Sweet. Break from revision, after first exam. Write a blog.
Had a really nice time at church on Sunday it was sweet.
God the father, provider and friend.
So my parents decided to start helping me out money-wise each month. Mum sent my 1st lot of pocket money about a week ago. With 1st class post. We both started to panic it hadn't arrived in my pigeon-hole by the weds, thursday, friday or saturday.
Me and Daley left for church a bit early and were waiting in the foyer for Dave and others. I thought I could check again then, and there it is, a letter from my mum, a cheque and a £10 note. I was relieved and happy to have some been given some cash and that my mum's post had finally got through!
We get to church, me with letter in tow. Guess what? It is gift day!
I turn around and exclaim to everyone... 'I had forgotten about today, I haven't got any money...'. Before several minutes later remembering that I had Mum's gift with me.
Yeah, that's great, the lord provides. He held back the letter and brought it when I had to bring money to sow into church (when I wouldn't have taken it otherwise).
Someone comes and brings a message, during the worship before we had given up any offerings, about all that we own being his, that all our gifts are from him, and that we need to give gifts generously and joyfully. I was a cheerful giver (for one of the first times)! I had received a generous gift from my Mother. I give a generous gift to my church. JOY
Ali then went on to share to the whole church about our selfishness as Christians, about true religion in James and about living as Christians.
We hypocrites. Why should we preach and tell people about Jesus, what rite do we have to profess him as Lord if we don't practice what he preached?
Ali again mentioned Shane Claibourne (what a story, I must write about him one day). And quoted him when he talked about admiring Jesus, applauding him, loving him without actually taking up our own cross........ (I realise this over and over again).
I couldn't find this quote on the internet but I found him saying this....
“Preach the gospel
always. And when necessary, use words.”
In quoting a old franciscan (might be wrong in calling it that) saying.
That is right.
Again, I was overcome with a need to LIVE. I had this wonderful idea of going out into the night and being Jesus. To show the face of Jesus today. As a hobby. Each week. For fun. Because his kingdom is Joyful. And because we need to. Out of worship.
What a joyful life; being Jesus to people. Helping the widowed and fatherless, praying for the sick, loving the world.
We sang the song by Delirious called 'Now is the time'. TUNE...
It has the lyric- "Everything you touch you change and we have all been changing"
Yes we have. We are beginning to realise the joy the Lord gives us, how wonderful life can be with him and how much we are being changed, transformed by his joy and glory.
Bring it on. Change me. Bend me. Break me. Anyway you want me.
My exam was ok but could have been better. Still joyful.
