Man I just love the way God takes hold of something you hear or see. Taking something mundane and normal and turning into a point of sheer inspiration. And it's often the simplest of things! I was listening to a song the other day, though I can't remember the name of it, and I ended up with the following lyrics for the chorus:
'You know the me I often hide,
the me inside
you know the way i really feel
the looks I sometimes steal
you know the pain i hold up still
the way it really feels
yet love me just the same,
claim me in your name
and take my side when all I've left
lies in tatters at my feet
my friend'
...and that's it in a nutshell - God's love is beyond what we can understand. For so many of us, our true selves can be so deeply covered and hidden, and yet God looks at our inmost heart - the one we hide from any or everybody, sees our sinfulness and doubt at times. And draws us to him, smiling. It's darn painful at times to let him do it, yet when you allow God to look at you as you are, you realise what you knew all along - he loves you continually, and whole-hearyedly. Why? Because we're his, and that's the simple fact. Mind-blowing, but that's the God we love and serve and brothers and sisters of Christ. This is the mighty and powerful, yet tenderly loving God who we have been called to serve and love.
Could there be anyone better to lead us on through the easy and tough of our lives? I can't think of anyone I'd rather have.
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Church Holiday Club!
Hey ho all, it's that time of year again and I'm so looking forward to it!! I'm not allowed to lead a group sadly as I'm not a church member (not because of my child-minding skills, but maybe that's for the better) but I'm allowed to be a group helper, so I'm soon to don my loud hawaiian shirt and baggy shorts for the 'Seaside Rock' week starting tomorrow from Monday til Friday.
Above all I'm hoping and praying that God'd use me among the young people, to the glory of name there. Fun and games are dead important, but I know that this is such an awesome opportunity for them to hear the gospel and, God-willing, receive it! Thanks everyone, expect posts to follow with progress reports of sorts, and maybe some passage posts as I've heard some quality stuff lately!
TTFN :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Above all I'm hoping and praying that God'd use me among the young people, to the glory of name there. Fun and games are dead important, but I know that this is such an awesome opportunity for them to hear the gospel and, God-willing, receive it! Thanks everyone, expect posts to follow with progress reports of sorts, and maybe some passage posts as I've heard some quality stuff lately!
TTFN :)
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
Thursday, August 03, 2006
the path ahead
This one's for you; Ceryn, Jess, Ed, Drew, Paul and Nu :)
the path ahead
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
the path ahead
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
the path ahead
This dislogue came to me very much with my friends Ceryn, Ed, Jess, Drew and Paul in mind as they prepare to take a year out in discipleship on Relay. Keep your focus on him guys; let him guide your steps (Prov3v5-6).
'I stood at the foot of the path. I looked back, knowing I'd got this far, and looked forward. But what WAS coming next? I mean, I knew what was coming up but I just felt so unprepared! How would I pay for that, or where would I stay, or how could I look after myself. Just then, as my mind raced with all those things, I tripped. He stopped with me though, taking my hand as I fell. 'But it's such a BIG step!' I said, with apprehension in my voice. 'I mean, how WILL I do, or pay, or work, or... or...' He waited patiently while I stuttered, struggling to get the words out. 'Did I ever say that this path would be easy, my precious one?' 'Well, no, but there just seems so MUCH of it! I mean, there's the work and the money and... and...' He sat down and moved me next to him. 'When have you been without what you've needed?' I pondered this for a moment. Before I could even form a reply he said 'when have you been without what you're REALLY needed?' I looked at my shoes, scuffing them on the road. I looked up. 'What's that?', I replied. He smiled; that same smile he holds for no time in particular, and every time he sees it. It being that spark of recognition as the truth sinks in once more that what I've always needed, and have had when I've really need it, has been him. The stark truth of this, of him and his faithfulness, sunk in afresh, and I let it wash over me. I glanced up the road again. 'You knew I'd do this, didn't you?' 'Of course', it was all I needed to hear. He knew this'd happen, and yet kept walking with me. I'd never understand that about him... 'and I knew you'd need to hear this,' he continued, 'you always do!' 'Doesn't mean I love you any less though; I can't' It suddenly occurred to me, 'but how did you know?' He turned to me, and said 'because I know you. You are mine. And neither my love, nor my faithfulness, nor my desire to see you grow in me and follow where I guide you, will ever change. THAT is my love for you.' I looked back up the path, and saw for the first time in a while that at the end of it stood a magnificent emerald gate. And beyond that, a sight that I couldn't put into words - it was beyond my imagination. I jumped to my feet, to find him there, beckoning me on with him. 'come with me,' he said, 'trust me with what's ahead.' I looked down, saw his feet standing square next to mine. I tightened my grip on his hand, noticed that patient smile of his; and took that step. '
'I stood at the foot of the path. I looked back, knowing I'd got this far, and looked forward. But what WAS coming next? I mean, I knew what was coming up but I just felt so unprepared! How would I pay for that, or where would I stay, or how could I look after myself. Just then, as my mind raced with all those things, I tripped. He stopped with me though, taking my hand as I fell. 'But it's such a BIG step!' I said, with apprehension in my voice. 'I mean, how WILL I do, or pay, or work, or... or...' He waited patiently while I stuttered, struggling to get the words out. 'Did I ever say that this path would be easy, my precious one?' 'Well, no, but there just seems so MUCH of it! I mean, there's the work and the money and... and...' He sat down and moved me next to him. 'When have you been without what you've needed?' I pondered this for a moment. Before I could even form a reply he said 'when have you been without what you're REALLY needed?' I looked at my shoes, scuffing them on the road. I looked up. 'What's that?', I replied. He smiled; that same smile he holds for no time in particular, and every time he sees it. It being that spark of recognition as the truth sinks in once more that what I've always needed, and have had when I've really need it, has been him. The stark truth of this, of him and his faithfulness, sunk in afresh, and I let it wash over me. I glanced up the road again. 'You knew I'd do this, didn't you?' 'Of course', it was all I needed to hear. He knew this'd happen, and yet kept walking with me. I'd never understand that about him... 'and I knew you'd need to hear this,' he continued, 'you always do!' 'Doesn't mean I love you any less though; I can't' It suddenly occurred to me, 'but how did you know?' He turned to me, and said 'because I know you. You are mine. And neither my love, nor my faithfulness, nor my desire to see you grow in me and follow where I guide you, will ever change. THAT is my love for you.' I looked back up the path, and saw for the first time in a while that at the end of it stood a magnificent emerald gate. And beyond that, a sight that I couldn't put into words - it was beyond my imagination. I jumped to my feet, to find him there, beckoning me on with him. 'come with me,' he said, 'trust me with what's ahead.' I looked down, saw his feet standing square next to mine. I tightened my grip on his hand, noticed that patient smile of his; and took that step. '
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Back from Bude
Yes, after 7 days of sun, sea and sand (as well as Sudoku, Sewing, Snoozing and other things beginning with 'S') I'm now back in lovely ol' Swindon. Sadly my camera was AWOL for most of the week, so I can't post many pics, however once I've scoured my phone I'll post the 5-6 I managed to snap!
My dad went into holiday overdrive, and ended up hiring body-boards (surf board for me!) and wetsuits for us for the whole week, so we got about 5 days in the surf. I really wish I could have surfed more as I was beginning to direct the board by the end of the week! So, if any of you fancy a week away in Cornwall next year in the Summer, just give me a buzz ;)
Apart from surfing and visiting places like Boscastle - absolutely beautiful little town in a harbour valley - we also played Scrabble, much to my mum's delight, and did many crosswords and Sudoku (is there a plural form of Sudoku? Anyway...) having bought a bumper book of 200 on the way there.
Back into the swing of things now, I'm very glad to say that we think my Gran's taken a turn for the better, and our prayers have been answered in her being more determined by the day to get mobilised and get back onto her Zimmer-frame. This represents a massive step forward, as before we were facing a brick wall of a determined mind. I'm reminded that only God can melt the heart and renew a mind. If you have been praying for her, and us (or not!), please praise God for his faithfullness and goodness in answering out prayers.
We know that in all things, God works for the good of those he loves - and we are his! - so do keep praying for her in the days and weeks to come. It's a first step, but a good one :D
In the mean time, I'm now job-hunting and getting used to the feeling of being independant in terms of transport! Onwards and upwards, as they say, I'm just loving getting to know God better atm - just reading a bit of the bible each day, learning more about him, re-learning things I'd forgotten. We do indeed serve an awesome powerful and loving God :)
Rock on in him!
TheWeeScottie
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weird is just your own personal brand of normal
My dad went into holiday overdrive, and ended up hiring body-boards (surf board for me!) and wetsuits for us for the whole week, so we got about 5 days in the surf. I really wish I could have surfed more as I was beginning to direct the board by the end of the week! So, if any of you fancy a week away in Cornwall next year in the Summer, just give me a buzz ;)
Apart from surfing and visiting places like Boscastle - absolutely beautiful little town in a harbour valley - we also played Scrabble, much to my mum's delight, and did many crosswords and Sudoku (is there a plural form of Sudoku? Anyway...) having bought a bumper book of 200 on the way there.
Back into the swing of things now, I'm very glad to say that we think my Gran's taken a turn for the better, and our prayers have been answered in her being more determined by the day to get mobilised and get back onto her Zimmer-frame. This represents a massive step forward, as before we were facing a brick wall of a determined mind. I'm reminded that only God can melt the heart and renew a mind. If you have been praying for her, and us (or not!), please praise God for his faithfullness and goodness in answering out prayers.
We know that in all things, God works for the good of those he loves - and we are his! - so do keep praying for her in the days and weeks to come. It's a first step, but a good one :D
In the mean time, I'm now job-hunting and getting used to the feeling of being independant in terms of transport! Onwards and upwards, as they say, I'm just loving getting to know God better atm - just reading a bit of the bible each day, learning more about him, re-learning things I'd forgotten. We do indeed serve an awesome powerful and loving God :)
Rock on in him!
TheWeeScottie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
weird is just your own personal brand of normal
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