weather to change dramatically whenever Cricket or BBQs are even mentioned.
To top off the evening's fun, we finished on the high note of watching Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Hercules'. Kipping on a hard floor wasn't the funnest thing of the night, but then again my room did get hijacked by 4 girls! Who says chivalry's dead?!
Thank you to all of you who managed to make it, and to all of you who couldn't make it but sent cards/texts on our birthdays. The evening was a great success, and as I sit here digesting breakfast at 11.11am, I must now start heading to the station to pick up Cat from the station for the coming afternoon of D&D (dungeons and dragons, role-playing)!
Methinks a brief stop-off for a cuppa wouldn't go amiss tho ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
We had about 30 people all in all, varying from Archery, Chemistry, Cybernetics, GARPS (Gaming and Role-play society) and CU. The party started at 7ish, and the weather held! Totally amazing, knowing the tendency of English weather to change dramatically whenever Cricket or BBQs are even mentioned.
To top off the evening's fun, we finished on the high note of watching Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Hercules'. Kipping on a hard floor wasn't the funnest thing of the night, but then again my room did get hijacked by 4 girls! Who says chivalry's dead?!
Thank you to all of you who managed to make it, and to all of you who couldn't make it but sent cards/texts on our birthdays. The evening was a great success, and as I sit here digesting breakfast at 11.11am, I must now start heading to the station to pick up Cat from the station for the coming afternoon of D&D (dungeons and dragons, role-playing)!
Methinks a brief stop-off for a cuppa wouldn't go amiss tho ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hedgestock
Totally out of the blue, I got asked by my friend Yael to come help staff at Hedgestock! I don't know much about it, but as far as I can tell it's a conference that's got very little to do with hedges! I'll be helping staff it, either from 2pm-midnight or 6am til 2pm on each of the days, sharing a tent and cooking on a trangea. Man I love camping!
Plus The Who are playing!!! :D so i'm looking forward to catching some tunes when I'm not 'staffing'.
Hopefully I'll be able to tell you more after my mysterious phonecall on Monday, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Once and only once
For the first time ever, reading 'The Passion of Christ' by John Piper made me think of programming. In programming you can have 'if' statements, which kick into play when certain conditions have been fulfilled. e.g. 'if 'person is short' then give them high heels'. The special case of these are 'iff' statements, which stand for:
iff: 'if and only if'
so they only work for one set of conditions. While reading this morning, Piper referred to the Greek word 'ephapax' which means 'once for all time'. This is the hope we have in Jesus, where he took the place of all the sacrifices offered for our sin, as 'it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.' (Hebrews 10v4). Our sacrifices just don't cut it. God knew what was needed, and he sent Jesus to fulfil the prophecies & pay for our sin once and for all.
How does this tie in with programming? As I read it, I thought ephapax could be translated as:
Ephapax: 'once and only once'
Once and only once, because Jesus was perfect, the sacrifice God desired. It is a miracle that God can use computer programming to point us to him, but infinitely more amazing is the miracle of God sending Jesus to us. So whenever you see a programmer or read an article on us, remember that we may seem like geeks at times, but we have iff as a firm reminder of grace and that Jesus died once and only once for us!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
iff: 'if and only if'
so they only work for one set of conditions. While reading this morning, Piper referred to the Greek word 'ephapax' which means 'once for all time'. This is the hope we have in Jesus, where he took the place of all the sacrifices offered for our sin, as 'it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.' (Hebrews 10v4). Our sacrifices just don't cut it. God knew what was needed, and he sent Jesus to fulfil the prophecies & pay for our sin once and for all.
How does this tie in with programming? As I read it, I thought ephapax could be translated as:
Ephapax: 'once and only once'
Once and only once, because Jesus was perfect, the sacrifice God desired. It is a miracle that God can use computer programming to point us to him, but infinitely more amazing is the miracle of God sending Jesus to us. So whenever you see a programmer or read an article on us, remember that we may seem like geeks at times, but we have iff as a firm reminder of grace and that Jesus died once and only once for us!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
and now what?
the title describes the feeling I had when I left my final exam and was on my way home. My bag was plonked down in my room, I sat down, and then realised that I had nothing to do. Those of you who know me will know that I always have something happening and feel rather lost when I have genuinely free time. Yet here I am, 5 weeks into the Summer term, 85 weeks into the 90 of my degree, and I have relatively little planned for the weeks running up til graduation.
I'm thankful for the 'last thing at night' time of day, that I'm at now, though, because I find that once everything's silent and done, I can look back and see things clearer than I can during the heat of the day as it were. So here we go...
It's been 14280 hours, 595 sunsets (and the same of sunrises), countless thousands of cups of coffee, since I started uni here at Reading. However you choose to measure this past 3 years (rounded up), I cannot discount or ignore the things God's been showing and trying to teach me. From relying on him and walking in his strength for exams (and everything, come to think of it), to seeking him for passion to serve him in events weeks 2004/05/06, to drawing on his strength to sustain my family during my gran's illness (Christmas 05), God has been at the centre of my degree and of my life. Though I've not acknowledged it at times, and sometimes resented his way with the things in my life, he's helped me always to be able to look back, in the present and forward, timewise, and see his all-powerful sovreign hand on all things around me.
Whether it's been emotional, physical or spiritual pressure/stress, I cannot do anything but praise him for his complete faithfulness. Often I've needed to ask him to show me the way, sometimes on my knees (and how I wish I'd done that sooner!). He's raised my chin countless times, taken my hand and guided me, taught me patiently in countless ways and through many people. I've been horrifically stubborn at times, yet he's always beared with me & seen me through a situation - even when I'd ignore the obvious answer!
It's been a humbling 3 years, more humbling as it's progressed with God's gradually teaching me to break down the pride in my heart & submit to him first, in all things. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't have swapped these past 5 weeks of revision/exams for anything in the world. They've drawn my closer to God than before & I want this closeness & fellowship I have with him to continue!
and now what? well, that's the question, isn't it, and such an exciting one!!! The answer, things will happen day-in and day-out until the end of term, but I hope and pray that God keeps teaching me to humble my heart & lift each new day to him. He's got plans that far outweigh my imaginings, and all it takes is my willingness to follow. He'll equip me for the day ahead, that i know; the last 5 weeks have paid testament to this! Relaxing is now just around the corner, starting with a good night's sleep in a couple of minutes, so this is Tim's brain signing off. Good night & God bless :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
I'm thankful for the 'last thing at night' time of day, that I'm at now, though, because I find that once everything's silent and done, I can look back and see things clearer than I can during the heat of the day as it were. So here we go...
It's been 14280 hours, 595 sunsets (and the same of sunrises), countless thousands of cups of coffee, since I started uni here at Reading. However you choose to measure this past 3 years (rounded up), I cannot discount or ignore the things God's been showing and trying to teach me. From relying on him and walking in his strength for exams (and everything, come to think of it), to seeking him for passion to serve him in events weeks 2004/05/06, to drawing on his strength to sustain my family during my gran's illness (Christmas 05), God has been at the centre of my degree and of my life. Though I've not acknowledged it at times, and sometimes resented his way with the things in my life, he's helped me always to be able to look back, in the present and forward, timewise, and see his all-powerful sovreign hand on all things around me.
Whether it's been emotional, physical or spiritual pressure/stress, I cannot do anything but praise him for his complete faithfulness. Often I've needed to ask him to show me the way, sometimes on my knees (and how I wish I'd done that sooner!). He's raised my chin countless times, taken my hand and guided me, taught me patiently in countless ways and through many people. I've been horrifically stubborn at times, yet he's always beared with me & seen me through a situation - even when I'd ignore the obvious answer!
It's been a humbling 3 years, more humbling as it's progressed with God's gradually teaching me to break down the pride in my heart & submit to him first, in all things. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't have swapped these past 5 weeks of revision/exams for anything in the world. They've drawn my closer to God than before & I want this closeness & fellowship I have with him to continue!
and now what? well, that's the question, isn't it, and such an exciting one!!! The answer, things will happen day-in and day-out until the end of term, but I hope and pray that God keeps teaching me to humble my heart & lift each new day to him. He's got plans that far outweigh my imaginings, and all it takes is my willingness to follow. He'll equip me for the day ahead, that i know; the last 5 weeks have paid testament to this! Relaxing is now just around the corner, starting with a good night's sleep in a couple of minutes, so this is Tim's brain signing off. Good night & God bless :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
recycled badgers
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
...and thus dawns the age of the jaguar
8am
Well, not quite the age of the jaguar (quote from El Dorado), so much the age of 22! Hehe I'm now a whole day older than I was yesterday, and apparently that means I get letters from people. Tis rather exciting for me really, because it's the first time in 5 academic years that I haven't had an exam on my birthday!
And the sun is shining (the weather is sweet, yeah...)
Bonza :)
9.45pm
I sit with a glass of wine in my hand at the end of a busy day. And it's been a good one! :D Thanks to all of you for you texts and cards, it has been a fab day; feeling older has felt good! Friends came round in the morning to open prezzies with, revision was had in the afternoon, and chilling this evening with a quality film & a good portion of not revising ;)
Tomorrow beckons soon with the promise of my final exam, and then a whole load of nothing - something that fills me with a sense of uncertainty as I really don't know what to do with my time after tomorrow morning. Well, I shall have to see what comes up. But before then, sleep :)
Oh yes, and I did my washing. Woot.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Well, not quite the age of the jaguar (quote from El Dorado), so much the age of 22! Hehe I'm now a whole day older than I was yesterday, and apparently that means I get letters from people. Tis rather exciting for me really, because it's the first time in 5 academic years that I haven't had an exam on my birthday!
And the sun is shining (the weather is sweet, yeah...)
Bonza :)
9.45pm
I sit with a glass of wine in my hand at the end of a busy day. And it's been a good one! :D Thanks to all of you for you texts and cards, it has been a fab day; feeling older has felt good! Friends came round in the morning to open prezzies with, revision was had in the afternoon, and chilling this evening with a quality film & a good portion of not revising ;)
Tomorrow beckons soon with the promise of my final exam, and then a whole load of nothing - something that fills me with a sense of uncertainty as I really don't know what to do with my time after tomorrow morning. Well, I shall have to see what comes up. But before then, sleep :)
Oh yes, and I did my washing. Woot.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Craziness...
You'd think with a title like that, that this post'd be about me, but I'm just the observer & participater in this story - not the architect.
Saturday morning was a case of me praying about planning my day and trying to revise the majority of my State Space notes for my Monday exam (not a pretty picture, trust me there) and as such working late and catching eurovision online while Si headed out to someone's for it. Talk about shaping up to be a pants day. But that's not the end of the story - not by a long shot!
Waiting at the bus stop after raiding Asda I got a phone call from a coursemate, John, asking if we could finish copying notes. I said yes and on the off-chance asked if he was free that afternoon to go through State Space... I'll spare you the boring details, but I ended up being fed twice at John's house, working 1.30-6 (getting some good work in) and staying to watch the whole of eurovision (which I reckon's one of the best we've had in the last 5 years).
Talk about a success story, my day of pantsness was turned upside down and God was smiling all the while. Man I wish I'd just learn to give my days up to him and trust him to guide me. I was meditating this morning in Acts 7 and God pressed home how sometimes you find yourself unsure why you're where you are or why God won't lift you up out of a certain situation. In these times we need to lift whatever it is up to God & seek him to make it clear why we're here & ... here's the dead groovy part ... what he wants us to be doing while we're here.
Exams are drawing to a close, but I'd not have swapped this last 5 weeks for the world. Exams may be hard to revise for/understand but God gives perfectly to you if we you him. It's been a humbling time of learning how to trust God more & walk in his strength. I'd not keenly thrust my hand up in volunteering to do it again, not by a long shot, but I've loved how God's taken a stereotypically stressful time in the year & used it for his glory.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Saturday morning was a case of me praying about planning my day and trying to revise the majority of my State Space notes for my Monday exam (not a pretty picture, trust me there) and as such working late and catching eurovision online while Si headed out to someone's for it. Talk about shaping up to be a pants day. But that's not the end of the story - not by a long shot!
Waiting at the bus stop after raiding Asda I got a phone call from a coursemate, John, asking if we could finish copying notes. I said yes and on the off-chance asked if he was free that afternoon to go through State Space... I'll spare you the boring details, but I ended up being fed twice at John's house, working 1.30-6 (getting some good work in) and staying to watch the whole of eurovision (which I reckon's one of the best we've had in the last 5 years).
Talk about a success story, my day of pantsness was turned upside down and God was smiling all the while. Man I wish I'd just learn to give my days up to him and trust him to guide me. I was meditating this morning in Acts 7 and God pressed home how sometimes you find yourself unsure why you're where you are or why God won't lift you up out of a certain situation. In these times we need to lift whatever it is up to God & seek him to make it clear why we're here & ... here's the dead groovy part ... what he wants us to be doing while we're here.
Exams are drawing to a close, but I'd not have swapped this last 5 weeks for the world. Exams may be hard to revise for/understand but God gives perfectly to you if we you him. It's been a humbling time of learning how to trust God more & walk in his strength. I'd not keenly thrust my hand up in volunteering to do it again, not by a long shot, but I've loved how God's taken a stereotypically stressful time in the year & used it for his glory.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Friday, May 19, 2006
Welcome to the newcomer
My esteemed Disney-loving friend Ruth has entered the Blogosphere at long last!
She can be found here: http://littlemissruth.blogspot.com/
Do pop by and say hello, she doesn't bite. Well, there was that one time...
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
She can be found here: http://littlemissruth.blogspot.com/
Do pop by and say hello, she doesn't bite. Well, there was that one time...
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Ode to my bed
This post of Jonny's, Ode to my bed, made me laugh today so I thought I'd take the opportunity while I am getting hungry enough for dinner, to write one as well! Apologies to Jonny for pilfering and changing his first 2 lines, in my case they create a wonderful contrast to his situation re: beds!
Ode to my bed
'I’m five foot four and it must be said
I’m just too small for a double bed!
‘Now that’s not odd,’ I hear you cry
‘That a bed’s too big for that wee guy.’
But let me take but just a min
To better show the fix I’m in!
You see it’s rather worrying when
I wake up at the other end
And wonder why that wall I see
Is now on the wrong side to me.
Or when somehow I find myself
Curled up like some cuddly elf
In the far corner of the thing
Where once my cheesy feet bad been
Or better still when change comes round
When sheets and covers are machine-bound
The task confronts my poor small frame
Of covering all I see again!
The duvet, more like tent than cover,
Sheet, the mattress’ monstrous mother,
Pillow cases, my only friends,
Right size to fit my physical trends.
Which end to tuck I just don’t know,
This enormous bed-based throw
It takes me twenty tries at least,
My arms don’t stretch from west to east!
Duvet covers swallow whole
This shorty Scot, turned linen mole
When exit found It’s strange to see
The outside light has failed me!
So there. My bed; both friend and foe
Many nights’ rest to it I owe
and yet, each time I lay my head
upon this vast expanse of bed
I wonder where and when I’ll wake
upside-down, no doubt, I’d stake
or one day I might just arise
the same way that I starts to lies
I think I'll just give up this bed
and sleep upon a hammock instead!'
Yes, I'm short
Yes, it's a King-size double bed
Yes, it's daft
Yes, I love it! :D
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Ode to my bed
'I’m five foot four and it must be said
I’m just too small for a double bed!
‘Now that’s not odd,’ I hear you cry
‘That a bed’s too big for that wee guy.’
But let me take but just a min
To better show the fix I’m in!
You see it’s rather worrying when
I wake up at the other end
And wonder why that wall I see
Is now on the wrong side to me.
Or when somehow I find myself
Curled up like some cuddly elf
In the far corner of the thing
Where once my cheesy feet bad been
Or better still when change comes round
When sheets and covers are machine-bound
The task confronts my poor small frame
Of covering all I see again!
The duvet, more like tent than cover,
Sheet, the mattress’ monstrous mother,
Pillow cases, my only friends,
Right size to fit my physical trends.
Which end to tuck I just don’t know,
This enormous bed-based throw
It takes me twenty tries at least,
My arms don’t stretch from west to east!
Duvet covers swallow whole
This shorty Scot, turned linen mole
When exit found It’s strange to see
The outside light has failed me!
So there. My bed; both friend and foe
Many nights’ rest to it I owe
and yet, each time I lay my head
upon this vast expanse of bed
I wonder where and when I’ll wake
upside-down, no doubt, I’d stake
or one day I might just arise
the same way that I starts to lies
I think I'll just give up this bed
and sleep upon a hammock instead!'
Yes, I'm short
Yes, it's a King-size double bed
Yes, it's daft
Yes, I love it! :D
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Ambidextrose
Here's a random thought I just had... If ambidextrous means you're equally skilled with both hands, then would ambidextrose describe an equally able 2-handed sugar?
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Student Group: Psalm 42-43
Man, I'm just totally stoked once again by how truly amazing God is - this time, regarding his drawing our focus back to him when we find ourselves lost.
In Student group today we were looking at Psalms 42 and 43; structured as a song, with 4 verses and a chorus.
Psalm 42v1-5
The first 4 verses open with the writer describing his soul as thirsting for God(v2), and desiring to see the face of God(v2). In verse 3 he refers to his enemies as asking, continually, "where is your God?"
As he "pours out" his soul(v4), he reflects back on times where he lead his people "in processiong to the house of God"(v4). The whole of verses 1-4 show the author's desperation and longing for better times, but crucially to be closer to God(v2). As you come to the chorus though(v5-6a), we see him addressing his soul! Though it may seem peculiar, as you read it through he questions his being cast down(v5a) and his inner turmoil, telling himself to hope in God(v5b)! for he "shall again praise him, my help and my God." I'll come back to the 'addressing his soul' a bit later, but let's carry on for the time being.
Psalm 42v6b-11
Verse 6 sees the author recognise the his soul is downcast, but, he doesn't wallow in self-pity. No. He remembers God(v6b)! He goes on to give a wonderfully powerful description of what's going on, "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me"(v7). Notice that while referring to the waves and breakers, he calls them God's! In spite of all that's going on around him, he knows God's the one in control, going on to describe God's steadfast faithfulness to him(v8). Compared with the first section, he no longer longs to be back in Jerusalem to worship God in the temple; he now knows God is with him where he is.
Having affirmed God being with him, the author proceeds to ask God, "Why have you forgotten me?"(v9), referring once more to his enemies taunting him(v10). The question is no more where he is, but the reason for God not answering his cries. We can all empathise with this to a degree, but see how he continues.
The chorus reads as before(v5), but you can feel the author's increasing hope as he once again addresses his soul, commanding it to hope in God(v11b), "for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."(v11b). He knows God will bring him back to that place of praise again, for God is his salvation.
Psalm 43v1-5
Psalm 43 opens with a cry from the author to "Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people...deliver me!"(v1) We can see his desire to have God's name praised here, above his situation; that his cries would be answered, and that God's power would be seen amongst his enemies. Despite his circumstances, he once again affirms God as his refuge. Even as he asks the questions of "why have you rejected me?" and "why do I go about mourning"(v2), you can feel his hope building althemore, such that he concludes this 3rd and final verse with an awe-inspiring desire, directed at God.
"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!"(v3). Allowing his focus on God to raise his head above his circumstances, he shows his desire afresh be brought to God's "holy hill and to [his] dwelling", into his presence. He explains this wonderfully in verse 4 with, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you, O God, my God". This is the first time, excluding the choruses, where the author has referred to God as his God. He has been brought back to a focus of fully trusting on God, through him preaching to his soul a fresh revelation of God's faithfulness and hope.
You can almost taste the irony in his voice in the final chorus as he says "Why are you cast down...O my soul?", as he realises that the solid rock on which he stood is the same rock he is standing on now.
Addressing your soul:
The author picks up on this amazingly crucial point for us in our day-to-day lives. Times come when we, as the author does, find ourselves in situations that we can't explain and we find push us to the limit of our endurance. Situations, where we feel God is distant from us, and/or we can't hear him. The author stops, and addresses his soul. He brings the truths he knows about God to the front of his mind and questions his state of mind in light of God's faithfulness! To us, this might be the sheer awesomeness of God's power, his unending faithfulness, or the fact that we are saved by Jesus' blood once and for all!
The fact stands the same, though we often can't see it; God reigns sovreignly over and in our lives, he knows our hearts & minds, what leads us from him & how to lead us back to him. Don't be afraid of addressing your soul, it is a healthy and vital part of managing your focus on God! As I gather, Saint Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the good news to all people..." to this I would add, "including yourself".
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
In Student group today we were looking at Psalms 42 and 43; structured as a song, with 4 verses and a chorus.
Psalm 42v1-5
The first 4 verses open with the writer describing his soul as thirsting for God(v2), and desiring to see the face of God(v2). In verse 3 he refers to his enemies as asking, continually, "where is your God?"
As he "pours out" his soul(v4), he reflects back on times where he lead his people "in processiong to the house of God"(v4). The whole of verses 1-4 show the author's desperation and longing for better times, but crucially to be closer to God(v2). As you come to the chorus though(v5-6a), we see him addressing his soul! Though it may seem peculiar, as you read it through he questions his being cast down(v5a) and his inner turmoil, telling himself to hope in God(v5b)! for he "shall again praise him, my help and my God." I'll come back to the 'addressing his soul' a bit later, but let's carry on for the time being.
Psalm 42v6b-11
Verse 6 sees the author recognise the his soul is downcast, but, he doesn't wallow in self-pity. No. He remembers God(v6b)! He goes on to give a wonderfully powerful description of what's going on, "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me"(v7). Notice that while referring to the waves and breakers, he calls them God's! In spite of all that's going on around him, he knows God's the one in control, going on to describe God's steadfast faithfulness to him(v8). Compared with the first section, he no longer longs to be back in Jerusalem to worship God in the temple; he now knows God is with him where he is.
Having affirmed God being with him, the author proceeds to ask God, "Why have you forgotten me?"(v9), referring once more to his enemies taunting him(v10). The question is no more where he is, but the reason for God not answering his cries. We can all empathise with this to a degree, but see how he continues.
The chorus reads as before(v5), but you can feel the author's increasing hope as he once again addresses his soul, commanding it to hope in God(v11b), "for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."(v11b). He knows God will bring him back to that place of praise again, for God is his salvation.
Psalm 43v1-5
Psalm 43 opens with a cry from the author to "Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people...deliver me!"(v1) We can see his desire to have God's name praised here, above his situation; that his cries would be answered, and that God's power would be seen amongst his enemies. Despite his circumstances, he once again affirms God as his refuge. Even as he asks the questions of "why have you rejected me?" and "why do I go about mourning"(v2), you can feel his hope building althemore, such that he concludes this 3rd and final verse with an awe-inspiring desire, directed at God.
"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!"(v3). Allowing his focus on God to raise his head above his circumstances, he shows his desire afresh be brought to God's "holy hill and to [his] dwelling", into his presence. He explains this wonderfully in verse 4 with, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you, O God, my God". This is the first time, excluding the choruses, where the author has referred to God as his God. He has been brought back to a focus of fully trusting on God, through him preaching to his soul a fresh revelation of God's faithfulness and hope.
You can almost taste the irony in his voice in the final chorus as he says "Why are you cast down...O my soul?", as he realises that the solid rock on which he stood is the same rock he is standing on now.
Addressing your soul:
The author picks up on this amazingly crucial point for us in our day-to-day lives. Times come when we, as the author does, find ourselves in situations that we can't explain and we find push us to the limit of our endurance. Situations, where we feel God is distant from us, and/or we can't hear him. The author stops, and addresses his soul. He brings the truths he knows about God to the front of his mind and questions his state of mind in light of God's faithfulness! To us, this might be the sheer awesomeness of God's power, his unending faithfulness, or the fact that we are saved by Jesus' blood once and for all!
The fact stands the same, though we often can't see it; God reigns sovreignly over and in our lives, he knows our hearts & minds, what leads us from him & how to lead us back to him. Don't be afraid of addressing your soul, it is a healthy and vital part of managing your focus on God! As I gather, Saint Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the good news to all people..." to this I would add, "including yourself".
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Freshly shawn
It got to that time today when I realised that I hair was beginning to get to that 'unruly phase', so rather than let it run free (like the last 7 months ;) I am now freshly shawn and feeling a tad more breezy up there.
As you can see, my hair is none too pleased with being removed from my head. I might transplant it into a gerbil if I have the time after exams...
I now have about 2 weeks of a blissful lack of hair products usage! Aaah, how this will save my shopping budget. Wonderful :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
As you can see, my hair is none too pleased with being removed from my head. I might transplant it into a gerbil if I have the time after exams...
I now have about 2 weeks of a blissful lack of hair products usage! Aaah, how this will save my shopping budget. Wonderful :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Observations of an exam
Having finished my exam earlier than expected (having double/triple-checked!), I found my mind taking in what was around me. And then a poem starting forming in my head!
Not so much an ode, as general observations of exams :) can you empathise with any of these lines?!
Observations of an exam
'Silence cuts like the edge of a knife,
the tiniest sound confuses.
A cursory glance shows a sea of heads,
their memories their own personal muses
Tick, tock, tick tock,
the hands still labour round
that impartial face that faithfully keeps
its ticking vigil, sound
A sea of faces, now fixated
soon to breath free air
yet for this time, must train their minds
and upon their paper, stare
tick, tock, thirty, sixty soon,
the temporal keeper tells,
itself, a pale light-lit moon
to announce the nights-end nell
The hand is raised, the swords are sheathed,
the paper-ous clamous begins
as they rise once more to take the walk
that will bring them home again
Fresh air is breathed, and inside yourself
the storm clouds pass on by.
The day has played its part, and thus
a calmer man am I.'
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Not so much an ode, as general observations of exams :) can you empathise with any of these lines?!
Observations of an exam
'Silence cuts like the edge of a knife,
the tiniest sound confuses.
A cursory glance shows a sea of heads,
their memories their own personal muses
Tick, tock, tick tock,
the hands still labour round
that impartial face that faithfully keeps
its ticking vigil, sound
A sea of faces, now fixated
soon to breath free air
yet for this time, must train their minds
and upon their paper, stare
tick, tock, thirty, sixty soon,
the temporal keeper tells,
itself, a pale light-lit moon
to announce the nights-end nell
The hand is raised, the swords are sheathed,
the paper-ous clamous begins
as they rise once more to take the walk
that will bring them home again
Fresh air is breathed, and inside yourself
the storm clouds pass on by.
The day has played its part, and thus
a calmer man am I.'
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Caption competition
Time for a brief respite in the heat of exams, this being a caption competition! I'll start the ball rolling with:
*thinks: that rottweiler wasn't there when I fell asleep...*
Enjoy yourselves! :D
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
5' 4"
Filling in graduation gown details today, I discovered that I have a large head and a shortish body.
How exciting is that??!! You'd think with all that large-headedness up there that either:
a) I'd fall over...
b) there'd be more brain matter and less fluff up there...
c) I'd have the occasional low flying aircraft crash into me...
...but no!! None of the above are true however, as last time I checked my head, it was still vertical, highly fluffy and remarkably aircraft-free.
Graduation's the 6th July if you all fancy heckling me from the stalls. Go on, crash the ceremony, you know you want to ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
How exciting is that??!! You'd think with all that large-headedness up there that either:
a) I'd fall over...
b) there'd be more brain matter and less fluff up there...
c) I'd have the occasional low flying aircraft crash into me...
...but no!! None of the above are true however, as last time I checked my head, it was still vertical, highly fluffy and remarkably aircraft-free.
Graduation's the 6th July if you all fancy heckling me from the stalls. Go on, crash the ceremony, you know you want to ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Monday, May 08, 2006
Stone with your letter, sir?
Having my SLEASE exam coming up on Thursday, I was being a good little student this afternoon by reading articles on this and that for background reading. Then I stumbled upon this one.
The context is of the author of the article receiving a CD-sized package through his door from Microsoft UK, containing a cover letter (about the evils of software piracy and them clamping down on it etc. etc.)... and enclosed was a small stone. A real stone! He goes on to say:
"Underneath [the letter] is a rock, an actual genuine 100% solid rock, with a notice underneath saying "Let's leave them no place to hide". See attached picture.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/08/stone_software_pirates/
Bravo to Mr. Leicester Haines, he's made my day all the brighter ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
The context is of the author of the article receiving a CD-sized package through his door from Microsoft UK, containing a cover letter (about the evils of software piracy and them clamping down on it etc. etc.)... and enclosed was a small stone. A real stone! He goes on to say:
"Underneath [the letter] is a rock, an actual genuine 100% solid rock, with a notice underneath saying "Let's leave them no place to hide". See attached picture.
What kind of crazy marketing is this?
Crazy? It's pure genius. Clearly the plan is that you and other honest citizens identify your local illegal software supplier (pretty easy - he'll have a black cat and the power to raise storms and curdle milk) and then you turn up at his shop and stone him to death. Job done, democracy saved."
The Full article is viewable at:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/08/stone_software_pirates/
Bravo to Mr. Leicester Haines, he's made my day all the brighter ;)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Saturday, May 06, 2006
So completely, So truly
Inspired by a convo I just had with my sis Emma, she came out with the comment 'so completely, so truly' while talking about God drawing you back to him.
When he does, it's not a 'come near, slap on the wrist, don't do it again' embrace. It's a full-bodied gentle embrace that sweeps you off your kness & puts you back on your feet. You know you're home. I hope & pray you are encouraged to turn to God more frequently, remembering what he has done for you.
So completely, So truly
'so completely, so truly,
you took my sin on you
no half-hearted call, you gave you all
that I may walk with you
so completely, so truly,
you walked this life I live,
received the scorn I poured on you
that life I could receive
so completely, so truly,
my punishment you took,
to stand before the Father, marred
that he could not even look
so completely, so truly,
you brought me from the grave
that by your hand, restored by grace
I stand before you, saved
so completely, so truly,
your love has paid my debt
may no word he calls against my name
cause me e'er to fret
for the work you wrought upon the cross
stands true for all mankind
you broke the power sin held o'er me
you cut the bonds that bound
so completely, so truly,
these dirty rags I wore
were washed by streams of crimson love
now I know what lies in store
the day shall come, now not far off
when he shall come again
and he shall take me there and then
to, in his presence, reign'
When he does, it's not a 'come near, slap on the wrist, don't do it again' embrace. It's a full-bodied gentle embrace that sweeps you off your kness & puts you back on your feet. You know you're home. I hope & pray you are encouraged to turn to God more frequently, remembering what he has done for you.
So completely, So truly
'so completely, so truly,
you took my sin on you
no half-hearted call, you gave you all
that I may walk with you
so completely, so truly,
you walked this life I live,
received the scorn I poured on you
that life I could receive
so completely, so truly,
my punishment you took,
to stand before the Father, marred
that he could not even look
so completely, so truly,
you brought me from the grave
that by your hand, restored by grace
I stand before you, saved
so completely, so truly,
your love has paid my debt
may no word he calls against my name
cause me e'er to fret
for the work you wrought upon the cross
stands true for all mankind
you broke the power sin held o'er me
you cut the bonds that bound
so completely, so truly,
these dirty rags I wore
were washed by streams of crimson love
now I know what lies in store
the day shall come, now not far off
when he shall come again
and he shall take me there and then
to, in his presence, reign'
CU Ball announced!
Woo hoo, Another occasion I get to wear my kilt to! Fantastic!! :D
Yup, you guessed it, the CU Ball date' been announced. However it was so memorable that I've forgotten it... hmm... anyhoo, the theme this year is 'Black tie & diamonds' which sounds rather exciting. A slight issue may arise however, in that I don't own any diamonds.
Honestly, who has a black tie and diamonds?!! Guess I'll have to rob a jewellery store in advance ;) Hopefully more to follow on this when I read the next CU email!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Yup, you guessed it, the CU Ball date' been announced. However it was so memorable that I've forgotten it... hmm... anyhoo, the theme this year is 'Black tie & diamonds' which sounds rather exciting. A slight issue may arise however, in that I don't own any diamonds.
Honestly, who has a black tie and diamonds?!! Guess I'll have to rob a jewellery store in advance ;) Hopefully more to follow on this when I read the next CU email!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Friday, May 05, 2006
More of him, less of me
Man I just love chatting to friends about how awesome God is!! These last couple of days I've found bumping into Ceryn all the more awesome as she's getting stronger by the day. No-one knows what she's had - but God did. The doc's were baffled, but God wasn't; not for an instant, and we've had the immense priviledge of being able to be there to pray, encourage, cry and praise with her over the past 6 weeks.
The seemingly bitter-sweet of God's will often topples your own thinking, you just don't know what he's doing. But then, you do; he's working in and through you for his glory, and sometimes he takes measures that we might not think of. Throughout the last x weeks we've seen God gradually strengthen and bring the Ceryn we know and love back to us. This term, the past 3 days especially, has been awesome revelling with her in how God must become more in us, and we become less. He's got such awesome plans he wants to work out in us that it's crazy to think we'd want to try it on our own, just to stitch it up where he'd succeed. Yet, it's only when we humble outselves before him that he can truly be working in us.
These lyrics comin' up are by Andy Flannigan, I just love them:
'"Perfect beauty contained in a man
King of heaven who walked in the sand
Can a human house the divine?
Can your spirit flow into mine?
Build me with your precious stone
Move into your rightful home
You are the one who has come to this temple
Come take control of my soul and my mind
Teach me to fall on my face in your presence
Come take your place as your grace i receive
Help me build you this temple of praise
Perfect foundation so set in your ways
Not ashamed to now welcome you in
Since your blood has deleted my sin
And as my spirit aches and groans
move in to take your throne
You call me precious, you call me priceless, you call me yours.
You call me sacred, you call me special, you call me yours."
I may only really truly realise it in moments of clarity like this, but my intense desire in my soul is for him to increase in me, to have greater sway and control in my life, that I'd defer to his rule, recognising afresh each day how awesome he truly is. How glorious his ways are. How amazing his grace is. How praise-worthy he truly is.
We serve a perfectly glorious God, people. And this same glorious God wants to work in you, each and every day. Don't forget it for an instant! Humble your hearts afresh & know his hand upon you.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
The seemingly bitter-sweet of God's will often topples your own thinking, you just don't know what he's doing. But then, you do; he's working in and through you for his glory, and sometimes he takes measures that we might not think of. Throughout the last x weeks we've seen God gradually strengthen and bring the Ceryn we know and love back to us. This term, the past 3 days especially, has been awesome revelling with her in how God must become more in us, and we become less. He's got such awesome plans he wants to work out in us that it's crazy to think we'd want to try it on our own, just to stitch it up where he'd succeed. Yet, it's only when we humble outselves before him that he can truly be working in us.
These lyrics comin' up are by Andy Flannigan, I just love them:
'"Perfect beauty contained in a man
King of heaven who walked in the sand
Can a human house the divine?
Can your spirit flow into mine?
Build me with your precious stone
Move into your rightful home
You are the one who has come to this temple
Come take control of my soul and my mind
Teach me to fall on my face in your presence
Come take your place as your grace i receive
Help me build you this temple of praise
Perfect foundation so set in your ways
Not ashamed to now welcome you in
Since your blood has deleted my sin
And as my spirit aches and groans
move in to take your throne
You call me precious, you call me priceless, you call me yours.
You call me sacred, you call me special, you call me yours."
I may only really truly realise it in moments of clarity like this, but my intense desire in my soul is for him to increase in me, to have greater sway and control in my life, that I'd defer to his rule, recognising afresh each day how awesome he truly is. How glorious his ways are. How amazing his grace is. How praise-worthy he truly is.
We serve a perfectly glorious God, people. And this same glorious God wants to work in you, each and every day. Don't forget it for an instant! Humble your hearts afresh & know his hand upon you.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Easter chick anyone?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Projects and praise
Hey all you hip & happenin youngsters, (Bish included!) I've finally finished my last final year project-based thing today; the dreaded interview. Me, my project and 3 professors. Oh yeah, and God!! Totally awesome, even tho I didn't turn up in the right kinda clothes and I forgot something that I had to explain later! Praise God!!
The Day concluded on a fab point, having the priviledge to help lead worship at CU this evening. Just amazed afresh at how awesome the new life God's given us truly is. Leading worship, you can be so struck by the words, the truths that are hammered home that you're praising God with. God continues to amaze me afresh each and every day by his faithfullness, his generosity, his provision of all I need; which now includes patience, determination, endurance and passion for my revision and work. Colossians 3v23-24 says the following:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reqard. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
That's the bottom line people; we're here because that's where God wants us! So let's grab whatever God's given us for this time; be it singledom, revision, trials or anything else, and take it up joyfully, remembering that he's with us to strengthen and uphold us for his glory. Praise his name at all times, he's ultimately worthy of our praise.
Dead wow stuff, just love the way God hits ya with things, don't you?! :D
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
The Day concluded on a fab point, having the priviledge to help lead worship at CU this evening. Just amazed afresh at how awesome the new life God's given us truly is. Leading worship, you can be so struck by the words, the truths that are hammered home that you're praising God with. God continues to amaze me afresh each and every day by his faithfullness, his generosity, his provision of all I need; which now includes patience, determination, endurance and passion for my revision and work. Colossians 3v23-24 says the following:
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reqard. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
That's the bottom line people; we're here because that's where God wants us! So let's grab whatever God's given us for this time; be it singledom, revision, trials or anything else, and take it up joyfully, remembering that he's with us to strengthen and uphold us for his glory. Praise his name at all times, he's ultimately worthy of our praise.
Dead wow stuff, just love the way God hits ya with things, don't you?! :D
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Project presentation
It came and it went. It's a mini adventure.
Praise God that my project presentation went so well today, he answered my prayers totally; giving me focus, pretty un-jittery hands, and clarity in what I said. All I can say is that our God is awesome :)
As a tribute to the day, here's a wee poem I wrote last year about presentations; about 5 mins before I was due to give one. I hope you enjoy, no doubt you can empathise with at least one line of it ;)
A presentation
'Calm and serenity,
where have you gone?
my palms start to sweat
as the others go on.
The time fast approaching
when I'll have to stand;
my hands then will tremble,
my calm will disband,
the words I'll forget
and my mouth will go dry.
Nout will come out
no matter how hard I try!
Then I'll break down and weep,
crying out 'please, no more!'
I'll turn to hand over
and pass out on the floor.'
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Praise God that my project presentation went so well today, he answered my prayers totally; giving me focus, pretty un-jittery hands, and clarity in what I said. All I can say is that our God is awesome :)
As a tribute to the day, here's a wee poem I wrote last year about presentations; about 5 mins before I was due to give one. I hope you enjoy, no doubt you can empathise with at least one line of it ;)
A presentation
'Calm and serenity,
where have you gone?
my palms start to sweat
as the others go on.
The time fast approaching
when I'll have to stand;
my hands then will tremble,
my calm will disband,
the words I'll forget
and my mouth will go dry.
Nout will come out
no matter how hard I try!
Then I'll break down and weep,
crying out 'please, no more!'
I'll turn to hand over
and pass out on the floor.'
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
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